I'm not a huge fan of blogging.
I am really bad with keeping up with anything that has to do with posting things online. Several classes throughout my college career have required that I post things online, and I'm pretty sure I either forgot to do them, or did them late more often than not.
I always have trouble coming up with topics to write about. The current diversions columnist from the DI suggested that I look into taking over next year, but I don't think I would be interested.
Although blogging is not my favorite thing to do in the world, it was interesting reading everyone else's blogs and seeing the approach everyone took.
I think I would like it better if I actually started a blog with a focus. Maybe someday.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Useless Trivia
I watch a lot of shows that have to do with useless trivia. "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," "Trivial Pursuit," and "Cash Cab" are my favorites. I like to think I would do pretty well if I went on any of these shows. Sometimes I find myself shouting out the answer at the TV, then wondering how in the world I knew the answer. I guess some information that seems to go in one ear and out the other actually does stick.
I prefer these kind of game shows over game shows like "Deal or No Deal". They make it way too dramatic. The game could be over a lot faster if they just opened the case immediately after the contestant chose it and just moved on. However, then they might not have a need for the pretty ladies in pretty dresses. I hope those girls get to keep the dresses.
"Family Feud" is another favorite of mine. I love when someone gives a really stupid answer. There's always just a hint of a pause before the family members clap and say "Good answer!" even though they know it was awful. If I went on the show with my family or friends, we would probably just look at each other and say "What were you thinking?!?!?"
My all time favorite game show does not exist anymore, except for reruns on the GAS channel. It's "Legends of the Hidden Temple". Does anyone remember this show? It was fabulous.
I think the point of this post is I want to go on a game show at some point in my life.
I prefer these kind of game shows over game shows like "Deal or No Deal". They make it way too dramatic. The game could be over a lot faster if they just opened the case immediately after the contestant chose it and just moved on. However, then they might not have a need for the pretty ladies in pretty dresses. I hope those girls get to keep the dresses.
"Family Feud" is another favorite of mine. I love when someone gives a really stupid answer. There's always just a hint of a pause before the family members clap and say "Good answer!" even though they know it was awful. If I went on the show with my family or friends, we would probably just look at each other and say "What were you thinking?!?!?"
My all time favorite game show does not exist anymore, except for reruns on the GAS channel. It's "Legends of the Hidden Temple". Does anyone remember this show? It was fabulous.
I think the point of this post is I want to go on a game show at some point in my life.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Erica goes on a ghost hunt
As I mentioned in my last post, I went along on a paranormal investigation late Sunday night into Monday morning.
I went in skeptical as a ghost hunter, but open-minded as a journalist. Even though I do not necessarily believe in spirits and paranormal activity, I knew the people I was with did, and I was there to report their experiences, not mine.
Hopefully, it came across in my story that I tried to be as objective as possible in regards to their beliefs in the supernatural.
But this is a blog, and a blog seems like a great place for opinions, so here are mine.
The investigation took place in a small town about 35 minutes away in an uninhabited house. It smelled old and musty, and I found the clutter in the home to be more daunting than the possible presence of spirits.
The only time I got a little spooked was when the leader would ask any spirits present to knock on a wall or touch one of us. All I could think was if that happened, I would have been running for the hills.
Only there were no hills. And we were out in the middle of nowhere, so there was really nowhere to run.
It is also a possiblity that I was too tired to be scared. I usually go to sleep around midnight on "school nights," but the investigation went until 2:45 a.m., and I did not crawl into my bed until 3:45 a.m. Ugh.
The most exciting thing that happened that night, at least in my opinion, was when the cops showed up. Note to anyone trying to rob a home in the middle of the night: Just tell the cops you're on a paranormal investigation. Apparently they don't ask questions.
Anyone ever had any paranormal experiences?
I went in skeptical as a ghost hunter, but open-minded as a journalist. Even though I do not necessarily believe in spirits and paranormal activity, I knew the people I was with did, and I was there to report their experiences, not mine.
Hopefully, it came across in my story that I tried to be as objective as possible in regards to their beliefs in the supernatural.
But this is a blog, and a blog seems like a great place for opinions, so here are mine.
The investigation took place in a small town about 35 minutes away in an uninhabited house. It smelled old and musty, and I found the clutter in the home to be more daunting than the possible presence of spirits.
The only time I got a little spooked was when the leader would ask any spirits present to knock on a wall or touch one of us. All I could think was if that happened, I would have been running for the hills.
Only there were no hills. And we were out in the middle of nowhere, so there was really nowhere to run.
It is also a possiblity that I was too tired to be scared. I usually go to sleep around midnight on "school nights," but the investigation went until 2:45 a.m., and I did not crawl into my bed until 3:45 a.m. Ugh.
The most exciting thing that happened that night, at least in my opinion, was when the cops showed up. Note to anyone trying to rob a home in the middle of the night: Just tell the cops you're on a paranormal investigation. Apparently they don't ask questions.
Anyone ever had any paranormal experiences?
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Entering the world of the unknown
One of the things I love most about journalism is that it allows me to explore so many different subjects and experience many different things.
Tonight, I will yet again get to experience something I may not have had the opportunity to do otherwise.
I will be going on a paranormal investigation. You know, ghost hunting.
I have to say I am quite skeptical of the whole thing, and I cannot say that I have ever had a paranormal experience. While there is a first time for everything, I really hope tonight will not be that time for me.
I am very easily spooked. I can't handle even the cheesiest of scary movies. When I went to see The Amityville Horror, I lasted about 20 minutes in the theatre before I left and got my money back, citing "being too scared" as my reason for leaving.
As such a scaredy-cat, I'm not quite sure why I chose to take this story. Nonetheless, I think it will be an interesting experience.
Also, I think it will pose a challenge. Since I have always been so skeptical of ghosts and paranormal activity, I have to approach this with a very open mind. So, I'm going into this with no expectations, and I will just have to see what happens.
I'll let you know how it goes!
Tonight, I will yet again get to experience something I may not have had the opportunity to do otherwise.
I will be going on a paranormal investigation. You know, ghost hunting.
I have to say I am quite skeptical of the whole thing, and I cannot say that I have ever had a paranormal experience. While there is a first time for everything, I really hope tonight will not be that time for me.
I am very easily spooked. I can't handle even the cheesiest of scary movies. When I went to see The Amityville Horror, I lasted about 20 minutes in the theatre before I left and got my money back, citing "being too scared" as my reason for leaving.
As such a scaredy-cat, I'm not quite sure why I chose to take this story. Nonetheless, I think it will be an interesting experience.
Also, I think it will pose a challenge. Since I have always been so skeptical of ghosts and paranormal activity, I have to approach this with a very open mind. So, I'm going into this with no expectations, and I will just have to see what happens.
I'll let you know how it goes!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Where did the time go?
I have a horrible case of senioritis. The main problem with that is I'm only a junior.
I realized just last week that there were only two and a half weeks of class left. At first, I was ecstatic, but that euphoria quickly turned to dread. In these two and a half weeks I have two research papers, four exams, and two projects, not to mention Ebertfest coverage for the DI and a benefit show. Oh, and a paranormal investigation to go on, but that will be another blog post.
To add on top of all of that, the weather is supposed to be very nice this weekend, and laying out on the Quad sounds much more appealing than writing a paper.
I take comfort in the fact that I am not alone. We are all in the same boat at the end of the year when professors pile everything on at the last minute. Sometimes I miss junior high when the teachers would coordinate homework schedules.
Everything I've got going on now made me very grateful that the 420 research paper was due mid-April.
Good luck to everyone who is as busy as I am these last few weeks!
I realized just last week that there were only two and a half weeks of class left. At first, I was ecstatic, but that euphoria quickly turned to dread. In these two and a half weeks I have two research papers, four exams, and two projects, not to mention Ebertfest coverage for the DI and a benefit show. Oh, and a paranormal investigation to go on, but that will be another blog post.
To add on top of all of that, the weather is supposed to be very nice this weekend, and laying out on the Quad sounds much more appealing than writing a paper.
I take comfort in the fact that I am not alone. We are all in the same boat at the end of the year when professors pile everything on at the last minute. Sometimes I miss junior high when the teachers would coordinate homework schedules.
Everything I've got going on now made me very grateful that the 420 research paper was due mid-April.
Good luck to everyone who is as busy as I am these last few weeks!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
I'm on a bus, using the internet, listening to my ipod, and texting
When I got on the bus for my three and a half hour ride, I was prepared for boredom. I had my ipod, but I knew it wasn't charged up enough to make it the whole trip. I didn't want to text too much because I needed my phone to be alive so I could find my family at the airport. The internet was just out of the question.
Then I saw a magical sign. Free Wi-Fi.
It really amazes me how much time our generation spends on the internet or hooked up to some form of technology. I can't even begin to imagine what sorts of crazy gadgets our children and grandchildren will have that will totally baffle us in the future.
Have you ever found yourself logging into Facebook, then logging right back off because you're not quite sure why you logged on in the first place? I do that all the time. I'm beginning to view it as a nasty habit.
I have yet to give in to signing up for Twitter, but I'm sure it is inevitable. What is so great about Twitter, anyway? It's just like a Facebook status, without all the other useless Facebook applications to go along with it. If anyone uses their Twitter for a useful purpose, please let me know. Maybe you will convert me.
Being consumed by technology is not necessarily a bad thing. It's the new face of communication. At the same time, however, I would never want communication through technology to replace personal communication. Then we would all end up like the people on the space station in Wall-E, and if you don't know what I'm talking about, you should go watch the movie.
Now, if only the internet connection would stop timing out evertime we went under a bridge.
Then I saw a magical sign. Free Wi-Fi.
It really amazes me how much time our generation spends on the internet or hooked up to some form of technology. I can't even begin to imagine what sorts of crazy gadgets our children and grandchildren will have that will totally baffle us in the future.
Have you ever found yourself logging into Facebook, then logging right back off because you're not quite sure why you logged on in the first place? I do that all the time. I'm beginning to view it as a nasty habit.
I have yet to give in to signing up for Twitter, but I'm sure it is inevitable. What is so great about Twitter, anyway? It's just like a Facebook status, without all the other useless Facebook applications to go along with it. If anyone uses their Twitter for a useful purpose, please let me know. Maybe you will convert me.
Being consumed by technology is not necessarily a bad thing. It's the new face of communication. At the same time, however, I would never want communication through technology to replace personal communication. Then we would all end up like the people on the space station in Wall-E, and if you don't know what I'm talking about, you should go watch the movie.
Now, if only the internet connection would stop timing out evertime we went under a bridge.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Why can't there be more tulips in the news?
When we were choosing photos and writing cutlines for them today, the tulip picture pretty much made my day. It was so bright and beautiful. It's amazing how one small thing can change your entire mood. Then I thought, if this picture cheered me up, it might do the same for other people, too.
Just imagine if everything on the front page was good news. Then maybe everyone would be a little more optimistic, and could start their day off with a little more spring in their step.
I know, I know; it's rarely news when things go right, but reading story after story of bad news can get depressing after a while. So many people I know are cynical and distrustful because of all the bad things portrayed within the news.
It's unrealistic to have everything on the front page be good news, but it couldn't hurt to toss in a few stories that might help restore people's faith in humanity.
Even though bad news is what some people consider "spinach" journalism, because it is information the public needs to know, is it too much to ask for a little dessert?
Just imagine if everything on the front page was good news. Then maybe everyone would be a little more optimistic, and could start their day off with a little more spring in their step.
I know, I know; it's rarely news when things go right, but reading story after story of bad news can get depressing after a while. So many people I know are cynical and distrustful because of all the bad things portrayed within the news.
It's unrealistic to have everything on the front page be good news, but it couldn't hurt to toss in a few stories that might help restore people's faith in humanity.
Even though bad news is what some people consider "spinach" journalism, because it is information the public needs to know, is it too much to ask for a little dessert?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
