Not 30 minutes ago, my managing editor Bobby Tanzilo and I went to grab a cup of coffee at Whole Foods. During the two-block walk, Bobby brought up his concern about blogging during the week between Christmas and New Year's -- he said he wasn't sure if he'd have anything to write about.
Just as I was about to launch into a philosophical dissertation about how one can always find something to blog about, we opened Whole Foods' door to reveal a blaring fire alarm.
The clerk behind the counter shouted, "Out! Out!" and gestured frantically toward the door.
We left, ears ringing. Fortunately we didn't smell any smoke, and an employee outside told us this happens all the time.
"Well, that might be something to blog about," I said, as we turned south and headed to our back coffee destination, Alterra.
As we arrived, so did a fire truck and four firemen.
"You're at the wrong place," said Bobby. "The fire alarm is going off at Whole Foods."
Two of the firemen almost jumped back in the truck, but the others confirmed that a ladder truck was en route. This crew, they said, was just picking up some coffee.
After a few minutes, Bobby and I reemerged, coffees in hand. The firemen walked out behind us. And that's when we heard the sirens of the ladder truck roaring up Prospect Ave. They gave their caffeinated brothers a toot of the horn and kept going.
Insert your punch line here, folks.
If this isn't an example of a blog that writes itself, I don't know what is. This one was just too easy ...
Andy is the president, publisher and founder of OnMilwaukee. He returned to Milwaukee in 1996 after living on the East Coast for nine years, where he wrote for The Dallas Morning News Washington Bureau and worked in the White House Office of Communications. He was also Associate Editor of The GW Hatchet, his college newspaper at The George Washington University.
Before launching OnMilwaukee.com in 1998 at age 23, he worked in public relations for two Milwaukee firms, most of the time daydreaming about starting his own publication.
Hobbies include running when he finds the time, fixing the rust on his '75 MGB, mowing the lawn at his cottage in the Northwoods, and making an annual pilgrimage to Phoenix for Brewers Spring Training.
