On the lighter side ...

Layoffs Update

The Courant is cutting about 100 jobs -- 30 from the newsroom. Here's a link to the story that's currently up on Courant.com.

By the end of today, those being asked to leave will be notified. I've been told that no one from my department, the webstaff, will be asked to leave.

More layoffs

The Courant is facing more layoffs. Because of a severe decline in ad revenue, the Courant is being forced to cut more jobs in order to stay in the black.

It's unclear at this point how many newsroom jobs are on the chopping block and whether my department, the webstaff, is part of those cuts. I've heard, though, that those making the cuts are looking at an employee's digital literacy. If you are digitally literate, you are more likely to hold on to your job.

The layoffs are going to move fast. Those leaving will be notified sometime next week, likely mid-week, and will only stay until Friday, Feb. 27. I've heard that at least 10 percent of the newsroom staff will be cut. Over the summer, the Courant cut 25 percent of its staff.

Although I am digitally literate, I'm still unsure whether my job is safe. The severance isn't good, and it's unclear to me what the rules are for collecting unemployment while pregnant. But thankfully, I'm on Dave's health insurance.

Going forward, the Courant is going to morph itself into an informational hub, disseminating Connecticut news through multiple platforms. The print product will no longer be the core product. It's something that should have been done years ago, but newspapers, especially the Courant, have been slow to move in this direction.

So, hopefully, a week or so from now, I will still be employed.

Some video for your viewing pleasure

Chicago

....the musical that is.

For my birthday, Dave got us tickets to see "Chicago" on Sunday at the Ambassador Theater in NYC. It was fabulous! Of course, we both had seen the movie, but there is nothing like seeing it live.

And to our surprise, the lead actress who played Roxie Hart was Melora Hardin, who is perhaps best know for her role of Jan Levenson in NBC's "The Office."

That's not her on the Playbill, but as fans of "The Office" it was facinating to see "Jan" in a vastly different role.

It was a warmer day in the city, and we enjoyed a few slices at a place near Dave's work that he frequents before heading to the theater. Afterward, we enjoyed some decadent desserts from Dean & DeLuca near Rockefeller Center.

Baby Name

We have picked a baby name. We thought this would be perfect, especially since ESPN headquarters is in Connecticut.

see more pwn and owned pictures

Oh, how far we've come....

January is over?

January has just passed us by with only writing two blog entries. We are bad bloggers.

But we have lots to tell you all.

First, for those of you we have neglected to tell: Dave and I are expecting our first child! The baby is due at the end of July.

I have been feeling much better since the start of the new year, and we hope to learn the sex of the baby sometime in March.

I also started teaching my class on online journalism this past week at Southern Connecticut State University. It's going to be a challenge. I have 15 students, who are all juniors and seniors.

I rambled through the first class because of nerves -- only to find that I still had 30 minutes left after reaching the end of all of my material. I improvised and held a discussion about the future of newspapers.

The second class was cancelled due to ice! New Englanders aren't as tough as Midwesterns.

This past weekend, we celebrated my birthday -- the big 30! Nate and Kyle took the train up from Washington, D.C., to be a part of my birthday bash on Saturday night. Dave graciously hosted the party. About 20 friends, family and co-workers helped to usher me into my 30s.

Unfortunately, Dave and I didn't take many photos, but my brother did. Check them out here.

We both are looking forward to spring and to the further growth of my belly. Our little chick is doing well.

We hope all is well with all of you.