• Keeping things in perspective Keeping things in perspective By Duane Shimogawa Jr. – The Garden Island In any job, it’s hard to satisfy everyone, especially in the media business, where one day you are the hero, but the following
• Keeping things in perspective
Keeping things in perspective
By Duane Shimogawa Jr. – The Garden Island
In any job, it’s hard to satisfy everyone, especially in the media business, where one day you are the hero, but the following day, you’re a skunk!
It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the hoopla and let your-self go down the molehill. Once you start, your thick skin starts to soften.
But that’s the nature of the beast and going into the field, most of us know what we’re getting into.
And if you talk to anyone in the business, they’ll tell you that you have to be slightly “crazy” to pursue journalism as a career, whether it be in TV, radio, or print.
As the sports editor of “your” newspaper, it’s a challenge and it’s definitely well worth it.
I can say that I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the most passionate individuals from every sport, including polo, basketball, football, baseball, soccer, track and field, and even wrestling.
The question I get asked often is if I really have to go to all of the “million” sporting events on the island.
My answer: Yes and no. For one, it’s nearly impossible to make it to every single game, especially when there’s more than one event happening at once.
It’s almost like juggling knives. It’s a challenge that’s just not worth the effort, because knives weren’t meant to
But more importantly, attending as many games as I can is a must, just because there’s like the competition of sports and seeing it live and in person gives you the same adrenalin rush as when you suited up as an AYSO soccer player or a KIF football athlete.
Being around sports so much is truly an easy thing for me to do, just because it’s in my blood.
We are called “sports nuts,” and we thoroughly enjoy everything about sports — just ask our significant others.
But for me, sports isn’t the only thing that frequents my free time. Instead of being the type of person that “lives, breathes, and eats” sports, I just breathe and eat it.
So why not live it too?
Well for one, one can’t possibly live a normal life, if he/she is consumed by his/her profession during days off.
I do admit, though, that the game of golf has been taking up a chunk of my free time lately.
Other than that, though, it’s anything but sports.
However, it always seems to creep back into my mind and at times, I don’t realize that I’m watching a sporting event on television or in person.
My approach, which is basically, “keeping things in perspective,” has worked well so far.
And what do I mean by that?
It’s sort of like making sure that everyone has a piece of the pie, no matter how small the slice may be.
Because in the end, if everyone gets a taste, then no one will go hungry!
