Monday, September 01, 2008
Note to Self:
If you have to work on a holiday, always bring snacks.I've been at work for exactly 54 minutes and I am starving for some reason. I've eaten the two grapefruit cups I brought to work and I"m working on an Arizona tea as well. But I didn't bring a lunch because I figured I could run home and get something when I got hungry.
But, when you're working holidays or weekends, you're usually the only person assigned int he newsroom. Which means that if anything happens anywhere in the state, it's your job to cover it.
I've already dodged a bullet with a structure fire that got knocked down quickly. But I'm still under the gun for a story for my section tomorrow.
And my tummy is rumbling.
Man, I shoulda brought some more snacks.
Labels: advice, delirium, lessons, schedules
continue...Thursday, July 10, 2008
Now, where did I put my head?
I'm lightweight amazed at this.So, for the last few weeks, I've been bombarded with appointments, dinners, parties, etc. for the upcoming fete in Chicago.
I haven't retained half of it.
See, I'm a visual person with tactile tendencies. If I can't look at something and see it, it really doesn't exist. And if I didn't write it down, I won't remember to look for it. So I've been clamoring for someone to make an itinerary for me so I'll be able to keep my media receptions straight from my networking opportunities.
The good folks at UNITY answered my call.
They have this personal itinerary site where you can put in all the sessions you want to attend, request interview times with exhibitors and even put in other notes for outside functions or things to do.
Sweet.
Now I feel like my life is in order. Thank you, UNITY!
Labels: convention, organization, schedules
continue...Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Never stand up a mayor
OMG!I feel terrible!
Last night before I left my desk for home, I realized I was not as satisfied with a story that was due the next morning.
I had to postpone or cancel a meeting I had scheduled for this morning with the mayor in the small Bay Area town I'm covering. Had I kept the meeting, I would have lost time to complete the story in a reasonable time.
So, what did I do?
I left a message on the mayor's voicemail and also sent an email.
She didn't get either and showed up to City Hall to meet me. (Her office is not at city hall.)
Twenty minutes past the time I'm supposed to have met with her, she calls the newsroom. I pick up the call and she's obviously annoyed. I try to explain to her why I couldn't keep the appointment and then also told her about my messages.
She seemed okay on the phone to schedule an over-the-phone interview for this afternoon. But she never called. Instead, her assistant called me about 15 minutes ago needing an address to snail-mail me some information from the mayor. She also highlighted that the mayor was sort-of upset that I "stood her up."
Ouch.
Totally not my intention. But I realize that in most cases intentions don't matter.
I'm going to call the mayor and apologize again, as I did when I spoke to her on the phone this morning.
But, Jesus. I hope I have not alienated a valuable source.
My editor says this type of thing can usually be smoothed over.
Let's pray he's right.
Labels: city politics, frustration, mayors, schedules
continue...