Reporter's final column

[Grimace]

There's the difference. He walks out the door shaking everyone's hand. This brat steals the waste cans.

And don't tell me that was all for comedic effect. If it was, it did not work.

During my first year in the military I faced NJP (nonjudicial punishment) three times. The third time I finally snapped, telling the Commanding Officer that I was sick and tired of all the bull**** associated with wearing the uniform, and that I wanted out.

He said he understood why I was frustrated, because he felt much the same way about things. The problem with me, he said, was that I didn't know how to choose my battles and that I had no sense of tact.

He offered to let me out with an adsep. (would have been like I was never there), but that he wanted me to take some time to think about what he said and determine if getting out this way was what I really wanted.

Four years later, I was honorably discharged and had $50,000 tax free to spend on college. What I discovered during that time was that life was so much more enjoyable when I figured out how to get what I wanted out of less-than-perfect situations.

The military was still the military, but I didn't let the BS get to me, because I was using them as much as they were using me. That's my advice for anyone miserable with being in the journalism business.

There are so many benefits to being in this business it isn't even funny. From making connections to becoming a quasi-celebrity. If you can't parlay your journalism experience into another job and profession, it's probably because nobody likes you. In which case, you should definitely stick with journalism -- it's your calling. ;)

God I admire you.

You have a bright future in this business. I'm thinking Gannett management.

 

[Sawker]

I'll pass.

 

[Some Guy]

I can't believe this thread actually devolved in a discussion about whether a war veteran has more right to ***** about his job than a journalist.

Wow. Some of you must be real fun at parties.

"Man, my legs hurt from that three-mile run this afternoon."
"Yeah, well, some people on earth don't have legs."

Look, (and I can't believe I have to type these words) of course people fighting wars have it worse than us. Doesn't mean we've forfeited all right to complain about our jobs ... especially sarcastically ... on a blog. I took that piece as all in good fun. You should too.

Holy ****.

If you don't like us poor, pampered journalists complaining about our jobs ... why are you even on this message board?

You should try armyvetsreallyhaveitworse.com.

 

[Tom Petty]

There's the difference. He walks out the door shaking everyone's hand. This brat steals the waste cans.

And don't tell me that was all for comedic effect. If it was, it did not work.

shottie - a freakin' kid wrote a humor column. even if it was intended to be serious, why does it make you so mad?

there's been so many posts, i've forgotten what's gotten under your skin to begin with.

 

[RedSmithClone]

I circulated this column/blog to my peers in the newsroom. Of the 12 people who have replied, there has been nothing but laughter.

I have yet to hear from someone who didn't think it was funny.

 

[Tom Petty]

I circulated this column/blog to my peers in the newsroom. Of the 12 people who have replied, there has been nothing but laughter.

I have yet to hear from someone who didn't think it was funny.

wfw ... almost.

 

[Grimace]

There's the difference. He walks out the door shaking everyone's hand. This brat steals the waste cans.

And don't tell me that was all for comedic effect. If it was, it did not work.

shottie - a freakin' kid wrote a humor column. even if it was intended to be serious, why does it make you so mad?

there's been so many posts, i've forgotten what's gotten under your skin to begin with.

It's simple. Shotglass believes that no one should ever complain about anything ever.

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

maybe you should see a therapist.

Hell, no. I agree with him.

A guy who simply wants everybody to feel sorry for his poor, meager existence.

You can finish that thought now, Simon. We're all waiting breathlessly to hear your first one.

Honestly ... I really think he was playing up the "whiny" aspect for humor value.

You would have to be an utter, unadulterated moron to not have picked up on that.

Whiny? He certainly wasn't being whiny.

 

[shotglass]

I'd reply to the previous two posts, but the two posters have never shown the integrity or intelligence to make we want to engage them.

tp has ... but we'll just have to agree to disagree on this one.

 

[Write-brained]

I'd reply to the previous two posts, but the two posters have never shown the integrity or intelligence to make we want to engage them.

tp has ... but we'll just have to agree to disagree on this one.

I didn't think it was funny either, Shottie.

Nor was it very well written or original. But different strokes for different strokes.

 

[Tom Petty]

I'd reply to the previous two posts, but the two posters have never shown the integrity or intelligence to make we want to engage them.

tp has ... but we'll just have to agree to disagree on this one.

you can talk to me, chief. we always disagree ;)

 

[zeke12]

Exploding Unicorn guy roolz.

 

[Tom Petty]

Exploding Unicorn guy roolz.

what?

 

[EmbassyRow]

I thought it was humorous.

I'm hammered. Think whatever you want. Row don't care.