STOP THE PRESSES

I wanted to go back to school.  I wanted to study journalism. Two obstacles stood in my way.  I did not have the funds to pay for classes. Vocational Rehabilitation assisted in paying for my degrees in social work. They refused to pay for another. I do not have the stamina I used to take several classes. By the time I earned my degree. I'd be close to seventy. Too old to be embarking on a second career.

I have been writing for a local online newspaper for a little over two years. I am paid once a month. My column even made it into the paper's print edition twice. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to write and be paid/ I felt appreciated. My name was listed as a columnist. Toward the end of my writing for the paper, there were times when my columns would be lost. I have submitted the same column numerous times and never received a response.

This blog is extremely important to me. I need to know my work is valued.  Perhaps my blog is not the right fit for the paper anymore. Or perhaps, it's just time for me to move on. Whatever the reason, I am glad to have had the experience.

Writing for The Mac Wire allows me to combine two things I love. Writing and celebrity entertainment news. I am learning so much. The first thing I learned was that to report effectively I have to stop thinking like a fan. I am a journalist reporting news. It has nothing to do with me personally I am learning how to build a story around a celebrity quote, gather additional information to support the quote, and find the right photo to enhance the story.   I am seeing firsthand how quickly news becomes outdated.  

I had a deadline for a story before it became old news. I was tired. I did not know if I could write the story in time. I pushed myself. I did it. I felt like a journalist.

For the young girl inside of me who dreamed of being Rona Barrett, writing for The Mac Wire is a dream come true.

WE INSTEAD OF ME

Someone cursed me out the other day. I'm talking about the full-on Shut the Front Door F Word. The reason,? I said they'd have to wait their turn to be served, in the dining room, like everyone else. They informed me they don't like to wait while waving their arm for faster service,.They cursed again. I asked them to stop. "I'm sixty-six years old, I'll curse if I want," was their reply.

I asked for the rest of my food, ate hurriedly and left. I was angry and hurt. I didn't eat lunch that day. I ate early that evening. I was finished by the time the other person arrived. I like eating before everyone comes.in the dining room. I enjoy the peace and quiet.

The incident angered me because I  had been disrespected. I am a woman and a fellow resident. I had been waiting too. Why should someone who'd just arrived get served before me?

I wait for my turn. If I do complain, I try to as respectful as I can.. I am not perfect. I get angry, but no matter what, I always say please and thank you to anyone who has helped me. 

The Human Race as a whole has forgotten that we are all doing the same thing. We are all trying to live life the best way we can. We should be trying to help one another, not just help ourselves. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.  Everyone has a purpose. Everyone matters 

I still have not gotten an apology from the person who cursed. I do not expect one. We are not speaking yet. That may or may not change. I don't know. I would have appreciated an apology or a kind word.  I guess the person doesn't feel they need to offer one.

My prayer is that someday the people of the world stop thinking only of Me and start thinking of We. I pray that someday the world will be peaceful again. I believe it can happen if We work together.