For someone whose whole professional life – more than 32 years — has been wrapped up in newspapers, the outside is a strange place to be. Having “ink in your veins” used to be a compliment for a veteran journalist, but now it’s just as likely to represent someone in need of a transfusion.

Well, that’s what I’m all about. My recent departure, through buyout, from a newspaper I had called my home for nearly 19 years has necessitated this change. I think most journalists would acknowledge that the best days of newspapers in their print form are in the past. Newspapers are still trying to figure out the best ways to make money in the online world. As the Internet has taken off, many journalism careers (and not just in the newsroom) have landed. Some have crashed and burned.

The challenge? Reinvent myself. I don’t want to be the human equivalent of 8-track tapes. I don’t want to be obsolete. At 54, I have a lot of creative juices still eager to flow.

I am starting this blog not only as an outlet for some of those creative juices, but also because I know there are many others in career limbo who are attempting to find a place to grab on in the new job market. For those of you in that group, I hope I can give you a little inspiration, a little background about my journalistic life, and maybe make you laugh occasionally.

Kevin Braun