Good bye, CNN

Bet you didn't see that coming.

And to be honest, neither did I.

But CNN and I have parted ways.

I didn't get to say "bye" to many people, and most of the people are facebook friends anyway, so I'll say "bye" here.

Bye! It was a gas working with you and getting to know you. Your professionalism and dedication taught me so much. Like soldiers in a fox hole, we suffered and complained and commiserated and coordinated and  achieved so much more than we could have alone.

Your trust in me brought out the best in me both professionally and personally. Your trust in me and my abilities taught me to trust myself. The more you allowed me to be part of the process, the more I felt I could contribute.

And that trust allowed me to grow professionally. I came to CNN expected to point a camera. I think that I am leaving as the well-rounded journalist that is in demand today: I have been allowed to shoot, edit, produce, and write and with the exception of learning how to spell, I like to think I have excelled.

You have taught me to keep trying: you would think that after almost 15 years I could not be surprised by my co-workers ability to pull rabbits out of hats. You would be wrong. Even right up to my last assignment, I marveled at what CNN's producers and reporters could come up with -- interviews and information that others could not.

I learned that you can rent anything, and that every restaurant has food to go. And never give an intern cash and tell him to by beverages for the group.

And most importantly, I have made friends. Not "work friends" for real friends. I will miss working with you, I will miss traveling with you, and I will miss the opportunities of sharing an adult beverage or two with you.

Keep in touch at Facebook or xtimxhart@aol.com.

And please, friends, if you hear of any work, let me know.