The station thrills me. I’m on cloud nine just being there and working with and talking to all the people. It’s the most incredible feeling; such a rush.
I definitely missed seeing my favorite photographers and reporters. They’re always welcoming, even if they do give me a hard time and tease me and put me to work. I guess that means they like me. Isn’t that what you learn in first grade, if someone picks on you they like you? I can only hope that’s the case.
Today was a day when you really learn about what it takes to be a journalist. Over the weekend a young man driving friends home struck a tree, killing his younger sister and his best friend. Talk about wake up call. This was difficult for me. I have tones of younger siblings, I’m a nanny, I care for someone else’s children. Every day I pray that I get them home safely. I don’t know what I would do if anything happened to any one of these people, let alone if it was my “fault”. I really feel for this kid. It’s terrible. And you know he’s blaming himself ever so harshly. And you know his parents are ripped apart, but they don’t blame him. It just makes my heart ache. Talking to these people, I felt like we were imposing to a degree but really, for me, I knew that wasn’t the intention. It was a terrible accident and these kids…well they were young and that is a tragedy.
The interesting thing about today was the encounter with the competitor. No, I won’t say who, you never know where you’ll be working in the future. I felt like there was no journalistic integrity. We were doing an interview and the reporter just barges in the house. At least we called and arranged something. It appeared as if they were not so considerate to the grieving family. Anyway, the reporter starts talking to the other family members, quite loudly while we were interviewing. I just didn’t understand. I’m all for getting the story but have some consideration. Jeeze. This was eye-opening for me. I mean real journalism, racing to get the story, trying to get all the angles, beating out the competitors. This is journalism. Yes, the story is what matters, but I think the people do too.
Sunday April 6, 2008:
On Sunday the sixth, I went in the station to work with Tim Williams. Normally a meteorologist, Tim also reports on the weekends. The photographer was Mark and I love Mark (I know him from my days at Starbucks).
I really had fun. The two of them are hysterical! The story we had to do was about the new survey from AAA about teenage drivers. Tim let me do the interview with Ragina Averella, manager of public and government affairs at AAA Mid-Atlantic. She was so sweet and understanding.
Tim and Mark gave me great pointers when presenting stories; about posture, diction, speed and content. Every bit of advice is invaluable. I’m still ignorant when it comes to certain things, like what to do in front of the camera, so this insight is very beneficial. Knowing what nuances are good and what nneds to be changed will help my camera persona. And each take got better until, finally, there was one we all thought was pretty good…for a rookie
On the desk again this week which can be quite entertaining. The people who call in never cease to amaze me with ridiculous situations. Everyone wants you to do a story on them. And yes there are tons of great stories that do not air, but a news agency cannot handle scuffs with your neighbor.
There are times when I try to be helpful and look up information or stories for people. But most of the time I’m rolling my eyes and making faces at Pete or Tanya as they laugh at me. I think that’s why they like me on the desk, they don’t have to be the only ones filtering calls and listening to stories. They just get amused at my reactions and patience.
So last week was spring break. I was sick…AGAIN! Very, very frustrating. I absolutely despise being sick. It is counter productive to my lifestyle.
I was determined not to miss another day at WJZ. Monday comes and I pull myself out of bed, voice barely audible and trudge into the station. Maybe not a trudge, more like speeding to get there, but definitely in a sickly fashion.
Anyway, I can barely speak and all day I’m answering phones and attempting to do interviews (about the potential strike of Giant and Safeway), squeaking all the while. It was quite amusing, even for me. There were some funny stares in my direction.
On Wednesday I was in the Web, posting stories and such. Actually, I was trying to post stories. Every computer I was on that day was soooooooooooooo sloooooooooooowwww. I like speed when it comes to the internet and there was definitely a lack flash. Bernadette, I have no idea how you work on that PC. I guess you know a secret or something. It wasn’t doing anything for me.
I ended up having a conversation with Tim Williams, a meteorologist for the station. Come to find out, he also does some reporting on the weekends and offered to help me out! HOORAY! I love when that happens!
I love going out with reporters. You can learn so much just observing them.
I always told myself if I was going to do this job, I would not stress when things are down to the wire. You can’t. If you panic and fluster yourself, you’re only going to make a tight situation tighter.
Gigi Barnett is an excellent role model for this. We went to the Baltimore City School System offices on
I also really love the photographers. They are the coolest people ever and very insightful about what I need to do as a future journalist. So far, I get along with all the ones I’ve worked with (Rolos help. Right, Joel?). They can make or break you too. I mean, they’re holding the camera; how good do you wana look?
I was sick last week. No fun. I love going to the station; love, love, love it! But I also know Pete and Tanya, the assignment editors, are germaphobes; thus I opted to rest on Monday and Wednesday.
