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Camaraderie in San Diego

Greg Dewar
The Commuter

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

The staff here at The Commuter has always been really tight. We get along, we share ideas, we’re comfortable, and there’s a lot of love to go around. And while this may seem idyllic, San Diego made me realize just how many newspapers are disjointed with in-fighting. Half the people I met at the conference hated half of the people they came with, and there was no love lost on the flipside.

The fact that we all get along so well is amazing. We have Taco Tuesday every night the paper is finished out of own pockets. If someone’s too poor to buy that night, they get covered. We have a game night every Friday.

And so I didn’t even think about it until the conference, when I was attending management sessions that delineated how to minimize drama and how to build a sense of unity and accomplishment at your paper. I realized I was wasting my time, because I already have an amazing staff that loves hanging out with each other and having fun.

Over the course of the entire trip there was only one short fight, which was quickly resolved. No one was left behind or out in the cold on the trip. Often times, all 13 of us hung out together.

There was some sense of bonding between some of the newer people. And all in all we’re all just best buds now, and for that I am both thankful and lucky. The trip was a blast for all involved.

I haven’t felt a sense of camaraderie like this since the military and the bond that forms between brothers when you’re forced into those stressful situations of having to kill or be killed.

For the first time I’m happy since the military and I feel safe enough to trust any of these fine people to take point or cover the six.

Everyone talked in a Christopher Walken voice the entire time. We even got Rob to do it once.

Some people asked us if we were driving. We said no, we’re “Walken”. Christopher Walken. We’re nice guys, give us a chance!

Good job, Commuter, on all your hard work. You deserved this. Eyes on.

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