After 853 posts, No. 854 will be my last. Or, at least, my final scheduled story for now.
Over the past year, I’ve gotten to know TTAC, its readership, fellowship, authors, contributors, editors and the B&B.
Among the thousands of words that I’ve written that have reached your eyeballs, there are only three that come to mind when I think about my tenure as your Newsbot: Thank you, everyone.
Mark Stevenson called me on a typical sunny day in Denver: “I’d like you to join our team,” he said as I sat in a pot shop parking lot. (It just happened to be where I pulled over.) For more than a decade, my professional career was entirely in newspapers. Writing solely for the Internet was scary and exciting in equal parts. In retrospect, it’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.
To be sure, I had no idea what I was getting into. Mark’s trust was, in my eyes, completely unfounded. I had familiarized myself as best as I could with TTAC — Jack’s rental review of a Jetta was brilliant in my book — but I still had dumb questions such as, “What does B&B mean?”
Over the months, I tried to complement as best I could the brutal honesty and integrity that TTAC is famous for. In October, fully engrossed in the Volkswagen diesel scandal, Mark and I talked about TTAC’s place in automotive journalism: “People will want to know the truth about their cars, and TTAC has it built into the damn name,” I said. The name makes a promise that its writers will fulfill every day — I believe that.
I know TTAC doesn’t have a monopoly on the truth, but it does have a helluva staff zeroed on telling the truth, which is more than most publications can say and comforting for me as I leave.
- Mark Stevenson is fearless and diligent. His trust and confidence is an asset to TTAC, its readers and its writers. Without Mark, I wouldn’t be where I am nor would I have the same future. I can’t wait to see where he takes TTAC.
- Jack Baruth is one of the best writers I’ve ever read. I first met Jack years ago outside Las Vegas when he schooled every journalist on a track near Pahrump. I don’t think Jack remembers meeting me for the first time, but I certainly remember meeting him. He’s impressive in prose and in person, and when I heard he’d be returning to TTAC daily I thought, “I can’t wait to read what he writes.”
- Chris Tonn is my favorite Libertarian and a font for automotive knowledge. Getting to know Chris and reading his first review excites me for his future. I hope he tells everyone the story about almost buying a Nissan Cube. I can’t wait for everyone to get to know him better.
- Bozi Tatarevic is the best friend I haven’t yet met. Without Bozi’s help I couldn’t have written some of my biggest stories for TTAC, and without his positivity and humor, I couldn’t have made it through some of the longer days I’ve worked here. I can’t wait for Bozi to be on the masthead.
- Bark M. is the type of writer every newsroom needs. He’s unflinching in his criticism and willing to speak over everyone else to say what needs to be said. I can’t wait for him to flog more automakers.
- Murilee Martin is the reason I’m here. Most of you know him, and I consider myself to be one of the lucky few that gets to call him a friend. We sat together at a Colorado Rockies game last year and he told me to “just get the TTAC gig” and that was that. Go to the nearest LeMons race and shake his hand — you’ll be glad you did. I can’t wait to repay Murilee — if that’s even possible.
- Ronnie is the type of writer I wish I could be sometimes. He’s unafraid of word counts, long-form journalism and great storytelling. I can’t wait to read more of his history.
- Alex Dykes is exhaustive and comprehensive. His reviews, on the days I had to edit them, were like diving face-first into the deep end of a car’s guts and not catching a breath until 3,000 words later. He has insight and context — a rare combo in car reviewers. I can’t wait to have enough time to actually read and enjoy his reviews.
- Doug DeMuro is a Denver kid living abroad and one of the nicest people I know. He possesses a mind that I’ll never have. I look at cars and ask “How?” while Doug looks at things and asks “Why?” I can’t wait for what he thinks of next.
- Cameron Aubernon is smart and talented. She set up a great system for me to inherit and has been gracious enough to help when I’ve been gone. I can’t wait for her future.
And lastly — but certainly not the least:
- The B&B have been my favorite part of the job. The regular readers and commenters have made my day when I needed it the most — and taken me to task when I needed it the most. Without you, I couldn’t keep the lights on or have a roof over my head. I can’t wait to join your ranks — but only if you’ll have me.
I’m not going far and my departure is on great terms. I’m changing jobs, but I’m not changing friends.
Thank you and goodbye. I can’t wait to see you all again.
Aaron
Best of luck, Newsbot 4.0!
Thank you!
Goodnight and good luck.
Well said (and seconded).
Thank you guys.
Good luck and many thanks for all the hard work you did here. It’s a thankless job — we pile on the criticism of you journos so easily. Hard to keep everyone pleased. Hopefully in your new gig you’ll continue to cover the VW saga and all its juicy developments.
I don’t know what the monkey is all about, but you seem ready for take-off.
Thank you. I appreciate that.
So long and thanks for all the fish.
Aaron, that sucks – you were an excellent newsbot, and a Denverite to boot!
Godspeed Ham I am sure you will be missed and on to better things.
Well I’m for one am bummed. Like a few other newbie writers that have called TTAC home, you really found your place and your voice just in time to leave.
Good luck to you!
I’m largely a political junkie and poster here though I read close to 90% of the articles if only off-handedly. I’ll miss you, Aaron. You were a straight shooter and I can respect that. At times I got on your case and at times we were allies. But you always had my respect. May you find greener pastures in the next go around.
Godspeed, good sir.
You did well for yourself in taking hold of the flame from me. May your success continue into your next adventure. *big hugs*
*points* See I told you guys there were women in these parts!
Really, Weiss? I think we had this discussion before…but damn it, I picture you so much more as Ruby…
Perhaps I’ll change it up again soon. :)
Flapjack is getting wildly out of date….I may actually have to stop being Captain Knuckles. >.>
Nah….
Aaron, I really appreciated your numerous updates about VW. Lots of other sources report that stuff, but I liked your spin. Thank you and good luck. But, God, poor little Ham. I hate that picture.
Alas, the door opens again and another TTAC writer has left.
Don’t be a stranger, for now you will be expected to read articles and comment!
Thanks for all your hard work. You did a fine job.
And we literally cannot prevent you from becoming part of the B&B. I mean, if we could, we’d probably use that power on others.
I’m kidding! We’re all just terrible.
Best of luck to you, sir!
Damn, does anyone stay around this place?
The beatings will continue until morale improves.
it’s nothing out of the ordinary. It seems like within one year, the EIC position at Jalopnik has gone Hardigree -> Okulski -> George.
Yeah, Jalopnik got progressively worse until I just stopped going there altogether. It has now turned into Warlopnik and I’m not interested in that so they can have that demographic. Hardigree was decent, just went downhill from there.
Good luck and God Speed .
BTW : “What does B&B mean?” ~
It means : boobs and buttheads =8-) .
-Nate
Best journeys, Aaron, and thanks for your great efforts.
As a long time member of this community (at least visually), your reflections about the current staff members only remind me of the richness and wealth of abilities the readership is spoiled with. Truly there is no auto site that holds a candle to TTAC.
Again, thanks.
To a job well done !! Cheers.
All the best to you good sir. May God be with you where ever you end up being.
+1
Your work here brought me knowledge and joy. Thank you. Best luck in all your future endevours.
Damn, Aaron–I’m not ready for you to leave. Love your attitude and journalism. Happy Trails, sir.
Thanks Aaron. It’s been a pleasure. Looking forward to your next, elsewhere.
I’m not nearly the prolific poster to the B&B as some, and I probably should respond more given my love of all things automotive. Maybe this will be my start; by wishing you well in your next endeavor, and by thanking you for your service to all of us here.
Good luck.
I don’t think you’ll need luck, but I hope you have it, anyway. It’s been great having you hear, and I intend to check on what you’re writing in your new gig.
David
Thank you all very much for your kind words. I sincerely appreciate it.
Late as always, but thanks and good luck, Aaron!