No way. That’s what I said almost two years ago when Susanne Martin stepped down as editor of The Undercurrent and my husband suggested I apply for the job.
Obviously, I came around and submitted my application. Since then, I have many moments of teeth gritting, exhaustion, tears and feeling like the gig is not worth it - but I’m pretty sure I’ve had more moments of appreciating all ways this job has enriched my life. And after two years I sometimes forget that I haven’t always been the editor of The Undercurrent.
As I wrap up my last official paper for some time to come (this is only an eight-pager... but for a slew of reasons I am in late on a Tuesday night) I’m feeling a like a tsunami of stories could just sweep me away.
Who has time to have a baby when there is so much happening on Bowen Island? So much to dig into? So many people to talk to?
I bet you next year when I come back we’ll still have reason to gripe about BC Ferries. I’m honestly not optimistic we’ll have any kind of community centre (or Hall, says Hooson), or medical clinic, or water treatment plant. Maybe the snazzy new pub will be under construction by then. I’m also hoping that Finn Corrigan-Frost was not being overly optimistic when he told me that there’s a good chance a new bike park will be in the works this September (it turns out that hard packed mounds of dirt are my kid’s happy place).
But for all that doesn’t happen, and for all that does (for example: when is it going to rain again, seriously) I’m steeling myself to be an observer for a while. And as I’ve said before, The Undercurrent will be in good hands. Martha Perkins has already brought her fresh eyes and years of experience to enhance this little paper.
Make sure you guys cut her some slack, though - it takes a while to memorize the spellings in the Bowen phone book.
Van Lidth de Jeude... I’ve almost got that one nailed without looking up.
I’ll see you all around, at the General Store, on the playground but probably not much at council. And I’ll be back at it in a year or so...
And thank you, Bowen Island, for being such a fantastic, interesting engaged community.
