Gentle Reader:

I am taking a leave of absence from The Oregonian specifically and newspaper journalism generally starting 1 June. I aim to return to my native land of Ohio to entertain Mom and Dad . . . and to see what kind of a writer I might become without the press of daily aggregations and other mindless busywork that now passes for "news writing." I have spent 30 years in this line of work, and I have earned parole. I know the recidivism rate for offenders such as myself is quite high, so it's possible I'll end up back in the joint. But for the foreseeable, I am going to breath fresh air.

In mid-June, Gryphon and I will load up the New Beetle (which Jesse named Otto), and we will drive to Cincinnati. I will provide updates regularly on this maximum journey.

I've never jumped off a cliff before. Feels kinda good.
A