This is the 300th, and final, post on this blog. I've had a ball doing it.
If you missed the announcement the first time around, I'm leaving the Observer, and today is my last day. I'll have one last column in the paper on Sunday -- it might pop up earlier online -- but this is it for the blog.
The great thing about writing online is that you get to try more things -- stuff that's really short, or really long, or dependent on links, works better on a blog than it does on paper. So we could debate the worst movies ever, or discuss our scars, or just talk about the passion of R.E.M., and it all sort of fit.
After today, you can find me on Twitter or Facebook. In a week or two, I'll also restart the personal blog I created a few years ago.
I'm not good at goodbyes. I always thought the last scene of M*A*S*H did it about as well as it could be done. But the more I think about it, especially now, the more I appreciate the last Calvin and Hobbes. (You can click to enlarge.)
See you on the next adventure.
Friday, May 04, 2012
One last post
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
38 comments:
Had to do it, didn't you? Had to post that C&H cartoon and bring tears to me eyes?! Thanks, Tommy, for your understanding the deepest of feelings are often reflected from the simplest of expressions. Really gonna miss my regular dose of you in the Observer but glad to know you'll still be around, making me laugh & cry! Happy trails ...
Thanks so much for everything you've given us, your readers. You really put your heart into it making your writings nourishing. And you're hard enough on yourself so it's that much more enjoyable to read. Looking forward to your next adventure!
"It's the end of the world as we know it, but I feel fine."
Fair winds and following seas Tommy.
"Go build yourself another dream, this choice isn't mine." - REM
hasta tommy
i hope you get healthy and happy in your new role.
drop some pounds buddy, we want you around for a long time.
Happy trails Tommy. You will be missed!
May your new journey bring you must joy and pleasure. Thank you for your columns. All the best
Sorry "much"!
Shame the last impression you left was your shoot from the hip opinion-offered-as-fact diatribe on the homosexual marriage ammendment.
Was sad to see you in the fray on this issue and read some of the ignorant (not in the pejorative) comments made in that article.
You know the saying about opinions, right? Everybody has got one. And that is what the media is anymore -- regardless of medium -- or the mediums purpose. It's all opinion -- offered as fact.
I'm so sick of hearing and reading opinions. Your columns offered something a tad refreshing from that normal grind. That last article though put you in the sewer with the other muckthrowers...on both sides.
In your next gig -- try to remain fresh, above the fray -- and just.be.nice. We already have plenty of pundits. No need for another.
Good-byes stink. Many best wishes to you.
Best to you Tommy all great things - looking forward to reading your work in your new gig.
See ya!!!
Yeah, well, you be nice over at the new scene. Mind your manners. Don't blow it.
As my new wife is in journalism, and just got laid off after years doing graphic arts and ad layout, I understand. Here's wishing you well in your new endeavors and I will miss your writing style. I asked to be added on your FB account, and hope to read you as often as I can. Take care and good luck.
Tommy Tommy -- Sure going to miss you at the table. I'm going to miss those smiles and the occasional tear you gave me.
I absolutely hope everything goes the way you want it to happen.
We'll leave the light on for ya'.
I know it was unintended, but your reference to M*A*S*H's last scene was appropo. Just as the series was wrapping production, a major brush fire destroyed most of the outdoor set on October 9, 1982. Similarly, the newspaper industry has been scorched by plummeting revenues, 24x7 cable, instantaneous internet news and exiting personnel.
Thank you for your creations, the great story telling, and be a "friend" of mine every morning.
God Speed!
I lose twice...1. I lose your insight and gentle perspective and 2. I have absolutely no interest in your new path, namely, sports. I wish you every satisfaction and joy. You will be missed just as C&H is still missed.
Cheers!
David Halberstam on the role of media:
"One of the things I learned, the easiest of lessons, was that the better you do your job, often going against conventional mores, the less popular you are likely to be. (So, if you seek popularity, this is probably not the profession for you.)"
Vaya con dios, mi compadre.
Kick ass, take names, and remember yer manners.
Hope to see you in the big ole world someday.
Tommy-
Sad to see you go, but know you will do great at your new job. Have always enjoyed reading your columns and blogs. Thank you for what you wrote on Amendment One. What a great way to go out. As a fellow Dawg and a fan of your writing, I will definitely keep reading whatever you choose to write. Best wishes. The Observer won't be the same without you.
Go Dawgs.
Love your stuff. Bon Voyage!
UGH! Go away already.
Tomlinson's was simply the best, most insightful writing in this community. Charlotte is diminished as it would be on losing a landmark or losing one of the few small businesses that are special.
We also lose a clear voice of reason and kind-spirited analysis. Its sad.
You had to go and post the one comic that made me cry. It was nice to hear you on Charlotte Talks. You are one of the best writers the Observer has ever had, and I wish you luck in your next endeavor.
p.s. Dawgs suck.
So long and thanks for all the fish! *hugs*
Goodbye Tommy. Always enjoyed your columns and will you well on your new endeavor. It's a shame those who are so invested in their own opinions and worldview could never seem to shake the temptation to view anything you might have written that was generated from a base of common sense, fairness, and simple human decency - like that last column on Biblical love & acceptance vs. Biblical hate & fear - as something "liberal", thus worthy of scorn. You're not a liberal, you're a rationalist - something they can't begin to understand, unfortunately.
It points out the biggest challenge facing objectivist Americans today - convincing so many of these militant conservatives to turn off the propaganda that rules their lives and expand their minds and increase their knowledge base by listening to someone else for a change.
It's only fitting, I suppose, that you're going into the sports world, since so many people these days, mostly on the conservative side of the spectrum, view everyday politics and human interaction as just another sports contest to be "won or lost", without long-term consequences. They always support their team, even when their team is blatantly wrong (like on the amendment question).
You're probably better off where you're going Tommy. At least in the world of sports, there's no shame or downside in many of your readers being unrepentant partisans. They save that for the real world.
I almost cried from your final column today, reliving history and places in Charlotte I too am nostalgic about.
Your honest words will be missed; none of us agree with each other all of the time, but I took your words to heart everytime I read them. They always inspired or angered me, but I kept coming back either way.
You are my column hero! Can I have your job? Seriously, it would be a dream come true for me and I'd do it for free if they let me.
I met Joe Posnanski at UNCC a couple weeks ago and heard a little about this new venture, it sounds exciting and I wish you all the best. Do you need an assistant?
Can you tell I need a J-O-B?
Contact me if you'd like, I'm at verdemom@ymail.com and a columnist for the local Independent Tribune, but not in your league certainly...just aspiring to be.
Charlotte Observer will NOT be as fun and entertaining without you.
Many Blessings! May your words continue to inspire and excite our neighbors!
Ask the Terminator would say, "Hasta la Vista Baby."
nice blog
Thankyou for sharing this post
Thanks for Sharing my website
Logo design Nice Blog
nice blog
Canon.com/ijsetup
So, if you are a printer user and confront any error problem while printing the file, at such a point in time, you refer to visit the site 123.hp.com and study the right troubleshooting method. Once the issue gets resolved totally, you will be able to resume your print job in a flexible manner. So, deal with all types of printer issues in one click.
You can download the personal drivers of your HP wireless printer. After this process, you may get insert into setting up the HP wireless printer properly. If you don’t have any manual or choice, you can take the specialized expert instruction or assistance for completing the setup process of HP wireless printer using 123.hp.com/setup 5055.
We can instruct you properly if you need to set up an HP wireless printer using 123. hp/setup. You can do the setup process easier if you have the correct technical knowledge about hp deskjet 2652 wireless setup. First of all, you must go to open 123. hp/setup and open it in the internet browser.
Nammapandit's wisdom and expertise in astrology shine through in every reading.
visit my website The Eye Foundation
All the good website development company in usa are best at their work. Also if you are looking for website developers near me we are the best in the market
Post a Comment