Saturday, January 7, 2012

Draining the Pond

Oh, hell-o.  Yes, you caught us.  We were just taking down the bunting, folding up the chairs and putting the tables away.  The tea and coffee-making area also needs a wash-down, so if you want to lend a hand, don’t be shy.  There’s a plate of cookies/biscuits on the counter; they may be a bit stale, but help yourself.

No, we were not planning to sneak away without telling you.  We just wanted to clean up a bit before inviting you to come by so we could say our farewells and you could take us to the pub for a celebratory drink.  You were planning to buy us a drink, weren’t you?  I mean, it is kinda traditional, and this is an occasion of sorts, and, uh, well, we just assumed…okay, we’ll buy.

(At the pub, somewhere between the first drink and the “I love you, man!” stage)

Who could have guessed that a long-distance collaboration would last for three whole years!  I think that’s some kind of record.

We started Pond Parleys after our National Radio debut in January 2009 with the intention of pro-actively leveraging our 15-minute of fame into a performance-based marketing initiative with the mission objective of monetizing our deliverables because that is the sort of pseudo-business bollocks people spoke back then, but that was never the real reason (good thing, too, because it was never the actual result); we just wanted to have fun.

And we did.

We covered topics ranging from gun control, patriotism and government corruption to discussions on accents and the proper way to make a sandwich.  And along the way we had a bunfight over a green bean casserole, of all things. 

But fun as it was, all things must end and we wanted to go before we heard the embarrassed shuffling of feet and the impatient jingle of car keys.  Like MASH and Cheers (and unlike Happy Days and the Rocky Movies) we thought we’d go while the going was still good, and before we were pushed.

Don’t be sad; we’re only closing Pond Parleys, we’re not going to disappear.  Toni is still blogging at Expat Mum and Mike is still posting his perennial Postcards From Across the Pond (now celebrating its 10-year anniversary—that’s like 187 in blog-years).  Come and visit us there; don’t be a stranger.  I love you, man!

We'll leave you now with this final message:




18 comments:

  1. So sad! It's been a great run though. We'll miss your banter.

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  2. Oh No.... I enjoy reading this just as much as the other blogs I read too. I hate it when one of my regular "watering holes" decides to close (or in some cases, is forcibly closed).

    Thank you for the time we have had - you really will be missed

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  3. *sniff* It's the end of an era.

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  4. Very sorry you've decided to stop Pond Parleys. I enjoyed reading it! I will miss your perspectives on life either side.

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  5. Thanks for all the discussions! We'll miss the debates - maybe you can have occasional reunions?

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  6. There's nothing else like it out there!! You both will definitely be missed, but I understand leaving something when it's still going strong...kind of like Gavin and Stacy. That green bean casserole post will certainly be one I will never forget!

    Always a fan,
    Meagan

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  7. Still sorry to hear, but quitting while you're well, way, far away, ahead, seems like a way to go...

    Much love, many thanks and love to both,

    Fhi xxx

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  8. Thanks for all the well-wishes, everyone! It may have seemed like we were well, way, far, away, ahead, but it often felt like they were gaining on us ;)

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  9. Oh... I'll miss you, but THANKS for the 3 years (has it really been that long?)

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  10. You will definitely be missed - I can't believe it's been 3 years either....I agree with Betsy, an occasional reunion would be fab?

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  11. I've been inspired, entertained, amused, and delighted everytime I stop by here. I shall miss this stop on my little circuit of blogs. Well done for creating an excellent conversation all this time. x

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  12. Ahh - love me some Morecambe and Wise. A great way to go out! Thanks everyone. xx

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  13. Are you leaving the archive up?! You must do that.

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  14. Take down the blog...? That sounds like work ;) No, the blog, and its archive, will stay where it is.

    Thanks, all, for caring.

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  15. Just catching up - sorry to see you go, but thanks for all the entertainment!

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  16. Oh dear, I'm always too late it seems. I would have enjoyed this too!

    Regards,
    Sahd

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  17. Sorry to see this! Best wishes for your future endeavors.

    -Abby
    www.picturebritain.com

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  18. Good luck to you both! I'm sure another brilliant idea and you'll be collaborating on something before long....until then! Cheers me dears!! I'll pass by your respective blogs too. C/H xx

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