Happy Holidays and so long for now

It has been and interesting and challenging year. After the election I decided to take a break and in that time have not looked at one newscast, have not listened to talk radio and have read only the Wall Street Journal. My academic career officially ended last week with the final paper being accepted for publication by a top 10 journal. What was especially satisfying it was coauthored with my closest friend in academics Bob Schweitzer who lost his battle with bladder cancer. Bob would not have wanted a more fitting tribute to a great career. All in all I have not missed academics and have embraced retirement. At first I was concerned that since I have enjoyed every minute and every aspect of my professional life, I wondered whether it constituted such a vital part of me that I would be somewhat diminished without it. Boy was I wrong. I now had time to devote to all of my other interests and those close to me tell me that I have become somewhat more humanized. Its interesting what a step back from a life full of "let's see how good I am" can be. From the first challenge of having a genius brother (one of the three geniuses I have known) to going to the University of Georgia (where those in the same class at first thought I was only there because the courts had ordered the university to admit blacks the year before) to a phd program where every day was a thrilling excursion and where I no longer felt I was the smartest person in the room to a professional life where I succeeded more than my wildest dreams. All in all I would not trade my life or my vita for anyone else's. As can be discerned from the lack of postings to the blog, I also took a break from blogging. It wasn't that the ideas had stopped it was just that as I decompressed the blog became less and less important to me. So I have decided to officially shut it down as well. I would like to thank all who have honored me by reading it, by making comments and even referring others to it. I cannot thank you enough but it is time to move on to other things. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and a happy and prosperous new year.