This semester, I’m taking a six-credit course called TAP into Greater Olean. The online-only publication is managed as a classroom by two great professors—a married couple, in fact.
My first post to TAP was a column on what I learned on my visit to the New York Times. I was invited to tour the newsroom and review my resume and some of my clips with the director of the Student Journalism Institute.
Here’s what I learned:
Today marks the beginning of my second week as editor-in-chief of St. Bonaventure University’s campus media The Bona Venture.
The first week went as first week’s do: we ran out of printer paper to edit pages on and we lacked sufficient amounts of scotch tape. Nevertheless, the staff was out of the newsroom by 2:30 a.m.—which seems crazy to be a positive note until it’s noted last semester’s first week, I was in the newsroom until 7 a.m.
Despite a seemingly improved schedule, we still misspelled a name, printed month-old news on the front page and made silly mistakes. I’m proud to work with such talented young journalists. However, it is clear we—as a newsroom—need some work.
One of the goals I’m aiming to accomplish this semester is an improved timeliness. We were able to break the story of our president’s departure after this semester thanks to Twitter and a speedy writer. The Bona Venture needs more of that.
Sometimes, I feel like my staff drags their feet to meetings because The BV isn’t exciting. We’re journalists goddammit—let’s make this exciting.
-hrg
Well, I’ve been back for a day now. I miss the city. I love wandering the streets and watching everyone live their lives as if the world would end tomorrow and this is the last night they have on Earth to party their asses off and have the time of their lives. It’s beautiful.
Saturday afternoon, my classmates and I presented on a panel at theJoint Journalism and Communication History Conference at NYU. A guy asked me if I was a professor. When I said, “Oh, no, just a student!” He said, “Oh a grad student!” And I said..”Oh, uh, no…I’m a freshman.” He was surprised, but welcomed me and was impressed I was at such a conference so early in my career. Made me feel special. So yay.
On the walk back to the hotel, my friends and I saw a dead guy laying on the corner near Broadway (I think it was near there. My memory is failing me). Either way, this guy was clearly dead. Eyes open, pale, stiff, surrounded by NYPD, Elmo, Buzz Lightyear, and other costumed characters. He also had a wad of cash in his hand. If I had to guess, I’d say he OD’d. It was sad, but an interesting experience nevertheless.
Saturday night, my friend Elyse and I went for dinner at Tonic, a sports bar right near Times Square, and took a walk through Times Square and did some shopping. It was her first time in NYC and seeing her reaction to everything was great to watch. She loved it. She said she wants to move there one day. I bought a bunch of crop tops at Forever 21. I’m not thin. But I think I can rock it with a high waisted skirt. Come at me, bro.
Oh, and we took some pics with a Mexican guy dressed as the Statue of Liberty.
He told us we had to pay in $5 each. On second thought, we should have just run away. I’m embarrassed to say we actually gave the guy $8. What the hell are we, tourists? Ugh. The aggravation.
Anyway, after shopping, I convinced Elyse to take a subway to Brooklyn for no reason whatsoever. She was not pleased when she found out I lied about subways going in a circle. I was happy to be on a the subway for no fucking reason.
After we got off of the subway, we followed this girl and her friend around for awhile. Remember to keep a safe distance when stalking, folks. Don’t want to seem really creepy.
Yes. That is a unicorn backpack.
We ended up getting coffee somewhere in Brooklyn. I think the place was called Beans. And actually we didn’t even get coffee. We got raspberry lemonade. Still good.
We had no idea where we were. Somewhere in Brooklyn definitely. We went by a very large, pretty church. But I mean, that’s all we got. Somehow we made it back to Times Square and then back to our hotel, which was perfectly placed only about 2 blocks from Times Square.
Pretty damn good night.
Sunday was a bore. Long car ride home. Dinner with friends at the dining hall.
Oddly enough, though a few people whom I haven’t talked to in forever (some it’s been years) wandered back into my life yesterday via Facebook and texting. The world has a strange way of working. Maybe I’ll write a post about that.
A day in the life.
-HRG
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