“You’ve been so busy lately that you haven’t had the time.” – Damon Albarn.
Don’t Stop Living Becomes Ridiculous this week: I’m the Busiest Person in the World – crossing from Senegal to Gambia yesterday
Yes I found a computer and this is a live blog!! This is ridiculous, how did life get this busy? Yet somehow, I found time and a laptop at this hotel to write this, I had to get it down while it’s fresh! I’m in Africa on a crazy challenge the #MSMLostLuggage challenge, this one, and yet I am too too busy to do anything. When I write up these stories people will not believe me. Senegal to Gambia was lunacy, pure lunacy, I crossed a border that everyone in Dakar told me was closed, would take 3 days to do it properly, was dangerous and ruled by mafia. None of it was dangerous, none of it was closed, border guards were helpful and it took me 12 hours. And why oh why is this happening to me? It’s too crazy. On the busiest week and the only week in 6 years without a laptop or internet access, I suddenly get all this…all at once and I must be honest, I cannot cope with it. What can a man do? I pour my Northern Irish heart out, one more time. What is going on?
This happened this week:
1.I’m contacted by the BBC, asked to work with them on an exciting project. Usually would be straight in there, contemplating it.
2.I’m contacted by the old Grammar School I hated asking to make amends again and write for their magazine (actually considering letting them back in despite my hate). The same week as the 22 year anniversary of the Great Exam Heist.
3.I’m told by my server and host that this website will now cost me $10,000 to upgrade and update. Ouch – I will be in so much debt again.
4.I have about 30 emails from genuine advertisers in the space of a week, worth about $10,000 to me, though it’s hard work and I won’t do that just to cover the debt owed.
5.Invited to Greece on a free trip. Ridiculous.
6.Invited to Portugal on a free trip. Ridiculous.
7.Invited to Puerto Rico on a free trip. Ridiculous.
8.Invited to Albania and Macedonia on a free trip. Ridiculous.
9.I’m supposed to be editing the Here We Go Again fanzine in time for Euro 2016, our first edition in 12 years.
10.I’m getting emails after emails from people asking why I haven’t replied. AH!!! I am in Africa, no laptop, I will reply to ALL of them when I can.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg, I simply have no time to do any of this and live my life anymore. The book will never be finished or released until I start saying no to offers and until I stop moving.
I keep trying to, but look at the last month of my life –
Kyrgyzstan – Russia – Germany – Austria – England – Lovely – Turkey – Mauritania – Senegal – Gambia. 25 different beds, met my best mates and my youngest brother, and I am trying to get my head together. BUT BUT BUT.
But the craziest news is I am in love with somebody. I am totally in love with this lady, she is so special. I normally try to keep things private, and for her I will. But I’ve said it, I’m so scared again. How did I meet such a wonderful person so soon after I split with Panny? Oh my.
“In my imagination there is no complication. I dream about you all the time. In my mind a celebration, the sweetest of sensation, thinking you could be mine.” – Kylie Minogue
$10,000 to keep this website running??? Or just spend that money on moving and travelling with someone I love and be done with the whole thing once and for all.
I share way too much on here and didn’t expect to write anything from Africa at all, but this resort, the epic FIVE STAR Coco Ocean Resort is the best place I have ever stayed in. Bar none. This is travel bliss, you won’t believe it.
Oh my oh my. On with the show. What can I do?
The amazing Coco Ocean Resort in Gambia
Go be with her, Jonny! If she is wanting the same thing in return, then do it. Remember, you only became a full time travel blogger about 3 1/2 years ago, but have been blogging on DSL for nearly 9 years out of pure passion for the love of travel and football. You have nothing to lose at this point.
The only other thing that I would seriously sit down and consider is that BBC project as it sounds quite interesting and enticing! Doesn’t matter what the project is, the fact that you are working on something with the BBC is something great to add to your resume and further increase your credibility as a travel expert. Who knows what opportunities might open for you down the road even if you do stop travelling full time as a professional blogger? Good luck!
Wow! Sounds like quite a lot of developments! It is quite a conundrum eh? I hope there can be a little bit of both – love and the website!! 🙂
Hang in there mate.
Hi Steve, thanks for the comment, always cool to have a newcomer to my site, really appreciate it. Best wishes and safe travels. Jonny
Hi Ray, great advice thanks. It’s so busy with DSL and everything these days. I’ll always blog in some capacity but it’s time to follow my dreams of Euros and love. Safe travels. Jonny
Hey Jonny, I freelance and work in webdesign and 10,000 to keep a website running sounds VERY steep….why is it so expensive? Just asking in case you might be getting ripped off. Take care!
I Johny,
I had recently subscribed to your blog and today – looking at the flood of updates from you, wanted to delete my subscription.
Then – I read this blog post, and said to myself “Hey – this is the kind of news I like to read – about people who are not afraid to do what they believe they should (or perhaps people who do it even if they are afraid a bit).”
So yes – I will stay on and continue to subscribe to your posts, and derive energy from you.
Please Keep it up – you do inspire people 🙂
Hey Jonny, go with the Beeb, pay off the server. 10 grand! Sounds a tad high to me, maybe you should try to find a new hosting service. All those destinations? Follow your heart mate.
Ted recently posted…Kicking it off in Porto
How the hell is it costing that much to host and upgrade the website, really? I used to do freelance web-design Jonny and to me that sounds like bullshit. Before you make any decisions regarding the site make sure you are given a full breakdown of the costs and exactly what they will be doing!
Hope you have enjoyed Senegal, you certainly have had a crazy time recently, I hope to be able to continue reading about your travels and adventures – Your blog has been an inspiration to me for several years now, keep on going, but always follow your heart too!
Hi Paul, I also thought that $10,000 US a year is too much. Even as a professional travel blogger, I can no longer afford to pay this much so I will look at other options as soon as I have time as this site is my life and I love it. Thanks for following – Senegal was brilliant. Safe travels. Jonny
Hi Sthitapragnya, thanks so much for the comment. It means a lot. I only ever write from the heart and from the crazy journey that life has taken us on. Some of us document our lives, some don’t. I’m happy and sad that my whole life is now online, but as I don’t know another lifestyle anymore, I just continue with it. Safe travels. Jonny
Hi Ferdinand, thanks for the comment. Yes it’s too expensive. This is just a travel blog, it’s not a $10,000 website even if it’s worth more than that, I’d never pay that for hosting as I would then be bankrupt and back on the streets busking. I’ll have to move servers as soon as I can as my passion for writing always over rides the money element of travel blogging. And since I’m the longest running one man travel blog in existence that has been to over 110 countries and every continent, I want to keep it going forever. Safe travels. Jonny
Hi Ted, thanks for the comment. Yes it’s too high. I’ll need to find a new server to host this site, will keep you all updated. Safe travels. Jonny
Hello Jonny,
Thank you for great article, I love your blog. I hope you go travel with woman you love!
Hi Carlos, I wish so too, thanks for the positive thoughts. Though I am out of love completely now and in deep depression. Regards, Jonny