glimpses of the newsroom

A lot of people over the past three years have asked why I do it. Why I spend over 14 hours each Sunday editing and name checking and searching for 20 minutes for the correct spelling of our science center. They say, it's not worth your time. It's so draining. You seem like you never sleep. All of those criticisms may be valid. I'd be the first person to assert that more sleep would be a delightful change in the past few weeks. But sitting here tonight, on issue 16 of volume 98, I realize yet again that it's the little things that pull it all together:

• Arguing over whether Duvall's pod system or elevator are its most unique features as a residence hall.
• Watching people jump out of their chair in excitement when a headline fits its space allotment.
• Eating our Taco del Mar together on the grass and being able to joke about cheerleaders.
• Hearing the assistant copy chief yell a profanity as our news editor was on the phone with the dean of faculty.
• Listening to the sports editor get the last-minute sports interview.
• Finding a new spelling in the AP stylebook. I think I love AP style more than is healthy for a journalist, or even copy editor.
• Knowing that Tuesday morning, over 1,900 students will get at least one piece of mail for the week.