JON POPS UP

2006-03-26T13:45:00.000-05:00

JON POPS UP
Originally uploaded by tgraham54.

There we were on a Thursday night, playing around Jon's new sign by the newsdesk table, and up popped Fobes. The guy had the night off, but when food and a coat mysteriously showed up in front of his sign, there he was coming out of the bottle of something from Sea World to bark at us. Happiness is a uncluttered table.

THE GOOD SHIP MAYO

2006-02-22T13:12:00.000-05:00

THE GOOD SHIP MAYO
Originally uploaded by tgraham54.

You never know what you'll find cruising over the Newsdesk at night. Just the other day, Jon Fobes spotted this very ripe packet of mayo looking to burst on the scene. Ever the chef, Jon tried to see if someone wanted some with their dinner. Alas, he was rejected and dejectedly contributed it to Ron on his nightly visit.

FIRST PEDAL TO THE POINT

2006-02-06T13:16:00.000-05:00

FIRST "BIKE" RIDE
Originally uploaded by tgraham54.

That's Timmy, age three, in Wichita, Kansas in 1957. Now, 49 years later, he's still wearing the same cycling outfit. Sad isn't it?

NEWSDESK ACTION FIGURES

2006-01-19T16:23:00.000-05:00

The evening stroll around the newsdesk for Mulder and Scully started out innocent enough, but by the time they got home they were in a Funk. Luckily, Obi Wan was there with his light sabre to send the Funk packing.

NEWSDESK ACTION FIGURES
Originally uploaded by tgraham54.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL

2005-12-18T20:50:00.000-05:00

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL
Originally uploaded by jon fobes.

Happy Holidays to one and all!

THE PD's EVIL TOOTHPICK TREE

2005-12-10T14:49:00.000-05:00

PD PAGANS REJOICE!
STOLEN FROM RONA BY JON .

PD heathens (I am kidding!) unveil our traditional toothpick tree! This gives me an excuse to send you a link to my 2005 holiday message on evergreens and evil forces. P.S. I grabbed this photo from Rona's Flickr photostream.
EVERGREENS AND EVIL FORCES

THE RECEPTION

2005-12-02T10:13:00.000-05:00

THE RECEPTION
Originally uploaded by tgraham54.

Besides Emily and Emmet, our boss, David Kordalski, front, and Stephen Beard yuck it up.

EMILY & EMMET GET MARRIED

2005-12-02T10:12:00.000-05:00

EMILY & EMMITT GET MARRIED
Originally uploaded by tgraham54.

Emily, copy editor, designer and now reporter on loan to the city desk (we hope), was one happy woman on her wedding day. Emmet looks like he's a happy dude as well.

LIGHTS OUT

2005-11-29T20:46:00.000-05:00

I ACTUALLY WANTED HER TO
Originally uploaded by tgraham54.

Mary Ann from pagination was a Sunday night visitor to the newsdesk. Of course this isn't Mary Ann taking a snooze, it's her Kellie. I had e-mailed a version of this to our Kim Moy in New York, and she said what's with the hair? Mary Ann said, hey you work with whatcha got.

RONAWORLD MAGAZINE

2005-11-29T11:36:00.000-05:00

RONAWORLD MAGAZINE
Originally uploaded by jon fobes.

More fun on Flickr with Rona, who is such a good sport to put up with all my fooling around! This was made with a program from the famous "Flickr Toys" site.

RONA'S NEW HAIR GETS RAVE REVIEWS!

2005-11-27T20:37:00.000-05:00

RONA'S NEW HAIR
Originally uploaded by jon fobes.

FYI, Nightsider viewers. The chatter switched to Flickr long ago. So if you're bored, you can click this picture and perhaps be entertained for a minute or two.

ELECTION PROMO

2005-10-19T13:14:00.000-04:00

BILL BOARD
Originally uploaded by jon fobes.

Now you know why they call it a Bill board.

NIGHTSIDER ROCK HALL STAMP

2005-09-25T20:22:00.000-04:00

ROCK HALL STAMP
Originally uploaded by jon fobes.

The USPS has informed me that they've chosen my picture for their new Rock Hall stamp!

THE HUMAN CENTERPIECE

2005-09-21T01:09:00.000-04:00

THE HUMAN CENTERPIECE
Originally uploaded by jon fobes.

Nightsiders would like to congratulate one of our own, Mr. Bill Lammers, on being the centerpiece for the employee art show. Way to go Bill!

(Lisa came up with a wonderful title for the photo: "Bill Ponders the Upcoming Elections.")

MORE THAN GRAPHICS

2005-09-05T18:19:00.000-04:00

MORE THAN GRAPHICS
Originally uploaded by jon fobes.

Plain Dealer graphic artist Stephen Beard creates more than graphics: Matthew Daniel Beard entered the world at 6:25 p.m. Thursday at Fairview Hospital in Cleveland. Congratulations! (Baby must be proofed by copy desk before he can leave the hospital.)

SIGN SATURDAY

2005-09-04T23:25:00.000-04:00

SIGN SATURDAY
Originally uploaded by jon fobes.

Sometimes a walk around the block can clear your head ... and provide a photo. FULL SIZE

ROME: THE COLLEGE YEARS

2005-09-04T23:17:00.000-04:00

ROME: THE COLLEGE YEARS
Originally uploaded by jon fobes.

Maybe you didn't know that ... Rona was named "World's Most Beautiful Nun" before she got into the habit of being a journalist.

Don't miss Rona's Flickr photostream! LINK

ROCK HALL SUNDAY

2005-08-21T18:35:00.000-04:00

ROCK HALL SUNDAY
Originally uploaded by jon fobes.

Excuse me while I kiss the sky. It's fun to come into the city when you don't have to work!

FROM OUR CLEVELAND ZOO

2005-08-13T02:25:00.000-04:00

ORANGE WITH APOLOGIES
Originally uploaded by jon fobes.

I thought I would post this butterfly photo to let you know what you could see if you visited the Cleveland Zoo's butterfly magic exhibit. Took this on my day off, Thursday, August 11. View FULL SIZE.

PLAIN DEALER FIRST

2005-08-09T21:13:00.000-04:00

The news desk is abuzz tonight with a Plain Dealer first: We are refering out of a correction! It's moments like these when one is proud to be a journalist.

KIM UPDATE: A PLACE TO LIVE!

2005-08-03T17:19:00.000-04:00

Our own Lil Kim has found a place to live. She writes:

"I have an apartment! A studio a block from Central Park!
It's no Trump Tower, that's for sure, but it'll do for now."

Carrie Bradshaw, look out!

JOIN OUR NEW PHOTO GROUPS!

2005-08-02T13:51:00.000-04:00

TIM THE JOKER
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Remember this blast from the past? It was one of the first photo posts on the Nightsider Web site way back when -- all the way back in 2004. Now you can see all the Nightsider photos in one group -- with more being added all the time, even ones that don't make the Web site, especially ones that don't make the site.

Follow this link to Flickr's newest group, and if you're a Flickr member, please feel free to add your photos to the mix. Or join Flickr; the basic account is free and fun.

What's more, here's a place to post personal photos your Nightsider friends might like to see. We want pets, projects, kids, vacations ... whatever's fun to look at and of interest to your coworkers. You must join Flickr to post photos. It's free and takes about 1 minute.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO JOIN FLICKR TO VIEW THE PHOTO GROUPS!

I would be glad to set up a Dayside group if there's interest.

P.S. No, I don't make any money for getting people to join Flickr!

DRAGONFLY PASTEL

2005-07-31T18:27:00.000-04:00

DRAGONFLY PASTEL
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Another Sunday off, another trip to Schoepfle Garden, another picture. This one shows that the pond colors are already turning toward the pastel.

See FULL SIZE. More photos on Flickr.

CRIKEY, ANOTHER ENGAGEMENT!

2005-07-29T13:07:00.000-04:00

NEWSDESK ENGAGEMENT
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Well, it was more than 3 years in the making, but now it is official: Haki asked "the question" on Tuesday night, July 12, at the memorial fountain in lovely downtown Cleveland, and Katie said, "Yes." Did Haki get down on one knee? Yes! Have they set a date? Sort of, some time in 2007.

"We're both very happy and very excited and thrilled to do our part for diplomacy," Haki said. Katie lives in Australia.

CALLING IN THE MUSCLE

2005-07-28T13:25:00.000-04:00

CALLING IN THE MUSCLE
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

I was taking some pictures of Kim last night. Lots of pictures! When things got a bit crazy. Here's how it went:

1. Kim goes crazy with all the flashing.

2. Kim demonstrates how she's going to strangle me.

3. Kim decides to call in an enforcer instead of killing me herself. She doesn't want to lose that job at the New York Times over a little murder charge: Note the DOUBLE raised eyebrows!

4. Denise says, "CUT!"

FLOWERS IN FLOWERS

2005-07-28T03:12:00.000-04:00

FLOWERS IN FLOWERS
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

A macro lens helps you see that there are flowers in flowers: I had no idea!

Taken at Cleveland Botanical Garden Wednesday before work. FULL SIZE

More shots on Flickr.

IT'S KIM'S LAST WEEK, DAMN IT!

2005-07-22T00:54:00.000-04:00

KIM HAS SOME CAKE
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Why is this lovely young woman eating cake?

It's our own Kim Moy, only one week away from leaving for her new job as page designer at The New York Times. Drat!

Her last day is Friday, July 29. Look for lots of weeping and wailing on the News Desk. Nightsiders is suffering a big loss.

Click the image and go to Flickr to see many more images of Thursday's party. CLICK HERE for the whole set. Some full-size versions: CLICK HERE . . . AND HERE
Tim captures Kim's tradmark look. CLICK HERE.

FANTASY GALLERY REVISITED

2005-07-18T22:29:00.000-04:00

FANTASY GALLERY REVISITED
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Backyard Baby Rose has just been added to the Nightsider fantasy gallery. See related photo on the Macro photography site. Click on image for larger size or see FULL SIZE.

SOME ELVIS FANS LOOK FAMILIAR

2005-07-16T20:29:00.000-04:00

elvisfans
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

When I first saw this picture of some Elvis fans in Parma, I was surprised to notice graphics editor Ken Marshall in the background. But when I looked more closely, I found even more familiar faces. Click image for larger file or view FULL SIZE.

OUTDOOR PACMAN

2005-07-14T13:08:00.000-04:00

OUTDOOR PACMAN
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

I went to the Cleveland Botanical Garden for a couple hours before work Wednesday to shoot some butterflies. If I knew they had outdoor Pacman in the reflecting pool, I would have taken more quarters. FULL SIZE

More pictures on MACRO SITE.

LIFE WITH LISA, NEVER DULL

2005-07-13T11:53:00.000-04:00

LIFE WITH LISA
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Life with Lisa is always fun. For example, last night I went upstairs to get layouts for the Thursday paper, and she rearranged my work station, using a folding chair and a globe from our wonderful neighbor, Bob Smith.

I will admit that I am going to miss Lisa when she's gone on her two-week vacation with the Boy Scouts. Maybe I can redecorate her portion of the cubicle while she's gone, something in green or a dragonfly screensaver.

(Photo by Tim Graham)

MY MIND WAS SWIRLING

2005-07-05T13:56:00.000-04:00

MY MIND WAS SWIRLING
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Instead of having a fifth on the Fourth, not a bad idea, my mind was swirling with ideas for a new Web site -- or two.

So I took a couple hundred pictures and posted a few of them on the Web. Some on SMALL WONDER, a new macro photography site, and one on a page that serves as an INDEX and rationale for the various photo sites, including Nightsiders.

Actually I worked Saturday and Monday, so aside from photo and Web fun my holiday weekend was not so hot ... execpt I had fun watching fireworks from The Plain Dealer back porch with Joel and Chris and visiting Joel's pizza shop in graphics: Once again, Joel saved the day. See photo FULL SIZE.

OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE

2005-07-02T01:19:00.000-04:00

HAPPY FOURTH
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

It was a weirdly colorful evening in Cleveland. You'd think it was the Fourth of July weekend or something. Click image for larger file or CLICK HERE for full-size image. Both are stored on Flickr.

See a RELATED SKY PICTURE on the Photo blog.

MOY REPLACEMENT ANNOUNCED

2005-06-30T18:00:00.000-04:00

MOY REPLACEMENT ANNOUNCED
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

To avoid confusion, David Kordalski has annouced that Lil' Kim will replace Lil' Kim as page designer on the night news desk.

Hey now!

WHY THE SMILE?

2005-06-30T17:55:00.000-04:00

WHY THE SMILE?
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Because this woman has just taken a job as a page designer for the New York Times. Kim Moy, you will be missed.*

*Also known as Lil' Kim.

ALANA'S BOOK COMING OUT VERY SOON

2005-06-28T13:52:00.000-04:00

ALANA'S BOOK COMING OUT
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Alana's book is coming out soon, and she has a cool Web site about it. Check it out.

And congratulations, Alana!

Check out her site.

Some of her award-winning obits.

THE PICTURE IS THE DOOR

2005-06-25T12:29:00.000-04:00

MORE FROM FANTASY GALLERY
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

QUESTION: "O waste of loss, in the hot mazes, lost, among bright stars on this most weary unbright cinder, lost! Remembering speechlessly we seek the great forgotten language, the lost lane-end into heaven, a stone, a leaf, an unfound door. Where? When?" -- Thomas Wolfe, "Look Homeward, Angel"

ANSWER: Cleveland, East 21st and Superior. Friday, June 24, 2005. The picture is the door. Wolfe needed a camera.

P.S. Here is a link to a wonderful book -- not new by any means -- especially for journalists who love literature, since Max Perkins started as a reporter and ended up as book editor for Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Wolfe and many others. "Max Perkins: Editor of Genius"

HEAVEN'S GRATE

2005-06-21T01:11:00.000-04:00

HEAVEN'S GRATE
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Went out to move my car and found a picture. This garage repair parking mess has an up side.

NOT GOING THROUGH A PHASE

2005-06-20T15:42:00.000-04:00

NOT GOING THROUGH A PHASE II
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Rooflines from Phase I. Back to front. Meant as a companion picture with the shot below. I still say this building was designed along the lines of "Fallingwater." (This shot is also on the photo site.)

SMILE!

2005-06-19T01:10:00.000-04:00

SMILE!
Originally uploaded by blsbls/.

You never know when Jon is going to take your picture.

This is my first Action Sampler lomo picture. To view it in animation CLICK HERE and then click on the thumbnail. When you get the larger picture, click on the little picture/icon of four frames in one picture -- it's the fourth icon from the right -- to start the animation. To end the animation, click on the up arrow.

There are a total of seven pictures there. Just click on the smaller thumbnails on the opening page to see them.

GOING THROUGH A PHASE

2005-06-18T00:46:00.000-04:00

ROOFLINES
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Here's where Phase I and Phase II of our new building came together with the sky on a cool Friday evening in June as I waited for stories to come over from the city desk.

JOE'S NEW BOOTS

2005-06-15T16:14:00.000-04:00

B000000172.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_
Originally uploaded by blsbls.

I didn't know that Merrells came in ruby!!!

HEY, JOE! SHOE CHECK!

2005-06-15T13:21:00.000-04:00

HEY, JOE!
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Bill was lamenting the fact that you were not at work Tuesday night to check out his new shows, as is your custom whenever he gets new footwear. Care to take time from your vacation and render an opinion on line?

LISA'S LOMO HALO

2005-06-15T12:44:00.000-04:00

LISA'S LOMO HALO
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

We all knew Lisa was an angel. This lomograph -- shot Tuesday night by Spanish lomographer Fernando Llomo -- proves it.

TEAM PD PEDALS CRACK FOR CHARITY

2005-06-14T13:53:00.000-04:00

DON'T FORGET THE SUNSCREEN
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Jim Nichols and Tim Graham bring up the rear as Team PD gets in a practice run for its annual summer ride to Cedar Point.

The team decided to donate the money they usually spend on expensive riding togs and thereby boost the overall contribution. Way to go Team PD!

Note: It was suggested the name be changed to "Team PuD" but the ladies auxiliary, led by Denise and Lisa, threw cold water on that idea, suggesting it might prompt titters and wisecracks from the other teams. Way to go Denise and Lisa! Let's keep it dignified!

PS. Support your favorite rider. Not much else is.

TAGS ARE IT

2005-06-14T13:18:00.000-04:00

Let's say for some strange reason -- total boredom perhaps -- you want to view photos from the Nightsider Web site but you don't want to scroll endlessly through all the posts on Blogspot. Or let's say you want to revisit images from the hit series, "If the PD were Carnivale." Here's how: Click any photo on the blog and you will be taken to Flickr, our photo-storage partner. Then call up my photostream and click the "TAGS" link. Then click NS or CARNIVALE.

You will get the specified photos. You can view them one-by-one or as a slideshow. It's a quick way to tour Nightsiders' visual history. Here's a link to my TAGS. You may even find that you're a tag!

I am still adding some of the very early Nightsider photos to the list, so check back later for the earliest posted pictures. And, of course, I will keep adding and updating tags.

I BEAT IT: HEE, HEE, HEE!*

2005-06-14T13:16:00.000-04:00

I BEAT IT: HEE, HEE, HEE!
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Yes, even print journalists gathter around the television when news breaks, even if it's only celebrity nonsense like the Michael Jackson verdict.

There were two good things to come from this verdict:

1. The trial is finally over.

2. Denise got to practice her "Hee, Hee, Hee!" imitation.

*As Bill Lammers suggested, this headline would work win or lose.

OHIO'S LARGEST LOMOGRAPH

2005-06-14T12:50:00.000-04:00

LARGEST LOMO
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Speaking of lomography, our art wall also features Ohio's largest lomograph called, "Car Turning off Superior Onto West 21st" by legendary Spanish lomographer Fernando Llomo.

LONGING FOR LOMO

2005-06-14T12:35:00.000-04:00

LONGING FOR LOMO
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

We may soon see some real lomography on the lomo site because Bill was taking shots with his four-lens lomo special at work last night!

NO WEB WIN THIS YEAR

2005-06-09T17:51:00.000-04:00

webby2
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Nightsiders did not win a Webby award this year, but lots of other sites did.

See the Webby Award page. Flickr, our photo-partner site, won a major Webby. There's a link to Flickr at right.

And don't miss the Web site about NOISES sent by Kim Moy.

And how about this: Al Gore got an award for his worldwide Web efforts. His acceptance speech was: "Please, don't recount this vote." (All acceptance speeches were limited to 5 words. See comment area for more on Gore.)

WHEN GULLS ATTACK

2005-06-09T13:04:00.000-04:00

ART WALL
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Mystery solved: Here's the item with the $28,000 price tag; it's a surreal vision of life on Superior Avenue called, "When Gulls Attack, Hide Your Big Mac."

Jon & Judy

2005-06-09T13:02:00.000-04:00

Jon & Judy
Originally uploaded by blsbls.

Jon has his own plans for Judy Woodruff's semi-retirement!

ART AT WORK ON SUPERIOR AVENUE

2005-06-08T13:05:00.000-04:00

MANY WONDERFUL ITEMS
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

The lobby has become something of an art gallery, featuring various works from the artists up and down our street. Wonderful idea!

All items are for sale. One carries a price tag of $28,000. See "comment" area for more info.

SOME INTERESTING CHOICES

2005-06-08T13:04:00.000-04:00

. . . AND OUR OWN JEFFRO IS CENTERPIECE
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

I don't know who was involved in picking out the various pieces for display, but I can make a wild guess.

"SIX FEET UNDER" FINAL SEASON

2005-06-07T12:24:00.000-04:00

CAN THEY OVERCOME THE GRAVITY OF THEIR SITUATION?
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

The first episode of the final season introduced the crucial theme for the entire series: Can any of these damaged people grasp their condition and get on track for a better life? Is that possible?

Or does severe damage destroy insight, the ability to reflect on one's experience and learn from it? Will the Fishers end up right back where they started, still fishing but pulling up nothing: bait gone, hooks bare! And how did this group of misfits get so messed up anyway? From living in a house of death? Or was it just being around Ruth? And why is there so often a tree in pictures and logos? Tree of life? Family tree? Live wood versus Deadwood?

In short, can damaged people live and learn or will they just keep screwing things up for themselves and their loved ones, seeking out and creating more damage in the process? What would Al say to the chief's decapitated head about that? Are the Fishers hoople heads in disguise?

Do you really think David and Keith would make good parents? No, but probably better than Nate and Brenda! Or maybe we'll find in the end that David and Keith are the sane ones. Or if Claire is really creative, she will -- like Chief Broom in "Cuckoo's Nest" -- go sane and escape; but if she drives off in a hearse we'll know she's not free. (That's hearse not Hearst.) And it's interesting that Vanessa has seen the Fisherness in Federico when she says that he "does better" with somebody. Only not really better, of course; it's just that misery loves company. It's always more fun to circle the drain with a partner.

"Deadwood" generated lots of conversation; SFU's bigger themes ought to generate even more. I have high hopes.

Or we could simply see which show generates a higher body count. Any takers?

NIGHTSIDERS SAYS, "WE APOLOGIZE! ..."

2005-06-02T13:38:00.000-04:00

WE TALK THE TALK
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

As Andy (gambler turned knife-wielding preacher) said repeatedly in Season 1 when Jane found him near death in the woods, we "APOLOGIZE!" if you were offended by some of the rough language associated with the "Deadwood" posts.

A few episodes of that series can drastically change the way one speaks in more ways than one: Sometimes it's hard to discuss the show at work without lapsing into whispers!

Actually, we could have done a lot worse, which is to say that the truly offensive dialogue never appeared on this Web site. Like when Al said ... oops, never mind.

P.S. Thanks, Allison. Good idea.

MY DARK SECRET REVEALED

2005-06-01T09:38:00.000-04:00

CLICK IMAGE FOR BIGGER FILE
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Ever hear of the PostSecret Web site?

Visit it, and you may find yourself confessing your deepest secrets. It's fun to share.

Thanks to Haki for the link.

PostSecret Web site.

EMPIRE FALLS FUCKIN' SHORT

2005-05-29T21:03:00.000-04:00

SURE LOOKS LIKE A GEM PATRON TO ME!
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Sunday on HBO is not the same without "Deadwood." How does "Empire Falls" fall short? Let me count the ways:

1. No "San Francisco cocksucker!"
2. No "mother fucker!" every 2 seconds.
3. No "God damn it, Trixie!"
4. No "Quit dragging that fucking leg!"
5. No "You can kiss my ass!"
6. No "Are you havin' any problems with your privates?"
7. No "Quit drooling on my nuts; it distracts me from my hard-on!"
8. No "Wu, Swigen!"
9. No "Burned my fuckin' snatch!"

I think "Empire Falls" put the BO back in HBO. Or my tastes are changing. Or maybe I should watch it before I come to any conclusions. It might be pretty fuckin' good.

THE WINNER IS ...

2005-05-26T21:46:00.000-04:00

THE WINNER IS ...
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

I have been trading back and forth between Valle Grande and Luchitas salsas for the past few days, and Jim Darr prevails ... at least in my humble opinion.

FAREWELL TO "DEADWOOD," SEASON 2

2005-05-25T00:02:00.000-04:00

SHOT FROM THE TV SCREEN
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

As a special request from Marty (and I think it's a wonderful idea), the Nightsiders blog bids a fond farewell to our beloved "Deadwood" for another season.

It has been the source of much pleasure and discussion between Marty, Tim, Bill, Allison, Alana, John Caniglia and me for the past few months. As Marty aptly said after the finale, "Freeze my fucking head and wake me again for Season 3." (You have to cuss as much as possible whenever talking about "Deadwood." That's a rule.)

The series will be missed!

And since I've been asked to get this word into the blog, I would add, that "Deadwood" has used the word "cocksucker" more than any other television show in history, and I doubt it will ever be surpassed in my lifetime.

Photo: Crazy hotel employee Richardson uses his holy antlers to pray for William Bullock, who was squashed by a runaway horse. His reasoning? "They protected Mrs. Garret when she walked at night!"

See the "Deadwood" Web site.

PS. Leave some of your favorite lines from the show in the comment area.

ROCK HALL FRIDAY NIGHT

2005-05-21T01:09:00.000-04:00

rockhall5
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Ducked out of work for 20 minutes to move my car to the executive parking lot tonight and took a couple pictures of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame while I had the chance.

Maybe some day I'll go inside.

Click on the picture for a bigger file then hit the "all sizes" button over the picture for an even bigger file.

Couple more new shots on the photo blog and a couple on the lomo blog, too. Links in the rail to the right.

CREAM, SUGAR, RUBBER BAND?

2005-05-19T10:46:00.000-04:00

coffee1
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Joe got off a great shot last night, landing a rubber band in my coffee from 30 feet. It had to happen sooner or later.

His shot followed a tutorial session where I tried to teach Lisa, Kim and Denise how properly to shoot a rubber band. Not to be sexist, but the female approach is to bend up the index finger at the small knuckle and release, therefore effectively shooting oneself in the fingernail.

I tried to show the proper way: bend the finger downward and let the rubber band fly freely off the arch. We're still working on it. Maybe if they can hit Joe they'll stop shooting at me.

See this site for a rubber band Gatling gun.

See this site for a guide to rubber band shooting (though in my view, the photos on this site show how not to do it).

NEON SIGN FOR THE NEWSROOM

2005-05-18T02:31:00.000-04:00

NEW SIGN REALLY LIGHTS UP THE ROOM
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

For those of you who read this blog from afar, you might not know:

"The Plain Dealer was named the state's best large newspaper for the fourth year in a row Sunday and received the First Amendment Award for outstanding accomplishment in pursuing freedom of information on behalf of the public.

"The General Excellence award for 2004 was among 17 first-place honors the paper and its staff received in the annual Associated Press Society of Ohio news competition. The awards were announced Sunday at a ceremony in Columbus."

Read the article. Click the picture to see bigger file.

SCREWING UP AND BLOGGING DOWN

2005-05-17T12:29:00.000-04:00

Connie's new friend
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

I just put up a post, and then took it right down as fast as I could.

I happened to be wandering around with my camera last night when I passed Chuck Crow's desk. He was editing photos he shot of Connie, who threw out the first pitch at last night's Tribe game.

So I took some shots of his screen and posted one of Connie blowing a kiss to the crowd watching her on the mound. Then fear struck: I realized that I had, in effect, "published" the photo before The Plain Dealer had a chance to publish it and that perhaps someone could go into the larger image file in Flickr and make a copy for their own use, compounding the problem.

So I pulled it off both Blogspot and Flickr. You read about people being fired for having blogs: I don't want to be one of them. There's only one Dooce, and that's plenty. If I get some clearance, I will put that post back up. I am not a baseball fan, but I think it's fun that Connie got the honor of first pitch. And she got to meet Slider!

PULITZER BALLOON PROBLEM SOLVED

2005-05-17T01:12:00.000-04:00

blimp1
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

OK, I know who to call in as a substitute when the last three Pulitzer balloons finally deflate and come down.

A NEW ANGLE

2005-05-13T01:22:00.000-04:00

balloons4
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

The 300 zoom lens allows for a new angle on the Pulitzer balloons.

NEO NUTSIE

2005-05-13T01:20:00.000-04:00

timcrazy
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Are you wondering about the TOUR NEO Guide special section that's only one day away from completion?

Look at this man's face, and you will know the answer. Actually, he's calm compared to the person taking the picture.

BLOGGING THE BONA

2005-05-12T12:14:00.000-04:00

marc2
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

It's about time we got Marc on the blog. He's part of the NEO team this week, along with Chris, Molly, Richard, David, Tim and Jon.

Look in the paper of May 27 for your guide to Northeast Ohio, officially known as "Tour NEO," with many great photos from Tom Ondrey.

CLEVELAND AFTER DARK: DANGEROUS DUO

2005-05-10T00:50:00.000-04:00

streetpeople
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Sometimes when you leave the PD late at night you're accosted by weird street people who ask for spare change or cigarettes.

At other times it's just Joel and Chris. That doesn't make it any less scary, however.

See more on the lomography blog.

TESTING OUT SOME LENSES

2005-05-04T13:19:00.000-04:00

jonatwork2005a
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Last night Rosie had some lenses on her desk that were supposedly damaged or dirty, so she put them on the D70 to test them, with me serving as model.

I don't see any problem. I always wanted a bigger "Deadwood"-style moustache.

ANOTHER TRON DESIGN

2005-05-04T02:57:00.000-04:00

KUNTZ & HANAK:
"Oh, joy! We're on the tron!"

Maybe if the four-sided, flush mounted tron fails to get acceptance, we can try a flat-screen version. Once the balloons are gone, we'll need something.

Click on photo to see bigger file in flickr.

SENOR BLOWOUT

2005-05-04T01:50:00.000-04:00

SENOR BLOWOUT
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

I honestly don't know what we're going to do when the balloons totally disappear from the newsroom. They get an amazing amount of attention even when they are in the last stages of total collapse.

This one got put on Tim's computer. Then Joe put Tim's sombrero on it. Then Tim got creative and made a face. Then this guy got a name: Senor Blowout.

I think when these balloons die we'll just have to get more.

36" balloons on sale

TYLER HANAK: SENIOR LEFTOUT

2005-05-04T01:36:00.000-04:00

SENIOR LEFTOUT
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Today The Plain Dealer features a special section called "Senior Standouts," which documents the accomplishments of stunningly smart and talented Northeast Ohio students. But not all of them: One of the standouts was left out because his dad is a Plain Dealer employee.

Tyler Hanak is a senior at Madison High School but was not included in our special section because of the rules, which state that no PD family member need apply. This was more a burden on Papa Joe than Tyler. So maybe we can take out some of the sting.

Tyler is salutatorian and ranked third in his class, missing the top spot by a mere .003 points. Talk about close! He is president of the Key Club, is a pole vaulter on the track team, and a two-year National Honor Society member. Last year he was ranked among the top 20 rock climbers in the state in his age group. He's also a guitar player (both bass and six-string), which is always a good thing to be.

He will attend Ohio University and major in Forensic Science. Best of luck, Tyler, though you won't need it: You're a standout!

PD TV: NEWSROOM JUMBOTRON PLANNED

2005-05-03T00:47:00.002-04:00

TRON UP CLOSE
Image from Stephen

PD JUMBOTRON
Image from Stephen

Because the Pulitzer balloons have our eyes in the air all the time, The Plain Dealer has decided to install a jumbotron on the newsroom ceiling.

It would feature live or taped broadcasts, inspirational messages, breaking-news crawls and even lists of what's slated for the front page. If someone catches a bad headline, or makes a great rubber-band launch, they would be featured on the tron.

Maybe we can order HBO. "Deadwood" would look real good on the big screen.

The Plain Dealer jumbotron was designed by artist Stephen Beard. Stay tuned for further details on when we can expect to see it in the newsroom. It won't be long before you'll say, "Hey, look, I'm on the tron!"

FLICKR UPGRADE

2005-05-02T14:29:00.000-04:00

Since I have upgraded to a flickr pro account and have massive amounts of space on their system now, you can check my flickr home page once in a while for newsroom snapshots that don't make it onto the Nightsiders blog.

Here's a link:

flickr photos

PHOTO BLOG

2005-05-01T03:27:00.000-04:00

With a brand new Nikon D70 sitting on my shelf (thank you, John Kuntz), I decided to set up a photo blog in the hopes that maybe some day I will take a picture worth posting there. For the time being, I've put up some shots as space-holders until something decent develops.

Photo blog

APRIL WAS THE COOLEST MONTH

2005-04-30T01:07:00.001-04:00

blog4
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Between popes and Pulitzers, April was the coolest month on record for Nightsiders: 50-something posts in 30 days. And that doesn't count the items I put up and took down for being even dumber than usual.

You'll have to click "April" in the archive area to see all the posts

HIGH FLYING ... ONE LAST TIME

2005-04-30T01:06:00.000-04:00

highflying2
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

There's just something about a ailing balloon that draws attention and aid from bystanders. This is the second one to be set free by a sympathetic nightsider for one last flight.

This orb was so near death that a small paper clip was enough to weigh it down. But once it was removed — and once the streamers were trimmed back — it sailed aloft one last time.

ANOTHER FIRST: PUBLIC SERVICE

2005-04-30T01:00:00.000-04:00

blogprintout2
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Here's a printout from a blog entry to alert people about the copy desk changes — the wardrobe upgrades and waving jags they may encounter while in that part of the newsroom.

We're glad to perform a public service.

A FIRST FOR NIGHTSIDERS

2005-04-30T00:58:00.000-04:00

timandedithlook2
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

This is the first time we've ever had people pictured on the blog as they viewed their picture on the blog! It's Tim and Edith checking out Tim and Edith.

SHRINKAGE CONTINUES

2005-04-29T00:42:00.000-04:00

SHRINKAGE CONTINUES (NOT FOR MARK)
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Since Mark's rubber orb is going the way of Pulitzer 1, it seems fitting to end April on the right note with one last balloon shot.

Mark pulled his balloon down for a sniff test; we thought it might be leaking stinky, rubbery fumes into the newsroom, but the stink turned out to be someone's dinner, which smelled a lot like the fabled Friday-shit-sandwich meal from a bygone era.

LOOKING BLASTED

2005-04-29T00:40:00.000-04:00

LOOKING BLASTED
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Here's something I don't understand: Edith was wined and dined by the big shots tonight, but Tim's the one who looks shit-faced!

They are conferring about our special project this week, Senior Standouts.

Maybe working with me all week has put Tim into a coma.

Of course, I was only pretending to take a picture of Tim and Edith, but my real subject was the elusive Kim Moy, who works unawares in the background.

SUMMER IN THE CITY (COMING SOON)

2005-04-27T01:35:00.000-04:00

CLEVELAND
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Sometimes after a few months of rain and snow, we forget how lovely Cleveland can be.

And Mary Jo, in case you forget, that's Jacobs Field in the foreground. I hear they play baseball there. And all that water in the background, that's Lake Erie. People take boats out there and sail around.

MESSAGE FROM MANAGEMENT

2005-04-24T13:55:00.000-04:00

Mr. NIGHTSIDER himself!
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

A Public Service Announcement from Mr. Nightsider himself:

"It might be a good time to remind you of Nightsiders Policy Rule #1: If anyone is offended by any item on this blog, it will be removed without question or hesitation and with apologies in advance."

Message jonfobes@yahoo.com for immediate removal.

OFFICIAL CANDY

2005-04-23T17:28:00.000-04:00

OFFICIAL CANDY
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Whoppers has been named the official candy for the NIGHTSIDERS blog, not because we eat so many Whoppers but because we tell so many.

Besides, Whoppers that come out of the mouth have fewer calories than those going in, the idea being that it's better to be a big liar than a big, fat liar.

HOLY SMOKE! COPY DESK CHANGES

2005-04-23T17:01:00.000-04:00

MICHAEL CARDINAL MENTREK & POPE BENEDICT
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

There have been some very interesting changes on the copy desk since the election of Pope Benedict.

For example, you'll note a few wardrobe upgrades and a lot more waving!

WRITE MORE ABOUT LESS

2005-04-23T12:38:00.000-04:00

IRONY IN ACTION
Cogs, a cherished symbol of software packagers

Here's some advice, which could be applied to bloggers and blog readers, from "Life's Little Deconstruction Book," by Andrew Boyd:

Pretend to be real * Reformat * Write more about less
* Rework what others have exhausted * Be profoundly
superficial * Speculate * Blur the boundary between
high and low * Experiment in public * Find purpose
without direction * Fight for attention * Usurp
reality * Mock your own urgency * Complicate the
self-evident * Cut and paste * Take irony for granted
* Make a spectacle of yourself * Write in the margins
* Change the subject * Exploit banality * Plagiarize
yourself * Mutate * Prepare to be misunderstood * Make the border your territory * Impersonate yourself

"THE GUEST-HOUSE," RUMI

2005-04-22T13:01:00.000-04:00

BEARDEN, "PREVALENCE"

Poetry on the blog? Good grief, they may kick me out for this.

This poem expresses, to some degree, the idea behind the "Home Office" post below ... except for the "beyond" reference at the end, which is a bit too metaphysical for me:

This being human is a guest-house
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,

still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you
out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

MEMO FROM THE HOME OFFICE

2005-04-21T23:05:00.000-04:00

FORMERLY TRUMP TOWER

To whom it may concern.

Almost nothing on this Web site is true. And certainly nothing important. A minor factual detail may slip through on occasion.* We are working to correct that fault in the program.

Moreover, nothing "means" anything. Nothing is being implied or suggested. There's no weight to the words found herein. It's all sound and fury, signifying nothing. It's all a lark. A plunge. An improvisation. Jazz. Smoke. Hot air. Hogwash. Balderdash. The twisted ramblings of a weird mind. As if you didn't know! But it never hurts to be reminded.

And we thank the people who so gallantly allow themselves to be teased in public. Perhaps at the end of the year we'll give a "Good Sport" award. Kathie Kroll is in the lead at this point for allowing me to give her a goatee.

We now return you to our regularly scheduled bullshit.

*Like the part about Bill meeting Led Zeppelin and inspiring "Kashmir."

HERE SINCE HIGH SCHOOL 4

2005-04-21T14:38:00.000-04:00

HI, HI!
From Bill's archive

Maybe you don't realize this, but many Plain Dealer employees started working at the paper very early. For example, Joe Hanak started at The Plain Dealer when he was a mere 9 years old.

He had to work to support his family, which was kicked out of Slovenia for being "too backward." The name "Hanak" means "mountain hillbilly" in Slovenian. The Hanak families who avoided deportation changed their name to McHanak, which means, "just a regular hillbilly," which it was OK to be in Slovenia at the time. And still is.

Joe's family was so poor that he had to wear things made from paper. Paper ties, paper underwear; he could never sneak up on anyone because his paper socks made so much noise.

He was known for his little wave and greeting -- "Hi, Hi!" or "Bye, Bye!" -- which were the only words he knew in English at the time. (Dave Sartin still uses these salutations.)

The tiny Joe would sometimes nap on a little mat under his desk, and he often spent his lunch hour coloring. If Joe got stuck on a layout, he would suck his thumb until he figured things out. Sometimes he would cry and sit on Van Richmond's lap. On occasion, Joe would help Van "build" a salad, which was usually bigger than Joe. Joe became the news desk mascot after Rosie started carrying him around in a Domke bag.

Now Joe does the national section, his speciality being stories about the mountainous regions of Slovenia, where many "mountain hillbillies" are still rumored to be living in caves and wearing little paper ties in honor of their American hero. But Rosie blames him for her back problems.

HERE SINCE HIGH SCHOOL 3

2005-04-21T12:29:00.000-04:00

WORM PRODIGY
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Maybe you don't realize this, but many Plain Dealer employees started working at the paper before they left high school.

For example, Bill Lammers started at the PD when he was in the 10th grade. Bill was hired because he knew his picas and points like no other human being alive! He had thousands of hours of base-12 training as a youth because his family owned a marina, and Bill counted out and sold thousands of worms (by the dozen) before he was out of grade school. Some say Bill was counting worms before he could talk. (FYI: He serves as base-12 consultant on the new CBS hit series, "NUMB3RS.")

In grade school Bill earned a spot in the Guinness book of records for most worms counted in a 24-hour period. He grew so famous that when Led Zeppelin played in Cleveland one of the band's dressing-room contract stipulations was a bowl of 3,600 M&M candies (brown only!) counted out, BY THE DOZEN, by "that worm-prodigy kid." Bill got to meet the band, and it's rumored the sweater he was wearing inspired the song "Kashmir" and that the lyric, "All I see turns to brown," refers to the candies Bill so painstakingly counted.

Bill has been at The Plain Dealer so long he considers us all family now, as was shown when he confided to the news desk his dirty, little secret: He has never fished from a boat!

SHRINKAGE COMPLETE

2005-04-19T13:13:00.000-04:00

MERCY KILLING
Photo by Bill Lammers

Pulitzer 1 was put out of its misery Monday night. Life in the upper atmosphere was too tough.

Now that all the other balloons have been raised, we'll see how they do at higher altitudes.

NO JOKE, PINK SMOKE

2005-04-19T01:49:00.000-04:00

PINK SMOKE
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

The College of Cardinals shocked the world today by naming excommunicated Catholic and former Ohio first lady Dagmar Celeste as pope.

Bells rang and pink smoke flew over the Vatican as Celeste donned traditional pope gear and greeted stunned citizens.

THE HAMPTONS AND SHRINKAGE!

2005-04-18T02:19:00.001-04:00

THE HAMPTONS
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

This is like Seinfeld episode 85, "The Hamptons."

Jerry: No, I'm not gonna tell her about your shrinkage. Besides, I think
women know about shrinkage.

George: How do women know about shrinkage? (They see Elaine walking down the hall) Elaine! Get! (She enters) Do women know about shrinkage?

Elaine: What do you mean, like laundry?

George: No.

Jerry: Like when a man goes swimming ... afterwards ...

Elaine: It shrinks?

Jerry: Like a frightened turtle!

Elaine: Why does it shrink?

George: It just does!

Elaine: I don't know how you guys walk around with those things!

DEPRESSION

2005-04-18T02:19:00.000-04:00

DEPRESSION
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Kim is about ready to weep over the plight of our once high-flying balloon. But Felipe shows some glee!

FLYING BEYOND GRAVITY'S PULL

2005-04-16T22:13:00.000-04:00

The Pulitzer 1 is free! A member of the ground crew (ok, it was me) thought he was removing a ballast line and severed the tether instead, sending the determined dirigible skyward. Now it hovers above my desk, ribbons flapping in the breeze, looking like a faraway, mountainous planet.

When will it return to terra firma? Will it be later in tonight's shift? Will it happen before Jon comes in on Sunday to document the gassy globe's lines-free descent? Or will Jon spend the whole night Sunday trying to maneuver it over to the balcony? Oh, where is my tractor beam when I really need it?

PULITZER 1 GIVES UP, COMES DOWN

2005-04-16T20:38:00.000-04:00

PULITZER 1 GIVES Up
Photo by Rosie

Pulitzer 1, looking more like a very old elephant testicle than a high-flying test balloon, sinks back to Earth Saturday evening.

WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN

2005-04-16T20:36:00.000-04:00

WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN
Photo by Rosie

The high-flying Pulitzer 1 is sagging back to the launch pad. Glad I am off and not witness to this. Thanks to Tim and Rosie for their reports and photos!

2005-04-16T16:33:00.000-04:00

The death watch of Pulitzer 1
A newsdesk coorespondent is saddened to report the near death of Pulitzer 1. The newsdesk's first innerstellar launch vehicle has wilted in size and looks like a green prune as it hangs sickly over the launch pad, its taut space cable now limp.
Pulitzer 1 now dangles a scant 12 feet above the surface a shadow of its former self which flew gallantly above the newsdesk for days.
One fears, of course, that it may come down in flames atop Mrs. Sterling Higgs later tonight, or, worse yet, that it would have to be put down in a balloonatarium gesture.
Of course Pulitzer 1 gained fame when it was involved in one of the great rescues of our time, the retrieval of another launch vehicle which had rocketed to the Plain Dealer ceiling, seemingly to be lost in the newsroom space.
We salute you Pultizer 1, you served your newsdesk well.

JUNGLE JOE 4: At large

2005-04-15T14:15:00.000-04:00

JUNGLE JOE 4
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Just remember kids, sexual abuse of animals is against the law in some states.

And when you go into the wilds, leave your scotch and cigars at home. But take as many guns as you want.

No good ever comes of drunkenness and fornication. At least that's what some people say.

Isn't that cute!