As you may have noticed, there have been no updates to the Londoneer for some months now. There are several reasons for this:
Firstly, blogging on a regular basis stopped being fun and started to feel like a serious obligation. Admittedly, it was flattering to be treated like a professional journalist, but ultimately journalists use their craft to put food on the table – something which has proved to be beyond my grasp despite seven years of strenuous effort.
Secondly, I’ve been back in the education system for the last few months, albeit part-time, which has eaten into the free hours that I have outside my day job. I happen to be studying journalism (at Birkbeck), and take it from me that there is nothing like six months of classes with a somewhat cynical and seasoned hack to expose your shortcomings as a writer…
So, this is the end for the Londoneer. However, that’s not to say that I’m abandoning social media altogether – far from it. I am going to launch a new site in the near future, but I’ll be going back to first principles – recounting personal experiences of the visits that I make to odd places, sometimes thoughts on plays that I’ve seen or movies that I’ve watched. There will be no more previews, listings, sponsored posts or anything like that. Hopefully I can rediscover the enjoyment that I used to get from going out somewhere, snapping away with my camera and then simply sitting down at a keyboard and typing away when I got home – here’s hoping anyway! If you follow me on Twitter or Google Plus you’ll see these posts popping up in your stream soon.
Thank you for the many grateful comments and encouragement that you’ve given me over the years – it’s incredible to think that I started this way back in 2007! I hope that I’ve managed to give a little bit of online exposure to people and places that deserve a lot more than they currently get. I’ve also had the privilege of enjoying many experiences that would otherwise have remained out of my grasp, and I’m grateful for that.
See you around people…
24 JUNE UPDATE:
I’ve now launched my new website, Londonative – go and check it out.
Just for the avoidance of doubt I’m planning to keep the site live for the next year or two – I know that there’s information scattered here and there amongst the posts which people find useful and which is difficult to locate elsewhere. If anyone wants to help me with the ongoing hosting costs I’m all ears.
Frazer Irwin says
I know thw feeling Pete. Have closed many blogs down over the years. Time is a strange thing. If we hadn't had railways we might not have hade 'time' as we know it today. At least we still have email contact and if ever you're up Ilkley and Yorkshire way drop me an email. Thanks for having me on board.
Pete Stean says
Thanks for your kind words Frazer – I certainly will. When I think about it, I probably should have called time on this before I did. There are more adventures to come…
Laura @AboutLondon says
It's good to hear from you again on the blog even if it is to say goodbye. I do hope we continue to meet at fun places while enjoying London.
My recent post Glorious Georges at Kensington Palace
Pete Stean says
Thanks Laura, I hope so too
Ian says
Hi Pete was wondering what had happened to the blog. Really sad to see it go, but best of luck on the new project(s)! Am looking to focus a bit more on revenue generating projects in the near future, so may be able to help with hosting costs at some point soonish (6-12 months). Anyway keep in touch – @RandomlyLondon
My recent post Which Party Has Traditionally Controlled Your Council? Borough By Borough Political Timeline
Pete Stean says
Cheers Ian!
She Loves London says
Sorry to hear that Pete – have popped by to see whether there had been any updates here over the last few months and wondered what happened! Hope you get back to blogging soon (in whatever shape that takes) – and good luck with the journalism course. Catch you on G+ and Twitter!
Jo
My recent post April’s Music Thing: Koreless + Jacques Greene at St John’s Church, Hackney
Mandy says
I had wondered where you were Pete and had correctly guessed both of your reasons (study and enjoyment). I thought your new job might have been super busy too. I'm sad to hear that you're leaving The Londoneer but fully support and understand your reasons. I have rarely run previews, for the reasons you've listed and have also gone back to just focusing on my own experiences. When I begin studying again (very soon), I will probably reduce my posts to one or two a month.
Hope to catch up with you soon Pete!
My recent post Climbing to the Top of Mont St Michel, Normandy
MoG says
Sorry to see you finish this blog, however I look forward to catching up with your new public persona in the future.
My recent post Get Funky
jess says
Shame. loved your posts. Good luck!
rashbre says
Thanks for this and good luck with the new one