A reader just left this thoughtful (?) comment on my post about how I choose stuff to write, while limiting my blogging to no more than four hours a day. "For four hours a day Jim, you should work in McDonalds. You would get benefits, free food and actually make some money,'' the reader says. "Oh, that's right, there is already a disgruntled McDonalds blog out there, so when you get your ass laid off from the burger flipping joint, you won't have anywhere to voice your complaints. Maybe you can do something good for the environment with those four hours. How about helping some children in need?"I worked at McDonald's one summer in my hometown of Providence, R.I. It wasn't bad -- but I'm interested in something a little more challenging now. Got an idea? Use this link to e-mail your reply; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the sidebar, upper right. Or leave a note in the comments section, below.
Hey Jim, we're looking for a metro editor here in Cherry Hill. I, for one, would love to work with you.
ReplyDeleteAnd while I would never be so presumptuous as to speak for all of us Gannettoids, please let the haters roll right off your back. Again, you're doing a bang-up job being the watchdog of the supposed watchdog.
As a serious journalist, who just happens to be employed by Gannett for now, I appreciate the light you shine on the workings of this corporation. Someone needs to do it, and you certainly fill that void with character and humor.
But, were my 401k somewhere other than the shitter, or my salary something approaching a livable wage, or my car one of those expensive imports the folks in advertising and management drive, I might be inclined to hate on you too.
But, since I bust my ass to do what I do best, which is inform the public as to the dealings of corrupt politicians, businessmen and the hunger of those who have to stick it to those who don't with imminent domain and the like, I applaude you.
This is America, after all. I'm allowed to work for whomever I choose and complain 'til I'm blue in the face about it. Such is free speech, one of those sometimes inconvenient amendments afforded us by the constitution, which we as journalists used to swear by.
Thank you! And truth be told, I'm not going to look for another job until at least September. I'm planning on taking a sabbatical for most of 2008 while I re-charge and re-learn before re-entering whatever the journalism industry has become by then.
ReplyDeleteGoogle is the place to be, Jim. This chart sums up why Gannett is doing so poorly in the stock market, and is one reason why some of us love what you're doing. Notice the last bar on the right.
ReplyDeletehttp://seekingalpha.com/article/68657-what-media-company-gained-the-most-market-share-in-2007
I think it's worth a post of its own.
Also
ReplyDeletehttp://www.paidcontent.org/entry/419-gannett-buys-rest-of-pointroll-from-former-ceo-for-46-million/
Jim - you should look into what a google, yahoo, msn partnership would mean for gannett.
ReplyDeleteYou could try Starbucks. Journalism and caffeine are a natural fit. Even part timers (more than 20 hours a week) can get health insurance and other benefits for themselves and domestic partners. http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/jobcenter_thesbuxexpe rience.asp
ReplyDeleteAnd they have a fun gossip blog too.
http://starbucksgossip.typepad.com/_/
I would not be so quick to lump advertising into the same group as management. salespeople have to sell both paper and online now, selling 2 products instead of one now.
ReplyDeletecomment #1:
ReplyDeleteStop hating on advertising. We have to sell into many many products, some of which all you guys have to do is recycle stories into. While you were pooping on the floor, we are busting our asses to make our goals. We don't even have color rate cards anymore. We have to print black and white copies on ailing printers. But we still sell.
By the way, what did you accomplish with your little letter? Nothing. You have the same management, the same publisher, and now your administrative assistants are going to be buried under a pile of timesheets. A few newsroom positions have opened up, yes. I'm sure the rest of us will suffer appropriately in order to fund those positions. Talk to an advertising artist and ask them about 2AdPro.
Did you really think your insightful reporting on small town Jersey politics would change the world and make you a millionaire? If not, you have no right to judge me by the car I drive.
PS: It's "eminent domain" not "imminent domain." How much did you spend on that journalism degree?
You could be the next Mike Rowe! You could do a dirty jobs bit on all of the ins and out for the media industry. I'm sure after all the years with Gannett you have some connections or better yet you could do the obituary for GCI. We could do it like the Canterbury Tales and everyone could tell a story about the journey to the end.
ReplyDelete