Before leaving the newsroom, four out of five journalists recommend using… The Door

The Door in all it's glory.
The Door in all it’s glory.
The above statement is more than just a flashy headline meant to hook you into reading this post. It’s a proven fact, based on a highly coordinated, in-depth poll taken over the course of three minutes here at the Siuslaw News.

I know what you’re asking yourself: Why not five out of five?

That’s because we actually only have four reporters in our newsroom. The fifth person in this poll isn’t “technically” a reporter because, technically speaking, he was already on the other side of The Door, jamming a plumbing snake down the commode. So, as a show of my journalistic integrity — and also because someone at the corporate office may read this and add more projects because of our “new five-person staff” — I couldn’t in good conscience claim 5-out-of-5 in my headline.

Just for the record, “Bo” the plumber did say he thought about being a reporter but decided against it because, as he explained, “Fixing toilets pays better and, unless the last person to use it ate alphabet soup, there’s no grammar to deal with.”

But you didn’t come here for that. Well, maybe that guy did. The rest of you came because it’s Tuesday; it’s the day we gather at The Door (of Shame, Blame and Brilliance) to highlight one of the many coveted newspaper clippings that have been assembled on The Door by reporters here at the Siuslaw News since the 1970s.

Before we begin, we must follow a certain protocol — a ritualistic show of respect if you will — that dates back as far as I can remember, keeping in mind that I am approaching 47. As always, let’s join hands and, speaking in a monotoned voice similar to any character played by Kristen Stewart, repeat the following mantra:

The Door is a beacon, drawing us into the jagged rocks of journalism.

Unlike most clippings on The Door, this one has no date or newspaper credit, which leads me to believe it was clipped and posted by someone in haste. Or someone intoxicated.

Either way, it is unique because it encompasses two of our criteria: Blame and Shame. Undoubtedly, after this was published, the editor thought, “It’s totally shameful I missed the absolute stupidity of this headline… Hey, I’ll blame the copy editor!”

I think I actually saw this guy. Sadly, I thought he was just shooing flies...
I think I actually saw this guy. Sadly, I thought he was just shooing flies…

Join us again next Tuesday, when we will once again stand before The Door and ask: Are these clippings the only thing holding this door together?

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Ned's Blog

I was a journalist, humor columnist, writer and editor at Siuslaw News for 23 years. The next chapter in my own writer’s journey is helping other writers prepare their manuscript for the road ahead. I'm married to the perfect woman, have four great kids, and a tenuous grip on my sanity...

60 thoughts on “Before leaving the newsroom, four out of five journalists recommend using… The Door”

  4. Perfection! Your office is clearly in possession of the most eruditely adorned door in existence. Allow me to restate that: Your office is clearly possessed.

    Reply

    1. Without a doubt. Things get moved around on my desk all the time that I don’t remember moving. And sometimes, it’s not even me doing it… *shivers*

      Reply

    1. LOL! I don’t know why that seems more sad to me than a one-armed person. Maybe because a seal with one fin could be mistaken for a shark? I don’t know…

      Reply

        1. While reloading fire hose the other day… (pausing for visual)… the guy working with me was preparing to leave the required 18-inch gap for the nozzle. “I’ll have to drop my pants to measure that,” he said.

          “And then what,” I replied. “Multiply by six?”

          So yes, Lisa, I concur 😉

          Reply

  10. Just so you know, year sago, I talked my roommate into joining a badminton league thinking this was one sport we could actually win. Our first opponent was a one armed 70 year old man and he kicked our a—s! Used his ‘wing to throw up the birdie for a serve and slammed it! Still on the hunt for a sport where I can actually be a contender

    Reply
  12. Pingback: I swear I’m not an ungrateful jerk… | Ned's Blog

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