Fundamentals of Interactive Journalism

At the beginning of the semester, I wrote a blog post about the lack of a recycling program in our Journalism School. I was dismayed by the lack of one, but optimistic that a program would eventually be implemented with a reasonable amount of effort.

My predictions turned out to be wrong. There’s more red tape than expected, and frankly I’m confused by some of it. I’m also disappointed by my inability to bring some change to this situation, but at the same time, I think this is bigger than one person.

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New Greater Bethel Ministries has a Soup Kitchen/Food Pantry in Hollis. It is a storefront with a sign in the window that is hard to see from far away, whether driving or walking along Hollis Avenue near Francis Lewis Boulevard.

Mother Ruby Graham, 77, is the coordinator, wearing a sea captain’s hat, and does most of the cooking. Her assistant, Sister Curtis, and volunteers Sister Meebam (wearing a magenta hat and blouse) and a retired military veteran (wearing an “I Love NY” shirt), help Mother Graham run the place.

It wasn’t easy taking photographs because of the dimly lit place with few fluorescent lights illuminating. Additionally, some of the the people who came to get a hot plate might have been convicts who were released from jail and immigrants according to Sister Meebam. So the ISO had to be increased, and the pictures came out brighter.

On December 10th, Sean Hetherington and Aaron Hartzler organized Day Without A Gay. They asked people to “call in gay” to work and spend the day volunteering for GLBT and/or human rights organizations. The idea was intended to demonstrate the contributions of the GLBT community to the nation’s economy.

The event coincided with the International Human Rights Day and was conceived in response to California’s Proposition 8 initiative which banned gay marriage. According to press reports, the turnout was low.

No word yet on whether or not there will be a repeat next year.

On a recent trip down Wall Street, I came upon a fabulous group called [untitled] Walk Project. This is why I love New York – unexpected discoveries of different thinking.

For anyone heading down to New Orleans, I have three suggestions for some good eating.

Breakfast: There’s a great spot on St. Louis Street called Petunia’s Restaurant. Located in a 19th century Creole townhouse, you’ll find a warm & cozy spot for brunch. I had their absolutely delicious French Toast – which I highly recommend. The service was terrific. They were friendly, fast and attentive to empty coffee cups. Get there early if you want to avoid a line out the door.

Lunch: Take a drive, stroll or bike ride down Magazine Street for nice selection of shopping and dining. When you get to State Street, stop and try some of Reginelli’s tasty pizzas and salads. They have other locations throughout the city but I love the vibe of this area. I felt like I was in the East Village. And the staff is mellow and polite. 

Dinner: When you’re looking for a more upscale option, I recommend a trip back to the French Quarter for Bayona. Give yourself some time to browse the extensive wine options. Their menu changes daily and my only criticism is one that applies to all the restaurants of New Orleans – not enough vegetarian options. But if you do fish, there’s always some delicious blackened something or other. Dinner for two will set you back at least $100 – depending on your appetizer and wine choices. This is the place to splurge.

Bon Appetit!

On Monday, for the first time in a long time, I watched NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams from start to finish at its scheduled time, complete with commercials.

I’m turned off by most advertising to begin with, but I think that the lack of interest among young people in network news can at least partially be attributed to the ads. (more…)

“An aged man is but a paltry thing,/A tattered coat upon a stick, unless/Soul clap its hands and sing” – W.B. Yeats, Sailing to Byzantium

“Voris, you’re like an old man” (paraphrase) – More People Than I Can Count

I have friends who would rather undergo dental work without anaesthetic than have a discussion of what images flashed across the back of their eyelids the night previous.  If you count yourself a member of this cohort, I advise you to read no further. (more…)

Bettie Page, legendary pinup queen died on Thursday of pneumonia at the age of 85 in a Los Angeles hospital, a week after suffering a heart attack.

Page had a large following of worshipers of men and women of all ages. She was ahead of her time and will be continued to be seen as an icon of 1950’s culture.

The All about Bettie Page said, “Bettie has been resurrected time and time again – and now, into the 21st Century, she still thrives in the underground (and not so underground) limelight, delighting a variety of folks from different strokes – all of whom adore her raven-haired-bangs and curvaceous figure, not to mention the twinkle in her eye and the sweetness of her smile.”

Her agent Mike Roesler said in a written statement, “”She captured the imagination of a generation of men and women with her free spirit and unabashed sensuality. She is the embodiment of beauty.”

“Her popularity as an underground, guilty pleasures phenomenon has continued to soar despite the fact that the reclusive Page disappeared almost a half century ago, leading many to believe that one of the most photographed individuals of the 20th century was already dead.” Roesler said.

Page was one of the first women to appear in Playboy and posed for many other magazines, posters and photographs. She was thought to be a sultry mix between provocative and sweet.

Some of her photographs were shrouded in controversy, with the U.S. lawmakers believing them to be pornographic. By today’s standards the photos are quite tame and Page has stood up against the test of time with cult followings and millions of dedicated websites to prove it, including the Bettie Page Memorial site.

Rest in Peace

The personal blog is dead and this is before much of the public understood what is was used for. Most college students and especially graduate school of journalism students understand what the publishing tool offers, but many people are just now being exposed to blogging though mainstream media. It is practically a requirement that professionals in the media now have a blog. (more…)

Spotted. One 34-year-old graduate student in her Old Navy pajamas, eating takeout, and watching the latest episode of Gossip Girl. Is this a pathetically sad sight for sorry eyes, or is our former Upper East Side girl one of the many adults hooked to the CW on Monday nights?

Okay, I admit it. I’m that 34-year-old. And yes – oh my god – I love Gossip Girl, a television drama about social-climbing, Prada-wearing, Upper East Side teens.

It all started with the right touch of irony, I swear. I wasn’t supposed to really, you know, like this show. My old college friend suggested I watch Gossip Girl as a form of therapy, since I spent my formative middle school years at a school similar to the fictional Constance Billard school, and was fairly traumatized by the experience. So here I was, a self-assured and mature older adult, ready to make fun of teenagers on television. That’s all.

But then I got sucked in to what was a really good drama. Catfights, unrequited love, washed up 90s rock stars, guerilla fashion shows, love child scandals, jokes about Brooklyn, class warfare, deaths, weddings, Chuck and Blair, Blair and Chuck. I mean, this is good TV! People of all ages can appreciate it.

Perhaps you shouldn’t take my word for it, but instead watch this classic video clip. Cause you know you love me – xoxo, J-school girl.