Finally, Vindication

I was reading something Sarah wrote over at The Delicious Life. She wrote it a while ago, but the irony of reading an article about Food Blogging Burnout (one of the signs is not reading food blogs with regularity), made me chuckle then nod affirmitively. So she was addressing me telepathically.

Dan and I decided to shelve Gastrologica, The Podcast, for now. Our reasons are well-documented, all revolving around conflicting schedules. I think the run of audio Gastro was a good one, and now I have an anthology with a beginning and an end...unlike U2, who just won't go away.

That doesn't mean I've been idle. I have been working to develop a direction to take Gastrologica, and it would seem that video is the next evolutionary step. In other words, I'm going to take more traditional routes to build an audience.

Podcasting is a great technology that allows widespread distribution of free speech. Vox populi finally has a viable soapbox, but the arena is oversaturated. Like most speculative content, a podcast is developed at the expense of the producer and is difficult to monetize in a way that would support an active lifestyle.

I made a conscious decision earlier this year that I wouldn't contribute to other commercial outlets without getting compensated. I stopped posting restaurant reviews on other sites, and unintentionally ignored Gastrologica, the Online Magazine.

As it turns out, posting to other sites wasn't a complete waste of time. A lovely woman was reading my review of The Fisherman's Outlet while waiting at that very place for a friend. The friend happened to work for KPCC.

Because of her introduction, I was able to land a gig writing food commentaries for a show called Off-Ramp. It airs on NPR Radio, 89.3, Saturdays at noon.

Keeping with my standard policy and style, I've already received a few complaints.

http://gastrologica.com/complaints.mp3 <-----this is my first audio trophy.

I finally get paid to write things people will complain about. I've made it!