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.]
Monday, June 30, 2008
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.
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.
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.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Metro Debut
18-year-olds are as difficult to interview as 99-year-olds. I think this story makes it obvious.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
You Know What...
I don't know why I even posted that. Some things your parents are better left not knowing.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
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'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.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Hyperbole
I know this is a little extreme, but I feel deceived by someone at work.
Ready to move to metro now, thanks.
Ready to move to metro now, thanks.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
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!
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.
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:
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.
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.
Monday, June 16, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
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.
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