Life As an Afterschool Special

an open letter

To Whom it may concern,

I am starting to think that maybe I should have listened to people when they said it wasn’t wise to major in Journalism. Perhaps I should have stuck to studying something more useful, like origami or Spanish. While I am confessing, I also think I shouldn’t have dated my Spanish TA, even if he was muy guapo and I did get an A, because now I am stuck with a journalism degree and muy mal Spanish skills. In the real world that translates to a job as a personal assistant and a tiny paycheck that hardly covers the cover to First Ave.

Journalism is in my blood, but I was never as good at the “who”, “what”, “where”, and “whens” as the “whys”. I wrote an editorial column for the local paper where I grew up. I wrote about what I thought about what was happening in my life, and in their lives, and in the town I grew up in. I remember when Starbucks first came to town I said it was a very good thing. I got letters for weeks telling me I had lost all my small town values. I also got free lattes at the Starbucks, so I figured it was worth it.

The truth is I am not a small town girl. I am big city girl. I love Minneapolis. I love the farmers market and free concerts on Nicollet Mall in the summer. I love Lake Calhoun on a fall day. I love happy hours at the Independent and at the Local. I love 80’s night at the Shout House and dollar red bulls and vodkas. I think the one eyed willie at Psycos Suzies is one of the best drinks in the city and Matt’s Bar has better Juicy Lucies and cheese curds then 5/8 ever will. Red Dragon’s wondrous punch is wondrous, Peptios has great queso, and Market Barbecue has great sandwiches and terrible waitresses.

I also love Minneapolis because it is a good place to meet friends and date. And I have met lots of people and dated more men than I should in the eight years I have lived here. I have found that Zelo’s is a sexy place for a date and Bryant Lake Bowl is a good place to have fun and get to know someone. Cosmos is a great place to meet the girls for drinks, provided the girls can afford drinks that can cost as much as a pair of shoes on clearance at DSW.

I am a city girl, and I am perfect for a position where I can write about how amazing the city (and I) am.

Personally, I am fun, energetic, and sassy. I am not afraid to be honest and a little snarky. I am also not afraid to try new places, and I have used up most my entertainment books coupons this year. There is so much to do in the city, and I want to experience it all. Professionally, I am efficient and thorough. I am a natural leader, and people want to follow me. (some say popular, I would say socially blessed) My years in journalism have given me a love for a deadline and fast paced environments. I love what I do, and I do it well.

Please pick me.

Sincerely,

Jamie L Radich