An Elegy for SJ.com In Honor of 10,000

[forever_town]

As I sit at home still essentially unemployed, I'm thinking about SportsJournalists.com and all the things about this board that make it unique. On the occasion of my 10,000th post, I decided I'd reflect on the good things.

I've seen SportsJournalists.com at its best when people stepped outside their normal board personas and gave us glimpes into their lives with personal, heartfelt memories evoked by a song. I've seen SportsJournalists.com at its best when people gathered in the wake of losing one of its own shortly after Tripp McNeely had lost his grandfather. I saw SportsJournalists.com at its best when we all thought about, prayed for and cried about kleeda's son William. We saw tragedy turn to triumph as William survived, then went home.

And, yes, I saw SportsJournalists.com at its best when I shared some of my vulnerable moments. When I wrote my story about coming out and came out on the board, when I wrote about my fight with cancer and when the bell tolled for me at my last shop.

I don't know what I'd be doing without the support I've gotten from so many people on here. From people whom I've met in person to people I've chatted with on AIM or have added me on Facebook and MySpace, I've enjoyed "talking" with a lot of you and talking with some of you. I've enjoyed extended PM conversations with some of you as well. SportsJournalists.com has become a huge part of my support system as I'm dealing with the vagaries of unemployment.

To everyone who has been a source of inspiration for at least one of these 10,000 posts, thank you. May better times lie ahead for us all.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

Great post.

 

[forever_town]

Thanks Mizzou.

 

[Killick]

Amen, even if it so clearly deomstrates what a piker I am -- I was all happy about reaching 3K on Sunday. Amateur, pure amateur.

Seriously, though, I've been out of the newsroom for about a year, toiling away in freelance hell, and SportsJournalists.com gives me the feel of still being connected to my fellow journos. For good, for bad, for funny, for poignant, for it all... many, many thanks. And thanks, f_t, for a nice thread starter.

Ahem...




BLOGS! FNORD! RIP Brad Renfro! Viva Brook Jacoby! and other assorted nonsequitor shout-outs.

 

[JackReacher]

Good post. A lot better than other "Hey, look! I've reached [insert number here] posts on a message board!!!"

 

[forever_town]

Thanks, guys.

I wanted to do something more meaningful than "look, I've got 10,000 posts!"

 

[CUinthenewsroom]

Nice work f_t

 

[Barsuk]

Well done, my man. You are a valued member of this little society, for whatever that's worth, and I'm positive better times are ahead for you.

Keep your chin up.

 

[forever_town]

Thanks, guys. And thank you for the encouragement, Barsuk.