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[Dave]

Hey everyone,

As the subject says, I'm checking in. Work has kept me extraordinarily busy. While I've been promoted to replace my outgoing boss, no one has been hired to replace me. Essentially, I'm doing two jobs right now.

Like most newspapers in this day and age, mine is going through a drastic restructuring. Things will begin to lighten up for me in about a month, but it's been an exciting and scary time all rolled into one. I've been thrown into reinventing the wheel. I don't believe all of the hype that newspapers are a dying breed, but I do believe that we need to learn how to do our job in a different way.

The economy hasn't helped either. I'm lucky to be at a family owned paper which values it's employees over the bottom line. There have been open positions in the newsroom and in my department that haven't been filled, but the company views layoffs only as a last resort.

So anyway, I digress. OPR is always on my mind. I  check in with the forum on a daily basis. While I rarely post, I try to keep up with what's happening. I'm also handling the in-processing of new volunteers (albeit, I'm a little behind on that right now).

I'm still amazed at the incredible work that you all have accomplished. I don't know how some of you diehards do it. I've seen a lot of names come and go on this list, but there are some true stalwarts among you. Jeez, Glenna has over 1700 posts. GET SOME SLEEP WOMAN!

So keep up the good work. And let's all pay routine homage to Christine, Jan and Margie. They're doing a tremendous job in running OPR on a daily basis.

Dave

ps: For those of you who would trounce me for not providing a family update, I submit the following: Jack and Shane are doing well. Jack has been a fabulous big brother and he seems to be growing up right before my eyes. At 3 1/2 years old I know it's insane, but I feel like he'll be all grown up and on his own in a blink of an eye. Shane is the sweetest little boy that I've ever laid my eyes on. His smile is brilliant and is given generously. Even though he's been through colick (spelling?) and a couple of recent ear infections, that smile of his never leaves his face for too long.

Angela has been back to work for almost a month and is getting back into the swing of things just in time to break for the summer (she works for a local school system). That's OK. She's looking forward to spending her days with the boys again.

[glennab]

Hi Dave

I'm glad you checked in.  It's good to know all's well with you and your wonderful family.

T'would appear that many of us are struggling with job issues, and you're right – things are changing so much, especially in the publication business, that it's hard to keep up.  I've been thrown kicking and screaming into web work (very difficult to go from being a creative to spitting out code.  Does not compute.) But I'm adjusting and learning, and that's always a good thing.

I'll most certainly offer my kudos to Chris, Jan and Margie.  The awesome threesome!  They've done a wonderful job of keeping things going.

My 1700-plus posts are because I absolutely love OPR and try to jump in and help whenever I can.  Call me "Lola the Loquacious."  I can't help myself! It's a frightening addiction.

It's not insane to feel that Jack will be grown up in an instant.  It seems as if my beloved son was a baby only months ago, and he'll be 40 this year.  I know you're enjoying your babies, and I'm grateful that I had a great time with my kids.  It's a joy to raise them and be proud of the people they become –partly because of you, and partly in spite of you! (I'm speaking for myself, anyway.)

Give Angela my love and huge hugs and smooches to those beautiful little boys.

And you're forever the best in my book!

Hugs

G