This one's for Jim

So, I heard from Jim Sheahan. He's moved and is being a stay- at-home dad for a while as he gets ready to embark on a new career as an English teacher. Can't wait for him to read some of those essays the kids give in -- after all I've been reading Scary Stories for five years now.

Jim let me know he was not missing the news meetings, but was really cut up now that he won't have access to Focus. That publication offers the best of local news, he said. So, as a special tribute to him, I created the accompanying image.

Here's hoping you enjoy the normal life with nights off, weekends off, holidays off, and weeks and weeks of vacation. Gee, thanks for pointing that out!

On other sports related issues, since you (or Orlando) weren't around, it was left to Ron to explain the intricacies of baseball -- why a guy whose name is Francisco Rodriguez is called K-Rod and not, well, you know, F-Rod, as you'd imagine.

Weather woes

How about that wild weather? When I saw the ice pieces in the parking lot, I though someone had dropped them there. Little did I know it was Mother Nature playing havoc. Full disclosure: I was off for two days and mostly slept.

So I had my first taste of being a car owner in winter. I didn't know a car could become an icicle. Apparently it can. I scraped and shivered. I cleared the bonnet (hood) and the boot (trunk) and the mirrors and the door handles. I battled unceasing rain and harsh, bitterly cold winds. And I survived. I feel like I could participate in one of those reality shows now.

Here's a dilemma: In the time it takes the car to thaw, I could have been home if I'd simply walked. And on other chilly nights, there's no point turning on the heating, because by the time the car warms up inside, I'm already home!

Still, I guess it's good to have one -- it helps you get your shopping done much faster. So thanks to my advisory panel -- Jim, John, Dave and Orlando. I still need to figure out how to set the AM and FM stations. Any suggestions?

Breaking News: Flanagan to get computer; check back for updates

You'd never think it's possible, but I assure you it's true -- I have it from the man himself. Our very own John Flanagan is moving into the computer age. Yes, he's getting a computer. Yes, it will be at home. Yes, he promises to use it. He doesn't know what kind of computer (it's a gift), but he assures me it will be there soon. Hopefully, this won't be the same story as his cell phone (yes, he has one; no, he doesn't answer it).

So once he's set up with an e-mail account (hmmm) we plan to get him to start blogging and posting comments. Watch this space ...

Friends all

I figured I'd start this blog because I miss all of you. So it's a way to keep in touch, share news -- explore the Web, which, after all, is where it's at. Since this is my first try at blogging -- I posted once on the Journal Web site and never had time to do it again -- I'm not sure how it'll turn out. But I'm always the optimist. So please feel free to comment and don't worry about style -- there are enough copy editors among us to correct all that ...