This column has been quiet as the author enjoyed some time spent as property of the state, resulting from my natural method of addressing a medical condition. Though sentenced to three years by a judge determined to prove "he's not soft" - no Regulan Bloodworm, that one - saner heads at superior levels in the judicial structure saw fit otherwise to reign his scofflaw behavior with a more reasoned perspective and remanded my case back for appeal. My courtroom, now under new management, further saw fit to provide terms of bond such that I could pursue my appeal out from under the burden of incarceration.

Sorry I've missed most of the final season of Enterprise, while I was out - or in, as the case may be - suspending the last five months of my life. I managed to hear about some episodes and developments, though not as much as I would have liked, so I'll try and catch the repeats and place my reviews appropriately over the next few Terran time periods. (It's a shame Lucas goes out with a bang while Roddenberry limps off with a whimper... but then again Master Yoda never had a pair of padawans capable of such damage. Even the worst of the Darths never failed but to help their franchise.)

I gather the shuttle's not flying into space either, as NASA rolled Discovery back from the pad for another few months of safety analysis and nail biting. That's not an encouraging sign. I'm glad to hear ISS continues to function with her new crew, and look forward to reviewing that subject after catching up with all the news bits that fell from orbit during my involuntary seclusion from the stars. The deeper into the walls you find yourself, the harder it can become to summon the memory and remember the marvel of the heavens. Yet I never forgot they were up there!

My wholehearted gratitude goes to my family and friends, followers of this column - you know who you are - that gave no end of affection and support when I needed it most. Thanks for believing in me and not the big fish with its uncomfortable belly. Unbounded thanks go to my attorney (and legal team) tirelessly fighting for rights and keeping the legal channels buzzing until once more I was breathing freedom's fresh air. As Kirk said in "Wink of an Eye," I have returned "out of the nowhere, into the here," at long last. It's good to be back.