I upped my swimming regime to every single day over the last few weeks, I even bought this book http://bit.ly/aX3c0S to help me improve my technique. Alas, I am still being decimated by the overly chirpy Australian tri-athlete who frequents the pool at the same time as me.

I tried to comfort myself by remembering I’m an SEO – how well can I be expected to swim. Then, I was like ZOMGFRICK. Jane Copland’s and SEO and she’s an elite swimmer.

IT THEN STUCK ME. I hadn’t seen any swim related tweets for months. This is the story of how I noticed you weren’t on Twitter anymore.

Maybe see you at SMX and pick up some advice on male swimwear.

Love the story about Mrs Leach, talk about nominal determinism. Sorry I missed your birthday, hope you did something outrageous. I happened to be at Oriental Bay that day. Coincidence?

Enjoy the silence and the troll-free clean feed

Cheers

I’m sad to learn of your reduction in participating in and retraction from the (social) online community. I thoroughly enjoyed your writing when I first learned of you, as a new SEOmoz reader, a few years ago. Too bad the bastards got you down. At any rate, it seems that the Golden Rule (which is a fantastic rule on the positive side) has been long forgotten and the preference for airing disputes, publicly, for all to see is perceived as a credibility builder. Though that depends on one’s point of view.

Happy Birthday!

Most certainly not planning on disappearing completely; just backing off enough to not stand directly in the line of social fire.

Peace.

I certainly appreciate the idea that it’s a personal choice whether or not to speak out at any time. Having thought about this for a few months, I decided this morning to delete my Twitter account entirely… A few people appear to believe that their interactions with me on there are the reason, and although every interaction I’ve had on there contributes to my leaving, I can honestly say that the idea first seemed like a good one many months ago.

I’ve got nothing to say that the world needs to hear: the opinion is as valid in my own head than it is out there for all to see. In addition, I’ve had some atrocious things said to and about me (not this morning) on Twitter. Having removed these people’s access to me, they can’t hurt me anymore. I left the U.S. to get away from some of them; why should they be allowed into my life now?

Why should I take part in a community where someone can call me a “ho” and a “dog”? Why didn’t I leave once that became what Twitter was for?

Since it’s my birthday (I know, I’m just dropping that in there…), I figured, what better time to make a fresh start? I quite simply can’t believe I didn’t exit stage left earlier! Here’s to a private, peaceful 2010.

I have to, she’s my best friend. I’d be lost without her.

There are many people with very strong opinions out there, and many, many more with a mob like mentality that will wind up taking one side or another if a disagreement turns into more. It can turn ugly fast. Being involved in something like that, even if you truly believe in the side of the argument you are on, can often screw with your emotions, even make you physically sick. No one, I don’t care who they are or what they mean to you, has the right to try and force you into either choosing sides or berate you for not jumping into the argument. Period.

Hang in there.