Thanks for the memories

He's had enough. Enough of the incessant reports detailing the inevitable demise of newspapers. Enough of the never-ending litany of layoffs chronicled by Romenesko. Enough of the industry's new (but already well-worn) slogan, "More with Less."

For years he had been offered well-paying jobs in other lines of work. Every so often, a government agency would come calling with a proposal to be a spokesman or policy wonk. But he was a lifer. Someone who wanted nothing more than to be a good reporter at a big city newspaper. Someone determined to fight the good fight on behalf of some noble cause.

He would be a journalist to the end.

Or so he thought.

With several rounds of buyouts and layoffs over the years leading to a decline in the product that defined who he is, my friend has decided to leave. He has gone through several rounds of interviews, and all that is left is an offer he won't refuse. Sometime in the next week or two, he will give his notice to his bosses toiling in an industry suffering from a dearth of leadership.

He was the last person, besides myself, who I thought would decide to pack it in. But he's had enough. And I can't say that I blame him. And when he goes, a part of me will go with him.