Say it ain't So

Ok. I get it. Newspapers are dying. Journalism is changing. Global warming is happening before our very eyes. Oh, by the way the entire world is going to hell.

But of course, being the stubborn hard-head I am, I refuse to succumb to the "the world as we know it is coming to an end" ideology.

Therefore, I will not give up my dreams of writing for a paper. No, I don't want to do PR work and no, I don't want to write for a trade publication. I want to do real journalism.

I want to be the outlet for many people to share their stories when no one else would listen. I want to be responsible for letting people know what's going on and explaining various political decisions to them in plain English.

This is what I want to do. This is what I plan to do. This is what I WILL do.

And I refuse to be told otherwise.

Dear Steve Jobs, Thanks for iPods

This one will probably have all the old heads shaking their heads in disgust.... But hey, this is life through MY eyes...

I consider myself to be a tech savvy person. Sure, I text like crazy & can do so with my eyes closed, sometimes FB status updates are the highlight of my day and I listen to music on a daily basis on my iPod. Yes, that lovely little wonder that the smart guys over at Apple created has saved me plenty of times.

How so?

Because those white earbuds give a clear warning to people, "I Can't Hear You!"

It's exactly what the older generation is complaining about... "young folks don't know how to communicate properly anymore."

Think about it. How likely are you to approach someone vehemently bobbing their head to their tunes, oblivious to the world about them? Very unlikely. And you know what? I love it.

For the many times I've been on campus about to be approached by clipboard weilding Earth Lovers, asking "Excuse me, do you have time for the environment," my iPod has saved the day.

I mean, what type of question is that anyways. Who doesn't care about the environment so much that they don't have time for it?

What I am I supposed to say, "Uhh... No I don't have time for the environment. In fact, I drive a gas guzzling Hummer that I always fill up before 6 p.m. since I travel a ridiculous amount of miles for no reason throwing trash and toxic sludge out of the window and plowing through gardens to destroy plants..."

But instead of saying all of this I can just let my iPod do all the talking for me by simply walking pass appearing to be so caught up in my jams.

Or better yet, ladies how about when you know a guy is going to try to approach you... even though you know he shouldn't be trying his luck even on a good day-- a good day meaning holding a box of Lucky Charms and three bouquets of three-leaf clovers? But for some reason the brother has heart.

Not wanting to be rude, you turn that iPod up on full blast mode & keep walking... Making him "realize" you couldn't hear a word he said.

Now I know there are some that say, "Why not just talk and say you're not interested instead of using your iPod for a cop out?"

And that's exactly what it is... a cop out.... and a lovely way to use technology.

**Insert evil laughs here**

Anxiety Attack

Approximately 24 hours from now I will be in Tampa, Florida with some of the biggest names in journalism at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention. For most people a convention of writers would seem like another big item on their "Things to Avoid" list, but for me this is a dream come true. This is the opportunity of a lifetime for me to network with both already established journalists and those up & coming like myself all in one place, totally at my disposal.

I doubt I sleep at all tonight. Anxiety is taking over now, my nerves won't settle down. This trip to Florida will be the turning point in my life. It will separate the real journalists from the wannabes. Time to put the game face on.

As they say it's a long way to the top and I see this trip as a big boost in my climb up that mountain to success. I feel as if so many doors will open for me after this trip. Sure, it was expensive--took me to eating turkey sandwiches, crackers, and water for lunch for the past few weeks, just so I can save every penny possible--but I'm highly optimistic that this will be well worth it.


Wish me luck.