Monday, August 13, 2007
Why Lie?
We had a good ol' time in Vegas.
We met new friends, reconnected with old ones, and danced to a lot of music in the process.
Oh, and we got our networking on too.
While the annual convention is a place to focus on your craft, ponder about your career path and compile advice from veterans, it's also a vacation of sorts for some of us. (Namely me.) With a network of journo friends across the country, it's loads of fun finally seeing them all in one place -- even if it is in the neon tackiness that is Las Vegas. (Sorry, Marcus.)
This time, it felt like it went by almost too fast. Maybe because we East Coasters tapped out at about 10 p.m. nightly, our bodies never really adjusting to the three-hour time change. Or because the heat kept us from trolling about the city as we did in Indianapolis. Or because as our careers grow, so do our personal networks, so we had to make sure to schedule in brunches, lunches and dinners with colleagues, mentors and friends.
Whatever it was, at least we had the opportunity to reconnect and recharge. Just when many of us are becoming tired of being the token in the newsroom, NABJ comes around and reminds us that we most certainly have support in the struggle.
And that, ultimately, is what convention is all about.
Labels: convention, NABJ, Sin City
continue...We haven't forgotten you!
So yeah.Sorry we've been MIA for much of the weekend, folks. Trying to find an Internet connection and time to post in Vegas is harder than a little bit.
But don't fret, we're coming with some fire - including a point, counterpoint between myself and Veronica about our fellow journalists reaction to Barack Obama's speech.
In the meantime, if you missed the convention, swing by the NABJ Online Student Project and catch up on what you missed. Our very own Aaron was wrecking shop left and right. Check him out.
Labels: NABJ, Sin City, student press
continue...Saturday, August 11, 2007
Overheard in Vegas...
Tom Joyner, the flyjock himself, was trying to hype up the journos at the UNITY Kickoff party the last day of the convention. We'd done the soul train line. We'd been serenaded by Oleta Adams. We'd gotten raffles. What we really wanted was to dance.Tom had other things in mind.
"When I say spell, you say check," he yelled into the mic.
"Spell!"
(Silence.)
Sigh. Do better, Tom.
Labels: musings, NABJ, Sin City
continue...Thursday, August 09, 2007
Rock the Vote?
A quick rant for you. I apologize in advance.This year, I'm serving on NABJ's Elections Committee. Today, we hosted a candidate forum where members could talk to the candidates and ask them questions. It was held immediately after the Senator Clinton speech today, which a majority of the membership attended.
The committee prepared for everything. We had index cards ready to go. The committee was ready.
Tell me why no more than 40 people showed up? Or rather, stuck around. The ballroom was almost full for Clinton. For us, the entire membership could fit into three rows.
Are you serious?
I know the candidates are accessible and have been campaigning all week long, but this was the chance for members to get real answers to their questions and compare candidates side by side. For those who attended, I believe the forum was valuable. For those who missed it, you missed some insightful questions and answers. Your bad.
As an committee member, it honestly disappointed and seriously angered me that people just didn't care.
Don't complain when our budget deficit doesn't increase. If you aren't engaged, you have no right to complain.
As my fellow Ten95'er said: "I hope this isn't an indication of the national election (voter turnout)."
Me too, honey. Me too.
Labels: Clinton, dismay, NABJ, Sin City
continue...Saturday, August 04, 2007
Stay tuned...
Heck, why don't you just bookmark us...
Labels: musings, NABJ, Sin City
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