While I hate to contradict T. S. Eliot, there’s no doubt in my mind that January is the cruellest month—always raising our spirits and our hopes, before dashing them down into cold reality.
Still…I suppose we should enjoy that inner glow while we can. In that spirit, on behalf of the B-Masters I would like to thank all our visitors for their support throughout 2015. I’m not going to be so foolish as to make promises, but—we’re trying, people: we really are!
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2015 was a particularly difficult year for several of us. Personally, it has climaxed in a brutal nexus of computer, work and health issues. With respect to the latter two, I am planning on resigning from my job at the end of February, so that I can concentrate on getting my health back in order. And while this isn’t the main goal, this should also mean sufficient time to fix a variety of exasperating technical problems. Among other things, I’m planning on rolling the website over into a blog; and while I hope (hope: there’s that word again!) to keep updating, and will definitely be participating in Roundtables, I am anticipating that most of this year will be devoted to transferring and reformatting existing reviews. When the new digs are up and running, I will post a note here.
Liz Kingsley is the insane genius behind And You Call Yourself a Scientist!
#1 by The Rev. on December 31, 2015 - 11:31 pm
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I was so excited to see your traditional New Year’s post…and as is your wont, you turned things into a total downer.
Are you going to be okay, hon? Something severe enough for you to leave work sounds pretty serious. I hope your sabbatical does you much good.
On a lighter note, are you going the blog route because it will be easier to maintain than a traditional site? I’m not very well-versed in that sort of thing.
#2 by lyzard on December 31, 2015 - 11:52 pm
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Hey, it’s what I do. 🙂
Long story short, I’ve damaged my neck. I also have something wrong with my left arm which may or may not be related to the neck issue, they haven’t managed to decide on a diagnosis. X-rays and ultrasounds aren’t showing anything to account for it, so I’ll probably need an MRI.
Yeah, I’m getting more and more bugs which I think is at least partly because of the age of the software. I think shifting to blogging is the easier option—at least once I’ve figured out how to set it up the way I want: I’m not very well-versed either!
#3 by supersonic man on January 3, 2016 - 3:30 am
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Argh, neck issues just mess up everything. I hope you have every possible resource available and can get some major healing.
#4 by lyzard on January 4, 2016 - 3:45 pm
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Yup.
The damage isn’t severe but apparently it’s irreparable, and I need to work on not making it any worse.
#5 by The Rev. on January 5, 2016 - 8:13 am
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How are you supposed to avoid aggravating it, pretend you’re Gaos and never turn your neck again? That seems like something it would be hard to avoid worsening. (Great, now I’m doing it.)
I’m so sorry you’re having to deal with this on top of everything else, Lyz. Take good care of yourself.
#6 by lyzard on January 5, 2016 - 7:35 pm
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Worse—EXERCISE! {*shudder*}
Thanks!
#7 by Alaric on January 1, 2016 - 12:27 am
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Happy New Year! Sorry to hear about the neck and other problems. I hope you have a better 2016 then your 2015. In fact, I hope we all have a better year this year.
#8 by The Rev. on January 1, 2016 - 1:12 am
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My condolences and well-wishes to you, Lyz. I hope those are things you can get taken care of.
At this point I almost feel bad that my year, after a nasty first few months, actually turned out pretty well, at least on a personal level. Still, I have guarded optimism at best about the coming year, so there’s that.
I think Alaric had it right: may all of us have a better year than the last, my friends.
#9 by RogerBW on January 1, 2016 - 9:07 am
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I wish you the best of luck, and while you probably have tech help closer than the other side of the planet you’re welcome to give me a shout if you want more.
#10 by GalaxyJane on January 1, 2016 - 3:17 pm
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Best wishes for Health and Happiness in 2016. You’ve spread enough joy with your work here that you deserve a little in return!
#11 by Redcrow on January 1, 2016 - 5:11 pm
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Sorry about all your problems, I hope things will improve.
#12 by lyzard on January 2, 2016 - 5:27 pm
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Thank you all!
I can only apologise for the repeated downer posts. Believe me, there’s nothing I’d like better than to be able to bounce here on New Year’s Day all full of positive vibes and high hopes, but circumstances forbid, sigh.
Yes, indeed: here’s to a better year for ALL of us!
#13 by Anna on January 2, 2016 - 10:04 pm
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Lyz, here’s wishing you all the best in 2016. 🙂
I get such pleasure reading and re-reading your reviews here. Take care of yourself, and I’m hoping that we all enjoy an excellent 2016.
#14 by Jen S. on January 3, 2016 - 12:09 am
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Total sympathy on the computer front–Kapersky security clashed with Windows 10 and managed to make my motherboard crap the bed–luckily I bought, after much experience with my personal vibe and machines, the extended warranty, but the repair will take three weeks.
And there’s nothing worse than the “well, something’s wrong but we don’t know what–time for more tests!” drag-on with medical issues. I’m glad you can take time to really get to the bottom of it!
No matter what form you choose for your future online incarnation, I’m there, believe me. Big cuddly Kthulu tentacle hugs.
#15 by lyzard on January 4, 2016 - 3:46 pm
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I also have Windows 10 incompatibility issues, which are likely to make this process even more exasperatingly slow.
Big cuddly Kthulu tentacle hugs.
Aww, that’s so sweet!
#16 by José on January 4, 2016 - 12:01 pm
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Best whishes for you, Liz, and all the B-Masters out there. For an excellent 2016!
#17 by DamonD on January 5, 2016 - 7:46 am
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Wishing everyone a happy (or at least a better!) 2016.
Hope things look up soon, Lyz.