The Journalism State Conference Happened

And it was amazing in a lot of ways.

I have a ton of notes from the 6 lectures I went to, and I plan to go through them thoroughly. The people I met were another high point. Next year, when I'm a staffer for the newspaper, is looking all kinds of keen.


In the long run, though?
Listening to some talk?
Newspaper under Miss Adwell looks like it will be a worthwhile way to spend high school, as something to be really involved in. Possibly going to NYC, Washington, or even Ireland was brought up.
I've resolved to start saving money.

It's all adventure, folks.

The Journalism State Conference

This coming weekend, I'll be in Austin, Texas.
Why would I do this? Why would I go there?
A few reasons, which I think make up a pretty decent story, if not cautionary tale.

First, background. Throughout junior high I was in the journalism class, and I think I did a pretty decent job. I certainly got no complaints. I ended up meeting some pretty good folks there, and I was pretty resolved to try my hand at journalism in high school.
It would have been a step up, right?

Only, the thing is, electives. Electives and scheduling. They worked against me.
Orchestra? Double blocked. Killed any hope I had of being in journalism, as well as engineering.

Opportunity knocked, and I got out of orchestra. I became an aide to a basketball coach. It was double blocked, too, but in all honesty? It was a free period. Daily.
Nothing wrong with that, when you're in Pre-AP Geometry, Geography, English and Biology.

In the end, I wasn't able to get into Journalism 1. I did, however, get into Theater Arts. Easiest fine arts credit ever.

I didn't want to waste a year as a sophomore for Journalism 1 when Newspaper called to me, though. So I went ahead and asked a few key people, later on in the year, if they speak on my behalf. Or anything, really.
These key people being none other than my English teacher, Gibbs, and my cousin, Chandi. Soon to be editor of the newspaper.
Their good opinions of me combined and directed to Miss Adwell, I've been guaranteed a spot on the newspaper team next year which I look forward to. Right after this, Chandi asks me if I'm at all interested in going to Austin.
I was surprised, yeah, but the word 'yes' is on the tip of my tongue anyway.


And so that is how I'll be going to both Newspaper 1 next year and the State Conference in around 6 days. Things worked out keenly.


That won't always be the case, though. So, to all equally inclined and inbound freshmen, put a bit of thought into how you might want to restructure things when you go to high school. My first week was full of apprehension and hoping my requests got handled properly by the counselor.
Then, I had the advantage of a sympathetic soul on the Newspaper team, and a teacher that would vouch for me. Since these things worked out, I have nothing much to worry about now, save maybe some extra scrutiny by Miss Adwell next year. But you never know.



At any rate, Austin! That's an upside, no matter how you look at it.
I should buy a hat down there.

Happenings.

So.
High school couldn't be better.
The people I've met? Great folks.
The people I've known? Still great.
I am content in all things physical and emotional.

I went to the mall today, with Tina, Vincent, Ronnie, Vivian, small Vivian, and Tommy.
Notice a naming pattern there, that sort've works?
I did.
I think.
Possibly?
I chilled around with them, which was fun enough, and I ran into a lot of people at the mall. More than I usually do, anyhow.
I saw, not necessarily in this order, James, Jonny, Nataley, Kenny, Carrie, Veronica, and two seniors (maybe one of them was a junior?) just around the place.
I said hello to all of them! Except the two upperclassmen. Since I really do not know them so well.

So, while I was there, I stopped by Hot Topic (not by myself, Tina, Vivian, small Vivian, Vincent and Ronnie were around, too) and I walked to the back of the store.
And you know what struck me?
They got rid of the hats!
I don't mean fashionable baseball caps, or those watch caps and skull cap kind of things girls wear- they got rid of the fedoras.
And I was sad, no kidding. The fedora's been on the decline for a while now, and Hot Topic getting rid of their small selection in the back of the store struck me as being pretty bad.

Hot Topic has some nice fedoras. Had some nice fedoras. I bought my first fedora, one of three right now, there.
And, oh, there's a Lids just a few minutes from Hot Topic at the mall, sure. But the fedoras there seem cheap. Flimsy. Not solid like the tweed one I bought in August of this year at Hot Topic.




I've not done a lot of reading lately, sadly. I got The Soviet-Afghan War while I was roaming around 2nd period, and had stopped in the library.It is not so bad. Just very technical. Interesting reading, though! I want to finish it.

I've been reading Ethan Frome for English, and I am enjoying it. I haven't looked up the ending of the book, or anything. Just reading it as is as we have chapters assigned, and writing things in the margins now and then.

As always, I have been reading Lovecraft whenever I'm just idle.
Lovecraft's stuff is always fun. I don't think I'm ever going to get tired of it.
Also?
My cell phone, for bluetooth, is called Ithaqua.
My iPod Touch is Azathoth's Court.
My computer is Sarnath.



Maybe Sarnath isn't an appropriate name? Something with one eye, maybe.
If I ever get a small netbook or something, I am calling it Inganok.

Expect more! My goal is 14, since that's what I put up on here back in '08.