That Was the Blog That Was: Saying Goodbye

When you go to the CityBeat blogs tomorrow, I don't know what you'll find. Someone else may be managing this blog, it may be replaced with something else ... I just don't know.

What I do know is that this will be my last post and my last day managing the blog. The good folks at CityBeat know I need to stop.

I want to make one thing very clear: This was totally my decision.

We’ve been doing this since August 12, 2006 – over 22 months. While our comments have been down lately (I never liked the verifying code thing either), our stats have never been higher. May I blow our own horn by saying this is CityBeat’s most successful blog? Well, it is.

We have become a habit for a lot of you, so I feel like I need to explain my decision to leave. I guess I’ll call this guilt. No, it’s just the reality.

I have a lot on my plate, and that’s good for me. I’m working on two books, will still write and/or edit the Living Out Loud column and I’m working on additional projects for other publications.

Something has to give; something has to go to get this additional work completed. It needs to be, it has to be this blog.

The second reason is that after 22 months I’ve run completely out of gas. I know many of you have complained that often times we’re childish, stupid and just not that interesting anymore. You’re right.

Coming up with two or three posts a day during the work week and at least a couple on the weekends, believe it or not, can be taxing work. It has become harder and harder to “think up” posts and in turn it’s become draining.

I know, stop complaining.

To Teri Archer, Carol Walters, Tom Anus, Candy Apple, Judy Darling and Brandy Edwards and to the other contributors past and present: Thank you for your help. I’m taking you to Madonna’s very soon to get you all good and drunk.

To John Fox and Dan Bockrath: Thank you for looking the other way and letting me do what I want. Well, at least most of the time.

To Rick Hines at The Cincinnati Nation: When we first started up, you took an interest in us when others didn’t. Your support made a big difference to us and I’ll always be grateful.

And to our readers: Thank you. So many of you have been with us from the very beginning. It has always been appreciated.

So is blogging out of my blood? I may show up at the other CityBeat blogs from time to time, but I don’t know for sure.

What I do know for sure is that LOL Girl is in her car waiting for me – pretty sure she’s not wearing any underwear. She says she has a big old surprise waiting and it involves a plane ticket and a hotel room.

I may be an old fart but I’m not stupid. I’m outta here!

I’ll be visiting you in the Living Out Loud column and, again thanks for reading. Have a great Fourth of July.

- Larry Gross

(Photo from CityBeat)

Comments

[Matt]

I had a feeling this was the "change" that was coming. This is a downer.

[Ellen]

This SUCKS out loud.

[jackie]

:(

[Max]

Really bummed out about this, but I understand your decision. Your LOL column made Cincy a more tolerable and creative place. Thanks and have a great time on your upcoming trip.

[Heidi]

The LOL Blog was all over the place and that's what made it so much fun.

This is a shame.

[Marilyn]

Well, I guess we all know where we can find you...

It does kinda suck, but I do understand.

Have fun with LOL girl!

[brian]

finally. goodbye. what took so long?

[C.A.]

bummer, but kudos to you on your projects and books and such!!

[Cindy]

I can finally see why people didn't say hi to you on the street.

[Guy]

Cindy is an ass, but that's beside the point.

I've always liked Larry's writing much better in the column than here on the blog. In the column, he gets to write "bigger" stories that suit his style of writing better -- but I will miss coming here.

Some of the posts were "stupid" but some were also silly and funny.

And this blog was updated constantly. You can't say the same about the other CityBeat blogs which are very hit and miss.

Larry, please keep doing the column. Don't leave us completely!

[Lew]

Say it ain't so, Larry...

[David E. Gallaher]

To my buddies (and enemies) in the tight-knit group here: I'll miss you.

Hope everyone has seen Larry's column in the latest StreetVives. It's "The Box: One man's trash is another man's home furnishings." By the way, I told my vendor, Cleo Wombles, today that all the vendors need to hawk StreetVibes as simply, "StreetVibes!" Now that it has become a quality product, it's fame and popularity are sure to increase demand.

[hard as nails]

i'm just fucking sad. just fucking sad.

[Jeb]

This is sad. This blog has been a habit for a long time.

[Aromatic Bud]

Even when it sucked, this blog was worth reading. There was always at least one good line or point made in every post. Best regards, Larry, for wherever the next step leads you. Gawd, I hope they don't give this space to that whiney bitch, Sally Negative.

[Marilyn]

A void Larry. A void...

[Burt]

No!!!! I just discovered this blog and I love it. Well, take care and good luck with your projects.

[John T. Sixteen]

I thank God you're gone. My prayers have been answered. Don't take it personally. I just think the world's a better place without your outlet for "all that is evil." But I thank you, too. You gave me an opportunity to express my views when I thought you'd simply delete them. I guess that counts for something. God bless you, Mr. Gross. You are in my prayers.

[Queer Cincinnati]

You will be missed!!!

[Queer Cincinnati]

You will be missed!!!