Because of server troubles, I took that stuff down from the sidebars; it adds a lot of overhead. When I'm a little more sure that things are remaining calm around here server-wise I may add them back. You can always see the most recent blogs from the top menu bar and the most recent comments are on the front page, but what I recommend the most is that regular logged-in readers use the Newest page; it will even show you what you've read and what you haven't.

Lynn Siprelle, Editor