The man behind the “official” Columbus blog, Richard Burkard, also wrote about me and the farewell party. I hope you don’t mind me reposting your comments here. You were very humorous as always! Here’s the link to his blog (also listed on the side).

3 FEB 08: BROCK AND BREW

“It’s been a great four years,” East Alabama TV reporter Brock Parker told me Saturday night. But after next Friday, the reporting work will end – and in Parker’s words, “I still can’t believe I’m going to be working for the enemy.”

No, Brock Parker hasn’t been hired by WRBL or WLTZ. He’s joining the staff of Auburn University – and he’s a loyal graduate of the University of Alabama. “I already told them,” Parker said as he held out a class ring on his right hand, “this is NOT coming off.”

A farewell party for Brock Parker attracted a good crowd in downtown Columbus Saturday night — but a fellow Alabama grad sitting next to him told me he’s like a “traitor” to take a job with Auburn. I tried to comfort her, by saying Parker might be an infil-trator.

Brock Parker is joining the Auburn University communications staff. “I’ll basically be over the Auburn web site,” he explained – but as a loyal Alabama grad, he promises on fall weekends not to go beyond saying, “War Tide” or “Roll Eagle.”

Brock Parker found out about the Auburn University opening during the fall, at a Lee-Scott Academy football game. He explained what makes it so appealing, after about 15 years in broadcast journalism. “I’ll work from 7:45 to 4:45 Monday through Friday, I’ll hardly ever get called in – and I’ll go from two weeks of vacation to six weeks.” I clearly need to attend more Lee-Scott games….

The change of schedule especially pleases Brock Parker’s wife, because they have a young child at home. He won’t be working nights anymore – and he can train his little girl in how to properly say “Bah-mah.”

The farewell bash for Brock Parker took place at the Cannon Brewpub on Broadway. It had been five years and a day since I was inside that restaurant, attending another man’s farewell from a job. Only on that Saturday night, I was the only person to show up for him. I’d like to think it was because a space shuttle disintegrated that day – and not anything personal.