Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Boredom is in the Eye of the Beholder

I think like anyone, I get bored with my job sometimes. I get tired of the stress, the early hours, of pestering people to get interviews. I think this is a normal part of the human existence, being bored with what we have and reaching a plateau. But today, I realized (once again) how good I really have it.

Sleep was bliss last night, after waking up at 4am two days in a row. But it wasn't meant to be. The shrill shriek of the phone cut through my slumber, and I sunk deeper into my bed, my warm, purring kitty tucked into the curve of my arm. I was sure it must be 6am, David's work calling with a problem needing to be solved. He ran downstairs, then came up and put the phone on my lap.

"Your work called."

"WHAT??" I stared at the phone, that little devil that said "4am", laughing hysterically at my absurd attempt to SLEEP for one night in my life. After a few moments of contemplation, I called back.

"There's a missing woman at the ferry terminal," the editor said, "I need you to check it out."

"I'm not supposed to work until 9am," I said somewhat testily, but agreed to go. David, bless his heart, said he wanted to go as well, and quickly put coffee in the to-go cup and herded me into the car.

"This is exciting," he said as we sped along the curvy back roads of Bainbridge Island.

"Humghghgghhg", I said groggily, my eyes closing against my will.

Once we got there, it turned out there wasn't anything I could do from the island. The Washington State Patrol had left. The Coast Guard was no where to be seen. Most of the media is in Seattle, so that's where the Coasts Guard decided to hold its press conference. Nevertheless, I wrote up a quick live voicer to do at 5am.

"What a strange story, but so interesting," David said once again, "You have such a really cool job, if only it wasn't at 4am."

Later that day, I got word that I was to cover a rally in Olympia, then the Governor's Inauguration. Once again, I called David.

"That's so cool," he said

"Yeah, it is, but I'm tired and don't feel like driving to Olympia."

"People would kill for your job. Would you rather sit in front of a computer 10 to 12 hours per day?"

Touche. No, I would not rather sit in front of a computer all day. I would not rather answer phones. I would not rather write press releases. I would not rather drive a bus. I would not rather teach a class full of children. I would not rather work at Microsoft and make a much higher salary than I do now. I would rather write novels, but that's another story for another chapter in my life.

As far as careers go, I'm right where I'm meant to be. I've been so "into" journalism since my first high school class when I was 16, and I've been in love ever sense. Who else gets to go to the Governor's Inauguration, or look at flooding first hand, or interview celebrities. I've met the first woman President of Ireland, been within 5 feet of Barack Obama (swoon), talked to Salma Hayek, interviews Carly Fiorini CEO of Hewlett Packard, ridden in a B-17 bomber. Just saying my press credentials gets me interviews with the governor, senators, congressmen. I've met so many interesting people I can't keep track of them all. My job changes every day. I get to be creative and write. What more can I ask for?

Sometimes, it takes another person to convince us that we really have it good. Thank you, David, for reminding me I have the best friggin' job on the planet.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I thought of you Kristin when I heard of that story. Strangle even though I've never met you. I too have been awake at 4 am the last two nights :)

I'd invite you out here with Travis and Curtis in February but I fear it's a bit far from you

Contact Travis said...

front row seats to life...that's how I always describe our jobs. We get to have all these amazing adventures and then tell other people about them.

Kristin said...

Melissa - David and I will go anywhere, as long as we have notice! One of my best friends of 16 years actually lives in North Bend. I'd love to meet you sometime :)

Anonymous said...

It is such a human tendency to take the good for granted! I think in any job - even mine as a business owner, which I like - there are unwanted or boring aspects, and challenges you wish did not arise and that you did not have to deal with. It definitely pays to step back and look at what you're doing, and let the good refocus you. Nice that David helps you out with that! What a good companion.

andrea said...

You've got a keeper in David. How sweet! Sometimes we do need someone else to tell us how good we have it. Even though your job sounds exciting, I don't think I could handle it! Haa ha! SO I commend you.

Dan-Eric Slocum said...

You know Kristin. I have so many of these COME IN NOW stories to share. Sometime, when it's just you and me I'll share my favorite one.

I went from a dead sleep in my bed at home to ON-TV in ten minutes.

It was an editor calling.

Anonymous said...

Ahh well then come out with Travis and Curtis on the 21st of February. we are having groups of six out to break in the ining room and you two will make six.