Either Relevant or True » Good Night and Good Luck

Either Relevant or True is ceasing publication as of today.

I’ve had a fantastic three years running this blog, from the early days when I did all the recaps single-handedly and Countdown was an easily overlooked gem, right up until now. These three years have also brought about many changes for me personally, and I find I no longer have the time or will to keep this a going concern. Rather than let ERT lapse into disrepair from neglect, I’ve chosen to go out with dignity intact.

There are so many people to thank, starting with those whose words have graced our front page. Susan, my co-founder, without whom I never would have started this in the first place. Stef, my bench coach and good right hand after Susan’s departure, who kept me sane in the face of insanity. Hawaii, who shepherded Palaver in its day. Kristina, Maureen, Gilbert, Ashley, Arrow, Lucy, Erin, Chica, all of whom kept you informed and entertained. Vickita and Slodwick, my shadow web design team. Orinenglish, ERT’s very first commenter, who let me know I wasn’t just talking into the void. Not to mention all of ERT’s regular commenters, who kept the conversation going. And thank you to all of you who merely read what we wrote. My web stats tell me you’re out there in no small number!

Last but not least, thank you, Mr. Olbermann. You always gave us something to talk about even if it was just your sartorial choices. Thanks for reading, and thanks for the occasional shout-out. I hope you saw us as the “sane” fans. (Most of the time, anyway.) I remain a loyal viewer, sir.

Becky
Founder and Managing Editor
Either Relevant or True

It has been a wonderful run. Thanks for all your work over the last few years Becky and for allowing me to be a part of it.

-Hawaii

Dear Becky, All,

Despite the clear indications that this was coming, I find myself feeling a great sense of shock and the hint of a few tears.

Thank you, Becky, for all you have done, especially for keeping this going through the election.

Thank you to those who wrote the recaps and posted.

It is strange how people one does not know at all other than by a screen name can become so real. I know that I will miss you all.

The only constant is change, and here we are.

Will the archives remain up for a time, or does it all disappear today, to become like the faint memories a scarce remembered dream?

::hugs Hawaii::

Rafi’s Mom, yes. The site will remain online until sometime in January - I’m not pulling the rug out completely just yet. But I will be closing down commenting next week.

Thanks for being one of our regulars!

It was a pleasure,Rafi’s Mom. Mostly, anyway.
I guess I’m sort of the Meldrick Lewis of ERT-on_Wordpress. I got the first post in the new digs and the last one, too.
“That’s the problem with this job…it’s got nothing to do with life.”
Except when it does.

It’s been a pleasure. But now, I’m gonna miss the Sunday Night Football recaps for all the wrong reasons.

Dear Becky and all,

Thank you for keeping the site going as long as you did. I will miss this very special place and the very special people who post here.

blessings always,

redtoots

Good luck to all and thanks for the wonderful recaps & conversation.

One last link, seems Jane Austen mention “baseball” 40 years before it was “invented”–I missed Countdown last night, so I was not sure if Keith covered this story. But Stephen Colbert did a terrific bit about it in his “tip of the hat, wag of the finger’ segment:

http://www.colbertnation.com/home

Here is the original UK news story:
http://tinyurl.com/6cycjh

How many days until spring training…sigh. ;)

Now I’m really feeling guilty –

This is/was my absolute favorite blog — the first place I’d check when I turned on my computer and my IPhone!

I love all the friends I met here and hope we can continue.

I know how tiring, frustrating and difficult running a blog can be, especially when you rely on other people. I’m sorry I couldn’t have signed on to help.

Maybe, maybe we can see you back in another form in the future that won’t take so much time.

This truly is a loss. Becky and gang — you did such a wonderful job and this was such a special place to be with friends.

I wish everyone well. Hope we can stay in touch.

;-(((((((((((((

It was a very good run, may your next endeavor go as well if not better than this.

Becky, and the other contributors:

Thank you for keeping this blog up as long as you did. I know that, while enjoyable, it can be very difficult to keep up a blog like this when real life comes knocking at your door.

This is one of my favorite blogs and I was honored to be one of the recappers for a brief part of its history. Best of luck in all of your endeavors.

Hey –

Any of you regulars on FaceBook?

Maybe we can keep in touch there?

Go to http://www.winkingbuddha.com and leave a message with your e-mail and I’ll get back to you with my info

And I really do think we need a KO fan blog — one that has been as creative and with as much quality as ERT — only perhaps not as elaborate.

Will Tumberlog continue?

I didn’t comment often, but I read the blog everyday. I’ll miss it.

Good luck with what’s next, all of you.

http://jamescraven-theofiles.blogspot.com

Drop by anytime and say “hi.”

Good job, guys. I am surprised to see you go, but then, I was always surprised at the extraordinary effort put into this blog. It’s only fair to reclaim your time for other pursuits at some point!
I do hope you’ll keep the archives up for as long as possible. Who knows? In a couple years, maybe you’ll feel like coming back and doing it all over again.
-q

[…] I’m sure a lot of KO fans out there were, I was deeply depressed when I saw that ERT was closing shop. I really liked that blog, and this decision came out of nowhere like a ton of bricks. So as I sat […]

Didn’t think that would show up. It’s fixed now.

Becky,

One less star in the Olbersphere. You will be misssed. Good luck and keep the domain just in case you reconsider.

Your sworn enemy in all things Keith :-)

I’m thinking of starting a private Yahoo/Google newsgroup for us ERT alumni & responsible lurkers. No wonderful recap but a place to comment on Countdown, FNIA & all things KO. Not a fandom blog but one as insightful & witty comments as ERT has offered & where we can keep up friendships.

Need to run to brunch. Talk among yourselves regarding the idea & I’ll reconnect later after family business

Well this sucks, I only visited you once in a while and now you’ve pulled your stakes up and disappered. Always loved the title either true or releveant, sorry to see you go.

Is anyone interested in starting a private, moderated “ERT Alumni” group on Yahoo/Google (mentioned above) where we can continue the discussion on all things KO, Countdown, Rachel, Dan, etc.?

If so — some questions:

1) How many folks would be interested in such an ongoing group — based on those of us currently on ERT (and responsible lurkers)?

2) If so, Google or Yahoo?

3) Suggested name — ERT Alumni Assoc? Something about KO, etc?

4) How do we handle invites etc? Becky, could you help make sure all approved folks would get the word?

5) The group would discuss Countdown, KO, etc. as if we were public — that means the same sense of community, the same professionalism, the same respect for everyone’s opinion as well as the same respect for KO and company. We can disagree, we can critique, we cannot turn this into a nutty fandom site. (No KBites cr*p allowed — tie discussions, however, may continue)

6) It would be a site that KO, KT, RM, DP, their family, friends and pets would be comfortable and welcome to come and talk or just view posts (That said, we’d have to set up some e-mail guards or have folks use a google/yahoo address)

7) No Countdown reviews — we can go over to James’ site for that — just our regular intelligent witty discussions — on KO, or related Countdown-inspired politics, current affairs, Oddballs, etc.

8) I’d be willing to moderate if Becky could to minimal help. Regular, known posters would not need moderation. Those lurkers we don’t know will be moderated before posting.

9.) This would be a member only/by invite only/restricted site. Depending if we go via Google/Yahoo different rules apply to each.

10) Google seems to allow some creativity to the site. I’m more familiar with Yahoo. Wordpress may allow private blogs — that’s the service ERT currently uses.

Any thoughts or discuss on this. Again, I will only volunteer to set up a group that doesn’t take a lot of work (except initially) that allows our friendly, caring, witty community to continue.

Let me know what you think. I’m not sure when Becky is shutting this down. You can contact me privately at

bodhiness(at)gmail(dot)com(remove you know what and add appropriate e-mail markings to prevent spam)

Thanks!

Bodhiness has posted a new blog called “Cyber-Family” in honor of ERT.

http://www.winkingbuddha.com

I’m near tears. This has been from the start one of the all-time classiest blogs on the web. Thank you so much, Becky and your fellow writers who have documented all things Keith in such loving detail over the months and years. Also appreciated the entertaining comments from ERT readers; you’ve helped make this site the success it has been! I hope ERT can stay here as a resource for new Countdown viewers as well as those wishing to re-experience their favorite Keith moments. Please tell me it will remain!
Love, Kim

OMG! I read you every morning! I will miss the recaps very much they were a life when I would miss CD.
As for the ties, I loved it! I think you even let me name the Easter tie a long time ago.

I will miss this site very much! Good luck to you all! And Thank You, Thank you very much for the time and effort you put into this.
JennyB

In an ironic turn of events, I’ve decided to do a “mini-blog” if nothing else, to keep our spirited group of friends with their classy conversations about KO alive.

It will NOT be anything like ERT — no recaps. Just a brief post about Countdown — or something of KO interest — and people can comment from there.

If it lives, fine. If it doesn’t fine. It will NOT be the quality of ERT (or that other late great KO-related blog “Drinking with KO”)

I will put it on Wordpress — so those who have admin rights here can blog over there if desired.

How does that sound?

Or should we allow ERT just to die a very dignified death? I tend to be a fixer…and maybe I shouldn’t be in this case

But now a name. I was thinking “If Scoring at home” but there is a wordpress blog called “Scoring at home.”

Anyone have any KO oriented suggestions?

What do you think? Do it or leave it?

What Houstonian wrote on her Winking Buddha blog has been so beautifully captured.

When I was a child I read a book in which a group of children who had bonded referred to themselves as Kindred Spirits. I have been seeking Kindred Spirits ever since, and on rare occasion with great good fortune.

There are so many levels as to how people relate, most so superficial. Thinking of Kurt Vonnegut and Cat’s Cradle and the concept of the Karass.

It is both easier and safer to relate at surface levels. It can be so difficult, so vulnerable to try to explain an enthusiasm that others do not share.

Try explaining feelings of deep connection to the music and lyrics of Dan Fogelberg and usually getting a weird look and a WHO?

Being a fan of anyone obscure can be rather lonely.

Discovering Keith Olbermann and Countdown was a lifeline for me, living in the deep red state of Arizona. (And I always grin to think of the most die hard conservatives being the Reds.)

Then, to discover the Either Relevant or True blog and the oh so many Kindred Spirits here.

And, as Keith has gone from somewhat obscure to a national presence, exciting deep emotions both left and right, perhaps the need for a place where one does not need to explain the WHO has become less urgent.

Yet, when I learned on Friday that the Either Relevant or True blog was closing, it was as if the bottom had fallen out. I keep reminding myself that Countdown is still on, that Keith is still here, and yet, and yet…..

I’ll be starting a spinoff blog next week — with Becky’s blessing I hope. More info later this week– so please keep these comments up a few days longer until it is set up. Need to come up with an appropriate name & design.

Oh, All. Do not miss the Tumble Blogging from the 18th. The Talk Dirty to me…using really big words.

Thank you, Becky.

Rafismom, yes, I agree with most of what you said, except I missed “Obscurity” somewhere between my brother telling me about these hilarious sportsguys Keith & Dan and my reading the first comment thinking “A sentence like that on television? No way!”
And, not to take anything from our awesome founder, for I’m but Natalie to her Dana, but I’m running the tumbleblog now…but wasn’t that perfect? Except for making me notice he does look like Levy…just a shade.

RSS feed for comments on this post.