Flock Talk began as a small concept. I was writing bits and pieces on a major newspaper blog. As I presented a couple of little known or little talked about facts, others on the blog suggested I create my own blog to discuss the topic in detail. So I did.
I expected nothing more than a few readers to migrate over and take a look at the facts. However, shortly after posting the first full fledged article, the concept began to take off as I received phone calls from different radio hosts. From there, I decided to keep bringing whatever I could to topics.
As the original story grew, the third part received some national attention as the article was picked up by the Rivals network.
Now, I try to bring you a full fledged site with more than just a couple of articles about one person. I am constantly looking for new information to bring as well as new concepts to the readers. Recently I have been asked to write for Duck Sports Authority, so I will be adding that to my list of writing duties. I look forward to continuing my efforts to bring you the very latest news that I am able. If ever there are people talking about the Ducks, I will look for the other side of the story.
If you have anything you would like to know, feel free to drop me a line via email. If there is a story you know about that you think the readers would like to see, please let me know and I will see what I can do about getting the story out there.
That was a decade ago. I could not have asked for a better decade. I have traveled to multiple Rose Bowls, national championships, road games from Virginia to Stanford and just about everywhere in between. In that decade, both of my sons have married and I have moved across the country – twice. But one thing always remained constant: Duck Sports Authority.
At the beginning of this season, though, I talked with my wife about the future and what it might look like. AJ had asked me to be at every home game this year due to some things he needed to take care of and his desire to make sure we had good representation in the press box. As a friend, it was the easiest decision to make. I committed to this season in the booth.
It has been a difficult season; my wife cannot take the late-night games and we have had three of them. I am left driving alone afterward not getting home until around 3:00 am; those days and nights are long, brutal and lonely. We had discussed drawing back to doing special events only; with me covering the Polynesian Bowl, Rivals Five-Star challenge and maybe bowl games where we can make it into a mini vacation.
And then AJ told me late in the season that this would be his last as the owner of this site. Given our friendship and how much of his heart and soul I know he has poured into this site, I knew that this day was probably close at hand and I took some time to think about what the future would look like.
I am going to do everything I can with the transition. I really do want to continue doing these special events, but I probably will pull back from writing three articles a week. During the season, it is five articles per week plus contributions ahead of each game to joint articles. Given the heavy demands of my day job, the demands of MBA courses and the evolving life of my adult children, the workload has taken a toll on my psyche.
I have loved every minute of covering Oregon football for AJ, Duck Sports Authority, and Rivals. I have spoken a lot of those moments in the press box for the last two home games of this season because I knew that they would likely be my last as a full-time writer for this staff. I have quoted at times the Tennyson poem Ulysses because it reminds me of the importance of recognizing the change we all inevitably encounter; the beauty of its fulfillment; the importance of never wondering what if.
It may be that the gulfs will wash us down;
It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,
And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.
Though much is taken, much abides; and though
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are,
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
These words have power over my heart and soul because it reminds me of how lucky I am to have had so many Duck fans read my work; to comment and to share their own experiences. I entered into this realm by accident, and I would not change a single thing about the last ten years of my life. This has become a part of me that will never leave.
Each and every one of our members; the frequent commenters; the dissenters; the lurkers; you have made this site what it is and I consider it an honor to have been a part of this work. I am not gone; I am not joining another site; I am still Ducks39 at heart and will always be a member here. I will continue to cover the Polynesian Bowl. Hopefully Rivals will allow me to cover the Five Star challenge. But I want to make sure I thank everyone for their passion, support, criticism; for their love of football; their love of our community and their dedication to what we all hold dear.