"Headlines don't sell papes; Newsies sell papes"

So not true, Jack. So not true.

As reported by CNNpolitics, "newspapers were flying off the racks" the day after election day. Or, what some of my friends have labeled, "Happy Obama Day."

The article goes on to state that:

"Papers all over the country found crowds of customers outside their buildings clamoring for copies. A one-per-person rule was instituted at the Times' headquarters, and customers were even buying damaged copies after supplies ran out."

Some even restarted their printing presses to churn out more copies. So what does this mean moving forward for the good ole boys working in what some have said to be a dying business? And on a local level, I have to wonder, how did the RTD fair?

I have to think back to Sept. 11, 2001 when I too was out to grab any and every paper I could find the day after 9/11 and the days to follow. It's owning a piece of history; holding it right there in your hands. And I suppose "saving a copy of a Web page on a disk isn't the same."

But true to form, as I'm sure many others did, I went back to getting my information online -- old habits die hard and as I'm sure we'll find in the coming months, change doesn't happen that quickly.

Almost a month ago Media General, owners of our local disgrace for a newspaper, reported:

"Total revenues decreased 18.2 percent, and newspaper advertising revenues declined 21.5 percent. "

and that

"Revenues declined 16.4 percent in Virginia ... Excluding severance from both years, Publishing Division expenses declined 9.9 percent for the quarter driven by an 11 percent decline in salaries, reflecting savings from staff reductions, benefits and profit sharing."

If newspapers are going to have a second shot at making it back to the top, or at least competing in the same realm as online news sources, there are two things they need to realize. The first, embrace local content. Take what is happening on a national level and make it local.

The second, embrace an online sister or partner publication. Not so much the way the RTD has done Richmond.com (posting the same exact story on both sites and linking back and forth. PATHETIC). But use online features to your advantage. Links, slide shows, videos, audio clips.

But as stated before, humans are creatures of habit and change doesn't happen because of one day's headline.

Also, read about the Washington Post's reaction here.

Who Do You Think You Are?

Alright.

So when I began this blog, it was supposed to focus strictly on the presidential election. Now that that's over (congrats Obama) there's another topic that for the sake of my sanity I MUST write about. Something that takes phrase "shades of gray" to a whole new meaning.

And that is the merger that happened almost a week ago between the good ole independent, alternative web site Richmond.com and the corporate devils at Media General (owners of the Richmond Times Disgrace.)

I hate this company. I hate them. And for more reasons than this one. I know friends and family members who have had the undeniable torture of working there and all I can say is, I'm so very lucky to have been let go when I was.

The story: Our VP was leaving and owner John Whitlock didn't want to (or couldn't) find a substitute and so the best alternative for JW, the businessman, was to sell. And undoubtedly, a good decision for Mr. Whitlock himself.

(I'd also like to take this little opportunity to thank Whitlock for the severance package he let me walk out with. So, thank you! )

I digress; half of us were let go. Writers, designers, programmers...what have you. And compadres, we are better off for it. Those of you left -- get out ASAP. They only wanted Richmond.com for first, the domain name and second, the Richmond Association of Realtors contract.

Congratulations, tah you, MG.

To the RDCers they are trying to brainwash -- they've kept you as a skeleton, but as soon as they transform rdc into the same shitty-ass website that inrich is, you'll be gone. Save yourselves first and tell them to shove it up their asses.

I went away for the weekend after being "let go" and did not return until yesterday. Currently, MG employees (who I promptly labeled "what's his/her name") have torn out the RDC lounge and have giant trashcans in which they are throwing everything away.

Pocket holding, big bellied men and women are walking around the office like the own the place; oh wait...because they do. One of their old, white-haired "tech" guys asked me how to use the copier. I told him I didn't work there and to figure it out for himself.

The staff at RDC aren't even being told what their jobs will be. Only that they need to "prove themselves right now." Oh, and at least for editorial, that they will be working not on stories, but on "packets." I think they also have to actually reapply for a job with MG.

Hmmm, "shades of gray" indeed.

Oh, and really? Prove to you that the people of RDC are about as unimaginative, frumpy, small-minded and lazy as you all are? Kind of difficult there buds, because that is not and will never be what the true RDC is.

I've also been told two, pretty hilarious, things recently:

1. For all my loyal "Material Girl" (also here, here, here and here) fans, followers and Q94 listeners -- some completely unclassy, not-even-remotely chic biddy will be taking over that column on "the new" RDC.
   
   She will suck. And we will let her know it.
   
   
2. This is my favorite -- "Richmond is a city, but it's small, so watch what you say; you never know who you may have to work with."
   
   To that...I say SUCK IT. Media General is a company I will never, ever, in 48,394,839 years want to or have to work for. I would rather sell my soul to Satan for 50-cents and a quality noogie-sandwich than ever deal with the people who run or work for that company.

And so, as I close this chapter in my life and reset my homepage, it seems only appropriate to celebrate the coming of something great. On Monday, Nov. 10, I restart my professional life as the Web Content Editor/Interactive Content Specialist for the Christian Children's Fund.

Check them out here, here and here.

R.I.P Richmond.com; it was great while it lasted.