I started working at The Cavalier Daily almost four years ago. Since then I've drawn five dozen editorial cartoons, over a hundred illustrations, almost four hundred comics and written a handful of columns. All in all I've probably spent over 2,000 hours working to make this paper just a little better. The reason I mention this is next week is my last week here, and I just found out they aren't paying me.
The editors tell me that I only get paid in experience, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to share some of my favorite experiences with you. (Note: If they paid me in cash instead of experience I could have shared that with you. Oh well.)
I started coming to the Cav Daily in my first year. I asked them if I could do a graphic. They gave me one to do. I asked when they needed it by. They said three hours.
I should have realized what I was getting into.
I kept on drawing graphics for a year and then moved on to drawing my own comic strip. (Note: Have you read my comic today? I bet it's good. Go ahead; I'll give you a second. OK.
After doing comics for a year, the outgoing Graphics editor asked me to take over for her. I of course said no. It sounded like an awful job.
A year later she asked me again when I was drunk, and I said yes. Of course I still had to get elected. Luckily they were able to keep me drunk through the entire electoral process. From what I'm told, I gave an inspired speech.
Right after that, I started going out with my co-editor Ellisha Marongelli. It just so happens this was also a week before a big Cav Daily party. This is how I came up with my greatest prank ever. At the party Ellisha pretended to "drunkenly hook up" with me. All night the girls at the party worried and asked her if she knew what she was doing. As funny as this was I was a bit offended that nobody thought she might have been taking advantage of me.
The next day we went to the office and acted like we were really uncomfortable around each other. I wanted to finish with one of us quitting because it would be too awkward to see each other every day, but she thought that was taking the joke too far.
There were some good times being editor. Like discussing with another cartoonist how he could draw Bruce Lee kicking a pregnant woman in the stomach without being offensive. Or the countless times we put off work to play a few hours of Super Smash Brothers. And maybe best of all was getting to watch Bill O'Reilly rant about how one of our comics was destroying America. In some circles that's the highest of honors.
But once again time past as it dickishly tends to. I stopped being an editor and went back to just being a daily cartoonist, biweekly columnist and occasional headline writer (Note: they seriously don't pay me.) Soon I'll be done with those jobs, too.
It's a funny thing having spent so much time in one place. You forget what it was like to have never been there. The people of this paper have become like a family to me. There are the editors as the parents trying to stop me from getting in trouble, the other cartoonists like siblings helping me make trouble, and the people in other sections like distant cousins who you don't see often but it's kind of nice when you do. And like any other family, we all get together twice a year to drink and sing karaoke.
Before I go, I'd like to just share a few things I learned working here. First, get to know the people you work with, because they're the only ones who will understand what you're complaining about. Second, sleep is time you should be working. And finally, it's OK if you suck today, because you have to do it again tomorrow anyways.
Thank you to everyone who ever read, edited or pointed out an obvious spelling error in something I've printed. I'll miss you in the real world.
The End
This is John's final column. He can be reached at mcnamee@cavalierdaily.com.
Read More
It’s okay not to be okay
By Mai Hukuoka | 2 days agoWhether talking to a friend, a loved one or a professional, it is so necessary, and human, to need more than you can provide for yourself.
Taking a break at Tangerines Kitchen
By Charley Thomas | 4 days agoWhat the restaurant somewhat lacks in ambiance, it compensates for in tasty dishes and prompt service.
Virginia Policy Lab — a hub for student-led policy action
By Katherine Haden | December 9, 2024Students propose their own projects and collaborate with other members to research their issues of interest, brainstorm solutions and write policy proposals.
