THE JOY OF WRITING

BY JAMES COMBS

Throughout the years, people have asked me, “What kind of things do you typically write about as a journalist?”

I always want to say, “Pick up one of our dang magazines and find out for yourself!”

I never say that, though. It’s simply not polite and may keep them from ever reading an issue of Healthy Living and Style.

The better question would be, “What haven’t you done as a journalist?”

Dating back to journalism school at the University of Central Florida, it seems like I’ve done a little bit of everything. That includes, but is certainly not limited to, covering Winter Park city council meetings, attending groundbreaking ceremonies, traveling with a group of World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., and even interviewing a death-row inmate. I’ve done all types of writing, from hard news and features to press releases and paid advertorials.

But, after 16 years on the job, this is my first attempt at writing a column. It’s highly unlikely I’ll win a Pulitzer for it, but if it earns me bite-sized chocolates or a trip to El Ranchito from fellow writers Shemir Wiles and Leigh Neely, then I know I’ve done an admirable job.

I figured my inaugural column would be a wonderful way to let people know about some of the amazing people, places, and events I have written about throughout the years. Without further ado, here’s my top list (in no particular order):

1. Walking alongside an uncaged tiger and its trainer at the now defunct Amazing Exotics. To be next to a man-eating animal with no protection whatsoever is fascinating, but I prayed I wouldn’t become its prey.

2. Paintballing with coworkers somewhere near the Ocala National Forest. Although I’m a recreational shooter, I realized paintball requires as much strategy as it does marksmanship. I left with numerous welts on my arm, stomach, and leg. Bottom line: It takes some balls to compete in this sport.

3. Eating a full-course meal in pitch-black darkness at New Vision for Independence’s Dining in the Dark fundraiser. This event is truly out of sight. To be honest, I bypassed the available utensils and ate every bite of chicken, green beans, and mashed potatoes with my hands while leaning over my plate. I was afraid everything would fall off a fork and onto my shirt. But it was certainly an eyeopening look into the world of blindness.

4. Interviewing Jason Wheeler and seeing where death-row inmates are housed at Union Correctional Institution. It was surprisingly quiet; a correctional officer said death-row inmates are well behaved because their cases are being appealed. I formerly worked inside a jail, but seeing a state prison and in particular, death row—is something I’ve always been dying to do.

5. Highlighting the successful weight-loss efforts of two Lake County residents. Pound for pound, these were two of my favorite assignments. We detailed the triumphs and struggles of both participants every step of the way as they trans- formed from morbidly obese individuals into slim healtha-holics. the Twix and don’t green salsa my taquit i o os.

Okay, anyone who knows me understands that I love using puns to make people laugh. But now that we’ve delved into my world as a writer, I am leaving future columns open to suggestions from you, our faithful readers. If you know of a person, place, or event worth talking about that falls under the realm of healthy living, I’d love to hear about it. Please email me at james@ akersmediagroup.com.

Not bad for a first column, eh? Shemir and Leigh, pass the Twix and don’t forget the green salsa for my taquitos.