Blake’s Blog

They say all good things must come to an end.

And alas, Blake’s Blog must come to an end, too.

This will be my very last blog posting to you, gentle readers. (Unless one of our public officials does something really stupid later today after I post this, which is always a distinct possibility around here.)

Why is Blake’s Blog shutting down?

No, my editors aren’t stifling this blog because I pushed the boundaries too far. (Although, looking back, I probably should have pushed them further than I did.)

No, I haven’t contracted some dreaded disease that’s going to require me to live in a colony on some remote island. (A disappointment to some folks around here, I’m sure.)

And no, I haven’t decided to buy a canoe rental business and get out of journalism for good. (At least not this week.)

But I am moving off the editorial board and back to The Commercial Appeal’s reporting ranks. Starting Monday, I’ll be covering business news.

While I’ve always loved politics and will continue to follow it, I’m going to need to concentrate my attention on my new duties at work.

And let’s face it: Posting items about the latest Starbucks opening (or closing) wouldn’t be true to the spirit of Blake’s Blog, anyway.

It’s been a heck of a fun airplane ride. I didn’t remember until I checked the archives, but Blake’s Blog started way back on August 23, 2003. This will be my 1,071st post, which seems as good a number as any to quit on.

During that time, you’ve replied with 572 comments, which I appreciate. I would have liked to have had more, but I like to think that after reading my postings, maybe you were too doubled-over with laughter to type. (Yeah, I have my own warped sense of reality. You should visit me here sometime. It’s nice.)

Anyway, I’ve really enjoyed this - and I hope you have, too. Even Shea Flinn. And even Jim Strickland, who will probably find at least eight factual errors in this final post. And even Steve Mulroy, who probably won’t have time to read this post because he’s too busy trying to explain to the Shelby County Election Commission how instant runoff voting would actually work.

I wish I could offer some really profound parting words of advice. Like "follow the money" - three words which one of my journalism professors swore were critical to surviving in this business. (My answer to that question on his final exam was "location, location, location.")

Anyway, for those of you who want to stay in touch, I’ll still be around. Thanks for reading.

And with that, no Sopranos-style blackout. I’ll just wave goodbye….

Daniel Connolly had an interesting story in our Viewpoint section over the weekend about a lot of the new projects in or around the Medical Center.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has been a big part of the area’s growth, with about $1 billion worth of new construction over the last 10 years.

When St. Jude officials visited with our editorial board a few days ago, they were telling us that one of the new buildings is used to house the laboratory rats the hospital uses in its research.

That’s right. A huge building filled with lots and lots of rats. And it’s not located in Civic Center Plaza.

Not that I take any great comfort in this, but the United States isn’t the only country with huge economic problems right now.

This week, the federal government in Iceland shut down trading on its stock exchange for two days and took over the country’s largest bank.

So I guess you could say they’re having a meltdown…

Since voters are heading to the polls as I write this item, I’ll refrain from offering any commentary today on the Ninth Congressional District race. Although you can pretty much expect that’ll be a topic I’ll return to in the days ahead.

Instead, today’s topic involves Lisa Marie Presley and her official confirmation of the rumors and speculation that she’s pregnant with twins.

Since this is an election day, that made me wonder why none of the Presleys have ever really gotten involved in politics in this town. Elvis clearly had a social conscience (reference: "In the Ghetto") but neither he nor his immediate family members tried to parley fame into political careers.

There’s still time for Lisa Marie or even Priscilla to do so, of course, assuming either of them wanted to return to Memphis and live here full-time.

And there’s certainly time for Lisa Marie’s teenage children, Riley and Ben, or those soon-to-be-born twins to get into politics, if they had any interest in that line of work.

And yeah, I know politics is a tough business and it’s not for everybody. But if you’re pretty much set for life financially, it seems like politics would be one way to give something back to the community.

Of course, just because someone has a famous name doesn’t mean that person has what it takes to be a good community servant. But around here, a lack of qualifications hasn’t stopped many people from running for office.

Which brings me to my final thought of the day: If you haven’t already, please vote. And, bearing in mind what I wrote in the paragraph directly above, please vote wisely.

Greetings, folks.

This truth may be self-evident, but I won’t be blogging again before Monday at the earliest.

I wish everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend.

Even Shea Flinn, whom I’ve never once seen wearing a flag pin.

Hmmm.

According to a story in today’s newspaper, two Old Testament scholars from Rhodes College have written a book, due to hit the stores today, titled "The Uncensored Bible: The Bawdy and Naughty Bits of the Good Book."

If they’re having a book signing party, that’s one I’d be sure to avoid. After all, who wants to be struck by lightning?

I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to comment on this sooner, but in light of the Memphis Grizzlies’ continued woes - dwindling attendance, losing close games, losing not-so-close games, getting rid of their one-time franchise player and such - it occurred to me that maybe what the team needs is a real butt-kicking coach.

Coincidentally, Bob Knight just happens to be available.

Think about it.

At the very least, it would increase the entertainment factor involved in visiting the FedExForum.

Although all those people who can afford high-priced sideline seats might have to start wearing helmets to protect them against flying chairs.

Here’s a random thought for a Monday: With our local NBA franchise mired in yet another losing streak, is it time to consider renaming the team after an animal that doesn’t hibernate in the winter?

Talk about getting the new year off to a lousy start.

According to a story posted on our web site today, Comcast cable customers along the Lamar Avenue corridor have lost service due to gunfire.

That’s right, gunfire. Apparently, one or more bullets damaged fiber lines strung along utility poles.

According to Otha Brandon, Comcast’s director of government affairs, the damage may have been caused by someone ringing in 2008 with celebratory gunfire. (Hey, those bullets fired into the air really do have to come down sometime. I had a very expensive roof repair as a result of someone doing the same thing near my neighborhood a few years ago.)

Anyway, the cable outage must really stink for people who were planning to enjoy a day watching college football bowl games. Now you know how those of us who have satellite TV feel when it rains.

.

Egads!

Those blokes (and blokettes) in one of our eastern suburbs have decided to rename the Germantown Centre as the Germantown Athletic Club.

Land sakes and all that.

I hope they’ll at least serve tea and crumpets at the snack bar, wot?