In 2006 I was checking out a forum for writers and saw a post from one of the founders saying that they were starting a blogging network and needed writers. I decided to check out what was available and I saw that there was a toy collecting blog up for grabs. At that time they wanted ten posts a week and I wondered if I could actually write that much about toys on a consistent basis. Nearly three years later and after over a thousand posts, Toy Bender is done.
What happened? Well, the network apparently wasn’t making enough money to keep paying the bloggers. We all figured that the writing was on the wall earlier this week. After having been locked out of all the blogs with no word from the head honchos, the person who was our liaison between us and the owner was laid off. The other bad sign was that the network forums were also deleted at the same time. Nobody knew for sure what was going on, until the confirmation that it was officially over came today in the form of an email from the network owner.
I want to thank everyone who enjoyed the site and especially to those of you who would regularly leave comments. I can’t begin to express how worthwhile it was to build a community of kick-ass individuals. It always made my day to see comments from you guys and gals, so I really must thank you for that. Through the comments and working on Toy Bender, I made a lot of online friends and acquaintances whom I’d otherwise be worse off for not having met them virtually. Hell, I wouldn’t be writing here if it hadn’t been for Poe leaving comments on the site back in the day. I’m really going to miss Toy Bender as a means of keeping up with the “fans” of the site and making new friends.
So what’s next for the guy behind Toy Bender? Well, I’m going to keep guest posting on Poe Ghostal’s POA for sure. Think of it as the coolest port in a storm anyone can ask for. I don’t think I can start another toy blog and build it from the ground up, especially right now. I’m also working on my personal blog The Robot’s Pajamas to make it like Toy Bender without the toys (you know fun), so you might want to check that out if you haven’t.
More important than any of that though, the Toys For Tots contest (i.e. Joes for Tots) will live on. I don’t think there’s any other thing I did at Toy Bender that gave me more joy than seeing the pictures of fellow toy collectors dropping toys off to the Toys For Tots organization. With Poe’s blessing the contest will be hosted here and I’m hoping that it can be even bigger than before with the help of sponsors and the proven success of last year’s contest.
Thanks again everyone! I think I’ll just close this out in the form of song and dance:
Monty Python
Nooooooooooooooooooooo!
Mark
Toy Bender was a really good site.
Chad B.
Sorry to see TB go 🙁 But I check Robot's PJs daily so there's that I guess. Looks like this site is going to be taking TB's place in my bookmarks toolbar.
Newton Gimmick
I was wondering what had been going on. Oh well, everything has it's time I suppose.
Hopefully you can continue to contribute here and elsewhere and provide entertaining content throughout.
googum
Toy Bender will be missed, but I'm glad to see you're not homeless. Um, blogless. And the Robot's Pajamas is swell!
Frowny McBeard
The road behind was rocky, but now you're feeling cocky. . .
hrdwrkngXsoldier
Well that suxors for the most def. I'm sorry to hear about that Paul. I'm excited to be continuing the Joe's for Tots vs. 2.0 this year. I'm actually going to be enlisting the aid of the radio station I was trying to get onboard last year, but didn't start early enough. I'm ready this time. Comic Evolution and I have a goal of raising about $50,000 in toys 5 times what we did last year. (can we get a logo this year that doesn't have the word idiots in it so I can use it 🙂 )
Emma
I'm sad to see Toy Bender go. 🙁
Great White Snark
It's the end of a hilarious, odoriferous era.
Monte
I'm glad I was there for its final year or so.
You'll move on to bigger and better, man.
LBAM
I too will miss Toybender. It was one of my first sources for info on toy collecting (once I really got into it, these past few years) and at times, served as a sort of justification of toy collecting. If other literate, writerly sorts like Paul could be into toy collecting, then shit, why couldn't I? I will gladly follow wherever your blogging path leads.
On a side note, is the thing telling me to post a comment one of the evil robots from Captain Power?
De
I discovered Toy Bender late in the game and instantly fell in love with the snappy, lightly snarky writing style. I'll definitely miss it while looking forward to more guest posts.
Paul
Wow, you guys know how to make a dude feel special. Thanks!
And LBAM, yes that's Soaron from Captain Power there. I think he's my favorite picture on this site.
Poe
He alternates w/ Warduke from the old LJN Dungeons and Dragons line, though.
chrispian
Wow, I hate to see this happen. Being one of the founders (I left a long time ago) I'm sad to see 451 close down. I found out via your post here myself. I can't believe they are all shut down. Too bad they couldn't find a way to keep them going. I'm sure most of the writers can find a good home.
Paul
Wow Chrispian, it's good to hear from you! I'm surprised that this is how you found out. You know, I really missed the glory days when you steve and kim would do the podcasts and all the contests.
chrispian
Yeah, I wish I had found out another way, as I'm sure you guys did. Nothing quite like showing up to work one day and the doors are locked. It's not the only blog network to end that way, sadly. We did have a blast in those early days. I think the network did some cool things and we had some very talented writers.
Drunken Fist
That's a damn shame, I read the blog regularly and enjoyed it. Best of luck to everyone who was negatively affected by this!
JJH
I'll miss the ToyBender blog but I look forward to catching your posts here and at TRP. Paul, don't you dare let The Man "break you stride."
jumper11
Please no… I promise I'll be good! I'll be a better reader, the best, don't go!
XeQUae
That SUCKS!!
Good to see you'll still be around posting on other sites….