I’ve spent the past two months thinking about this farewell. Trying to come up with something deep and meaningful, something that pulls at your heart strings, makes you like me, I make you love me.
Now, it’s 9:23 a.m. on my last official day at this job. I have three boys in middle school who passed out all over the house after an all night binge fueled by Takis and Fortnite. I have a 9-year-old entering the second and final hour of her time on the iPad, a wife waiting for me to fill out tax paperwork, and a mom who left her diabetic supplies at my house last night and texted me no less. More than nine times he asked when I would put them on.
Every one of these things is a privilege. These perks can also be stressful.
When people ask why I left, it’s arguably the quietest gig in the press (You are a food critic!! Eat for a living! Can’t you love him?!), I would blame the writers. I’m writing a book. this bookThe Mango Tree: A Memoir of Fruit, Florida, and Felony will be released in spring 2024 from the wonderful team at Little, Brown and Company. I feel morally obligated to write down Asmarob’s aforementioned book every 12 minutes. I’m happy at parties.
The book (you may have pointed it out, it’s called “The Mango Tree”) is a convenient scapegoat. It looks prestigious, noteworthy. It’s hard to write a book. Trust me. I know. But the book is only part of the story. Much of the rest is explained above.
I am a mother in sandwich generation from life. It does not mean what I hoped for. I was hoping for BLTs, banh mi and hot pastrami on rye. I have needy children and needy parents (I know, I know, these are privileges!). I have the American education and healthcare systems collapsing. I got soccer and gymnastics workouts, endocrinologist appointments and prescription refills and the Medicare open enrollment period which was thankfully extended by hurricanes Ian and Nicole. Speaking of which, I have to reach out to a roofing inspector as well.
More food:Best Fort Myers Restaurants: Our reviewer shares his 6 favorites around Palm City
Food reviewChew (Gently) This: 5 Fort Myers Comfort Food Bowls, Cape Coral – JLB
I’m leaving because I need one less thing on my to-do list. Because in October, News-Press’s parent company, Gannett, offered a buyout I couldn’t pass up. Because although I like this functionality, it is not as convenient as it seems. Journalists and, yes, even food authors, have been forced to do more with less for decades. What is the opposite of quiche? Difficult. cruel. painful. This is what much of the press has become.
When I walked into this newsroom in 2005 as a failed med school introduction turned chef/caterer, I was hoping to land a few luncheons. I did. She also got a job as a garnet clerk at the Sports Bureau. After a few years and a handful of awards, I parlayed it into a food writing position and a place as a restaurant critic under our pseudonym, Jean le Bove. I’ve reviewed restaurants for a living, and enjoyed every bite. I got rid of the alias in 2021 reviewing restaurants as being half filipino and driving a minibus.
And now, I’m writing a book. (Was it 12 minutes?)
I will miss reviewing the restaurant. Reader emails. Get dime on News-Press dime then write honestly about my experience. I will miss my colleagues who are working so thankfully so hard to ensure our local officials are held accountable, to try to shore up these crumbling systems as only good journalism does. I like to think that my kind work helped support their vitally important work. I will miss that too
From 2021:Fort Myers and Naples Restaurant Reviews: After 41 years, we unveil JLB
I’m leaving because I’m tired. Because I can finally take it. Because I need a break.
I’m leaving because, after 18 years, I’ve learned to value my writing — and myself.
But if anyone asks, we’ll just say because I’m writing a book. This is a much simpler answer. It’s not like I’m going anywhere. If you need me, I’ll be right here, dusting Taki off the couch, facing my daughter’s iPad, Googling “SEP-IRA” again, bribing my son to ride his bike and grab his Novolog bottles of Lola.
Have I made you love me yet?
If so, wow, have you got the perfect book for you.
Annabelle Tomic has spent 18 years as a writer for The News-Press. Keep up with her work (and her damn book) at Annabelle TM.com; Subscribe to her personal newsletter thehalffilip.substack.com.
