I have one more day of freedom before I start my new job at the Fort Worth Business Press. I feel a little queasy--nerves--thinking about it, but I think I'm excited. I'm definitely ready for a steady, solid paycheck, health benefits, a 401 (k), business cards and a chance to get out of the apartment.
But whenever I think about working 9 to 5 in an office instead of doing reporting from my couch on my computer, it makes me a little sad. No more early-afternoon trips to the barn to ride before evening thunderstorms, and no more sleeping late and working into the evening and having Erik as my editor.
I had applied to the Business Press about a month ago, if not longer, in a frustrated fit of fury at the Star-Telegram. They got back to me a week and a half ago, apologizing for the delay, but they offered me a position as a the medical/tech/science reporter and a salary. It took me a while to warm up to the situation. I admit, I had a lot of reservations about it all. I felt like a sell-out. My ego was taking a blow, going from a large metro daily to a small weekly. I'd just gotten settled with my job at the Star-T, and now everything was changing. I wasn't sure I'd like being in such a small office--I was afraid a small office would invite more drama than a large newsroom, where I can stay out of things.
But you never know how any job is going to be before you take it, and I would have been an idiot to turn it down. I can pay off my credit card now, and my bike, and make student loan payments when they kick in. I can pay rent and bills without stressing out at the end of every month about whether I'll have the money. If I want to buy a book, I can buy a book and not feel guilty for not buying groceries later.
Plus, I'll be writing about something I give a damn about. The Star-T was good in that it exposed me to all sorts of stories, good and bad, but they were yanking my chain when they said they wanted more science. They don't. Not really. Some people do, and probably most do in a hypothetical, but when it comes down to a science story or one about a guinea pig hoedown, they're going to go with the guinea pigs. (Yes, there really was an A-1 story about a guinea pig hoedown.)
I admit it was a rush and very empowering to quit a real job.
Being busy will be good with Dan leaving soon, too. It'll keep me occupied and making money to prepare for future adventures, no matter what they are. That will be good. Work won't interrupt my personal life, either. Right now, sources call me on my cell phone (my only phone number) at all hours, interrupting dinner dates and rides on Topper.
And no job is forever. I may love it, or I may hate it, but now I'm excited. Every job is just to get you to the next better one.
