"Hi, my name is Mike Jones and I'm with the Observer-errrr... a freelancer for the Trib."I've caught myself saying that sentence a few times now that I'm back on the beat with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Reporting is the same, regardless of which paper employs your services. The AP Style Book reads the same and a lead still is supposed to grab the reader, right? The trouble is remembering the paper for which you actually work.
After the Observer-Reporter rolled off my tongue for nearly three years, it's a little tough to transition into the new phrase/phase. The same thing happened for a couple of weeks when I left the Charleston Daily Mail for the O-R in November 2006. But with the phone cradled on my shoulder and curled cord practically wrapped around my body, it soon became natural to deliver the new spiel, which I am now trying equally hard to break.
The real question is: Which company name will I be blurting out next week?
(The above photo of an eager and intrepid reporter was taken by Scott Beveridge in the O-R newsroom)
Mike, man, didn't realize you were out of a job. Sorry to hear it! You got a linkedin? If so, friend me and I'll give you a good recommendation. You should come freelance on E's new blog too if you have the time. Let's grab a beer sometime soon.
ReplyDelete-Marc
Damn, Greg too. I also saw that Amanda has had to move on. Shitty times, huh?
ReplyDelete-Marc
What's up Felman!? You are more than welcome to guest blog here if you'd like. For those of you who don't know, Marc worked at the O-R for about a year in the Internet department, and lost his job in the first round of cuts in February. He has since landed a pretty nice gig in Pittsburgh. Glad to see you found the blog, ole car pool buddy.
ReplyDeleteHey there Marc.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear to are working.
As for the telephone Jonesy - don't feel bad - I sometimes point my car door opener at the back door of my house.
Thanks Scott. Maybe I'll write a guest piece for you in the future, something about the transition back into the working world after that period of not knowing what's going to happen.
ReplyDelete-Marc
Operative word is "free" :-)
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'm officially following your blog now!
ReplyDeleteI did the SAME thing at The Valley the other day, my friend. Hey, freelancing might not be making me rich, but I for newspaper geeks it isn't about the money, Ellipes. It's about being out there.
ReplyDeleteAmanda, I was just clarifying that if you wrote for me, it would be "free." Offer is open to you and Mike, though... if you want an additional spot to get your name read, let me know and I will shoot you your admin stuff.
ReplyDeleteWhat's that fruity pink bag on your desk?
ReplyDeleteIt's a bag of Jerricho Cotcheries next to a bag full of blubbery fish hatcheries.
ReplyDelete