n-dip-i-tee] noun: an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident. I get inspired easily; well, I call it inspiration, others say I'm "easily-distracted." But it works for me. I can multi-task and do more, then eventually pick up what I'm doing an hour later. And now, a few months later, it's already our three-month anniversary as a Nashvillian.
After being in the 23-year-old limbo stage of life, this place is starting to feel like home. It took me one year, more than 2,000 miles, and Darwin. It was pretty much survival at one point... But I got a phone call one Wednesday afternoon in September, and then an interview at a news station. I had two days to catch up on every current event and every local issue; and two days to deliver the best responses in interview history. It was more terrifying than studying for a college final. C's get degrees in school. You either pass or fail in an interview.
Yet, the whole time was a thrill. The interview lasted about five hours, and now I'm officially a part of the WSMV team. Still, I wonder how my boss shuffled through all the resumes and cover letters to find mine. So lately, I've been inspired by serendipity -- also my favorite movie.
Inspired to make a difference: Prominent Nashvillians and leaders were inducted into the Country Music Walk of Fame last weekend, including Alan Jackson, and WSMV's very own Dan Miller. These ordinary people made music and history, while giving back to the people in this great city, as well as the nation. It's no wonder they call it the "Volunteer State." With the holidays coming around, it's the perfect time to get involved. I see myself playing chess with an 86-year-old woman named Janice at the local senior center.
Inspired to make music: You know you're hanging out with a group of musicians when the night ends at 3 AM with one person playing the guitar, another plucking a banjo and another playing the fiddle. I either need to take up the piano again (I can only play "Heart & Soul") or truly pursue the drums and flute combo that was a fallback only 90 days ago. Currently looking up piano lessons.
Inspired to learn: Each day is a learning experience. When it comes to the new gig, it could be adding a fullscreen shot with live video to a story, taking viewers' pictures and turning them into a graphic for breaking news, or even finding out something new about my coworkers. It's a priceless work-day that hardly seems like work; it's more of an adrenaline rush. When it comes to life, it's learning to open up and open my heart for the first time. And it's a beautiful thing.
