New York state of mind

On Friday, our class had the opportunity to see Page One: Inside The New York Times.  What a great documentary!  As a Newspaper lover, it was fascinating to see the inside workings of the iconic giant. 

I have loved Newspapers since I can remember.  I have vivid memories of my mom getting frustrated with me, as she would call my name repeatedly and I would never respond, too engrossed in the paper.  It was a habit I picked up from my dad, I guess.  He's an avid paper reader too.  We could sit for hours, quietly reading and handing each other different sections.

I found David Carr to be one of the highlights, as did so many of my classmates.  He is eccentric and refreshing.  At times, you sit there thinking, how in the world did someone hire him from The New York Times?!?!  How did he get such a coveted position?   Then you hear him work his sources on the phone, and read what he's written and you know, full stop.  This guy is good. 

There were some other highlights too.  It was inspiring to watch journalists Tim Arango and Brian Stelter in action. I loved the music by Paul Brill. There was so much to this documentary that I feel I need to see it again, just to absorb everything.

Of course the big question is where will The Times be in five years?  We can speculate and make assumptions, but no one really knows.  I will be rooting for The Gray Lady with all my heart. 

The comfort of the three PJs

The three comforting things beginning with PJ?  Well, pajamas of course.  That's an easy one.  The next, is peanut butter and jam sandwiches.  Those always bring me back to my lunches as a kid, sticky fingers and all.  And then there's Pearl Jam.  One of those bands that has managed to keep their musical stylings the same, so they always sound like an old friend, while still staying current.  Hard to believe they are turning 20 this year!

I went to my first Pearl Jam concert on Saturday.  I was so excited to hear Eddie Vedder's voice live!  He puts so much passion and feeling into his singing.  I also love the growly texture.  Eddie didn't disappoint.  Through a two and a half hour set, he belted his heart out, while staying in tune.  Is staying in tune important?  Absolutely!  Nothing bugs me more then Artists who sound great on a CD but are total crap when it comes to performing live.   

There were lots of songs I loved, and some others that I didn't really know.  Song that I cried in?  "Elderly woman behind the counter in a small town".  Just me and 10,000 people all singing to the same tune, like we're around a campfire in someones backyard.  Pearl Jam, old friend....thankyou for a wonderful night.  Hope to see you again soon.

Twitter dee Twitter dum

Twitter.  Is it useful, or just a highway of meaningless information that we have to cipher through?  I've been asking myself that question since it first appeared.  I had no desire to go on it, but now being in Creative Communications, it seems to be pretty important.  Joining one week ago, it's too early to say what side of the Twitter fence I'm on, but I'm keeping an open mind. 
I think it's pretty cool that you can follow anyone.  Without having to be "accepted", you can read what politicians, businessmen, celebrities, companies, friends and even Joe Shmoe are saying.  The instant information you have at your fingertips is mindblowing.  On the other hand, if you start following a ton of people, I could see how alot of time would be spent just reading through all the tweets.  Time well spent?  Or time....well,...spent?  We'll see where the twitter train takes me....

Jumping in with both feet

My first post.  Ever.  I have to admit, it's a little daunting but very exciting at the same time.  I cannot believe how much technology has changed since I graduated from University a "little" while ago.  I never thought I'd be the person to bring out the ole "Back in my day, when I went to school...we had to walk uphill both ways, through the snow."  But funny enough I find myself here.
Being a little old fashioned and sentimental, it's been a struggle for me accepting all of the new stuff that literally comes out daily now.  I still love reading real Newspapers, front to back, every single page whether it's good or bad, until my hands are black from the ink.  I love reading real books where you can smell the pages and binding.  I have been refusing to get a smartphone on the principle of...well...of just being stubborn I guess.  I think now might be the time to reassure my fellow students that although it sounds like it, you do not have an 80 year old classmate. 
That's why I decided to do the exact opposite of what my mind was telling me and enrolled in Communications.  My comfort zone has been completely obliterated.  This is going to be hair pulling, challenging stuff, but that's also the thrill and excitement of it.  So bear with me on this bumpy ride!