Unemployed Tour '08 has come to an end. I am back in my comfortable, yet small, apartment back in Arcata, CA. I've tallied my trip expenditures, unpacked and relaxed. It's time to get back to searching for gainful employment.
But, as for the trip, it was a wonderful time. We had the most delicious root beer at a brewery in Snoqualmie Falls, WA. It had a full flavor that wasn't too sweet and just the right amount of fizz. The carbonation reminded me of small champagne bubbles as opposed to the thick large bubbles usually associated with root beer.
We also visited The Whiskey Bar in downtown Seattle boasting a selection of over 200 different types of whiskey. It was as close to heaven as a whiskey connoisseur like myself could be. The joint was dimly-lit with black bar stools and booths with dark wood tables and red trim. While I found it on a tourist map it appeared to be a somewhat locals-only bar.
West Seattle was interesting as well. The area was a 'hip' with plenty of record stores, restaurants, book stores and coffee shops. I purchased six used CDs at a store named Easy Street Records. There was a grungy feel to the place with plenty of metal on the radio while you shopped and a bar-style seating spot for patrons to listen to their CDs, tapes and vinyl. Highly recommended for anyone who can't seem to get enough used CDs into their collection.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Unemployed Tour '08 [Part 3]
I spent the last two hours trying to figure out if I was going to eat with my fellow unemployed peeps, or my friends that live here in Seattle. My head hurts and my heart rate is up. Aggravation. From here out I shouldn't try to visit people while on vacation unless everyone involved knows each other.
On a lighter note, Andy and I spent the day talking photography, Humboldt history, Seattle present and the future of everything. But still, my stress level is too high to be on vacation.
On a lighter note, Andy and I spent the day talking photography, Humboldt history, Seattle present and the future of everything. But still, my stress level is too high to be on vacation.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Unemployed Tour '08 [part 2]
We ended up in West Seattle by accident. However, it turned out for the better. This part of town is kind of hip; complete with bars, coffee shops and music stores galore.
After some delicious Mexican food and a $25 used CD spending binge at Easy Street Records we went for bowling at West Seattle Bowling. Joe won the only game we played with speedy bowls —averaging 24mph— and one-eyed precision leading him to a 110 to 98 win over the 2nd place position.
Something (or, some organization) called 'Beer Church' was celebrating at the bowling alley. Quite interesting. The drunk patrons seemed to be a beer club. What wonders are here in the Puget Sound area!
After some delicious Mexican food and a $25 used CD spending binge at Easy Street Records we went for bowling at West Seattle Bowling. Joe won the only game we played with speedy bowls —averaging 24mph— and one-eyed precision leading him to a 110 to 98 win over the 2nd place position.
Something (or, some organization) called 'Beer Church' was celebrating at the bowling alley. Quite interesting. The drunk patrons seemed to be a beer club. What wonders are here in the Puget Sound area!
Friday, November 14, 2008
Unemployed Tour '08
A few fellow unemployed media workers and I have decided to road trip it up to Seattle. There has been really no reason for this other than something to do to escape the bordem of unemployment.
We have been crammed in the back of Ashley's car for the entire day —we being Joe, Peggy and myself.
Peggy has the brunt of the soreness as she is the tallest in the group. We put her in the middle [bitch] for about three hours —from about the middle of Oregon on the 5 all the way on up to Portland, which is where were spending the night.
I woke up late at had to rush to Joe's at 8am. The trip is rad, thus far. My biggest thing, being in Portland now, is deciding whether or not to go skateboarding or hang with the peeps that I've traveled with.
We have been crammed in the back of Ashley's car for the entire day —we being Joe, Peggy and myself.
Peggy has the brunt of the soreness as she is the tallest in the group. We put her in the middle [bitch] for about three hours —from about the middle of Oregon on the 5 all the way on up to Portland, which is where were spending the night.
I woke up late at had to rush to Joe's at 8am. The trip is rad, thus far. My biggest thing, being in Portland now, is deciding whether or not to go skateboarding or hang with the peeps that I've traveled with.
Monday, November 10, 2008
What Next?
My eyes are closing due to heightened tiredness but I want to get a few words in.
Where will this layoff lead me? My folks invited me home but that really isn't an option. Unless, by some fluke occurrence the Times Picayune needed a photographer.
Some fellow 'layoffees' have expressed interest in Bellingham, WA. I am glad for them. Bellingham seems like a really cool city and it's close to Vancouver and Seattle. As for me though, I'm not sure if the West Coast where I wish to end up next. Or... maybe I do.
I guess the point of this entry is that I have no idea where I am going, or what I am doing. Everything was going so well at the Eureka Reporter with my new photography position. I liked my job and I was getting ahead with bills.
Now, everything is up in the air again and I have no idea what the future will hold.
Where will this layoff lead me? My folks invited me home but that really isn't an option. Unless, by some fluke occurrence the Times Picayune needed a photographer.
Some fellow 'layoffees' have expressed interest in Bellingham, WA. I am glad for them. Bellingham seems like a really cool city and it's close to Vancouver and Seattle. As for me though, I'm not sure if the West Coast where I wish to end up next. Or... maybe I do.
I guess the point of this entry is that I have no idea where I am going, or what I am doing. Everything was going so well at the Eureka Reporter with my new photography position. I liked my job and I was getting ahead with bills.
Now, everything is up in the air again and I have no idea what the future will hold.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
The Big Buyout and Layoff
Sometimes things can be too good to be true.
Better yet, all good things come to an end. There. That is how this post will go. A good thing has come to an end and no one at the newspaper had a clue it was coming. Not a peep came from management until the end.
Our newspaper has been bought out by our competition. Yep. Bought us and closed us. Upper management told us this yesterday and I spent most of my shift today packing up.
Obviously I wasn't the only one to pack up my belongings.
Reporters packed. Advertising reps packed. Designers packed. Editors packed. Circulation packed. Photographers packed. Even the publisher packed.
It's over.
What is weird is that I started this blog to tell all of my tales as a photojournalist and three blogs into it... I have nothing more to post about.
That is, of course, unless I can find another photo gig here pretty soon.
I'm still not sure if I really realize that I am unemployed. I guess it helps that our 'purchaser' has given us a severance package that includes pay until the end of the year. This could be viewed as the 'silver-lining'. We have a grace period to get back on our feet.
Better yet, all good things come to an end. There. That is how this post will go. A good thing has come to an end and no one at the newspaper had a clue it was coming. Not a peep came from management until the end.
Our newspaper has been bought out by our competition. Yep. Bought us and closed us. Upper management told us this yesterday and I spent most of my shift today packing up.
Obviously I wasn't the only one to pack up my belongings.
Reporters packed. Advertising reps packed. Designers packed. Editors packed. Circulation packed. Photographers packed. Even the publisher packed.
It's over.
What is weird is that I started this blog to tell all of my tales as a photojournalist and three blogs into it... I have nothing more to post about.
That is, of course, unless I can find another photo gig here pretty soon.
I'm still not sure if I really realize that I am unemployed. I guess it helps that our 'purchaser' has given us a severance package that includes pay until the end of the year. This could be viewed as the 'silver-lining'. We have a grace period to get back on our feet.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
The 2008 Elections
I made it out of the November 2008 election alive.
Not that it wasn't trying being a very green photojournalist for such a momentous occasion. I've only been at this for a little over a week now.
The hardest part was trying to figure out how to work my stupid external flash. Then, once I kind of figured it out the batteries died. Which wouldn't have been so bad except I brought along a spare set of perfectly good dead batteries.
I ran to four different low light situations —by situation I mean random local candidates' parties where nothing exciting at all was happening yet my editors wanted exciting photographs kind of situation— without a properly working flash and managed to get my photos in and remain employed.
Today has been a great learning experience. While my nerves are frayed, I walked out of the 2008 elections a better photojournalist.
Not that it wasn't trying being a very green photojournalist for such a momentous occasion. I've only been at this for a little over a week now.
The hardest part was trying to figure out how to work my stupid external flash. Then, once I kind of figured it out the batteries died. Which wouldn't have been so bad except I brought along a spare set of perfectly good dead batteries.
I ran to four different low light situations —by situation I mean random local candidates' parties where nothing exciting at all was happening yet my editors wanted exciting photographs kind of situation— without a properly working flash and managed to get my photos in and remain employed.
Today has been a great learning experience. While my nerves are frayed, I walked out of the 2008 elections a better photojournalist.
Monday, November 3, 2008
The beginning
Stress.
That is how this job goes sometimes. Today especially. Working for a newspaper can and has made my head spin.
Let me precursor this by saying that I highly enjoy my job.
I began my job as a photographer a little over a week ago and since then I have been a ball of stress. I sort of feel like a car that has hit the road before completion.
That is how this job goes sometimes. Today especially. Working for a newspaper can and has made my head spin.
Let me precursor this by saying that I highly enjoy my job.
I began my job as a photographer a little over a week ago and since then I have been a ball of stress. I sort of feel like a car that has hit the road before completion.
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