The BeachGrit way!
Ok.
Without fluff or lead in… many of you want to know why Rory Parker left. I love BeachGrit, I really truly do, and and I love that we are transparent, that our disagreements play out in public, that we don’t hide, that we shoot first and question later. I love that you demand that from us. I wanted Rory to come back and answer why he left for himself.
The BeachGrit way!
But apparently he ain’t so I’ll explain as best as I can.
I don’t really know.
I mean, it had something to do with making fun of his damned Cori podcast, something to do with not being included in Derek and my conversations in the way he wanted to be, something about not being valued the way he thought he should be valued and not financially either just, I guess, emotionally.
All fine points but fucking hell. Not to peel the curtain back unnecessarily but Dez and I are both heads down on this thing from sunrise to sunset. It is very fun, fulfilling, etc. etc. but also relentless and at the day’s close I barely have energy for my own family. I definitely don’t have enough to soothe a manchild who refuses to use a phone.
Some of you wanted me to coddle the sensitive artist but that’s not what I do and Rory Parker didn’t deserve it. Maybe someday he’ll be a great Pulitzer prize winning author but today he is a quintessential millennial featuring a spark of talent but loaded with unearned entitlement.
I’ll miss his absence for you but I won’t miss it for me.
Commented on Disqus? Log out, tap the Disqus button, and your old name and comments come back. The box is ours.
Your comments are still here. Every one of them.
Twelve years of BeachGrit comments came across from Disqus. Connect and we will show you how many are yours. We get your username, nothing else.
Connect Disqus to reveal.
I’m late to the game here, and I don’t really know what went down. But I always thought it was strange how Rory’s articles all include his name in the title, like he’s a guest author. But he seemed to be just as prolific as Chas and Derek. And while 75% of the articles on this site are just words for the sake of fulfilling a one-post-a-day quota, Rory’s articles certainly seemed to have more effort put into them than Chas’s. So I can understand him feeling let-down by not being considered part of the team. And I don’t consider Rory less accomplished than Chas and Derek. Chas wrote a book about snagging one fucking interview, after all.
I don’t totally understand why you guys feel such a need to post so often when you have nothing to say, but it must have something to do with page views and money (note: I block google analytics as well as all ads on this site). I basically stopped reading this site because I was let down too many times by clickbaity Chas’s dumps. Since you guys seem to get boners from hearing criticism, I’ll shut up now. Except to note that anyone with half a brain can see right through this article (and I wasn’t even looking at the site when Rory quit).
“never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee.” (no , not ernest hemingway, john donne)
Umm I am 282 pages into Annie Proulx’s latest somewhat epic book, “Barkskins”, and strongly recommend it to anyone struggling with the writing staff here on BeachGrit.
The book focuses on the evolution of the human occupation of the Canadian wilderness over the past 350 years, and in its cool, detailed and superbly written reconstruction of the destruction of the forests and with it the animist sense of a natural world bears a vague resemblance to the progress of our own favorite activity over a similar period. But only a very vague resemblance because Ms Proulx’s telling spares nobody. The first 14 pages alone – during which a couple of young French woodcutters are led by a half-mad seigneur into the deep forest of the north American continent – are worth the price of this book.
Here is a writer and I believe free at the moment ?
Hope you still do some work for the horsie boys.
rory had/has that Hb grit… as OG as it gets and thats undebatable.. was looking forward to some more podcasts…….
Thanks for the insight on the situation Chas. First mistake was Mrs. Parker getting involved with the website. Second mistake was responding to her barbs. I’m sure that put the nail in the coffin regarding his return to BG. And Rory not having a phone would be annoying as fuck to deal with as a business partner. Best of luck BG, so far I still come here before going to stab. And Chas while your book cover annoys the crap out of me, it does catch the eye which is what matters. I still think you guys should share a round of beers to bury the hatchet, maybe a couple of boilermakers. I’m guessing that’s up to Rory though.
Pretty bummed about the loss of Rory. in the spirit of “free diving” I’m gonna hold my breath like a little kid hoping he comes back, full disclosure, I can only last a couple min at best so get this shit straightened out or let me know where Rory is going next.
Let’s see those metrosexual hipsters bitch slap each other, settle this shit like “men”.
I think Rory is neither metrosexual nor hipster….
much appreciate your coming clean, chas! i hold to my opinion, though.
yeah, having to deal with writers’ feelings (interesting ones, anyway) may be a pain in the ass, and i can understand getting sick of it (that’s why i’m not a manager).
but bottom line – this site won’t be as fun and lively without him, and its a pity you guys weren’t able to separate your managerial personas from your own writer selves enough to keep it rolling a while more.
Ding Dong the witch is dead! Unearned entitlement was spot on. Put all these comment commandos in the same situation in their jobs and see how they act. Holding hands and begging people to work isn’t worth it. Put out or get out people, shit isn’t free. To be included in something great you have to be involved. Being involved means number 1, communication. 2, action. 3, punctuality. 4, long suffering. 5, cheerful. 6, reliable. 7, dependable. 8, trust worthy. 9, honest. 10, available. These are not listed in sequential order, but do these things at work and the sky is the limit. Don’t do them, you’re gone…
Most of the surfers I know that fit your list started in their late 30’s and might get to surf one Saturday a month if their wife lets them. Are you sure you didn’t copy/paste from the Tony Robbins website?
This applies to me.
It sort of applies to me as well. I’m reading out of the article that Mr Parker faded away slowly. When dealing with Co-workers do you like not being able to reach them? When you do manage to get them, they haven’t met their deadline thus holding you back from meeting your deadline. That’s what it feels like happened here, but I’m speculating. Add a little poor me icing on top and you have yourself one pissed off boss. Again, I’m speculating.
No clue who Tony Robbins is. Should I? This is my list of qualifications that insure gainful employment at my company. I feel I should have prefaced a little more, but it’s a comment section on a surf related website. It’s already doomed to not be taken seriously, unless the surfing community makes some changes. I am 35 years old with a family and able to surf when I want to while holding down a six figure salary. Responsibility can be done while having fun. I must say in parker’s defense, if it wasn’t fun then it is next to impossible. I’m speculating.
Tony Robbins will change your life and that measly 6 figure salary is chump change after you’ve sat at his feet.
https://www.netflix.com/tit…
No thanks, but thanks anyways! I realize in the world that my salary is chump change and it doesn’t bother me one bit. I’m not greedy and wasn’t trying to boast. Bowing down at someone’s feet maybe for you, but it isn’t for me. Tony Robbins is a scam artists honey, similar to a fortune teller. They aren’t to be trusted and generally only have success with weak minded people. If you want to subscribe to whatever it is Mr Robbins teaches that is fine with me. I’m going with what works for me as listed above.
mentioning how much you earn when there was no enquiry is boasting
Maybe you’re right. The point was it is possible to be a surfer and hold down a job. I didn’t reference surfing at all in my little list there either. Those qualities really apply to anyone in the workforce. In general people that exhibit them aren’t earning a low salary. Is there a problem with having a sense of pride in one’s accomplishments?
Surfers are dumb? Rory has a book?
I’m betting it’s prolly the biggest collection of complains about dumb shit ever put together.
You should do what Joe Jackson did, Chas…beat the kids until they performed their best. Yeah, sure, you end up with a propofol addict and rumored child molester but think of the hits!
The relationship broke down over Cori Schumacher and it has just never recovered.
Rory you made a mistake getting your wife to go into bat for you over the exceedingly dull podcast. She took a shot at Chas and Derek, they fired a couple back. You have never got over it.
Lessons to be remembered.
Dude, don’t bring your wife to work and Cori Schumacher brings bad JuJu.
You would think someone that mocks surfers on a regular basis would have a thicker skin.
Sticks and stones…”Today he is a quintessential millennial featuring a spark of talent but loaded with unearned entitlement.” Wow! How big is your ego mate? Chas i think you may be lying to yourself if you don’t think Rory has contributed to this site at least honor that for brief moment. Me me me me. Hard to call someone out you don’t know. So going to stop.
Sounds like Chas is super butt hurt but wont take any of the blame. Now hes facing the consequences while venting his anger in a way to hopefully force readers to see it all his way.
Its cheap, and pretty childish, but all any of us do here is dick around in the ocean trying grasp the last fleeting moments of our youth.
i’ll watch this playground spat play out, gotta fill some time before im back to watching my novelas at the pincho stand anyway
“Alll any of us do here is dick around in the ocean trying grasp the last fleeting moments of our youth.” Well said..
Chas’ writing is god awful cringe-worthy drivel and Derek’s is just plain uninspired. RIP Beachgrit.
Couldn’t have send it any better. And who the fuck are all these other writers on here lately?
Really you would rather read about Rory sharing his wife, or how awesome he is at spear fishing? Or how he barked at some kid who tried to paddle out where he was surfing? Honestly I don’t get the love fest for this guy.
Never thought he was the messiah, just found him to be the only entertaining one out of the trio.
I’ll agree that when he wrote about interesting topics he was the best writer on this site. He just focused on himself to much.
He says what everyone is thinking I’ll give him that. I have probably been one of a few readers who ever made vocal my dislike for Mr Parker. My biggest complaint was his constant need to use his no God voice. Not to mention his passive aggressive push for the liberal agenda.
Wait, are you telling me Rory got paid here?
As a whole this is a fairly accurate representation of my decision to leave.
It hurts, and I’ll miss writing for BG. Whether you liked me or not, you all made me a better writer. Especially those of you who hate me. You make me try harder. I’m not there yet, but it takes a long time to build these skills.
In the end I know it’s the right decision for me. Life’s a struggle, nothing comes easy. When it’s time to go, it’s time to go.
Best of luck to everyone. I’ll see you around.
You did write some gold – best part was not forced. Good luck to ya!!!
Please start a podcast channel called “Rory Parks it.”
Nah, should call it “It Was Better Yesterday”, I own the domain itwasbetteryesterday.com and I would love nothing more then to give it to Rorza as a Chronica present. With a Medium account and a podcast, he’s all set to go.
Team Rory for life!
P.S. Chaz is a chode.
Derek’s stuff is getting boring and Chas is just a dick some of the time. You’re both great writers and fun to read but Rory’s stuff has gotten better and better and yours less interesting. How many articles about the wsl sucking do you need to write every week? And that wasn’t transparency above, that was you only telling your side, and being super insulting in the process. I’ve been a reader for a long time and I probably will come back from time to time but Rory was what kept me clicking here everyday.
Amen!
Rory was what made this site interesting. With out him it’s just StabMag light.
well said
The podcast should be called “One wipe wonders through a better diet”.
yes
please do!
Off to create a troll avatar?
Fuck that high road bullshit – you should have ripped Smith a new one for that unearned entitlement crack.
Rory knows BG is not going to last so why bother ripping Chaz a new one. The writing is shit lately with out Rory and who the fuck is M Andrew K and no I don’t want to read part two.
That knowledge of it being the right decision for you will carry you far on your chosen career path. Define your career. Don’t allow your career to define you. Best of luck to you and your pursuits Rory.
Classy response Rory. Best of luck and stay off the death sticks.
The missus and I really enjoyed the injection of personality into this pointless white bread pastime, and the bickering between the Gritters (and Mrs Rory weighing in with her take) was fun and refreshing.
Chas might sound butt hurt, but fair enough I reckon. You all dedicate enough time to this, so the more passion the better! Still sad you couldn’t work it out though.
Rory, what is your plan now that you burned the bridge of the only decent lampoon style surf website?
PS Next time don’t let the old ball and chain get involved in your work affairs. I’d probably be fired if I dragged my girlfriend into the conference room for our next department meeting in order to whine and cry about how I haven’t been treated fairly. Just a heads up for next time.
Writing everyday will make you crazy. Writing about surfing everyday will make you insane.
Keep on keeping on Ror.
I think the problem is that you associated yourself with some grade A douchebags.
Well I’ll miss Rory’s alternative ideas at BG and his focus on the seedier side of life, I won’t miss his constant references to spear fishing and his open marriage. Take it easy dude and good luck
You must not spearfish or know what its like to be in an open but commited relationship. I mean they are both pretty legit and worth bringing up regularly. Although it does get to be very vegan/crossfitty sometimes.
Agreed loved his articles about surfing, hated when he rambled about his life.
Ah yes, the outraged writer shown for what he truly is- A scared little man who is so offended by the world yet runs away when faced with a little adversity. I’m glad there is one less whiny bitch to hear from. Mrs. Schumacher has that niche cornered. Fuck you Rory.
Fair enough. Marry Christmas. https://uploads.disquscdn.c…