My life is changing. I start a 70-hour-a-week job today. It's an intense editing and reporting position for a local online news start up. I'll be working the job for a month.
I'm not interested in working the job permanently because of the 7-day-a-week demands, but agreed to do it temporarily.
I'm grateful for the work. There are plenty of applicants for this job, like all jobs in journalism. I'm looking forward to learning some new technical skills since this is an online news service and my experience is reporting for newspapers.
When I was a newspaper reporter, I worked long hours. But I always made sure I had one day off a week. I was producing one story a day back then, sometimes more, sometimes less.
At this new job, a team of freelancers and I will have to produce three stories a day. I'll be doing Facebook and Twitter for the gig as well.
I'm working for something called patch.com. It's owned by AOL, which is pumping millions into it. Since AOL calls patch.com a "start up," that allows AOL to impose such big demands on its employees. That's why so many local editors don't work out and positions become available.
There are some amazing journalists working at patch.com, and that's the appeal.
I'm eager to see how I do. If I can't produce three stories a day, I'll give 'em two. It'll be fun writing on deadline again-- there will just be more due on deadline than ever.
I'll keep ya posted on how things go with this new job.
* * *
Went on a week's family vacation to Ohua. Below are my four nieces and nephews that were the hell and joy of the trip.
I'm not interested in working the job permanently because of the 7-day-a-week demands, but agreed to do it temporarily.
I'm grateful for the work. There are plenty of applicants for this job, like all jobs in journalism. I'm looking forward to learning some new technical skills since this is an online news service and my experience is reporting for newspapers.
When I was a newspaper reporter, I worked long hours. But I always made sure I had one day off a week. I was producing one story a day back then, sometimes more, sometimes less.
At this new job, a team of freelancers and I will have to produce three stories a day. I'll be doing Facebook and Twitter for the gig as well.
I'm working for something called patch.com. It's owned by AOL, which is pumping millions into it. Since AOL calls patch.com a "start up," that allows AOL to impose such big demands on its employees. That's why so many local editors don't work out and positions become available.
There are some amazing journalists working at patch.com, and that's the appeal.
I'm eager to see how I do. If I can't produce three stories a day, I'll give 'em two. It'll be fun writing on deadline again-- there will just be more due on deadline than ever.
I'll keep ya posted on how things go with this new job.
* * *
Went on a week's family vacation to Ohua. Below are my four nieces and nephews that were the hell and joy of the trip.
32 comments:
i can't imagine having to write things on a deadline... let alone 3 a day, but perhaps that's because I put 60+ hours in at my own job...
:)
Looks like some great kids! Fun times! Good luck with the new ventures!!!!
This sounds so exciting to me. Being in California, being a part of a new project and pet venture and still being able to do what you love.
And your nieces and nephews are a bunch of your pride and joy and you must be their awesome Uncle.
I hope it is okay for me to say, I am happy for you. And thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
The kids are gorgeous and look like they know how to have a good time! I'll bet it was fun trying to keep up with them. I wish you luck (and much creativity) with the new job. Have a great week!
The kids are gorgeous, and gleeful. That's contagious (and exhausting).
:-)
I wish you every ounce of goodwill in my heart. For a month, you can do anything. Patch sounds like the hellish gig I had with the UL. I'm more than eager to hear how it goes for you. I hope you love it. First-hand experience taught me exactly what kind of kick-ass journalist you are. I wonder how this year's World Run will be without us? LOL
{{Hugs}}
Hello, very new to your blog but loving all that I read so far. Good luck with the tough demands of this month-long stint of work.
"the hell and the joy".. what a familiarly accurate description of youngsters on holiday (or any day)! ;)
The kids look like they are having a great time!
Good luck on your month of working too much - I look forward to hearing about it!
Lovely blog, great work. Good luck with your work.
whew that is a blistering pace ed...like you say it is only a month, but...best of wishes for you in the endeavor...nice looking fam you have there as well...snickered at "the hell and joy". smiles.
As one with extensive experience in sleep-deprived lack of creativity, I would posit thus: the more you rest your mind, the more it will produce. You're already doing great here.
Kudos to you for staying to positive in the face of such a daunting challenge. 70 hours a week? Three stories a day? Do you get to decide what to write, or is there a master list of things that need to be written that you choose from?
Laughing that the kids were the hell and joy of the trip. I tell newly expectant parents that their little bundle is going to be responsible for the best and worst moments in their life. It's a roller coaster ride!
Due to Copyright stuff, I had the chance to totally re-create the audio for the Jumping Bunny video. Lots of fun and more to come from Munching Bunny Productions.
congrats on the new job, Ed, I'm sure you'll enjoy and appreciate the experience, and it will bring some fresh change into your life. It might even give you some new career directions?
Cute kids, they seem very happy, do they have Asian parents?
It's a good thing that your nieces and nephews prepared you for the "hell and joy" of a month of intense word work. I'm impressed that you stated how long you'll commit yourself to the outfit and that the group took it. Way to go on all levels, Ed! A big warm bear hug to ya!
sounds like an adventure! can't wait to hear all about it. and those nieces and nephews? oh my! so beautiful. and...i have nieces and nephews, too. i totally understand the hell and the joy!
Yay for the journalism job working' for the man ;). I hope it all goes better than well for you. Produce, produce, produce, Ed!
Your nieces and nephews are adorable.
But then, you already knew that, no?
Good luck on the new job! I hope it goes okay and that you come out in one piece at the end of all those long hours!
Your nieces and nephews are adorable! Which isn't news to you but anyway, I'll fan your Uncle-y ego anyway!
Good luck on the new job - wow - 70 hours - that's a word! Fully understand that you agreed to do it only for a month. As a "just for fun" writer I can't imagine how it would be to work with deadlines - but you seem to like the thought - great. Had a look at the Patch Website - looks interesting - I LOVE start-ups cause they have this pioneer spirit - happy for you that you can be a part of that.
AND - your nephews and nieces are soooooo SWEEEET!
Sounds like a great opportunity. I will miss your blogging, but if you do not have time, know that I will return every once and a while to see if you have posted anything, and will definitely be back in a month. Good luck with the job!
Good luck with the new adventure. It sounds like a good experience. I'm sure you will do well.
The photos look great too.
I'm cheering for you
just remember to breathe
breathe....
Ed, i hope everything works out with your new work schedule, it's going to be tough that is for sure but just make the best of it.
Sweet pics of your nieces :)
Wow, go get 'em tiger! One month. You can do anything for one month.
Very interesting to get to hear the behind the scenes info on this new "start up" by AOL. You will do great! I can understand why you would not want to keep it full time - all work no play...
Ok, those three kids are the CUTEST! They look like a handful of fun :)
Oh goodness! Working a 70-hour-week - sounds exhausting! But fun.
And those kids are cute!
Seventy hours is a lot. That's about how many hours I find myself putting into freelance these summer days - it's either that or limit my workflow. Eh.
Good luck with the learning and the endeavor overall. It will be interesting to hear about it, for sure.
And thanks for stopping by m'blog; appreciate it.
For me, the amount of time it will require would rule out the job. But you are young and strong so you can do it. I look forward to hearing updates as the month goes by. Sounds like a challenge.
Great pictures of the kids!
Sounds like the new job will be crazy. But I get how you can do it if it's only for a month.
Three stories a day, huh? Sounds like a lot. Will you link to them so we can check them out?
Talk about beautiful kids!
Lots of hard work ahead... Sending lots of love and warm thoughts your way... Deadlines are fun (most of the time). xo
Sounds like a NICE vacation!
G'luck with the insane hours... lots of coffee and you'll muddle through.
Sounds exciting-
This is a wonderful opportunity, and you know that. So many reasons: networking, getting your name and stuff out there, new people, new skills, technical training, awesome on your resume.
This is wonderful news...I am very very happy for you.
Thank God it's temporary...70 hours/week sounds more than insane. Good luck!
Sounds like a kickass job, and very interesting. Have fun with it till it ends. : )
LOVE the photos.
Beautiful kids!!!!
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