Believe it not, but this one is a shock to me personally. Pam is one of the “old school”, Pre-facebook, Pre-twitter bloggers from when I got into blogging in 2006. She has been at it for a very long time.
The Story:
All good things must come to an end, even after numerous awards and accolades, it’s time to acknowledge that I cannot continue to run on fumes alone. The Blend could continue limping along, but my health and well-being come first; over the last few years burning the candle at both ends with a full-time offline job and PHB. It has taken a severe toll — most readers have learned that I am dealing with chronic pain conditions — fibromylagia, and in the last couple of years, aggressive rheumatoid arthritis.
My decision to close the blog is just as reality-based as its content has been. If I cannot produce material at the frequency or with the same level of quality, enthusiasm and effectiveness, it’s really time to close the doors to this coffeehouse — and work to ensure it continues to have a life as an archive, a snapshot in our digital political history. Pamshouseblend.com will redirect to archives.
Looking back, I churned out pieces at an incredible pace — up to ten posts a day– many long-form pieces, commentary, curating news articles I thought my audience should check out, and occasionally (and increasingly) doing citizen journalism at news events and conferences. All of this while holding down a full-time day job with no connection to politics or activism. And most of of those posts were done in the wee hours, so I didn’t get much sleep over the lifespan of this blog.
via Goodbye Pam’s House Blend: after nine years, closing the coffeehouse July 1 | Pam’s House Blend.
Believe it or not; I know how she feels. I have had a bad case of the burnouts myself. I have blogged since 2006 and sometimes, you get burned out. I am not LGBT at all; in fact, I am the straight man and a Christian. However, I have always said the people, who choose that lifestyle, should be allowed to; without fear of being harassed, discriminated against, or treated unfairly. I guess that is what separates we libertarian types from the so-called “Christian Right”, which is about a damned parody joke of itself former self anymore.
I wish Miss. Spaulding the best, and my prayers go to her for her medical condition and yes, I do truly mean that; she should really take care of herself. This blogging business is fun, but it is not worth ending up in an early grave over. I know all about that medical stuff, as I am contending with some medical issues myself.
Either way, I wish Pam the best in whatever she decides to do.