making sense of chaos.

OK. I’m going to admit to something today I swore I never would.

I miss being a full-time journalist.

There. I said it.

___

I was sitting at home last night absolutely glued to the TV as the tragic events were unfolding at the LA Fitness center in Collier Township.

The interviews were heartbreaking. The chaos and uncertainty were tangible. Even some of the TV reporters and anchors, who are usually stoic (or at least good actors at being stoic), were struggling to hold themselves together.

And while I was very thankful that I wasn’t still a reporter in the business and dispatched to a scene like that, I will admit that I missed being a part of a breaking news scenario.

I don’t mean that in a morbid way. Covering senseless events like last night’s shooting was always incredibly difficult and part of the reason, honestly, that I left the business in the first place.

As I was watching, I immediately flashed back to some of my more difficult reporting moments. Walking through Ground Zero just one month after Sept. 11, 2001. Watching a woman being extracted from her vehicle in a horrific accident, airlifted from the scene from a helicopter that landed right on the highway. Horrible things that I hope I never, ever see again.

But during my days as a copy editor and page designer, it was tragedies or breaking news events like this that pulled those of us manning the fort in the newsroom together as a team. During the first round of massive flooding in the region in 2004, people who weren’t even scheduled to work that night came in to lend a helping hand, reading stories, assisting in writing headlines, answering phones, and/or proofreading pages. We rallied together as a team, trying to make sense of a crazy situation, helping anyone else in the room that needed help.

And true, while putting together written words and photos about a horrible situation may seem trivial, for me at least it seemed to provide a sense of trying to help. It may not have been much, but if my efforts could help describe what happened in a way to help others make sense of the situation in their own minds, then I felt like my efforts had been worthwhile.

It’s also why my night-side newsroom colleagues are still some of my very best friends. We went through a lot together, not nearly as tragic as last night’s happenings, but a lot of chaotic moments. We witnessed each other’s frustration, confusion, and occasional tossing of the stylus.

Last night was frustrating for me. I wanted to help. I wanted to make sense of the situation. But all I could do was watch it on TV. And pray.

___

The other problem with being a former full-time journalist is my incessant need to channel flip in breaking news situations.

I got home last night after the extended coverage was well underway. And while it’s not usually my custom to offer public commentary, there were a couple of things that really jumped out and struck me and are worth noting.

* After multiple channel flips, I ended up watching a lot of coverage from WTAE. And while reporters who feign emotion in situations like this usually come across as contrived, I can honestly say that the surprise and the concern shown by reporter Shannon Perine on the scene seemed extremely genuine. For once it was nice to see a reporter not only be concerned, but show that concern on TV. Thanks, Shannon, for showing your human side.

* It’s true that I tend to watch KDKA. And while I wasn’t crazy about their coverage last night, I will say this. KDKA’s staff was the only group last night that appeared to be functioning as a team. Sending your weather and sports staffs to hospitals to cover situations like this isn’t ideal. It’s better to have an experienced reporter in those types of things. And while Jeff Verszyla’s live shots weren’t stellar, and Bob Pompeani’s cell phone was having issues, I give both of them a ton of credit for getting thrown into an uncomfortable position but helping the station as a whole. Likewise, morning traffic reporter Jim Lokay did a fine job manning a post for a live shot this morning as well. It’s this kind of teamwork and ad libbing that I so desperately miss.

___

So, yes. I miss being a full-time journalist. I miss the camaraderie, the bonding together when times get tough and rallying as a team in crisis situations.

But I don’t miss stories like last night, which serve as a reminder as to how fragile and short life really is. Tell those you love how much you love them.

My thoughts and prayers will continue to surround those who have been affected by this tragedy.

** Photo courtesy Robertas Pezas, dreamstime.com.

wonderland.

It was hard to put into words what fell from the sky today. First it was freezing rain, then maybe just plain rain, then maybe some sleet, then some big-time sugar snowflakes.

Snow is fun. But this … umm … stuff … isn’t. It left the roads a mess.

The road crews tried to stay ahead of it. I know … because I heard the plows pass my bedroom window multiple times in the middle of the night. They woke me up a couple of times, which was a good thing. Turns out, the power had gone out.

As I walked outside to take pictures this afternoon, I heard a deadening thump, looked up, and saw the driver of the SUV safely parked at the stop sign about a block away get out of his vehicle to talk things over with the driver of the other SUV who slid into him trying to stop. Looked like it was a minor thing. Par for the course for the day.

But, you do have to admit, if you didn’t have to drive anywhere today, it was kind of pretty out there.

news and notes.

 

First, the obvious. Another redesign. But I’m happier with this one, after I finish up some minor tinkering. Methinks it will stay like this for a while.

 

meteorologists = fail:

 

I’m not going to lie. I was actually kind of excited when all the meteorologists in the area said we were going to get three to six inches of snow today. That’s almost, like, real snow.

 

I grew up in the snow belt, in northwestern Pa., where the words “three to six” didn’t (and still don’t) even cause anyone to flinch. Most times school runs on time. No one panics. They just carry on with their lives, albeit a little bit slower out on the town’s roads. Down here? Three to six is cause for special reports, and all those same meteorologists working overtime on an early Saturday morning.

sweet sixteen.

So, this little ditty has been passed around Facebook recently. I’ve been on the receiving end twice. Instead of posting it there, however, I’ll post it here. (Especially since I haven’t paid much attention to this little site lately. Blame the extremely busy holiday music season and PIAA football.)

The concept is to write 16 random things about yourself that people might not know. Then you’re supposed to send it to 16 people and they’re supposed to write 16 things … and the chain goes on.

I’m going to write here. More than 16 people will see this. (I hope.) If you feel like playing along, please do. Otherwise, learn a little bit more about me.

sleep? vote.

I know. I’ve been MIA for a while again. But there’s good reasons. I promise. And hopefully sometime in the not-so-distant future, I’ll get to write about them.

But I guess I can’t complain about my busy-ness.

Just posted on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Web site:

Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin arrived back in Pittsburgh at 3:30 after last night’s Monday Night Football victory over Washington, went to the office, and about three hours later joined the queue (waiting in line to vote at Chatham University). He passed the time by punching numbers into his cellphone, talking football with friends and thinking about how, with a day less than usual to prepare, he would ready his team for the Indianapolis Colts Sunday. Would he get to sleep sometime Tuesday? Probably not, he said. “I can sleep,” he said into the phone, “when I’m dead.”

This is why I love Coach Tomlin. Not only did he motivate the Steelers to a huge win last night, he takes the time to perform his societal obligation. And not sleep in the process.

I’m not one to advocate a certain candidate. What I will say, though … is no matter who wins or who you vote for, today is historic. Go vote. And don’t sleep if you have to. I mean, come on. If Coach Tomlin can do it, why can’t we?