Anyway, I went to conduct the interviews. My third story option turned out to be the one in which a source would actually call me back. So we headed down to the Catholic Charities of Ithaca to talk about how they'd run out of children's clothing for their Share the Warmth drive in three days, and how the community had responded in such a big way. Hard hitting journalism. But it was a story, and I was happy with it. Plus, everyone there was super nice and accommodating, which is pretty much a breath of fresh air when you're a journalist.
When I got back to campus, I threw on comfy clothes, worked on papers and watched snow fall. Then I curled up with a book...well, essays debating neo-conservative foreign policy...and watched Florida lose the SEC championship. A quality day.
Sunday involved me sleeping in way past my alarm, mildly panicking, grabbing breakfast, and running over to Park to get started on my package. A senior journalism student (I know! Proof I'll learn useful things and be competent!) who is usually one of the anchors on Sunday showed me the basics of Final Cut Pro and helped me record voice overs on a linear editor. It was really cool, and basically a crash course in everything I'll learn in News II. Sometimes I think my parents are paying my tuition for me to learn everything in extracurriculars.
Sunday night I sat back and watched the absolute madness ensue. Really, Switchcast is always a mess, but I am pretty sure my package was the only thing that got onto air unscathed. It was absurdity. And of course, there are the pranks. One anchor actually had to read:
"Next on Newswatch 16, hamsters that could kill you and your cat wants some noms."
I have my suspicions about who wrote THAT one.
In other news, yesterday was my mother's birthday. She turned...like, 30, or something. It's an estimation. I tried to call her, but I guess she was too busy partying like the wild child she is to call me back. Or maybe I just called at too ungodly of an hour. I am a college student, and am not good at keeping track of these things.
I gotta say, I'm lucky that I've had her as a Mom for 19 years of her life and counting. She has handled all the crazy, all the late night stressors, all the homework, the sports events and college crises with grace. Not that those are entirely over, even though we're separated by a few states. Sorry about that, Mom. I love you. You are an awesome mom. I don't know how to say it in a non-cheesy way.
And...that's about it. Bring it, finals.
