With Parliament now quiet and our MPs duly scattered to their ridings, this blog is embarking on a short vacation. Regular programming will return January 3.

On that note, a quick, but heartfelt, note of thanks to all who visited, contributed, complimented and criticized these last 12 months. This was a reasonably successful annum by various objective measures—a new high mark for readership, a National Magazine Award nomination for The Commons and a share of a Canadian Online Publishing Award. Regardless of such achievements, I had fun. And, at the very least, I hope it was anything but boring for readers, fan, critics and onlookers alike.

The next two weeks will be a celebration of the last year—the absurd, the enlightening, the inspiring and the Tony Clement. So in between shovelling snow and sipping eggnog, check back periodically as we toast 2010. Otherwise, we’ll see you in 2011.