I was about a click away from dropping this class after the first week, then after questioning my manhood and laziness level I decided to stay with it. By week three I was kicking myself (Literally) for not getting out while I could.
But then something happened around week four when Tracy opened the floodgates and let us write what we wanted, within reason. It became fun. I have worked as a sports reporter for the past six years and never had a blog or my voice heard really.
This was refreshing and new to me in many ways. Not only was I not writing about athletic freaks of nature. But I was allowed to write in the first person which was a liberating experience.
Adios, Old Town Now
Old Town is my neighborhood. I live there and i like it. This gave me
a reason to get off my ass and explore a little bit. I enjoyed all the
people I met, and the free drinks at Old Town Social. (Thanks Trib.)
As for hyperlocal news sites, i thought they would be fad, like surfer-cuts. But the more I checked them out, the more I became a believer. Then having Jen and Molly (Hoping I got their names right) come into class really opened my eyes too.
I saw how they mixed all things they learned in journalism school into this site. They took photos and videos, and wrote pieces on everything under the sun. Some of it was news, other entertainment. But regardless, it was a healthy mix.
Hyperlocal news hasn't been tainted yet by THE MAN. I think eventually it will be, but I am grateful for this class giving me the opportunity to learn by doing and reading.
This was one of the first classes where the readings were helpful, I felt. Well, I should say they were the MOST helpful in this class. We had something to talk about every week and it also seemed like the classes weren't long enough. I never caught myself staring at the clock in class.
This seemed like an extra job, and I couldn't devote all my time to it, which definitely showed at times. But I am extremely happy I didn't drop. I learned a lot about journalism, my hood', and how to approach people without creeping them out. i think this class was a real blessing and kind of a breathe of fresh air at times. Journalism doesn't have to be so serious all the time. (That is what I like about ChicagoNow and RedEye as a whole.)
So classmates, lets pray to God this website takes off and we can say we were the ones that started it. (We will tell everyone we talked Tracy into the idea. Deal?)
As for hyperlocal news sites, i thought they would be fad, like surfer-cuts. But the more I checked them out, the more I became a believer. Then having Jen and Molly (Hoping I got their names right) come into class really opened my eyes too.
I saw how they mixed all things they learned in journalism school into this site. They took photos and videos, and wrote pieces on everything under the sun. Some of it was news, other entertainment. But regardless, it was a healthy mix.
Hyperlocal news hasn't been tainted yet by THE MAN. I think eventually it will be, but I am grateful for this class giving me the opportunity to learn by doing and reading.
This was one of the first classes where the readings were helpful, I felt. Well, I should say they were the MOST helpful in this class. We had something to talk about every week and it also seemed like the classes weren't long enough. I never caught myself staring at the clock in class.
This seemed like an extra job, and I couldn't devote all my time to it, which definitely showed at times. But I am extremely happy I didn't drop. I learned a lot about journalism, my hood', and how to approach people without creeping them out. i think this class was a real blessing and kind of a breathe of fresh air at times. Journalism doesn't have to be so serious all the time. (That is what I like about ChicagoNow and RedEye as a whole.)
So classmates, lets pray to God this website takes off and we can say we were the ones that started it. (We will tell everyone we talked Tracy into the idea. Deal?)
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