Bad news: I've been missing in action this week, as I've been stuck in bed heavily doped up and suffering with two things — the recurrence of an old back injury, and the flu. The flu is letting up, but the back injury this time has left behind some damage, which will require ongoing treatment and physical therapy.

Good news: While all this was happening I sold a book, Disrupted, which I need to deliver by the end of this year. It's a memoir of my ridiculous attempt to reinvent myself and start a new career as a marketing person inside a software company during the second tech bubble. It's funny! If you work in Silicon Valley, you will relate.

Bad news: Working on my health and writing the book will consume most of my time, which means I need to step away from my full-time role at Valleywag. I may write a column once a week, but full-time blogging is out of the question.

I'm a little bit heartbroken. I've always been a huge fan of Gawker. For years I have wanted to work here. To me, Gawker is a modern-day Spy magazine, or an American version of Private Eye.

The past 10 days have been painful (literally) and difficult. Throughout this time the editors at Gawker have been supportive, gracious and kind. I'm grateful that they will allow me to continue to contribute to their publication. I'm also grateful for the readers who have sent me supportive emails during my brief tenure here. Those notes have meant a lot to me. Thanks.