Please excuse the confusion... The last post I started last weekend and only just finished and posted it now...
AND NOW...
I've been back at the Marlborough Express since Tuesday. It's been great! I've laughed loudly at the same old newsroom bitching and moaning (really, is there anyone more cynical than a journalist?!) and have had some strong cases of deja vu (taking photos of the same people over 4 years later). I've been setting up truly cheesy photos and underexposing them terribly and attempting to rescue them in photoshop. I've been asked questions by greasy politicians to which I have no answer eg. "So how is Colin King (MP) doing?" and I have to try to explain I've not been in the province, and besides, I still don't even attempt to read the paper... I just look at the photos!
It's a humbling job. And I'm glad I can see it as humbling now because in the past it was just BLOODY FRUSTRATING!!! Of course with an inflated ego that screams "I'm better than this!!" you're going to just put yourself through unnecessary suffering. Thanks to my ego being constantly deflated recently and a change in attitude that sees humility as something to be sought, I can enjoy the job. It helps that I'm only there for another 3 weeks of course :P
Everything is much the same at the paper, the systems haven't changed much, the gear is much the same, many people are the same. The news journalists are all different of course, and there's been some changes in management, but overall it's like I've been away a few months, not 4 years.
Yesterday I got to try out the new (to me) 400mm f2.8 lens which I added a 1.4x converter to to photograph cricket. It was heavy and awkward and I must've looked like a fool... but it's a beautiful lens, even I could appreciate that much. A lot better than attempting to photograph the cricket with a 70-200mm as we did at The Timaru Herald.
I'm enjoying the fact that it takes 2-10mins to get anywhere in town and the landscape is beautiful, to see the Wither Hills in the background constantly and to have frequent drives into the countryside... it's a nice break from city life.
What remains of my ego is moaning that I must take some GREAT photos sometime soon so that 'they' can see what 'they're' missing out on... (I'm shaking my head) but that's not what I'm here for. I'm here to enjoy being home with family and friends, to enjoy a blast back into the past, and to make some money while doing it.
Tonight is the staff Christmas party which I've agreed to go along to and the theme is "Famous and Infamous", may aim to find something to wear that I don't have to spend money on... should be a giggle.
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