6 posts tagged “journalism”
It's obvious. I got work to do.
My day has been a little off today. I didn't feel like venturing out. I've been a bit irritable. The contractors came by today to take some extra measurements, and all I wanted them to do was leave me alone in the process. My sister and her little women are in town, but I promised myself to meet up with them tomorrow. There is a family function tonight, but I didn't feel like going. I can easily blame my shut-in-ness on PMS, but really....I just hear Ron Isley crooning from afar in my head...
"I'm taking care of business, baby can't you see
I gotta make it for you, and I gotta make it for me
Sometimes it may seem girl I'm neglecting you
I'd love to spend more time
But I got so many things to do
Ooh, I got work to do, I got work baby
I got a job yeah I got work to do"
Feeling a bit rejected and almost dejected from a single email, I managed not to wallow in my pity. I kept thinking and seeing the situation in a positive light.
What happened?
Well, a few weeks ago a fellow journalism buddy help me revamp my resume and craft a cover/pitch letter to a major news publication. They were looking for a shopping columnist within their "Source" (wink - hint hint) department. The position seemed perfect as it was part-time and the subject is right up my alley. Yet, I believed I screwed up a bit in applying. In my hast, I applied for the position without running it by any one for a look over. I was confident enough to send my materials over as is. I showed my buddy what I sent after the fact and basically we came to the conclusion, it was pretty much a disaster for this particular go around. Things could have been spruced up, shorten and tightened a bit more.
We stayed up a bit late hammering out a new cover letter and revamping the resume. I resent my materials, beating the deadline, and awaited a response. I finally received one yesterday, to which the assignment editor wrote that I didn't have enough experience for the position.
*insert my deep inhale and tears ready to ball*
Of course I shared the news with my buddy and she suggested that I respond with a thank you and ask specifically what would have qualified me for the position. At first I was just going to let the issue go. However, my emotions (PMS) got the better of me. I sent the assignment editor a three liner, thanking her for the consideration, asking what would have qualified me and thanking her for any advice she could give me for future pitches.
A couple hours later a response. Without giving any further advice, she simply stated that the position calls for someone who has experience in writing about fashion and the arts.
Duh!
Shit!
I sold myself SHORT!!!!!!
I've done this before! Maybe not for five to ten years and granted it was for my college paper, but I basically spent almost two years writing on such subjects! I went to gallery/exhibit openings throughout the city. I've interviewed curators, artists and etc and reported back to campus.
In talking with my journalism buddy, she suggested that since the lines of communication are open that it's really up to me to not let it go stale. I've made the decision that I will be contacting the assignment editor in the next couple of days to pitch an idea to her for a freelance article. Perhaps that will be my chance to audition to show that I CAN do this!
What's interesting, as I was clearing more room for the renovations the other day I came across an old pitch letter I had written up. It was addressed to Fader Magazine. I had full intent to pitch a story concerning the house music scene here in DC. My angle for the story was straight - pun not intended. I had interviewed a couple of underground DJs and was on the path to interview more.... then a distraction hit. I believe it was during the time my mother had her mild stroke. I put everything to the side. Fader never got "the memo." Story.. nonexistent. Story...defunct.
I still may pick it up again, but I have to investigate to see if my angle will still work. If it is still fresh.
As for the idea I want to pitch to Ms. Assignment Editor...... I need to go WORK on that.
I Got Work To Do.
"It is not the man of great native talent who wins, but he who pushes his talent, however small, to its utmost capacity."
- From the book "Things Your Mother Always Told You But You Didn't Want to Hear" by Carolyn Coats
I'm utterly speechless right now. I almost feel like crying. I feel like I'm experiencing another epiphany.
For the past couple of days, in light of my conversation I had with my aunt , I've been mulling over pushing myself (even harder) out of my comfort zone. As I scoped out a few more frelance gigs on journalism job boards, I almost felt intimidated. A lot of the freelance gigs that are up for grabs are based in New York. I thought back to one of my old writing & reporting professors and the journalism logic he shared; a journalist my have to be a nomad from time to time. So I'm not a full fledge journalist and most of the freelance projects I'm doing are more so on the creative side now. However, a lot of the "cool" projects I see are outside of DC. I STILL have this mindset that I can find a freelance gig or two in DC (or at least in the area) - one that I LIKE! It would accommodate my lifestyle and be convenient.
I often complained how creativity is often underground, hidden in the cracks of this city. It may not be as prevalent as in New York, maybe Philly and perhaps San Francisco or Chicago, because politics is the mother load here. So yes, I've been trying to carve out my own niche. However, today I took a look at what some of the projects from New York are looking for. Guidelines seems simple enough, but there goes that pain-in-the-ass self doubt. Am I really an expert on fashion? The woman who just put some pink and white poka dot sheets on her bed?
(don't ask)
I even considered posting a profile on another journalism site under their freelance section. That other pain in the ass set in, intimidation. I began to feel really small when browsing the other profiles and taking note of how many years they have been at this.
I started reading emails and clearing out my inbox. I came across one of those weekly gossip thingys that Ms. C always sends me. To be fair, the one she sends is really the most truthful. She actually sent it a week ago, so I'm a bit late on the latest. I skimmed through not caring much about Star Jones and Al Rynolds' divorce, Eddie Murphy wanting the engagement ring back from Tracey Emmonds or even Whitney Houston and Brandy's brother, Ray J, dating again (yuck!). My eyes locked on a small paragraph about Jill Scott.
Jill Scott, along with actresses Angie Harmon and Gabrielle Union, go nude for Allure Magazine's annual "nude" issue. I did a quick search on the net and there is was, a pre posting of what to expect in the May issue of Allure Magazine.
I got a chance to read the inset attached to her picture. Jill talks about how nervous she was. She couldn't sleep the night before. She didn't think she would feel comfortable in doing this. Her comfort zone of being her naked size 16 self is usually in her home, when she is alone. Yet, she did this to join up with Allure's cause - to celebrate EVERY woman no matter her size. Basically Jill pushed passed her comfort zone. The end result; a liberation she never felt before.
(see photo shoot in video below)
I
I feel inspired. Being naked in front of strangers, let alone to have your "beauty" posted for publication is not the easiest thing to do - unless you just that damn confident about yourself. My writing and my professional experiences, creative or journalistic, are me; EXPOSED.
My self doubt and intimidation are going to have to take a back seat. I'm on a mission as I seek my liberation.
It's going on 2 am.
I have the munchies
I'm already showing signs of "morning breath"
My brain is churning
And I want to soak in a bubble bath to calm myself... yes at this bewitching hour.
I've been up all evening doing what I do best ... being a writer/editor
Errr forget that it hardly shows on some jack'd up blog entries I post unedited.
After doing my "mommy thing" I went into full editing mode.
Some for a small freelance gig.
The other part.....
Well....
The bulk of what I had to work on concerned me and any chance I have at scoring the jobs that I really want and (that I think) I am qualified for.
As much as I hate to admit it.. it was time for me to revamp my resume. I received much help from a close journalism buddy of mine - who, if I score this job of a lifetime I'll be singing her praise along with God's.
She stayed online with me as I reconstructed a cover letter from the bottom up, helping me to make sure it was short, tight and concise.
Then I showed her my resume....................
It was probably a news editor's worse nightmare...
It wasn't too bad from an outside journalistic point of view?
ok it was...I'm thankful for my friend for pointing things out from a journalism perspective.
What an editor looks for..what they don't care for...
I had a whole bunch listed that they wouldn't care for - yuck!
I will say it held up pretty good considering the interviews I've scored, including one that took place last Friday - which I'll discuss later if time permits. However as the story goes it usually isn't enough. I didn't have enough moxie to land it.
By the way.. I LOVE the word Moxie!
This time I want the landing. I want to make it stick!
It's late and she's gone to bed.
I'm about to hit up the fridge for a bowl of fresh strawberries.... after I brush my teeth.. and maybe jump in the shower to feel refreshed.
Thank Gawd I don't have a man waiting on me in bed right now.
I reak of the Snickerdoodle's breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Tomorrow morning (later today) a final sweep of the resume and then it's off to........
I'm keeping it a secret until I know for sure they WANT me.
Wow!
I forgot my Vox anniversary date!!! How could I? September 14, 2006 was the date I finally accepted Erin's invite to this hidden gem in cyber space.
*in my Charlie Baltimore the CIA Assasin whisper*
Back then Vox was very exclusive. Only people with secret codes and such could join.
*End whisper*
It was the date that I sat down and wrote my introduction onto a new space. Last night I went back and read a few of my entries from those latter days of 2006. I had to laugh, because in that time frame I was sick. I thought my issue was digestive. Little did I know that my illness was symptomatic of me being pregnant!
Ha!
I read more and I laughed more. How funny life can be.It's like that quote I once read by comedian Sinbad
"Life unedited is funny."
I'm not sure how you are suppose to celebrate your anniversary on an internet site. Usually when you've been a member of a site that long it can suggest that you are the old lady who lives with 40 cats and only see daylight when you go outside to hang laundry.
Okay I'm going overboard with that one... but you get the idea.
Maybe while I'm out and about today I'll throw a lil fanfare into the day in honor of my Vox anniversary. A slice of double trouble chocolate fudge cake with a lone candle in it and a mason jar half full of spiked kool-aid aka Arbor Midst.
Whatever I do... HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
On another note:
1. I still have to get some things together for this trip to Myrtle Beach! We leave Wednesday morning. I'm so not feeling the getting up @ 5 am.
2. Taylor is teething.... it hit her petty bad yesterday. Hope it doesn't get too bad for her while we are on the road.
3. I received yet another email from one of the editors at the Washington Post. It wasn't the good news I was looking for. They filled the editoral assistant position. Yet, I was still praised for my work and yadda yadda yadda. I'm still hopeful!
No Worries!
Okay.. off to do whatever is I do.... oh right..
The Mommy and Writer thing...
Even though my thoughts are pretty much everywhere this evening, I'll try to contain them to at least give the appearance that this blog will have some sense or logic... yanno.. rhymn or reason.
Item 1. - A Day in the life of a temp in Ghettoville, USA
Here I am, on the verge of comepleting week three at Ghettoville, USA (aka the housing authority) and the place and people have yet to cease to amaze me. This week has gone by rather quickly, given that we had Monday off thanks to the President's Day holiday. So far the week has been a smooth one outside of our normal complaints... the regular employees that stay for overtime messing up are work after we have things well organized. Then today..well first I must back track a bit and mention the untimely depature of the only male that was in our group of temps. Between the four of use that are left (we are all females), we joke that he probably had enough of working around a bunch of women, after that traumatizing Monday when we had to mix in with the regular employees in that sweat box of a room to get the files straight. We said he could handle the four of use, because we are all from the same agency and that we kept him laughing in stitches with our humor. That "Future Shock" of a Monday did all of us in, but I guess because the rest of use are women, we knew the situation that was presented to us and we could handle it a bit better. Our Chillean guy simply couldn't hang.
(where was I going with this? Oh today!)
Well, a new person was sent from our agency to replace our recent loss. However, the agency sent over another female. At first glance she seemed a bit reserved. Then I got the loudest wake up call ever this morning as her dominating personality came through. I was conversing with one of the others in our little group, when the new person, loud and proud, joined in and volunteered information about her life that we didn't ask about. So of course we didn't care. Instances like this kept going throughout the morning. However, the four of us remained cordial (as we could), even though there was something about her that caused us to keep our distance a little.
Later on, just in conversing with her and her regular volunteering information, we found out that she was someone that we already kind of knew about. Her reputation apparently proceeded her. One of the other temps put two and two together and realized that she was the chic that her previous assignment had picked up, but later got rid of, because of her ghetto ways. Apparently, our new girl was attempting to make good at this architect firm, but performed a few blunders. The story goes, within days she was asking the regular employees for money, tried to sell a coat and her blunt and loud mouth was too much for them to handle, especially as she inappropriately inquired about the sexuality of one of the employees.
I also learned, that she was the same chic the temp agency used to replace me at the commericial real estate firm that I was sent to, when things didn't work out too well in their Georgetown office. She only stayed for two weeks before she was sent over to Ghettoville. Needless to say what is rubbing me the wrong way about her is her approach and attitude about things, especially if she is suppose to be in her late 30's. It's that street, round the way girl approach. Every little situation that we discussed today, it was "I' would kick sombebody's ass this" or "the better not fuck with me" that. True, you gotta have that attitude once in a blue moon, especially in an extreme situation of someone trying to threaten you, but for every freaking situation????????
Okay, maybe I sound like a little Booo-shgeeee chic right now. But for real, the older I get the more I'm picking and choosing my battles. Just because I was raised in Southeast, DC doesn't mean I have to act like some ass kicking, SE chic 24/7. I would like to think the older you get, you wise up and see who is for real and who is fake so you won't have to waste any energy in trash talking and eventually getting down to "handling business." I would like to think that you are able to take the high road and keep stepping. However, with this new chic and her mentality... I'm totally urked. I was even more urked as I briefly talked about owning a home and so forth. Her approach was, owning a home was more of a waste than an investment. She couldn't see pass putting money into a house, especially in repairs as being worth the investment. All she saw was wasted money. After a few rebuttals from my end, I gave up. I was totally urked and I shut my mouth, before I got to the point of calling her something foul.
(Side note: I swear I'm going to pitch a story idea for the Fox Network to do a reality show called The Temps. I had this idea the last time I was a Temp and worked in a large setting with a room full of temps. This is deeper than some Big Brother or Survivor shit! As they say.. "THIS IS REAL LIFE!)
Item 2. - Oh great oracle of the horoscope gods!
So.. sometime today I took a breather and skimmed through today's Washington Post Express. Ah Ha! My horoscope.
Aquarius: You should be able to capture and hold on to the attention of that special someone despite your own insecurities.
YIKES!!!! After I read that, I could feel my heart thumping faster, then again that could have been caused by the baby laying on one of my organs again (sigh). Either way, I was pretty spooked. It was so on point that I slammed the paper hut. Wait, can you "slam" a flemsy newspaper? Anywho, who are these horoscope gods? Now I'm convince the universe IS "Big Brother" How else could those gods know that every now and then ... okay maybe frequently now... have thoughts about my stranger and wonder where is this friendship with him taking me. How else could they know that I'm scared to really discuss him, because I want to have it all figured out before I go to my friends with...
"oh yeah. .. this is so and so and I guess he is apart of my life now."
Okay... now I'm remembering some advice I gave to a friend a week or so ago...
So I say to myself.... "Just Be, Damnit!"
Item 3. - Hire Me! Even though I need to revisit National Government and Policital Science 101
So I finally had the interview with the Congressional Quarterly for one of their editing positions. Actually, when I was handed the detailed position decription, it seems a lot more active than just an editor...with attending some committee hearings/markups on the Hill, blogging and A LOT of researching. I would like to say things were going smoothly. It was a very interactive interview as I asked questions and the two fellas answered and asked me some in return. Then two things stumped me.
1. Even though I would like to believe one of the final questions was a way that God was trying to say "this might be the one for you even though you are pregnant" (By the way, baby was well covered the whole time. They never once suspected a thing) it still seemed a bit tricky to me. The question was "what is my availability."
I played it off as if I was involved in several freelance projects (even though I'm only doing the one volunteer gig.. with YA's campaign) and told them around April. Then I back tracked and told them ideally if I were offered the position and I accepted I would like to work it part time until around late April or early May when "projects" have died down. I asked if would be a problem and one of the guys told me he didn't think it would be, he would just have to discuss the situation over with his boss to get the final ok. I breathed a little sigh of relief and silently prayed for the best out of this situation.
Then came THE TEST. Well, it wasn't a real test per se' It was just a short little questionaire to see how well you know the Congressional system and if you are keeping up with current events. Well I'll be damn if I didn't go blank some of the easiest questions that I SHOULD know, especially since I was drilled about them in both high school in college.
Well one of the first questions I know is correct. Who is the Speaker of the House? Easy - Nancy Polosi. Now the others, I was blank on. For the one I "think" it is a dude that is the House Minority Leader, but I couldn't remember names. The Senate Minority and Majoirty leaders... ummm forget about it.
I laughed and wanted to kick myself in the head for now knowing immediately the terms that members of each chamber serves or how many votes are needed to override a Presidential Veto. That number was just discussed in the news not too long ago should there be one in regards to the whole mess in Iraq war.. the Democratic Congress vs. Bush! I laughed the whole time, because I felt like one of those air-heads that participate in Jay Leno's Jay Walking... yanno the segment of his show where he ask the average person simple.. basic questions... most of the time relating to current events in politics. I handed in my sheet with only two or three questions answered and joked with the guy in telling him not to even look at it. He laughed himself and told me not to worry about it... he had seen worse!
Woo Hoo!
I do have time to redeem myself. He is emailing a couple of writing materials that I must use my editorial skills on. Basically, a couple of exercises that includes a little bit of writing and organizing some topics as to which is more new newsworthy. I have to have that back to him by Monday.
Item. 5 - Down to the nitty gritty.
Yesterday, my doctor announced that it is time for my appointments to go weekly now. This means, it's getting close. I actually observed my belly in the nude the other night and noticed that it's out there. Well of course I think I am huge, but I'm amazed that I can still get away with certain clothes and go unnoticed. I'm starting to think about things such as, packing my over night bag and keeping it in the car, getting a "coming home" outfit for Toodles and still rearranging the furniture in my room to make room for baby furniture. I need to get on my room like YESTERDAY Again, I'm holding off on purchasing my new bed... I just want to make sure that Toodles is situated first.
After my appointment yesterday, I did walk over to the main hospital building to pick up an admission form. I love the idea that you can pre-register so the day that you go into labor, you don't have to go through the hassle with them. You can just show up to admissions, they check you off their pre registration list and send you right up to the maternity ward with a room awaiting for your arrival. Almost sounds like making hotel reservations.
Even though I can't wait for Toodles to be here, I'm still a little nervous and a bit scared. I think the anticipation of the pain is what is getting to me. Even though I've heard it all and witnessed it, me being a first time mother... I don't think anything can prepare me for what I'm going to experience. Yet, as my sister, aunt, friends that are mothers have told me... in the end... the pain is actually worth while.
So, I did receive a notice from the Smithsonian Institute the other day. It was nothing special, just the usual rhetoric about how they received my application to the Associate Editor position I applied for back in early December. Currently everything is under review and they will keep in contact with me...or so they say. Honestly, this is the job that I am praying for. I REALLY want it. Obviously it's with the publications department of the Smithsonian Institute. Being that I don't live far from where they are located, it would be an absolute joy for me to only have a five to ten minute commute to work, as I have been so spoiled previously by other jobs I've had to have that luxury.
*side note* This hour and thirty minute commute to Bethesda, Maryland every morning at the moment is killing me. *end note*
Though the position is within the government, it's not a (Federal) government position. The pay is right up my alley of what I'm asking for... of what I NEEEEEEED and the wonderful thing about this is, it's part-time. Meaning, if I were to get the job before March I can still be flexible to fit in doctor's appointments until the baby is due. Even after the baby is born, I can still work but the schedule can be flexible enough where I can spend time with my child.
*sayin 1,249,500,986 silent prayer right now*
----------Moment of Silence---------------
As I'm still continuing with the job search, I've been contemplative about two other opportunities that could be possible. Both are administrative jobs and I've been hesitant about applying. Even though part of my background is administrative and I can be anyone's executive assistant, staff assistant or administrative assistant with flying colors, over the past year or so my resume heavily speaks of writing and editing. To be honest, since I've had a deeper taste of the journalism realm, I would hate to have to settle for an administrative job. No offense to anyone that is making a living this way. I just know it's not me and I can easily be bored, restless and perhaps bitter -excuse me for a moment or two, I'm having flashbacks of when I worked in the Federal government.
One of the admin positions I seriously may go ahead and give it a whirl. It's an opportunity with Congressional DC Delegate EHN. In reading the position description it really doesn't sound on THAT bad. True, the bulk of the work is being her staff assistant doing the usual admin duties, but there are a few perks with the job, including accompanying her to different Congressional meetings and so forth. That could be a very good perk/advantage for me, especially if I want to return to this year's Congressional Black Caucus Convention. Last September I was so engulfed into the convention as I went around and did stories for their in-house publication. I loved every (grueling) minute of it. I even covered a session that EHN was a moderator of.
The other admin position is something that my contact at the temp/contracting agency found for me. She said it's a temp to perm position, but she thinks the company is looking for a direct hire. It's with a public relations firm of national and international claim. However, when I looked at the position description it is an Admin Assistant position within their finance department. So that means I would be looking at numbers all damn day. At first I was interested, especially since the salary is right and that it is a media company, but something within my gut is telling me not to jump on this so quick or maybe it's just my subconscious knowing what I really want is telling me to be a bit stubborn about this and not even apply.
Seriously, do I have the option to be real picky right now? I have a baby on the way, I'm a semester short of finishing my journalism degree and my money is looking real funny nowadays.
All I can do is pray about it.
In the meantime, I've been doing little things to keep me optimistic and to help me stay focused on my goal. I can't wallow in self pity. I want my baby to come out a happy child. Anywho, I've done the online browsing of house hunting. I see some good buys, in nice neighborhoods. Too bad I'm still out of the market at the moment, but I'm getting there.. I think. My new Crate and Barrel catalog came in the mail the other day as well. I still need a new bed and I think I saw something that can work with my budget. Originally, the bed I had (been) pick out from Crate and Barrel would have been about $500. That would have been for the full size, plus the delivery and perhaps set up. Not to mention I would have still had to get a box spring and mattress. (oye!) Last night I revisited that idea and decided to go with something a little more in my budget for now. I loathe the idea of buying a headboard and the bed frame separately, but last night I gave into the idea. I saw a nice headboard that C&B has for about $199 (why don't they round up and say $200?) and the bed frame is $59.95 (again round up) the total would be somewhere in the high $200's and then figure in delivery and set... should be about $300-something. Not bad.. well to me it isn't.
Bed on the left - the original frame I wanted.
Bed on the right - what I decided on last night
I was doing some figuring last night and figured (ha!) that I will be able to get the bed around the first of February. I will most likely go to Ikea or Walmart and get a crib, but that won't happen until around the first of March. I've also come to the conclusion that I need a makeover ... badly. As I have read and heard, pregnancy does some strange things to your body. My face is breaking out constantly. I hate it!!! I feel sluggish more often now. I hate this as well and I was wondering if my sense of smell would be heighten. It has! Now I'm at the point where I can't stand the smell of oil, gas, fumes from a copy machine, certain foods that are cooking and even certain perfume scents.
My wardrobe for the winter has NEVER looked like anything. It's funny, even though I was born in February in the midst of a forthcoming snow storm, I don't like the winter months. I seem to flourish better in spring and summer. My clothes reflect this. Open toe heels and mules, low cut tops, short sleeves, nice hippie skirts, hipster jeans and colors! So, here I am in dull colors and not so flattering slacks and dress top and get this.. I'm wearing flat shoes!!! (gasp!)
*in my horrible Wyclef singing voice*
SOMEONE PLEASE CALL 911! TELL THEM I AM PREGNANT AND I SLOWLY TURNING FRUMPY!
Okay.. I'm done.
