JC / Railbird

Moving On

That’s the theme of this latest Railbird makeover. Over the past two days, I’ve migrated the site to a new web host, installed WordPress to maintain the blog in place of Movable Type, and adopted a stripped down look. But the biggest change is that Railbird, as it was, has been permanently archived. That blog, which began in June 2004 and ran through December 2008, is no longer online. This fresh site, this first post, is the new Railbird.

Racing will still be my focus, but it is no longer my obsession, which is what Railbird version 1 was all about — over the years I maintained the blog I went from newly engaged passionate fan to backstretch worker, dedicated handicapper to industry employee, blogger to revitalized writer. Those were the arcs that iteration of the site traced, and the blog came to a natural conclusion last fall after I returned from Saratoga. And although I attempted to keep the site going, it was clear to me (and I’d bet most longtime visitors) that the blog was done and other projects and interests were claiming most of my attention. So, Railbird version 2 — still about the horses, but also about media and technology, and especially about the nexus between those and the horse racing industry. I may not be racing-crazed anymore, but there’s still plenty I want to say about the game. I’ll also be posting more about what I’m doing elsewhere.

From launch to archiving, Railbird v1 amassed more than 1900 posts and 1100 comments, which add up to a 3.2MB plain text file and more than 420,000 words. I didn’t count the links contained, but the number is surely in the thousands. To all those who have visited and supported the site, and especially to all the friends, colleagues, and conspirators I met through blogging, thank you. It’s been a pleasure. I hope you’ll stick around for whatever happens next here.


14 Comments

Jess: Railbird is the Byerly Turk of racing blogs. Sorry to see it retired but looking forward to following your new site. Best of luck, Kevin

Posted by Kevin on March 11, 2009 @ 5:53 pm

“Railbird is the Byerly Turk of racing blogs.”

This Byerly couldn’t agree more!

Posted by dana on March 11, 2009 @ 6:09 pm

Good Luck with this JC!

I look forward to reading your broader thoughts on a regular basis on a compelling subject.

PTP

Posted by PTP on March 12, 2009 @ 12:42 am

Oh who cares? There’s a new Jessica in racing and she’s a fox.

Posted by Russ on March 12, 2009 @ 8:03 am

Kevin and Dana — Thanks for the sentiment and the comments. Funny to think about how much the racing blogosphere has changed since 2004. There was Equidaily, Barn to Wire and no blogs. Today, I have links to nearly 100.

PTP — And I’m looking forward to writing about broader subjects. You know, since you post often on similar issues re: racing and tech, that there’s a lot out there to cover.

Visitor whose name is not Russ — Oh, but you must care, because not only did you read through the post, you felt compelled to leave a comment for the first time ever. Thanks.

Posted by JNC on March 12, 2009 @ 8:47 am

Did something happen, JC, that turned you away from the game? Or, as happens too often, did life just get in the way, and put racing on the back burner? I ask because the latter has happened to me, but (fortunately) I can’t imagine ever living without racing, handicapping, and betting.

Posted by Chris Garrity on March 12, 2009 @ 9:07 am

I wouldn’t say I’ve turned away, Chris, it’s merely a case of monomania ebbing. Like you, I can’t imagine life without racing. But I can now imagine life with racing and other stuff …

Posted by JNC on March 12, 2009 @ 10:44 am

You can link virtually everything to racing in the new world (I find) so when I read something for work the mind starts churning. Gathering the Wind’s last post had me thinking of 50 things while watching the clip.

We live in interesting times!

Now get posting JC :-)

Posted by PTP on March 12, 2009 @ 12:24 pm

You’re a renaissance woman, Jessica.

A renaissance woman.

Posted by Michael on March 12, 2009 @ 1:50 pm

Hi, Please (5 times) serve us late-comers with your RB V.1. wiinky has been blogging all month and just discovered yer cyber persona. Show us JCs evolution.

Me, I’m an x-mattapan, rockingham, suffolk, BU-boomer. Life happened and the Carnie-Buggy crowd kidnapped me to the Pacific, U.S./Canada border.

Posted by wiinky on March 13, 2009 @ 12:29 am

avid reader, and like you I like writing about racing and often the media, and now still reading ya!

Posted by Robert on March 13, 2009 @ 4:03 pm

I’m a big fan railbird. You rock!

Posted by Turk on March 13, 2009 @ 9:41 pm

The first racing blog that I ever visited, read, and continued to read.
Seeing you elsewhere on the web I can see that you have an incredible mind and philosophic thinking process.

Posted by pete on March 15, 2009 @ 8:35 am

Michael — Thanks, I think. I’m following your lead.

Wiinky — Another transplanted New Englander! The region often feels like a feeder track circuit for the rest of North America to me. I realize that’s probably overstating its importance, but it does seem like a lot of bloggers, turf writers, handicappers, industry executives have passed through Rockingham and Suffolk Downs.

Robert — Thanks! I really enjoy your posts on television ratings and the mainstream press.

Turk — Now, I’m blushing. You’re awesome!

Pete — Thanks for visiting and all your comments!

Posted by Jessica on March 16, 2009 @ 4:50 pm