The inBubbleEnd
We started inBubbleWrap with no fanfare - no important announcements or press releases. Heck, we never put a single marketing dollar into this wacky endeavor. So it is only fitting that we end in the same fashion. That's right, inBubbleGuy has lost his "inBubble," so from here on out he's just "Guy" as today is the last day of inBubbleWrap.
Since I've always been overly revealing and self-deprecating, I figure it's only fitting to tell you the story of this here final post.
I kept telling my office mates that this last post would be simple. Maybe just a bold-face "THE END - IT'S BEEN FUN," kind of thing. I don't know whether I really believed that, but I sure did a lot to convince myself and others that the last day of inBubbleWrap wasn't going to me a big deal.
But last night I was lying in bed with inBubbleLadyFriend when she asked, "What are you going to write tomorrow?" Okay, she actually added "baby" to the end of the sentence...full disclosure right? Not until that very moment did sadness at the idea of not having inBubbleWrap finally hit. I said something like, "I have no idea," and then a whole bunch of blather that I don't even remember, and finally, "What do you think I should do?" At first she didn't really suggest specific ideas; rather she helped me gauge my sentiment and your devotion.
The fact of the matter is that inBubbleWrap would have become nothing if it weren't for those of you reading this - who have made iBW a small part of your daily routing whether it's for the free books, the enjoyment gained in answering the two questions, the schlocky copy, or as resource for finding new and relevant reading material. You all have allowed me to get paid to wake up, throw on my PJ's (some plaid bottoms combined with the oldest raggedy shirt I can find...so comfy), and concoct some silly or passionate or weird analogy that relates to the topic at hand. I've paid the bills by telling stories and talking to people I've, for the most part, never met.
This leads to the second thing iBLF suggested I include today - the "Why." Why, if I get to write in my PJ's every morning, would I not want to do it anymore? Again, with great help from iBLF, here's an analogy.
Have you ever dated someone who, in almost all respects, was really good? He or she was good looking, intelligent, talented, knew how to scratch your back and rub your head or rub your back and scratch your head...you know, most of the things you look for in a mate. But in the end, you realize that, despite that person's good qualities, he or she is just not the one for you. That's kind of like what inBubbleWrap is for me. So to you, inBubbleNation, I say, "IT'S NOT YOU, IT'S ME." Sometimes we have to give up something really good with the HOPE of finding something even better. It certainly isn't an easy thing to do, but hopefully the best thing to try.
In the end, I thank all of you for your support, for often sending really neato and ego boosting messages, for putting up with a lot of technical and some not so technical mistakes, for sending all the really cool pictures, for writing poems, for EVERYTHING. It was really great getting to know you this year. I hope we can hang out this summer.
Oh yeah, the offer. Everyone gets a book. That's right, if you enter today's offer, you will get a book. I can't tell you what you will get, so I can't guarantee you'll like it, but sure enough, you will get a book. If you don't like it, feel free to give it away, use it as a coaster or hot plate, or even to prop up a wobbly shelf. Books are strong. They can do a lot of things.
One more thing: I'm going to be sending a couple more emails out today. Or maybe one more today, one on Monday. One will relate to BubHub - the iBW networking group, and the other will give you the opportunity to stay up to date on what cool things 800-CEO-READ, my very good friends, are doing next. I'll be around the office for another month helping out, so if you want to drop me an email, do so to ryan @ 800ceoread.com.
THANK YOU INBUBBLENATION!!!
ps. This offer won't expire until July 6th just in case you don't have the opportunity to participate today.
Sorry! This offer has expired. Check out today's offer instead.
