Around the Hood: Good luck and Godspeed

When I sat down at this desk here at the Rio Rancho Observer last fall, I had every intention of staying for the long haul.

Clearing out the piles of records and binders of stats left behind by my predecessor, Gary Herron, was a massive undertaking. His files were immense in their scope and pretty intimidating in their complexity. Gary was a master of his craft, and he left some big shoes behind.

Far from shying away from it, however, I dove in. I mean, why not? I love sports. I love writing. I love seeing kids happy. I love Rio Rancho. There’s nothing to not like about this job.

I made mistakes here and there. There were some names that got mixed up and some key pieces of Rio Rancho prep sports history I had to catch up on. And figuring out what needs to be covered and what can be missed was a real problem for me.

Heck, if it was up to me, I’d divide myself up like Michael Keaton in the mid-1990s, comedy dumpster fire “Multiplicity” (God bless you, Michael Keaton, but what the hell were you thinking with that one? You were Batman, for crying out loud. Ugh. Yet, I digress ...) and make sure I’m at every event; every volleyball game, every wrestling dual, every art show and theater performance.

Despite the challenges and anxieties, I did my best to get attention on as many kids as I could. Whatever complaints there may be about me, I don’t think anyone would say I don’t care. I like to think that one of the first things Rio Rancho Public Schools athletics folks would say about me is, “Taylor shows up. He’s there.”

That’s because I genuinely love this.

I love talking to Charlie Vause; hearing the confidence and kindness in that young man’s voice and then going to my computer and pouring that excitement onto the page is truly why I do this.

I love hearing from Rams kicker Lexi Burt about the challenges and successes that go hand-in-hand with being part of that rare and inspiring club: “Female Football Player.”

I love going to “signing days” and seeing the tears, hugs and smiles.

I love standing on the sidelines with the Cleveland football team as they try to “mercy rule” poor Piedra Vista during a driving snowstorm.

I love hanging out with Charlie Savedra at volleyball games, Todd Resch at football games and Joe Grimando at basketball games.

But sometimes, life just happens.

So, for my final column with the Rio Rancho Observer, I’m breaking some rules and burying the lead about as far down as I can.

March 21 is my final day with the Observer. I’ve taken a position as sports producer with the Albuquerque Journal.

I know. I know. The Darkside, right?

But the Journal sports desk is also where I got my start, and it was my goal for a long time to get back there. All joking aside, the work they do in that department has always been something I’ve wanted to be a part of.

This was absolutely the most difficult decision of my career. I’ve never left a job I love before. There’s a real “grass is greener” anxiety here. I’ve got a lot of “fear of the unknown” going on deep in my belly.

On the one hand, a year ago, I would’ve jumped at a position at the Journal sports desk.

On the other hand, I hate to leave all I’ve built here. I’m finally settling into a routine and getting my feet under me. I am so grateful and appreciative for the relationships I’ve built here in the City of Vision. I’m excited to come to work every day.

That’s not an easy thing to walk away from. That’s why this opportunity wasn’t something I was looking for, but I just couldn’t let it pass me by either.

Thank you to everyone who has made me feel so welcome.

Thank you to my editor, Tracy Goldizen.

Thank you to Rod Arnold, Kevin Hendricks and Michaela Helean.

Thank you to the kids and coaches who have shared their joy and heartbreak with me.

But mostly, thank you to the readers and the community members who have supported me and supported the Rio Rancho Observer.

Community papers are more important now than ever, and Rio Rancho is blessed to have an excellent one. I am honored to have been a small part of the Observer’s proud legacy.

So, goodbye (for now), Rio Rancho. Thank you all for giving me a job that never felt like work.

Good luck and Godspeed.