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.

- 30 -

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!

Thanks Giving

Thanks.

As I age, and as my family grows and the years pass, this season of Thanks becomes increasingly relevant and meaningful to me.

First, I am thankful for my health. I am thankful that, despite needing to loose a few pounds and take my bad cholesterol down, that I am able to wake up and enjoy life each and every day.

I am thankful for my wife, Sarah, and her love and support and companionship. I am thankful that she is smokin' hot! And I am thankful that she is a fantastic mother and intelligent individual, too.

I am thankful for my children, Fiona and Jack, and how much joy they bring to my life. I am thankful that having children also reminds me on a daily basis how hard life is, and how we all persevere and thrive despite challenges and being stretched umpteen different ways.

I am thankful to have meaningful work that pays well and uses most of my talents, in a company that is continually growing and geared for career advancement into the future.

I am thankful to live in America, truly a land of opportunity. Where anyone can achieve greatness, even though there's no guarantees as such. It's up to the individual.

I am thankful to be in Cincinnati. With all its great things and imperfections too, it is my hometown, and forever my home.

I am thankful for extended family, friends, neighbors, and everyone I know who help make this world an exciting place to wake up to each and every day.

For these and many other reasons I feel blessed, and give thanks this week.

Matt Clancy 1970-2007

Farewell, dear friend.

Sad news: I learned that one of my closest college buddies, Matt Clancy, died quite suddenly, and of course unexpetedly, over the past week from a heart problem. He leaves behind a wife and two children in Vermont.

I knew Matt from my first year of college, and he was one of my housemates the last two years at the U of Dayton.

Anytime I think of jazz saxaphone players, or Vermont, I'll think of him.

Dusty Baker

The Reds hired Dusty Baker as their new skipper yesterday. I have to admit that I was one of the many holding out hopes for either LaRussa or Torre. However, looking at it more deeply, Dusty Baker makes sense: GM Krivsky is in the last year of his contract, Reds fans have run out of patience with owner Castellini, and Baker needs to redeem himself and prove that the 2006 Cubs season wasn't a fluke. It all combines for an atmosphere where the Reds MUST reach the playoffs in 2008 if Krivsky wants to keep his job, Castellini wants to keep the fans happy, and Baker ever wants to manage again anywhere else. I hear that Baker, as a 'player's manager' might be able to woo top players that other managers might not. On to 2008!

Odd first quarter in football

UC is a Top 20 team. Go figure. If they win against Rutgers this weekend, it could get even better.
OSU isn't quite what they were last year, but with their loyal following and the umpteen million bowl games out there, they'll make one.
Elder probably needs to win out for the rest of the season to make the playoffs. But they could possibly do it.
The Bengals probably need to win out for the rest of the season to make the playoffs, but probably won't do it. Their defense is bad; much worse than even anyone originally thought. Yikes.