Hello. You're stuck with me
Back when I was in college, I learned in a public relations class that one person's angry or positive letter to a company was considered to represent the opinions of about 800 people.
I mean, back then -- think Reagan administration -- the writer probably had a pretty strong opinion if they took the time to sit at a typewriter, type up a letter, address an envelope, put a stamp on it, and drive to the post office and mail it.
I don't know today with population growth whether that 800 number has gone up or down, but it's certainly much easier to send off an opinion via e-mail.
I get plenty. I'll post some in the next couple days that think I'm insensitive and mean.
Every time I receive an e-mail that calls me an idiot, I think to myself, "Eight hundred people think I'm am idiot?"
But last week, I received a couple of very friendly e-mails from women wishing me the best in my new job.
I had suspected there might be some confusion. And these women might represent a lot of you. Like 1,600?
I mean, back then -- think Reagan administration -- the writer probably had a pretty strong opinion if they took the time to sit at a typewriter, type up a letter, address an envelope, put a stamp on it, and drive to the post office and mail it.
I don't know today with population growth whether that 800 number has gone up or down, but it's certainly much easier to send off an opinion via e-mail.
I get plenty. I'll post some in the next couple days that think I'm insensitive and mean.
Every time I receive an e-mail that calls me an idiot, I think to myself, "Eight hundred people think I'm am idiot?"
But last week, I received a couple of very friendly e-mails from women wishing me the best in my new job.
I had suspected there might be some confusion. And these women might represent a lot of you. Like 1,600?
My colleague, Denise Nix, posted a blog entry last week to announce her
departure from the Daily Breeze to take a job working with a child
advocacy organization. (That's Denise's headshot on the right.)
While I covered the crimes as they happened, Denise for the last nine years handled the court proceedings. We got along pretty well, sitting right next to each other in the old and new Daily Breeze newsrooms.
Denise was amazing at keeping track of an endless stream of court hearings and worked as hard as anyone I've ever seen at trying to cover all of them
.
I wish her the best in the future.
Although her blog entry had her name on it, her simple headline "Good-bye" was posted for quite a while right next to my mugshot on the left.
And, as I thought, some people thought I was the one heading for the door. It resulted in some of the nicest messages I've ever received. (I'm sure some others were thrilled I was checking out.)
What made it more interesting is the fact I took last week off, so my name wasn't in the paper all week. My boss and I decided I should take an unplanned vacation to get in a break before having to tackle my job and Denise's for the foreseeable future. Hopefully we'll have someone join us soon.
I've been here 20 years and will keep on going.
I've filled in a number of times on the court beat over the years when we've been missing a court reporter or when Denise went on maternity leave.
I'm looking forward to getting back into the courtroom here and there, and will be calling upon my colleagues -- as I did today -- to tackle some of the proceedings. (Thanks Doug.)
We might not be able to handle everything like Denise did, but we will do our best until a new colleague arrives.
Keep on reading.
While I covered the crimes as they happened, Denise for the last nine years handled the court proceedings. We got along pretty well, sitting right next to each other in the old and new Daily Breeze newsrooms.
Denise was amazing at keeping track of an endless stream of court hearings and worked as hard as anyone I've ever seen at trying to cover all of them
.
I wish her the best in the future.
Although her blog entry had her name on it, her simple headline "Good-bye" was posted for quite a while right next to my mugshot on the left.
And, as I thought, some people thought I was the one heading for the door. It resulted in some of the nicest messages I've ever received. (I'm sure some others were thrilled I was checking out.)
What made it more interesting is the fact I took last week off, so my name wasn't in the paper all week. My boss and I decided I should take an unplanned vacation to get in a break before having to tackle my job and Denise's for the foreseeable future. Hopefully we'll have someone join us soon.
I've been here 20 years and will keep on going.
I've filled in a number of times on the court beat over the years when we've been missing a court reporter or when Denise went on maternity leave.
I'm looking forward to getting back into the courtroom here and there, and will be calling upon my colleagues -- as I did today -- to tackle some of the proceedings. (Thanks Doug.)
We might not be able to handle everything like Denise did, but we will do our best until a new colleague arrives.
Keep on reading.
About the Blogger
Larry Altman has covered crime in the South Bay since 1990. He's seen it all - the missing model who turned up dead in the desert, the wives found dead in trunks, the high-school coaches who get a little too close to their players. He drives his young colleagues nuts with his "I remember when" stories. He welcomes your tips and observations about the present, and you can mix in a little Lakers basketball talk if you like.
E-mail Larry at larry.altman@dailybreeze.com.
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