So yesterday, I am at work when I recieve a phone call from someone (refrain from saying who) who was in an office of power in one of my towns. He was upset about one of my stories about a project going on in town. Plans for one part of the project had gone through and I reported on it. Later in my article I mention future plans that have yet to be discussed.
I told him to wait while I went to get the article but my editor took call instead since she makes all the editing decisions. Next thing I know she is scolding on the phone.
Apparently this guy was upset about the article because it made it seem that the whole project had went through. It is no secret that this guy is opposed to the whole project and often fights the town mayor about it when it comes up. What it came down to and my editor called him out on it was that since he didn't agree with it then we shouldn't report on it.
"You are trying to censor what we print and I'm not going to allow it!" my editor told him on the phone.
The best is he had a problem with what the mayor had said and was angry at the fact that we printed it. Now he is trying to control who I talk to. Not going to happen.
Apparently, he and another guy have tried to do this before with the previous reporter but the reporter stood up to him. My editor thinks that because I'm new and a female, they think they can intimidate me. I don't think so. It's time to pull out the punching gloves.
Come on! I'm ready for this fight!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Photographer? Who me?
For those who know me well, photography isn't exactly my forte. In fact my family has come to learn that I am not the person to rely on to get pictures at a function. Either I forget something such as charging my battery or I just take god-awful pictures with someone's face cut off or poor picture quality. The biggest complaint is that I don't take enough photos.
My brother is the known photographer of the family. He likes to document every minute when he comes down to visit from California. Every meal he makes us wait until he takes a picture or if we go somewhere, we have to pose so he can take a picture. I just roll my eyes and walk away. There is seriously no need to document every minute. My theory is how many pictures can you have of the same people. I don't need to remember what they look like brushing their teeth.
However, recently things have started to change. As the news room is getting busy with the new school year and the upcoming elections, us reporters are finding that we are relied on to take our own pictures. We only have so many photographers and they cant be in the same place at the same time. At first, I groaned. Me? Take a picture? Ummm I dont think that is such a good idea. But I had no choice.
Is my battery fully charged? Check. Is the media card empty? Check. Is the media card in the camera? check. Is the camera in my bag? Check. I went down my checklist over and over again until I was in the car on my way to my assignment and knew the camera was beside me. Then it was time for the actual picture taking. The moment of truth. Could I take a fairly decent picture when it came down to work?
The answer: YES! On my first assignment, my job used two of my photos for the article. I couldn't believe it. One actually came out fairly well (right). When I had first looked at the picture, I thought, eh its just nets on the ground. After a second look, I realized that capturing the boats in the background gave the picture a whole new depth. Apparently, my job thought so too and I got paid for my photos.
That's right: I got paid for my photos. It's nothing major, just a few bucks. At least it's something and it pays for breakfast! LOL.
That assignment was just the start. In the past two weeks, I have been asked to take my camera for a few assignments and have gotten paid for 5 photos. It may not seem like much but for a reporter who only writes about 6 articles a weeks, its alot. Here are a few of the others:
My brother is the known photographer of the family. He likes to document every minute when he comes down to visit from California. Every meal he makes us wait until he takes a picture or if we go somewhere, we have to pose so he can take a picture. I just roll my eyes and walk away. There is seriously no need to document every minute. My theory is how many pictures can you have of the same people. I don't need to remember what they look like brushing their teeth.
However, recently things have started to change. As the news room is getting busy with the new school year and the upcoming elections, us reporters are finding that we are relied on to take our own pictures. We only have so many photographers and they cant be in the same place at the same time. At first, I groaned. Me? Take a picture? Ummm I dont think that is such a good idea. But I had no choice.
Is my battery fully charged? Check. Is the media card empty? Check. Is the media card in the camera? check. Is the camera in my bag? Check. I went down my checklist over and over again until I was in the car on my way to my assignment and knew the camera was beside me. Then it was time for the actual picture taking. The moment of truth. Could I take a fairly decent picture when it came down to work?
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| Gear at the Co-op in Belford which will be recycle for energy |
That's right: I got paid for my photos. It's nothing major, just a few bucks. At least it's something and it pays for breakfast! LOL.
That assignment was just the start. In the past two weeks, I have been asked to take my camera for a few assignments and have gotten paid for 5 photos. It may not seem like much but for a reporter who only writes about 6 articles a weeks, its alot. Here are a few of the others:
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| The Coe Estate in Middletown that will be a learning center for children with autism |
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| The new tree house at the playground |
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| The new playground area at Wolcott Park in Eatontown. |
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
The Perfect Work Bag
The question that I have been trying to answer for the past few weeks is "What constitutes a good work bag?"
Usually, I use a tote bag as a purse. They are big which allows you to carry more stuff and the various pockets and sleeves allow you to keep your stuff organized. However, the past few assignments that I have been on, I've been using my old college messenger bag and as the days go by I have found that I'm liking it more and more.
While tote bags are fashionable, I have found that they are bothersome when I have to multi-task in the field. A messenger bag allows me to drape it across my shoulder leaving both hands free, and if I have to get something, I have easy access. Whereas, when I carry my tote, I have to stop what I'm doing and rummage through.
So with a messenger bag as my bag of choice now, I am on the search for a new one. While I absolutely love my college bag, it is starting to show its age and I need something professional. I have been searching the internet and came across several I like.
Those are the top five picks and now it's time to decide which one I want to buy. Decisions Decisions.What do you think?
Usually, I use a tote bag as a purse. They are big which allows you to carry more stuff and the various pockets and sleeves allow you to keep your stuff organized. However, the past few assignments that I have been on, I've been using my old college messenger bag and as the days go by I have found that I'm liking it more and more.
While tote bags are fashionable, I have found that they are bothersome when I have to multi-task in the field. A messenger bag allows me to drape it across my shoulder leaving both hands free, and if I have to get something, I have easy access. Whereas, when I carry my tote, I have to stop what I'm doing and rummage through.
So with a messenger bag as my bag of choice now, I am on the search for a new one. While I absolutely love my college bag, it is starting to show its age and I need something professional. I have been searching the internet and came across several I like.
Kenneth Cole Reaction "Busi-Mess Essentials" - Single Gusset Flapover Messenger Bag -$129.95
- Smooth leather outer material
- Shoulder strap can be fully adjusted to suit multiple carrying lengths.
- large front gusseted zippered pocket.
- Main compartment opens wide for quick and easy access
- two pen/pencil holders, two open-top pockets, and one zippered pouch within the interior.
- Dimensions: 16" wide x 5" deep x 13" high
Le Donne Leather Distressed Leather Quick Access Messenger - $127.20
- Two large slip pockets under flap
- Dual compartment
- Organizer compartment for cell phone/pda, pens, business cards
- Rear zipper pocket
- Adjustable strap with pad has a maximum drop length of 24 inches
- Antique hardware
STM Bags Scout Small - $52.00
- High-density foam padded laptop section to protect from external abuse
- Secure buckle closure for main bag
- Velcro closure over laptop section
- Cushioned felt laptop lining
- Utility pocket for accessories
- Front document pocket
- New stm design shoulder pad for carrying comfort
- Holds most 13" laptops
Bellino Leather Messenger - 95.99
- Beneath the flap-over closure, you will find a roomy open pocket with a full organizer to hold a pda, ipod, cards, pens and memory stick.
- Its spacious main compartment is fully lined, with a detachable key ring, and a linear zip pocket to keep personal items secure
- An exterior rear zip pocket runs the length of the bag and has additional space for a phone, pens and other small items.
- The carry handle and adjustable strap are both padded for comfort. brushed metal fixtures.
Bellino Messenger Bag -$63.99
- The mix of 18 ounce cotton canvas and rich columbia leather, accented with cream stitches and antique brass fittings, makes this messenger irresistible, and its features make it a must-have
- Beneath the flap over closure, you will find a spacious open pocket, packed with pockets for a phone, pda, cards, pens and a memory stick
- A large zippered pocket in the back secures personal items. a padded, adjustable shoulder strap and a handle wrapped in leather complete it.
Those are the top five picks and now it's time to decide which one I want to buy. Decisions Decisions.What do you think?
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Perfection vs. Procrastination
There is a saying that practice makes perfect, but I don't feel that applies when I am writing. Sure, I have seen improvements in my writing as time goes on but there is still that gnawing feeling every time I hand in an article that there is something not right, or that something can be better.
I know that nobody is the perfect writer but that doesn't stop me wanting to be perfect. And there lies my trouble. Perfection. OCD. Whatever you want to call it, I think I have it. I know that in some ways it is a good thing because it has helped get where I am today but at the same time I think it hurts me in the sense that I waste time worrying.
I want everything to be perfect so instead of just writing something and handing it in, I always dawdle over it. I will find the smallest detail and find it to be wrong or that it has to be fixed. Sometimes, I think that is why I wait till the last minute to write up my articles. I don't have time to think, just do. Sure in the back of my mind I constantly think that everything is wrong but there is nothing that I can do about it. But that leaves me with my next problem of stressing myself out.
In waiting till the last minute, I mainly stress about getting the piece done in time. I work furiously, snapping at people who interrupt me, constantly grasping at each minute as it passes by. I stress that I am not writing something the right way and that if I didn't wait so long I could have done it better. I want to cry when something isn't coming out right but I have no time to fix it. I bite my lip as I wait for my editor to read the piece and pick out the smallest details that I failed to see.
But then, surprisingly she will turn to me and say that it is fine.
I still haven't figured out what to make of my dilemma. Perhaps, I shouldn't worry too much and just let things take me to where they will but at the same time, that worrying helps me get things done the right way. Perhaps I shouldn't try to be a perfectionist because noone is perfect, especially in writing, but does it really hurt to try? After all, what doesn't hurt you, only makes you stronger. Perhaps, waiting till the last minute has made my writing perfection because I don't worry about those little things.
This ramble probably doesn't make much sense, but it has been something I have been thinking about more and more lately as I finally realize why I haven't written anything in the past two years. Now that I am forced to write due to my job, I constantly have to make the decision, whether to start right away and deal with my perfectionist attitude, or just push it aside till deadline when I give half-assed work and pray that it will suffice.
I know that nobody is the perfect writer but that doesn't stop me wanting to be perfect. And there lies my trouble. Perfection. OCD. Whatever you want to call it, I think I have it. I know that in some ways it is a good thing because it has helped get where I am today but at the same time I think it hurts me in the sense that I waste time worrying.
I want everything to be perfect so instead of just writing something and handing it in, I always dawdle over it. I will find the smallest detail and find it to be wrong or that it has to be fixed. Sometimes, I think that is why I wait till the last minute to write up my articles. I don't have time to think, just do. Sure in the back of my mind I constantly think that everything is wrong but there is nothing that I can do about it. But that leaves me with my next problem of stressing myself out.
In waiting till the last minute, I mainly stress about getting the piece done in time. I work furiously, snapping at people who interrupt me, constantly grasping at each minute as it passes by. I stress that I am not writing something the right way and that if I didn't wait so long I could have done it better. I want to cry when something isn't coming out right but I have no time to fix it. I bite my lip as I wait for my editor to read the piece and pick out the smallest details that I failed to see.
But then, surprisingly she will turn to me and say that it is fine.
I still haven't figured out what to make of my dilemma. Perhaps, I shouldn't worry too much and just let things take me to where they will but at the same time, that worrying helps me get things done the right way. Perhaps I shouldn't try to be a perfectionist because noone is perfect, especially in writing, but does it really hurt to try? After all, what doesn't hurt you, only makes you stronger. Perhaps, waiting till the last minute has made my writing perfection because I don't worry about those little things.
This ramble probably doesn't make much sense, but it has been something I have been thinking about more and more lately as I finally realize why I haven't written anything in the past two years. Now that I am forced to write due to my job, I constantly have to make the decision, whether to start right away and deal with my perfectionist attitude, or just push it aside till deadline when I give half-assed work and pray that it will suffice.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
My First Two Weeks
I started working for the newspaper on July 18th and I couldn't be happier. My first two weeks have went by so fast and I feel like I have been there forever.
My first week was a little slow but that is to be expected since I am new and nobody knows me. It was all about getting my name out there. I had to call all the towns that I am to cover and introduce myself. I had my first council meeting that week and I already made contacts in Aberdeen with the mayor and the police chief. I only handed in one article but like I said, it was all about getting my name out.
The pace quickly picked up the second week. I had two meetings which gave me a few articles to write up. I went on a boat on Friday for an environmental group who is creating the first survey map of the Raritan Bay. Surprisingly, it made front page.
I can't be happier. I am right where I want to be. To get up everyday with a mission and a purpose makes me feel important. I get dressed in business attire and take the hour drive to the office, stopping at Dunkin along the way to get a bagel and an iced T. Then I walk in and sit at my desk and start the day,. checking emails and making phone calls before I settle down to write for an audience that relies on me to give them the facts. It gets kind of daunting at times but I love it anyway. I am on top of the world!
My first week was a little slow but that is to be expected since I am new and nobody knows me. It was all about getting my name out there. I had to call all the towns that I am to cover and introduce myself. I had my first council meeting that week and I already made contacts in Aberdeen with the mayor and the police chief. I only handed in one article but like I said, it was all about getting my name out.
The pace quickly picked up the second week. I had two meetings which gave me a few articles to write up. I went on a boat on Friday for an environmental group who is creating the first survey map of the Raritan Bay. Surprisingly, it made front page.
I can't be happier. I am right where I want to be. To get up everyday with a mission and a purpose makes me feel important. I get dressed in business attire and take the hour drive to the office, stopping at Dunkin along the way to get a bagel and an iced T. Then I walk in and sit at my desk and start the day,. checking emails and making phone calls before I settle down to write for an audience that relies on me to give them the facts. It gets kind of daunting at times but I love it anyway. I am on top of the world!
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