I spent an evening a couple of weeks back hanging out with a really cool group of guys in my hometown. They invited one Mr. Terry Egger, publisher of the Plain Dealer, to speak as a part of the group's monthly festivities and he decided to come, hang out and talk to us. Turns out Egger, who also lives in my hometown, was refreshing in a forum situation. He spoke first about the state of the newspaper industry (his biggest observation by far was that the talk about online resources destroying newspapers was actually destroying them, not the online resources themselves).
He also shared that, as a non-Northeast Ohio native, that we are far more hard (and critical) on the region than others like him, who see the region as a bountiful wealth of resources and talent.
At the end of his 30 minutes, we were given an opportunity to quiz him with a Q&A. A lot of people had suggestions for the paper, or wanted to know about specific writers and their angles. I was the last person to get a question in and asked him about why the PD Arts section was so light on the local arts, and so heavy on the tabloid gossip and Britney Spears, and explained that this approach does a great disservice to Northeast Ohio -- a region which has one of the single greatest arts communities in all of North America.
He responded rather surprisingly that (and I'm paraphrasing) there was work to be done with the Arts section and that he had some idea that there would be some changes in approach coming soon. It was really cool to hear him say that there was work to be done in that regard. Because, as I'm sure you local folks know, there really is.
I'm guessing that, after such a criticism, I'll probably never get my "They Love" into the PDQ section of the newspaper... that Pop Culturesque arts page which now appears on Monday mornings. But heck, I was being honest. So, anyway, with that in mind, here is my "They Love" PDQ submission:
Peter Chakerian, 35, Writer/Author/Editor
First Song You’re Singing on Karaoke Night
“Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm” by Crash Test Dummies. It usually disrupts everything.
Books Everyone Should Read
The Audicity of Hope by Barack Obama, The Disappointment Artist by Jonathan Letham, Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer… and mine, of course... when it comes out.
Favorite Shows
“Countdown with Keith Olbermann” and “Family Guy.”
What are your greatest traits?
Earnest. Creative. Sensible.
What are your worst?
Indecisive. A procrastinator.
What do you value most in others?
Flexibility. Passion.
Favorite Website?
Probably eBay.
Best thing about Cleveland?
It has everything that people say only exists in New York, L.A. and Chicago. You just have to look for it. So quit pining away for other places and don’t be lazy. And LeBron, for as long as we have him...
What Do You Always Have in the Fridge?
Miller Lite. Revive Vitaminwater. Hellman’s Real Mayonnaise. Green Tea.
If You Went to Hell, What Song(s) Would be Playing Over and Over?
Anything by Sean Preston and Jayden James’ parents.
Celebrity You’re Said to Most Resemble
With a fresh haircut, I get David Cross a lot. Maybe it’s the glasses.
Favorite Piece of Clothing?
My olive corduroy jacket.
Your Last Meal on Earth?
Johnny Mango’s Caribbean French Fries, Pad Thai and a Mojito. Or a Five Guys bacon cheeseburger, large fries and Miller Lite.
I'll vouch for procrastination!!!! ;)
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