Goals for the new school year.

Here they are. I got to thinking about some of them today while I was at work. When you water for 8 hours straight….you think about a lot…and these were my thoughts of the day.

Goals for the 08-09 school year

1. Join RTNDA
2. Meet new people
3. explore more of athens
4. go to strouds
5. have fun at the apt.
6. take advantage of being 21 (checkin out the bars)
7. become more independent (and accept being alone as something that is ok)
8. do more journalism work
9. produce and move into TV at WOUB

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler.

-HD Thoreau

Internship Update

The days of working local TV news are exciting.  For me.  At lease for now.

I am enjoying my internship.  It is filled with excitement and all sorts of new opportunities and learning experiences.  I know I am going to miss it when I go back to school.  I took my internship early — before I had ANY Tv classes at the college level.  So…going into it knowing only radio has opened my eyes to all sorts of lovely things.  I will sadly miss a commercial broadcast when I have to do classroom stuff and realize that we have no live trucks, no satellites, no mobile newsrooms or bureaus.  It will be such a bummer to have “in studio” shots as the only option.  Oh well.  Someday I will work in the commercial business.

But, on a daily basis I learn something new.  Have a new experience, get to do something different, etc.  Just today, I learned how to do VOD stuff and dub it to tape.  I also learned how to roll on a live satellite feed.   Its nice to know.  I have, now, and understanding of the newsroom, gathering, and the whole process.  I know how it works, what has to be done, and I am learning HOW to do it.  I am helping as much as I can around the newsroom…and I am loving it.  I love it when there is breaking news and lots of things have to happen all at once.  Its exciting, adrenaline rush, etc.  I love it…

I am writing as many stories as I can.  VOs, VOSOTs, Packages, etc.  Its fun to get something raw, turn it around to a script, look up video, cue it, package it, edit it, and program all of the CGs and presenter instructions.  I really like it…and when I do it COMPLETELY on my own…its even more satisfying.

So when I go home at night and see my work on the TV…it is awesome.  I am also learning all of the behind the scenes stuff and am able to pick it out and realize it on air.  its fun.

In other news…we start our new graphics package tomorrow…changing the look and feel and moving our bug to the right instead of old left.  fun and neat.  We also took a power hit at the station this AM which made some of the computers and servers, etc go wacky.  And out IT guy is out on vaca…that was fun.   We also lost CC for about all of the 90 minutes.  FCC will love us for that…(so will the deaf).

In other news.  I took a shopping spree today after work and now have no money.  But it felt good.  I bought 3 pairs of shorts and 2 polos. NICE.  I wanted a hat from hollister that I saw online…but they didn’t have it in the store…and i was pissed.  I REALLY WANTED IT.  ugh.

thats all.  Time for white strips and Kathy Griffin.

Good day.

For a change, today was good. I was legitimately happy, which has been rare over the past month. And more updates about my humdrum life.

Spring time is

Porch party time.  I love spring time on a college campus.  The warm weather spawns socializing.  I love it.  so many fun nights.  Its great!

And…I am enjoying my time here before we all split and go our separate ways over summer.  Spending the little time we have left together is important.  And…we are all having a good time.

I just love being out and about and seeing people and just stopping for a conversation or going along with them on a spontaneous trip.  its fun…and never happens in the winter!

I think thats all for now.

Spring Break

is basically over for me today.  Tomorrow (Saturday) I will be packing, cleaning, and doing lots of laundry – in an effort to put off laundry at school for the longest amount of time possible.

Overall, break was good, but too fast.  I really could use two weeks.  Alas, it is back to school for the final 12 weeks before summer!

I can’t wait for this summer actually, I am really excited about my internship and my job.  I will be working AGAIN at Andy’s, the garden center.  This will start my 5th year there.  My boss called me yesterday and pleaded that I come back.  There have been some major changes there in the last few years and things are way different.  But, I love my job, what I do, and where I work, and I am happy to go back.  Plus, it will allow me to work and have some sort of income during the summer.  They are also very good at working with my hours and schedule…so that is nice.

Back to the break recap.  Over the first weekend I just spent a lot of time visiting family with Easter and all.  However, I did manage to get some shopping in, and it was enjoyable.  The week started with me meeting my mom for lunch and catching up on errands.  Tuesday I went to visit/interview at the station I will be interning at during this summer.  SEE PREVIOUS ENTRY.   Then, I got a hair cut!

Wednesday I vegged…and took advantage of the definition of BREAK.  I also got bored.  Thursday was a marathon day for me.  Got up WAY early, drove to Cinci and went to IKEA.  It was ok.  Honestly, I am not the biggest fan, but they did have some awesome lighting.  Then mom and I went to lunch at P.F. Chang’s.  I bit into a piece of metal in my kung pow scallops – so I got a free lunch!!!  Mom and I finished the day shopping at a few other places in the DYT area.  Then, in the evening, I went to my dad’s to visit them before I went back to school.  It was nice.

Today I relaxed mostly.  Slept in, took a nap, ya know…just prepared myself for the school to come.  Tonight we are going out to Outback for a nice, fancy dinner before I go back.  Tomorrow i have plans to clean and do laundry, and then it is back to school on Sunday.

And….That’s my break in a nutshell.  W00t!

Update on my life…

So I haven’t written in a while because I have been uber busy, tired, and consumed with a family emergence.

Some of you may know (maybe I mentioned it in a past update) that I went home last weekend.  It was kind of a spontaneous thing…

Well, Friday afternoon, my step dad had a heart attack and had to go to the ER.  I spent the afternoon there and once he was stable, I went on to visit my dad and sibs.

Saturday morning I went to my sis’s gymnastics meet, went to the mall and shopped!  I got a few new shirts and sweater!  yes!

Well…saturday afternoon and evening was spent in the hospital again and then i left for school early Sunday.  My grandparents brought me back.  IT was the first time they have been to campus…it was nice.

BUT, Monday morning I got a call from mom and she said they were airlifting my step dad to another hospital to do emergency triple bypass surgery because he started to have another heart attack and had some pretty bad blockage.

That shook me up and I have been dealing with that recently.  But, the good news is, the surgery went well…and he is recovering nicely.  So far they don’t think there was any damage…which is good.

But, I am stranded here at school 3 hours from home and not really able to support or visit with my family…and that is difficult.  But, things are improving, and I hope the worst is behind us.

Thats all for now…happy early valentine’s day!

College Town

I am back to school, well college actually.  I am a big boy now…lol.  I arrived yesterday at noon, unloaded, dad and I went uptown to grab lunch and books, and then we came back here for a bit.  We talked, unpacked a little, and then he left and returned home.  I unpacked alllllll afternoon.  But, I got everything put away and organized.  I also cleaned from 7 weeks worth of empty room dirt.  But I got it all done, and all is good.

Then I met up with some friends and reunited after a very long break.  It was terrific.   We exchanged Christmas gifts and then went to dinner.  We later went to a friends apartment and chatted and played games.  We returned to campus about midnight.  It was so awesome to be out that late the night before classes start.  Campus was dead and all…but we were out and it was fun.  I don’t have class till 11am, so it works out fine…and I love it.

I am finally living the college lifestyle:  Earliest class is 11, and I don’t have friday classes.  woot!

But, I am off to meet some people before we walk to class, and then I have a full, busy day of class.  This week should be good, fun, and fast.  I have friends in classes, and I like it.  I am excited and doing MUCH better now that I am back on campus.

ta ta

D

Hello, Goodbye

As soon as break started, it is over.  7 weeks flew by.  I had a great time.  I honestly did.  Work, money, family, a wee bit of fun, and some R&R time.  I got to clear my mind and literally take a break for a while.  I needed it.  I also spent some quality time with my mother.  We had a great time together over break and I really enjoyed it.  Lots of fun little trips.  Plus, the holidays, presents, Christmas time, etc.  It was good.

I am done packing now, minus the last minute things in the morning.  I am planning on heading out VERY early to be at school by lunch time.  Unpacking and re-adjusting all afternoon, and then hopefully re-uniting with friends in the evening.  I am still experiencing mixed emotions, but I think I will get over it shortly…or at least I hope.  I am excited for college atmosphere again, friends, social activities, classes with friends and meals together.  But, I am dreading being a lone, bored, depressed, and stranded during WINTER.  bleh.

In other news, my phone decided to power off randomly repeatedly today.  So, basically it isn’t functioning.  SO, I spoke to foreign ppl all afternooon and so did my step dad.  We also stopped by a store to try and resolve it.  no luck.  So, in 5 business days, I will hopefully be recieving a funcitoning, new phone in the mail.  w00t.   Until then, I am hoping it will work.

wish me luck in all of these endeavors.  Hopefully the move goes well and it is a good quarter.  It will be hard to control my emotions as I leave home and say goodbye to mom tomorrow morning, but I will have to be a man and deal with it.  I have become such a fuddy duddy, baby, and a homebody of late.  I hate it.   I need change…and perhaps some help.

Until I get settled at college and find the time to blog again,

D

I’m not ignoring you…

I have just been really busy with stuff aka getting ready to move back to College.  I had a rather lengthy phone conversation with one of my very best friends from school after I posted my “emotion” blog.  We discussed many things, including our reservations to return to school.  Winter quarter for me last year was a drag, and I am just dreading it this year.  I think I have that seasonal depression disorder thing, because every winter I get sad when all of the plants die and the sun goes away for ever.  But, My phone call helped me out a lot.  It is always great to talk to a friend, especially a good, close one who has lots of advice.  So, thanks…I appreciated it.  It also made me feel a bit better to return to school.  We already set up our Christmas gift exchange of which I am happy about, and there is a Dance or Die next Thursday, which I can barely wait for.

This coming week will be so busy, I don’t know what I am going to do.  I have so many welcome back meetings and such…it is overwhelming.  Classes shouldn’t be too bad, especially on syllabus day (monday).  I decided I am going to move in on Sunday because I don’t need the extra day…and I want to avoid being alone in the empty dorm.  I can move back, unpack, run errands, clean, etc before I go to bed, so I will be fine.  Plus, I will have plenty of opportunities to get stuff done off and on this coming week.  My father is taking me back, which will hopefully help things a little bit.  I will be over saying goodbye to my mom by the time the 3 hour drive is over (i hope).

So, as I had mentioned I have been busy with packing and errands.  I got my hair cut, met my mom for lunch, visited my grandma, went over to my dad’s for dinner last night, etc etc.  Today is a day of heavy duty packing.  I will have most of it done today.  I need to get in gear however.  It is already 11am and I haven’t showered, so I need to step on it.

So, as I close break, leave home, and return to school, keep me in your thoughts and wish me the best.  I will be fine once I get back there and adjusted…I just hate the transition.  Also, don’t expect an update for a few days at least.  I will be uber busy…and time will be hard to come by when I get back to college.  I will post when I can.

D

Emotion

So I wasn’t going to update today.  Primarily because I was not in the mood to do it and I was lazy.  I had a good day overall**.  I went bowling with the parents this afternoon.  Mom fixed a wonderful home cooked meal for New Years.  It was delicious and fab.  Additionally, we again had family game night and it was enjoyable.  I helped mom do some stuff today, and I got a few small things done as well.

**However, as the day progressed, I progressively felt more and more sad, lonely, depressed, anxious.  This is because the fact that I only have 4 more days at home hit me.  I will be going back to school on Saturday or Sunday.  I haven’t decided yet…and I am not sure when I will.  I am in no mood to think about it now.  If I move back on Sun, I have more time to get ready, pack, and more time to spend at home.  I think I will be able to unpack in one day and prepare for classes.  However, if I move back on Saturday, I may spend the evening alone, quiet, depressed, etc in the empty dorms on a barren campus.  I don’t want to make the somber occasion of leaving home and more difficult.

Going to school this fall was so exciting.  I was ready for it.  I was excited for it.  I WANTED to go back.  I have none of those feelings for this winter quarter.  In fact, I have quite the opposite feelings.  I am sad, depressed, dreading it, and already homesick before I even leave.  It has something to do with some bad experiences last quarter, the VERY long break and time at home, and also the depressing nature of Winter itself.  I have a single dorm room, of which I mostly enjoy.  However, it gets extremely lonely and depressing sometimes.  The white walls are so close, it is so dull and boring.  It makes me crazy and depressed sometimes.  I like the freedom of my own room, but I miss living with another being.  It was exciting to have visitors last year…and to be social.  I miss that.  Moreover, I don’t have any friends in my dorm complex…and I resent that greatly…as I am sure it would help.  So, I just want to make sure that when I go back, I have people to hang out with.  I don’t want to be stuck in another night with no plans when all of my friends do their own thing.  I hate that.  I don’t want any conflicts.  No drama, etc.  I want to maintain the current friendships I have as well as meet new people and make new friends.  I want to add to my group.  I feel as though I don’t have enough friends, I am insecure about it, and that is one big thing.

I have become a fuddy duddy again over break, adjusted to my home life, and my life before college.  Break was extremely good to me, home, mom, family, etc was so good, I don’t want to leave it all again.  I am not the adventurous type…at all.  I like to stick to my ways and what I am comfy/happy with.   Returning to school and the unknown freaks me out.  I am a weak person, with low self worth, and I just can’t cope sometimes.

I need help. support.  friends. and love.  I have goals for this quarter.  and I want to get through it without completely crumbling.

I just need to suck it up, face my fear, return to school, and cope.  Hopefully things will work out and be ok.  I know it most likely will be.  But I doubt myself too much.  UGH.  I need to stop.

Basically thats it for now.  I had planed to go to bed much earlier tonight in order to clear my mind, get up early when things are fresh and not 12 pm.  I need to think, ponder, talk to a friend or two…and move on.

Much to do in the next few days.  I have to pack, shop, run errands, laundry, etc.  All of which I dream much.  Wish me luck.

Hopefully some good energy flows my way and I improve soon.  I’ll keep you posted and try to blog again shortly.