To the Toy Department readers
It's been a brutal day at the Toy Department. (And a brutal few days at The Sun.) There isn't much that can be said, that will be said, or that should be said, I suppose. Most of you have figured out that a number of amazing journalists (and amazing people who I feel lucky and honored to call friends), are no longer with us.
There are no certainties in journalism, just like in life. None of us knows what tomorrow will bring. You just do your best to soldier forward and string words together, hoping that someone will find value in them. As they say on the stage, the show really must go on. No matter what. That's reality.
There's a line in the song "Gravity's Gone" by one of my favorite bands, the Drive-By Truckers, that's been running through my head all morning: "What used to be is gone, and what ought to be ought not to be so hard." I think that feels true for all of us right now, not just journalists. Things have changed, and the present is painful. No one knows what's next.
This blog has been so much fun to be a part of for the last several months. To everyone who invited us into their homes and workplace via their computers, we are forever grateful. In just a short time, we became one of the most popular blogs at the paper. A lot of nights, we'd be up until 2 and 3 a.m. figuring out content for the next day. It was a rush and it was fun. As fun as anything I've done in my nine years at The Sun.
Comments
I hope you do continue. It's a great little diversion in the local sports scene that shines a light on some funny stuff and some interesting aspects of our local teams.
I love the quote of the day - it's usually hilarious. It's just a great 5 minute diversion on most days.
Posted by: Bill on da Shore | May 1, 2009 6:57 AM
Is Syd Thrift in charge of the Sun's rebuilding program? Sorry, but I had to get that joke in.
As tough as it is on Sun readers, it's probably 10-times tougher for those who work (or worked) at the Sun. I do find it interesting how the Sun has minimalized these layoffs on their pages. If it were GM or Black & Decker laying off one-third of its workforce, the Sun would have banner headlines on A-1.
I guess the public's right to know doesn't apply when it involves a long look in the mirror.
Posted by: BigBill | May 1, 2009 8:06 AM
I hope the Toy Dept continues on as well. I feel bad for all that have been let go, not just the sports folks but other Sun bloggers who I followed.
I enjoy your entries KVV, and hope they keep coming for a long time.
Posted by: PCB Rob | May 1, 2009 10:04 AM
Wow the Toy Department just got started, and is the best blog on the SUN now, I hope you can keep it running. Good Luck to Maese, Frager, Steele, and Ordine. They were (are) great
Posted by: Buzz in Kuwait | May 1, 2009 12:12 PM
Sorry to hear about the layoffs. The Toy Dept is far and away the Sports section's best blog. The Sun lost some great writers because they failed to adapt to the times. I hope they get their act together.
Posted by: BaltimoreSportsReport.com | May 1, 2009 12:22 PM
Count me in for hoping the Toy Department continues. I looked forward to the posts every day-they were often funny, informative and sometimes made you think.
I too will miss Steele, Frager, Maese and Ordine, good columnists all.
Posted by: mindpinball | May 1, 2009 2:12 PM
My heart goes out to the fine journalists, photographers, designers and other professionals at the Sun who have been let go or bought out. I wish I knew what the answer was/is to make newspapers profitable. We'd be lost without The Baltimore Sun in our lives.
Posted by: Julia | May 1, 2009 2:32 PM