Gannett announces furloughs

I think his brother is Harry, whereas yours are Kyle and Howie Jr., obviously.

 

Except I'm older than their Dad. My wife refers to him as Cousin Howie.

 

Bless you. Bleak, but exactly what I was looking for

 

A big chunk of this can be posted with minor changes on the Lee thread.

 

Sad. But I think you summed it up perfectly.

 

My dad is Harry, his brother is Richard. He goes by Dickie. Not quite a name like the great Dick Pole, but a good one nonetheless.

 

Excellent post. I feel for all the hard working little guys and gals in the trenches of newspapers and newspaper websites. But the suits? Despicable. They have made this the worst profession in the history of work. There is no other "profession" worse than newspapering. None. And like Fredrick has said before ... it is because they can step on the hearts of reporters all they want. Reporters will take it because it's in their blood and frankly they are too busy working 70 and getting paid for 40 to go to school to be qualified for jobs in other fields. Great great post Woody.

 

I left Gannett a few years ago and went somewhere else, forcing me into a long commute that nearly ruined my marriage. Last year, I was a finalist for a beat job at Gannett that I really wanted even though I knew all about the toxic atmosphere that hangs over Gannett the way mustard gas hung over trenches in World War I. I didn't get it, likely because during the phone interview with HR, they said, "Would $55,000 be an adequate salary?" Yeah, sure it would be, I told her. They ended up hiring a kid and they're probably paying him $41,000 to work 90 hours a week. Edit: And now he's getting furloughed. Brutal.

When I found out, I went to a pretty dark place. My self image and my success had long been wrapped up in what I do, and I knew my career, through no real fault of my own, was over. For hours at a time, all I could think about was stepping in front of a train, jumping from a bridge, swimming out into the sea at night, you name it. Only the thoughts of my wife and little boy snapped me out of it.

A year on, I realize that journalism had become an abusive relationship. I'm better off emotionally and physically, my marriage is stronger than ever, and I see things for what they are.

I'll definitely drink some Schadenfreude Lager when Gannett files for bankruptcy.

 

BTW, you need to fetch some Lager or Ale for the veteran membership, newbie.

 

I'm glad you've come out on the other side.

I think many in this industry have the same issue in tying their identity to being Podunk sports editor, Big Town beat writer, etc. I know I did when I started over a decade ago. Luckily I've (mostly) lost the ego.

 

Apparently I made this account in 2008. I like to think of myself like a solid stay-at-home defenseman - not out for the spotlight, just trying to help the good guys win.

 

I fail to understand your apathy toward a good stout, sir.