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John Shipley: Welcome to reality, Ragnar. Now go back, horns in hand.

I get it, Ragnar. Believe me. I, too, have been disabused of the notion that I provide an essential service. It's a hard truth, and you're absorbing it now.

Remember, we're all just dust in the wind and this, too, shall pass. But we all serve at the approbation of the public, brother. Vikings fans are already happily watching the games without you; someday soon, they'll dissect the aftermath exclusively on nfl.com.

On the other hand, Ragnar, you have one advantage over the thousands of reporters and editors rowing feverishly against the tide. Yours was a part-time gig, and from the sound of it, a really good one -- eight Sundays a year, maybe a Thursday night or two in August, at $1,500 a pop.