My beat

A couple weeks ago, my editors told me I will be responsible for covering the 2012 municipal election, and I am now going to be focused on reporting on City Hall.

Really, this isn't so distanced from what I've already been doing, but it was pretty cool to hear those words officially.

I'll be working with the other full-time city hall reporter - yes in a city as small as Saint John we have two!

The other cool thing is that I will get a chance to look forward as far as two years in advance to what issues and people might be involved in the city's next election.

It will also be fun to try and cultivate those relationships to try and get the information I need, build trust, while also keeping a critical eye on our elected officials.

Of course, I will still be working on lots of other stories, not just city hall, but it's nice to know I have a more solid job description, after almost two years of working general assignment, most of that as an intern.

The year that was.

2009 was the year I learned how to be alone.

I learned how to brush myself off and get up again, in more ways than one.

I learned that risks are worth taking, and you never know where you'll end up. I worked at three different newspapers in three different provinces, ending up at a pretty good spot. I met some great people - people that make me feel at home. I also felt so much love and support from my dear family and true friends, scattered on their own adventures.

It makes me wonder where 2010 will take me.

When I signed up for a New Brunswick driver's licence yesterday, they asked me how long I plan on residing here. I looked up at my eyebrows and thought, I have no idea.

"Indefinite, then," the guy said.

"Yep."

If 2009 was the year I learned how to be alone, the year I moved around, the year I felt more scared than ever, but also more exhilarated than ever, what does that leave for 2010?

I could plan out something in my head, but experience has taught me it's all random, and you never know what will happen next. All I can do is live each day to the fullest. Work hard, play harder and "feel it all," as Feist would say.

Whatever you have waiting for me, 2010, I think I'm ready for it.

Winter run

I'm not the greatest runner, but I pride myself on the little bit of stamina and determination I do have. I try to get out at least a couple times a week, and last year I even ran all winter - although for at least two months it was at an indoor track.

As I contemplate caving to get a gym membership, getting stuck in a contract so some millionaire can make more bucks off my health, I am inspired by this quote on winter running that was in a CanWest story today:

"When I go running, I feel free. Problems dissipate, solutions become very clear and it helps root me back into my values.... Running is like a deal I keep with myself."

The quote reminded me of the amazing feeling of having cold, clean air in my lungs, and the rush of warmth that heats my limbs, and the power I feel from my legs.

Maybe it's time I invest in some super-grip winter runners.

First snowfall

Sometime overnight, it snowed. A lot.

I woke up and found my car under a thick blanket of heavy, wet snow. As much as I thought I would dread this time, I actually woke up with a tinge of excitement. I'm sure the novelty will wear off. But it's kind of exciting. Christmas is coming, and this is my first winter in the Maritimes.

Sometimes I get so wrapped up in the day-to-day that I forget how far I've come. I just got through my three-months probation. So now I am an official full-time, unionized newspaper reporter! Amazing. I've been working at the Telegraph for seven months, counting my summer internship. And I've been working as a reporter for 19 months. Pretty, pretty cool!

The snow reminds me of this. It's the seasons turning, and as cheesy as it might sounds, it makes me feel blessed to live in a country like Canada, where we get to experience the seasons so fully. Whether I'm in New Brunswick or Ontario, it's still home. And as we move through another season... my third here in N.B... I'm reminded of the ticking of time, and how it really does heal.

No time

I just found this song by the Arkells. Love it!

They're sitting up in the board room
and you see it like a fly on the wall.
You can hear the man in the suit say
we don't have time to stall

We got deadlines to meet.
Oh we got deadlines to meet.

'Cause time equals money and money's alright
so I'll be working past nine
and those fucking Europeans who vacation from September
they ain't in the right mind

We got deadlines to meet.
Oh we got deadlines to meet.

We need a fire
'cause fire fire
is something we love
We need the time to try try
'cause it's never enough.

We got deadlines to meet.
We got deadlines to meet.
Oh oh
We got deadlines to meet.
We got deadlines to meet.