Thoughts about my future in the journalism industry.

I like to think that I have a chance in this business. I like to think that when I graduate, someone will look at me and think, "Hey, that kid has potential. She's worth taking a risk on."
I read about layoffs at several news organizations. I read things like angryjournalist.com with posts from people who are disenchanted with this business. Just yesterday, I received a letter in my RGJ e-mail about how Gannett is laying off 10 percent of its newsroom staffs.
Despite all those things, I still keep trucking on.
But the other day, I realized something - I am one of many.
Social networking has opened my eyes to that. Thanks to places like Facebook and Twitter, I've met (or at least messaged) dozens of other young, bright-eyed journalists like myself. Their resumes are similar to mine, they have experience that I don't, they have the same basic dreams.
And it's enough to make a person wonder...well, what in the world makes me stand out?
A few weeks ago, Mike asked me what my journalistic goals were.

"To be a good journalist."

"Well, obviously. But what else besides that?"

I didn't have an answer. I'm still figuring it out. But it's those goals that make you stand out from the crowd. It's those dreams that will make someone realize I might be worth it.
I know that getting a job in this crazy age is a mixture of experience, who you know and plain luck. And I believe that everything happens for a reason (good example - I never wanted to go to UNR, but didn't have the money for NYU, so here I am. And look where that's gotten me: working for a great student newspaper, friendships that I hope will last a lifetime, professional internships, connections...the list goes on and on).
I just hope whatever else I do in the next two years will put me in the right place at the right time to make someone think, "She's going places. She's got a future."

It's funny how...

The phrase "it's funny how" is nothing more than ironic.

I was going to originally say, "It's funny how friendships that once meant everything to you can fall apart, how people can disappoint you to no ends."

And then I realized something.

It isn't funny.

It just hurts.

It's time to get busy and bury myself in my work for a while, because then maybe I can forget that growing up and growing apart sucks.

At times like these, a girl could use a dog.

Writing IX.

It's been a while.

RGJ:
Changes planned for Pyramid/McCarran

McQueen readies for Rose Bowl as bands march in area competition
1000 come out for firefighters' pancake breakfast
For the Love of Jazz marks 34th year

'Charity alliance' gives Washoe ARC a new look

Sagebrush:
$16 mil still needs to go
Palin speaks about experience, issues in Carson
Enrollment rises, standards increase
Career center axed
UNR cuts academic centers
Rogers opts out of NSHE
Group rallies, protests during Obama speech
Reilly discusses cuts at town hall
Senate approve Stiteler as Flipside director
Buckley asks for input
Sen. Obama's visit affects university activity
Greek office cut

Things Jessica needs to buy for her Halloween costume.

- Big red feathers
- Big, sparkly black necklace
- Red corset with black stripes
- Black shorts
- Black tights
- Two black garters

How was this my idea again?

A typical day at the Sagebrush.

1: My legs are tired.

2: It's because you've been running through my mind all day.

3: Someone, please write that down.

1: That reminds me, I need to take all the crotch shots of (2) off my phone.

To-do list.

-- Work on English paper that is due Monday
-- Actually decide what I am writing paper on
-- Re-do the budget cut list of stories
-- Start working on election package stuff
-- Finish laundry
-- Finish cleaning room
-- Mop floor
-- Clean desk at work
-- Pay power bill
-- Start internship applications
-- Interview hot dog man. UPDATE: He said, "Someday." As in next week someday.
-- Go to music lab
-- Buy birthday presents for people
-- Go to post office
-- Call parents
-- E-mail old boss(es)
-- Re-do life plan (it's been a while)
-- Buy that little English book
-- Pay credit card bill
-- Return library books
-- Organize clip binders

Corny love songs.

Becky and I tend to get into serious conversations about the most pointless and random things.

This includes everything from Anderson Cooper's sexual preference (gay or straight?) to which boy band defined our generation (Backstreet Boys vs. N 'Sync). We'll talk about anything and everything for a good two hours before we decide that it's probably time to talk about something else.

Tonight's conversation led to a long list of love songs on a Denny's menu and random Denny's workers giving us their two cents. From this, we've decided two things:
- We need to start another office poll: "From This Moment On" vs. "You're Still The One"
- We need to start our own podcast where we entertain random people with our thoughts on the world. It will hypothetically be posted on my blog and iTunes.

Anyway, I'm too lazy to type out all the songs, but not lazy enough to not make a playlist.

I must note that I am a fan of many of these songs, while Becky is not.

Also, as a final note for the hours worked thing:
Friday: three hours
Saturday: nine hours
Grand total for the week: 41

Work hours update.

Wednesday: four hours
Thursday: five hours
Total as of Thursday night: 32 hours

Keeping track of how many hours I work this week.

I've always wondered.

Sunday: five hours
Monday: nine hours
Tuesday: nine hours
Grand total as of Wednesday at midnight - 23 hours.

Expect updates throughout the week.