Can I just take some time to say Capital Steps was absolutely hilarious? They hit plenty of big issues in politics and culture right now without making it tired, forced or even overly insulting. I particularly appreciated the rendition of "Welcome to Arizona" and the Obama/Old Spice commercial. And thank golly they made a point of going into American paranoia. You could easily pick up on a general atmosphere of general interest and appreciation for the group by the audience. Politics were made very accessible in this way particularly to our age demographic. It as a really good choice for the time of political elections and midterm.Overall the performance was entertaining and made me want to learn more about politics without feeling like an idiot. I was sad to see it end.
The overall consensus I found in other viewers was surprised appreciation. I noticed there was a full house, most people appeared to have stayed for the entire act, and there were several people from a few community retirement homes.
Ara Oniduar said, "It was great...I wasn't expecting that at all." she also said it made her consider going to more campus events.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Story Sources--Observation
Reading the text, the issue of finding story ideas came up. The simple option of basic observation was highly useful and made the point of using what is literally in front of you for a story. When looking for story ideas I think the task is intimidating to find topics worth writing about that are not already common knowledge. However as the text points out you can easily "look at the bulletin boards on campus or in local government offices...Does anything make you curious? Is there a program or event that might be newsworthy?" The power of observation in a reporter is maybe one of the most important one, it enables the ability to see a story in plain sight within the community and see where it goes rather than waiting for stories to find you.
We used the basic concept of observation when looking around campus for posters and flyers for story ideas. This was the basis for my article on the "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" piece. Coincidentally it was also a main reference for volunteers of the race--most people who went heard about it the same way I did. While at the event I did several interviews with participants, but one of the most useful references I had was my own eyes in ears in capturing the tone and atmosphere for the event. In many ways my senses told me just as much as my interviews did. I'm going to continue to look in my basic community for story ideas.
I also used basic observation in my interview piece for Jackson. The first couple lines from the piece were all based on what I literally saw of him--"arms lying limp at his side, Reynolds uses a single duck-taped shoe to twirl himself in a circle from his swivel chair. Head lolling along the headboard, his eyes restlessly sweep the room." I used his physicality to paint a picture of him as a person before getting into any of the information from the interview. Observation is always a useful tool in writing stories for some purpose.
We used the basic concept of observation when looking around campus for posters and flyers for story ideas. This was the basis for my article on the "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" piece. Coincidentally it was also a main reference for volunteers of the race--most people who went heard about it the same way I did. While at the event I did several interviews with participants, but one of the most useful references I had was my own eyes in ears in capturing the tone and atmosphere for the event. In many ways my senses told me just as much as my interviews did. I'm going to continue to look in my basic community for story ideas.
I also used basic observation in my interview piece for Jackson. The first couple lines from the piece were all based on what I literally saw of him--"arms lying limp at his side, Reynolds uses a single duck-taped shoe to twirl himself in a circle from his swivel chair. Head lolling along the headboard, his eyes restlessly sweep the room." I used his physicality to paint a picture of him as a person before getting into any of the information from the interview. Observation is always a useful tool in writing stories for some purpose.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Out of the Ladies Room and into the Locker Room
Watching "old skool journalism film" the comments on the "special workspace" for women were met with the predictable indignant cries and outrage from viewers--well female viewers anyway. However you have to admit that its not terribly surprising, and is actually--lets be honest--expected in a film made somewhere in the 30s.
The incident with Ines Sainz and the New York Jets is telling of what a split point women have today. Sexual comments and sheer disrespect and unprofessionalism is obviously still a problem at times. However, the fact that sexual harassment and inappropriate comments made headline news at all is a testament that we have departed from the days of 'toots' and 'baby' in the workplace. As the Yahoo! article states, "the Association for Women in Sports Media has filed a complaint on Sainz's behalf." There's an entire association supporting women working with sports media. Sainz is a woman in journalism with a respectable job title covering the ultimate male past time of professional sports. The struggle for equality isn't easy or over but we've left the dark ages people.
In some ways the Jets behavior towards Sainz is a new low considering how far we have come with women in the workplace. Its good to know that so many people were thrown by the player's behavior. Justin Tuck pretty much says it all when he said "I've got sisters. I know how I would want them to be treated. Not like that." That kind of respect can't be met in any other relationship. This is by no means the last time a woman will have issue somewhere in the field or the office I'm sure, but it still seems we've come a long way and women are here to stay.
In respect to Sainz it must be said--a smokin' hot chick on the field with a load of jocks, odds are someone's going to say something whether it gets back to the woman or not. C'est la vie...unfortunately.
The incident with Ines Sainz and the New York Jets is telling of what a split point women have today. Sexual comments and sheer disrespect and unprofessionalism is obviously still a problem at times. However, the fact that sexual harassment and inappropriate comments made headline news at all is a testament that we have departed from the days of 'toots' and 'baby' in the workplace. As the Yahoo! article states, "the Association for Women in Sports Media has filed a complaint on Sainz's behalf." There's an entire association supporting women working with sports media. Sainz is a woman in journalism with a respectable job title covering the ultimate male past time of professional sports. The struggle for equality isn't easy or over but we've left the dark ages people.
In some ways the Jets behavior towards Sainz is a new low considering how far we have come with women in the workplace. Its good to know that so many people were thrown by the player's behavior. Justin Tuck pretty much says it all when he said "I've got sisters. I know how I would want them to be treated. Not like that." That kind of respect can't be met in any other relationship. This is by no means the last time a woman will have issue somewhere in the field or the office I'm sure, but it still seems we've come a long way and women are here to stay.
In respect to Sainz it must be said--a smokin' hot chick on the field with a load of jocks, odds are someone's going to say something whether it gets back to the woman or not. C'est la vie...unfortunately.
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