Christ, I'm spent. You?

This story took a lot of time and energy. It's an ugly thing to spend so much time with, and it generated some interesting chats among reporters and editors.

It's strange. I've been pecking away at this for nearly two months (FOIA delays, etc.), so it's a big weight off my shoulders and I'm glad to finally see it run. At the same time, I cringe to see it run.

It's an ugly thing.

Anyways, if something happens to me you heard it here first! ...I'm only half joking! Woo-hoo!

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On a lighter note, I spent yesterday afternoon shadowing Gen. Powell. He spoke at not-one-but-two events, each in the two cities on my beat. So that kept things busy. Thank you, General Powell!

Media access was pretty tight - he wasn't available for questions at either event. But after I'd filed my story and was zoning out waiting for my car in the valet line - (it was mandatory) - I suddenly hear "excuse me, Dickie!" with a nudge in my back.

It was the speaker series director. I thought he was joking until an instant later when he goes "General Powell, this is Dickie Cronkite" and pushes past with the general behind him. "Oh, hi General Powell" was about all I could gather as we shook hands. He barely looked at me, mumbled "hello." And 10 seconds later he was in his car. Awesome!

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Both stories ran today, and I haven't gotten many emails.

That series director sent a nice compliment on the Powell story. That was nice. He didn't have to do that. He's a good guy.

I wondered why no replies to the dentist story because I figured it could be a good talker - whether the paper should even run such a piece, etc. Then I realized that the desk, in its infinite wisdom, put the wrong reporter's email address at the end of the story. Thanks, desk!

So far, that (initially very confused) reporter has forwarded one reader response. The person asked "why I was trying to ruin the young man's life" and explained that in her day they had brothels and later the hippies had free love. I'm not even exaggerating.

You really gotta love reader feedback. In retrospect, it's a blessing that my co-worker Colin has to field those emails. Thanks, Colin!


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The only other feedback today was from a disgruntled upscale resident who wanted to know why I didn't cover her group's latest picket in front of big, cushy, historic resort yesterday. She told me those were "the duties of a responsible local newspaper" and I was falling down on the job.

You know what? I'm gonna give her the benefit of the doubt she didn't pick up today's front page. I am not going to assume she actually just had the balls to suggest I shoulda covered their fifth picket session instead of Gen. Powell's city visit.

This lady's been grilling me, asking me why the paper has a "vow of silence" and refuses to cover the related controversy. Apparently, my fifteen-effing-PLUS articles on the topic are a "vow of silence." Including that article last week with photos of picketers. You know - that article that mentioned protesters planned to picket more over the weekend. Christ, lady.

It's unbelievable. The worst she has to worry about is whether her club course will have a morning tee time available. I'm working my arse off so I can hand my paycheck directly to J-school, not get a tax refund, and now use the bolt on my door and look over my shoulder. And this lady's trying to scold me, like she has some sort of moral high-ground?

*sigh*

As God is my witness Nameless is designated-driving tonight. That's all I'm gonna say.