Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Watch This Space!

I am not sure whether this is my first blog or the precursor to my first blog...

Whatever it is, it is something! I am hopeful that it will be more!

For now, this is something to fill up space while I set up the blog and make sure that it contains a picture as well as numerous references to my resume site. :) I am not actively seeking employment at the moment, mind you, but if someone were to stumble into my site and decide to offer me a huge salary in a sunny locale, well, then, we'd talk.

A quick update: On April 13, 2005, I resigned from my job as publisher of the Kane County Chronicle. I was one week into year No. 14 with Shaw Newspapers. I was originally hired in 1992 as editor of the Northwest Herald. After a decade in that job, I was asked to take the helm of the Chronicle after a restructuring. Three years later, facing another restructuring, I chose to make a change altogether in my career. I will always be grateful to Shaw Newspapers CEO Tom Shaw for supporting my decision.

Many, many people - and the list ranges from former employees, friends, neighbors, peers, pundits, fellow media-types, columnists etc. - have been curious about what appeared on the surface as a sudden departure. Rest assured, everyone was professional and ended things on amicable terms. In fact, Tom retained me as a consultant to the Kane County Chronicle's ongoing defense of a lawsuit. Tom and I have agreed to focus only on the future. Tom has a newspaper company to run and I have ... well, I have a life to figure out! I also have a loving wife, Mary, and two trusty cats in 'Tude and Louie.

Mary left the company shortly before I did and we have spent the past five or six weeks focused on a variety of tasks. Some long-overdue chores have been completed - Mary recovered all of the basement furniture, for example. We really have expanded our tiki bar! I've been trimming trees, fertilizing the lawn, hauling loads of garbage to the curb and writing.

Writing is a lot like trimming and fertilizing, when you think about it... At least mine is!

We are also setting up an Ebay company as we begin the process of downsizing our Addams Family-type collection of housewares, And we are exploring the RV lifestyle.

I also have been on a lucky streak in terms of gambling. After the "Celebration with Friends" party on April 22, I won $600 on the Grand Victoria Riverboat in Elgin - mostly on roulette. I went back two weeks later and won $1,100 - mostly from a Blazing 7's slot machine. The following Friday, I won $400 on a single instant lottery ticket while waiting for Mary to check out at Dominick's. If I could just parlay a career as a professional gambler...

We've been pretty much laying low for the past few weeks - but we have been amazed at all the phone calls, cards, letters, voicemail, email and even drop-ins from friends. People are doing a great job checking in on us and we appreciate the support and concern more than you'll ever know. We have just been overwhelmed in many cases that people we had long lost-touch with have suddenly resurfaced in our lives and we are grateful for the opportunity to rekindle lost relationships.

OK, well, I have rambled on for long enough. Please count the typos and the instances of poor grammar and tally them up and email me. I am anxious to see if the email button works correctly!

Take care,


Mark
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