time passes in moments

The end.

2007-04-11T20:23:00.000-05:00

I officially finished my masters degree today.

More later when I'm a little less stunned.

Pumped

2007-04-03T15:02:00.000-05:00

Our profs have always told us that we'd have the most fun with stories that we were actually interested in. I had an awesome opportunity to mix business with pleasure when I popped into the LFP for a volunteer shift last week and the city editor asked me if I knew anything about history -- more specifically about Lt. Gen. Sir Arthur Currie, and his role at Vimy Ridge. I know quite a bit about Currie, a Strathroy/Kerwood native, through my work at Museum Strathroy-Caradoc, and had a blast talking to sources. So it was a win-win situation for the LFP and I. My boss was even able to get in on the action, showcasing some Currie-related items from the museum collection as the main photo for the piece.

It looks amazing in print, but an online version will have to do.

"Great tactician came from Middlesex roots."

First-run

2007-03-28T23:39:00.000-05:00

One of the coolest things about volunteering for the 4-12 shift at the London Free Press is getting a first-run copy of the next day's paper. Thursday's news is already sitting on my kitchen table. :)

Cough

2007-03-25T22:40:00.000-05:00

Three weeks to go and I'm officially (finally?) sick.

So much for mind over matter.

Reflecting on journalism

2007-03-16T17:48:00.000-05:00

Journalism is probably the most social field you can get into, seeing as how you get paid to talk to people about things they are doing and feeling. Of course, psychologists, police officers and lawyers share the same task. :) But in the words of my radio prof from summer term, Jim van Horne, "Who has more fun than us?"

This week I've interviewed women trying to clinch federal Liberal nominations and high school kids being trained in professional theatre. In the past I've talked to MPs, city councillors, cancer survivors, butchers, 70-year-old runners, doctors and giant mascots (although that wasn't so much an interview as a series of waves). I've talked to many more people, but these are the only ones that come to mind right now. When I was at Global I crossed paths with Julian Fantino, Dalton McGuinty, Elizabeth May, countless healthcare workers, and even the Prime Minister, although he and I didn't actually talk (some day, Stephen... some day).

But it is always the 'everyday' people that stay with me: the elderly man trying to care for his wife who has Alzheimers, the farm woman open about her fight with breast cancer, the young guy who bikes his compost and recycling to work every week because his 22-story apartment building doesn't have green programs. I remember the two guys running a small grain elevator affected by corn mould. I remember a municipal candidate who invited me to her home for coffee and opened up to me about her early struggles. I've cried over stories, but I've also cried *because* of stories.

Admittedly, people were more eager to talk to me when I had a name like "Global Television" behind me. But it's usually the people who are open to a name like "Western Journalism" who make the most time for you, and touch you the most.

Longing

2007-03-14T15:17:00.000-05:00

I know it's been awhile since I posted here, but I'm at a loss as to what to write.

There's just under five weeks left in our program. Five weeks. It's hard to believe. I remember when I first started, I felt so overwhelmed and under-motivated that I didn't think I'd make it. And now we're all frantically finishing our final docs/features and celebrating the near-end of media theory. That doesn't mean the stress-level is decreasing at all. We're still grasping for ideas and interviews weekly, just as we did 10 months ago. Pitch. Chase. Interview. Write. Repeat. But I'm not going to lie, everyone in this program is incredibly supportive of one another.

Yesterday marked the first feeble return of spring--or winter's death knell, as Dan called it. One all-too-short day of sunshine and plus-14 temperatures brought hibernating Londoners out of the woodwork and on to the patios of Richmond Row. A small group of us j-students met at Molly Bloom's to de-stress and debate halter tops. We'll have spent every season together by the time we graduate.

My roomie and I also gave notice on our apartment last week, meaning I'll be moving... again. I'm desperate to settle somewhere, to nest and paint and just have some stability. I've lived in this apartment for nearly a year, which is longer than I've lived anywhere in the last five. I remember when Marie and I moved in, we swore we would never move again. In fact, we joked about living until we were 80 and dying here, so that our friends and family would have to move all of our junk. But life keeps going, and it didn't make sense for either of us to renew the lease. We're both headed back to the A-dot, for the summer at least, or until bigger changes happen...

Do you see them?

2007-02-14T13:36:00.000-05:00

London hasn't received nearly the amount of snow that Hamilton has, resulting in... absolutely no snow days. But that doesn't mean that I can't enjoy a snowy winter scene. Behind my apartment building is a random empty field--an oasis of sorts in the middle of the city. Today the deer came out to play.

Happy Birthday

2007-02-06T16:11:00.000-05:00

Happy birthday to the bravest and awesomest (yes I consider that a word) man that I know. One of my best friends.

I love you, dad.

Rick Mercer Visits UWO

2006-11-28T20:40:00.000-05:00

"Journalism was full."

Trick Question

2006-11-27T22:16:00.000-05:00

In a job interview this afternoon, I was asked to predict the winner of the London-North-Centre by-election, regardless of my own political views. I had to concede that this riding, being staunchly Liberal for the last 18 years, would likely go to Glen Pearson. It appears that I was right.

Hopefully the job offer won't be far behind?

PS. Unbelievable showing by the Green Party. Neck-and-neck with the Liberals all night, besting the Conservatives, the NDP, and three other parties/independents.

a few of my favourite things

2006-11-26T18:18:00.000-05:00

I was tagged by a dear former roomie, but I think I will limit this list to 10 or so things... even though I know that as soon as I post it, I will want to edit/add to it.

- Providence (the doctrine, and my church)
- random weekends with the 204 Sisterhood
- Sunday night hang-outs with the guys
- incoming text messages (especially ones from Sierra Leone, Hamilton, or just across the city)
- my bed
- snail mail
- my Redeemer hoodie
- election nights
- the smell of Tim Horton's
- the reliability of my car
- feeling competent
- my dogs
- knowing that I can always come home... and that more than one place can be home

Fun with the PEBL

2006-11-13T14:27:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago I finally left evil Bell Mobility for the friendlier Fido. In addition to the benefits of no longer being lied to or screwed around with, I also got a free phone--a Motorola PEBL, which apparently is a pretty trendy thing in cell phone technology (or so I've been told, since I myself don't really pay attention to these things). The phone is Bluetooth compatible (it can interact with my iBook), and also has camera and video features. This means I can record videos of fights at Sarnia Sting games and take photos of important things like squirrels eating Cheetos. Oh yeah, and the phone has a dialtone. The only thing I really need. :p

Below are a few photos of things I've encountered lately.

Trixie, my Jack Russell Terrier back home.

The shiny hubcap of a 2006 Ford GT. The Ford dealership in Strathroy won the right to display one of these sports cars in a lottery. Price tag? Over $200, 000 CDN.

A squirrel eating a bag of Cheetos in the parking lot of Elgin Hall, UWO.

My car hit 150, 000 clicks on the way to church last week. Here's hoping for 150, 000 more.

Om drie

2006-10-28T11:00:00.000-05:00

We finished radio on Friday, and are moving on to our third and final rotation on Tuesday: print.

Internship!

2006-10-24T23:01:00.000-05:00

It's official! My January placement is with Global News Toronto, at their Queen's Park Bureau. Provincial politics! I couldn't be more excited!!

Don't expect too many posts from me about the inner workings of my job. It'd be kind of dumb to publicly talk about the workplace and my colleagues and I definitely don't want to cross any lines. But I will let you know if I meet any of the more famous/notorious politicians, and if any of the stories I pitch or interviews I do actually make it to air.

I received a nice email from this gentleman today, outlining my possible duties--which could include everything from greeting guests or arranging interviews, to maybe conducting some interviews of my own or shooting footage. By the end of the email I was so excited that I just wanted to screw the documentary due tomorrow, the current affairs show I'm producing the day after, the new media website I'm contributing to, and the entire new course in journalism ethics that was dropped into my lap tonight, and go straight to work for him.

Switcheroo

2006-10-22T23:17:00.000-05:00

I can't think of a better time to be a politically-minded j-student here.

After 18 years in the position, Joe Fontana dropped his federal seat in London-North-Centre to run for the mayor's chair in the upcoming municipal election. He's opposing incumbent Anne-Marie DeCicco Best and he's currently lagging in the polls. Also running are super-mom and "People's Mayor" Cynthia Etheridge, businessman Arthur Majoor, and perennial candidate Ivan Kasiurak, who recently said that he'll keep running for mayor until he dies... and beyond. This race, in addition to permanent debate about abolishing the Board of Control, dead people showing up on local voting lists, and a revamped ward system, would have been enough to keep me entertained. But then on Wednesday the focus shifted to federal politics when...

Former London mayor Dianne Haskett emerged from her home in Washington D.C., hoping to clinch the Conservative nomination for the by-election here to replace Fontana. It's rumoured (but unproven) that Stephen Harper orchestrated the reappearance. Also hoping to nab nominations are Elizabeth May, the new leader of the Green Party, and Megan Walker, a former city councillor aiming for the NDP.

Today, Harper set the date for the by-election: November 27, 14 days after the municipal election.

Two elections in one month, with numerous seats to be filled, campaigns to be run, and gaffes waiting to happen. I think I'm with former Ontario premier and MPP for London Centre, David Peterson, when he says, "Holy smokes," in response to it all.

50%

2006-10-22T21:21:00.000-05:00

This weekend marks the exact half-way point in our journalism program. And this video pretty much sums up what it's been like for us:

Unlike the hamster, we hop right back on and keep going. We love it though. Not one of us have dropped out.

I alternate between not believing that we've only been at it for six months ("Did I really not know any of these people just six months ago? Nor used an Avid suite or prepped a radio broadcast? Because it's everyday life now") and realizing that it's gone by way too fast. Before I know it, this program that I spent years preparing myself for and dreaming of will be over. One year seemed so long at the beginning, and now it actually seems short.

I re-read that paragraph and think, WOAH, six months. Where on EARTH did they go?

(The answer to that is, they went to die in the newsroom of NCB, alongside most of my nights and weekends. Heh.)

Fall Returns

2006-10-19T10:20:00.000-05:00

Last weekend two future teachers and a future social worker joined an accountant, a residence advisor, and a future journalist here in the L-dot. Life has taken us all on different paths since graduation, and its nice that life still allows us to meet up sometimes. Thank you, life.

We took in some of the fall colours on Sunday afternoon.

And at the end of the day I found someone had arranged the random words of my fridge magnets to voice an opinion that I seconded:

Thanksgiving Weekend II: the non-firey parts

2006-10-13T23:23:00.000-05:00

A few people have asked me if the picture from my last post was taken in North Korea. I guess that means our fire was pretty big?

Here are a few photos snapped back at the homestead over Thanksgiving break. Within four days of these photos being taken, I emerged from another late night at the school needing gloves and an ice scraper to clean the snow off my car before driving home. Absurd.

Thanksgiving bonfire in my back field

2006-10-09T12:21:00.000-05:00

B-dawg: "Do you ever hit a point where you think, 'These guys are totally crazy?'"

My dad: "Oh, I'm long past it."

Picture taken on a camera phone b/c my dig cam pooped out on me. :(

What a newscast looks like

2006-09-30T10:54:00.000-05:00

My last 4 weeks in pictures. Sort of. I took on a lot of roles, but we only have pictures from the 30-minute newscasts we put together. I could use those pictures to show you the entire process, but some of my colleagues may not appreciate being posted to the internet. So I did my best to use only photos of myself, though its inevitable to include others in some shots. I apologise in advance for any tense-changes in my writing and the amount of brackets I use. It's Saturday. I'm entitled to a day off!

This is the Avid suite, where all the magic takes place (I promise you, the magic is in here, not the studio!). This is where tape stories, features, documentaries, etc. come together. All footage is downloaded to this computer and all editing, sound mixing, and graphic design happens here. Footage that comes in from Reuters (or anywhere, for that matter) is recorded here too, which is what I'm doing in this picture.

For the first 30-minute cast I was the feeds person, meaning I kept an eye on all incoming feeds (Reuters, etc.), recorded them, and shot-listed them, so the writers would have footage to work with. It's more stressful than it sounds, especially when a UN conference bumps back all scheduled programming and the poor writers are diving in and out of my little room, desperate for footage that our wires *say* is there.

Outside of this room, the producers are finding and assigning stories to the writers, who are researching wire copy and making edits to the footage. A line-up editor is tentatively making the order for the newscast. This is a very optimistic job because stories sometime break 10 minutes before air and everything changes... again. Also, two field reporters are running around the city interviewing and filming for local stories.

Once all the pre-work is over (writing, shooting, editing), we theoretically go to air (although all 3 take place up to and throughout the cast, especially if we have a breaking story). So later on in the day I was an anchor for the 'cast. Here, my co-anchor and I meet at the table with the producer, assistant producer (or ass prod, as we lovingly refer to him/her), and the lineup editor to go over the show and pick out any stories we may stumble over while reading. The technical producer also sits in, carefully marking out cues. In this picture is one of our TV profs, Cliff Longsdale. He's a former producer of CBC's The National, and I have a huge amount of respect for him. I've spent the last 4 weeks learning to think like him.

An "aerial" shot of us anchors at the desk.

In front of us: two cameras and camera people, the floor director taking cues from a headset, and someone operating the teleprompter.

Behind them is another room of people who take care of the technical stuff: operating, switching, audio mixing, etc. There's a lot of people behind the scene. If you look closely, you'll see the anchors in the monitors.

For the second 30-minute 'cast I was the field reporter and the switcher. So in the morning a colleague and I hunted down a local story, shot it all around the city, and edited it together for the broadcast (the process took us days last term, now we've trimmed it to just a few hours). There are no pictures of this b/c we were, well, out in the field.

During the broadcast I operated the switcher. The job basically involved pushing buttons at EXACTLY the right time--whenever there's a camera/anchor change on the screen or a tape story rolled, there's a switcher making the switch. It's all about listening to the cues. And having the right cues in the first place. Also in this room is the audio mixer and the operator, who loads the "tape" stories on the computer. Again, it's up to the switcher to switch from the anchors to the rolling tape of a story. The producer is in here too, overseeing things and making decisions right to the end. Dave Mills is our second TV prof and he's in this picture, making the whole show run. Hands down, Dave is the world's most patient man! I'll miss working with him everyday. And by working with him I mean ducking my head into his office saying "Dave I have *another* problem" in what is probably a really whiney voice. I bet he'll miss me too. :)

So that's a brief glimpse at TV. I start the second radio rotation on Monday.

Night Owls

2006-09-26T02:22:00.000-05:00

One unique thing about this program--aside from the fact that it's the only MA Journalism program in the country that can be completed in one year--is that, at the eve of an end of a rotation, no less than one-quarter of the class is holed up in the broadcast studios of North Campus Building at 2am on any given night. Why the studios are dead at 2pm and rowdy at 2am is beyond me, and I'm one of the guilty parties. Grad students and journalists alike (double-whammy) are just plain weird.

It's no fun working alone, so it's nice that we keep similar hours (later than most drunken frosh and a heck of a lot more productive). It's cool how after just 5 months of intense, break-neck work we've formed into a little family... one that has both close siblings and odd cousins, who you'd miss equally if they just didn't show up at the reunion.

G'night.

Ps.

2006-09-18T13:41:00.000-05:00

I am still trying to reconcile myself to the fact that I am now 22 years old.

Blessings

2006-09-18T12:12:00.000-05:00

21 years.

17 years.

14 years.

6 years.

4 years.

Over the course of my 22 years, I've gone to five different schools, lived with 25 different girls, faithfully attended 3 churches, and lived in 3 different towns. And through it all--the schooling, the summers, the moves (mine and theirs), and life changes, I have a large number of friendships that have lasted across time and varying distances.

I'm always aware of the amazing, long-term friendships peppered throughout my life and how blessed I am that those long-term relationships are still some of my strongest. In fact, most of these people I still see/keep in touch with every week, every day, or, uh, live with. Of course, not everyone is pictured here... each photo represents a group of very special people in my life. And dates (especially the early ones!) are approximate.

But how cool is it that some of the relationships that have lasted the longest are represented by pictures taken just two days ago?

I've been very blessed with (and by) these people who stick around. :)

Alberta (ish)

2006-09-10T17:48:00.000-05:00

Alberta sunrise (Innisfail, Monday August 21)

Alberta mountains (Banff-ish, Thursday August 17)

Alberta grain mills (somewhere between Edmonton and Calgary, Tuesday August 22)

Alberta badlands (Drumheller, Tuesday August 22)

Alberta glacier (Columbia Ice Field, Jasper National Park, Friday August 18)

Alberta construction (everywhere, everyday)

Alberta mistake (Golden, British Columbia, Friday August 18)

The number of radio stations available to us on drive to the Columbia Ice Field (Banff National Park, Friday August 18)

Alberta ranch (Innisfail, Sunday August 20)

Alberta history (Johnston's Canyon, Thursday August 17)

Alberta tourist spot (Lake Louise, Thursday August 17)

Alberta driving (Banff National Park, Friday August 18)

Alberta attitude (Wheatland County, Tuesday August 22)

Alberta peace (Lake Morraine, Thursday August 17)

Trixie Makes a Point

2006-09-06T23:24:00.000-05:00

Why you should unpack your suitcase as soon as you get back from a trip:

Yes, she did make that heap of clothing on the right to make a bed for herself on the left.

Back @ It

2006-09-06T21:46:00.000-05:00

I remember the good old days, when the first week (cough, month) of school meant easing into academia slowly. The first class meant reviewing the booklist and syllabus and being let out early; the first nights meant cards, movies, and late night chats.

So far, with two days of class under my belt, I've taken part in three mock TV news shows (in the roles of anchor, writer, floor director, and cameraperson). Those in the print and radio sections had assignments right away. Today alone I had 12 hours of class (minus a 15-minute morning break and 1/2 hour dinner break, and including a voluntary photojournalism workshop). There's no such thing as slow in this program.

I bought Stresstabs over break and I think they'll come in handy.

(I *am* enjoying myself!)

The unattractive but new North Campus Building, where I live:

Last Bit o' Summer Vacation

2006-09-01T13:34:00.000-05:00

Since returning from Alberta I have done a lot of this

and this

and although the break does feel short, I *am* a little bit interested in going back to work. My roomie is back (hurrah!!) and school begins again on Tuesday when I start the second TV rotation and also tackle Journalism Law & Ethics, New Media, and Newsroom Management.

Rather than suffer death-by-dial-up, I'll post some Alberta images when I'm back in the city and have access to high-speed!

Alberta-bound

2006-08-15T17:38:00.000-05:00

No, I have not dropped off the face of the earth. Nor have I been relaxing or catching up on some much-needed sleep. Life has just gone on, as usual!

No pictures tonight. I was peeling potatoes here at the Homestead when I saw the neighbour's tractor go down the road. This tractor has transcended all brand/cultural/redneck race barriers: it has a cow-spot paint job. And I just felt the need to write the awesomeness of this tractor. And ponder about how proud my dad will be if I land an internship at Ontario Farmer.

I spent a splendid weekend at a Sisterhood reunion in Listowel, sitting, laughing, swimming, talking, burning, and feeling thankful. Two weeks until the Sisterhood circus stops in the L-dot, and I can't wait for the craziness to resume. ;)

As I'm incapable of doing nothing for even an hour, I've been volunteering at my old stomping grounds this week. I can't even describe how cool it is to see "the project" enter into its final stages. I was there right from the beginning--the first student they hired after making the decision to close the current museum, catalogue all the artefacts, and begin the search for a new home. Today, with 20,000 catalogued artefacts under its belt and a new building project underway downtown, its satisfying to see the project through to it's completion after two and a half years. We now have a database, a home, new exhibits, outreach projects, a website (still under construction, but it looks awesome already). Yesterday I copy-edited the text for the brand new displays that will kick off the museum, and I spent today sweeping and mopping floors to get the old building ready for a realtor's open-house tomorrow. My boss thinks I'm nuts to come in on my break, but I'm really just thrilled to still be a part of it.

I got to do my favourite thing in the world on Sunday night--pull out my suitcase and pack. I just love it b/c it means I'm about to have another adventure! Vander Deen and I leave for Alberta in approximately 12 hours and I CAN'T WAIT! I didn't let myself think about it until that final paper was done, and now the excitement has just been growing. I love to travel, and am starting to think that a post-grad job that involves lots of travelling may be right up my alley... something that will get me on a lot of airplanes! But who knows...

WIsh me luck in cowboy country. ;)

University Tower

2006-08-11T23:39:00.000-05:00

The tower of University College, made famous by Western's letterhead and logo. I realised only today that I can actually see it from my apartment, rising above the trees.

And with that, I'm out. We made it through first semester! EEEEEEEEE!

I should end with a sign-off to make it official. But I'm too tired to think right now. Good night, Western.

Paper season just isn't the same anymore...

2006-08-11T03:09:00.000-05:00

I promised myself that if I made it to 4 AM, I would give myself the treat of a Blogger post. Yesterday, this paper was close to done. Today, it has taken on a life of its own. We were actually given an extension on it, but I'm determined to finish it by the original deadline and gain my freedom. The problem? I'm only motivated by deadlines. A clever friend just text messaged me and said that if I procrastinate long enough, that motivation will come back.

And as I sit here at my lonely desk overlooking a window out on to a sleeping city, I remember the paper days of yore when I was motivated by those working around me, and had people to share the struggle with! Alas. No more.

Paper writing party, circa December 2005:

Reflection

2006-08-10T00:14:00.000-05:00

Tower of University College reflected in a main door of the Richard Ivey School of Business.

Public Service Announcement

2006-08-09T01:35:00.000-05:00

With my beloved roomie working in St. Catherine's for a bit and school busy as usual, I've become that weird grad student in the building who lives alone, sleeps odd hours (if at all) and takes out her trash at 2:30a.m. still fully dressed in a skirt and a cardigan as if it were business as usual.

If you ever run across a real, live grad student in your travels, please don't be afraid of them. Show them some love and, if possible, buy them a coffee.

(Food would be appreciated, but coffee is much, much more necessary.)

Congratulations...

2006-08-07T23:46:00.000-05:00

I'm a little slow on the congratulations here, and now I have three:

To Lindsay Wymenga, my former roomie, and Jared Mosterd, on their July 29 wedding!

To Erin Ensing, a former hous-ie, and Ben Bridgewater, on their July 25 engagement!

And lastly, but definitely not least... congratulations also to Beth Vander Deen and Ken Hartemink on their August 1 engagement!

Whew. I think that's all of 'em for now. Keep up the good work, girls. ;)

Middlesex College

2006-08-07T19:50:00.000-05:00

I definitely have an obsession with this building.

Balloon Fest

2006-08-04T23:13:00.000-05:00

Rainbow.

Roar.

This little guy wanted some attention too.

How Great Thou Art

2006-08-03T09:36:00.000-05:00

Last night we witnessed the most powerful and amazing thunderstorm. A bunch of us J-students were cooped up in the heart of our building working on wrap-arounds and writing-for-pictures exercises. We were getting severe weather warnings over the news wires all night long, but we (well, I) ignored them b/c the warnings rarely apply to our area, and tend to come at an annoying rate of one every five minutes.

Just before 11pm my colleague's mom called her on her cell, worried b/c the weather was so bad and she hadn't come home yet. We had no idea the storm was going on around us b/c we were so far into the building, with mics in front of our faces and earphones on. Three of us ran to the catwalk/bridge-hallway in front of the massive windows that stretch up from the first to third floor of our building. We were shocked by the high winds, dumping rain, strong lightening, and loud thunder, all of which had been going on around us unnoticed. I excused myself to get fellow Redeemer-ite Marcel Vander Wier, who was working in the lab. The storm was just that amazing.

The two of us went outside and stood under the overhang of the building, completely surrounded by the rain and the wind and the light. It was amazing. Bolts kept lighting up the sky behind the historic Middlesex College clock tower, at some points making the night as bright as day. Amazing. Stunning. One bolt was so close we could feel it. The thunder was instant. All we could do was look at each other in awe.

When I came home at 2am there was still lightening flashing across the sky. The view from the 12th floor was amazing: I saw the lightening start at one end of the city and work its way across to the other end, or strike in more than one place at the same time.

I guess in the middle of all the busyness of school and late nights, you don't ever take the time to just stop. It was nice to do that last night. Sometimes God's power just pulls you out of the bowels of some dank building and right into the light, making you realise for the millionth (billionth?) time how great and powerful He is.

Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy and Sarah Mulder

2006-08-01T20:49:00.000-05:00

Another beautiful weekend, another beautiful couple. Jeremy and Sarah's wedding meant a weekend of celebrating, whether it was going out for drinks with the girls on Thursday, bowling with old friends on Friday, or laughing at spelling (in?)abilities at the reception on Saturday. I was all too happy to lock my schoolwork in my apartment for a few days and spend time with friends. The happy couple are now in Alberta... where I will be in just over two weeks' time!

Ps. Don't they look good? ;)

I wish it were that easy...

2006-07-26T22:40:00.000-05:00

16 days.

At this point I guess I should say that the TV part of the program rocked my world, and radio is exhilarating (and nerve-wracking!). There's nothing like going live. I'm serously weighing my options in terms of specializaton at this point. I may just stick with my good friends--written words--but there's something creative about working with pictures too.

I have some time to decide.

Mr. and Mrs. Wayne and Joella De Boer

2006-07-25T14:52:00.000-05:00

It was a wonderful day... a real privilege to see two people so ecstatic to marry each other and set off on life's adventure together!

The beautiful bride.

Joella with the newest "member" of the Sisterhood. ;) (Wayne, the fine print on the marriage license says you're stuck with us too.)

The non-wedded members of the 204 Sisterhood. Amy Valkenburg (bridesmaid extraordinaire), Kristin Van Dyk (master spinach-dip maker), Karen Vander Deen (the only person who can get me to dance to country music by forceully grabbing my wrist and dragging me out there), Emily Slotegraaf (my hot date), Ania Popiolek (our resident beauty expert), Sharon Kiers (our super-trooper--she was sick over the weekend, but sure doesn't look it!), Michelle Teeninga (my dance buddy and proud new owner of a 1999 Saturn). And then there's me--draw your own conclusions. ;)

Proof that maybe I did have something to do with the decorating of the getaway vehicle. Michelle's mom taught us some neat tricks with grocery bags.

Shiny Things

2006-07-20T22:38:00.000-05:00

This is the reason why I shouldn't have shiny things on my desk. I was distracted by my mirrored picture frame while "researching" my Industrial and Theoretical Foundations of Journalism paper.

Don Wright

2006-07-18T11:16:00.000-05:00

It only seems fitting that I write this post about Don Wright as I sit on a park bench outside Talbot College, where the faculty of music named after him resides. The Wright family is an accomplished one: Don's father and older brothers founded piano and hardware companies that employed many in the town of Strathroy, and his sister Mary is a pioneer in early childhood education, helping establish Western's "distinguished" reputation in the field of psychology. Don himself was known at Western in the 1920s for his record-breaking athleticism, and much later, for his $3 million gift to its faculty of music. Although the family has a connection to UWO, I knew of them long before I came here. As one of Strathroy's preeminent families, I came across their interesting history in my work at the museum there. The family had been in the area for 140 years, leaving a mark on its industry, local politics, arts community, and social scene.

Don was known nationally and internationally as a gifted musician. His band, the Don Wright Chorus, was popular on Canadian and US network TV in the 1950s, and he composed many popular commerical jingles in the 1960s. He was married to Lillian Meighen, daughter of former Prime Minister Arthur Meighen. He said that he and Lillian had spent their lives saving money, and had created quite a nestegg. Now, he was delighted to give it away.

I had the pleasure of meeting Don Wright last summer at a social celebrating his $1 million gift to the Strathroy District Arts Council. I had spent the weeks leading up to the social researching his family and putting together a museum exhibit for display at the announcement. When I finally met him, I was in awe of this energetic 96-year old, who was as entertaining as ever. He spontaneously played a few songs on the piano, bantered with his sister Mary on stage, and impressed us all with his generosity and friendliness. I could only hope to have half his energy if I were to reach that age!

I'm writing about Don now because he passed away on June 27. After spending so much time researching his family's incredible accomplishments, and then actually meeting him, I feel a bit of a loss. And I just wanted to recognize him, although I feel I can hardly do him justice.

Read a bit about the Wright family history in Strathroy here.
Read about Don's impressive accomplishments here.
And his gift to the Strarthroy Council for the Arts, here.

By the Sea

2006-07-17T15:26:00.000-05:00

Lake Huron isn't exactly a sea, but for Southern Ontarians, it's close enough. Amy Valkenburg, Karen Vander Deen and I spent a lovely Sunday evening on the beach talking about life, eating too many Tostitos, and witnessing a little boy pee into the sand as his mother looked on, horrified.

We're With the Band

2006-07-15T10:32:00.000-05:00

The only person missing was Keith Urban himself. We congratualted the banjo player as it was his first concert, but later kicked ourselves for bailing on the awkward conversation and not digging up more dirt on how they came to play for Keith. Some journalist I am!!

Newlywed

2006-07-14T11:17:00.000-05:00

No offense to any of my friends with summer wedding dates, but I do believe Keith Urban is the most famous newlywed I'll see this season. ;) And yes, Nicole Kidman *was* lurking in the shadows.

And now, a view from the country

2006-07-12T12:34:00.000-05:00

Taken one year ago at the homestead.

View From My Balcony

2006-07-12T12:08:00.000-05:00

No wonder they call it the Forest City.

BAs (and 1 B.Ed)

2006-06-15T18:08:00.000-05:00

7 of the 8 members of the 204 Sisterhood. Left to right: Amy Valkenburg, Sharon Kiers, Joella Reitsma, Ania Popiolek, Brianna Hammer, Emily Slotegraaf, Kristin Van Dyk. Michelle Teeninga's hot self was behind the camera. ;)

Update

2006-06-13T11:46:00.000-05:00

I have a 6 p.m. deadline for this story I'm writing. So what better time to update my Blogspot than now?

Some things never change.

And I apologize for the terrible title of this post. It's like naming a baby, "Baby." Rather obvious. LOL. What else would a post be?

I am in the sixth week of "journalism boot camp," as my favourite print prof Paul Benedetti called it. Gosh, I can't believe I've made it to six weeks. I'll be honest, this program is going to suck the life out of me. I'll finish it, I know... but I'll probably cross that finish line crawling and panting. The print portion of our intro course finishes this Thursday, then on Monday I jump right into TV. 4 weeks later I switch to radio. I finally get a breather on August 11, and I intend to cram as much 'summer' into that month off as I possibly can! That includes sitting around doing NOTHING for a few days... before I head to Calgary with Vander Deen to finally see the Western landscape and visit some dear friends.

Not too much has been going on otherwise. Living in the L-dot has been great, and being able to attend my home church again every Sunday is just amazing. I'm living with my best childhood friend Marie on the 12th floor of an apartment building that looks out over a good chunk of the city. It was cool to see fireworks at 5 different locations from our balcony on May 24 weekend. It wasn't so cool to climb 12 flights of stairs when the hydro went out two weeks ago!

I intend to do something with this blog. I've been tossing around the idea of making it into a photoblog so I can work on my photography hobby while keeping you guys updated. I don't know how often I'll update, but today I'll leave you with a snapshot of Western's campus that I took about a month ago.

Ivy growing on outer wall of University College.

Clutching study notes in one hand a cup of coffee in the other

2006-04-21T17:33:00.000-05:00

Today marked a big day for Team Hammer, as my dad embarked for Gulfport, Mississippi to participate in hurricane clean-up, and I wrote the final exam of my undergrad career here at Redeemer (Dutch 102--very fitting). Both events occured at pretty much the same time, at 2 o'clock this afternoon.

Dad returns in eight days. I move to my new apartment in the L-dot in ten and jump into the MA Journalism program in sixteen.

Oy...

2006-03-23T00:30:00.000-05:00

One of the problems with researching apartments in a far-away town over the Internet is...

...sometimes you unknowingly book yourself a look-into at a seniors' retirement complex.

(But hey--I could have lived in a building with a residents-only hair salon!)

My Return

2006-03-08T15:30:00.000-05:00

After a long absence from blogging--to consider my thoughts on the fad, and my motives for participating in it--I have decided to return. As a future journalist (?) I need an open forum to articulate my thoughts, practice public writing, and get used to feedback and criticism.

Thanks for taking part. :)

That and I was tagged by my Crown partner-in-crime Mikey Arce. Woot!

Four jobs I've Had
- Layout Editor of The Crown
- Assistant Copy Editor, The Crown
- Curatorial Assistant, Strathroy Middlesex Museum (two summers)
- unofficial envelope stuffer, Township of Adelaide-Metcalfe

Four Movies I Could Watch Over and Over
- How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
- Sabrina (old version)
- Anchor Man
- Bridget Jones' Diary

Four Books I Could Read Over and Over Again
- Pride and Prejudice
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- The Elements of Journalism (hey... it made some good points!)
- the book of Romans

Places I Have Lived
- Alvinston, Ontario (all my life)
- Hamilton/Ancaster, Ontario (just for school)

Four Places I've Been on Vacation
- Meppel, the Netherlands
- Niagara Falls, Ontario
- Pinery Provincial Park
- Amsterdam, the Netherlands (a mission trip rather than a vacation--but we did stay for 8 or 9 days)

Four Websites I Visit Daily
- London Free Press, www.lfpress.com
- Globe and Mail, www.globeandmail.com
- Redeemer Webmail, www.redeemer.ca/webmail
- Facebook, www.facebook.com

Four Favourite Foods
- McDonald's. Um, all of it.
- Chicken fingers and fries
- Caesar salad from Pizza Delite
- Swiss Chalet double-leg dinner

Four Favourite Alcoholic Beverages
- Rum and Coke
- Bailey's
- Purple Rain
- Sex on the Beach (with that on my blog, I'm bound to get more Google hits for sure!)

Four Favourite Non-Alcoholic Drinks
- Coffee
- Coke
- Chocolate Milk
- Sprite

Four Favourite Musicians
- Damien Rice
- Coldplay
- Barenaked Ladies
- Dashboard Confessional

Four Places I'd Rather Be Right Now
- Europe
- Home-ish
- But I really just love the 204 Sisterhood...

Last 4 Books I've Read
- The Elements of Journalism
- Friedrich Nietzsche On the Advantage and Disadvantage of History for Life
- Bastards and Boneheads, Will Ferguson
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Last 4 Movies I've Seen
- Pride and Prejudice (the new one)
- Tristan and Isolde
- My Girl
- Dirty Dancing Havana Nights

What's On My Desk Right Now
- Half of a plain bagel with plain cream cheese
- 2 empty cups
- A vase of flowers from my wonderful housemates, and a plant
- Black Ikea lamp
- Envelopes: grad photos, T4, stuff from Western *cough*
- CDs: dig photos from family in Holland, oldies music, and country (given to me by a friend and makes a handy coaster)
- my iBook
- Damien Rice CD case
- photo of the hometown crowd
- 2 quarters

Bloggers I Tag:
- Housemate Em
- (Former) Roomie VanderDeen
- Soliatire Showdown Sarah
- Dictator Craig