As the semester winds down, there's a mixture of excitement and anxiety. Excitement: the semester's over and Christmas is around the corner! Anxiety: finals are next week. :( Cram, cram, cram!
Walking away from this class will also be a bittersweet time. Through our various assignments, I feel my writing has improved and I've become more comfortable with the investigative aspect of journalism.
Looking forward, I plan on continuing posts here every now and then. Journalism, or blogging, I guess, has become a release of sorts for me. Another creative outlet. I look forward to continuing my writing and wish you all the best with your's.
Happy Holidays!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
A Brief Intro
Let me introduce Mr. James Loso. He is the headliner of my feature article. Former ceramics teacher at Elk River senior high school, the clay room is where I first met him. Eccentric and instantly a favorite, Loso's classroom was a place of creative release. He was always full of support, suggestions and BS, never one to back down from a "verbal joust," if you will. He's one of those teachers that took a genuine interest in the work of his students, working individually to encourage the unique style and talents of his kids.
Beyond the classroom, he is also a fabulous potter. I'd give you his website, but you'll have to wait for the main article for that!
For these reasons and more, I chose Loso as the feature for my feature article.
Beyond the classroom, he is also a fabulous potter. I'd give you his website, but you'll have to wait for the main article for that!
For these reasons and more, I chose Loso as the feature for my feature article.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Patience, Please
To be blatantly honest, I struggled to come up with a topic for this blog. After nearly nine hours on my feet at work, creative writing isn't really high on my numbed mind's list of priorities. I sat down, stared at the blank page before me and voila! It was like the proverbial light bulb being switched on. I'll write about work. Or rather, shopping.
As we zero in on the holidays, getting closer and closer to Christmas--or perhaps more pressing, the day after Thanksgiving--shopping for the perfect gifts for our loved ones is a primary thought. Sure, most guys plead to not understanding women's fascination and borderline addiction to shopping. So let me lend a little insight. Shopping to a woman is somewhat similar to getting behind the wheel of a muscle car--let's use my favorite, the 1969 Mustang Shelby GT 500. As clicky heels meet shiny, tiled floor or as worn shoe tread meets worn rubber covering the gas pedal, a shot of adrenaline is injected into the bloodstream. Searching for the perfect gift at a bargain price, getting to it before the lady next to you is similar to edging the gas pedal ever further to the floorboards, bolts rattling and engine roaring, pulling away from the poor guy behind you, stuck eating your pony dust.
That said, let me get to the heart of this particular entry. As one who works in retail, I've seen firsthand the shopping madness in a different light. It's not so much fun when you're the one folding shirt after shirt after a day of being pilfered through by who knows how many shoppers. Or forcing a smile as one snappy, crabby person after another goes through your line, upset that the lines are so long and demanding to know why we haven't done something about it. So, as you all enter into this holiday season, all I ask is that you go into it with a little consideration for the poor saps who are their waiting on you. They're doing the best they can with the resources available to them. Return policies, declined credit applications, clothes not available in the size you need, its out of us lowly employees' hands. So, be patient. We're their to help, not hinder.
Happy holidays! And I mean that.
As we zero in on the holidays, getting closer and closer to Christmas--or perhaps more pressing, the day after Thanksgiving--shopping for the perfect gifts for our loved ones is a primary thought. Sure, most guys plead to not understanding women's fascination and borderline addiction to shopping. So let me lend a little insight. Shopping to a woman is somewhat similar to getting behind the wheel of a muscle car--let's use my favorite, the 1969 Mustang Shelby GT 500. As clicky heels meet shiny, tiled floor or as worn shoe tread meets worn rubber covering the gas pedal, a shot of adrenaline is injected into the bloodstream. Searching for the perfect gift at a bargain price, getting to it before the lady next to you is similar to edging the gas pedal ever further to the floorboards, bolts rattling and engine roaring, pulling away from the poor guy behind you, stuck eating your pony dust.
That said, let me get to the heart of this particular entry. As one who works in retail, I've seen firsthand the shopping madness in a different light. It's not so much fun when you're the one folding shirt after shirt after a day of being pilfered through by who knows how many shoppers. Or forcing a smile as one snappy, crabby person after another goes through your line, upset that the lines are so long and demanding to know why we haven't done something about it. So, as you all enter into this holiday season, all I ask is that you go into it with a little consideration for the poor saps who are their waiting on you. They're doing the best they can with the resources available to them. Return policies, declined credit applications, clothes not available in the size you need, its out of us lowly employees' hands. So, be patient. We're their to help, not hinder.
Happy holidays! And I mean that.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Michelle-esque Style
Late Tuesday night, the United States made history as it acknowledged its first African-American president. Barack Obama entered the beginning of the rewriting of history books. And by his side, his wife Michelle and two lovely daughters, Malia and Sasha.
Magazines and newspapers are already looking at the possibility of the Obama women becoming fashion trend-setters, and with good reason. Let's look at Michelle's dress on Tuesday night. The original is unique, both in its color scheme and design. Red melds with black in an interesting mottled effect, with a satiny material crossing the middle. However, the material becomes sheer as it moves towards the knees, giving it a daring edge. The neckline is also daringly low, but on a stick-thin model, who can tell, right? Michelle, however, by means unbeknownst to us, took that same dress, raised the neckline and got rid of the sheer material at the bottom, replacing, or perhaps backing, it with a solid black material, shown here and here. The effect is still daring, and I think she pulled it off famously.
Now, you may not be able to judge the entirity of a book by its cover, but you can certainly get a feel for the contents. In Michelle's case, her style manifests an inner strength, a quiet confidence that clearly shines through in her countenance. Not just in Tuesday's dress, but in many others, such as her NAACP Image Awards gown, and the blue boatneck dress she wore during her interview with Stephen Colbert on his late night talk show.Colbert likened Michelle's strong fashion sense to that of Jackie Kennedy Onassis. From all appearences, Mrs. Obama will stand up to that likeness not only in a fashion sense, but also in her apparent passion for the people of this great nation. Future, here we come. And we're going in style.
Magazines and newspapers are already looking at the possibility of the Obama women becoming fashion trend-setters, and with good reason. Let's look at Michelle's dress on Tuesday night. The original is unique, both in its color scheme and design. Red melds with black in an interesting mottled effect, with a satiny material crossing the middle. However, the material becomes sheer as it moves towards the knees, giving it a daring edge. The neckline is also daringly low, but on a stick-thin model, who can tell, right? Michelle, however, by means unbeknownst to us, took that same dress, raised the neckline and got rid of the sheer material at the bottom, replacing, or perhaps backing, it with a solid black material, shown here and here. The effect is still daring, and I think she pulled it off famously.
Now, you may not be able to judge the entirity of a book by its cover, but you can certainly get a feel for the contents. In Michelle's case, her style manifests an inner strength, a quiet confidence that clearly shines through in her countenance. Not just in Tuesday's dress, but in many others, such as her NAACP Image Awards gown, and the blue boatneck dress she wore during her interview with Stephen Colbert on his late night talk show.Colbert likened Michelle's strong fashion sense to that of Jackie Kennedy Onassis. From all appearences, Mrs. Obama will stand up to that likeness not only in a fashion sense, but also in her apparent passion for the people of this great nation. Future, here we come. And we're going in style.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Economic Turbulence
For the past year or so, we have all been bombarded by one negative campaign ad after another, and if any of them have even a shred of truth to it, I’m not so sure I want Obama or McCain running my country. Next Tuesday, November 4th, 2008, the United States of America will sit on the edge of being plunged into a new era of economic policies. These policies will be—so they say—geared towards resurrecting what remains of our economy. But, regardless of who takes the Presidential Trophy, will these policies work?
Some would like to blame President Bush for all our economic troubles. But—I feel obligated to ask—is it solely his responsibility? What about all of the wonderful checks and balances that afford our Congress and House of Representatives to yea or nay the bills of the president? What about corrupt senators and representatives who let the power of their position go to their head, gleaning profits from faulty policies while Joe the Plumber takes the hit to his finances? The blame is much broader than the president alone. But, pointing fingers aside, our economy has been slipping, manifested in the massive amounts of home foreclosures, lost jobs, small businesses having such a hard time getting loans to keep themselves afloat, and the Wall Street crash in early October.
CNN’s Jessica Dickler quotes the Bureau of Labor Statistics and consulting firm Watson Wyatt in her article Job cuts: Who’s next? According to her sources, over 760,000 jobs were lost as of September and 25% of employers are anticipating making more layoffs in the next year. Dickler’s sources also claim that certain industries are at a higher risk than others, mainly the housing, finance, retail, publishing, automotive, and travel industries.
This is scary, especially to a lowly college student—such as myself—with no prior degree in anything, leaving only the previously mentioned industries to look for a job. How else am I to pay for tuition, car payments, rent, groceries, and other staple payments required of my bank account? Currently, I’m in retail. I really lucked out when I started working for Target three years ago, in that I honestly feel secure in my position there. But it is Target, and I’m barely making enough to cover my expenses. Where else do I look? For one with creativity zinging through my fingertips, just dying to be let out, obviously the art realm holds the most attraction for me. But, the catch to my infatuation with art is: very few people will hire me and pay a decent wage without a bachelor’s degree in design/fine art…whichever. So, that leaves me at Target, working a few bucks over minimum wage, contemplating which school to transfer to so I can continue my art education, all the while dreading having to take out more loans to cover the tuition. For now, I’m stuck.
The one bright spot lately, however, has been the dramatic fall in gas prices. I filled up my tank and got a car wash yesterday for less than a tank of gas cost two months ago. Considering I drive an awful lot between work, school, and family affairs, this is FANTASTIC news! Previously, when gas prices hovered right around $4 per gallon, I tried to cut back on driving. Which is saying something, considering I’m one of those yuppie people who loves to drive every chance I get. By cutting drive time, I also cut back on eating out, going to movies, bowling, and whatever other manner of entertainment I might come up with. Now, I feel a little bit freer to do more with my money. Like, put more into my savings account, invest in a winter car, something besides holding it closely, afraid I’ll have to funnel it all into my gas tank.
All that remains for me to do now is vote. This is the first time I’ll have been old enough, so I’m semi-excited. Politics have never been my favorite topic, but for once, I now get to cast my vote for what I believe in, instead of sitting by and watching my relatives bicker over the chronic faults of the party they oppose. So, Tuesday I’ll be at the polls. Hopefully, with a new team of political players, we’ll get some relief. God knows we could use it.
Sources
Dickler, Jessica. “Job cuts: Who’s next.” CNN.com. Accessed Oct. 30, 2008.
http://money.cnn.com/2008/10/27/news/vulnerable_industries/index.htm?postversion=2008103010
Some would like to blame President Bush for all our economic troubles. But—I feel obligated to ask—is it solely his responsibility? What about all of the wonderful checks and balances that afford our Congress and House of Representatives to yea or nay the bills of the president? What about corrupt senators and representatives who let the power of their position go to their head, gleaning profits from faulty policies while Joe the Plumber takes the hit to his finances? The blame is much broader than the president alone. But, pointing fingers aside, our economy has been slipping, manifested in the massive amounts of home foreclosures, lost jobs, small businesses having such a hard time getting loans to keep themselves afloat, and the Wall Street crash in early October.
CNN’s Jessica Dickler quotes the Bureau of Labor Statistics and consulting firm Watson Wyatt in her article Job cuts: Who’s next? According to her sources, over 760,000 jobs were lost as of September and 25% of employers are anticipating making more layoffs in the next year. Dickler’s sources also claim that certain industries are at a higher risk than others, mainly the housing, finance, retail, publishing, automotive, and travel industries.
This is scary, especially to a lowly college student—such as myself—with no prior degree in anything, leaving only the previously mentioned industries to look for a job. How else am I to pay for tuition, car payments, rent, groceries, and other staple payments required of my bank account? Currently, I’m in retail. I really lucked out when I started working for Target three years ago, in that I honestly feel secure in my position there. But it is Target, and I’m barely making enough to cover my expenses. Where else do I look? For one with creativity zinging through my fingertips, just dying to be let out, obviously the art realm holds the most attraction for me. But, the catch to my infatuation with art is: very few people will hire me and pay a decent wage without a bachelor’s degree in design/fine art…whichever. So, that leaves me at Target, working a few bucks over minimum wage, contemplating which school to transfer to so I can continue my art education, all the while dreading having to take out more loans to cover the tuition. For now, I’m stuck.
The one bright spot lately, however, has been the dramatic fall in gas prices. I filled up my tank and got a car wash yesterday for less than a tank of gas cost two months ago. Considering I drive an awful lot between work, school, and family affairs, this is FANTASTIC news! Previously, when gas prices hovered right around $4 per gallon, I tried to cut back on driving. Which is saying something, considering I’m one of those yuppie people who loves to drive every chance I get. By cutting drive time, I also cut back on eating out, going to movies, bowling, and whatever other manner of entertainment I might come up with. Now, I feel a little bit freer to do more with my money. Like, put more into my savings account, invest in a winter car, something besides holding it closely, afraid I’ll have to funnel it all into my gas tank.
All that remains for me to do now is vote. This is the first time I’ll have been old enough, so I’m semi-excited. Politics have never been my favorite topic, but for once, I now get to cast my vote for what I believe in, instead of sitting by and watching my relatives bicker over the chronic faults of the party they oppose. So, Tuesday I’ll be at the polls. Hopefully, with a new team of political players, we’ll get some relief. God knows we could use it.
Sources
Dickler, Jessica. “Job cuts: Who’s next.” CNN.com. Accessed Oct. 30, 2008.
http://money.cnn.com/2008/10/27/news/vulnerable_industries/index.htm?postversion=2008103010
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Debates
Debate: definition Discussion between two parties, meant for discussing possible solutions for various crisis, but actually becoming a political WWE Smackdown.
Exaggeration? Perhaps. Regardless, much of the Vice Presidential debate was spent slamming the opposing party's candidate.
After wrestling with my Internet connection yesterday, willing it to be cooperative enough to run the broadcast of the debate from CNN.com, the program starts off with one Gwen Iffil of the News Hour as the host. She finishes her tele-prompted intro speech and out come the VP hopefuls. Senator Joe Biden of Delaware: cool, collected, obviously used to Eastern politics and debate. Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska: informal (the first words out of her mouth were "Can I call you 'Joe'?" as she and Biden shook hands), collected, with an undercurrent of butterflies.
Iffil's first question to Sen. Biden: Do you think, in regards to the Bail Out Bill whose fate is still being determined, is this the best or the worst of Washington? Biden follows with one of his few direct answers of the night, responding that "It is neither the best, nor the worst. It is, however, evidence to the fact that these last eight years under President Bush have been the worst we've ever had". He goes on to detail the four basic criteria Barak Obama says are needed for any "Rescue Plan": there has to be oversight by the Treasury, there has to be a focus on home-owners and on folks on Main Street, we have to treat tax-payers as investors, and we have to make sure that, in the long run, CEOs don't benefit from the Plan. Biden goes on to say that his previous response brings him back to the "fundamental disagreement between Gov. Palin and [Biden]", claiming that "[The Democratic Party is] gonna fundamentally change the economic policy. We're gonna focus on the middle class, because when the middle class grows, the economy grows and everybody does well." Nice, and to-the-point, no sidetracking.
Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska takes the camera. Outline how any average Joe and soccer-mom Sally are going to worry about any investments they've made, how they're going to send their kids to college. Small businesses will worry about being denied loans to expand. Palin agrees with Biden that the federal government has not provided the oversight that the American public deserves and that there needs to be reform. She highlights McCain's catalyst action two years ago with mortgage giants Fanny Mae and Freddy Mac, saying McCain "sounded the warning bell." One of her few smears on Biden was that he did not side with McCain to take care of the Fanny Mae/Freddy Mac issue.
Through the rest of the debate, Biden adds more and more statistics of McCain voting for tax increases, deregulation, and so on. Palin steadily lays out McCain's plans for the various questions that arose, from health care plans to the war in Iraq, throwing in the occasional jab at Obama and Biden, but all-together keeping a nice offensive. Biden seemed to be playing both sides of the court, nicely detailing Obama's plans for the future, but also throwing a good deal of cheap shots at Palin and McCain.
Is it possible, at all, to have a debate where talking about the opposing party and how they did/didn't vote for something the right way, how they did/didn't do something the right way? Is it possible spend an hour or so detailing just what we, as American citizens, are getting ourselves into with this upcoming election? I highly doubt it, but let's remain hopeful.
Exaggeration? Perhaps. Regardless, much of the Vice Presidential debate was spent slamming the opposing party's candidate.
After wrestling with my Internet connection yesterday, willing it to be cooperative enough to run the broadcast of the debate from CNN.com, the program starts off with one Gwen Iffil of the News Hour as the host. She finishes her tele-prompted intro speech and out come the VP hopefuls. Senator Joe Biden of Delaware: cool, collected, obviously used to Eastern politics and debate. Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska: informal (the first words out of her mouth were "Can I call you 'Joe'?" as she and Biden shook hands), collected, with an undercurrent of butterflies.
Iffil's first question to Sen. Biden: Do you think, in regards to the Bail Out Bill whose fate is still being determined, is this the best or the worst of Washington? Biden follows with one of his few direct answers of the night, responding that "It is neither the best, nor the worst. It is, however, evidence to the fact that these last eight years under President Bush have been the worst we've ever had". He goes on to detail the four basic criteria Barak Obama says are needed for any "Rescue Plan": there has to be oversight by the Treasury, there has to be a focus on home-owners and on folks on Main Street, we have to treat tax-payers as investors, and we have to make sure that, in the long run, CEOs don't benefit from the Plan. Biden goes on to say that his previous response brings him back to the "fundamental disagreement between Gov. Palin and [Biden]", claiming that "[The Democratic Party is] gonna fundamentally change the economic policy. We're gonna focus on the middle class, because when the middle class grows, the economy grows and everybody does well." Nice, and to-the-point, no sidetracking.
Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska takes the camera. Outline how any average Joe and soccer-mom Sally are going to worry about any investments they've made, how they're going to send their kids to college. Small businesses will worry about being denied loans to expand. Palin agrees with Biden that the federal government has not provided the oversight that the American public deserves and that there needs to be reform. She highlights McCain's catalyst action two years ago with mortgage giants Fanny Mae and Freddy Mac, saying McCain "sounded the warning bell." One of her few smears on Biden was that he did not side with McCain to take care of the Fanny Mae/Freddy Mac issue.
Through the rest of the debate, Biden adds more and more statistics of McCain voting for tax increases, deregulation, and so on. Palin steadily lays out McCain's plans for the various questions that arose, from health care plans to the war in Iraq, throwing in the occasional jab at Obama and Biden, but all-together keeping a nice offensive. Biden seemed to be playing both sides of the court, nicely detailing Obama's plans for the future, but also throwing a good deal of cheap shots at Palin and McCain.
Is it possible, at all, to have a debate where talking about the opposing party and how they did/didn't vote for something the right way, how they did/didn't do something the right way? Is it possible spend an hour or so detailing just what we, as American citizens, are getting ourselves into with this upcoming election? I highly doubt it, but let's remain hopeful.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
The Fabric Rolls On
The goal: attend my brother's football game and glean what information--topics of conversation, if you will--were brought up along the sidelines. The result: a rather tender throat, few topics aside from the obvious--football--, and a tied game against one of their toughest opponents.
Tonight was a big game. Well, big by eight-year-old standards. Especially for my brother, who was playing against his best friend's team. Lucky for him, Mitch (the buddy) is a the 3rd grade equivalent of a running back (who just so happens to be as fast as greased lightning if he can break away from the cloister of boys). Tim (my brother) is shaping up to be a great tackle/defensive back, hence resulting in the obvious and anticipated collisions.
Aside from my apparent infatuation with football, the other topics at hand were as follows: YMCA, additions on the house, flat tires, and other minute topics. Of those, really the only "newsworthy" topic is the YMCA. Quite a lovely new structure has suddenly arisen next to the sports complex. Due to open sometime this month or next. Funded in part by about $100 p/year tax increase for Elk River area families, as well as being maintained and furnished by the City selling $12 million in bonds.
From this visit, as well as from previous games and practices, Elk River-ians seem confident in the state of their community. For that matter, so am I. We are growing. We are thriving. For all intents and purposes, Elk River is set to grow.
Other than that, on the surface, all is how it has been in my little Elk River.
Tonight was a big game. Well, big by eight-year-old standards. Especially for my brother, who was playing against his best friend's team. Lucky for him, Mitch (the buddy) is a the 3rd grade equivalent of a running back (who just so happens to be as fast as greased lightning if he can break away from the cloister of boys). Tim (my brother) is shaping up to be a great tackle/defensive back, hence resulting in the obvious and anticipated collisions.
Aside from my apparent infatuation with football, the other topics at hand were as follows: YMCA, additions on the house, flat tires, and other minute topics. Of those, really the only "newsworthy" topic is the YMCA. Quite a lovely new structure has suddenly arisen next to the sports complex. Due to open sometime this month or next. Funded in part by about $100 p/year tax increase for Elk River area families, as well as being maintained and furnished by the City selling $12 million in bonds.
From this visit, as well as from previous games and practices, Elk River-ians seem confident in the state of their community. For that matter, so am I. We are growing. We are thriving. For all intents and purposes, Elk River is set to grow.
Other than that, on the surface, all is how it has been in my little Elk River.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)