'Pulse' comes to an end: A pivot, not a finale
Last issue of "Pulse," March 26, 2020. [Las Cruces Sun-News]
Times are changing quickly in our community, and those changes are impacting each and every one of us in different ways.
As is clear from this week’s cover, Pulse will no longer be printed after this week’s issue. While this comes as sad news for many of us — myself included — I understand that it is an important step that frees up newsroom resources and enables us to better cover this ongoing public health emergency.
As a result, this will be my final column for Pulse, bringing an end to a 15 1/2-year run — sort of.
I was working in radio in the summer of 2004 when the station was approached by the Sun-News about a new entertainment insert, to be called “Pulse.” They were looking for an entertainment/pop culture columnist, and my boss — who knew I had a passion for writing — nominated me.
Those first columns were hard to write; each one took hours, and I seemed to struggle with each word. Gradually, it became easier. Though, some weeks it’s still a challenge.
Through it all, I’ve learned a lot about discipline, and the sanctity of the deadline. This is the 811th consecutive week I’ve filed a column, without ever missing a deadline or taking a week off. I consider it one of my greatest accomplishments. Five times, our readers have voted me as their favorite local newspaper columnist in the Sun-News’ Readers Choice Awards, for which I’m profoundly grateful.
So, what’s next? After giving this a lot of serious consideration, I’ve decided to continue writing a weekly column — but the focus of it will shift for a while. I’ll focus on telling the human stories of how the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is affecting our community. I anticipate that it will take a while for life to return to a pre-coronavirus normal, and I am committed to sharing the stories of how our friends and neighbors are dealing with the outbreak and subsequent recovery.
If you know someone with a remarkable story to share, please email me at dwillis@lcsun-news.com.
In the meantime, I may still stumble across something entertainment/pop culture-related that stirs within me the urge to share. When that happens, I’ll likely publish it on my personal website, www.DamienNow.com. There you’ll find many of my past columns, as well as some of my other writing. I’d love it if you’ll check it out from time to time.
I also intend to share links to all of my future columns on my social media channels, as well — so be sure to give me follow.
I, perhaps more than anyone, am sad to see Pulse come to an end. I’ve been part of the Pulse family since the second or third issue, I believe. I’ve written for countless dedicated, thoughtful and hard-working editors — each committed to keeping our community well-informed and entertained.
But we’re going to pull together and get through this. I’m confident. And I look forward to sharing your stories along the way.
Damien Willis is a columnist for Pulse, writing primarily about entertainment and pop culture. He may be reached at dwillis@lcsun-news.com or @DamienWillis on Twitter.
— Originally Published in the Las Cruces Sun-News, 03/26/20
