I've been off Uni for the Easter Holidays since the end of March and today was the first torturous lecture back. I don't know if torturous is a word but the spellcheck seems to accept it. But funnily enough has a problem with the word spellcheck!
Anyway, the only module I have this semester is Work Based Learning. I'm sure I've moaned about it on here before but it seems like free labour for a greedy employer for me. I've already done half of my hours at the List and I'm so, so grateful for that. That placement was amazing and I'll probably be focusing on that one in my report. However, my next placement is really taking the piss. (Sorry, couldn't think of a more elegant way to put it.)
By boss is already taking full advantage of my nice nature, inability to say no or do a half hearted job and my absolute desperation to get good marks in this module. She's got me running ragged around Warrington for her before my placement has even started! I've also found out that the journalist that I'm supposed to be working with has left. I'm going to be running the stories by myself. Lets just go over that; sourcing stories, getting interviews and photographs and writing them up for printing in the paper.
Fair enough its going to be a brilliant experience, but I have absolutely no idea how a local paper is run. I have no idea what kind of stories to cover and I have absolutely no contacts in Warrington or anywhere else for that matter!
Work experience is taking over my life at the moment and I'm kind of wishing this placement was over before it's even started. I don't want to be given that amount of responsibility when I'm only on work placement. I shouldn't be expected to have perfect shorthand, research and writing skills. I know I should be at a decent enough level to be able to write. But to do absolutely everything myself when I know for a fact the editor isn't in the office all the time is a bit unrealistic.
So basically, I'm scared. I feel like too much is being asked of me already, in a place where I'm not too keen to try and excel. We'll see how it goes. I hope I'm pleasantly surprised!
Monday, April 23, 2007
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
I don't know what else to do...
The last post on here was depressing and unfortunately this one is the same. I promise to write about Uni and the weather again soon but here goes.
If I was in the position that the BBC journalist Alan Johnston is now, I'd hope that everyone would do everything in their power to get me returned safely. There have been unconfirmed reports that he has been killed, but that's even more reason for those who can to try harder for his release.
Here is a link
to a BBC petition, I don't know how much it will help, but it's worth a try.
If I was in the position that the BBC journalist Alan Johnston is now, I'd hope that everyone would do everything in their power to get me returned safely. There have been unconfirmed reports that he has been killed, but that's even more reason for those who can to try harder for his release.
Here is a link
to a BBC petition, I don't know how much it will help, but it's worth a try.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Terrified into owning a gun.
It's devastating to hear of the students killed in the shooting in Virginia today. In the UK we are so protected from gun crime that most of us have never seen a live firearm up close. From what I've gathered, in America it seems that people believe it is their right to own and bear arms. It sounds to me that families think someone is likely to walk through their front door and gun them down while they watch tv. That fear would make anyone want to own a gun but its not likely to happen. But unfortunately people in America seem to think that it will, and that they need to be prepared for it.
In Virginia where the shooting happened today, you or I could walk into a shop and buy a gun with no checks whatsoever. You can't even rent a flat in the UK without a background check. But sadly the laws in America are never likely to change and again, it was so sad to hear that after the last time in America where 12 people were killed, the gun laws have been relaxed. Why, are people allowed to be so terrified into owning guns. Surely people should feel safe enough in their neighbourhood that they can sleep without a rifle under their pillow.
Ok, I'm exaggerating, I'm not naive enough to believe that every family in America is packing a shotgun. But if what I've heard is true, then its certainly normal. I understand that any responsible parent wouldn't let their child near the family firearms, but I bet that many do. And I bet that those children grow up with the fear that their parents did and get themselves a gun to protect their family.
It really is so sad to think of those kids in Virginia who thought they were in a safe place. Living away from their parents, studying and living with friends. I bet some of the 33 who died today were exactly like me and my friends. Except they happened to live in a culture where guns are acceptable. Where guns can be bought down the local Tesco and where 33 innocent people are allowed to die because some maniac felt like it. Those kids should be protected, how many more have to die before gun laws in America are tightened.
This won't be the last killing spree in the States. The NRA will see to that.
And its heartbreaking to think of the families of those killed today. How will they feel when we see the next time, and the time after that? But nothing will change, why would it? George Bush thinks its acceptable for people to protect themselves with guns. The NRA are one of the most powerful organisations in the world. And oh yeah, they have guns. How are we supposed to compete with that?
In Virginia where the shooting happened today, you or I could walk into a shop and buy a gun with no checks whatsoever. You can't even rent a flat in the UK without a background check. But sadly the laws in America are never likely to change and again, it was so sad to hear that after the last time in America where 12 people were killed, the gun laws have been relaxed. Why, are people allowed to be so terrified into owning guns. Surely people should feel safe enough in their neighbourhood that they can sleep without a rifle under their pillow.
Ok, I'm exaggerating, I'm not naive enough to believe that every family in America is packing a shotgun. But if what I've heard is true, then its certainly normal. I understand that any responsible parent wouldn't let their child near the family firearms, but I bet that many do. And I bet that those children grow up with the fear that their parents did and get themselves a gun to protect their family.
It really is so sad to think of those kids in Virginia who thought they were in a safe place. Living away from their parents, studying and living with friends. I bet some of the 33 who died today were exactly like me and my friends. Except they happened to live in a culture where guns are acceptable. Where guns can be bought down the local Tesco and where 33 innocent people are allowed to die because some maniac felt like it. Those kids should be protected, how many more have to die before gun laws in America are tightened.
This won't be the last killing spree in the States. The NRA will see to that.
And its heartbreaking to think of the families of those killed today. How will they feel when we see the next time, and the time after that? But nothing will change, why would it? George Bush thinks its acceptable for people to protect themselves with guns. The NRA are one of the most powerful organisations in the world. And oh yeah, they have guns. How are we supposed to compete with that?
Friday, April 06, 2007
It's almost over
I can't believe I've been at the List for two weeks now. I've most definitley not enjoyed getting up at 6am every day but I'd usually forgotten that as soon as I picked up my Metro. It's been full of mostly highs and I'm totally sad to leave. There is so much more for me to do here, and yes, even after 2 weeks of working for free, I'd still give my eye teeth to work at the List.
Look out for the next issue people, it's lovely. And look out for my name, oh yes. I've got a by-line. My first ever by-line and it just happens to be in a magazine that I've been reading since I was about 17. I've got myself some free stuff too, perks of the job you know. One of them even happened to be a free bar! Not advisable though, I'm sure the image of me the next morning was pretty scary.
So this is the last thing I'll be doing at my trusty wee mac, it's been slow sometimes, but I'm loving it now. I had my own desk for a week and it's about to be passed down to the next pleb cum budding journalist that walks through the door. They're going to love it here, and who knows. Maybe I'll be walking through the door as an actual employee one day.
We'll see.
xx
Look out for the next issue people, it's lovely. And look out for my name, oh yes. I've got a by-line. My first ever by-line and it just happens to be in a magazine that I've been reading since I was about 17. I've got myself some free stuff too, perks of the job you know. One of them even happened to be a free bar! Not advisable though, I'm sure the image of me the next morning was pretty scary.
So this is the last thing I'll be doing at my trusty wee mac, it's been slow sometimes, but I'm loving it now. I had my own desk for a week and it's about to be passed down to the next pleb cum budding journalist that walks through the door. They're going to love it here, and who knows. Maybe I'll be walking through the door as an actual employee one day.
We'll see.
xx
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