Will you'll be missed, the hive won't be the same. Thanks for all the great posts and good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Ahhhh man. Who at the Bee is going to do all the great videos and engineer the podcasts now? You and your Goatee will be greatly missed, sir.

Will, I always thought you were a human cartoon character. It's been fun working with you. Unfortunately for both of us we're now looking in from the outside.
I've always given you props because 95% of what you post is you. It's original content. It's not something you copied from another site. What you post allowed people to know just what kinda freak you really are.

Thank you for not kissing me.

William Haines
Former Director of Photography

Will,
You will be missed. Thanks for all your blogging and willingness to do weird stuff with your hair. Also, I've enjoyed your Rogue shows.

Let us know if you launch another blog. If you post it we will comment.

Good luck,

I'll miss your Super Bowl hair and the opportunities to talk about your computer-hating cat. And thanks for not posting every artifact you've ever had pinned to your desk. Good luck.

Good luck, Will.

This paper, this blog, this town... gonna be a bit dimmer without you, Will.

Great job Will!!! Sorry to see you go!

Words could never contain the depth of my admiration of your journalistic integrity and your earnest joy for your work. I wish progress didn't have to manifest itself in the way that it sometimes does, but I know that life has bigger, better, more wonderful things for you.

I raise my glass to you, Will. You're an amazing journalist, videographer, storyteller, a snappy dresser, a cutting-edge dance machine, a fellow taco enthusiast, a loyal coworker and, most importantly, the best friend anyone could ask for.

Wow. Excellent post. Your open-ness and sincerity and enthusiasm are great traits. I look forward to seeing how these things launch you into your next phase.
Wherever you go I know that you and Carrie will be an amazing asset to the folks around you.

But, when all is said and done, '**** it, let's go bowling'.
You still haven't seen Freeway Lanes in Selma. Let's do it!

Will,
I've done my fair share of smack talk about you. Usually it was about fantasy football or some other sports related thing. Thanks for all the work you've put in for the Bee, Beehive, and Fresno in general. My condolences on your job loss.

I hope and pray your next step will be a good one.

Will!!! Not only have you been a great friend and co-theater/Roguer but you're hilarious with your posts! Oh how I'm going to miss those! And the videos... who's going to film the naked Peta girls now??

You will be missed my friend!

Epic post, sir. *tear* Good luck with everything. *tear*

Will,

Thank you so much for bringing your unique flair and originality to The Beehive. You will definately be missed. I have always had a soft spot in my cold, cold heart for you since the day you showed up in Merced to support and report on the Smog City Roller Grrls. YOU were the very first member of the media to jump aboard our vision and support us whole heartedly. I am soo very grateful for that....and for the weird mom interview.

Good luck in your future endeavors. The Beehive will NOT be the same without you....no matter how cool Mike and Heather are.
Best wishes!

Joey

man that sucks. It's hard watching such an important industry basically fail completely. I really hope the daily newspapers figure some things out and can eventually thrive again.

Reading these comments I am reminded of a comment Will made after John Updike's death. That is all.

Will,
I am weeping...that was a wonderful "final act f journalism" I just read. I mean, it made Ed change is format (nice CAPs, Ed). I consider you a friends and a wonderful asset to our community.

Now let's drink, break out a camera, and see what happens.

Here's to the best work obit ever.

T

That is so sad, Will. I really like your blogs, especially the Free Tacos from Jack-in-the-Box day. Best of luck in the future, you'll do well, I'm sure. Stupid economy.

Will,

Nicely done. Losing you is not only a hit to one of our major media outlets, but to our community.

On another note, I thought you were going to get another drink last night, and POOF! No more Will. We'll talk soon.

I can't even say how sad this makes me. When are we going to get that beer?

Will, I saw your FB status about being laid off. I'm sorry to see you go. I'm sorry to see anyone go in these hard times.

If I see you around the neighborhood, the next beer is on me.

Dear Will,

Thank you for often making me slightly uncomfortable at dinner parties. Thank you for coming to visit my journalism classes at Fresno State. Thank you for your photo series at the Grizzlies Stadium pool, where I internally confirmed the fact that I would never go shirtless, myself, in public. Thank you, as Travis said so well here, for the best work obit ever in this post.

But most of all, thank you for the great blogs -- sometimes personal, sometimes journalistic, sometimes somewhere in between, but always entertaining and an example of good writing. I'll miss reading your work here.

-J.

Man, isn't this some "stuff"! You're definitely going to be missed man; keep your head up and conquer the world...

If you're looking for an all-day drinking partner, friend, you know who to call.

Will, you know how I feel about you and Carrie and Truman, (See my personal email I sent you). The Bee is losing a star and a genuine one at that. I'm with Kiel, if you start another blog let us all know so we have somewhere to enjoy your musings and talk about fun stuff with you. And I hope it includes more of your great videos. By the way thanks for finishing your post with the wienie dog story.
Aileen.

Great post, Will. I owe ya another round of tacos!

Hope all ends well and having ideas is a great start. Hook up with Travis, he does wonders with ideas.

Best wishes.

Will, all of us will really miss you. Thanks for the laughs.

This is awful. You will be truly missed, Will. Let me echo what others have said here: start your own blog immediately. The world needs more Will-o-centric journalism. Best of luck in future endeavors, my friend.

Surveying this photographic record of your Bee career, I can only say this: If it's any consolation at all, your haircuts have just gotten better and better.

I love you, Will. You have the number. Use it.

Dang it Will! You made me cry! I will really miss you - but we still have the dog park!

Top 5 things I'll miss about my friend and co-worker Will (the-thrill) Albritton.

5. Helping you with Photoshop (always remember hold Command T to make things bigger)

4. Little toy ducks flying from your desk. (It's great to make you think it was Jody throwing back - most of the time it was me)

3. The pink shirts (dude seriously pink shirts?)

2. The great lunches (Getting tacos will never be the same)

1. Making our tense work environment fun and enjoyable. (no matter situation you have this great ability to make people smile and laugh and that's what I'm going to miss most about you my friend.)

The Bee is a little less funny and enjoyable with out you. God-speed my friend and good times.

P.S (my bad for "The gold fish story")

Will, I'm going to miss your big-fan-love for the Tampa Bay Rays, your go-for-it enthusiasm, your humor and, most of all, just how friendly you are to everyone. You can never have enough of that in this world. I wish you all the best.

p.s.
Was the pink shirt thing a nod to'pink friday'? or just a fashion statement?
The teacher unions called for a 'pink friday' and to wear pink in honor of the number of teachers getting pink slipped today----it's the last day a district can do it before the end of the school year---always a tense time when the calendar hits mid-March.
Just ironic that your announcement coincides.

Str8 Bool$h!t man...

Dig your post, that's how a real gangsta bow out...

Methinks another better door opens for you...

Stay strong brotha

Will, I'm too sad today about you leaving to think of something funny to say. We'll save that for the good times ahead, eh? You'd better watch it, or I'm going to drag you to every high-school play in town.

In the words of Sir Laurence Olivier from "The Jazz Singer:"

"I haff no son..." (as he rips his garment)

These are my words to Mr. McClatchy (I know I know, there's no Mr. McClatchy).

I'll be returning to my Jewish roots and sitting shiva for you for the next seven days. I have ripped my garments, and shall wear nothing but black. (granted, the garment I ripped was pretty much already spent, and I usually only wear black, but this time it's with a purpose).

These are sad days indeed.

:::sigh:::

So sad. :(

Hello, is it me you're looking for?
I can see it in your eyes
I can see it in your smile
You're all I've ever wanted, and my arms are open wide
'Cause you know just what to say
And you know just what to do
And I want to tell you so much, I... kinda think you're OK...

So long old Fresno Bee Will, hello Will the Ultimate Human.

Will! No way is this your final act of journalism (although a great recap of the journalism you have done here -- and the haircuts and Hawaiian shirts). I'm looking forward to seeing how you record the world and your true and self-recognized charms in the future. You're an original and I enjoy what you report/film/screenwrite/quip/blog/post and otherwise come up with.

Will, you lived in the cubicle next to me and as my neighbor you had to endure far more than you deserved. You never complained or called the authorities when I led discussions on the best spots to dump bodies in the valley or when I proclaimed that the only true artists left in the country are the people who dream up the names for porno films.

For that and for being a friend I thank you. You will be missed and if anyone else ever tries to work in your cubicle I will shun them like a drunken leper in your honor.

Will, here are my thoughts on your post.

You started with pics reminding me you had a lot more hair than I did when we started here, and you still do.

It reminded me how much I enjoyed hanging out with you, and how great it was the few times we got to work together for more than a few minutes at a time.

It also reminded me how willing you were during your entire time here to stick your neck and try something new. You either have the biggest comfort zone of anyone I've ever met, or great big brass ones.

I'm going to miss popping up from my cubicle and not seeing you over there.

I'm going to miss my friend if he leaves town.

And my parting words - this sucks.

Will-

Wow buddy, that was a truly great blog and entertaining weiner-race video. I never really understood what you were doing at The Bee all this time, and what you brought to the table. I just figured you walked around town with your video recorder and shot random things -- like those PETA protestors! -- and occasionally helped out with the sports podcast.

But after seeing your work, your story telling through video, I can honestly say your work will be missed. You will be missed. You got some great skills there.

Like a lot of things in life, you don't realize what you have until it's gone. Best of luck in the future. I have no doubt you'll move onto grander things.

I knew of this via facebook a few days ago.

It really pisses me off.
Few things in life truly do.

Why?

Well, the Bee has deliberately axed somebody who is adept at writing,
can take the most mundane of subjects and create interest, and show the beauty, pathos, silliness,
--and then somehow instill pride.

In an environment as twitchy and neurotic as Fresno, that's not just skill, that's a damn miracle.

Your medium and choice of art is not of the
'historic -papers aren't that way anymore,' but
'where they're going, and where they'll have to go -if they are to survive.'
(this further convinces me that somebody who runs the Bee wants to see it fail.)

There is no sense to why they are letting you go (particularly) with transitions that we see nation and world-wide taking place.
It's like these people deliberately want to stay backward.

My advice on these comments (Fresno)which I do mean with all due derision?
--find who is at fault, ask them to seriously read and reconsider their actions,
and demand that what we're always pissing and defending against, (making stupid choices)
--stop at the source from whence it comes...
Dumb moves like this.

It's not 'the economy.'
Somebody is an idiot.

I have no problems throwing rocks where they are due, and feel lunacy (when it is clearly somebody's obvious choice) needs to be exposed and questioned.

Now:
Having said that:

Will Albritton:

For somebody I've never ever had a chance to meet?
(okay, I missed the Rogue Show... it will remain a grail.)

You're amazing.

For all the yapping about creative license and really nurturing something that (maybe) others don't see?
You actually do it.

You've taken enormous risks, and simply let stuff play out, and it WORKS.

-THAT ends narrowmindedness,
and THAT takes balls, and balls my friend of NORAD Code Red B-47 grade titanium.

I don't think that's appreciated enough.
I don't think most folks even understand what you're doing.
You actually asked an open question (and let somebody like me, actually write back 'word for word,' -demanding that it not be touched (to preserve some sense of integrity and truth.
That's astonishing.)

Most people?
Don't have that sense of control and faith in the end-product,
Most people? sort of do that 'lawyer' thing
--only in a bad way.
--They don't ask questions they don't already have the answer to, --and then only ask the questions that they know they can support their suspicions with.
(lame indeed.)

Not you.
You ask it for what it is,
and then let it tell it like it is...
(if I alone did affirm and recognize this? buildings would fall, and the earth would spin the wrong way until so.)

That honesty, that focus, and that ability to 'ride herd' on the myriad of circumstances that blend into life?
(knowing what to accentuate, what to let fold in?)

Is a combination of unreal mastery of talent, (and) a God given gift.
-It also betrays a love for what you do, and who you're presenting
--And you weild that like it's second nature.

Your work has always been excellent
(okay, except when you bag on the Yanks... but hey, who's perfect. Besides, as a Mid-Atlantic New Yorker? we sorta owe you (because the greatest ball club in the universe practices in St. Petersburg all winter (and) we've given you most of our drivers who are over 70 and refuse to go 35.)

I would hope that any serious media 'anything' will see your ability to reveal the truth about whatever and whomever you focus on,
--and do so in an honest (yet kind) manner?
And snap you up at three times whatever these twits at the Bee were paying you.

Sometimes the best thing, besides 'landing' the job,
--IS to get 'canned' from it,
--if you're leaving for the right reasons.

-As your work stands for what it is? (excellent, in any market?) This is only a situation of a bird who has such great talent and so much to offer, leaving the nest.
--granted, via a size 12 pinkslip, --but an opportunity to really do better stuff, (for an employer who really appreciates you AND their audience) and that, before, during and after the dust settling,
is how we need to see it.

Do I fault the Bee overall?
No.
Just the cretins who thought it was better to 'let you go,' --and am sure that there had to be somebody somewhere behind a door who's said, '...you know, this is really an ass-backwards thing to do...'

Regardless.

As you have given so many of us the opportunities to express who we are (and what we think)
-no matter how wacked out or beautiful we do so?

You are now being handed this opportunity back,
my friend, I just wish it was done in ways one third as gracious as you have always been to us. (Perhaps the insult will forever keep you from messing with 'bush league' again, and only stick to the good stuff... so it may be a blessing disquised as a curse.)

As somebody who really cares about what others have to say, write, film, sing, yell, or even manage to lean on one cheek and fart at exactly the right moment?
(which is it's own Vienna's Boys Choir at times, lemme tell ya.)
-And as somebody who will forever be in love with human behavior (as you are too?)

I am astounded by your heart, the quality and soul of your work, and your integrity.

If I chose to stay in Journalism, back at Temple 24 years ago?

I'd still have found your work, and you as a person, and would have turned out the light each night muttering to myself:
'...damn, it's hard to catch that guy...
dunnno if I ever will, but it's funner'n hell chasing him...'

Thanks for what you do, and who you are.

I bow.

Eric Louis Field
Fresno March 13th, 2009

Your style was Beehive, even if your tonsorial choice was not. You brought great attitude and style and plenty of smiles. I know you'll work through this and I know it won't be easy, but I'm confident this will at some point be the stuff for that stand-up act you've been wanting to try out. Until then, though, it's bad and there's no getting around it. Newspaper readers everywhere are losing precious links to their communities. Especially to those of us who once were in that business, this is a very sad time for the community served by The Fresno Bee. Goodspeed, Will.

Indeed. You truly enjoyed what you were doing and lead a movement for The Beehive. I'm sorry to see you go and do wish you the best. I'll be looking for new posts you do from the world outside The Bee. ~SWParra

I'm so sorry, Will. I wish you and Carrie the best.

a lot of love for the beehive legend. i'm sorry to hear about the job cut, but you are a talented dude, so I know your talents will take you somewhere. you have a great personality. that's what I got from you while watching your vids and reading your blogs. plus when i saw you up on stage at the beehive party, i was like, this guy is crazy. but crazy in a good way. nothing seems to faze you while you are doing your thing. that's a positive trait man. good luck to you. i'm sure we won't read the last from you.

peace.

OH NO!!!!!

Will, I'm sending you all the good vibes I can. I wish you all the best.

This is just piss all the way to the bottom, for sure. Sorry it had to go down like this Will, but hopefully, you will be back up and blogging in no time...

Will, I shed a tear or two for you today. I tried not to cry, but news like this is too sad to muster. I've never met you personally, but have always enjoyed your posts and was truly devastated to hear the news. With news of the latest cuts at the Bee, I knew we'd be hearing the names of people who will be truly missed. You are one of them. Best of wishes to you and to all the Bee employees who will face this fate. You do have loyal fans and readers out here.

I remember seeing that video a year ago at a journalism workshop... Nostalgia.

Best of luck, Will.

wow. thanks for all the comments, guys. it really means a alot. i was totally gonna do like a run down of 50 different @replies, but after about three, i realized, i wasn't getting paid to do all this work :)

for people i know personally, you know where i'll be. (hint: just peek into the windows of every bar in the tower district.)

for people i dont know, thank you for reading and commenting. yeah. it sucks. it's a tragedy. but ... im ok.

thank you,

will

your mom can be proud of you

Will, I'll miss your topless posing with Parker. Take care friend!

You've done brilliant work Will. Good luck in your next chapter.

Will, You are so gung ho and out there. I wish I had the ability to adapt your outgoing personality to my quiet reservedness. You made me laugh and you made me think and I learned a lot from you.

We need to get together and have a beer once in a while.

My best wishes and prayer for you and yours.

Will, I remember the "Dream 18" golf trips and how you didn't make me look like a doofus. In fact, you created a truly funny video with me in it, which I did not think was possible.

Take care.

KEN ROBISON

the bee sucked anyways. good luck to you

Good luck man. When one door closes another opens. The future in online media is a blank canvas and allows many more opportunities that never before existed. Maybe that will be your next venture.

Good writer, good co-star, good friend.

Will, I feel like we just got rid of our right guard and now the quarterback will get sacked on every play!
You are however destined for greatness. It has been my privilege to entertain you and to be entertained by you. Keep me posted on what your doing. Keep on smiling!
Tomas

Will, I'm going to miss reading you on the Hive! It was one of the next best things to actually being there for the Rogue, a way to kind of keep in touch. Plus, I'd send your clips to friends - you always found cool stuff!

I wish you the best, and I hope to see you at the Rogue next year.