....is the drumming Gorilla in the Cadbury's advert.
I remember the first time I saw it I was in Magaluf on a lads holiday and we were all watching the TV like: "What the hell is this?" but we watched it all the way through and I have to admit its a great advert as I remember it and am posting about it but it doesn't make me want to eat anything Cadburys!
Just have to add to this short post and say: "Isn't YouTube and BlogThings great? You can pass many an hour just doing nothing on them websites...."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdOIhtrP360
Friday, November 16, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Breaking the code
I have a bit of spare time on my hands for once before knuckling down later on to do my essay so I thought I'd browse a few internet sites and see whats going on in the industry I want to get into.
On the Press Gazette website I came across this little story by Dominic Ponsford about the revealing of a source by the Lancashire Telegraph.
It is an example of why we do journalism at university and go through the theory side and the law side of the industry we are trying to get into. We are going to make mistakes as trainees so its best off to make them at University and learn them so most can be avioded in the "real" world.
You can read more by following the above link but the story is about the PCC (Press Complaints Commission) criticising the Lancs Telegraph for failing to protect a source.
Clause 14 of the Editors’ Code states that journalists have a duty to protect confidential sources.
But the newspapers argument was that the reporter had not known, and had no reason to know, that the man was one of only two employees at his workplace.
Tricky business, the PCC and law as I found out by only passing half of the NCTJ. You really have to be so careful about identifying your sources, Jigsaw Identification, if I remember correctly.
Just interesting to realise that by around June/July next year that is going to be us lot out there in a position of serious responsibility knowing what we write or don't write as the case may be can affect so many people and can lead to so many different outcomes.
On the Press Gazette website I came across this little story by Dominic Ponsford about the revealing of a source by the Lancashire Telegraph.
It is an example of why we do journalism at university and go through the theory side and the law side of the industry we are trying to get into. We are going to make mistakes as trainees so its best off to make them at University and learn them so most can be avioded in the "real" world.
You can read more by following the above link but the story is about the PCC (Press Complaints Commission) criticising the Lancs Telegraph for failing to protect a source.
Clause 14 of the Editors’ Code states that journalists have a duty to protect confidential sources.
But the newspapers argument was that the reporter had not known, and had no reason to know, that the man was one of only two employees at his workplace.
Tricky business, the PCC and law as I found out by only passing half of the NCTJ. You really have to be so careful about identifying your sources, Jigsaw Identification, if I remember correctly.
Just interesting to realise that by around June/July next year that is going to be us lot out there in a position of serious responsibility knowing what we write or don't write as the case may be can affect so many people and can lead to so many different outcomes.
Monday, November 12, 2007
I am an idiot
I might be in my third year of journalism at University but I still know how to bugger it up!
With only 4 weeks to go until my first placement we are working on portfolio's (2 self-generated, 1 council, 1 vox pop and 1 feature article) and today I interviewed someone for one of my self-generated stories.
I spent Saturday and Sunday checking my questions and finding out where the place is using google maps, their own website and the Preston A-Z I have. Well, it all went wrong, lesson learned, I should have gone down their on foot sometime over the weekend as I got lost rang him up making me sound like a complete idiot. I finally arrived about 20 minutes late and had broke into a sweat! So I had a chance to re-deem myself with my questions but oh no, I had to screw it up again and look like I hadn't put in the background research and I didn't know what sort of angle I wanted for the story. All in all, this interview was the result of shodiness on my part - thats why I am only at Uni though. I can now (hopefully) learn from my mistakes....
In an update about what I am doing at the moment, we have 2 hours of Shorthand per day which I am gradually getting the hang of and I am half way through an essay about how technological advances are helping/hindering the quality of news journalism so third year is going ok mostly. My involvement with Pluto, the student paper, has been non-existent which I know I should be kicking myself about but my involvement with Frequency, the student radio station, is going as strong as ever. The weekend show 9-11am, soon to be changing to 10-12 is going as strong as ever. Makes me think I yearn to do broadcast more than print? Who knows, guess we'll just have to wait and see.
I think this is a point to put in my essay. I have just ranted my thoughts in my head and typed them up, I am soon to post this so that everyone, everywhere can see - I don't think anyone realises the potential implications the internet has. I'll that for another day though....
With only 4 weeks to go until my first placement we are working on portfolio's (2 self-generated, 1 council, 1 vox pop and 1 feature article) and today I interviewed someone for one of my self-generated stories.
I spent Saturday and Sunday checking my questions and finding out where the place is using google maps, their own website and the Preston A-Z I have. Well, it all went wrong, lesson learned, I should have gone down their on foot sometime over the weekend as I got lost rang him up making me sound like a complete idiot. I finally arrived about 20 minutes late and had broke into a sweat! So I had a chance to re-deem myself with my questions but oh no, I had to screw it up again and look like I hadn't put in the background research and I didn't know what sort of angle I wanted for the story. All in all, this interview was the result of shodiness on my part - thats why I am only at Uni though. I can now (hopefully) learn from my mistakes....
In an update about what I am doing at the moment, we have 2 hours of Shorthand per day which I am gradually getting the hang of and I am half way through an essay about how technological advances are helping/hindering the quality of news journalism so third year is going ok mostly. My involvement with Pluto, the student paper, has been non-existent which I know I should be kicking myself about but my involvement with Frequency, the student radio station, is going as strong as ever. The weekend show 9-11am, soon to be changing to 10-12 is going as strong as ever. Makes me think I yearn to do broadcast more than print? Who knows, guess we'll just have to wait and see.
I think this is a point to put in my essay. I have just ranted my thoughts in my head and typed them up, I am soon to post this so that everyone, everywhere can see - I don't think anyone realises the potential implications the internet has. I'll that for another day though....
Thursday, October 25, 2007
RAJAR figures
The RAJAR figures have been announced today and overall show a decline in radio audiences over the summer. Of course this can be described as usual as people are away on holiday and people who use their radio to wake them up and keep it on while they are getting ready for University/work might no longer need it during the summer as they are off but as the latest figures show we have not reached the point of the death of radio and I doubt we ever will.
A background article for how the BBC radio are doing can be found here and shows that even the BBC radio stations have dipped, not good news as someone who does a radio show but as I am on a journalism print route I'm not as affected by this news as I could be.
John Plunkett, on the Guardian Unlimited website, tells us how BBC radio FiveLive and radio Four have also suffered.
I regularly listen to the manchester branch of this station when back at home and am slightly surprised to see it has lost audiences, I say only slightly, due to the XU interactive feature instead of DJ's. In principle it's a good idea but something about it just isn't quite there at the moment but it may be the future.
Something else that was the future now seems to be the present as digital listening has increased as 15% of radio listening is now via a digital platform as it explains here and here.
In such a saturated market already with such competition and the need to capture and keep an audience listeners are constantly experiementing and the nationals seem to be leading the way over locals as Daniel Farey-Jones writes.
Just one example of how people see Radio nowadays can be found on a blog here. Now I am not the most avid radio listener but with other technologies like iPod's and MP3's and even CD's then people can download the songs they like best and have them on wherever, at home or in the car, on the way to work etc so one song that someone doesn't like and wham! the radio is off or the station switched - hey, I am as guilty for that as most people.
In today's world we need to be gripped and stay gripped, after all Radio seems to have the tag for being something we do while we're doing something else but it still plays a big part in our consumption of the media and long may it continue in my view.
As long as people keep listening to the radio as I have a work experince placement on the news team of a local station in the new year so it needs an audience!
A background article for how the BBC radio are doing can be found here and shows that even the BBC radio stations have dipped, not good news as someone who does a radio show but as I am on a journalism print route I'm not as affected by this news as I could be.
John Plunkett, on the Guardian Unlimited website, tells us how BBC radio FiveLive and radio Four have also suffered.
I regularly listen to the manchester branch of this station when back at home and am slightly surprised to see it has lost audiences, I say only slightly, due to the XU interactive feature instead of DJ's. In principle it's a good idea but something about it just isn't quite there at the moment but it may be the future.
Something else that was the future now seems to be the present as digital listening has increased as 15% of radio listening is now via a digital platform as it explains here and here.
In such a saturated market already with such competition and the need to capture and keep an audience listeners are constantly experiementing and the nationals seem to be leading the way over locals as Daniel Farey-Jones writes.
Just one example of how people see Radio nowadays can be found on a blog here. Now I am not the most avid radio listener but with other technologies like iPod's and MP3's and even CD's then people can download the songs they like best and have them on wherever, at home or in the car, on the way to work etc so one song that someone doesn't like and wham! the radio is off or the station switched - hey, I am as guilty for that as most people.
In today's world we need to be gripped and stay gripped, after all Radio seems to have the tag for being something we do while we're doing something else but it still plays a big part in our consumption of the media and long may it continue in my view.
As long as people keep listening to the radio as I have a work experince placement on the news team of a local station in the new year so it needs an audience!
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Blog of the Week
Guess that would be one of the problems of modern technology then? The site has been down for a bit now and all our blogs have been unaccessible. Just goes to show if we rely on something too heavily and it crashes... as the guy said in the Future Lecture on Thursday.
Anyways, monday was the day of health and Safety questions which we had to do on WEB CT (or E-Learn as its now known) and thankfully it all went just fine while Shorthand was picking up the pace towards the test on Friday.
Tuesday shorthand again was reviewing and preparing for the test while the afternoon class was called off.
Wednesday = enough said. Nothing to do with journalism but any football fan will know what I am referring to so lets not dwell on that subject.
I also rang a placement contact with non of the suggestions on the list near me only to find the person I need to speak to is off ill so a follow up phone call is needed.
Thursday, our busiest day, saw Delwyn look over the feature ideas, tell us the deadline and explain more about the work ex placements we have to do which are coming up in a month or so. In Quark we got a very useful handbook guide with the shortcuts and I am sure most of us will find that we are needing it when we have to design the pages. The guest lecture for Future of Journalism ended the day on a high note as well with some thought provoking content delivered in a relaxed atmosphere, I have to admit I've never thought of my phone as a journalistic tool.
Friday was the day of the Shorthand test and we all wait with baited breath until Monday to see if we move up or down or stay in the same place.
It also saw the "lively" debate in PA on our monarchy and quite a few people had things to say re: that subject and I'm sure it will be raised again in feature classes.
Saturday, England lost the Rugby :( but before that I have now made notes from quite a few books for my Future Assignment and will start writing that very soon...
Sunday saw me work on my feature, refresh my memory with Shorthand (just on the VERY remote chance I go up a group) and watch Lewis Hamilton lose in the Grand Prix.
Hopefully next time I blog the week England or anyone representing the country will not be doing anything. Football, Rubgy and Lewis Hamilton all lost and I am sure other sports suffered the same fate.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
University 3rd year
So I now have my timetable and it's 1 and a half hours of Shortand (the Teeline variety) a day in order to get us up to writing 80 WAM to pass the course and 100 WAM to pass the NCTJ. Overall I have around 20 hours a week at University in what will be my third and final year (as long as I don't resit...) That scares me, I knew it was coming but saying it and thinking about it is more than slightly worrying. I don't think I am ready yet to work 9-5 five days a week on a newspaper as a staffer, so I am hoping the third year will get me more prepared for the challenges this may bring. Don't get me wrong I am looking forward to getting a job and making a career and my work experience placements will only stand me in good stead for doing that but there is a niggling feeling that I just need more time.
One of the main reasons for this niggle is my results last year. Ok, results are not everything and my CV will count for a lot and its not like I am doing awful but if I want my 2:1 I just need to improve just a little....last year I got scores of 60, 59, 58, 57 and 49 (I completly buggered up one assignment on that 49) which demonstrates I am DAMN close but just not quite there. Hopefully, with a bit more luck/effort this year I can hit the 2:1 barrier and achieve my desired degree mark.
I have moved into a new house from 2nd year which is pretty nice from the first glance and experience the only down side being its around 20 minutes from the Uni while in the 1st and 2nd year I was right next to the campus.
No news as yet regarding getting involved with the student paper or radio or the community radio station but time and work constraints are stopping me committing myself at the moment so we'll see how it goes and whatever I can do I will do as its all for my benefit at the end of the day.
One of the main reasons for this niggle is my results last year. Ok, results are not everything and my CV will count for a lot and its not like I am doing awful but if I want my 2:1 I just need to improve just a little....last year I got scores of 60, 59, 58, 57 and 49 (I completly buggered up one assignment on that 49) which demonstrates I am DAMN close but just not quite there. Hopefully, with a bit more luck/effort this year I can hit the 2:1 barrier and achieve my desired degree mark.
I have moved into a new house from 2nd year which is pretty nice from the first glance and experience the only down side being its around 20 minutes from the Uni while in the 1st and 2nd year I was right next to the campus.
No news as yet regarding getting involved with the student paper or radio or the community radio station but time and work constraints are stopping me committing myself at the moment so we'll see how it goes and whatever I can do I will do as its all for my benefit at the end of the day.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Summer 07
Ok since it has been nearly 2 months since I last updated this and while a little bit may be down too laziness most is down to what I have been doing.
From the start of the summer I had a work experience placement that was planned to last two weeks but ended up lasting three weeks.
I needed to earn some cash which is why the job at the hospital came in very handy. Working 9-5 five days a week really brought in the cash.
I took a week's break to do work experience at another newspaper which was accompanied with a byline and lots more cuttings for my portfolio and a more experience of getting information over the phone.
After some more time in the paid job it was time for my one week placement with the M.E.N. paper. This was a fantastic experience as it is a much bigger organisation and the things I learnt there will surely stand me in good stead for the future, especially the articles I produced and have kept from the paper.
After my summer of journalism I had the best time on a holiday ever. After working from the weekend after I finished Uni until the weekend before I went on holiday - a lad's holiday was the perfect tonic for me ;) I have got loads of great memories and it was top class fun!
3 days after I got back I went to the Big Apple for my Dad's birthday. It was amazing, the way of life their is much more hectic then here and the sights to see were breathtaking and the four days I spent there was a perfect way to end my last summer holiday before I look for a job.
I came back to Uni yesterday and am settling into my new house for my third year. I now do around 20 hours a week for my journalism course and things start on Monday so I am nervous but excited about starting my final year of study at UCLan.
From the start of the summer I had a work experience placement that was planned to last two weeks but ended up lasting three weeks.
I needed to earn some cash which is why the job at the hospital came in very handy. Working 9-5 five days a week really brought in the cash.
I took a week's break to do work experience at another newspaper which was accompanied with a byline and lots more cuttings for my portfolio and a more experience of getting information over the phone.
After some more time in the paid job it was time for my one week placement with the M.E.N. paper. This was a fantastic experience as it is a much bigger organisation and the things I learnt there will surely stand me in good stead for the future, especially the articles I produced and have kept from the paper.
After my summer of journalism I had the best time on a holiday ever. After working from the weekend after I finished Uni until the weekend before I went on holiday - a lad's holiday was the perfect tonic for me ;) I have got loads of great memories and it was top class fun!
3 days after I got back I went to the Big Apple for my Dad's birthday. It was amazing, the way of life their is much more hectic then here and the sights to see were breathtaking and the four days I spent there was a perfect way to end my last summer holiday before I look for a job.
I came back to Uni yesterday and am settling into my new house for my third year. I now do around 20 hours a week for my journalism course and things start on Monday so I am nervous but excited about starting my final year of study at UCLan.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Summer-Summer-Summer Time
Or at least it's supposed to be...
Since I broke up from University for the summer I haven't had a weekday to rest. A placement at my local commercial radio station on the news team was excellent and I learned a huge amount from both the production and technical sides.
I have recently completed a one week work ex placement with a newspaper just outside my hometown and did I lot of work for them. I re-wrote a few press releases but was busy ringing schools in the area mostly re: school leaving parties. Today, I got a phone call from a relative telling me I had a byline in the paper, top news so now I can prove more substantially that therest of the articles I did actually were written by me.
Other good news saw me pass NCTJ Law Paper one which I am delighted about because I thought there was no chance in me passing but was brought down to earth after failing paper 2.
As a member of Facebook, the social networking site, this article by reporter Tom Rawstorne got me on their this afternoon removing a few of my details. Although the old addage "It won't happen to me" especially with all the other members gets you a tad complacent. As risky as it may be though, I am going to keep mine, while in all honesty I don't really need it.
This is a link written by an unknown journalist to the latest news on the flooding with several other stories with links on the page. Where I live has not been flooded despite some heavy rain but I can't imagine what it must feel like for the relatives of people killed by the floods. Materialistic things are hard enough to take when you find your house flooded and possesions lost but too loose loved ones must be very hard.
I am going to leave now as I have shared enough thoughts on this blog.
I am off to get rid of my blocked nose, sore throat, headache and varying temperature - stupid cold.
Since I broke up from University for the summer I haven't had a weekday to rest. A placement at my local commercial radio station on the news team was excellent and I learned a huge amount from both the production and technical sides.
I have recently completed a one week work ex placement with a newspaper just outside my hometown and did I lot of work for them. I re-wrote a few press releases but was busy ringing schools in the area mostly re: school leaving parties. Today, I got a phone call from a relative telling me I had a byline in the paper, top news so now I can prove more substantially that therest of the articles I did actually were written by me.
Other good news saw me pass NCTJ Law Paper one which I am delighted about because I thought there was no chance in me passing but was brought down to earth after failing paper 2.
As a member of Facebook, the social networking site, this article by reporter Tom Rawstorne got me on their this afternoon removing a few of my details. Although the old addage "It won't happen to me" especially with all the other members gets you a tad complacent. As risky as it may be though, I am going to keep mine, while in all honesty I don't really need it.
This is a link written by an unknown journalist to the latest news on the flooding with several other stories with links on the page. Where I live has not been flooded despite some heavy rain but I can't imagine what it must feel like for the relatives of people killed by the floods. Materialistic things are hard enough to take when you find your house flooded and possesions lost but too loose loved ones must be very hard.
I am going to leave now as I have shared enough thoughts on this blog.
I am off to get rid of my blocked nose, sore throat, headache and varying temperature - stupid cold.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Online footy management game
Back to the light-hearted stuff then ;) After all I am on holiday from Uni for the summer - I can't be focussed all of the time!
This is the last season of results from the online football management game I play. As you can tell, they were mid-table form which is why I finished in 6th place!
Senior League
BSC without honours 0 - 5 Bob Paisley's Legends (BPL)
BPL 0 - 3 Baby F.C.
我愛黑澀會 0 - 10 BPL
rathmedia fc 4 - 1 BPL
BPL 0 - 0 C. Moston Mampuya's
Foxes FC 0 - 8 BPL
BPL 2 - 2 London Fields
BPL 3 - 8 Villa Park Rampage
FC Vauxhall London 2 - 2 BPL
BPL 1 - 3 Tortola Superstars
punjabi rejects 2 - 3 BPL
BPL 6 - 0 PsP@omy
BPL 3 - 1 Williams
This is the last season of results from the online football management game I play. As you can tell, they were mid-table form which is why I finished in 6th place!
Senior League
BSC without honours 0 - 5 Bob Paisley's Legends (BPL)
BPL 0 - 3 Baby F.C.
我愛黑澀會 0 - 10 BPL
rathmedia fc 4 - 1 BPL
BPL 0 - 0 C. Moston Mampuya's
Foxes FC 0 - 8 BPL
BPL 2 - 2 London Fields
BPL 3 - 8 Villa Park Rampage
FC Vauxhall London 2 - 2 BPL
BPL 1 - 3 Tortola Superstars
punjabi rejects 2 - 3 BPL
BPL 6 - 0 PsP@omy
BPL 3 - 1 Williams
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
114 days
Finally Alan Johnston, the BBC journalist who had been kidnapped in Gaza for 114 days has been released. The main story is here on the BBC website.
For him it has been sorted but not every kidnapped person or journalist is so lucky and so many are killed everyday in violence that doesn't seem to be warranted.
I'll hold my hands up because I am not a religious person and know very little about religion but how this violence and kidnappings are supposed to help anybody escapes me.
For example, the recent car bombs found in London and the car driven into the terminal at Glasgow airport with the clear intent of causing harm to innocent people strikes me with fear. Anywhere, anyone at anytime could be plotting some sort of attack that devastates average people. The terror threat may have been decreased to "severe" but how people could contemplate such horror is scary to me and I cannot comprehend reasons behind such things.
I am way out of my depth to explain the terror situation or the Alan Johnston cicrumstances but blogs like these provide a more detailed look at things. Robin Hamman http://www.cybersoc.com/2007/07/alan-johnston-i.html and someone who calls themself "gateway pundit" http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2007/07/bbc-journalist-alan-johnston-released.html .
While they are a whole host of other example this one deals with what I briefly outlined earlier: http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/organgrinder/2007/07/after_alan_johnston_is_there_m.html written by Jemima Kiss for the Guardian on the continued fight for other people to be released as it says 29 journalists kidnapped this year - it is supposed to be a job not a threat to life.
This is the latest on the Terror situation by someone called Cernig over at http://cernigsnewshog.blogspot.com/2007/07/briatin-reduces-terror-threat-level.html
How wonderful the interent has become for this type of thing. So many views, opinions, perceptions and outcomes from all over the world on every topic imaginable.
I am will leave you now to feast into the troth of blogs available I have listed and on the web sphere and next time I post lets hope Madeline McCann has been found safe and well....
For him it has been sorted but not every kidnapped person or journalist is so lucky and so many are killed everyday in violence that doesn't seem to be warranted.
I'll hold my hands up because I am not a religious person and know very little about religion but how this violence and kidnappings are supposed to help anybody escapes me.
For example, the recent car bombs found in London and the car driven into the terminal at Glasgow airport with the clear intent of causing harm to innocent people strikes me with fear. Anywhere, anyone at anytime could be plotting some sort of attack that devastates average people. The terror threat may have been decreased to "severe" but how people could contemplate such horror is scary to me and I cannot comprehend reasons behind such things.
I am way out of my depth to explain the terror situation or the Alan Johnston cicrumstances but blogs like these provide a more detailed look at things. Robin Hamman http://www.cybersoc.com/2007/07/alan-johnston-i.html and someone who calls themself "gateway pundit" http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2007/07/bbc-journalist-alan-johnston-released.html .
While they are a whole host of other example this one deals with what I briefly outlined earlier: http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/organgrinder/2007/07/after_alan_johnston_is_there_m.html written by Jemima Kiss for the Guardian on the continued fight for other people to be released as it says 29 journalists kidnapped this year - it is supposed to be a job not a threat to life.
This is the latest on the Terror situation by someone called Cernig over at http://cernigsnewshog.blogspot.com/2007/07/briatin-reduces-terror-threat-level.html
How wonderful the interent has become for this type of thing. So many views, opinions, perceptions and outcomes from all over the world on every topic imaginable.
I am will leave you now to feast into the troth of blogs available I have listed and on the web sphere and next time I post lets hope Madeline McCann has been found safe and well....
Thursday, June 21, 2007
year's longest day
Totally forgot to post about Leek Town's survival in the Unibond Premier League for the 2007/08 season and after last season its truely deserved.
I cannot say the same for Scarborough though, they went out of business yesterday and will need to start from the bottom of the pyramid and it is understandable but it does annoy me that grass roots football is being neglected for the glamour entertainment form that brings in cash. £50m per club for the TV deal would probably give financial security to every team in the non-league!
I am on my penultimate day of my work ex placement at my local radio placement. It was supposed to be 4th to 15th June but I got an extra week (to the 22nd) so I must be doing something right! The news experience as been valuable and improved my skills no end, hope it leads to some kind of job somewhere next summer.
It was one hundred days yesterday that Alan Johnstan was abducted and it is approaching 50 days since Madeline McCann was taken - just hope both are safe and well. On that point, can you believe Mr McCann had his wallet pick-pocketed on his return home? Just return the photos of his daughter has to be the message - the sentimental value is massive
I have a paid job for part of the summer anyways, it might not be pretty but its decent hours and decent pay so it will pad my wallet ready for my third year at Uni and it takes up time that I would be doing nothing otherwise.
Finally, I think I will get my results tomorrow from my 2nd year at Uni, except for the NCTJ law exam which I will get later on. I'm fairly confident I have passed everything, but by how much is the bigger question and has me slightly worried. Judging by previous results it looks like a low 2:1 or a high 2:2 and I'll be reasonably happy with that. Just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings though...wish me luck!
I cannot say the same for Scarborough though, they went out of business yesterday and will need to start from the bottom of the pyramid and it is understandable but it does annoy me that grass roots football is being neglected for the glamour entertainment form that brings in cash. £50m per club for the TV deal would probably give financial security to every team in the non-league!
I am on my penultimate day of my work ex placement at my local radio placement. It was supposed to be 4th to 15th June but I got an extra week (to the 22nd) so I must be doing something right! The news experience as been valuable and improved my skills no end, hope it leads to some kind of job somewhere next summer.
It was one hundred days yesterday that Alan Johnstan was abducted and it is approaching 50 days since Madeline McCann was taken - just hope both are safe and well. On that point, can you believe Mr McCann had his wallet pick-pocketed on his return home? Just return the photos of his daughter has to be the message - the sentimental value is massive
I have a paid job for part of the summer anyways, it might not be pretty but its decent hours and decent pay so it will pad my wallet ready for my third year at Uni and it takes up time that I would be doing nothing otherwise.
Finally, I think I will get my results tomorrow from my 2nd year at Uni, except for the NCTJ law exam which I will get later on. I'm fairly confident I have passed everything, but by how much is the bigger question and has me slightly worried. Judging by previous results it looks like a low 2:1 or a high 2:2 and I'll be reasonably happy with that. Just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings though...wish me luck!
Saturday, June 02, 2007
21st June 2007
Firstly, I am posting this on the day that I am leaving my Uni accommodation on my 2nd year (argh!) so that means my 2nd year (barring a complete failure in my results...) is now over and that I can concentrate on shorthand etc for my third (and final :( ) year at University = now that is scary to think, 2 years done only 1 to go then I will be out there in the big wide world.
Anyways, to business:
Despite having secured its UniBond Premier League status, Leek Town FC is again facing financial uncertainty if sufficient funds cannot be found to start the forthcoming football season. At a recent board meeting, long and hard discussions took place to establish whether the club could survive a full season given realistic projections of income and expenditure. A budget was presented which was clearly insufficient to meet the costs of running a club at this level of football. Over many years, the club has received valued support from local people and businesses which has enabled it to continue providing football at UniBond level. Last year, an Inland Revenue winding up order was averted thanks to a generous donation which also helped the club to start the 2006-7season and pay off other debts. As a result, it is without significant debt and in this respect, is in a stronger position than many other non-league clubs. However, it has insufficient money to start the new season and assured income for the forthcoming year is simply inadequate to meet the costs of running and maintaining the stadium and paying players’ wages. The supporters and other local people interested in football deserve a club of Leek Town’s standing but sadly, there is real danger that the club will cease to exist if a solution cannot be found. This is not an appeal to our supporters as they helped by pledging and donating money twice in the last few years and we cannot expect more from them. There needs to be long-term financial support at a substantial level. There will be further meetings of the board to decide how to deal with these problems and a further statement will be made in due course.
This is the non-league team I follow and it really saddens me if by 21st June 2007 they have not found the money to survive they will have to administration or a winding up order and no football club deserves this. There could be a possible merger with Leek CSOB and I'm sure Leek Town fans will take anything to save their beloved club.
As a follower of Liverpool this signifies what is wrong with the "beautiful game", Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool etc splashing out so many millions for 1 player and the Championship play-off match being worth an est. £60m pounds for the winners yet we have local teams unable to keep going due to financial reasons. A figure that has been quoted (which may or may not be correct) to keep Leek Town alive for another season is 5k which in general is a lot but in the context of football it is pittance, a few beans to the pro clubs.
That is where the problem lies as local businesses/people are less reluctant to sponsor Leek when they can sponsor Stoke or Port Vale who are local and higher up = more advertising money.
Leek avoiding relegation last season and I was there to watch that match and the atmosphere, like in all 3 non league games I have been to (hoping to extend that...) has been excellent. It is a proper day out, a couple of quid to watch the beautiful game the way it should be played with passion, commitment and love not for around £100k a week.
This is hoping someone, somewhere can save Leek Town or my non-league fan days could be sadly numbered. Of course, Leek are not the only team in financial trouble Telford a few years ago, Scarborough, Farnborough and many more I suspect but I still hope to be posting something positive before June 21st about me going to watch a team in Leek, be it Leek Town or a merger with CSOB to form Leek United/Leek Athletic = whatever...just keep the club alive.
Anyways, to business:
Despite having secured its UniBond Premier League status, Leek Town FC is again facing financial uncertainty if sufficient funds cannot be found to start the forthcoming football season. At a recent board meeting, long and hard discussions took place to establish whether the club could survive a full season given realistic projections of income and expenditure. A budget was presented which was clearly insufficient to meet the costs of running a club at this level of football. Over many years, the club has received valued support from local people and businesses which has enabled it to continue providing football at UniBond level. Last year, an Inland Revenue winding up order was averted thanks to a generous donation which also helped the club to start the 2006-7season and pay off other debts. As a result, it is without significant debt and in this respect, is in a stronger position than many other non-league clubs. However, it has insufficient money to start the new season and assured income for the forthcoming year is simply inadequate to meet the costs of running and maintaining the stadium and paying players’ wages. The supporters and other local people interested in football deserve a club of Leek Town’s standing but sadly, there is real danger that the club will cease to exist if a solution cannot be found. This is not an appeal to our supporters as they helped by pledging and donating money twice in the last few years and we cannot expect more from them. There needs to be long-term financial support at a substantial level. There will be further meetings of the board to decide how to deal with these problems and a further statement will be made in due course.
This is the non-league team I follow and it really saddens me if by 21st June 2007 they have not found the money to survive they will have to administration or a winding up order and no football club deserves this. There could be a possible merger with Leek CSOB and I'm sure Leek Town fans will take anything to save their beloved club.
As a follower of Liverpool this signifies what is wrong with the "beautiful game", Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool etc splashing out so many millions for 1 player and the Championship play-off match being worth an est. £60m pounds for the winners yet we have local teams unable to keep going due to financial reasons. A figure that has been quoted (which may or may not be correct) to keep Leek Town alive for another season is 5k which in general is a lot but in the context of football it is pittance, a few beans to the pro clubs.
That is where the problem lies as local businesses/people are less reluctant to sponsor Leek when they can sponsor Stoke or Port Vale who are local and higher up = more advertising money.
Leek avoiding relegation last season and I was there to watch that match and the atmosphere, like in all 3 non league games I have been to (hoping to extend that...) has been excellent. It is a proper day out, a couple of quid to watch the beautiful game the way it should be played with passion, commitment and love not for around £100k a week.
This is hoping someone, somewhere can save Leek Town or my non-league fan days could be sadly numbered. Of course, Leek are not the only team in financial trouble Telford a few years ago, Scarborough, Farnborough and many more I suspect but I still hope to be posting something positive before June 21st about me going to watch a team in Leek, be it Leek Town or a merger with CSOB to form Leek United/Leek Athletic = whatever...just keep the club alive.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Think on the following maxims..
1) Animal testing is a terrible idea- they get all nervous and give the wrong answers
2) exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement
3) be nice to your kids they'll choose your nursing home
4) If everythings going your way, you are driving in the wrong lane
5) an oral contract isn't worth the paper it is written on
6) the best way to serve cabbage is to someone else
7) a day without sunshine is like...night
8) never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway
9) the only time the world beats a path to your door is when you are in the bathroom
10) a tidy desk is the sign of an untidy drawer
11) if you can't beat them, arrange to have them beaten
12) if tomorrow never comes you are dead
13) a good pun is its own reword
14) the road to success is always under construction
15) if at first you don't succeed, destory all evidence you tried
16) nobody is ugly after 2am
17) suicide is a way of telling god: "You can't fire me - I quit!"
18) a beer in the hand is worth 2 in the fridge
19) change is inevitable, except from a vending machine
20) it's not an optical illusion, it just looks that way
21) he who laughs last, thinks slowest
22) hard work has a future payoff, but laziness pays off now
23) twenty-four hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence?
24) honesty is the best policy, but insanity is the best defence
25) friends help you move. Real friends help you move bodies
Hope you enjoyed them. They are a selection from a book I have called the "Mammoth book of jokes". Great new post for the first one since the blog re-design and for the first one since I am back home for a little while!
2) exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement
3) be nice to your kids they'll choose your nursing home
4) If everythings going your way, you are driving in the wrong lane
5) an oral contract isn't worth the paper it is written on
6) the best way to serve cabbage is to someone else
7) a day without sunshine is like...night
8) never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway
9) the only time the world beats a path to your door is when you are in the bathroom
10) a tidy desk is the sign of an untidy drawer
11) if you can't beat them, arrange to have them beaten
12) if tomorrow never comes you are dead
13) a good pun is its own reword
14) the road to success is always under construction
15) if at first you don't succeed, destory all evidence you tried
16) nobody is ugly after 2am
17) suicide is a way of telling god: "You can't fire me - I quit!"
18) a beer in the hand is worth 2 in the fridge
19) change is inevitable, except from a vending machine
20) it's not an optical illusion, it just looks that way
21) he who laughs last, thinks slowest
22) hard work has a future payoff, but laziness pays off now
23) twenty-four hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence?
24) honesty is the best policy, but insanity is the best defence
25) friends help you move. Real friends help you move bodies
Hope you enjoyed them. They are a selection from a book I have called the "Mammoth book of jokes". Great new post for the first one since the blog re-design and for the first one since I am back home for a little while!
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
near the end of my second Uni year.
The 2nd year of our journalism degree is pretty much winding down now. The TV assignment is done for the 14th and two Law exams 17th and 31st to go and then we will be on the slippery slope to 3rd year. Suppose thats why I feel in a contemplation kind of mood reflecting on what has been so far.
I got my one and only first grade this week and it was in Archaeology, my elective, I wonder if that was trying to tell me something? Specialise in that and then write for a journo publication! Not really, I am content with what I am doing now.
Especially as this summer is taken up by 3 placements. 1 two week placement at my local radio on the news team and 2 one week newspaper placements so it should be a good summer of experience and relaxation.
Anyways, it's 2 years on May 4th that I passed my driving test first time and just to brag and so far not had an accident ;) It may be cheating a little bit as I haven’t been driving all the time in them 2 years but I remember the day of passing my test as if it was yesterday and it ranks up there with one of the best days of my life! I couldn’t believe it and still feel so happy I can drive and have a clean licence.
Another thing (as I am in a reflection mood) is how I actually got into Uni in the first place, it’s weird how things work out. When the time came to apply I knew I wanted to do journalism but only applied for 5 courses and didn’t even apply for the sixth. I got in 4 and rejected for one and at the time I was on a BBC Manchester mentor project scheme and I had a personal mentor who recommended Preston when I said I was doing journalism and he said I should apply.
However, Januaury came and I thought I had no chance but I decided to use up my 6th slot and I was torn between Preston and Staffordshire and if it wasn’t for my BBC personal mentor I may well have gone for the latter.
I got my results and they weren’t high enough really, which has been pointed out to me by several people, but I guess due to my work experience beforehand I was allowed in. So I rang up and was surprised to find I had got my place at UCLan and that was another day which was full of happiness as I learned I would be off to the Uni I wanted.
I feel I was lucky to get in and have tried to make the most of it, which hasn’t always been the case but its not through lack of effort. Uni hasn’t been like I expected and I’m still not sure I made the right decision to stay on at the end of my first year but here I am nearly at the end of my second year getting ready for my law exams and finding out I got a 58% in my issues presentation which wasn't what I wanted.
Another thing, is the Uni's decision to merge the print and online routes in third year. When it came to making our choice I choose newspapers but due to the lack of people taking both routes and the "convergence" of print and online they have decided to merge the routes. Now, on one hand this is great as we will be the first print and online graduates and it is the way the industry is going but on the other hand we are going to be the preverbial guinea pigs like we were for Law this year which went tits up but hopefully it will be ok. I'm certainly looking ahead to the challenges third year will bring!
I got my one and only first grade this week and it was in Archaeology, my elective, I wonder if that was trying to tell me something? Specialise in that and then write for a journo publication! Not really, I am content with what I am doing now.
Especially as this summer is taken up by 3 placements. 1 two week placement at my local radio on the news team and 2 one week newspaper placements so it should be a good summer of experience and relaxation.
Anyways, it's 2 years on May 4th that I passed my driving test first time and just to brag and so far not had an accident ;) It may be cheating a little bit as I haven’t been driving all the time in them 2 years but I remember the day of passing my test as if it was yesterday and it ranks up there with one of the best days of my life! I couldn’t believe it and still feel so happy I can drive and have a clean licence.
Another thing (as I am in a reflection mood) is how I actually got into Uni in the first place, it’s weird how things work out. When the time came to apply I knew I wanted to do journalism but only applied for 5 courses and didn’t even apply for the sixth. I got in 4 and rejected for one and at the time I was on a BBC Manchester mentor project scheme and I had a personal mentor who recommended Preston when I said I was doing journalism and he said I should apply.
However, Januaury came and I thought I had no chance but I decided to use up my 6th slot and I was torn between Preston and Staffordshire and if it wasn’t for my BBC personal mentor I may well have gone for the latter.
I got my results and they weren’t high enough really, which has been pointed out to me by several people, but I guess due to my work experience beforehand I was allowed in. So I rang up and was surprised to find I had got my place at UCLan and that was another day which was full of happiness as I learned I would be off to the Uni I wanted.
I feel I was lucky to get in and have tried to make the most of it, which hasn’t always been the case but its not through lack of effort. Uni hasn’t been like I expected and I’m still not sure I made the right decision to stay on at the end of my first year but here I am nearly at the end of my second year getting ready for my law exams and finding out I got a 58% in my issues presentation which wasn't what I wanted.
Another thing, is the Uni's decision to merge the print and online routes in third year. When it came to making our choice I choose newspapers but due to the lack of people taking both routes and the "convergence" of print and online they have decided to merge the routes. Now, on one hand this is great as we will be the first print and online graduates and it is the way the industry is going but on the other hand we are going to be the preverbial guinea pigs like we were for Law this year which went tits up but hopefully it will be ok. I'm certainly looking ahead to the challenges third year will bring!
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Average Joe's life
Pluto has finished for the year now and on reflection I probably should have done more with, I have got 4 or 5 articles in the paper in a year which is pretty poor...
The LEP page hasn't worked out again, made more of an effort but not going to happen yet!
Still doing the odd shift for Match but as its the end of the season that is winding down
I am neck-deep in assignment work and deadlines. I handed in an assignment (which was produce a 5 page website on dreamweaver and a newspaper page on quark among many other things) last week and working on a 2,500 word assignment for Wednesday - currently done 2,000 words so progress is being made.
I got my one and only 70% = FIRST at University yesterday in my Archeology elective! I was amazed and absolutely delighted with that result as it pulls up my average for the year as well.
The NUJ oral history project has ran into several complications along the way but should be sent off today or definetly tomorrow as the audio file won't fit in an e-mail.
I have one assigment for wednesday (as I have said) one for Friday 11th May and two LAW exams on 17th (the course exam) and 31st (the NCTJ exam) which I am metaphorically crapping myself over as I am not at all confident of a good result in them.
I still do my radio show 9-11am on the student radio station and its still going fine.
My social life is very limited at the moment due to time and effort but Pro Evo and Champ Manager (where I have Preston in the Premiership) are keeping me sane!
As I nearing the end of my 2nd year I had to choose which route I wanted to specialise in and I went for Newspapers over broadcast which was a tough decision and one I am still unsure about...
I have a placement at my local radio station for two weeks in June and two 1 week placements at the MEN in August and another local paper back home which should give me another insight into the industry I want to spend my career in.
Think thats all for now folks, there's a lot going on in my life at the moment as you may be able to tell!
The LEP page hasn't worked out again, made more of an effort but not going to happen yet!
Still doing the odd shift for Match but as its the end of the season that is winding down
I am neck-deep in assignment work and deadlines. I handed in an assignment (which was produce a 5 page website on dreamweaver and a newspaper page on quark among many other things) last week and working on a 2,500 word assignment for Wednesday - currently done 2,000 words so progress is being made.
I got my one and only 70% = FIRST at University yesterday in my Archeology elective! I was amazed and absolutely delighted with that result as it pulls up my average for the year as well.
The NUJ oral history project has ran into several complications along the way but should be sent off today or definetly tomorrow as the audio file won't fit in an e-mail.
I have one assigment for wednesday (as I have said) one for Friday 11th May and two LAW exams on 17th (the course exam) and 31st (the NCTJ exam) which I am metaphorically crapping myself over as I am not at all confident of a good result in them.
I still do my radio show 9-11am on the student radio station and its still going fine.
My social life is very limited at the moment due to time and effort but Pro Evo and Champ Manager (where I have Preston in the Premiership) are keeping me sane!
As I nearing the end of my 2nd year I had to choose which route I wanted to specialise in and I went for Newspapers over broadcast which was a tough decision and one I am still unsure about...
I have a placement at my local radio station for two weeks in June and two 1 week placements at the MEN in August and another local paper back home which should give me another insight into the industry I want to spend my career in.
Think thats all for now folks, there's a lot going on in my life at the moment as you may be able to tell!
Friday, April 20, 2007
"They won’t be selling their story, minister”
That was the headline in the Daily Mail a few days ago and it is true what they say, a headline can grab attention and make you want to read on.
This was about the four British soldiers killed in Iraq and while this raised questions about women serving on the front line in Iraq, this blog is going to focus on the hostages that were freed after being captured in Iran and especially the two that “sold” their stories. Arthur Batchelor or “Mr Bean” as he now seems to have become known and Faye Turney who was Leading Seaman which has resulted in this .
Although the Sun newspaper has defended its decision to pay for her story and Mr Batchelor said he was under the impression that everyone was going to sell their story, he only spoke to a local paper and he received only a tenth of what Faye Turney received it has still caused uproar.
The Daily Mail article cites examples of postings from www.rumnation.co.uk and www.arrse.co.uk which are military chatrooms and lists some of them and the feelings towards the selling off the stories.
This has a lot of people talking and sharing a lot of different views, like this one from Kate Bevan: http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/tv/2007/04/trevor_mcdonald_deserves_more.html
and this one from Toby Harnden: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/foreign/tobyharnden/april07/disgracefiasco.htm
and this one from Alison Ford:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/theeditors/2007/04/selling_stories.html
This is another blog with a brief insight into quite a few perspectives (might have to scroll down a bit!)
http://joesharkeyat.blogspot.com/
They both present interesting views but the general feeling of consensus seems to be that the stories should not have been sold, they should not have made money out of their ordeals but is it their fault for sellin the stories or the MOD’s for letting them sell their stories?
I mean, we can all criticise from our position can’t we? But we haven’t been through what they went through as I am sure it was hard. However, that does not (in my opinion) give them a free right to sell their stories to the media, ”tell” their stories and let the media use its public watchdog and fourth estate roles can be recognised but to offer money…it just shows the competitiveness in the industry and how financially influential it is becoming.
Whatever the moral high ground here is, the fact remains that the stories have been sold and told whether it was right or not. This does highlight the need to control this though because personally I do not think it was right for serving military personnel to be allowed “exceptional circumstances” to sell their stories…what about the families of people that have died serving in wars and those injured..if one group of people can why can’t everyone? I don’t think that would be good for the media or the image of Britain.
I’ll leave you with the below blog link and it leaves you with some interesting things to think about in the industry that we all hope to represent in a few years:
http://www.wordblog.co.uk/2007/04/09/while-sailors-sell-their-stories-parents-are-barred-from-telling-of-nightmare/
This was about the four British soldiers killed in Iraq and while this raised questions about women serving on the front line in Iraq, this blog is going to focus on the hostages that were freed after being captured in Iran and especially the two that “sold” their stories. Arthur Batchelor or “Mr Bean” as he now seems to have become known and Faye Turney who was Leading Seaman which has resulted in this .
Although the Sun newspaper has defended its decision to pay for her story and Mr Batchelor said he was under the impression that everyone was going to sell their story, he only spoke to a local paper and he received only a tenth of what Faye Turney received it has still caused uproar.
The Daily Mail article cites examples of postings from www.rumnation.co.uk and www.arrse.co.uk which are military chatrooms and lists some of them and the feelings towards the selling off the stories.
This has a lot of people talking and sharing a lot of different views, like this one from Kate Bevan: http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/tv/2007/04/trevor_mcdonald_deserves_more.html
and this one from Toby Harnden: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/foreign/tobyharnden/april07/disgracefiasco.htm
and this one from Alison Ford:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/theeditors/2007/04/selling_stories.html
This is another blog with a brief insight into quite a few perspectives (might have to scroll down a bit!)
http://joesharkeyat.blogspot.com/
They both present interesting views but the general feeling of consensus seems to be that the stories should not have been sold, they should not have made money out of their ordeals but is it their fault for sellin the stories or the MOD’s for letting them sell their stories?
I mean, we can all criticise from our position can’t we? But we haven’t been through what they went through as I am sure it was hard. However, that does not (in my opinion) give them a free right to sell their stories to the media, ”tell” their stories and let the media use its public watchdog and fourth estate roles can be recognised but to offer money…it just shows the competitiveness in the industry and how financially influential it is becoming.
Whatever the moral high ground here is, the fact remains that the stories have been sold and told whether it was right or not. This does highlight the need to control this though because personally I do not think it was right for serving military personnel to be allowed “exceptional circumstances” to sell their stories…what about the families of people that have died serving in wars and those injured..if one group of people can why can’t everyone? I don’t think that would be good for the media or the image of Britain.
I’ll leave you with the below blog link and it leaves you with some interesting things to think about in the industry that we all hope to represent in a few years:
http://www.wordblog.co.uk/2007/04/09/while-sailors-sell-their-stories-parents-are-barred-from-telling-of-nightmare/
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Fletcher, Duncan b Consistantly bad results after 7 years
The analysis into England’s Cricket at the world cup now begins. A news conference is to be held today which may signal Duncan Fletcher being sacked or receive a vote of confidence and Michael Vaughan could also be dropped or relieved of the captiancy.
To be honest something needs to be done, doesn’t it? Only winning Kenya, Canada, Ireland and Bangladesh (no disrepect to these teams but̷ is not good enough and we are quite rightly dumped out of the World Cup. (see this blog by Martin Gough from the BBC)
I feel I should make a supportive point here though, if we had won the Sri Lanka match (lost by 1 run) or the South Africa match then things would be very different but that’s the fickle nature and the fine line between success and failure.
It may be a drastic measure but in a way, I agree with David Lloyd’s comments that change needs to be radical - of course that may not be the case, we may leave it and improve or change drastically and stay the same (we can’t get much worse!)
It was not just the defeat to South Africa it was the manner of it (here is the link to the scorecard if you can bear it). From Nelson (111) for three to 121 for 8. Typical old style England collapse and even after we managed to limp over 150 it was the turn of the bowlers.
Fair enough, they did not have much to bowl at, fair enough it was almost over without a ball being bowled but this was the match presented as a “quarter-final” with the winners going through to the quarter finals and South Africa came out all guns blazing instead of nurdling their way to their measly target. However, England (again) had no answer as SA reached 157-1 off 19.2 overs and won it very easily indeed. The result looked bad but the performance rubbed it in even more…we didn’t deserve a place in the quarter finals.
On a more postive note is the Ireland team, despite yesterday’s result against Sri Lanka, they had surprised a lot of people with their passion, commitment and skill at the World Cup 07 and I would like to say they were a credit to the world cup - minnows doing something they weren’t tipped to do and pouring their heart and soul into evey game.
As for my tip on who is going to win? It doesn’t matter- England are out so I couldn’t care less. As for are we going to win our last match - I hope so, but it doesn’t really matter does it, except for some pride and to leave the tournament on a high.
Like my previous post stated this world cup will always be remembered for this and I just hope that justice can be done so that family/friends of Bob Woolmer can know the truth.
To be honest something needs to be done, doesn’t it? Only winning Kenya, Canada, Ireland and Bangladesh (no disrepect to these teams but̷ is not good enough and we are quite rightly dumped out of the World Cup. (see this blog by Martin Gough from the BBC)
I feel I should make a supportive point here though, if we had won the Sri Lanka match (lost by 1 run) or the South Africa match then things would be very different but that’s the fickle nature and the fine line between success and failure.
It may be a drastic measure but in a way, I agree with David Lloyd’s comments that change needs to be radical - of course that may not be the case, we may leave it and improve or change drastically and stay the same (we can’t get much worse!)
It was not just the defeat to South Africa it was the manner of it (here is the link to the scorecard if you can bear it). From Nelson (111) for three to 121 for 8. Typical old style England collapse and even after we managed to limp over 150 it was the turn of the bowlers.
Fair enough, they did not have much to bowl at, fair enough it was almost over without a ball being bowled but this was the match presented as a “quarter-final” with the winners going through to the quarter finals and South Africa came out all guns blazing instead of nurdling their way to their measly target. However, England (again) had no answer as SA reached 157-1 off 19.2 overs and won it very easily indeed. The result looked bad but the performance rubbed it in even more…we didn’t deserve a place in the quarter finals.
On a more postive note is the Ireland team, despite yesterday’s result against Sri Lanka, they had surprised a lot of people with their passion, commitment and skill at the World Cup 07 and I would like to say they were a credit to the world cup - minnows doing something they weren’t tipped to do and pouring their heart and soul into evey game.
As for my tip on who is going to win? It doesn’t matter- England are out so I couldn’t care less. As for are we going to win our last match - I hope so, but it doesn’t really matter does it, except for some pride and to leave the tournament on a high.
Like my previous post stated this world cup will always be remembered for this and I just hope that justice can be done so that family/friends of Bob Woolmer can know the truth.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Cricket World Cup 07
Firstly, this world cup will be forever remembered for the death of “Mr Cricket” aka Bob Woolmer, whatever happens from here on in. At 58 and still unknown cause of death it was a tragic loss for his family and for the sport as he was Pakistan coach and widely tipped to succedd Duncan Fletcher it he did step aside or get sacked but not to be, R.I.P Mr. Woolmer.
Of course, as this is just an update the West Indies went through today against Zimbabwe as Bermuda got mauled by India, who set the highest ever world cup ODI score of 413 and Bermuda were never in the hunt. Previously, England got beat by New Zealand and then beat Canada, albeit unconvicingly after Preston’s own Flintoff has decided at around 4am to get drunk and fall of a pedalo or something like that.
Dan Van Bunge was the victim of Gibbs 6 sixes in an over and it has been evident that Bermuda, Canada, Netherlands, Scotland are behind the other cricketing nations. However, the world cup cricket despite hardly even gaining a mention in the social circles in which I lead my life has thrown up a few shocks. Pakistan’s loss to Ireland which resulted in Inzamam-Ul-Haq retiting from ODI after the world cup and Ireland drawing with Zimbabwe a few days before. Bangladesh beating India was another shock, not on as high a scale but still unexpected.
The question does have to be asked, like the San Marino’s, Andorra’s and Luxembourg’s of the football world, should teams like Bermuda, Netherlands etc be in the world cup competing at this level? The argument for yes is look at Ireland beating Pakistan on St Paddy’s day and they did qualify for the tournament but the argument for no is they are simply not good enough…take Gibbs’ 6 sixes in an over, India’s 413-5 against Bermuda for examples. The smaller nations do need to play the “better” ranked cricketing nations but in a world cup? or another ODI series or couple of matches could be a suggestion.
Thats the update from me for now and I just hope England can avoid the banana skin of going out of the World Cup against Kenya as it will next be the easiest game ever. Come on the Barmy Army! and lets keep supporting the minnows to see if they can pull off any more shocks and convince more people they should be given a chance at this level.
March, Wed 21, Group B, Bangladesh v Sri Lanka Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad
March, Wed 21 Group D Pakistan v Zimbabwe Sabina Park, Jamaica
March, Thu 22 Group A Netherlands v Scotland Warner Park, St Kitts
March, Thu 22 Group C Canada v New Zealand Beausejour Stadium, St Lucia
March, Fri 23 Group B India v Sri Lanka Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad
March, Fri 23 Group D Ireland v West Indies Sabina Park, Jamaica
March, Sat 24 Group A Australia v South Africa Warner Park, St Kitts
March, Sat 24 Group England v Kenya Beausejour Stadium, St Lucia
March, Sun 25 Group B New Zealand v BermudaQueen’s Park Oval, Trinidad
Of course, as this is just an update the West Indies went through today against Zimbabwe as Bermuda got mauled by India, who set the highest ever world cup ODI score of 413 and Bermuda were never in the hunt. Previously, England got beat by New Zealand and then beat Canada, albeit unconvicingly after Preston’s own Flintoff has decided at around 4am to get drunk and fall of a pedalo or something like that.
Dan Van Bunge was the victim of Gibbs 6 sixes in an over and it has been evident that Bermuda, Canada, Netherlands, Scotland are behind the other cricketing nations. However, the world cup cricket despite hardly even gaining a mention in the social circles in which I lead my life has thrown up a few shocks. Pakistan’s loss to Ireland which resulted in Inzamam-Ul-Haq retiting from ODI after the world cup and Ireland drawing with Zimbabwe a few days before. Bangladesh beating India was another shock, not on as high a scale but still unexpected.
The question does have to be asked, like the San Marino’s, Andorra’s and Luxembourg’s of the football world, should teams like Bermuda, Netherlands etc be in the world cup competing at this level? The argument for yes is look at Ireland beating Pakistan on St Paddy’s day and they did qualify for the tournament but the argument for no is they are simply not good enough…take Gibbs’ 6 sixes in an over, India’s 413-5 against Bermuda for examples. The smaller nations do need to play the “better” ranked cricketing nations but in a world cup? or another ODI series or couple of matches could be a suggestion.
Thats the update from me for now and I just hope England can avoid the banana skin of going out of the World Cup against Kenya as it will next be the easiest game ever. Come on the Barmy Army! and lets keep supporting the minnows to see if they can pull off any more shocks and convince more people they should be given a chance at this level.
March, Wed 21, Group B, Bangladesh v Sri Lanka Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad
March, Wed 21 Group D Pakistan v Zimbabwe Sabina Park, Jamaica
March, Thu 22 Group A Netherlands v Scotland Warner Park, St Kitts
March, Thu 22 Group C Canada v New Zealand Beausejour Stadium, St Lucia
March, Fri 23 Group B India v Sri Lanka Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad
March, Fri 23 Group D Ireland v West Indies Sabina Park, Jamaica
March, Sat 24 Group A Australia v South Africa Warner Park, St Kitts
March, Sat 24 Group England v Kenya Beausejour Stadium, St Lucia
March, Sun 25 Group B New Zealand v BermudaQueen’s Park Oval, Trinidad
Friday, March 16, 2007
An update
Since I last posted on here quite a few things have gone on!
I am writing 2 stories for the fortnightly edition of my student newspaper, 1 which I submitted today and 1 for Monday.
I am setting to work on my elective assignment due in on the 30th March.
I have got a placement at a local bi-weekly paper back home for a week so thats good news.
I am still doing my radio show 9-11am on the Uni student radio station and still enjoying it.
The NUJ/Liverpool JM research project is going to be followed up on Sunday so hopefully that will end up with my name on a website and more to add to the CV.
I have been working once a weekend for the past month or so and am doing tomorrow to keep a steady cash flow coming in and I get to work at a footy ground...can't knock it.
I keep meaning to post more often on here but I guess i am just lazy...but recently as I say I have been busy and have been trying to avoid Mr. Murdoch's conglomeration and convergence by signing in and getting a google account. I am signed up for so many (insert expletive here) websites/forums/newsletters/pileofcrape-mails that I didn't want any more but I had to create a google account to sign in so cheers more spam for me! That seems to be the problem with the media industry, some change is good but other is unneccessary and pointless or just to make money. I'm not a great fan of an oligopoly-type media market and am glad competition is still healthy but my personally frustration lies with this "google" account. I use google regularly and have never needed an account but Mr Murdoch and associates have been swift to acquire this and MYspace (or as its now been coined "Rupert's space") to try and squash all competition but for me, it will always be the BBC! Can't be your quality, serious PSB for top-notch journalism.
I am writing 2 stories for the fortnightly edition of my student newspaper, 1 which I submitted today and 1 for Monday.
I am setting to work on my elective assignment due in on the 30th March.
I have got a placement at a local bi-weekly paper back home for a week so thats good news.
I am still doing my radio show 9-11am on the Uni student radio station and still enjoying it.
The NUJ/Liverpool JM research project is going to be followed up on Sunday so hopefully that will end up with my name on a website and more to add to the CV.
I have been working once a weekend for the past month or so and am doing tomorrow to keep a steady cash flow coming in and I get to work at a footy ground...can't knock it.
I keep meaning to post more often on here but I guess i am just lazy...but recently as I say I have been busy and have been trying to avoid Mr. Murdoch's conglomeration and convergence by signing in and getting a google account. I am signed up for so many (insert expletive here) websites/forums/newsletters/pileofcrape-mails that I didn't want any more but I had to create a google account to sign in so cheers more spam for me! That seems to be the problem with the media industry, some change is good but other is unneccessary and pointless or just to make money. I'm not a great fan of an oligopoly-type media market and am glad competition is still healthy but my personally frustration lies with this "google" account. I use google regularly and have never needed an account but Mr Murdoch and associates have been swift to acquire this and MYspace (or as its now been coined "Rupert's space") to try and squash all competition but for me, it will always be the BBC! Can't be your quality, serious PSB for top-notch journalism.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Work ex is coming my way
The work experience placement I applied on Friday has cashed in with a result as I have a two week placement on the news team of my local commercial radio statio over summer. Very happy indeed, as my phone call following up the e-mail led to a placement offer and thumbs-up from me! I am soon to write something for the NUJ in collobaration with Liverpool JM Uni as well which should look great on the CV and give me valuable experience writing for industry professionals.
Outside journalism, I worked a shift serving the supporters pie and beer at Blackburn Rovers football on sunday and doing the same on wednesday night and its been a nice and tidy job to keep the money rolling in. 5-a-side this morning was terrible, last week it was arranged for 10-11 and without telling me that had changed to 9-10am so not happy but can't do anything about it.
Currently working on a blog about Iraq and British troops there so that will be up very shortly but the rest of today is going to be spent preparing and being in a seminar, working on cover and overt bias and relaxing at night by watching the footy! Have a good day.
Outside journalism, I worked a shift serving the supporters pie and beer at Blackburn Rovers football on sunday and doing the same on wednesday night and its been a nice and tidy job to keep the money rolling in. 5-a-side this morning was terrible, last week it was arranged for 10-11 and without telling me that had changed to 9-10am so not happy but can't do anything about it.
Currently working on a blog about Iraq and British troops there so that will be up very shortly but the rest of today is going to be spent preparing and being in a seminar, working on cover and overt bias and relaxing at night by watching the footy! Have a good day.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Manchester Media day event
firstly, this is my 6oth post on this blog, it might sound good but the fact that I have had it over a year...well it points out I am not the most consistent blogger ever.
Anyways, yesterday I went to the Manchester Media Careers day which was right next to the G-MEX centre with the journalism society or JoSo (clever isn't it? JOurnalism SOciety!) at my University by train. The event was supposed to start at 10:30am but the queue's when we arrived were massive and it only got bigger so we stood outside in the cold and rain for around 45 minutes trying to get in. When we did I have to say the day was mostly a success, apart from the lack of a stall for Channel M which suprised me and the fact that the seminars were taken almost instantly due to the sheer volume of people.
The BBC, XFM, ITV, MEN and a whole host of other stalls were available though and provided me with some good people to talk to and find out how best to apply for work experience.
I have sent another two letters out today to try and get work experience in the summer and soon to send out another e-mail as well as I desperately need somewhere to work in the summer to get more experience about the industry I want to spend my whole life in! My piece I wrote for the student newspaper didn't get in either but not that surprised as it was only a NIB and not an important one either but my radio show is back on air this weekend so I will be gracing the ariwaves from 9-11am this weekend.
Anyways, yesterday I went to the Manchester Media Careers day which was right next to the G-MEX centre with the journalism society or JoSo (clever isn't it? JOurnalism SOciety!) at my University by train. The event was supposed to start at 10:30am but the queue's when we arrived were massive and it only got bigger so we stood outside in the cold and rain for around 45 minutes trying to get in. When we did I have to say the day was mostly a success, apart from the lack of a stall for Channel M which suprised me and the fact that the seminars were taken almost instantly due to the sheer volume of people.
The BBC, XFM, ITV, MEN and a whole host of other stalls were available though and provided me with some good people to talk to and find out how best to apply for work experience.
I have sent another two letters out today to try and get work experience in the summer and soon to send out another e-mail as well as I desperately need somewhere to work in the summer to get more experience about the industry I want to spend my whole life in! My piece I wrote for the student newspaper didn't get in either but not that surprised as it was only a NIB and not an important one either but my radio show is back on air this weekend so I will be gracing the ariwaves from 9-11am this weekend.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Following on...
... from my last post I have not got the placement at the same local paper as I did last year :( as I applied to late. I have been metaphorically kicking myself since I heard that and as I said in my last post: I should have applied earlier. I have applied for another local paper back home and to be part of the news team at my local radio station as I desperately need a placement this summer, to fill time and gain valuable journalistic experience that I do not obtain on my course. However, after the weekend at home for my cousins 18th b'day I have come back to Uni refreshed and ready to get stuck into assignments. I have 2 essays 1,500 words each to in March and a mahoosive portfolio due in for the end of April which I am going to get on with after posting this blog. My radio show will be back on air this weekend which I am looking forward to and hopefully all the equipment will be working. Tomorrow, I am off to the Manchester careers day with the UCLan Journalism society so I will be armed with my CV to gain the most experience I can from that but tonight I am going to relax by watching my team face up to the Catalan Giants in the Nou Camp, should be a great football game and will be my just rewards for the hours I am going to put in now for my work to try and get that, so far elusive, 2:1 in the 2nd year.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Planning for summer
I have been busy today preparing for summer work experience placements. It is around this time, maybe even a little earlier that most of the journalism students apply for work experience placements in the summer. When everyone else is relaxing and taking a break we are slaving away in the industry that we want to spend a career in. Might sound bad but its not, I thoroughly enjoyed my work experience placement at my local paper last summer and I have applied there again. I learned a lot about journalism in the real world and not just what the University course offers me. Hopefully these work experience placements will help me get a foot in the door because my assignments are not helping my cause at the moment. My 2nd year has not gone so well at the moment and I have had assignments back and found out I have not done as well as I would have liked and its not a great feeling. Just means that I have to work harder in other assignments and do better or else I will be in danger of missing out on a 2:1 and if 2nd year results go like this with only so much work then my 2:1 degree is in major threat for my 3rd year. Still plenty of time and I hold out hope, just have to work harder and do better.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Journalism course
I am in my 2nd year now so things are starting to pick up an soon I have to decided whether I want to take Broadcast (Radio and TV) or Newspaper route- I have narrowed it down to them 2. So far I have had 3 assignments back and got a good result on one but the others haven't been as good, still plenty of time to pick it up to a 2:1 and not far off at all.
One thing I have noticed about the journalism course at UCLan is that they tell us to express our opinions and free speech but as soon as that a slight criticism of the journalim department happens... then it shouldn't have been done as has happened on a recent occasion! Anyways, Frequency is another area were my cuurent frustration lies...the manager resigns, the studios take longer to refit then necessary then the playout system is changed without telling anyone! My radio show today was very poor, tomorrows should be a bit better...I hope.
I have realised this blog is sounding quite negative about UCLan and journalism, don't get me wrong it is a great course and like anything, has a few minor problems that shouldn't detract from the fact it is NCTJ qualified.
On Monday if I get a good result, if I learn how to used the new radio station playout system and speak to a course rep or the tutor I will be happy as pie again.
One thing I have noticed about the journalism course at UCLan is that they tell us to express our opinions and free speech but as soon as that a slight criticism of the journalim department happens... then it shouldn't have been done as has happened on a recent occasion! Anyways, Frequency is another area were my cuurent frustration lies...the manager resigns, the studios take longer to refit then necessary then the playout system is changed without telling anyone! My radio show today was very poor, tomorrows should be a bit better...I hope.
I have realised this blog is sounding quite negative about UCLan and journalism, don't get me wrong it is a great course and like anything, has a few minor problems that shouldn't detract from the fact it is NCTJ qualified.
On Monday if I get a good result, if I learn how to used the new radio station playout system and speak to a course rep or the tutor I will be happy as pie again.
Monday, January 29, 2007
end of grandstand
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/grandstand/default.stm has the detailed history of this programme and when it was announced http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4940490.stm that it was to be "phased out" as part of the digital age. It has been on air 48 years and provided sports like skiing and bowls etc with their limited oppurtunity to get on terrestrial TV and I for one, will miss this programme and the music which as I write this I am humming in my head. I am almost never critical of the BBC but with the increase in the licence fee as well I do get the feeling that they may either be trying to hard or going about it the wrong way to keep up in the "digital age". Nothing was wrong with grandstand and the viewing figures weren't that bad for a saturday afternoon, fair enough the BBC will continue with its dedicated sports coverage so why axe grandstand? Must be due to the money. Another example is the BBC News, like ITV they are fixing something that is not broken. Why do we have to have 2 presenters stood up and walking around its becoming like a drama! The content is still satisfying me at least, not too much "infotainment" criticism but sure it is good to implement technology and it has done a lot of good for journalism but it has also caused problems for the media conglomerates of todays world. Goodbye from Grandstand.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Welcome to where I live
I have just been on www.upmystreet.com and typed in my home postcode and these details came up:
Often, many of the people who live in this sort of postcode will be skilled workers living in semis and terraces. These are known as type 41 in the ACORN classification and 3.38% of the UK’s population live in this type.
Neighbourhoods fitting this profile are found throughout the UK including Blackpool, Stevenage, Crawley, Neath Port Talbot, Harlow and the Wear Valley.
Family income: Low
Interest in current affairs: Low
Housing - with mortgage: Medium
Educated - to degree: Low
Couples with children: Medium
Have satellite TV: Medium
Not quite true with my family…but might but true with the local area so can’t really complain about that.
The age profile is similar to the UK as a whole with a mixture of singles, couples, families and retired people. Car ownership is in line with the UK average, with around 75% of households owning a car. Cars are likely to be lower value models, often bought second hand. Interests include camping and caravanning, angling, bingo and the pub. Cable TV subscriptions are also above average for this group. Preferred newspapers include the Daily Mirror and The Sun, with the Sunday Mirror, News of the World and The People at weekends.
Hold it. Cars bought second hand. erm no. I don’t know anyone on my street who has bought a car 2nd hand, maybe the lower models bit is right though….is a 02 Fiat punto a lower model Interests one is way out! Camping and the pub are a true reflection and I suppose Bingo is going to be popular everywhere but nothing about sports in there. I have never heard of anyone in my neighbourhood do angling or caravanning!
Preferred newspapers. Alas, the mirror and the sun. oh dear. While my family doesn’t (often) get sucked in by these red tops I do have to admit I know quite a few people for the old page 3 catch. So now I know the demographic these newspapers audience is and the type of area they live in. One more thing then, it seems my area is one of many that helped Jade Goody gain celeb status then with their newspaper-reading habits. I apologise for them and for me.
Ok, I wasn’t expecting it to be spot on and some of the things it highlights are true but some are wide of the mark I am afraid as you can see by my comments above. A good excericse though and I had fun doing it and thats the main thing isn’t it? not the fact that the results surprised me a bit!
Often, many of the people who live in this sort of postcode will be skilled workers living in semis and terraces. These are known as type 41 in the ACORN classification and 3.38% of the UK’s population live in this type.
Neighbourhoods fitting this profile are found throughout the UK including Blackpool, Stevenage, Crawley, Neath Port Talbot, Harlow and the Wear Valley.
Family income: Low
Interest in current affairs: Low
Housing - with mortgage: Medium
Educated - to degree: Low
Couples with children: Medium
Have satellite TV: Medium
Not quite true with my family…but might but true with the local area so can’t really complain about that.
The age profile is similar to the UK as a whole with a mixture of singles, couples, families and retired people. Car ownership is in line with the UK average, with around 75% of households owning a car. Cars are likely to be lower value models, often bought second hand. Interests include camping and caravanning, angling, bingo and the pub. Cable TV subscriptions are also above average for this group. Preferred newspapers include the Daily Mirror and The Sun, with the Sunday Mirror, News of the World and The People at weekends.
Hold it. Cars bought second hand. erm no. I don’t know anyone on my street who has bought a car 2nd hand, maybe the lower models bit is right though….is a 02 Fiat punto a lower model Interests one is way out! Camping and the pub are a true reflection and I suppose Bingo is going to be popular everywhere but nothing about sports in there. I have never heard of anyone in my neighbourhood do angling or caravanning!
Preferred newspapers. Alas, the mirror and the sun. oh dear. While my family doesn’t (often) get sucked in by these red tops I do have to admit I know quite a few people for the old page 3 catch. So now I know the demographic these newspapers audience is and the type of area they live in. One more thing then, it seems my area is one of many that helped Jade Goody gain celeb status then with their newspaper-reading habits. I apologise for them and for me.
Ok, I wasn’t expecting it to be spot on and some of the things it highlights are true but some are wide of the mark I am afraid as you can see by my comments above. A good excericse though and I had fun doing it and thats the main thing isn’t it? not the fact that the results surprised me a bit!
Monday, January 15, 2007
apologies....
*blows dust off keyboard* ahem, well been a long time hasn't it? Thats really because not much worth blogging about has gone on in my life despite being busy. Since I last updated I have been home and I had a very good xmas and new year and if anyone is reading I hope you too had a very good xmas and new year. I go back to Preston on Friday to start semester 2 of my 2nd year of journalism and looking forward to it. The radio assignment was handed in today, 2 days before the deadline and it's exactly 3 minutes so hopefully that will get me a good mark. Soon to start my law assignment which is going to be very diffcult be McNae will become nighttime reading I think to get me through the weird and wonderful world of defamation. Worked on odd shift for Match but not much, looking forward to doing my radio show again on the student station and maybe....writing for the student paper but assignments come first.
Struggling for things to say and I haven't posted in a month..now that speaks for itself doesn't it?
Hoping to apply for my local paper and BBC Manchester again this summer but not done yet and hoping to get good grades on my assignments as well.
Thats all for now, posting should pick up again when I go back to University and become a student journo again but until Friday at least...take care and hope you are enjoying 2007!
Struggling for things to say and I haven't posted in a month..now that speaks for itself doesn't it?
Hoping to apply for my local paper and BBC Manchester again this summer but not done yet and hoping to get good grades on my assignments as well.
Thats all for now, posting should pick up again when I go back to University and become a student journo again but until Friday at least...take care and hope you are enjoying 2007!
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