Report : Annual George McFly Editorial Staff Directional Conference

San Diego, CA: "Why has there has been a noticeable reduction in content on this blog?"; "When it comes to funny news about animals, is there such a thing as "over coverage"; "How do I log onto 'blogger' and make a post?" - These were the types of issues being addressed at the annual George McFly's Left Hook Editorial Directional Conference, held today in San Diego, CA. The entire editorial staff gathered for a special session of brainstorming and team-building exercises ( read "cooperative Halo mission), determined to search for new ways to be excellent to readers. The conference was not to end until ideas were found. In the end, after hours of deliberation, something valuable has emerged from that conference - something other than the scores of empty take-out containers and countless cigarette butts. What emerged was Inspiration. To follow is an item-by-item summary of the high profile issues addressed.

Item 1: Animals

This was a particularly emotional subject at the conference. Voices were raised, feelings were hurt - but in the end it was a good thing; the air has been cleared and we can move forward. We have concluded that this blog has given all that it owes to the world on the subject of animals, canines in particular. Going forward, anticipate drastic cuts in dog-material. Progress is already showing: some of our more alert readers may have noticed the conspicuous lack of coverage of the recent trend in which pets at risk of self-harm are "increasingly being prescribed anti-depressants because they cannot discuss problems in their lives with others". This blog uncharacteristically glossed over the entire issue, even though a vet is quoted in the story saying "we try to break the cycle by using Prozac… (which) is given to the parrots in liquid form". This story, and others like it might be expected to miss the cut for this blog in the future.

Item 2: Appointment of Honorary Blog Mentor, Bob (aka "anonymous" in the com box)

We were pleased to have our new blog mentor with us, conferenced in from overseas via Google-Talk. Bob's qualifications include past residence within the GMLH headquarters, innumerable comments to GMLH posts, and the distinction of having literally picked up and thrown each member of the editorial staff onto the GMLH coffee table, in separate incidents. His recommendations at the conference included the acquisition of a portrait of Magnum PI to adorn the walls of GMLH headquarters ( to boost morale, I guess ), and he also mentioned something about why Darin should throw me onto the coffee table and break it.

Item 3: Slackers

From the time of this blog's inception, one of the most frequent reader complaints has been the lack of productivity from Darin. It came out during discussions at the conference that he considers himself "really good at the layout" for the blog. As admirable as Darin's skills and contributions to the layout of the blog are (10 months ago), more is expected, and it was agreed that he should at least relearn how to log onto the "blogger" site.

Item 4: Should this blog have an over-arching, unifying theme?

There are a number of directions this blog could take. For one thing, we'd like to see it take on some of the bigger issues facing the world today. And not only take them on, but tackle them; this blog should tackle the issues hard. The issues should need to leave the field on a stretcher after this blog tackles them. Perhaps there will be the occasional issue that manages to limp away half supported by a teammate, as the crowd politely applauds for encouragement, but there is no way that the issue will be able to return to that game, and it will be getting an MRI the next day, and could likely miss the rest of the season.

Item 5: "blog juice"

It was brought up that some of our finest work has been produced under the influence. During the season of Lent, some of the staff have been cutting back on consumption, and this has decidedly hurt the blog. Tonight we found a work-around by determining that it was close enough to the commuted celebration of a Solemnity on the Catholic liturgical calendar, and therefore drinking was excusable.

You are now witnessing the unprecedented spike in blog content resulting from Item 5. The conference appears to have been a success.