Any journalist can relate: to write a story is human, to get a solid interview, divine. I don't think I could learn that lesson any more than I can learn today.
In my JRN 120 class, we have an assignment where we have to interview ward candidates in our city. I decided to cover the mayoral race in Brampton. I got two of my candidates, Bruce Haines and Garnett Manning, who were very nice and helpful. They gave me as much information as possible and really seemed to take their time. I found no trouble at all getting these interviews.
Getting to Susan Fennell and Hargy Randhawa, however, is a totally different story.
I called both of them sometimes last week, although I admit I don't remember exactly what day. Receiving no answer, I decided to call on the weekend. Tough luck, Fennell's office was closed (I left a message with my name and contact number) and Randhawa's phone was off. These are two busy people, I thought, I'll just try calling on Monday.
I called Hargy at 11 a.m. Monday. After a couple of rings, I finally got an answer:
"Hello?"
"Hello, is this Hargy?" I asked.
"Yes, it is."
Score! "Hello Hargy, I'm a journalist student from Ryerson and I was wondering if I could interview you."
"Sorry, I'm at a conference, I'll call you back in a couple of minutes."
"Sorry about that! It's no problem, bye!"
I'm not sure if he heard me because the phone was quickly disconnected.
Understandable, I thought. How often are you running for mayor of a city in the GTA? He's just working hard and trying to get those votes. I didn't expect a call back, so I waited until 4 p.m. to call both Fennell and Randhawa.
Fennell's office phone went to voicemail, and Randhawa...his phone was off.
I sat there for a couple of moments, trying to take slow, stable breaths. It'll be okay, I told myself, it'll be okay.
Except that this assignment is due tomorrow at 6 p.m.
Every journalist can relate with this struggle: the creeping deadlines and the lack of co-operation from the sources you need. I e-mailed my professor about that situation, and I'm just hoping he understands. I'm not one who's used to failure, as I always try to fight against the odds. However, this is one situation that's really bogging me down.
An update on this situation later on, and I'll be sure to end up posting the final article as soon as it's done!
*Update: My prof emailed me and advised me to go to their offices and keep trying until about 5 p.m. tomorrow. He told me if anything, my story might have to be focused on what people say about the race and what has happened at candidate meetings. So grateful I have such an understanding prof!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Random outfit hype of the week
My first thought when I saw this: WHAT the hell is this? I love it love it love it love it. Love this outfit. I want that jacket so bad seriously it blows my mind. I don't know if I'm just a newbie or something, but I've never seen a jacket like that before. I expect it to become popular.
Love the drapey outfit (not sure if it's a dress or pants...don't want to make assumptions!) she wears underneath the coat too, it's a nice flowy contrast to the form-fitting (amazing) trench, if you can call it that.
The outfit is the statement, not the shoes, so I'm glad she has a nice pair of strappy heels that let the clothes be the focus of attention instead of the shoes making a statement on their own.
www.younglifemagazine.blogspot.com
This is the link to my old blog; I got a new one because I wanted a new name and I wanted it to be more personal. However, most of the pieces on that blog are the ones I sent for my Ryerson portfolio :) When I have time I want to read it and see if my writing has improved!
Monday, October 11, 2010
An ode to a simple piece: my Zara skirt
I picked up this skirt from Zara about a month ago for only 11 bucks, and I absolutely love it! It's really simple which is not usually in my wacky, experimental taste, but it caught my eye on the hanger. I think I love how nice it is in itself without having to draw attention with bright colours it patterns. Of course, I also love how it accentuates my curves! Big plus for me in finding clothes. It's very minimalistic, but it makes for a cute outfit when you don't feel like going all out, but still want to feel like you look good.
Wellesley St. E. tenants pessimistic about City’s efforts
It is a hectic scene at the Wellesley Community Centre, where many victims of Friday’s fire at 200 Wellesley St. E. are being given supplies like food, clothing, and accommodations by the City of Toronto.
Some tenants, however, are unhappy with the City's reaction.
Some tenants, however, are unhappy with the City's reaction.
“It seemed like the firefighters didn’t even care. It was like they were just spilling water all over the place,” says Mahamed Gedi, 30, who lives on the 28th floor. “For me, it’s amazing that it took so long to get rid of a fire in one small part of the apartment.”
When Gedi first heard the fire alarm, he ignored it. "False alarms happen here all the time, I thought it was just a bunch of kids who thought it would be funny to pull the fire alarm.”
After he heard the commotion of emergency vehicles outside, he rushed downstairs to join a crowd in front of the building watching firefighters fight the blaze.
“The first day was so disorganized. We didn’t know who was in charge- the fire marshal, management, or police. All we could do was watch.”
For three days, he says, residents have stayed at shelters or a part of the University of Toronto.
The estimated number of tenants that were in the building at the time of the fire is said to be 1200, but the number of tenants affected by the fire is estimated to be around 1700.
Tenants are not yet allowed into the building, which is frustrating for people like Solanon Mahamed, a 36-year-old tenant who was leaving for the United States next week.
“This really changed my perspective,” says Mahamed, a 36-year-old resident. “I thought they were better equipped. They didn’t even have cranes to go up into the buildings and stop the fire. It took almost five or six hours and I think they made it more complicated.”
Mahamed is choosing to sleep with a friend instead of deal with the shelters.
“I don’t have my wallet, I don’t have anything. I can’t get into the apartment and all I can do is wait.”
Unimpressed by the reaction of firefights and City of Toronto workers, Mahamed says “I believe they neglected us.”
Any donations for victims are currently being accepted at the Wellesley Community Centre at 495 Sherbourne St., the University of Toronto exam building at 255 McCaul St., and the 519 Church St. Community Centre.
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