I hate change.
I hate moving so much, I've been known to stay in places I hated. For years.
I hate starting a new job, having to be the new guy, not knowing where the toilet is, and having to prove myself.
When they tear down a building I've been driving by for years, I hate that. It's not that I particularly care about the place; it's just familiar and oddly comforting.
Yeah, yeah, I know that change is inevitable, blah, blah, blah. I'm just happier when things stay the same. Change should always be avoided whenever possible, no matter what.
So, I've decided to make a change, to move, and to start a new job. Starting July 30, I'm moving "Talking to My Cats" to Strumpette (http://www.strumpette.com) -- “A Naked Journal of the PR Business.”
Instead of publishing a monthly episode of Talking to My Cats on my website, I'm going to be posting weekly episodes at Strumpette. Amanda Chapel and the rest of the Strumpettes (and, um, Strumpers) have the attitude, style, and sex appeal you you’ve come to associate with me.
The opportunity to reach a wider audience and to rant about stuff that pisses me off – only more often – was impossible to resist.
No doubt you're thinking, "How will I live without my monthly dose of smart-assed tirades from brucepilgrim.com?" No worries. You could set up an RSS feed (http://feeds.feedburner.com/Strumpette) to ensure you'll be notified whenever another article is added to the Strumpette canon, including screeds from yours truly.
If you are only interested in my “Cats” tirades, make it a practice to tune in every Tuesday to see the latest. Better yet, bookmark Strumpette and check it out every day. You will always be assured of a good read.
Some things won't change, though. I will never stop whining, bitching, or moaning. I will never stop grousing and taking cheap shots. And, I will never keep my mouth shut. I couldn't, even if I tried.
Before I make this change, I'd like to express my appreciation to those of you who did not demand to have your names be taken off my mailing list, as well as all of you who didn't block my "Cats" with spam filters. I like to think of this as enthusiastic applause. And as for those of you who have e-mailed me compliments, I can only bow my head with a shy grin, paw at the ground, and say "Aw, shucks."
Hugh Caldwell, my colleague and friend, deserves special recognition for making the "Cats" postings possible. Because I am html-challenged, I've needed Hugh to format and post these gems every month since I started back in 2001. Without his volunteer work month after mind-numbing month, it simply wouldn't have happened. Let me hear "Amen" from the congregation.
Someone who also deserves, well, sainthood, is Sharon, my spouse and my best friend. You may think you can imagine it, but trust me; you have no idea how difficult it is to put up with me on a daily basis. At the very least, Sharon deserves a medal for not smothering me in my sleep. Now that's what I call romance. Sharon also is the very first reader and judge of each episode. If she thinks it sucks, it never gets posted.
I'd also like to thank my cats, those erstwhile vice presidents of my small company who contribute so little and ask for so much. (Up until just now, I'd never used the word "erstwhile" and now I regret it.) Like most corporate VPs, these little hairbags add questionable value to the enterprise, unless you enjoy effluents.
They have provided little insight, less inspiration, as well as no value as sounding boards. Lacking an iota of interest in anything I say that doesn't involve food or attention, my veeps have been worth every penny I pay them. I'm confident their support will continue at the usual low level.
Here's hoping both Strumpette and I will live long and prosper. Thanks for listening and stay tuned.