My wife uttered the words that every husband just loves to hear: "I think it's time to paint the living room."
I tried to convince her that we had just done that (7 years ago) and maybe we could just wash the walls instead.
Didn't work, so I'll be working on household chores the next few days. We all need a vacation from me anyway.
By the way, the Flint Journal home delivered version has been particularly good lately. Sunday had an excellent story from a former colleague, now with the Grand Rapids Press, that took a look at school consolidation. They didn't include my county, but it was a great look at an issue that really needs to be addressed.
The local coverage of the arrest of the serial stabber has also been excellent. I'm hoping they will give one of the reporters a chance to fly to Leesburg and/or Atlanta to do remote follow ups from those locations.
Not sure where the paper is being putting together, but even the general look of the paper has improved from what was happening immediately after it went to three days a week.
My out-of-town trips to cover stories were some of the best learning experiences of my career. You can learn more about your reporting ability by being dropped into a faraway city and fending for yourself than anything you can do locally.
One of these days, when I'm not painting, I'll recount some of those trips to Pennsylvania, Arizona, Ohio (three times) and some others that are escaping me right now. They were fun, but challenging assignments that pressed my skills to the limit.
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4 comments:
You are probably knee-deep in paint swatches right now but someone just told me Melissa Borden, the Flint Journal business writer is leaving. Another one bites the dust Jim. Melissa knows a lot about business in this area, and she will probably be replaced by a very nice, well-meaning 20-something who works cheap and doesn't need much in the way of health benefits and willing to work the ungodly hours the job requires. No background, no real knowledge ... and unable to learn from a seasoned reporter. Unless you count he 30 year old who has been there for 5 years "seasoned." By the way how come they keep Elizabeth Shaw listed as a writer on the Web site, she hasn't been there in weeks?
I did see that Melissa has taken a job at the Detroit News. She will do well there. Melissa was one of my favorite people at the Journal and was a class act and a great business reporter. I wish her nothing but good fortune at the News. I have a number of friends who are, or were, reporters there.
I believe Liz may be freelancing for the Journal.
It is sad that young people out of college with loans to pay and rent to pay will start at a salary below what some high school grads will make doing basic work.
The sad fact is that private companies across the spectrum are replacing high priced help with eager young folks who don't realize they are being badly used.
Jim
I did see that Melissa has taken a job at the Detroit News. She will do well there. Melissa was one of my favorite people at the Journal and was a class act and a great business reporter. I wish her nothing but good fortune at the News. I have a number of friends who are, or were, reporters there.
I believe Liz may be freelancing for the Journal.
It is sad that young people out of college with loans to pay and rent to pay will start at a salary below what some high school grads will make doing basic work.
The sad fact is that private companies across the spectrum are replacing high priced help with eager young folks who don't realize they are being badly used.
Jim
Thank you for the kind words, my friend!
-- Dave
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