A few days after losing an identity I had most of my life –- a newspaper journalist  -- I was faced with an extremely uncomfortable “who am I?”
^{Main Events: Kevin McBride (L) goes up
against IBF and WBO NABO Heavyweight
champion Tomasz Adamek on April 9 at the
Prudential Center in Newark. (photo: cindy capitani)}

So much identity was wrapped into my various titles, I lost sight of myself over the many years. As I wallowed and pondered, sometimes with little success, in the end I concluded I’m still a journalist.

Not having a title from an established Main Stream Media outlet doesn’t make me any less a journalist, especially in the age of New Media. I decided to repackage myself as a self-employed MOJO (mobile journalist) rather than an unemployed web and local editor.

So far no money has exchanged hands. But I’m still in the exploring and networking stage. I spent the day checking out possible work with a cable TV producer and at a boxing press conference for upcoming world heavyweight contender Tomasz Adamek.

Armed with an office that fits in my purse – a FlipCam, Droid and camera – and my laptop, I’m ready for anything. Some things I cover will land on MSM pages, others, on my blog and others’ websites.

My own website is in the works (cindycapitani.net), where I can showcase everything I’ve done – and am doing. And I look forward to working and sharing ideas and links with other MOJOs of varying specialties.

I don’t specialize. It’s either my greatest asset or my biggest downfall, I’m not sure which. I’m equally comfortable interviewing a boxer as I am a politician. I can cover a council meeting as easily as write a book review. I know the secret to killing stink bugs and how to find the best hair stylist. I know men’s cologne and women’s feet, recipes featuring three ingredients, and some involving a live chicken.

There’s nothing I can’t write … or edit. There are many things I’ve never covered, and some over my head. But a little research and a stylebook has helped me edit academic journals in the past. I think I can research – and interview – my way through any topic.