Pros and Cons of the Journalistic Life

Today I thought I'd list some pros and cons of my job, so you, dear reader, can get a feel for what it's like. How exciting! You can thank me later.

Pro: I get to find out stuff before anybody else.
Con: Due to technological advances, I find that stuff out about 2 seconds before anybody else. Sometimes 2 seconds AFTER.

Pro: I get to throw around the snazzy titles of "journalist" and "city editor" at social functions.
Con: I automatically get labeled as the "liberal media" and everyone bashes me for the American press not covering more of yada-yada and less of yada-yawn. I do not represent all of the press. But thanks for flattering me.

Pro: Sometimes I get access to documents, records, etc. that you wouldn't normally get access to because tada! I'm with the media!
Con: It's a total and complete pain in the ass to access said items.

Pro: I get to see photos that the average Joe doesn't get to see. Or would even want to see.
Con: Man, those images stay in your head forever. Ughhhhh. (Trying to purge crime-scene photos from memory...trying to purge crime-scene photos from memory...)

Pro: I know how to research things and where to find helpful information.
Con: Everyone and their mother calls me to find them things when they can't.

Pro: I get to talk to interesting people and find out their stories.
Con: Sometimes these people aren't coherent. Or they're dead. Well, close to it.

Pro: I get to choose some of the stories and where they go in the paper.
Con: Designers f*** it up.

Pro: I get to come up with catchy headlines and cool ideas.
Con: Designers f*** it up.

Pro: I work with cool people (most of the time).
Con: Those damn higher-paying jobs entice them away. And then the company decides not to fill their position.

Pro: I'm surrounded by knowledge and people who have been in the industry for decades, so I get to learn things I want to know.
Con: They either have egos, tempers, are whiny, are uncooperative, are assholes, or have become burnt out and inept. A veritable cornucopia of pleasantry!

Pro: I get paid to sit at a computer and read stories.
Con: Don't get paid very much....

Pro: I've gotten to where I am at a young age.
Con: Now what?

Pro: I got to write a blog on company time tonight.
Con: Still 1.13 hours to go. Great. (Update: I was finally able to get the company to put me back on 10:30-7:30 shifts, but the night person at our sister paper who covers us at night is on vacation this week, so I have to work tonight. Blah. Con! Con, I tell you!)