When I started "Make Yourself," I was hoping to chronicle the meteoric rise of my writing/television career. I expected some ups and downs, and up until this point, have decided to only write about the ups. But in the current state of my career, the economy and journalism itself, there really is no good news to report.
First, I must confess that I have interviewed for two positions with the broadcast team for the 2009 IRL race season. I interviewed in October, and was told I would know my fate by Thanksgiving. The week after Turkey Day, I received word that one of the positions was filled, but I was in line for the other. I have not heard word from them since.
There are several reasons for my discouragement. First, I REALLY wanted to rejoin the IRL crew, and I knew I could do a great job in either position. Second, I interviewed with people I had already worked with, built a relationship with, and I have not received the courtesy of a "we gave it to someone else" call.
I've stretched out hope and anticipation for three months, not telling nary a soul other than those I live with and those I asked for advice. So I come clean, disappointed but honest.
***
Another indicator of the downturn my industry has taken, The Gannett company, for whom I am currently working, has decided to forgo first quarter layoffs in 2009 in return for "furloughs."
No, Gannett is not giving us a week of vacation to get tattoos and sleep around, as one of my co-workers put it. We are required to take a week without pay sometime between now and the end of March. This may not seem like a big deal, which it isn't in comparison to layoffs, but the way journalists are paid, many people count on every cent in their paycheck.
To be forced to go a week without pay is disheartening more than anything, for my situation. Nothing says Dead End Job like "We can't pay you." Top to bottom, Gannett is enforcing the furloughs. But the question remains, after the end of the first quarter, will our jobs be safe even then?
***
A year ago, I was working for The Brazil Times in Indiana. I was full time, with a flexible schedule and an excellent work environment. Sure, there were issues with that job (the 75-mile one-way commute non-withstanding), but it was solid.
I moved to New Jersey to be with my fiance, with the thought that finding a full-time position would be easier now that I had a full time job on my resume.
What this move has turned into is me working three part-time jobs, not being able to put my whole heart and soul into any of them, and reducing my fiance to a person who I see before bed and when I wake up.
I don't regret it, but I am very frustrated, like many other Americans, that I am a willing, intelligent, motivated person looking for a full time job with a less-than-first-year-teacher pay, and there is nothing out there for me.
How am I supposed to pay for a wedding? How am I supposed to keep my fiance around long enough to plan a wedding? And how long am I supposed to wait for the self-respect that comes along with being a full-time employee?
It's inauguration week, and while the nation is brimming with the hope that President-Elect Barack Obama can make his changes, I am less than hopeful that things will change soon for me.
Don't worry, I'm not giving up - it's just nice to vent every once in a while.
January 16, 2009
January 9, 2009
A New Venture
Friends, family and loyal readers:
I've taken on a new venture for my hockey-loving writing development.
I'm now writing a New Jersey Devils specific blog at www.devilsmademedoit.com.
Visit. Often.
I receive proceeds from the advertisers for every hit the website receives. So visit. Often.
Thank you as always for you support as I continue my quest to be paid to watch sporting events.
I've taken on a new venture for my hockey-loving writing development.
I'm now writing a New Jersey Devils specific blog at www.devilsmademedoit.com.
Visit. Often.
I receive proceeds from the advertisers for every hit the website receives. So visit. Often.
Thank you as always for you support as I continue my quest to be paid to watch sporting events.
January 8, 2009
A New Jersey Driver Resolution
As a child of Wisconsin winters, I feel I've practiced enough to claim I am a decent bad-weather driver. Living in Indianapolis for five years, where plowing remains a mystery and an odd chemical spray is used instead of salt, I thought I had seen the worst of winter drivers.
And then I experienced driving through two inches of snow in New Jersey.
I would like to suggest some winter driving do's and don't's for the Jersey population to limit the driving delays, injuries and deaths, and to limit my road rage.
DO leave early!
An extra five or ten minutes will give you ample time to take it easy on the road. If you're late, you're late. I would assume that most employers would understand. So unless someone is dying or giving birth, leave early and take your time.
DON'T be Weavy McWeaverson
Along the same lines as taking ones time, there is absolutely no need to be weaving in and out of traffic when there is snow, slush or freezing rain on the road. If you think traffic is bad now, wait until you see how bad it gets when you cause a multiple-car pile up by cutting someone off. By being patient (gasp!) and giving other drivers enough room, traffic will move more smoothly in general and fewer people will go off the road yelling profanities and waving gestures out the window.
DO learn how to control a skid
I was surprised to learn, through a respectable top area radio program, that most New Jersey drivers do not know how to control a skid or fishtailing. Before I had my permanent license, my parents took me to a church parking lot and told me to stop suddenly on an icy patch. I did so, felt the loss of control, and learned to turn in to the skid, not against. If you visualize your wheels while this is happening, it makes sense. Knowing this skill is vital to avoiding crashes. Learn it, do it, teach your kids.
DON'T tailgate!
This may seem obvious, but tailgating during icy conditions is even more dangerous than on dry, smooth, clear pavement. Apparently this is not the thought of the average Jersey driver. Tailgating, especially on bridges or freeway ramps is idiotic. You will not force the driver in front of you to go any faster than they feel is safe in the weather, and if you rear end someone, it is your fault, no matter how slow they are going. Bridges and ramps freeze first. If you can read, you'd know that by the big yellow signs on the side of the road. So back off and give cars and trucks space, especially on tight curves and ramps.
DO lose the attitude
Winter driving sucks. It sucks for me, it sucks for you, it sucks for everyone. So do not pretend that you are the only driver on the road who needs to get somewhere quickly. We all need to get somewhere quickly, that's why we have cars and not horse-drawn carriages. Getting all angry at slower traffic, tailgating people and generally having an attitude is not going to help you at all. So drop the attitude. Seriously.
And then I experienced driving through two inches of snow in New Jersey.
I would like to suggest some winter driving do's and don't's for the Jersey population to limit the driving delays, injuries and deaths, and to limit my road rage.
DO leave early!
An extra five or ten minutes will give you ample time to take it easy on the road. If you're late, you're late. I would assume that most employers would understand. So unless someone is dying or giving birth, leave early and take your time.
DON'T be Weavy McWeaverson
Along the same lines as taking ones time, there is absolutely no need to be weaving in and out of traffic when there is snow, slush or freezing rain on the road. If you think traffic is bad now, wait until you see how bad it gets when you cause a multiple-car pile up by cutting someone off. By being patient (gasp!) and giving other drivers enough room, traffic will move more smoothly in general and fewer people will go off the road yelling profanities and waving gestures out the window.
DO learn how to control a skid
I was surprised to learn, through a respectable top area radio program, that most New Jersey drivers do not know how to control a skid or fishtailing. Before I had my permanent license, my parents took me to a church parking lot and told me to stop suddenly on an icy patch. I did so, felt the loss of control, and learned to turn in to the skid, not against. If you visualize your wheels while this is happening, it makes sense. Knowing this skill is vital to avoiding crashes. Learn it, do it, teach your kids.
DON'T tailgate!
This may seem obvious, but tailgating during icy conditions is even more dangerous than on dry, smooth, clear pavement. Apparently this is not the thought of the average Jersey driver. Tailgating, especially on bridges or freeway ramps is idiotic. You will not force the driver in front of you to go any faster than they feel is safe in the weather, and if you rear end someone, it is your fault, no matter how slow they are going. Bridges and ramps freeze first. If you can read, you'd know that by the big yellow signs on the side of the road. So back off and give cars and trucks space, especially on tight curves and ramps.
DO lose the attitude
Winter driving sucks. It sucks for me, it sucks for you, it sucks for everyone. So do not pretend that you are the only driver on the road who needs to get somewhere quickly. We all need to get somewhere quickly, that's why we have cars and not horse-drawn carriages. Getting all angry at slower traffic, tailgating people and generally having an attitude is not going to help you at all. So drop the attitude. Seriously.
DON'T go 15 miles an hour in a 55 mph zone
The same local radio program refers to winter weather traffic as "Snowpocalypse." I did not realize this was the truth until I got behind a car going 15 mph in a 55 mph zone on a major highway. If one wants to go 5-10 mph under the speed limit during inclement weather, that is not only acceptable, but safe. Speed limits are configured for best driving conditions, not worst. But it is not safer to go 15 in a 55mph. In fact, it is more dangerous, because people are going to have to slam on their brakes behind you, possibly causing skids they may not know how to get out of, and cutting off other drivers they did not give enough room to. If you are so uncomfortable driving in snow or icy conditions, then stay home. Do not make it worse for the responsible drivers out there. You could probably walk where you're going faster than driving 15 mph anyways.
DON'T buy into the lie that SUV's are safer
Four wheel drive is great in a foot of snow, but it doesn't make you any safer on ice. SUV's are more likely to spin out and tip over due to their height than sedans or vans. If you drive an SUV, you are not invincible. Take it easy like the rest of us.
I hope a little bit of Midwestern knowledge and common sense sticks somewhere in the East Coast collective. If not, I'm buying a dog sled team before it snows again.
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