Go time
Wanye
August 26 2009 11:02AM
For many folks the last 30 days were an ordinary August like many others. Relaxed summer fun, while we wait for the new season to begin and for Dancing with the Stars to end. But to us August 2009 will stand as our quarter life crisis that caused us to quit our job before it killed our soul in order to focus on hockey blogging.
During Great Depression II.
We are that dumb
We have realized of late: it is better to fail at doing something you love then succeed at something you hate. Even if that shit pays you well and has an inattentive IT department that hasn’t noticed “user pr62 has 3.2 trillion hits on OilersNation in the past 12 months.” At the exact time that many folks are glad to have a job – we have unwisely left ours and are setting out on our very own.
It went over well with the roommates:
Wanye: (enters room, throws down luggage) I’m home gentlemen. I bring you three vessels loaded rich spices from exotic lands.
Roommate 1: (watching TV) Whatever, keep it down.
Wanye: And also I have quit my job.
Roommate 1: (watching TV) Whatever, keep it down.
Back to OilersNation World HQ
Having returned to the City last night, we immediately decided to lay in provisions for the long hard winter in a moment of Survivorman-esque planning. Never having to leave the house again, we were looking for commercial quantities of ready made meals, that require no added steps like adding milk. To our great joy we found a sale so massive that we had to go back to Wanye Manor and gather the roommates to assist in bringing our provisions back to the cave. $2 for a box of five granola bars? In this economy?
It boggles the mind:
Taking stock of the scene
Job quit, survival provisions stocked in the pantry, we set about seeing what’s what on the Nations. While we were busy losing our mind Jonathan Willis has turned into a three-a-day article beast, providing insight and interesting articles multiple times per day.
So you can imagine our shock and horror when we read this comment last night from local media personality Bob Stauffer:
No disrespect to Mr. Willis, but five JW stories on the front page of ON is at least three and probably four too many. Given that JW has his own site do we really need all five lead stories on the ON site coming from someone who has no direct access to anybody that matters in hockey circles? Combine that with the fact that Jon resides in Mortheastern B.C., it can be argued he doesn’t really have a pulse for what is happening in Edmonton either. I can see getting Jon’s take once a week…but in this case I think less might be more. Take Care Bob Stauffer
Oh Bob. Really?
A few questions spring to mind:
1. Why bother?
What did Willis ever do to you? The guy is a gentleman who is busting his nuts in your field for a tenth the dough that you did when you started out. Rather than using your power and influence to cheer on emerging sports writers you have used it to shit on Willis publicly, in his home court we might add. Why bother?
2. What’s worse?
Having no access but saying something every day of interest or having plenty of access and rarely breaking news you know people are clamoring to hear?
See Bob, you who possesses both the bat phone number for Daryl Katz and the actual shoe size of Captain Ethan Moreau haven’t really used this power for any real good of late. Rather than calling out Willis for the stuff he talks about, you may want to look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself about all of the stuff you haven’t talked about. Great stuff, interesting stuff you could discuss that you know people would want to know - except for the fact that it is easier to report the news that floats to the surface rather than do any real digging.
Compare if you dare, the portion of the media kicking it at well paid day jobs that haven’t done any real digging in years - to a guy like Willis who does nothing but dig – even though he has to dig for miles to find a glimmer of gold. There he is, day after day, grinding it out. When a guy like Willis gets that access that you refer to – watch out.
3. Willis is awesome
Jonathan Willis is a gentleman farmer, a scholar and an immediate recipient of any or all Wanye Organs ™ of his choice should he ever need a donor. The guy takes ridiculous amounts of shit from people but continues to churn away, steadfastly becoming a wicked writer in the process. Nothing but good will come to a man of his nature.
In closing, be on the ready Nation
We have walked through a few doors of late and no longer recognize our surroundings. We are out on our own, cushy job be damned and we are going to try to take it up a notch around here. We have a year’s supply of granola bars to fuel us and no longer have anything better to do than work on our dream: hard hitting independant NHL coverage.
And on that day when the Willises, Brownlees and Gregors of the world are so highly read from coast to coast that the NHL has no other option but to grant them full access over which they have little control, we shall put our feet on our desk, crack a Bud Light and declare the job well done.
Until then – it’s game time.
Way to go Willis! Thanks for fixing the problem - I was starting to wonder where this article was going when Wanye was talking about donating you his ~organ~...
The season hasn't even started yet & we are on our way to a trash talking event of epic proportions whenever any of the "other radio personalities" show their faces around these parts. These personalities seem to have short memories of how far they have come in the past couple of years.
My biggest issues with Stauffer are he's a name dropper and likes to toot his own horn. He spends a lot of time talking about how he told this player -insert random useless info- or he was talking about -insert other unimportant line- with DKatz (or some other higher up). Does anyone remember his little tirade about TSN not citing him as the source of the KLowe ultra rant? I do.
I listened to him all the time on the Team. I liked that he always let you talk despite his disinterest in what you had to say, unlike Dan Tencer. I don't dislike Stauffer. I just think he's a bit of a blow hard at times. In this instance he's out of line.
Also, is it just me or does he sound like he's just come from the dentist and forgot to take all the cotton balls out of his mouth?
Take care, John Logan (real name)
p.s. Willis is a fine writer and as member of the writing staff here why shouldn't he churn out as much as he sees fit? Quite a bit of his stuff is inspired by and as a result of commentary here. ON readers have proved with the Draft business that they'll pay for the immediate response and info.
I don't mean to complain, but in light of the big event tonight, shouldn't Willis be doing an article analyzing the statistical congruence of being an Oiler, AC/DC, and Bud Light fan? I'm not alone in the World am I?
* Lets out his loudest, shrillest, rock-star scream...and then remembers he works in an office....oops.
TIM S wrote:
Nicely put TIM, some people have to learn the meaning of quality over quantity.
442Junkie wrote:
LOL, I didn't want to go there.. but no, it's not just you.
Congrats on quitting your job and doing what you actually want to do, Wanye!
I've missed you on Twitter as well, so it's nice to have you back. It's a great site, so keep up the fantastic work!
I read different article by Jonathan Willis, he is a good writer, and will keep on getting better. Good Job
socaldave wrote:
You sir obviously missed a comment I made on an old JSBM post about the new hotness : cottonelle flushable wipes. Like a thousand angels kissing your ass hole.
hxxp://www.jeanshortsandbaggedmilk.com/2009/03/baggedmilk-day-in-life.html#comments
Bob Cob wrote:
I don't get it. You still have the choice not to read it, don't you? Are you saying that you would rather have nothing new, than to see JW's regular insightful posts?
Balsy dude, Balsy. Fortunately, I love my job which pays pretty good too. Besides, how will I support a wife and two little growing Oiler fans?
Follow your dream man and don't let anyone tell you anything else. If you love it and put all your passion, heart and soul into it, you will succeed. ON is a wicked weblocal. I have been to the other nation site only once and never to the army website but if they are anything like this then those fans are getting treated to top notch webmedia too. BTW how are the other two sites doing? I'm curious how they compare to the flagship ON (readership, nits, writers etc).
Wanye, I just don't know where to start...First of all, I think society is fueled by those who have the balls to take risks in order to do what makes them happy. Nothing sucks more than having a sucky life 'cause you have a sucky job...lots of people do it, though, and it takes balls to say "enough."
Stauffer lost credibility when he became what he used to regularly abhor on his radio show; he lost the rest when he didn't change the status quo once he had the chance.
As somebody who's benefited from your magnanimity as the mighty Wanye*, it's clear that you, and the rest of "the Nation" don't see things the same way that Stauffer does...and we're all better for it.
Thanks...again.
*lice, open sores and the LPGA notwithstanding
I pretty much eat up all of JW's stuff, even the really geeky stuff, so, I don't get the nay sayers . "Wind Stats vs. quality of Competition" was hilarious, Tim S !
Travis Dakin wrote:
Ha! I just re-read that thread, and it still makes me happy.
You lost me at Bud Light. Too bad you were on a pretty nice roll there.
@ Poo Czar: Those were good times. ha
yeah Bob, I 'hate' going to a hockey wesbite the fourth week in August and seeing 3-5 brand new articles....get a clue man, I guarantee you're the only one who feels this way.
I have been visiting this site for a long time ... and I have never posted anything. I prefer to read. Staufer is jealous. JW ... keep doing what your doing. Your very good at it. We should tell Penner to take BOB with him on a donair run .. might keep his mouth busy with something else.
Travis Dakin wrote:
you, Sir, are both a scholar and wise beyond words...
Thanks for all the nice comments everyone. Some brief answers to questions: Yes I shall be returning to twitter, yes I will run out of money and be having sex for cash within a week and yes I did actually go and buy those PowerAdes at SaveOn foods as recommended by former US President Gerald R. Ford.
Ah unemployment. So agreeable with the soul.
*removes pants for all eternity*
oilerguyforever wrote:
Did you just imply what I think you implied?
Poo Czar wrote:
HA I just read it again, we were on fire then!
Well fellows you have said your piece. I compliment JW and MC79 for some of their statistical analysis and still get crapped on and called every name in the book for being the big bad (fat) wolf...with some guys attributing a quote to me that came from someone else. You have a fine site here, unquestionably relevant; just felt you needed more than range of opinion in your writers on the front page. I would like to wish you all the best of luck moving forward.
P.S. the Oilers have added some toughness for the farm by signing a legit AHL tough guy who has had a couple cups of coffee in the NHL.
Take Care Bob Stauffer
I only need to say something once. You have a sick mind.
@ Wanye Gretz: I am in.... so... in Awe of your greatness. Is this job quitting for the Nation for real? or is it just a temp thing until you find a more desireable "real job."
I mean if it is indeed permanent then you sir must have the balls of a Wolly Mammoth. (I heard they were big)
Either way, you are still a god among mere men.
@ Bob Stauffer:
Well now I don't know what to think. People shouldn't call people fat though that is offside for sure.
Unless it is Dustin Penner.
Or Shaq. Cause I saw that Shaq vs the universe last night and he is packing it on.
@ Travis Dakin:
It's for real. Making these sites bigger, adding more killing power and upgrading the main deflector array are my sole focus in life. I may not write every day, but trust I am working on these babies FO' REALS.
Still feel bad people called Stauffer fat. That shit ain't cool.
@ Travis Dakin:
That was probably one of the best discussions we've ever had on that half a website.
So first Tencer had a bone to pick, and now Stauffer. What's next? Is Mike Sobel going to stop by and chirp Wanye on his love of the rap? Are Gord Steinke and Robin Brownlee going to get oiled up and wrestle in the middle of Whyte Ave? WHEN WILL THE MADNESS STOP!
@ jeanshorts:
Gene Principe's dad tried to fight me once at Northlands Park. Does that count?
Wanye Gretz wrote:
Wanye are you trying to take MacT's place here calling Dustin Penner fat just weeks before training camp? Some guys just don't respond to that kind of motivation.
Good luck with the new venture, does this mean that if the Nation sends Gregor to the draft next year, that you will be available as his wingman?
@ BigE57:
I actually think Dustin Penner might have a reasonably awesome year this year. Maybe it's because we are alarmingly devoid of players to idolize and later burn their rental furniture, but I don't dislike his chances this season.
And no, I don't think we will be sending me anywhere anytime soon. Leave the business of being awesome journalists to awesome journalists. I'll stick to stuff like this:
*starts tap dancing feverishly, slips on throw rug and knocks himself out on the floor*
@ Bob Stauffer: There is usually multiple opinions, but apparently Brownlee has a max and Gregor I presume is still on holidays.
Wanye Gretz wrote:
Did you notice when his team mate said "we don't need shirts," he just ignored him? HAHA and then wearing a speedo on the beach and keeping the shirt on. You could clearly see his moobies. Shaq diesel needs to get a tune-up.
jeanshorts wrote:
We gotta kick it up again. I promise to help.
Wanye Gretz wrote:
Well sir, it will be an intersting race to see which becomes the biggest tha fastest, These sites or the legend of Wanye Gretz.
@ Bob Stauffer: You're always going to find people bad mouthing you as a pubic figure, obviously you know that. Most of us didn't insult you, just expressed a very passionate displeasure with your opinion.
I quoted Wanye and now I am in moderation. haha fix that!!!
@ Wayne Gretz Gene's dad......really? I picture the scene in fight club where they discuss who they would fight: "I'd fight Hemmingway", "I'd fight Shatner" Wayne- "I'd fight Gene Principe's dad".
Wanye Gretz wrote:
Employed, Unemployed, Self Employed...it doesn't matter to me as long as you pay that 10 bucks you owe me.
@ ronaldo:
Hahaha. And once again, Wanye is here to show us that dreams do in fact come true!
@ jeff:
Gregor is on vacation and far from a computer and Brownlee is chewing nails and berating someone for something.
@ ronaldo:
It's true. He was drunk, I was drunk. A taxi came and he tried to straight gank it from me and my sister. Madness ensued and fisticuffs seemed imminent until he identified himself as Papa Principe.
I gave him the cab as a sign of respect to Principe, who while fluffier than a kitten made of cotton balls, is still a nice guy. His Dad deserves respect under the G code. My sister was choked we had to wait in the snow for another cab.
~The End~
@ Travis Dakin:
Yep. Pretty much a staple in our bathroom nowadays. Thanks to you my "swass is a thing of the past.™"
The Towel Boy wrote:
For the last time I don't OWE you ten bucks, I promised you ten bucks. And until Paula Abdul returns to her throne atop American Idol you don't get nothin.
The Towel Boy wrote:
If they were smart they would run one of those "edgy" advertising campaigns. Their sales would go through the roof. You need to contact them now!
You could be the next "diamond shreddies" guy. He's loaded now.
@ Wanye Gretz:
Fair enough, I just figured while Gregor was covering hockey issues you could be scouting out the nightlife of whatever city the draft is held in....
I hope you are right about Penner I'm hoping he has a breakout year and scores 30 just to spite everyone who hates on him and his contract....he's capable.
@ Travis Dakin:
I need a licensing deal...and fast. Is there a lawyer in the house?
BTW, I prefer diamond shreddies. Square is so plain.
@ BigE57: If you want me to go to bars in strange towns and send back reports I will leave on the next thing smoking and never return till the Nation says stop. By all means!
@ The Towel Boy:
I literally know this girl who didn't get that Square v Diamond Shreddies campaign and thought they had a new product. Ah girls with low intelligence. May I mate (but never breed) with you for all eternity.
@ Wanye Gretz:
When dating, the first thing I look for is intelligence. Because if she doesn't have that, then she's all mine.
Wanye Gretz wrote:
I saw a study that said the smarter they are, the better they are. I've found this to be true.
@ jeanshorts:
And by dating you mean collecting disguarded womens running shoes from trash cans right?
@ Travis Dakin:
Really? Who wrote this study? Smart girls i'd bet.
pfft
Ah Wayne, It's so damn hard to take you seriously when your still drinking Bud LIGHT!!!! Maybe next game I come to Etown for, we should have a little RX1 beer crushing contest??????
@ Bob Stauffer: Oh wait, so you're the victim in all of this now? You're the one who questioned Jonathan Willis' articles because he doesn't know anyone in hockey circles and he lives in "Mortheastern B.C." (yes, spelled with an M). As I said before, everyone has access to the same numbers that he does but he makes more use of them, summarizes it nicely, and gives you something to think about; that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Also, to say that JW posts too many articles on ON is completely absurd. Robin Brownlee has explained his deal with ON and I'm not sure about the others but the frequency with which they post articles shouldn't be used as an excuse to say that Jonathan Willis' articles are diluted.
@ Wanye Gretz: So they're still on sale?!?! Powerade for danjo!
Wanye Gretz wrote:
Come to think of it, it was my GF that pointed it out to me. She fancies herself a smart lass what with her degree and "UofA golden key" alummni status.... hmm.
Thank goodness I have two brains to compete!
@ Milli:
You come to town and I will crush Lubomir Vishnovsky's salary worth of beers at RX1 with you during the game*
*given RX1 prices this is exactly 5 beers
All that I have to say is that I read JW nearly every day and enjoy his perspective on various issues. Lol, I often wonder how the guy finds time to sleep with all of the quality material he cranks out.
Keep it up, JW!