Crossing the Line

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/27/technology/internet/27twitter.html

Seriously?

I know I need to suck it up and move on, but I don't get Twitter. I'm not a fan of the concept; the thought of having my every action recorded for others' knowledge pains me.

Not only is it happening, it's expected now for celebrities and other well-known personalities to do so. If you read the article I linked up top, it talks about celebrity twittering, or at least twitters on their behalf.

You see, 50 cent doesn't have the time to send updates every two minutes, so he has someone doing it for him (probably best-- I can only imagine the profound twitters 50 would make). So does Obama. And Britney.

The entire purpose of this Web site, though, is to gain a new level of intimacy with these people. Don't you lose that if they aren't doing it in the first place?

Interning... the wave of the future.

It's 7:30 a.m.

Is my alarm clock really going off?

I'm a college student! I thought I wasn't allowed to see 7:30 in the morning!

Welcome to the world of interning. Maybe it's not the real world, but it's one step closer.

While internships may pull us kicking and screaming into the structured world of pin-striped suits and business totes, it comes with huge payoffs. Trust me.

Professionals encourage students to complete 2-3 internships before graduating. In fact, interning is built into the curriculum for public relations majors.

As a junior, I am currently beginning my first internship. Sometimes I feel like interning takes up time that I don't really have in the first place, but the work I am doing now will get me further in the future.

Also, I'm an environment that was created for learning. While I'm expected to give my best effort, my boss also knows that this is the first time taking my skills out of the classroom. Mistakes happen. Internships are the place to make them.

Go. Get an internship. It will give you an edge on your competition. And, as we will be entering the workforce at a time of dwindling jobs, it is important to stand out as much as possible.

That elusive Christmas spirit

Here we are, four days shy of the big day, and I'm still an eggnog or two away from getting on the Christmas bandwagon.

I can't believe it's so close. And I have no feeling. It just completely snuck up on me.

I'm back at home with the family, and our tree's up. I've bought pretty much all my presents... I don't know what's wrong with me.

At Outback last night a guy that was a regular of mine over the summer gave me a $50 tip. Amazing. Despite my struggle to be one with the holiday season, that gift meant so incredibly much.

I'm working every night till Christmas Eve, but I'm going to do what I can to catch up! Fancy dinners with the family, driving around to look at the lights, all the good stuff.

Merry, Merry Christmas!

Benjamin

Some people have crushes on Johnny Depp. Certainly, the current following is foaming at the mouth for a certain teenage vampire. (What type of name is Edward Cullen, anyway?)

These trends will pass, but my love for Benjamin Franklin is eternal.

That's right. I have a big, fat, history crush on the ultimate Renaissance man.

It started when I was about 15. I was in English class, we were studying the literature that was first coming out of the United States, and we worked our ways to the Franklin days. I haven't really left it since.

I know it's amusing. I just love what I read about him! He is the most well-rounded individual, and his humor has survived HUNDREDS of years! How cool is that? I mean, I don't even know if I can properly communicate and be funny over my writing, but you can almost see the twinkle in his eye when you read his musings. Genius.

So let me have my crush. It sure beats the hell out of the Jonas Brothers.

Home, where my thought's escaping

Even though I live a lot closer to home than I've been in the past, I haven't made the drive home yet this semester. Thanksgiving is now two days away, and that's about to change.

It's hard to get away from Gainesville. There's always something going on, a test right around the corner, an article to write. For this four-day vacation, though, there's really no excuses.

I'm excited. I'm looking forward to a slower pace, to seeing my family, to being in familiar St. Cloud.

I'm also a little... tentative. A lot happened when I was last home and a lot has happened since I've been home.

Oh well. Here goes nothing.

Working without a net

Those moments when you realize you've moved up into the "adult" category are pretty scary.

My Dad writes me weekly, and one week he mentioned how exciting and terrifying it was to watch me live my own life. I'm completely responsible and in charge, and if I fail, I fail.

My best friend watched several people from her office get layed off today. As she watched, she didn't know if she would be one of them.

Wow. How did we get here?

Finding the beat

I'm on the commission and general assignment beat for the city desk at The Alligator, and adjusting to the task has been interesting.

I'm currently at a Community Redevelopment Agency meeting, trying to understand the jargon, identify the people and disseminate the information.

Perhaps more challenging than that was actually getting here. For some reason, I had it set in my mind that City Hall was actually across the road, so I spent a bulk of time circling the block, then eventually parking and wandering in my heels, tripping over my trousers and heaving my laptop. For a little girl, no small task.

Hopefully, now that I'm in the press room, connected to internet, and at least looking the part, things will be a little seamless.

If not, I'll still figure it out. :)