Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Update From Marilyn Cook

Subject: Rick Memorial

Thank you to all of those who were able to attend the memorial service for Rick on Sunday.

What an awesome service they had for him. Truly it was a celebration of his life!

I will be leaving here on Friday for theMemorial service back in Deshler, Nebraska on Monday, the 6th of March,at 10.00 a.m. The services will be held in the same church where Rick and I were married 48 years ago. Buriel will follow immediately in the city cemetary. I bought two plots in the same cemetary where my parents are buried. I will stay back in Nebraska for three weeks and will be returning on the 25th of March. Please take me off your mailing list until I return, so I will not be overwhelmed by all the e-mails when I return.

May God keep you safe until I return home. I love you all and will miss your contacts.....Marilyn

Very Nice Tribute in Today's Los Angeles Times

Today's special section for Otis Chandler was great, maybe other leaders at the newspaper should take note, and attempt to mirror this great leader. Otis worked in all of the departments at the newspaper before taking over as publisher, as did his sons Norman and Mike. The Chandler men had a clue what each department went through to produce the newspaper.

The only non blue collar employee to actually work on the presses in recent memory is Wayne Newton, he has brought printing plates to the press, plated up a unit (and cut himself on the edge of a plate), and string a web on the catwalk of the superstructure.

I'm hoping we are returning to pre-Tribune days when employees felt management really cared about the workers?

Eddie

Monday, February 27, 2006

Otis Chandler: 'You Can't Run A Company Based on Wall Street'

By Greg Mitchell
Published: February 27, 2006 11:15 AM ET

NEW YORK Otis Chandler, the legendary publisher of the Los Angeles Times who passed away today at the age of 78, had been out of the limelight for many years—first by choice, then due to illness. His last major fight was in raising hell about what happened at his family’s old newspaper in 1999, when news about the ethically challenged “Staples Center” deal surfaced, leading to a full shakeup on the business side of the Times.

Chandler talked to E&P’s Lucia Moses exclusively several times during that crisis. One of her stories, from Dec. 11, 1999, reprinted below, captures him, and the role he played, well. “You can’t run a company based on Wall Street,” he said.

Otis Chandler, the longtime publisher of the Los Angeles Times, spoke with E&P this week in his first interview since he wrote a five-page letter Nov. 3 calling the Staples Center deal "unbelievably stupid" and attacking the current management of the paper his family ran for most of the past century.

Chandler said he didn't expect his protest to have any impact beyond lifting morale in the newsroom, where he is lionized as the publisher who brought respectability to the paper during his stewardship from 1960 to 1980.

"I was just addressing it to the editorial staff to let them know at least this former publisher is aware of what's going on there," he said. " … I don't think they'll do anything about anything I would say or any former publisher would say."

He also bristled at Publisher Kathryn M. Downing's response to his memo, in which she called Chandler an "angry and bitter old man," according to New Times. (New Times reported the L.A. Times removed the word "old" from her quote before publishing it.) 
"I'm old, but I'm not bitter," sniffed the 71-year-old Chandler. "I'm very optimistic the Times can regain its position."

The deal called for the paper to share 2 million dollars in revenues with the Staples Center from the Oct. 10 Sunday magazine issue whose sole subject was the arena. Editors said they didn't know of the deal until after the issue was printed. It crystallized journalistic fears over the growing coziness between the traditionally separate news and business sides at newspapers around the country, but perhaps most notably at the L.A. Times.

Downing admitted a misstep, chalking it up to her lack of prior newspaper experience. Mark H. Willes, CEO of the L.A. Times' parent Times Mirror Co., expressed his confidence in her and restated his support for closer cooperation between news and business. Both have declined to be interviewed, citing David Shaw's in-house investigation.

When Willes was hired four years ago, Chandler, then a Times Mirror board member, said he found the former General Mills executive bright, and had high hopes for the company's future under Willes. Since then, Chandler has watched disapprovingly as Willes has cut staff and broken down the editorial-business wall to boost company profits and its stock price.
"It had been coming for some time, and I've been sitting on the sidelines and just hoping things would work themselves out," Chandler said of his decision to write the Nov. 3 letter.

Chandler said a plan such as the Staples Center deal would have been unthinkable when he was publisher. "We never split profits, kept things secret. This is unheard of, a secret deal." His concern mounted earlier this year when Times Mirror announced plans to sell some of its professional information units, citing poor performance.

"I think the company is at risk if there were a downturn," he said. "I think it's putting a lot of your eggs in one basket. Newspapers … are not a growth industry anymore."
Chandler may be unhappy, but Times Mirror's shareholders aren't. The stock price has nearly doubled under Willes' direction, and the L.A. Times is expected to have its highest ad revenues ever this year.

Chandler allowed that the share price has been good, but said half the credit goes to the improved economy. He also conceded the board of directors, including three of his cousins, may not share his concerns. 
"They look to the price of the stock, and that's their sole criterion," he said. "Wall Street always wants to know: What are you going to do for me tomorrow? They really don't have much of an interest in long-term planning.

“You can't run a company based on Wall Street."

Since his letter became public, Chandler said people have come up to him on the street to thank him for taking his stand, and numerous media outlets, including "60 Minutes," have requested interviews. He turned them down.


Submitted by Pops

Special Eight Page Section Tomorrow


There will a special eight page addition to section A in tomorrow's Los Angeles Times honoring Otis Chandler. The online edition has already been published, and can be read by clicking on this link.

Los Angeles Times Raises Announced

Employees of the Los Angeles Times will see their paychecks padded with a 2% raise sometime soon.

And in the pressroom, ignoring problem equiptment will be replaced with some form of work orders.

More details as they are presented to me.

Eddie

Richard Cook



Otis Chandler Passing


Los Angeles Times Posts Retrospective About Former Publisher Otis Chandler

Obituary, Photo Gallery and Video Available at http://www.latimes.com/chandler

LOS ANGELES, Feb 27, 2006 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The Los Angeles Times has posted an obituary and a photo and video retrospective on the life and distinguished career of former Los Angeles Times Publisher Otis Chandler, who died today at age 78. The collection is posted at www.latimes.com/chandler.

Chandler served as publisher of The Times from 1960-1980. He led The Times through unprecedented change, helping it earn a reputation as one of the best newspapers in the country. During his tenure, The Times earned nine Pulitzer Prizes.

In 1999, Editor & Publisher magazine named him one of the 25 most influential newspaper people of the 20th century.

He was the fourth member of the Otis and Chandler family to serve as publisher. In 1882, Gen. Harrison Gray Otis, Chandler's great grandfather, became publisher. Gen. Otis was succeeded in 1917 by his son-in-law, Harry Chandler. Norman Chandler, who succeeded his father, Harry, served as publisher from 1944-1960.

Today, the Los Angeles Times ranks as the largest metropolitan daily newspaper in the country. It has won 37 Pulitzer Prizes. Celebrating this year its 125th anniversary covering Southern California, The Times maintains the largest newsgathering operation in California and publishes five daily regional editions.

SOURCE Los Angeles Times

Friday, February 24, 2006

A Little Something For The Starwars Fans

Lightsaber Instruction Manual:

The following information is provided as a service to our customers.

Welcome, Padawan! Your acquisition of an Incom-Flickertek "Divisa-S" Lightsaber is the beginning of an exciting future of Galactic wisdom and influence. Regardless of your choice of Force paths, the Divisa series offers a lifetime of subtle and precise striking down.
However, as with all ancient weapons, the lightsaber requires care in use and handling. We hope you will find the following tips useful:

-Remember the sequence: Flourish-Force-Flash. First, draw the saber, using your favored technique, or one you learned in some obscure font of Jedi stuntwork. Then, use the Force! Objects that might be in the beam path will cause disturbances that, with a little practice, you will recognize very quickly. (Of course, you will recognize them quickly no matter what.) Once clear, ignite the blade. After all, it's tough to face down the foe with one knee, even if it was already cybernetic.

-The lens assembly goes through a self-cleaning cycle on each ignition. However, if the saber has not been ignited for some time, or the lens has acquired a heavy coat of debris (smoke, droid lube, bodily fluids, etc.) peripheral effects may occur on ignition. Some Jedi find entering through a cloud of smoke dramatic and even useful. If, however, the saber fails to ignite, or shows a highly specular beam, accompanied by unusual sounds and a smell like frying womp-rat, turn the saber off and use a non-abrasive cleaner on the lens at the first opportunity. Allow solvents to evaporate fully before re-installing the assembly.
Note: use of chewing tobacco, while still popular in some corners of the galaxy, is NOT recommended for lightsaber operators.

-Throwing the lightsaber at a distant enemy, and then recovering it with adroit Force use, is a dramatic way to enter any room, but it requires practice. The SwashLITE(tm) Practice Saber, available to match the weight and balance of all our lightsaber models, is highly recommended for those intending to "fling the Force." It has a holographic simulated blade that generates an audible tone when it passes through a target. As a saber owner, you're entitled to a considerable discount on the SwashLITE; contact your Incom sales rep.

-Other Padawans may tell you that turning the Pronicollimator 90 degrees within the casing will cause "cool things" to happen on ignition. THEY ARE WRONG.

-Most Jedi personalize their sabers with a custom-fitted grip, a distinctive color crystal, decorative though nonfunctional pieces of shiny metal, and so on. Be advised that the external casing, while as durable as our technology can make it, is not indestructible, and cutting or engraving the case, particularly with another lightsaber, is not recommended and will void your warranty.

-Sooner or later you're going to sever a hand, either your own, or someone else's. We all know it happens. But do you know the best method for dealing with this emergency? Here's our handy reference:
1. Finish the fight as quickly as possible. If the lopped limb was yours, you may need to improvise something beyond the scope of this guide.
2. Extinguish the saber and clean the lens assembly as described above.
3. While the case is open, check the power cell connector for sticky bits. It's a good idea to wipe down the casing with a soft cloth, as circulatory fluids vary widely in chemical composition.
4. Locate the missing limb and use appropriate measures (cold storage, liquid bath, jumping up and down on it until it gives up).
5. If the former owner of the limb is not of a self-regenerating species, some medical assistance may be necessary, though the remarkable cauterizing powers of a lightsaber blade should make this a minor matter.(If the wounded individual was a Nitronyx, of course, now is the time to gather the bits for the Echo Ceremony).

The above guide is available as a wipe-clean laminated card free from your Incom tech rep.

-We shouldn't say it, but we're going to: an upright lightsaber makes a great accent light for romantic situations, and in our considerable experience as lonely tech geeks is a swell chick magnet. That's why we make the LavaLase(tm) upright table bracket, that keeps the saber upright no matter how energetically you "turn to the Dark Side."

I Love Jury Duty

I finally served my jury duty this morning, and was shocked when the case we were waiting to be seated for, was plea bargained. We we're released at eleven this morning, and I'm headed to the beach in a few minutes.

It was sad to hear that our old pressroom supervisor, Richard Cook, passed away yesterday, he will be missed by his family and friends. Rick was a regular at our bi-annual dinners. I will be attending Rick's funeral this Sunday, hope to see you there.

All the inviations for our March dinner were not picked up in the pressroom outbox, that were placed there on Tuesday, so I brought the envelopes home and mailed them this morning.

Have a good day,
Eddie

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Richard Cook Passing

Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2006 13:58:37 -0800
Subject: Rick/up-date
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Full-Name: Marilyn Cook

Just to let you know that Rick passed away this morning Thursday
(Febr.23.06) at 11:00 a.m.,
Hospice had come in Tuesday and set up equipment with hospital bed and
equipment and had adjusted his medication to keep him comfortable. He
was at home where he wanted to be. Now he is at home with Jesus and that
is where he wants to be.....no longer in pain, no longer suffering,
waiting for all of us to join him. Dave & Lisa are taking charge of
things here, which is a big relief for me. Vickie and Bruce will soon be
here. Family and friends are all around. "God is good, all the time, no
matter what"!.
A memorial service will be held this Sunday afternoon in celebration of
his life:

Sunday, February 26, 06......4:00 P.M.

Redeemer Covenant Church
10801 Fairford Av
Downery, Ca
90241

Love from our hearts to yours................Rick and Marilyn

This Month is Full of Changes

The rumors are flying throughout the Tribune Company and at the Los Angeles Times.

The only problem with rumors, many come to be true. One rumor that keeps churning is the replacement of plant directors at all production facilities in March, this rumor will either be false or true within the next few weeks.

Last year one of the many presidents of the Tribune was quoted as saying an additional eight hundred Tribune employees would lose their jobs this year, this statement was retracted as a misquote. But across Tribune land, the employees feel it was a slip of the tongue, and will happen in July, 2006.

This is possibly the perfect time to purchase Tribune stock, this stock has no where to go but up in the coming months.

Congratulations are in order for our friend Ken Reich (Take Back the Times) on the birth of his first grandchild.

Thanks to everyone in responding to my message regarding addresses of purged (retired)employees, to add to the mailing list for our up coming dinner on March 14th, 2006 at Taix Restaurant.

For the new readers of this blog. My mother relocated from East Los Angeles to Cozumel, Mexico last year, and her home was damaged severely by Hurricane Wilma. I will be returning to Cozumel on April 13th to lend a hand (money) in the re-building process. It's way too hot for me to actually do any work, but I will watch as the work progresses, naturally with a cold beer in hand.

My fingers and legs are crossed that I have jury duty this Friday, I will really miss coming to work on Friday (NOT), but duty calls.

Positive and negative comments to this blog are most welcome, thanks to everyone that takes the time to speak out.

Keep your head up and smile,
Eddie

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

CEO FitzSimons gets a 3.1% Raise


Comments

YIKES!

Posted, February 22, 2006

Tribune Co. panel approves 3.1% raise for CEO FitzSimons

Crain's Chicago Business Yahoo Finance

Tribune's compensation committee has set CEO Dennis FitzSimon’s 2006 base salary at $985,000. His 2005 base salary was $955,000. Scott Smith, who was promoted to president of Tribune Publishing Co. in January 2005, receives a 9.5% pay bump. His 2006 salary is $575,000, up from $525,000 in 2005. (Related item.)

http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=97280

Message via Saul Daniels

A Little Humor To Take The Edge Off

I'm back, I've just about beat the cough/cold that's been knocking me down for the past week or two, so I thought it's time to get back in the blog saddle again. A good friend sent me the following, I'd thought I'd share it with you, it brought back fond memories.

Levels of a Hangover

One Star Hangover (*)
No pain. No real feeling of illness. You're able to function relatively well. However, you are still parched. You can drink 5 Cokes and still feel this way. For some reason, you are craving a steak & fries.

Two Star Hangover (**)
No pain, but something is definitely amiss. You may look okay, but you have the mental capacity of a staple gun. The coffee you are chugging is only increasing your rumbling gut, which is still tossing around the fruity pancake from the 3:00 AM Waffle House excursion. There is some definite havoc being wreaked upon your bowels.

Three Star Hangover (***)
Slight headache. Stomach feels crappy. You are definitely not productive. Anytime a girl walks by you gag because her perfume reminds you of the flavored schnapps shots your alcoholic friends dared you to drink. Life would be better right now if you were home in your bed watching Lucy reruns. You've had 4 cups of coffee, a gallon of water, 3 iced teas and a diet Coke -- yet you haven't peed once.

Four Star Hangover (****)
Life sucks. Your head is throbbing. You can't speak too quickly or else you might puke. Your boss has already lambasted you for being late and has given you a lecture for reeking of booze. You wore nice clothes, but that can't hide the fact that you only shaved one side of your face. For the ladies, it looks like you put your make-up on while riding the bumper cars. Your eyes look like one big red vein, and even your hair hurts. Your sphincter is in perpetual spasm, and the first of about five shits you take during the day brings water to the eyes of everyone who enters the bathroom.

Five Star Hangover (*****)
You have a second heartbeat in your head, which is actually annoying the employee who sits in the next cube. Vodka vapor is seeping out of every pore and making you dizzy. You still have toothpaste crust in the corners of your mouth from brushing your teeth in an attempt to get the remnants of the poop fairy out. Your body has lost the ability to generate saliva so your tongue is suffocating you. You don't have the foggiest idea who the hell the stranger was passed out in your bed this morning. Any attempt to defecate results in a fire hose like discharge of alcohol-scented fluid with a rare 'floater' thrown in. The sole purpose of this 'floater' seems to be to splash the toilet water all over your ass. Death sounds pretty good about right now....

THINGS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN YOU'RE DRUNK:
Indubitably
Innovative
Preliminary
Proliferation
Cinnamon

THINGS THAT ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN YOU'RE DRUNK:
Specificity
British Constitution
Passive-aggressive disorder
Loquacious
Transubstantiate

THINGS THAT ARE DOWNRIGHT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY WHEN YOU'RE DRUNK:
Thanks, but I don't want to have sex.
Nope, no more booze for me.
Sorry, but you're not really my type.
Good evening officer isn't it lovely out tonight.
Oh, I just couldn't.
No one wants to hear me sing.
Sorry I'm being such a jackass

Bringing Down America

Is it any wonder working men and women are unhappy with corporate America, when the top brass take home massive stock options and bonuses, while the company is doing so poorly.

Our corporate master just took home 60,000 restricted shares of the Tribune company, 300,000 stock options, and a bonus of $250,000, while the stock price is at new lows. Advertising volume is down, circulation is down, yet for doing such a poor job, the CEO and Presidents of the Tribune are rewarded.

The employees of the Tribune Company have not taken a raise this year, and no one has communicated anything regarding an increase in wages and benefits. We really didn't expect anything this year, with all the bad news from Chicago last year, but after reading about the top brass being given so much for doing nothing, the employees also deserve compensation as well.

I would like to hear from my fellow Tribune employees on their opinions of this latest slap in the face to employees.

Eddie

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

How About the Employees??????

21-Feb-2006

Entry into Material Agreement


ITEM 1.01. ENTRY INTO A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT.

Restricted Stock Units. On February 14, 2006, the Compensation & Organization
Committee (the "Committee") of the Board of Directors of Tribune Company (the
"Company") granted restricted stock unit ("RSU") awards under the Tribune
Company Incentive Compensation Plan (the "Plan") to the following executive
officers in the amounts indicated below:


Name Title RSU's
Dennis J. FitzSimons Chairman, President and Chief Executive 60,000
Officer
Scott C. Smith President, Tribune Publishing Company 30,000
Donald C. Grenesko Senior Vice President / Finance & 28,000
Administration
John E. Reardon President, Tribune Broadcasting Company 20,000
Crane H. Kenney Senior Vice President, General Counsel & 20,000
Secretary




A form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Notice is attached as an Exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.

Stock options. On February 14, 2006, the Committee awarded stock options under the Plan to the following executive officers in the amounts indicated below:


Name Options
Dennis J. FitzSimons 300,000
Scott C. Smith 90,000
Donald C. Grenesko 85,000
John E. Reardon 60,000
Crane H. Kenney 60,000



A form of Notice of Grant and Stock Option Term Sheet was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 11, 2005 and is incorporated by reference herein. The options will vest over a three-year period from the date of grant.



Annual Management Incentive Plan Bonuses. On February 14, 2006, the Committee approved the following management incentive plan bonuses under the Plan for 2005:

Name Bonus
Dennis J. FitzSimons $250,000
Scott C. Smith 154,000
Donald C. Grenesko 102,800
John E. Reardon 90,000
Crane H. Kenney 78,000


For 2006, the Committee established that operating cash flow and net income on equity investments (or "equity income") will be the performance criteria used in determining management incentive plan bonuses under the Plan. The Plan defines "operating cash flow" as net income before making any adjustment or deduction for interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, writedowns of intangible assets and non-operating gains and losses, and subject to adjustment to account for extraordinary items.

The Committee also established 2006 operating cash flow and equity income goals for the Company's publishing and broadcasting business segments and for the Company on a consolidated basis. Management incentive plan bonuses for corporate executives, including Mr. FitzSimons, Mr. Grenesko and Mr. Kenney, will be based on the achievement of consolidated goals, while management incentive plan bonuses for publishing and broadcasting executives, including Mr. Smith and Mr. Reardon, will be based on achievement of the goals for their respective business segment. The Committee may also consider executives' individual performance in determining the amount of their management incentive plan bonus.

Base Salaries.On February 14, 2006, the Committee also approved increases in the salaries of Mr. FitzSimons, Mr. Smith, Mr. Grenesko and Mr. Kenney. The Committee did not increase Mr. Reardon's salary because it was previously increased in connection with his promotion to President of Tribune Broadcasting Company in November 2005. Effective February 19, 2006, the salaries for these executives are as follows:


Name Salary
Dennis J. FitzSimons $985,000
Scott C. Smith 575,000
Donald C. Grenesko 570,000
John E. Reardon 500,000
Crane H. Kenney 450,000



The Company will provide additional information regarding the compensation of its executive officers in its Proxy Statement for the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which is expected to be filed in March 2006.

Information supplied by Dana

Cell Phones

Cell phones make it possible to stay in touch with loved ones and friends. But where should this constant contact end, restaurants, stores, or in the fast lane of the freeway?

Poll Shows Strong Support for Public Surveillance

CHICAGO, Feb 17, 2006 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Chicagoans strongly support the installation of security cameras that monitor streets, sidewalks and other public places, according to a new Chicago Tribune / WGN-TV poll released today. The poll revealed that eight out of 10 are in favor of the effort as a means of combating crime.

Currently, a few thousand surveillance cameras are used by the city, Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago Housing Authority and other local agencies. Late last month, Mayor Richard Daley endorsed a plan that would add Chicago businesses to that list in spite of opposition from business groups.

The survey also found that 58 percent of respondents supported proposals that would mandate security cameras for thousands of businesses open at least 12 hours a day.

The telephone poll of 700 Chicago registered voters was conducted Friday, February 10, 2006 through Monday, February 13, 2006. The potential margin of error for a sample this size is +/- 4 percent.

For full poll results and to read more about public opinion surrounding surveillance cameras, pick up Friday's Chicago Tribune and go online at http://www.chicagotribune.com .

Chicago Tribune Company publishes the Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper with daily readership of nearly 2 million and nearly 3 million on Sunday. Together with other media businesses it operates -- including chicagotribune.com , RedEye, Hoy and Chicago Magazine -- Chicago Tribune Company reaches approximately 60 percent of adults in Chicagoland every week.

Chicago Tribune is the founding publication of Tribune Company (TRB), one of the country's leading media companies with businesses in broadcasting, publishing and on the Internet.

SOURCE Chicago Tribune

Jury Duty

I thought the courts had forgotten me, I have not served Jurt Duty for many years, but I'm back in the jury pool this week. Some people complain about serving jury duty, I look forward to going to court for a few days, just to break the routine of going to work everyday.

One year I served jury duty in Norwalk, and made a murder trial, it was a drive by shooting that resulted in the death of a young man in the wrong place at the wrong time. What was interesting was the information on gangs. I had no clue the spray painting on the walls actually meant something, before the trial. Like most people, I ignored the scrawlings on walls and went on my way.

To gang members, the graffitti is a type of newspaper, this is a way to communicate with one another on territory and crimes committed, and who was involved. In certain parts of Los Angeles, crews work full time covering the gangs communications, resulting in death occasionally.

The photographs of the dead young man were gruesome, his eyes were open, not like we see in the movies, closed. This was over twenty years ago, yet I still have memories of this case.

Well I do not report to the Pomona court today, but maybe tomorrow?

Eddie

Monday, February 20, 2006

Darn Children

Just took a call from my eldest daughter Kristine, seems her sister Margaret just totalled her Corvette, and was admitted to the hospital in Glendora. Even though Margaret is an , I still worry about her.

She had to have her forehead stitched, and has many bumps and bruises, but will otherwise be fine. I will stop on my way home to see her tonight.

I don't think there is a time that we do not worry about our children.

Eddie

Sunday, February 19, 2006

The Tina Kim Show Was Sold Out

The Tina Kim show was sold out tonight, and Tina was at her best tonight it was reported. I myself was having a ball at the Los Angeles Times, printing tomorrow edition of the newspaper, at time and a half. I would have much rather been at the show drinking and laughing, but such is life.

We're also happy to report there was no drama at tonight's event, my ex-wife acted as a lady and did not cause a scene with my girlfriend Rita.

Today as I walked into the pressroom, I thought we would have an easy day because the Monday newspaper is generally a small edition, but not. Tomorrow's newspaper will be a monster of a newspaper. Yet, Chicago feels the Los Angeles Times is bringing the corporation down, and this is not true, Chicago is bringing the Los Angeles Times down.

The rumors on the Internet about Chicago not being happy that the Los Angeles Times brings in more money than the Chicago Tribune, are true.

On a happier note, my girlfriend Rita has bought your favorite webmaster a new digital camera for Valentines Day, so anyone walking through the Olympic Pressroom should be prepared to have their picture taken.

For those of you that have been regular readers here, you know my mother has relocated to Cozumel, Mexico. I will be returning to Cozumel on April 13th for one week, to help with the rebuilding of my mother's home. Hurricane Wilma torn my mother's home up, as well as the rest of the island. If you have no clue to where Cozumel is located, it's very close to Cuba.

The best prices I have found so far are through the Internet for travel to Cozumel are $531.00 for round trip airfare and $47.00 per night for Hotel Meson. If anyone can supply a better rate please contact me as soon as possible.

I will not answer email's till Wednesday, too busy with the invitations to our next dinner.

Take care,
Eddie AKA I.P. Eddie


Saturday, February 18, 2006

What a Terrible Week at Work

This week is one I would like to forget, but the facts will come out next week in low papers per hour, high waste, and my fingers will be stained with black ink under my nails for days.

As any experienced pressman knows, you never make plans for after work, or you doom your press run for failure. The same goes for telling everyone to have a perfect run, you want a perfect run, but you say nothing about it, till after the fact. Yesterday our boss told every operator they would have or should have a perfect run. This is a no no in the pressroom, and as a result we had a very poor day on the swing shift yesterday. Us pressmen are a superstitious lot.


Our co-worker John Miner has slipped again and broke his arm two days ago. We hope John recovers quickly.

On a sad note, while at the hospital John's doctor started to wrap his head and the nurse stepped in and told him "Doctor, it's not his head that's broken, it's his arm".

For you that do not know John well, he is constantly singing "Dippity Do Da", some wise ass has changed good old John's song to "Slippity Do Da".

Looks like I will be missing the Tina Kim show tomorrow at the Pasadena Ice House, my crew is coming in to work overtime on Sunday. Things happen for a reason, I always believe, I was informed by Tina that a Debi Padgett bought tickets to the show. Tina wondered if this was my sister? No, this is my ex-wife. So there will be no drama at the Ice House tomorrow.

The outlook for Richard Cook is not a good one, his family will be at his side, with family members flying to Los Angeles to be with him. Mr. Cook was a crew supervisor in the pressroom and retired just a few years ago. I have a picture of Rick somewhere, as soon as I can locate the picture I will post it here.

Before one of my co-workers died from the complications of cancer several years ago, he made a request to me, he asked if I would compile a list of everyone with cancer in the pressroom. The list has been growing for many years now, I wonder if the cancer rate for the pressroom is higher than other employees of the newspaper? I may share my list online again. I caught HELL the last time I shared my list online, but I like the attention, so the list will be published again within the next few weeks.

Invitations for our March 14th dinner will start arriving Monday the 22nd of February. If your a pressperson, and in the Los Angeles area, feel free to join us for dinner. The cost is only $25.00 and the food is great at Taix French Restaurant.

I better start getting ready for brunch, my daughter Margaret is celebrating her 19th birthday.

Waving at you,
Eddie

Our Friend Rick Cook

--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Marilyn Cook <twocookin@juno.com
>Date: Sat, 18 Feb 2006 03:54:43 -0800
Subject: Rick up-date
Full-Name: Marilyn Cook

It's 3:30 a.m. Saturday morning (2-18-06). I woke up at 2:00 unable togo back to sleep and finally got up at 3:00. We got a call lateyesterday afternoon from the oncologist with the results of the ct scan Rick had done on Wednesday and she confirmed what we kinda already knew in our hearts was true. The cancer has spread to other areas of his body and the chemo is not really able to keep ahead of it. The doctor had spoken to me last Monday about this when she ordered the ct scan butwhen it is confirmed it suddenly becomes more real! Vickie came up last night from Chula Vista, Bruce and Ricky come up this morning and Dave and Lisa will be flying in to LAX tonight from Lincoln, Nebraska at 9:15. They moved their arrival date up about nine days. Needless to say, weare all devistated. We have many things to talk about in the next couple of days and I just pray that we can keep everything it it's proper prospective and not let our emotions get out of control. The kids are taking this very hard, (not to say that I'm not) and I'm not sure I know exactly what words to say that will comfort them when I need comforting myself! They keep questioning "where is God in all of this?".......(especially the boys) and sometimes it is hard to see where He does fit into the picture; but He does! He makes the picture complete. Without God, the picture is lifeless! But I think it will take someone other than me to get that across to them. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers, I probably won't be answering e-mail for sometime as we will be rather busy here at the house; but just know how much we appreciate you all...

..love from ourhearts to yours.......Rick and Marilyn

Friday, February 17, 2006

Submitted by Pops

Do you remember Times Mirror Press (TMP)? They were a Times Mirror commercial printing house that printed telephone books and commercial work on Broadway in the square and then over on Boyel.

The Mirror Printing Office and Book Bindery as TMP was known back in 1881 printed the first LA Times. When the founders of the LA Times ran into financial problems the paper was inherited by its printer, The Mirror Printing Office and Book Bindery. The company hired as editor former military officer Harrison Gray Otis. Otis and a partner purchased the entire Times and Mirror properties in 1884 and incorporated them as the Times-Mirror Company.

In 1987 Times Mirror sold TMP to GTE and then in 2000, GTE merged with Bell Atlantic to form Verizon Communications.

The history of Times Mirror and it’s first newspaper began with TMP........ But just like San Fernando they are no more!!!!!!


Verizon Information Services
EMPLOYEE BULLETIN
Published Electronically by Public Affairs________________________

VIS Printing to Move to R.R. Donnelley Facilities; Printing Assets To Be Sold

D/FW Airport, Texas (Feb. 16, 2006) -- Verizon Information Services will begin moving all our directory printing to R.R. Donnelley and Sons facilities effective immediately. The transition of work should be completed by mid- to late-March. In addition, R.R. Donnelley has agreed to purchase all VIS printing assets in the Los Angeles and Des Plaines, Ill., printing facilities, with the exception of buildings and land owned by VIS.

The Los Angeles building and land will be sold separately; VIS leases the Des Plaines facility. Distribution operations in Los Angeles are not included in this transaction; however, a sale of the building may require a later move to new facilities.

VIS has been in negotiations with R.R. Donnelley since last September.

Because Donnelley has multiple plants, the change will improve our scheduling flexibility and reduce shipping and manufacturing costs. Under the agreement, approximately 425 different directories will eventually transition to the higher-quality heatset printing process without VIS having to make a significant investment in new presses. The improved look and feel of these directories – many of them major books – will make us more competitive and better position us for future print product enhancements.

The 171 employees in the Los Angeles printing plant and 84 employees in Des Plaines affected by this move were notified earlier today. VIS is providing 60-day notification, job placement services, resume workshops and other services to assist employees in these locations.

“Our printing plants have a long history of extraordinary quality and performance,” said Interim Vice President - Operations Gary Hruska. “But, it’s a simple fact that changes in printing technology are moving so quickly and require so much investment that it makes more sense to work with a supplier whose primary business is printing – especially since printing here is in support of our core yellow pages business. As a major yellow pages printing supplier, Donnelley has expertise and experience and can better afford to invest in new equipment and services. That makes them an excellent partner.”

Another Friday

Yesterday I was pulling what little hair I have on my head out. Seems my Epson C62 printer has decided to stop printing clear characters, getting a ghosting effect on the left side of text documents. Cleaned the heads, aligned the dots for color printing, and tryed sending alcohol soaked paper through the printer, with no improvement in the quality.

I even copied the Word document onto a floppy and attempted to print my much needed text at work, but the floppy was un-useable, wonder if having my cell phone go off while sitting onto of the floppy caused it to not run?

It was suggested I break out some cash and buy a flash drive, and at $10.00, I think I can afford to dish out this large outlay of cash. I never had the need for a flash drive in the past, but yesterday showed me this little device would be handy to have.

Last night before going to sleep I thought about my printer problem, hoping I would have a solution when I awoke at 6:30 am today. Funny thing, I did wake up with a solution! I have two other printers in my household, but couldn't see it yesterday.

Today is payday for Tribune employees, and Friday on top of that, what more could go right today?

Eddie

Thursday, February 16, 2006

Is it Friday Yet?

This has been a hell of a week at work, at least for my crew. We have had three roller wraps (this means the newsprint was mixed into the roller train) so far this week, and my fingernails are looking pretty rough, as well as my fingers.

After reading about how the CEO of the Tribune needs to fix the Los Angeles Times, many of us at work are wondering how much further the company will cut into the Times? Rumor has it, workers are being trained at the Chatsworth Facility as reel tenders, and naturally they will be paid at a lower rate.

I have also heard through the grapevine that the Teamsters are preparing to start a union drive at the newspaper in the next few weeks. Union campaigns are always fun.

May I suggest trying out Zillow, this web site will give you an idea of what your home is worth, and all the homes in your neighborhood. Without asking for your personal information before using this new service. After entering my address and seeing the results, I wonder how my children will ever afford a home in Los Angeles County?

Invitations for our next dinner for our twenty year club will be mailed this weekend, so I may be a little busy and away from my computer as I stuff envelopes.

Be Well, Be Happy,
Eddie



Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Using This Blog

Several users have emailed with questions about posting messages on this blog, here's a short lesson for tonight.

After creating your message, you must select one of three options, Blogger, Other, or Anonymous, before publishing your comments. If you do not select one of the options, blogger will be the default option.

If you already have a blogger profile, you know what to do. If you do not have a profile, you can fill in all the blanks, and others will be able to see your name displayed, and can email you by clicking on your name.

The "Other" option allows you to leave your name, email, and web site for others to visit.

Anonymous is just that, no one knows whom you are.

If you send email my way and it is your first email to me, your message will be caught by my spam blocker. Just leave something in the subject line to grab my attention, and I will respond as soon as possible.

All comments are monitored by Jesse and myself before being published, just incase you wondered why your comments are not posted after hitting publish.

Hope this answered a few questions.

Good Night,
Eddie

Should I call in my wet LA Times?

Didn't anyone tell the Los Angeles Times circulation department it is raining in San Dimas this morning? My paper is soaked and unreadable. Should I call in the wet newspaper, or just visit Circle K and fork over fifty cents for a dry paper?

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Tina Kim Live This Sunday

HELLO EVERYONE,

I am producing my own show (which means I am renting out the Ice House Comedy Club and doing all the promotion for my own show) and I NEED YOUR HELP!

I know that some you don't live in the Pasadena area, but if some of your friends, family, associates, lovahz, or enemies do, I would appreciate it if you could forward along my email to them.I hope to see you at my show.

Thank you for all your support in helping me to reach my career goals. I am inviting some agents and managers to this show and I need your help so thatI can make sure I have a great sold out crowd!

SUNDAY FEB 19TH @ 7:00 PMPLEASE GET YOUR TICKETS ASAP.... THIS SHOW WILL SELL OUT!

Ice House Comedy Club
24 Mentor Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91106

Tickets are $15.00 in advance online only at http://www.tinakim.com/Shows/shows.htm Or $20.00 at the door if there are tickets left. There is a two drink minimum.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO SEE MY LOW RISE JEANS STAND UP CLIP!http://www.youtube.com/w/?v=0oN-b-vH2Zk


Tina Kim

Top job for Tribune Chief: Fix L.A. Times

Feb. 13, 2006
By Jeremy Mullman

Street seeks turnaround for flagship — and fast

Tribune Co. Chairman and CEO Dennis J. FitzSimons faces no bigger task in reversing his company's long slide than repairing its flagship newspaper, the Los Angeles Times.

Circulation and advertising at the Times, which account for nearly 20% of the Chicago-based media conglomerate's total revenue, have fallen sharply since Tribune acquired it in 2000. Now, Mr. FitzSimons and his L.A. management team — the second Tribune has installed there since the $8-billion Times Mirror Co. merger — need to find a solution before Wall Street loses patience.

"They've been throwing anything they can think of at that paper and nothing seems to work," says media analyst Edward J. Atorino of New York-based Benchmark & Co. "Wall Street likes the company, and we love Dennis, but if results don't start improving . . . it's going to be merciless.

"For Tribune executives, the Los Angeles problem is "critical, and it's the most troubling kink in the turnaround story," says Eric McKissack, CEO of Chicago-based Channing Capital Management LLC, which holds more than 600,000 Tribune shares. "It'll be very difficult to turn the company around without turning the Times around.

"While the Chicago Tribune has suffered circulation and ad declines, its losses have been smaller. Total ad lineage at the Tribune was flat during 2005, and weekday circulation during the six months ended Sept. 30 dropped 2.5% compared to the year-earlier period.

LONGTIME GOAL

A reversal of fortune at the Times, long regarded as an editorial heavyweight and financial laggard, has been the goal since long before Tribune bought it.

The paper traditionally has been the dominant local advertising player in L.A., one of the most affluent and desirable media markets in the nation. But it's also a complicated market to compete in.

Tribune Co. CEO Dennis FitzSimons is facing slumping circulation at the Los Angeles Times, which Tribune bought in 2000.

Unlike other cities, where daily newspapers can maintain monopoly-like perches, L.A.'s massive and far-flung suburbs sustain a handful of local dailies with the resources to compete effectively with the Times. The weekly and online rivals besieging newspapers everywhere are in especially abundant supply in L.A. And the area's burgeoning Hispanic population adds yet another wrinkle.

"When Tribune bought the Times, there was a sense that it was an underachieving paper that could be turned around with the right management," says James Goss, an analyst with Barrington Research Associates Inc. in Chicago. "Well, it's six years later, and I think they're beginning to understand why Times Mirror couldn't figure it out.

"In July, Tribune installed a new management team in L.A., headed by Publisher Jeffrey M. Johnson, a Tribune veteran. He has continued aggressive staff and cost cuts, reportedly lopping off 8% of editorial department jobs and replacing much of its ad sales staff. The paper also announced some key editorial changes, eliminating the critically acclaimed Outdoors section because of a lack of advertising and relaunching its Sunday magazine as an upscale title called West.

But those moves have yet to improve results — or even stem declines. On a recent conference call with Wall Street analysts, Tribune Publishing President Scott Smith said the pace of advertising revenue growth in L.A. slowed in the first nine months of 2005 and declined 3% during the fourth quarter, when total ad lineage dropped nearly 13%. (He didn't provide specific numbers.)

Mr. Smith blamed the declines on a few troubling categories, particularly movie advertising, which analysts estimate accounts for between 10% and 15% of the Times' total, compared with 6% for Tribune's entire newspaper group. Mr. Smith said new sales leadership is focused on addressing the category declines.

But competitors and local advertisers say the problems are more Times-specific than Tribune executives acknowledge, contending that turnover on the sales staff and a rigid approach to pricing have taken a toll on the results.

"Our ad revenues grew 8% last year and our movie category grew, too," says LA Weekly Publisher Beth Sestanovich, a former advertising director at the Times. "We've got a lot of advertisers defecting from (the Times) and sending a piece of what they were spending there to us."

Related Article Topics Related Industry News

Ms. Sestanovich attributes the Times' advertising problems to ad rates that have become more expensive relative to the Times' sinking circulation.

Ad buyer Kathy Gardner of Santa Monica, Calif.-based Palisades Media Group shares those pricing concerns: "I don't think the circulation justifies what they charge.

'EROSION' CONCERNS

The circulation story isn't much happier. The Times' declines have outpaced those seen at local rivals the Orange County Register and the Long Beach Press-Telegram. Weekday and Sunday circulation numbers at the Times have dropped about 9% since 2003, despite an industry-leading 10 Pulitzer Prizes during that time.

At least one analyst says he believes staff cuts threaten to undermine the Times' editorial prominence. "After four to five years of cutting costs . . . they are left largely cutting into the 'muscle' of their newspapers," Lehman Bros. analyst Craig Huber wrote recently.

A spokesman for the Times declines to comment for this story. A Tribune spokesman says: "The Los Angeles Times is our largest media business, responsible for more than $1 billion in annual revenue. It is the No. 1 metropolitan newspaper in the country, and its journalists do an outstanding job covering Los Angeles, Southern California, and national and international news. We have a great management team in place at the Times and we're looking forward to the future."

©2006 by Crain Communications Inc.

Tribune Declares Quarterly Dividend

02-14-06 05:42 PM EST

CHICAGO, Feb. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Tribune Company's board of directors today declared a regular quarterly dividend of $.18 per share on common stock payable on Mar. 9, 2006, to shareholders of record at the close of business Feb. 23, 2006. The board took the action at today's regularly scheduled meeting.

TRIBUNE (NYSE: TRB) is one of the country's top media companies, operating businesses in publishing and broadcasting. It reaches more than 80 percent of U.S. households and is the only media organization with newspapers, television stations and websites in the nation's top three markets.

In publishing, Tribune operates 11 leading daily newspapers including the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and Newsday, plus a wide range of targeted publications such as Spanish-language Hoy.

The company's broadcasting group operates 26 television stations, Superstation WGN on national cable, Chicago's WGN-AM and the Chicago Cubs baseball team. Popular news and information websites complement Tribune's print and broadcast properties and extend the company's nationwide audience.

SOURCE Tribune Company

Tribune Stock up

Tribune Co. (TRB) was upgraded at Banc of America to buy from neutral.

Friday, February 10, 2006

Directions for Funeral Tomorrow

From Emmett Jaime;


For those of you thinking of attending the memorial for Joe Thompson, I called the funeral home and got directions.

Going east on the 15, get off at Bear Valley Road, turn left, go down 2 lights, turn right, which should be Amargosa Rd., the funeral home should be 1 mile down Amargosa Rd on the left hand side. Good luck.

Is Up Down and Down Up?

I find it odd that the Tribune announces a 1.1% decline in revenue for January 2006 and the stock price is up thirty-two cents to $30.31 (9:00 am). This upward trend is refreshing for everyone that has a stake in the Tribune.

On Tuesday’s each press operator, at the Olympic Facility, is given a data sheet showing how he/she performed the previous week, with newsprint waste, papers per hour, rolls per break, gross newspapers produced, and standard deviation from press run to press run.

My crew members and myself go over the reports together, and look for areas where we can trim waste, and everyone on the crew has hints and tips to reducing waste.

The 1st week after closing Chatsworth my crew averaged 3.86% waste, 2nd week 2.91%, 3rd week 4.07%, and last week 3.16% waste. With numbers like this, I would have been demoted by last year’s standards. When compared to the other crew’s at Oly, my crew is in the middle of the pack, where waste is concerned. This takes a bit of the stress off, because I may continue doing my job a bit longer than expected.

Last year I was called into a special meeting, because my waste was considered too high, and told the plant director was unhappy with my numbers, and the numbers of two other press operators’. One of our press operator’s was demoted last year, and I was told if I didn’t improve my numbers, I could be placed on probation and or demoted as well.

In the past, when we had equipment issues, we could log onto a special computer and file a work order, which would go to a department head for review. This system was taken away, and we currently have marker boards, on the printing press, and in the pressroom office, to report problems. The new operators from Chatsworth keep asking about the procedure to report faulty equipment, and how they used a paper form to make work orders at their old plant, and equipment was repaired using this type of communication.

Is it any wonder many of the transferred employees find Oly frustrating?

Thank God it’s Friday, for some of us.

Take care,
Eddie

Tribune revenue slips 1.1% in January

By David B. Wilkerson, MarketWatch
Last Update: 10:10 AM ET Feb 10, 2006

CHICAGO (MarketWatch) -- Tribune Co. said Friday that January revenue fell 1.1% compared to the same month last year, to $472 million.

The Chicago-based newspaper publisher and broadcaster (TRB) said publishing revenue was off 1% at $367 million, but advertising sales edged up 0.2% to $289 million.

Tribune shares edged up 11 cents to $30.10 in early trading.

National ad revenue dropped 6.4%, reflecting a decline in movie-related ads at the company's Los Angeles Times property. Excluding movies, national ads would be up 1.8%.
Retail ad revenue rose 1.4% on strength in hardware and home improvement ads.

Classified ads rose 4.1% fueled by 5% spike in help-wanted listings and a 22% improvement in real estate ads, reflecting industry-wide trends. Automotive classified fell 10%, also in line with the industry rate.

Interactive revenue jumped 35% to $17 million. Most newspaper companies are generating significantly higher online revenue as more readers go to the Internet for classified needs.

Full-run ad volume at the Los Angeles Times declined 4.3%; Chicago Tribune ad volume was down 2.3%, and Newsday was down 0.8%. At the company's other daily newspapers, including The Baltimore Sun, the Orlando Sentinel, The Hartford Courant and others, ad volume rose 5.1%.

At Tribune's broadcasting group, revenue fell 1.2% to $105 million. While movie and education ads improved over the same month last year, auto and packaged goods ads declined.

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Funeral For Joe Thompson

The Los Angeles Times Pressmen's Twenty Year Club extends its heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the family of Joe Thompson, who passed away at the age of seventy-seven. Joe passed away on February 6th, from heart bypass complications.

Services will be held: Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 11:30 am
Desert View Memorial Park
11500 Amargosa Road
Victorville, CA.
(760) 244-0007

Messages of sympathy and condolence can be sent to:

Mrs. Alta Thompson
19423 Oneida Court
Apple Valley, CA. 92307
(760) 946-2682

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Sad News to Report

I received a phone call this morning from Dan McQuitty telling me he called Joe's wife, Alta, this morning and she informed Dan that Joe had passed away in his sleep last night.

She will notify Dan with the information regarding the services for her husband.

I will pass them on as I receive them.

The Mohammed Cartoons You Can Not See













The Mohammed Cartoons

Tribune Stock Headed in Right Direction

It's nice to see the Tribune stock up as I awaken this morning, we may even see the stock top the thirty dollar mark if this trend continues. Last week the Tribune stock was within two cents of matching the New York Times, today were almost two dollars higher than the New York Times.

On the left side of the home page I have been adding Tribune properties, just to give you a clue at the size of this company.

The Tribune message board on Yahoo is calling for the head of the company to resign or retire to spend more time with his family. I'm not sure what the answer could be to turn this company around?

With all the bad news over the past few years, it's time for some positive news to come our way.

Stay Positive,
Eddie

Monday, February 06, 2006

Do Not Call List For Cell Phones

Cell Numbers Going Public

JUST A REMINDER, 4 days from today, cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sale calls.

YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS!

These telemarketers will eat up your free minutes and end up costing you money in the long run. To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888/382-1222. It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your time. It blocks your number for five (5) years.

PASS THIS ON TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS

Thank you Jose Gomez

411 and Cell Phones

Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 or more for 411 / information calls when they don't have to.

When you need to use the 411 / information option, simply dial 1 800 FREE 411 or 1-800-373-3411 without incurring a charge at all except for the minutes required to make the call.

This is information people don't mind receiving - Pass it on.

I tried it and checked it on Snopes, and it works.

Works on home phone also

Thank you Jeff

Rick Cook Update

Yesterday (February 2,06) was a very long and tiring day for us. We had
a consultation with the radiologist at 10:00....Rick was supposed to be
in the planning stages for radiation on the leg that he broke on New
Year's Eve Day. I asked about the tumor on the arm that is just below
where the original one was radiated and asked her to again explain to me
why they could not do radiation on that one. So she checked and measured
to see exactly the size and shape and after scanning and x-ray, decided
that they could do radiation on that one on his leg also. She said it
would prabably not totally cover it but would do the majority of it.
They have to be very careful with radiation so that it does not radiate
over areas that have already been radiated and since it is so close to
the original spot, it can be very tricky. They marked the arm and the
leg, set up the machine for both and did the treatment on both; so by the
time we got back home from Hollywood area(20 miles on freeway, during
rush hour) it was almost 4:30 p.m.) Last night was not a good night for
sleeping, Rick's back and neck was giving him lots of problems, probably
from all the pushing and proding. Today he went in for his second
radiation treatment. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week they
will do the same treatments, for a total of five treatments. He also
will have his new Chemo treatment on Tuesday morning (with the radiation
treatment in the afternoon), so that will be a "double whammy".... Pray
that God will give him the strength to see him through all this. I can
see him getting more tired as we get further into this; but he is not a
"quiter" and neither am I! We are in this for the long haul,
Together,with God, all our friends and family...thank God for each and
every one of you. We count you all as a very special gift! Thank you,
thank you......love to all of you, from both of us....Rick and Marilyn

From Emmett regarding Joe Thompson

I thought you all might want to know.

Today I received a call from Dan McQuitty telling me that Joe Thompson suffered a heart attack on the 9th of January,was taken to Loma Linda hospital for surgery on the 15th where he had 2 bypasses. Doctors said his arteries were about 90% blocked and that the arteries in his neck were completely blocked.

He is doing fine now but still in Desert Valley hospital in Hesperia located on Bear Valley Road about 2 miles off the 15 highway. The hospital is located on Bear Valley Road but Dan didn't have the address. He is in room 208, Dan wasn't sure of the area code but thought the number was 760 241-8000.

If you care to send him a get well card here is his address,I sure his wife,Alta,would appreciate hearing form you.

Alta & Joe Thompson
19423 Oneida Court
Apple Valley,Ca.92307
760 946-2682

Here We Go Again

Four of us from my press crew worked on SuperBowl Sunday, and it was a rather easy day for us, but not a good day for others. As we like to say, "Better them than us". We were preparing to wash blankets at 6:45 PM yesterday, when we were notified we had to change over to another zone run. It was very hectic, platemaking was in the process of making the plates for the news sections and the supervisors were scrambling in the office and on pressroom floor. We double and triple checked our plates, to insure we had every plate needed to run the San Gabriel Inland Empire run.

It took well over an hour to have all of our plates made at the last minute, but the press was started, and the run would not impact the night crews much.

Appears my numbers came up in the football pool, so I will be buying lunch for my crew this week, either with meal tickets or cash?

Yesterday as I got into my car, I got the scare of my life. As the key was turned in the ignition, all I heard was that clicking sound of a dead battery. I thought to myself "They will never believe me at work that my car wouldn't start", so I stepped out of my car headed for the battery in the trunk, but the trunk was locked. Seems, I somehow had turned the alarm on, and it has a kill switch to the ignition. The panic attack was over, and I made it to work in plenty of time.

Keep smiling,
Eddie

Sunday, February 05, 2006

Learn To Work Together

Everyone is having difficulties adjusting to the new work loads and atmosphere, including myself. Runs are bigger than ever, days are longer. No matter how much we complain about it, the truth is, they are here to stay. After all it is a business. The community is always expecting to read our bread and butter. I am sure all of us are feeling tired of the long hours, sometimes working through our lunch breaks and until we don't learn how to work together, things will be difficult. Some are use to say: I just come here, put in my time and go home... That is fine, but it does not have to be as hard. Knowing the equipment is just half of it and is no secret that most of our fellow presspeople that had joined us from our former San Fernando Facility don't know the patterns of the webs and balloons. There is nothing wrong about stepping up and ask somebody, provably some still feeling hostile about change, but some of us are willing to help. Ask....Ask, show a little pride, it won't hurt. But like I said Knowing the equipment is just HALF OF IT. Also is about TEAM work, learn how to work together, you will be surprise how easy your days will be. This is not about the company, is about making the transition easier, about making our job a lot easier to perform and have fun at the same time. Show pride about your trade, don't be proud and be an ignorant, after all if we make things easier for ourselves, we are also making it easier for the people around us, our friends.

Saturday, February 04, 2006

Missing Post

I wrote a small message last night, but it has vanished, I wonder if my assistant Jesse is keeping me under control?

Before I leave for Costa Mesa I thought I would leave a short message, and let everyone know the Blackworm did not attack my system at home.

I'm trying out a wireless laptop at the moment, and this is much better than the Blackberry at leaving messages on a blog.

I read many blogs every morning, and on Boifromtroy, he stated that he has returned as a subscriber to the Los Angeles Times.

I would still like to do my part and insert a link to subscribe to the Los Angeles Times, with all proceeds going to our club, from this web site.

Well, Rita and I are out of here.

Eddie



Friday, February 03, 2006

From Billy Widner

New Computer Virus Warnings

The George Bush Virus - Causes your computer to keep looking for viruses of mass destruction.

The John Kerry Virus - Stores data on both sides of the disk and causes little purple hearts to appear on screen.

The Bill Clinton Virus - Gives you a permanent Hard Drive; with NO memory.

The Al Gore Virus - Causes your computer to keep counting and re-counting.

The Bob Dole Virus - Makes a new hard drive out of an old floppy.

The Monica Lewinsky Virus - Sucks all the memory out of your computer, and then e-mails everyone about what it did.

The Arnold Schwarzenegger Virus - Terminates some files, leaves, but will be back.

The Mike Tyson Virus - Quits after two bytes.

The Oprah Winfrey Virus - Your 200 GB hard drive shrinks to 100 GB, and then slowly expands to re-stabilize around 350 GB.

The Ellen Degeneres Virus - Disks can no longer be inserted.

The Prozac Virus - Totally screws up your RAM, but your processor doesn't care.

The Michael Jackson Virus - Only attacks minor files.

The Lorena Bobbitt Virus - Reformats your hard drive into a 3.5 inch floppy ... then discards it through Windows.

Thursday, February 02, 2006

Reading Body Language

Many years ago I was enlightened to body language, and it was my own body language I was unaware of. Before my ex-wife and I divorced, we started marriage counseling, but my ex didn't care for it, so I attended alone for many months. On my last visit with the therapist, he pointed something out to me. He said "Edward, everytime you say to me you want to be with your wife, your shaking your head back and forth. Edward, your body language is saying the opposite of what is coming out of your mouth".

WOW, I said to myself, and the journey into understanding my body language and the body language of others began.

Just becoming a new single person drew me to books like Nonverbal Communications, and Understanding Body Language to name just a few. This was one way to have a clue if a female was interested in me or not.

I use the body language from others to seek out the truth, as an example, I will ask if I'm doing a good job? If they answer yes, but move their heads in a no manner, I know their true thoughts. Another tell tale sign, is the touching of the face, when someone is lying they will generally touch their face, especially their nose, and sometimes the ear. You can also note the speed of eyelid blinking, the faster their blinking, could be an indication of a lie, but not always. You could be making them feel uneasy, due too the subject.

I have noticed at work that simply saying the name of a cookie causes some to feel uneasy, by watching their body language.

I'm the type with a dry sense of humor, I will simply state this singers name and watch the reactions.


Yes, this is good old Wayne Newton. One employee asked me not to keep saying Wayne Newton in front of him, in fear he might call our boss Wayne. What could be wrong with that I asked?

Remember, be yourself, and be honest. Agree to disagree.

Good Night,

Eddie AKA IP Eddie

The Tina Kim Show..

HELLO EVERYONE,

I am producing my own show (which means I am renting out the Ice House Comedy Club and doing all the promotion for my own show) and I NEED YOUR HELP!

I know that some you don't live in the Pasadena area, but if some of your friends, family, associates, lovahz, or enemies do, I would appreciate it if you could forward along my email to them.

I hope to see you at my show.

Thank you for all your support in helping me to reach my career goals. I am inviting some agents and managers to this show and I need your help so thatI can make sure I have a great sold out crowd!

SUNDAY FEB 19TH @ 7:00 PM

PLEASE GET YOUR TICKETS ASAP.... THIS SHOW WILL SELL OUT!

Ice House Comedy Club
24 Mentor Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91106

Tickets are $15.00 in advance online only at http://www.tinakim.com/Shows/shows.htm
Or $20.00 at the door if there are tickets left.

There is a two drink minimum.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO SEE MY LOW RISE JEANS STAND UP CLIP!
http://www.youtube.com/w/?v=0oN-b-vH2Zk





















Tina Kim

Update Your Anti-Spyware Programs Today

=============================================

Top Threat: Blackworm

Blackworm has generated a great deal of concern in advance of an event scheduled in the worm itself for this Friday, February 3, on which the malware will turn on its host system, committing widespread damage to data and program files throughout the system.

http://ct.enews.pcmag.com/rd/cts?d=184-2464-14-56-143276-299552-0-0-0-1

=============================================

I would suggest updating your spyware and virus programs sometime today, and scan your system before the Blackworm activates. You may not be infected, but why take a chance? Last year my system was infected with a worm, and it was not an experience I would like to repeat again.

If you do not have a spyware program, may I suggest down loading SpyBot Search and Destroy,
Ad-Aware SE Personal, or Avast anti virus. All three programs are FREE.

Or you can search for spyware removal software at download.com and Tucows.com.

If you don't hear from me for a few days, I was infected with the Blackworm, and I'm on the floor going through withdrawls from the lack of a computer fix.

Eddie

A Little Humor To Start The Day

DEMOCRACY

You have two cows.
Your neighbor has none.
You feel guilty for being successful.
Barbara Streisand sings for you.


REPUBLICANISM

You have two cows.
Your neighbor has none.
So?


SOCIALISM

You have two cows.
The government takes one and gives it to your neighbor.
You form a cooperative to tell him how to manage his cow.


COMMUNISM

You have two cows.
The government seizes both and provides you with milk.
You wait in line for hours to get it.
It is expensive and sour.


CAPITALISM, AMERICAN STYLE

You have two cows.
You sell one, buy a bull, and build a herd of cows.


BUREAUCRACY, AMERICAN STYLE

You have two cows.
Under the new farm program the government pays you to shoot one, milk the other, and then pours the milk down the drain.


AMERICAN CORPORATION

You have two cows.
You sell one, lease it back to yourself and do an IPO on the 2nd one.
You force the two cows to produce the milk of four cows. You are surprised when one cow drops dead. You spin an announcement to the analysts stating you have downsized and are reducing expenses.
Your stock goes up.


FRENCH CORPORATION

You have two cows.
You go on strike because you want three cows.
You go to lunch and drink wine.
Life is good.


JAPANESE CORPORATION

You have two cows.
You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk.
They learn to travel on unbelievably crowded trains.
Most are at the top of their class at cow school.


GERMAN CORPORATION

You have two cows.
You engineer them so they are all blond, drink lots of beer, give excellent quality milk, and run a hundred miles an hour.
Unfortunately they also demand 13 weeks of vacation per year.


ITALIAN CORPORATION

You have two cows but you don't know where they are.
While ambling around, you see a beautiful woman.
You break for lunch.
Life is good.


RUSSIAN CORPORATION

You have two cows.
You have some vodka.
You count them and learn you have five cows.
You have some more vodka.
You count them again and learn you have 42 cows.
The Mafia shows up and takes over however many cows you really have.


TALIBAN CORPORATION

You have all the cows in Afghanistan, which are two.
You don't milk them because you cannot touch any creature's private parts.
You get a $40 million grant from the US government to find alternatives to milk production but use the money to buy weapons.


IRAQI CORPORATION

You have two cows.
They go into hiding.
They send radio tapes of their mooing.


POLISH CORPORATION

You have two bulls.
Employees are regularly maimed and killed attempting to milk them.


BELGIAN CORPORATION

You have one cow.
The cow is schizophrenic.
Sometimes the cow thinks he's French, other times he's Flemish.
The Flemish cow won't share with the French cow.
The French cow wants control of the Flemish cow's milk.
The cow asks permission to be cut in half.
The cow dies happy.


FLORIDA CORPORATION

You have a black cow and a brown cow.
Everyone votes for the best looking one.
Some of the people who actually like the brown one best accidentally vote for the black one.
Some people vote for both.
Some people vote for neither.
Some people can't figure out how to vote at all.
Finally, a bunch of guys from out-of-state tell you which one you think is the best-looking cow.


CALIFORNIA CORPORATION

You have millions of cows.
They make real California cheese.
Only five speak English.
Most are illegals.
Arnold likes the ones with the big udders

Archives Appear to be running

After several adjustments to the path of the archive.html file, I have finally hit paydirt with the correct path for viewing older messages. Many bloggers simply allow the blogger program to set all the paths for their blogs, I have to do it the hard way.

Thank you Jesse for reminding me to correct the path to the archives, otherwise, I would have either ignored it or forgot to correct it.

Now that the archives are running, the blog itself will start to change it's appearance. In the mean time, I'm off to Albertson's and washing clothes before work.

Peace,
I.P. Eddie

How's the Situation in the Pressroom?

In one sense, things are getting better, in another, things are getting worse.

Wasted newspapers and newsprint have always been the focus of the Los Angeles Times Pressrooms, and recently our equitment has been getting the needed attention to cut waste. The machines (Ferags) that carry the newspapers to the mailroom are being serviced, and faulty detectors are being replaced.

Just Monday when five-hundred and sixty newspapers were added to my crews waste, I walked down to the mailroom to inspect the bad newspapers. To my shock, there were no bad newspapers! Seems the mailroom was just padding the drawn, attempting to prevent an under run and not run finals. This was a daily occurance, and adds 7% to 8% waste to my crews production report, we will no longer pad the count. I'm happy to report.

Friday's is what is worse in the pressroom, seems we are running in many different directions, without knowing what path we want to take?

Last Friday after returning from a much needed lunch break, we find another crew working on our press. When I asked if they were there to help us, the crew said they had been assigned to this particular press, so we had to jump to another press. My crew members had everything in place for a quick make ready, and jumping to another press added confusion to an already stressful situation.

To make matters worse, seventy-five percent into make ready, here comes another supervisor, changing our line (different zone) up to a competely different line up. The press was stopped, and we started from the beginning again, making reel changes and copies of the new press run. So our press was not ready for the next crew, would someone please get your act together.

I'm out of time at the moment, but you can keep the paid lunches, and shut my press down at 7:30 PM tomorrow, we rather have a lunch break than the paid lunch every Friday.

Eddie

PS I'm bring in two dozen tamales for my crew on Friday, in case we are forced to work through lunch.

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Rick Cook Update

--------- Forwarded message ----------

From: Marilyn Cook <twocookin@juno.com>
Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2006 21:57:19 -0800
Subject: Rick/Up-date

Just to let you know Rick didn't get his Chemo yesterday (Tuesday,Jan.31st). His blood pressure was too low and his pulse was too high(151). He was de-hydrated, so they gave him fluids (about 4 hours). They have postponed his chemo for a week.

The oncologist does not feelthe chemo he is on is working well. The other small tumor that had started on his right shoulder that she was hoping would be taken care of with the chemo had not shrunk; in fact, it had grown some and she wants to try a different chemo; but he has to be prepared a week in advanced for it.

She gave him a B-12 shot yesterday and he will take a week's work of folic acid before he starts treatment. Tomorrow he has another appointment with the radiologist to get set up for radiation on the leg that he broke.

Since there was a tumor in that leg, they feel enough time has lapsed to begin radiation there. We will know more tomorrow; but undoubtedly in will be another 10 days in succession.

Next Monday he goes back to the orthopedic doctor for another x-ray on the leg and he will say when and if the leg has healed enough to begin radiation on the leg. He is actually doing very well with the walker and should be able to use a cane within the next 2-3 weeks.

Next Tuesday will be the third Chemo treatment, so that will be the half-way point.

God has been so good to us to give us such loving and caring friends and family. We thank you for your faithful prayers and know that it is through them that we draw our strength.

Love to all of you from both of us.......Rick and Marilyn

You Know Your Getting Old When.....

Do you ever wonder if your coming down with Alzheimer’s, I often wonder if this is what is wrong with me, I'm sure it's only a slight case though.

I'll rush out of my upstairs bedroom, and run down the stairs, only to ask myself "What did I come downstairs for?". When I return to my bedroom, I remember what I was after downstairs.

This morning Nathan had an appointment at the orthodontist, and they were running thirty minutes behind, so I was watching my clock on my cell phone. After Nathan's braces were adjusted, we drove to the car wash, and while the car was being washed, we ate at the Taco Bell inside. We left the carwash with only a few minutes to spare before hitting the freeways to work. So I gave Nathan the plastic bag with our extra taco's enclosed, and I sped off to work.

About five in the afternoon I discovered my cell phone was missing, I checked my locker and car twice. Looked all over the press, thinking someone was playing a joke on me. I finally gave up, and sat down with a coffee in one hand and a cigarette in the other, pondering where my cell phone could be?

It finally dawned on me that I had placed my cell phone in the plastic bag, which was now in the refrigerator at home. I called home and indeed, my cell phone was just where I placed it.
I'll classify this under CRS (Can't Remember Shit).

Eddie