Auld Lang Syne
Sorry I’ve been quiet the past few days. Truth is, I needed a break and I took one. It’s easy to say that 2008 wasn’t the easiest year. Fortunately, for a lot of Oklahomans, the anxieties and stress of what’s going on nationally has yet to hit home. But truth be told, it’s hitting home for me and the folks I work with.
What’s going to happen with the newspaper industry in 2009? I have no idea. I’m happy that this blog was so well received in 2008, and it looks like I will be involved at some level with an online video show in 2009 as we keep adapting.
A lot of familiar faces left The Oklahoman in 2008. And I must confess I’m in a bit of a funk starting out 2009 without my best friend, Jack Money, in the newsroom. Jack, a 20-year veteran, is the latest to leave and is now doing corporate communications for a state energy company. For those who know us well, you know this means the end, at one level, of a reporting partnership that dates back to the early 1990s. We were called “Lack-Money” when we covered City Hall together in the mid- to late-1990s. And we were reunited again last year on the business desk when Jack took over the energy beat. It was Jack and I combined that made the live blogging from the Devon Tower press conference possible.
Of course our friendship will continue. And after co-authoring “OKC Second Time Around,” we’re set to have a similar treatment on the Skirvin Hotel published later this year.
But the newsroom is different as we start off in 2009. The list of those I worked with at one time or another, people I respected, people I think the world about, have moved on one way or another as this industry continues to change. They include Jack, Ryan McNeill, Chad Previch, John Greiner, Jim Killackey, Jim Stafford, John Sutter, Tony Thornton, Judy Gibbs Robinson, Jennifer Mock, Nancy Darnell and more….
I can look back at this entire list and assure you that at some point, in some way, every one of these people contributed to my coverage of downtown and Oklahoma City. And several, especially Tony Thornton and Nancy Darnell, made me a better reporter.
So I guess that’s it for 2008. Consider this a belated fond farewell, a singing of Auld Lang Syne, and a pledge that I remain hopeful for the future and wish everyone a great new year.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
I just noticed at Ted Struli’s hot topics blog that the Tulsa World announced cuts of “28 employees citing deteriorating economic conditions nationwide and in media business. The terminations included 26 news staff members and two in other departments.” Ted’s blog: Ted’s Blog article which referenced this Tulsa World article. As much as I enjoy and appreciate the internet, this sort of stuff is a horrible consequence. Very sad.
Thanks for the nod. However, I can’t believe my eyes when I see some of those names who’ve left the biz. Or retired.
Greiner — knew the state capitol inside and out. Taught me everything about how state government REALLY works….He is a legend and there aren’t many newsmen like him left.
Tony T. — Seemed to know everyone across the state. There’s some crooked politicians in Oklahoma who will breathe a sigh of relief knowing Tony isn’t nosing around.
Sutter — a bright young journalist who is going to have a role in remaking how stories are covered in the future, I’m sure.
JG Robinson — She seemed to really have her thumb on all the different communities most of us just look at as a Census footnote. She took the time to get to know the people and communities she wrote about — the way journalism is supposed to be done.
I could go on. But it’s a real shame to see some of these names on the list.