I’ve been reading The Hook ever since they got started when several radical DMB-loving staff members from the C-Ville decided to leave and start their own paper. The very first issue showed that it was the best local paper in town, and it has won far more awards than the other local press put together.
The most recent issue of The Hook may have been the best yet. The cover story focussed on the fact that the village has jumped the shark and goes in to the fact that the decline seems to be related to the rise of the DMB (aka dump bowel movement band). The village isn’t what it used to be. I personally think the village jumped the shark when TJ and his whorehouse were shut down back in the old days. Others think the opening of yet another street across the “historic” downtown mall represents the moment.
As for the exact moment when the shark appear…I don’t really know. I try to blog about the village from the point of view of a single person (I think there are approximately 12 that live in the village) and the continued downfall (that season after jumping the shark). While blogging, I’m proud to say I have been appointed a nickname. Rather than being called the Drudge of the village (my own personal favorite), I’m now known as DocMultimedia, the most ornery1 resident of the “village.” This is almost as good as being knighted by the queen.
Looking back on the history of the word it dates back to 1816 and was originally slang for ordinary. Since American’s hate being called ordinary, it rapidly became a negative connotation. I would agree that I’m not ordinary, but cantakerous (difficult to handle) seems to fit pretty well.
I hadn’t noticed the appointed nickname myself, but luckily a reader pointed it out. Thanks for letting me know that fame has arrived. Even with my new nickname I’ll continue to report the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth of the final season of the village.
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1 Definition: Mean-spirited, disagreeable, and contrary in disposition; cantankerous.
Matter of fact, I thoroughly enjoy your commentary on life in Cville. The candor with which you write, particularly on life around smokers, is refreshing and enlightening. I’ll keep reading!
–Jim
Charlottesville is truly Shangri-La! You’re constant whinning and bitching is intolerable. The City Council needs to create a Board of Blogging Review to ensure that no nasty things are written by you or any other bad people. Can’t you get a prescription for Prozac or something?
You should have come to the 5k at Sutherland Middle School on Sunday. It was cold and rainy and most of the runners were about 12 years old. Plus it was in total vinyl siding suburbialand. You would have loved to hate it.
As for jumping the shark, it happened when the Ridge Drive-In at Hydraulic and 29 was closed and replaced by Krogers. Or maybe it was when Francis Fife and the Democrats demolished the Vinegar Hill neighborhood and all the black businesses on the hill.