Exit stage left

Dear Forum Friends, Colleagues, and Others

Six months ago, I told my publisher, family, and colleagues that I would almost certainly not be available for writing, editing, consulting, etc., in the world of higher education after June 15th. After 27 years of writing on this topic, eight law suits, two death threats, untold nasty letters (and even more nice ones!), and a real desire to get on with writing cookbooks #6 and 7, computer book #3, and a novel (among other projects), I am truly ready to move on.

My publisher has done little, if anything, to prepare for today, which saddens me. My daughter (and co-author) is happily running the world's largest travel book company (Lonely Planet), spending much of her time in Melbourne, and unavailable for Bears' Guides.

So I honestly don't know what will happen with regard to updating the six Bears' Guide books (and adding new ones), updating the degree.net website, responding to inquiries from readers, potential readers, the media, the HR world, or the law enforcement world.

My availability will be zero starting soon and continuing through mid August, due to a long trip without benefit of Email, phone, or mail. Mongolia, Tuva, Siberia. Well, there is a cyber-cafe in Kyzyl; who knows.

So I'll look in to this forum from time to time over the next week or so, while packing (there is an eleven-pound baggage limit on internal flights in Mongolia!), thinking about those sheep eyeballs, etc.

And after returning in August? I honestly don't know, and will wait and play it by ear, as it were.

Shortly, my Email will have an automatic responder, referring writers to the following temporary website, where I've posted necessary referral information on school stuff (nothing readers of this forum don't know), dance stuff, and travel stuff.. http://homepages.about.com/johnbear/bears/

Thank you. Au revoir. God bless.

John

 

The Michael Jordan of writers and researchers on distance learning and alternative higher education is moving on to the next fine stage of his life and his work.

Thousands are in your debt, John. Thank you.

 

John,

Your guidance has quite literally changed my life. Thank you! Good luck and enjoy your trip!

(BTW: I had NO idea that your daughter was involved in Lonely Planet ... they are a great resource for us international travellers ....)

 

John,
You will truly be missed. I know I haven't posted very many times to the forum...but I was a long standing lurker on AED. I have appreciated your replies to my emails as well as the knowledge I've gained from reading your guides. I wish you the best in whatever comes your way.

Enjoy your trip and the new chapter of writing in your life,
Steven King

 

John,

Best of luck in your future endeavors. I hate to see you go, but if it's the best decision for you, then I'm also happy for you.

Bruce

 

John:

As one of the pioneer's in Distance Learning (perhaps THE pioneer), your contribution to this discipline has been invaluable. Your books have facilitated the academic process for numerous people. Thank you for blazing this trail early on, and for the solid advice you gave me concerning Potchefstroom University's excellent Ph.D. program.

Do check in periodically to remain updated on degree mills, as it seems a new one surfaces weekly.

Russell

 

John,

Best of luck to you.

Byran

 

John,

Enjoy your time away from higher ed. You have opened up the world of distance learning. Not only in helping others to find it but also to demonstrate that there are learning opportunities available to everyone.

Your communications over the years have always been wonderful.

The best,

John Wetsch

 

Does that mean my autographed Bears' Guide and Bears' MBA Guide will now be worth more money?

Scott

 

Good luck, enjoy the trip, and the partial retirement. It is good for the soul.

Maybe, for culinary misfits like me, you'll have time to write a book on how to cook 'non traditionally'- you know, a kitchen version of going down the credit bank route or recognition of prior learning route ... some 'easy way' - or is there a legal 'degreemill' route to being able to boil water?

Peter French

 

I'm selfishly sad. I hope the new direction of your GAAP (generally accepted authoring practices) goes well.

Bill Highsmith

 

Dear John,

Having been a member of the forum for only a short time I have only had the pleasure and good fortune to communicate with you a couple of times. You were prompt and generous in responding to me when my registration was brand spanking new but I have kept abreast of your work over the years and am the better for it.

The Nobel Prize winning physicist Richard Feynman has written some great stories about his strategies in getting to Tuva. This was at a time when the Soviets were restricting travel etc.so Feynman and a colleague dream up all kinds of schemes to get there. "Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman" is one book,there is another written by his colleague (forget the name of colleague)entitled "Tuva Or Bust". Feynman never made it to Tuva,after his death a small monument was placed in Kyzyl honoring him.If you are aware of this story then it is cool that you are going to Tuva, if not please get hold of these books and enjoy the adventure.
Good health,best wishes and warmest regards,
PCap

 

Bon chance, John. Your absence will be keenly felt by all with an interest in distance education.

All the best,

Mark

 

Bon Voyage, John,

And please give me a wave as you fly over the Arabian Sands.

Watch out for local variations on "Delhi Belly".

For serious travel writing/reading (which might take your fancy), try anything by Geoffrey Moorhouse.

For the non-serious stuff, there's always Bill Bryson.

Until September (?) .... ma salama

Cheers,

Neil

 

Scott asks: "Does that mean my autographed Bears' Guide and Bears' MBA Guide will now be worth more money?"

A journeyman player for the SF Giants was the featured "signer" at a sports card show last week. Signed 1,000 autographs at $40 each. I'm open to such an offer. If it doesn't come, yeah, those books might go up a dime or two in value at your basic yard sale.

Peter French asks, "Maybe, for culinary misfits like me, you'll have time to write a book on how to cook 'non traditionally..."

Already done, Peter. My first published book was "How to Repair Food" -- a guide to how to correct all the things that might go wrong in the kitchen. Still in print 31 years later (www.tenspeed.com), and recently revised by youngest daughter, Tanya.

 

Thank you so much for the very kind words. This is much appreciated. (And, like Nellie Melba, I do reserve the right to have more than one 'farewell tour.'

PCap refers to the Feynmann fascination with Tuva. It was, indeed, "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynmann" and his colleague's "Tuva or Bust" that sparked the interest (along with, of course, the wonderful movie "Genghis Blues."

Neil Hynd warns about "Delhi Belly." I hadn't heard that term, and now wonder how many others there are for this condition. For travel in Mexico, it is locally known as "Montezuma's Revenge."

John Bear
Leaving slowly

 

)
)

John Bear
Constitutinally incapable
of closing parenthetical
clauses, it seems

 

Take your time, John! Actually, we wish you wouldn't leave at all.

Russell

 

Have a great vacation. We hope that you will not abandon us when you return from vacation.

Ike

Ike

 

Dr. Bear,

Good luck. Still live in bay area right?

------------------
Jonathan Liu
http://www.geocities.com/liu_jonathan/distance.html