Hello, Style Nation! While Anne is off enjoying sunny California, I thought I'd break my self-imposed sabbatical. I've had a crazy busy semester, but it's been productive and good. I finally feel like I'm reaching something like balance, and towards the end of my third year as a professor and a New Yorker, I feel more confident about my abilities and about belonging. Like other esteemed style colleagues, I am counting down the weeks until end of term, but we still have a while to go. In fact, my 13 day spring break starts tonight at 7:40. I have mountains of grading to do, but I am excited nonetheless. Please excuse my cranky face. I think I've lost my outfit taking mojo.
During my "sabbatical" as SFE called it, I spent a lot of time reading (for fun and for the career), writing, writing some more, and eating/cooking. I thought a lot about politics. I read Your Money or Your Life, and then Blokey and I set up clear financial goals. We donated some money to progressive causes/Japan. I re-united with graduate school friends in Montreal and networked with strangers (and didn't die of embarrassment). I made some good connections at another conference in Chicago. I go swept up in barefoot-style/forefoot strike running (then screwed up my knees, and now my foot, but I am still dedicated). I've now been on GAAD since mid July, and thrifted 4 times, a total of $80 (plus some shoes). I sat around thinking on planes and trains. It's been a good break.
I've been chatting with Anne about my future on this blog. (I've had the fortune to visit Chicago twice and we'll go once more in the summer). I think I will probably continue to blog, but my interest in my clothes has gone down. I apologize for my sporadic commenting, but I do still read all of your blogs on my Google Reader. I still like clothes and styles, and I still like looking at your blogs (so fun and so necessary to break up long teaching/writing days), but my participation in Style Nation will probably take a back seat to some of the other things on my plate.
Blazer: Esprit
Shirt: Macy's
Skirt: H&M
Tights: Target
Flats: Payless
I missed you! I understand, though, how priorities shift, but I hope that you'll continue to write, no matter the subject!
ReplyDeleteHey Rad, good to see you again! I totally understand the shift away from the clothes and the blog, its funny how many times i've been wildly passionate about something and can't imagine that i will ever tire of it, but then one day, without warning, it's just gone. I know it will happen at some point with me and the blog as well.
ReplyDeleteBut I hope you have a wonderful spring break, and great end of the semester!
YAY you're back! Funny that your trip to Germany is what got me to start writing again. I think there are definitely other things for all of us to focus our energy on, so it's understandable if style blogging isn't one of those things for you right now. For me, blogging is fun right now, but if it ever becomes work or a hassle, I'd definitely re-evaluate too (like I did last year - it seemed so silly compared to other things going on in my life).
ReplyDeleteI've missed you, beautiful! But it sounds like you've been busy and content, and that's fab.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to see you! Sounds like you've been busy in a good way. Hopefully we'll continue to see you now and again :)
ReplyDeleteI hear you! It's getting harder and harder for me to blog about style - it just doesn't seem as important as the other things I've got going on. It's fun yes- and I will always like clothes, but, it's not of great importance in my life right now- though I still will and do read other blogs - what I wear isn't as interesting as what I need to be working on or school or work - say assisting in the WE ARE ONE rallies -
ReplyDeleteBut- I do have to say it's nice to see you back on the blog : ) and to hear how you've been/what you've been up to.
Good to see you again, Rad! I'm glad you've been good-busy. Also, I can relate to style-blog-anxiety... I feel like I keep regurgitating the same mantras and style-related problems every week. Oh well, it is what it is. I'm happy that you are back for now, anyway. :)
ReplyDeleteAw, what a lovely thing to say. I've been enjoying reading about your job and summer planning.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lyddie. I've been enjoying your pictures and wish lists lately. I am pretty fickle in my passions in general. But I may start to love clothes again (but I am happy where I am right now).
ReplyDeleteYeay, I'll still try to post relatively regularly, although I don't know if the clothes will be interesting. I hear you about your spring. I am glad things are much better now. Don't you have some wine to be drinking?
ReplyDeleteThanks! I've been busy and happy! And continuing to enjoy your awesome content.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words, Allison! I hope to be around too.
ReplyDeleteSuzz, sounds like we've been going through similar things. The rallies have also been important for me (although I missed our We are one rally, but I'll be participation in some NYC based fights against austerity).
ReplyDeleteThanks, Waves. I kind of find clothes boring right now, at least for me, but I still enjoying taking in all the different style choices represented on the train. I guess I am in a more "uniform" oriented place right now.
ReplyDeleteWe will miss your minimalist awesomeness! But will enjoy whatever you post even if it's not clothes. I'm actually starting to feel like my clothes might be boring, too -- not to me, but to others. Because I'm not the remixing master of the universe or anything. Maybe I'll start posting more videos of Murray and Emo chewing on each other's hides.
ReplyDeleteThe minimalism is still there, and I'm flattered that you think it's awesome. i am digging your thinky thoughts lately. I am interested a scientists' view of feminism and academia. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteFor what it's worth, I do think you're quite the super mixer.
Oh, Rad, it's so good to see you. I'd be happy to see you if you were just in a bathrobe and bunny slippers, but luckily for me, you're in a fabulous outfit. It sounds as though things are busy but good for you - that's wonderful to hear.
ReplyDeleteGracey
Well, even if you don't plan to be as active in the future, it is still great to see you and to hear that you've been so productive!
ReplyDeleteVery good to see you again! Would you consider just doing a personal blog so you could blog about whatever you were interested in at the moment? I'd read it!
ReplyDeleteI do really like Your Money or Your Life. I also find that when I'm more interested in personal finance stuff, clothing takes a back seat and I've been feeling it lately as I've been trying to be more accountable to my money goals (and to rethink the goals as well).
Cheers, Gracey. Does a Slanket count?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Terri. I've been really enjoying your FFB posts, especially about the economic issues. They're great!
ReplyDeleteI might personal blog here, as long as Anne didn't mind. I have way too many things on my mind and maybe I could give my partner's ear a break and write about them as well.
ReplyDeleteI read Your Money and Your Life partly because of your (long time ago) recommendation. I want everyone to read it, especially my friends who think they don't have enough money, but you know, the old story about horses and water.
Newer blog reader here and I, too, was glad to see you back. I enjoy your writing and minimalist style (you look like a true NY'er to me). I hope you will continue to blog - even sporadically - because I think you have some very interesting things to say. Enjoy your spring break. :)
ReplyDeleteRad, I am glad you are back, even sporadically. I hope to see you around when you have time!
ReplyDeleteHey, I've missed you! Glad to see you back, and I hope you'll continue to pop in no matter what you feel like blogging about.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Audi. I have some thoughts lined up, and I hope they are interesting.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Kristen!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great thing to say, guest. I hope you pop by more often.
ReplyDeleteNoooo... don't go! I enjoy your internet presence!!!!
ReplyDeleteWith apologies for my belated response (I blame seasonal narcolepsy - NEVER blog induced) I'm with all other commentators, Rad. It's so great to see you, again, and I hope you'll continue to share at least some of your New York-cool outfits with us as well as more of your excellent social commentary, and any other "thinky thoughts" you want to type. 'Tis the season, it seems, for changes in the StyleNation. I am trying to roll with all of it but can't help regretting the exits of key players.
ReplyDeleteIt's your blog, so of course I don't mind :)
ReplyDeleteI am late to commenting on this post - just wanted to say that I understand where you're coming from. I felt like I could no longer maintain two blogs, meet my career and other goals, and spend quality time with family and friends. I'm still reading some style blogs, but I have to admit that my interest has waned - especially in cases where I didn't feel a strong sense of community.
ReplyDeleteI really want to try some barefoot running after my June marathon. Would love to hear more about how it went for you via email or FB message if you have a chance!