Back into blogging? Darn rights

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 --

Interviews Bucket-list

When journalists get talking, inevitably they start to drop names to put a Hollywood agent or socialite to shame.

From talking to mayors about their kids to Members of Parliament about hockey and party leaders about travels; from Jimmy Herman (from Dances with Wolves) about addictions, to George Stroumboulopoulos about moshing at concerts; and from Canadian astronauts, veterans and engineers to more musicians and great artists than I can keep count... I've had my share of chats with charismatic people who made for an engaging interview.

It's the sort of conversation that you just don't want it to end because it's just a completely invigorating battle of wits or enlightening and hilarious or sad stories that really challenge a writer to get it right.

So when I hear of a great story, like a great man and his dog, like Roosevelt and his Scottish Terrier, Fala or Mackenzie King and his Irish Terriers, Pat and Bob. Or when I read a biography like George Carlin's outspoken critiquing and critical thinking on social issues. I think, would I love to have been able interviewing them. Not to say that normal people aren't interesting, yet a witty mind like of someone like Dr Seuss would be fun to pick through and quote.

Maybe I'll just do that from these people's speeches and letters -- could be fun. Of course, like most writers, I have a bucket list that gets longer as I try to get through it.

Here's a short list with whom I'd love to sit down if they were still around:

Albert Einstein, Nikola Tesla, Jane Goodall, and Alexander Bell -- a few of the heroes of science.

Mark Twain, Hunter S. Thompson, Margret Atwood, and Ernest Hemmingway -- writers with long conversation over drinks.

Dorothy Lange, Yousef Karsh, Ted Grant, and Henri Cartier-Bresson -- amazing photographers who I admire.

Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Roy Orbison, and Janis Joplin -- voices of a generation before my own came into existence.

Fidel Castro, William Churchill, the Dali Lama, and Mohandas Gandhi -- leaders in peace and freedom.

Mother Teresa, Maya Angelou, Nelson Mandela, and Helen Keller -- saints of tolerance and patience.

Amelia Earhart, Charles Lindbergh, the Wright Brothers, and Alan Shepard -- flying off on adventure fearlessly.

Babe Ruth, Larry Bird, Johnny Bright (CFL running back) and Maurice Rocket Richard -- breaking sports records and striving in life.

Eleanor Roosevelt, Princess Di, Marilyn Monroe, and Audrey Hepburn -- charm and grace embodied.

Julia Child, Jamie Oliver, the Iron Chef, and Gordon Ramsey -- masters of one of my favourite subjects, cooking.

This list is hopefully not missing anyone incredible, and I know I've likely missed Olympians and other great speakers and leaders.

But more so plenty of those 'ordinary' people who became heroes by their actions. Those great local people who deserve 15 minutes of fame.

One great source of those stories are indie magazines and weekly newspapers. Those people were the most fun and rewarding to talk with like this young teacher who was awarded a top honour for making a difference in her class and caring about her kids.



Or this guy who had hunted down a speedy, shy and elusive jackalope. Sadly I was unable to have enough room in the newspaper layout to print this photo. So as usual, it was the tall tale that got away. The guy was really neat to talk with about hunting and the camaraderie out in the woods.

It's just as hard to get those shy people to open up, but once they do, it's awesome.

The real question is who do we miss hearing the real story from? Those who are those unsung heroes from all walks of life; those who are old and feel they are forgotten; those who are the local wise-crack or just plain wise; those who do all kinds of amazing things and are humble in their talents or contributions.

Take some time to listen, for those who need to tell their story too.

No gripes with newspaper

There hasn't been much activity on my site for the past few months and for good/poor reasons. I've been going through what is called slow fuse but total burn-out. Working 10-14hrs a day with few off will apparently do that and yet I had few complaints.

Despite the bizarre work schedule and writing time-lines, I enjoyed it and come out with no regrets. I put so much time and effort into my articles that it was occasionally depriving me of sleep and sanity. It didn't drive me crazy, just made me wonder why I tried so hard if next week it was going to be in the recycling bin or buried online. Completely worth it though to find and break my limitations and find out what I didn't care for or really enjoyed about the business of writing.

Short list of non-good times:

Fire & collision scenes = Not excitement or drama, only cold, icy & scary to hope it wasn't someone I knew.
County meetings and local politics = more interesting than I'd think and straight out of Leacock's writing.
Local swim meets = splash zone and worse on a cold camera lens and CMOS sensor, but 200 kids -- track a dozen?
School/community fundraisers = nice philanthropic attempts, but came up disappointingly short sometimes.
Economic development committees and a conference or two = exceeded my expectations entirely, but still dry.

Worst part, interviews going hostile or confused, or not even happening for lack of call-back leaving me with half/no article to write on a subject that needed sources to fly.

Most unfun was sleepless nights, away from my lovely lady and close friends, finishing up articles for a few days before deadline. There was always one with notes from a source didn't make sense, or wouldn't be good to quote as questionable facts, even less fun to salvage.

The good parts? When I was told I made a difference in someone's life or non-profit cause, it made up for the rest of a long haul. I wrote about exciting local sports and fun hobbies, tournaments and charities drives. It was an intrinsic reward to hear that I got it right about little known subjects like fur trapping, medical sonar technician, or martial arts training.


Free local sports games and fun concerts, more than I could race between the arenas, pools and community halls on a weekend before Monday deadline. Meeting and interviewing intriguing people was amazing -- more than a few of them shy/humble, but really interesting once they uncorked their hidden passions.

It was half frustration in getting let go because I finally admitted I wasn't cut out for the long hours, short deadlines of a small weekly newspaper, and hard to get to that point. It felt like I had no life even though I was doing an amazing amount of work out in the community and adrenalin high. Yet if I went out for a beer, someone would frown on it.

If I said something controversial, ignored a lobbying interest, or wrote unpopular truth, I would hear about it loudly.

What I did learn the most and enjoy was when an interview turned into something more than the 15 minute special news spot and a feature worth profiling something out of the ordinary. Those were the best parts when I could pitch something to my editor that was more than basics. For the record, editors have a wry sense of humour, wealth of experience and seem to love still learning new subjects.

When what I was writing clicked and I got a rare great response. When what people were doing was out of the ordinary and they didn't realize it until they read the article and went wow, that was too kind of you to paint us in that light, but thank you.

After writing nearly 250 articles and three car oil changes over the last six months, I saw my share of action -- moments of disbelief that I was having so much fun, or there lack of. Going through articles for scrapbook and portfolio, I had grown as a writer. So I can only hope writing independently and freelance will be just as amazing a journey.

If I get another shot at a newspaper? Great.

But the best part? My own desk and a press badge. Mission complete.

Portfolio Slideshow Test

Testing the easily added embedded slideshow feature from Picasa ^_^ This kills two angry electronic birds with one stone to deal with the decidedly lack of photos on my blog thus far. So easy that there will definitely be more to come ^_^ Might as well showcase my portfolio from second year of journalism so enjoy!

--PLR--