This is not an exit

Archive for 2012|Yearly archive page

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Ashes to ashes, dust to dust: A few words on the ‘death’ of The Oregon Daily Emerald

In Journalism on May 24, 2012 at 2:12 pm

The Oregon Daily Emerald is no more.

Take that claim at face value, and it’s technically true. Starting next year, the University of Oregon’s 92-year-old independent student newspaper will cease to publish Monday through Friday. But the outlet itself isn’t dead, not by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, if anything, it turns into the “24/7 digital news ticker,” as one of my journalism professors put it yesterday.

The newly established Emerald Media Group is entering the realm of digital news in order to maintain the Daily Emerald’s relevance as a journalistic institution. At least that’s what I garnered from the announcement.

As I’m sure the higher-ups in Suite 300 of the Erb Memorial Union anticipated, there were plenty of cries of “WTF?,” “Srsly?,” and other such incredulity from every corner of the web when that video went live. I wasn’t so surprised. Because, as Publisher Ryan Frank explains, the move wasn’t made as a reaction to the doom and gloom facing newspapers across the country or troubles at the paper itself. It’s an attempt to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to the distribution of news. Read the rest of this entry »

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From geodesic domes to the Windy Apple: The Drew Hunt story (sort of)

In Life on May 6, 2012 at 8:25 am

There aren’t many things I can remember from seventh grade. The big stuff comes in alright, but there are few little moments I can recall at a whim. After all, it’s been 12 years. Can you remember exactly what you were doing on March 25, 2000? Neither can I.

Now, I might not be entirely sure of when we had to create identity books in Mrs. Carnahan’s seventh period Core class at Duniway Middle School, but little bits and pieces of it come back from time to time. And if there’s one element of that assignment that comes in clear as day whenever it’s summoned, it’s the bit about my own personal heroes. Even then I can only remember two of the three that ended up in my final draft. One of them was Spider-Man, the fictional character after whom I’ve modeled most of my adult life. Why do you think I spend so much of my time snapping photos in a leotard?

My other hero was Drew Hunt. Read the rest of this entry »

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Photo Friday: exposure, motion and depth-of-field

In Photography on April 13, 2012 at 7:30 am

Hey, remember when I said I’d be taking a greater interest in improving my photography skills? Yeah, not too much of that happened, huh? As I wrote in an earlier post, things got a bit, as the kids say, “cray” during winter term. Between writing for DualShockers, copy chief-ing for Flux, taking a full course load and delivery driving for Cheba Hut, I didn’t have much free time (I did spend 35-40 hours a week just laying down with my eyes closed. Kinda ridiculous, huh?)

I still missed taking pictures, though. In fact, I missed shooting so much that I enrolled in Dan Morrison’s photojournalism class. That was a good decision. Read the rest of this entry »

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A Fond Farewell

In Life on April 2, 2012 at 3:00 pm

If you follow me on Twitter or we’re Facebook friends, you might notice something different about my posts today. Around this time last week I was fervently reading through press releases and combing the farthest reaches of the Internet for news about video games. Not today.

Friday was my last day with DualShockers. Will I miss it? Of course. But I’m in a crucial period in my development as a journalist. In order to make the most of my time at the University of Oregon, I decided it was best to utilize the resources at the School of Journalism and Communication, from the equipment at the checkout room to the excellent faculty. I’ll share more of my plans and projects in later posts but for now I’d like to take a moment to reflect on what I’ve accomplished and gained during my tenure with the site. Read the rest of this entry »

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Gateway Final: Notes of Faith

In Multimedia on March 25, 2012 at 12:00 pm

It’s been awhile, hasn’t it?

Well, for the last ten weeks I’ve been busy working two-and-a-half jobs in addition to taking a full courseload, so I’m not going to be apologetic when it comes to posting. Okay, maybe I’m a little sorry. But now that finals are over, I only have two obligations: Delivery driving and writing news for DualShockers. You know what that means? Yep, there might just be a blog post or two that you’ll be privy to over the next few days. While you wait for those, why not take a gander my final project for Gateway? It’s embedded after the jump for you and it’s all about the St. Mary Catholic Church choir and its director, Dave Phillips.

These folks were kind enough to put up with me for six weeks, from the constant clicking of camera shutters to awkward poses with a camera in order to get decent footage. Dave was especially helpful in acknowledging my presence at first, making things very comfortable from the get-go. Well, without further ado, here’s the video itself: Read the rest of this entry »

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A tribute to all that is fun.

In Music on February 20, 2012 at 12:00 pm

The Format and Steel Train are, quite possibly, two of the most fun bands I’ve ever had the privilege to witness perform live. It’s fitting, then, that when Nate Ruess and Jack Antonoff began collaborating in 2009 they took that adjective and used it as the name for their little side project.

fun.’s first album, Aim & Ignite, is somber, energetic, and unforgivingly upbeat all at once. It’s also one of the most relentlessly — there’s seriously no other word for it — fun collections of songs I’ve ever heard. Tomorrow the wait for the band’s second studio LP, Some Nights, is finally over. You can check out the whole thing on SoundCloud, courtesy of fun. themselves. But for now, in the spirit of Music Monday and my love of playlists, why don’t we take a look at five songs from The Format, Steel Train and fun. that you really should listen to if you love the Ruess-Antonoff project. Read the rest of this entry »

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Ten songs that have given up on love

In Music on February 13, 2012 at 8:30 am

I’ve already apologized for my absence over the last week, so I’m not going to repeat it here. Besides, the songs in this section of my two-part Music Monday spectacular are meant for those of you who have nothing to be sorry for. You were screwed over and you don’t care who knows it. Okay, maybe you don’t want to be open about it, but you don’t have anyone special to spoil or be spoiled by tomorrow and that’s left you feeling a little lonely.

No? Are you feeling the least bit angsty? Not that either, eh? Well, you must have at one point or another gone through a breakup or some kind of heart-shattering debacle over a potential boo, right? I mean, we were all teenagers once, after all (if you’re reading this and are still a teenager, quit loafing around and get a job.) These are all songs that have at one point or another gotten me through a breakup. Or convinced me that, yeah, there’s nothing wrong with me, it’s the girls who are all crazy and don’t know what’s good for them. I’m probably over-sharing here, so let’s just get right to the music, shall we? Read the rest of this entry »

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Ten songs that might woo you a boo

In Music on February 13, 2012 at 8:00 am

Things were a bit busy last week, what with midterms, a few review copies showing up on my doorstep and stories to edit for Flux, along with a couple of other special projects I’m working on poking their heads into an already-busy schedule. So you can see how I didn’t have time to dedicate to the blog, right? Good.

Well, I still want to make it up to you because I know how much you all love these Music Monday playlists. And, boy, do I have a treat for you this week. In order to make up for my absence over the last few days, I’m giving you not just one, but two collections to choose from. And with everyone’s favorite Hallmark holiday just around the corner, what’s better than a grouping of songs that are all about love? Hey, scoff if you will, but sometimes the quickest way to a person’s heart is through song. This playlist is all about wooing a prospective boo. Or maybe you’d rather these provide a soundtrack to a date with an established boo. Either way, if you’re looking for angsty, pissed-off love songs, check these out. Otherwise, enjoy! Read the rest of this entry »

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Five songs that will get you shaking that money-maker

In Music on January 30, 2012 at 8:00 am

I’m not particularly known for my moves on the dance floor. I’m usually reluctant to jump in when the music starts. But there is a handful of songs that, no matter what the occasion, will at least get my toes tapping and likely lead to an all-out dancing spree. I’m also slow to realize which songs do this to me, most of the artists on this list having earned my ridicule or ill will at one point or another (I’m an old codger at heart here, people.)

You’ll notice not a single song on this list was produced after 2009. That’s because I hit my dancing prime at the tender age of 22. Or maybe my constant state of legal inebriation during the preceding year led me to believe that’s the case. To be completely honest, I didn’t do nearly as much drinking when I turned 21 as many of my peers did, which makes this list doubly embarrassing.

I hope you enjoy the admissions made hereafter. Some of them were pretty painful to realize and put into words, which I hope translates into some sort of sick entertainment on your part.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Just do it (and don’t be afraid to ask for help along the way)

In Musings on January 24, 2012 at 8:30 am

What do you want to be better at? Do you have a vision for how you want your career to look one year from today? What about five years? We’ve all got dreams and aspirations. It’s what makes us human. I’d love nothing more than to graduate from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communications, work for a mid-sized metropolitan daily newspaper for 8 or 9 years before settling into a career in games reporting. Sorry I’m so vague on details but I’m still young, ya know.

A couple of weeks ago I preached the importance of getting involved in student publications and although I feel I hit good points for aspiring journalists, there’s a piece of advice I intentionally left out because it’s  so universal.  I’m having a hard time summarizing the point of this post without sounding like a Nike ad from the ’90s. Perhaps I won’t even try.

If you want to succeed in any field there are two tips to keep in mind. The first is pretty simple: Just do it. Whatever you want to do, whether it’s be a better writer, learn to play an instrument or figure out how to take a decent photograph, the key to seeing results is to get off your ass and start working toward your goal. I know, I’ve heard this before, too. But it wasn’t until last term that I really took this advice to heart and I’m better off now because of it. Read the rest of this entry »

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