Flipping the pages

It’s hard to believe I’ve only got a little more than a month left here at The Daily Gamecock.
I’ve been associated with the paper in one way or another since I came to USC in 2004. I started out as a Viewpoints columnist, wrote for Sports, contributed to The Mix and served as managing editor during the paper’s first semester as a daily. Now, I’m in the middle of my second stint as copy desk chief.
But I didn’t plan to come back to the paper this semester. I was so burned out from my hellacious fall schedule (40 hours each week at the Carolina Reporter, 20 hours interning on the copy desk at The State, and 15-20 hours as managing editor here at The Daily Gamecock). I still don’t know how I survived working for three newspapers. After it was over, all I wanted was a quiet, laidback semester before graduating in the May.
Someone asked me if I wanted to apply to be editor in chief in the spring. No way, I said. I just want to sleep. Would I consider coming back as managing editor or copy desk chief? Nope. I don’t think so.
But then – after the semester was over – I started to miss it. I had too much free time and didn’t know what to do with myself. I was used to an overdose of journalism, and I couldn’t wait to get back to third floor of the Russell House to get my fix.
I just enjoy working at this paper. It’s fun to see the other staff members – everyone from copy editors to section editors – getting better and improving their craft. I love being a part of that process.
I’m really proud to work here, and I’m sure I’ll shed a few tears when it’s finally time to say goodbye.
But not yet -- we’ve still got a few more papers to put out, and I plan to enjoy each and every one of them.

-- Copy Desk
Aaron Kidd