I Be Blogging
I met independent broadcaster Jennifer Napier-Pearce for coffee today, and for a brief interview for her weekly podcast. Jennifer used to cover news at NPR-affiliate KPCW-FM and frequently fills in at the other NPR-affiliate in Salt Lake City, KUER-FM.
So there we were, sipping latte and chai on a Monday mid-morning, two spectacular and brilliant dames who no longer have the luxury of a regular paycheck. In these new jobs, we both are working 200 feet above the ground without a net. Or, as I tell people these days, “my ass is hanging out there in the air now, every time I sit down at my MacBook.”
I have no editor, no lawyer to advise me on libel or privacy questions, no desk (unless you count my stool at the kitchen bar). Whew.
Well, that’s background.
Jennifer is on to something here in Salt Lake. She started her podcast last year. She offers 30 minutes — typically covering three features and/or interviews — of news, politics, and culture.
She contacted me last week to talk about my foray into blogging.
My favorite moment in the interview came when Jennifer asked me about my heavy focus on Utah stuff. See, in my farewell column in The Salt Lake Tribune I took a not-so-subtle jab at the newspaper’s push for staff writers to keep blogs, in addition to their regular duties in the print version. I always opposed doing a blog there, not because I’m some fat grumpy neo-luddite who fights progress and the march of technology. I simply figured my column three times a week WAS my blog. I put my best work into the column. I could never understand the people who wrote their stories for the print version, then saved all their best quotes, images and liveliest writing in the blogs.
So here I am, trying to blog. It’s tough.
My best answer to Jennifer’s question was this: “I’m a phony.” Then I told her how I’m doing what I do best — looking at: wonder+insanity=Utah and blogging about it. I won’t get rich. But I like it.
Oh. Jennifer tells me my interview will be available this Friday.
February 5th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
I always went trough the SLTrib just to surf the local political news. I’m sorry; I was not a fan of yours in the print. But I’m a fan on the Web! I enjoy very much your writing, and I think you give a great service to the blogosphere: good writing and good story telling always has to be appreciated! I absolutely cherish your posts …I’m spreading the word, one by one, to the fans, from the writing column to the Web column.
February 5th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
First, I am impressed that you use a Macbook. I’m a long-time Mac user and always resist using a Windows PC. I always read your column in the Tribune and recently discovered your blog. I have to say I think your best work is in this blog. You seemed somewhat constrained when writing for the Tribune. I hope you keep doing the blog because it’s both entertaining and informative. Keep up the good work!
February 5th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
I hope you’re enjoying yourself. Your blog makes for a very enjoyable read. Thanks.
February 6th, 2007 at 8:09 am
Sitting over there in SL writing about a dysfunctional legislature trying to pass unconstitutional law(s) has gotta be depressing..not to mention the murky air & cold. Only 600 miles away in the Bay Area we have a soap opera of heroic scale. Our JFKish mayor failed to keep his wick dry with his best friend`s wife ( Ruby,sounds like trailer-trash but she`s smart & beautiful ).As with much celebrity scandal, everyone involved is seeking treatment for booze/drugs. Going to be tough for Gavin Newsom with his 15,000 bottle wine cellar…maybe he`ll donate some to me.Hope this does not reflect on Pelosi,the dummy is ( was ) her protege….. The point of all this is there is much edifying scandal outside Zion..
February 6th, 2007 at 9:37 am
Holly, how does one email you now? I cannot find a link on your site.
The Spyglass
February 6th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
I loved your column in the Tribune. I love your blogs even more. I go to your site every day with happy anticipation, and believe me, there isn’t a whole lot of happy stuff in my life right now, so you have become almost a personal friend!
February 6th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
I too read your blogs everyday now that you are no longer in the SL Trib. How does one e-mail you these days?
Fondly,
Henrietta Goober…..you know who I am!
February 7th, 2007 at 9:21 am
Blogging may be tough but you sure do it well, Holly. Your writing is freer and more fluid than when you were at the paper. I am impressed by your skills and reasoning ability.