Interviewing People Can Be a Bit Awkward... Sometimes.

Overall, I am a very laid back person. If you know me, you would be familiar with my outgoing and somewhat-obnoxious attitude. However, I am quite reserved when I am around people whom I do not know well — especially strangers. I guess that is a common standing ground for most people.

While taking the course, “Reporting and Writing the News I” at the University of New Hampshire, I have allowed myself to become familiar with social encounters that do not involve people I know.

I learned that when interviewing people, one needs charisma and confidence, which are both the foundations of public speaking. Reading the text book has also encouraged me to make sure that I have total control and power over interviews, so they do not go awry. Although a dramatic interview would make for a good story on its own, it would jeopardize my integrity as a “professional” journalist, as well as my story.

So far, I have learned to just be myself when interviewing people. At first, I felt as if I was bothering people when I interviewed them, which made me feel insecure. However, I had to reassure myself that there was nothing wrong with interviewing people, and if I was a roadblock in someone’s day, then I always had the ability to quickly move on to another source.

I have had very little experience with interviewing others in person. When I was in high school, I would do most of my interviews via email and other social networking sites, which proved much easier, since people could answer whenever was convenient for them. I also did not have to worry about meeting someone and talking to them face-to-face.

It’s time to grow up and move on. I can do this.

Look out world, here I come. Get your words ready, because I am going to write down and capture everything that you have to say.

Two Women Recovering in Hospital from Belmont Car Crash

A horrific car crash occurred on Mile Hill Rd. in Belmont, Mass. Tuesday evening. A white Ford Mustang swerved off the dark, dirt-road and flipped over onto its roof. Alcohol may have been involved in the incident, but has not been confirmed

The driver of the car was Jamie Peterson, 17, of Belmont. Peterson managed to crawl out of the car on his own. According to Belmont Police, rescuers had to use the jaws-of-life to free two passengers from the crushed car. The operation took about 45 minutes.

The two female victims were taken to Belmont Memorial Hospital. One victim was in stable condition; the other was airlifted to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. A spokesperson from Mass. General confirmed that one of the patients was being treated for a brain injury. There has been no additional information regarding her critical condition.

Tom Carroll, 17, was driving behind the Mustang in his pick-up truck and was the first on the scene. He told police he saw the car suddenly speed around a curve, where it overturned onto its roof. 

“It’s hard to see kids your age in something like this,” Carroll said.

Josie Crandall witnessed the vehicle veer off the road through her home window at about 9 p.m. She immediately contacted the authorities.

“I’ve never seen a car going so fast on this road,” Crandall said. “It’s really easy to lose control.”

Coincidentally, a fatal accident occurred at the same spot Dec. 24, 2005, where two local teenagers were killed. No evidence has been found to support a connection between the two tragic crashes.

President Obama Accepts the Democratic Nomination for President of the United States

President Barack Obama accepted the Democratic Nomination for President of the United States in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday. The event took place at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Center City Charlotte. The venue held about 20,000 people.

As Obama marched onto the stage, thousands of standees greeted him. Each person proudly waved an American flag, held a light blue “Forward” – Obama’s currently adopted motto – sign upward, clapped and cheered. Others took pictures and shot video of the event on their cellular phones.

“Michelle, I love you so much,” said Obama, marking the first words of his acceptance speech. After telling his daughters that they still had to go to school the following day, he proudly accepted the nomination for President of the United States.

Obama’s speech addressed popular issues, such as the economic crisis and education, while embracing the spirit of the American citizen. “I’m not pretending that the path I’m offering is quick and easy,” Obama addressed his captivated audience, “I never have.”

Obama’s speech rallied up the whole arena, and the background musical choices played a huge part: U2’s “City of Blinding Lights” introduced the President, while Bruce Springsteen’s “We Take Care of Our Own” appropriately closed the citizen-themed speech.

Obama concluded with, “America, I never said this journey would be easy, and I won’t promise that now. Yes, our path is harder – but it leads to a better place. Yes our road is longer – but we travel it together.” 

The president finally embraced his family on stage as red white and blue confetti tumbled down from the indoor sky.

Duane Whittier, a social and political philosophy professor at the University of New Hampshire, found Obama’s acceptance speech to be absolutely perfect. “[The speech] correlated positively with Obama’s current term, but Obama has had a record of not bothering to really explain his current term.

However, Whittier yearned for a worthwhile third party. “I consider the current Republican party to be proto-fascist, and the current Democratic party to be brain-dead,” he said.

Douglas Wood, a registered Republican and airline pilot of Hampton, New Hampshire, thought Obama’s speech was underwhelming. 

“I thought that his speech was intentionally themed to be more subdued to allow Biden to shine through his praise and admiration for his boss.” Wood noted that President Obama was smartly careful to not make any tangible promises.

Registered Democrats Susan Guiney and Francis Roach of Medford, Massachusetts thought differently. As a social security administrator and a parochial school teacher respectively, each thought Obama’s speech was somber and serious.

“He was clear about the differences between the Republicans versus the Democrats for the future of the country,” Roach said.

“Obama was more specific, and he was more inclusive, speaking about women, minorities, and his vision for the country's future,” Guiney said, “Whereas Romney focused on what Obama did not do during his term.”

In addition, Guiney and Roach felt their votes were more important than ever. The couple stated that Obama had a positive message about the future and how he realistically needs more time to accomplish his goals for the country.

Why College Students Feel the Need to Party

On weekend evenings, the streets of Durham, New Hampshire fill with hoards of students yearning to unwind from the madness of their studies. The campus itself is almost as busy as it is during common exam time in the early afternoon weekdays. Men wear jeans and Polo’s while women wear fancy dresses and short skirts.

Madbury Road is the University of New Hampshire’s central artery when it comes to partying. A plethora of fraternity and sorority houses decorate the road like gas stations on a highway. For students who like to party, these houses adorn their giant Greek letters proudly like “welcome” signs, inviting anyone in for good time.

American collegiate institutions are notorious for their scandalous portrayal of binge drinking, drug use, and sexual activity. For some reason, students feel the need to let loose and take a break from their studies by trekking downtown to the bars for a drink, or escorting themselves to the nearest house party.

Michelle, Randy, and Conner, a group of twenty-something’s from Manchester, New Hampshire, are heading to their friend’s apartment. They are interested in attending their friend’s party, because, they presume, it will be fun. They plan to drink, play Beirut, and make new friends. Their favorite part about the typical college atmosphere is meeting new people, since party-goers tend to be outgoing and very friendly, especially when consuming alcohol.

The cycle of various groups of people jumping from party to party will presume until the wee hours of the morning. Drunken students will babble and curse as they stumble by. Police cruisers will ultimately race past in fury with their flashing lights and blaring sirens to hunt rule-breakers and prohibit mischief. 

College allows students to gain knowledge through academia and social encounters via parties. Additionally, partying can provide individuals to live their youthful college lives to the fullest. Albeit, “fun” can be interpreted in numerous ways, especially sobriety speaking, most students desire to abstain from trouble. Students just want to be safe and have fun, especially after a long week of classes.

How to Be Eaten Alive without Actually Dying

Elisabith, a local village girl, and her grandmother were saved by a hunter after having been eaten whole by a terrible wolf yesterday morning.

The grandmother lives about one and a half miles outside the village in the woods by three big oak trees and a stream running by a garden. Although she has been sick recently, she was going to be visited by her granddaughter with some tasty treats to make her feel better.

Instead, a hungry wolf, which briefly met and distracted Elisabith on the way to her house, fooled the grandmother into letting him in. He ate her whole and quickly disguised himself. Elisabeth soon made her way to the house without knowing what had happened. The wolf ate her whole as well.

A hunter passing by noticed a disturbance of loud snoring. He made his way into the house and observed a large-bellied wolf sleeping in the bedroom. He killed the wolf, as he was trying to do so for many years, by cutting open its stomach. The grandmother and Elisabith sprung out of the wolf’s carcass in rejoice.

The two were totally unscathed in the incident. The hunter skinned the wolf and nailed the pelt to his door to notify everyone about the wolf’s death.

"I could not believe that we did not die. I sure thought I was a goner,” said the grandmother.

“I was so scared. But, now grandmother and I are safe, and the wolf is dead,” replied Little Red Riding Hood – Elisabith’s local epithet.

The shy hunter did not want to comment on the story. Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother were grateful for being saved. Citizens rejoiced the wolf’s death, and the hunter has been found a local hero.

What is Journalism... or News for that Matter?

News entails the incorporation of facts and creative detail to weave a captivating story.

News is the product of Journalism; that is, one must live vicariously through their work by being diligent and impartial at all times.

News must also incorporate dedicated research through reliable interviews and factual data.

This is the Most Random...

This is my first Blog.

I'm not much of a Blog person, because I feel like they are awkward. I'm basically having a conversation with myself on my computer screen.

Maybe (if other people ever do read this), it's like someone is reading my thoughts. But, that's slightly creepy.

Alright, I have other things to do tonight. Good night, World.