Off The [News] Record

Finals Week Open Mic Night - Roxx Cybercafe

2011-06-08T14:20:00.004-04:00

Joseph Sikorski preforms music from the Scottish Isles at Roxx Cybercafe's open mic night Tuesday, June 7th 2011. (Coulter Loeb/The News Record)

1st year Nick Brown preforms at open mic night at Roxx Cybercafe Tuesday, June 7th 2011. (Coulter Loeb/The News Record)

Andrew Gould, 4th year asian studies major, creates 8-bit music on his Nintendo Gameboy at open mic night at Roxx Cybercafe on June 7th, 2011. (Coulter Loeb/The News Record)

Desiree Miller dances with Andrew Gould, 4th year asian studies major, as he creates 8-bit music on his Nintendo Gameboy at open mic night at Roxx Cybercafe on June 7th, 2011. (Coulter Loeb/The News Record)

Ellie Klug, 1st year at University of Dayton, preforms a spoken word piece at Roxx Cybercafe Tuesday, June 7th 2011. (Coulter Loeb/The News Record)

2nd year Michelle Brandsetter preforms "Slow Dance to 8-Bit" at open mic night at Roxx Cybercafe Tuesday, June 7th 2011. (Coulter Loeb/The News Record)

Desiree Miller (shown) and Nick Naegele, both students at CCM, preform a piece composed by music composition student Carrie Magin at open mic night in Roxx Cybercafe Tuesday, June 7th 2011. (Coulter Loeb/The News Record)

So, what now?

2011-05-02T09:25:00.003-04:00

In case you don't have access to any kind of news sources all over the world (in which case reading this would be basically impossible), you may not have heard that Osama bin Laden was killed yesterday.

Also, you may not know this, but, in about 25 minutes, I will have been awake for 24 hours. I apologize if there are any glaring grammatical errors, but Starbucks' Pike can only last me for so long.

The title of this post isn't so much as a question posed to the White House, the Pentagon or any other iconic building in Washington, D.C.

What I want to know is this: What's next? Now that President Obama has officially confirmed the death of the most wanted man on the face of the planet (one whose head was worth $25 million at that), where do we go from here?

Will Al Qaida be disbanded? Will their activities increase? Will straight secular violence completely overtake the idea of a religious war? Will Osama bin Laden become a martyr? What of 9/11? Is it somehow redeemed?

I'm curious to know what others think because, currently, I honestly cannot sum up the consciousness to form any sort of hypothesis without the aid of caffeine.

-Gin

News vs. Sensationalism

2011-05-01T22:13:00.002-04:00

The problems the average college student faces are usually put off until after graduation. School loans pile up, exams to study for and relationships that come and go.

While a student newspaper staff is faced with real deadlines, we undergo the same things as a regular student.

Today, we learned of a death. An as-of-yet unidentified man is believed to have fallen off the WLWT transmitter tower on Chickasaw Street. And let me say this now, none of us were scrambling to get to the scene to just see it to see it.

It's a disturbing story. But all the things printed in tomorrow's paper are factual. And we could have printed a lot more, too. But that's where discretionary measures come into play. We actually had someone attempt to sell us video of what the police and firefighters were faced with. For money. Someone was willing to sell footage of law enforcement and other members of the city attempting to piece together of what was once a person. Someone with a life, friends, family and maybe even a pet. Someone who had cares, who perhaps loved, who may have studied for exams and saw those relationships come and go just as we have.

Let me assure you now, it is unsettling. It's disturbing. We went because we are obligated to.

There was a life lost today in what is, under general consensus here at The News Record, a truly shocking and horrifying manner. And it wasn't easy to report. Even as I was editing the story, I was struck by the sheer ghastliness of this entire situation.

We care. We do. But we cannot simply overlook details. Nor do we include details that are simply there for shock value. Frankly, it was disturbing to even imagine the job those who had to report to the scene faced this morning.

So believe me, we do have humanity. We are people who are affected by emotions.

-Gin

Pressin' the Press

2011-03-01T18:29:00.002-05:00

I was in Columbus last week.

Approximately 10,000 people were there, apparently. Lots of people were there. I was on the bus up there with a bunch of union workers and it was a hell of a ride.

I will say this: There are some fiery people trying to stop SB5.

Although I refuse to take sides when it comes to the issue of unions' rights, the turnout was something else. The Capitol was packed. While it wasn't the 70,000 people that were in Madison, it was loud. No violence. It was loud, but there was no violence.

It took about 45 minutes to make my way through the crowd of people and get into the building. Into the building..! A huge knot of people were at the top of the steps that led into the lobby and Ohio State Troopers were guarding every hallway and door in sight. Well, not one per door or per hallway, but there were eyes everywhere. Even when walking into the bathroom people watched. That's not to say it was something like a police state or martial law or what have you, but, man, they kept it tight.

Today, protests in Columbus were scheduled once again. And I can only wonder how this entire situation is going to play out.

-Gin

The Campus is The World

2011-01-26T01:06:00.002-05:00

After being recently able to get enough pages to print our Nation & World page — which is something I absolutely adore — I've been struck with how truly limited my world view is.

Big news on campus that could potentially affect every person here would mean nothing to a refugee. The refugee probably doesn't even know where Cincinnati is. But we know of the refugees. We sympathize with them and hope for the best for them. Their biggest problem isn't so much waking up and passing a class and graduating. It's not being killed.

I find it strange, really. To think that, right now, there are countries that are struggling in an attempt to reconcile government with society and living in strife and a state of instability many of us can't even imagine.

So, if you have time, read the Nation & World page. And learn! LEARN!

-Gin

Oh The Joys of Work

2011-01-09T22:20:00.002-05:00

So, there's something funny going on here. A lot of people are moving on — I don't really know what's up with that. People getting married, getting jobs and, well, people doing other things.

That being said, it's strange to think that our lives aren't really just subjects of stories and what not. When news broke that Congresswoman Giffords was shot, news spread fast. News, man!

But while I was glued to my phone refreshing my New York Times app trying to find every new detail as they occurred, I didn't think about something. Giffords isn't a politician who was shot. Well, I mean, she is, but she's also a person. Who was shot point blank in the head with a pistol. Which is messed up.

I don't want to sound twisted or jaded or hardened or inhuman, but, for some strange reason, something in my head told me that, as a politician, Giffords' shooting was, well, acceptable, if that makes sense. Not acceptable, but expected? Not her specifically, but with all the turmoil in the world, such as the assassination of Salman Taseer by a member of his security outfit and the seemingly counter intuitive reception he got ... things are strange.

But it's nice to be able to step out of the role of someone so desirous of news. Going from one end of the spectrum saying "That's a hell of a story" to "That's the most tragic thing I've heard in a long time."

In a way, removing yourself from the personal aspects of something allows you to analyze things from an objective point of view but also allows you to step into a personal perspective — fully. Perhaps more so than people who skim newspapers for headlines and cutlines.

It's an interesting world we live in, I tell you. Hopefully no comet will come and destroy us all in a year so I can at least delve into some of all the crazy events happening around.

-Gin

Oh, the horror...

2010-12-05T16:27:00.002-05:00

I completely turned off my news radar this past weekend.

With a barrage of final papers due, a portfolio of my work to slap together and some other nuances of life, I decided to not give a damn about the world or what was happening in it for two days.

Then imagine my dismay upon entering the office today — for the last issue of Anno Domini 2010 — and learning that our beloved university mascot, the Bearcat, had been detained by UC's finest for heinous misdeeds during Saturday's football contest with Pittsburgh.

Oh, the horror...as Col. Kurtz would say.

We aren't heartless curmudgeons here at TNR. Under our layers of cynicism, there is some semblance of emotion. We do find some stories heartbreaking to report.

We didn't revel in ecstasy when a professor was charged with stalking...or when someone turned Raymond Walters into a shooting gallery...or when a student tossed a desk at Cincinnati cops this past spring.

We didn't laugh when TNR had to run multiple articles about the deaths of three DAAP students earlier this quarter.

Bad news does keep us employed, no doubting that. In our business, sadly, even bad news is good news. Yet it doesn't mean we enjoy the misery of others or even hope for it.

We have hearts here.

So, in an expression of those hearts, we here at TNR wish you all tidings of good cheer, good luck on your exams and a safe holiday.

As much as we love to write, we aren't dreaming of topping off our holidays by having to write up a story of tragedy.

To quote a former Cincinnati news anchor, "Take care of yourselves...and each other."

Remember that as you all have a great holiday season. We want to see you — not write about you — in January.

-James

Deadlines Roasting on an Open Fire

2010-11-28T13:21:00.002-05:00

Happy holidays!

Now, back to business. While we're all subject to the cold weather and yule tide cheer that will inevitably swallow campus in a sea of red and green soon, we're hard at work.

Despite how you might have seen me sleeping on an office chair, head down on the table or a desk or on the love seat in the offices, we actually, indeed, do work at The News Record. A lot of it happens at around 6 p.m., though, so you might already be back in your cozy dorm/apartment/house/car/bar while we're starting to really get into it.

I will say this, though, we are going to have one heck of a tabloid for the winter break. I can already imagine all sorts of beautiful things. I'm going to push it to turn out something magazine-like since, well, it's basically going to be out there for a month.

Good luck on your exams. (And, for the love of everything jolly, wish me good luck on mine.)

Only a few more weeks until we're free to be trapped in our house by the blizzards to come. Lovely!

-Gin

News hangover

2010-11-07T15:41:00.003-05:00

Well, the elections are now over and I have a hangover — news hangover, that is.

There is only so much relevant news that can be placed into a college newspaper. The elections gave us a wealth of that news. We were able to effectively inform students about local candidates while allowing them to personally see those candidates through our stories.

But now that it's over, we are back to the drawing board.

I had essentially set up, back in the summer, my coverage plan for news in the months leading to election day. It worked out pretty much according to plan, too.

Now, however, is when the rubber meets the road. It's where we earn our stripes as journalists.

We have to now dig for stories — they won't be gift-wrapped like the myriad of candidates we covered previously.

We'll have the occasional student or professor drop a tip in our lap, but that is rare. Most on campus view us with as much favor as cops do internal affairs.

It can be a disconcerting effort at times, but it is the nature of the beast.

Here's to hoping the beast doesn't eat us alive over the winter.

-James

Surviving the Horrors of War

2010-11-05T12:39:00.002-04:00

I woke up to an e-mail today. It was from a man in Indiana — from the CANDLES Holocaust Museum — thanking me for running a story about a Holocaust survivor. Not just a Holocaust survivor, a survivor of Auschwitz. Which is, honestly, far more terrifying than most places on earth.

It was a left rail story. We didn't get a lot of space for coverage. And it was just a few hundred words. It, by any real means, wasn't a particularly in-depth story or one that probably got the top hits on the website, but it's a story that needs to be told.

I honestly believe that I will never be able to tell a story regarding personal experiences that is more horrifying, harrowing or inhumane than surviving Auschwitz.

No way.

It's humbling to think people survived that. Didn't give up. Survived and told people about it.

I feel like, for stories like that, we're merely conduits for their stories and — frankly, it's a lovely feeling.

-Gin

Election Night Blues

2010-11-03T22:27:00.003-04:00

Election nights are fun. Well, kind of. They show you what it's like to be in the big time — the people we cover are being mentioned on MSNBC and FOX and all — and how to hustle. We got a one hour, 15 minute deadline extension.

What does that mean? It means I didn't get to sleep until 3 a.m. last night. It means that I was following election results to self-analyze the results to see how the House of Representatives in both Ohio and the country would look Wednesday.

The short answer? Red.

I consider myself apolitical. It's not like I don't care about the country, Washington, D.C. or my rights as an American, but, well, honestly, I firmly believe that there is nothing more partisan than voting for a candidate. You're helping them get into office, if they win. And, last night, it really proved my point.

Photo editor Eamon Queeney and I drove up to Blue Ash to attend Democratic Ohio Congresswoman Connie Pillich's watch party. With 100 percent of precincts voting, it was a tie. In percentages. The difference was five votes in Pillach's favor (despite a phone call she received that said otherwise).

What does that mean? It could mean that five journalists — or student journalists — cast their votes for Ms. Pillich and helped her defeat Republican candidate Mike Wilson. And no matter how you see it, or perhaps it's just the way I do, there is nothing more partisan than that.

Other than that, it was a pretty standard election night. No real relevant issues to the bulk of University of Cincinnati students and the people we covered, we've written about in the weeks leading up to Nov. 2.

But there is something funny about the way watch parties go. It's like a sports game. People cheering when they saw a Democrat win and seething when they heard Kasich was ahead in the results. Well, it's understandable since politics is something that can affect all of us at some minute or grand level.

It's quite a spectacle. If you've never been to a party like that, I would recommend it to see the way people react and the way people behave. Attempting to stay objective commands a mastery of speech and the way you carry yourself. It's not as though I had voted for Wilson and was behind enemy lines or anything of the sort, but it's still a moral tightrope. Stay calm and stoic in the face of celebration. Stay calm and stoic in an environment dissatisfaction. Just stay calm and stoic.

-Gin

Taking the reins

2010-06-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

Well hello, there!

The weekend edition of TNR marked my first as EIC.

Exciting.

But no sooner did I get the title than do I have to pack up and get ready to go to Reno. It's kind of... odd, I guess. I'm not sure how I feel. Ambivalent, perhaps is the best word.

I'd love to stay in Cincinnati and help out with the running of the paper throughout the summer, but, alas, the road calls. The ole dusty road, which must be hit.

I'm so pumped to see how things turn out next year. I still can't get over it. I like the thought of being EIC, but I don't really like the thought of being at TNR without our lovable dictator TD.

Drew Smith asked me, "So are you the new Taylor Dungjen?"

Hot damn those are some big shoes to fill. I'm not the new editor-in-chief. I'm the new Taylor Dungjen.

I just hope I can make an impact like that when I get the frick out of UC.

WELP! Time to hit the ole dusty road and "study for exams."

-Gin

Dear Taylor ... That's me!

2010-06-01T22:21:00.001-04:00

We at The News Record made a discovery today.

Remember adorable Amanda Bynes on "All That"? She had a skit called "Dear Ashley," where she would innocently read letters from viewers and then comment on them.

Taylor Dungjen = Ashley.

Don't believe me? Check out this video and see if you can pick out any similarities:

- Ariel

The world stops for no journalist

2010-05-27T23:56:00.003-04:00

This has been an unbearably strenuous week.

Sometimes, I forget that the world continues on when I'm in the newsroom. It can be a blessing and a rather unfortunate mental block, too, honestly.

I can't... well I'll leave the personal stuff out of this, but it's strange. When you work at a newspaper, you hear about all sorts of tragedy going on in the community. We're human, though, so it's not as if it's all just a chance for a breaking story, although sometimes it is.

There's something absolutely beautiful about how fleeting our lives are, though. For some reason, I get comfort to know that, if I were to be severely disabled or die, that writing for The News Record has helped some people. Changed their lives, even. Brought some light to some obscured issue at hand that required sitting on at my desk and highlighting numbers and facts and quotes until 3 a.m.

It is a job for us. But, I mean, we're not writing fiction here. Although sometimes I do like to dabble in something a little less cut and dry, the news desk is where I belong. It's a place that I think I'll remain for the rest of my life.

I have no doubt that most of the current staff will catch on somewhere in the journalistic world if they choose to. They're that talented. Our "job" is to change lives, it's just unfortunate that ours can be put second when it happens.

I love journalism more than anything. I don't think I could have chosen a more befitting major for my personality, but, sometimes, after going to Kentucky at 1 a.m. to get some brews and sitting in a screened porch with some friends and bouncing ideas off of each other regarding the future of journalism, life really knocks the wind out of you.

Good luck, everyone! I'm sure I'll see you in the funny pages even after I graduate and end up making $90,000 at the New York Times and blowing it all on Lucky Strikes and Scotch.

-Gin

It's the final countdown!

2010-05-27T13:30:00.001-04:00

It's so hard to believe there are only two issues left of The News Record for the year.

The end of the year has totally caught me by surprise. It's probably because I had the week in Texas ... but I cannot believe we only have one more week of class. Or that there are only two issues of TNR.

This year has been fast paced, hardcore, fabulous and fascinating. I've gone from a bearkitten college living/spotlight editor with no idea what I was doing to being an incoming junior, continuing my role as managing editor and starting an internship at Dayton Daily News.

I feel like I've really grown this year, both as a writer and as a person (ugh. how cliche). I've becoming so comfortable at TNR, it's like a second home to me. The people there, as Kareem used to say, are really like a second family. Sure, we all have our ups and downs, our squabbles and our bonding ... but that's how all families are. These people have come to mean so much to me ... I can't believe some of them will soon be gone.

TNR without Taylor Dungjen ... can you even imagine it? She's been a role model, a boss, a mentor and a great friend. She's taught me (and so many other) hundreds of things about journalism, and her strength and passion as the editor-in-chief will never be forgotten.

Some have already moved on -- Kareem, Amanda, Jamie Royce. Some are graduating this year -- Justin, Peter, Taylor. And we are growing, as a family and as a paper. Gin and I have so many plans for the next year ... I can't wait to get started. We're bringing in some new people, changing things up. It's going to be so exciting, and I can't wait to see what the year has in store ... especially when I look back and see how much things changed in the past year.

I've done some amazing things -- interviewing the Naked Cowboy, having the chance to talk to Christy Altomare, who plays Wendla in "Spring Awakening. Going to Texas for a week to a little city filled with books. I've sat on the basketball court and tried shooting it. I've learned more about this university than I thought possible. I'm so glad for the leaps and bounds I've made as a journalist, and for the realization that I've barely made a dent in the ocean of things I have yet to learn. But I've loved every moment of it.

So farewell to the TNR class of 2010. We will miss you more than words can describe. And to everyone who's sticking around for next year: Let's get ready to rummbbbllleeeee!

- Ariel

Personal gains ahoy

2010-05-16T20:33:00.002-04:00

So, in conjunction with my previous post about the politicians using journalists for personal gains, there's not a lot to add.

While I do love writing about jazz, I feel like people can misconstrue my intention. I want to hear jazz. I want to see it thrive and flourish. It's my duty!

But, when I just get e-mails talking about "HEY MAN I READ YOUR COLUMN COME TO THE SHOW AND PUT IT INTO YOUR COLUMN HAR HAR HAR" it's... off. I want to help them out. Dear God, I want to help them out since it's hard enough to find some sweet jazz shows around, but, still.

Conflict of interest? I don't want to become known as a guy you can come to for free advertising. I'll go to the show and I'll review it, maybe, but that's about the extent that I want to do it.

Young jazz artists are rare. It's a beautiful rarity, too, because of how dear I hold jazz to my heart. But, I just can't bring myself to plug them for free.

-Gin

Perks of the job

2010-05-07T17:21:00.002-04:00

So, I've kind of been hit in the face with a giant hand called reality.

Next year, I'm going to be editor-in-chief of The News Record. It's going to be hard. I think really hard, actually. But that's what it's all about.

I can't wait to get started. It's going to be fun, too. I hope all our editors and staffers will be able to get along. If not, well, I guess that's not really my problem if a quality paper gets out.

No more budgeting?^ I guess I have to worry about everyone else's but I trust that they'll do a good job.

Phew.

This summer needs to go by fast so I can come back with all my new-fangled ideas and keep the tradition of TNR alive.

We might not be the biggest staff, but we turn out some fantastic content.

We're also, definitely, the most badass in our SPJ region. WITHOUT A DOUBT, SON.

-Gin

Mine.

2010-05-06T12:30:00.001-04:00

When it comes to The News Record's website, newsrecord.org, I can get a tad possessive.

OK, that's a lie. I twitch with annoyance when someone adds a teaser. I cringe when editors don't have the proper paragraph spacing in their stories. I feel my eyes tear up when something is changed or added without my knowledge/approval. I am intensely, out-of-my-mind possessive of the website.

But, honestly, I think I kind of have a right to be. Former managing editor Kareem Elgazzar taught me (and only me) how everything is supposed to run on the site: how the top headlines should line up perfectly, how the headlines needs to be a certain length to look right. I know how to make the site look good because he showed me how.

So if someone changes things and they don't look the way I want it to, I have a problem.

Sure, now we've got online editor Sam Greene, who does a great job. He understands the aesthetics of the website and adheres to them. Sure, I had a little trouble letting go of total, absolute control ... but I think I've made progress; I actually let him do the top headlines the other night.

I know it's probably not the healthiest obsession, especially when it takes so many people to run the site. But I can't help it. Since I started working on the website back in February, I have put my heart and soul into it. Is it so wrong I get a little overprotective?

- Ariel

Today.

2010-05-06T06:54:00.002-04:00

Today was so long... I feel as though I have experienced three days.
I owe it to tracing a map of UC's campus, staying up all night staring at after effects, learning about twitter in PR, and then a long night at The News Record. And let's not forget the incredible hail storm so powerful it trapped us within Swift. After arming ourselves with trashbag shields we braved the storm.... to find it had ended.

Time to sleep? Nope. Now it's time to animate some dandelions for my 9 am class.

The joys of a DAAPer/TNR employee.

-Jamie

p.s. I seriously need that raise now guys *hint*... or a bowl of ice cream might suffice.

37 hours

2010-05-05T00:25:00.001-04:00

Hello.

I've been awake for 37 hours thinking it would help me get to my early morning class on time and get to sleep. My sleep schedule is all sorts of messed up. But, little did I know that, oh, you know I'd have to do two same day stories and someone called into the Cincinnati Police Department shots were fired on UC's campus.

This.

Has been.

The longest day.

Of my life.

Night.

Gin.

That's The Jyst of it

2010-04-30T16:07:00.002-04:00

Online editor Sam Green, College Living editor Jayna Barker and I got lost on our way to Clermont Northeastern High School today. No big deal.

We ended up finding it and were only, oh, you know, 20 minutes late. Sigh. Being lost and late make me cranky. But, I mean, a lot of things make me cranky.

We talked to the students who make up The Jyst, the monthly student newspaper at CNE. They were cool, had a lot of really good questions. Sam, Jayna and I had fun. I wanted to interview some of the students on what they thought the future of journalism might be like, but that didn't work out. So, I talked to sophomore Kathleen Arthur and juniors Alexa Hawley and Jenna Varner about the paper and what they want to accomplish next year.

Hopefully News Record editors will make this a regular thing, and not just at CNE. It was cool to reach out and talk about something we're so passionate about.

-- Taylor

Your staff is how big?

2010-04-29T23:36:00.001-04:00

I posted this to my new blog, but thought it was worth cross posting since, well, it's about The News Record.

I’ve been on a blog kick since I started this thing. Mostly I’ve been interested in reading blogs by other journalists — student or professional — to see how things are going in their world.

In the past two days, I’ve come across two different blogs by two different student editors at two different universitys and read that they have staffs that are in the 150-175 range. What the heck kind of newsroom is that?

The News Record has a staff of 11 editors — myself (EIC and opinion), the managing editor, two news, two sports, entertainment, college living/spotlight, online, multimedia and photo. We also have one chief photographer and four designers on payroll. There are five people in the business department. As far as bi-weekly paychecks go, that’s it.

We have stringers who can be paid if they reach the minimum number of published stories/photos (10 per quarter), but even then there are, between reporters and photographers, we have, maybe 40 stringers who do work on a regular basis. What’s even more surprising is that we’ve had more people interested in working with us this year than ever before, at least in my memory.

How in the heck do you convince 150 people to be interested? It’s like pulling teeth to get students to come into the newsroom with a genuine interest in working and sticking around. You would think that the students in the University of Cincinnati’s journalism program would at least want to be involved, but even still, I don’t know anyone in program who doesn’t or hasn’t worked for The News Record.

Not only how do you convince that many people to give a damn, but how do you afford a staff that huge? Am I missing something?

I’m not complaining (except that I kind of am), I’m just mostly astonished. I can’t even imagine what TNR would be like if that many people were reporting or shooting or doing video work. We do a damn good job with what we have, but with 150 people we might be able to take over the world.

I’ll have to share this thought with editor-in-chief-elect Gin A. Ando. Maybe he’ll have better luck recruiting than I did. UC journalism students, if you happen to be reading this, if you’re not working with The News Record, what are you doing?

2010-04-29T16:15:00.001-04:00

Enough said.

-Gin A. Ando

Insanity reigns....

2010-04-21T21:32:00.003-04:00

Tonight truly is the busiest evening I've had yet as a news editor.

Around 2:30 this afternoon, a nice steaming pile of a story dropped into my lap concerning faculty who harshly grade students.

Had to start from scratch, too. Somehow I had to wrangle up three sources before business hours ended, get their input and turn it into at least a 400 word story.

Considering that we normally set a deadline of noon for our reporters to get their stories in, it's obvious that I was tremendously behind the power curve.

Strike one, right?

It kept raining and pouring after that.

One of our intrepid reporters had to bow out of covering tonight's student government meeting. Normally wouldn't be an issue, except the new prez, v.p. and at-large senate winners of the SG election were to be announced. Ice that cake with a possible vote on a smoking bill and more discussion about a diversity board.

Shiver me timbers, Batman!

So, now I have to cover two stories with 400 words each (SG meeting, election results) in addition to finishing a grading story back at the homestead.

How did I wrong you so, dear God?

I got back to the office and went to work fiendishly. Three word documents pulled up at one time, typing away on all of them simultaneously. The phone is attached to my ear, as I get quotes from both Dean Hardcastle and a newly-elected senator for the respective stories.

Mercifully I was able to finish them all with some wiggle room before deadline. It was exhilarating. Thrown into a seemingly hopeless situation and proving my mettle truly made my evening.

It helped remind me of why I found this job so attractive in the first place, and why I love writing.

Now I need a damned drink.

Keep your powder dry, folks.

--James

Everyone needs an editor

2010-04-20T18:04:00.004-04:00

I noticed there was a new comment on one of my old columns today. It was kind of funny, so I thought I would share. And, being that I am an editor, I couldn't help myself.

Plus, I could name at least three people who would notice if I died and only two of them are friendless hippie sluts.

-- Taylor

Power?

2010-04-19T22:44:00.003-04:00

Hello Off The [News] Record readers,

There has been a recent development.

The designers have received blogging power.
Finally, the recognition we deserve!
Stay tuned for the unveiling of our master plan.

This is all.

-J.Ritz

Out of sight, out of mind

2010-04-18T18:37:00.002-04:00

It's strange to think that I'm still in school right now.

News Record takes up a lot of time. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, but I'm not looking forward to going to class and taking two back-to-back examinations tomorrow morning. It's kind of... blehhh. Reality check.

But more importantly, we're scheduling to run another streetcar article this week. I think it's quite an interesting topic, honestly.

It seems like without constant reminders that it's still an issue and being worked out people might forget about it.

The next big thing is right around the corner. But that doesn't mean we should neglect other stories worth following.

Big day tomorrow. I hope I remember what wages expenses and all that other accounting terminology goes on.

Assets = Liabilities + Stockholders' Equity. I think I'll be OK.

See you in the funny pages, jerks.

-Gin

The Importance of Being Earnest

2010-04-12T16:32:00.007-04:00

This isn't about Oscar Wilde.

With Undergraduate Student Government elections coming up, I've decided that I need to address a few things.

Going to school near the place you grew up is hard. You'll inevitably meet someone you know. But, when you're a journalist at the school's paper, life can get a little bit harder, honestly.

I don't want to say that I feel like I'm being used. That's not quite it. Well, maybe a little bit. It's strange to think that someone you've known for years might be taking advantage of your relationship to advance their goals.

That's not necessarily happening to me, but I thought I'd address it.

Conflict of interest is a large part of what you write. Even if you realize it or not.

So, to novice reporters out there, take note of it.

I've always been told that the way you write -- even if all the language is objective and based on facts -- some subjectivity remains.

"The candidate is running for ______ position."

Fine. Very well and good, then.

"The candidate, who was caught cheating on his wife in December, is running for ____ position."

While both statements might be true, you might show some subjectivity by writing either statement. If you know the candidate was caught cheating on his wife and don't write it, you might be subconsciously protecting him from public scrutiny. By writing that he did, you're opening up more criticisms.

What's right? It's really hard to keep an objective point of view. I'm not saying I am masterful of it by any means at all, but, well, it's just something for everyone to keep in mind when writing news.

Good luck.

-Gin

Lessons Learned

2010-04-12T14:40:00.003-04:00

What I've learned:

Write it down. Write every little bit of html code and info you have and could ever need.

Because one day, you just might find it's all ... gone.

*sob*

Auto correct

2010-04-11T23:14:00.003-04:00

Sometimes I rely on Microsoft Word's auto correct function way too much. It's so damn easy.

Today I worked on rewriting the editor-in-chief handbook. It's pretty old. And kind of irrelevant. No good. Well, as I was typing away, working my fingers to the bone, as I was still stewing over drama from the past four days, I laughed. And I laughed hard.

It's hard to read, I know. My original text says: Any assignments not picked up by photographers or videographers must be done by the photo or multimedia editor.

The auto correct version? "The photo or multimedia editor must do videographers."

-- Taylor

What would you ask Sean Hannity?

2010-04-11T20:38:00.002-04:00

It's a good question, isn't it?

What would you ask Sean Hannity, the conservative pundit from Fox News?

I have to tackle that issue this Thursday during the Tea Party Tax Day rally at Fifth-Third Arena. Despite being on the media list, I will probably have to bullrush Mr. Hannity like a rabid mongoose and spout off a couple of questions before his handlers beat me like a red-headed stepchild.

Though I know my plan of approach, I still don't know what to ask the man. I haven't read his book "Conservative Victory", nor I probably never will. Political books to me are just a tangible paper version of Thorazine - meant to make you pass out.

So, what would you ask him? Respond one, respond all - socialists, neo-cons, anarchists, liberals, tea partiers, coffee swiggers, whatever your label may be.

Tell me what you'd ask a man that millions of Americans love and despise.

-James

Didn't know editing books was part of the job description

2010-04-11T17:31:00.004-04:00

Wow....

I assigned a very good reporter to cover an event on campus this past week. It seemed to me to be a very cut-and-dry event.

Get the facts, the quotes and the responses. Then give me 500 words.

No problem, right?

Well, I now need help inserting my foot into my mouth. I am not limber enough to do it anymore and became quite adverse to the taste of my toes from previous incidents.

My very good reporter turned in a 1,900 word tome on the event. What am I going to do with 1900 words? Pare it down and use the leftovers as filler on the jump page? Sell words to my fellow editors if they need extra for their stories?

Save them for a later date when someone only turns in a 250 word story?

I don't know what I'm gonna do, honestly. It will take me at least 2 hours to edit this novel (with Gin's help at that) and I'm supposed to do it sober?

At times like this I truly wonder what the great Hunter S. Thompson would do. Something tells me it would most certainly involve guns and drink.

Unfortunately, I have none of the above. Guess I'll be tackling The News Record's version of "The Old Man and the Sea" without anything to assist with the pain in my brain.

Life is so unfair.

-James

Precision Reporting class Week 2

2010-04-11T17:18:00.002-04:00

I had the same student as in my last class. This time, though, I have to grade a little harder, because it's a 400-level class.

I fear the collective creativity of our student body is falling to a point beyond repair.

-Gin

Duck x-ing

2010-04-11T15:15:00.003-04:00

There's been a lot of heat on me right now.

While picking up designer Jamie Ritzer to meet EIC Taylor Dungjen in Cleveland for an SPJ awards ceremony, I hit a duck with my car.

I was cleaning my windshield and there was terrible sun glare. Not until all the fluid was gone did I see this duck.

This duck, however, was not all it seemed to be. See the below comic for the documentary-style representation.

All right. Now you know.

-Gin

The importance of not relying on spell check

2010-04-09T19:46:00.008-04:00

Hello friends.

As journalists, we know how much a word can change the meaning of a sentence. No, not even. It can change perceptions of people and even ruin someone's reputation.

Let me illustrate with this really REALLY bad job at Photoshop I did.

This is Brian Kelly. B-R-I-A-N Kelly.

Brian Kelly, former UC head football coach was well regarded around these parts until he left for ND. Well, some might still say he's a good man. However, if you simply rely on spell check in your copy, the following example might happen.

This, friends, is Brain Kelly. He's not quite up to the caliber of Brian, but he might look similar.

READ YOUR COPY!

I just thought this photoshop picture was terrible so I needed an excuse to put it on the blog hahahaha.

Lone,
Gin A. Ando

My first day of class

2010-04-08T23:23:00.000-04:00

So, my first day of teaching modern urban literature came to a close today.

Not a bad day.

-Gin

Poli-ticking everyone off

2010-04-08T16:35:00.004-04:00

Underrepresentation. It's one of those things that's a Catch 22. You're not being represented in your legislation but, also, if you run, you won't win because you might be a representative of a jaded, disillusioned group of people.

How can you run and win to be a representative of said group? It's tough. Obama pulled something fantastic, whether you agree with his policies or not. (I'm not saying I do or don't, but being able to propel tons of new Americans to vote the way he did is admirable, I believe)

But there is hope.

The hope comes in increments, though. As a journalist -- which mainly means I'm a normal citizen with a Shield Law -- hearing the promise of change is like clockwork. New election, new faces, new promises.

I think the promise of radical change has become almost standard. And if someone doesn't, well, he or she sure tried his or her damndest to do it. It's not like they should be fully accountable if something fails -- I'm not that dumb -- but, if they're wrong about something, it's become fully acceptable. If anyone cares at all, at least.

It reminds me of the weather. It's good to know whether or not it will rain tomorrow. If it does, you knew about it, if not, fantastic. But if it rains when the forecast originally says it's supposed to be sunny, you're not going out to stab Al Roker with a sharpened toothbrush a la Oz.

I think it might take a stronger constitution to admit that you might not be able to complete everything you set out to do. To set the stage. To not be the person who rocks the boat but the person who buys the damn boat so it can be rocked.

I would run for SG, but I can't -- conflict of interest (in both journalistic and literal sense ha ha).

So for someone saying "under-represented people are that way because they don't run" is both ridiculous and largely untrue. This isn't a city or state where all you have to be is 18 to vote and can motivate your constituents to come to the polls by assuring them you're doing the best. This is a university. The entire demographic is different.

So please, before making another completely untrue and narrow-minded response, think it over.

OK, I've rambled, strayed, whatever, but it's been a ridiculously turbulent day. The Web site is getting up, and that's that. I talked to Rick VanMatre of CCM's jazz studies program. So it's not all that bad.

See you in the funny pages, jerks.

-Gin

The Two C's of my Sin

2010-04-07T22:54:00.002-04:00

My life is kind of routine.

Wake up, go to school, go to work, do homework (sometimes) and repeat.

I'm glad, though, that there are some things that help me cope with it. I'm not necessarily saying anything is bad, it can just get a little repetitive at times.

Coffee and cigarettes help me a lot. More than sleep and running, at least.

Taking a "fresh air" break, though, is almost unheard of. I like getting that short break in the day where I can go outside, and just sit on the awkwardly placed concrete bench outside the office and clear my head.

Coffee, yes, I don't think I'll ever have too much. I love drinking coffee. Almost as much as I love a smooth, chocolaty Scotch.

But smoking takes precedent. For those of you who will complain about secondhand smoke I respond thus: Frankly, I don't think you deserve to be privy to my secondhand cool. (Kidding)

Which brings me to the actual point: If the smoking ban happens on campus, I'm completely screwed. Never mind the breach of student rights and how we pay tuition dollars and ultimately help pay for custodial staff, etc., etc. It's part of who I am, I think.

I guess I can always switch to an e-cigarette.

I wonder how I can get one of those for free...

It's a different mindset. Something you would have to understand. It doesn't make sense... I can agree with that. But why go through life doing nothing bad for you and feeling completely neutral than doing said bad things and guiltily feeling good for it?

My dad said he never wants to get old.

I agree.

-Gin

What I was thinking ...

2010-04-05T17:18:00.000-04:00

... during my Digital Sights, Sound and Motion class

Professor: Someone tell me what the rule of thirds is.
Me (thinking): Fascinating. Back when I learned about it in third grade.

Fellow student: What is B-roll?
Me (thinking): Please, dear God, let this moronic mindless dither end.

*As a 5-minute conversation ensues about bars*
Me (thinking): I love being underage. Weee.

Epihany of the day: I despise half the people in this class.

Modal Newspaper

2010-04-05T01:30:00.009-04:00

I realized something today.

I think a newspaper that has a staff like The News Record resembles a huge band playing modal jazz for eight hours and coming out with an album. Three times a week.

OK, so if you're not quite familiar with modal jazz, it goes something like this: Instead of basing a song off of a set of chord progressions, it uses scales. Listen to the song "So What" by Miles Davis off of the record "Kind of Blue." You might not like jazz. But be aware that those eight or nine minutes of music are all based off of ... maybe... 50 preconceived notes in three bars at the max. Still with me?

While that might not resonate with some people regarding the difficulty of being able to do all that for EACH song, think of it this way: you get a writing prompt. It's on the history of the Asia. You're with five other people, each writing a line and then passing it on to the next. And you do it for four or five pages.

Yeah, I think it's something close to that.

Trane, "Cannonball," Miles and Evans were all able to carve out careers on their own, but egos had no place in making an album hailed as "the greatest single session of jazz" ever recorded.

Today, it was great to see staff members work together in such a way that highlights their ability to work under pressure. We came out with a very pretty paper and no one will know the pains we put into it.

They might use it to leave on their floor for their dog. They might use it as a starter for a bonfire. Or you might just see Monday's issue on the concrete in front of Swift Hall deconstructed and not think twice about it.

It's really a beautiful thing, working at a newspaper. When someone picks it up and reads it, it's informative and they might even take something away from it just as someone who has never listened to jazz hears "So What" and thinks "This trumpet saxophone stuff isn't too bad."

I think they go together pretty well. There's a lot of impromptu action and decisions that come up around here and it's nice to see that where someone leaves off, another person on this staff can finish it seamlessly and even sometimes add a drop of grace.

-Gin

(For those of you who want to branch out to something besides Miles and Trane, I'd recommend "Cheesecake" by Dexter Gordon. What a tune.)

Please do not waste my time by responding

2010-04-04T21:40:00.003-04:00

There are some things I will never understand.

Like, when you get an e-mail from an angry reader, who asks a lot of questions about content, lack of content, the presumed abduction of columnists, and then they say, "Please do not waste any more of my time by responding to this e-mail."

Like any good person, like any annoyed editor, I hit "reply" and began typing away. Why? Why would I do something a reader specifically requests that I do not do? Because, as I would say to said e-mailer, "You, sir, have just wasted my time. I feel it's only fair that I waste a little more of yours."

If you ask questions, expect answers. That's the nature of my business. I don't believe it not providing information to the public. That's what this is all about, right?

Let me save you a little of your time and a little of mine if you don't want me to respond to an e-mail: don't send one.

-- Taylor

Just a reminder

2010-04-01T22:31:00.001-04:00

News Record staffers, News Record readers, Len, journalism students and anyone else, I just wanted to take the time to remind you guys how much... well, you need sleep.

Of course, we work long hours at TNR sometimes and then attend class the next day, but that's not really the point. The point is, some of us forget to sleep. Or eat. (Senior) designer Jamie Ritzer told James Sprague that I never ate. Which is kind of true, because sometimes I forget to eat.

So, remember, even though we are all awesome at being awesome, sometimes we have to take time out to eat, sleep and relax. I don't think people realize how blessed they are if they get off work at 8 p.m.

Stay good to yourselves, e'erybody.

-Gin

D'Oh!

2010-04-01T01:22:00.003-04:00

Today, I learned that not everyone knows The Simpsons as well as some of us in the newsroom do.

I wrote a caption "My eyes! The goggles do nothing" on top of a photo for today's issue. Organic chemistry lab overseer/professor: not happy.

Not only do their goggles NOT do nothing, they are top-of-the-line, said she. (Later, EIC Taylor Dungjen's roommate Alyssa said they don't even allow students to use them -- unless they pay, but that's beside the point!)

So, it kind of made me reflect. I've always been able to remember obscure quotes. I used to be able to go through good amount of movie dialogue in my head when I should be studying.

It got so bad that I had a quote for everything at one point in my life. Well, relevant to everything. It wasn't so much "blah blah blah - Thoreau" kind of things, but more like "You get that way when you drink ginger ale, too? - The bartender guy in the movie Kingpin."

Alas, my then-girlfriend grew tired of it (which I inevitably connected with a movie quote).

All for the better, I say. A person needs to know their priorities.

And it just so happens that Radioactive Man > Real Problems In The World.

UP AND ATOM!

-Gin

Overheard in the TNR Newsroom

2010-03-31T14:54:00.003-04:00

Here at TNR, we've been a bit ... well, you could say obsessed. Yes, we've been a bit obsessed with a Web site called "Overheard in the Newsroom." The site posts funny, satirical and quirky comments from news rooms across the country.

Today, my very first post was featured on the Web site. It was a quote Coulter, our photo editor, uttered in reference to editor Taylor:

"Photo editor: “I would think [editor]’s smile lights up the room, but I know it’s just the glow of everyone else’s hopes and dreams being incinerated.”

I think everyone involved was honored to be chosen by such a prestigious organization.

(Plus, don't tell Taylor I said so, but it's totally true.)

- Ariel

What are some of your favorite posts from "Overheard in the Newsroom"? Share them with us!

Work hard for the money

2010-03-30T22:00:00.002-04:00

Today marks the first production day back after a very uneventful spring break.

I ordered pizza. I thought it was going to be a celebration. It was going to be a good day.

I walked out the door of The News Record and looked around. No one to my left, no one to my right, everything was good. It was a beautiful night. I watched the stars as photographer Sam Greene and I walked to CRC circle.

Little did I know my dreams of enjoying pizza would become nightmares.

There was a voice screaming in my head as we waited outside. I felt my blood turn ice cold and my pulse quicken as a random sedan pulled up with an older man with a backwards hat rolled down his window.

"Thanks for your patience," said he. I was stunned. We were out there for about 45 minutes, fully believing in the pizza tracker Domino's provides on their Web site.

Rod looked at me. His eyes glowed red with hatred. He "accidentally" threw the receipt at me. At ME. A DOCTOR. How this man, a delivery driver for a pizza chain, could treat a doctor so poorly was beyond me.

Long story short, the pizza was burnt -- just like my heart. I see the reasons to live disintegrating before my very eyes.

I am a shattered man.

-Gin

Sunshine Week

2010-03-18T01:09:00.004-04:00

How did I miss the fact that it's Sunshine Week? Screw St. Patrick's Day. This is way more exciting. And to think I almost missed the entire thing.

I was reminded of Sunshine Week by a column on Cleveland.com, The Plain Dealer's Web site.

I particularly like when Regina Brett writes:

"People who are afraid of public scrutiny shouldn't hold public office."

Beautiful. And so true.

Read the full column here.

Anyway, happy Sunshine Week, folks. Study up on your rights.

-Sunshine.org
-SPJ.org

-- Taylor

Reporter asked to reveal anonymous sourcess

2010-03-17T10:30:00.004-04:00

Plain Dealer reporter Gabriel Baird was summoned to appear in court Tuesday -- in what looks to be insufficient notice -- to reveal an anonymous source used in a story printed nearly six months ago.

Read the article

When Baird did not appear before the court, the judge signed a warrant for his arrest. Police went to the PD's office for Baird, but he was on assignment and the court had not used his legal name making the warrant useless.

Under the Ohio Shield Law, reporters are protected from having to reveal anonymous sources.

This case could get interesting.

Sounds like an abuse of political power in the Cleveland judicial system to me. I'm very anxious to see how this shakes out. I'll be surprised if the judge can get away with it. Actually, I'm astonished that she thinks she can get away with it now. The last three graphs of the PD article blast the judge for past blunders that make her look rather incompetent.

When i first read those graphs, I was kind of surprised the PD opted to include that information. Sure it's relevant in that this judge has exhibited questionable behavior before, but that's about where it stops.

With that, though, I think it begs to ask: Is possible to always maintain balance when covering one of your colleagues or reporting on the news organization you work for?

Thoughts?

-- Taylor

IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

2010-03-17T01:46:00.002-04:00

Yeah. Sorry. Now that's stuck in your head.

We're almost done with Winter quarter. So close I can taste it.

We've seen some interesting things at The News Record. It makes me feel strange when I stop and reflect on all the stories we've covered. Of course, we find ourselves empathizing with some of our subjects and all, but it's empty slate every Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

It makes me wonder if all writers feel like that. I remember a lot of really good articles I read in things like Esquire, but I wonder if the people who wrote them remember them. I don't really know -- if someone's included in a news article I wrote or something, that article might be clipped out of the newspaper and hanging somewhere (wishful thinking, probably) but it was another story.

Naturally, there are more memorable stories, but it just makes me kind of laugh at times. When people get ticked off at something we write and, if all the reporting is done correctly, it's all completely factual, what does that mean to us? It means we did a good job and someone somewhere is reading this article and wondering how we get such data and how we got into contact with some of the people we do. I love my job. Wouldn't trade it for the world.

So, maybe for the better of everyone: the readers, the subjects and the reputation of our paper, we really have to start double checking everything.

Fact checking is essential.

The phones are there for a reason.

Spring quarter, we're coming to ya. We've already got some fun things planned.

Everyone, good luck on your exams and I'll see you in the funny paaaaperrrrrrs hahahahaha. Yeah. I'm done.

-Gin

Critical thinking

2010-03-14T14:34:00.002-04:00

An expected part of journalistic life is that someone, somewhere, will not be happy with a story you write.

It's guaranteed, much like death and taxes.

You have to have a thick skin and faith in what you write (not to mention the facts).

I had learned to develop that thick skin through my time in the U.S. Army. I really did not think that commentary on any story I would write would worm its way under that skin and tick me off.

Then I read the commentary concerning my story "Student Groups exploit general fee fund" at TNR online, and realized I was not as steeled against criticism as I thought.

The crux of the story was that Student Government passed a bill allowing them to eat one evening at the Catskeller after a meeting. This was with the purpose of strengthening camaraderie while having a meal. However, it was done using funds from SGA's operating budget, which comes from the general fee funds associated with tuition, which.......

Comes from you, the student body.

They had dinner on your dime, and did not even extend the invite to you.

Seems kind of unnecessary in these times of financial hardship, don't you think?

I can handle criticism that makes sense. In this case, a particular Student Senator and his argument makes no sense. He goes on record as saying the dinner was not necessary and that the money could have gone to something better.

Then he lays into me for writing the story. Accuses TNR of writing below-average stories on a weekly basis. Questions why I didn't mention the collection taken up for Haiti at the dinner by SGA members who wanted to pay for their own meal. Questions whether TNR is as effective use of funds as SGA is. Insinuates that I over-dramatized the story just to attract readers.

Bah, humbug!

Yet he fails to mention how the University Funding Board (an arm of SGA) doesn't account for operating budget spending by other student groups.

Fails to mention that aforementioned senator told me they weren't sure if the collection for Haiti was actually taken. I'm not going to write about a "might have happened".

Fails to mention that SGA spent almost as much on dinner as the operating budget allocated for other student groups.

When taken into perspective, it makes me question the ethical and moral compass of SGA.

That's my rebuttal. Take it or leave it. Hypothetically speaking, if I were to take $300 dollars of your student money and used it on dinner at Boca because it would make me a better writer, I would be accused with misuse of funds, theft, whatever you could charge me with.

And the student body would want to know about it.

How is what SGA did any different?

Chew on that one for a while.

I was once told in the army, where my job was as a military policeman, that "if the inmates are mad at you, that means you're doing your job right".

I believe that theory is a good one.

As far as TNR being an effective use for funds, well, who would keep an eye on these things for the students if we weren't around?

-James

Fun in the Sun

2010-03-08T13:14:00.001-05:00

Spring is here.

FINALLY.

I'm going to go outside with my sweet sunglasses and bask in the glory, so, excuse me.

UC, we've waited a long, long time, but warm weather is finally here. Now, I know that means MainStreet is going to be really loud and hard to walk through, but, man, it's totally worth it.

-Gin

Learning the ropes

2010-03-07T20:14:00.002-05:00

I'm about to finish my first full day as a real news editor here at TNR and quite a trip it has been.

The last 3 weeks have been spent sporadically training on the position under the guiding wings of Amanda Woodruff. Now that she has moved on to better things (such as trying to graduate), it's now my time in the chute.

I feel like a minor-league ballplayer pinch-hitting for Babe Ruth; honored, thrilled, yet very nervous.

To be perfectly honest, I was not aware of The News Records award-winning heritage when I returned to school at UC. All I knew was that I wanted to write, and if it meant covering balloon races in TUC, then so be it.

When I began writing for them in fall quarter was when I learned just what type of work ethic it takes to be a part of this publication. Determination, motivation, relentlessness.

Never accepting mediocrity.

We don't do it for us, though. Personal and organizational awards are nice, but the real reason for it all is you. The reader. The ones who can easily make or break our career simply by whether you pick up the paper or not.

These qualities and this work ethic allows us to report the best possible news to you. It's what you deserve. In a world of so many falsehoods, you need someplace to turn to in order for the truth.

That place is TNR, and I'm hellbent on keeping the news desk that way.

The fat is now in the fire.

James

Scenes from the office (again!)

2010-03-05T17:47:00.003-05:00

Taylor Dungjen talks about how TNR is.

Peeps listen to Gin Ando talk about how TNR should be.

How TNR actually is.

Business before business

2010-03-03T04:48:00.004-05:00

Good grief. I think I'm not the only person who wants spring to come. Fast. Now. Tonight.

I'm up finishing some homework for class and I really just cannot wait for Winter quarter to be over. Next up, finishing up my business minor. I hope I get some insight as to some of the things that are happening in the business world of America. It seems like there's a ton of opportunities for journalists in the business world and I just happen to adore it.

It took a while for me to admit it, but I do enjoy business as a whole. It's full of facts -- something any journalist would love. And while I might end up crunching numbers it'll be interesting.

Take this for example. The oldest son of the Hamas founder said he was an Israeli spy for a decade and converted to Christianity. Interesting.

But, what really is peculiar about this story is (I heard it on the radio) that people are saying he defected due to money. Hamas was going to make it hard on him to make any money, etc.

I think, in a nutshell, cash does indeed rule everything around us.

And as a journalist, I think it's our job to find out where they get the money and the dollar, dollar bill, ya'll.

It's funny. I was worried about the prospect of getting a job before, but now I'm just plain excited to see what kind of stories we'll all end up reporting.

Budget stories, capitalist corruption and money laundering? Whatever's good, man, just give us a shot.

Because, as you know, we at TNR never really pass up a chance to do the public some good by reporting on some of the bad and the ugly.

I don't think we really have anything to worry about, truth be told, because no matter how many blogs pop up and die out, I don't think their writers would want to go through the hassle of looking at a statistics table until they want to take said table and bash their face with it.

---

And am I nervous about the EIC question and answer session on Friday? Yes. More than I am for some of my final exams, if that says anything.

-Gin

Is it really time?

2010-03-02T20:22:00.006-05:00

I feel like I've only been the editor-in-chief for a couple weeks, not two and a half quarters.

This Friday, The News Record staff will gather with Gin A. Ando facing the firing squad. We'll grill him, verbally assault him with tough questions just to see if he can handle the pressure. We have to. Gin is the only candidate for the 2010-11 editor-in-chief position.

Monday we'll meet with the communications board. They'll make the final decision to elect the next editor. The appointment will be official that evening.

Let the training begin.

I don't see our lone candidate as a bad thing -- to be honest, unless you've worked in the newsroom for at least one year, there's no way you'll survive as the editor.

But, anyway, to my original point ... The first two quarters of this year have flown by. I spend more time in the newsroom than I do in my apartment. I know my editors better than I know some of my best friends. Well, sort of, because the editors are my best friends.

It's not so bad, you know, working with friends you love and trust. These are people I fire on a daily basis and, yet, can't seem to get rid of. I wouldn't tell them, but I'm glad they're not going anywhere. Not tonight, anyway.

Next quarter is my last at TNR. I've been here for three years. I'm hoping to make the most of it. To do some serious investigative work, or at least some really deep stories that our readers will be able to sink their teeth into.

I'm also really looking forward to working closely with staff writers. To help them progress, learn and fine tune their skills. It's a scary thing to leave this organization in someone else's hands. This organization is my baby. I love it.

I'm confident the people steering this ship will continue to build upon the foundation we've set, and will continue to improve the organization beyond an imaginable scope. It will take time. It won't happen over night. And it certainly couldn't all happen in this one year.

But we've made progress. A lot of progress. I can't wait to see what's next.

-- Taylor

You live and you learn -- or you don't live long.

2010-03-01T12:55:00.000-05:00

Being an editor is hard work, and I'm sure that most, if not all, of the editors at The News Record can agree with me. I spend hours pouring over articles, struggling to learn html codes and learning the ins and outs of how a newspaper truly works.

In addition to being completely out of my element, I am a newbie. The minute I start to feel like I am getting the hang of things, a wrench is thrown into the mix. I sheepishly ask for help by yelling the name of the closest person, which happens about every 20 minutes.

I do love my job, although I don't enjoy every minute of being confused and red in the face from embarrassment.

Luckily I'm surrounded by a supportive group of editors. I love everyone at TNR. They are hilarious, intelligent and driven. I couldn't ask to be surrounded by a better group of people.

I'm pretty sure I'll be receiving a lot of grief for the above statement. Or maybe a pie in the face. Now I'm just asking for it.

-Jayna

Vintage University of Cincinnati

2010-03-01T12:28:00.004-05:00

I love cleaning the office. There's always so much junk floating around it's pretty easy to do.

Yesterday, I was cleaning out the overhead compartments above my desk and came across a bunch of intra-university mail envelopes. I opened them. All of them. And, in one, I found this 1984 "The Bearcat Goes to College" activity book.

The book was written by Dick Ruehrwein and illustrated by Bob Burchett and Dave Warren. It's 32 pages of non-stop excitement -- from coloring pages, a dice game to get you to graduation and a page encouraging students to join the News Record (my favorite page), the book has it all. There are pages about Bearcat bands, athletics, Greek Life and the different colleges.

I'm glad I found it. It's definitely a really fun piece of UC history. Too bad Gin and Ariel had to do the word search on page 4. Sigh.

-- Taylor

Where are you, Spring?

2010-02-25T13:53:00.003-05:00

Is Winter quarter over yet?

And what's with the snow again?

Is anyone else out there just sick of this yet? I object.

-Taylor

Holier Than Thou

2010-02-23T23:32:00.004-05:00

Today, there is an article running about change in the world. How change is coming slow to the world. How there is no concrete change identifiable for some people.

While I can sympathize with the feelings that Ms. Bergh has, I don't necessarily buy into the entire mentality.

Change for the greater good might not be recognized because, sometimes, it comes in the form of charity. Although Mother Theresa was an iconic humanitarian, Tatyana Sveshnikova, a Muscovite, spends her nights tending to homeless people in a country with one of the highest murder rates in the world. In a city whose citizens might end up stepping over a bloody homeless person who was beaten for what little money he has. Sveshnikova is a young, blonde woman. A so-called "angel in the night." And all she got for her deeds was maybe four lines in a caption for her photo.

I don't like the thought of change not coming instantly because it's not true.

Although J. Robert Oppenheimer ended up saying that he "[became] Death," the tests and use of nuclear weapons spawned a new mentality -- a change in the way the world was viewed from the eyes of people not hanging out with the Manhattan Project scientists and KGB spies. And it happened instantly. "Mutually assured destruction" remains a factor in decisions about politics today, even.

So, yes, while some charity will go unnoticed and some tragedies undocumented, I find it remarkably unambitious to think that you, yourself cannot produce some immediately discernable change.

-Gin

Don't go [br]ing my heart

2010-02-23T13:13:00.005-05:00

I am a woman obsessed.

I can't tear myself away, I moon over it when it's not right in front of me. I dream of it, I pine for it.

I have fallen in love with html.

Since beginning my new job as managing editor at The News Record, I have learned more about Web sites and html in two weeks than I have in 19 years.

It's funny, but it gets me excited about the tiniest things. If you check out newsrecord.org, look at the red date bar right under the masthead. On the right side, you'll see four links: Contact Us, Classifieds, Advertise and Donate. Getting those links on that bar? Took me a good half hour. Minimum.

If you then visit the College Living page, you'll see an article about energy drinks. The article has 16 images of the different drinks we reviewed, each of which links to the individual review.

Adjusting the image sizes of each drink, figuring out the coding for the html element and setting it up for all 16 drinks? A good 3-hour process.

I pour over html coding from other Web sites, pulling up the "view source" in hopes of finding fascinating new code. I see something on another site and drool over the possibilities.

It's not like I wasn't dorky enough already ... I think I'm on the verge of becoming a bonafide nerd.

... And I love it.

- Ariel

Show your support for TNR

2010-02-21T21:39:00.001-05:00

Copy and paste the HTML below to host a TNR support banner on your Web site. We'll love you. Promise. Linked to us? Leave a comment with your URL to let us know.

-- Taylor

Web Geekin'

2010-02-17T01:13:00.004-05:00

I never realized how much work goes into a Web site.

I mean, sure, I've managed my blog, An Ariel View, for about a year. Since last May, I've managed the college living and spotlight sections of newsrecord.org. When I was younger, I used to play around with html for Neopets (a Web site I try to deny any association with today). But until I started training to be managing editor, I never realized how much time and effort goes into running a Web site.

There are so many little things and minute details I have started to obsess over. Should there be a link on the front page to this blog? How should we showcase our top stories? How should the slide shows be lined up in the multimedia bar?

After winning second place for Best Collegiate Newspaper Web site at the Ohio Newspaper Association's annual convention, we've all become determined to own next year and beat the Kent Stater. So I've been stalking newspaper Web sites, trying to come up with brilliant ideas for the redesign we're working on. There are so many super cool things I want to try ... I can't wait to get started.

In other news, the Pie for 55s competition is still going on at TNR. As of today, here are the results (those who've had two pages run had their errors for both days averaged):

Sports (Sam & Garrett): 29.5
Entertainment (Sean): 35
News (Gin & Amanda): 38
College Living (Jayna): 53
Opinion (Jamie): 55

As you can see, Sports is totally dominating. Only one more day of production!

I really hope I don't get pie'd.

- Ariel

Snowy campus

2010-02-17T00:23:00.004-05:00

In the 10 hours I just spent on the University of Cincinnati's campus, I can tell you things went from clear and navigable to slick and snow covered.

Path from Tangeman University Center toward McMicken

Campus, as I would imagine, hasn't been touched by a shovel or snow plow since it started snowing again. It looks like Clifton Avenue, which was completely clear this afternoon, hasn't seen a plow in awhile either.

Clifton Avenue

I don't live very far from campus. It's about a 15-minute walk up Clifton Avenue and about a one minute car ride. But I do live on a side street that has probably never seen a plow. Because of this, I had to wait for 15 minutes on my street while other people dug out the car that was stuck in from trying to pull out of a parking spot on the street.

What does this mean for class tomorrow? I'm not sure, but I suppose we'll find out in a few hours.

While I'm feeling a little cabin fever-ish, I could really use the extra day to catch up on reading.

Tangeman University Center

-- Taylor

An acquired taste

2010-02-15T01:52:00.003-05:00

There's been an ungodly amount of free energy drinks in the newsroom.

Part of an upcoming piece by managing editor Ariel Cheung, several cases of complimentary energy drinks were brought to The News Record's main HQ so that we may test them against one another to find out which drink will fill the hypothetical trophy cup in glorious victory. My personal resort, being an economically-impaired college journalist with too little sleep and a deadline, is over consumption.

Without going too deep into what exactly is happening to my body, it'd be easiest to say my sleep scheduled has been impaled by hyperactive bolts of irresponsible energy, followed by bouts of sleepless, twitching evenings that somehow make it to dawn.

My personal favorite drink? Who is the winner?

Water!

Funny like a clown?

2010-02-14T21:56:00.004-05:00

BWA HA HA HA!
Abandon all hope, TNR.
Entertainment editor Sean Peters will now be updating on an irregular basis.

Race for the Pie

2010-02-14T20:33:00.004-05:00

We decided to have a little fun this week and host a news room competition. Every production, the pages in progress (referred to as 55s because they appear on regular paper at 55 percent the size of the actual paper) are read through by both the managing editor and the editor-in-chief before they're sent to the printer.

So this week, Taylor and I are keeping track of the changes we make to each page. Every error noted, every typo tallied. At the end of the week, whoever has the fewer number of errors on their 55s gets a prize ... or shall I say, a pie. The desk with the best 55s get to pie the person of their choice: whether it be the worst desk, the person they dislike the most or Taylor and I.

I'm really excited about the competition. Of course, I'm really banking on not getting pie'd in the face, but I can't wait to see who does. Taylor claims that she wouldn't mind a face full of pie goo; I'm waiting to see what she says when it actually becomes a possibility. :)

Today, thus far, the 55 tally stands as follows:

Sports (Sam & Garrett): 28
Entertainment (Sean): 35
News (Gin & Amanda): 37
College Living (Jayna): 53

Who will be the best? Who will fail fantastically? Stay tuned to Off the [News] Record for updates and (after the competition is over) lots of great pictures of the victors creaming the editor of their choice.

- Ariel

Another night...

2010-02-14T19:44:00.002-05:00

Ohio Newspaper Association Convention

2010-02-11T23:13:00.002-05:00

At 5:15 a.m. I wanted to punch myself in the face and destroy my alarm clock with the nearest heavy-duty object.

Instead, I sat on my bed and pouted. Time to get up already? What the? Wednesday night, as usual, was a long night at The News Record. I got home around 12 a.m. and, by the time I showered and caught up with my roommate, it was 2 a.m. Typically, I'm a very good morning person ... unless I'm limited to three hours of sleep.

I had to pick up Kareem Elgazzar, former TNR managing editor, by 6 a.m. We had to be in Columbus by 8 a.m.

You could say my morning was something of an adventure. But, we made it to the Ohio Newspaper Association Convention in Columbus in one piece and almost on time. We started the morning with breakfast and a keynote address from former UC head football coach Brian Kelly.

During Kelly's address to a room full of journalists, he said that, when he first came to UC, there wasn't anyone who was covering the football team. Instantly, I was irked. I think Kareem could sense it.

After Kelly flaunted Notre Dame (Was I at a football press conference? Sure felt like it.), he opened up the discussion to questions from the audience. In a room full of newspaper people, you can bet people had questions.

One after the other, journalists asked about sports and football. It's Brian Kelly, after all. He's the college football god in the Midwest. It makes sense.

Then, I raised my hand. I had to. I couldn't take it. The journalist in me, the proud editor in me and the University of Cincinnati student in me could not let it go.

I got the mic.

"Coach Kelly, on a somewhat related to my question, I would just like to point out that The News Record at the University of Cincinnati has always, and will always, cover all Bearcat sports."

I got a few laughs. I felt a little better. He looked a little surprised. Said nothing. I felt a lot better.

"How do you view the role of student media?" I asked.

Kelly said he liked to give access to students and that he appreciated student journalism because the student journalists are one day going to be professionals. It's a great way to build relationships early on and make connections. He did say that when journalism turns to sensationalism, he cuts student journalists off. "I leave that to the professionals," he said.

Kelly was spot on. He did give The News Record access. He was always pretty good to us. Until the very bitter end. I appreciated his ability to answer the question and point out good things about student media.

The rest of the convention went by pretty quickly. Kareem and I, who were both limited to about three hours of sleep, ended up taking a power nap in the lobby of the Hilton Hotel before the awards show.

When it was all said and done, The News Record walked out of the convention with five awards -- two first place awards and three second place awards. While we're proud of what we were able to accomplish, we're not satisfied. We're using the non-first place categories, and categories we didn't even place in, to push ourselves to the next level. We don't consider ourselves a second-place news organization. On the ride back to Cincinnati, when Kareem wasn't sleeping, we brainstormed a lot of ideas that I can take to The News Record. I'll start implementing Sunday. I know the staff will feel the same way -- proud that we did well, but we won't settle for second best and, as Kareem said, we don't tolerate complacency.

Saying goodbye

2010-02-10T20:21:00.003-05:00

News Record staff conspired and made a farewell/good luck video for our good friend/team member Kareem Elgazzar. Today is his last day at TNR -- he's moving on and moving north to become a general assignment reporter at The Morning Journal in Lorain, Ohio.

Watch the video!

I made the entire staff leave the office so we could watch the video on a large screen. Not naming any names, but some people definitely cried. Cute.

--Taylor

A snow day? What's that?

2010-02-10T00:01:00.004-05:00

University of Cincinnati students have been clamoring for a snow day all winter (even when there is less than two inches of snow fall), like they're worried they might forget what it's like to have a weekday off from school.

So much for that.

While many students were in search of their snow pants for a no-school celebration, News Record editors were holed up in Swift Hall, Room 509, producing Wednesday's newspaper. Why? Because the news doesn't stop because campus shuts down and you're too afraid to drive anywhere.

Traditionally, The News Record cancels production when there's a snow day. Not this staff. No sir. Most of us braved the elements, even if it meant digging your car out of driveway, driving from West Chester or walking up an ice-covered hill, just to bring you the news.

If campus is not closed tomorrow, I'll expect someone to blame The News Record for jinxing our chances of snow day part two. Oh well. If you miss part one that much, you can relive the shenanigans all day, every day, on our Web site. We're so good to you.

We're supposed to get blasted with another snow storm tonight. Will Bob Ambach, the interim vice president for administration and finance, give the word to close campus? Only time will tell. If you're smart, you won't start hoping for heavy snow until around 2:30 a.m.

Why?

Because at 3 a.m. UC Police Division Capt. Karen Patterson is turning off her alarm clock (Gene Ferrara usually does this, but he's in Atlanta. Lucky.) to start the multi-step process of determining whether campus will close or stay open.

So, if you're on or around campus tomorrow, closed or not, The News Record will be hot off the presses, ready for you to consume all of the information that's inside. And, heck, even if you're not on or around campus, you would be a fool to forget newsrecord.org.

Seriously. A fool.

--Taylor

Snow, Schmow

2010-02-09T23:15:00.002-05:00

So, it has been brought to my attention that it's snowing outside. Not just snowing, but, we're talking Y2K-caliber, duck and cover snow here. The weather people said "If you go out today, bring a flashlight, radio and extra food," or something to that effect. Now, I'd like to think that cars are made the same all over the U.S., but, man, I don't know if I can take this driving around Cincinnati anymore.

I'm from Minneapolis. That's in Minnesota, for those of you who are geographically unaware. And, well, honestly, it's not that big of a deal. I didn't drive in Minnesota--I was 6 years old when I moved to Chicago, then to Cincinnati--but I've heard stories of unearthly cold. We're talking -80 degrees here. My dad told me one night, if you threw a bucket of water up into the air, it was ice before it hit the ground.

I drive a Honda Civic. Two-wheel drive. Manual transmission. Granted, second-gear starts are where it's at if you drive in the snow, it's not that hard. You want to get home, I want to get home, we all want to get home. Alive, at least.

I remember in my second year here at UC I saw a van try to merge onto the southbound 75 too fast, hit a snow bank, spin out then get completely destroyed by a semi truck that was flying down the rightmost lane. I seriously doubt anyone could be unscathed after that collision. Hell, I'd be surprised if they were alive after that. But, let's be honest, if we're going somewhere, we don't really want to die. And some of us have jobs that don't allow for snow stopping our work.

The news never sleeps. Actually, the snow makes more news than usual. So please, for the love of anything and everything you worship, drive carefully and with a little common sense if you want to read the paper in the morning.

-Gin

Stranger Than Fiction

2010-02-07T15:13:00.005-05:00

So, I had a chance to talk with Ron Rollins of The Dayton Daily News last week. He's an interesting guy. He has that Ye Olde Journaliste feel to him. Someone who's seen a lot. We talked at length about a particular frustration journalists have.

"It's not what you know, it's what you can prove..."

Yeah. It's like Alonzo Harris from Training Day said. As journalists, we have access to a whole boatload of extraneous information when we cover stories. Well, I mean, you guys could be savvy to this information, too, if you chose to.

But the thing is, we can't print all of it. We have to abide by certain rules or we'll get sued. You see, that's the frustrating part.

Rollins mentioned a story about a crime being investigated by a police officer. This police officer ended up dead--taking with him a lot of information as well. Now, we can all really make judgments based off of facts and data, but we can't just print it.

And it's tough.

So, for all those stories that you look at and read and say "Wow. This is a complete load of bull," we might share the same feelings. But that's what Amanda and my desk does. We report facts and facts only based on data and what people say. Anything else is just editorialized.

For instance, let's imagine a person says "I swear to everything holy and my mother's life that I would kill anyone that does ______." And, let's say someone does _______ and ends up dead at the house of this person. Unless this person says "I killed him," or a jury finds this person guilty, we can't say that he did. Hell, even if the person says he killed someone, all we can really do is write I killed this person, SoAndSo said.

So don't complain! We're journalists, but we do have opinions--which is why this blog is here.

I'm not sure if you all have a beef with news, but it's our job to report facts and only the facts and you make the judgments. But if you do have information you feel we should know about, don't hesitate to tell us. We're here to help, after all.

-Gin

The SarcMark

2010-02-07T14:58:00.004-05:00

A couple weeks ago The News Record got a press kit in the mail for a new punctuation mark, the SarcMark. We got two download codes and a set of sticky notes.

We used the sticky notes.

The download codes are still floating around the office somewhere. Today, the Boston Globe posted a column about the SarcMark. It was fantastic.

Even more fantastic? The comment that points out the SarcMark is actually a Hebrew letter pronounced "pay."

Genius, SarcMark. I love it.

You won't see the SarcMark in The News Record, don't worry. But we're curious: Would you use the "new" punctuation mark?

--Taylor

Ten Days in a Mad House

2010-02-06T11:40:00.004-05:00

I just finished reading "Ten Days in a Mad House" by Nelly Bly. It's extremely short -- only 86 pages -- but interesting and motivating just the same.

Bly's undercover investigative 10 days inside Blackwell Island's insane asylum forever changed the way patients are cared for in psychiatric wards. She exposed the unfair, unhealthy and undesirable conditions that the patients were subjected to.

A book worth reading for anyone interested in journalism or history. For me, pursuing a degree in journalism and a minor in history, it was perfect.

While reading about Bly's initial scheme to convince a court she was insane, I read a passage that I found quite enjoyable:

" 'I wish the reporters were here,' [Judge Duffy] said at last. 'They would be able to find out something about her.'

I got very much frightened at this, for if there is anyone who can ferret out a mystery it is a reporter. I felt that I would rather face a mass of expert doctors, policemen and detectives than two bright specimens of my own craft."

Now, having finished the book, I wish I had a story to investigate rather than homework to do. Doesn't this seem to always be the case?

-- Taylor

Newsrecord.org down

2010-02-04T00:31:00.004-05:00

Hey folks. If you're trying to check out the new content on newrecord.org, you might notice ... it's not there. You might actually notice none of the content is there on the sub pages.

It's not our fault. We tried to post, pinkie promise. College Publisher, the network who hosts our Web site, has "experienced a 'denial-of-service' attack aimed at the database supporting all admin-1 sites."

Although I'm not totally sure what it means, Coulter and Gin say a bunch of computers purposefully tried to access the site at once to make it crash. Is that legit? I have no idea, but College Publisher expects the recovering/rebuilding will take approximately four to five hours.

Content farming

2010-02-01T21:14:00.006-05:00

I'm ashamed to say I never thought twice about different Web sites using a pay-per-story business model. In fact, I "applied" to do work for Demand Studios -- a site who offers for-hire work. They pay you $15-$20 per story that you opt to do.

Then, I read a blog post by Chris Dunn, student photo editor at The Columbia Missourian, through a link she posted on Twitter. I don't know her, don't know how I ended up following her Tweets, but go with it.

You should read her post: here. In summation, she says student journalist are being undervalued and taken advantage of because so many of them are eager for exposure. Not only are these journalists being undervalued, but they're undervaluing themselves. It's content farming.

Yes, writing or taking photos or copy editing for these organizations is an easy way to make a quick $15, but is your time and work really only worth $15 when they're able to link the work in any number of places? If you spend two hours on one article, that's like being paid minimum wage -- maybe less depending on where you live -- for your time. And for what? Enough money to buy a T-shirt and a byline.

After reading and considering, I don't think I'll be in need of Demand's $15 any time soon. So, thank you, for "approving" my resume, but no thanks.

What do you think? Would you do work for any of these Web sites?

-- Taylor

"A journalists 'actual responsibility' "

2010-01-30T21:23:00.004-05:00

In procrastinating the hours of work and baking I have ahead of me, I started poking around the New York Times Web site. Something I do when I would rather not do anything. I'll usually type a random phrase into the search engine and see what comes up. I'll read until I've had my fill and move on to something much less stimulating.

Today I came across a column, "A Journalists 'Actual Resposibility,' " by Roger Cohen. I wish it were required reading for the masses ... or at least journalism students. Although the entire column and his story of reporting from Iran even after his press pass had been revoked, is inspiring. I suggest you read it. To entice you, here are few of my favorite passages:

"To bear witness means being there — and that’s not free. No search engine gives you the smell of a crime, the tremor in the air, the eyes that smolder, or the cadence of a scream.
No news aggregator tells of the ravaged city exhaling in the dusk, nor summons the defiant cries that rise into the night. No miracle of technology renders the lip-drying taste of fear. No algorithm captures the hush of dignity, nor evokes the adrenalin rush of courage coalescing, nor traces the fresh raw line of a welt."

It's a reminder of how important a journalists work is and how it's more than simply putting words into print -- it's telling the story, depicting scenes and emotions of what is happening in the world.

Another passage that I admire:

"We journalists are supposed to move on. Most of the time, like insatiable voyeurs, we do. But once a decade or so, we get undone, as if in love, and our subject has its revenge, turning the tables and refusing to let us be."

I find this passage interesting, not just for its content, but because it speaks to how I see Anderson Cooper's actions in helping a young Haitian boy who had been hit in the head with a brick of concrete.

What are your thoughts on a journalists "actual responsibility"?

--Taylor

New SG members with Carly Tamborski

2010-01-30T16:43:00.004-05:00

Carly Tamborski sat down this Saturday afternoon to chat with new Student Government members K. D. Miller and Rohan Hemani. Miller and Hemani are respectively the new student liaisons for the LGBTQ and international student demographics in SG. Read Carly's full story Monday, Feb. 1.

Carly Tamborski interviews Rohan Hemani, a new member of the SGA.

I beg to differ

2010-01-30T11:22:00.001-05:00

I always appreciate when someone contributes an opinion piece to The News Record that I do not agree with. It happens pretty regularly, actually. Usually it's about politics or some fluff, pop-culture opinion story that shouldn't get any attention.

Increasingly, journalists want to write about journalism. And I love that. Who knows or understands the field better?

So Wednesday night when I was editing pages, I was looking forward to reading "Journalists aid disaster victims" by second-year journalism student Stephanie Kitchens. I had a general idea of its contents: Anderson Cooper saves injured boy during chaos. So, I edited, and then I read.

Kitchens' overall argument is this: Although it might seem unethical to help someone if you are covering a story related to their predicament, journalists are humans before they are journalists. But, networks should not air footage or display photographs of the journalists aiding the victims.

After reading, I feel compelled to offer a response.

With the former part of her argument, I agree. When disasters happen, I ask myself, What would I do if I were an on-the-scene journalist in this scenario?" Every time the answer is the same: Help. I think journalists are unfairly pegged with blanket reputations as insensitive lovers of misfortune and disaster. I don't think that's right. What makes the news is most often something that is unusual or unexpected -- disaster falls into both of those categories.

Just as there has been backlash from Anderson Cooper aiding the young boy who was struck with a block of concrete and bleeding profusely from the head, it might lead one to wonder what would the backlash be if Cooper's video team had simply turned the camera on and watched the young boy die. In this instance, I think Cooper made the right humanitarian decision.

Kitchens' wants to take CNN to task for airing the footage and for Cooper displaying the video and photos on his blog. She says it's not right and the network was using Cooper's heroic deed for self-promotion:

This video positively represents Cooper, thus the network that he works for, CNN, benefits from this by being affiliated with a hero. It is persuasive material that could change the public’s opinion of both the reporter and the network.

Cooper should not be playing a public relations role — he is a reporter. While no one should fault him for helping his fellow man, CNN shouldn’t air the footage even if it grabs ratings. After a catastrophe, the networks should run stories describing the aftermath, not the journalists’ involvement in the effort because it is not objective.

Consider the type of news being reported from Haiti at this point. Death. Destruction. Devastation. Looting. Everything is doom and gloom. I do not fault CNN for wanting to air something that showed a humanitarian effort -- they had done the same with other civilians who had survived the earthquake and were now helping to sort through the rubble. The videographer happened to be in the right place at the right time. Cooper had the right feeling at the right time. Together, it produced a short news package. I, for one, am always curious how journalists handle their work when they're thrust into disastrous situations. What are they doing? Who are they talking to? What are their 0ff-air interactions with the people like? Sure, CNN's motive could have been, "Hey, look at how helpful we are." But, I doubt it. To me, Cooper's assisting others is one of the first things I learned in journalism and is a part of the Society of Professional Journalists code of ethics: Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects.

Until this point, I still wasn't all that uncomfortable with Kitchens' arguments. That changed pretty quickly once I reached the last paragraph.

When a disaster like Haiti occurs, the lines of journalism ethics can become blurred. But reporting on something that involves the journalists is always unethical regardless of the situation.

So, what this says to me is, no news organization should report on any of the following:
- a journalist who dies for a story
- a journalist who goes to jail for a source
- a journalist who is kidnapped while reporting for a story
- a journalist who deceives the public

The last graph left me fired up, ranting to other editors who were in the office late Wednesday night and into Thursday morning. At least I know Kitchens' is doing what editorial writers are supposed to do: inspire conversations and debates.

-- Taylor

What In the World Makes You Feel Good?

2010-01-29T19:42:00.010-05:00

When a kid who despises idolism meets his idol

So, it's been about two hours and 45 minutes since I talked with David Granger, editor-in-chief of (in my opinion) the best magazine in publication: Esquire.

I've e-mailed Esquire tons of times without getting a response, so getting Granger on the horn was, I thought, impossible.

I got the number for the editorial office off of the Esquire Web site and decided to give it a shot anyway because I think I was part delirious. In the past two days, I've had one hour of sleep. I went through all the "If you know your party's extension number, please press ___" hassle and eventually got through to Granger's office. I got the voicemail--which was no surprise really. At the end of the message, the voice ordered (their office is in NYC after all) me to leave a message or call Granger's assistant. I left a message.

Sitting in the office, I get even more nonsensical. I didn't write down Granger's assistant's number, so I called again to get it. This time, though, someone answered.

"David Granger's office," a woman said.

"Uh. Hi, this is Gin Ando. I left a message earlier...have you listened to it yet?"

"No."

"Well, I'm a student at the University of Cincinnati and I'm in this journalism class and I have to try to talk to an editor from my favorite magazine and I was just wondering if Mr. Granger had some time to talk to me."

"He travels a lot, but let me check."

I gave her the office number and was just sitting there, waiting to hear back another "No."

She eventually called back, though, and said, "How about 5 tonight?"

Uh, yes.

But don't make any mistake, Granger's not full of himself. He was a pretty nice guy, actually. Just a little strange.

I called back at 5 and heard the other end pick up and a man's voice, "Esquire."

"Uh... hi. This is Gin Ando. Is this Mr. Granger?"

"It is. How ya doin'?"

And just like that I felt like the smallest little grain of sand on the beach. He isn't patronizing. He isn't grandiose and magnificent. But that's what really made me trip up. I was expecting someone to answer to Mr. Granger.

So I ask Granger about all these little fluffy things and some things I wanted to know personally about the magazine and formally end the conversation.

"So what're you doing this weekend?" he asks me.

What?

Granger's like that, apparently. Someone who can talk to anyone. A non-assertive figure who talks with a slight monotone and asks, "How're you?" and when you respond, "Good. Thanks." he'll ask, "Why're you good?" So I give him the fanboy treatment talking about how I love Esquire and all the little tidbits inside of it and how I'm talking to someone I really just... idolize.

"No, no, no. I mean what in the world makes you feel good?"

So, yeah. I just talked with the editor-in-chief of a magazine with publications all over the world. A man who runs a magazine that practically serves as my Bible. And he interviewed me. That's one hell of a way to start this weekend.

-Gin

The full interview will be available at www.newsrecord.org

Top Chef UC stye

2010-01-28T18:47:00.004-05:00

Last night, during production, I opened up an InDesign file for page two maybe page four of the issue we were working on. I saw this ad:

I called the staff over to check it out -- told people it would make a great story with a great opportunity for multimedia. They agreed. I thought to myself, "I wonder how they'll judge." By the time production ended around 1:30 a.m., I had forgotten all about the competition.

So it came as a pretty big surprise to me this evening when I opened my UC e-mail account with an invitation to be a judge for the competition. They needed an RSVP by Monday, but I didn't eve need to wait 30 seconds before I had already sent an e-mail saying "YES, YES, YES."

Who would be crazy enough to say no to a free 12-course meal? I don't know about you, but I'm excited to eat and report on the Top Chef competition.

-- Taylor

Sit Down, Stand Up, Walk Into the Jaws of Hell

2010-01-28T11:10:00.005-05:00

Last night marked President Obama's first State of the Union address. Videographer/photographer Blake Hawk and I went downtown to the Main Street District to a little place called Mixx Ultra Lounge.

The event was hosted by the local Young Democrats and members from the democratic group Organizing for America. A little disappointing with the show up, but I heard that the season premier or finale of Lost was also on.

But what happened last night wasn't anything special. It was somewhat inspiring, but, if you go back and read the transcript, a lot of what he said were things he said during his speeches when he was on the campaign trail. Americans are "hopeful." But hopeful maybe for change in Washington -- maybe Obama has given American people the motivation to move faster than even he can.

Let's get something straight, though. Obama's been in office for just about one year. He's seen Kennedyesque approval and eventually ended up being lambasted by the extreme right- and left-wingers. But now, after his address, he called out everyone. Democrat, Republican and Supreme Court justices were all mentioned. But he also took some of the blame himself, regardless of the situation of the economy and the war when he was sworn in last year.

Analysts say he appealed to both parties. But, what remains to be seen is whether it's middle-of-the-road politics or if it's bipartisanism. Research on clean coal has shown that the only thing really "clean" about it is the way it's mined -- not the way it's burned. Offshore oil rigs, tax cuts, redistributing payback dollars from big banks and helping college students.

But this country isn't his. The entire "holding up" of legislation could potentially put a dent in his agenda or even force certain areas to crumble into a version that's "bipartisan" but not even close to what he said. It's reform, sure, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's what he said. Maybe that's why he called it "reform" in the first place.

He's got his work cut out for him. I heard someone on the radio call the State of the Address a "laundry list." It's a little more important than that, though, because, sir, this is actually a "how to make good on the impossible" list.

-Gin

No News is Bad News

2010-01-26T22:51:00.005-05:00

As a news editor, I find it annoying when people talk down to news. We're not doomsayers. We're not carrion crows or vultures.

Firstly, it's our job. The journalist's job. Even if it's sports, we're all basically doing the same thing: providing a service. Think about it for a moment, if all our stories revolved around all the great things the University of Cincinnati or the city of Cincinnati itself was doing, it'd get old. It'd be a giant PR piece for the university or Cincy. And that's not news.

Secondly, people often forget the good things we do report. People won't remember my "UCPD ups security despite budget cuts" story but they'll remember something like "Financial aid program gets axed." Even before I became a student-journalist, I never told anyone about good things that happened. We remember the bad things because they stir up the most emotions. That's the thing. We don't really remember the good things because the benchmarks -- the pins in the timeline -- are disasters.

So, give us a break. I hate the term "no news is good news." Good news is news. Bad news is news. No news is... well there is no such thing. I swear I'll report on sidewalk cracks before I let reporting become an outdated practice.

-Gin

We're hiring!

2010-01-25T18:33:00.005-05:00

You might have heard: The News Record is hiring a college living/spotlight editor.

Kareem Elgazzar, News Record managing editor, is moving on -- taking a full-time reporter position at The Morning Journal in Lorain, Ohio. He'll start his new role Feb. 16 -- we're so proud. To fill the vacant managing editor position, we've promoted Ariel Cheung, our college living/spotlight editor. Ariel's young, she'll be around TNR for at least two more years (we hope). She's proven to be a talented and dedicated staff member -- she's very well-deserving of this promotion.

But with Ariel's promotion, we find ourselves without a college living/spotlight editor. So, to anyone who said you can't get a job in journalism, they were wrong.

If you're a University of Cincinnati student and interested in the open editor position, here are some things you need to know:

1) Bring a resume, three clips and a 400-word statement on your goal(s) for the college living/spotlight pages to Room 509 Swift Hall by 2 p.m., Friday, Jan. 29. The appointment is only for the duration of the current production year (ends at the end of the academic year). There is the opportunity for reappointment for 2010-11; the application for next year's editorial staff will be available in Spring quarter. If you are hired now, you are welcome to reapply for the next year.
2) You must be available for production on Sunday and Tuesday. Sundays begin at 11 a.m.; Sunday and Tuesday end when your page is ready to be sent to the printer.
3) Being Web savvy helps, but we can teach you to use our CMS. It's easy.
4) You must be able to communicate with other editors and reporters of all skill levels. You have to constantly generate story ideas and be able to assign the stories to reporters. Because many of the reporters who write college living stories are very young, they tend to drop stories more frequently than other sections' reporters. Be ready to pick up their slack.
5) You do not have to be a journalism student to apply. We will, however, give preference to anyone who has taken copy editing and has a very strong understanding of AP style.

Do you have what it takes? Applications are due Friday, Jan. 29. If you have questions, e-mail me: chief.newsrecord@gmail.com.

-- Taylor

P.S.Want to know what it's like in the news room? Here's a video Ariel made:

Interviewing Tips

2010-01-24T21:41:00.004-05:00

Last Friday The News Record hosted a writer's workshop for News Record journalists and those interested in becoming a part of our team. Our focus was interviewing and lede writing, two very important parts of the journalistic puzzle, and, yet, one of the aspects that I don't think gets enough attention.

I think the workshop went well, there were things I wish we would have done differently -- I wish we would have had more time to show examples of great ledes or express how it's best to 'dare to be dumb,' a phrase my aunt used in a presentation about science writing. Dare to be dumb. That says it all ... But not quite. If it did say it all, then what would be the point of the awesome video we created with some interviewing tips? Certainly we could have made a three-hour long video to express the billion different tips we have for interviewing, but that would take way too long to edit, and, lets be honest, nobody wants to look at our faces for that long.

So, enjoy. Please feel free to share your tips for a successful interview in the comments section.

-- Taylor

Off the [News] Record

2010-01-24T17:13:00.001-05:00

News Record editors blogging about News Record stuff. Why? Because it's important that you know why and how we cover the news.