Paul Niedermeyer Says Farewell, Again

I know, I know; it’s not the first time I’ve left TTAC, but this time is different. The odor of smoldering bridges in the air has a distinct whiff of finality to it. What happened? The picture above says it all well enough. I just can’t seem to fit in. And it’s time to stop hammering.

I’ll spare everyone the details. But here’s the underlying problem: I just can’t work part-time, or compartmentalize myself. If something engages me, like writing about cars, I throw myself into it fully and passionately. And although my other business can be ignored for the most part, eventually the deferred projects pile up. So either I quit writing and do what needs to be done, or I get paid in relation to my full-time writing passion and use the money to hire a contractor. Certain realities seem to preclude the latter.

If I was pragmatic, I’d just throw on a few pictures and a paragraph or two, call it a Curbside Classic Lite, and collect my very part-time check. But I don’t need a part-time job. And I can only be inspired to write what I would enjoy reading myself, and yes, I’m a discriminating reader and I set myself a high standard. Guess that makes me a square peg. Some undoubtedly use other words.

When I came back in August, the marching orders were that I’d just restrain myself to three weekly Curbside Classics; strictly part time, and stay out of the kitchen. Not possible; my recent pieces have been running up to 2000 words, with lots of research, links, polishing, and each came with a Clue. Quite full-time indeed. Sorry boss; my bad. I just can’t stop caring about what goes up, especially when “Niedermeyer” is on the byline.

If somebody out there wants to grubstake me on a site of my own, drop me a line; my e-mail is below. But I won’t hold my breath. In the meantime, I have lots of other projects to immerse myself in, like designing a new house. I’m going to miss writing, but most of all I’m going to miss you. You’ve been the shock absorbers that have made the hammering very worthwhile.

Thank you.

curbsideclassics@gmail.com

[Editor’s Note: This is the toughest thing I’ve ever had to press “publish” on. Paul not only brought me into TTAC, he taught me much of what I know about cars and honesty, the two currencies of this site. My inability to keep him here at TTAC will be an enduring regret for me, and though I wish him the best in his offline endeavors, I look forward to the day when we will all be able to read his unique insights on automobiles once again… whether that’s here at TTAC or elsewhere.]