'Afterlife' is so much fun
Let me be clear: I am not dead.
By “afterlife,” I refer to my existence post-journalism; to be more specific, post full-time journalism.
I noted in 2016 that I had seen the term “recovering journalist” and thought it was a philosophy worth adopting as my own. In a way, though, the term seems to carry an implication that my life as a full-time print journalist was an unhappy experience. Au contraire. I had the time of my life for about 37 years.
When my career came to a abrupt end in August 2012, I maintained a lot of anger over the way the ending arrived and against the individual who brought it to a screeching halt. My anger has dissipated. I am enjoying the fruits of retirement while also keeping my hand in the what I call “The Game.”
I write this blog. I also work for a married couple who owns a group of weekly newspapers in the area north and east of Dallas; I write for the Farmersville Times on a freelance basis. I also write for KETR-FM, the public radio station affiliated with Texas A&M University-Commerce.
On top of all that, I maintain plenty of free time to come and go as I please. I run errands for myself and my bride of 50 years. We spend time with our adorable 8-year-old granddaughter. We enjoy relaxing in our downsized but attractive home we purchased in Princeton … which is only a 22-minute drive from our aforementioned granddaughter.
Do I miss getting up every morning, going to work, having to meet deadlines? Hah! You gotta be kidding!
I am enjoying this Earthly version of the afterlife.