..stupid ideals..

Run Wild
(New Order)

Open hearts
Empty spaces
Dusty roads
To distant places
But all the time
When I'm alone
I think of you
And how you've grown

Far and wide
Sweet and simple
Jehovah knows
That I've been sinful

But if Jesus comes to take your hand
I won't let go, I won't let go

I'm not cruel
And you're not evil
And we're not like
All those stupid people
Who can't decide
Which book to read
Unless the paper
Sows the seed

You're the kind of person
That I've always wanted to be with
Well you're really cool
And you always say the right things to me
But now I'll tell you something
For my heart beats for you deep inside
You'll never be a burden
And my love for you will never die, never die, never die, never die, never die

But if Jesus comes to take your hand
I won't let go, I won't let go

But if Jesus comes to take your hand
I won't let go, I won't let go

Good times around the corner
Good times around the corner
Good times around the corner
I swear it's getting warmer
Good times around the corner
Good times around the corner
Good times around the corner

I'm gonna live 'til I die
I'm gonna live to get high

I don't know what to say....

Life is pretty odd isn't it? It's the proverbial rollercoaster... Ups and downs, everyday. Last night, well, this morning was definitely an "up" for me. It always helps when you have one of those great conversations, or maybe when you just tell a great story. It definitely was a tension reliever.

See, yesterday afternoon was kind of a mind fuck. I really don't know what to make of it. Is it good news or is it bad news?

Okay, I've been complaining about money a lot lately. I don't want to get into it again, but it really just boils down to the fact that, despite my employer's high stature in broadcast/journalism, I don't get paid very well for the amount of work I do. Granted, I do get quite a bit of free time. But the weight of my responsibilities is pretty hefty.

That being said, yesterday we had the first of many "Website Committee Meetings" ... The committee consists of the two tech guys -- Gary and Javier, and the three graphics guys -- Albert, Shawn, and myself. Special guests included George the editor-in-chief and Doug the webmaster from a neighboring sister newspaper. Javier was appointed committee leader by persons unknown, but the overall goal is to update, revise, tweak and reconfigure our "web product." Namely, the website.

The website was designed in 1997. It has not been redesigned since, with only minor modifications to make daily updates easier. At the time, there was an in-house webmaster by the name of Len Mason, who is a fellow graduate of the local technical college. Unfortunately, after Len left the Valley Morning Star, the company never hired a new webmaster... All of the troubleshooting and tweaks and updates were performed by the graphic artists, ie. Albert and me. This has been part of my job since I started working here two years ago.

Now, Javier wishes to appoint a webmaster, get the new website rolling and HE doesn't want the job to be on the tech side... he feels it should be on the editorial side. Seeing as how I am the most qualified of the three graphic artists, the rest of the committee appointed me the new webmaster. I guess I sorta made a face because Javier added that I'd have some help from Albert and Doug would be training me on my duties.

So that's the mind-boggling event..... Is it good? I'd be getting a more respectful title ... it actually has the word MASTER in it. I'd also learn more tools of the trade, get into better jobs regardless of my measley Associate's degree (seems everyone is still calling for 4-year degrees or higher.) .... But then again, is it bad? Is it going to be too much? I'll be here longer hours, I'd have to deal with major criticism and restrictions from editorial, technical, AND marketing higher-ups. What's more, there have been absolutely NO talks of compensation adjustments. I'm overdue for a raise, I have added responsibilities from the recent formation of the new and improved "graphics/layout/web team" (which btw, no compensation adjustments have been discussed for this either) ..... Now, I have more duties!!

A couple of days ago, I was ready to quit and head up to Dallas on a whim. Rocky and Stephen offered to put me up until I get a job, and everything would work out. So... we'll see what happens now. Hopefully this will be a good thing. Hopefully.