I’m going into hibernation, but first I wanted to say thanks
Another New Year's resolution, sure to be broken.
I have a problem. (Many problems, but let’s stick to one.) I’m terrible at taking time off. I never use my entire vacation allotment, and the past two years I’ve hit December having taken exactly one week off in the calendar year.
So I wind up trying to play catch-up ball. Or catch-up rest. I took a week off earlier this month, and I’m sitting out until Jan. 3, 2011. (Which means I’ll miss the Chick-fil-A Bowl, which I’m sure is fine with the folks who run the thing. They hate me.) But I wanted to take this final opportunity to say thanks.
This dumb little blog keeps growing: From 1.976 million page views in 2008 to to 6.8 million last year to 8.954 million so far in 2010. Every time I think we’ve topped out, y’all prove me wrong. And for that I’m hugely grateful to one and all, even the 8.953 million of you who’ve called me an idiot.
Because I pretty much am an idiot. But my New Year’s resolution is to be a rested idiot, so I won’t be posting again until Monday. I’m going into hibernation for a few days. But I plan to return, sillier than ever, and I hope you’ll look me up in Twenty Eleven.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
162 comments Add your comment
jarvis
December 29th, 2010
3:31 pm
I didn’t even know you were a real person. Enjoy the time off.
juice sourcer
December 29th, 2010
3:34 pm
Your blog is growing because you create interesting topics to discuss…except to much Georgia and Georgia Tech…there are 1000’s of people who live in ATL that did not go to those schools but still enjoy following your blog. I hope the AJC is giving you a huge bonus for all these readers and advertising dollars you are bringing in….
juice sourcer
December 29th, 2010
3:38 pm
Boy WTF sure has issues…need a good shrink to go see…I know a few and can help you out. Did your dog die today or did you find out your wife was having an affair?
Lowcountry Bulldawg
December 29th, 2010
3:44 pm
Have a great New Year Mark!
Chris R
December 29th, 2010
3:56 pm
Mark, taking off from now until Monday is not much of a break. Good Lord, take a real break of about three weeks and then you really will feel rested. But I don’t think you’re an idiot at all (I do enjoy your self-deprecation though). I think your funny, entertaining and a pretty damn good sports writer. Keep up the good work and I look forward to reading you in twenty eleven.
TheAntiMe
December 29th, 2010
4:09 pm
OK
reebok
December 29th, 2010
4:21 pm
enjoy your time off!!!
The Dogkiller Returns
December 29th, 2010
4:22 pm
Before you go, tell us the 8 reasons why the Falcons won’t lose to Carolina.
Billyboy
December 29th, 2010
4:26 pm
Have a good break. Maybe you could take a break until February 30th.
Tweets that mention I'm going into hibernation, but first I wanted to say thanks | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
December 29th, 2010
4:33 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Tucker Lemm. Tucker Lemm said: I'm going into hibernation, but first I wanted to say thanks: I never use my entire vacation allotment, and the … http://bit.ly/eYShPz [...]
al
December 29th, 2010
4:35 pm
Mark, you, Schultzy and Barnhart make checking the ajc.com daily worthwhile. Thanks for sharing your insight, excellent writing skills and sense of humor. Happy New Year to you and your family.
Sonny Clusters
December 29th, 2010
4:44 pm
We was thinking you might need some time off. Hope you enjoy it! We’ll be here to wish you a happy new year when you get back.
Mark Bradley`s Booster
December 29th, 2010
4:56 pm
Mark: I promise to continue to be your Booster in 2011.
At first, I thought about making this promise conditional
with a couple of caveats. Now I have decided taht it is almost unconditional except:
I cannot agree or support your opinions about the
coaching capabilites of CMR or CPJ. The reason is that you
go from praising to severe criticism one game to the next.
I do not believe that a coach can be great in a game he wins or terrible when he loses the next game. He is ultimately responsible for all decisions win or lose and his ability to make good or bad ones does not change from one game to the next one.
Note I said his “ability” does not change. He makes good and bad calls in all games. If your opinion is that they
are great or good coaches this is fine. If you think they should be replaced say so and let it be.
Meanwhile have a good rest and Happy Hew year.
Dawg Whisperer
December 29th, 2010
5:11 pm
Mark, there is no such thing as right and wrong if you’re a blogger, you just have an opinion. Since you are the head blogger, your opinion is disected, ridiculed, abused and amused by all partakers of your blog column. So rest up for another go around and consider yourself blessed. In a world of niches, you’re carved out for yourself a nice comfortable one. Just don’t rest on your laurels, there’s always a new gun in town looking to claim your niche.
Are you kidding
December 29th, 2010
5:46 pm
Shreveport may even continue to give next year- who knows.
Snowflake the Pit Bull
December 29th, 2010
5:47 pm
EXECUTE MIKE VICK AND HIS HERPES, TOO !!!!!
Joey
December 29th, 2010
5:50 pm
Bing = Dufus
dawg4u
December 29th, 2010
5:56 pm
Mark, enjoy some down time and Happy New Year. I have enjoyed your columns and analysis on sports this year. Please pick Carolina to upset the Falcons Sunday. Then pick the Falcons to lose their first playoff game and we’ll be in good shape. Looking forward to 2011!!
Randle McMurphy
December 29th, 2010
6:01 pm
WTF,
I’m sorry I couldn’t rescue you before the folks at the “hospital” in Milledgeville gave you the lobotomy . . .
RAMBLE ON!!!
December 29th, 2010
6:33 pm
Happy New Year Mark….use up all that vacation!
I learned the hard way about working my azz off for an ungrateful boss.
bwell
December 29th, 2010
6:51 pm
God bless and Happy New Year, get some rest Mark well deserved!
Willy
December 29th, 2010
6:56 pm
Mark,
Do us all a favor and find Thomas Pynchon. Given your journalism skills, I’m confident you can track him down.
Have a great break!
Bangkapi Ajarn
December 29th, 2010
6:57 pm
Mark;
As one that enjoys the blog, but avoids the sniping that sometimes accompanies posting, please allow me to jump in here and wish you and yours a happy holiday season, and a safe New Year.
Looking forward to your educated guesses as to what will happen when a bunch of testosterone fueled teens (and early 20’s and so on) away from home for the first time meet in a high stakes athletic event!
And, as for the SENIOR pro circuit, also looking forward to your educated guesses on the local sports franchises (and the Atlanta Spirit holdings, whatever category they may fall into).
All the best to you and yours.
Magnolia, Tx Dawg
December 29th, 2010
6:59 pm
Happy New Year, Mark.
Bangkapi Ajarn
December 29th, 2010
7:01 pm
And, Mark–
One minor ill-informed hypothesis from another imperfect soul – Next year, try posing next to a white board that says “I will try to be left in 2011″. Maybe it will reverse your luck!
Naked Truth
December 29th, 2010
7:01 pm
Mark Bradley = Great sports writer
Mark Richt = Sleazebag phoney saint and a sorry excuse for a coach
crabapplejoe
December 29th, 2010
7:35 pm
Have a great vacation and Happy New Year…..I don’t know how you put up with us in 2010….
KimZ'spackage
December 29th, 2010
8:14 pm
Remember when Hibernating to eat plenty of Hair and Dirt to make a good solid Bowel Plug. Don’t want any accidents while you sleep! HAHAHHAH.
Wake-up to a better new day and a year closer to Obama out of the White House.
NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!!
December 29th, 2010
8:20 pm
NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!!
nicole
December 29th, 2010
8:28 pm
have an STD? date others at site STDRomance. you may be upset and confused and think your sex life is over. However, once you settle down and learn the facts, you’ll realize that having STD is not the end of the world, and it’s not the end of your social life.
BnB
December 29th, 2010
8:29 pm
Spending your week off in the Loveliest Village on the Plains, no doubt!
Tarmar
December 29th, 2010
8:33 pm
Enter your comments here
Tarmar
December 29th, 2010
8:36 pm
Sure, you missed a few, Mark. Just like my stock broker. Your’s didn’t cost me anything, tho. So I’ll keep coming back to you. Him? History.
Dawg A
December 29th, 2010
8:39 pm
Mark I rarely agree with you but still blog with you! I can’t stand JS and his narrow minded views! So please have fun but hurry back!
Big Dawg Bite
December 29th, 2010
8:50 pm
Mark, thank you for going into hibernation. My prayer has been answered. Please do not come back out until the Spring. Upon your return, please provide an outline of how you would motivate 18 to 22 year old men to perform on Saturdays in the Fall.
Hurt Kurbstreit
December 29th, 2010
8:57 pm
Hey Mark, I didn’t get nearly this much love when I went on vacation. Maybe you should take vacation more often. You’re getting a lot more positive comments than you usually do.
DAWG DRUNK
December 29th, 2010
9:09 pm
Enter your comments here
DAWG DRUNK
December 29th, 2010
9:10 pm
Enough with the ass kissers I hope your going to join Terrence Moore!
Dr. Warren
December 29th, 2010
9:22 pm
I’m finally in town from China for the holidays, and then MB decides to hibernate. Guess I need to go to the Falcons-Panthers game and write my own d**n column, or at least write it in my head. Thanks for the good stuff this year, nonetheless.
Dirty Jacket
December 29th, 2010
9:26 pm
As a Tech alumnus and die hard fan, I find it very satisfying that the Georgia fans, whom have for SO LONG claimed Tech is insignificant to them, on here bashing Tech and bragging. That makes us relevant again. That was step 1 of the post-David Braine era in GT athletics. Why does Tech need to pass more? That makes no sense. We did not lose to AF because of a bad passing game, we didn’t lose to UGA because of a poor passing game, we didn’t lose to VT because of a bad passing game. One common reason for all those losses: turnovers. Another reason Tech had a horrible year, horrendous special teams. I fully expect CPJ to fix both those problems. The future on the flats is mighty bright. A very, very nice recruit class coming in, another year under Groh, and a great schedule next year.
THWG
1eyedJack
December 29th, 2010
10:04 pm
A man is never more truthful than when he acknowledges himself an idiot.
WOW
December 29th, 2010
10:26 pm
Rivals, Columbus Ledger and the Tuscaloosa Tribune just reported Crowell to Alabama
Gen Neyland
December 29th, 2010
10:30 pm
Shoot, MB. I’ve been off for nearly 21 months. You know, one can almost get use to it with practice…read you next year.
Crowell to Bama
December 29th, 2010
10:33 pm
read it and weep mutts
Cobb Dawg
December 29th, 2010
11:14 pm
For the first time in many, many years, I won’t watch the NC game. It’s tainted. And if the NCAA doesn’t do the right thing, I might not watch college football anymore. But Go Falcons!
BobbyDawg
December 29th, 2010
11:15 pm
I just watched a great NCAA basketball game: Vanderbilt 77 Marquette 76. What a show!
“Happy New Year” Mark. I’m looking forward to your articles in 2011.
dawgfan
December 29th, 2010
11:39 pm
I’m willing to trade CPJ for CMR anyday. CMR does a lot less with a lot more; CPJ is the exact opposite. Some dawgfans just don’t get it.
dawgma
December 30th, 2010
7:24 am
Only an idiot doesn’t take all his vacation.
Peace.
landover
December 30th, 2010
8:01 am
The late great Lewis Grizzard who we all still miss once said in one of his articles, “…..sorry Mark but you are that good”.
Dumbo
December 30th, 2010
8:18 am
MB….go down to South Florida, sit in the sun, eat some good seafood and don’t even think about anything except making your better half smile at you!