I may be on a sinking ship…

…but man, what a crew to go down with.

Journalism is not doing well. Profits are down; newspapers everywhere are shutting down; and people are getting laid off left and right. As a result, veterans with years — sometimes decades — of experience are going for the same jobs as college grads just entering the field.

With the supply not meeting the demand, you’d think the industry would have this competitive, every-person-out-for-themselves atmosphere. But since I’ve graduated, I have yet to encounter it.

One of the best things I’ve discovered about journalism is how tight-knit of a community it is. Despite the state of the industry, everyone is still willing to do what they can to help each other, especially newcomers like me. I really feel this whenever I attend journalism events.

On Saturday, I attended the AAJA Seattle Lunar New Year banquet and I have to admit that it was great being around people with whom I could “talk shop.”

It’s official! Conan to leave NBC

From The TV Column from the Washington Post:

Late-night talk show host Conan O’Brien and NBC have finally signed their deal for Conan to exit as host of “The Tonight Show,’ NBC confirmed today.

“NBC and Conan O’Brien have reached a resolution of the issues surrounding O’Brien’s contract to host ‘The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien,’” NBC and Conan said in a statement Thursday around noon EST.

Minutes later, NBC issued another statement on its own announcing that Jay Leno will return to host “The Tonight Show” on March 1.

“We’re pleased that Jay is returning to host the franchise that he helmed brilliantly and successfully for so many years,” NBC Universal Television Entertainment Chairman Jeff Gaspin said in that statement.

Click here for the entire article.

Big Coco fan that I am, I’m not happy about this. I’m not going to get into my feelings about the whole situation, but I will say late night will not be the same and Conan will be sorely missed. Nobody knows what his future will be, but whatever that may be, I wish him luck and can’t wait for him to return to television.

Go go Team Coco!

Last week, NBC announced that it is considering moving “The Jay Leno Show“ from prime time to late night. Jay would return to his old 11:35 p.m. time slot for half an hour and “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” would be at 12:05 a.m.

After discovering Conan only a few years ago, I have to admit he’s become my older man crush (he’s 46). Some may have thought 50-year-old Brian Williams filled that position, but he’s my anchorman crush.

So, huge Conan fan that I am (he may not have glasses, but he does have that awkward geekiness I love), I — like many others — was upset when I heard the news of his show possibly moving, him being taken off the air, leaving the network or any number of possibilities.

Conan doesn’t know what’s going to happen to him either, but in preparation for the worst, he’s put his show up for sale on craigslist. The ad can be seen here.

Needless to say, offers have been made:

Story of my life

I recently watched a movie about two con men brothers whose cons are planned out as stories drummed up by the elder Stephen. After some time, the younger Bloom more or less becomes burnt out and wants to go straight. In other words, he wants a life that is all his own and not something contrived from his brother’s mind. Bloom expresses his desires to Penelope, his love interest.

Her reply: “There is no such thing as an unwritten life, only a badly written one.”

This made me think.

A badly written life, in my opinion, is a life a person does not want for themselves. This could happen any number of ways, but I see it as mainly coming down to two: As a result of circumstances beyond your control (abject poverty, illness, death of those close to you, etc.). Or as a result of you not going after what you want.

Why going to the movies with friends is fun

Wynn: Ew! Does he eat that fly?

Me: We’ll have to watch to find out.

Happiness vs. Survival

Where does the pursuit of happiness end and the pursuit to survive begin?

Since leaving the Post Register and moving back to Seattle, a lot has been going on in my life, but at the same time, not much. I’ve been unemployed for two and a half months and home for about two. And while that’s not a very long time, sometimes it feels like a lifetime.

From the second I lost my job, I’m sad to say I haven’t received much encouragement or support from the people from which I need it the most. Most people I’ve talked to have said my situation is a positive thing and that I should use this time to figure out what I want to do, find a job I really want and go for it. My parents are somewhat in the same boat, but they think I should give up “the whole journalism thing.”

Now, I can see their point in saying this. Honestly, I can. If you’ve read my blog, you’ll know I’ve lamented from time to time about the bleakness that is the journalism industry. But it would be nice to have them on my side.

I’ve had this discussion with them so many times since I’ve moved back home that it’s no longer a discussion: They tell me to find something else to do with my life, while I remain silent and essentially ignore them because I’ve heard the same thing since college.

If your BFF is a jerk, don’t hit on him

I’ve recently borrowed the first season DVDs of “That 70’s Show” from a friend. Here’s just one of the reason I love it so much:

Eric: …I’ve been friends with Hyde for years. I never put the moves on him!

Buddy: Yeah, well I don’t blame you. That guy’s a jerk.

Eric: Ye — well, yeah. But that’s not the reason! It’s because I’m not gay!

Buddy: Right. Well, I’m sorry for kissing you.

Eric: It’s okay. I mean it’s…let’s just forget about it.

Buddy (leaning over toward radio dials): Do you want to listen to the radio?

Eric: Hey! I told you I wasn’t gay!

Photo shoot: City of Edmonds

This weekend, I decided to take advantage of the sun and hit the beach. Now, I know what you’re thinking: It’s December in western Washington. What the hell am I going to beach for? Well, I wasn’t going in hopes to catch some rays and work on my tan. I thought I could have a little fun and have a photo shoot of one of my frequent summer haunts.

Since I’ve got a lot of time on my hands due to my current unemployed status, I think I’m going to have more of these types of photo shoots and posts. If you know of a particularly interesting neighborhood in the Puget Sound area, let me know!

In the meantime, enjoy!

It's obvious the city's getting ready for the holiday season.

Yup, that's THE Rick Steves who writes all those books about traveling in Europe. He got me through Italy.

This theater has been in downtown Edmonds for as long as I remember.

Yup, that's a fountain right in the middle of Main Street.

No surprise I included this picture, is it?

A sad day for western Washington

At approximately 8:15 Sunday morning, a man walked into Forza Coffee in Parkland, Wash. and shot and killed four Lakewood police officers who were getting ready for their morning shift.

I’m not going to go into the details of what happened. You can read them here.

What I will say is that it is a sad day in western Washington. Only one month ago — almost to the day — Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton was also shot and killed in the line of duty. Add the shooting at Fort Hood and I just have to say it’s a sad day for this country.

Now, I personally didn’t know Officer Brenton, any of the soldiers from Fort Hood or the four officers who were killed today. Nor do I personally know anybody in law enforcement or the military. But I can honestly say my heart goes out to their families and loved ones during these times — especially with the holiday season just around the corner. I can’t even imagine what they are going through right now.

Male order for the universe

I have recently read a book in which the heroine “orders” her ideal man from the universe. Half an hour later, lo and behold, she meets him!

I thought I’d follow suit, put in my own order and see if it works for me. I mean, it can’t hurt since I haven’t had any kind of luck for a good long while.

So, universe, here is what I want in a man:

• There has to be a good amount of physical attraction between the two of us or else it’s just not going to work.
• There also has to be chemistry between us–physically and otherwise.
• He is kind, generous, honest, loyal and faithful.
• He has a great sense of humor. I need someone who has the ability to laugh at himself. But he can also be serious when it’s needed.
• He’s not too cocky or arrogant. I can’t stand guys like that.
• He is intelligent and able to hold up his end of the conversation.
• He loves and wants children. And he fully participates in raising them.
• He loves and wants me.
• He is open minded and willing to try new things.
• He enjoys traveling.
• He gets along with my family and friends.
• He is romantic, but not in an over-the-top kind of way. More of a little-things kind of way.