The response to yesterday’s “Help Wanted” post was very heartening. A number of folks have stepped forward with offers to contribute in one way or another. Good timing too, as another factor now enters into the equation: my father is dying (not unexpectedly). But I will have to head to Baltimore any day now. So here’s the the way forward, as I see it based on the needs and the offers of help:
As of today, CC is a Collaborative affair; it’s much bigger than just me, and I need to be even “smaller” right now. We’ve created an environment where folks who like finding, reading about, and intelligently discussing older cars and the automotive culture can and do feel comfortable to do so. Contributing to the content is the natural next step.
In order to make this happen, there are a couple of considerations, if we are to keep the basic format of CC intact and not turn it into a wide-open forum (although adding a forums section to CC is a possibility we could explore later):
Associate Editors: We need at least one or two or more ADs who can post guest submissions as well as their own pieces. These folks should either be interested in contributing somewhat regularly, or be able to post pieces sent in by other contributors; ideally both, but not necessarily. It’s really not difficult to learn the back end of Word Press, and since WP is used so commonly, it’s also a useful skill to acquire. Obviously, I would work with them to get them up to speed.
Contributors: Readers who just want to submit pieces for posting.
I see from the comments from the previous post that some of you have already volunteered to one degree or another, and our first contributor’s piece has already been sent in. If you’re interested in being an Editor, and are unsure about what that would entail, please contact me, and we could discuss it further; on the phone, if that would help.
Also, if you want to write a historical piece on some specific car or related subject, and I don’t have shots, I can point you to where they are available with the proper credits.
I’ve made some extra copies of the CC keys since it looks like the interest to take it for a spin is there. The line starts here…just don’t ding it up 🙂
(Update: for the moment, send any submissions to me: curbsideclassic(at) gmail.com, at least until I see how soon we can get some Editors up to speed)
Godspeed, Paul. I wish you and your family the best. Or perhaps given my location in the desert Southwest and my soon to be Spanish/Indian-in-laws perhaps I should say; “Vaio con dios.”
I’ll volunteer to be a Contributor. Just tell us where we need to email our submissions to and what file formats you prefer.
First, best to you and your family, I know from experience that this is a trying time.
As for contributing, maybe I’ll get some time to write up the Step-Down Hudson around the corner–I enjoy the site and I’d be happy to add in some content as well.
Well, sign me up for an Associate Editor position, then. How could I ever turn down such a proposition? However, I don’t want to be alone, there needs to be some more people involved. We are scattered around the world, and around different timezones. And as you, I’m all for creative collaborations and consensus decisions. On a personal note, I think this will do me good, I need something new to delve into.
Ingvar; my earlier reply must have gotten lost. Thanks so much for your offer. I’m putting together a list of those that have offered help, and will get in touch with you soon.
Please add my name and info to that list. I may not be able to offer anything right now, but we never know what tomorrow will be like.
Hi Paul, I would be willing to help out as either an AE or just a contribution basis depending on what you need. I wouldn’t mind learning to hone my writing skills and learning Word Press.
Best wishes to you and your family.
Sign me up to be a contributor. I know I’m not a regular commenter, but I would be happy to lend a hand with contributions. I see plenty of older 80’s cars up here in Rohnert Park.
Best wishes to you and your family Paul. You are in my thoughts.
Best wishes to you and your family from here, too, Paul. So sorry to hear about your Dad.
Maybe one day I’ll be moved to try my hand at writing a CC feature. Hmmm, my neighbor’s 1980 MB 300D is actually a car I’ve long admired…
About the only things I have to offer are my sympathies to you and your family, and some pictures of a couple of bas-ass old trucks (and tractors… Fieldside Classic?) that we’ve got kicking around here.
I am, unfortunately, eminently unqualified to write about them, as my only knowledge of old cars comes from you, my dad and uncle, and owners’ reports from Popular Mechanics on Google Book: “The door handles fell off the day I bought it… The turn signals weren’t hooked up… Doors won’t close. Without being slammed… The right front wheel fell off… Retains several inches of water in the passenger compartment after a rain…” And those are real examples. From one car. If there’s only one thing I know about classic cars (and that’s not too far off)… It’s that they definitely weren’t!
Anyway, I’d been considering sending some pictures of one of the aforementioned badass old trucks (which definitely doesn’t retain water as the passenger footwells have rather large holes rusted through them) for a while now. So when I get a chance, I’ll do so, and someone qualified can do the writeup. 🙂
My condolences Paul.
WIth the better weather around here, the summer drives will be coming out, and that means a fair whack of old Brit cars amongst others. If I see any that I know anything about I’ll have a crack at a short piece.
alistair
I really wish I could offer something to maintain the site. But I don’t really have anything interesting to write, and my schedule is far too random to commit to any sort of behind the curtain maintenance work.
My best to you and your family, Paul. My mother passed away suddenly on March 31st. It was a complete shock to everyone and we’re all still pretty upset.
I wouldn’t wish this pain upon anyone. Hang in there.
Praying for your family.
I want to help. In fact I would have said more, but I have been terribly sick this past week, and am still feeling rather rough.
But this too shall pass.
I will be dropping you a line through email soon with a writing sample to see if you think I can do it 🙂
-Richard
What awful news, Paul. I’m sorry to hear about your father’s health. I’ve not crossed that particular bridge yet—- but that doesn’t mean I don’t await those days in trepidation.
You’ll be greatly missed & we certainly hope to see you back here in the very near future.
Cheers.
al
I’d be interested in contributing. I’ve done a fair bit of CC-like writing at my site StudentWheels (studentwheels.wordpress.com — anything published under “Alex R.” is mine) and would be glad to held out. Just let me know what the drill is.
My thoughts are with you and your family, Paul. I found your site only a month or 2 ago through TTAC(which I stumbled on in Jan.), but I’ve visited this site daily since then. We’ve got a good group of folks here, and I look forward to reading everybody’s work!
Really sorry to hear about your dad, Paul. After all the times you’ve mentioned him in your writing, it seems like I know him.
You and your family are in my thoughts.
I would contribute, Paul, but I’m not much of a writer and I don’t think any of you whippersnappers would care to read about the cars of my youth anyhow (the teens, twenties, and thirties). I wish you all the best though. I am quite sorry to hear about your father.
Paul, I wish you and your family the best through a difficult time. I went through this myself many years ago and it’s never easy. Death is not a “natural” thing about life for humans, as we weren’t designed to die in the first place. Until that changes, this is what we’re stuck with until our Creator sets things right.
Please carry on with what you must do and we’ll be here when you get back!
Prayers for you. You are fortunate to have had your father as long as you have. Sounds like he was wonderful.
Count on me as a regular reader.
Also, I see some interesting older CCs here in Houston. Where should I send photos?
So sorry to hear about your father. My father passed away in January, 2009. He gave me, among many other things, a lifelong love for everything with wheels. I think about him every day.
I hope you draw some solace from the knowledge that we’re all pulling for you right now.
Paul, I’m mighty sorry to hear about your father. After all that I’ve read here and at TTAC, I almost feel like I know your family. My thoughts and prayers go with you.
Let me add my sympathy too. I’m at an age at which both my wife and I have become the “old farts” in our families and the fact that this is something of a natural progression does not make it easier.
I’m sure that if I put my mind to it I can come up with some contributions.
Paul, I’m sorry to hear about your father. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
I’m interested in being an associate editor, but with a full-time job that pays the bills and a 18-month-old, I don’t know if I have the time. I would like to contribute some features over the next few weeks.
Thanks everyone for your very kind thoughts. He has terminal colon cancer; one day he’s convinced he’ll be dead by morning, and the very next day he’ll be up and around and making the bed and wanting a proper meal. It’s hard to say just exactly the trajectory of his final descent. But his mind is still totally sharp, as his his dry wit.
Paul – You and I are about the same age. I lost my father to colon cancer back in ’91 at just 67 yrs of age. There is nothing I can offer you, except to tell him EVERYTHING you can, and ask him to do the same. It will help enormously in the years to come.
I have great interest in all old cars, especially prior to WWII, for the poster above (Ben5) who wrote that we wouldn’t care about the cars of his youth, and I love this site, just as your work was my favorite aspect of TTAC. Thank you so much for doing it.
I have some pix of a gorgeous Morris Minor Traveler I stumbled upon in its home town of Oxford, UK last year. I have been meaning to send them and ask you to do the write-up, but maybe I’ll just have to try to write it up myself.
Paul, and enjoy all the moments you can.
Sorry about your Dad’s heath, Paul. Cancer is a cruel SOB. My prayers go out to you.
Paul, my thoughts are with you. One of the most endearing qualities of your writing is that it makes your reader feel like an old friend who has known you forever. I would feel privileged to occasionally contribute to CC.
Paul,
I’ve been out of the loop for an exceptionally busy last couple of weeks and am only now getting back to CC. Sorry to hear about your dad, and you and family will be in my prayers.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Paul. I’m not a very good writer, but I’ve got tons of great stories that come from years of working at Dealerships. I’ve seen many things. I feel the same way about you that csi.ch does. God Bless you Paul, from a friend in Iowa City.
I’m really sorry to hear about your dad’s situation, Paul. You and your family will be in my thoughts. May God bless you and help you in the weeks ahead.
Hey Paul, I know I am a bit late to the cattle call, but I would be more than willing to be an associate editor, or a proof reader or, well, anything!
My condolences on your father.
FWIW…I have a few car-related blog essays I put up on a small blogsite about seven years ago…good reads, in the opinion of many; but out of circulation for a long time. If you’re open to reposts, let me know by email.
The subject matter was, the allure of the Jeep; and the burden of The Winter Car. They may be a better fit in TTAC.
As it happens, for the next 2-5 weeks, I’ll be quite busy and with no Internet access. Email me if you’re interested; and I’ll forward them for review when I can.