The CONTINUANCE of Jay/Day
I got myself into quite a pickle last week. While trying to process the news of Bob Dion's death, and then Guy Day's death, I got e-ttacked by two women to took great offense to my earlier email which chastised people for not submitting more comments.
I was called an "asshole" by both of them. I went ballistic, which is how I react these days to criticism. No, this wasn't criticism, these were grenades. And since I have maintained this site for seven years for no pay, and had been sitting at my desk at home all week working on the site, I really flew off the handle, the end result being that I decided to pull down the site.
Many people immediately wrote emails to me asking me to reconsider; some posted comments to this posting.
It was Robert Chandler's words that finally calmed me down. As you can see in his comment, which is attached to this post, he said the wisest words: "In the immortal words of Jay, Give them the old Chiat/Day welcome. You know, ignore them.'
So the site will continue and the few cranks out there who object to something I write are welcome to express them. When banshees come after me, I will try to realize it just comes with the territory.
Steve Alburty
Comments
Gee, the day after I finally find this website and have the chance to reconnect with all the Chiat/Day and Night alums I've known - it gets shut down.
That really sucks!
Posted by: Chuck Silverman | January 22, 2010 02:11 PM
Steve, I think everybody who comes here -- even the people who took great umbrage and responded in such intemperate language -- would suffer new grief if you abandon the site.
You are providing a great service with Jay/Day. And, most importantly, you are fulfilling your self-created mission to honor and keep fresh the memory of one of the more singular and fascinating personalities ever to visit our planet.
Jay himself attracted far more and worse brickbrats than the ones just visited upon you.
In the immortal words of Jay, "Give them the old Chiat/Day welcome. You know, ignore them."
best,
-robert c
Posted by: Robert Chandler | January 22, 2010 02:29 PM
Oh Steve...you're not really going to let 2 people get to you like that, are you? I started in 1980 at Chiat/Day when they were at the Biltmore. Although I knew both throughout the years (I was at C/D for 18 years), I knew Guy much better. For now, I will say...don't you think Guy would be telling you something like "...you're going to let that make you quit?" Of course, not in those words. Those two should show a little more class...if they don't want to share, then don't say anything!
Posted by: Virginia Casas (Trujillo) | January 22, 2010 04:12 PM
Say it aint so Steve! Through this website you have single-handedly reunited hundreds, done humanitarian good works and most importantly, made us all feel part of something special. I don't personally know either of these women but perhaps they help to answer Jay's question " how big do we get before we get bad?" They might just be part of the too big part. Those of us in the smaller part love you to pieces.
Posted by: Sharon Teal Conklin | January 22, 2010 11:33 PM
Wow. After coming to jayday almost hourly in the past week to read the wonderful and heartfelt tributes to Bob (and pass them along to Ben, in case he missed any), I was away from my computer for a few days and seem to have missed some pretty exciting stuff.
I know that I'm on a long list of of CD alumni (by marriage, in my case) who are deeply grateful to you, Steve, for changing your mind and not shutting this site down. I have been able to read about and recently reconnect with some of my favorite people in the world whom I met during that wonderful era and have lost touch with over the years. The end of jayday would be a very sad thing for so many people.
Thanks, my friend, for all your blood, sweat and (I know) the tears you shed for this site. Please know how much you are appreciated by so many.
Much love, Louise
Posted by: Louise Seeley | January 24, 2010 03:36 PM
Hi Steve, Yes, I am wife #1. We did have a very beautiful yet sad funeral for Bob. Thank you for the whole idea of Jay/Day. My sons and grandsons and I have been very moved by all the comments. We are also grateful that Bob was buried close to Frank,....and close enough for us to visit both. All my best for the continuance of the website,...and thanks again...Nancy Dion
Posted by: Nancy Dion | January 26, 2010 01:18 PM
Beyond my comprehension that someone could get hostile to you in response to your simple request. Glad the site is where it belongs.
Posted by: pen pendleton | January 26, 2010 06:05 PM