The Musings Of An Opinionated Sod [Help Me Grow!]


Goodbye From Vera Lynn …
November 21, 2014, 6:15 am
Filed under: Comment, My Fatherhood

So this is it, the end.

At least the end for now.

As the old bird in the picture above once sang, “we’ll meet again” … before adding “don’t know where, don’t know when” … though if I was to hazard a guess, apart from continuing to co-manage the Advertising Planning School On The Web [#apsotw], I’d say there’s definitely a good chance they’ll be a post when my son is born and I want to show him off.

So until then, thank you for all the laughs, lessons and insults over the past 8+ bloody years … have an amazing Christmas and may 2015 be an utterly epic year for all of us. I have a feeling it will be, after all, my son will be here.

And with that, here’s a little reminder why you should be glad my impending fatherhood is forcing me to disappear for a bit.

[In my defence, it was all lovely Marcus’ fault and you can find out why, here]

Christ almighty, how the hell do I still have employment after that?

Mind you, that’s not as bad as the fact that some of you watched it way back in 2007 and still came back for more. Mental.

For the record, I still have – and wear – that shirt, and even more shocking than that [at least for Northern] is it doesn’t have any military insignia on it at all.

Not one bit.

Amazing.

And on that bombshell, all that leaves me to say is thank you and goodbye … or maybe it’s au revoir? … who knows, I guess we’ll see.

Whatever it is, off I trot to experience a new, mad, scary, wonderful chapter in my life.

Shiiiiiiit.

Wish me/him luck.

Ta-ra.


120 Comments so far
Leave a comment

youll be back. and when you are, come fucking crawling.

Comment by andy@cynic

Story of my life.

Comment by Rob

this is a bigger fucking anticlimax since we found out the whole previous season of dallas had been a bobby ewing/man from atlantis dream.

Comment by andy@cynic

To think Ed Snowden had to go into hiding for releasing a few US government secrets where Rob made a video like that and gets to walk free.

Comment by DH

That comment is about as topical as my blog posts!

Comment by Rob

its way more fucking contemporary than your blog posts campbell.

Comment by andy@cynic

i fancy making some easy money so here are the odds for campbells return.

6/1 after 3 years
5/1 after a week
4/1 after a fortnight
3/1 after a month
2/1 after 2 months

baby post doesnt count as a post. and im only offering odds on after 2 months because christmas and new year would see the fucker out of action anyway and he probably has a 6 week chinese national holiday or something.

Comment by andy@cynic

I’ll put $50 on your 2/1

There is no way he can go without our unique form of audience participation for more than that. He would have to come back for more. Besides, Jill will encourage him so he stops being a bad influence on her child.

Comment by DH

I’d put money on that too. Ha.

Comment by Rob

It’s unlikely but if this is really your last blog post, good luck with everything and thanks for the amusement over the years. It kept a lot of us in contact that would have slipped otherwise. Which is another reason why it would be good if this blog really was over.

Comment by DH

who the fuck are you kidding. and he didnt entertain, we (but mainly me) entertained. why the fuck have you gone soft?

Comment by andy@cynic

I stand corrected.

Comment by DH

I look forward to your return Robert. Until that day, look after Jill and stay in touch.

Comment by Mary Bryant

it says something when even mrs auntie knows this wont be your last blog post. campbells going to be the blog version of kiss. coming out of retirement every 2 fucking weeks. and still as shit and irrelevant as ever.

Comment by andy@cynic

Not you too Mary!!!

Comment by Rob

I never imagined this would be the content of your last post Rob. But it isn’t so I don’t have to be surprised. The good news is your ipod singing has traumatised me till your return so I won’t feel too lost in between now and next time. Good luck with the baby, happy christmas and see you in 2015.

Comment by Pete

That video was 7 years ago? I dare not imagine how much time I have spent on here. And it’s time spent, not wasted. I hope you return Robert, in addition to enjoying and learning from what you say, it has been a little place on the internet where a different sort of sanity prevails. My best wishes to you and Jill and I look forward to your return.

Comment by George

You have to return Rob. This is better than facebook for keeping track on you all. Good luck with baby, he will be adorable just like his parents. Come back soon.

Jemma xxx

Comment by Jemma King

I agree Jemma. May Robert come back so we can learn more about his life as a father. Kisses and hugs to mama and baby Campbell.

Comment by Katerina

Thank you lovely ladies. Hope to see you both soon. Rx

Comment by Rob

I spent the evening in a room full of animal and human skeletons listening to some talks about neuroscience – a celebration of the tenth anniversary of a blog. Ten years. 2.2 million words. Now there’s something to aim for. You’ll be back.

Comment by John

Just one of Rob’s posts is 2.2 million words.

Comment by Billy Whizz

I’m up for the best weekend I’ve had in 9 years. Thanks Rob.

Comment by Billy Whizz

At least someone accepts this is my last post. Probably. Ha.

Comment by Rob

You’ve never agreed with Billy before.

Comment by John

Is this going to be like the time you said you were not going to have another holiday which was closely followed by you having weeks and weeks of holiday?

Comment by Wayne Green

You mean to say Uncle Dan is going to stand for this…

Without the blog you might sing/talk to clients.. So either he fires you (not happening because if the pics that got you the gig), or you write again.

So, we’ll be seeing you…

Comment by niko

Where am I gonna go now to watch a bunch of mates tearing strips off another?

All the best for the next chapter, Rob. Come back when you’re through ‘THE FOG’.

Comment by ozdean

A perfect end to a perfect blog. Until you return Robert, my best wishes to your wife, child, cat, mother and you.

Comment by Lee Hill

Enjoy this time Rob.

Best wishes to you, Jill and the little one.

You’ll obviously be back!

x

Comment by rafik

Rob,
Though I didn’t comment regularly on the blog, I really enjoyed coming here. I’ll miss it. Thank you for your thoughts and inspiration. A huge congratulations to you and your entire family.

Comment by Naoko

Thank you folks, very kind – misguided – but very kind.

Let’s see what happens. Even my wife thinks I’ll be back so maybe you lot know more than I do. Which, let’s be honest, isn’t out of the realms of possibility.

Comment by Rob

Already looking to the return.
Best of luck with Rob junior.
At least I duck the gloating post about the impending Queen travesty

Comment by Northern

That might be worth an emergency post. And even if it isn’t … I’m sure you’ll be writing about it, if only for some kind of therapy to try and rid the experience from your mind once and for all.

Comment by Rob

Admit it Rob, this is your 2015 April fool isn’t it. Not as good as your method planning scam, but still effective. I’m able to write my comment at this time because I’m in your timezone. Yes, I’m in HK right now. So close but fortunately so far. ; )

Comment by Bazza

You are kidding. Come to Shanghai … I promise I won’t even ask for any freebies. [Which according to you lot, is about as true as me saying I’ll never post again, ha]

Comment by Rob

I have to fly back on Sunday but if things change I will. It would be great to see Jill.

There is no way this blog is over. I am willing to promise new product for you if it isn’t.

Comment by Bazza

Bye, Rob. Good luck in the next chapter – and, like others have mentioned, I have no doubt you’ll be back (even if this blog becomes a child/Notts Forest site primarily).

Comment by Will

Bacon.

Comment by John

Brilliant. The best way to end a blog and its comments.

Comment by Rob

a hunger games reenactment with all the fuckers who have ever commented on this shithole would be the best way to end this fucking blog. i would win but it would be interesting to see who would make 2nd place. my money would be on mary because one stern look from her and she can turn you into fucking stone. just ask auntie.

and you know no one really means what they say on this post except the bit that youll be back to make sure you keep ruining our fucking lives.

Comment by andy@cynic

Reading for 5 years, commenting for the first time.
You are a reminder that sanity exists.
Your blog will be missed. I hope you are back.
All the best

Comment by Umar Ghumman

I’ll miss the comments.

Comment by Miguel

Also, the blog.
Godspeed, Mr. Campbell, good fortune to you and your soon to become family of 4.

Hopefully, you’ll be back soon enough for a government mandated holiday so we can watch Mr. Andy and Mr. Northern make hilarious comments on you annual work schedule.

This place has been fun and insightful, thank you for it.

Comment by Miguel

That’s the only reason anyone comes here. Will anyone really notice Rob is gone until he comes back? Will anyone notice he’s come back?

Comment by DH

Final proof of what this blog does to people – or maybe somebody was hacking Andy’s comments.

http://robcampbell.wordpress.com/2007/01/22/sausages-kick-bacons-arse/

Comment by John

That was the last good post he ever wrote. Now look at the place. It’s more fucked than Detroit.

Comment by Billy Whizz

95 comments for sausages. The peak point in this blogs history?

Comment by DH

Feeling sentimental John? Don’t worry, I am confident he will return relatively soon. Thank you for the trip down memory lane. I remember that day very well. Shocked how long ago it was.

Comment by George

Before my time – I was just surprised by the helpful guy posing as Andy.

Comment by John

#divorcedoesthat #plannersdothat

Comment by DH

More like that is the real Andrew despite his best efforts to disguise it in later commentator life. Though I concede being surrounded by planners may have had something to do with it as well.

Comment by George

Bloody hell I forgot about that. Over 7 and a half years ago… jesus

Comment by Rob (other one)


Yes.

Comment by Billy Whizz

Rob would probably want to buy it as his latest gadget.

Comment by DH

Ding dong the planner has gone. Let’s get this party started.

Comment by Billy Whizz

Seems I don’t need to write any posts to get people talking on here. In a weird way, that makes me very happy.

Comment by Rob

congrats Rob! will certainly miss this blog. imagine it will be an amusing, insightful thing for your son to discover and read in the coming years 🙂

Comment by nik

It’s not even a day and you’ve written something. And you have the nerve to say you wrote it to say you’re not writing something. That doesn’t get you out of it and not allowing comments doesn’t either. Is this going to be a daily thing? You can’t raise our hopes then dash them again.

Comment by DH

And you say “that’s it for now.” Ominous.

Comment by DH

youre supposed to wait a few days before you make the fucking grand return. hasnt watching enough z grade celebs return from the priory taught you that yet. and your links are fucking tragic. my favourite is the one that doesnt fucking work. best work of your fucking life.

Comment by andy@cynic

I took it as a vicious reminder that I don’t work and will be contacting my no win no fee lawyer.

Comment by John

Back before you’ve gone.

Comment by Pete

Before I start, let me say commenting is not the same as posting so I’m allowed to do that. Secondly, the post today is less of a post and more of a … OK, so it’s a post. DAMN!

And for the record, the broken link is fixed and I’d like to point out to Doddsy it was purely coincidental is was to his blog.

Comment by Rob

It is exactly the same as posting. In fact it’s worse because you might think you’re like us and you’re not.

Comment by DH

A sign that you will return. I’ll take that. Let us know when Campbell Jnr appears, he’s more anticipated than a royal baby.

Comment by George

the man just can’t let go. then again, i guess neither can we.

Rob, drop in anytime at my place, readers welcome, commenters even more welcome. deep throaty ruminations are greeted with awe. ( It’s hard to let go, innit.)

Comment by judyt54

campbell. if i see another “im not here but heres a post” im going to sue your sorry attention fucking seeking ass.

Comment by andy@cynic

Maybe he really has stopped this blog. For now anyway.

Comment by DH

I bet he’s lurrrrkinggg
these things are like addictions–you may not smoke any more but by god you make sure you walk slowly through the crowd huddled outside the mall and breathe deeply…

Comment by judyt54

Of course I’m lurking, it’s my bloody blog … though no one seems to remember that, which – in a sick twist of fate – was what made it so enjoyable. Ha.

Comment by Rob

Really, you’re the janitor.

Comment by John

Promotion? Sweet.

Comment by Rob

I’ll miss you.

Comment by Marcus

I’m not dead. But thank you … I’ll miss you. Till I’m back.

[Boom Tish]

Comment by Rob

youre not going to miss him because the fucker is commenting on here every fucking day.

oi campbell, you may as well write more blog shit if youre going to do that. it will give us something to laugh at and it makes sure you dont kid yourself into thinking youre one of us because youre not and never will be. thank fucking christ.

Comment by andy@cynic

Hello Andy. I’ve missed you.

Comment by Marcus

and we can’t begin to miss you until you’ve really truly left.

Either come in and shut the door (youre letting all the cold air in) and sit down, there’s a good lad, or get your foot out of the door so we can close it and get on with other things.

I wonder what would happen if WE just didnt comment at all for, like, two whole days? who would cave first…

Comment by judyt54

I like how quickly you have become part of the gang. Not sure what that says about you, but it’s impressive.

Comment by DH

lol thats funny, DH. Sometimes you happen on a place that strikes a chord. This seems to be one of them. Im not quite part of the gang, not yet, but it’s a comfortable place to be.

I’m not sure what that says about me either (and I shall not examine that one too closely) but its impressive to be thought impressive.

Thank you for that.

Comment by judyt54

right everybody quiet, bet he gives in

Comment by Northern

Why do we want him to cave in? Have we forgotten what he subjects us to?

Comment by DH

His evil has been to make visiting this blog at this time a routine. I need to break it. I need to break him.

Comment by Billy Whizz

It’s not going to work. Oh no. Definitely not.

Though I must admit it feels kinda-weird to comment and not post. Like I’m on the wrong side of the fence.

Comment by Rob

we all want people to visit our blogs, to comment, to think. That’s why we have them.

dont blame the cigarette because you cant stop smoking,
dont blame the bottle because you cant quit drinking.
take responsiblity for your own demons, your terrible eating choices, and your own blogging habits.

Go or stay, but dont blame the blogger.

(There now dont you feel empowered)

Comment by judyt54

Violated. We don’t need 2 Rob’s on here even if one of them has pretended to go.

Comment by Billy Whizz

I totally blame the blogger

Comment by Northern

I’ve just seen something I would absolutely blog about. It’s brilliant. And now I’m caught between ‘leave it alone’ and ‘spread the word’.

Are any of you bothered? Thought not. Ha.

Comment by Rob

For the love of all that is right in the world, just bloody blog it

Comment by Northern

Nope. But you’ll be happy to know I am coming out of blog wilderness on the 20th Jan … and we both know why don’t we Mr Northern.

Comment by Rob

I’ve even pre-written it.

[Yes, I’m finding the ‘don’t blog’ thing hard. Though something tells me when the little one is born, that will all be a thing of the past]

Comment by Rob

Totally evil

Comment by Northern

i do believe he’s toying with us. Holding the candy ‘way ‘way over our heads, making us beg. I bet he doesnt have anything in that sack of smoke but some old lumpy carrots. Maybe a squeaky toy.

Comment by judyt54

Still holding out Rob?

Comment by Pete

Seems his baby is doing the same.

Comment by DH

sometimes you have to focus on the next step. we’re all on our own journeys, and while it may seem selfish to someone else, our next step or two or fifteen may not include a blog, or renovating the old barn, or sleeping manta ray studies, no matter what anyone else thinks.

You can call it growing up, or growing inward, or being selfish. I think of it as just growing. The way a spider sheds its old skin to become a larger version of itself. Its still a spider, it still makes webs, but it has changed, at least outwardly.

Rob’s journey right now, no matter how any of you yahoos feel, no longer entirely encompasses you. He has a wife and soon a baby. He may come back. After all, there are all those adorable baby pictures. (Do me a favor, no naked-baby-inna-bathtub shots, kiddy porn people love that stuff)

You’ve gone a long way with this guy and in reading this I can fully understand (if not comprehend, I just listened to the first 1 minute of that scorpion video. My ears are still bleeding) that. It’s a guy thing. But he has to make room in his life for one more very important person.

Then again, I think you knew that.

Funny thing; I just got here, in time to say goodbye. I miss him too. Damned if I know why.

Comment by judyt54

His ego will always make room for this blog and us. Wait and see.

Comment by DH

Oh no doubt. But your egos will have to make room for his new obsession, too.

I truly think this blog has a life of its own, and he’s just the facilitator. Most blogs die like punctured balloons when the owner leaves, this one doesnt seem to know its happened.

This is, btw, a great–if slightly unwieldy–format for back and forth convos. I wish Google had it, and I wish I could figure out WordPress enough to use it.

Comment by judyt54

You should complain to George and Pete who both leave comments on this blog Judy. They work for google and should be focused on user satisfaction. I know at Apple, we are.

Comment by Bazza

Then satisfy this user with some free stuff.

Comment by John

Midget man is a tight little bastard so your satisfaction doesn’t count.

Comment by Billy Whizz

Hey Judy, you’re wrong. A bunch of us have known him, tragically worked for him and commented on him for years. He owes us big time. You wouldn’t know, you’ve only suffered him 2 minutes, we’ve had years of his shit.

Comment by Billy Whizz

if he’s such a flaming bag of dog doo why do you keep coming back, year after year? Doesn’t that say more about you, by far, than it does about him?

Comment by judyt54

You’ve never met him and you’re defending him. Crazy talk.

Comment by Billy Whizz

this might be why you dont have a relationship past 3 fucking minutes billy. be nice to the lady. she doesnt know how mental campbell is so stop being a dick, shell find out soon enough. he might have been semi fucking quiet for a week but thats a week closer to him spouting his planning bollocks. you wait and see.

Comment by andy@cynic

and yes you should all be fucking proud at my maturity. what a sad fucking day it is for humanity.

Comment by andy@cynic

im not going to play wordgames, darlin’. thats an old old trick to change the subject when someone gets too close to the mark. Nice try.

Comment by judyt54

no hes right judy. campbell is a mental case but he’s our fucking mental case.

Comment by andy@cynic

andy, ive been on message boards and forums and blogs for a very long time, and whizzbilly doesnt bother me. I wont argue with him, which is what he apparently wants me to do. thats a lot like arguing religion with a born again; they have all the answers and the book to prove it.

and thank you for calling me a lady. =) i knew there was a mature (!) gent in there somewhere.

<<twirling her lacy parasol and exiting, stage left<<

Comment by judyt54

Thank you for trying to defend me Judy but many of the guys on here are old friends or colleagues [mainly colleagues, ha] so we have a lot of banter going on, built over 15 years, so their comments aren’t meant to offend and even if they were, they aren’t. But thanks again.

Comment by Rob

Rob, its okay. really. Im not sure i was defending anyone, just commenting. If Billy Whiz wants to get his jollies by beating up a lady *g* then he will. no biggie.
I figger if they bothered YOU you’d not be here. and if you bothered them they’d not be here.

I guess we were just getting down to personalities and its obvious they–and you–go back a long way. And that is rare, and very cool. So. there.

Comment by judyt54

I bet even GFW misses this blog

Comment by Northern

Congratulations Rob, 1 week of semi silence. Every day your son isn’t born, I wonder how much you wish you had posted. Hope Jill is doing well.

Comment by Bazza

bazza, since your name also links commercially to Apple (unfair unfair) i cant respond to you up there–I like chrome just fine, btw its google in general I avoid. And dont get me started about user satisfaction. thats another topic better suited for another place, perhaps.

Comment by judyt54

I have to admit you have lasted longer than I expected Rob. Any baby news yet?

Comment by Pete

That’s the first time anyone’s said that.

Comment by John

Oh my sides. My sides.

And no baby news yet Pete. He’s due on the 8th but the DR said they think he’s going to be late. With a bit of luck, he’ll be 4 days late because that would save me a fortune in hospital bills … which almost guarantees he’s going to be born just before that deadline.

Comment by Rob

i fucking hope your kid arrives on the 11th december at 11:45pm. that would be fucking perfect. except youre having him in china so you can probably bribe the fucking quacks to lie on the birth certificate. fucking foiled again. fuck.

Comment by andy@cynic

[…] have come, some have gone … some have even gone and then come back … and even this blog supposedly closed down only to start up again because I’m a sad, sadomasochistic fool … but the fact is I have […]

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