Another year, another dollar, another trip around the sun. My blogging and writing in general took back-burner compared to utter frustration with lack of journalism jobs. Expensive piece of diploma paper and student loan having forged me into a legit journalist without a newsroom.
Other than tiny outposts in frigid backwoods of the tundra or random places in north-east Ontario. Not complaining, just stating facts that occupational outlook not being too good as a writer for hire.
Heard that journalists were being cut left right and centre. Veterans or new grads, it didn't seem to matter in the cyclical cycle of 'multimedia' video-blogger trend. I have shot perhaps three videos in my life so would need some time to perfect that to publishable state. No funds for schooling? Needed to pay the bills so I took advantage of a Alberta Works program to train as a health care aide -- health care is a huge economic factor with baby boomers retiring, eventually -- if only to have a steady income as I figured freelancing out.
The other side of my writing freeze was personal life taking over my focus. Planning for a wedding with my beloved fiancee. A bunch of family, spiritual, and personal issues took paramount at times as I approach over-the-hill of 30, but such is life indeed. Don't worry age 30 is the new 20.
I knew it took some devotion of energy into better communication, brain-storm, pre-marriage counseling and picking wedding complimentary colours for ties and bridesmaid dresses, photographers, pastors and caterer arrangements. It's been to the point of overwhelming with trends and options, but interesting nevertheless. Maybe I'll write more on that subject as the date approaches in July ^_^
Also took a total hiatus from writing anything published in favour of writing for fun. Goofy stuff, a few poems and a fair number of personal letters to friends. But some months I barely wrote and it was weird having no deadlines at first. I was studying too much in health aide course half the summer anyway.
Even took a stab at writing a novel during November month long Nanowrimo challenge. Got a third of the way through it until work schedule overwhelmed. I thoroughly enjoyed novel writing and will find plenty more fiction coming out of my laptop typewriter.
Excuses aside, I needed to re-establish my writing, for the pure exercise of writing regularly.
So back-story of frustration aside, I was very glad to try my hand at something different. Learning basic anatomy and medical terminology gave me a different perspective of life. Working and supporting the elderly and infirm has given me an eye opener too. Both on health care issues and on the amazing staff who care for those needing a helping hand.
Bound by FOIP and protection of privacy of vulnerable persons acts, I obviously wouldn't disclose a single experience, complaint/joy of work, nor reveal anything about my work. Didn't leave me with much to write back home about. It is pretty exhausting body and mind some days for being inspired to write -- flop on the couch tired. But such is life and I definitely respect the residents I work with and started to find balance of work/play/sleep.
Either way, redefinition was in order of this lowly piece of turf I call my blog. I am content to pound up semi-regular self-assigned feature, exercises, and photo essays, perhaps throw in an occasional editorial. Likely I am safe from copyright to post my newspaper articles as well -- seeing how I need a new folio to freelance with recent work.
If this sounds similar to a past post, what can I say, life took me elsewhere for a ride.
To be honest, a bunch of research went into the blogosphere as well. I know I'm too much of a multi-faceted generalist to write purely about cooking, or an unhealthy obsession of Twilight (so last month compared to City of Bones or whatever is cool now), or whatever kids write about nowadays. So I read a lot -- from graphic novels to classic lit and everything in between. Really enjoyed it and re-expanded my writing style from 400 word max, inverted pyramid of journalism cut-to-chase information, back to my first college major in English.
So bing bang boom, I write in my spare-room. No need to copy-edit much as I made a midnight deadline to hit.
-- PLR --
