Getting on the boss's good side

It’s Friday, so let’s ramble:

— Very cool not having workplace authority. I’ll admit to it. I like coming and going as I please, writing what I want to write, and visiting where I want to visit.

All the editors I worked for had pluses and minuses, but they had one thing in common: They wanted me to do what THEY wanted. I couldn’t walk into the editor’s office and say, “Nah, I don’t think I’ll write about the Inverness City Council. Think I’ll write about caves in the forest instead.”

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Thursday is a perfect example. I left the house around 12:30 p.m. for a Cattle Dog chat that lasted almost 90 minutes. After that, I took a drive to the (as of today) barge canal for a walk on the Withlacoochee Bay Trail. Then back home to write.

I can’t imagine having to clear all that with an editor. Actually, I can:

Editor: What are your plans today?

Me: I’m meeting someone important at Cattle Dog.

Editor: Who are you interviewing?

Me: No one. We’re just talking.

Editor: You mean, the pre-interview, right? Make sure you’re covering all the topics?

Me: No, seriously. We’re just talking. Something might come from it. Or not.

Editor: (Blank stare.)

That’s followed by a few seconds of uncomfortable silence.

Editor: OK, then what?

Me: I’m headed up to the Cross Florida Barge Canal.

Editor: Oh, great! To find out about that thing from the other day, right? Get some quotes from fishermen and boaters. That’s a wonderful idea! Glad you’re on the ball.

Me: Um, actually I wasn’t planning to do any of that.

Editor: So, it’s a think piece, right? You’ll get a feel for the land, write a nice deep dive on the issue? I’m right with you.

Me: Hmm. Nah, I’m just taking a drive, then walking on the bay trail. Maybe sit along the water and breathe a little.

Editor: (Blank stare.)

— If you don’t recognize him, that’s our state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia in today’s photo goofing it up with me at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Gala on Saturday in Citrus Springs.

Blaise is an interesting cat. He’s not known for being a warm and fuzzy community champion, but he’s latched onto the Crystal Memorial Gardens cemetery restoration project.

Blaise may be moving on shortly, though. His name is mentioned as a possible successor to CFO Jimmy Patronis, who is front-runner in a special congressional election April 1 to replace former Rep. Matt Gaetz.

Related, if interested…the Legislative Delegation meets at 9:30 a.m. today in the Courthouse.

— So, this happened. I was walking Bunny on the state trail the other day and two bicyclists approached. As they passed, a woman on one bike called out, “Hi Bunny!”

Isn’t that cool? A JWC reader greeting my precious pooch.

— Next week is going to be a little crazy around here on the county government scene. Library Board appointments, sales tax referendum timeline, some weirdness with a proclamation … It all leads to grouchy politicians and angry constituents.

Let’s try to remember we’re all one community. Differing views and multiple angles are not the sign of trouble. Just the opposite. Cordial debate is healthy for a community.

Can we keep it cordial? That’s the question. I still think we allow too much rude behavior during public comment at County Commission meetings. One man I’ve dubbed Toxic Guy is so awful he gives ugly a bad name.

Differing opinions? Sure. Disagreements? Absolutely. Just be humble about it.

Like the JWC shirt says: “I am frequently wrong. So are you. Welcome to life.”

Have a relaxing and wonderful weekend, friends.

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