The Blogs Thicken

While I'm struggling to get back into my pre-holiday groove, others who share my logo are rising up to carry the blog-load. Since the three of them have made a point of sharing their thoughts with me, I feel compelled to pass the favor on to you.

Chris Morton is one of our youngest photogs, but has quickly mastered the art of pretending to listen to self-appointed masters of the form. (Sorry about that, C-Mo). Along the way, he's finding time to blog about it in the strangely titled site, The Ear Has No Memory. Morton's efforts prove what I've always said: You haven't gotta sling a camera long to collect war stories by the pound.

Another fellow broadcaster who's bringing his thoughts to the blogosphere is Doug Taylor, long-time employee of El Ocho. Doug manages our tape room, keeping track of commercials, feeds and promos, all while fending off oddball requests from the news department. He considers himself a curmudgeon, but you'll never meet a nicer one. Drop in on him and decide for yourself . But be warned: you might leave with a case of Tape Room Blues

Finally, we come to a co-worker I've mentioned before. Jeff Varner grabbed national attention when he took on the Outback and the alliances of Survivor, Season Two. He didn't win the million, but he parlayed the opportunity into some high profile gigs in the frothy world of entertainment news. But the tinsel wore thin and soon Jeff decided to use his J-school degree from Chapel Hill for more than a conversation piece. The title of his budding blog explains the rest: The Making of a News Anchor

I'm delighted to welcome these three colleagues to the fold, as I think they're helping define just what a broadcaster's blog can be. But where does this revolution end? Will weblogs one day become as ubiquitous as e-mail addresses? Too early to tell, say the experts. Technology may come along and render the blog as antiquated as yesterday's cable box. One thing is for sure, the internet is quickly becoming democratized. While techno-wizards may one day replace our beloved format, they will never take OUR FREEDOM!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have some blue and white war paint to scrape off...