Cool...are you still in publishing, sceptique?

S xxx

I don't mind the thread being hijacked at all just as long it's in good nature...gee, I've hijacked a thread, or two myself!

I missed my calling: I really wanted to be a veterinarian I went to art school, instead big mistake waste 'o money Oh, well... but, I lucked out with a great pairs partner and several great great coaches, too!

How many people deep down inside think skating is more important than their jobs, and why?

Alas, no! If you scroll up you'll find a bit of rant about my present job.
There was a period in my life when I was so desperate for money I'd do anything short of contract killing... I ended up doing an MBA.

If I were totally free in my choice, I'd rather be a journalist or a writer. In fact, anything "creative" would do. But for now I just want to get my UK papers sorted out before I start making any career moves (only 2 years to go and praying that Home Office doesn't change the rules again!)

__________________
My other car is a Zamboni

I'm a student recently graduated from high school.
Cant wait to go to university!!(they have an ice rink i can skate for free!!!)

Im thinking of going into english, and then becoming a journalist, or freelance writer I guess you would call it.

I need advice, does this sound like a good idea?? Seeing how there are several editors, what exactly do you do? I'd like a stay-at-home kind of job, or one that is quiet... I guess you could say.

thanx!

~kittie

Well, I'm an editor, but not a journalist. I edit math textbooks for grades K-12.

I really like it. What I currently do is not a stay-at-home kind of a job but a 8-5 (or in my case 7-4) office position. I do a lot more writing than the position of "editor" would make you think- so for educational publishing it is important to have some pedagogy knowledge that either an education degree or teaching experience would give you- most of our editors are former teachers, but I'm the exception. I also do actual editing of work that comes in from other writers, format things to go into production, review illustrations and images to make sure they fit the text- and lots of other stuff. I really enjoy the job, but some days it is so busy and deadlines are so tight I go crazy. The starting salary out of college is about the same as what I expected to make as a teacher (which I planned on doing, but I moved out of state)

Now, at least for our company, freelancers- who do not work in the office, but at their homes, get paid at rates WAY higher than what the full time editors are paid- but the work isn't steady- and very hard to get if you don't have experience. I don't know what the pay is like for other companies, but at mine it's good money, if you can get it. We don't use freelancers a lot because it is so expensive for the company, so except for the really experienced ones it would be tough to have it as a dependable income.

But overall the publishing industry is interesting to work in.

__________________
-Jessi
What I need is a montage...
Visit my skating journal or my Youtube videos (updated with 2 new videos Sept 26, 2009)

Hi Icedancer2!
I am on Long Island (NY). I know one veterinarian in the area who was a really good competitive skater as a teen and and still does huge double jumps! She does not care to compete anymore though and has moved on to other hobbies. I am a true late start adult skater, so I am very passionate about it. Of course, I am still improving (there is no where to go but up when you start late), and so it's exciting. I LOVE the all adult comps! Where do live Icedancer2?

I'm in Portland, OR

__________________
Is Portland the only city with it's own ice-dance website? http://www.pdxicedance.net/

I work at the ice rink, usually as a shift supervisor, but a camp counselor during the summer with the skating day camp we run. I'm also a skating coach!

__________________
- Ashley

I'm a TV newswriter/producer. But I've written for radio, newspapers and magazines, too. While I really like writing, if I had it to do over again, I'm not sure I'd do this for a living. The business has changed so much since I started. (My third or fourth job was helping to put Cable News Network (CNN) on-line in 1980.)

It used to be the NEWS business (as in, the most important thing is getting the news and making sure it's accurate). Now it's the news BUSINESS (meaning it's ok to get the story, as long as it doesn't cost too much and we keep all our viewers entertained so maybe we get some more viewers and then we can charge more for our commercials.) I know it's not completely that way.. but it certainly has been leaning more in that direction the past few years.

Yes, it can be exciting.. but frequently, it's not. It also includes working with a lot of people who think they know EVERYTHING about the BEST way to do EVERYTHING because they are on TV or because they talk to people who are on TV, working weird hours and holidays and staying late and coming in early when there's a really big story or disaster and you'd really rather be home with your family and friends during that huge winter storm or whatever that is keeping everyone else home.

(This actually SOUNDS more bitter than I actually feel.. but these are all things that no one tells you until it's way too late!)


Where are you, Kittie? If you're in the US, English isn't the best major for a future-journalist. Either major in journalism or something you are passionate about. That way you have a jump on everyone else who thinks "anyone can write".. because you have something you are more of an expert on that you CAN write about. I'd suggest economics or health issues or Asian culture or Middle Eastern history or International Relations... all things that come up in a surprising variety of topics in my day-to-day work.

Journalism isn't usually quiet and is not really a stay-at-home kind of job. And unless you're writing something that's completely about you and your life, neither is most freelance writing. You usually have to go to where the story (person/event/place you are writing about) is.. or where you can find out more about the story, whether that's through interviews with people who are experts on what you're writing about.. or the library, where someone else has already written reams about what you're writing about.

But once you've done it for a while, it DOES pay the bills.. including the ones for ice time, coaching fees, competition entries, travel to competitions, etc. and you almost ALWAYS have something to talk to nearly anyone about, since you usually know quite a bit about a lot of different topics!

Talking of vets, isn't Photos on Ice's wife a vet, even though she's mostly a photographer and they don't skate competitively any more anyway.

Whereabouts in North London? My daughter's living in Crouch End now, lovely and convenient for Alexandra Palace - pity she doesn't want to skate, although she is thinking of holding her wedding reception there. Not in the ice rink, though! Only I do things like that (our Silver wedding party!).

__________________
Mrs Redboots
~~~~~~~~
I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

School is in Burnt Oak but I don't know where I'm going to live yet. I don't really know the area well so if you could tell me any good places to look or where to avoid that would be excellent. I want it to be between Burnt Oak and Alexandra Palace so that I can carry on skating.

There is nothing more important than my job, nothing!

I had to go back and look at what you said you did. For a second- with that emphasis- I was wondering if you might be crazy.

But based on your job title, i'd say that's about right

__________________
-Jessi
What I need is a montage...
Visit my skating journal or my Youtube videos (updated with 2 new videos Sept 26, 2009)

I don't even hide it deep inside. I make it pretty clear that I:
- will not socialize with my colleagues after work, unless I feel I want it;
- will not work at weekends no matter what;
- unlikely to get involved into any extracurriculum ativities at work unless they involve skating (I did offer lessons to my colleagues when I was based close to a skating rink, and some took the offer).

To put it bluntly, I'd do what's required to get the job done, but none beyond that because all my scarce spare time is already commited elsewhere. I guess, for some people this additide is a norm, but for me it's a step change as I used to be an absolute workaholic. I guess I still am, but now I have two jobs, and one is, unfortunately, unpaid.

__________________
My other car is a Zamboni

I totally agree, given your job. I miss being at home with my kids, but you have to do what you have to do at times. That's why we're going to relocate; it will give me that opportunity.

__________________

I enjoy my work, I really do! Howsomever, I work to pay for skating.

If I was filthy rich, I would simply skate. Think of all those uncrowed hours during the day! Heck, if I was rich, I would probably have a bit of private ice everyday (And then club ice to skate with my friends).

I have worked since I was little, just big enough to carry a gallon jug of water to the fields so one day soon I will QUIT and do what I want, when I want.

__________________
Dianne
(A.O.S.S.? Got it BAD! )

FYI: I have a bunch of alerts running that notify me about jobs related to skating.

As I find interesting ones, I post them in the "Trading Posts" forums.
There's a cool one for ABC sports if you're a journalist/reporter.

Plus, the USFSA is looking for a Graphic Designer.

__________________

I'd just build my own rink and call it a day. In fact, I buy lottery tickets hoping this will happen. If it happens, you can come skate with me!

I've no idea, I'm afraid - we're definitely South London types.... one of the Daughter's friends even sent her a sympathy card when she moved to North London!

Ask around at AP, I'm sure people there will know.

__________________
Mrs Redboots
~~~~~~~~
I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

You know, the more I think about it (and I've been thinking it over for a while), the more it seems like a good idea. All I need is a viable business plan, an investor and a reliable contractor. I even know a perfect, commercially solid place to build it - unfortunatelly it's 6 time zones away from where I live now and I'm not planning on moving back there just yet.

This way I could still do things I love - business operations, marketing etc., have my office right next to the rink (meeting room overseeing the ice pad - yummm!), so I could a quick skate before work, get to know skaters, coaches, organize competitions and make some living out of it. If only I can figure out how to make the whole thing profitable and sell the idea to some VCs!

__________________
My other car is a Zamboni

Wanna see my rink plans?

__________________
Dianne
(A.O.S.S.? Got it BAD! )

I do!!!

(Okay, letting my mind go crazy and imagine...)

My plans would be an Olympic size rink and a guest home for coaches to fly in and spend the night (and of course, a private plane so they can fly over anytime!!!) It will have to be an indoor rink though, since I like regulating the temperature of the rink, but it will have a nice window view of the Bay or Ocean!!! As for food, we can either have my chef/butler prepare foods, or go out to San Francisco with my limo/sedan driver and go someplace, since there's TONS of places to eat in San Francisco! But there will be a side small fridge stocked with drinks and cold snacks like fruits, sweets, sushis, etc...

No need for Zamboni drivers... I wil drive the Zamboni myself!!! (I always wanted to drive the Zam...)

__________________
Cheers,
jazzpants

11-04-2006: Shredded "Pre-Bronze FS for Life" Club Membership card!!!
Silver Moves is the next "Mission Impossible"
(Dare I try for Championship Adult Gold someday???)

Thank you for the support, you guys!!!

That's great and I wish you guys all the best in the endeavour!
And yes, you're right, you have to do what you have to do even if at times it's things you don't like to do!

Like in the beginning when our kids were just born and my husband didn't make the money he's making now... we definitely had to cut back and forgoe unnecessary things (real vacations, expensive hobbies or clothes etc, eating out or going to the movies on a regular basis etc) but it was well worth it being able to stay home with the kids!

Ok, 2 full-sized ice surfaces - one practice, one competition - and a couple of smaller teaching patches. The competition rink will have nice seats for spectators and the practice rink will have LOTS of mirrors. Neither will have "boards", just a fancy railing. They will all have nice lighting and sound systems with remote controls. There will be video tape facilities and monitors in each rink for instant playback/review.

The dressing rooms will be nicely furnished (no wooden benches!) with hot and cold running water, individual showers, and lots of lockers. There will be mirrors and makeup tables, sofas, tables and chairs, etc. There will be an office wing with nicely appointed offices for a number of coaches, complete with desks, telephones, and an answering service. There will also be a skater's lounge and a few rooms for over-night guests.

The whole facility will, of course be FIGURE SKATING ONLY! Anybody found in possession of a puck or hockey skates will be drawn and quartered!

__________________
Dianne
(A.O.S.S.? Got it BAD! )

To be totally honest, if I was filthy rich I'd probably still not skate any more than I do now... skating is simply something I do to do something for myself, a means of socializing, nothing more nothing less... no need to change much about it, though what I would do if I was filthy rich is fly my coach in from Vegas twice a week for private lessons.
Oh and I'd get myself some horses and a nice riding facility since that is more of a passion to me.

Then again, no real need to do either, so I guess I'm rich enough as is... actually rich beyond belief because you can't put a price on total contendness and happiness... or can you?