I have noticed in the past couple of days odd miscommunications and widespread crankiness among many of my colleagues - not necessarily directed towards me, just general touchiness. Since many are in the NYC area, perhaps it is the effect of nearly three weeks of rain. I also considered Mercury in retrograde, but it has actually just returned.

I received an odd message accusing me of being behind a jealous cadre attacking a neophyte blog journalist, and perhaps also orchestrating a virus attack, a full-blown "psy war." Since I respect the writer's work, I tried to counsel her - and I was eventually ordered to refrain from all contact.

I do not usually make my infrequent flame wars public, but this one is truly irrational:

To: "rgoya@yahoo.com"
Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 9:56:33 AM
Subject: Please post on your screed site.

Randall:  

If you think being vindictive and malicious is the correct behavior to exhibit when someone drops you from their Linked In connections list - well, what can I say? You are showing the world that you are not a gentleman.

 

I would appreciate your correcting two glaring errors in your epistolary exhibition, however.

 

First of all, calling someone who has written for major magazines for 35 years or so a "neophyte blogger" is absolutely idiotic - as everyone who knows me realizes. I've published over 3,000 magazine articles. How many have you published?