An end, of sorts.
I posted earlier this week on The End of active posting to this weblog and I have to thank everyone for your responses and your generosity of spirit. The number of comments on that post, combined with the volume of email I’ve received - was overwhelming and to be honest, pretty humbling.
I haven’t responded in comments as I figured I’d do it here. I’ve tried to respond to emails though I haven’t got to everyone yet, but I will.
As I mentioned the other day, I need to take a break and get myself balanced once again. The way the pace picked up at this site in the last year, combined with various changes in my personal and vocational lives have caused me to burn out a bit. My work has suffered, my family life has suffered and this blog has suffered as a result.
I wrote about all that on Tuesday. It’s now late Friday evening here and whilst the basics are still the same, there’s been a few ‘realisations’ as well.
The biggest and most obvious one is that as much as people seem to like coming here to read this stuff, I really, really, REALLY love writing it. I’d be lost without it, actually. I love the brand. I love the car industry and I love the publishing medium that is blogging. I love the challenge of trying to communicate the feelings of a passionate bunch of people to a wardrobe of corporate suits (wardrobe is the right collective noun, isn’t it?).
I love the whipcrack that is a hot piece of breaking news. I love the anticipation, and the fact that this stuff isn’t just words on a page - you can actually jump in your car and go live it.
I WILL be taking the break that I need to get my life’s balance back again. Once I feel like I’m over the hump and healthy once again, then I can’t imagine not doing what I’ve been doing for the last three years. I can imagine doing it better, and smarter, but I can’t realistically see myself not doing it at all.
I recommend that if you haven’t got yourself an RSS reader at this point, then it’s probably the best way of knowing when something new has been posted here. It may not happen that often, but it probably will happen. Personally speaking, my preferred RSS reader is Google Reader, which is quick and easy to set up and use.
——
To everyone who left a comment in what is without doubt the longest comment thread we’ve ever had here, I can’t begin to tell you how encouraged I was by your support, understanding and kind sentiments.
I thought I had a decent handle on how wide this blog had spread, but it’s not until moments like that that you truly realise.
Eggs and I just write the stuff. It’s you who make it interesting or not with your interaction, varied perspective and humour. We’re no different at all, you and I, and I’ve received a much greater education than what I’ve delivered.
——
This is an end, of sorts. When the new beginning will take place and in what form is yet to be determined.
But an ending means that people have to be thanked, and thanked publicly for their incredible assistance and contribution.
To Christer Nilsson, who until last week was the PR guru at Saab Sweden. The first contact I ever had with Christer was back in the days when you had to have a username and password for the GM Media website. I had trouble registering, so I emailed him. His response was “no problem, use mine!” and he sent the details through to me. A great encouragement and a true gentleman.
To Eggs n Grits - thanks for stepping into the breach and staying there 
. It’s a huge relief when you know that there’s someone there who’s capable, balanced, honest and loves the job as much as you do. Eggs has written 175 articles here and I’d be surprised if I’ve changed more than 10 words in total. You’re a champ!
To ctm, without whom I’d have had to extract the digit and finally learn to read Swedish. He translated many, many articles for use here, and was always pleased to so. He’s been a huge encouragement, too.
To Gripen, Robin M, Kroum, Greg Abbott, PT, Richo, Joe Lobo and probably one or two others who I’ll accidentally offend by not mentioning here - you guys have always been great shoulders to lean on as well as providing ears to listen and a voice of reason (except for Richo, who is usually that voice at the back of the room telling you your zipper’s undone!). In many ways you folks are the conscience of the site.
To my good mate Ivan, in Hungary, who took on the challenge of designing a great bunch of T-shirts. They’ll still be available by the way, as they’re not TS-specific. They’re a great product and I’m expecting the polo shirt I designed and bought last week to arrive any day now
To the various people who have covered motor shows for our mutual benefit and brought the action to these pages with their images and words. I hope you enjoyed the opportunity.
To all the various Saab staffers from the US, Australia and in Sweden - your co-operation took the site to a new level. I wish we could climb a few levels more.
And to the Djup Strupes out there - your co-operation took the site right through the roof and into the stratosphere!!!! Please remember that whilst I might be taking a break, my email address hasn’t changed and there’s no break that can’t be interrupted for a good story. Perhaps the greatest validation I ever received in running this site was to have like-minded people that actually worked for the company trust me with inside information. You are champions of the brand.
And finally, to every reader that’s ever landed on this corner of the blogosphere and especially the ones who sent stuff in and became contributors to this place. I just write a little. You guys make up the community - and you’re all freaking awesome.
——
This is an end, of sorts.
Contrary to my headline earlier in the week, somehow I just can’t believe it’s the end.
We’ll see. Stay tuned.
——
UPDATED (even before it’s posted!)
I’ve just been invited to an Aussie drive of the Turbo X next month. I guess there’ll be something to see there……
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Your blog has been great fun. I have enjoyed it many times. The way you handle the end of it is remarkable in itself. Dedicated till the end.
Superb.
If you ever visit Sweden (which might happen, I guess), you might be passing Belgium, then let me know, you’re welcome.
Take care, Swade.
And happy saabing down there.
Glad to read that this isn’t a “farewell” but rather a “see you soon”…
I’ll defenitely be tuning in my RSS reader to TS.
Take your time to get your life re-organised and to get well.
Although we’ve never met and we only exchanged mails for one or two times, I feel that I can say: See you soon, friend.
A perfectly weighted post Swade, been a pleasure reading for the last 2 years.
Totally agree with your thoughts on balance, its a tough one to handle, but worth it in the end.
Now off to hook up the rss feed for whenever you, eggs & the rest are ready
Good luck
I’m glad you’ve realised you don’t have to give up. Make the blog a part of your life*, a fun part, rather than all consuming.
* A bit rich coming from someone who posts most days often after midnight
Have a tremendous break! Look forward to seeing your return in whichever shape or form that takes. I’ll keep watching for any ‘breaking news’ items in the meantime.
Hope the Turbo X drive is good. From past history, they’ll probably sell more of those in Tassie than in my home state!
I hope to test drive a new Mercedes CLC coupe/hatch in the coming months. I wish Saab sold an alternative coming.
Take care and don’t spend too much time at AFL.com!
Regards,
Mark.
Great to hear these sentiments Swade. A nice flourish to finish with…..for now.
I know a bunch of clowns who are drinking Belgian beer and talking Saabs at a Sydney cafe tonight who will be delighted when they read this too.
( Yes, Eggs, the Belgian Beer Cafe gains another mention. You really should try and get to Sydney sometime and join us. Same goes for everyone here actually. ).
Mate,
I trust, you will be able to say as the Saabblogoriginator - that you ‘will be back’
I can hear it now , in an Oz accent, coming across the straits - ‘Look, I’ll be back , fellow Saabers’.
Happy hunting all
Lance
PT: Have a Stella for me!
this feels like the end of a really really good novel. kinda
Hope to see you soon Swade!
Nice to hear Belgian Beer is popular downunder, even among saabist.
Just some info for all your right balance between fysical and intellectual nourishment:
Great reading, when you’re sober, “the ultimate Belgian Beer Bible” with info on all 756 sorts of Belgian Beer:
http://www.stichtingkunstboek.com/default.asp?boek=302&so=20
There is a link to order the book and it is partly in english, I believe.
Other useful links, just to add some life-quality and getting your balance right - as long as you don’t mix the driving & drinking:
http://users.skynet.be/triplebee/bier/biertjes.html
http://www.belgische-bieren.be/
http://www.belgischebieren.be/
http://users.pandora.be/hopsite/leerrijkebiersites.html
But there is much more:
This list is even more exhoustive, it contains 1547 (!) types of beer, all brewn in a small country wich only takes 2 hours to cross from the east to the west border and about 1,5 hour from the north to south border, of course in a decent saab and when traffic allows to travel that fast, and only if you don’t stop to enjoy one of the beers :
http://www.dma.be/p/bier/1_11.htm
Of all more conventional and easy to order beers “Duvel” is my favorit.
If you combine all those info with the fact the Belgians are great wine consumers too, … gives us just very little time to enjoy our saabs.
Cheers.
Altought I have not commented the first article about “The End” (other comments covered completely my thoughts too), I’m really happy to see that the break will be temporary only.
Swade,
I hope you can change the things what you need to change soon. Sometimes people need to take some deep breath and clean the mess.
And don’t forget, I’m ready to contribute, help, cooperate anytime just like before.
Looking forward for the new beginning!
Back in black? (Turbo-X black…)
Now that would be an awsome come back…
Swade, have you’re break (even if it’s a long one), you have deserved it just don’t make me find a replacement Saab blogger. There probably are none…
Swade-RSS reader engaged! Have a well-deserved rest and we’ll see you out there…somewhere (US Saab convention perhaps?)! Its been great fun and a privilege to share thoughts and comments here. We’ll stay in touch-
Mark
Excellent post Wilfried. Thanks for the references.
just limit the site to 2 posts a week…it takes me a good 3-4 hours to write a decent post. Your pace is insane even with the posts from other people.
Glad to hear its not a farewell.
Swade - from Africa - a great break but time for introspection nonetheless. TS has been rss enabled on my mobile phone since 2005. Come back with a bang.
Fair dinkin mate you say.
Perhaps a BlackBerry of suits?
Beren: Amen, brotha. Amen. Swade is a machine.
I’ll also, unfortunately, be on a forced hiatus for the next three-four weeks. Perhaps the occasional weekend work.
This seems to be where Trollhattan Saab the weekly TV show becomes Trollhattan Saab: The Motion Picture.
Enjoy your break Swade, obviously many of us will still be watching for that random post from time to time. This will also be a break for us addicts to the site that would usually check in several times a day and maybe even once before going to bed and feel compelled to write something. We will definitely need to find something else to do with all of our spare time!
The best of luck in the future. This has been a tremendious site for all things saab, thanks!
After years of reading daily, this is my first post. Thanks for everything. Take care.
A very well balanced and encouraging post !
As we sing in French: «Ce n’est qu’un au revoir mon frère»
*J’aimerais profiter de l’occasion pour saluer tous les membres francophones de TS.
Now I know what a RSS reader is. Done.
Cheers mate
Best wishes, Swade! I have really enjoyed reading your posts.
Swade,
Like Beren, I would also be happy with two posts a week; one news post and one rant/editorial.
Enjoy your time off. We’ll all be (virtually) here when you come back.
Your blog has been fantastic, and I am sure it has helped the brand more than they can ever even imagine. We’re Saab people… where can you find so much 3rd party information on the brand?
Get your life back, but please keep us all informed and aware of all things Saab.
Rss engaged, have a well earned rest meantime, look fwd to hearing occasional words of wit and insight. Best wishes.
One RSS reader coming up! But I guess I’ll be checking in daily out of force of habit anyway, and just in case the RSS reader misses something.
Enjoy the Turbo-X, and enjoy your sabbatical. I’m looking forward to the return of a reinvigorated Swade—but maybe a little more carefully paced. I’ve never enjoyed a site or blog so much. Thanks!
The best of luck, Swade, and enjoy your breake. Thank you also for a fantastic blog, I am gonna keep it as my start up page for months to come yet. This is more or less like a band running it’s farewell concert, and we are all dropping a tear or two, but I deeply hope to see you entering the stage again in the future Swade when you have got a well deserved rest and established all the bells and whistles up on the track again. Live and fly well, my friend. You will be deeply missed!
Greetings from Olav who still is taking the longest way home.
Good bye Steven and thank you very much for all what you’ve done ! You’re great , you’re magnifiscent , you’re admirable , unique , unforgotable , the best .
I’m really sad . You’ve celebrated my Saabs several times and it was for me on each time an honor , a privilege .
I’m deeply sad today .
Best wishes
your french mate
Jeff
i’m gonna miss your blog a lot!!!!!
it was a DAILY RITUAL!!!! ^^
and I Liked it a LOT!!!!
Merci beaucoup!
PS: Whenever you decide to visit Geneva, and this wonderful Motorshow, just e-mail me, and I’m picking you at the airport with my dad’s MY08 9-3 2.0t BioPower!!!
Best wish’s from Autoblog! check this out
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/06/trollhattan-saab-exits-the-automotive-blogosphere/
BRING BACK THE “SWADE” SOON!
Z!
Swade:
Having been a SAAB dealer since 1959 in Michigan,I always looked forward to starting my day with you….always interesting!!! Good luck and hopefully…see ya soon!!
I think we all should do the same as Swade and spend the extra spare time on family, work and saab-driving (pick your own order) instead of reading and commenting on blogs (or just go to the pub and enjoy your mates company & one or more Belgian Beers, if you like).
Long live the Trolls & Move your mind.
Good on ya, mate! Very glad to hear this isn’t the end of all this fun… Take it easy and enjoy yourself and your family!
Totally ignorant about how such things are done, but consider teaming up, at least for awhile, with SAAB History where your talents can complement theirs.
What an end!
Thanks for everything. Take your break. I will visit your site regulary to check for news. RSS locked and loaded.
Have a good time… We will be waiting here for you!
And as I said: Should you ever be in Frankfurt/M. or generally in Germany, send me a mail.
Till then… happy saabing, hunting, alphaing, relaxing… what ever…
Hope springs eternal! Will be waiting for whatever tidbits you may send our way. Glad to hear that in some way or other TS has a future!! Cheers from the Golden State.
The loss of Trollhattansaab is regretted everywhere, it seems, see our dutch friend:
http://www.saabforum.nl/viewtopic.php?p=449929&sid=063007b2ac87efda443c6b285616736e
Or this personal blog: “Trollhattansaab.net, the best Saab blog in the history of the Internet, has come to an end. I thought it was a brilliant read & don’t even like Saab!”
http://rcd.typepad.com/personal/2008/06/ctrollhattansaa.html
And I’lm sure there is more of this kind of thoughts on saab-related sites.
The impact of Trollhattansaab on the global saab community was not a tiny one.
I suspect Swade was even the biggest un-paid PR-force for Saab, worldwide.
I’m awaiting rarther a kind of official statement from Saab on how they see the saab-community in general and the interaction they want as a company with this un-organised network, where Trollhattansaab.net was a personale but very central focuspoint.
And at least a small thanks for Swade from Saab would appropriate.
Enjoy your time off, Swade. It’ll be a blast. We’ll carry on in our drunken Saab stupor [wink] in the meantime in a world without TS.
BTW: we need to catch up on your trip out here in the summer (I KNOW I haven’t responded to your email yet ……). Rest assured I’ll get the club in tow and maybe arrange a drive down to meet the US Saabers.
Any other Pacific NW Saabers here want to join in on “SWADE’S EXCELLENT NORTH AMERICAN ADVENTURE” ? Email him, myself and/or any others who may be involved.
Saab Club of Western Canada
URL:
Email:
Cheers Swade
Enjoy your time off, Swade. It’ll be a blast. We’ll carry on in our drunken Saab stupor [wink] in the meantime in a world without TS.
BTW: we need to catch up on your trip out here in the summer (I KNOW I haven’t responded to your email yet ……). Rest assured I’ll get the club in tow and maybe arrange a drive down to meet the US Saabers.
Any other Pacific NW Saabers here want to join in on “SWADE’S EXCELLENT NORTH AMERICAN ADVENTURE” ? Email him, myself and/or any others who may be involved.
Saab Club of Western Canada
Email:
Cheers Swade
Swade,
Looking forward to your return.
Thanks for years of being the non-biased center of the Saab news universe.
Thanks also for all of the time involved.
Swade, I guess my old TS shirt is now considered a classic and is collectible. I’ll be damned for wearing it at the gym!
Take good care of yourself, mate, and we’re all eagerly anticipating a return, whenever you feel like you may be ready.
friendS & would BE appropriate, that is.
Damned, again to much mis-spells. I’m too exited and too fast to do rational replies. Must be the friday-late-afternoon-effect or the fact that we won’t be doing this kind of things from now on… .
As a first time post, I relish the idea of seeing some well-deserved and needed Saab TV commercials touting the joys in the driving experience as well as pride in Saab ownership with, you guessed it, starring our favorite blogger with heart, Swade behind the wheel.. perhaps in the future? Well whatever line you might go into, my hats off to you Swade. Great reading material not to mention the insight of all the responders as well. Thanks and stay well.
Swade,
I glad to hear that you have re-thought some things. I’ll be ready to read when ever you are ready to write again mate! Take some time to enjoy life’s blessings, you certainly deserve it!
Peace and happy SAABing,
Mark G. (grohlinator)
Swade, I’ve watched TS over the last couple years become the interesting, informative, passionate, funny and infinitely readable site it’s become today. All GM’s marketing cash couldn’t do for Saab what you’ve done with your regular posts…
Take a well deserved break and come back when you’re good and rested. The next few years look like they’ll be a rollercoaster for Saab and quite frankly there’s no one better to give us the low-down on it all…
Even Autoblog <3 Swade.
Many thanks for everything you’ve done
for us (in addition to Saab).
You’ve converted this unfocused driver
into a certified Saab fanatic.
Take care of yourself, Swade, and
may a mint condition Sonett III appear
in your driveway (and/or a Viggen).
Looking forward to your return!
Jeremy
Swade….
I´m an passionate TS reader….
You make it happen… and your passion for the blog can be seen in every lin you wrote…
As you know, i´m in Portugal…. Here the news arrive when they are not so hot… but in the Saab world you lead me - an Portuguese Saab friends - to the front runners of the news update…..
I didn´t post as much as i wanted….
I didn´t participate as often as i could
But my friend… you´ll be missed…
For a long time, this blog is the first web page to visit when i start my cpu…
Damn… i already miss you!!!
Get your life back on track and be back for more…. PLEASE!! You deserve a break… there´s no doubt…
But you are too precious to be quiet for a long time so this isn´t the end……
It´s just a time out…… ( a short one maybe?? )
See you soon….. From Portugal with love…
J.Galvão
I know you’ll be back - as you said you have a passion for it and if you’re going to be addicted to something this one is pretty healthy. From a comment by Eggs and Grits it seems that part of the financial issues involved the redesign of the site and plummeting ad revenue. I’d take a very long break but during that time you can have the leisure, as time allows, to reinvent TS so that it serves your needs without emptying your bank account or your free time, without the pressures of multi postings per day while you’re trying to fix infrastructure problems - too much for one guy unless it’s your full-time job.
Good luck and safe driving,
John
Thank you for this wonderful site! I have been an avid reader and appreciator of the content and information you have provided with great passion. I look forward to and have faith in Trollhattan Saab 2.0
THAT’S MORE LIKE IT!!
That was the realization I hoped you’d arrive at: even at a trickle, this will continue to be one of the best automotive websites extant.
Google reader is installed and I’ll be waiting. Good health to you from the Lone
Star State (Texas).
It really feels like the day the music died, Im going to miss this blog so much during your hiatus swade, all the best to you your family and thank you for giving us the best blog and source of information for all us saab nuts.
Thank you for some great years!
Swade: a suggestion: buy a bicycle. Not a racing bike or mountain bike or anything crazy. Start small. Get a city, cruiser, or hybrid bike. Getting outside and breathing some fresh air while starting your heart pumping will help you kick the cigarette habit and it’s nice to get out and relieve some stress. It sounds funny but exercise does indeed change your physiology. You’ll feel better. The weather in Tasmania is favorable to cycling. See if your wife will get a bike too and you can do it as a family.
I’d cycle with you if I could, but you’d have to move to L.A. for that to happen and I just don’t see that happening.
Have a great “Saabattical” and I hope to see you refreshed and perhaps starting over with a clean slate with your Spirit of Saab site in the future. Take care and thanks for the good times.
«Saabattical» ! Love that one Gripen. And your suggestion about cycling is excellent. Sailing would also be excellent, but that’s another budget entirely. And then Swade would be compelled to start a sailing blog…
Swade,
Thanks for the kind words!
Gripen - the bicycle idea is an excellend one- for us all. Some pretty heavy hills in your neighbourhood Swade, get those big legs pumping mate.
Swade, I ditto CTM’s words and it’s all been a pleasure. Glad you are staying around. Just think and remember you got woke up by a lot of noisy boys and girls a year ago.
Thank you so much Swade! This blog is amazing and has been my main go-to site although I do not always post. I cannot believe that SAAB/GM have been getting away with having this cyberspace-institution for all SAAB lovers over the world without paying you some serious money for running it….Life is strange.
I wish you the very best. Take care of yourself and your family. I will be on the look-out for some RSS feeds already….
http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2007/06/my_swedish_alar.html .just a reminder.
I’ll come with you and take the photos…..
Swade, thank you heaps (as you Aussie say)! Im still gonna check back everyday just in case you changed your mind.
I wish you and your family the very best and if I win the lottery, Im gonna have Saab Australia send you a brand new fully-specced 9-3.
Swade, as you know, when the car blogging bug bites its got you for life. See you back here soon
You will be missed.
You are giving us some ray of hope mate. I am of the strong belief that when you are so passionate and enjoy doing what you like that you can not let go in full. I hope I am right and we will all reconnect in one form or another in the future. The other point to make is that my views are indeed mirrored all around on the fact that this site being the best in the world. Remember that long and winded e-mail I sent to you with these views and how I could see this site making the difference to Saab’s position, future etc etc ??? Well, you’ve done it in every sense wholly and squarely. Pointless in carrying on stating the obvious and sending more accolades as we all know what a unique piece of work you’ve done. But, you can see the impact here in as we all are still glued to it. We will be all waiting until you feel ready. Thanks for the acknowledgement and for sharing the passion. Despite the general consensus that only Latinos are passionate, this is a fallacy as when we love something we can all be passionate no matter your background.
Enjoy life, all the best mate !!!
Cheers Swade! Enjoy the break, you know we gonna miss the silence…
Ha! I knew you couldn’t kick the blogging addiction!
Good luck. Get well. My RSS feed is listening.
I too just resigned from a job I loved but it took a personal and professional toll. My health declined as I ran out of gas. Now I am off on a different to track to learn new tricks, rest up, and get well. I hope you enjoy your journey. I’m certainly looking forward to mine.
I’ll take an autocross lap for you at Saab Academy / Road Atlanta next week.
So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish!
Just in time to register and train
for the Melbourne Marathon (October 12th)!
Got a running shop in town? Inquire about
weekend running groups and get started
on a goal that will take your mind off smoking!
http://www.melbournemarathon.com.au/
ANYONE can run a marathon. Look up Jeff Galloway and
read about how this can be:
http://www.jeffgalloway.com/
Take that well deserved break. Glad to hear its not the end, just an an extended intermission.
MitchbSC - We’ll both take a lap for Swade next week.
My morning routine for the last year (after all the requisite showering, etc.):
1. Quick check of headlines & weather
2. Visit TrollhattanSaab.net for Saab reflections and insight from Swade, with the latest buzz from Djup Strupe and comments from all.
3. Run for bus
4. At least three days a week, miss bus and have to drive to work
Look forward to hearing more from you in the future, Swade — until then ,take care of yourself!!
And I guess I will save on gas and parking costs…
Aloha (in the ‘hello’ sense, not ‘good-bye’!) Swade! Take good care of yourself and your family. We’ll be here, waiting, watching, driving, etc..!!! Cheers.
Bill
:`(
Get well, and come back soon my friend.
Good! I’ll still find you. After reading “the end” i was depressed, went up to our cabin in the Norwegian mountains, had some wonderful days, back at work, and find your “an end”, and things goes much better, at least for me. Now I hope as anybody else, that you take your time, and will be back in business one day in near future, I’ll check every day!