Vote for me!

I wouldn’t make a great politician – all the campaigning just isn’t my thing. Writing about it as a reporter, sure. Doing it myself, well, not so much. But next weekend, I'll be putting my campaigning hat for my run as at-large director with the Society of Professional Journalists.

As we converge on Las Vegas next week for the national SPJ conference and journalism convention, SPJ chapter delegates will select a new slate of board members.

After serving on the board for six years as a regional director, I took a break to have a baby and just to let someone else have a turn (I have a feeling the folks in my region might have let me stay indefinitely!). This year I decided I was ready to return to board service, but in a different role. So, I’m running for the at-large director’s seat against two other very capable SPJ members.

Why head back to the board table? It’s simple: I really love this organization. I’ve been a member for 15 years and honestly can’t imagine not being a member. It’s a piece of who I am. Just as journalism is a piece of me, so is SPJ.

I'll save the rest of the story for my campaign speech, but wish me luck! Here's a preview of my campaign stickers:

'Excited' barely covers it

To say I’m excited that my husband comes home next week after working 11 months in Africa would be the understatement of the decade. Excited barely scratches the surface of my emotions. Aside from the joy of having help with an independent and headstrong 2 year old, I’m just happy to have my best friend back.

Here are just a few of the many things I’ve missed:
• Someone to roll the garbage can to the curb on Monday mornings.
• Back up in the murder of a particularly large and fast-moving Palmetto Bug.
• A foot warmer when I go to bed with cold feet and am too lazy to get up and find socks.
• A hug when I feel sad, stressed or discouraged.
• Someone to laugh at inside jokes. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen something hilarious that only Clint would find funny.
• In-house tech support. Although I have learned how to install Windows on a new laptop and set up a new wireless router.
• Someone who can make our two Labs mind with the simple snap of his fingers.
• Parenting support and all that goes with it.

I could go on with a list a mile long. But we’ll keep it simple and say I’m excited.