Cold Call

I did my first cold-call tonight! I was excited, but because I didn't know the outcome, kinda hesitant... as I've already found out, I do NOT like rejection...

It went great... my interviewee's voice mail was great to talk to.

I will have to try again in a few hours. Persistence is the key!

Tight Rope

I feel somewhat lost with regards to my story ideas for Ron's class. It's not that I feel my ideas aren't worthy of our magazine, but that I won't be able to write a cohesive story with adequate sources in it (!).

When we were given the Story and Project Development Handout today, I felt scared... scared because I did not want to see another handout telling me what I should be doing right, when all this time, it seems as if I've been doing something wrong. I don't mean to say that I'm completely lost and unable to find hope, but I can't help but feel stressed about finding a focus for all my story ideas. It seems when I find something I'm interested in talking about, my topics are too broad, too simple, too unfocused... and this irritates me.

However, now that I was honest about that, I am actually quite relieved to have the guideline, as it has the potential to make my life much easier. I really like how it is broken down into different categories and different processes that can insure me a successful project.

Alright, so this was going to be that part where I introduced some of the stories I'm interested in working with, but this part will have to wait... I haven't quite figured out what stories I want to work with.... not just yet.

Just Shut Up and Write

Hey guys,
This is my first blog post. Ever. I feel a little intimidated- and excited, if that’s possible.

So, I have been told, at the very last minute, that my story idea for the Calgary Journal is good and they would like to have it ready NOW. As in ASAP. As in it should have been done yesterday. So, since I have yet to discover the secret to time travel, I have to write this story- my first journalism piece- now.
T
o say that I panicked would be a severe understatement. I could feel my body temperature rise and my muscles contract. My brain started screaming at me, “There is no why this can get done in time!!! This is horrible!!!” and every whiner’s favourite, “Why me?”

It was the last question that got me to “snap out of it”- why Not me? After all, I signed up for this certificate program, KNOWING that it was going to intense. I have to start from somewhere- so why not here? So, mustering what little courage I have, I picked up the phone and started making some phone calls. And guess what? The media relations people at both SAIT and MRU have been really receptive and I have arranged an interview with SAIT’s VP of Academics for tomorrow at 1. (I am still waiting to hear back from MRU).

And while I was typing out this post- I just heard back from my friend A.L .who has arranged for me to interview a former classmate of hers who is perfect for my piece. I owe her BIG! Hopefully a cup of coffee and slice of cake will do.
Am I going to succeed in my first attempt in writing a journalism piece... depends on what we define as success. For me, it will be enough to just to get the piece done in time to show to S.- who, by the way, would like to see it tomorrow. I must admit, as nervous and intimidated as I feel, I am enjoying the tingle of adrenaline that I am getting.

Was I an adrenaline junkie in hiding all this time?

I have no clue. I also have no clue whether I will be able to make my deadlines or not- I have yet to create my interview questions and submit my story budget.
But for what it’s worth, at least I am trying.

So I guess it’s time for me to (finally) stop my whining and just shut up and write.

Helen Fisher Heels

Are high heels oppressing or empowering?

Aired Sept. 23: TODAY’s Sara Haines hits the streets to find out how women feel about high heels. Biological anthropologist Helen Fisher and Lea Goldman from Marie Claire magazine weigh in on the issue.

I found this video really interesting... I especially liked the part when they talk to Helen Fisher, a Biological Anthropologist and expert in Human Evolution Studies at Rutgers University in New Jersey.

Neato!

Reck-Order

Today I felt like a real journalist! Scoping out new scenes, meeting new people, digging deep into stories...

Actually, this is false. I did none of that today... I DID, however, just try out my new Audio Recorder in class! Let me just say it was a highlight! I got to test it out like a real journalist, interviewing my fellow teammates, pushing buttons I didn't understand, and gauging for external interferences such as wind and small chatter! Oh boy, it was fun!

Behind this facade, however, I am quite nervous to use my audio recorder. It has been a long time since I have handled one: for one previous assignment, completed ages ago, my recorder would continuously stop recording, even during my interview. It was incredibly unpleasant , especially when I had to insist my interview subject reitterate what had already been spoken.

Alas, this year will be different! This year, with my trusty recorder in hand, I will complete many pleasing interviews and I will not screw up!

...It also didn't help that my previous audio recorder was a cellphone...