All on the table now...

Just finished my work experience diary...forgot to do the last little section.

I was writing the conclusion, and I think you may want to read the first paragraph:

"Over the 2 weeks at (Insert Radio Station Here), I had learned what valuable experience I had come across. I had not only been put through my paces as a journalist, but physically, mentally and emotionally as well. 

I know now that to be a journalist, you need to have fighting spirit, and a keen eye for the right story. You need to be tough, but emotionally available to your audience. You need to be informative but friendly at the same time. I have nothing but respect for the 6 people sitting round that octagon every day."

I honestly don't think I've written anything as honest as that in a long time.

It feels good to get that sort of thing off my chest. I know it's not some kind of "tell-all" confession, but I honestly mean it when I say it though, that I nothing but respect for those people round the Octagon. I wish I could be like them...but sadly I can't...

For you see I was not destined to be like them...I think I was meant to go down another path...the path of editing...Sounds odd, but on newsdays, I look forward to nothing more than editing together a TV or radio package. I do prefer the TV editing though, I love the visuals. 

While some people ask questions in an interview and look for that golden nugget of information or that "golden quote" that's so perfect you want to marry it, I look for the "money shots" of people and on-location, then I can't wait to get back to the studio and edit that bad boy together!

My brain is wired for technology. The cameras, the microphones, the white balance...and the completed package at the end, which gets praise from a man who does not compliment easily.

Call me nuts, call me a techo-geek, but I love it! And surely I should go into a career that I love, right?

Another part of my conclusion goes as follows:

"In conclusion, this was a very valuable work experience, if some people think for the wrong reasons, but I think it really helped me make a decision on my choices as a journalist."

I say that last part because it has made me realise that maybe journalism isn't for me. I still think that I could make it, but my heart is in the editing. I love news, but I don't think I'm tough enough for it. As my housemate Katie says, I need to "man-up" and "grow a pair"...maybe I do, but I'm in no rush...editing isn't so "dog-eat-dog" but I love it, and skills mixed with passion make for a very good pairing...

Who knows what I'll be doing in a years time? I got my second year results today (passed, whoop whoop!) and I saw that many third years have gotten them too, and moving on to greener pastures...

So this is it...my final year...time to make it my own!

Live Long and Prosper

H.x

If you would like to view any of the packages made on newsdays, please follow the links below:

• Horsemeat Scandal
• Lambing
• Guide Dog Attacks
• Hanley Taxis

Wigan is a word dammit!

***Might I suggest listening to this song on a loop while reading this, makes the post all the more magical...if not, it doesn't take anything away from it, I just think it's a nice tune...***

Long distance is tricky...and no i'm not talking about romantic long distance...well I am, but that's included under the general stuff, I mean long distance is tricky in general...

Wow that was confusing, I hope that made sense...don't worry if it doesn't, it will all become clear.

As you are (very much) aware, I now live in Folkestone...far far away from my friends in Essex and Stoke. Trying to keep up with everything going on is tricky, whether that means being on Facebook a lot more than I usually am (draining my phone battery), checking Twitter or just texting people, which is good to start, but looks a little creepy after a while.

Basically, it's hard to keep up with everything going on in your friendship group without looking like a stalker.

That actually feels good to finally get out there...

I'm a very social person, make that social networking or chatting face to face, but heading home for the summer means that even though I am closer to my mates in Essex, I'm further from the ones in Stoke, and vice versa when I head back to Stoke. I just can't catch a break, as Leonard from "The Big Bang Theory" would say...

Now besides dancing round my room alone looking like a weirdo, and watching 4od until I can't see straight is all well and good, but being home really has made me think about friends. You can't live without them, and whoever tells you otherwise clearly hasn't had a Two for Tuesdays with a friend, (lifesavers right there folks) and being home at the moment, I can truly say that friends are everything.

I think myself quite lucky that I have such a close relationship with both my mum and dad, and I consider them some of the closest friends I have, but I know that after a while, they just want some time away from their little princess (a nickname I gave myself for them to call me, you can tell I came up with that one...) so having other people to talk to is great...

...however Facebook/Twitter/Text can only help so much...

I'm heading down to Essex soon to see some of my friends, then heading to Wigan to see Swifty (Just pointing out now that my laptop doesn't recognise "Wigan" as a word...hehehe) and then possibly stopping in Stoke for a little while. I'd love to say that I love travelling, but I only love it if there's someone at the other end waiting for me eagerly.

Don't you just love that feeling of stepping off a train/bus and seeing that person you've been so looking forward to seeing for such a long time...and realising that they are just as excited as you?

Now I know how it feels to be arriving at that train station or bus station, and having to look around waiting for that one person to step out of the crowd to meet me, and not be there (take that for a metaphor if you want, I didn't intend it to be, but it kind of sounds like one) But I also know that if they could be there, they would be...who'd want to miss out on seeing you...yeah you!

So the next time you go to meet a friend you haven't seen in a long time, heck, even a friend you saw the other day, don't forget to greet them like you haven't seen them in years, believe me, it feels great for everyone!


Live Long and Prosper

H.x