Ave Atque Vale, Chicago Now
If you’ve been reading this Chicago Now blog for some time, you’ve noticed that I haven’t posted since January. There’s a story behind why I’ve been absent, and why I’m moving on.
In February, as my mother’s caregiver, I witnessed her experiencing so much pain that she was bedridden. Initially hospitalized, she was then referred to various facilities. She finally passed in April, a few days before Easter Sunday. Since then, I’ve been dealing with grief, adjusting to a “new normal“, and engaging with appropriate external resources to deal with the anxiety and depression that come with grieving a loved one.
(The other major factor is that, around the same time, I started a six-month contract position. As a freelance marketing consultant, it helped that I had a job that provided focus and structure during this period. Although that contract ended recently, I am extremely grateful that my colleagues and teammates were very understanding. Thanks to that position and judicious savings, I’m in a good position to seek work while I’m grieving).
However, the other issue is that I’ve heard through informal channels that Chicago Now, as a platform, will be folding. Back in 2019, the Alden Group purchased the Chicago Tribune, with Chicago Now in relative limbo. As someone who has blogged for the platform since 2012 (starting with Stalker), there’s a slight sense of melancholy about this folding, especially since…
I need to say this with some diplomacy and tact, but I’m feeling less connected with the community of Chicago Now bloggers. Over the past few years (especially since COVID), my experience has moved from feeling like I’m part of a healthy, lively community to feeling disconnected and out of place. Short example: I asked for advice on a technical matter only to be lectured about how I “shouldn’t” rely on it by a person whom I did not know. When I asked again a few months later – to a person who might have that information – I was informed that they “didn’t know.”
But this isn’t about snarking – it’s about the future. As someone who is both a professional copywriter and a New Pulp author, I want to streamline both efforts. That means working through the emotional aftermath of grief (I highly recommend reading It’s OK That You’re Not OK (non-affiliate link) to those who are grieving and friends/family of such people) as well as moving away and focusing my efforts on those goals.
Part of that will be exporting and archiving this blog onto another WordPress site (work is going slowly, but surely). Much of my current blogging focus will be providing both patron-only and public content on my Patreon site. (If you want to support a creator financially, you’re more than welcome to subscribe on either a monthly or yearly basis). But for now, I’m focusing on moving forward in recovering from grief. You are always welcome to email me with questions, concerns, or thoughts.
I have no idea how to end this blog post in an articulate manner. After all, Chicago Now has been a large, critical part of my writing career. However, I think this speech from one of my favorite television shows sums it up better than I could:
Ave atque vale, Chicago Now. It’s been a blast.
Filed under:
Uncategorized
Tags:
blogging, caregiving, chicago now
Meet The Blogger
Gordon Dymowski
As a professional, I’ve worked with – and admire – nonprofits, social enterprise, and other mission-driven community organizations. I enjoy learning about how many organizations are using technology and social networks to drive their mission. I also enjoy writing about them, and sharing that information with others. For more about me, please visit http://www.gordondymowski.com
Recent posts
Ave Atque Vale, Chicago Now »
Your Post Public Domain Day Summary »
Linux: How to Avoid Linus Tech Tips’ Mistakes »
Caregiving, Empathy, and Storytelling »
Meet Your Neighbor: COOP Careers »
Monthly Archives
August 2022
January 2022
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
Subscribe by Email
Get Updates Via E-Mail – Completely Spam Free
Latest on ChicagoNow
Ave Atque Vale, Chicago Now
Chicago’s Beer Week, August 8-11
Daily Cubs Minors Recap: Jordan and Hill lead Iowa to a third straight comeback win; Pertuz homers twice and Devers shines despite SB loss; Pelicans blow 6-run 9th inning lead
August Now
Bobby Rush On The Blues Ahead Of Sunday ‘Out Of Space’ Set With Buddy Guy
Posts from related blogs
Small Business Blog
Most recent post: How to Approach Toll Management: 5 Tips for Fleet Managers
The Market Strategist
Most recent post: WFH (Working From Home) with Kids: Patience, Flexibility and Managing Expectations Are Key
Brand Talk Business Blog
Most recent post: Your Intellectual Property
More from News: Business & Legal
Read these ChicagoNow blogs
Cubs Den
Pets in need of homes
Hammervision
Read these ChicagoNow Bloggers
Carole Kuhrt Brewer
Dennis Byrne
LeaGrover
About ChicagoNow
•
FAQs
•
Advertise
•
Recent posts RSS
•
Privacy policy (Updated)
•
Comment policy
•
Terms of service
•
Chicago Tribune Archives
•
Do not sell my personal info
©2022 CTMG – A Chicago Tribune website –
Crafted by the News Apps team
Leave a comment