I have never enjoyed writing as much as I do with the newspaper column I began a year ago. Every week in the South Boston (VA) News & Record, I say what I think. What? Journalists of my era weren’t supposed to do that! It’s he-said, she-said, just the facts, ma’am.
Sometimes I actually do reporting, as in a news story. Those columns didn’t get much attention, if I trust the reaction on Facebook, where I also publish the column.
But the numbers take off when I write about myself. Moi? I am nobody. Why does anybody care? I am a very private person—except in print. What am I? A reality show, like the Kardashians?
I got dozens of reactions when I wrote that I never think about death, mainly from people who felt the same way. When I described what I watched on TV as a kid, it was very popular. They liked my experiences with my wife’s bed & breakfast too.Another hit was a column about my seventh-grade teacher, who inspired a rock ‘n’ roll star (John Fogerty). I wrote those off the top of my head, with no reporting at all. (Oh, I did misspell the teacher’s name. Argggh!)
I couldn’t have written these as a young person. I think my perspective gives them some gravitas. Best of all, I run into people all the time who have read the column in this small town and comment on it. Some of them have never met me before. When I was at AP, perhaps millions read or heard some of my stories about economic reports from the government, but I would never hear from any of them (unless we got sued, which never happened.)
One problem: I am afraid of offending anyone. I don’t like conflict. I could never have been an investigative reporter. I avoid politics and local controversies in the column.
The only complaints I have gotten were from a lady upset that I blamed waitresses for late service (It’s the kitchen’s fault!) and a relative, who didn’t like a veiled reference to his son. Big mistake. Can’t please everyone.
-0-
. Spring commencements are wonderful. I used to love driving past Constitution Hall in Washington and watching the young people and their families joyously celebrating their achievement. For some, as they faced a difficult adulthood, you knew that may be the high point of their lives.
-0-
I enjoy biographies of musical figures, such as Billy Joel, Burt Bacharach and Jann Wenner of Rolling Stone, as they get a fan base and make it big. But when they get rich and older, they have a lot of personal, legal, music and health problems.Would rather skip that.
-0-
It is no wonder that King Charles’ coronation was so impressive. He has had 70 years to plan it. I wonder if the British tabloids will spoil his reign.
-0-
I am always skeptical of copyright lawsuits like the unsuccessful one filed against singer Ed Sheeran. For decades, “Happy Birthday” was protected by copyright, and the author’s heirs and later a corporation were supposed to collect royalties every time it was sung publicly. Oops. I never paid any at my daughter’s birthday parties. Fortunately, a judge declared the song in the public domain in 2016.
-0-
Why is it so terrible to cough, talk or cheer while professional golfers are putting or tennis players are volleying, when it is just fine to badger a basketball player making free throws with all the noise you can muster? They both require concentration. Doesn’t make sense to me.
-0-
My favorite movie title of all time, “If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium.” It tells you the whole story of a hurried world vacation tour.
-0-
I really like the radio stations you can get here. The jazz station in Durham, WNCU, 90.7, is a lot better than the one in Washington because it plays a lot more jazz. The classical station, WCPE, 89.7, in Durham, is also better because it doesn’t carry news.
South Boston’s local station, WHLF, 95.3, has the adult contemporary music I like from the 1980s and 1990s. For once I don’t mind ads, because I might buy something around here.
No comments:
Post a Comment