Breaking News!
Oooooh, work ethic, you are a cruel mistress.
As i was driving to work today, but only a half-a-mile from my house, I notice there are fire trucks and police cars, lights ablaze.
"Oooooo," I thought, "an accident. How newstastic."
Isn't that sick, (not the fact that I just said "newstastic")for the last nine years of my life I've had an off and on (now very on) career in journalism. When I see an accident, or a disaster, or a bear attacking a small child, I think to myself, "Now THAT'S a scoop." (Side note, I'm really not that callous, with an accident I always ask first, "Do you need any help?" BEFORE I take pictures.)
Anyway I see this semi-has gotten itself stuck under a train-bridge.
I think to myself, "Self, call the Wareham editor and let him know. It's a pretty interesting story with cool pictures." I call the Wareham editor, and after I get his voice-mail, I say, "Self, you had better go take pictures, because what type of journalist would you be if you didn't get the story."
So I turned the MMMV around and got my camera and drove down to the crime scene, working the few town connections I have to circle the wreckage and take photos.
And I go to the office and show off my pictures.
"Look at me folks, I'm not just a one-trick internet pony."
"Nick, can you make some calls and write short story?"
"Sure." And then it hit me.
This would be the first time in three years I have to write a news story.
I've been so use to writing blogs and music/movie reviews, I had forgotten what makes a good news story.
Actually it was kind of fun, asking questions and flaunting around the journalist tag.
Not that it's going to become a habit. But it was fun.