...then don't run it.
I work for the Carillon - it is the University of Regina's student newspaper. I have taken it (stupidly) upon myself to alter the tail-spin the paper is in. There are several people who have written several very stupid and inappropriate things in the past - unfortunately for the paper and the university instead of being told to take off they were promoted. Tonight, much to my dismay, I was subjected to a layout night - never again. I was so unimpressed - one girl was reading out something by one of the offense gentlemen and saying "I can't believe how bad this is, he is going to make everybody hate us..."
My theory- don't run it - I'll let you know the outcome.
Useful Tips
"Avoid police dogs - they are not friendly puppies,"said Heather Russel PR for the RCMP in Saskatchewan,
"They don't differentiate," chimed in PR for Regina Police..
Okay.... Useful tip for us media types - avoid vicious working dogs
Check
Timing is everything
Today instead of our regular class we were to head into the public library for a tour of the archives.
Usually an archive tour isn't my favourite thing - but we didn't have to be there until 9:30 - an hour after class usually starts.
I was planning on taking the bus down - seeing as it would be a 15 minute ride, however a girl in my class offered a ride.
I accepted.
However, she had an interview at 9:00, which she expected to run about 10 minutes.
Fine...
It lasted nearly 30 minutes.
Then there was the 10 minute walk to her car.
The 15 minute drive downtown.
5 minutes to find a place to park.
2 minutes to plug the meter and sprint the library.
We joined our class about 30 seconds before the presentation was over.
"At least we got here in time for the applause" she commented dryly.
Looking around the room at the number of people asleep I could tell we didn't miss much. We signed up for our library cards and did some research we needed and were on our way again.
Timing is everything.
Karma, it's a beautiful thing
One of my self proclaimed 'serious studying' roommates has been spending more and more time on the phone with her boyfriend and less and less like a functioning member of society.
Last night I have finally fallen asleep - it was like 1 a.m. before I was finally able to get my over active brain to cut out.
Suddenly there is this *crash*..
It was one of those moments where your heart stopping is what wakes you up. I listen carefully, it sounds like someone is in the kitchen. I look at the clock (2 a.m.) and drag myself out of bed...
I crack the door just enough of be totally blinded by the light that are on in the kitchen and there is Erin* doing the massive pile of dishes that she had used making herself dinner hour earlier.
She is still on the phone, I glare - she doesn't notice me..
I close the door and crawl back to bed...
The alarm at 6 seemed *really* early this morning.
My other roommate and I head to the gym as always and we get back at the same time as normal.
Erin is not in the kitchen yet, seems funny but I figure she was up so late last night so maybe she decided to sleep in a bit.
I finish a project, eat breakfast and shower.. Around 8 I realize I still haven't seen Erin to tell her how much she sucks. I figure she left while I was in the shower. At 8:05 the phone rings - it's Erin's ride.
I suddenly realize she hasn't even gotten up yet. Suppressing a smile at the way the world work I obligingly went and knocked on her door. Erin, I yell through the door.
The door flies open - there she stands hair a mess and still in her pjs.
"Phone's for you" I tell her as innocently as possible
Within 5 minutes she is out the door - hair still standing out all over the place and teeth unbrushed.
I felt a little guilty, but hey the world always gets balance.
Karma, you cannot tell me that it doesn't exist...
Press Gallery Awards
Press Gallery Awards was last night. That event has to be to the only time that the Prime Minister's speech writers will write something that deliberately make him look dumb. Apparently the goal of the policticans is to try and out do each other - each speech more funny than the last.
Paul Martian entertained the crowds present by reading from his "diary"
"May 16th,
Today [someone] told me that Belinda was thinking about crossing over and I was like 'No Way' and he was like 'Way'.
And I was like 'No way'
And he was like 'Way'"
And so it continued...
On a similar note Rick Mercer's 'Monday Report' is now on Tuesdays and is called RickMercer Report. The first episode is Nov. 8th. Program your VCR's now.
Just another day in j-school
This morning I didn't have class - but for some crazy reason I didn't sleep in.
Instead I got up and went to the gym, mainly so I could watch old re-runs of Third Watch which are on between 6 and 8 Friday mornings..
I had my first interview for my first story of the day at 11:00am
I nearly got lost trying to find the office. I've had better starts..
The intervew went smoothly save the gentleman's phone ringing at a regular interval. This only destroyed two or three of the really great quotes I could have used from my journalism piece.
I walked into the Journalism School just before 11:30. With my list of phone calls for interviews for the rest of the stories I am working on - between 5 classes and the campus paper - that is quite a lot.
I left messages for what seemed like half-of-Regina and then realized the funny noises I was hearing was not a malfuntioning edit suite but my stomach. Sometime with out noticing 2 hours had passed, it was lunch. I grabbed a couple of my classmates and we headed into 'downtown' Regina. I dropped off my film and we tried to make a decision as to where to eat. You think it would be easy. But, I don't eat at McDonalds or KFC; Anne* (name not real) didn't want to take long and Jen* just wanted us to make a decision. Everytime one of us changed our minds it would cause Jen to swerve from one lane to another trying desperately to keep up with where she needed to drive...
After seeing my life flash before my eyes, more than once, we decided on A&W - where we recieved worlds worst service... We knew it was a big mistake when there was only one girl working and by the time our order was finally ready she accidentally handed it to the drive-thru people. Anyway that is entirely not the point.
The point was it was late, we were hungry, and just when I had taken a big bite of my burger, my fingers greasy from the fries, my cell rang.
"Are you kidding me" I grumbled as I desperately tried to wipe my hands and swallow.
It was one of my earlier interviews I let her give me some information on what she had learned, she said she would send me an e-mail and I could call to follow up on any questions that I had.
All in all though she was not very helpful. I closed and put away my phone and returned my attention to my friends and now cold burger... I had just taken my second bite when... My cell started playing "Bizet" agian....
This time it was the President of an organization that was very important to my latest story telling me "no comment". He was nice, enough to give the name of the PR lady; who of course was not in.
By this point the chese on my burger had congealed. I ate it as fast as possible and the 3 of us returned the the school.
Then came the conference call with the PR group for my first story - everytime I asked an important question, there would be 5 full seconds of silence then 3 people would answer at once.
The highlight of that conversation was when someone walked into the room yelling.
"I have rewritten this stupid piece of crap 11 fucking times." They pulled me off speaker phone really fast after that!!
At the end of that interview I was able to make a few more calls before admitting defeat and going with what I had.
Thought for the day: Vendre Ottre I limiti.... to see beyond the limits.
Have good weekend.
It's been a day
Gifts from Professors
I have a moral and ethical deliemma for you...
A friend of a friend of mine has run into this.
You are sitting in class one day and a classmate runs in looking furious and discusted.
She plunks herself down in the chair next to you and spills out a story.
"Professor Smith* (*name made up); is giving gifts to certain classmates," she tells you. You stare at her in disbelief. She points to jewlerey on two girls in the room.
She has no idea what to do - and what do you do - talk to professor Smith and risk sounding like you are against it because you didn't get a gift. Or do you talk to the Head of the Department because gift giving towards female students makes you uncomfortable around that professor. You don't want to 'tattle' but can you just stay quiet?
It is a very frusterating situation that needs to be handled carefully - especially in this case, she doesn't want the professor fired - just to stop making learning awkward for the rest of the students.
I'll let you know what she decides to do...
Mad Cow Disease
One day soon there will be a real post...until then enjoy!
Lucky for Canada we only had one or two cases of "Mad Cow Disease" and it's behind us now thank heavens. The poor Americans on the other hand are stuck with "Mad Cowboy Disease" and his term isn't nearly over yet!!!
A Moral Dilemma
Here's a dilemma for you... With all your honor and dignity what would you do? This test only has one question, but it's a very important one. Please don't answer it without giving it some serious thought. By giving an honest answer you will be able to test where you stand morally.
The test features an unlikely, completely fictional situation, where you will have to make a decision one way or the other. Remember that your answer needs to be honest, yet spontaneous. Please scroll down slowly and consider each line - this is important for the test to work accurately.
You're in Florida...In Miami, to be exact. There is great chaos going on around you, caused by a hurricane and severe floods. There are huge masses of water all over you. You are a CNN photographer and you are in the middle of this great disaster. The situation is nearly hopeless. You're trying to shoot very impressive photos. There are houses and people floating around you, disappearing into the water. Nature is showing all its destructive power and is ripping everything away with it.
Suddenly you see a man in the water, he is fighting for his life, trying not to be taken away by the masses of water and mud. You move closer. Somehow the man looks familiar.
Suddenly you know who it is -- it's George W. Bush!
At the same time you notice that the raging waters are about to take him away, forever. You have two options. You can save him or you can take the best photo of your life. So you can save the life of George W. Bush, or you can shoot a Pulitzer prize winning photo, a unique photo displaying the death of one of the world's most powerful men.
And here's the question (please give an honest answer):
Would you select color film, or rather go with the simplicity of classic black and white?
Another Great Quote!
Some people are like Slinkies. They're really good for nothing. But they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Today was a good
That's right today was a busy day - I became a member of CAJ (Canadian Association of Journalists) and also finally got a job news writing. Not the best job, as I will be writing for the University of Regina Carillon, but I will finally be being paid for my work... There was much rejoicing. Yea!
Robin rings this school bell thing to get our attention.. and all I can think is "throw out your dead". Ahh Monty Python is a great thing.
Quote of the Day
Golddigger: Like a hooker .... just smarter!
Knowledge really is power..
The j-school went on a field trip on Wednesday - the purpose was "Big stories in Small towns." It was quite amazing what you can learn in a small town. By doing a little leg work and getting members of the comunity to open up I easily gained access to a lot of information that simple research would not provide. This was great. It ment when I had to go for the 'tough' interview I was easily able to back the subject into a corner and force him to admit the truth to a lot of things. I really loved it - it's kind of like a game of cat and mouse.
You walk up to ther person who is shovelling the bull as fast as possible and wait patiently for your turn.
When there is a break you ask your frist show stopping question - keeping your cards close and your poker face straight. (Even though on the inside your heart is going a mile a minute and you want to dance with joy)
Wait for the colour to return to your interviees face - let them formulate a half true answer.
Wait,
Drop another piece of info that you know.
Wait - by now your subject knows that you know more than you are letting on - but they don't know how much more. They will give you a little more correct info.
Drop your last bit of info - and even if you are bluffing about knowing more - they will start to tell the entire truth, thus getting the conformation you need and information the public needs to hear.
It's great. Like poker but with an adrenaline rush...
But journalism has draw backs too - when stuff doesn't work for you, ie a computer program delets your news piece (twice) you realize why many journalists drink.
Well I'm off for the weekend (I'm not sure whether I am celebrating or drowning my sorrows). Have a great Thanksgiving Day everyone.
So tired
Too tired to write anything - I posted on the new site again - a story about Ralph Goodale. Tomorrow there will be more here - I promise!
J-student perspective
I just started a new blog - that's right brand-spanking new as of tonight... It is where I am going to post news stories that I have written, or photos I have taken... Maybe some of these stories will get to see the light of day afterall.
Check it out
http://jstudentperspective.blogspot.comBetter posts after, well, Wednesday. I promise
