The End?
Given that Duncan nominated me for a Versatile Blogger Award the other day, I find the timing ironic to this post I have been planning all week. Well first let me tell you seven things about myself as required of me to accept this honor.
- I took a stand up comedy class several years ago. The final required us to do a 10 minute set in front of a live audience. I consistently speak in front of small groups of 15-30 people and have given presentations in front of groups as large as 300. That I had no problem doing. HOWEVER, put me at a cocktail party with a bunch of people I don’t know in a non business setting and I am a wallflower.
- I have been posting cartoons online since 2006. First on someone else’s site and since 2008 on my own.
- I am in awe every day of the talented and funny people that consistently make their way over here to comment.
- In the last 3 years I have not missed a my self imposed schedule of posting every Sunday and Wednesday. (Something keen observers will notice I broke my streak when I didn’t post this past Sunday)
- I am constantly jealous of those who can draw better than I.
- It takes me an hour to visit everyone’s blog in my RSS reader and comment EACH DAY. Many times I eat lunch at my desk and pour through. Other times I am doing it after work.
- I feel like the great and powerful OZ. Because of the engagement I get on my site, people assume I get tons of traffic. The reality is that I average about 400-600 hits a day. The same amount as I had 3 years ago.
So what are you trying to tell us??
Well work (my real job) has been busier than ever. Twice in the last four months (this week included) I ended up on antibiotics for sinus infections/flu because of running myself ragged. Additionally, I have been wanting to take some classes, wanting to revamp the outdated look of this site, wanting to write a book, wanting to get better at caricaturing and do more of it, wanting to develop a game idea I have had. All of which has been taking a back seat to my self imposed posting schedule and desire to comment on everything my regulars post as well.
So are you done?
In short, NO!. However, there are going to be some changes to this blog and to what I do. First I am no longer posting on any sort of schedule. When I am inspired I will post. That means I might not post for several weeks or I might post 3 times in a week. All depends. Second, while I truly love you all, I will not be making the rounds to other blogs nearly as much as I have in the past. I need to force myself to take on some of the other things on my list. It won’t mean I am going away, just not as big of a presence. If you want me to see your stuff…post on Google Plus. That is easy for me to check in during grocery store line waits or in the car when the wife is driving. Going from blog to blog on a phone is hard.
I hope to share with you my progress in my endeavors. I have accomplished what I wanted with this site for now. It is time to take it in some new directions. Hope you will come around periodically to check it out.
Thanks
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Take care of yourself, Bearman, and do what you gotta’ do. I’ve had to weed out a bunch of things recently as well to make room for other endeavors, so I – along with (I’m guessing) everyone – understands.
And does this mean you will NOT be hosting my next cocktail party?
I’ll host your party. As long as I am the center of attention I am good.
Aww, Best of luck in what ever you do. Looking forward to what ever you come up with next. In the mean time have a Beary Valentines (groan) I know <3
I like groany jokes. I live on them.
Best wishes and THANK YOU for all you have done for myself and others.
Do I get to learn your true identity?
AFTER I win the lottery. There are still too many potential future employers who are nosy.
Always got to look after no1 Sir, always. Your artwork once again graces my Facebook profile pic, two years on. Says it all
Thanks Robin. That is an honor!!
Good for you! Take care of you, and be the better you, that you desire. We’ll still be here, and keeping up
Best of luck!! xoxo
Thanks Nicole. Glad I can count on you
Enjoy much success in your new endeavorsr, take care of you and Thank you!
Thanks so much Kellie. I’ll be posting regularly…just in an irregular fashion.
Good for you. You have to take care of you first as we all do. Sometimes blogging becomes a full time job and I’ve seen some people almost go over the edge. Not good. I do my visits everyday, but I’m not as anal about it as I once was. When Entrecard went away that was the best thing that ever happened to me. I now do other things and the stress is gone.
Have a terrific day and I’ll see you when I see you.
Yes that is the primary reason for the change. I don’t want to HAVE to draw or post. I WANT to do it. Not being beholden to a schedule will allow that to happen again.
I HEAR YA BROTHER GOOD LUCK!
Thanks!!!
Totally Understand, I self promote more than most and still cant figure out how some people have enough time to post as much as they do. Focus on whats truly important your Art. Glad to see you re focus and dedicate yourself to you. You are truly a amazing artist and owe it to yourself. Have fun with it !!!! Your the man
Oh crap…I have to focus on my art? Now I won’t have an excuse if it sucks.
Don’t worry about that, Bearman. Excuses are easier to find than reasons. ;’D
Good luck my friend… As many have said,
We all understand and wish you all the best!
We look forward to your work in the future!
Sincerely,
John B. (G+)
How come you are John Bc here and John B on Google?
Typo Bearman…
Best of luck!
Congrats on the award. 
Duncan’s cheap…I don’t think he spent much on it.
I heard that !
thanks for letting us know. I hate when bloggers stop like Forrest Gump stopped running. Many just quit and their follower are just left standing around wondering.
Not quitting…just evolving.
Don’t worry, Bearman Cartoon will always be on my top list. Good luck. 8)
Thanks P
Everyone needs a breather, and the time is now to make your ambitions a reality. That book is waiting for you, those classes are waiting for you, all those other things on your, ahem, ‘bucket list’ (unfortunate choice of words there, but oh well) are all waiting for you. It sounds like you’ve done one thing long enough and it’s time to go explore.
Do it, man! We’ll be here when you get back.
When I get back…screw that. I wanted you to illustrate my damn book.
I second what Aidan is saying. I might add that you’ve done well in building a community here… you’ve achieved something that many other people who can draw on a professional level haven’t managed to achieve. The audience numbers of several hundred a day is not bad at all! If you invest the effort into the other stuff, as much as you did this, we’ll know you more than just for blogs and cartoons. Go Bearman!
That was my big fear in taking this leap is losing all the great web of people I worked at pulling together. But I think it will be fun.
Plus I think half my traffic are bots anyway.
Or maybe Binkys. A whole army of Binkys. . .
I can definitely understand the needs of the real world taking precedence over the needs of the cyber world, and I’ll always look forward to your visits, no matter how infrequent they become and I’ll always look forward to your blog posts, no matter how infrequent they become.
On the bright side, even though I don’t post on Google+ (got my fill of Google, thank you very much), I do try to post my blog links on Facebook on a regular basis.
I will try to get better at checking FB. Problem is not being able to check my personal and bearman on those phone apps and having to sign out of one to see the other.
First the Pope, now YOU?!! Man, I thought some things were just forever, like stars, moons, and herpes? Sigh….I totally understand where you’re coming from, and I can’t blame you. My wife is coercing….I mean, prompting me to live a life outside of Addanac City, but I’m too stubborn to quit when I’m ahead, or behind.
Either way, I gots much love for you, man, and you’ll never be too far away for me to come by and say hello.
Sniff…..
Shit…you figured it out. I AM THE POPE!!!!
You were my first online bromance. I will always be there
Soooo….does this mean we have to start seeing other people? Dangit. Now I’ve gotta go back to talking to my wife again.
No I figured while you were busy drawing your silly cartoons your wife would be talking to me. (with my wife’s permission of course)
Awesome! Take care of yourself. The only way our dreams come true is to work at them, which takes time we would otherwise spend doing something else or nothing.
I am certain you will be around and we will be waiting when you do. Really cool things on your to do list. If I can help, let me know.
Thanks Red. Not ready to do a Best of Book yet. The idea of designing what is in my head is over the top. haha
We’ll just have to wait until the DVD of “Bearman’s Backdoor Boogie XXVIII” to drop, huh?
Why do you think I keep a low profile
Well I don’t think you are going away completely I prefer to think that I just might not see you around as much. All the best with the changes! And thanks for all your encouragement!!!! Hugs!
You might see me MORE!! Never know.
So, how did you fare with your comedy gig? Was it a success or a bust? Thanks for sharing these tidbits about yourself! I, too, came to the realization last year that I could no longer spend as much time in the blogosphere that I had previously, so I have definitely scaled back. I’ve lost a portion of my audience from doing so, but, mostly, I have my blog as a journal for my photography, the comments are the icing on the top. Enjoy your outside endeavors!
Wait you accept comments on your pics NOW??? I just look at the nice pictures on RSS figuring I couldn’t comment.
After a month of being comment-free, I changed back to allowing comments again. I was feeling lonely!
Well you could have told someone…geez
All the best with your endeavours Bearman. I’ll keep you in my RSS reader so when you do post I’ll know about it.
And I’ll keep you in my RSS reader…unless you decide to change your URL for the 100th time
I’ve been having this same problem since I started my current job in November 2012. I do my gym workouts 3 days a week, learning the Sax, keeping up with stuff that needs doing around the house & yard/garden plus other stuff. I am finding that cartooning & trying to keep up with all my visitors sites has become a struggle over the past months & have seriously considered giving it up quite a few times lately. I don’t feel that I can keep posting comics & not spend time visiting the sites of all those who support me with their wonderful comments as I feel that would be selfish of me. For me that part of it is the biggest time consumer, time that I should be spending on more important things. How long I will continue for I’m not real sure. I have made the choice to stop a number of times now but then kept going. For me it’s almost like an addiction. Hard to stop
I just drew a new tshirt design tonight and started a caricature. I’ll be posting both at some point. I have made the commitment that I will try once a week to at least comment on one of all the regulars posts. That way I won’t feel guilty.
You should try it. Besides you not only comment…you come back to recomment. That is more than anyone can ask.
I could ask for more. I want chocolates.
I have some that the hotel gave me….I won’t eat them.
I hope it all works out well for you, I have dropped my schedules and deadlines and just started doing what I want to and I’m having fun with it. Thanks for al all your support and encouragement. I’ll still be around til I finally have the “Big ONE”
Which better be a long damn time from now.
I know the feeling — good luck out there man and stay in touch. Ile stay tuned with you on G+
Cheers!
ev
Thanks Eric…appreciate it!
Holy crap Duncan, what the hell did you do????? This is on your head Madhatter.
As for you Bearman, I hope to be reading your book, while playing your game at a stand-up comedy club
haha…my book is probably too dry for most of you. It will be a training book.
Bras
Best of luck Bman. You have provided hours of funny and thoughtful entertainment for years and I have thoroughly enjoyed your satire, support and friendship. Your weekly postings will be missed, and though I don’t comment regularly I always visit your page. But it’s understood, a man has to take care of the important things in life, including growing and exploring different avenues of interest. You are an inspiration in your diligence as far as your steadfast posting schedule has been, it’s amazing you kept it up so long! I’ll be looking forward to your random postings and future endeavors! See you around G+!!
I might still have weekly postings. Just can’t say when during the week that is. Still love drawing and engaging. Just wondering how to evolve it.
Thanks for the support E…appreciate it.
Is this some sort of early April Fool’s post? I didn’t think you would ever stop posting. I’m not sure if that is even legal.
Not stopping posting. Just not regularly scheduled set your watch by it. Besides you keep showing me up on the commenting everywhere so I couldn’t keep up.
You mean Binky beat Bearman? That’s one headline I never thought I’d see.
Just like Dewey Beat Truman
Come work for Hamish Industries instead.
You first loser. And get your lazy brother back blogging too.
Good luck boss. Def. think you’re making the right call. See you around the internet water-cooler!
I’ll be there. Keep the water cold
Regardless of when you update, I shall always, eventually, maybe, pop by! [smirk] Making comics is a fantastic enjoyment, but the reality of life, learning curves and a desire to focus on other things is all part of the great organization of life and priority!
You know what I did last night. I drew. Not because I had to…but because I wanted to. Very freeing feeling. Why didn’t you tell me that long ago.
I kind of did![wink] When was the last time you saw an update from me?!? …I’ll be getting back to it, but in my own time, in my own way! I was trying to absorb all that information, both in improving the quality of my work, self publishing, conventions, marketing, etc! It was giving me a headache and making me feel as if it was an impossible task. I want to enjoy the process, I’m just going to do it more organically. A comic online is just one medium for exposing it, you don’t have to live and die by it.
Look at that, I had a complete thought without getting….
Drunk??
I know. I have a guy who owns a comic store. He keeps wanting me to sell stuff there. I keep telling him I have nothing to sell. But he won’t listen..haha I think this year I might actually have to make good and come up with SOMETHING!!
It all sounds good. Take care; will be back … your on the blogroll, so no worries.
Thanks!
Hey BearMan… CU ’round about the cyberverse or…? I too am familiar with the need to adjust priorities and time spent doing this and that and those… BEST of everything to you, kind sir… you deserve anything you can dream!!!
and thanks for all the smiles and such!!!
I’ll keep trying to make you smile…promise
Hey Bearman,
First things first, and that means taking care of yourself and fulfilling your dreams.
Best of luck in your classes and if you ever do stand-up nearby, I’ll come and kibitz from the peanut gallery.
MJ
One day I’ll reveal my act to the world. Actually I did it once and people said I should keep doing it. Nope. The joy was seeing if I could do it. Now onto something else.
Thanks for the help and comments Bearman. Hope you get it figured out and it all works out. You are the second on my rss feeds so I will keep checking each day.
Hey who took Top billing?? That damn Addanac City guy?
Everyone is being far too nice.
I’m resorting to threats.
So, you know… you’d better not quit. Don’t make me come over there and break that phone!
*sigh*
Seriously though, Bearman… best of luck with any and everything regardless of the schedule…
*sniff sniff*
Aw, *beep*!
Still waiting for you to start cartooning again
Hey, wait a minute… what’s this?!
This is the ONE time I didn’t want to make things all about me!
Well it is time!!!
Bearman, I have always felt honoured that you have commented regularly on my comic, but now, reading this blog, I feel even moreso.
I’m pretty sure I know how you feel and I admire you for taking a stand for your own life satisfaction.
My way of handling limited time is to only comment on the sites of people I care about, which includes the majority of my commenters, but only once a week, or if they’ve done something exceptional. I tend to use twitter and the list on the front page of my site to get to those people quickly, so I’ll keep checking back here to catch up with you. I have no rss reader installed anywhere.
I’m looking forward with happy anticipation to see how you and your art evolves. Enjoy! <3
Rss saves m because I am able to click on one link and see all the posts of my friends. You should heck into google reader. Free and easy. Just how I like it
Take care of yourself Bearman! I understand how hectic things get. Look forward to seeing what’s next!
Thanks David. Me too haa
We’ll be right here waiting when you have time. I understand the impositions of real life.
Thx GG. Always know you are around
It sounds like you’re being 100% sensible. You’ve been generous with your time and attention, you’ve been producing good work, and you’ve seen the resulting boost in your followers and attention.
So, now you’re going to make changes. Grow. Evaluate.
Bravo, I say.
As you know, I’m just starting my serious jump into production and promotion. I’ve got a lot to learn from you.
haha…promotion you might have to look at someone else…I mean I NEVER had my own art exhibit!!! haha
Your blog is always worth checking out, and I know what you mean about not being able to keep up with everyone as I have the exact same problems, I guess that many of us do. I always like you to call into my place but don’t worry about being less visible just call in whenever you have the opportunity and that is good enough for me
I think that pushing your alternative goals is a positive step forwards, this well established blogging arena is always going to be here for you to make new postings but at the same time you will be able to expand, growing your community and adding some unique touches along the way with exciting challenges. I wish you very good luck in all that you do Bearman and don’t forget to have fun in the process
happy Tuesday to you…
Thanks. and thanks for all the continued support
Will be here whenever you post, Good luck in whatever diection you decide to go.
Thanks…much appreciated
The end is only the beginning, Bearman. Just keep doing what you’re doing, when you feel like doing it. Your fans will stick around because you’re worth it. Good luck with everything!
Thanks Mark!!
I am surprised I missed this post I am glad I went back over. I wish you great luck in your new ventures and also look forward to seeing updates on your progress. I am sure we all will miss the schedule but a good thing never lasts forever does it, lol.
Well hopefully I do.