THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

A walk

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I took my last walk around the building Tuesday after I collected things from my desk. A lot of people were off but I saw two very important people and had nice conversations and hugs from each of them. My better half snapped a few pictures, one of me over the main newsroom area on my last visit.

Standing above the News Desk area of The Washington Post for the last time. Photo by Patti Hartley

I never thought I would take a job in D.C. That drive is not easy in good weather and can be very long at certain times of the day. Hell, it’s a long drive through some of the worst traffic in the country. I did it for over two decades. Plus trips to the data centers in Virginia and printing plants in College Park and Springfield. But downtown was the main office for most of my career.

In one way this was a little strange. I had more of an attachment to the old building on 15th and L Street than the current office at One Franklin Square. Not that the new one isn’t beautiful and clean and critter-free, it just didn’t have the same feeling when I left the old one. And I guess rightfully so because it was more time in the old building than the new space.

But after almost 26 years it was time to go. So I got my better half a visitor pass and we went up to the office on the 6th floor. I had purged pretty well a few years back so it was pretty easy. Just a few small boxes, my sweat jacket, and a couple of hand weights.

Wandered for a few minutes and then called it a career in newspapers. Several of us are doing a Zoom meeting tonight to bid farewell. It’s been many many things to me. But it’s nice to sit here and have a smile on my face, looking back at the past and also ahead to the future.


Random Thoughts of the Day

  • I’m so happy for my Daughter today. She deserved a good day.
  • Dealing with an experienced salesman is like a swordfight.
  • I have my ink refills, time to crank up the printer again. It needed a little break anyway but now back to work, you printing press.
  • The right time to take your Christmas/Holiday lights down is when you’re damn ready to.

Author: Mike Hartley

With a lifetime and a half in the Newspaper industry I'm preparing for my retirement career as an Artist, Writer, Photographer and Video content provider. I'm a proud father of two wonderful children and I'm still married to the first girl I fell in love with and probably only one that would have me.

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