Last post will be this Friday

I will have written over 320 posts by this Friday. This blog has been part personal diary, part commentary on the news, with the occasional meandering into other subject matter of interest to me. Current events like the BP oil spill and the recession provided a lot of incentive to write, but I am not so certain that becoming consumed by these things is the best way to spend my free time.

Perspectives and circumstances change. If I would have written this blog five years ago, it would have reflected a slightly different mindset. If I were to return to this blog in a few years, I am certain I would question why I said this or that. I freely admit to the probability of being wrong about many things. One of the benefits of maturing is in gaining the security to admit to not knowing everything.

I thought of writing a post about a potential job that I worked very hard to secure recently but realized I had given my word to the employer to not reveal what worsening financial conditions existed at their company that at the 11th-hour prevented them from hiring me. The interview process spanned three months, a lot of probing and some travel. It was an important position at a firm that I felt comfortable with. And I believe they were comfortable with me. After 20 months of not being on a regular payroll, not getting this job was a disappointment and would have made a interesting post in terms of illustrating just how fragile the economy is and why we could be facing higher unemployment rates in the near future. My personal feelings about not landing this particular opportunity run fairly deep, almost as deeply as losing my 13-year position at USA TODAY at the start of the recession. However, life goes on. Eventually, when the right fit comes along, this latest disappointment will fade.

This blog will be suspended on Friday. That's the one-year anniversary of my first blog post. I don't want to use the word "end" because I have seen other bloggers do that, only to return to posting a few months later. I may also start another blog, so check back here occasionally for updates. I plan on keeping this blog up, so in a way, it doesn't end. You can still leave thoughtful comments, which are always appreciated. I hope this blog has at least been mildly entertaining and informative. I think it's important in a free society to have an open exchange of ideas. Whether it be through blogs, newspapers or other venues, presenting facts, opinions and analysis about important topics is what will keep this country strong.

Pondering what is next

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the pros and cons of blogging. I questioned the usefulness of continuing on here. As the first year of this blog draws to a close at the end of this month, and as my life has become considerably more complicated due to my struggles to conquer the unemployment bug, I think I have my answer.

December 2008. That's when my 29-year career in journalism shockingly halted on a Wednesday afternoon in McLean, Va., not because of job performance, but because I got caught in a perfect storm. I never would have imagined that in August of 2010, the alleged "summer of economic recovery," I would still be locked out of a business that employed me, my father and grandfather for nearly a century. Nor did I know how challenging it would be to transition into another industry, particularly industries that could use good editors, writers, designers, teachers and publication/communication managers -- businesses and positions requiring my exact or similar skill set.

Regardless of the economic data and statistics, unemployment is something that I modestly assumed I would beat, even at my age (that previously wasn't thought of as over the hill), and even in a field that has been particularly hard hit by the recession. My entire newspaper career was built on versatility, so I felt like I offered lots of attractive options to employers looking for proven people. I still believe that.

Like with so many suggestions and advice that I followed up on after I was laid off, this blog was created in order to add one more skill to my already-robust resume. I was comfortable with technology, but people said that I needed an online presence to help prove it. I did all of the things required by employers in their job ads to make myself more likely to be hired, including blogging, tweeting and adjusting my writing style for this platform.

It hasn't worked. At least not yet.

Losses have mounted as I have watched time slip away. The losses are ones you would expect (money, professional relationships, etc.) and some you might not associate with joblessness. Another fall is approaching. The skies are getting darker. Another birthday just around corner. Juggling dwindling bank accounts is like brushing my teeth. Second nature. Always waiting for the next e-mail, phone call or job lead, hoping it will come from a stable employer in a good quality-of-life area of the country. Following the news intensely, wishing some political leader will have the silver bullet to finally kill this damn recession.

But there is no silver bullet. It appears any economic recovery is going to be a slow process.

Until the cosmos realign in a more favorable manner, I doubt blogging, electronic jobs boards, networking, career fairs or past experience will be able to pry me or millions of others out of this perfect storm. Extricating myself from this recession has proven to be a task that will take more than just abilities, determination or acts of Congress.

I am confident that my skills and work ethics remain top shelf and am tiring of feeling like a victim for not having a "regular" job. When this storm passes, I hope to be stronger and wiser than ever. Until then, it's important for people, particularly baby boomers, to continue to fight the good fight, piecing together whatever kind of occupational endeavors they can muster. We are not over the hill. We embrace innovation and possess some of the strongest work ethics in America. I will come out of this stronger and become a significant asset to a company or organization that can look past stereotypes and fairly assess my credentials. When that day comes, I will be appreciative. I believe my best days are still ahead and look forward to making meaningful contributions in my next part or full-time regular job.

Many of us have reached the point where the right employment fit trumps seeking a big salary. Employers should not be afraid they can't afford us. As I have said in this blog many times, wise employers will take advantage of the deep pool of talented and experienced people available now. They will see the silver lining in the current job market and slowly but surely put America back to work. At least that's my hope.

A pause for a blog update

This is month 12 of Calvacca Blog. When I started the blog, it was something to do -- a way to pass time in between playing guitar, searching for work and taking walks to clear my mind. A way to stay connected to the news and maintain whatever writing skills that I might possess. I have learned some technical skills like how to embed video into posts and adjust the HTML coding to make them fit, created links and utilized counters that track the number of visitors to the website. I know the identity of most of my core readers. They are family and friends. Some, however, remain anonymous but are fairly loyal followers. Others just take a peek now and then or are one-time visitors who did a Google search on some particular topic that I happened to have written about. I don't know how many people from foreign countries have come to this blog, but I am guessing it's at least three dozen. My numbers are small compared with the big-time blogs, but drawing a huge audience has never been my intent.

I have hammered away on topics that are important to me. The unemployment situation hits particularly close to home, not just because of my own situation, but because of others in my life who are either out of work or afraid they are going to lose their jobs. I realize joblessness doesn't always make for compelling reading. In fact, I am almost certain people avoid this blog like the plague because they don't want to be reminded of certain realities in my life or in the economy as a whole that might eventually impact their lives. I don't curse. I don't write about celebrity nonsense or show sensational photos. Therefore, the odds of this blog ever going viral are pretty much zilch.

There are very few warm and fuzzy tales or literary moments of note on this blog. While some bloggers focus on one subject, I've tried to remain open to writing about various issues that come up in the news or in my own life. I have tried to write these commentaries in a straight-forward, narrative style.

Besides it being somewhat educational and helping to pass the time on some lonely days, blogging hasn't been all that I expected it to be. With that said, I am not certain what expectations I had 12 months ago. With millions of bloggers across the world, one isn't likely to be discovered here without a lot of marketing. Advertising and sales aren't my thing. One blogger isn't going to change the world, although collectively there is some evidence that blogging matters in shifting opinions and policy. So in that way, I do feel that I am minimally contributing to society. Of course, that doesn't pay the bills.

For the most part, though, bloggers are voices in the night. Some are nut jobs. Others provide a lot of food for thought not seen in the mainstream media. Most struggle to build a following. A lot of bloggers are former journalists, like me, who lost their jobs in the recession and can't find their way back into a newsroom for whatever reason.

I am not sure where this blog is going as the one-year anniversary approaches. Lately, I feel that I have said everything I can say about the economy, the state of politics, the world in general and the condition of my old profession. Until things change, what else can I rant about or applaud?

The blog could use a lot more reader participation, but I have had to tighten filters on the comments because of the typical Internet stream of lunatics that want to leave inappropriate remarks. I don't use foul language or make threats on this site, but apparently those who comment don't have those same values. Seeing how ugly and limited people can be has been one of the negatives of blogging. Doesn't inspire much confidence in my fellow human beings. But that aside, blogging has been a mostly positive experience in a rather negative year. I have no regrets.

Can't start a fire without a spark

Like in Bruce Springsteen's lyrics and my own current job search, I feel I am "dancing in the dark" with this blog. So it's time for a little break.

At least one Calvacca Blog follower was having problems commenting here because of technical issues. If anyone else is having difficulty, please let me know. You can e-mail me or message me on Facebook. In the meantime, this gun is still for hire. Spread the word!