Meet your new God... I mean mod

"Dusty Ventures" (dustyventures) 01/09/2020 at 10:32 • Filed to: None

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100

Be excellent to each other. Or bun will come for your soul.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Dusty Ventures 01/09/2020 at 10:36

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I assume this is in actuality a real announcement.

Congrats, Stef!

Gamecat235 > Dusty Ventures 01/09/2020 at 10:40

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MonkeePuzzle > Dusty Ventures 01/09/2020 at 10:45

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Thank you for these kind words of introduction. We all knew eventually I would be made a moderator of this fine institution , and I will do my best to only ban people who deserve it, or post on tuesdays, you know, real irritating people.

random001 > Dusty Ventures 01/09/2020 at 10:46

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It’s burning into my soul...

Svend > Dusty Ventures 01/09/2020 at 10:46

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Congratulation s Stef.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Dusty Ventures 01/09/2020 at 10:49

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From the Arch Duke Maxyenko Vinyl Library

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > random001 01/09/2020 at 10:53

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You feel it’s hunger

dogisbadob > Dusty Ventures 01/09/2020 at 10:55

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Hi

MonkeePuzzle > Dusty Ventures 01/09/2020 at 10:56

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I have reviewed the official list of moderators, and I do not see “Bun” on there:

vondon302 > Dusty Ventures 01/09/2020 at 10:58

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Oh god it's looking right thru me.

$kaycog > Dusty Ventures 01/09/2020 at 10:58

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Yay, Stef!

ttyymmnn > Dusty Ventures 01/09/2020 at 10:58

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Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > MonkeePuzzle 01/09/2020 at 10:59

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oh man theres a lot of names on that list that we dont see so much anymore lol

MonkeePuzzle > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 01/09/2020 at 11:00

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its a little sad, but at the same time, the joy of Oppo has been its continued rebirth with new members changing what and how we post over and over.

It’d be dull if it were the same crew since the beginning. 

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Dusty Ventures 01/09/2020 at 11:06

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What if we were soulless to begin with?

Dusty Ventures > MonkeePuzzle 01/09/2020 at 11:10

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Check again (also formatting on mobile is hot garbage)

MonkeePuzzle > Dusty Ventures 01/09/2020 at 11:12

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yes! ugh. my mobile won’t scroll all the way left, it hides half a character and a half. I’d like to speak to new mod Bun about this issue

MonkeePuzzle > Dusty Ventures 01/09/2020 at 11:13

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tee hee hee. and now I need to photoshop a puffalump army

For Sweden > Dusty Ventures 01/09/2020 at 11:17

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Oh thank goodness now I can do even less moderation

MonkeePuzzle > Dusty Ventures 01/09/2020 at 11:20

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you think Bun is scary! The Chicken appears to have become Thor God of Thunder (and opponauts)

not my art, linky link

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > Dusty Ventures 01/09/2020 at 11:20

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Welcome to the hive...er, I mean team.

MonkeePuzzle > MonkeePuzzle 01/09/2020 at 11:21

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lol, and here everyone acknowldging Bun’s terrifying eyes long before promotion to God/Mod

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/hi-friends-1794152797

RallyWrench > Dusty Ventures 01/09/2020 at 11:43

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MAXIMUM PARSH

Urambo Tauro > Dusty Ventures 01/09/2020 at 11:43

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HELP

Chariotoflove > Dusty Ventures 01/09/2020 at 11:48

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That’s even scarier than the Dread Pirate Roberts. 

MonkeePuzzle > For Sweden 01/09/2020 at 11:50

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will Stef be posting to twitter in this dire time of need?

HammerheadFistpunch > For Sweden 01/09/2020 at 11:54

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Stef Schrader > MonkeePuzzle 01/09/2020 at 12:11

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Please do. They’re hungry for vengeance. 

Stef Schrader > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/09/2020 at 12:12

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> Stef jokes about being mod
> Stef gets mod powers

I’m going to joke about getting a job next, I think . Ha ha, see, that’s funny because nowhere would actually hire me.

Stef Schrader > random001 01/09/2020 at 12:13

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You say “soul,” Fluffy says “snack.”

Stef Schrader > Gamecat235 01/09/2020 at 12:13

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ULTIMATE PUFFALUMP DOMINATION

Stef Schrader > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 01/09/2020 at 12:14

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Accurate. 

Stef Schrader > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 01/09/2020 at 12:17

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*its

Signed,

An out of work editorial-type out for vengeance

Stef Schrader > ttyymmnn 01/09/2020 at 12:17

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they’re very soft

Stef Schrader > MonkeePuzzle 01/09/2020 at 12:18

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I’ll be bogged down with other work and using the bathroom a lot

Stef Schrader > MonkeePuzzle 01/09/2020 at 12:18

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Fun fact: That art was SO good that Mom set it as her computer background at work. 

Stef Schrader > MonkeePuzzle 01/09/2020 at 12:19

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Stef Schrader > Urambo Tauro 01/09/2020 at 12:19

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hahahaha

Stef Schrader > MonkeePuzzle 01/09/2020 at 12:21

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it’s PUFFALUMP THURSDAY, SUBMIT TO MY SOFT AND CUDDLY POWER

Stef Schrader > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/09/2020 at 12:21

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that’s a given

Stef Schrader > RallyWrench 01/09/2020 at 12:21

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From now on, non-parsh posts will receive 69 demerits, which I will not keep track of as nothing matters.

MonkeePuzzle > Stef Schrader 01/09/2020 at 12:25

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were I a furry, I suspect your statement would have had the opposite effect to its intend.

MonkeePuzzle > Stef Schrader 01/09/2020 at 12:26

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how very presidential of you

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Stef Schrader 01/09/2020 at 12:36

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Modded

Stef Schrader > MonkeePuzzle 01/09/2020 at 12:36

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FLUFFY ISN’T FURRY. FLUFFY IS A NEVERENDING FOUNTAIN OF ETERNAL PAIN.

RallyWrench > Stef Schrader 01/09/2020 at 12:40

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As long as Parsh posts inversely get the same number of...merits?  

Stef Schrader > RallyWrench 01/09/2020 at 12:44

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parsh posts are the only posts

facw > Dusty Ventures 01/09/2020 at 12:57

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Congrats! I actually thought Stef was a mod already, and was surprised to learn recently that she wasn ’t. If only I had simply thought of correcting reality to match what was in my head.

In any event:  https://oppositelock.kinja.com/1831161266

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Stef Schrader 01/09/2020 at 13:19

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Humorously, if you lived out here, liked making pretty documents/reports, and were willing to work for pay that would be insufficient to live here, I bet my team would love to have you.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Dusty Ventures 01/09/2020 at 13:50

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Shit now it’s going to be drastically harder to make fun of the species of a specific bird lump without getting banned lol

random001 > Stef Schrader 01/09/2020 at 13:52

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Unless I truly feel that it is the embodiment of hunger...

random001 > Stef Schrader 01/09/2020 at 13:52

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.....crap....

facw > MonkeePuzzle 01/09/2020 at 13:58

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Seen here in their troop transport:

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Stef Schrader 01/09/2020 at 14:02

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Saw your joke - not surprised it turned into the real deal.

So, how about we do this, current- OPPO- mod-who-needs-a-job ? Let’s see if we can turn this place into a real deal feeder system for quality automotive journalism (perhaps supported by ads and/or subs at https://oppositelock.com/ ) that eventually will be able to pay out a share of proceeds to authors . We could set it up like a non-profit business, of sorts, whose goal is to provide a place for great automotive journalism. After covering maintenance costs, all profits would go to the authors (and the ones making the site function). You’ve got experience and connections, so you could be our first editor-in-chief.

Jalopnik was at its best when there was a strong connection between the Jalop & OPPO communities, and writers here actually had a shot of having their stuff published on “the front page”. Since that’s no longer a possibility, let’s figure ourselves out a new Front Page. Maybe we just call it OPPO Front Page! I’m certainly game for rebranding https://oppositeblog.kinja.com/ if that would assist in that effort. Clearly, we can’t make money here on Kinja, so the Best of Best of OPPO articles would have to get moved over to OppositeLock.com for more public consumption , but honestly I feel like there’s an actual business here. We’ve already got this amazing community, and some name recognition in the business. Getting more “official” will eventually mean access to press cars and events for you and others.

I honestly don’t think this is as stupid as it all sounds. LOL

Dusty Ventures > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/09/2020 at 14:21

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Team Duck will always be welcome in oppo

For Sweden > MonkeePuzzle 01/09/2020 at 14:53

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It’s always a dire situation on twitter dot com

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Dusty Ventures 01/09/2020 at 15:49

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Oh thank god.

QUACK QUACK

pip bip - choose Corrour > Dusty Ventures 01/09/2020 at 18:11

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I’m doomed 

Stef Schrader > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/09/2020 at 21:31

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I mean, the money part is the issue. Part of the downfall of front page shares was the part where we weren’t paying people for their labor. I miss being able to spotlight community goings-on because it grew the Oppo community and it was always fun to get that coveted FP share. (Hell, that’s how I and several other writers got my foot in the door to begin with!) But I think if that ever comes back, there should be some budget to properly syndicate pieces over with a lil’ fee. Good work is worth money!

The profit-sharing model is a cool one and I feel like that would encourage writers to take real ownership of the site and its community , but getting to the point where things will be profitable would be the tough part.

On my end, I honestly don’t have time to put in quality work for free right now when job applications are nuking most of my extra time and piece-by-piece work is all I’ve really got to pay the bills. (Have I mentioned how much I loathe freelancing today? Probably.) I feel exhausted, I’m extra nervous whenever I apply to a job I want but feel like I inevitably won’t get as that’s what always happens, there’s this pervasive feeling that I’m the leftover in this industry that no one wants to hire aaaaaaand I’m pretty down lately because of it. Everyone else seems to land on their feet except me.

I’ve even struggled to get parshletters out lately because it’s all so damn depressing, and I feel like a deadbeat accordingly. Things are at least looking up on the depression front (big difference: I finally found a medication that seems to work for the first time in years) and I’m gradually catching back up to my normal-ish levels of functional pessimism, but yeah. I just want to have a steady income with decent health insurance with a job I like again, and only have to pitch one outlet to get a steady stream of good work done. I miss having the time to dive into longer, more complicated and/or more research-intensive stuff so much that it hurts. I don’t want to worry about when my invoices are going to come in, or if any of my dumb pitches are actually going to go anywhere. I’m depressed as hell still having to file unemployment when most of my colleagues are finding actual jobs. It’s all damn exhausting. I want it to be over.

Back on topic, though—an Oppo blog would have a decent built-in readership from the start between here and the spin-off communities on other networks, but it’s still an uphill battle to build that audience up and land lucrative ad deals accordingly. TBH, I prefer letting the sponsored post/commerce guys go nuts and do cool work over filling the page with invasive ads and godawful 1998-style chumboxes that can’t be getting much more money, but I’m also not a herb! But that would need a solid biz-side content studio, and that’s more cash to spin.

IDK! I’d love to see someone with the proper resources and perhaps network ties (as being able to cross-post has helped Jalopnik a lot over the years, FWIW) have a go at it, but it’s a big uphill battle without a decent investment from someone who supports what you’re doing.

Stef Schrader > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 01/09/2020 at 21:33

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“Pay that would be insufficient to live here” is the rub there. Gonna politely pass on that one.

Stef Schrader > facw 01/09/2020 at 23:37

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beep beep

Stef Schrader > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/09/2020 at 23:41

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don’t be mean to Rally Chicken

Stef Schrader > Dusty Ventures 01/09/2020 at 23:41

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Y ou may enjoy your ducks, but Rally Chicken is a chicken.

Stef Schrader > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/09/2020 at 23:42

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CLUCK CLUCK, GUESS WHO’S GOT THE POWERS?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Stef Schrader 01/10/2020 at 10:16

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“getting to the point where things will be profitable would be the tough part” - Yeah, you’re right.

Very glad you’ve got your medication figured out. Hope a good job follows very soon. I know automotive is your love, but are there other topics that you would be happy to write about? Just spitballing. I know plenty of autojournos who have done stints writing about other stuff.

Good input on all this - I just loved the symbiotic relationship that existed between OPPO & Jalopnik for a while, and would love to see something like that come to life again (with the addition of the authors actually profiting from their good work).

thejustache > Stef Schrader 01/10/2020 at 10:22

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As someone that found Oppo just a few months before the FP shares stopped (and still considers that in some ways the golden era of Jalopnik and Oppo), thanks for the level headed insider update. Glad to hear there is at least a ray of light on the depression front, and I hope you’re able to catch a break on the job front soon. I know personally my favorite articles are always from people actually going out and doing car things, and you always had (have?) that in spades.

Welcome mod overlord. Y ou were the one that initially ungreyed me on the FP, I suppose it’s only fair you have the right to banhammer me if needed

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Stef Schrader 01/10/2020 at 10:23

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I don’t know what your relationship with Ballaban is like, but if you’re close, I’d encourage him to find a way to reintroduce the OPPO/Jalopnik bond. Honestly, I think it’s a way for Jalopnik to actually survive and thrive going forward (there’s GOLD in these OPPO hills!) . Clearly, there’d need to be more structure and rules and editorial oversight than there was in the past, but motivating authors with like $100 per FP share plus a view-based incentive might be a way to do it.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Stef Schrader 01/10/2020 at 11:21

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This is such a dil emma for me, because I love rally so much but I also love teasing you about it being a duck so much.

ALSO, since in your other reply you said “ you got the powers” I’ll have you know I tried to convince the major automotive company I do advertising for to start a Dakar Rally team this year and I recommended you as a driver (this company is normally short on cash and there are some solid discounts to the Dakar registration for 1. first time Dakar drivers and 2. female drivers [ I guess they are promoting diversity in driving at an event in....Saudi Arabia?....]). Unfortunately they didn’t take my idea and they just didn’t go to Dakar. Massive missed opportunity for them in my opinion.

Would’ve been cool to see the Rally Duck conquer the des ert!

Dusty Ventures > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/11/2020 at 20:31

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One of the main reasons front page shares stopped (and why it’s unlikely they’ll return anytime soon) was (as you alluded) the lack of oversight. Authors in Oppo and other sites were fabricating events, using photos without authorization, and in some cases straight up copying stories from elsewhere and presenting it as their own. This created some pretty serious issues for the GMG staff and was the nail in the coffin for shares. To bring back Oppo content on the FP there would need to be a dedicated staff making sure everything is original content, is factual, and all photos/media are used with authorization. The resources to reliably do that don’t currently exist on their side or ours.

The other issue is that Oppo is, of course, ad free, so Jalopnik never made any money off those Oppo views

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Dusty Ventures 01/11/2020 at 21:01

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Yeah, I know. Assholes always manage to ruin the best things...

Stef Schrader > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/11/2020 at 22:36

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Hard pass on competing in a country that doesn’t treat me as an equal just because I don’t have a wiener. Dakar can eat turds for chasing the money to Saudi freaking Arabia instead of, oh, I don’t know, maybe a country that doesn’t routinely murder those who speak out against their garbage leadership?

And yes, Saudi Arabia is using these series to gloss over its wanton disrespect for human rights. The small concessions to women still don’t make up for the fact that the women who pushed for that reform were still in jail over it, last I looked. Or the fact that male “guardians” control nearly every aspect of a woman’s life.

I know other series do it, too, but Dakar’s move left such a bad taste in my mouth that I’ve barely been following it at all this year. I’m a crappy driver, but I’d much rather tackle Baja instead. Mexico lets me party as an equal, man.

Stef Schrader > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/11/2020 at 22:40

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I’m down to try something else, but nothing’s answering. I’ve been looking at PR/marketing-side auto work since I know what the press/enthusiast hoards want to hear, but that’s gone nowhere, either. I’m boned.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Stef Schrader 01/11/2020 at 22:44

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Yeah, that’s the problem with most jobs here. It’s kind of like major cities in California...

You might actually think it’s good money , but then you’ll realize how expensive it is to live here. Lots of people do hellish commutes from deep suburbs or live in weird roommate situations as a result. Finding a place with a garage is like finding a needle in a haystack.

Stef Schrader > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/11/2020 at 22:44

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If the network was owned by an actual, responsible adult, I’d be all for passing this idea on to Ballaban (who remains a good dude). Unfortunately, the herb has shown himself to be a thin-skinned turdcanoe who isn’t afraid to abuse his power to nuke posts, comment sections, accounts and whole user-blogs that point out his unpleasant herb-ness, so this would be the wrong time to bring attention to the fact that Oppo exists on Nibbles’ fine servers here. Goodness knows, we don’t hold back with our opinions on the terrifying state of the network , and controlling what Oppo members say would kill the delightful chaos that is this place.

Stef Schrader > thejustache 01/11/2020 at 22:45

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hell yeah, thanks

(don’t worry, I am not a herb)

Stef Schrader > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 01/12/2020 at 02:05

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Austin’s nearly as bad anymore, which is why I’ve got cars sort of sprawled across Central Texas, haha.

I think I might be able to swing CA if I got the bump in pay I left Jalopnik looking for, but yeah. The rent is too damn high!!

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Stef Schrader 01/12/2020 at 18:58

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Austin is basically a colony of California expats that were priced out, so that’s not surprising. Storing your cars in cheap locations is a smart move.

I’m in the Seattle metro, which is like a slightly lighter version of San Francisco.

Stef Schrader > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 01/12/2020 at 21:08

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Excuse me, those are fighting words and I will personally send you to the grey gulag with my newfound mod-powers if you insinuate that those Californian poseurs are taking over the joint.

I used to live in Seattle. It was insane when I lived there, and appears to have only gotten worse after we moved out.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Stef Schrader 01/12/2020 at 22:15

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Eh, so many are fleeing CA that it’s affecting many cities. Portland and Austin are obsessed with remaining “weird” as they’re being overrun. Boise is trying to come up with a way to make it more expensive for them to move there (and drive prices up to the point that the locals can’t afford to live there anymore). Phoenix and Las Vegas have been destinations for so long that they don’t even have a local culture anymore.

Seattle has similar problems...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Stef Schrader 01/13/2020 at 09:18

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Bummer - I always thought getting a job out at Harris Hill -- even part time -- would be fun for you (or at COTA, for that matter).

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Stef Schrader 01/13/2020 at 09:19

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Yeah, that sucks. Hard to encourage any moves that might enrich that dude...

Stef Schrader > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/13/2020 at 11:53

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I don’t have time for part-time right now. Even existing freelance stuff while trying to find a job makes both feel impossible. I need actual steady pay and benefits ASAP.

Any track gig better come with unlimited time to hoon it. Harris Hill might be down (they ARE hoons, after all), but COTA doesn’t seem like they’d let me, haha. As much as I love both, H2R doesn’t really need another person (although I have manned flag stations, mowed the infield, gone out to pull in dead cars and flag marshals, and done a number of other odd jobs out there before), and COTA’s been a bit of a drama-fest in its first years. Goodness knows, I left here because of too much drama, haha.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Stef Schrader 01/13/2020 at 12:52

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G iving my multitude of ellipses and the question mark, i definitely agree on all that. I j ust wanted to give the Rally Duck a factory ride at a big name race!

I know their are plenty of obstacles, but I’d really like to see Dakar go back to Africa. You’re 100% right that they chased the money over to Saudi Arabia. South America was a cool location for it for a while.

Sounds like I just need to convince them to go to Baja instead!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Stef Schrader 01/13/2020 at 14:19

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Right - full-time + benefits... Spitballing here:

https://utaustin.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/UTstaff/job/UT-MAIN-CAMPUS/Communications-Coordinator_R_00007457

https://utaustin.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/UTstaff/job/UT-MAIN-CAMPUS/Communications-Associate_R_00007574

Get a campus job and then get involved with this as a staff helper:

https://www.longhornracing.org/

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Stef Schrader 01/13/2020 at 21:16

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If you didn’t already see this... forget your thoughts on relocating.

Stef Schrader > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/16/2020 at 05:02

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A bit far out of my a e s t h e t i c there, TBH. (Plus, I’m better at the writing side than with social media.)

Either way, Sniff Petrol’s parodies were spot-on: https://twitter.com/sniffpetrol/status/1134179236636479489?lang=en

Stef Schrader > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/16/2020 at 05:05

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I look there every now and then since it’d be convenient. UT’s pretty close to home . Pay is on the lower side, but the + on that line is encouraging.

Stef Schrader > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/16/2020 at 05:11

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HEY! She’s a chicken!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Stef Schrader 01/16/2020 at 09:27

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So, there’s no “Fancy Stef”? =)

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Stef Schrader 01/16/2020 at 09:39

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Seriously - I’d pursue it. Some steady pay and benefits while you continue to freelance could be a good go-between before you land your dream job. AND being involved with an FSAE team (even if you were just their media person) could lead to a series of great stories (and encourage young people to get involved with these groups when they head to college). I wish I’d joined in with my college’s team back then...

Looks like they have the regular FSAE, an electric, and solar, too. So many stories!

https://www.americansolarchallenge.org/2019/12/11/fsgp-2020-is-coming-to-heartland-motorsports-park/

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Stef Schrader 01/16/2020 at 11:48

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The upside of working for Petrolicious is meeting guys (and gals) like this:

It’s only a machine...

Purchased for $2,225, sold for:

https://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1955-ferrari-500-mondial-series-ii/

Stef Schrader > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/16/2020 at 15:46

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Stef just admitted to picking what she wears based on what doesn’t smell that day.

Stef Schrader > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/16/2020 at 15:49

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Yeah, UT’s got some good stuff. I probably should’ve gone there. Baylor didn’t have anything like that when I was a student, and I would’ve loved to be involved somehow.

I know a few folks who work over at UT and have applied to stuff in the past there, but it just hasn’t gone anywhere.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Stef Schrader 01/16/2020 at 15:49

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LOL

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Stef Schrader 01/16/2020 at 15:52

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Yeah well... bears > bulls

Can’t hurt to try again, and you might be able to connect with the FSAE group regardless of any staff connection. I’m sure they’d love for you to do a feature or three and put them up on The Drive (or elsewhere).

Stef Schrader > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/16/2020 at 16:23

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My least favorite kind of coverage in the universe (short of car watches) are auctions , though. It’s mostly rich bores spending the kind of money that’s unfathomable to most readers . Skip to the part where you use the cars.

This dude seems cool as hell and I LOVE a good restoration story, though . Most of Petrolicious’ videos just aren’t my thing . Too many pretty Instagram men, not enough burnouts. (I guess I’m more firmly on the Hoonigan end of the spectrum of YouTubery.)

I won’t put anyone on blast, but my least favorite Build of the Week was the very Petrolicious-ready “Instagram bait” car. The owners really wanted more product promotion in the article than I was comfortable doing here, where business is strictly separate from the editorial side. I can acknowledge the activities that enable you to put together a cool build, but that’s about it, else the editors wonder what I’m up to . Worse yet, I got a correction from the shop that did most of the build AFTER the article published noting that the owners paid them to do a LOT of the work.

I was mortified when I heard from their shop because it made me look like I didn’t do my due diligence. There aren’t many ways to fact check personal build stories, and I trusted owners to be honest with me about their own cars. Problem was, t hese guys made it sound like they were more involved with the dirty work than they really were. After that, I went for pitches that had more interesting technical challenges or some other solid evidence that the owner either built the car, or acknowledged who built it and could put me in touch with the builder.

That column was never intended for Fancy Man cosplay and I have no patience for the kind of poseurs who put more effort into color-coordinating their driving gloves with their hood straps than they do wrenching on their cars.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Stef Schrader 01/16/2020 at 17:03

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Yeah, lots of fancy boys, for sure, but I am glad Petrolicious exists for the gems like these they capture. Also, I’m a sucker for great video/audio production. They care .

Sound like that story was a good learning experience: writer beware, you never know what your subject is selling!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Stef Schrader 01/17/2020 at 10:17

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If I ever succeed at getting you a factory ride I’m going to make sure it says RALLY DUCK - QUACK QUACK on the side of the vehicle.

This particular company will probably chicken out  of any real race opportunity though :( I’ll keep pushing it on them though.

Stef Schrader > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/17/2020 at 11:32

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I’d have to issue a correction on the side, then. Rally Chicken is a chicken!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Stef Schrader 01/21/2020 at 09:33

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Can’t change the car, part of the deal