Being a writer is a vicious cycle. Between interviewing, reporting and writing, the three-headed beast of publication leaves little time to reflect.
But in late March, I became one of the millions of Americans left unemployed following the COVID-19 outbreak.
Most of this newfound time is spent job hunting, assembling a baby’s room and finishing online classes for my second Bachelor's degree, but in the quiet moments, I can’t help but to think of my decade-long career.
I love being a storyteller. For the first few years, I saved every article I wrote. I clipped them from the newspaper, put them in a laundry basket and eventually tried to build a portfolio out of it.
My career includes more ups-and-downs than many 30-year-olds could imagine. I covered sporting events at MetLife Stadium and murders on run-down street corners. I watched the birth of bald eagles and the final moments of a slain couple’s life delivered through court proceedings.
But when I think about my career, I think about the people whose stories I got to tell. I mean, I got to meet icons like Bruno Sammartino and covered President Obama.
While the icons are great, my proudest memories are the people whose names are only known through my work.
They include Steve Egoavil – a New Jersey tattoo artist by day and a slammin’ percussionist by night and people like Wayne Scott – a former York drug dealer turned community activist.
There was Officer Jenn Kennedy, who used her husband’s death as a way to teach others about police suicides. I can’t forget Leida and Chrissy Torres – a couple who got married in a local Walmart so that their friends and fellow employees at that Walmart, wouldn’t miss the wedding.
When I think about why I became a storyteller, it’s because of them. I believe that everyone has a story to be told and I’m honored when people put their trust in me to tell it.
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Out of the thousands of stories I’ve told, the hardest one I’ve had to write is my own. Even writing this post feels weird.
But a short introduction: My name is Anthony Machcinski and I’m a storyteller by trade. I grew up in New Jersey, live in York, Pennsylvania and have been lucky enough to see my work published across a variety of platforms across the country.
I aim for these blog posts to provide more information into who I am, to spark a conversation, or simply just to take your mind off of everything COVID-related, even if it’s only for a short time.
Thank you for reading these and any future posts and please feel free to leave comments or critiques below.