Long time, no write, my audience of a half-dozen readers. My last missive is dated pre-Halloween. My fellow grad school buddies will be gratified to know I dressed up as Courtney Love, the subject of one of Cathy’s favorite teaching stories, Strange Love, by Lynn Hirschberg.
These completed the Courtney outfit
I knew my old Doc Martens from high school would come in handy one day.
As per the usual, I’ve continued freelancing for the Observer. In fact, this weekend I’m slated to review a taco joint in south Dallas, plus wrap up half a dozen other food/culture reviews. Food journalism — the kind that requires actually eating, anyway — is quite the nice tax write-off.
Early this year, I entered a story published over the summer about disabled divers into a statewide contest, but it unfortunately didn’t win (there’s only a first place per category). However, I did receive a nice email from the chair of the competition — “the judges were impressed with your work” — so it wasn’t all bad news.
In months past, I scaled back the job hunt, large in part to the dearth of stable reporting jobs in DFW. At the urging of a former professor, I applied for a local gig over Christmas. I was asked to take a writing test, which I did. I didn’t expect much, and rightly so, because more than a hundred candidates applied. More proof the DFW market is flooded with talented, underemployed journalists.
That said, I tossed my hat in the ring for a job with a conservation group. It may be too late, as the job was posted nearly two weeks ago, but why not try?
You are very talented honey!!
Mom, my biggest fan!