Wednesday, January 01, 2020

so, 2019 and the whole last decade.... wow, that flew by. Well, I decided not to quit yet. Yes, it's been pondered. But, there's still some fun stuff out there to find and share. Oddly, 2019 was only about 9 more posts than the year 2018. That's nuts


Nice to get some feedback now and then from y'all. Even nicer to get tips, and to those who've clanged the tip jar over the past couple of years, thank you. Seriously. It's helped.

To everyone that's sent me an email with some cool story, thanks!

To those who've pointed out that the people that insist on pissing me off with their bull shit ain't worth the time to rant about, yeah, you're right.

So, I hope things for you have been cool, and your health is good... if you've got your heath, damn it, you're doing pretty good. If you ain't feeling so good, brother, sister, I know what that's like too. Shakes your confidence in getting through the effing day is what that does.

I learned just how god damn much time I've wasted doing this blog, and one of these days, I'm going to clock out. It's really been something I'd hoped would be noticed by some corporation types who would say, shit, we need to hire that crazy bastard, he's consistently on the blog adding content that people like, and we need that for our website (or magazine). I haven't heard from anyone like that in a decade, and those people were simply out to get some short term help to launch their site before firing everyone, is what I learned a couple years later.

But anyway, I'm still enjoying what I do, I just notice far more often, that I've been putting off a couple important things I want to accomplish that haven't gotten my attention because I'm ALWAYS doing this blog. Like, it's 1:08 AM on New Years Day, and I'm venting a bit... instead of getting some sleep.

So, one of these days, I'm going to hit the stop clock, and that's going to be it. No more stuff from me for this. I asked a year or two ago if anyone wanted to take over and keep it going. One guy replied but wasn't serious. So, I see it as just a thing that I have the aptitude for, and no one else wants to do. After all... other than press passes to SEMA, and some car shows, this is about 60 hours a week, and nothing to show for it... vs doing some couple other things I've sidelined for 14 years, and a couple things that have come up since, and I'm putting off until I quit this.

Whatever, you know? Do what you enjoy, then stop when it's a problem, and do something else. Cause being happy while you're doing your thing that you like is way cool. I've been pretty pleased with the days posts so many times, I mean really. 41,500 posts, and that is about 10 a day, so, 4,150 days of doing this. After all, 10 years times 365 is 3.650, plus another 3 years that's 4700ish in rough math. Average the two to get a better guess at how many days of blogging, 4450ish.

That's a lot of days were I've been happy and proud of what got posted, researched, learned, shared, and passed around to make other people happy, smarter, informed, amazed, and wowed.

I've been doing this since before Facebook, instagram, pinterest, and youtube. A lot has come and gone, lots of sites aren't around anymore. But, a ridiculous amount has been scanned and added to the internet about everything that ever was, before scanners, digital cameras, and smart phones.

So, 4960 posts or so the last year, and 4950 ish the year before that. Crazy consistency... I don't plan that out... it wouldn't even be possible to make a schedule to post some dozen things a day, every day, or even to make a thing where I post 80 or 90 things a week. It just turned out that way.

I'm still amazed the regulars stop by most every day to see what's new, and often have something to say. Now and then I get a comment from someone who stumbled across this site because I featured a plane their grand dad, or dad, or uncle piloted, or crewed on. Amazing. To have been a help to some people who I posted something they found that reminded them about their family? Awesome.
Mostly, I'm pretty happy you all regulars are still getting something that entertains you, maybe not every day, maybe not every week, but somehow you keep checking back to see if I have put something on the site that you can enjoy, and I am amazed that for years and years, some of you still get that I'm doing something right, by doing nothing more than sharing the stuff I find cool.

Maybe someday you'll do something similar, and write a book, make a blog, post your photos to some site, or facebook. You'll see what I mean. The audience isn't very big, but it's very cool to make something that brings likeminded people in contact with you.


and really, isn't that the reason for New Years Eve, to get together with friends, spend a little time talking about the old days? 

21 comments:

  1. Happy New Year and please hang in there. Your's is the most enjoyable blog. And thanks!

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  2. I hope this last day never comes. This blog is part of my daily routine. I love the fact that you talk absolutely NOTHING about yourself. We are here to talk about cars and that's what we do. This is an amazing database of everything about cars. I'd love to have the honour of taking the wheel, but I don't believe I'd be barely close to the same quality as you do, and also I don't believe I could do much from Bananaland. I'm pretty disappointed that no one with money to invest have ever contacted you. I hope you have a great 2020. Congrats from your friend from the southern hemisphere.

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  3. Jayski.com was affiliated with ESPN for years and when they shut it down Nascar Digital Media Network started supporting it. Seem like somebody could justify supporting your website. God it seems to me it would be a viable spot for auto manufacturer's or auto product manufacturer's to advertise their products on your site. When the day comes you quit I get it. I've always wondered where you find the time to do what you do. But until then I will be selfish and come back daily for my fix. Thanks again for the great entertainment and Happy New Year to you and all your followers!

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  4. Thanks for sharing your vision.
    You do what you do very well.
    Will try to tinkle the tip jar more in 2020.
    Don't know what else I'd do to kick-start my day,
    if you weren't around anymore.At least once a week.
    It would be like "Project Binky",waiting for a fix.
    Posterity or Prosperity?

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    Replies
    1. posterity or prosperity is exactly the issue. I enjoy this blogging, but, haven't had a change in income in 15 years. The cost of living sure as hell has doubled, I know rent has, and gas probably has. I now pay for a room, which is a step up from being homeless... but it costs as much as the apartment I had in 2002. Damn that was a cool apartment too.
      But you see it, the issue is a bit of not having time to do both, take some city college classes to get a better job, learn to play guitar (personal goal, I've wanted to since age 5, now I'm 48) do my book on poetry, write 3 screen plays so my favorite books might get made into movies (hello Netflix, willing to try damn near anything) oh, and get a damn apartment again, which is fucking ridiculous, people our age have homes. I can't even hope for a home, not anywhere in San Diego, starting price is 300k. Plus, I'd like to get my old R/T out of the damn garage and fix some minor stuff to make it ready for another 50 years of driving

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    2. What's your outlook on the next year of decade? How are you holding up? Project Binky, oh damn I want to see every episode, that is a hell of a cool video series!

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  5. Happy New Year, Jesse!
    Thanks for keeping your blog going to keep us entertained and informed. It would take a specific person to take over, with the knowledge and curiosity to keep things interesting, and the time available to make the posts. I know with my work and family life, I couldn't do it justice.
    As you already know, you have to do what works for you. If the day comes that you scale back or shut down JACG, your regulars will understand and appreciate all of the archives that are here.
    We'll keep following as long as you post content.

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  6. Jesse, depending on your marketable skills, you might be able to make a good living, just in a location that has a much lower cost of living.
    if you havent gotten a raise in 15 years you need to consider a career change. Ive gotten steady raises, and earn double what I did 10 years ago, and Im just a handyman, no special education.

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    Replies
    1. I have been, that's sorta what I just wrote about right up there, that "quit and go do other things to make more money" part. See, I get it, make more money by doing something that pays more... and this blog doesn't pay anything, so, doing the math: Blog pays nothing + jobs pay = quit blogging and get a 2nd job... and that means making lots more. Or, quit blogging as it takes up all my spare time, and use that time for some job training, college classes on welding, machine shop tools, crane and bulldozer operator... whatever.
      But it's clear that blogging is a huge time commitment, and pays nothing

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    2. I know a trucking company in Atlanta that hires new students fresh out of CDL class at the state vo-tech school.
      trains em to haul oversize overweight loads, must be able to pass a DoD background check. $40K first year, $80K second year. back in Atlanta on weekends.
      most people waste more time on facebook and porn than you do on your blog.

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  7. ah, and we love you site!
    please dont stop posting. but if you do, prepay the ISP for 25 years so your site wont get erased.

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    Replies
    1. Ummm, no. I won't pay to keep this site up.
      I will set up the tip jar to have any tips put to the credit card that Google takes the money from that they charge me to have this blog archives stored and accessible.
      When there is no credit card that Google can access, they will simply delete the blog archives.
      That probably means the allowable about for a free blog, maybe 1 gigabyte, who knows what that amount is, will still be here, but the rest of the deep archives, will all be deleted.

      Delete
  8. Happy New year Jessie, I read your blog every day, I said before,you post the coolest shit!! I love old vintage stuff, art deco, old buses, nose art, steampunk,sema, hotrods,old drag racing nostagia, you have it all dude! Don't quit .I go to your blog every morning before I check the weather. I don't get it why no one hasn't picked up on your talent that could definitely benefit there company , motorsports or otherwise. How does this tip jar thing work? I donate to the cause bro. cheers

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How does the tip jar work? Ok, just under the banner, on the right side, is a yellow oval that says, "Donate" above some credit card logos. Click on that and send money via paypal from your credit card or Paypal account.
      Thanks!

      Delete
  9. Hope you have a wonderful 2020. Hands down one of the best car pages I have ever found. I used to have a friend that built cars, bikes and just about anything he could muster up in his mind. Your page reminds me of him. Always something going on everyday. Always looked forward to see what was going to be next. (He passed away) Your page is so like him. Hope you never go away. To cool of a site!!! Happy New Year!

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    Replies
    1. I will have to go away someday simply because this takes up all my spare time and prevents me from doing somethings that I want to do. Learning to play the guitar, making my book on poetry, making some screen plays of books I want to see if Netflix will make into movies, and getting some job training and college classes to help me get a better paying job

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  10. Hi Jesse.
    Thanks for yet another year of fascinating four-wheeled factoids and fun from the finternet.
    From a purely selfish point of view I'll be very sorry if I don't get my regular fix from your site, but the last thing I can say is don't stop. When maintaining it becomes more of a burden than a pleasure, or if other needs intrude, then STOP and look after yourself.
    Best wishes for 2020.
    Tony

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  11. Thank you Jesse. We do so appreciate your passion for this blog. Happy New Year, and I hope it's a great one for you and all of us who love anything with wheels and is cool.

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  12. This is a great blog and it's fun to connect with people. I had one for 5 years and had some very interesting contacts, like the daughter of one of the Ventures.

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  13. Jesse...this is Chris from Chrisoncars.com. I haven’t written in a while, but I have to say I was pretty shocked to hear that you are considering dropping the blog. I understand how much time it takes...though you have always put more work into your postings than I ever did. There is virtually no money in it, and much of the time you have to deal with idiots...but if it is something you love, you should try to keep it going even if you only update infrequently. It would really be a loss if the site was dropped and eventually deleted.

    You and I never agreed on a lot of things like politics, etc. But I guess I am like most other people here, who still think this site is a absolutely the best. I still log in to review all of the postings…mostly during work. Year after year it was always amazing content that I could never see anywhere else. I hope you keep it going. I wish you nothing but the best this year in your life. This site is too important to let go. If you are interested, I can be contacted at chris@chrisoncars.com I’d be interested to help keep the archive live. Best of luck, and thanks for all the years of the best automotive stuff on the internet.

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