The Boot Camp Retrospective

So it's the end of the Newhouse "Boot Camp," what was called by many as 6 weeks of tortured hell, of late nights, early mornings, deadlines galore, and general brain-dead moments starring at the computer screen.

Though I cannot say that I didn't enjoy the experience, it was an educational introduction into the upcoming year, one that will include multiple deadlines, AP stylebook issues, drafts upon drafts, and waiting for people to respond to your phone calls.

The Wegmans Post

(in the tune of 'Maria' from Leonard Bernstein's "Westside Story." Mr. Bernstein, I apologize in advance and please do not haunt me for this.)

Oh Wegmans, I've just found a store here called Wegmans

The Toilet Humor Post

There comes a time when as a writer, you've been working with too many deadlines, and pressures, and assignments coming at you. When people do not talk to you or take forever replying back to your phone calls. When you've spent weeks interviewing for a subject only to realize that you still have more questions to ask. And when you are so damn tired of this story that you've spent three weeks on and you still need to write a final draft.

This is when you go off the deep end.

The Idaho v. Maine Post

My fellow student and arts journalist, Amanda, grew up on a dairy farm. When I found out, my mind immediately went straight to the image of a German milkmaid, carrying a pail of milk. Perhaps it is sunset and in the background is a picturesque little white-washed house. In other words, the exact opposite of my experience growing up, nearby the freeway and always being slightly scared of nature.

The Helicopter on Campus Post

We interrupt this blog for a very important bulletin.

The "Tosca" Post

What do you get when you put an artist, an entertainer, and a corrupt official in a church together? You might think the "Hunchback of Notre Dame." Wrong. You get Giacomo Puccini's seminal, immediately accessible operatic hit, "Tosca."

The Frustrations Post

I have just been dancing. Because it's the end of another long week and I am halfway through what they call "Journalism Boot Camp."

The Why Post

Why do I want to be a writer?

The Reinvention Post

Remember this day. For this is the day that I have been reinvented.

Like Madonna, I have emerged to become a newer, better self.

How you ask?