Tom Kawczynski - Off the Record

I think I could write a book if I wanted.  Although I have done that once before, I always lacked confidence to try to write at that length.  If nothing else, working on this newspaper is proving that I am able to write often and at a high level through any occasion.

It makes me wonder how much we miss when we don't test ourselves.  I'm surprised by what I have learned, and about what is simple and what is hard.  Putting together stories is easy; it is finding yourself caring about what happens to so many people that really takes energy.  It is inspirational, yet still a challenge.

As a result, I find my own behaviors changing.  Now I spend much more time and money in local establishments, and less in chains.  It might not be as convenient or quite as cheap, but my reasoning is that the independent entrepreneurs need help.  We're better when we have communities where people buy local, and where there is a social network.

Growing up in an unremarkable suburb means I missed having any sense of community growing up.  Truthfully, I always lived as and embraced the role of outsider.  But maybe, just maybe, it is time for me to fit in.

On my own terms, of course.