If you happen to pick up a copy of The New Hampshire, the University of New Hampshire's official newspaper, you may find my article talking about the event "Get Out of Bed and Shred" happening on campus this Thursday. Check it out! So excited to finally get this done, (and out of the way)!
Every article I publish I will re-post here, so check back for more as I start my internship with Dig Boston this Thursday! Hopefully there will be more articles in my future, (and editing jobs).
"UNH to Host Annual 'Get Out of Bed and Shred' Expo"
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Friday, October 26, 2012
Balls and Rape
I highly suggest that if you'd like a laugh, (and a very laid-back view of what's happening in politics right now), to watch these two video clips from Comedy Central, courtesy of The Huffington Post:
Colbert Report
Colbert Report
Jon Stewart
Enjoy:)
Colbert Report
Colbert Report
Jon Stewart
Enjoy:)
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Politics and Integrity
We all understand how important this election is. We all know how it can be: overwhelming with all the questions, ("Who are you voting for?" "What do you think of this policy/that choice?" etc.), boring with all the arguing on every channel and horrible political advertising that just makes you want to shut your television off. I've never really been a political person because of these things, and the mere fact that I normally don't pay attention. Since the start of this news-writing course, I've noticed some trends that happen a lot if you actually know what's going on in politics.
The first time someone ever asked me who I was voting for was tonight at work. I knew the moment he came up to my register that somehow we would end up talking politics, (maybe it was the huge Romney button attached to his and his wife's jackets...). He asked me casually who I was voting for, and I told him I didn't know, because I genuinely don't know. I hate voicing my opinion because if you even remotely disagree with the person you're talking to, a fight ensues. Needless to say, we didn't get in a fight, (because I never really answered his question), and I was able to walk away from that uncomfortable moment unscathed.
I really hate it when people don't respect your opinion. I understand that there are going to be those people who try to sway you this way or that, but just give it a rest, will you? No matter how many times you tell me that Romney will have a better education plan or that Obama will make life better for the gay and lesbian communities, it probably won't make me think any different. I've seen enough in this election to know that both candidates are skating on thin ice and neither one of them is truly good for this country. Unfortunately, Romney seems less intelligent when he's in front of a camera then in person, but he seems to be closing the presidential race gap slowly but surely.
I just don't appreciate it when people yell at you for believing in something. If I had told that guy at work that I was voting for Obama, he would've told me that I was making a terrible choice and that I should consider Romney instead because of reasons A, B and C. Not taking into consideration that I may be a stupid Liberal hippie-ass who doesn't know any better and attacks poor, innocent Republicans without warning. Fortunately, I'm good at my job, so I faked a smile and agreed with whatever he said. His wife proceeded to bombard me with a telling account of a political chat room she had used in which a liberal punk shot down a defenseless Republican girl for valuing Romney. I'm just sick of the bullshit and I'm tired of pretending to be someone I'm not.
So, for future reference, at this point in time I have no idea who I'm voting for, or if I'm even voting. Yes, I said it: I don't even know if I'm going to vote. It's not that I don't want to, (only 30-40% of me doesn't want to), but I'll probably forget or won't have time to drive all the way back home to spend money and vote at town hall. I honestly don't even know what day it's on. But that's my right, so anyone who has anything bad to say about it can suck it. I can't wait until this election is OVER.
The first time someone ever asked me who I was voting for was tonight at work. I knew the moment he came up to my register that somehow we would end up talking politics, (maybe it was the huge Romney button attached to his and his wife's jackets...). He asked me casually who I was voting for, and I told him I didn't know, because I genuinely don't know. I hate voicing my opinion because if you even remotely disagree with the person you're talking to, a fight ensues. Needless to say, we didn't get in a fight, (because I never really answered his question), and I was able to walk away from that uncomfortable moment unscathed.
I really hate it when people don't respect your opinion. I understand that there are going to be those people who try to sway you this way or that, but just give it a rest, will you? No matter how many times you tell me that Romney will have a better education plan or that Obama will make life better for the gay and lesbian communities, it probably won't make me think any different. I've seen enough in this election to know that both candidates are skating on thin ice and neither one of them is truly good for this country. Unfortunately, Romney seems less intelligent when he's in front of a camera then in person, but he seems to be closing the presidential race gap slowly but surely.
I just don't appreciate it when people yell at you for believing in something. If I had told that guy at work that I was voting for Obama, he would've told me that I was making a terrible choice and that I should consider Romney instead because of reasons A, B and C. Not taking into consideration that I may be a stupid Liberal hippie-ass who doesn't know any better and attacks poor, innocent Republicans without warning. Fortunately, I'm good at my job, so I faked a smile and agreed with whatever he said. His wife proceeded to bombard me with a telling account of a political chat room she had used in which a liberal punk shot down a defenseless Republican girl for valuing Romney. I'm just sick of the bullshit and I'm tired of pretending to be someone I'm not.
So, for future reference, at this point in time I have no idea who I'm voting for, or if I'm even voting. Yes, I said it: I don't even know if I'm going to vote. It's not that I don't want to, (only 30-40% of me doesn't want to), but I'll probably forget or won't have time to drive all the way back home to spend money and vote at town hall. I honestly don't even know what day it's on. But that's my right, so anyone who has anything bad to say about it can suck it. I can't wait until this election is OVER.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
The Presidential Debate
Everyone is talking about Mitt Romney and President Obama after their heated debate at Hofstra University last week. Needless to say, it was entertaining. But the real entertainment came when SNL finally spoofed the debate, along with the infamous fact-checking from Candy Crowley.
Who better to play Mitt Romney than Jason Sudeikis? Although he is rumored to be leaving Saturday Night Live after the political season, he will still portray both Mitt Romney and Joe Biden during the debate season.
Jay Pharoah has also done an excellent job portraying President Obama in the political sketches. Jay Pharoah started as a featured comedian on the show, but after the departure of Kristin Wiig and Andy Samberg, the featured artists got spots as formal cast members. Pharoah has done an amazing job with his impersonations, from Denzel Washington to Will Smith to President Obama.
Look for both of these actors and more during the political season on SNL to get a funny spin on politics. Election is right around the corner...
Who better to play Mitt Romney than Jason Sudeikis? Although he is rumored to be leaving Saturday Night Live after the political season, he will still portray both Mitt Romney and Joe Biden during the debate season.
Jay Pharoah has also done an excellent job portraying President Obama in the political sketches. Jay Pharoah started as a featured comedian on the show, but after the departure of Kristin Wiig and Andy Samberg, the featured artists got spots as formal cast members. Pharoah has done an amazing job with his impersonations, from Denzel Washington to Will Smith to President Obama.
Look for both of these actors and more during the political season on SNL to get a funny spin on politics. Election is right around the corner...
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
"Suspected" Murder?
So over the last week or so, the UNH campus has suffered a huge loss in Elizabeth "Lizzi" Marriott's death. According to multiple reports, she disappeared last Tuesday night after class in Dover or Portsmouth, then a Dover resident and UNH alum was arrested in connection with her murder. The catch: they still haven't found her body. My questions are: how can they convict this guy of murder when they haven't found her body yet, and what evidence do they have to go on, seeing as he's obviously not telling them where he put her, why would he tell them that he killed her?
This whole case, as tragic as it is already, is even more confusing. When I first heard about it through the campus email alert system, I was shocked. I'm used to seeing emails about reported muggings, fights, and sexual abuse cases, but it's rare that we have a student who goes missing and then is confirmed, but not found, dead within a week. Where are the police and investigators getting their information? I don't mean any disrespect, but they should've found her by now, with an already convicted felon in their custody, he has nothing left to lose. Why not give up the location of the body?
I will keep an eye on this story in case it starts to make sense. I hope they do find her, and soon, so that he family can grieve properly without the uncertainty of whether or not they'll get to bring her home. The way the story was publicized, (first they said she went missing, then they said they were performing searches around Portsmouth, then they said "never mind, there's nothing to see here..." followed by the arrest of Mr. Mazzaglia, then the continued search for her body just after she wasn't officially confirmed dead, etc.), was all wrong. Now that the press and police finally have at least some important facts to this story, I'm hoping they can make better sense of it as the search continues and the convicted confesses.
This whole case, as tragic as it is already, is even more confusing. When I first heard about it through the campus email alert system, I was shocked. I'm used to seeing emails about reported muggings, fights, and sexual abuse cases, but it's rare that we have a student who goes missing and then is confirmed, but not found, dead within a week. Where are the police and investigators getting their information? I don't mean any disrespect, but they should've found her by now, with an already convicted felon in their custody, he has nothing left to lose. Why not give up the location of the body?
I will keep an eye on this story in case it starts to make sense. I hope they do find her, and soon, so that he family can grieve properly without the uncertainty of whether or not they'll get to bring her home. The way the story was publicized, (first they said she went missing, then they said they were performing searches around Portsmouth, then they said "never mind, there's nothing to see here..." followed by the arrest of Mr. Mazzaglia, then the continued search for her body just after she wasn't officially confirmed dead, etc.), was all wrong. Now that the press and police finally have at least some important facts to this story, I'm hoping they can make better sense of it as the search continues and the convicted confesses.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Dig Boston
For more Dig Boston, check out their website.
Funny News
A lot of people get their news from the television and from the newspaper. Usually it's the same old boring news, (deaths, fires, accidents, political up-risings, etc.). Sometimes people need a fresh new taste on how they receive their news. These examples provide the comic relief we all need:
The Daily Show: Jon Stewart could be considered a genius. Yes, I know it's not exactly published news, but it is news nonetheless. Stewart gives the viewer a new spin on the most popular pieces of news. Satire is extremely effective in conveying a certain attitude about a point. Stewart frequently gives his opinion on many of the issues he discusses. He also interviews many famous and newsworthy people, (according to The Associated Press, Obama will be making an appearance).
The Colbert Report: Another Comedy Central show focusing on the news in an entirely different way. Stephen Colbert has a similar set up as Stewart, but in a more theatrical sense. He too has guest speakers, all the while mocking them and sometimes fighting against them. These are all tactics to make the show, and the news, more interesting. Personally, I've seen authors and politicians I've never heard of before, but always learn something about them from Colbert, (the author wrote a controversial book about gay marriage or the politician in Michigan is voting for a waffle tax, etc.).
Weekend Update: Who said you couldn't get briefed on the latest news one the weekend? Saturday Night Live has found a way to let news into it's sketch comedy. Seth Meyers has taken the reigns to this steady flow of comedy, following such great work from cast members like Jimmy Fallon and Amy Poehler. You have to keep a straight face if you're in this line of work, but with his "guest appearances," you never know what might happen.
*If anyone else finds an example of "funny" or interesting news, tweet them with the hash tag #funnynews
The Daily Show: Jon Stewart could be considered a genius. Yes, I know it's not exactly published news, but it is news nonetheless. Stewart gives the viewer a new spin on the most popular pieces of news. Satire is extremely effective in conveying a certain attitude about a point. Stewart frequently gives his opinion on many of the issues he discusses. He also interviews many famous and newsworthy people, (according to The Associated Press, Obama will be making an appearance).
The Colbert Report: Another Comedy Central show focusing on the news in an entirely different way. Stephen Colbert has a similar set up as Stewart, but in a more theatrical sense. He too has guest speakers, all the while mocking them and sometimes fighting against them. These are all tactics to make the show, and the news, more interesting. Personally, I've seen authors and politicians I've never heard of before, but always learn something about them from Colbert, (the author wrote a controversial book about gay marriage or the politician in Michigan is voting for a waffle tax, etc.).
Weekend Update: Who said you couldn't get briefed on the latest news one the weekend? Saturday Night Live has found a way to let news into it's sketch comedy. Seth Meyers has taken the reigns to this steady flow of comedy, following such great work from cast members like Jimmy Fallon and Amy Poehler. You have to keep a straight face if you're in this line of work, but with his "guest appearances," you never know what might happen.
*If anyone else finds an example of "funny" or interesting news, tweet them with the hash tag #funnynews
Friday, October 5, 2012
Political Madness
Lately the news has been full of political issues due to the upcoming election. The debate the other night sparked an uproar among Obama supporters and a surge of support from Romney supporters. All manners of media are making sure that the coverage of every political story is solid and informative. In every section of the news, from humor to education, politics are the main focus.
The CEO of PBS spoke out against Romney and his comments during the debate, saying that it's "stunning" that Romney would put more focus on her organization than on the real issues surrounding the country. She also went on to mention that PBS gets no direct money from the government, and what little money they do receive goes directly to their sister stations. Romney's attack on Big Bird also sparked a new Twitter account, @FiredBigBird, in which a lot of people are saying "Big Bird for President." The support for PBS has been overwhelming.
In the aftermath of the debate, there's another big event happening on Saturday night. "The Rumble in the Air-Conditioned Auditorium," featuring Bill O'Reilly and Jon Stewart will take place tomorrow night, and Jon Stewart wasted no time in preparing for his legendary debate. He enlisted the help of his colleague Stephen Colbert to help him "train" for his match-up against O'Reilly. Colbert insisted that Stewart "Always Be Attacking," then proceeded to let a chicken lose in the studio and instructed Stewart to catch the bird and then clean his Audi with it. Needless to say, I feel that Stewart is more then prepared to go up against O'Reilly tomorrow night.
Daryl Hannah was arrested recently for protesting an oil pipeline in Texas. The pipeline is being set to pump crude oil from Canada to the Gulf Coast. Hannah and the landowner, 78-year-old Eleanor Fairchild, were both arrested after protesting by standing in front of the machinery that is being used to set up the pipeline. In my opinion, as heroic as her actions were, the "hippie" approach rarely works outside of the movies.
Lastly, a bit of local politics: a new law passed in NH may cost Newmarket schools hundreds of dollars. The new law is set to provide students with disabilities funding to go to outside charter schools. This money would come directly from the school districts in order to help those families afford transportation costs among other things. This is going to hurt the schools in a big way in comparison to before, when the state assisted these families. As Newmarket is an already small district, this may effect the over-all quality of their educational system. As a new substitute teacher to this district, I feel that this may effect me in some way eventually. I'll keep an eye out on this story and see if it develops further.
The CEO of PBS spoke out against Romney and his comments during the debate, saying that it's "stunning" that Romney would put more focus on her organization than on the real issues surrounding the country. She also went on to mention that PBS gets no direct money from the government, and what little money they do receive goes directly to their sister stations. Romney's attack on Big Bird also sparked a new Twitter account, @FiredBigBird, in which a lot of people are saying "Big Bird for President." The support for PBS has been overwhelming.
In the aftermath of the debate, there's another big event happening on Saturday night. "The Rumble in the Air-Conditioned Auditorium," featuring Bill O'Reilly and Jon Stewart will take place tomorrow night, and Jon Stewart wasted no time in preparing for his legendary debate. He enlisted the help of his colleague Stephen Colbert to help him "train" for his match-up against O'Reilly. Colbert insisted that Stewart "Always Be Attacking," then proceeded to let a chicken lose in the studio and instructed Stewart to catch the bird and then clean his Audi with it. Needless to say, I feel that Stewart is more then prepared to go up against O'Reilly tomorrow night.
Daryl Hannah was arrested recently for protesting an oil pipeline in Texas. The pipeline is being set to pump crude oil from Canada to the Gulf Coast. Hannah and the landowner, 78-year-old Eleanor Fairchild, were both arrested after protesting by standing in front of the machinery that is being used to set up the pipeline. In my opinion, as heroic as her actions were, the "hippie" approach rarely works outside of the movies.
Lastly, a bit of local politics: a new law passed in NH may cost Newmarket schools hundreds of dollars. The new law is set to provide students with disabilities funding to go to outside charter schools. This money would come directly from the school districts in order to help those families afford transportation costs among other things. This is going to hurt the schools in a big way in comparison to before, when the state assisted these families. As Newmarket is an already small district, this may effect the over-all quality of their educational system. As a new substitute teacher to this district, I feel that this may effect me in some way eventually. I'll keep an eye out on this story and see if it develops further.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Students Make The News
I've noticed lately that there have been many students in the news, mostly for negative things. It's not often that students make national news, but when it's tragic or devastating, the whole country has to know about it. I guess it's to make everyone feel like it could happen anywhere; even their own local university.
The first story I read was about a girl named Alexandra Kogurt, who was murdered in her dorm room at SUNY by her boyfriend, who didn't go there. As usual, the reporter described her in good light: good student, attractive, many friends, freshman in college, her whole life ahead of her, etc. I feel bad for her, but at the same time, this happens way too often. Girlfriends getting choked and slammed to death by their boyfriends who, "wouldn't hurt anybody" or "never acted like that before." Not everyone is innocent, but if you suspect that you or a friend may be in an abusive relationship, I would hope that you would remember these stories as a warning and tell someone.
The second story was about a guy named Alexander, (ironically). Although he didn't die, he definitely could have. "Xander" Broughton, 20, a member of Pi Kappa Alpha, was hospitalized for a blood-alcohol content of .448 percent. This was from allegedly "butt chugging" some Franzia blush wine, (meaning someone inserted a rubber tube up his butt hole and proceeded to pour wine into it slowly). This process has apparently become more popular recently, (maybe and hopefully not up here, but we never know). I can't understand why, because there's nothing on earth that would make me want to do this. Embarrassingly enough, they got the poor kid's name, his Greek organization, (which has been suspended upon further review), his university and what type of alcohol they were using, (box wine?.....really guys?) Then he goes and tells everyone that there's no way he could do such a thing. Seriously? They have the proof, the least you could do is make yourself look like less of an ass.
The third story regarding students is from South Georgia Tech. College. Adrianna Rhine, 19, died in a fountain on campus with her three-year-old son right near her, completely unharmed. The details of this incident are still underdeveloped, but it seems to be an accident so far. Unfortunately, this child of hers will have to grow up without a mother.
These stories are all about students, and yet they're all different. They each have something different to attract the reader to them. From death, to stupidity, to tragic accidents, these are all what make us as readers want to read them, It's what gives them flavor and pull.
The first story I read was about a girl named Alexandra Kogurt, who was murdered in her dorm room at SUNY by her boyfriend, who didn't go there. As usual, the reporter described her in good light: good student, attractive, many friends, freshman in college, her whole life ahead of her, etc. I feel bad for her, but at the same time, this happens way too often. Girlfriends getting choked and slammed to death by their boyfriends who, "wouldn't hurt anybody" or "never acted like that before." Not everyone is innocent, but if you suspect that you or a friend may be in an abusive relationship, I would hope that you would remember these stories as a warning and tell someone.
The second story was about a guy named Alexander, (ironically). Although he didn't die, he definitely could have. "Xander" Broughton, 20, a member of Pi Kappa Alpha, was hospitalized for a blood-alcohol content of .448 percent. This was from allegedly "butt chugging" some Franzia blush wine, (meaning someone inserted a rubber tube up his butt hole and proceeded to pour wine into it slowly). This process has apparently become more popular recently, (maybe and hopefully not up here, but we never know). I can't understand why, because there's nothing on earth that would make me want to do this. Embarrassingly enough, they got the poor kid's name, his Greek organization, (which has been suspended upon further review), his university and what type of alcohol they were using, (box wine?.....really guys?) Then he goes and tells everyone that there's no way he could do such a thing. Seriously? They have the proof, the least you could do is make yourself look like less of an ass.
The third story regarding students is from South Georgia Tech. College. Adrianna Rhine, 19, died in a fountain on campus with her three-year-old son right near her, completely unharmed. The details of this incident are still underdeveloped, but it seems to be an accident so far. Unfortunately, this child of hers will have to grow up without a mother.
These stories are all about students, and yet they're all different. They each have something different to attract the reader to them. From death, to stupidity, to tragic accidents, these are all what make us as readers want to read them, It's what gives them flavor and pull.
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