Catching up and such

So, I've realized that in the midst of working and taking classes, I forget about this blog quite a bit. I am hoping to get better about it, but if I do not until May I apologize. The truth is, some days I am too tired to think straight while on other days I am bound and determined that I am going to work, work on classes and go out and do the things a 21-year-old woman should. Today is one of those days.

I clocked in at 7:30 this morning and spent an hour at the Career Technical Education Showcase, wrote the story and began working on the business story for next week again. This article is a monster already and I still have another interview to go. (Generally, a news story ranges from 20 to 25 inches, and rarely push 30. a business story can be 30 to 35. Mine is currently 54.) Needless to say after tomorrow's interview I will be adding to it and then slashing. Luckily it isn't due until Friday so I have plenty of time to work through the kinks. But to my defense it is hard to keep an article within guidelines when you have over 10 pages of typed notes. Yes, typed. This is my first week functioning with a tape recorder, so I have abused it. But it is paying off, because I love being able to go back and listen if I have a question.

Anyways, so I worked on that monster of an article and set my appointments up for tomorrow and clocked out so I could hit the books for a while before I go to the school board meeting tonight. I love hearing about the area schools and what has changed since I was in them. I love being able to share all the great things they do with the readers, however I worry about the reaction that will come from the community if I have to cover anything negative about the schools.

You see, I am a local. I was born here and I was raised here. With the exception of college, I have spent all but two years in Jacksonville, N.C. I have heard on more than one occasion from other locals that they enjoy hearing the good things as many who are not locals solely focus on the negative. While I can understand why that can be frustrating to the locals (and have been frustrated by it more than once myself), reporters write about the stories that are going on. So if people want to see more positive, there needs to be more positive. There needs to be more positive any way since most people focus on the negative, whether they are reporters or not.

On that note, British Lit is calling and since I have to leave for the meeting in about an hour, it's time to hit it. Check out the links.

Jan. 27: Freshman Academy program gets cash
http://www.jdnews.com/news/school_54665___article.html/aarp_freshman.html

Jan. 27: Fire department gets grant for gear
http://www.jdnews.com/news/fire_54683___article.html/department_rouse.html

Jan. 27: The groove of global learning
http://www.jdnews.com/news/teachers_54684___article.html/warde_school.html

Jan. 27: Wellness Day gives advice to those who attend
http://www.jdnews.com/news/wellness_54693___article.html/teacher_program.html

Jan. 30: Applewhite meets obligation
http://www.jdnews.com/news/applewhite_54733___article.html/wilson_others.html

Feb. 1: Honor comes as a surprise
http://www.jdnews.com/news/king_54771___article.html/community_corps.html

Feb. 3: Butcher? Baker? Candlestick Maker?
http://www.jdnews.com/news/career_54820___article.html/day_careers.html

Feb. 3: Pizza, party trays rule today
http://www.jdnews.com/news/data_54817___article.html/headline_specified.html

Feb. 5: Math classes over the phone (Front page)
http://www.jdnews.com/news/students_54853___article.html/project_high.html

Feb. 5: New Wal-Mart draws customers to neighbors
http://www.jdnews.com/news/wal_54858___article.html/mart_business.html

Feb. 6: TV pilot being filmed at Onslow Raceway
http://www.jdnews.com/news/adams_54868___article.html/car_going.html

Feb. 7: City permit required to sell pets along road
http://www.jdnews.com/news/animals_54881___article.html/permit_sell.html

Feb. 7: Pet adoptions still lagging
http://www.jdnews.com/news/animals_54882___article.html/animal_einsig.html

Feb. 7: After school program awarded $10,000 grant
http://www.jdnews.com/news/students_54885___article.html/davis_businesses.html

Feb. 8: Military growth key topic at State of Community event
http://www.jdnews.com/news/growth_54892___article.html/county_schools.html

Feb. 9: Business hosts events from pig pickings to weddings
http://www.jdnews.com/articles/panache_54936___article.html/clark_weddings.html

Feb. 10: Residents want rec center upgrades
http://www.jdnews.com/news/center_54960___article.html/recreation_area.html