Dues paid as requested

I got an invoice a couple of days ago. It wasn't much by modern standards. Still, with the economy being what it is, I watch every personal out of pocket expenditure. The invoice was for the renewal fee on this website.

Starting as a firefighter, and ultimately leaving the fire service many, many years later as a chief officer; proactive vs. reactive behavior is ingrained in me. Try as I do, there are times when I just can't find the drive or creative juices to write something that I think will be good enough to interest my fellow collectors. 

I refuse to crank out a couple of lines and attach a couple of crappy pictures just to make it seem like I made the effort. Although this site started out gangbusters, with lots of positive comments, and no negatives, and a hit count in the hundreds (and then thousands) per month, it seems to have settled into the doldrums. Frankly, there have been times when I have consider tossing in the towel.

And yet, this site now has amassed over thirty thousand hits since I installed the counter in the spring of 2011. I know, not much compared to Peachridge or some of the other "big dogs". But still; it appears that there is some sort of loyal following.

The proactive part of me says to keep with it. Guess I will. Hell, it's not like I'm the Incident Commander (IC) on a three alarm fire in the historic core... But, as an "IC", I knew when to ask for an extra hand. I'm asking now. I'm not the only one on the west coast with decent whiskies, memories, or writing skills.

And so today, I'm "requesting dispatch" for another alarm. I need backup.

Send me your photos and memoirs via email. Send me a writeup on a dig or a memory. I'll proof read, spell check, have you approve them and post them with your name or your nick name or alias.

Help Mr. Wizard. Let's keep this site fresh and fun!

Bruce