If you're one of a zillion people who's fallen well short of a New Year's resolution, then you should feel an obligation to forgive me. I committed myself to writing this blog at least once a week, posting on Thursdays, for a year. Kinda like "Julie and Julia," but without all the cleanup.
But in case you didn't know, my professional world got upended some in January. And I've recovered.
At work on Jan. 14, I was called into a meeting with people from different departments. Not my first rodeo at all; we all knew why we were called in.
Honestly, I just didn't think it would be me this time. But it was.
Like thousands of journalists over the last two decades or more, I was laid off. It's a part of the newspaper life that continues to spiral. I won't get into the reasons or what's this or why's that; it serves no real purpose here. I'd just be repeating much of a story that's been told in my industry far too often.
Since moving to Indiana in 1999, I've lost four jobs. I got fired once, and had it coming. I wouldn't have had an employee like me, either. Horrid attitude. That boss did us both a favor.
I've also been discharged under, shall we say, questionable at best circumstances. I will maintain to the grave I did not have that coming, and there are a dozen or more former colleagues who would say the same. They reached out to me in the days that followed, helping to convince my wife I'm the man she thought she married. (I hope)
Twice I've been laid off. No fault of my own, but it's hard to not look back and wonder if I could have done more.
What does one do when a job is lost? Get to work.
I found some freelance work fairly easily, even writing for my former employer. I also filled out a bunch of applications. Seventy-one to be exact.
But then something happened that I never expected. I was called back. I'm willing to bet that in America, I'm one of fewer than two dozen newspaper writers called back to their original employer.
I kept the faith, kept moving, and in this case it worked out well. Not that I'm anything special; far, far from it. I just followed my own advice (which came from countless resources poured into me over a lifetime, far too many people to even think of trying to thank them all individually. But you know who you are, and "thank you" seems a little weak.
In addition to my work as a reporter, I have plans to create content outside of work. Lots of things cooking, actually. I just have to make a point to pay attention to the stove and not let anything burn, rot or freeze; no apathy!
I'd also like to thank everyone who reached out via social media for support in the three weeks I was off (NOT a vacation!) It's always great to feel loved.
So, what's next? Tune in again for the installment!
Until next week.
Mark
But in case you didn't know, my professional world got upended some in January. And I've recovered.
At work on Jan. 14, I was called into a meeting with people from different departments. Not my first rodeo at all; we all knew why we were called in.
Honestly, I just didn't think it would be me this time. But it was.
Like thousands of journalists over the last two decades or more, I was laid off. It's a part of the newspaper life that continues to spiral. I won't get into the reasons or what's this or why's that; it serves no real purpose here. I'd just be repeating much of a story that's been told in my industry far too often.
Since moving to Indiana in 1999, I've lost four jobs. I got fired once, and had it coming. I wouldn't have had an employee like me, either. Horrid attitude. That boss did us both a favor.
I've also been discharged under, shall we say, questionable at best circumstances. I will maintain to the grave I did not have that coming, and there are a dozen or more former colleagues who would say the same. They reached out to me in the days that followed, helping to convince my wife I'm the man she thought she married. (I hope)
Twice I've been laid off. No fault of my own, but it's hard to not look back and wonder if I could have done more.
What does one do when a job is lost? Get to work.
I found some freelance work fairly easily, even writing for my former employer. I also filled out a bunch of applications. Seventy-one to be exact.
But then something happened that I never expected. I was called back. I'm willing to bet that in America, I'm one of fewer than two dozen newspaper writers called back to their original employer.
I kept the faith, kept moving, and in this case it worked out well. Not that I'm anything special; far, far from it. I just followed my own advice (which came from countless resources poured into me over a lifetime, far too many people to even think of trying to thank them all individually. But you know who you are, and "thank you" seems a little weak.
In addition to my work as a reporter, I have plans to create content outside of work. Lots of things cooking, actually. I just have to make a point to pay attention to the stove and not let anything burn, rot or freeze; no apathy!
I'd also like to thank everyone who reached out via social media for support in the three weeks I was off (NOT a vacation!) It's always great to feel loved.
So, what's next? Tune in again for the installment!
Until next week.
Mark