It's Official.

Will be working at the same paper post-graduation. I'll probably re-start this blog, spruce it up and whatnot, in May. Until then...

Temporarily Closed?

Since there's a chance I'll be back in Raleigh after May, I'm keeping this open. I may title it something different and change the address, depending on if I want it to just be a blog for me to post my work. But for now, it's dark.

Final Stories

I forgot to post them:

-Life over breasts (my last feature story of the summer)

-A mundane meeting story

More stories...

-Mundane piece on cemeteries

-Football moms kind of remind me of Hayfield Drama moms

Could've been better.

-For my mother, basically. There's also a really bad editing error in paragraph five. It should be "Engrish."

-This review is apparently racy for my paper, which speaks to its readership.

Another public art piece.

The hardest interview I've ever had to do this summer - maybe ever.

No Words Necessary

Sunday 1A

I've been working on this for a long time. Unfortunately, about half of it was cut but the words are all mine. Long stories in a print newspaper are hard to sell. There's a lot more to say than what's here, but I'm happy with it.

Updates

Having too much fun in the Triangle to blog.
Here are some more stories:

-Local discrimination in the form of car towing

-Covering school boards and feeling nostalgic about high school

Moral of the Story

No one edits my reviews, and they should.

Preview

Writing a big story about this later in the month. But for now, just an update.

Uh Oh

A colleague just pointed out that I've been sighing a lot.
Oh no, it's happening again.

Is it possible to be happy somewhere but also be going through a depressive episode? I believe it is possible.
I'm going to try and ride it out.

It's Really Hot Down Here

Of murals and men.

Sunday Arts & Living Front

Going to this show Tuesday myself, but this was the front page of Arts & Living today!

Stories

...a story about a new supermarket for people with money.

...a story about a new health initiative.

...a (non)story about a gun range.

I'm working out of Chapel Hill now, mainly because there are only two staffers in our entire Chapel Hill bureau. I like it here, even though my commute has gone from five minutes to 50.

New Project.

I know. I am obsessed with blogs.

This is freaky

Watch this entire trailer. It gets really scary toward the end.

Oh, Right!

I should work on this again.

Poor Guy

One of the more unfortunate consequences of a failing economy and rising metal prices.

Arrived Today!

Got 200 of these in the mail today. Very happy.


There's a lot of other stuff I need to write about and catch up on, but I'm exhausted, so I'm going to crash...

My camera died yesterday - without provocation. Need to get a new camera this weekend and after that, I will be posting a ton of photos. Any suggestions for some affordable options, my photographer friend? (I'm assuming I'll just get another PowerShot.)

Still Fighting It

Have I mentioned that Ben Folds is from the area?


(Somebody stab my eyes with a fork.)

Links

A blog about the previously posted article.

Hilarious

We're getting sued because we cut our staff.

Keith Hempstead
v.
[PAPER NAME HERE].; McClatchy Co. a California corp.
6/23/2008 08cvs11054

Class action. The defendants cut staff and resources for the [PAPER NAME HERE] and has hurt the newspaper. The plaintiff renewed his subscription with the newspaper because of its quality reporting, but the cuts have made the paper worse. Defendant McClatchy bought another newspaper chain and took on a large debt that has hurt its existing papers, including the [PAPER NAME HERE].

(I removed the name of the paper but you all know where I work.)

Notification Errors, Anyone?

Columbia lost all of my financial aid documents. Of course, they didn't tell me this. I had to call and ask them myself.

Ian, let's spend our year not in school traveling the world. Wait, we need money to do that.

A Real Features Story!

The headline is pretty bad, but this was enlightening in a lot of ways. [Personally, politically.]

Whoops

They gave me another review. Silly editors.

Slow News Day

But met some good people, regardless.

Raleigh Top 40

Before discovering this excellent radio station, I was listening to a lot of top 40 while driving. These are the only songs in existence, according to Raleigh stations 105.1 and 98.1. It takes a toll on you. In order of most annoying to least annoying, I give you:

(Too terrible to be on the list: Whatever Nickelback or 3 Doors Down song they're playing. God, I can't tell you how much I hate Nickelback.)

1. Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
2. Colbie Caillat - Realize
3. Kid Rock - All Summer Long
4. Rihanna - Take a Bow
5. Gavin DeGraw - In Love With a Girl
6. Usher - Love In This Club
7. Natasha Bedingfield - Pocketful of Sunshine
8. The Spill Canvas - All Over You
9. Katy Perry - I Kissed a Girl
10. Metro Station - Shake It


[Secret: I still kind of really like the last three.]

Guess Which Story I'm Going to Tell?

If my editor agrees it's not a conflict of interest (which is highly unlikely because frankly, it is), I might be performing at this.

I really, really want to.

Things I Must Do Before I Leave

# 1: Shoot a gun at an indoor range in the city.

I've wanted to shoot a gun for a long time. (Remember that scene in American Beauty with Annette Benning? Yeah, I think it looks awesome.) And it's my constitutional right, damnit, so I am going to exercise it.

I need to find somebody to go with. Not sure if the other interns would be up for it, but perhaps there's somebody in the newsroom.

Another Confession

I'm really sad gas is so expensive.

Because I really, really love driving.

Metro Debut

18-year-olds are as difficult to interview as 99-year-olds. I think this story makes it obvious.

Um

Maybe my last review of the summer. Or, ever, if readers are lucky.

Can I Be Honest?

The protagonist in this movie trailer kinda reminds me of me, circa 1998.

You Know What...

I don't know why I even posted that. Some things your parents are better left not knowing.

Update

And a small update: things at work are fine. I got the explanation I needed, so I'm ready to move on.

I'm moving to metro Monday. I've still got four fun stories in features that I plan to work on, but aside from that, I'll be covering news and (cough) getting real bylines.

I just got my laptop back.

Praise Allah.

Hyperbole

I know this is a little extreme, but I feel deceived by someone at work.

Ready to move to metro now, thanks.

Oh, Also

I wrote this craptastic Love Guru review. But I'm not A.O. Scott, and I decidedly don't even enjoy writing these anymore. Seriously, read his review - it's fantastic.

I should start getting real stories published soon. I'm working on four non-reviews that are getting all wrapped up.

Un-Broken Social Scene

I guess I lucked out. I get to go out practically every night, either up in Durham for a Duke party or Chapel Hill for an indie rock dance thing or just downtown for drinks with a friend. I had anticipated intense loneliness (hence the creation of this book club), but I seem to have defied odds and established a robust social scene here.

But, there's nothing like a good speakerphone conversation with your best friends in New York to remind you that you're not really home.

Skin vs. North Carolina/Cats

I did go to the dermatologist today to figure out if I'm allergic to cats or something. My skin has seriously never looked this bad, and I am somewhat upset that I cut my hair short because it's more difficult to hide.

The verdict is still out since the bumps on my neck and face aren't itchy or spreading, so at this point, we're just treating it with a fun cocktail of creams, pills, and face washes. Awesome. I wish I was looking better here, and it makes me sort of sad that I don't. You know what some of my summer goals are, after all. Guess I'm just going to have to overcompensate with that good ol' personality. Yikes.

Also, Jon and Kate Plus 8 is on television right now. Alexis, one of the sextuplets, just pooped all over herself while she was napping. Adorable!

Harrowing Statistics

According to analytics, this blog has 130 unique visitors.

That means about 26 of you have herpes.
Of my 42 New York-based readers, 10.5 of you have the virus.

I'm not trying to scare anyone, but get tested, ya'll.

Ch-Ch-Ch Changes

(Asking the obvious: How many times has that blog title been used before? I don't profess to be good with headlines, so give me a break.)

If you've been reading any business or media news this week, you know the corporation which owns the paper I am currently working for has announced company-wide staff cuts, totaling about 1,400 jobs, or 10 percent of the work force. Though our paper is one of the few (the only?) in the chain that turns a profit, we were not exempt from those cuts. They weren't as severe as some papers (cough, Miami), but we still lost about 70 jobs, 16 of which were newsroom positions. I know four of those who were laid off, and I feel very sad for them because they are all really great people.

Anyway, I can't really say anything more about the business end of things with any sort of authority, but the atmosphere in the newsroom has been intense. It's been a strange place to intern, certainly, and I feel both lucky and undeserving of working there when everyone else seems to be watching over their shoulder. There's absolutely nothing to indicate that this is the last round of cuts or anything, so any sighs of relief have been hastened.

But in addition to layoffs, a lot of things are actually happening to cut costs in other ways. Some make sense, but others are boggling my mind. (And I'm not the only one.)

The story about the changes is here, but essentially:

• we're moving from two presses to one press, which means there will only be two editions of the paper - a state and a final
• the problem with this? earlier deadlines across the board, which supremely screws the sports staff, who won't be able to file nightly game stories before the print deadline (the editor said that this option saves 25-50 jobs, but I wonder how many subscribers we'll lose after they realize they aren't getting sports scores)
• the business section is now going to fold into the metro section, which
• frees up the features section to go on a live-run most days of the week (the features section as it stands prints two days earlier, which means timely, late-breaking stories never get a chance in the print edition. I'm not sure what the editors are planning, but I assume there may be more opportunity for show reviews and timelier features)
• the features, sports, and government sections are now going to (scare quotes because nobody knows what that means) "merge" with our sister/formal rival paper, which is also owned by the same newspaper chain, in order to eliminate duplicate stories

On a selfish note, I can't help but feel like I'm getting sort of screwed right now in terms of assignments. I sent out a legitimately strong list of pitches, and I haven't really gotten any feedback. I understand that nobody knew what was going on for weeks, but I hope this changes because I'd like more clips. I'm sure things will get better when I go to metro, but there are at least three features stories that I'd like to do before I leave here that I think will be really cool.

I'm watching Family Feud. When did I become the overweight, lazy person that I am today? More on this revelation later.

Friday the 13th Recap

While the newsroom waits to hear more substantive news (this is a slight update), I figured I'd continue where I left off about my week from hell.

After hitting a parked car, passing out on the newsroom floor (mortifying) and touring the Governor's Mansion, I thought things couldn't get worse. Hardy har har.

I was meeting a friend from my college paper at The Borough (which is becoming my de facto "spot" - I've been there, like, seven times by now), and we had drinks and food. Four hours later, I walk back to the parking garage and the car won't start. Because I left my lights on for four hours and killed my battery. Because my roommate is badass and works late nights, she saved the day and jumped my car at 2:30 a.m. But it sucked.

Friday morning, I tripped over my computer cord and crushed my laptop. (I took a photo that I will post at some point). The wires are all still in place, but, anyway, it was a disaster. Then, I had a phone interview at 11 and I successfully screwed up the recording. I usually take notes but of course, NOT THIS TIME. Anyway, that was a truly rookie mistake, and I am mortified.

Anyway, so things basically sucked last week. The laptop is going to cost about $200 to fix and my car's bumper will be about $500...that's about the entirety of my first paycheck.

It occurs to me I should post photos, so maybe I will.

Day of Judgment.

It's happening later today. As a side note, I think it's sad that every single paper has this story on the front page of their website right now.

Ghatothkach [CQ]

This movie was pretty stupid, but I'm saving my scathing review for next week.

Eventful Day

• Air pollution is really intense today. The wildfires that have been burning in the eastern part of the state are releasing particles, and it's making the city gross. (That was my scientific description.) Anyway, walking outside was really terrible.
  
• The office sponsored a blood drive today and since I've never donated, I figured now was the time. I left feeling fine, but when I got back to my desk, I got so dizzy and lightheaded that I passed out. On the newsroom floor. In front of everyone. So embarrassing. I'm THAT intern now.
  
• Addendum: While I was passed out, I think I chipped part of a tooth. It's really bothering me.
  
• After I recuperated, I joined the other interns (including the newest one to join us this week, a science intern from Princeton) on a tour of the governor's mansion. (Is it The Governor's Mansion? I need a copy check.) It was, you know, quite lovely and perhaps a place I'll take my parents when they visit. There were a few shots taken at Virginia during the tour.
• Every week, the executive editor of the paper does something called, "The Weekly Stand-Up." He fields any and all questions from the staff. It's at 5 p.m., so I'm sticking around for that. Should be interesting.

Okay, I feel sort of weak. More juice.

Hurry Up and Wait

More on the layoffs here.

Development Day

Today is Development Day.

D-Day, as it is affectionately called, happens a few times a year. It's essentially a day of workshops related to journalism, new media, ethics, and whatnot.

I'm sure other papers have staff development days, but what I think is interesting (and sort of endears me to this place) is that staffers are required to take a certain number of credits per year. That's right; each workshop - whether it's "Copyright Law" or "Makin' Online Maps" - is assigned a point value. Staffers have to acquire 15 development credits before the end of the year. As an intern, I don't stay around long enough to have a requirement, but I think it's cute. There's one more D-Day in July, I think.

I'm not too crazy about today's course offerings - classes on headlines and developing interview questions don't interest me, but I am attending one in which current staffers are speaking on a panel about their side projects. Side projects being things like books, web sites, and other lucrative measures that compensate for being a journalist.

Anyway, I wonder what attendance is going to be like today given the fact that everyone thinks they're getting fired.

(Oh, and to clarify because I've been asked: my internship isn't in jeopardy or anything. I'm cheap labor, and they like that.)

Summer Reading

One of the general assignment feature reporters just handed me a copy of this book that was sent to him by a publisher.

"You may need this, especially since we're all getting laid off."

(He's very nice, and I hope he doesn't get fired.*)

*Read between the lines, people. You know me well enough.

Where is My First Paycheck Going, You Ask?

Watercooler Gossip.

There's a rumor that the higher ups will be laying off at least 30 more people this week.

To-Do List

Okay, yeah. I just looked in the mirror, and I have red bumps all over my neck. I can't tell if it's a heat rash, or if I'm allergic to cats. Wouldn't I have known that before, though?


I feel like Amy Winehouse. Nasty.

Elitism.

A certain presidential candidate is kicking off a large economically-focused tour tomorrow in Raleigh. The event is invitation only - meaning he's lost another opportunity to win me over.

(I'm sure he's really counting on my vote.)

Heat Index

There are a couple of things I want to write about but none so pressing as the current heat wave. It's about 105 degrees right now (according to my weather widget), and while there are definitely other things going on right now, I can't bring myself to do anything but lie around and complain. I know the heat wave is affecting the entire east coast, but unless you're further South than me, I am convinced I have it worse.

Also, I don't know if I'm developing an allergy or if this is all just heat-related, but I am breaking out. I've got red bumps all over my neck and a smattering on the side of my face. Sexy, I know.

I don't like writing reviews

Unless I really hate something, and I just couldn't hate this.

First Byline of the Summer.

Here.

Meh, you know. I need some time to get my groove back.

First Deadline

Just turned in my first happy story (sign of how I'm feeling, perhaps?). Not very happy with it.

I realize that it's been over a year since I last wrote a real story. I feel very rusty.

On Background

Disclaimer: I want to describe what I'm doing, but my intention is to do so in a way that does not identify the people I work for and work with - at least, not easily. Likewise, I am not using my name on this blog because I don't want it to be searchable. If you're reading this, you probably know who I am anyway.

For informational purposes, I'm going to describe what I'm doing. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

I'm working at a large newspaper in the city that covers the areas of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. (These three cities make up "The Triangle.") For four weeks, I'll be stationed at the features desk and for the next eight or so (I'm still not entirely sure how long I am staying here), I'll be in metro. I don't have any assigned area of coverage right now, but I imagine as different writers go on vacations and whatnot, I'll be expected to fill in the gaps. Starting at features was a surprise; I figured they'd put me in news in order to acclimate myself to the city, but working on soft news has its own merits. It's at a slower pace, which is nice for someone who needs the time to look up directions. I'll start the summer with a more regular schedule, meaning I'm less likely to work weekends or late nights. The people are also extremely friendly - not that that's an exclusive characteristic of features writers. The downside? Getting clips will be slower, and I'm expected to pitch immediately - which is fine, but I wanted some more time to figure out what things were like down here.

Anyway, so I started last week with two days of intense orientation and my first full day in the features department. News uses Quark down here and features uses SaXo, which means I'm learning two different publishing platforms but it's fine because they're not difficult. I've already got three solid assignments (potentially a fourth), and they're across the board: a movie review (hm, I wonder why I was asked to review this film), a news feature relating to this story, and a larger package that I'll write more about later. I'm the only intern who is not local: two are from Duke and three are from UNC-Chapel Hill. They are all pretty wonderful - we've got two photo interns, a sports intern, a metro intern, and a fashion intern. I expect them to be an integral part of my social life (especially if this past weekend is any indication), and I am relieved for it.

Though this doesn't speak to the last semester, some of you know where I worked before this job and the stark contrast of this place to that one is amazing. Unlike over there (and I can't decide if it's the medium or the city that makes the difference), editors and writers are friendly and want to talk to you, and the other interns aren't insanely competitive and unfriendly. The warmth of the environment despite the massive layoffs (which I'll write about later) is something I haven't experienced since...I worked at my last newspaper.

On a personal note, I'm staying with another staffer from a different department who lives close to the newsroom, which is in downtown Raleigh. She's great, the place is nice, and she has two large and friendly cats. (I'm aware the preceding sentence contained an incredibly poor series.) I've never been much of an animal person (domesticated animals, at least) and this is my first time living with pets, but they're pretty cool so far. I only get scared when the huge cat jumps from the dining table to the kitchen counter because then he's taller than me, and I'm afraid he'll attack, but that seems to be just paranoia at this point.

I've got to get up early to drive around and do a few interviews, so I'll wrap it up and describe my weekend tomorrow. For the record, driving has been fine. Oh, and a question for other journos that may be reading: The reimbursement rate here is 37 cents per mile - is that the average going rate across newsrooms?

Assignment: Raleigh

Nope, it doesn't sound cooler in print.

Just checking.

Arrival

I am in the South.

The colors of this blog are red and white, just like NC State.