March 22, 2012 at 1:45pm
Friends, Tacomans, Countrymen,
So I'm leaving the Weekly Volcano.
After almost nine years of writing for the Volcano, and four years acting as editor, the time has come for me to move on. I've accepted a staff writer position at the Seattle Weekly and will start with the paper Monday, traveling via-Sounder to that city to the north and opening a new chapter of my life and career.
I'm excited by the prospect of the new challenge and opportunity, while at the same time can't help but be filled with substantial remorse. I love the Volcano, will be forever indebted to Publisher Ron Swarner, and feel strongly connected to both Olympia and Tacoma. This was by no means an easy decision.
There are many approaches one could take with a letter like this. Rather than getting painfully longwinded or overly nostalgic, I'll opt for brevity. My time at the Volcano has been remarkably rewarding and memorable, and I'm grateful to have had the opportunity. It's an opportunity that's left its mark. There are few places where a person can blossom from nothing and rise into their own like Tacoma, and through the Volcano I've had the chance to grow up along with the paper. I've given my all to the task of making the Volcano the best it can possibly be, with highs and lows along the way. I hope to have spun a few decent sentences in the process.
I'd like to thank Ron Swarner, the entire Volcano and Swarner Communications staff - past and present, and most of all the readers.
I'd also like the thank Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, the Jet City Fix, the Goldfish Tavern, the Day Brothers, well drinks, hot tubs, the Planet Hot Rod, Flash, Pho King, shuffleboard at the BroHo, Bon Von Wheelie and Girl Trouble, Mark and Chelsea Lindquist, Pao's Donuts, the Tacoma Rainiers (especially Mike Carp last year), mud wrestling at Neener's back in the day, the Evergreen State College, Who Cares, KBTC 91.7FM "Classical Rock," Splendid Vengeance, John Larson's WSU hat, NWCZRadio.com, Jeff Angell, Cloverleaf Pizza, Matt Youngmark and Jeff Daniel, Lisa Gunter, my sister, the three guys that jumped me by the Tacoma Mall bus station back in the day, BBCs from MSM, Rockin' Rod, Vicci Martinez, Hot Pants Deb Michael (wherever you may be), Jason McKibbin, Robert "the Traveller" Hill, Joe Rosati's Charles Grodin impression, Justin Peterson's beard, Teddy Haggarty's sketches, Tim Farrell's bees, Stadium Thriftway, Canadian bacon sandwiches from Spud's, Edgemont Junior High and - last, but certainly not least - my loving and extremely understanding wife and family.
Though I look forward to what the future brings, I will miss being part of the Volcano.
Always,
Matt Driscoll
Off duty rules.
5 Things To Do, All Ages, Arts, Benefits, Best of Olympia, Best of TAcoma, Bobble Tiki, Books, Chainsuck, Classical Music, Comedy, Comment The The Day, Community, Concerts, Condemn or Allow?, Contest, Day Tripper, DJ/Electronica, Events, Facebook, Fashion, Federal Way, Fife, Fircrest, Food & Drink, Future Things Are Coming, Games, Genius, Gig Harbor, Green Crush, Happy Hour Hug, Holidays, In Their Words, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Keeping Up With The Coffeehouses, Lacey, Lakewood, Media, Military, Milton, Music, Nerd Alert!, Night Moves, Not Cool, Olympia, Outdoor Addict, outdoors, Photo Hot Spot, Podcast, Pop Culture, Poster of the Day, Puyallup, Radio, Retail, Rocket Science, Ruston, Schools, Screens, Sex, Shout Out, Spanaway, Sports, Steilacoom, Summer Tip, Sumner, Tacoma, Theater, Tightwad, Travel, Twitter, University Place, USO, Video Hot Spot, Volunteer, Web/Tech, Word
Looks delicious! Thank you Jackie for share ^^
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Comments for "A goodbye letter" (11)
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RR Anderson said on Mar. 22, 2012 at 5:09pm
can't help but think that this cartoon was in some way a contributor to Matt's decision:
http://comics.feedtacoma.com/tacomic/tacomic-adventure-time-with-matt-driscoll-lady-volcano/
oh well, he's got The Traveller listed, that's close enough.
Siobhan said on Mar. 22, 2012 at 5:39pm
Very appropriate for you to thank Edgemont, the place that gave us wings so we could soar like eagles. May you soar on to new heights.
Reylan Fernandez said on Mar. 22, 2012 at 5:44pm
Thanks for all your support though the years. You really helped The Degrees, Sons of Ivan, and The Dignitaries with the write ups etc. Good luck and congrats! Give 'em the grit!
Manjo said on Mar. 22, 2012 at 7:53pm
'Tis a good thing for you Matt. I thank you for all of your kind words and wish you all the best in your endeavors in Sea-town. Moving on is always a necessity in life and I am sure none of us in T-town hold it against you. After all you will never be far away. Remember that.
Rick Dupea said on Mar. 22, 2012 at 9:36pm
Thanks for a great mag, Matt!
Matt Driscoll said on Mar. 23, 2012 at 10:06am
Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it.
Willie Kelley said on Mar. 23, 2012 at 10:53am
Always proud of you, Matt. Always will be. Keep up the good work.
Mike Lonergan said on Mar. 23, 2012 at 2:38pm
Having spent a few years in the weekly newspaper business, I know it is demanding work. You have done a lot at the Volcano, week after week for 9 years--I only hope all goes well for you at Seattle Weekly.
russ parrish said on Mar. 23, 2012 at 8:07pm
Best of luck in your new adventure...
owen taylor said on Mar. 25, 2012 at 12:29pm
"Oh, I'm moving forward in my career." Blah blah blah. Anything you can do to avoid the seething reality that the Broncos are gonna be shit outta luck when Peyton goes down week 2 with a career-ending injury. Best of luck champ.
Hazel Howe said on Mar. 31, 2012 at 9:44am
Best wishes to you. I know you will do fine.
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