I always knew the day would come, not sure when, not sure how, but no doubts about the inevitability that there would be a day I would leave The Enterprise. Now, I know that day will be March 28.
I love The Enterprise, love its mission and love the practice of journalism. Journalism is one of those rare jobs that is a calling, not a paycheck. I’ve always told those looking to get into the business that a successful career is a three-legged stool. The money isn’t enough to be a sole motivator, but if one can appreciate the role a journalist plays in the fabric of the community and then not apologize for liking the ego stroke of seeing your work, your name, printed and distributed tens of thousands of times, you can find balance and happiness.
I found all of that and more.
The people I work with and have come to know in the community are the real treasures. I’ve been at The Enterprise for 13 years and with The Herald for 21 so I’ve run into a bunch of folks.
There’s nothing like the acerbic and cynical wit that can crackle across a newsroom. I’ll miss it terribly.
And, it has been a bit of a joke in my family that I can’t go anywhere without seeing someone I know through work. One day, we were driving in Lynnwood and I waved at a guy on the corner, who waved back. “Who was that?” they asked. “Umm, not sure, umm, no not on the city council, oh, I know, he’s the meeter-greeter at Fred Meyer,” I finally managed to recall to a very loud rolling of eyes. It was kind of work-related: I stop there, a lot, for Pop Tarts and coffee beans on my way to the office.
So why choose to leave The Enterprise?
Those who know me understand that I have a passion for things that help create that community fabric I mentioned above. One of those things is education, public education in particular. I’ve been offered a chance to help tell that story at Shoreline Community College and decided to take them up on that offer. While the offer is good on its own merits, it certainly helps that I am an alumnus of Shoreline. Moreover, it was an encounter with an English class there, taught by Carol Doig (yes, wife of author Ivan Doig, but I had no clue at the time and I’m sure she doesn’t know me), that set me on my journalistic path.
I’m looking forward to working at the college, but that doesn’t mean I’m happy about leaving the newspaper. If this were an ice cream cone, I get two scoops, chocolate and vanilla, and have it all.
Another thing I like to say about The Enterprise Newspapers is that they aren’t ours, they are your newspapers and we just get to take care of them for you.
Thanks for letting me be their steward for awhile.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
