So yes, you should find the nearest journalist and give her a great big bear hug and say “thanks for fighting the good fight.” And then go out and buy a newspaper – one of those harbingers of aged news still sold in every convenience store.

 C’mon now. Thank… Read full post »

At first, news of the big FBI round-up of corrupt politico types didn't interest me a lot, except to see if I knew anyone on the list, and what local news angle could be uncovered.

Though he’ll always be remembered as the Pulitzer Prize winning author, whose memoir Angela’s Ashes spent over 100 weeks on the bestseller list, Frank McCourt, was primarily, a teacher. For over 30 years, he taught in the New York City school district, and though I first came to know him… Read full post »

This is the 3rd, maybe the 4th -- I’m losing track -- layoff in the past year at my newspaper. The layoff gods have been good to me, and were again once more. I’m happy to say I still have a job, I remain among the employed, still a working journalist.… Read full post »

It’s kind of sad when the start of a quarter signals a memo from corporate. No need for a rumor mill – though it’s there nonetheless – history’s been the indicator, and the numbers don’t lie. And just as Tuesday always follows Wednesday and July follows June, the 3… Read full post »

They’re all older than me. Walter by many years (like, almost 50 years-- who's not dead but dying), Michael a handful, and Farrah in between.

Farrah’s death today at 62, is the hardest hitting, since it’s she whose hair and body had the biggest impact on my way-younger self. It&rsq… Read full post »

The hardest part was seeing the big yellow truck parked out front. I knew he was going; it was time. We discussed it; this wasn’t a surprise.

But the sight of the truck, knowing it was for my house, would be filled with his things…it was only then I understood he was… Read full post »

There were some tears around the office yesterday and it’s hard not to feel guilty today that I have a cool new title. While I was restructured in, a lot of people were shown the door, smart editors with long histories and much to offer.

It doesn’t seem fair that it… Read full post »

Unbelievable but totally true – there’s some good news in the newspaper industry today. Not only is Gannett – the biggest publisher of newspapers in the country – trading 2 cents higher today than yesterday (a whopping $2.46 a share) but the New York Times is up 20 cents, or $… Read full post »

When I took my first journalism class in the 10th grade, it was mandatory that we read the New York Times daily. Prior to that, I had never read a newspaper on a regular basis, other than the local weekly, and I was amazed at the amount of information I found.… Read full post »

It only would've been better if it played out in the lunch room. Of course, we would've had to toss notes across a long folding table or whisper behind smelly bathroom stalls. But the message would've been the same: he's cheating on you.

Gasp!

How sad to discover the midlife dating… Read full post »

It was mid-dunk into my four-cheddar fondue that he popped the question. I took my time answering, enjoying my crusty chunk of bread, savoring more than a mouthful of Sam Adams. How to answer? I've been asked this question before. In fact, I think all my boyfriends asked except maybe one.

It… Read full post »