Don’t go changing things around on the foremast jacks

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Only Bryan and Mike Fitts are likely to appreciate this, but I share it anyway…

I get a ridiculously large number of unsolicited offers to supply this blog with content, and pay me to run it.

Most I ignore. But this morning I was feeling more sociable than usual, so I responded by saying:

Not interested, thanks.

Well, that was a mistake. Because instead of going away, this person wrote back:

I can do $50 for 1 permanent (one time fee) article publish [article content of your choice of topic] with do follow link to sports betting or casino site.Will supply unique content as well.
Let me know.
Note :1.Article must not be any text like sponsored or advertise or like that
2. we can only pay by paypal.

I mean, set aside the fact that I have zero interest in promoting gambling, and that even if I were persuadable, an amount as small as $50 would just be insulting.

So I just responded,

I generate all my own copy, and that’s what my readers expect.

I had to hold myself back with both hands to keep from adding:

It is what they are used to, and they like what they’re used to.

Which always makes me smile whenever Patrick O’Brian says that about the foremast jacks in Jack Aubrey’s ships.

It makes me feel fond of them, fictional characters though they all are…

Throw something new at the foremast jacks, and they're likely to look at it like this...

Throw something new at the foremast jacks, and they’re likely to look at it like this…

5 thoughts on “Don’t go changing things around on the foremast jacks”

  2. Bryan Caskey

    “Don’t be overly friendly with them either, they’ll only despise you in the end.” -Jack

    I always liked all the Aubreyisms – the way Jack would mix up expressions. It was one of O’Brian’s great running jokes.

  3. Brad Warthen Post author

    Three days ago, I got this from the same source:

    “i can do $300 for 3 year post. let me know.
    we only pay by paypal.”

    Then five hours ago, this:

    “i can do $500 for 3 year post. let me know.”

    1. Brad Warthen Post author

      Later, they came back and said, “i can do $1000 for 3 year post. let me know.”

      Next time I hear form them, I expect it to be something in a Trumpian tone, like “Nice blog you got here. Be a shame if something was to happen to it…”

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