Off like a rocket

From "tumbles and turns" to rockets shooting off into the heavens.  That's the way my journalism career seems to be going.  I can hardly keep up with it.  In fact, today I have been out to Officeworks to buy one of those giant desktop/wall calendars with big boxes each day so that I can track all my due dates.

with triathlete Ashley 

(is it actually possible to take a photo with an iPhone that is NOT blurry?)

Yesterday I interviewed up and coming triathlon champion, Ashley Portas for a magazine article.  He was extremely friendly and we had a great chat at Campos coffee.  I bought him brekky (eggs and salmon - protein hit) which is now called an "expense" but I don't think my fee includes expenses.  Lesson No. 1:  will need to stop feeding my interview subjects! He is so focused to succeed. I found him very motivating and really enjoyed meeting him.  Now I am struggling to write the piece, which is to be in an interview format, but only 700 words!  I'm only half way through it and have already blown out my word budget @#$%^&*  How can I trim it and still keep the "vibe" of his story for crying out loud?  Grrrrr......  Meanwhile, before uni really gets cracking, I need to punch out another couple of columns for the two running magazines, just so I can get on top of those and don't have to think about them while I am trying to do all my uni work.  Meanwhile, uni this week has been absolutely phenomenal!  The stuff I have learned in one week has blown my mind, quite literally.  Look at this TED talk for instance:

 

This semester is all about developing our creative side and planning our major projects for next year.  I have about three assignments due for each subject so I need this calendar to keep track of what is due when.  I really want to do well and give it 110%.  And I am bursting my brain thinking of good ideas for my Major Project.  So far, all I have is a few scratchings and a bunch of scribbles....  

To top it off, I have been offered the opportunity to learn how to be a radio producer!!!!!!  I will be sitting in, watching, from next week but the gang tell me it won't take me long to work out what to do with all those dials, knobs and general buttons (not dissimilar to a cockpit).  I am extremely excited about learning this new skill as I think it will really help my journalism career, A LOT.  And then - yesterday I was offered a part-time position as "web editor" of an online running site.  They tell me it would just be about an hour per day and I will be paid and all that but now I just need to sit back and have a Big Think about the right direction for my jet-propelled journalism career.  I have to be careful not to try and do everything, thereby spreading myself too thin and not actually doing anything well.  I can't believe that this early on in my new career, I am in a position where I need to make important decisions about journalism jobs.  I still have a year of my degree to go!  So, I am in a bit of a cerebral pickle.  Oh, and there's my running coaching too, which I love to do.  I think I need to go have a lie down. I'm exhausted!  Any advice would be greatly appreciated folks.  Thank you.

Turning the page...

So, a new financial year and a new career, the highlight of which occurred, ironically, on Sunday 1 July.  Day One.  I spent three days on the Gold Coast last weekend for the Gold Coast Marathon weekend.  I go every year with my fabulous running group, Intraining.  In addition, I had asked the editor at ABC News Online if I could cover the event.  He amazingly said YES and suggested a "colour piece".  I armed myself with Spud's fairly basic SLR camera, my iPad and my notebook and headed off into the sunrise.  After lining up my First Ever Media Pass (!) I arranged to be at two press conferences on Friday afternoon and also arranged interviews with a couple of people I'd heard about through the organisers of the event.  The Elite Athlete press conference (my first) was my introduction to the world of sports journalism, with hordes of gigantic zoom lenses slung across journo bodies.  It was a little .... er.... intimidating.  I stayed on after that for the Indigenous Marathon Project presser and met some of the runners, who were all very friendly, if not a bit shy.  Interestingly, one of the girls is from Maningrida, Grace, and she pointed out some "locals" who had flown down to run (separately from the IMP group).  I went over and started chatting to them because, of course, my friend Swellgal has been working up there for five years or so and would know of them.  Well, as it turned out, this group had their own amazingly interesting running story.  They were a great bunch of people, working together and running together in rather trying conditions.  One of three, Gerard, has a blog: www.ironmanlegend.blogspot.com which he had just started about the day before I met him.  This guy knows A LOT about running.  This is them below, after they finished their various runs.

Exactly as were have been taught in journalism school, sometimes the best story is not the one standing right in front of you (the Indigenous Marathon Project) but the one you see when you least expect to (the Maningrida runners).  I am sure I will write about them some more in the future.  Saturday morning saw me run faster than I have ever run before.  I had been hoping to break 50min for the 10km,  my previous personal best having been 50:09.  So, I was really wired and ready to go and I DID IT!  I finished in 48:37.  It was The Very, Very Hardest Physical Thing I have ever done. I have never pushed myself so much. Running in the finish chute, I thought I would cark it.  The official (and hideous) photos are the evidence of my distress.  However, as soon as it was over, I was overjoyed.... of course.

Secondary to running so well, the highlight of my weekend was meeting the people I did and having the experiences I had while composing my story for the ABC.  It really required a lot of work and focus.  Meeting people, ensuring I got accurate information, fact-checking, photographing, writing the story and then trying to send it when the Media Centre had run out of WiFi...  I learned SO MUCH in those three days.  I got a really good finish line photo of the winner of the marathon but not without a battle!  I had a really great spot, right in the centre, until all these bossy, aggressive "snappers and shooters" with HUGE lenses elbowed in on me.  Luckily I had befriended an SES volunteer and he let me climb up onto the camera stand where I had a perfect view.

You can probably tell already, can't you, that I have Major Zoom Envy?  It wasn't until I was driving home that I heard from a friend that my story had been published on the front page of ABC News Online.  As you can probably imagine, I was extremely excited.  And I was trying to drive!!  I just couldn't believe it. I really couldn't.  It was absolutely the most fantastic thing that has happened to me so far in my journalism career.   I mean... the ABC!  That's not chicken feed you know!  http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-01/diverse-bunch-flocks-to-gold-coast-marathon/4103252
After recovering from that thrill, Monday marked the first day of a one-week internship at the Murdoch-owned 'The Courier Mail' newspaper. I was to be working in the Online newsroom but it actually all seems to be blended together really.  I didn't note a real differentiation.  It was quite impossible to get an idea of how the newsroom works there in just one week.  However, day one and this was my desk:

A promotion to Website Editor on my first day!  I pitched a story idea on Monday and went out with a photographer to interview Rob de Castella and Lee Troop, two of Australia's most incredible and successful marathon runners and Olympians. It was a great story, I thought, though I realise now I wrote too much.  It didn't get used.  Neither did my Tuesday yarns.  By Wednesday I was thinking I was in a bit deep and, having nothing in particular to do, headed off to the city on the shuttle and found my own story.  It wasn't too hard to find a story as a major football show-down was on that night and the city was choked with fans.  However, I needed to find a new angle!  I interviewed a couple of people and wrote a few words (by this time I had learned to keep it tight!) but I was despairing of the quality/content until the sub-editor told me I was ON!
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/ian-goes-nuts-for-the-queensland-state-of-origin-rugby-league-side/story-e6freon6-1226416763554
Unbeknown to me, the other intern Claudia had been sent to town to cover the donuts story so my yarn just segued nicely with hers.  Hooray, I was starting to get the hang of this gig...
Thursday saw me attend the Supreme Court for the sentencing of a notorious triple-murderer.  It was a media scrum, which was an eye-opener in itself, but it was also extremely harrowing listening to the victim impact statements and examples of other gruesome murders used to illustrate prior sentences.  By the time I got home that evening, I was up for a BIG glass of red wine.  I don't actually know how a judge can stay "normal" if their career involves listening to sordid tales of savage cruelty all day.

Found this via Facebook and loved it.  It helped me face Friday...

After Thursday, I wondered what was in store for Friday and soon discovered, as I set off with a photographer to visit a potential crime suspect.  The idea was to try and get a statement from that person as to whether they had hired a lawyer and if so, possibly get a name. Ha!  I think they sent me along because they knew this bloke was never going to talk - and they were right.  I did learn however that one must always visit the "Ladies" before going out on a hunting mission and always carry a snack and some water in your handbag when travelling with an enthusiastic photographer.  I wrote a yarn, which was awkward because there was nothing newsworthy about what we were doing at all, but I felt I should provide something after three hours in the shrubbery.  Trying to write about nothing was a very good exercise however, reminding me that it wasn't about what I "thought" but about what I was actually seeing and hearing (ie nothing).  After learning the other intern had had another story published (about fashion week) I really felt down (read: D.I.V.A) thinking I was obviously totally crap at being a journalist.  Yada yada yada.  Spud soon sorted me out.  The editor at the Courier even told me it is quite normal for journos not to get a story published for up to three weeks!  So, I need to get over myself and ....

Last night I met up with my journalism mentor, Ernie, who was brutally honest with me about my ABC story, telling me I'd buried the lead and suggesting that the ABC only left it on the front page of the website for four days because they are too busy to remove it and they needed something to fill a hole.  YIKES!  I offered him my stainless steel filleting knife and asked him if he'd like to borrow that to really drive home the message.  I know, of course, that what he says is true but I'd been holding on to the ABC story as my proof that I can't be completely awful at journalism and he rather chopped it for me.  He wants me to re-write the ABC story with a different opening par, so that's my homework.  The thing is, I'm glad he was so honest.  I'm not going to learn a thing with someone pandering to me am I?
I've had a HUGE week of journalism.  As the Courier Mail editor said to me, the internship is about finding out if I really want to be a journalist and my answer is a resounding YES but...  I don't want to do stories of only 80 words that involve chasing people down streets.  I want to write people's stories.  Is that still journalism?  It's made me think about the different types of journalism and consider what defines "journalism"?  There are so many commendable journalists out there and so much more for me to learn.  I will just have to be patient, keep reading, keep writing and keep on keeping on! I have learned an enormous amount this week and am just so lucky to have had these opportunities  #luckyme
PS:  found this amazing photo-essay (?) re Marie Colvin this morning on the Vanity Fair website:  http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/2012/08/marie-colvin-passport-photos#slide=1

One thing I can safely say is that Journalism Ain't for Sissies!  Ha.

  

Anxiety

My cousin, a writer in NYC, assures me the anxieties I experience related to my writing and my reading are all Completely Normal behaviours for a "real writer".  So... I think I feel better.  I am still going to put it Out There for the blog world however, and ask for advice.  Here is my query of the day:  How Can Anyone Read Everything One Should Be Reading Every Week?  Just the newspaper alone takes hours of reading.  What about the washing, the groceries, the ironing pile, the vacuuming...?  I don't even have kids to blame my lack of time upon!  All people tell me is how much reading I should be doing, yet I just can't seem to get on top of it all.  There are newspapers, blogs, magazines, books....  And when I start back at uni next semester, you can add journal articles, course handouts and textbooks to the list.  

Today's pile on my dining room table...  

Added to this is the research I am trying to do regarding writing my news story for the Gold Coast Marathon. I really want to make sure I get it right, first time.  And I am due to write two more columns for the running magazines so need to do some research for those - and then, of course, I have a (fabulous) job to go to.  I am tired just writing this.  I appreciate that I am just moaning and griping but I would love to hear how other people tackle this issue.  I am actually finding it easier to write than to read!  

Speaking of all things related to the subject of "English", I discovered last night at a friend's 50th birthday that one of the surgeons I know came top in high-school English for the Entire Country and has a letter from the Prime Minister to prove it.  I was utterly shocked because, while I appreciate he is clever, he reads trashy tabloid newspapers, partakes in totally dubious social activities, has scary taste in music and carries on like he barely made it through school!  I am so jealous - and secretly very impressed too.  It goes to show that everyone has hidden talents and that you certainly can't judge a book by its cover!

Good coffee served by Jesse is a highlight of my old job

I spent two days this week at my old job, doing holiday relief while one the girls was away.  It all came rushing back to me - the life of a plastic surgery secretary.  Some of my favourite patients came in, which was lovely.  Even though I love my old boss and my co-workers, all it really did was reassure me 140% that I have completely made the right decision to kick out now and follow my dream to be a journalist.  I am also not going to renew my nursing registration this year, after having been registered for the past 25 years.  Gulp.  

Remember the whole "bluesky" concept from my last post?  I photographed this earlier in the week and tweeted it to some of my new co-workers.  Then I went into the coffee shop only to learn that the brand is Blue Sky Coffee.  Isn't than .... kismet?  So, MY "bluesky" is that one day I will be as great a journalist as some of the people I work with.  Part of me wants it all NOW - the knowledge and the experience.  But half of the excitement and joy is the learning as I go along.  I am just impatient.  I want to know what Sally Sara and Annabel Crabb know. I want to be as clever and as talented as them and hundreds of other incredible journalists out there.  I want Alan Rusbridger to offer me an internship at The Guardian. I want to be the Kununurra "bureau-chief". I want to win a Walkley Award for brilliant writing.  See? I want it all.  

This photo came to me via a friend who posted it via http://www.daretodemand.org/

As for my running group, it is going really well, with about eight new beginner runners coming along each Saturday morning.  Everyone seems to really enjoy themselves, which I believe is due to the camaraderie and the views along the river - oh, and the breakfast afterwards.  I never get over that fantastic feeling of seeing them improve each week.  It does so much for confidence and self-esteem - to see yourself achieve feats you never imagined to be possible.  Two weeks until the Gold Coast Marathon weekend!  Okay, I know what you are all thinking now - if I hadn't spent this time blogging, I could have finished reading at least one section of the Sydney Morning Herald.  Yes, yes, yes....  It's all about choices, I realise. I am just not very astute at making the correct choices.  Thanks for any feedback that comes along with regard to my Dilemma of the Day! 

Easter Saturday

JJ King ‏ @jenjwms

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@612brisbane Exit 19 clear now. Broken glass +++ And traffic moving! We're on our way!!!

11:17 AM - 7 Apr 12 via Twitter for iPhone · Details

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There it is folks.  My first "official" bit of reporting for the ABC.  Okay, so it's not actually official at all and I'm the only one who knows about it but... it's a start!  It's my benchmark!  Spud and I had been driving down the coast for the weekend and the traffic was NOT budging.  It took us 27 minutes to travel 4.5kms!  I decided to have a Tweet-fest with 612 to see if they knew what was going on and indeed, they did.  Just as they announced over the radio that Exit 19 was subject to a giant multi-vehicle crash, we arrived so I was able to give an Instant Update!  

What IS it about Easter traffic?  A total nightmare.  However, we are finally here, at mum's, overlooking the Byron Bay Blues Fest at Tyagarah.  We can see the tents and hear some garbled sounds.  It is going to be nowhere as good as actually being AT the Blues Fest...  The weather is absolutely magnificent and everything is just gorgeously beautiful this Easter.  We are SO LUCKY to live in such a sensational country. 

I took this photo in our backyard this morning

and this is where we stopped for chicken sandwiches by the Chinderah River.  Look how clear it is on Mt Warning's peak! 

We are not going to the Blue Fest for various reasons, one of them being The Dreaded Theories Assignment.  Okay, I know you have all heard enough about it, but how do you think I feel?  Hell...  I've just remembered that it is a "research" assignment so must be sure to discuss Methodologies etc.  Not quite sure how this is going to make me a better journalist in the long run, but am working on keeping my mind open.  During my ProQuest research, I found this article, just to give you an idea of what is going on out there in the Large World of Academia:  Contextualising Petro-Sexual Politics.  (The abstract says this), "Through the examination of U.S. mainstream narratives of gender violence and petroleum violence within Nigeria, the author reveals how gender and sexuality are central to representations of terrorism and ethnic-gang conflict within petroleum politics." WTF????  If I am supposed to be writing something along those lines, I am screwed. 

This morning I had a techno-meltdown (oh no, not another one!) with my iPhone not going off on time. So, I slept in until 5:05am when I should have been on my way to running.  I ended up having to run all on my lonesome for 7.5kms, until I happened upon a group that I knew.  Here I am at the Maritime Museum on my way to the Story Bridge.

We're off to walk on the beach now so will have to sign off soon.  Lil loves the beach!  Who doesn't, really?  Lil the Dog has taken a real shine to macadamias and brings me nuts to crack for her.  I really need to check - right now - that macadamias are not dangerous. She seems to love everything that is bad for her:  grapes, chocolate, blow flies... Just like humans really.

My friend's daughter gave her nails an Easter theme - all freehand too!  I wonder if she would do mine?  Probably wouldn't go down well at work.  Not really super "professional" is it?  Hmmm....  Wish I was 18 again sometimes.

What is the collective noun for a group of (chocolate) bunnies?  I think a Hop of Bunnies sounds quite good, don't you?  Apparently a group of unicorns is a Blessing. Isn't that just ... precious?  

I think I am hearing the sounds of either Yann Tiersen or Richard Clapton wafting up from the Blues Fest.  Shame it's just a sound/noise/cacophony and not actually MUSIC.  That's wind and distance and the M3 getting in the way.  Oh for dog's sake...  You wouldn't read about it,  but you are reading about it!  Macadamias ARE toxic to dogs. Of course they are.  Dogs do not get any breaks at all.  Everything wonderful is dangerous.  Okay LillyP - you have eaten your last macadamia, buddy.  Sorry pal.  Beaches, as yet, are not toxic to dogs.  Yes, she only gets 700 metres of off-leash but that's better than nothing at all.  Let's go Miss Lil....

I forgot that I wanted to share this Northern Territory News headline that I read about last week, thanks to Latika Bourke.  The ABC News Breakfast crew always have a giggle about the NT News' headlines and this one was a Classic!  Could I do an assignment on this perhaps? 

The first day of the Rest of My Life

Hi readers

So today was my first day at uni!  I was so excited that I was there almost two hours before my first lecture.  I didn't want to be late.  I wanted to let the atmosphere of uni life and the Creative Industries precinct seep into my pores before my first lecture.  And "seep" it did.  Within five minutes of arriving on campus, two students had offered me assistance.  I must have had that age-old quizzical look on my face.  However, it was very reassuring and helped me feel welcome. Best of all, I got a tip on a good coffee shop (The Dancing Bean).  After surviving the bus ride to uni, including the all-important disembarkation at the wrong stop, I was eagerly anticipating a cup of hot, strong, rich coffee, which is just what I received.  I sat there writing in my journal and thoroughly enjoying the bonhomie of early morning uni life - until I realised I was the oldest person there!  And I'm not really that old!  Who cares?  I had such a great time and this improved as the morning progressed.  

I bought this for myself after my lecture.  I think I will need all the help I can get..

View of the Creative Industries campus from the coffee shop

The computer lab where I am going to write amazing stuff - it's kind of like a newsroom, isn't it?

There's the sign!  The sign for my tutorial on Level Four.  See?  "News Rooms".  That's me!

Our lecturer, Susan Hetherington, is an extremely experienced journalist and has been at QUT teaching for a long time.  She filled us in on our assignments/projects etc which include a profile piece and a 1500-word magazine article amongst other things.  It's a little daunting but really, totally exciting because I am bursting to give it a go.  I already have some ideas and have started writing them down in my Story Process Diary.  Better go read my textbook then!  Cheerio!