It is nice to be loved.
He calls me pretty girl- not from any attempt to charm.
I thought so at first- but after nearly a year, he still calls me it all the time-
during fights, when we're whispering in movies, when he's holding me close-
it's something sweet and wonderful
and I like it, quite a lot.
He smiles whenever he sees me-
like a little boy at his first birthday party
delightedly clapping his hands when he spies
the artfully iced cake.
And when he stands behind me as I look in the mirror,
criticizing my flaws and curves and posing to see
if I might look okay, today-
he tells me I am more than a Monet-
the most beautiful thing he's ever seen.
And as we sit together, eating Chinese,
watching Simpsons in his room-
it's lovely just to have his arm around me
and to be able to rest my head on his shoulder-
we have been through so much,
so much together-
-I remember when I was crying for hours and couldn't stop,
and fear was solid in my veins
he picked me up and took me away
and fed me chocolate and TV until I could sleep and
dream and rest-
-And when he feels like everything he does has been
useless, or unappreciated- when he thinks these months
have been a waste- I kiss him and I tell him that
I am proud of him- and that he is good and strong and brave-
I run my fingers through his hair-
and now it's like I can see the world through
a stained glass window-
everything colorful and bright and soft.
Not everyone understands
but it's okay-
Because when I put my head against his chest
and count double time with his heartbeat
I know that the days are ours to hold
and the hours are ours to conquer.
We can do anything- anything.
My Superman and I.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Random Quote Love
While standing in Giant.
Me-"You're my person!"
Aram-"You're my everything."
Me-(dissolves into happiness and awwws.)
: ) happy times
btw I absolutely LOVE this series of comments on Connect Mason.
The first one infuriated me because I KNEW there were so many things wrong with it- like Nick was never EIC, his grad date was wrong, no one in Connect Mason or Broadside is in SDS, etc. etc.
But I couldn't comment on it because well, I was one of the people accused of writing too many stories about SDS last semester.
So I LOVED it when Nick responded and basically called this guy out for being an idiot. The best part was, "Do you smoke crack and bang your head against concrete?"
Amazing.
People ask me sometimes why stories get written about SDS so much- do I or the other reporters have friends in it? Are we super secret members or sympathizers to their cause?
Here's the secret- SDS does stuff worth reporting about. They're controversial, amusing, and they absolutely love talking to us. SDS kids talk in quotes suitable for print- everything they say is guaranteed to have some effect or piss someone off. Why wouldn't we write about them? They pull the most interesting stunts on and off this campus.
Plus they have a sense of humor about their reps on campus. There's a group on facebook called, "I shower regularly and I'm in SDS." Go look. It's funny.
And that's all I'm saying tonight.
: )
Rach
Me-"You're my person!"
Aram-"You're my everything."
Me-(dissolves into happiness and awwws.)
: ) happy times
btw I absolutely LOVE this series of comments on Connect Mason.
The first one infuriated me because I KNEW there were so many things wrong with it- like Nick was never EIC, his grad date was wrong, no one in Connect Mason or Broadside is in SDS, etc. etc.
But I couldn't comment on it because well, I was one of the people accused of writing too many stories about SDS last semester.
So I LOVED it when Nick responded and basically called this guy out for being an idiot. The best part was, "Do you smoke crack and bang your head against concrete?"
Amazing.
People ask me sometimes why stories get written about SDS so much- do I or the other reporters have friends in it? Are we super secret members or sympathizers to their cause?
Here's the secret- SDS does stuff worth reporting about. They're controversial, amusing, and they absolutely love talking to us. SDS kids talk in quotes suitable for print- everything they say is guaranteed to have some effect or piss someone off. Why wouldn't we write about them? They pull the most interesting stunts on and off this campus.
Plus they have a sense of humor about their reps on campus. There's a group on facebook called, "I shower regularly and I'm in SDS." Go look. It's funny.
And that's all I'm saying tonight.
: )
Rach
Monday, April 21, 2008
Wisdom of Desperate Housewives
I watched a surprisingly profound Desperate Housewives today on my laptop- it originally aired last week.
One of the main plots running through it was that of Lynette, a woman who had never gone to church before, making an attempt to go to the church of one of her friends, Bree, a staunch Presbyterian.
During her visit, Lynette raised her hand to ask the preacher a question after his sermon. I could see the cringes throughout the congregation- Bree felt utterly humiliated. Everyone squirmed as Lynette asked the preacher questions about God's love and why bad things in the world happen.
I smiled a bit at the scene- I can imagine it happening at my own church at home. It would be so awkward for everyone. Bree summed up the view of what everyone thinks but doesn't really say when she talked to Lynette about the incident later.
"Well, last Sunday when you kept raising your hand- we don’t really do that. The church isn’t a place for questions, it’s a place for answers," Bree said.
Another profound moment in the show consisted of Gabriella's discovery that her husband Carlos hid the real extent of his injuries to her until after they were married, for fear that she would leave him once discovering he was permanently blind. She was initially very petty towards him- pushing chairs in front of him and leaving oven doors open in his way, but calmed down once she heard of his reason for not telling her initially.
I love the way she responds to him- it's so very Gabby. He's standing there scared to death, telling her that as a poor, blind man, he has nothing to offer her, and she responds brilliantly.
"To avoid future confusion, I love you. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you." She later added, "Like I said, for better or for worse."
It was such a step for her normally selfish, petty character- the one obsessed with looks, riches, and fashion. She finally realized that there was something that mattered more.
Really, it was such a sweet moment. Makes me realize there is love like that out there- love that sees beyond all flaws and problems and obstacles to the person that you adore and would do anything to stay with.
It's a good thought. : )
So I know, it's kinda a random post- I'm not talking about news events (I've been following the FLDS story like crazy), or happenings in my own life (I got an internship at wpni this summer!) or my feelings (god I can't wait for school to end, I'm going utterly crazy right now)- just a silly little TV show that I'm somehow obsessed with.
But then, it's nice having a blog I can talk about uhm, anything and everything, on. No restrictions means I write in it at least on a semi-regular basis. Lol.
Anyways, I should probably go sleep now.
Over and out.
-Rach
One of the main plots running through it was that of Lynette, a woman who had never gone to church before, making an attempt to go to the church of one of her friends, Bree, a staunch Presbyterian.
During her visit, Lynette raised her hand to ask the preacher a question after his sermon. I could see the cringes throughout the congregation- Bree felt utterly humiliated. Everyone squirmed as Lynette asked the preacher questions about God's love and why bad things in the world happen.
I smiled a bit at the scene- I can imagine it happening at my own church at home. It would be so awkward for everyone. Bree summed up the view of what everyone thinks but doesn't really say when she talked to Lynette about the incident later.
"Well, last Sunday when you kept raising your hand- we don’t really do that. The church isn’t a place for questions, it’s a place for answers," Bree said.
“Yeah, but how do you get the answers if you don’t ask the questions," Lynette innocently asked.
"Well, typically we just sit there and let the preacher preach and eventually our questions are answered and no one is humiliated," Bree answered.
It's funny- hearing the words coming out of her mouth- I knew instantly that they were wrong. Yet at the same time- I understood where she was coming from. People in most churches today aren't active participants in the service. You listen to what you're told- and if you have a problem with it, you maybe grumble about it later with a friend or argue with your family about it over supper (my family's done this before), but you certainly don't stand up and ask the pastor. It's just not the way it's done.
But it made me think. What has happened to the curiosity of religion? What has happened to its openness and acceptance? Everyone is so caught up in propriety and rightness and tradition that they lose sight of what the real picture is. I've sat in church services without knowing what's going on before- the ones where all the attendees have the prayers and hymns memorized and there's no guidance for an outsider. It's a very isolating experience- very embarrassing. How refreshing it would be for someone to take me through and let me know what's going on at different points of the service, or for me to be able to simply raise my hand and ask for help.
"Faith shouldn’t be blind- you don’t threaten it by asking questions- you make it stronger. I lost sight of that."
This is exactly what I think about religion- I believe if you go your entire life believing everything you hear without asking about it, there's an entire part missing. Of course you have to make a leap of faith at times, but it shouldn't all be like that. A little curiosity and intellectualism can pay off big and help you grow both religiously and as a person- in every part of your life.Another profound moment in the show consisted of Gabriella's discovery that her husband Carlos hid the real extent of his injuries to her until after they were married, for fear that she would leave him once discovering he was permanently blind. She was initially very petty towards him- pushing chairs in front of him and leaving oven doors open in his way, but calmed down once she heard of his reason for not telling her initially.
I love the way she responds to him- it's so very Gabby. He's standing there scared to death, telling her that as a poor, blind man, he has nothing to offer her, and she responds brilliantly.
"To avoid future confusion, I love you. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you." She later added, "Like I said, for better or for worse."
It was such a step for her normally selfish, petty character- the one obsessed with looks, riches, and fashion. She finally realized that there was something that mattered more.
Really, it was such a sweet moment. Makes me realize there is love like that out there- love that sees beyond all flaws and problems and obstacles to the person that you adore and would do anything to stay with.
It's a good thought. : )
So I know, it's kinda a random post- I'm not talking about news events (I've been following the FLDS story like crazy), or happenings in my own life (I got an internship at wpni this summer!) or my feelings (god I can't wait for school to end, I'm going utterly crazy right now)- just a silly little TV show that I'm somehow obsessed with.
But then, it's nice having a blog I can talk about uhm, anything and everything, on. No restrictions means I write in it at least on a semi-regular basis. Lol.
Anyways, I should probably go sleep now.
Over and out.
-Rach
Sunday, April 13, 2008
No Endorsement for President from Me- And Why
I've had a lot of fun this last week (no joke) writing and putting together videos around the Student Body Presidential elections. I live for this kind-of coverage- I mean, it's a race with 6 candidate pairs in it, all with different backgrounds, views, and ideas of how to be a good advocate for students. Sure, they all talk about the basic things- parking, dining, transportation, etc.- but they each have a separate viewpoint that sets them apart from the others.
It's been really interesting especially since Thursday's debate- which I went to for two reasons- to find more stories to write about and to try to get a better idea of who I would vote for.
I succeeded in one aim definitely. I've had a ball writing stories investigating the different allegations that were made that night. It was such a cat fight, and I'm sure some people were terribly distressed by it- but I loved it. It was so good journalistically- one of the more interesting debates I've seen ever- I guess because it's so close to home and I understood the underlying drama behind all of it (and anything I didn't understand I had someone running over talking to me about it in the next second). It was great fun. And getting to be the person looking behind the drama and saying, "Ok, this was said- is it true? What's the context?" and finding out the real story behind it- way cool.
I love doing such coverage on one topic. It lets you look in at it so much. Mm! Plus being the person spearheading all the coverage- I have pretty much full control of what I do, when I do it, and what's written about next. It's a joy!
I know. I'm a nerd. I talk about covering stories and issues the same way a wine connoisseur talks about Pinot Noir or a movie buff talks about a new foreign film they found. It's just the way I am. I'm completely passionate about what I do- this is completely, utterly, what I want to be doing for the rest of my life, come what may. It's cool to think that I'll probably still get this involved in a story when I'm 45 and talking about my job around the dinner table- probably boring whatever kids I have to pieces.
Anyways. People have continually asked me if I've decided who I'm going to vote for, who that person is, and if I'm going to endorse someone for the position.
The answer is no to all counts.
The debate certainly helped me expand my ideas on who might and might not be best for the presidency. The interviews and research I've done since then have helped even more in some ways, by clearing up questions that I myself had about the veracity of certain statements. Yet I still have not decided who I am voting for.
When I do decide, I'm probably not going to tell anyone what that decision is. Since I've been the main reporter covering all these candidates, it'd be a good idea for me to stay as neutral as possible on the issue, so that I still get interviews in the future without any awkward, "uh, so I heard you didn't vote for me," moments. In addition, I think it's just plain unprofessional to show bias in a race you're covering. I'm a little annoyed at myself for showing the preferences I have in the national presidential election already- my passion for getting my opinion on the best candidate out there overshot my reporter sense- it would have been much better for me to keep quiet on the issue and keep a more neutral appearance. But there's nothing I can do about that now.
Here's what I will say though- here are the traits I'm looking for when I vote on a Student Body President or Vice President.
I'm looking for someone who takes the job seriously- who is honest to everyone, but most particularly themselves. I'd like to have someone with experience and an understanding of how the system works, but who still thinks creatively and outside the box, and listens to the input of others. I think a President really needs to be able to get along with the majority of students and administration, in and out of student government, to be able to accomplish anything. Ethics and morality are at the top of the must list as well- if you don't have that, you don't have anything.
Those are my views I can reveal- to say much more would lead me to reveal which ways I'm leaning. I haven't decided who to vote for yet but I can say that I've narrowed it down to about half the candidates.
Anyways, those are just the ideas I'm getting out.
Read Connect2Mason.com!
And have a good one,
Rach
It's been really interesting especially since Thursday's debate- which I went to for two reasons- to find more stories to write about and to try to get a better idea of who I would vote for.
I succeeded in one aim definitely. I've had a ball writing stories investigating the different allegations that were made that night. It was such a cat fight, and I'm sure some people were terribly distressed by it- but I loved it. It was so good journalistically- one of the more interesting debates I've seen ever- I guess because it's so close to home and I understood the underlying drama behind all of it (and anything I didn't understand I had someone running over talking to me about it in the next second). It was great fun. And getting to be the person looking behind the drama and saying, "Ok, this was said- is it true? What's the context?" and finding out the real story behind it- way cool.
I love doing such coverage on one topic. It lets you look in at it so much. Mm! Plus being the person spearheading all the coverage- I have pretty much full control of what I do, when I do it, and what's written about next. It's a joy!
I know. I'm a nerd. I talk about covering stories and issues the same way a wine connoisseur talks about Pinot Noir or a movie buff talks about a new foreign film they found. It's just the way I am. I'm completely passionate about what I do- this is completely, utterly, what I want to be doing for the rest of my life, come what may. It's cool to think that I'll probably still get this involved in a story when I'm 45 and talking about my job around the dinner table- probably boring whatever kids I have to pieces.
Anyways. People have continually asked me if I've decided who I'm going to vote for, who that person is, and if I'm going to endorse someone for the position.
The answer is no to all counts.
The debate certainly helped me expand my ideas on who might and might not be best for the presidency. The interviews and research I've done since then have helped even more in some ways, by clearing up questions that I myself had about the veracity of certain statements. Yet I still have not decided who I am voting for.
When I do decide, I'm probably not going to tell anyone what that decision is. Since I've been the main reporter covering all these candidates, it'd be a good idea for me to stay as neutral as possible on the issue, so that I still get interviews in the future without any awkward, "uh, so I heard you didn't vote for me," moments. In addition, I think it's just plain unprofessional to show bias in a race you're covering. I'm a little annoyed at myself for showing the preferences I have in the national presidential election already- my passion for getting my opinion on the best candidate out there overshot my reporter sense- it would have been much better for me to keep quiet on the issue and keep a more neutral appearance. But there's nothing I can do about that now.
Here's what I will say though- here are the traits I'm looking for when I vote on a Student Body President or Vice President.
I'm looking for someone who takes the job seriously- who is honest to everyone, but most particularly themselves. I'd like to have someone with experience and an understanding of how the system works, but who still thinks creatively and outside the box, and listens to the input of others. I think a President really needs to be able to get along with the majority of students and administration, in and out of student government, to be able to accomplish anything. Ethics and morality are at the top of the must list as well- if you don't have that, you don't have anything.
Those are my views I can reveal- to say much more would lead me to reveal which ways I'm leaning. I haven't decided who to vote for yet but I can say that I've narrowed it down to about half the candidates.
Anyways, those are just the ideas I'm getting out.
Read Connect2Mason.com!
And have a good one,
Rach
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Random Observations
I keep seeing these commercials for phone numbers to call to either meet "sexy singles," "make new friends," or "find new connections to men" (that was the gay/metrosexual hotline, can't tell which). I wonder- who actually calls these? How awkward of a conversation is that? Who's actually on the end of the line saying the sexyyyy time sweet nothings to these people? All I can think about is that fabulous scene in Blues Brothers 2000 at "Ed's Love Exchange" when it's like, all old ladies picking up the phones and talking dirty to people.
I'm addicted to ridiculous reality shows. I can't help it. I absolutely adored Here Come the Newlyweds- It was very cute and fun- delved into a lot of interesting relationship issues. And as always, I love Dancing with the Stars. So cheesy but so much fun! I mean, watching celebrities make fools of themselves on the dance floor? Truly excellent.
In other news, I dyed my hair black on impulse. And I'm thinking about getting a ms. pac-man themed tattoo.
On that note, back to watching Dancing with the Stars on my laptop.
: )
Rach
I'm addicted to ridiculous reality shows. I can't help it. I absolutely adored Here Come the Newlyweds- It was very cute and fun- delved into a lot of interesting relationship issues. And as always, I love Dancing with the Stars. So cheesy but so much fun! I mean, watching celebrities make fools of themselves on the dance floor? Truly excellent.
In other news, I dyed my hair black on impulse. And I'm thinking about getting a ms. pac-man themed tattoo.
On that note, back to watching Dancing with the Stars on my laptop.
: )
Rach
Friday, April 4, 2008
Internship Blues and Harp Girl
I want and need a freaking internship this summer and it's making me very upset that I haven't found one yet.
My resume looks really good for newspaper stuff- I have awesome clips- an awesome cover letter- what's going on? I don't know if it's because I'm too young or if because I tend to submit applications on the day they're due or what...but this is getting frustrating.
I have an interview tomorrow. ThankGodfinally. It's the first one I've gotten so far, I'm embarrassed to say. It's via phone- I don't really know the etiquette for that. I hope I do well.
If I don't get an internship the fall back plan is to take classes this summer and work at the restaurant to make lots of money. That wouldn't be bad, it's just not quite what I was hoping to do this summer (Aka build my resume).
I'm already looking for internships abroad for next spring. I really want to just spend a couple months in a foreign country working in the profession I love- I think it'd be fun, enlightening, and a great thing for resumes. I've contacted the LA Times about possibilities in their bureaus- they basically gave me a list of all their bureau chiefs and were like- "here, go talk to them- it's up to them if they take an intern or not." So I'm going down the list now- London's a no go because of issues in the bureau, I just contacted Rome, and I'm hoping to also talk to Buenos Aires, Bogota, Johannesburg, Tokyo, New Delhi, and maybe a few others. I'd love to be either in Europe somewhere (so I can travel and see everything around the country I'm staying in) or in South America, where I could polish my Spanish (a skill I really want to work on more). That would be so cool. I have an awesome former professor looking into an opportunity in the Netherlands for me...
I just really want this to work out- I want to start getting experience abroad so I can make this whole foreign correspondent dream a reality.
We'll see what happens.
In other news, I played harp and sang in the Vox Pop talent show today- I was nervous as hell but it went really well. (hey that rhymed!) The crowd really liked it- they kinda made me come back to do an encore. I was hideously embarrassed because I only had the one song prepared- I just played it over again. (I'm never going to make THAT mistake again. My teacher always told me to bring extra music just in case- now I know why!) I picked up a new nickname in the process I think, apparently people couldn't remember my name so on the voting ballots they just wrote some variation of "Harp Girl."
I think I'm okay with that. It was a great feeling- being up there performing. I love singing and I love music- especially rock and folky type stuff. I did it a lot in junior high, a bit in high school, and really haven't done anything with it in college until now. I've been wanting to get back into though- I get such a rush from being in front of people. Plus, who am I kidding? I'm the kid who not only rocks out in the car to music, but also harmonizes, plans duets, and choreographs stage movements, equipment, and costumes in my head. It's kinda sick honestly. I've just been held back until now because of my um, limited piano talents and nonexistent guitar skills (I did figure out how to play the guitar hook from Crazy Train though!)
But this whole experience has made me realize- maybe I can use my harp experience for more than just playing songs with the Orchestra and the occasional luncheon. Maybe I can harness that and use it to pretty much...rock out. The thought definitely appeals.
I love writing lyrics and melodies- anyone want to help me write harmonies and such and pull together some songs? (background music is my weak point) This could be very fun- and I've heard Vox Pop might be doing another show soon. : )
I also find it amusing that the new nickname, Harp Girl, has the same initials and set-up I gave myself when I started this blog- Hyperbole Girl. Hm.
Anyways. I should probably finish studying for my Spanish exam now.
Peace, kids.
Rach
My resume looks really good for newspaper stuff- I have awesome clips- an awesome cover letter- what's going on? I don't know if it's because I'm too young or if because I tend to submit applications on the day they're due or what...but this is getting frustrating.
I have an interview tomorrow. ThankGodfinally. It's the first one I've gotten so far, I'm embarrassed to say. It's via phone- I don't really know the etiquette for that. I hope I do well.
If I don't get an internship the fall back plan is to take classes this summer and work at the restaurant to make lots of money. That wouldn't be bad, it's just not quite what I was hoping to do this summer (Aka build my resume).
I'm already looking for internships abroad for next spring. I really want to just spend a couple months in a foreign country working in the profession I love- I think it'd be fun, enlightening, and a great thing for resumes. I've contacted the LA Times about possibilities in their bureaus- they basically gave me a list of all their bureau chiefs and were like- "here, go talk to them- it's up to them if they take an intern or not." So I'm going down the list now- London's a no go because of issues in the bureau, I just contacted Rome, and I'm hoping to also talk to Buenos Aires, Bogota, Johannesburg, Tokyo, New Delhi, and maybe a few others. I'd love to be either in Europe somewhere (so I can travel and see everything around the country I'm staying in) or in South America, where I could polish my Spanish (a skill I really want to work on more). That would be so cool. I have an awesome former professor looking into an opportunity in the Netherlands for me...
I just really want this to work out- I want to start getting experience abroad so I can make this whole foreign correspondent dream a reality.
We'll see what happens.
In other news, I played harp and sang in the Vox Pop talent show today- I was nervous as hell but it went really well. (hey that rhymed!) The crowd really liked it- they kinda made me come back to do an encore. I was hideously embarrassed because I only had the one song prepared- I just played it over again. (I'm never going to make THAT mistake again. My teacher always told me to bring extra music just in case- now I know why!) I picked up a new nickname in the process I think, apparently people couldn't remember my name so on the voting ballots they just wrote some variation of "Harp Girl."
I think I'm okay with that. It was a great feeling- being up there performing. I love singing and I love music- especially rock and folky type stuff. I did it a lot in junior high, a bit in high school, and really haven't done anything with it in college until now. I've been wanting to get back into though- I get such a rush from being in front of people. Plus, who am I kidding? I'm the kid who not only rocks out in the car to music, but also harmonizes, plans duets, and choreographs stage movements, equipment, and costumes in my head. It's kinda sick honestly. I've just been held back until now because of my um, limited piano talents and nonexistent guitar skills (I did figure out how to play the guitar hook from Crazy Train though!)
But this whole experience has made me realize- maybe I can use my harp experience for more than just playing songs with the Orchestra and the occasional luncheon. Maybe I can harness that and use it to pretty much...rock out. The thought definitely appeals.
I love writing lyrics and melodies- anyone want to help me write harmonies and such and pull together some songs? (background music is my weak point) This could be very fun- and I've heard Vox Pop might be doing another show soon. : )
I also find it amusing that the new nickname, Harp Girl, has the same initials and set-up I gave myself when I started this blog- Hyperbole Girl. Hm.
Anyways. I should probably finish studying for my Spanish exam now.
Peace, kids.
Rach
Thursday, April 3, 2008
A True Journalist
My opinion, no one else's, on what makes a true, good journalist. This is very idealistic but bear with me on it.
A journalist should seek truth above all things. It is not for them to decide which side is right or wrong or which argument has more weight- it is for them to present the facts in a clear, straightforward manner in order to help the reader understand the issue or event at hand, enabling them to reach their own conclusions on the topic.
A journalist should, ideally, be above the pettiness, jealousy, and rivalry of so many companies today. Even if a journalist is not above it, she should strive in all things to do what is ultimately right by her moral code and what is right for her readers.
A journalist should not turn her colleagues against each other, but encourage them to work together. She should rely on facts and evidence instead of emotion and opinion to make decisions with how she will work, who she will associate with, and what she will write about.
A journalist should and can make friends wherever possible- but does not let that friendship get in the way of seeing the truth about the people or situations involved. A conflict of interest can occur in an interview or story subject but also within your own friends and family- if there ever comes a time where you start overlooking the bad things, the wrong things, the screwed up things that are hurting people or entities, and don't speak up against that wrong because of a relationship, you're not acting in a way befitting the profession.
Once you start kidding yourself, your readers or your colleagues, once you start distorting facts in your stories or in your own mind to fit your preconceived notion about how the world should work because of your emotion, immaturity, or inexperience, the moment you turn a blind eye to an injustice, a wrong, corruption, or moral and physical decay because you simply don't want to see it, that is the moment you stop being a true journalist and become utterly despicable to yourself and the world.
If you want to be a journalist, be true to yourself and your passion. If you don't think you can do that and see through all the shit and lies that sometimes end up in this business, get out and find a new career.
Done.
Rachael
A journalist should seek truth above all things. It is not for them to decide which side is right or wrong or which argument has more weight- it is for them to present the facts in a clear, straightforward manner in order to help the reader understand the issue or event at hand, enabling them to reach their own conclusions on the topic.
A journalist should, ideally, be above the pettiness, jealousy, and rivalry of so many companies today. Even if a journalist is not above it, she should strive in all things to do what is ultimately right by her moral code and what is right for her readers.
A journalist should not turn her colleagues against each other, but encourage them to work together. She should rely on facts and evidence instead of emotion and opinion to make decisions with how she will work, who she will associate with, and what she will write about.
A journalist should and can make friends wherever possible- but does not let that friendship get in the way of seeing the truth about the people or situations involved. A conflict of interest can occur in an interview or story subject but also within your own friends and family- if there ever comes a time where you start overlooking the bad things, the wrong things, the screwed up things that are hurting people or entities, and don't speak up against that wrong because of a relationship, you're not acting in a way befitting the profession.
Once you start kidding yourself, your readers or your colleagues, once you start distorting facts in your stories or in your own mind to fit your preconceived notion about how the world should work because of your emotion, immaturity, or inexperience, the moment you turn a blind eye to an injustice, a wrong, corruption, or moral and physical decay because you simply don't want to see it, that is the moment you stop being a true journalist and become utterly despicable to yourself and the world.
If you want to be a journalist, be true to yourself and your passion. If you don't think you can do that and see through all the shit and lies that sometimes end up in this business, get out and find a new career.
Done.
Rachael
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