I knew I would miss my Sunday morning routine. Snuggling up in bed, not having to get up at the usual time of 5.30 and knowing exactly what to expect.
Of course sometimes there would be the odd surprise but predictability and familiarity are comforting and I couldn't face a new learning experience.
So I was determined not to like the new-look Rotorua Daily Post when it was introduced a few months ago. To me, size does matter.
Tabloid format, no thanks, we all know what that means. Tabloid news. Once over lightly with only half the amount of news reporting we'd had in the past. I believed it before I saw it.
My lie-in with Saturday's Rotorua Daily Post would come to an end.
I'm pleased to say this is one time I got it wrong. I like the paper's tabloid format, new layout, look and the enhanced and varied content. I think it's one of New Zealand's best regional newspapers.
Well I would say that wouldn't I?
There are two newspapers that are a "must read" for me every day. I read the Rotorua Daily Post because it contains local news and information I want to know about. It keeps me up to date with the goings-on in my community.
I read the Dominion Post because it has national news coverage. It also keeps me current with what's happening in Wellington and what our politicians are planning to unleash on us. This is of interest because so much relates to my different areas of work.
I can just hear you saying "Merepeka really is behind the times, why isn't she reading the news online". Good question. I have asked myself this too and the answer is simple. I don't get excited sitting in front of my computer screen reading local, domestic and world news.
If I'm not attending meetings, my time is spent sitting at my computer. This is work. Reading the newspaper is quite a different pastime. This is when I put time aside for myself. I don't want to read sitting at my desk. I savour picking up and reading the newspaper.
I read from cover to cover sometimes talking to myself when I get disgusted at what I've read or when I feel happy reading a lovely feel good story. I like turning the pages and will often roll the newspaper up and swat flies with it, if I have to.
Try that with your laptop or iPad. It's the total experience. My time of the day doing what I enjoy.
Every day I find something new in the newspaper that causes me to stop and think. I cut out numerous articles and file them away in large pre-used envelopes.
These are articles I want to read again. They contained something that caught my attention. I want to delve further into them, find out more. I have stacks of these envelopes crammed with articles, I'm sure I'll look at them again one day. But, in the meantime, I cut and file.
It must be a godsend for teachers. Every day, it's packed with story line ideas for student talks and research assignments.
Our newspaper is no longer just the bearer of community news, it includes many other interesting sections such as healthy living, gardening, cooking on a budget, managing money and stylish dressing. All adding information and helpful tips so we can experience and enjoy life more.
I know technology has changed how we see the world. Everything is instant but I still want to feel as if I'm in control of the things that matter to me most. Like my daily newspaper. It may sound strange but I feel a sense of ownership in our local newspaper. It is people who make a community.
It is our activities and behaviour that is reported. We are the ones who provide and make news for the newspaper. Where would it be without us. They can't just make up news and we wouldn't want a newspaper that covered only world news and events.
How boring that would be. Nothing in it for us. No, as locals we have to keep doing the stuff that gets reported. And it should be mostly positive stuff because negativity can be catchy and we should aim to give that a miss.
It is said "if it bleeds it leads" and that is what sells newspapers. I think we may have been conned into believing this. If the front page has to have shock value, why not ensure there is also a positive story on that page as well. If you constantly read negative and depressing stories concerning your town this can sometimes become self fulfilling.
As with most things in life, it's usually a question of balance that's required.
Since the Rotorua Daily Post changed to a morning paper, I have discovered I prefer not to read it before lunchtime. I have tried reading my paper first thing in the morning but I just don't have the time to do my reading, and the paper, justice.
I need to take the time to absorb what I'm reading. I want the experience to be enjoyable not rushed so I will continue to read over lunch or in the evening.
As for my Sunday lie-in. My fears were unfounded.
Saturday's paper is still the big, old, familiar format I was used to so I can continue my routine. Snuggle up, bed strewn with papers and experience the luxury that is reading in bed. No laptop or iPad could ever compare to this.
