Some days in this business stand out above the rest, and Friday was one of those days, for sure.

Being on the clock for more than twelve hours certainly takes a toll on one’s sleep patterns, but it was worth it last week.

Last Friday I covered a fundraising fish fry and a business grand opening in Foley, helped a co-worker edit a huge magazine she’s spearheading, wrote two stories, this column, and photographed a rodeo.

I don’t say this to toot my own horn, but rather to point out how much fun this job can be.

Yes, there are days were we are asked to cover grizzly court cases that make your stomach turn or mundane meetings that could lull a hummingbird to sleep.

Bu,t Friday was one of those days where it’s one fun thing after another.

After editing photo I shot Thursday at an art show in Foley, I hurried over to photograph the grand opening of Foley’s new Shoe Station store.

In the brief time I was there, dozens of visitors clamored first for parking spots and then for the thousands of shoes and shirts on the new racks.

After that, I drove to the Foley Civic Center to get a few photos and talk to people at the fish fry which was raising money for the family of fallen Loxley Police Officer Charles Kerry Mitchum.

As expected, the community turned out to show their support for a man who spent his life better his family and his community.

Next I sat down with our People editor to look over pages of content for the upcoming issue of Big Beautiful Baldwin, which highlights the hundreds of attractions for residents and visitors alike all across Baldwin County.

After finishing a piece on the new director at Foley’s John McClure Snook Youth Club, I sat down to write this piece before heading to the rodeo.

This job, like any, surely has its stressful days. Like any job there are things that drive journalist crazy.

But, like a few jobs – hopefully, yours included – there are things I can’t ever take for granted.

This job lets me meet new people on a daily basis.

It gives me, and everyone else employed at Gulf Coast Media, the opportunity to describe the daily happenings in an area that is bursting with stories.

Everyday, everyone on this staff rises before the sun and chases stories until after sunset.

I know I speak for the rest of the staff when I say I’m lucky to have such a task.

Jay Sowers is photo editor of Gulf Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at jay@gulfcoastmedia.com.