Taking the plunge

Today I quit the best job I ever had.

It didn't pay so well. The hours were terrible. It was a high stress position. But I loved it.

I've been writing for a daily newspaper for more than 3 1/2 years. It's the only job I've ever loved. That I've ever liked. I was a professional storyteller. Crime, politics, human misery and elation. The job was painful and joyful. I loved to write. I loved to tell stories.

But I'm getting older and it's time to think about the future. Newspapers are struggling to stay alive. My paper was laying off reporters, cutting back on the number of pages it prints, and contemplating boosting the newstand price. I've been looking for a new news job for awhile.

This week I got an offer from a start-up company that publishes web sites and magazines on business and technology. They were looking for a reporter, and I seemed to fit the bill for them.

I had some reservations about moving from newspapers to trade news publishing. The idealist in me still dreams of being in the White House press corps or the Capitol some day, exposing hypocrisy and championing sensible policies and bold leaders.

But when the tech publisher raised their offer and met my salary demands, what could I do? I felt I had an offer I couldn't refuse. I was terrified to quit my job and start writing about business. Would I care about it? Could I love it?

But as soon as I accepted their offer and wrote my letter of resignation (the first such letter I've ever written) a sense of relief washed over me. All the trepidation I had felt about making the change disappeared. I feel relieved now. I feel like my career is about to take a great leap forward.

I was afraid of change. But as soon as I agreed to make the change, the fear disappeared. I feel great... now if only those clowns at Apple would send me my goddamn iPod.