I have a lot to say about my new job, but I kind of like not waiting tables so I thought for the first time in my life I’d heed that "don’t blog about work" thing people are always talking about. That is until The Guy in Charge came down and asked me when I was going to blog about my new job.
I expressed to him my hesitation. People get fired for blogging about their jobs, you know. And he said, "Yeah, I know about getting dooced and all that, but that is not what is going to happen." We talked it over more and agreed blogging about work outright was best done on my personal blog, but that he encouraged it. He also said he looked forward to reading it, which was nice. He’s been nothing but nice.
And everyone else, too, I think. I’d never even been into a newsroom before I interviewed at the station a few weeks ago. Restaurants are the only thing I’ve known for almost a decade, so I’m not sure what to expect. People have bold opinions about people who work in television and they have shared them with me lately. One thing I’ve been warned about–from people online, I should say, not people who live in Nashville–is that often television journalists see bloggers as them in an Us vs. Them-type situation.
Here’s the thing, though. I’m no warblogging, agenda-having, political blogger that plans to take down mainstream media outlets with a flick of my trackball. That ain’t me. I write about toothpaste and tampons. Undoubtedly the folks I work with have major questions about what exactly I’m doing there, why I can’t find the bathroom and why I’m taking their desk.
And, holy wow, is it cold in the newsroom! The executive news director warned me of that on the first day going in. I can count on him to be a man of his word, because hoo-boy, he meant what he said. I’m always cold anyway, so sucks for me. The anchors both complained of being hot and I almost laughed, but my teeth were chattering so I couldn’t. But they wear make-up and sit under hot lights, so I can see where they are coming from. Good thing sweaters are on clearance racks this time of year.
One very cool thing about work is the coffee machine. It’s one of those cool-ass ones from the 70’s that flips a waxy cup down and fills it with instant coffee. You get to pick the size and amount of sugar with a button. There is even a button called "whitener." Love that. The coffee tastes like shit, don’t get me wrong, but it was worth 25 cents watch the cup flip down and fill up.
Also, I have a badge. I guess it’s a real press badge, who knows. Right now it gets me into the gate to the parking lot and all the doors, but one day soon I will slide it in my fedora** and try to get in someplace I don’t belong.*** Oh, and it came on this little retracty thingy that is far too much fun for someone who has never had one before. A name tag is so very not the same thing. (I actually didn’t have to wear a name tag when I waited tables.)
I am glad to hear so much cursing going on. That’s refreshing. I’ve heard that about newspapers and television stations alike: motherfuckers like to cuss and shit. Restaurants are the same fucking way, which is why I constantly stun my mother at Thanksgiving dinner by accidentally dropping what some have called "the f-bomb". I have unwittingly turned into my uncle who was in the Army all his life, a man who could create cuss word combinations that would blow your fucking mind.
Besides the totally surreality of hearing Bob Mueller in your left ear while you’re trying to blog when you’ve been watching him on the news for TWENTY YEARS, the other really cool thing is the morning meeting. The producers and reporters and "shooters" all get together and make the news. They pitch ideas, talk them through, assign research, get in the van and go and in a few hours, voila, the news! It’s crazy. It’s not magic by any means, those people work really hard. They are constantly going and phoning and typing and talking out loud to themselves. These people get shit done. And because I come from the fast-paced environment of a restaurant, I also feel that sense of urgency. When I am looking for stuff to blog about I catch myself trying to read REALLY FAST. Turns out that doesn’t quite work. I’ll hit my stride with the posting at Nashville is Talking and, hopefully sooner than later, find my voice as well.
The station’s webmaster gave me a little purple notepad shaped like a computer that says "Luvs 2 Blog" today. Second day and already a present from a very nice girl. I keep looking for the fangs every one keeps talking about, but so far nothing. Friday the 13th is coming up next week though.
Oh, and a question: is it bad break room etiquette to microwave Indian food leftover from last night in the communal microwave?
*My back is facing the entire newsroom. I’m going to have to get a monitor mirror for sure.
**I don’t have a fedora.
***I’m just kidding! [So getting fired.]
24 comments ↓
Is it bad newsroom etiquette to digest Indian food leftover from last night?
Don’t make Bob Mueller cry.
He wants you to write about your job on your personal blog? Great, but get it in writing. Or at least write up an email stating your understanding of this conversation and send it to your boss and click the “return receipt” box. That way if anybody else at your job - in particular upper management - gets upset about what you’re writing, now or in the future, you can show that your boss knew and understood what you’re doing. As you said, this kind of thing gets people dooced at other places, so don’t take any chances with your dream job.
My favorite typo of the day? “and in a few hours, viola, the news.” I’m just picturing everyone with violins and violas at their newsdesks.
Don’t mean to be a nit. Your blog is awesome.
Britta. No need to worry about whether your conversation with your boss was credible. I know you and I KNOW you went over your post 1,000 times just to make sure there wasn’t anything that could possibly get you in trouble, and then after that, you went over it again, just to make sure.
I just don’t want you to worry! And Damn I’m so proud of you!
xoxo, Mus
You’re right about the cool people at News 2. The people who actually do the work at WKRN are all GREAT, hard-working, talented people. You’re going to learn a lot.
As for “The Guy in Charge,” watch your back. He’s known for saying one thing (while looking you in the eye) and doing another. He’ll sell you down the river in a heart beat to save his own ass. Be careful.
I doubt that posting on your personal blog is part of your news blogging “agreement” with News 2. If I were you, I just wouldn’t do it.
If you do continue to post about WKRN on your blog, heed Mr. Thompson’s advice and practice multiple paths of CYA. AND, keep a notarized paper trail.
those people work really hard
Thank you.
(Even though I don’t work at KRN…but still.)
And it’s only really bad form if you burn popcorn.
Your are doing a great job, Brittney, and I think it is very cool that you are talking about the job on your site. Words of advice:
Don’t listen to anyone who questions Sechrist. He says what he means and he means what he says. If you were to get out of line, which I’m sure you won’t, he’d let you know.
You should definitely stock up on sweaters. It’s so cold downstairs that the folks upstairs refer to it as the North Pole.
Good coffee? Come upstairs. It’s not as cool as the break room machine–but it tastes much better.
Of course, you have to make it yourself.
Do not reheat the Indian food.
Most people here are really nice. Talk to me later and I’ll tell you about the other two. :)
Good coffee? *IF ONLY* your boyfriend worked at a coffee house and once bought you an insulated mug for the transporting…
I think the Vidiot misunderstands me. Even if your boss is a means-what-he-says guy (and I hope he is), there is potential for trouble. You answer not only to him, but to everybody he reports to. Are you sure everybody up the line is OK with you blogging about work? Is everybody’s memory perfect. Even when people have good intentions, there are so many ways misunderstandings can occur, that you need to cover yourself on this one, because it can get you fired.
Best wishes.
I wasn’t talking about that, Jim — I think you’re meaning to refer to news2go’s comment.
But yes, CYA is always a good thing in this business. It doesn’t have to be a deadly serious thing — if the boss is as cool as others have said, that’s great, and he should understand your wanting to make absolutely sure everyone’s on the same page.
Wait till your first breaking news day. That’ll be an interesting day for you. It’s like the CNN warroom in here!
Just wait till the seating’s rearranged and I’m next to you. Then you get to hear me mumble at my computer and type very loudly. Bill (the night assignment editor) compares it to various percussion sections of orchestras. It might drown out the anchors and they might have to move me again.
BTW, I actually have a coffeemaker up here. I’ve never actually used it - I brought it in after I got another for Christmas. When I move, maybe we can set up our own little coffee corner.
And despite what Cindy said, I have reheated Indian food in the break room and no one has murdered me. Yet.
You know that expression about how, if you choose a job that you love, you never have to work another day in your life?
Are you done working yet?
Things ya’ll should know (by ya’ll I mean those not in the know):
When I say The Guy in Charge I mean it. He’s the boss as in he’s the President. So the channels are all covered. I am going to take any and all advice into consideration and weigh it with what I know and don’t know.
But I tend to take unsolicited advice with an extra grain of salt.
And I think future posts abouw work will be slightly less confessional. Some distance could make writing those entries much more interesting.
That sounds like the smartest strategy, Brittney.
I remember discovering your old blog, and being impressed with your raw writing skills. I remember watching you develop as a writer through character studies and insightful observations. I remember when you had your R&R Girl’s Camp story published, and how breathlessly excited you were. I’ve seen you lament over crappy jobs and snippy customers. I’ve seen you gush over the VCB, and then watched as your relationship matured beyond the gushing stage to trust and stability. I’ve seen you struggle to overcome your personal demons. It’s all been good–sometimes really strong, other times a little less strong, but good stuff regardless. You’ve shown a gradual, consistent growth as a writer and as a person. Yours is one of the few blogs I visit religiously. Seeing you make the jump to “professional blogger” is really rewarding. Congratulations!
FUCKING LIBERAL NEWS MEDIA
Great entry! I love the monitor mirror idea and not getting dooced is a great fringe benefit!
Whitener–LOL!
so, where is the professional blog? I’m anxious to see it.
Here it is: http://www.nashvilleistalking.com
I too am a toothpaste and tampons kinda gal, and that’s why I love reading your stuff. As Corey Hart once sang, Never Surrender.
When Green Day comes to Nashville on 08/15/05, try flashing that media badge to get backstage. Then you will be on to something.
Then you will be on to something.
She will be onto a stage that she probably wouldn’t walk across the street for.
Great post, Brittney. Get yourself one of those little heaters from Home Depot with that first, fat paycheck.
Hi there!
I realise that the reason why you blog has changed quite recently, but I was wondering whether you’d help me with my research into work-related blogs.
http://workblogging.blogspot.com/2005/05/what-is-work-related-blog.html
Please follow the link below to fill in a very brief questionnaire.
http://www.my3q.com/home2/62/apr2112/24991.phtml
I have also put you on my blogroll unless you object in some way.
Thanks
James
I hate having people being able to see my monitor as I’m working. It’s not that I’m up to anything…it’s just that I hate the feeling that someone is watching over your shoulder while you’re writing. I always hated in school when I’d be working on something in a computer lab setting or a test in a regular room and the teacher would come over, stare at what you’re doing and then try to tell you how you’re doing it wrong…Ugh..that drove me up the wall!
Leave a Comment