I don't know, folks.

I don't have a single good excuse for not being around lately...

I have several.

1) I'm getting married in less than two weeks in beautiful Iowa. It's very exciting, and we're getting down to crunch time. Wish us luck on our big day. Fiancee is turning into The Better Half very soon.

2) I've relocated to beautiful Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. It's warm, here. Always. I'm not sure I've I've seen temperatures in the 60s yet, aside from an A/C malfunction at work... I've found a nice little furnished villa overlooking a golf course, and I've settled in quite nicely.

3) Speaking of work, I started a new job. I'm working for the Island Packet, as an environmental/health care reporter. So far, so good. I think I've churned out 17 stories in my first three weeks, and I'm finally starting to get a feeling for being a Real* journalist.

4) Speaking of villas, my(our) lease expires on Dec. 15th. And, we haven't sold our other property yet, so logistically, this is a nightmare.

5) I'm tired.

6) I'm a voyeur. In fact, there are great things going on over at Dickie Cronkite, who's stuck in the Bleeding Hell that is Caracas, Venezuela, and The 19th Hole, who's digging up dirt on the Prague, Czech Republic Sex-for-food scandal. Also RND-Christine has started a new blog as well, discussing the trials and tribulations of an out-of-work journalist stuck somewhere near Gary, Ind. While my life slows to a snail's pace (relatively speaking, of course), our jobless and homeless friends are justifiably bitching and moaning at their respective Web spaces, making for more interesting and enlightening reading. Finally, I strongly advise you to check in every Blue Moon on our friend Hugh, who's trekking through eastern Asia with nothing but a pen in hand.

Hugh and Dickie have had some very interesting/dangerous encounters in their new locations, and it's only a matter of time before The Hole delivers some interesting tidbits from Prague. And, if you're just looking to pass the time and get updates on modern pop-culture seen through a jaded lens, check out RND as well.

If you're looking for voyeuristic, travel-oriented and downright interesting stories, check out our foreign correspondents. There's never a dull moment.

I'll be back around here at some point. But I don't know when. Don't hold your breath.