"Why does John the OFM not have a column in the hobby press?" Topic

He is an articulate and interesting bloke with some insightful observations. We may not always agree with him but he is entertaining (when he keeps his sense of humour) to read and frequently makes a lot of sense when talking about the hobby and hobbyists.

Has no one in the hobby press considered offering him a regular column. I'd read it.

No one has asked.

Interesting idea…

Why not give him his own board here and he can pontificate at will?

He pontificates at will without his own board and does a fine job of it at that!

Why not give him his own board here and he can pontificate at will?

We went through that once and I refused it. You know why.

I think you'll find that the OFM has had an adversarial relationship with the press ever since that dust-up in the Colonies a while back. Just ask Mr. Benjamin Franklin; he was a party to the unpleasantness and knows all of the particulars of the matter.

He also requires payment in barrels of salted Cod and that is not as easy as it sounds.

We went through that once and I refused it. You know why.

Actually, I don't, but would you accept a column on another website or magazine. Have you considered starting a blog?

He hasn't given up on the idea of selling electricity to the Amish yet.

It is not only about offering, but also about doing. If John the OFM want to write for the magazines all he has to do is submit something.

I understand he's been thinking of mailing out a newsletter.

In support of OFM's refusual to do it, I'll refuse to read it! hahaha

Sure. Right.

It's called "Hold My Lager And Watch This"

C'mon, folks. Knock it off.

Eric

John the OFM is The Editor. Why downgrade to a hobby column when he already has the TMP empire?

All right. Let me put this to rest.
Back in the Bad Old Days, it was proposed on TMP that I have my own Board. I kind of went along with it as a joke until some wrote that that would be cool, because they could then turn off that Board and never have to read what I wrote again. "Isolate me in my own ghetto" was one phrase used.
I did not appreciate being singled out for this abuse, and said so. Then the "Should the OFM…" Polls started. They annoyed me even more. I felt then and feel now that they were an invitation to Personal Abuse, which is supposed to be a TMP mortal sin. It was not viewed that way by "others".
Things went downhill from there.

Besides, getting back to the title of the thread, I would not do it for free. As Doctor Johnson said, "None but a blockhead, sir, would write for anything but money."
And then I would have to write in a disciplined manner, and have to submit something once a week, or month. And it would have to be GOOD.

Naaaah. I'll pass. I like being a cranky old fart.

"Why does John the OFM not have a column in the hobby press?"

Because no one knows who the person is?

Right.

I've gamed with John in the dungeon of a basement that he has. His old stinky dog, as opposed to the new member of the family, has been a pain in my arse. He is a GOM, but drinks Lager, puts on a good game, makes a mean chili, and is a DAMN sight more personable than most TMP'ers would even understand.

Give it a flipping rest, okay? I drive up to two hours to game with his crew because it's flipping worth it.

Gad. Ye've made me get my Oirish up.

Eric

because they could then turn off that Board and never have to read what I wrote again. "Isolate me in my own ghetto" was one phrase used.

Well I'm sure the vast majority on TMP appreciate your wisdom and wit …I for one always enjoy your rants and ravings…

I kind of think of John as our own Andy Rooney. And I always enjoyed watching Andy Rooney.

Ok John, which is it OFM or COF (cranky old fart)? I just prefer to be misbehaved but not bad (it is possible ). Insofar as rants are concerned the younger folk just do not have the "gift".

How come people only ever talk about the rants? The OFM's post on starting the AWI is the single most useful post for me personally on TMP that I can remember, and I'm sure others could point to areas where he has helped them out just as much.

If he could do something like that once a month I'd pay my lifetime subscription upfront. As it is I don't have to – I can get it all free on TMP.

Personally, I prefer that the OFM's wisdom is generally and randomly available. I would certainly read a column such as is proposed in the OP, but the greater benefit is to be had through a different means.

Besides, I enjoy watching the usual suspects being ed off mightily by his views and opinions.

Which is unworthy of me, so send me to the Eastern Front.

Surely a Hobby News or other Features category would be best for this sort of thing? I mean, I could still turn it off (because the OFM's sphere of interest and mine don't seem to intersect, not just ebcause I dislike what he says), but it would appear on the home page by default.

Long live the OFM!

He also requires payment in barrels of salted Cod and that is not as easy as it sounds.

Yup. It's hard to find someone willing to climb into the barrels of salted cod, let alone travel whilst wearing them to hand over the payment.

I enjoy the OFM's posts as well. Since my interests in 18th century warfare DO intersect with his interests, I would enjoy a regular column in print or on a blog.

However, I appreciate that the man must make a living; if he had to write his witticisms for pay, he might end up hating it, and it wouldn't be as good. At least that's my excuse for not painting for money.

John is--often in spite of himself--a Gentleman and, I think, a Gentle Man.

If TVAG held any pretense to being a "Blog," I'd offer him a home and a (shamefully small) credit line in lieu of luchre.

Skoal!
[clink of Maalox bottle caps]

I find his idiosyncrasies (if I may call them such) to be what makes his thoughts so appealing, pertinent, and amusing. Long may he reign!

And I was under the impression that the Utter Drivel board was set up for the OFM ……

Actually, I agree that John's posts are insightful (and entertaining). My advice about a column in print media would be "run like hell". I tried it once and made the mistake of not realising that one needs to write for the "lowest common denominator" and not the average intelligent person. The zealots examine every sentence in magazine columns in fine detail and any variance with their own beliefs is heresy and only results in stoning. Even mentioning their own favorite ruleset will have them reaching for a rock.