March 12, 2007

-- I hate to even go into all this, because it's not very funny. In fact, it's not funny at all. But I spent a big part of the weekend thinking about this website, and how we've somehow arrived at one of those proverbial crossroads. I'm concerned that TheWVSR as we know it may be in jeopardy, my friends.

Please allow me to explain....

I was in a unique and perfect situation with my job. I was working at a large manufacturing/ distribution facility that operates 'round the clock. The company that actually paid (pays) my salary is located in California, and I had to sorta straddle the Eastern and Pacific time zones. Because of the three-hour difference, the workday here is almost half over when they're just getting cranked-up in Burbank, and those Cali boys can sure generate their share of last-minute mad-scramble Chinese fire drills. So I went in later than most people, and drove home in the dark.

This schedule allowed me time in the mornings to write my ridiculous updates, and still put in a full-day's work. And I can't see that happening again. Ya know? I just don't believe there are too many zone-straddling opportunities available out there.

No, when I do go back to work it'll almost certainly be a "normal" deal, where I'm required to arrive at 8:00 am, or whatever. And if there's a commute on both ends of it.... Well, you can see what will happen to the site: it'll sit dormant most days. There simply won't be any time for me to maintain it. I can imagine a scenario where I'm struggling to squeeze out one pathetic update per week, on Sunday mornings or somesuch.

And that makes me sad. It sounds like a joke when I say this site is the only thing that keeps me sane, but I suspect it may be true. Except for my family, it's my favorite thing. I'd probably go spiraling into depression if I didn't have TheWVSR to cling to. That, or I'd get really into collecting things, and spend my evenings in the basement wearing a jeweler's glass.

Will somebody please hold me?

Some of you have suggested I make an effort to "monetize" the Surf Report, and try to turn it into an actual business. And while the realist in me scoffs, I have to admit it's a mighty appealing idea. I know there are people who maintain sites similar to this one, and reportedly make a living from it. Why not me too?

Well, I did some research and it appears those folks thrive on a combination of ad revenue and donations from their readers. None charge for content, via subscriptions or anything like that, it's just voluntary contributions. One doesn't even run ads at all, it's completely reader-supported.

So... I'm going to give it a shot. Over the next few weeks, while still looking for a real job, I'm going to explore the idea of having TheWVSR overhauled by a professional site designer. I think it looks amateurish, and I'm ready to take a shot at legitimacy with my very one "web guy." I want the RSS feeds to work automatically, I want it to be slick but cool, and I want to be able to update from any computer. I'm willing to plunk down some bucks to make it all happen.

Also, I'm going to research ad programs, and try to hook up with a good company. I've got a half-assed hodgepodge going right now, with no focus or clear strategy, and the results have been predictably lame. TheWVSR receives thousands of unique visitors every month, and an impressive number of pageviews. I'm confident I can get better results.

I've been monkeying around with a secret side project as well, a planned one-shot zine-type of booklet to be called My West Virginia Jobs. I've got a complete first draft finished, about 20,000 words, and am going to work hard at finalizing it over the next few weeks. I'm hoping it'll generate a little excitement, and maybe lead to something fun. More on that later.

And here's the hard part.... I'm asking for your help. I've set up donation accounts with both Amazon and PayPal, and added a big red DONATE box at the top of the second page. If you believe the site is worthy, I would appreciate a small monthly contribution. Or hell, if you can swing it, a large monthly contribution. Whatever.

If you can't, or don't want to contribute, that's cool. I can't see who is or isn't dropping anything in the ol' tip jar, so there's no social pressure here. The last thing I want is for anyone to walk around with deep-seated Surf Report Guilt.

One last request, as if I haven't asked enough already.... Please tell your friends and enemies about the site. If I have even the tiniest chance of pulling this off, I'll need to increase the readership. So, if you know someone who might enjoy what we do here, please spread the word. It's important.

And that's about all I can stomach. God, I feel like I need to take a shower.... I appreciate your help with this particular pipe dream, and promise not to whore myself too much in the coming days.

Tomorrow I'll tell you about our very first encounter with the cluster-fuck that is the Scranton St. Patrick's Day Parade. To whet your appetite, here are a few pictures I snapped. Man, talk about your picture-taker's paradise.... If the Secrets hadn't complained so much, I might still be down there.

See ya tomorrow.

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Last updated
01/17/12 12:11 PM

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