Red Popsicle in Pink Champagne

My title probably has nothing to do with this post. I just feel out of the ordinary today (really most of the time), so why not think of and possibly do something that no one ever thought of? Besides who wastes perfectly good expensive pink champagne by putting a red cherry flavor popsicle upside down in it? That’s a no brainer…me!

I guess out of an unspoken tradition I should reflect on the year. While it all seems to be a bit like the “what-I-did-over-the-summer” essay, it is a bit humbling to think back to the year’s events and put everything into perspective.

The start of 2010 meant so much to me. I knew I was a few months closer to finally finishing my undergraduate degree. This was HUGE in my book. I just prayed I could conquer Algebra, especially since I hadn’t seen it since I left high school.

The year started with my internship at the Washington City Paper. It was an honor to be selected for such, especially since the City Paper is one of the most revered publications in the District; even amidst some of the stories/topics reported in it. What I can I say, the paper is the one some love to hate.

Upon arriving at the paper, I hit the ground running (as they say). At the end of my four/five month stay I learned to be more assertive as a journalist; especially when pressing for follow ups. One of the things I hate is being on deadline and trying to get a comment or two from someone and they don’t return calls, emails etc. Of course having a warp sense of humor is needed. It was especially needed as I worked on the story about the lady seeking a hypnotist to “cure” her from her phobia of snakes. It wasn’t the lady’s request or need that made it humorous, but more so the folks or the “doctors” I spoke with. Out of six, only two could give me a clear answer on how hypnosis works, the others were obvious quacks. In particular there was one making all these guarantees that I could be cured from my issues (whatever they maybe) and actually slammed the phone down when I asked for specific details during a typical hypnosis session. In his own way he told me to kiss his ass. How rude!

After my time at the City Paper, I just knew my momentum would only keep going. Little did I know the editorial staff I worked under would scatter in the wind, with most transitioning to a new start-up news institution. And while I did sign on to be a freelancer for the paper, my momentum suddenly took a turn. I partly blame my exhaustion from the academic year, and trying to be superwoman again. When will I learn?

As a freelancer I’m learning that my mind has to constantly be on story mode, so I can keep the pitches rolling and the stories and the money too. On a personal note, my mind is on a million and one other things. I made it through graduation and focused my time on pushing a story through; a story that is done, but currently has no home. My financial status is – to put it bluntly – very shitty; something I can’t afford right now or at all.  That pink champagne in my title might as well be beer… no I hate beer.. make it plan ol tap water.

I get stuff out here and there, but it’s not the same if I were at a publication full-time shooting out stories left and right. So, personally, at this time freelancing seems ideal, but not ideal. Trust me, I’m quickly trying to remedy this situation. Once I compile a freelancer suvival guide, I’ll share.

Being a freelancer with little to no money is also big test on faith. Ok, so I’m not the biggest religious or spiritual person out here. Yes I do believe in God and I try to work on making myself a better person, not so much for myself, but I always feel like I have something to say to others… that I have to get it out there by any means necessary. So this whole experience is really pulling me to rely on my faith in God more than what I do. I say this all the time, but it’s a constant progress, at least for me.

Not to go off on a tangent, but my biggest thing is mental health….depression. Clearly I didn’t go through what I went through to stay hush about it. Someone has to know, needs to know… so I’m working on listening, reading and learning all that I can to present it to the masses. Yet, it’s hard when there are triggers that can set off depression modes. Still, I’m a fighter, I fought hard when I was going through it and I’m fighting off the triggers just as hard.

So yeah, 2010 has been one wave of emotions after another. Some good, some not so good, with a little writing in between. I wrote more than I had in some years, my journalism mojo started to flow again and I finished school! All in all, 2010 put me in (another) pivotal position; basically I’m transitioning.

Tagged: african-american, freelance, growth, internship, journalism, spirituality, washington city paper, writing

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