New Things to See

Today was my first day as a Staff Writer for the High Timber Times, working out of the Canyon Courier office in Evergreen. The new person to the office has to bring donuts, and though no one eats them, they are a ritual for this group.

Deb Hurley Brobst was the first person I saw this morning and it was a welcome sight. She knew who I was and I knew who she was and I can tell it's going to be a great privilege to work with her. I told her I wish I could have taken one of her classes at Metro before she retired and she responded,

"You're going to get a one -on-one class with me here at the paper!"

So it goes.

Deb gave me a few pieces of paper with story ideas that are in progress and others that are sitting there waiting fro development. Learning the knack for knowing what needs to be done NOW and what can wait is something that comes with time. My first foray into mountain journalism was not a success; an early morning accident on 285 was big news, but the Colorado State Patrol wouldn't answer my calls, something frequent and annoying.

My email account was set up and I was given instructions about FTP (CyberDuck-thanks, Metro), what format to use to organize stories and photos, and the usual paperwork.

Soon, everyone is reading. Reading emails, news websites, other publications in the area and stories they're following. Doug's office is across from the desk where I'm currently sitting, and he hears all that goes on in the newsroom. People ask questions and he responds. There's no yelling, no fast talking, nobody that walks by and talks at the same time. People stand in front of you and talk TO you, not at you.

The newsroom is much like the newsroom at Metro. Thank God I spent some time there as a photographer for the Met. People find things on the Web, funny things and serious things alike and they share them with everyone. Everyone looks and pays attention. I'm so not used to this.

Deb was reading a local webpage and mentioned that the Victorian Tea was today. Pictures for that would be great for next week's paper. Did I have my gear? Yes, I did, as well as my laptop, power cord and stuff to write with. My first assignment was with half hour notice to go shoot this cute little event. I have to admit, there's a real pride in introducing myself as a writer for a local paper. An hour later, I was shooting and making sure I had correct spelling of names, correct ages and correct schools. Somehow, now those details are extra special important.

I edited my photos, which took me forever. THE shot was perfect except the subject wasn't a local child, and that's the focus with the paper. Local people, always local people.

I ended my day around 4:30 p.m. and headed home. Home to the hills where I now live and work. A few nights ago I woke up in the middle of the night when the bears were tearing through the neighbor's trash and wondered what the hell was I doing up here and not in some anonymous apartment in Lakewood working at an anonymous job.

My only answer is that today I went there for my first day and tomorrow I get to go back.