The Post

Farewell to the Cincinnati Post, the city's afternoon newspaper which today prints its final edition.

My grandfather, Eddie Halloran, worked his entire career for the paper, starting as a streetcorner newspaper boy for the Times-Star (he often stood at Plum and Fifth, I believe, back in the days when there literally were boys running around saying 'extra extra!'). The paper was later purchased by the Post, and Grandpa Eddie became the legendary assistant city editor of the Post, where he remained for many, many years before retiring in 1977. He died in 1987.

From what I understand, Eddie was the heart and soul of the city desk, and he was as brutal on rookie reporters, constantly forcing them to defend their reports and clean up their writing.

I'm sure some of that made me whom I am today, too, if maybe only indirectly.

Although sad, I suppose the Post's demise was inevitable in this era of the Internet, instant messaging, cable TV, etc.

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Politics

Q: Why no political topics on this blog?
A: Because I believe politics are a personal thing. And anyway, does the world really need yet another ranting blog like that? While it could drive more traffic, I don't feel the need.

On a side note, I know I'm often evasive about my specific views. Although I am very passionate about politics, I prefer to talk one-on-one and subject-by-subject. My views don't neatly fit into any one party or another (I'm a strategist's worst nightmare!).

Christmastime is here

Christmastime is here.

Christmas, Christmas, Christmas. Merry Christmas!

One of the most magical times of year, of course. And we're doing so much this season that, for the first time, I'm going to enter into a 'free association' ramble:

First snow of the season last week (1 inch) kids excited but not enough to close schools or anything . . . we went last Saturday to a Christmas Tree farm to cut our own tree, kids of course excited about having a tree in the house . . . sad that my sister won't be in town for Christmas this year, but excited by the news that she is pregnant with her first child! She is due in June . . . Gifts: Of course I can't devulge what gifts I got everyone on a public forum like this, but I think my biggest 'find' this year so far is the gift I got for my brother-in-law, Matt (no hints yet, man! Wait for Xmas morning!) . . . am clueless so far as to what to get my wife (any hints out there?) . . . as for me anything having to do with the Cincinnati Reds is great . . . speaking of Reds, I went to Reds Fest this past weekend and had a blast. Met past stars such as George Foster (shook his hand), current players like Todd Coffey (hope he doesn't suck next year), and even got myself a personalized official Reds jersey, complete with "Halloran" across the back and my number (7, of course), am WAY excited about it . . . work is going great, love my job, making good money, and of course making a difference in people's lives . . . speaking of making a difference, that's the best part about Christmas: Giving!

Merry Christmas, everyone!