As a child I remeber a few of the old classic cartoons I used to watch. Scooby Doo...Woody Woodpecker...with my favorite as a young child being Spiderman. I also liked the Batman series with Adam West, it was campy but very funny. I am reminded of these cartoons for two reasons. The first is that this time of year has great cartoon characters, my favorite which I saw last night is "Heatmiser" in "The Year Without a Santa Claus". We try and catch a few of the old classics each year to put us in the mood. This year we are using them as a diversion form all the gloom and doom out there.
The second is a recent change in my career field.
Spidey was a great creation of the amazing mind of Stan Lee an amazing mind from Marvel comics. The Spider-Man series broke ground by featuring Peter Parker, a teenage high school student to whose "self-obsessions with rejection, inadequacy, and loneliness" young readers could relate.[1] Unlike previous teen heroes such as Bucky and Robin, Spider-Man did not benefit from adult mentors like Captain America and Batman and had to learn for himself that "with great power comes great responsibility". -- Wikipedia
Peter Parker had a few traits that I had as well, the most obvious being a photojournalist. I enjoyed that as a teen shooting for the high school newspaper or yearbook, and I am fortunate enough to have done it for the past three years.
As a child Superman never really resonated with me, maybe it was poor choice of tights, maybe it was that hairdo, or maybe the fact he is an illegal alien. Who knows. I guess Christoper Reeve was a wee bit before my time.
But recently I have been forced to don the red cape and that rediculously large S, over my more comfortable and familiar Spidey suit.... or so to speak!
The state of affairs in media have been constantly in flux for the last few years. my little paper has taken notice and had their lay offs, but we operate with a bare-bones staff to begin with. I was cautious when they gave me a video camera a year and a half ago. I have come to enjoy that challenge now, with nearly 150 or so videos under my belt. Wait a minute..... there is no superhero videographer. But now Clark Kent and myself share one similarity.... a penchant for hair gel? No I have joined
ranks of the reporter's.
There were several days of uncertainty and doubt. I am still trying to get my head around it. My boss effectively eliminated the photographer position, and wanted a third reporter in the newsroom. No he didn't yell "Parker,your FIRED!!!" he just let me know what the new position entailed.This idea lasted nearly two weeks, until our political reporter left to take a new job... with the politicians he covered.....not even a full month after the election.HMMMMM
I wish I could tell you that my fabulous blog was discovered by my boss, and he recruited me for the position. But that's not the case. However, I am grateful that I had the forethought to start this journal of sorts. It has been helpful and a bit of a confidence booster, that reassured me that I can do this reporter thing, even if it's not in my heart just yet.
It's been a few weeks since I took on the role. I have written a few business profiles, a few local govenrmental briefs (Yaaaaaawwnnn) and had a little bit of breaking news fall in my lap unexpectedly. I think my best-served role will be in those instances where I can be the multi-media reporter. Having pretty darn good skill in the photos and videos, allows me to focus on the writing end of it with the ability to turn in a full package ready for print and web. I am sure I will occassionlly let you know about the more interesting points.
Stay tuned in.....
Your friendly neighboorhood,
Super-Spideyman
