I doubt I will have time to post on here again before the year is out so I will do my review of the year for me a little early! I was going to post a review of the major news events but it seems so many people are doing/planning it I thought it wasn't really worth it.
Landmarks: It has been a crazy time with parents birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, university ending for good, graduation, NCTJ exams and death of people we know/care about.
Memories: Of course there will be times of looking back and seeing good and bad times - someone I know dying this year at only 21 is the obvious bad point of this year but their have been personal highs such as graduation (even though it was at the 2nd attempt) and the fact that I passed NCTJ Newswriting and Local Gov despite failing Central Gov - at least I am more qualified than I was.
What has 2008 taught me: This year has taught me to not plan ahead too far, to concentrate on short term goals and to cherish every achievement I get and enjoy life in the present without ignoring the perils faced by me and other people day in day out.
Moving on: The time has come to push on thinking back on University life and from writing for free and work experience placements but they are both still a useful tool while looking for my dream job and will help me build my portfolio.
Looking Forward: And it is a time to look ahead to 2009 - what will that year bring for you? For me, a trip to Australia and then I will have to knuckle down and get a full time job to help my career and not like the 5 days a week I am now doing at a Supermarket. Don't get me wrong I enjoy working for them and the pay is good but at 21 I need to aim for the top and see where I fall, if you get what I mean.
And finally... I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and let's hope that 2009 brings what is deserved.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Steve Penk rushed to hospital
I have posted before re: Mr Penk's takeover of 96.2 The Revolution and so far, so good from what I have heard but I bet some people who have been victims of his famous prank phone calls are feeling slightly smug after the poor man fell victim to kidney stones recently.
He was rushed to hospital on friday morning and will be unable to do his morning breakfast show for a while but I'm sure he will soon be back on the air when he is fit enough to do so!
Apparently, the radio station sent out a press release about the issue and it is good to hear that people were wishing him well as I bet kidney stones hurt...
Going a bit off topic = I am awaiting the results of the NCTJ Newswriting and PA exams (Local and Central Government) after taking them at the University of Salford on Tuesday and Wednesday last week.
I had already failed Newswriting by four marks (or per cent) so lets hope when I find out on the 22nd December - make or break xmas - that I will be in a good mood.
While at Uni me and a few fellow students grew to be wary of this examination body and its power over the industry, especially how CRITICAL the qualifications are despite the obvious bonus they have.
And to my shock on the local gov exam paper question two they made a howler that anyone would be proud of. You see, it is supposed to be a choice of 16 local government-related key terms of which you have to answer 10 - fair enough I hear you say...
...however the exam paper saw only 14 key terms for us to choose from and one was the same one! Technically making 13 - shocking for an industry supported examination council.
But, in fairness, they have admitted their mistake and said that their markers will take it into account which is as good as they can do but the mistake really shouldn't have been made in the first place should it? Ahh well thats just how life rolls around some times isn't it and I do feel slightly sorry for the person who put that paper together as I don't think they would have had a good time recently!
He was rushed to hospital on friday morning and will be unable to do his morning breakfast show for a while but I'm sure he will soon be back on the air when he is fit enough to do so!
Apparently, the radio station sent out a press release about the issue and it is good to hear that people were wishing him well as I bet kidney stones hurt...
Going a bit off topic = I am awaiting the results of the NCTJ Newswriting and PA exams (Local and Central Government) after taking them at the University of Salford on Tuesday and Wednesday last week.
I had already failed Newswriting by four marks (or per cent) so lets hope when I find out on the 22nd December - make or break xmas - that I will be in a good mood.
While at Uni me and a few fellow students grew to be wary of this examination body and its power over the industry, especially how CRITICAL the qualifications are despite the obvious bonus they have.
And to my shock on the local gov exam paper question two they made a howler that anyone would be proud of. You see, it is supposed to be a choice of 16 local government-related key terms of which you have to answer 10 - fair enough I hear you say...
...however the exam paper saw only 14 key terms for us to choose from and one was the same one! Technically making 13 - shocking for an industry supported examination council.
But, in fairness, they have admitted their mistake and said that their markers will take it into account which is as good as they can do but the mistake really shouldn't have been made in the first place should it? Ahh well thats just how life rolls around some times isn't it and I do feel slightly sorry for the person who put that paper together as I don't think they would have had a good time recently!
Friday, November 21, 2008
No ultra local websites from BBC
So it seems official that the BBC has scrapped plans to launch web-based local video services as Paul McNally report says on the Press Gazette website.
Damn. I wouldn't mind a job with the BBC and 300 jobs that would have been created are now not going to be. Damn.
Apparently it
oh and it would have cost £68m over four years...
Dominic Ponsford (press gazette again) says that the decision has provided a "chink of light" for the regional press but he also warns that they have to take it.
After just graduating Uni a few months back we had the discussion about the survival of the regional press so many times most of the arguments for and against its survival and future moulding have become cemented into my head.
And I have to admit I agree with Kyle Christie and as he references a few other people who have a interest in the media world when it is stated that the BBC may have missed an opportunity.
It is a saturated market already and more competition would obviously have an affect on local newspapers and coming from the BBC the impact could have been even worse but I don't think it would have all been bad news.
But the fact of the matter is as Andy Sennitt says:
It is a very amicably decision by the BBC Trust but is it the right one: NUJ General Secretary Jeremy Dear says not:
I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens but local editors have got their wish, for now, so now it is over to them and their staff so see what they can do.
Damn. I wouldn't mind a job with the BBC and 300 jobs that would have been created are now not going to be. Damn.
Apparently it
would not extend the BBC’s reach to those audiences it is not serving very well
oh and it would have cost £68m over four years...
Dominic Ponsford (press gazette again) says that the decision has provided a "chink of light" for the regional press but he also warns that they have to take it.
After just graduating Uni a few months back we had the discussion about the survival of the regional press so many times most of the arguments for and against its survival and future moulding have become cemented into my head.
And I have to admit I agree with Kyle Christie and as he references a few other people who have a interest in the media world when it is stated that the BBC may have missed an opportunity.
It is a saturated market already and more competition would obviously have an affect on local newspapers and coming from the BBC the impact could have been even worse but I don't think it would have all been bad news.
But the fact of the matter is as Andy Sennitt says:
So now the opportunity is there local papers have to take it and "get to grips" with the online section and how they can serve their audience in new ways such as an online update like the Lancashire Evening Post and the Manchester Evening News, which is to an extent leading the charge when it comes to this sort of thing with video and audioThe BBC Trust’s decision will be warmly welcomed by publishers of regional and local newspapers across the UK, who are facing the loss of display advertising and job advertisements as a result of the economic recession
It is a very amicably decision by the BBC Trust but is it the right one: NUJ General Secretary Jeremy Dear says not:
Local papers are closing and job cuts mean thousands of journalists don’t have the time to do their jobs properly anymore. ITV is withdrawing from its regional and local news commitments. Against a significant decline in local journalism, here was an opportunity to take a small step in the opposite direction by actually enhancing local news provision
I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens but local editors have got their wish, for now, so now it is over to them and their staff so see what they can do.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Ayo (tired of using?) Technology
As I have probably said on this blog I am taking NCTJ exams next month in a bid to make myself more employable. But last week I got an e-mail from the holy examination gods themselves about the changing format of the Newswriting exam that I will be taking.
So it got me thinking that maybe UCLan was one step ahead of the game when it merged the Print and Online routes for the first time in my last year into a Print and Online journalism course and it wasn't because there was not enough numbers to fill each route ;)
I wish I had an example of the old website of my local paper compared to this one as the new one is a massive improvement visually and to navigate around - so it shows that newspapers are concentrating almost as much on websites as their printed version.
One of the best online versions of their newspaper has to be the Manchester Evening News but as I studied in Preston for three years we followed the Lancashire Evening Post quite closely and they also are embracing the web as a way to boost their competitiveness and maybe even reach a new audience.
Anyways, my point is the NCTJ are acknowledging that the Newswriting exam has to change to make sure newly trained journalists can write for the web and more time is being invested in newspaper websites so what is the end result?
The end of newspapers = I doubt that but obviously adaptations will have to be made and as anyone can see who takes a minute to browse around some newspaper websites they are as some are prepared to break stories online before their next print edition.
Whatever the future holds I hope I can be involved in some way which is why I am taking the NCTJ exams and why (I hope) they will send me on the right track to a good journalism job.
In September, the NCTJ introduced multi-media units to its news writing programme of study to ensure that students and trainees are taught about convergent multi-media skills in the newsroom.
Editors agreed that students and trainees should be tested on their ability to write for print and the web, and to test their knowledge of different multi-media platforms. It is essential that all candidates can think about different publishing platforms when reporting news stories.
Minor adjustments have been made to the news writing exam to reflect the changes. The format of the exam primarily remains the same, but question four has been split into two sections, A and B.
So it got me thinking that maybe UCLan was one step ahead of the game when it merged the Print and Online routes for the first time in my last year into a Print and Online journalism course and it wasn't because there was not enough numbers to fill each route ;)
I wish I had an example of the old website of my local paper compared to this one as the new one is a massive improvement visually and to navigate around - so it shows that newspapers are concentrating almost as much on websites as their printed version.
One of the best online versions of their newspaper has to be the Manchester Evening News but as I studied in Preston for three years we followed the Lancashire Evening Post quite closely and they also are embracing the web as a way to boost their competitiveness and maybe even reach a new audience.
Anyways, my point is the NCTJ are acknowledging that the Newswriting exam has to change to make sure newly trained journalists can write for the web and more time is being invested in newspaper websites so what is the end result?
The end of newspapers = I doubt that but obviously adaptations will have to be made and as anyone can see who takes a minute to browse around some newspaper websites they are as some are prepared to break stories online before their next print edition.
Whatever the future holds I hope I can be involved in some way which is why I am taking the NCTJ exams and why (I hope) they will send me on the right track to a good journalism job.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Life After University
It was my aim when I started this blog for it to be based on the media and journalism but that just has not happened unfortunately and I can't blame anyone but myself. It has become more of a personal diary on the internet and as someone on a forum I frequent said:
However, in an attempt to change the things I post about from stuff like this:
To something a little more like the below. Still my personal views and opinions but not on my personal life.
Anyways, beginning this new era I am going to voice my discontent at the change of style of my local radio station. This is the blurb on the website and it is bluntly honest:
Personally, I was a big fan of the "old" revolution, something which helped when I had my three placements there on the news team but now I tune in and tune out right away. I remember a piece in the paper about Mr Steve Penk who said something along the lines of instead of targeting a niche listenership they were going for the more mainstram audience - like, say, Key 103 ... but here is the story from Jemima Kiss @ MediaGuardian.
The radio station used to be more like an XFM Manchester which is something I tuned in for but now it has gone all classic and contemporary hits it is not something I go for. I will be interested to know what other listeners have thought, obviously the station will have lost some of its 1.4% local audience share but will others have come back/discovered this new-themed radio station?
I may not like the change but I remember Steve Penk on Key 1o3 and the prank phone-calls = times of laughter. So after the guy put money into this I hope he gets the rewards out of it. And they say you can't please everyone but if it grows on the 1.4% local audience share it did have then I will take my hat off and say, well done Mr Penk.
"If you are going to start a blog make it interesting and relevant - not something that adds to the already massive amount of crap that clogs up the world wide web."
However, in an attempt to change the things I post about from stuff like this:
I have received my final certificate regarding my journalism degree so that is me offically finished at Uni with a 2:2, not what I wanted at the start but that's the way it goes sometimes. I now know my date for graduation and have two NCTJ exams coming up (Newswriting on the 18 and PA on the 19 November) while holding down a 31-hours a week part time job at a local supermarket to raise money for my trip down under sometime next year.
To something a little more like the below. Still my personal views and opinions but not on my personal life.
Anyways, beginning this new era I am going to voice my discontent at the change of style of my local radio station. This is the blurb on the website and it is bluntly honest:
The ‘New' Revolution. Previously the station was targeting aficionados of new bands and ‘cutting-edge' music. Going forward we will be a broad-based classic and contemporary hits station for Oldham, Rochdale, Ashton-Under-Lyne and surrounding areas. We are unashamedly ‘mainstream', targeting adults aged 25-54.
Personally, I was a big fan of the "old" revolution, something which helped when I had my three placements there on the news team but now I tune in and tune out right away. I remember a piece in the paper about Mr Steve Penk who said something along the lines of instead of targeting a niche listenership they were going for the more mainstram audience - like, say, Key 103 ... but here is the story from Jemima Kiss @ MediaGuardian.
The radio station used to be more like an XFM Manchester which is something I tuned in for but now it has gone all classic and contemporary hits it is not something I go for. I will be interested to know what other listeners have thought, obviously the station will have lost some of its 1.4% local audience share but will others have come back/discovered this new-themed radio station?
I may not like the change but I remember Steve Penk on Key 1o3 and the prank phone-calls = times of laughter. So after the guy put money into this I hope he gets the rewards out of it. And they say you can't please everyone but if it grows on the 1.4% local audience share it did have then I will take my hat off and say, well done Mr Penk.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Graduation
As promised I am posting after my holiday and after I have the result of my PA re-sit exam. However, I was supposed to find out the result on the Friday I came home from Magalluf but was told while I was over there that I could check on See My Data (a University area specially for each student) to see if I had passed or not and ... luckily I had so I graduate in December!
Good news there and my hols went well so two thumbs up and while I have the chance I may get my NCTJ forms sent off to take NCTJ PA and re-sit Newswriting after I failed it by a few marks.
I am still continuing writing for free with the football and cricket websites I have linked to a few times in previous posts and hope to get back involved with my local community radio station who are currently having a few "issues".
But the all-out journalism job search is on hold as I hope that my Australia trip can be re-planned and until then I am looking for some temporary xmas work to pass the time and raise the funds!
As I get more details of my future and if I have a spare bit of time I may post them up here but I doubt (and hope) people are not relying on any updates ;)
Woohoo and Yipee etc etc
Good news there and my hols went well so two thumbs up and while I have the chance I may get my NCTJ forms sent off to take NCTJ PA and re-sit Newswriting after I failed it by a few marks.
I am still continuing writing for free with the football and cricket websites I have linked to a few times in previous posts and hope to get back involved with my local community radio station who are currently having a few "issues".
But the all-out journalism job search is on hold as I hope that my Australia trip can be re-planned and until then I am looking for some temporary xmas work to pass the time and raise the funds!
As I get more details of my future and if I have a spare bit of time I may post them up here but I doubt (and hope) people are not relying on any updates ;)
Monday, August 18, 2008
The Monthly Update
Yes, it is that time again when I publish the occasional post to share my thoughts on the world wide web looking at what I am doing nowadays.
The answer is revising for my final exam - which is 8 days away (eek!) and if I don't pass it second time around it's either re-take third year or quit Uni without graduating - hopefully it won't come to that. If I pass it may lead to me taking the NCTJ in PA and Newswriting in December(?) as I already have 90WAM shorthand and Law.
My holiday is only 10 days away so that will be a good break but I find out if I have passed my PA exam the day after I get back so I will be on edge them final few days of a lads holiday - not exactly what I had planned in the summer of 2008.
As I have been revising for my exam my job search has been put on hold and so has my Australia trip. Hopefully, if I pass then graduate then I can go to Australia early 2009 and get a job in journalism when I get back home.
However, I have not just been revising I am a sports writer for two websites - one where I focus on Football and one where I write about Cricket.
I am enjoying writing still but despite doing a newspaper route final year at University my attention has turned to radio at the moment as I am thoroughly enjoying covering a few events/news stories for a local community radio station and I have my own show which I present looking back at the week's news which is invaluable experience for me and I am also enjoying it which is what life is supposed to be about isn't it?!
On a side note having problems with Google Analytics - it is supposed to tell me how many visitors my blog has and where they are from etc etc and I used to have a decent sense of pride seeing this was being viewed sometimes in double figures per week! Alas, now it says no-one is visiting ever but the status still says it is receiving conversion goals but it could be a problem with the tracking code as I am not sure whether I am adding it correctly or not to the page. If anyone has any help please share or any other tracking software I can use, share it with me if you would be so kind.
Until (probably) after my exam/holiday and result of exam I bid everyone good day.
The answer is revising for my final exam - which is 8 days away (eek!) and if I don't pass it second time around it's either re-take third year or quit Uni without graduating - hopefully it won't come to that. If I pass it may lead to me taking the NCTJ in PA and Newswriting in December(?) as I already have 90WAM shorthand and Law.
My holiday is only 10 days away so that will be a good break but I find out if I have passed my PA exam the day after I get back so I will be on edge them final few days of a lads holiday - not exactly what I had planned in the summer of 2008.
As I have been revising for my exam my job search has been put on hold and so has my Australia trip. Hopefully, if I pass then graduate then I can go to Australia early 2009 and get a job in journalism when I get back home.
However, I have not just been revising I am a sports writer for two websites - one where I focus on Football and one where I write about Cricket.
I am enjoying writing still but despite doing a newspaper route final year at University my attention has turned to radio at the moment as I am thoroughly enjoying covering a few events/news stories for a local community radio station and I have my own show which I present looking back at the week's news which is invaluable experience for me and I am also enjoying it which is what life is supposed to be about isn't it?!
On a side note having problems with Google Analytics - it is supposed to tell me how many visitors my blog has and where they are from etc etc and I used to have a decent sense of pride seeing this was being viewed sometimes in double figures per week! Alas, now it says no-one is visiting ever but the status still says it is receiving conversion goals but it could be a problem with the tracking code as I am not sure whether I am adding it correctly or not to the page. If anyone has any help please share or any other tracking software I can use, share it with me if you would be so kind.
Until (probably) after my exam/holiday and result of exam I bid everyone good day.
Monday, July 21, 2008
My day out ;)
I went to the cricket on Friday. England V South Africa day one of the second test match at Headingley and had a pretty good day - watching 13 wickets fall - the only bad thing is 1o of them were English wickets and they look like they are going to lose the match but as a keen follower of cricket it was a cracking experience to see and one I would certainly do again. Below are a selection of the many pictures I took on the day:
Friday, July 04, 2008
BBC Memorial
Wanted to delay this until after my 100th post - all sentimental! As it is about my results - but if you haven't heard a memorial has been built on the new wing of Broadcasting House in London.
It is called "Breathing" and is dedicated to all those who have lost their lives in the pursuit of informing us journalistically while working on behalf of the BBC and its audiences and it was opened by UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon and a video and story can be seen from the BBC.
A list and a little bit about them can be found here and it you have a spare few moments it may be worth a look as it was built by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa.
If that still hasn't satisfied your quest for knowledge you can find out more about it via Press Gazette.
It is called "Breathing" and is dedicated to all those who have lost their lives in the pursuit of informing us journalistically while working on behalf of the BBC and its audiences and it was opened by UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon and a video and story can be seen from the BBC.
A list and a little bit about them can be found here and it you have a spare few moments it may be worth a look as it was built by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa.
If that still hasn't satisfied your quest for knowledge you can find out more about it via Press Gazette.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
KP - the switching hands shot debate revisited
Below is a collection of my thoughts mixed with others on a topic which Cricket fans may guess but others will need it explaining.
This is nothing to do with peanuts, it is all about Kevin Pietersen's shot (twice) against New Zealand in the first ODI (One day International) where (if you don't know) he switched his grip on the bat and stance from a right handed batsmen to a left handed batsmen, pretty much.
Now I have heard that this shot has been done before, the unlucky bowler was Scott Styris and he talks about it on youtube, and since KP I know that Mal Loye for Lancashire tried it successfully.
An argument for shots like this, which I do agree with in theory is set out in an editorial piece by the Jamaica Gleaner.
Nasser Hussain and Michael Holding were asked for their views on the shot by David Gower as rain prevented the start of the second ODI and they had differing views, although both admitted it was an amazing shot with world class technique to pull it off as the MCC (the lawmakers in the game have said.)
However, where I agree with Mr. Holding is the lack of laws and the direction this could head in.
He said, in theory, that the West Indies Chris Gayle (a left handed batsmen) could walk out onto the field and take up his stance right handed which means that the bowler/fielding side are already at a disadvantage because they have set a field to a left handed batsmen, so instead of having two slips and a gully they now have two leg slips and a leg gully which is a major disadvantage for the bowling team - but they know he is left handed so do you change back just in case Gayle changes back? The umpires, if this happens, need to know what to do so that it doesn't become a farce.
When this point was raised in the studio, Nasser Hussain said it the batsmen (Gayle) was going to alter his stance (right handed from left handed) then bowl to that field where the leg slips are but 1) that is defensive and certianly not entertaining cricket (which is what we all want/need) and 2) it reminds (older) people of the bodyline series where England won but not in the spirit that the game is meant to be played in as Dave Cole gets at.
My argument is not against the stroke but the last two rules that are outlined towards the bottom of the page on a cricketing blog posted by Q the umpires need rules helping them if this shot can be played, they (and I!) need to know the rules and regulations on wides and LBW's (leg before wicket's).
As Q explains:
And wides is another confusing area if this shot is going to be commonplace
Another person that focuses on the fairness, so to speak, of the shot is blogofbam
Whatever happens, it is yet another time of Cricket being sprawled through the mud and another reason for people like this one guy who e-mailed in skysports news channel today to describe it as being "boring" and "pointless." I'm with blogofbam though in the way that I am (of sorts) a purist and this is making my view any purer.
This is nothing to do with peanuts, it is all about Kevin Pietersen's shot (twice) against New Zealand in the first ODI (One day International) where (if you don't know) he switched his grip on the bat and stance from a right handed batsmen to a left handed batsmen, pretty much.
Now I have heard that this shot has been done before, the unlucky bowler was Scott Styris and he talks about it on youtube, and since KP I know that Mal Loye for Lancashire tried it successfully.
An argument for shots like this, which I do agree with in theory is set out in an editorial piece by the Jamaica Gleaner.
Nasser Hussain and Michael Holding were asked for their views on the shot by David Gower as rain prevented the start of the second ODI and they had differing views, although both admitted it was an amazing shot with world class technique to pull it off as the MCC (the lawmakers in the game have said.)
However, where I agree with Mr. Holding is the lack of laws and the direction this could head in.
He said, in theory, that the West Indies Chris Gayle (a left handed batsmen) could walk out onto the field and take up his stance right handed which means that the bowler/fielding side are already at a disadvantage because they have set a field to a left handed batsmen, so instead of having two slips and a gully they now have two leg slips and a leg gully which is a major disadvantage for the bowling team - but they know he is left handed so do you change back just in case Gayle changes back? The umpires, if this happens, need to know what to do so that it doesn't become a farce.
When this point was raised in the studio, Nasser Hussain said it the batsmen (Gayle) was going to alter his stance (right handed from left handed) then bowl to that field where the leg slips are but 1) that is defensive and certianly not entertaining cricket (which is what we all want/need) and 2) it reminds (older) people of the bodyline series where England won but not in the spirit that the game is meant to be played in as Dave Cole gets at.
My argument is not against the stroke but the last two rules that are outlined towards the bottom of the page on a cricketing blog posted by Q the umpires need rules helping them if this shot can be played, they (and I!) need to know the rules and regulations on wides and LBW's (leg before wicket's).
As Q explains:
A ball that pitches outside the line of leg stump rules out the LBW. But then what about the ball that pitches outside the line of leg stump, which becomes the off stump when he batsman switches?
That should not rule out the LBW.
And the ball that pitches outside the line of off-stump, which becomes the leg stump when the batsman switches, should also not rule out the LBW.
And wides is another confusing area if this shot is going to be commonplace
A ball delivered down leg is a wide even if it misses the batsman or the stumps by an inch. This is fine, though what happens to deliveries bowled on the off-side, which becomes the leg side when a batsman switches?
Surely they should not be wide.
But then deliveries bowled down leg side, which becomes the off-side when a batsman switches, should also not be wide.
Another person that focuses on the fairness, so to speak, of the shot is blogofbam
Whatever happens, it is yet another time of Cricket being sprawled through the mud and another reason for people like this one guy who e-mailed in skysports news channel today to describe it as being "boring" and "pointless." I'm with blogofbam though in the way that I am (of sorts) a purist and this is making my view any purer.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Press Gazette awards
These are the student journalist awards and not the real industry ones but they are still very special to get one and were judged on Friday 27 June in London.
I had no shot of getting into any of the nominations but fellow students at UCLan did get into the nominations.
The best bit is they won quite a few - just goes to show with me blaming the Uni at times for my poorness in my degree, it was actually my fault!
Ricki Dewsbury, who seems worse than me at updating his blog, collected both the Scoop of the Year and the News Writer of the Year awards.
Student Radio Journalist of the Year was won by someone else I knew and played football with at Uni = Thomas Clarke and Team of the Year went to:
The downside is for people like this guy and Dave Lee who I can't believe didn't get one to be fair from what I have seen/heard about him.
The total awards meant UCLan actually scooped 6 out of the 11 awards - now all potential students have to ask is: was that down to the students or the Uni, or both?
Anyways, if you want to read the full article it can be found on the Press Gazette website.
I had no shot of getting into any of the nominations but fellow students at UCLan did get into the nominations.
The best bit is they won quite a few - just goes to show with me blaming the Uni at times for my poorness in my degree, it was actually my fault!
Ricki Dewsbury, who seems worse than me at updating his blog, collected both the Scoop of the Year and the News Writer of the Year awards.
Student Radio Journalist of the Year was won by someone else I knew and played football with at Uni = Thomas Clarke and Team of the Year went to:
Homefront a magazine which "hits spot-on the market it is supposed to be aiming for", the judges said.
The downside is for people like this guy and Dave Lee who I can't believe didn't get one to be fair from what I have seen/heard about him.
The total awards meant UCLan actually scooped 6 out of the 11 awards - now all potential students have to ask is: was that down to the students or the Uni, or both?
Anyways, if you want to read the full article it can be found on the Press Gazette website.
100th post Results Day
I checked my results today and after seeing all the status updates from Uni mates on Facebook I am left feeling very bad indeed.
In my six modules I have got a 57, 60 (a double module), a 61 and a 64 which is all good until we come to Investigating Public Admin which has a 33 next to it. Anyone remotely knowledgeable about how University assessment works knows that is a fail.
I contacted the Uni today and the mark has been confirmed and I now know I have to resit an exam in August and will not graduate until November, if I pass the PA exam second time around.
Which means that all the people I thought I was going to see one last time, I won't see which is not a comforting thought as I had three years of my live with most of them and graduation had been organised in a template sort of way
This news is gutting to me and after first finding out had me contemplating the darkest of thoughts but now time has healed that slightly except I feel a bit fucked up.
All the details will be sent out soon and although I had thought this might happend I wasn't really expecting it especially as I had got a 60-0dd mark in my essay for this module.
The re-sit means I will not be able to go to Magaluf with the lads, the holiday for which I have already paid for, my graduation could (if I pass my re-sit) be in November which leaves me in the limbo until then.
Worst of all, as I have mentioned on here an odd time, my trip to Australia seems doomed - for now at least because I need to stay over here and study to make sure I pass the piece of shit they call PA and graduate in November.
So not a good day at all - I have eaten my way to comfort for a bit and a bit of drinking later could delay the problem solving but I would like to end with the fact that I have posted a lot of ups and downs on this blog throughout my uni life and I am guessing will continue to do so throughout life as a whole - this is certainly a down point :(
In my six modules I have got a 57, 60 (a double module), a 61 and a 64 which is all good until we come to Investigating Public Admin which has a 33 next to it. Anyone remotely knowledgeable about how University assessment works knows that is a fail.
I contacted the Uni today and the mark has been confirmed and I now know I have to resit an exam in August and will not graduate until November, if I pass the PA exam second time around.
Which means that all the people I thought I was going to see one last time, I won't see which is not a comforting thought as I had three years of my live with most of them and graduation had been organised in a template sort of way
This news is gutting to me and after first finding out had me contemplating the darkest of thoughts but now time has healed that slightly except I feel a bit fucked up.
All the details will be sent out soon and although I had thought this might happend I wasn't really expecting it especially as I had got a 60-0dd mark in my essay for this module.
The re-sit means I will not be able to go to Magaluf with the lads, the holiday for which I have already paid for, my graduation could (if I pass my re-sit) be in November which leaves me in the limbo until then.
Worst of all, as I have mentioned on here an odd time, my trip to Australia seems doomed - for now at least because I need to stay over here and study to make sure I pass the piece of shit they call PA and graduate in November.
So not a good day at all - I have eaten my way to comfort for a bit and a bit of drinking later could delay the problem solving but I would like to end with the fact that I have posted a lot of ups and downs on this blog throughout my uni life and I am guessing will continue to do so throughout life as a whole - this is certainly a down point :(
Sunday, June 08, 2008
One post before three figures - a celebration for the unbeaten 99?
I suppose you could look on this as a celebration or you could also look on it as the end of an era.
I started up this blog as a way to expand my online presence and that has backfired - especially as I am no longer a Uni student but in three years I have posted 99 times? I'm going to have a fair stab and say that's not great...
Today saw quite a bit of my stuff go back home this weekend - via my parents collecting it - and next weekend is when I go home for real = no more studentville.
I have blabbered on about that FAR too much so the other things I feel like saying - because I am REALLY bored being in the house on my own at the moment - is my time as Preston FM news editor was an overall success and the presenting of the news show on Saturday also went to plan, with all the clips playing in the right place/order etc thanks to some help from the tech people!
I have got myself a gig writing about France at the Euro 2008 Football Championships which is going to add an online element to my CV which was painfully inadequate and show I can write about sport - which is always good news.
Otherwise no reason to blog (as usual - which is probably why this blog gets so sparadically upodated and most of it is utter toss) as I feel unmotivated and lack a passion for it.
I know I need to change the text bit in the top right and maybe a fresh background will make me blog more about important stuff or I could keep it as just a little online diary for the WORLD to see. Hmm I'll have to think about that one...and decide to blog about more important things.
I started up this blog as a way to expand my online presence and that has backfired - especially as I am no longer a Uni student but in three years I have posted 99 times? I'm going to have a fair stab and say that's not great...
Today saw quite a bit of my stuff go back home this weekend - via my parents collecting it - and next weekend is when I go home for real = no more studentville.
I have blabbered on about that FAR too much so the other things I feel like saying - because I am REALLY bored being in the house on my own at the moment - is my time as Preston FM news editor was an overall success and the presenting of the news show on Saturday also went to plan, with all the clips playing in the right place/order etc thanks to some help from the tech people!
I have got myself a gig writing about France at the Euro 2008 Football Championships which is going to add an online element to my CV which was painfully inadequate and show I can write about sport - which is always good news.
Otherwise no reason to blog (as usual - which is probably why this blog gets so sparadically upodated and most of it is utter toss) as I feel unmotivated and lack a passion for it.
I know I need to change the text bit in the top right and maybe a fresh background will make me blog more about important stuff or I could keep it as just a little online diary for the WORLD to see. Hmm I'll have to think about that one...and decide to blog about more important things.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Radio is NOT dead
This is my 98th post and first as someone who is out there in the "real world" as I am not a student journalist anymore so deep breath.
It's not all bad news though as I am news editor for Preston FM this week in Lancashire. It might be an unpaid position but it looks pretty sparkling on the CV and it is the stations last trial broadcast before going live full-time later on in the year.
The role involves me gathering content along with my news team (who I haven't actually seen yet!) for a one-hour show on Saturday which gives me a comfort bed since saturday's used to be "Whitworth at the Weekend" on student radio.
I am hanging around this city (if you can call it that?) until the middle of June when my tenancy runs out at the house I am staying in and then it will be back home to look for a career, it is weird as most of my friends from Uni have already packed their bags and headed off home. I have already hit and applied for some jobs and face the dilemma of do I go all out when part of me still wants to go to Australia or do I wait and go all out after the Aussie trip? hmm it's a toughie.
Finally, I have been looking around on the net and after hearing so much about it I have joined Twitter but I have the feeling that account will go the same way of my Digg account - nowhere.
I also found this little gem of a site, a bit of a laugh put into England missing out on Euro 2008 and helpful as it can help you learn bits of a new language!
keep twittering, digging, blogging, stumbleUpon, Delicious, reddit and facebooking with the technological generation everyone :)
It's not all bad news though as I am news editor for Preston FM this week in Lancashire. It might be an unpaid position but it looks pretty sparkling on the CV and it is the stations last trial broadcast before going live full-time later on in the year.
The role involves me gathering content along with my news team (who I haven't actually seen yet!) for a one-hour show on Saturday which gives me a comfort bed since saturday's used to be "Whitworth at the Weekend" on student radio.
I am hanging around this city (if you can call it that?) until the middle of June when my tenancy runs out at the house I am staying in and then it will be back home to look for a career, it is weird as most of my friends from Uni have already packed their bags and headed off home. I have already hit and applied for some jobs and face the dilemma of do I go all out when part of me still wants to go to Australia or do I wait and go all out after the Aussie trip? hmm it's a toughie.
Finally, I have been looking around on the net and after hearing so much about it I have joined Twitter but I have the feeling that account will go the same way of my Digg account - nowhere.
I also found this little gem of a site, a bit of a laugh put into England missing out on Euro 2008 and helpful as it can help you learn bits of a new language!
keep twittering, digging, blogging, stumbleUpon, Delicious, reddit and facebooking with the technological generation everyone :)
Monday, May 26, 2008
The last ever blog post as a university student (?)
I think it will be as I finish university on Thursday - I have an exam tomorrow and one on Thursday and that's it.
No more student life.
That is very scary and I will really miss university, but I suppose everyone has got to grow up and get on with life so the time has come!
The best advice I can give to anyone thinking of university is that it is/has been the best years of my life and I am so glad I spent three years of my life doing this - maybe it could have been at a different uni, maybe even a different course but the life experience I have got sets me up in good stead and looks great on the CV.
I have been applying for a few jobs, some in the print journalism industry which my course reflects as I took the print route in the 3rd year and some in radio, which is a big interest of mine.
Which is the reason I will be playing some part in the final test broadcast before preston fm goes live full time - this is another boost to the CV and I will be doing it for free.
I am still hoping to go to Australia later this summer but have had no solid experience offers, which I half expected as it was a bit ambitious for someone to say:
But that will look great on the CV give me an experience I will NEVER forget so I am really looking forward to that.
Otherwise in my (probable) last blog as an undergraduate journalism student I bid you all farewell!
No more student life.
That is very scary and I will really miss university, but I suppose everyone has got to grow up and get on with life so the time has come!
The best advice I can give to anyone thinking of university is that it is/has been the best years of my life and I am so glad I spent three years of my life doing this - maybe it could have been at a different uni, maybe even a different course but the life experience I have got sets me up in good stead and looks great on the CV.
I have been applying for a few jobs, some in the print journalism industry which my course reflects as I took the print route in the 3rd year and some in radio, which is a big interest of mine.
Which is the reason I will be playing some part in the final test broadcast before preston fm goes live full time - this is another boost to the CV and I will be doing it for free.
I am still hoping to go to Australia later this summer but have had no solid experience offers, which I half expected as it was a bit ambitious for someone to say:
"yes, we don't know you but we will employ you for around 2 months and pay you!"
But that will look great on the CV give me an experience I will NEVER forget so I am really looking forward to that.
Otherwise in my (probable) last blog as an undergraduate journalism student I bid you all farewell!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
21 seconds to go.
The title is in reference to the so solid crew tune 21 seconds because this (sparadic) blogger has now turned 21 years old Which leads me on to the fact that I have one more exam and then my university life is over - no more student life. Cor, blimey!
As posted before due to excess messing around it looks like I am going to receive a 2:2 degree but hopefully I have passed 90 WAM (words a minute) shorthand and that will be confirmed or shot down on Friday.
Anyways, off the top of my head I thought I would post a few pointers about uni life.
1) Look around the town and see what there is to do - e.g Preston = Rileys, sports clubs, plenty of nightlife (but as I found out this weekend...not as good as Sheffield).
2) Try your best to live in the town/city. I know I would not have missed the experience(s) I got living away from home for anything. It is easier to meet new people and see new things if you are there all the time.
3) When you start Uni you can feel a bit lonely (if like me you didn't know anyone coming to the Uni) so join clubs/societies, talk to your flatmates and course mates especially - REMEMBER the majority of people are in the same boat as you, I know (because I am very shy and quiet) that it can be difficult to put yourself out there, so to speak, but you'll regret it in the long run if you don't.
4) If you are doing journalism DO NOT be swayed by a course being NCTJ accredited because it really means bugger all as you have to take seperate exams as well as the course ones to get that NCTJ accreditation and only an odd one has been free to take instead of paying the sky-high prices they charge for an exam. e.g. £35 per paper.
5) If you are doing journalism look at the media outlets in the town and try and find and get in contact with these at an early stage because as your course goes on the busier you will get. e.g. Preston FM, LEP, Preston TV.
6) Try and find out about the course from someone not directly connected with it like lecturers. Try and find students there now or past students. I was lucky in speaking to former BBC GMR employee Mike Briscoe who directed me in Preston's direction and I will be eternally grateful to him for that as my other choices may not have worked out as well.
I will keep adding to this list as more things come to mind but for now, in my first full day being a 21 year old I am going to get my cup of tea, crumpet and blanket and watch some Bargain Hunt!
As posted before due to excess messing around it looks like I am going to receive a 2:2 degree but hopefully I have passed 90 WAM (words a minute) shorthand and that will be confirmed or shot down on Friday.
Anyways, off the top of my head I thought I would post a few pointers about uni life.
1) Look around the town and see what there is to do - e.g Preston = Rileys, sports clubs, plenty of nightlife (but as I found out this weekend...not as good as Sheffield).
2) Try your best to live in the town/city. I know I would not have missed the experience(s) I got living away from home for anything. It is easier to meet new people and see new things if you are there all the time.
3) When you start Uni you can feel a bit lonely (if like me you didn't know anyone coming to the Uni) so join clubs/societies, talk to your flatmates and course mates especially - REMEMBER the majority of people are in the same boat as you, I know (because I am very shy and quiet) that it can be difficult to put yourself out there, so to speak, but you'll regret it in the long run if you don't.
4) If you are doing journalism DO NOT be swayed by a course being NCTJ accredited because it really means bugger all as you have to take seperate exams as well as the course ones to get that NCTJ accreditation and only an odd one has been free to take instead of paying the sky-high prices they charge for an exam. e.g. £35 per paper.
5) If you are doing journalism look at the media outlets in the town and try and find and get in contact with these at an early stage because as your course goes on the busier you will get. e.g. Preston FM, LEP, Preston TV.
6) Try and find out about the course from someone not directly connected with it like lecturers. Try and find students there now or past students. I was lucky in speaking to former BBC GMR employee Mike Briscoe who directed me in Preston's direction and I will be eternally grateful to him for that as my other choices may not have worked out as well.
I will keep adding to this list as more things come to mind but for now, in my first full day being a 21 year old I am going to get my cup of tea, crumpet and blanket and watch some Bargain Hunt!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
The end is near...
The end is very near now. As part of my third and final year all I have left to do is an Ethics assignment, a PA exam and NCTJ Law and Shorthand exams coming up. I failed 80 WAM shorthand last week but am pretty sure I have passed second time around.
Our assessed newspaper is over and the website will no longer be updated but if has been a good laugh and a great experience. We will be getting marks back for that very soon otherwise it looks like I am set for a high 2:2 and not a low 2:1.
I orginally got into Preston (UCLan) despite getting below the recommended grades and have always been a person that tries hard but doesn't quite make it in educational terms!
So a 2:2 coupled with my work ex will hopefully get me a good job but who knows?
I am going to compile a few tips for someone starting out at Uni just in case anyone happens to come across this blog with that in mind but after that...I don't know what will happen to this blog as I am not going to be a student very soon so I suppose it depends what the future holds for me to see what the future of this blog is. I am getting way too sentimental at the moment though...
Our assessed newspaper is over and the website will no longer be updated but if has been a good laugh and a great experience. We will be getting marks back for that very soon otherwise it looks like I am set for a high 2:2 and not a low 2:1.
I orginally got into Preston (UCLan) despite getting below the recommended grades and have always been a person that tries hard but doesn't quite make it in educational terms!
So a 2:2 coupled with my work ex will hopefully get me a good job but who knows?
I am going to compile a few tips for someone starting out at Uni just in case anyone happens to come across this blog with that in mind but after that...I don't know what will happen to this blog as I am not going to be a student very soon so I suppose it depends what the future holds for me to see what the future of this blog is. I am getting way too sentimental at the moment though...
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Is this the future of tributes?
As part of my journalism course here at UCLan we have to produce a 10-page newspaper and one of the stories we were working on this week was the death of five British women when their bus crashed in Ecuador.
One of these, was Rebecca Logie, was from Chorley which was part of our papers so-called reach so we felt obliged to cover it even though are assessed paper is not circulated and only comes out weekly.
At first we were struggling to find sources which wouldn't matter to us as we could wait and re-write other sources due to our deadline on Friday but one opportunistic student typed Becci (as she was known to her friends) logie into facebook and of course there she was.
The facebook profile of a dead person (find it yourself if you need to...I'm not posting any link). Scary thing is it was still being updated, we guessed by someone who knew her account details, there is now a group in rememberance for her and so many wall posts and photos to remember her it is a great tribute.
Or at least that was what some people thought.
Others in our class (me, as well to an extent) wondered how long would it be before they take it down? Will they take it down and who...facebook or her family?
That developed into a big discussion - obviously put into context a profile on the internet is the last thing you think about when you've lost a member of your family- but everyone can get a glimpse into the world of Rebecca Logie. This girl was not ignorant of this as she also kept a blog- pretty good one as well-of her travels.
Some of the wall posts are pretty emotional stuff and the group is nearing 800 members but something about this just niggles me.
Personally, I wouldn't want everyone being able to see a profile of myself on a website - Ok, thats not my choice, but something just doesn't feel quite right about it all.
Some of the other women that died have accounts but you need to be in their network to access them.
I think what gets to me is this new way of leaving tributes and me a total stranger who never knew anyone related to the girl being able to get an insight into her life. I guess we have to work out whether that is a good or bad thing.
It is good people can pay their tributes and post a message online but their comes a time, albeit no-one knows when, that people move on and lives carry on. So what will happen then, will it be a permanent memorial to her or will it be taken down after people have paid their respects - I guess we'll just have to wait and see but sites like Facebook bring up this problem which, until recently, was not an issue.
I think it seriously needs to be looked at because, maybe I am being naive, but I would not want people I never knew finding out about me and its almost voyeurism - I can't really put my finger on it but it just doesn't feel right.
Any comments on this issue might make me consider the issue more but at the moment there is just something voyeuristic, albeit in a respectful way, about looking at someone's online account who are no longer with us.
One of these, was Rebecca Logie, was from Chorley which was part of our papers so-called reach so we felt obliged to cover it even though are assessed paper is not circulated and only comes out weekly.
At first we were struggling to find sources which wouldn't matter to us as we could wait and re-write other sources due to our deadline on Friday but one opportunistic student typed Becci (as she was known to her friends) logie into facebook and of course there she was.
The facebook profile of a dead person (find it yourself if you need to...I'm not posting any link). Scary thing is it was still being updated, we guessed by someone who knew her account details, there is now a group in rememberance for her and so many wall posts and photos to remember her it is a great tribute.
Or at least that was what some people thought.
Others in our class (me, as well to an extent) wondered how long would it be before they take it down? Will they take it down and who...facebook or her family?
That developed into a big discussion - obviously put into context a profile on the internet is the last thing you think about when you've lost a member of your family- but everyone can get a glimpse into the world of Rebecca Logie. This girl was not ignorant of this as she also kept a blog- pretty good one as well-of her travels.
Some of the wall posts are pretty emotional stuff and the group is nearing 800 members but something about this just niggles me.
Personally, I wouldn't want everyone being able to see a profile of myself on a website - Ok, thats not my choice, but something just doesn't feel quite right about it all.
Some of the other women that died have accounts but you need to be in their network to access them.
I think what gets to me is this new way of leaving tributes and me a total stranger who never knew anyone related to the girl being able to get an insight into her life. I guess we have to work out whether that is a good or bad thing.
It is good people can pay their tributes and post a message online but their comes a time, albeit no-one knows when, that people move on and lives carry on. So what will happen then, will it be a permanent memorial to her or will it be taken down after people have paid their respects - I guess we'll just have to wait and see but sites like Facebook bring up this problem which, until recently, was not an issue.
I think it seriously needs to be looked at because, maybe I am being naive, but I would not want people I never knew finding out about me and its almost voyeurism - I can't really put my finger on it but it just doesn't feel right.
Any comments on this issue might make me consider the issue more but at the moment there is just something voyeuristic, albeit in a respectful way, about looking at someone's online account who are no longer with us.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
One month to go
Nothing really substantial to post about but just a quick update now that I have entered my finally term doing journalism at University (eek!)
My placement went very well and the assignment I had to hand was successfully completed so we'll see how many (or few) marks that gets me.
I have one assignment back already and another one coming as crunch time gets closer and I am soon to be attempting to pass NCTJ shorthand @ 80 words a minute.
I am back on air every saturday and sunday 10-12 on the student radio station until May 11 so I am enjoying that.
As part of our course we have to produce a 10-page assessed newspaper and I will be the Business and Politics reporter for the next week...after being a general reporter for last week's edition.
I am trying to get some work experience in Melbourne, Australia after I finish my degree as I have relatives over there but so far responses have been a mixed bag, positive but no firm offers or just responses saying my e-mail was deleted sometimes without being opened but I would love to go there and experience the culture and life while doing the career I am destined for...
Finally I'd just like to let you good people know that you should check out Last FM for all your music needs.
My placement went very well and the assignment I had to hand was successfully completed so we'll see how many (or few) marks that gets me.
I have one assignment back already and another one coming as crunch time gets closer and I am soon to be attempting to pass NCTJ shorthand @ 80 words a minute.
I am back on air every saturday and sunday 10-12 on the student radio station until May 11 so I am enjoying that.
As part of our course we have to produce a 10-page assessed newspaper and I will be the Business and Politics reporter for the next week...after being a general reporter for last week's edition.
I am trying to get some work experience in Melbourne, Australia after I finish my degree as I have relatives over there but so far responses have been a mixed bag, positive but no firm offers or just responses saying my e-mail was deleted sometimes without being opened but I would love to go there and experience the culture and life while doing the career I am destined for...
Finally I'd just like to let you good people know that you should check out Last FM for all your music needs.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Sophie Lancaster murder
If you haven't heard: a 15 year old has been found guilty to murdering Sophie Lancaster after a 16 year old had already pleaded guilty. This is the story about the goth couple attacked in a park in Bacup, Lancashire.
As I am on placement the IRN feed provides all the latest news and this is particularly moving:
It is quite crazy how people can do this, I can't get my head around it. There is extensive coverage which (I am guessing) will be constantly updated on the Manchester Evening News website.
As I am on placement the IRN feed provides all the latest news and this is particularly moving:
The boyfriend of murdered Goth Sophie Lancaster says he has lost his "entire world" and wishes the gang that kicked her to death had killed him instead.
Art student Robert Maltby, 21, was also attacked in Stubbylee Park, Bacup, last August and was left in a coma but is now on the road to recovery.
In a moving interview he said the couple had planned to get married and have children and that it was "just not fair" that everything they had worked for had been taken away from them.
"She was my entire world," he said. "I'm not ashamed to say that.
"Everything I was doing outside being around Sophie was really just to make it so we could have a decent life together, and just when we have tried that hard, we have put in so much effort, and then some child comes along and decides to ruin it all for you, it is just not fair."
Mr Maltby said he had first met Sophie through a friend of a friend and they had clicked when they realised they shared a love of an obscure German band.
The pair also dressed similarly, he said, adding: "From speaking to her it just seemed like I was speaking to a smaller version of myself.
"She was very, very warm. Just wanted to make friends with everyone really, and that might have had something to do with why we started going out and sadly might have had something to do with what happened the night we were attacked."
The couple had been on a night out when they met some people at a petrol station in Bacup. They then moved on to a nearby park where they were brutally attacked.
Mr Maltby was set upon first, before Sophie was targeted as she cradled him and called for help.
Mr Maltby's recollections of the evening are frosty, but he has some strong opinions on what happened.
He said: "Really what they were trying to do was humiliate us, and beside the obvious things that I am annoyed at, that is what I am annoyed about the most.
"It seems to display just arrogance and it is just something I am not familiar with.
"I haven't grown up in an area like that, I have not been myself arrogant and I do not get how someone could be so self involved to think that what they did was an acceptable thing to do.
"Any one of us can make a stupid mistake but what's important is to know when is the right time to stop.
"If they had just hit me a couple of times, like when I have hit the ground they have gone, 'This is it, we are just going to leave', I would not have been happy with it but I could have accepted it.
"I could even have accepted if what had happened to me had been even worse, if God forbid if I might not have survived it but Sophie was never attacked again.
"I could accept that, but you do not do that to a young girl. You do not do that to anyone but, there's certain codes you have to live by as a man and the number one is you do not beat up girls and I just do not understand it."
Mr Maltby said he has been so seriously affected by the attack and his loss that he is afraid to use public transport and is struggling to carry on with his life.
As for what should happen to the attackers, he said: "I think that whatever happens to them can never be as bad as what I want to happen to them.
"I want them to never stop suffering for what they have done. I want it to be a life-long thing and I do not even really think I can say what I really want to happen to them.
"I can understand why they did it to me because I am a bloke, I should expect these things to happen. - I don't want them to happen but there is every chance they will do - but the mentality of someone going, 'OK we have just beaten him probably to death so we will beat up his girlfriend now' it just doesn't make sense. I just cannot understand it all.
"I just really wish that she had just legged it and got out of there and waited until they had left and come back, but I just wish she had left me to die if I'm honest.
He described the harrowing moment he saw Sophie in hospital, saying: "I was fine right up until I saw her and that was when I literally broke down, and all I wanted to do was I wanted to give her something but all I had on me was a really cheap watch that my granddad had given me so I just had to take it off and give it to her.
"If I could have I would have ripped my heart out and given it to her and with any luck bring her back up, but I did not have it in my power.
"All I could think was, 'This isn't right, this isn't right, why is this happening?'
"I could not see how I had possibly offended the world, the powers, to have this happen.
"What had we done, why have we deserved this, why aren't the people who are going out attacking people late at night, why aren't they having to see their girlfriend who is about to die?
"It just shows there is no justice at all."
Asked what he missed most about Sophie, Mr Maltby replied that not having someone to do "inane things" with was hardest.
He added: "I can sum it up in the fact that I will wake up in the morning and I look to my side and I am on my own, and just then it is like, 'This isn't right'.
"Basically it feels like someone has come along and nicked my entire life and I keep asking why, what have I done to deserve this?
"I had kind of always thought that there was one person for everyone and if mine's gone, then what am I going to do with myself now? I am pretty much stuck."
It is quite crazy how people can do this, I can't get my head around it. There is extensive coverage which (I am guessing) will be constantly updated on the Manchester Evening News website.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Changes
You may (or may not...) have noticed that the IP address of this blog has changed - I felt it was time for a change. Only thing is all my posts are searchable on google but lead you to the old blog address which is now a spam post and a load of dodgy blogroll links! Smooth.
Anyways, just posting to point you towards this game - just in case you are bored at work
and I joined Digg as I have heard loads about it but am still not quite sure how it works but I am sure I will get into it and as a (student/trainee) journalist I need to be across this things on the web ;)
Finally I am into day two of four of my placement and so far so good and have content added to my portfolio. That is one piece of advice I would give, if you go on any placements, keep a record of what you have done and get someone to prove that you did it - trust me it will save you a lot of hassle in the end!
Anyways, just posting to point you towards this game - just in case you are bored at work
and I joined Digg as I have heard loads about it but am still not quite sure how it works but I am sure I will get into it and as a (student/trainee) journalist I need to be across this things on the web ;)
Finally I am into day two of four of my placement and so far so good and have content added to my portfolio. That is one piece of advice I would give, if you go on any placements, keep a record of what you have done and get someone to prove that you did it - trust me it will save you a lot of hassle in the end!
Monday, March 24, 2008
The life of your Average "sporty" Joe
Just less than two hours to go before England take the field in Napier ahead of day 4 of the third test against New Zealand. Go here if you want to see highlights from day three.
I have been watching it from the comfort of my own (technically my parents...) living room from the start of day one to the end of day three (ok, so at tea on day one I went to bed as England were playing awful - I'm a fickle fan what can I say?). Highlight of the test so far was day one when the host's cameras failed so we revered to watching 1950's cricket with a camera only at one end of the ground!
And so far I can so I am a very happy Cricket fan especially for seeing the Preston North End and Preston Cricket Club flags flying from one of the stands! It is a small world...
Jonathan Agnew presents his views of the test so far on the BBC's special test match blog and the full scorecard (updated through the night if you haven't got score - this is as good place as any to keep updated with text commentary.) But England, despite being awful in their first innings, except for KP, were not quite as bad as the Kiwis as AP Webster says anything England can do, New Zealand can do better, well worse.
Ahead of day 4 with a declaration soon to be offered, probably when (if?) Strauss reaches 200 New Zealand will have to chase over 500 runs to avoid a 2-1 series defeat.
It does look hopeless for the Kiwi's and England should have saved themselves from a very poor series defeat. The future for New Zealand batting looks quite bleak, especially with Fleming retiring after this test match but Southee will be a good bowler so overall there is hope for them.
Well I am off to enjoy some cricket - a few hours of slogging away, a declaration then some wickets to put NZ out of the game.
We'll just have to see if it runs into day five or not, personally I hope not as I have to be up at 9am for the rest of the week so the quicker England win the better ;)
I have been watching it from the comfort of my own (technically my parents...) living room from the start of day one to the end of day three (ok, so at tea on day one I went to bed as England were playing awful - I'm a fickle fan what can I say?). Highlight of the test so far was day one when the host's cameras failed so we revered to watching 1950's cricket with a camera only at one end of the ground!
And so far I can so I am a very happy Cricket fan especially for seeing the Preston North End and Preston Cricket Club flags flying from one of the stands! It is a small world...
Jonathan Agnew presents his views of the test so far on the BBC's special test match blog and the full scorecard (updated through the night if you haven't got score - this is as good place as any to keep updated with text commentary.) But England, despite being awful in their first innings, except for KP, were not quite as bad as the Kiwis as AP Webster says anything England can do, New Zealand can do better, well worse.
Ahead of day 4 with a declaration soon to be offered, probably when (if?) Strauss reaches 200 New Zealand will have to chase over 500 runs to avoid a 2-1 series defeat.
It does look hopeless for the Kiwi's and England should have saved themselves from a very poor series defeat. The future for New Zealand batting looks quite bleak, especially with Fleming retiring after this test match but Southee will be a good bowler so overall there is hope for them.
Well I am off to enjoy some cricket - a few hours of slogging away, a declaration then some wickets to put NZ out of the game.
We'll just have to see if it runs into day five or not, personally I hope not as I have to be up at 9am for the rest of the week so the quicker England win the better ;)
Newspaper Trust
I am posting today after reading a very thought provoking and quite true article written by Peter Wilby in the Media Guardian today (page 7 or here)
This is a topic area we have covered a lot of while studying at university because it comes to the point Wilby says "Newspapers are losing readers and advertisers to the web and are becoming desperate." He gives some very good examples of papers seeming to publish opinion as fact or influence the reader by sensationalism instead of good journalism. Most notably is the recent Express payout to the McCann family, he also cites the example in the case of Shannon Matthews, her mothers partner was forced to deny abuse allegations and finally Wilby identifies the press determination to identify Fiona McKeown as a bad mother due to the fact that she left her daughter (Scarlett) go off with her boyfriend.
These people are dealing with grief and shock all the media (it is not just papers that are gulity) can do is try and make a scandal out of it? Maybe that is being a bit cynical but Wilby states that "This reckless reporting cannot continue" and he isn't wrong.
It is not surprising that some people trust the online medium more than newspapers as Leigh Holmwood writes. If newspapers don't follow up the facts and check truths they are in danger of turning more of their already draining audience away.
I still believe that newspapers are not in serious danger of going out of business but this is a setback - although most newspapers do have online sites the printed versions are taking a blow.
Wilby makes a valid point when saying: "If readers can't be sure that distinguished papers are seperating facts from gossip, there isn't much point in buying them or going to their websites."
Maybe it is time for something like what Paulie calls for here - a full disclosure of the steps taken to make sure a story is of a suffciently high standard because if news stories become gossip and rumour than the future is bleak.
Hopefully Wilby is not right when he fears that too many owners and editors take the view that reckless reporting pays off in the short term to sell papers and get readers back.
Whatever the future holds it is key to not present gossip as hard news as the express found out !
This is a topic area we have covered a lot of while studying at university because it comes to the point Wilby says "Newspapers are losing readers and advertisers to the web and are becoming desperate." He gives some very good examples of papers seeming to publish opinion as fact or influence the reader by sensationalism instead of good journalism. Most notably is the recent Express payout to the McCann family, he also cites the example in the case of Shannon Matthews, her mothers partner was forced to deny abuse allegations and finally Wilby identifies the press determination to identify Fiona McKeown as a bad mother due to the fact that she left her daughter (Scarlett) go off with her boyfriend.
These people are dealing with grief and shock all the media (it is not just papers that are gulity) can do is try and make a scandal out of it? Maybe that is being a bit cynical but Wilby states that "This reckless reporting cannot continue" and he isn't wrong.
It is not surprising that some people trust the online medium more than newspapers as Leigh Holmwood writes. If newspapers don't follow up the facts and check truths they are in danger of turning more of their already draining audience away.
I still believe that newspapers are not in serious danger of going out of business but this is a setback - although most newspapers do have online sites the printed versions are taking a blow.
Wilby makes a valid point when saying: "If readers can't be sure that distinguished papers are seperating facts from gossip, there isn't much point in buying them or going to their websites."
Maybe it is time for something like what Paulie calls for here - a full disclosure of the steps taken to make sure a story is of a suffciently high standard because if news stories become gossip and rumour than the future is bleak.
Hopefully Wilby is not right when he fears that too many owners and editors take the view that reckless reporting pays off in the short term to sell papers and get readers back.
Whatever the future holds it is key to not present gossip as hard news as the express found out !
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
One year on
It is one year on from the news that shocked not only the cricketing world but everyone, mostly because of what happened after Bob Woolmer's death. I can't believe that it is one YEAR ago today that Bob died - it doesn't seem that long ago and it still remains a sad loss to cricket and in general. One piece already written is here from a Pakistan Cricket blog.
Although this blog has not been updated for a while it outlines the ups and downs of the circumstances surronding his death - because that is what (sadly) what the focus was. Usama on the cricket is life blog outlines the problems the police faced in the investigation and how the inquest went.
The cause of death and the coverage must have been hard to take for his family - one minute it was a heart attack next he was murdered. I'm not laying the blame here but you need to make sure you are right before you announce something like that, it was not known at the time how Bob had died and all these theories did not help anyone.
When I was researching this post I found this and it would have been a good tribute to Bob but unfortunately praticalities get in the way again as I am sure most people would have enjoyed watching 20-20 cricket and especially as it was a tribute to one of the games greats.
Something else that has disturbed me is this article in sports illustrated that says the room where Mr. Woolmer died has now become a "tourist attraction". In my opinion that is just wrong, why would anyone want to go there and see that? Not that there would be anything to see - I really can't understand some people especially at times like this.
In summary this has pretty much said what I was going to say but I think that needs to be left in the past and we should remember Bob for the great cricketer and coach he was.
Although this blog has not been updated for a while it outlines the ups and downs of the circumstances surronding his death - because that is what (sadly) what the focus was. Usama on the cricket is life blog outlines the problems the police faced in the investigation and how the inquest went.
The cause of death and the coverage must have been hard to take for his family - one minute it was a heart attack next he was murdered. I'm not laying the blame here but you need to make sure you are right before you announce something like that, it was not known at the time how Bob had died and all these theories did not help anyone.
When I was researching this post I found this and it would have been a good tribute to Bob but unfortunately praticalities get in the way again as I am sure most people would have enjoyed watching 20-20 cricket and especially as it was a tribute to one of the games greats.
Something else that has disturbed me is this article in sports illustrated that says the room where Mr. Woolmer died has now become a "tourist attraction". In my opinion that is just wrong, why would anyone want to go there and see that? Not that there would be anything to see - I really can't understand some people especially at times like this.
In summary this has pretty much said what I was going to say but I think that needs to be left in the past and we should remember Bob for the great cricketer and coach he was.
BOB WOOLMER 1948-2007
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Easter Break
The Easter Break is now upon us at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) - which means three weeks off right? Sort of, as the class has to do a portfolio for newspapers which is due in the first day we come back and of course Law and PA must be revised for upcoming exams and shorthand has still to be worked on. Also, the first week back at Uni marks our first assessed newspaper so that should be interesting but thankfully no editorial position for me on the first one, the second one is where I will take a position.
On a side note, just thought I'd point you in the direction of two websites one being http://www.weeklygripe.co.uk/ which is a really good site to read about peoples "gripes" - trsut me you will be able to relate to some of the stuff and student out there, a website I only recently found http://www.ukstudentnews.co.uk/ a website for students to put up stories from their Universities - a useful tool which I wish I had known about earlier!
I will be relaxing during my easter break as I need to but on W/C 24 of this month I will be on a weeks placement at a local radio station on their news team which adds valuable experience to my portfolio and I will be trying to sort out my future plans and if they involved Australia.
That's all I wanted to post, writing down my thoughts to see where I am, before I head off home tomorrow and now I am off to sneeze and dose myself up because I am full of a cold :(
On a side note, just thought I'd point you in the direction of two websites one being http://www.weeklygripe.co.uk/ which is a really good site to read about peoples "gripes" - trsut me you will be able to relate to some of the stuff and student out there, a website I only recently found http://www.ukstudentnews.co.uk/ a website for students to put up stories from their Universities - a useful tool which I wish I had known about earlier!
I will be relaxing during my easter break as I need to but on W/C 24 of this month I will be on a weeks placement at a local radio station on their news team which adds valuable experience to my portfolio and I will be trying to sort out my future plans and if they involved Australia.
That's all I wanted to post, writing down my thoughts to see where I am, before I head off home tomorrow and now I am off to sneeze and dose myself up because I am full of a cold :(
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Criticism of the media
Before we get into the media debate, there was some sad news yesterday and that was the death of Carol Barnes who, among other things, used to be a former ITN newsreader. This is just one of the many places to read about the sad news.
Anyway, if you haven't heard Lisa Presley is planning to sue over a newspaper article in the Daily Mail, reported here and followed up here because she says the original article upset her and has called the press "disgusting" on hey myspace page. More here.
I don't want to focus on this case in particular but this is the peg of the post, so to speak and so is the assessed debate I had on Friday for part of my Uni course. The industry I am planning to go into has had its fair share of criticism - some rightly and some wrongly.
One of the most recent is the reporting of the Bridgend suicides and the coverage it received brought all sorts of ethical and moral issues into play. One side is talked about here by Daniel Finkelstein, comment editor of the Times and Roy Greenslade blogs about thoughts from the Guardian and Independent on the media's role.
Personally, I don't think the media is too blame for the suicides but I agree with Mark Ansell that it isn't entirely innocent either. The reporting may not be too blame but it has been sensationalised a bit, probably to sell papers or just through carelessness but either way I want the industry I hope to ply my trade in to be a responsible, calm figure - am I just living a dream?
Final thoughts come from Adrian Monck and a in-depth look at the issue. Hopefully the media will have learned a little bit from this but without putting my foot down on either side really I don't think the media is too blame - it is just a sad and tragic series of events which has not been handled in the best way and not helped the situation.
Anyway, if you haven't heard Lisa Presley is planning to sue over a newspaper article in the Daily Mail, reported here and followed up here because she says the original article upset her and has called the press "disgusting" on hey myspace page. More here.
I don't want to focus on this case in particular but this is the peg of the post, so to speak and so is the assessed debate I had on Friday for part of my Uni course. The industry I am planning to go into has had its fair share of criticism - some rightly and some wrongly.
One of the most recent is the reporting of the Bridgend suicides and the coverage it received brought all sorts of ethical and moral issues into play. One side is talked about here by Daniel Finkelstein, comment editor of the Times and Roy Greenslade blogs about thoughts from the Guardian and Independent on the media's role.
Personally, I don't think the media is too blame for the suicides but I agree with Mark Ansell that it isn't entirely innocent either. The reporting may not be too blame but it has been sensationalised a bit, probably to sell papers or just through carelessness but either way I want the industry I hope to ply my trade in to be a responsible, calm figure - am I just living a dream?
Final thoughts come from Adrian Monck and a in-depth look at the issue. Hopefully the media will have learned a little bit from this but without putting my foot down on either side really I don't think the media is too blame - it is just a sad and tragic series of events which has not been handled in the best way and not helped the situation.
Saturday, March 08, 2008
one week to Easter...
The penultimate term at university is coming to an end for me and what a three years it has been - with ups and downs the finish line is visible in the distance and its bloody scary!
We received details of graduation this week and the final assessments we are/are not going in for and being nominated for an award for my radio show means that the finish is near.
Don't get me wrong I want to go out into the "real world" and ply my trade and use my skills but I keep questioning whether or not I am ready and at the moment I really am unsure...which is not good because I need to be focussed and ready for a job and to make my way in the world
You can tell it's nearing the end when I am saying this is the last saturday of my radio show before easter and tomorrow will be my last show before easter on the student radio station.
I handed two assignments in yesterday, a 1,500 word essay on PA (Public Administration) and a 20 minute recorded debate for the Future of Journalism module.
Next week just leaves me with the newspaper deadline to worry about and being on the sports team and it not being an assessed edition things could be worse.
As you can see I am a bit confused right now but it really is amazing how writing thoughts down
can help you. Until next time I'm off to do some work - including Law and Shorthand.
We received details of graduation this week and the final assessments we are/are not going in for and being nominated for an award for my radio show means that the finish is near.
Don't get me wrong I want to go out into the "real world" and ply my trade and use my skills but I keep questioning whether or not I am ready and at the moment I really am unsure...which is not good because I need to be focussed and ready for a job and to make my way in the world
You can tell it's nearing the end when I am saying this is the last saturday of my radio show before easter and tomorrow will be my last show before easter on the student radio station.
I handed two assignments in yesterday, a 1,500 word essay on PA (Public Administration) and a 20 minute recorded debate for the Future of Journalism module.
Next week just leaves me with the newspaper deadline to worry about and being on the sports team and it not being an assessed edition things could be worse.
As you can see I am a bit confused right now but it really is amazing how writing thoughts down
can help you. Until next time I'm off to do some work - including Law and Shorthand.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
last big effort
WOW! is what you are thinking... two blog posts in two days = unusual.
It is but I got to thinking (despite not having wireless internet back at my house, which we should have as that is what we are paying for...) that I created this blog to post my thoughts and as the blurb says it is the random thoughts of a STUDENT journo and I am only (I think) going to be one of those for another few months, so lets take the finger out and put it on the keyboard and blog about stuff.
Hopefully future "stuff" will be more important than this post as this is the re-launch of the attempt to blog more reguarly as I have a blog and the technology so why not embrace it and post more? Then I could even be proud enough to put this thing on my CV and mention it to any potential employers...but we are a LONG way away from any of that.
But to prove that I have not been resting on my laurels I have, today, sent an application off to a cricket writing website and a soon-to-be on the air radio station and hopefully I will get a response from those - even if it says "sorry, but no."
The problem is (good job this thing is secret...) I am not sure what I am doing when I finish Uni, you see I have the desire and possible opportunity to visit Australia as my parents have family over there and one is in the journalism/PR industry and might, just might, be able to give me a hand up/help on getting a placement in Melbourne. This is still pie in the sky but I would love to do something like this as I am still sort of free (being only 20 years old and all) before I settle down with a job.
I am sure with my promise to blog more you will be kept up to date and all the ups and downs and developments of my last few months at university but it is kind of sad I started this with the intention to give a guide to students studying journalism and post my thoughts frequently on issues that mattered to me...judging by this blog both of them equal not much!
Finally, I would like to wish a get well soon to a guy who really helped me at a radio station I volunteered at from 2005-07 . I sat in and broadcast on his show a few times as we were coined "The Jim and Joe Show" - thats my imagination anyways!
He had a heart attack over last weekend which, I have been assured, he is now recovering from and it could have been worse so just like to wish him the best and hope he gets well soon because he really gave me some fond memories of volunteering for hospital radio.
A post way back on this blog called "Tribute to Bingo Bill", describes how one of the team who pretty much shaped my desire of radio is already no longer with us.
It is but I got to thinking (despite not having wireless internet back at my house, which we should have as that is what we are paying for...) that I created this blog to post my thoughts and as the blurb says it is the random thoughts of a STUDENT journo and I am only (I think) going to be one of those for another few months, so lets take the finger out and put it on the keyboard and blog about stuff.
Hopefully future "stuff" will be more important than this post as this is the re-launch of the attempt to blog more reguarly as I have a blog and the technology so why not embrace it and post more? Then I could even be proud enough to put this thing on my CV and mention it to any potential employers...but we are a LONG way away from any of that.
But to prove that I have not been resting on my laurels I have, today, sent an application off to a cricket writing website and a soon-to-be on the air radio station and hopefully I will get a response from those - even if it says "sorry, but no."
The problem is (good job this thing is secret...) I am not sure what I am doing when I finish Uni, you see I have the desire and possible opportunity to visit Australia as my parents have family over there and one is in the journalism/PR industry and might, just might, be able to give me a hand up/help on getting a placement in Melbourne. This is still pie in the sky but I would love to do something like this as I am still sort of free (being only 20 years old and all) before I settle down with a job.
I am sure with my promise to blog more you will be kept up to date and all the ups and downs and developments of my last few months at university but it is kind of sad I started this with the intention to give a guide to students studying journalism and post my thoughts frequently on issues that mattered to me...judging by this blog both of them equal not much!
Finally, I would like to wish a get well soon to a guy who really helped me at a radio station I volunteered at from 2005-07 . I sat in and broadcast on his show a few times as we were coined "The Jim and Joe Show" - thats my imagination anyways!
He had a heart attack over last weekend which, I have been assured, he is now recovering from and it could have been worse so just like to wish him the best and hope he gets well soon because he really gave me some fond memories of volunteering for hospital radio.
A post way back on this blog called "Tribute to Bingo Bill", describes how one of the team who pretty much shaped my desire of radio is already no longer with us.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Nearing the end...
Ahh the wonders of blogging (or the lack of it...) Seems like one blog post a month is the top for me now - not good really for an inspiring student journo as I should be embracing this new form of technology and leading the way.
There is regular student blogs here http://education.apple.com/students/blog/ , http://confessionsofastudentblogger.wordpress.com/ and this guy is putting every student too shame! http://blogs.pressgazette.co.uk/students/
Makes me wonder if I have the necessary passion for the industry. I have had placements aplenty on newspapers and radio but have been turned down for a placement during Easter at a paper back home and in my Uni town due places already being taken.
I am finishing Uni in around two months and am unsure which direction to head in - despite doing a newspaper route on my degree course. I would love to work in regional news, whether that be on radio or on a paper but the possibility is opening of me going to Australia for a month or two and hopefully that will be on some form of working holiday and not a put the feet up type of holiday as I can't afford to do that with so much competition out there.
This week is a busy one for me though, two assignments due in this Friday and working on the newspaper we are producing in class. The non-assessed version is every two weeks and for the last two weeks I was news editor and by my own admission I have the leadership qualities of a sheep so did not do as well as a wanted. But this time (the last non-assessed edition) I hope to be on sports so we'll see if that gets my journalistic flair up as at the moment I am on the road to success but it's under construction.
There is regular student blogs here http://education.apple.com/students/blog/ , http://confessionsofastudentblogger.wordpress.com/ and this guy is putting every student too shame! http://blogs.pressgazette.co.uk/students/
Makes me wonder if I have the necessary passion for the industry. I have had placements aplenty on newspapers and radio but have been turned down for a placement during Easter at a paper back home and in my Uni town due places already being taken.
I am finishing Uni in around two months and am unsure which direction to head in - despite doing a newspaper route on my degree course. I would love to work in regional news, whether that be on radio or on a paper but the possibility is opening of me going to Australia for a month or two and hopefully that will be on some form of working holiday and not a put the feet up type of holiday as I can't afford to do that with so much competition out there.
This week is a busy one for me though, two assignments due in this Friday and working on the newspaper we are producing in class. The non-assessed version is every two weeks and for the last two weeks I was news editor and by my own admission I have the leadership qualities of a sheep so did not do as well as a wanted. But this time (the last non-assessed edition) I hope to be on sports so we'll see if that gets my journalistic flair up as at the moment I am on the road to success but it's under construction.
Monday, January 21, 2008
The ups and downs
It really is amazing how life throws its up and downs as trivial as they may be in my case.
As mentioned before on this blog I have been on four weeks of work experience in journalism as part of my uni course and I really thought I had done some good and progressed in most departments due to the feedback I got from the staff at my two placement destinations
But today I am back at Uni and everything has been flipped on its head
It is only an assignment but my chances of getting a 2:1 now seem to have gone up in smoke due to the grade I got today. It really crushes someone who doesn't have much self-confidence at the best of times this is a hammer blow and pretty much the worst start to my university year that could have been imagined. Its always the same... "good effort...shit content" in a very loose summary.
Only 2 options 1) give up and quit now which seems pretty pointless despite what is going to be some poor results and the current feeling of being useless
2) strive to do better on others - this is the usual comeback for most people and that's what I have done in the past but it really is crushing to have your work ripped apart and it has put paid to my chances of getting a 2:1 degree which is what I was aiming for.
Half of me says: Is their any point? but thankfully there is still a part of me that is saying "carry on, a 2:2 isn't the end of the world, at least its a degree!"
There are so many discussions on whether students should/do blog or not and personally I think it doesn't matter. Blog posts can be spur on the moment things like this one which I could regret posting or not feel the same way in a matter of hours or the higher quality blogs which analyse/critique and actually bring up some damn good points.
All in all, I am glad I got this off my chest and mind, hopefully with my next assignment result I'll do better and be a happier chap! but until then I am just going off to sulk... :)
As mentioned before on this blog I have been on four weeks of work experience in journalism as part of my uni course and I really thought I had done some good and progressed in most departments due to the feedback I got from the staff at my two placement destinations
But today I am back at Uni and everything has been flipped on its head
It is only an assignment but my chances of getting a 2:1 now seem to have gone up in smoke due to the grade I got today. It really crushes someone who doesn't have much self-confidence at the best of times this is a hammer blow and pretty much the worst start to my university year that could have been imagined. Its always the same... "good effort...shit content" in a very loose summary.
Only 2 options 1) give up and quit now which seems pretty pointless despite what is going to be some poor results and the current feeling of being useless
2) strive to do better on others - this is the usual comeback for most people and that's what I have done in the past but it really is crushing to have your work ripped apart and it has put paid to my chances of getting a 2:1 degree which is what I was aiming for.
Half of me says: Is their any point? but thankfully there is still a part of me that is saying "carry on, a 2:2 isn't the end of the world, at least its a degree!"
There are so many discussions on whether students should/do blog or not and personally I think it doesn't matter. Blog posts can be spur on the moment things like this one which I could regret posting or not feel the same way in a matter of hours or the higher quality blogs which analyse/critique and actually bring up some damn good points.
All in all, I am glad I got this off my chest and mind, hopefully with my next assignment result I'll do better and be a happier chap! but until then I am just going off to sulk... :)
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Final year...Final semester
Welcome to the 81st post on this blog and the first for two months. So happy christmas, happy new year and etc etc.
I still can't get my head around the fact that I finish Uni in around four months and then I am let out into the "real" world for a career. It doesn't seem right, I remember primary school, then secondary, then college, then Uni but soon... I have to start to plan out my life: one word = shit.
But I still have a few months to bask in the glow of being a student and its going to be a hard few months. Before christmas I handed in my portfolio and a 1,800 essay on the future of journalism and over christmas have already started work on my PA assignment and an online feature assignment. Shorthand is still coming along but has slowed down over xmas with me at 50 WAM, this is of course due to not having a 2 hour slot per day with it being hammered into my skull.
As part of the course when you go to UCLan you will do a placement in your third year. The first of mine was at a bi-weekly newspaper and I ended up with a lot of experience covering festive-related goings on but got a hatful of articles in the paper and three gold-tinted bylines!
I am now on my second placement at a local radio station on the news team (yes, I have been there before) so am getting content I wrote and clips of interviews I conducted on air. I am alos practicising reading our bulletins so I can compile a demo if needs be.
Outside of work, I went to the Oldham V Everton fa cup match and was loving it when Oldham got a shock one-nil win. Well worth the trip...just hope to beat Huddersfield in the next round!
Until I summon up the effort/desire/need to post anything on here all I have to say is have fun browsing the net, you never know what you might find ;)
I still can't get my head around the fact that I finish Uni in around four months and then I am let out into the "real" world for a career. It doesn't seem right, I remember primary school, then secondary, then college, then Uni but soon... I have to start to plan out my life: one word = shit.
But I still have a few months to bask in the glow of being a student and its going to be a hard few months. Before christmas I handed in my portfolio and a 1,800 essay on the future of journalism and over christmas have already started work on my PA assignment and an online feature assignment. Shorthand is still coming along but has slowed down over xmas with me at 50 WAM, this is of course due to not having a 2 hour slot per day with it being hammered into my skull.
As part of the course when you go to UCLan you will do a placement in your third year. The first of mine was at a bi-weekly newspaper and I ended up with a lot of experience covering festive-related goings on but got a hatful of articles in the paper and three gold-tinted bylines!
I am now on my second placement at a local radio station on the news team (yes, I have been there before) so am getting content I wrote and clips of interviews I conducted on air. I am alos practicising reading our bulletins so I can compile a demo if needs be.
Outside of work, I went to the Oldham V Everton fa cup match and was loving it when Oldham got a shock one-nil win. Well worth the trip...just hope to beat Huddersfield in the next round!
Until I summon up the effort/desire/need to post anything on here all I have to say is have fun browsing the net, you never know what you might find ;)
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