Our publisher’s last day at The Eagle is today and I’m going to miss him. I have gotten to know Lou better than any other publisher we’ve had and always found him to be an engaging, funny and interesting man. I’m glad Lou is staying in Wichita and know he’ll do well wherever he lands after his retirement from the newspaper. Even though Lou has been in Wichita for only six years, I believe, he loves this city and it’s nice to know he’ll most likely be in a position to help Wichita.
Good luck, Lou.
You know what, kudos to my first love for responding here on this blog. And for the appreciation she has for my parents, who were so good to her during her last year of high school in Derby.
This is a crazy turn of events and I wondered about sharing it in this blog. But isn’t that what blogs are for? Heck if I know.
I have no ill will toward her, none at all. As for Heather’s question about whether she’s married _ no, she is not. But a reconciliation after 33 years is not in the cards. Heather so badly wants me to find a woman. Heather, don’t worry about me. I’m trying so spare women.
I was glad to hear from my former flame and glad to know she’s doing well. I had a very good time with her back in the day. Sure, it about killed me when she dumped me. Yes, it helped make me the jaded man I am today. Of course, I have never been able to trust anyone.
Just kidding. I’m OVER it. Way, way, way over it.
Being a single guy, and a very-much desired single guy I might add, women are always a part of my life.
Don’t I wish.
Anyway, the most interesting thing to happen to me lately is an e-mail I received from my very first love. I won’t divulge a name here because I’m sure she wouldn’t want to be known as Bob Lutz’s very first love.
I hadn’t heard from her in 33 years, since she broke my heart in 1974. It was a traumatic time in my life, one I had nearly forgotten until this e-mail popped on my screen. Now I’m fidgety, short-tempered, nervous. Come to think of it, that’s how I always am.
Anyway, my former flame said she had thought of me on a particular day because we had been engaged to be married on that day. Now, I believe she is right. But when I think that I could have married someone when I was not yet 20 years old, I have to come to the conclusion that I was insane.
Who was paying attention to me in those days? Did anyone _ my parents included _ offer to have me institutionalized. No offense to my first love, but marriage? You did the right thing in breaking it off.
I remember she bought a motorcycle and just hit the road. There was no real breakup; she just stopped having anything to do with me. Little did I know such reaction would become a trend in my life.
Anyway, I’m glad she wrote. We caught up a little bit. I’m glad I know she’s doing well and happy.
But I’m glad we didn’t get married. Really, really glad.
Let’s go through the process of what it takes for an Opinion Line caller to have his or her thoughts published daily on The Eagle’s Op/Ed pages.
1) Said person must formulate the thought. Not just formulate it, but have it become a vital part of their being.
2) Said person must dial the Opinion Line number, 316-268-6300 and go through the formulated process of recording the formulated thought.
3) Said person must be comfortable speaking not to a person, but to a recorder. That’s not easy. I always feel really silly when I speak into a recorder.
4) Said person must get to the end of their opinion, hang up the phone and feel proud of what they have just said. Which, is you read most of the postings on the Opinion Line, is the most surprising fact of all.
Here are just a couple from the Sept. 12 newspaper:
News flash for all you unsophisticated Wichitans who think your city is all that: It is possible to turn right on a red light once you come to a complete stop.
Comment: Apparently there are people in town who aren’t aware of that law, which absolutely drains the sophistication from the community. Please, Wichita drivers, read up on the rules.
Speeding is a misdemeanor. Possessing a small amount of marijuana is a misdemeanor. So you people who are committing a crime just as bad as possessing marijuana.
Comment: I want some of what this Opinion Line caller is smoking.
I wonder if all the white people in Wichita could file complaints with the NAACP against the Wichita Police Department, because from what I’ve heard, there were thousands of white people arrested last year. What a surprise.
Comment: Is there a law against ignorance?
Short and sweet. I bowled a 499 series Tuesday night at Seneca Bowl, 79 pins better than my first week. Thanks to Wichita State bowling coach Mark Lewis for some tips that really helped me. On a busy day Tuesday, Lewis set aside 30 minutes to give me some instruction. What a guy.
The first night of league play went about as expected. I bowled a 422 series, with a high game of 157. Nothing to write home about. Not that I make a practice out of writing home. And, really, who does? People who aren’t home, I guess.
Anyway, I have the bowling bug. This league goes until approximately 2012 so I’ll be getting plenty of practice. We’re bowling at Seneca Bowl, my newest hangout. I’m in the market for a gleaming new bowling ball and, of course, matching shoes. And our team is going for shirts _ black for the men and pink for the women with the appropriate trim. I’m into this. We’ll see how long that lasts.
One of our big online honchos, Jeff Butts, just came over to tell me of some of the comments attached to my columns at Kansas.com, the Wichita Eagle’s website. He indicated they were rather nasty.
I never read them. It’s not because i can’t stand the heat that comes with being a sports columnist. In fact, I love that part of the job. It took me a while to get used to it, but the give and take with readers _ even those readers who cannot hide their disdain for me and for what I write _ has become one of the job’s highlights.
However, I don’t need to read the comments section for my columns. So I don’t. What is to gain? Is there any added insight that would help me do my job better? No, I don’t think so. I think that kind of insight comes from talking to fans and finding out what is on their minds.
I’m in Atlanta, getting ready for tonight’s Kansas State-Auburn game. It’s going to be awesome because my son, Jeff, is covering the game for The Eagle, too. He’s been in Atlanta this summer serving an internship with MLB.com. He’s done a fantastic job, by the way. That is his father speaking. Anyway, our K-State beat writer, Jeffrey Martin, is unavailable for the weekend so my son agreed to cover the game. We’ve worked a few events together in the past, but nothing like this.
So I’ll try not to be a wreck and watch over his shoulder as he covers the game. After all, I have my own job to do. Looking forward to the day. I’m staying over tomorrow and going to the Mets-Braves game and returning home Monday. I’ll tell you all about it.
Happy Labor Day.