Yes, yes, it's been too long since the last blog. I'm violating perhaps the most important rule of Blogging 101: blog regularly.

Has it been since Nov. 4? I can list all I've been doing to distract me from my blogging duties, but that would come across pretty much like "the dog at my homework," so I won't try.

All these little items I've jotted down as pearls of wisdom seem so trivial now.

I was going to tell you about why one Kingston mayoral candidate wasn't invited to the newspaper's livestream debate way back before Election Day. (So that the primary candidates - those with the best chance at actually becoming mayor - would have more time to talk.)

I was going to tell you about the newspaper's budgeting process for 2012 and how a publisher better have quality numbers people on his team or else it won't get done accurately and on time. (I do and it was.)

I was going to tell you how our parent company's budget review has been transformed from a tedious audit marathon in the old days to the current productive day-long planning session, involving corporate executives and the key people from our four New York newspapers, all in the same room (in Kingston, by the way), exchanging ideas and setting realistic goals, particularly for our Digital First environment. (How did the business world survive before PowerPoint?)

I was going to tell you how little I've missed pro basketball and how much I disapprove of football players who prance in celebration after scoring a touchdown, even though their teams are hopelessly behind on the scoreboard. (By the way, sadly, I fear the great broadcaster Marv Albert's voice finally is showing its age.)

I was going to tell you about the nice awards party our newsroom had to honor our Ivan Lajara, Patricia Doxsey and Tania Barricklo on their recent statewide honors. (Winning awards isn't what journalists think about as they go through their daily grind. But it sure is nice when others recognize your good work.)

Yes, I was going to tell you all about that stuff and more since my last blog on Nov. 4. I was also going to tell you I'll be more faithful to and current with this blog going forward.

Get that dog away from my homework!