Reorganizing My Lie Goals.

Back in college, I had a professor that almost ruined the joy of writing for me. The class was called Comm260w, Reporting Methods. I majored in journalism because I like to write (mostly about myself through personal essays because what else do I know more about than my own life). Anyways, journalism right? Wrong. Inverted pyramids, nut grafs, datelines. I wanted to pull my hair out by spring break. It wasn't about giving our readers some entertaining little story, it was about informing them. Every time I tried to add my own spin on a story, I was literally reprimanded for adding any bit of creativity. Stick to the facts, I was told, nothing more.

So anyways, after months of searching for my dream job, I have been offered a compromise. Starting two weeks from this past Monday, I am hanging up my Nikon equipment and trading it for the AP Stylebook. I've been offered a job as an Associate Editor (is that not supposed to be capitalized? Oh well, I want it to be) with, wait for it, Construction Equipment Guide.

Now I know what you're thinking because I've been thinking the same thing. Yes I didn't get into the world of writing and editing so that I could tell stories about excavators. BUT, for right now I'm ok with that. Not only am I being given a normal Monday-Friday 9-5 ish shift, but I can finally afford to move out! Thank God I have finally found a company that is willing to pay me enough to financially sustain myself.

Those are the two non-related career perks. OTHER perks include the fact that I really do believe I am going to grow as a writer and an editor. And a manager! I'm actually managing freelancers on the West Cost and in the Midwest. Of this country. And I'm going to get to write headlines and lay out the publication. It'll be just like all that scrapbooking I did back in middle school, except replacing Justin Timberlake with...well I don't know yet, considering I know nothing about construction.

I am 23 years old. This is my time to put myself out there and decide what I want. Do I want to be a photographer, a blogger, a writer, an SEO expert, a designer? How about I dabble in everything I can right now while I have the chance. Am I giving up photography? Of course not. I've just photographed enough borough township meetings and high school football games to last a lifetime. It's time to give something else a shot at consuming my 40 hour work week.

Maybe this is turning more into an online diary but I'll try to not sound whiny and actually offer substance. I just want to throw it out there that I'm feeling kind of inspired lately and that maybe my writing skills are going to start coming out of the woodwork.