CLICK AND DOUBLE CLICK: SO LONG, FAREWELL FOR NOW

It's hard to believe, but I'm leaving the Southeast Missourian. I have worked for Gary Rust for 23 years, first at the Bulletin-Journal and then at the Missourian. I have been managing editor of the Missourian for 14 years.

I'm staying in Cape Girardeau. I love this town too much to move. I'm heading up the hill to Southeast Missouri Hospital. I'm going to be the hospital's first full-time Webmaster.

Hmm. Southeast Missouri Hospital ... Southeast Missourian. There's a certain symmetry.

Those of you who read the column know I've long been interested in computers and the Internet. I helped to coordinate and launch the Missourian's Web site more than four years ago and taught community Internet classes for three years.

I know the tremendous changes I've seen in the Internet these last five years will pale to the next five years, and I want to be there to participate firsthand.

The hospital is planning a major redesign of its Web site by year's end, so stay tuned.

www.sehosp.org

Ironically, my direct supervisor at the hospital is Nancy Bray, who taught me journalism at Southeast Missouri State University. Isn't it funny how life tends to come full circle?

The good news for me -- and I hope you -- that the newspaper has asked me to keep writing Click and Double Click. Please forgive me if I take off a few weeks to get acclimated to the new job, but I'll return with surfing suggestions each Tuesday after that.

I will miss my wonderful co-workers and my daily contact with so many of you. Over the years, the support, ideas and input from readers have been a rewarding part of the job.

I've also enjoyed writing the thousands of fascinating stories that have borne my name over the years. I have met amazing people -- famous, infamous and wonderfully ordinary.

I have also had fun as a member of the Southeast Missourian's editorial board. The debate and discussions were always a great way to flesh out the issues.

It's also hard to leave behind some of my pet projects such as Random Acts of Kindness Week. I hope the newspaper will continue the project that helps all of us look for the good in people.

www.bluemountain.com

Please keep in touch. This is one of my favorite sites to drop a line to a friend over the Net. You can still e-mail me at click@semissourian.com or joni2222@yahoo.com.

You'll still keep up with my family through the writings of my husband, Mark Bliss, each Sunday in his "Mark My Word" column. Don't worry; he has no plans to leave the paper.

Perhaps the strangest part is that after 14 years, I won't be working with my husband. I'll miss that. I know a lot of people tell me they could never work with their spouse, but believe me, it's nothing next to working at competing newspapers. We did that for several years, and it was tough.

Becca and Bailey are excited about my new job. But they really want to know if I get a chair that spins and how close my office is to a vending machine. Kids have a way of putting it all in perspective.

Thanks for the memories. I'll cherish them always, and of course I'll see you in Cyberspace.

Joni Adams is the Webmaster at Southeast Missouri Hospital.