Pets Over People- 9\27\12

September 26, 2012

Pets Over People

I admit, this article was very cute with the bond between owner and dog. However, how far is too far, when it comes to animals? Don’t get me wrong, there are lots of things I’d do to keep my pet in good health for as long as possible, but asking for donations from other people seems a little far fetched. I quote from the article, “Because of the public’s generosity, Schoep has been getting expensive joint laser treatments to reduce pain and swelling related to arthritis.” This is ridiculous!

People in our country are living off food stamps wether they are really in need of them or not. Yet, they felt the need to start a foundation to support low-income families’ pets. Pets are great companions and nice to have around but they cost money, and lots of it. If you are a low income family why should I donate money to help take care of your pet, when there is a high chance you don’t even have the money to take care of yourself and family. This is why I ask, “How far is too far?”

On a more journalistic note, this article as well has a good lead and unfortunately is newsworthy because it’s heartwarming. Is it ridiculous? Yes. But that’s people for you.

Photo Challenge-Half Done!

September 23, 2012

Hey everyone! Here is an update from my photo challenge. If you like the photos here and the images previously posted, follow this link to see more and remember to LIKE my photo & design page!: Noel Photography & Design

DAY 11: Something Old, Something New

DAY 14: Animal (Half wolf & Half German Shepherd dog. 4-6 months old.)

DAY 16: Reflection

DAY 20: Something Green

-Hope you enjoy! Help spread the love: Like my page Noel Photography and Design and share it on your blog & Facebook. Enjoy your Sunday!

Noel

Interview A Stranger

September 20, 2012

Looking around for someone to interview, I decided to go down to Eppley. Students there are usually outgoing and willing to talk to anyone. Walking in the basement there was a young lady sitting on the chairs just outside the gallery. I walk up and excitingly say, “Hello, perfect stranger!” A young girl, with long brown hair, smiles back at me as I sit beside her. I asked if she would spare a couple minutes to chat with me. Puzzled, she looks and me and says, “Yes, is this a survey?” I explain that, no this is not a survey, but I’m looking for someone to tell me their best knock-knock joke.

She laughs and I ask jokingly, “But first, just to be creepy, can I ask your first and last name?” She gladly replies, “Emily Deming, D-E-M-I-N-G.” I go on and have her tell me her best knock-knock joke. Emily laughs and begins, “Knock-knock.”

Myself: “Who’s there?”

Emily: “To.”

Myself: “To who?”

Emily: “To whom.”

I give a chuckle, and she openly admits that she has a passion for english. I ask, “So, are you an english major?” She tells me she loves english but has currently declared herself as a music education major. Emily goes on to say she is only a freshman and I tell her, “Well you have plenty of time to change your mind then.” I thank her for her time and wish her luck with all her homework she was working on.

Wild Ride- 9\20\12

September 19, 2012

Amusement Ride Gone Haywire

I thought that this was a bit of a crazy story. This is defiantly news worthy since it involves lots of people. Not to mention, it isn’t often (fortunately) that amusement rides go haywire like that.

Another thing I liked about the article was the lead. The journalist of course didn’t have to try too hard to get people to read. However, the lead was short and to the point. It kept people, including myself, intrigued enough to want to know more.

After the main points, I liked that it became very informative; which is how journalism is suppose to work, with the inverted pyramid. The fact they had a picture was also nice, too. This gives people an idea of the dangers and the extremities of the malfunction.

People of Walmart

September 18, 2012

Many people have visited the website, People of Walmart. No matter how often I look at it, it still puts me in shock at the things people do and wear. Today, I just wanted to share my Walmart experience.

Now if you haven’t noticed already, this girl has hot pink pants on with a hole in the knee. However, look a bit closer. She is also walking around with NO shoes on! Apparently the rule, “no shoes, no shirt, no service,” does not apply to her.

Both her, her dad, my friend and I were doing the “zig zag” thing through all the grocery isles. It wasn’t until half way through the grocery section that I noticed. She was acting like “hot stuff” since there was a cute guy in a few of the isles with us too. Then I looked down. My first thought is, “That is absolutely disgusting.” Who in their right mind even feels comfortable walking around a store like that? I feel awkward when I’m in a SHOE STORE walking around with one shoe on and one shoe off.

I’m sorry hot-pink-pants girl, this is trashy and gross. If that cute guy did notice you, he was defiantly turned him off with your fashion statement. I have a very hard time believing you do not have a single pair of shoes to put on at this moment. Congratulations though, you have officially made the People of Walmart!!

Noel

Self Critique

September 13, 2012

I know often times I have to watch for run on sentences. My thoughts get long and sometimes that problem leads to grammar issues as well. Basically, I have to read through a post several times to make sure there are no added words I don’t need.

Also, I’m constantly wanting to be creative which can lead me off topic as well. Once again, I just have to go through and remove things from places they don’t belong. As for journalistic writing, I need to improve putting things in order of most important to least important. When I first start to write I think of introduction first (overview of what I’m talking about) and then everything else. This is because I’m use to writing speeches and essays.

 

Room Description- Final Draft

September 10, 2012

I always walk in approximately at noon. The place is packed at this time, which bothers me, because I feel like a herd of animals at the trough. It always seems people are staring, mostly because everyone likes to see if they know the person walking in. I know this, because I do the exact same thing. Sleek wooden chairs surround all the tables and are often hard to maneuver through because Bucks is so busy.

There are a set of tables and chairs that I call an island. They stand alone in the middle of the room for people who want to be undisturbed to study, watch shows or eat lunch. That is my spot. The chairs at the island are much to tall for me to reach. I stand on my tiptoes in order to get on one. As I unpack my things, my computer, iPad and books, the aroma of fried goods fills the room.

It is very loud, which sometimes makes it hard to study when I have homework like today. However, it’s nice to be able to have a study area and someone who isn’t me to make lunch, all in one convenient spot. TV’s are on at a low volume, because there is music playing on the speakers when they are not calling people to the window for their food. They are playing all the current hits on the radio, which makes it hard to not sing along. I carefully take my tangled, white headphones out so I can begin to tune out the world.

Since its lunchtime, the line to order food is long. When it finally shortens up, it’s time for me to decide on something to eat. Once again, I must wonder around the mess of chairs and people. On my way, I faintly here someone calling, “Hey Jen!” I slowly turn around in the doorway of the little closed off room, where students go in to talk to the cashier. It’s my friend Emily. We chat briefly about life, school and work but quickly continue on to our own routines. When I reach the counter to order, the cashier seems nervous. More than likely, she is new because I have not seen her working here before. She is young, blonde-haired and wearing a little paper hat that all the café workers are wearing.

Finally, I get back to my seat and start to look at my homework. There is a table of four, with a few upper classmen boys. They appear to be part of one of Morningside’s many athletic teams. All of them are wearing cutoffs and gym shorts, while chatting excitedly about game scores, plays and upcoming events. I usually tend to tune those types of conversations out.

A few tables over is a much larger group of very studious looking people. A few professors and advisors are also sitting at the table with folders. This for sure is some type of meeting. All the students are engaged in the conversation, chatting about different promotional ideas for the group. Once again, I only listen to them briefly and return to my own studies.

Before I know it, it is already 1:30 p.m., and it’s time to head to my class. I slide off the tall chair and begin to gather my things, placing them in their proper spots of my book bag. About that time, I always run into one of my guy-friends, who I walk to class with after my eventful time at Bucks.

Gravestone Technology

I actually found this article late last week, but decided to save it for my news comment this week. Like it says in the article, some people may find this addition great, while others will hate it. I for one think this is just a little too far and maybe slightly tacky? Though graveyards have an appeal all there own, I still feel that they are peaceful. A place where your loved ones are laid to rest.

I don’t know about most people, but I for one do not want to stand in a graveyard with my tablet or smartphone to read about someone’s life. Most people who visit grave sites are there to grieve, place memorials or just to “visit” their past loved one. If I’m going to hear about a person’s life and information, I want to be discussing those good times and bad times with family and friends. If you’re just there to creep on people you don’t know, just Google their name at home. Its easier and less creepy.

Scientology 9\6\12

September 6, 2012

Nicole Kidman & Scientology

First of all, I think that scientology is kind of an odd religion. No religion should break up a family by forcing children to reject one of their parents. I feel very sad that it not only happened to Katie Holmes but also Nicole Kidman. I wonder if she saw it coming after Katie.

The fact that he auditioned for wives just seems ridiculous to me! No relationship or marriage should be based on an “interview.” This was a very newsworthy article because it involved religion and a celebrity. Two very hard hitting points in media. At the same time, I feel bad these two women have to have such personal parts of their life in the media when they are probably both grieving over their tough situations.

Interview

September 5, 2012

New Lead:

A Sioux City girl tells about her exciting journey to get to her college career. Starting back in the year 1992 in Sioux City, Iowa, Lauren Michelle Sorenson was born just one week before Valentine’s Day, on February 7. After about two years of waiting her sister finally had a younger sibling. She spent most of her childhood in Sioux City until the age of ten, when her family decided to move to Africa.

When asked what it was like to live in Ethiopia, Lauren simply replied, “It was completely different than living in Sioux City, because in Africa you wake up to monkeys literally banging and jumping around on your roof.” Sorenson continued her education in private and boarding schools while she remained in Africa. Finally at the age of thirteen, her family decided it was time to end their missionary work and head back to the states.

Lauren graduated from East High School and then first enrolled at University of Northern Iowa for two years, before transferring to Morningside College to study corporate communications. She decided that the smaller school was more suitable for her college career. Some of her favorite pass times include snow skiing, being on the school radio station and lifeguarding for the last six years.

 

ORIGINAL LEAD:

In the year 1992 in Sioux City, Iowa, Lauren Michelle Sorenson was born just one week before Valentine’s Day, on February 7. After about two years of waiting her sister finally had a younger sibling. She spent most of her childhood in Sioux City until the age of ten, when her family decided to move to Africa.

When asked what it was like to live in Ethiopia, Lauren simply replied, “It was completely different than living in Sioux City, because in Africa you wake up to monkeys literally banging and jumping around on your roof.” Sorenson continued her education in private and boarding schools while she remained in Africa. Finally at the age of thirteen, her family decided it was time to end their missionary work and head back to the states.

Lauren graduated from East High School and then first enrolled at University of Northern Iowa for two years, before transferring to Morningside College to study corporate communications. She decided that the smaller school was more suitable for her college career. Some of her favorite pass times include snow skiing, being on the school radio station and lifeguarding for the last six years.