Oh, it must be Thursday

I’m not sure why, but it seems like it is Thursday more often than any other day of the week.

I haven’t posted in a really long time, but I’m going to work on it – even if it’s only short posts (like this one probably will be).

I’ve waxed poetic more than once about my love for journalism, but I must admit that just like anything else there are days when I’m discouraged. I think everyone wants to do amazing, powerful things with their lives (or at least the majority of people). Sometimes, when I’m writing a fluffy story, I can get a little discouraged.

But, it seems like lately at least every time I get a little discouraged or stressed or whatever, something happens to pick up my spirits at just the right moment.

Sometimes, it’s finding out I’ve indirectly encouraged someone to donate funds to a local organization or helped someone realize that being themselves is okay. Sometimes, it’s helping someone realize that doing something a little bit different could mean a world of difference.

Maybe it’s like acting. There are no small stories, just small actors. (But, then again, some stories are just bad.)

On the full-time schedule, I’ve started to deal will certain people on a more regular basis. Sometimes, they’re a handful – but many of them are fun. I make phone calls every morning to some friendly police officers (another one of those awesome things that journalists get to do that the regular public doesn’t). I meet lots of teachers, principals and other school employees. Many of them are starting to recognize me and it’s really neat how your lives become just alittle intertwined. Because, after all, it’s my job to tell everyone else what these groups of people do every day. How else is everyone supposed to know what the police and school system does everyday.

Sometimes, I unfortunately have to report bad news – but, one of the things I like about a small town paper is that there seems to be a lot more good news than you see in bigger newspapers.

I want to live in a city – but, I think even then I’d prefer to work for a smaller paper or news organization. The pay isn’t as good, but the fringe benefits are definitely worth it!

My biggest problem right now is that enjoying my job so much makes me enjoy school less (and also makes me feel less like I’m a part of the school – which I guess is true anyway).

Perhaps next time I’ll have more time and more specific interesting stories. But, I’ll share one right now.

The first is short but amusing. Today our town had the Muscular Dystrophy Associaton Lock-Up, where prominent local figures were “arrested” and their friends and loved ones had to raise bail that would benefit the MDA in our area. It was a pretty interesting event. I saw several familar faces (both education and police related). I also was able to meet a reasonably famous person. The Lady Techsters basketball coach Teresa Weatherspoon. It was pretty neat! She’s a really nice lady and I got my first journalist/famous person pic, lol. (Though as a not journalist I did get a picture with actor David Bradley who plays Argus Filch in the Harry Potter movies.)

The other is about a column I wrote. After having a pretty bad experience with the dog food Ol’Roy (which is full of meat byproducts which are awful for your dog) and my puppy Lady Godiva, I decided to write a column to help people feed their dogs healthier food. I didn’t include any brand names in my column so that I wouldn’t be endorsing anything (because, unfortunately, journalism should require more political science classes really). However, several people were determined to know what food was good and e-mailed me with the question. It was pretty awesome! I especially liked the one a lady sent telling me about how she and her dog Darwin were desperately seeking a dog food he would like. It was soo cute!

Heated Musings

So, I don’t write often, but I write a lot when I do.

One of my goals in life is to do so many fantastic things that no one could sum up my life in a neat little deaths box. I want to have an obituary that costs a fortune. I’m starting to realize that this fits in nicely with one of my other passions.

I often set off to do jobs with little real expectation of what’s going to happen and am pleasantly surprised by the intriguing words that exist all around us every day.

This week, it was a pretty typical assignment. I went to cover the graduation of some local firefighters. I assumed that it would be an epicly boring endeavor. There would be some certificates, a speaker and some smiling family members.

All of those items were in fact present, but it was far from boring. Not knowing much about firefighters (as I have luckily never had a fire) except what I have gleaned from movies and television, I didn’t know what to expect. I assumed they’d be like cops or something – very proper with a slight air of intimidation.

However, I found a bunch of passionate people who care deeply about one another and the community they serve.

The joviality, the jokes, the pure love that eminated from the place was quite simply beautiful.

I often find myself leaving events like this quietly, like I’ve accidentally stumbled into an event that I have no place being. And, then I remember, that people (for the most part) enjoy having journalists around. Unless something bad’s going on, most people enjoy a chance at their 15 minutes of local fame. Additionally, many people are simply excited that whatever it is they’re doing is important enough to receive a write-up in the paper.

I don’t know if the wonder of being allowed into these seemingly secret events will ever wear off. I don’t think I want it to.

The fact is, I love it. I might sometimes be bashful – largely because I hate bothering people – but combining my love or writing with my love of doing interesting things and meeting new people is more than anyone could ask for. Getting paid to do it (except for the necessity of financial matters) often seem like icing on the cake.

I’ve doubted before that I was meant to be a journalist. But, I’ve always been one. I knew from the beginning I was writer. I knew from the beginning that I loved doing new things and new people.

It still hits me sometimes though that I get to do all of those things I love as my profession. I’d still like to do many other things (such as write a book and own a bookstore) but there are definitely some big time perks to this. Each month, I get to do at least two or three amazingly awesome things that other people have no access to (and sometimes no interest in) until they read a story about it.

I guess it just goes to show you how life can be sort of oddly perfect sometimes and people are less mysterious and ominous than they’d have you believe. If you consider things hard enough (or are just the sort of person who notices things like that) your life often flows well. Happiness isn’t something you necessarily have to search for. Sometimes, it is what it is.

Your passion has the ability to bring you happiness, provided you actually have the chutzpah to follow your passions.

Perhaps, there is one word that could sum me up in such a way that I’d be okay with it. She was a journalist (or writer, because they have so much in common).

Textbooks and Wedding Bells

So, this is a personal entry. I might start doing some more of these.

This one will be short because it’s about a topic I’m uncertain of. In December, the love of my life proposed to me. It was amazing, beautiful, wonderful.

Yes, this is my actual ring

We plan on getting married in May 2011. In fact, it’s now almost 11 months away.

The bad news is, I’m not a girly girl. I don’t mean I’m a tomboy who’d rather be outside playing ball. But, I am not the type of girl who sat around daydreaming about what her dream wedding would be like. In fact, at ten years old I had enough insight to ponder whether I really even wanted to bother.

To me, if you’re in love, you don’t need the hoopla. I’m not saying I hate weddings, my best friend got married about a month ago and I couldn’t have been happier to share in her special day. But, I think most days, I’d be happy to collect the people I love most and have a courthouse wedding.

I don’t have anything to be ashamed of. I’m not against marriage as an institution (though I do have some views about the current limits).

Mostly, I’m just saying, I have about zero desire to plan a wedding at the moment.

I will doit. I might complain a lot in the process, but I’ll do it. And, I know in the end, I’ll be happy that I did.Luckily, I have a fiance who cares and wants to be involved. Otherwise, I don’t think it would get done.

As it is, I need some sort of cold-water shock to get this party started. (Though, I do have a few things figured out already – clothes, venue, etc.)

It doesn’t help that I have two jobs and am a full-time graduate student. My attention is currently more on textbooks than seating charts. (Not that I would ever have seating charts, I’m just not that kind of girl.)

Peaches and Corn Fields, Why You Should Care

I often find that being a journalist asks me to consider topics that I’ve previously paid little attention to. When an editorial is required, well, I pride myself in being able to pull passion out of the air – often about these topics that I haven’t previously devoted even an iota of consideration. But, there’s something about researching a topic, especially the way a journalist does it, that gives you a connection to the issue.

That research forces me to remember that I come from Louisiana, where agriculture used to be the sole form of income. Where people still dress up in crazy dresses to enjoy plantation visits. And, where you can find a festival for almost any sort of agricultural product you can imagine.

In the town I live currently, peaches are the big agri-business. Every year around this time, peaches are about the only thing half the town can think about. And, we make the bulk of our tourist monies because of them.The Squire Creek Louisiana Peach Festival is a quaint event. But, if you’ve been to an agricultural festival of any sort, you can imagine what it’s like. (Just take the pumpkin pie/chicken/pecan eating contest and replace it with peaches.)

The reason agriculture was a topic at all for me recently, actually has more to do with econimic topics than agriculural ones. The economy is affecting everything, it’s a fact we’re all constantly aware of. It affects our daily lives in hundreds of little ways.

Being a journalist, I see the direct impact quite a bit. Being a student, I also see it. Schools are hemoraghing money and the state continues to cut funding. I can’t blame the state, it’s not like they have the money to give. But, this also negatively affects programs that are educational in nature but are not structured in similar ways.

The LSU AgCenter faces a lot of budget cuts. It’s a sad thing. It’s even sadder if you’ve any connection to Louisiana Agriculture. The AgCenter runs programs such as 4-H and farmer’s assistance programs. These are necessary programs. We all assume that someone somewhere will take care of our food. I would never consider entering the field of agriculture myself, but like most of you, I’d certainly like to trust that food will be available when I go to the grocery store.

I’m sure in light of the recent announcement of more budget cuts, there will be significant cuts to the programs. I just hope Louisiana is able to pick itself back up after this recession. Even if I don’t pride myself on being a Louisiana girl, I certainly don’t want to see it sink into the sea.

If you’d like to see the editorial that sparked this post, I’ve included it below. 🙂

http://rustonleader.com/news.php?id=6781

Also, if you’re interested in knowing more about that peach festival I mentioned earlier, check out their website.

http://www.louisianapeachfestival.org

Mixed Feelings

So, I’ve made a discovery. Apparently, Rupert Murdoch, the media mogul, has made an interesting decision. Content for the Times of London will be available online – for a fee. http://paidcontent.org/article/419-uk-times-paid-sites-will-turn-search-engines-away-from-stories/  If you’ve ever searched the Wall Street Journal online, you have a small idea of what is to come. WSJ.com offers a small amount of content for free and then blocks most of it for paying customers. Of course, Murdoch owns both papers so there’s a good chance he may switch the WSJ over to the complete paying system soon enough.

While I do agree that these papers will be missing a great opportunity to find more customers by blocking Google searches, I can see why they’re making people pay.

As a person with a thirst for knowledge, I don’t like it when the information on the Internet isn’t free. But, as a journalist in a business that dies a little bit everytime someone says “Oh, I’ll just find it online” I see exactly where these people come from.

Journalism is a valuable product. If people didn’t have their news, they’d be mad. However, the new idea that they can have it without paying for it is troubling. People used to buy their papers and enjoy them. Now, if you mention paying for news, people riot.

The way the system is set up for the Times is even reasonably priced. Well, if you choose the one day option, it’s not so reasonable. But, if you choose the weekly version it comes out to 40 cents per day. This is cheaper than most newspapers.

I’ve told you what I think (as confused as it might be). What do you think?

Month of Walking/Running for Charity

Apparently, April has been designated Ruston’s official run/walk/exercise of some sort for charity month. I’ve already covered one walk and am writing preview for two others as we speak. Of course, as it was everywhere, Friday was Relay for Life. To me, Relay seems like a carnival to raise money (which is funny considering this year’s theme was Mardi Gras), but if it gets the job done I’m all for it.

This weekend, the local chapter of March of Dimes will be hosting another walking event.  Having been a preemie myself, this charity is pretty close to my heart, I just don’t have any funds or times to devote to any charities at the moment (though I like to think writing stories about them is at least helpful to the cause).

The third event is very Ruston specific, but it’s super excited. If I had more time/money/hours in the day I would definitely be involved with this. For now, I’ll have to settle for putting a good word in through the newspaper.
The School of Architecture at Louisiana Tech University (where I spend the other half of my waking hours) has developed a Community Design Assistance Center. It was begun as a way to get the students involved in community service, I suppose so they don’t spend all their time and talent designing fancy office buildings and occassionally design a Habitat house or something. I’m not sure really, but what they’ve evolved into is very exciting.

Despite living in a reasonably small town, we have a relatively large population of lower-class individuals.  The statistics are actually sort of insane (but since I live in Louisiana, I would expect nothing else). Apparently, based on the research conducted by these students 1 in every 3 people in my town has at least a bachelor’s degree, which I think is awesome.  However, almost 1 in 3 people also live below the poverty line. I’ll give you a second to process that.

The Community Design Assistance Center has developed a 20-year plan to tackle this problem at it’s core, a neighborhood endearingly referred to as SOCA (South of California Avenue). This is where the majority of our poorest and least educated residents live. The fifth year architecture students already engage in building a Habitat for Humanity house in this area each year as part of their final design classes, but this CDAC team is taking it to an entirely new level.

I was first introduced to the idea incidentally. I was told to attend a Partners for Prevention meeting, which is an organization that focuses on things like drinking and driving and drug abuse. However, they are interested in a complete positive redesign of the community as well, so this program fit right in with their desires.

I was in awe of this project almost from the start. The presentation was not the best I’d ever seen, it appears that the School of Architecture doesn’t school their students well in public speaking. The message, however, was phenomenal. They want to completely redesign this community. Not just by placing a few Habitat for Humanity houses in the area via the fifth year project, but by engaging the community in positive activities as well. They hope to create things such as a community garden, a play ground and a safe walking path to the downtown area. Another big part of the project is developing a Friendship house, a concept already successfully underway in other areas. The house takes a family from the community , trains them and allows them to live in the Friendship house. The house is big enough that during regular hours it will open up as a community center for tutoring, mentoring, adult education and lots of other positive activities that lower income individuals do not usually have readily available.  a project that is already well under way in the area, but with resources like churches, organizations and Friendship houses. http://www.friendshiphouse.org/ has more information about similar projects.

This month the CDAC team is hosting a 5k run/walk through the area to raise awareness. It will raise a small amount of money for the project, but most importantly it is geared toward raising awareness about the area. It will allow residents to see that there are lower income areas in Ruston (because it is not readily apparent to most) and give them a chance to meet some of the residents. The team hopes this will garner support and help from the community because this sort of project can’t be successful without a lot of help from the community.

If you’re in Ruston, you should check it out. Team and pre-registration deadline is Wednesday (April 21). Interested parties should contact Kevin Singh, CDAC director, at 318-257-5267 or Jessie Gray at 479-223-1597. Registration is $20 for individuals, $75 for a five person team and $150 for a 10 person team. You can also visit http://www.latech.edu/tech/liberal-arts/architecture/ArrisCurrentPage1.htm to get registration forms and more information. I’ll be there on May 1 to cover the story, hopefully I’ll see some of you there as well.

If you’re not in Ruston, maybe you should find out about your own area. See what sort of help is needed, what projects are already in place and what you can do to help.

Slackers? I think not

Most people that know me will tell you that I am not a slacker. During my entire college career I’ve worked two jobs (even if sometimes the jobs were not for profit) and had a full course load. I almost never have an empty plate. Days off are rare. However, I meet (or become aware of) people who make me feel like a slacker on a regular basis.

The first such person was one of my favorite writers Amelia Atwater-Rhodes. She is two years older than me and shares the same passion – writing. However, at the age of 15 she had already published her first book. I, while published in newspapers, have yet to accomplish that particular goal (one that is very close to my heart.) At 14, it made me feel like a complete and utter slacker. It’s not that I hadn’t written entire novels at this point (I had and have since then) I just never actually tried to get them published.

I could probably detail various other individuals who have made me feel this way over the years, but I can’t remember many currently. Last night, however, I met a 12-year-old girl who caused those same feelings. She is a local sixth grade student who does a lot of normal activities such as church, softball and music lessons. Additionally, she has a sucessful sweets business. She makes and decorates (quite beautifully) cookies, cupcakes and other treats.

I was floored, I’ll admit. When I was 12, with the exception of stories that now make me laugh a little, I hadn’t done anything of any great merit. This girl already has experienced success. I doubt she’ll ever meet a situation that she can’t handle. She’s impressive and I’m impressed. But, it does make me feel a little lackluster.

All the same, I love getting to meet tons of new people regardless of how they make me feel. If nothing else, they offer a swift kick to the noggin suggesting I reevalute how I spend what little free time I get. And more so, every experience and every person offers one more new experience that could cause that spark of inspiration to ignite.

Random Encounters with Nature

So, this past week I’ve had a myriad of strange experiences. Several were for my job, I was asked to cover (read: attend, snap pictures and make it sound more interesting) a cattle auction in a smaller town close to my already tiny pinprick. Upon arriving at the destination, after winding through the barely maneuverable roads until I was so far back in the woods I felt like I was going for an early morning axe murder, the first think I noticed was the smell. It smelled exactly like a ranch should I suppose, but for a girl who likes to stick to the city (despite her country roots) it was overpowering. It was one of the first warmer days of spring, meaning the smell was probably stronger than it had been even a week ago.

After wandering around to various buildings, none of which looked like the correct place to be, I finally a man clad in Wranglers, a Stetson and a clean pair of cowboy boots wander outside. I went in the building he had just exited and quickly realized I was dressed inappropriately. My cute button up shirt, jeans and nice shoes were out of place. Yes, these cowboys (and girls) had donned coats and clean boots for the event, but they certainly didn’t look like me. In fact, I had dressed more casual than usual, because of the setting, but had stayed within the rules of propriety I had always known because the event was presented as a banquet in my mind. The group was handing out scholarships, which from all my years of experience, usually required a tie and skirts. Not in the cattle industry however. These people were here to buy cows and dressing up didn’t mean the same things to them that it meant to me.

I was told to find a certain individual when I arrived, I wandered through the crowd of people and was finally directed to the holding pens. I wandered around some more before a cow started making lots of noise at me. I quickly rushed away, but the sounds became louder. I assume, that cows can smell fear and realized I was terrified.

I finally found the individual I was looking for. He gave me a few nuggets of information for my trouble and then I had to stick around to take pictures of the event. A free steak dinner was included in the event, however, so I had to partake of this first. I went through the buffet style line and was given the biggest steak I’d ever seen in my life. It’s only been in the last two years that I’ve been able to stomach steak. And still, only at this one local mesquite grill restaurant. Anyhow, I assumed since it was an official Angus ranch, the steak would be delicious.You know what they say about assuming things. I never actually ate a piece of that steak that didn’t make me want to spit it out because of the fat to meat ratio. Being a picnic type environment (definitely not what I was expecting) there was of course only plastic cutlery. By the time I actually found meat that was edible, my fork broke, so I gave up.

Having never been to a cattle auction, I didn’t know what to expect. I had been to other auctions before and assumed this couldn’t be THAT different. Again with the assuming. After the scholarships were handed out, they were auctioning off a heifer to raise more money for scholarships. It was a great cause and they ended up raising over $30,000 on this one animal. However, it was the auctioning part I wasn’t ready for. Sitting in the audience, I expected people to quietly raise their paddles to signal a bid. They did, in fact, do that. However, there were three men (jean, coat and boot clad) standing in front of the audience. I guess you would call them spotters. I was not prepared for the insanely loud, bird calls or whatever they did when someone bid. It was almost enough to send me packing saying ‘I don’t need a pay check this bad.’ I endured however and it was over relatively quickly. I was able to leave after that, but it was definitely a strange encounter.

Then, today, I went to an event where the USDA was giving out funding to help a small town repair single-family homes. It was mostly a media-circus, huge check sort of event.

In addition, it seems like a bit of a waste doesn’t it improving 10 people’s homes rather than things that benefit entire groups. But, in a small town, that’s the sort of thing that happens.

I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with small towns. I’m a big city girl at heart (if not in reality, because I was raised in a small town.) But, I like how you get to know lots of people in a small town.

I’ve met my senator, representative, several local mayors and all sorts of people that most don’t get to meet on a regular basis. Then again, that could have more to do with being a journalist.

But, small town journalism is different also. I get to do all sorts of stories and meet the bigwigs because even if I’m at the bottom of the totem pole, there’s only so many stories to go around. That means, we all occasionally get to cover the same sorts of events depending on who’s available.

Anyhow, those are my thoughts.

A funny anecdote..
Last night, a girl was walking her dog near my house. It was a pretty gray bulldog, but once it saw me she had to practically drag it away. It just kept staring at me for quite awhile. Even when she rounded the corner, but the dog could still see me, he stopped again. It was actually quite creepy.

New Direction

Soo, I’m going to change the direction of this blog sort of. Actually, I’m going to admit to what it really is. This is the observations I make in life. This is the stories I see that seem worth telling, but I can’t find any other place to stick them. This is the world through my eyes. If nothing else, it’s another perspective on life. 🙂

Thoughts on Journalism, Priorities

One of the things I love most about journalism is the random people you meet and places you’re allowed to see just because you are you. Well, really, it’s more because you have the ability to make other people see their thoughts, views and actions. But, all the same, it amazes me every time I walk into a place expecting the harrowing reception the movies suggest and instead being welcomed like a prodigal child.

I’ll admit, the treatment I receive probably stems largely from my cute, young appearance. Who could do anything but love someone who looks like they could be your sister, granddaughter, niece, etc. I’m about 95% positive this allows me to hear and see things I would not normally be privy to. In addition, I’ve always given off the air of being just a darn-good person.  I say that as though I’m not one, I’m sure I am, I’m just not sure if I’m as good of a person as my cutesy blonde hair and rosy cheeks would have you believe.

In my experience, the people I am talking to always believe that I’m on their side. I’ve discussed briefly my tendency toward neutrality, but a sweet, old grandmother that reminds me of my own will pull my heartstrings a little just like any person with a heart. However, simply because I am in attendance at an event assigned to me by my editor does not mean that I am pro- whatever it is that’s being discussed. Likewise, it doesn’t mean I’m against it either. However, they always believe (especially at politically motivated events) that I am exactly like them.  Possibly, because of the area I live, it’s because I look like an honest, nice little Christian girl. (As a disclaimer, I am not denying any of those things either. Except for the political views, I usually am what people expect.)

Certainly, I enjoy the bit of power one feels at being allowed into seemingly off-limit places and I’ve always reveled in knowing random bits of information that others aren’t privy to (as per my stint as Quiz Bowl captain in High School). But, my favorite part will always be meeting lots of random people. Even when the experience is negative, it’s an experience I’m glad to have had.

Priorities

Now, I’d like to discuss priorities. The university I attend, like so many in the current economical climate, has experienced quite a few budget cuts. I am OK with this because I understand money is just as tight for governmental bodies as it is for me. However, what I’m not alright with is a lack of prioritizing where the money goes.

Our school is currently embarking on a several figures, many year journey toward building an amazing Enterprise Campus.  This is fantastic. It will bring jobs into the city, more prestige for students and a whole plethora of other things.  However, a short walk across campus the library is dying.

I understand that many things are now in digital form, but some things just require the experience of holding a musty, beautiful old book in your hands. The library understands this, the school apparently does not. While exiting the library the other night, I stumbled upon a display that had little cards. I took one and it was a request for students, etc. to donate books from the library’s Amazon Wish List in memory of others. There would be a nice placard placed in the book to tell everyone who read it about your generosity.

This is nice, but it seems wrong somehow.  A school spends who knows how much (though I’m sure it easily runs into the millions) on a fancy new campus, but books, where some of the basic learning happens, are in short supply.

I certainly hope someone with a good deal of money stumbles upon these cards and a)buys the library some much needed books or b)points out the obviously skewed perspective of administrators.