(Pretend you're all in a Press Conference-type situation)
Hi everyone
Can you all hear me okay at the back? Great.
Today, with regret, I'm announcing the split of 'musodad'.
It's been on the cards for a while - in January I announced I was taking a break from Blogging due to differences in my work / life balance and then later that month my Blog got contaminated by a bad pop song (on purpose) to make the break official. However, I just couldn't stop thinking about Blogging and what my comeback post would be. Now, after that 2 Blog Post comeback, it's time to hang up my laptop once and for all.
I LOVE Blogging. I love the community feel, I love the banter and I just love writing stuff.
It's been loads of fun over the last 6 months but now I need to get my priorities straight. My homelife and work have suffered over this time and it has reached a point where this can no longer happen. The only solution is to take a permanent break from it (sorry for sounding over dramatic but I'm gutted to be giving up something that I love doing).
I could again say that I'm just going to take another break but I know the same thing will happen and I'll just be itching to write again. I really need to draw a line under it for good and concentrate on other stuff.
Thank you for reading, bigging up my blog, for all your comments, kind words, help, support, for tagging me in memes, for sending me CDs to review, which I never actually got round to reviewing (I promise I'll send them back. For the record, 'The Land of Sometimes' and 'Music for Baby (Jazz Nursery Rhymes)' are brilliant!) and for following me on here and on Twitter over the last 6 months. Thank you for making me laugh, making me cry (in a nice way), for making me realise there are some great friends out there waiting to be discovered (I've only met two Bloggers in person - @mammasaurusblog and @romanianmum - and they are absolutely fantastic people. I'd love to meet more of you in the future) - you are all bloody brilliant.
You never know, when things are back to normal, I might become the Blogger equivalent of a 'session musician' - a 'Session Blogger' perhaps - dipping in and out to help Bloggers when they need it. Guest posting here and there if you'll have me. I might even be like Doctor Who and re-generate into someone completely different like...erm Ralph Jones from Bognor (if your name IS Ralph Jones from Bognor, please don't sue me, it's just an example). Who knows what the future holds?
There is one regular feature which I was looking forward to continuing - '5 Bands I've been listening to this month' - the Music/Dad Blogger @Daley_84 is doing something similar on his excellent Blog Comfort in Sound so please pop over and start reading his monthly update instead. Also, @belfast_dad does a brilliant regular Tuesday Track feature on his Blog - so make sure you check that out too.
Before I go I want to leave you with a little song. It was the song my parents named me after and I feel it is a fitting finale. It is dedicated to all of you. I am Simon Smith, you are my 'amazing dancing bears'. It is also appropriate that my dad would look like Randy Newman if he had bigger hair.
Right, I'm off to speak to BT about getting some Take That-style phone lines set up just in case anyone takes the news of the split badly.
See you in 'The Next Life' (or more than likely on Twitter tonight - yep, I'll still be on there every now and then).
Remember "Once a Blogger, Always a Blogger".
Thank you and goodnight.
*Turns off lights, leaves building*
Really sorry to see you go. I've never commented but have enjoyed the witty banter on Twitter and occasionally stop by to read. There aren't enough daddy blogs out there, so it's a shame to lose one. But you gotta do what you gotta do. Take care of yourself!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment and kind words. Will still be hanging out over at Twitter so I'll see you there.
Deleteboo Hiss - can't you do what I do and just take regular breaks??!! I don't watch TV now at all in the evenings........
ReplyDeleteErm...Security, please can you evict this person for booing (AND hissing!) during a Press Conference, it really isn't cricket. Actually, come to think of it, it's Blogging, not cricket, isn't it? Let her back in, Freedom of Speech and all that. :) Thanks for your comment. I gave the regular break thing a go in January but it didn't work, I just constantly thought about my next post. Unless I draw a line under it things will just stay the same and they need to change. Good for you that you can do it though, I really wish I could.
DeleteMy name is musodad, and I'm a blogaholic springs to mind?!
DeleteSorry to see you hang up the blog, at least it wasn't "musical differences" see you in the next one, have a good time or whatever that verve lyric was !
ReplyDeleteCheers buddy and thanks for your comment. The day Then Jerico reform, you're one of the people I want standing by my side at their reunion gig.
DeleteThat's really sad! You will be missed!
ReplyDeleteThank you my dear, that's really kind. I'll never forget the day you gave me the Liebster Award. I was on the train to work when I found out and it made me smile for the rest of the day. I never did get a chance to pass it on so it will remain here forever *points to heart* Ahem, sorry about that. Next!
DeleteGosh, I'll miss you! Brave decision, though. There is always the danger of living more in cyberspace than in reality.
ReplyDeleteThank you, my dear, I'll miss you too. Hang on - I'm not going anywhere! I'm here! No, over here!! She obviously couldn't see / hear me, or do other Bloggers 'send you to Coventry' when you jack it all in? Or do you get sent to 'Blognor Regis'?!! Ha ha! Actually, I probably shouldn't joke about this...
DeleteVery sad - but I do understand. My virtual life and real life collide sometimes too. In fact, I've thought about doing the same thing. You're really brave to make that decision. I think that you should consider the guest posting idea though. A weekly music round up on another blog might be enough to keep you writing but be manageable?
ReplyDeleteGood luck.
Thank you. It's good to know I'm not the only one who thinks like this. Think you should stick at it though, you're brilliant. It does make me giggle to myself when I think 'hang on, you've only been doing this 6 months and you're already calling it a day?! There are people who have been doing this for years and they're doing okay'. They are the Rolling Stones of the Blogging World though, I am Mr. Blobby. Guest posts - or 'Session Blogging', as I like to call it - is definitely on the agenda in the future and I've already had some nice offers. It wont be for a while though but I'd never say never.
DeleteWhat a shame! I understand though, priorities & all that. See you on twitter, & I'll look forward to your monthly music post!
ReplyDeleteCheers buddy. I know we've only just discovered each other on Twitter but I can already tell you're gonna be one of my 'main men' going forward.
DeleteBooooo. *pelts stage with icky stuff*
ReplyDeleteSeriously, real life is the priority so totally understand. Hope you'll tweet now and again.
Another 'Boo-er"! and SECURITY! He's throwing stuff as well! *ducks, icky stuff hits Tarquin* You're another of my 'main men' buddy, thanks for your comment. I can guarantee I'll be on Twitter often, in fact it's probably Twitter that I should be giving up and not Blogging! :)
Delete* lobs bottle of pee at you *
ReplyDeleteTotally understand and theres always musodadisbananas.com for a fall back ;)
Theres always room for you at mine anytime , both blog and home. You are a great guy and a true friend and yes I am shedding a tear you bugger.
There may be no more blog so lets look at our next gig instead :)
onwards and upwards my friend xx
*catches bottle of pee, throws it at Omnivore Demon* You of all people throwing stuff at me! It's lucky Omnivore Demon were at the Press Conference as well.
DeleteSeriously though, thanks for your lovely comments my dear and thanks for everything you've done for me (and lots of other Bloggers) over the last 6 months. You are a Legend and I'm really going to enjoy watching Love All Blogs develop further in the future. You are a great friend too and you know full well that this isn't the end...
What a shame! The whole work/blog/life balance thing is so tricky. You'll always be welcome on Yellow Days if you fancy guest posting.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your lovely comments, I might just take you up on that one day. :) I know, as parents, a lot of you guys go through the same thing. It's just the wrong time at the moment to be writing regularly, maybe when the kids are a bit older. 'Musograndad' anyone?!
DeleteFeeling sad but I know you will be there anyway. Fancy writing a guest post? You are always welcome to do so on my blog. Or maybe a intro?
ReplyDeleteYou start me thinking now...will Vix start blogging then? See you on twitter anyway!!!
Thank you my dear. Like I said on Twitter, I'd be honoured to guest post on your blog. One day...
DeletePs Vix Blogging - no chance! :)
Good reading you! Best of luck. Sounds like it was a hard decision to make but a necessary one.
ReplyDeleteThank you my dear, looking forward to reading more of your posts.
DeleteThanks for your lovely comments everyone, you are all fantastic people. I will contact you all individually to say thanks when I get a chance.
ReplyDeleteEven though you won't be reading my Blog anymore, you can guarantee that I'll still be reading yours.
See you all on the other side (AKA Twitter).
Love that sEe you on the other side saying;)
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteI'm really sorry to see you go Simon, I've enjoyed reading your witty and insightful posts very much. You're always welcome as a guest poster over at mine too. I'll catch you on Twitter and I hope the Spotify playlists are going to continue as I pretty much rely on them for my current music education ;-) All the best bands leave their fans wanting more anyway, but I wouldn't mind seeing a comeback from you in the future x
ReplyDeleteThank you my dear, that's so nice. I would also be honoured to guest post on your Blog. Thanks also for all the music chats we've had on Twitter, you have brought many music memories back over the last 6 months. I will send you a playlist on Twitter now that I update regularly so you're kept up to date on what's out there (courtesy of NME). :)
DeleteIf you're anything like the bands of today you'll re-form in a few years and be bigger than ever before.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, knowing when to cut and run is a good thing. Blogging, and the following it nurtures, has an allure the likes of which I've never experienced, and to step away is bloody hard.
Best of luck.
Cheers for your comment buddy, it means a lot. I'll never forget you giving me my first #ff on Twitter and bigging up my Blog at the same time. You made my day that day (Vix, my wife, will tell you how chuffed i was!) You are one of my mainest main men from main manland and for as long as #crowdsourcedsundays continues, I will participate (unless I'm in Lincoln and my school photos are in Hertford like last weekend :)
DeleteSorry to hear about this mate but, like everyone else, I understand your reasons.
ReplyDeleteOn another point, I was wondering if you were named after that song! It's a lovely tune and was my favourite when I was a little 'un. Hope to see you back behind the laptop one day.
All the best.
Thanks for your comment matey, great to hear 'dancing bear' was one of your faves. I still need to play it to O to see her reaction. It will probably be 'this song was written about daddy' to which I'll reply 'yes it was'. :) Before I go I just wanted to thank you and @dotterel for getting me published in 'Who Let The Dads Out' - I really should've mentioned this in the Blog Post above and apologies for not (I knew I'd miss someone out!) You are two of my main men too and I was so chuffed & excited when the book arrived that day. Thanks for making me feel so good. For anyone else reading this - please buy it, it's fantastic! *ends shameless plug*
DeleteHave you come back yet?
ReplyDelete*clutches hopefully - of not a tad hysterically to your blog*
Ha ha! It's only been a week - need to give at least 10 days! :)
DeleteThat is so sad and such a shame. Look forward to the sessions/guest posts.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words. About to give up all other Social Media for 2 weeks as well - should be interesting!
DeleteI know you won't be able to reply for a while but just want to say I'm sad to see you're going but I really do understand. Blogging can totally take over your life, and being a parent is time consuming enough anyway! Something does have to give sometimes.. your sanity, your relationship with your other half or your children.. or even friends. It's hard to dedicate enough time to the important stuff let alone blogging.. believe me I've thought of giving up blogging as well. For now I'm keeping going but I think I'll have to let go from posting every day.. its just too much. My husband is a blogging widdow I think...
ReplyDeleteGood luck with everything!
Thanks Alex. Think you should definitely keep going, your blog is great. Really surprised to see Him Up North hanging up his laptop as well today, such a shame but totally understand why he's done it. See you on Twitter!
Delete