Monday, December 24, 2007

I'm baaack

So far the break from chess has been wonderful. I'm not sure how long it will last.

To the extent I'm involved with chess in the near future, it won't involve much blogging. The time I have spent on this blog, thinking about it, writing in it, commenting on people's blogs, responding to comments, has been invaluable, but voluminous. If I spent the amount of time on chess that I spent blogging I'd probably be fine.

Frankly I think in the near future I'll miss chess blogging more than chess. The people here are just great, and have been instrumental in helping me reach my chess goals. Sniff sniff. I think I'll miss you most of all Scarecrow. Ultimately though I want chess in my life as a hobby rather than an obsession. Perhaps blogging once or twice a month once I pick up the pieces again, once the ol' Caissa batteries are recharged.

In the meantime, I have a neuroscience blog that I update periodically, I also contribute at Philosophy of Brains, and am always caught hanging around at Dangerous Idea 2 and some over at Brain Hammer.

I'm currently reviewing linear algebra with the hope of writing up an extensive introduction to the subject, potentially even a book, for neuroscientists. In other words (explaining the title of the post) Eric is back, Blue Devil Knight is taking a back seat for a while.

Over/under on my next post here? 30 days. Place your bets.

26 Comments:

Blogger Glenn Wilson said...

Under. Could just be wishful thinking...

12/24/2007 03:01:00 PM  
Blogger takchess said...

I think the various chess bloggers here share a passion about ideas that go far beyond chess. I am enjoying returning to nonchess related items. I am currently listening to a book on tape about increasing diversity in the reading, listening, watching habits of today's consumer called the Long Tail. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Long_Tail




What I found helpful to start to "deprogram" 8)myself was to do a chess related thing on a scheduled basis. Going to my chess club can only be done on Friday night. While blogging, chess study,ct-art is too open ended and tend to overwhelm the schedule.
I suppose the true test is whether you have bought any chess related stuff for the holiday. And I do pick under. Happy Holidays

12/25/2007 06:14:00 AM  
Blogger Blue Devil Knight said...

I am going through blog withdrawal. Right now comments here are my only outlet, and other blogs. But Tak that is a good way to look at it.

I haven't bought anything chess related in probably a month. Quite a feat! :)

Merry Christmas to all celebrants out there.

12/25/2007 11:29:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

WAY under. If it were 14 days, I'd still take the under.

I'll have to check out your neuroscience blog, although it is almost certainly beyond my ken.

12/25/2007 02:39:00 PM  
Blogger Temposchlucker said...

I feel the vibes from external influences. So I gamble over. Allthough I hope under.

12/25/2007 07:45:00 PM  
Blogger Pawn Shaman said...

Good luck to you BDK. Weve always enjoyed your depth and analysis into the game. Welcome to the world of lazy chess bloggers.

12/26/2007 11:34:00 AM  
Blogger Pale Morning Dun - Errant Knight de la Maza said...

I'm going under. I'd also like to comment on your previous post. Chess is not all that high maintenance, but blogging sure as shit is. As you've already realized of course. But don't throw the baby out with the bath water, or whatever the saying is. You have time for chess. If I have time for chess, then you definitely have time for chess. You just don't have time for chess AND blogging. Big difference.

By the way, responding to blog comments on posts....isn't that almost the same as blogging itself? Ha!

12/27/2007 12:33:00 AM  
Blogger Blue Devil Knight said...

PMD: commenting in my blog and other blogs is like methadone. I'm not strong enough to go cold turkey!!!

I hope you are right PMD. I like this game.

12/27/2007 02:26:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I would have bet under, but judging by the comments here, I would guess you'll hold out now ( especially with no chess items bought for a month ! )

Personally, I'll miss your bloggin ,as I don't think I can keep up with a neuro-science one, but you never know ?!

12/27/2007 05:26:00 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

merry christmas, happy new year, all that. i understand wanting to take a break, you have been relentless in your chess study/writing. i didn't comment much, cause i had nothing to contribute that was worth the few moments it would take to read, but you wrote some excellent stuff, and you were the catalyst for spectacular discussions, and i'm gonna miss that.

12/27/2007 11:05:00 AM  
Blogger katar said...

over, don't be a wimp.

If "Pale Morning Dun" has time for chess, then you DEFINITELY have time for chess.

12/27/2007 01:23:00 PM  
Blogger Polly said...

under. :-) I hope. But what ever you do, don't give up the game itself. You've invested too much time. Let us know whether the fruits of your labor come forth. Maybe less blogging will help.

12/27/2007 04:18:00 PM  
Blogger Blue Devil Knight said...

Thanks ya'll.

12/28/2007 01:21:00 PM  
Blogger tanch said...

i vote under. In any case, BDK, chess has always been a demanding mistress and even more so - blogging about chess.

whatever new journeys you wish to travel on your start to the new year, may be it be a joyous one.

i've always enjoyed reading your blogs. thank you and take care.

12/29/2007 09:27:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I also vote under. I'll check in on you at your neurological blog. Have you ever heard of Steven Novella. I think you would enjoy his blog and podcast.

Take care and have a merry X-mas! Hope to see you sooner than later.

- Chris

BTW, you still have to help me pick out the new secretary when the time comes AND answer all my patzer questions on secretary related stuff! ;)

12/29/2007 12:11:00 PM  
Blogger Blue Devil Knight said...

SP: deal.

Never heard of him.

12/29/2007 01:16:00 PM  
Blogger transformation said...

before i saw this post, minutes before, i had just written my own last post of 2007 nominating you for the:

Chess Blogger Oscar.

i am serious. everybody please feel free to take a look at that one. please make comments and vote Chess Blogger Oscar Award & Acknowledgement here.

wishing you the best, dk

12/31/2007 04:52:00 PM  
Blogger Edukator said...

I've been known to take breaks every now and then and have no regrets. Keeping up a blog in such a dutiful manner takes perhaps the same sense of mission as the circles training itself! You clearly deserve a break...if anything your thoughtful archives alone give a guy like me, who has taken a long break, plenty of ideas and concepts to ponder over.

1/01/2008 03:34:00 PM  
Blogger Blue Devil Knight said...

DK: thanks. I definitely peaked in 2007 as a chess player. This break is teaching me some things, what I should and shouldn't focus on in chess once I start dabbling with Caissa again.

Edukator: thanks. I see my blog as a self-contained unit describing my journey from true novice to true enthusiast. I don't think I'll pull a Patrick and yank it from the net. :)

1/01/2008 06:09:00 PM  
Blogger Sancho Pawnza said...

Under.
Don't make me drive up there. :)


katar,
Any plans on ending your retirement?



I hope everyone is doing well.

1/02/2008 07:06:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Under. I know you're itching to write another post already. :p

1/02/2008 11:54:00 PM  
Blogger Blue Devil Knight said...

Sancho, good to see you back with a post. Absent father blogotype! :)

Chesstyro: even the temptation to respond to comments isn't there as much. I'm really on a roll with my math. It's nice to get back into a comfort zone, something that is actually review, but is useful, but also intellectually stimulating and challenging like chess, but for which the results will not only benefit me but my students, other scientists, etc.. The hard-edged competitive charge isn't there as much though.

I saw a bunch of guys working on Polgar's tactics book at a coffeeshop in LA, and that really tempted me. It looked so fun, a bunch of guys hacking away at tactics. It made me wish I had such a group here in Durham.

I met the manager of the Cobras at the airport, as he was off to the World Open in Las Vegas. That also brought my blood high, wishing I was going to play.

I'll be back. It's in my veins now. But a more Patrick-like or Sancho-like blogger, piping in ever so rarely with disconnected updates that are never followed up with :)

Note Celtic Death is back too! Check out his stuff.

1/03/2008 04:44:00 AM  
Blogger damourax said...

Can you help me please? Take a look at http://damourax.blogspot.com

I'm trying to become a knight!

1/14/2008 07:30:00 PM  
Blogger Blue Devil Knight said...

Chess dreamer: cool! Check out the faq on my sidebar which will direct you to the secretary knight who will announce your entrance into the Knights...I think he keeps it updated with all the presently active knights and knights victorious etc.. My stuff here is probably out of date.

1/17/2008 12:39:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Please note some of us are uncomfortably close to losing our bets.

1/22/2008 02:36:00 AM  
Blogger Blue Devil Knight said...

LEP: yes, the time is near....

Perhaps me not posting is responsible for Brady's poor performance Sunday....I'll ask the football gods what to do...

1/23/2008 01:27:00 PM  

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