Just to be clear, I was never seeking Alaska. This was always a place that I thought might be nice to visit, but I never ever dreamed of living here. On our road trip from Montana, my mom asked me why I decided to take the job here.
“Was this the only job you thought you could get?”
Thanks for the demonstration of confidence, mom.
But in reality, that’s close. Just as with the job in Montana, I see this paper as a stepping stone sort of job. It’s a 10,000 circulation daily paper with a strong editor and covers an area of about 25,000 to 75,000 people (depending on the time of year). It seemed like a nice step up from a 3,000 circulation weekly.
Jobs like the one I have at the Peninsula Clarion exist all over the country and the world. I know because I have spent the past year and a half applying to them. I’ve applied to places real close to Albany, I’ve applied to places in Kansas, I’ve even applied to places in rural England. The Clarion, on the Kenai Peninsula, is the one that bit.
Now that I’m here, I can’t believe how lucky I am not to have gotten some of the jobs I applied to. What would my life be like if I had been offered the job in Gloversville, NY? It’d be safe, but limiting.
Now that I am here, I see why some of my coworkers (several of whom are from the Northeast. One, Mike Nesper, actually graduated from COM in ’08) sought out Alaska. They applied to several papers in this state because they wanted to experience this frontier.
So I’m here continuing my adventure. And just hearing about all the adventures to be had in Alaska, I might be away from the lower 48 for a good amount of time.
Above are the links to stories I’ve had published. (Tsalteshi and City Council were Sunday Page 1 stories.) My editors mostly threw me softballs my first week, but week two begins with a story that involves me researching the process of how to impeach the mayor.
As my editor said of the pressure the Clarion has been putting on local government recently:
I think you're brave. I think it's great that you get to mix the work you love with adventure. And I think that some day, you'll be able to choose from among several good job offers. And I miss your face.
No matter where you are in life, whether in Alaska or yes Gloversville, live and learn from it! Life's experiences are often self-limited so make the most of your experiences in Alaska.
BTW do you have a garage for the car?
Talk to you soon. The videos are nice! Don't forget to clean the bathroom once in awhile!
Andrew When do you start writing about the political stuff? Is the apartment warm? What about shopping and gas stations etc. Is that body of water salt water and is there boating? It sure looks like an exciting life ahead.
GPaw, Political stuff will probably be in full swing by Jan. 1. Between me being new and their light schedule in December, it will talk a little bit of time. But you can probably see I've written some semi political stuff.
Liz, Thanks. This coming from the woman who grew up on Cape Cod. How's the job treating you?
I think you're brave. I think it's great that you get to mix the work you love with adventure. And I think that some day, you'll be able to choose from among several good job offers. And I miss your face.
ReplyDeleteJackie
Andrew,
ReplyDeleteI hope you know that I have now, and have always had, all the confidence in the world in you... I was inquiring about your own sense of confidence.
I respect you and admire your courage and willingness to take risks.
It was a great trip for all kinds of reasons. I'm glad I got to share that with you.
Love,
Mom
Hi Andrew,
ReplyDeleteNo matter where you are in life, whether in Alaska or yes Gloversville, live and learn from it! Life's experiences are often self-limited so make the most of your experiences in Alaska.
BTW do you have a garage for the car?
Talk to you soon. The videos are nice! Don't forget to clean the bathroom once in awhile!
Love,
Dad
Jackie,
ReplyDeleteAlaska still isn't Africa, but thanks. Likewise about the face thing.
Mom,
I know you have faith in me. Don't worry.
Dad,
No garage. Everyone's talking block heaters. It's been 10 below the past two mornings.
Andrew When do you start writing about the political stuff? Is the apartment warm? What about shopping and gas stations etc. Is that body of water salt water and is there boating? It sure looks like an exciting life ahead.
ReplyDeleteLOVE YOU.....GRANDPA
I'm glad you're enjoying yourself so far. I can't believe you're living somewhere so beautiful!! Good luck on all your adventures.
ReplyDelete-Liz
GPaw,
ReplyDeletePolitical stuff will probably be in full swing by Jan. 1. Between me being new and their light schedule in December, it will talk a little bit of time. But you can probably see I've written some semi political stuff.
Liz,
Thanks. This coming from the woman who grew up on Cape Cod. How's the job treating you?