I’ve been saving this blog entry for a while, despite knowing for several months how much my life is about to change. In just over two weeks I’m heading to College to get a certificate in journalism. It’s a daunting task, considering the amount of time I’ve been out of academia, and a completely new direction in my career.
I have been working as a glazier in construction for many years now, but I have come to the conclusion in the past year or so that I wasn’t meant to be a tradesperson. It isn’t that the trades aren’t rewarding in certain ways, but that I have come to the full realization as I write this on the completion of my thirty-sixth year on this planet, that I was meant to be a writer.
I know that some people don’t think that journalism is an admirable career choice, and there are some negative impressions of the industry. I felt the same way when I was 18 years-old, trying to make a decision on what to do with my life, and believing that journalists were all ambulance-chasing megalomaniacs, all jostling and shoving one another for personal recognition.
All I really care about is being able to use my writing in some capacity that will fulfill me beyond what construction has managed. The main problem I have had with construction is that I’ve had to adapt to a career that I wasn’t born to do, so I have always struggled to compensate for these genetic shortcomings. I truly believe that people are born with inherent skills they discover as they age, and mine is not found in working with my hands.
Don’t get me wrong. There are times when working construction can be fulfilling. In the moments when you finish another project as a part of a team, you feel a sense of accomplishment and contribution to the world. Working with and relying on your crew, no matter what the weather conditions of snow or rain or blistering heat, can fill one with a sense of belonging and of fraternity. Upon the rare occasion when I would manage to outperform my limited abilities, I even felt a sense of pride and satisfaction.
But I feel most at home in my element when I am writing. And while it would be nice if political commentating could sustain my family financially, I’ve had to take a more proactive approach to getting into the media industry by going to school.
It won’t be easy, either for me or my family. The financial struggle will be severe, as my wife adopts a sudden role change of caregiver at home, to the provider while I go to school. Neither of us really know whether this will work at all. But we both agree that it’s a sacrifice worth making.
I also have some very big news for the future that I won’t be divulging here on my blog. But if you’ve been reading me for a long time, and you want to know more, you can always email me and I’d be happy to hear from you.
Though you should feel no obligation whatsoever, if you want to make a donation to my endeavors you can do so below.
I hope to read many emails from the friends I have made on this blog over the years very soon.
Go For IT!!
Good Luck Adrian, I hope that you succeed in your your chosen career.
God Bless.
The world needs more journalists like you. Good luck slaying some of those journolisters – er – dragons.
That is certainly a brave decision, and wonderful that your wife is fully supportive of it. From your writings on this blog, it’s very evident that you do indeed have quite the gift for writing. And if your current writing abilities are just from an inherent talent and no formal training, I can only imagine how far you can go with some professional training in the field.
Good luck!
Good luck. School will take some getting used to but you should be able to handle it just fine.
Good on you, Adrian. I hope with this choice in career that when you do get done with your schooling, you’re able to add a bit of balance to media covering in Canada. Cheers, and good luck!
Hi Adrian,
Give yourself a month or two back in academia–it will all come back. I finished my BSN a few years ago at age 56. It seemed daunting at first, but you can do it! You DO have a talent for writing — I read your site daily and have passed on your research and articles many times. I am on the board of our local conservative EDA. Hope you will still grace us with your insights–we are as yet too few getting out our conservative message and you are a valuable asset to all of us. Good luck, Adrian!
You will need a small “tape machine” to record your thoughts as you struggle thru a difficult climbing maneuver. Remember to always place your pitons in a good crack that you can reach, be secure and enjoy the view.
You write very well and your eye for a good picture will hold you in good stead. I look forward to you adding intellectual discourse to the print media in Canada (as you are already doing!). Good Luck
(what they said…:)
It’s true, though…”no pain, no gain”. Good move, Adrian. Keep us posted, okay?
Adrian, I wish you the best buddy! We need more like you out there. Not only do you want a career and opportunities but think of what a trail blazer you are in this country? Think about how desperately we need conservatives in the media to put out our view on reality? It’s a big thing you are doing and I hope many more follow you.
Great news, Adrian. I wish you all the best in the next chapter of your life. I look forward to the day when I can read your opinions and comments in the mainstream media.
Good luck to you. As someone with a few of those “pieces of paper” under my belt, I have never regreted furthering my education.
Adrian,
As only an occasional reader of your blog, and someone who may be politically on the opposite side of the spectrum, I nonetheless think you are a good writer and even better blogger. I hope you do well in J-school and don’t drown in debt.
Best of luck,
Ishmael
Thanks to everybody who wished me well. I appreciate it. And anybody else who wants to know the “very big news for the future” can contact me by email.