Glam died and I wasn't invited to the funeral.

This evening as I was driving from Columbus back to my hometown of Chesapeake, Oh, the song "Glamorous" by Fergie came on the radio. Since my CD player is broken and I couldn't listen to my all-time-fav "Baby Makin' Music" mix, I stayed tuned against my will. As I sang along in my car voice--which just so happens to resemble Celine Dion's voice--I thought, what the hell happeed to GLAMOUR? Since it's 2010 and every word's definition is somewhat arguable, we'll go with a loose definition created by yours truly. "A head-to-toe look of class, flash, luxury and elegance." I wanted to add "Barbie-esque" in there, but I'm creating this for the masses and let's be honest, some people have a vendetta against her. Anyways, what's so wrong with volumous curls, bold make-up, glitter everything and a clutch full of confidence for finishing touches? It sounds like an average night out for most, but who has actually gone an entire night without being called a slut, baby prostitute, Barbie, Snookie, etc etc etc--by the ultra grunge no-make-up wearing hipsters sitting in a booth enjoying their Jack and Cokes. DISCLAIMER: I'm so into vintage, but I'm also into showering. Thus, this is not a rant about how I feel prosecuted for being fabulous. It's actually a resurrection of all things GLAM. I'm so sick of having to dress down just because that's how everyone else will be dressed or because someone asked, "Are you going to Prom?" Just because prom is the only time you whitened your teeth, curled your hair, wore fake eyelashes and strutted your shit in stilettos, does not mean that it's okay for you to snere your unglossed lips at ladies who dreamed about Cinderella's glass slippers until they were 12. So, the predictable call to action would certainly be to put on a freakum dress, sing Toni Braxton on stage during a non-karaoke night out and give an unnaturally large hair whip to anyone who isn't mildly impressed.

xoxo
add

http://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/28/nyregion/about-new-york-a-heavy-burden-burying-eileen-sam-liz-and-f-c.html

Ethics Critique: EC

This article obviously hits a nerve with me as well as many other journalism students, I'm sure. I can see both view points to this issue. On one hand, I think it is great for students to have the opportunity to write for major publications to get practical experience and name recognition. On the other hand, I don't think these students should write for publications as "free laborers." Most universities have their own newspapers where students can gain practical experience for credit hours. Atleast there, we are gaining a grade and hours toward our degrees. I also don't think it seems fair for journalists with more experience to lose jobs to recent graduates simply for the sake of money. If an individual is more qualified for a position, he or she shouldn't get the "boot" because an editor doesn't want to pay the more qualified person more money. If I were an editor, I would want the journalist who is going to bring me the most compelling stories for my readers, no matter how much I had to pay them. Now, I understand there is a budget for publications and such, but I wouldn't take the easy way out and hire a 21-year-old who can't write a decent lead. Also, if I am in a student's position, which I am, I wouldn't want to produce great stories for a publication where I'm not receiving any benefits, but the editor is. I would be honored to write for the New York Times if I were an NYU student, but knowing I only get to write for such an accomplished paper because there were 200 layoffs would be degrading. It's hard not pay attention to news coverage about the decrease of journalism careers, but I think journalists have a passion for what they do, so we're not as indulged in the bad publicity surrounding potential careers. A famous deontologist, Kant, said, "people should always be treated with respect and as ends unto themselves, never as means to an end." I feel as if student journalists are means to an end in the economic/journalism world.

Ethics Critique

Columbus Dispatch writer Meredith Heagney spoke to my Media Ethics class Tuesday, February 23, and made a relevant point concerning journalists' duty and social media. "A journalist's job is to cover the news, not make the news." I think this is a valid point when questioning where the line is between reporters and social networking sites. For example, tweeting the details of a meeting is creating the news, not covering the news. Covering the news would entail the reporter to speak with sources to gather accurate information and unbiased facts. When did reporters start misunderstanding their duty to the public? Although Pamela J. Podger offers many different views in her story, one stuck out to me. Cheryl Rossi's idea of having two separate Facebook accounts seems to make the most sense while creating the least amount dramatic debate. Although this whole debate is clearly complex and blurry, this solution is simple. The idea offers reporters to have social lives while maintainting "transparency" as a professional. I don't think there is any real answer as to where the line should be drawn. Many journalists are still asking the question. One newspaper journalist, Gina Chen, blogs about her thoughts which are basically the same as other every other ETHICAL journalist! Finally, when considering where to draw the ethical line between jounalism and social media, ask yourself these questions: What is the situation? Consider the principles, state the ethical issue, weigh the principles, consider external factors, examine all parties involved. At the end if you(being a journalist) have truly concluded that calling the president a "SCUMBALL" on your twitter is ethical and will cause no harm, then by all means...but I highly doubt that will ever be the case.

MULTIMEDIA

Since my final project is a profile, a description is important for the reader. I would like to include a photo of my subject. I like how the subject's picture is placed at the beginning of the story, before it starts. A good example of this is depicted through a story about Michelle Obama's plan to decrease obesity. I also like how in person interview video clips are included in a story. An example I used in a previous blog about Sarah Palin is another good example of something I would like to do for my final project. I think adds clarification and a better understanding for the reader if they can watch it. Another multimedia characteristic I like is adding multiple pictures that depict the central theme in different ways.

PALIN LASHES OUT AGAINST "FAMILY GUY"

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35430923/ns/entertainment-television/

This story has been all over headlines from the moment Sarah Palin and her daughter Bristol posted comments on their Facebook pages about the Fox comedy "Family Guy." It's ironic, because Palin is such a huge Fox supporter, but when it came down to her family, she saw it as a "kick in the gut." They poked fun at Down syndrome and referenced a character as Palin's daughter. As we all know, Palin's youngest son, Trig, has Down syndrome. Major news organizations have quoted Sarah and Bristol's comments on their web sites and in print publications. She has lashed out about the show on live television, and then her Facebook comments are quoted on the screen. It's amazing to see how far reporters went with these comments that were posted on a social media site. Reporters are questioning her on her statements made on Facebook in interviews that are supposed to be geared toward her book and other concerns.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD5Dz7kPUtA

FINAL PROJECT OUTLINE

INTERVIEWS:

I am going to profile an Ohio State freshman who worked at Disney World as a Disney princess. My interview with her is scheduled for Wednesday, February 24. Although Disney has very strict privacy policies, I'm going to try to get as much information about "a day in the life" of a Disney princess. I'm going to interview a career counselor who works at Career Services on campus. The career counselor, April Calkovsky, helps place individuals in internships at Disney World. My third interview will be with a student who atually did an intership at Disney World. She is a third year, Katie Lanesey. My interview with Lanesey is scheduled for Monday 22. My fourth interview will be with with another Ohio State student who worked as a Disney Princess. She is a friend of classmate Matt Skrajner.

Central Theme:

I want my profile to be a "day in the life" type of profile, but with a lot of background information. I'm hoping to receive great quotes to make the story flow and to keep the reader's attention. Since I'm going to interview two girls who were actually Disney Princesses, I want to compare and contrast their experiences. I want to let the readers know exactly what it is like for an individual to literally have one of the most magical jobs!

Other information:

I would love to speak with the director of interns at Disney World if anyone has a connection with he or she. Any person employed at Disney World would be beneficial to my story.

SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE:

I plan to create a Facebook group entitled "Who Wants to be a DISNEY PRINCESS." I would send an invitation to all of my friends on Facebook, but I would also leave the group open for others to join who weren't my friends. I would create a discussion board on the group for people to post their opinions and maybe find some other people who have worked for Disney. I think in a group like this, people would post some pretty interesting things considering a large number of girls have dreamed of being a Disney Princess at one time in their life. I could use quotes to back up the statement that a lot of girls would love having this. I could also back up that statement by the number of people who join the group.