I've been purposely off the net for a few days. Well, not completely on purpose. My lousy DSL connection, Christmas-related activities, and the need for sleep had a lot to do with it. Yes, I'm behind on a few things that I normally do and things that I intend to do.

All of this "off the net" time has given me plenty of opportunities to put the year in perspective. I've examined my blogging situation, my goals, what has happened this year, and what I intend to happen next year.

Most of my regular readers already know what I'm about to write:

I never intended to make money with this blog. It started as a journal and it changed to something else near the beginning of this year. I started experimenting with making money online for one purpose — so I'd know what the heck I was talking about. I didn't need the money then and I still don't, regardless of what I may have written in some previous posts.

I've learned something from the experience. I've learned that using my blog to make money turns writing into a chore instead of something I enjoy. I can still make money as long as I remember that it's secondary and not the primary reason for my blog's existence. It's the only way I can enjoy writing and getting away with writing nonsense from time to time.

• Breaking The Blogging Monotony
• The Road to Success is Paved with Stones of Failure
• Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat!
• Weekends, Keyword Order and Website Traffic Changes
• A Geek Teaching A Geek