What happened with the Yard?

Since yesterday I've gotten a lot of questions about my departure from Yardbarker. Instead of dozens of separate emails, phone calls and text messages, I'm going to write one blog post. How's that for efficiency.

Anyway, here is the skinny: I got laid off along with eight other colleagues, nearly half the company. I don't have any regrets, and I'm not sure that I could have done anything differently to save my job. Like any other start-up, we fell victim to mistakes made during an economic climate that isn't especially forgiving. On the other hand, life is too short to make excuses. We did not get the job done, end of story.

How are you doing?
Am I sad? No, disappointed maybe. I'm certainly not bitter. I've learned to not get emotional when there is no benefit to be had, and years of freelancing taught me to have think skin and not take business personally. The past is the past, and I'm less interested in why and more interested in what and also what's next. What exactly "next" means remains to be seen, but in the meantime I'll occasionally do part-time work with the Yard as a production consultant.

What about your blogs?
I killed Hard for the Yard but will continue with Blogimore Ravens. The Grill Project was buried a while ago, and if you were one of the 11 people who enjoyed it, I'm sorry, in more ways than one. I'll also write more frequently here on my namesake site. Probably not about sports, though. Maybe MMA occasionally.

What's in your immediate future?
I started a novel in December 2005, but I put the book on the shelf when I joined the Yard in 2007. I plan on finishing my novel and maybe writing a second one. I'll probably disappear while I focus on the manuscript, so please don't take it personally when I'm a ghost. My goal is to write 10,000 words a day, although 5,000 is probably more realistic. Most novels are somewhere between 80,000 and 120,000 words. You're smart. Do the math yourself.

After that, I'll find myself a new job. In the meantime, I'm going to get back to my daily workout routine, read a lot of books, network, and listen to the new Guns N' Roses album over and over and over again. I'm impressed, Axl. All these years and all that hate and ridicule directed toward you, and still you were able to put together an amazing album. Thank you.

What kind of job do you want?
Good question. I'm not really sure. I'm a professional mutt, meaning that my experience and skills are widespread. I'm open to many things, but my next job is going to be something about which I can be passionate. I'm too old and too experienced to take a job just to take it. Whatever is next I will enjoy. Otherwise it won't be next.

Thank you for all of the support! I love you all. Except for you. Ha ha.