Changes at L.A. Land
I hope you will indulge me in a personal note: I'm going to be leaving the L.A. Times, and leaving L.A. Land, at the end of this week. Please hold your applause, Shockg. And no, this is not a sign that the housing market has reached a bottom in Los Angeles.
Seriously, it's hard to leave. I like doing this. I've enjoyed writing this blog, hearing from so many of you and helping to build a kind of community together. It has been one of the best assignments I've had in 21 years as a journalist. Thanks for reading, commenting and helping to shape the blog.
But I have a chance to do a different kind of work, in the corporate world, and, after 21 years, the time feels right to turn the page and begin a new career. As much as I love newsrooms and newspapers, life is short, and change is good.
Good news: The higher-ups here have been big fans of L.A. Land, and they intend to continue it. One high-ranking editor once told me the comments are the best reading on the blog. After I got over my initial hurt (journalists are thin-skinned), I agreed. The comments rock, and I hope you will continue to support the blog.
Look for me in the comment section -- I'll be the guy asking Cal what he thinks and telling Uncle Billy to cheer up.
MyLessThanPrimeBeef, I'm counting on you for comic relief in the comment section below. And Shockg, no hard feelings -- it's been great having you around.
-- Peter Viles
Thoughts? Wishes for the new version of the blog? E-mail tips and unprintable comments to Peter Viles.
Photo: Los Angeles Times
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Posted by: Laker | October 30, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Good news for you but on a personal selfish side (if I may) -crumby for us wonderful people out here in the dark, to quote Sunset Blvd in a weird way.
I hope you'll be visiting here often and making boat loads of $ in the corporate world.
I will say your posts were always much better than others who filled in for you. It won't be the same with out you so stick around a lot in the comments section.
Thanks for everything Pete ! Good luck on the new job.
Posted by: TSL | October 30, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Doh! Had a feeling something was up. Thanks for creating this little community. Best wishes in your new career. Blogosphere needs level headed folks like you.
Posted by: Uncle Billy, Bitter & Sweet | October 30, 2008 at 12:38 PM
I second Laker. This blog has been one of my daily must-reads because of you. But I wish you much luck in your new post.
We'll miss you!
Posted by: Westside Renter | October 30, 2008 at 12:44 PM
I wish you all the best in your new career Peter.
If you ever need anything you have my contact info, don't hesitate to use it.
Posted by: Cal | October 30, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Peter, your understated yet incisive wit (mostly in the choosing of appropriate photographs to accompany your posts) will be missed. I've enjoyed hearing your take on the local housing market and although I do have high hopes the blog will continue, it will be the end of the Peter Viles era. Good luck with your new job - I know how hard it is to do a career change.
Posted by: Tim K. | October 30, 2008 at 12:48 PM
good luck peter.
Posted by: jason | October 30, 2008 at 12:54 PM
p.s. I wont say the blog is gonna suck.
But Peter had an eye for what was good to post and what isn't and also a flare for presenting even complicated stuff simply. I think the other posters have been missing either one of both of those elements in their posting.
Posted by: Cal | October 30, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Congrats, Peter, onward and upwards!
One last quest - please make sure they don't remove Tree of The Week.
Posted by: MyLessThanPrimeBeef | October 30, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Peter, you made this blog. It's going to suffer with you gone. I wish you all the best in your new position. We'll all miss you!
Posted by: anonymous | October 30, 2008 at 01:01 PM
I, for one, will miss you. This blog is the reason I come to the L.A. Times website every day, and I hope the higher-ups realize what a great asset they're losing.
Posted by: Jim | October 30, 2008 at 01:10 PM
Ah crap. It was sure fun while it lasted. Thanks for all your work.
Best of luck Pete!
Posted by: The End is Noir | October 30, 2008 at 01:10 PM
such a shame. you were the best thing about this blog, peter. (no offense to the commentors. ok, maybe a little offense.) good luck in your next endeavor, and those that follow. you will be missed.
Posted by: Milla | October 30, 2008 at 01:11 PM
Thank you for all the great articles, wish you the best in your new career.
Posted by: Anonymous | October 30, 2008 at 01:11 PM
Pete, your blog has given me a ray of hope towards future homeownership. Prior to reading this blog, I was completely resigned that the forces of corruption and greed were going to thwart my chances of moving out of my postage-stamp sized microdwelling. Thanks to this blog, you and your contributors, I now know that I'm not the only one in the situation. I look forward to reading your comments and I look forward to topics provided by PeterH and Lauren. Cheers to a job well done!
Posted by: fezco | October 30, 2008 at 01:15 PM
First time poster long time reader.
I just want to thank you, Peter, for creating this blog and sharing your thoughts with us, and helping to inform a community of people interested in the housing market in L.A.
Cheers!! And all the best.
Posted by: Silent_Observer | October 30, 2008 at 01:16 PM
Pete,
Thanks for the great job, you and this current version of laland will be missed...
Posted by: mark g | October 30, 2008 at 01:19 PM
Peter,
You've been great on this blog and will be missed. Thank you for your contributions and much success on your next adventure!
Posted by: Jonah | October 30, 2008 at 01:20 PM
Peter,
Sincere best wishes in your new role, whereever that is. And to the future caretaker(s) of this blog: you are standing on the shoulders of a giant.
Posted by: It All Happens on the Margin | October 30, 2008 at 01:22 PM
I suppose this is as good as time as any for my first comment. As a recent transplant to Los Angeles, this blog has helped me immensely in understanding the twisted housing market we all live in. And like most, my wife hates that I read this blog. Mostly because it's kept us from buying a house to date.
I'm glad to hear you didn't take it too hard regarding the high-ranking editor's comments. I see your blog posts akin to the work done by a pyrotechnist - carefully selected topics and creative writing resulting in colorfully explosive and valuable community participation. Its certain entertainment for many if not all readers.
Take pride in what you are leaving behind, take a bow and take care.
Posted by: Staze | October 30, 2008 at 01:24 PM
Congratulations on the new opportunity.
You've done a great job here, and I for one (but I'm sure not the only one) will miss your witty assessments of the housing scene.
All the best
Posted by: FreedomCM | October 30, 2008 at 01:25 PM
Great run and I'm sad to see it come to an end - learned a lot and loved the blog.
Best of luck...
Posted by: Chris Camp | October 30, 2008 at 01:29 PM
Thanks everybody. And yes, I'm using the same friendly spam program Kal uses to generate positive comments.
Kidding. Thanks.
Posted by: peteviles | October 30, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Peter:
I will miss you!!!!!!! You are the best.
Posted by: RMS | October 30, 2008 at 01:40 PM
Peter, best of luck in your new endeavor. I've been reading this blog via RSS but would occasionally read it on the web to get caught up with the comments and would occasionally comment myself. (I'm still harboring dreams of living at the Americana!! *sigh* someday.) You'll be terribly missed, but I hope that you will like your new adventure.
Posted by: Jean | October 30, 2008 at 01:44 PM