Many apologies for my extended down-time. Wednesday evening I had a massive server crash, and my crack team of technical wizard apes have been hard at work trying to bring things back up ever since. Fortunately there has been no data loss, but recovery has been slow, with my ability to post an update to the blog only just now coming back. I was unable to even hard-code in a message since ftp was, and still is, down.

I can't explain just how frustrating this has been. Thanks to everyone who has continued to stop by in spite of it all. I'll never forget you, in spite of the fact that you're completely anonymous to me.

One of the things that has made this frustrating is that the voting is now under way in the preliminary round of IsraellyCool's Jewish and Israeli Blogger Awards and I need your help in order to avoid complete and total humiliation! Please go vote for me (and check out some of the other cool blogs - you may find some others you like)! The page containing all the votes is here. You can vote once a day and I encourage you to do so! Look for me under "Best Overall Blog (Group B)," and "Best Politics, Current Affairs, and Academia Blog (Group B)." Also, look for Burnt Offerings under "Best Post by a Jewish Blogger (Group B)," and Boston Rally under "Best Series by a Jewish Blogger (Group A)." Thank you for your support, and don't forget to take a look at some of the other nominees. Send me an email or a comment that you voted for me and I'll...say thank you...or something.

Anyway, blogging patterns should be back to normal shortly. Thanks again for your patience, and don't forget to vote.

Oh, and also, if you have a blog or web site, don't forget that IsraPundit's blogburst concerning the liberation of Auschwitz is only a couple of days away. Here is the post with a link to the info.