tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53626958284800125002024-03-12T21:18:41.864-07:00Journalistic rants and ravesEveryone's got a story to tell.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899636057294547369noreply@blogger.comBlogger119125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362695828480012500.post-16998720011433465742008-05-22T02:03:00.000-07:002008-05-22T02:04:51.728-07:00New blog.It's a new summer, so it's a new blog.<br />That, and the URL on this one says something that isn't true, since I won't be in Vegas.<br /><br />So go visit, if you want, and let me know what you think!<br /><br />http://jessinreno.blogspot.comJessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899636057294547369noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362695828480012500.post-34234802509488667352008-02-20T03:57:00.001-08:002008-02-20T04:09:18.707-08:00Late nights.I seriously have no idea why my sleeping schedule is so fucked up.<br /><br />Anyway, it's 4 a.m., and it's been a while since I've updated this.<br /><br />Highlights of the past month:<br />- I'm actually passing all of my classes at this point (as far as I know of, anyway)<br />- The paper still owns my soul<br />- I had a shitty week at the paper, with many mistakes made on my part. Got a lot to work on this week so as to avoid last week's mistakes.<br />- Bad thing after bad thing keeps happening at/near this university. A girl went missing the day I got back to Reno, and her body was found last Saturday. It feels like it's been one thing after another this year.<br />- I realized the only reason I go to the Barnes and Noble here in Reno on a consistent basis is to see the really cute guy who works there. I have no idea what his name is.<br />- Valentine's was decent. Good, even, except for the fact that making plans with friends seems to fail these days. I don't know if it's me or everyone else.<br />- I have a celebrity crush on Ryan Reynolds.<br />- CSI makes everything look so much easier than it really is.<br />- I've managed to miss two ballroom dancing classes in a row.<br />- I appeared on Greta Van Susteren's show to talk about the murdered girl case. It also proves to me that I just don't like broadcast.<br />- I also corrected her on live TV.<br />- White russians are amazing. The drink, not the people.<br />- I started planning out bits and pieces of my wedding after seeing "27 Dresses." Sad, I know.<br />- I am still getting over some sort of viral infection that the student health center was not able to identify. To make me feel better, they gave me cough syrup.<br />- I still need to work on socializing/sleeping more.<br /><br />New vow - must learn how to update this blog on at least a weekly basis.<br /><br />And now I'm off to bed, even though I'm not the least bit tired.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899636057294547369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362695828480012500.post-63207802457433568642008-01-21T02:24:00.001-08:002008-01-21T02:31:46.635-08:0012 hours.That is how long I have been in Reno.<br /><br />Can I go back to Las Vegas, please?<br /><br />I have no idea what's wrong with me.<br /><br />The past 12 hours have been rather uneventful. I was picked up at the airport, went to lunch at Olive Garden, went to the dorms, went to work, went back to the dorms, ate Jimmy John's for dinner and have been unpacking for the past hour.<br /><br />I need to get back into the swing of things. It kind of kicked in when I sat there organizing my desk - mostly because my brand new computer at work doesn't have Internet - and I was chatting with everyone that I haven't seen in five weeks. It's great to see everyone. I didn't even mind editing.<br /><br />I just don't want to be here.<br /><br />I would give anything to be at home, in the bedroom I grew up, lying in bed, awake and reading some book, and then going to bed at some ungodly hour only to be woken up by my daddy for breakfast/lunch the next morning (this just summed up five weeks of my life).<br /><br />I hate this growing up thing right now.<br /><br />Oh well. I'll be over it soon enough.<br /><br />Also, sidenote: I'm totally fucked for my first class of the semester on Tuesday, mainly because it's at 9:30 a.m. Ugh.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899636057294547369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362695828480012500.post-90189530802476010892008-01-20T10:05:00.000-08:002008-01-20T10:21:01.249-08:00Leaving Vegas.So I'm sitting on my bed, tired from only getting three hours of sleep last night and waiting for my laundry to finish so I can leave for the airport.<br /><br />And for the first time in a very long time, I don't want to leave Las Vegas.<br /><br />You have to understand this - I am not a fan of my hometown. I do not want to live in my hometown when I am older. I spent a majority of my youth trying to get out of my hometown.<br /><br />But the last five weeks have been nice. It's not because I don't pay for bills while I'm here. It's not because my car and I were reunited for a short period of time - though that helps. It's not even because my parents have given me much more leeway than they ever would have two years ago.<br /><br />No, it's because when I'm here, I'm comfortable. I don't have to worry. I don't have to stress. My family is here. Some of my best friends are here. I know how to find my way around, even as new buildings pop up on every street corner.<br /><br />I'm home. And I always forget how much I <s>like</s> love that.<br /><br />I know I'll be back in a couple of weeks, and then in March, and then again in May.<br /><br />But I'll still miss it.<br /><br />Each time I leave this city, I appreciate it a little more.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899636057294547369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362695828480012500.post-59858797119955108942008-01-17T00:53:00.000-08:002008-01-17T01:17:04.320-08:00Goal(s) for the semester.To become better at what I do.<br />Made lots of mistakes last semester.<br />Am going to attempt to fix everything I did wrong (have not made formal list yet, but there were lots of them).<br />Am going to make more mistakes, because no one's perfect. Am going to try to fix those too.<br />Will keep learning and trying.<br />Will figure this out, damn it.<br />Will pass all classes.<br />End.<br /><br />Also: schedule change, got into the J204 class at 2:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899636057294547369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362695828480012500.post-31263526332798417092008-01-14T23:57:00.000-08:002008-01-14T23:59:18.741-08:00Another reason why I like Anderson Cooper.He says "Nevada" right, unlike a majority of national news people out there that are covering the caucuses on Saturday.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899636057294547369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362695828480012500.post-21242663824539580732008-01-13T17:00:00.000-08:002008-01-13T17:03:26.812-08:00I missed the memo.Where everyone is told to become engaged, get married or have a baby (not necessarily in that order).<br /><br />I just found out about yet another marriage. I'm starting to lose track now.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899636057294547369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362695828480012500.post-71504028160850359072008-01-13T03:04:00.000-08:002008-01-13T04:06:09.149-08:00A journalistic musing.It is once again 3 a.m., and I was thinking about journalism. No, not the Sagebrush or internships or the future or classes.<br /><br />Just journalism. What it means. Why it exists. What my role as a journalist really is.<br /><br />I haven't thought about it in those terms in quite a while. Since last summer, actually. For the past four months, it's always about getting the job done and attempting to make deadline...so much so that a person can forget why they're doing it in the first place.<br /><br />It's not about a byline. It's not about a clip. It's not about winning awards. It's not about advancement in this crazy field.<br /><br />It's about telling the story. It's about learning how to best tell a story so not only does the reader understand it, but feels some sort of emotion because of it. The stories we write, the photographs we take, the designs we layout...they all mean something to someone out there. It's more than just a job.<br /><br />It's a calling.<br /><br />I think people forget that. They get lost and preoccupied. I think that when they do, it's what makes them cynical about it all. In a Time article, it said that about 50 percent of journalists are satisfied with their jobs. I wonder what is going on with the other 50.<br /><br />So, the point of this post was...don't forget why you do it. Don't forget why it's important.<br /><br />And maybe I'm too optimistic. But for now, I'd prefer it to stay that way.<br /><br /><br />Sidenote: I'm in a Dawson's Creek kind of mood right now, and so am attempting to find the final 10 minutes of the show on YouTube. It doesn't exist.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899636057294547369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362695828480012500.post-81252630407214716182008-01-11T23:28:00.001-08:002008-01-11T23:34:54.926-08:004 years.I could easily graduate in that much time (total, not four years from today).<br /><br />I just spent the last hour with a course catalog, my DARS report and a Word document, figuring out what classes I would have to take each semester if I want to graduate in 2010.<br /><br />I could also do it without excruciating torture.<br /><br />The question is...do I want to do that?<br /><br />Part of me says yes, I want to finish up in four years and then move on. But another part reasons that college only lasts for so long, so I should enjoy it while I can.<br /><br />I still want to study abroad, and see all these places that I might not get to see at any other time in my life.<br /><br />I still want to develop my skills as a journalist, and continue working for a college newspaper, where the media groups don't control the content just yet.<br /><br />I want so many things...and the only thing holding me back is myself. I admit it.<br /><br />It's about priorities...what's important to me and what standards I hold myself to.<br /><br />I don't have an answer just yet. I don't know when I will.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899636057294547369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362695828480012500.post-43623708426318886192008-01-11T18:37:00.000-08:002008-01-11T18:54:23.873-08:00The places I want to live...Are expensive.<br />Very expensive.<br />Ridiculously expensive.<br />And very much out of the price range for a girl who's going to be working in the journalism field, most likely in newspapers.<br /><br />I was reading <a href="http://www.forbes.com/2007/12/06/housing-investment-property-forbeslife-cx_mw_1207realestate.html">this story</a> from Forbes, listing the top 10 most expensive places for renters. They are:<br /><br />1) <span style="font-weight:bold;">New York</span> ($2,922 median price)<br />2) <span style="font-weight:bold;">San Francisco</span> ($1,904)<br />3) <span style="font-weight:bold;">Boston</span> ($1,658)<br />4) San Jose ($1,612)<br />5) L.A. ($1,452)<br />6) San Diego ($1,304)<br />7) <span style="font-weight:bold;">Washington</span> ($1,302)<br />8) Miami ($1,080)<br />9) Philadelphia ($1,014)<br />10) <span style="font-weight:bold;">Chicago</span> ($1,010)<br /><br />And the prices will keep going up.<br /><br />I am under no delusion that I am going to end up in any of these places right out of college. But still, even if I do get there someday, there's still the question...why does living have to be so expensive?<br /><br />Maybe I'll just go the "marry rich" route. Or sell (what's left of) my soul and go into advertising.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899636057294547369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362695828480012500.post-20344151263319702222008-01-09T16:52:00.000-08:002008-01-09T18:03:15.127-08:00Schedule.What next semester will look like:<br /><br />Sunday: News meeting at 6 p.m.<br />Monday: History at 11 a.m., Economics at 4 p.m., production any time I'm not in class.<br />Tuesday: Geography at 9:30 a.m., Theater at 1 p.m., Journalism at 5:30 p.m., staff meeting sometime that night<br />Wednesday: Same as Monday, minus production, plus senate.<br />Thursday: Same as Tuesday, minus staff meeting, plus rough draft deadline<br />Friday: History at 11 a.m., editorial board that afternoon, Dance at 5p.m., final draft deadline<br /><br />Saturdays are open.<br /><br />The goal is to not get burned out this semester. I think I'll manage...<br /><br />I have mixed feelings about not doing choir next semester, but I think it's the best choice for now. I'm still signed on for theater and dance (ballroom, to be precise), so the LVA part of me is still going strong.<br /><br />We'll see how this semester goes. Here's to hoping it's not too excruciating, and better than the last.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899636057294547369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362695828480012500.post-13375205334113006052008-01-09T01:23:00.000-08:002008-01-09T04:15:20.171-08:00I like to do surveys.So, I was reading through a blog that I started four and a half years ago.<br /><br />I finally know why I like surveys so much. They gave me something to do in the boring summer after my freshman year of high school.<br /><br />Not much has changed when it comes to that quirk about me. Besides the fact that I do them at nearly 4 a.m. Damn insomnia.<br /><br />Anyway, a "girly" survey:<br /><br />1. You're a girl, right?<br />That's what I've been told my entire life.<br /><br />2. Have you kissed any one on your top list?<br />This was a MySpace survey, can you tell?<br /><br />4. Do you enjoy drama?<br />In the movie variety.<br /><br />5. Are you a girly girl?<br />Most of the time.<br /><br />6. Who was the last person you hugged?<br />My brother. Most likely against his will.<br /><br />7. Small or large purses?<br />Large. They carry more.<br /><br />8. Are you short?<br />Supposedly I'm the average height of the American women.<br /><br />9. Do you like someone?<br />Hmmm. Yes, I do.<br /><br />10. What would you do if someone smacked your butt?<br />Let out a screech and turn around and look at them. Depending on who it was, I would glare.<br /><br />11. Do you care if your socks are dirty?<br />I would, but I don't wear socks often enough to care.<br /><br />12. Do you think you’re conceited?<br />Nah.<br /><br />13. Do you dress up on Halloween?<br />Nope. I got boring.<br /><br />14. Are you double jointed?<br />Another no.<br /><br />15. Where is the weirdest place you have slept??<br />Underneath a table, next to a bunch of wires, in the backroom of a classroom in a 50-year-old building. I was tired.<br /><br />16. Has anyone touched/smacked your butt in the past 24 hours?<br />Nope.<br /><br />17. Is there any type of rumor going around about you?<br />Not that I'm aware of. I don't think I'm that interesting of a person for people to gossip about me.<br /><br />18. Do you call anybody by their last name?<br />Yeah, it's a habit I developed at work.<br /><br />19. How many guys will read this??<br />I don't know. However many read my blog (which, as far as I know, is currently 0)<br />---------------------------------------------------------<br />[x] I have to wear make up.<br />[x] I have cried at a movie theater.<br />[x] I can't put mascara on without opening my mouth.<br />[x] I get jealous.<br />[x] think Johnny Depp is sexy.<br />[x] I love to laugh.<br />[x] I carry a purse.<br />[x] I’d be lost without my computer.<br />[] I own a Spice Girls CD.<br />[x] I own a Britney Spears CD.<br />[x] I own a boy band CD.<br />[] I get bored watching football.<br />[] I’ve never been called a spoiled brat<br />[x] Guys are confusing<br />[] I’ve been called a bad influence.<br />[x] My friends are the best.<br />[] I have piercings other than my ears.<br />---------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />1. What color is the bra you're wearing?<br />I'm not wearing one. It's nearly 4 a.m.<br /><br />2. Do you prefer light or dark haired guys?<br />Usually go dark.<br /><br />3. Are you currently frustrated with a boy?<br />Kinda sorta.<br /><br />4. Do you have a best friend?<br />That I do.<br /><br />5. Have you ever had your heart broken??<br />No, just bruised.<br /><br />7. Do you like your life?<br />For the most part. I think about it this way - at least I wasn't born in Egypt.<br />For further reference for that, google "New York Times" and "female circumcision."<br /><br />8. Has one of your friends ever stolen a boyfriend from you?<br />No, but I have had friends who dated the guy after it was over. And not tell me.<br /><br />9. Have you ever jumped in the pool with your clothes on?<br />Jumped, no. Been pushed in, yes.<br /><br />10. Do you have more friends that are girls or boys?<br />Probably girls.<br /><br />11. How long have you had myspace?<br />2004, before everyone and their mother (literally) had one.<br /><br />12. Have you ever slapped a boy in the face?<br />Yes. I can't remember why anymore, but I don't think he spoke to me for a while after that one.<br /><br />13. What are your biggest fears?<br />Deep water and utter failure.<br /><br />14. Have you cried yourself to sleep?<br />Yes.<br /><br />15. Have you ever not been able to get someone off your mind?<br />Hasn't everyone?<br /><br />16. Have you ever had a good feeling about something?<br />Yeah. Now, if the good feeling is actually right or not in the end is another story.<br /><br />17. Do you ever wish you were famous?<br />No. I like not being scrutinized, thanks.<br /><br />18. Are you currently missing someone?<br />Always.<br />-----------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />THIS GUY OR THAT GUY?<br /><br />Cowboy or Gangster?<br />Cowboys. What can I say, I'm a fan of the hat.<br /><br />Preppy or Punk?<br />Preppy. I'm also a fan of khaki pants.<br /><br />Face or Body?<br />Face. I like to be able to look someone in the eye.<br /><br />Sweet or Sexy?<br />Sweet. Of course, I love sexy too, but sweet wins me over in the end.<br /><br />Well-educated or Dropout?<br />Educated. I don't think I'd be able to relate to someone who was a dropout.<br /><br />Armani or Abercrombie?<br />Armani. Though Abercrombie models are nice to look at.<br /><br />City-slicker or Rural Guy?<br />City.<br /><br />Contact or glasses?<br />I think most men that wear their glasses are hot.<br /><br />-------------------------------------------------<br /><br />01. Eyeliner or Mascara<br />Eyeliner.<br /><br />02 louis v. or dooney & bourke?<br />D&B does more variety.<br /><br />03. American eagle or Hollister?<br />American Eagle.<br /><br />04. heels or flats?<br />Depends on the day, what I'm wearing and how my feet are feeling.<br /><br />05. Skirts or pants?<br />Depends on the day and the situation<br /><br />06. Socks or leggings?<br />Socks.<br /><br />07. Hoodies or jackets?<br />Depends on the weather.<br /><br />08. Heels or sneakers?<br />Heels.<br /><br />09. Straight or curly hair?<br />Straight, usually.<br /><br />10. Hoop or dangling earrings?<br />Dangling earrings.<br /><br />11. White or black?<br />Usually black.<br /><br />12. Victoria’s secret or bath and body works?<br />Bath and Body Works...though I'd rather not pick.<br /><br />13. Smoothies or lattes?.<br />Lattes.<br /><br />14. Diet or regular sodas?<br />Don't care.<br /><br />15. Water or daiquiris?<br />Strawberry daiquiris, to be precise.<br /><br />16. Pearls or diamonds?<br />Diamonds are a girl's best friend.<br /><br />17. Vintage or boho?<br />I'm more of a vintage girl.<br /><br />18. Mary-Kate or Ashley Olsen?<br />There's a difference? Who knew?<br /><br />19. Lindsay or Hilary?<br />I admit, I'm a Hilary person.<br /><br />21. Friends or family?<br />Can't pick one over the other with this.<br /><br />22. Lip gloss or lip stick?<br />Lip gloss. <br /><br />23. Manicure or pedicures?<br />Manicures.<br /><br />24. Tank tops or beaters?<br />Tank tops.<br /><br />25. Tiffany’s or Chanel?<br />Hmm. I've never been to Tiffany's...<br /><br />26. love or peace?<br />Both? (Yes, the question mark is there on purpose)<br /><br />27. Sunglassess or purses?<br />Purses, I break sunglasses all the time anyway<br /><br />IN A GUY:<br /><br />28. Funny or Serious?<br />Funny most of the time, knows how to be serious<br /><br />29. Romantic or Daredevil?<br />Romantic.<br /><br />30.Cute or Hot?<br />Cute. Yep.<br /><br />31. Dark Eyes or bright & dreamy Eyes?<br />Why can't dark eyes be "dreamy"? The person who wrote this was biased.<br />Either or, it doesn't really matter.<br /><br />32. Long Hair or Short Hair?<br />Short.<br /><br />34. Clean-cut or Rough?<br />Clean-cut.<br /><br />35. Good Dancer or Good Singer?<br />Singer. Especially if he happens to be a bass.<br /><br />36. Basketball Player or Football Player?<br />Football.<br /><br />37. Jock or Rebel?<br />Um. Don't care.<br /><br />38. Smoker or Non-smoker?<br />Also don't care.<br /><br />39. Drunk or Sober?<br />Just as long as he's not an alcoholic, I'm good.<br /><br />40. Druggie or Clean?<br />Clean please.<br /><br />41. Has a Motorcycle or Has a Sports Car?<br />Motorcycle.<br /><br />42. Beard/Mustache or Clean-shaven?<br />I'm a fan of the goatee, myself.<br /><br />43. Younger or Older<br />Older, I'm not a cradle robber.<br /><br />44. Player or Loyal?<br />What kind of girl would say player?<br /><br /><br />Also, as a sidenote, I ran into the reporter I had a crush on over the summer. Still nice, dreamy, working for the same newspaper and planning on getting out of Vegas as soon as he can.<br /><br />And as a final sidenote, I find that I prefer the Coffee Bean to Starbucks. Shocking, I know, to hear the Starbucks junkie say that. Too bad there isn't a CB in Reno that I know of.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899636057294547369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362695828480012500.post-52113248041972120522008-01-04T02:23:00.001-08:002008-01-04T02:41:30.760-08:00New year.I missed this blog.<br /><br />I thought about starting another one, and then decided that that was silly, so I'm back.<br /><br />It's a new year. I got caught up and burnt out last semester, but here's to hoping that I'll actually update over the next one. I was rather good at it over the summer, right?<br /><br />So we'll start off with the yearly list of resolutions:<br />- Learn how to properly build a Web site<br />- Develop a daily news routine so I stay up-to-date on all of my current events<br />- Earn a minimum 3.0 in my classes from now on<br />- Get a healthier lifestyle. Am still trying to figure out how that would work<br />- Take Saturdays off unless I have no other choice<br />- Take chances and make mistakes<br />- Don’t be afraid of where life takes me<br />- Don’t let work take over my life/have a social life<br />- Let everyone I love know that I love them (inspired my a dream I had the other night that I died, and didn’t have a chance to do this)<br />- Ask for help when I need it and stop being so damn stubborn<br />- Attempt to be more organized. Be more organized. Be more organized.<br />- Live to see the next New Year’s<br />- Don’t go to jail<br /><br />The last two were inspired by Mr. Jim Akins, who I will probably think about each New Year's until the day I die, because I still remember the lecture he gave on those.<br /><br />Also, list of books to read:<br />- I Am America (And So Can You!), Stephen Colbert<br />- Catch-22, Joseph Heller<br />- The Best American Political Writing 2006<br />- The Devil Wears Prada, Lauren Weisberger<br />- Imperial Life in the Emerald City, Rajiv Chandrasekaran<br />- The Elements of Journalism, Bill Kovach and Tom Rosentiel<br />- Championship Writing, Paula LaRoque<br />- The Historian, Elizabeth Kostova<br />- This Side of Paradise, F. Scott Fitzgerald<br />- The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins<br /><br />In other news, I've turned into an insomniac. The good part of that is because I'm home, I can sleep until whenever because no one will bother me and I don't have any pressing responsibilities to attend to. The bad part is I'm so screwed when school starts again.<br /><br />What else, what else....I've spent every day of my winter break with my father, who hasn't been able to go to work on account of being sick for the past month. Nice bonding time. We watch CSI: Miami and shows about fixing your home up. He doesn't ask about school or the future like he used to, and I think it's because he's satisfied with where I am right now.<br /><br />Speaking of the future, I redid my life plan again the other night. It currently includes graduating in five years, studying abroad in London and working at lots of newspapers.<br /><br />I've also officially changed my minor from music to history. I love music, but when it comes down to it, I like doing it for fun. So goodbye voice lessons and sight singing and (probably) choir. But don't worry, I'll still audition for American Idol/Broadway just because anyway.<br /><br />Now I'm just rambling, because I'm not tired but I've got nothing left to say. I'm going to go back to reading. Y'know, I missed this reading this. It's nice.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899636057294547369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362695828480012500.post-39588643192724998832007-10-15T11:52:00.000-07:002007-10-15T12:00:31.198-07:00Refreshed.I feel better about the world. Less bitter.<br /><br />I think it has to do with the fact that one, the Starbucks on campus opened, and two, because I was in Las Vegas for a few days, it felt like I actually got some rest. I slept for seven hours last night, showered this morning and am currently drinking my caramel macchiato.<br /><br />Yeah, I'm content. A slight break was all I really needed.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899636057294547369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362695828480012500.post-51945601125936959892007-10-12T00:36:00.000-07:002007-10-12T00:41:58.802-07:00Stories.Maybe being in Las Vegas is what inspires me to post on this blog, because that seems to be all I really feel like doing lately.<br /><br />All I can really think about is how I used to think one story a week was tough, because in high school, two stories a month was "a lot of work."<br /><br />And so now, I am laughing at my former self.<br /><br />I need to get some sleep. There'll be a caramel macchiato with my name on it in good ol' F20 tomorrow morning.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899636057294547369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362695828480012500.post-37429545889764446192007-10-11T00:15:00.000-07:002007-10-11T00:30:39.525-07:00Why I need to marry someone like my dad.So I'm home in Las Vegas to cover the Board of Regents meeting, and I've been home for about four hours.<br /><br />And after sitting around and talking with my dad for a while, I realized (like usual) that my dad is amazing, and that I am very lucky to have him for a father.<br /><br />I need someone like my dad for a billion different reasons. And because lists seem to be my thing lately, here are a few:<br /><br />- I am like my mother, and only someone with my dad's temperament could possibly handle being married to me.<br />- My dad is a great listener.<br />- He is also very forthcoming with problems. He doesn't hide what's wrong.<br />- He tells stories.<br />- He likes a good romantic comedy.<br />- He's a complete family guy (der).<br />- And while he's not necessarily a romantic, my mom's gotten roses for Christmas, Valentine's, her birthday and Mother's Day for years.<br />- My dad used to be the typical guy. My dad was the frat boy who partied all the time. He shows that men can change and mature. They really can. He also tells me that all men are assholes, even the nice ones, no matter what I think.<br /><br />So in short, I love my dad. I hope that I'll find someone like him.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899636057294547369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362695828480012500.post-47432814788077842182007-10-09T12:35:00.000-07:002007-10-09T12:42:16.571-07:00Phones.Mine is dead at the moment.<br /><br />And I have no idea why. It just fell apart. Literally. The button popped out, the screen is barely attached...<br /><br />I hate flip phones, because they have nothing but a pain in the ass since I've turned 16.<br /><br />This is the timeline of my life in cell phone years:<br /><br />2002 - Get a cell for the first time. One of those really fat Nokias where you interchange the cover. This phone lasts me until I'm 16.<br />August 2004 - Finally get a new phone when I switch providers from AT&T to Sprint.<br />April 2005 - This phone dies because I drop it in the ocean. Yes, I dropped my cell phone in the Atlantic Ocean.<br />November 2005 - The phone falls out of my pocket while I'm dancing, and the screen cracks, but the phone still works. I use this phone until Christmas, and call a variety of the wrong people because I can't see who I'm calling.<br />January 2006 - New phone. Because the previous model was discontinued, I get the latest version.<br />August 2006 - Another new phone because my contract with Sprint ended, and I switched to T-Mobile because of the free long distance.<br />May 2007 - Because the phone started to slowly die over the second semester of my freshman year, I went home and got yet another cell phone - the phone that decided to die this morning.<br /><br />I have the absolute worst luck when it comes to phones.<br /><br />And sadly, I depend on my phones so much that despite the crappiness of the situation, I need to get a new one as soon as possible.<br /><br />It's one of those days where I completely hate technology.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899636057294547369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362695828480012500.post-53053594507426980552007-10-09T02:32:00.001-07:002007-10-09T02:43:23.931-07:00Currently.These are the details of my life right now:<br /><br />- I do not sleep enough.<br />- I live at the Sagebrush office and spend more time there than I do in the room that I pay to live in or with people used to see me on a regular basis.<br />- I have yet to write the essay that will decide whether I become a journalism major or not.<br />- Only God knows why I am not on the mandatory list for attending my J203 lectures.<br />- I am slowly losing bits of my soul as this year goes on and I become more bitter.<br />- I think more about newspapers than I do about most of the other aspects of my life.<br />- I am going to Italy next summer to have a break from journalism and to make sure that this is REALLY what I want to do with my life. I'm pretty sure it is, but I think I need a three-month break from it to make sure.<br />- I am probably not going to graduate in four years.<br />- I am not happy.<br />- I am horrible at parking cars.<br />- I still need to do laundry.<br />- I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but at the same time, I do.<br />- I am officially a workaholic, and yet my shit still doesn't get done on time.<br />- I skipped going to the homecoming game for no good reason.<br />- I drink too much coffee.<br />- I untagged all the photos of myself on Facebook from a certain party.<br />- I regret my last kiss, mostly because it was definitely not worth it.<br />- I need to buy my dad a birthday present.<br />- I need to get out more.<br />- I need to figure out how to make things better.<br />- I need to stop making excuses.<br />- And most importantly, I need to stop sucking. Pronto.<br /><br />I'm just going to go to bed. I'm going to go to bed, and hopefully, not dream about newspapers.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899636057294547369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362695828480012500.post-3001263122462640642007-10-03T03:14:00.000-07:002007-10-03T03:48:47.810-07:00Taking it up again.After reading Annie's blog, I've decided that maybe I'll take up blogging again. I miss blogging and bitching about stuff on the Internet for others to read. I also doubt anyone checks this, so I should be all right.<br /><br />I won't change the title of the blog, though I suppose I need to redo the header to take out the "summer intern" thing.<br /><br />So, an update on my life - I am not satisfied with anything at all.<br /><br />There are good moments here and there, but as a general rule, happiness seems to elude me. It isn't really one thing to blame as much as a whole culmination of my life at this point. I love work and the people there, but at the same time, I could be doing a lot better. Yeah yeah, it's part of the learning process, but I just see all these little things that can be done better. So I'm working on it.<br /><br />Work has also diminished what little social life I had. I'm working on that too. Much as I love the people I work with, I like seeing people I don't work with too. You know, the people I got to know when I was in high school and the people I met last year. Them. They're nice too.<br /><br />And on the topic of people, what's dating? I have no idea. I was reminded of what kissing was the other night, but then remembered that it's much more enjoyable when I actually like the person on a deeper level than inebriation. Ahem.<br /><br />Then there's those things called classes. The bane of my existence, which is ridiculous, because one, I'm a student, and two, I actually like school. Not homework, of course, but learning. I like reading and writing and all that stuff. And now, I barely make it to my classes, and have come to the conclusion that I don't really like my minor. I love music and singing, but choir and voice lessons and sightsinging are killing me because I can't devote the proper time to them. And the one class I really, really, really want to take from the department - History of American Musical Theater - is on Monday nights. Go figure.<br /><br />So there isn't really a conclusion to all this. That was just a bunch of jumbled thoughts thrown together. I've decided that in order to really figure out why I'm so blah, I need to go somewhere, away from everyone I know, for like 24 hours, and just figure out what I want out of my life, and what I don't want in it. I just really need to think. Things are moving at such a fast pace that I haven't had time to do that since I don't know when.<br /><br />Maybe I'll have some time after the Board of Regents next week to drive somewhere in Vegas (since I'll actually have my car) and do this.<br /><br />Until then, I'll just keep on keeping on. Bah, how cliche is that?Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899636057294547369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362695828480012500.post-27805960739296958832007-09-08T16:23:00.000-07:002007-09-08T16:28:45.920-07:00I suck.I never did do my "I love journalism" at the end of the summer schpiel when I was done with my internship.<br /><br />But this is the current feeling.<br /><br />I feel like I suck at my job. Really suck. Like I can't do a thing right. And maybe this is a lack of sleep thing, but it's been going on since I've been back. I can't come up with good ideas. I can't edit critically enough. My writing's crap.<br /><br />UGH.<br /><br />I am in a slump, and I don't know how to get out of it.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899636057294547369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362695828480012500.post-12271988834301568192007-08-10T14:46:00.000-07:002007-08-10T14:47:53.198-07:00Cleaning off my desk for the last time.It's makes me kinda sad.<br /><br />And this could be my last post from this computer, because I have a lot to get done in three hours.<br /><br />Prepare for some self-reflection blogs later though.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899636057294547369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362695828480012500.post-19242409420694555412007-08-09T22:49:00.000-07:002007-08-09T22:55:55.073-07:00Anecdote."...Bailey traveled on public transit in Detroit, where he had worked at the Detroit Free Press. On board the bus were passengers just staring out the window. The next day, Bailey brought newspapers for them to read, giving one section to one rider and the others to other riders."<br /><br />The above anecdote is about Chauncey Bailey, the Oakland Post editor who was murdered last week while walking to work because he was investigating this business's financial situation.<br /><br />And I think that it's something I would like to do someday.<br /><br />The giving the papers out to people on public transit, I mean. <br /><br />What better way to open their eyes than to place it directly into their hands? They don't have to read it - it would just be giving them the option to.<br /><br />Maybe the key is to remind them that the option is still available, still exists and is waiting for them to come back to it.<br /><br />Also, had a nice chat with my editor today about journalism, my future in journalism, how to improve my journalistic skills, and all that jazz. It was nice.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899636057294547369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362695828480012500.post-20566766952759304462007-08-07T17:20:00.000-07:002007-08-07T17:22:30.088-07:00"These Boots Are Made For Walking."I just wrote the obituary of the man who wrote that song.<br /><br />Huh.<br /><br />After living in all of these places, and doing all this stuff with his life, I wonder how he ended up in Henderson. That's the only question I've got. Too bad there's no one to answer.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899636057294547369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362695828480012500.post-64702371287757965092007-08-06T09:41:00.000-07:002007-08-06T10:03:37.843-07:00Last week.I am this close to being done. Five days if you include today.<br /><br />I'm excited to be done. I'm excited for a vacation. I'm excited to wear jeans and flip flops more often again.<br /><br />I'm also sad because I like the people I've met here and I like the experiences I've gone through. I like hanging with the other intern and constantly talking to an editor 'cause he sits next to me and making jokes with the other reporters around me. I like having a nice desk and a computer that actually works and doesn't crash/slow down all the time. I like having my own direct line.<br /><br />But I suppose this will all come back soon enough. Probably not in this office and not with these people, but this atmosphere.<br /><br />And until then, I'll have a very...lively...bunch to keep me entertained (and pissed off, laughing, etc.).<br /><br />Sidenote: I finally saw Hairspray. It made me happy, I was dancing in my seat. Officially have a celeb crush on the guy that plays Link Larkin. Sad, I know.<br /><br />Other note: I have no idea what is going to become of this blog when summer is over. I may be switching my blogging over to a different site.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899636057294547369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362695828480012500.post-13694178847154155382007-08-06T01:42:00.001-07:002007-08-06T01:52:32.623-07:00A review.I just finished reading this novel, "Happiness Sold Separately," by Lolly Winston.<br /><br />The character development was impeccable. The author did a wonderful job of painting each character's flaws, making each of them so realistic that I can see them in my head. Their hopes, their fears, their needs and loves and wants and guilts - right there on the pages to read.<br /><br />The plot was decent. It flowed, and I guess that's what matters. The thing is, it doesn't take you anywhere. It felt like it leaves you exactly where you started.<br /><br />And what just bugged me - the ending. There didn't seem to be an ending, except that it was the last page and the story stopped. Like the book could just keep going after that point. There was no conclusion. The strings were still hanging there at the end, because no one bothered to tie them up.<br /><br />Thinking about it now, that's exactly how life is. Everything isn't tied together and fixed in the end, and everyone doesn't always have their right place, and you don't really have any conclusion to anything at all, because everything in your life around you can change in a second.<br /><br />And that fact, even though it annoys me so much because I don't like it when books do that, is what made it a great book.<br /><br />I'm probably being contradictory right now. Don't think I'd be much of a critic if someone ever offered me that job. I should get to bed now, it's late and I've got work in the morning. Five days left.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899636057294547369noreply@blogger.com0