Probably just a tendency to think that anybody actually shorter than me must be very short indeed. Sorry about that Whirly.
Interesting distinction, writer versus journalist. I recall one person I met during the volcanic extravaganza who was very adamant that she was a "journalist" not like all the others around her who were (she said rather dismissively) only reporters. Yes, I agree that what you do nowadays is mostly writing - and jolly good writing it is too. Some of it in regular journals
(Isn't the English language great.)
G