What at topsy turvy world I work in. Being part of the newspaper business isn't always glamorous - or even safe. A majority of the stories in the paper or on the Web site are boring, bare fact stories. "Bob shot Jim. Jim lived. Jim is suing Bob."
Plus, all the negativity that comes from it can be disheartening. But working in this business during such an economically pathetic time is enough to give anyone indigestion. We've gone through two rounds of lay offs, and it's rumored there might be a third.
My desk (the non daily desk, specializing in community news) has gone from jam-packed, to (how should I say it) naked. We used to have five designers, a copy editor, and each publication had its own office in the county it covers.
Recently, the Rankin Ledger has moved from Rankin county to downtown Jackson. The Clinton News will be coming downtown in a few months, and God only knows about Madison. We've seen two designers leave, our copy editor moved to a new position then found a new job, and now, one of the three remaining designers is leaving Friday. Talk about being bare.
So, between myself and the other designer we have a collective experience level of just under two and a half years. Since I've been here the longest, I'm assuming I'm the "go to guy." However, there are a few things I'm none too happy about.
One being the obvious: What if someone is sick or out on vacation? Well, then we're down to one. I've got some help from the main desk, but they come with a high amount of non-enthusiasm. I feel some restructuring is needed, or I need a new job. This should be a fun few months.
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