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If you have listened to the show for any amount of time, you know why I started the show. If you don't know, go listen to the old shows. This post is why I took a REALLY REALLY long break from the show.
Every time I published a show, I would listen to it non-stop for the following week or so. It was just that much fun. The awesome music, you awesome listeners, all the support from everyone, it was just too cool, and jonny rocked.
I followed the whole podcast world, listened to all the top podcasts, tried out all the new software, you name it. Second to jumping out of airplanes, this was just the perfect hobby for me. Doing a show took a bunch of time I don't have, and money I don't have. Thanks to all the donations, the money part was no longer the problem, and the time was just worth it. Then one day the money part did become a problem, but in a different way.
I would say the perfect career would be something your passionate about. Spending every day of your life doing what you would be doing if you didn't have to. Well, I don't have that. Its been a long time since my ass has sat in a classroom chair, and I am pretty well established at the top of my current career. Hell, I have been in this field longer than some of my listeners have been alive. I have a good job, and make good money. Its just so not me. Just for kicks I took a career aptitude test online a few weeks ago. After about a half hour of questions that didn't seem to relate to one another, let alone the results I got. This thing tells me I would be well suited for careers like; Concert Promoter, Night Club Manager, Sales, Rivet Head. Ok I threw that last one in there myself. This is all fine, and you guys would all probably say, "Well yeah?! What else would you do? Jonny Rocks! My days are filled with numbers, stats, stress, trig, science, stress, robotics, formulas, and stress. Which all sound fun too, other than the stress. But not for a guy that would be best suited as a Concert Promoter. Ok, back to the long long break….
People are making a living podcasting, why not me. So I start looking into this, and get involved with things that will take me toward this. "Hey, even if I can make some money at it, and look at the other doors it has been opening for me." I have bands from out of the country asking me to set them up with gigs here in the states, (did I mention I should be a concert promoter?).
Well the podcast, which was a fun creative outlet for me, started to feel more like a business. And things about the show, were no longer on "my terms". Which eventually started to stress me out. And the whole damn thing just became a pain in the ass, kinda like going to work. Rather like my job. Did I mention I don't like my job?
I know, I know, your all thinking, "Just stop trying to make money, and have fun". But thats like saying, "just go back to being a non-smoker, or just go back to being a virgin". It was too late. I had made agreements, and commitments. But once those were complete, BIG LONG BREAK. Spent a lot of time with my camera. My other creative outlet. But thats another story.
So… Here I am. I missed it. I missed you guys. I missed the new music. During the break I came up with a lot of ideas on what to do with this show. And yes, some of them will make me some money. But this time its a little more planned out. And you are all a part of it. Two things make Jonny Rock. The music (and those who make it) and the listeners. Without those two things on both sides of me, I'm just Jon (the stressed out guy who hates his job).
Jonny Rocks! (the guy who should be a concert promoter or club manager)
keep them rivets poppin…………
8 responses so far ↓
1 Rob // Oct 3, 2007 at 12:23 am
Awesome man, glad to hear your coming back. Cant say much about hating your job, all i can say is Jonny Rocks!
2 Redeucer // Oct 3, 2007 at 8:56 am
That explains a lot JR. If it is any consolation, I would guess that most people don’t like their job.
I had a best job I could ever ask for that I left because of the situation I was put in. I’ll leave all the details out, but suffice it to say if it hadn’t been for one coworker, I would still be doing that job today. Now I have a job working for a company that sucks, making less money and with crappy benefits to boot. But at least I have coworkers who aren’t going to screw me over.
Stress comes as part of everyone’s life and especially when it comes to the job. It’s how you deal with it that helps make life worthwhile. Remember that we work to live, not live to work. When your ways of reducing the stress in your life start causing you stress, then it’s time to reassess things as you have done.
Knowing this, if you never do another podcast, IRP will always be my favorite podcast of all time. How else would I have discovered Blind With Rain, Doll Factory, Shadowjack, or Sleeping Prophets. I hope you do put out new podcasts, but even if you don’t, thanks for everything so far, JR!
Oh yeah… Screw the age thing, bro. I have kids that are older than some of your listeners too. Age means nothing unless you let it.
3 entropyhed // Oct 4, 2007 at 6:40 pm
Aerospace is a crazy business, especially right now.
I’ll second the comment above about thanks for everything so far and I’ll keep tuning in for new podcasts. (I’m being nice, here. See me playing well with others? Now give me a damn fix!)
I’ve got most of the tracks (and a bunch of others from the same artists) from the previous shows on MP3 now that I keep on a playlist at work and that’s keeping me sane.
Most of all I hope all this turns a corner for you and you end up doing something you enjoy AND getting paid for it. That would put you in rarified company.
e.
4 Sonny"DDemonic1" // Oct 9, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Jon,
I can empathize with your plight there is nothing like trying to do a hobby and deal with a crap ass job you dread going to work at everyday.
Did I ever tell you I used to be part owner of a Gothic and Industrial NightClub. ” Can you say partnership?
All I can say is welcome back and lets hope we dont lose you again for a good long while.
5 Jon // Oct 9, 2007 at 5:08 pm
“FenceGuy” Sonny?
6 geert // Oct 15, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Most lives are lived in quiet desperation Jon - most people dont like their job, their life, their situation. the fact that you are trying to do something about it already shows you’re out of the category.
anyways i am just glad that you are back, finally a decent show of industrial music on my Pod again - and man, you still have the greatest Voice in Podcasting ! you dont have to give up smoking - but hope you can get out of your regular job and start a career in having to do something you enjoy - in Detroit Rock City !
7 Jon // Oct 16, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Thanks geert!
8 geoff // Nov 18, 2007 at 1:36 am
See, I completely understand, Mr. Rocks.
It’s a whole web of paradox, this thing… The only crime is when you don’t love doing it.
I am going to take some time off to set up the baby’s room here at my house. In the interim, I will listen to your show for a while instead of doing mine. Have a good winter!
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