I need a break.

I began blogging on 5/7/06. I started writing one blog, and gradually built up to five blogs a day. I got out of bed at 3:30AM to start my daily writing.

I did it for fun, but lately it has seemed too much like work. I'm not sure that I am officially "burned-out," but I have definitely lost enthusiasm for the daily grind of blogging.

Since the blog obligation was only to myself, and I have no contract, it's an obligation I am free to suspend, cancel or modify at will. No one has a paid-up subscription for words they won't receive.

Therefore, after 2,715 posts, I have decided to take some time off. I need to finish writing a few books, and some essays, and maybe I'll even try poetry and songwriting. My to-do list includes many unread books and un-watched DVDs. I want to spend more time swimming, and walk my dog more often.

The break will last at least a few weeks, but might even be several months. J. D. Salinger has not published an original work since 1965, but I won't be away that long. Even if I don't come back full-time until the Fall, I might pop back in occasionally if I think there's something worth saying.

I am continuing to write BookMakingBlog, my blog about writing, editing and publishing.

CUL/mnm

Man jailed for calling 911 about lost keys

A man in Tampa, Florida called 911 eight times in one hour because he lost his keys. Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Debbie Carter says George Alvarez became upset with deputies because they could not help him find the keys.

Deputies arrested Alvarez just early Monday morning. He was booked into jail on charges of making a false 911 call and released from jail after posting $500 bail. (info from WFTS)

Man called 911 about son's messy room

A man in Bedford, Ohio argued with his grown son over a messy bedroom, and called 911. Andrew Mizsak called authorities last Thursday after his 28-year-old son threw a plate of food across the kitchen table and made a fist at him.

His son, also named Andrew, lives with his parents and has a room in the basement. The father says he overreacted when he called 911. He declined to press charges and told police he doesn't want to ruin his son's political career. The younger Mizsak works as a political consultant and is a school board member.

The son says he and his father love each very much and that he's lucky to be living in the house rent-free. He also promises to keep his room clean. (info from the Cleveland Plain Daler)

Robber called 911 claiming he was robbed

Sheriff's Deputies in Brazos County, Texas said a Bryan man called 911 Saturday, claiming to be the victim of an armed robbery, but it was the caller who took the money. Edward Velasco Junior was arrested Saturday.

According to the Sheriff's Office, Velasco told a dispatcher he was robbed at gun point while at his uncle's house, and said the suspect took $5,000. Investigators said while they were at the home, Velasco's uncle called from out of state and asked them to question Velasco.

Officers said Velasco allowed them to search his vehicle, and they found an envelope of cash in his car. Deputies said he admitted to taking the money from his uncle's home on Friday.

Deputies said Velasco's uncle refused to file charges. He was charged with making a false report, and was released on a $2,000 bond. (Info from KBTX.com)

Worried robber called 911 to be rescued

A man in Woodruff, South Carolina who robbed a convenience store, called police on himself and surrendered because he "was in some trouble and wanted to get off the streets."

William Gary called 911 to report his crime about 12:45 a.m. Thursday, about an hour after he used a knife to rob Li'L Cricket and said he would be waiting with his hands up.

Spartanburg County Master Deputy Tony Ivey said deputies were skeptical and "went in very cautiously" but spotted Gary standing in front of a residence with his hands up. Ivey said Gary was "very cooperative" with deputies.

Gary was arrested on the admission of the armed robbery. A clerk, who was not injured, positively identified Gary as the man who entered the store and demanded money while armed with a 5-inch knife. Authorities found his knife near the Fire Department.

A deputy instructed Gary not to tell him anything until a detective arrived, but Gary replied that "he didn't care about all that." Gary then told the deputy that he got $31 during the robbery and said he was "in trouble and needed to get off the streets" and didn't "want to get his wife and kid involved in his mess."

Deputies added more charges against Gary Thursday evening, accusing him of burglary, arson and grand larceny last month. He was being held on $25,000 bond.

Gary and Kenneth Hendricks are accused of breaking into a trailer and setting it on fire on April 30. A report indicates that Gary took guitars from the residence before the men started a fire near a window air conditioner. Four dogs died during the fire. Hendricks was charged with burglary, arson and obtaining goods by a false pretense. (info from the Spartanburg Herald-Journal)

Marijuana buyers were robbed and called 911

Two men in Daytona Beach, Florida called 911 after they were robbed at gunpoint while trying to buy 20 pounds of marijuana.

The Volusia County Sheriff's Office reports that Wesley Fehl and Kenneth Jones went to a home Monday with $12,000 to buy the grass. Two men at the home jumped Fehl and Jones, took their money and drove off. Fehl and Jones got in their own vehicle to follow and one of them called 911 for help.

The other vehicle got away, but deputies went back to the house, where they arrested Craig Williams and charged him with robbery. Authorities are still looking for the other man.

It's not clear if drugs or money were recovered. A sheriff's spokesman say charges could follow for Fehl and Jones. (info from the Miami Herald)

Woman called cops to complain about husband watching porn

A frustrated German housewife called police because her husband would not stop watching porn movies. The woman dialed the emergency police number and tearfully told the dispatcher there was an emergency.

When officers arrived at the scene they found her pacing the apartment while her husband sat in front of the TV watching porn.

She told the police: "Nothing will move him, not even if I offer him the real thing, and he has the TV on so loud I'm sure the neighbors can hear it."

She was told that there was nothing the police could do in such a case, and referred her to a counsellor for help. (info from Ananova.com)