Wednesday, March 9, 2011

The End of an Era and a New Hope


A couple of years ago on an interweb not that far away...

... I was looking for a way to channel my feelings about the Cubs into something more than just yelling at the television and boring Kris to death with rants about the importance of decent relief pitching.  Thus, Tales from Aisle 424 was born and somehow survived amid the billions of Cubs blogs that are (or were) out there.

I had no idea what I was getting myself into or any real ideas of how many people would ever actually read about my opinions on the Cubs.  But somehow, someway people found their way to this site and some of them actually returned regularly.  Through this site, I've met people I would never have otherwise met who share my love and frustration with the Cubs.  If nothing else, the internet is a wonderful tool for bringing crazy people together.

In that vein, I will soon be moving on to a new venture with some of the crazy people that I have gotten to know online through this whole experiment.  Adam (who you may know from such podcasts as Wrigley Talk Friday and blogs such as ...And Counting), MB21 of Another Cubs Blog fame, and Berselius from The Sabertoothed Anteater (and contributor to ACB) will be joining forces with me on a new blog together.

Details are still coming together, but I figure that MB and Berselius will provide plenty of statistical analysis, Adam will be an eloquent voice of reason, and I'll handle the booger jokes.  There will be plenty of snark to go around for all of us.

As much as I really liked doing my own thing here in Aisle 424, the timing for this venture is pretty good for me.  For one, the realities of life prevent me from spending as much time on a blog as I might like so it gets difficult to consistently post interesting, fresh material on a consistent basis if I'm the only one doing the writing.  Also, since I gave up my season tickets, the name of the blog has lost a little of its meaning.  Yes, I'll still be going to plenty of games since I have a quarter share of a Combo Plan belonging to one of my Wrigley friends, but the seats are technically in Aisle 423. 

So when MB contacted me and wondered if I'd be interested in banding together these guys as a kind of Destructicon of Cubs blogs, I thought it was a pretty good idea.

I think I'm the cement mixer.
We'll be announcing the start-up date (and the title and the links) for the new blog soon and I'm hoping the fine folks who stop by here will make another click to find me over there.  I think it will be worth the effort as these guys are some of the most original and intelligent people currently writing about the Cubs and I'm proud to be a part of the new project.  I hope they like booger jokes.

Thanks to everyone who has read, commented, and/or shared links over the last two years.  Without your participation this blog would be little more than Carlos Zambrano's journal., very private and filled with lots of pent up anger aimed at the Cubs.

Aisle 424 will still be here and I might even update it occasionally with some musings on things that don't involve the Cubs.  Originally, this was going to be a blog that focused mainly on the Cubs but would also discuss other sports, maybe some politics, and Chicago events, and such but I pretty much focused on the Cubs.  Maybe I'll let Aisle 424 get a little eclectic now that most of my Cubs ramblings will have a new home. 

So don't go and delete that link just yet.

19 comments:

Kin said...

I asked Adam this already, but are you guys still doing Wrigley Talk Friday?

Joel Reese said...

Well, I'm bummed, but I look forward to the new venture.

Aisle 424 said...

As far as I know, Kin. If Julie can start a whole new blog network and still do WTF, then I figure Adam and I still can. But I shouldn't speak for Adam (or Julie for that matter).

Thanks Joel. I think you'll like the new site.

Kin said...

That's cool.

I think the Decepticon amalgam is called a "Constructicon" BTW...which is kind of counterintuitive since they like to destroy things, so maybe Destructicon is a better word. Or if you're still going on a self-deprecating kick, you could always call it a "Cubssuckicon" eh.

Kin said...

Actually, my bad...there are six individual Constructicons whose names escape me, but when they combine, they form Devastator.

I am such a nerd. I miss the 80s.

McJenMcG said...

Well i'll read the new one too, but i think you should keep this active and just blog about other stuff too-- I like reading your rants!!

talkingtocactus said...

i hope you can still do WTF, i always like listening to it on the tube :)

it's sad to see the blogs go but it sounds like the new project'll be promising too.

Southside Phil said...

Dude. Nice touch with the Star War's theme. That was perfect.

Godspeed!

Aisle 424 said...

Well, Kin, I guess I've managed to re-discredit this blog even further with that mix-up. But in my defense, I Googled Destructicon and that bad boy came up. Oh well.

John Williams lends class to any situation, Phil.

Adam said...

Hell yeah.

Kin said...

I don't think anyone gives a shit, it's still an awesome picture. Good luck with your blog endeavor, boys.

Unknown said...

Sweet! Get er done. I love the idea. We'll be sure to link to the new blog from CMN.com

Unknown said...

This is exciting, but also rather sad. I can't help bu fear change. I'm a Cubs fan after all.

Ken said...

Godspeed little doodle!

Kris said...

Does this mean you'll finally write that post about the insane Chicago bicyclists not stopping at crosswalks and trying to take babies heads off? If so, I'm on board.
(It happens all the time as we walk to games, so it's kinda Cubs related)

Aisle 424 said...

I thought you were going to ghost write that one for me. :)

GirlieView said...

Best of luck to all of you! I'll continue to be a loyal reader!

Kimmy said...

I even played the music while I read. Just let us know Tim. Here, Twitter, or Facebook. :-)

Aisle 424 said...

I'm sure it will get posted multiple places, Kimmy. You'll probably want me to stop posting it before long.

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