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The Daily Barometer Blog
July 16th, 2009
OSU Budget
By on July 16th, 2009
Here’s a link to the PR from OSU News & Communication about how OSU will fill the budget gap:
http://tinyurl.com/km9c46
July 1st, 2009
Well, look here!
By on July 1st, 2009
We have a blog! But you all knew that.
As you may have already noticed if you’ve been on campus this summer, your favorite daily (uh, weekly for the time being?) paper has already spun out two glorious issues. Pretty awesome stories, I must say.
We’ve been working hard! Really, we have been. The newsroom is much quieter and less insane than during the school year, but we’re getting stuff done. So, go staff!
The Corvallis Pride Festival was last weekend, so see below for all the photos we took at the event. Keep checking back for photos, news stories, rambling posts by me that you’re all intensely interested in reading, etc. throughout the summer.
It’s warm out, and tomorrow’s supposed to be even warmer. The river is calling me… that or air conditioning. Anyway, everyone’s favorite weekend involving explosives is coming up, so here’s a link to scare everyone into not being airheads when handling fireworks:
http://www.ohsu.edu/health/page.cfm?id=10045
I’m going camping in the Malheur National Forest in eastern Oregon this weekend (yay for six hour drives and no running water/showering) so there will be no fireworks for my 4th. But have fun!
June 29th, 2009
Corvallis Pride Week Parade
By on June 29th, 2009
Local rollery derby group Sick Town Derby Dames took part in the 2009 Corvallis Pride Week parade.
Motorcyclists with rainbow-striped American flags led the procession starting in the parking lot adjacent Kearney Hall.
Officer Dunn of the Corvallis Police Department keeps an eye on traffic during the parade.
Parade participants handed out bead necklaces to onlookers.
The parade ended at Corvallis Central Park, where musicians performed throughout the day as part of the event.
April 23rd, 2009
Stay tuned
By on April 23rd, 2009
Read the Friday edition of The Daily Barometer for photos, information and a story from Las Vegas!
April 23rd, 2009
Onward and upward
By on April 23rd, 2009
Tuesday and Wednesday were more of the same.
On Tuesday, I attended the Radio Luncheon with Marcellus and got a chance to take a photo of Vin Scully - the voice of the Dodgers.
Wednesday - though the days started to blend together - was even easier. Marcellus and I attended a few sessions. One session focused on ways to make money using internet and other technology resources. I was also able to briefly explore the show floor. Marcellus was able to get us in on a Panasonic 3D HD theatre experience. I had never watched 3D before and the HD experience was also amazing. The cameras use two lenses, which are mounted just a few inches apart (just about the distance your eyes are apart) and they capture 60 frames per second. The show floor was dotted with TV cameras, satellites and cables. Everybody was selling something. It was impressive. The NABshow boasts 3.2 million square feet of event space. Also, there were other NAB-related conventions running in tandem with the NABshow. Again, impressive.
Toward the end of the day Wednesday, I had the opportunity to part ways with Marcellus and meet up with two of the other interns. John, Chris and I got the last few tasks accomplished and rode a taxi back to the MGM Grand. Mind you, we returned about four hours later than the girls, who had the opportunity to lay around the pool. I am mildly jealous that I got no fun-in-the-sun time.
Wednesday evening we attended a dinner - meant to be a meet and greet kind of ordeal. It was well attended and fun to discuss industry issues with the men who own TV stations.
I started discussion newspapers and use of media with a few gentlemen at the dinner. It was interesting to see the difference of opinion there. Don’t be surprised if your new cell phone has broadcast TV and broadcast radio technologies. Meaning, you can listen and watch free radio and TV. One man suggested that the networks, like ABC, allow local affiliates the rights to put network content on their websites. For example, KVAL would be able to put new episodes of CSI on their website. Hulu is a detriment, they suggested. I suggested that maybe Hulu can be used to their advantage. Maybe KVAL should have a “channel” on hulu.com and their local content (such as the evening news) could be streamed from there, sending traffic to their website. Hulu profiles allow the gurus at hulu to know where we are from and what we like. Maybe, hulu would be able to suggest our local content for us - sending traffic to local websites like KVAL. I like it. But, I couldn’t get the execs to understand my point of view. They believed that they pay enough for network content that they should be able to drive traffic to their website for it.
I suggested that any web presence is a good thing; they disagreed.
The interns and I had a chance to relax on Tuesday night, before our flight out on Wednesday.
This trip also boasted quite a few firsts for me: first ride in a limo, first experience gambling (I lost about $95 total) and my first experience in Las Vegas.
We headed to McCarran International Airport at noon on Wednesday and sat around for a few hours. I had learned, just a day before, than weapons had made it through security at McCarran - all the way to Arizona. Check out the story. We all nerded out, busting out laptops and iPhones to check e-mail and get our lives back in gear. The two-hour flight passed quickly with naps and a really good conversation with Jenny about everything from media business models to boyfriends.
While I am glad to be home and out of the cigarette smoke and barrage of advertising, it’s hard to be back at home. My eyes are already losing their bloodshot redness, but I miss the other interns, Louie and Jeff. We spent 7 days as each others’ support structure and we bonded quickly. It’s hard to be back to the old routine when I had so quickly established a new one. I must say that the NABshow, while exhausting, was an amazing introduction to the city of Las Vegas.
Thank you, Louie and Jeff, for a great trip. It was exhausting but exhilarating, frantic but fun.
Thank you, Kaleena, Jenny, Marisol, John and Chris, for the experience. Though I wasn’t around you guys for much of the trip, I knew you were there for me if I needed you.
Thank you, Dianna, Anne and Carolyn, for your leadership and your willingness to let us participate in this fantastic thing that is the NABshow.
April 22nd, 2009
Vegas on the way out
By on April 22nd, 2009
It’s been a few days since I’ve been able to put fingers to keyboard and tap out a few words about the National Association of Broadcasters convention. We made it. That’s the conclusion. It was an inappropriately busy 6 days, but we all survived more or less. We are parked in McCarran International Airport waiting to board. We are all pretty exhausted, but had a chance to relax a bit last night before our flight out.
Because of my slacking, I’ll update on the past few days. More blogging to come on new media and my new revelations - because of the people I was able to speak with and what we talked about.
On Sunday, we started our journey. Sunday marked the first day of the convention, which was also my busiest day. I was assigned to lead/follow Marcellus Alexander - the executive vice present of television for the NAB, as well as the CEO of the NAB Education Foundation. This man knows everyone, which lead to a lot of hand shaking and smiling. My assignment was to keep tabs on the time and our location while Marcellus made remarks from the podium, shook hands and generally renewed the connections that he has built over the course of his career. While we didn’t do a ton of running around, it made for an exhausting trip. And sadly, I was unable to take a lot of pictures.
On Sunday, we prepped for the TV Luncheon - an event held to honor the TV side of the NAB. Awardees throughout the course of the day (on Monday) included Mary Tyler Moore, Kelsey Grammer, Bob Newhart and the emcee of the luncheon was Diana Ross’ daughter Tracee Ellis Ross. Sunday was a draining experience. It was definitely the hardest day of the week, which made for a tough rest of the week. I met Marcellus at an event he was getting ready for just before 10:30 a.m. Planning, plotting and getting from point A to point B was my task for the following days. Because we were getting the TV Luncheon together, scripts were necessary. At the end of the day Sunday, I was cabbed with Marcellus to the Bellagio and then I took the monorail back (which was a hike through the Bellagio and Bally’s hotel). I waited for four scripts for various members of the NAB, which had to be delivered ASAP to the Bellagio. So, I hiked it back to the monorail and got to the Bellagio by 9 p.m. Keep in mind that I woke up at 6 a.m. on Sunday. From the Bellagio, the MGM Grand is relatively close (certainly closer than taking the hike to the monorail and going down one stop). And I wasn’t sure I wanted to cab it by myself. So, I took the hike and stopped at McDonald’s for a salad with grilled chicken and some chicken nuggets. It was actually very satisfying after my 16 hour day. It was a 16.5 hour day after I walked all the way back.
On Monday, I met Marcellus again at 7:30 (getting up at 6 a.m. to make it to the monorail to the convention center). Up first was the NABshow opening session. Marcellus had remarks for that meeting and it went well. Between rehearsals and making it to a few sessions, I met so many people that it was a blur of names and faces. There are certainly some that stick out, but others were just passing by too fast to remember. Part of the intent of the NABshow experience is making connections. The internship here was certainly great for that. I met leaders in the field, television station owners, NAB staff and everyone in between. I grabbed a few cards and really enjoyed my time discussion the details of Twitter, Facebook and Hulu.
At the opening session, Mary Tyler Moore was honored and I was a little awestruck as she passed right by me backstage. Though Moore wasn’t much of a star during my life, she is still a recognizable character. At the TV Luncheon, Marcellus spoke at the reception and again at the main event. I had the honor of meeting and shaking hands with Kelsey Grammer (a very recognizable star in our generation) who played Dr. Frasier Crane in “Frasier.” I saw, but didn’t get a chance to meet Bob Newhart, which I was very ok with. I had no idea what Bob Newhart was known for, though after watching rehearsal (which involved video clips), I got a clue. I also had the opportunity to work near Tracee Ellis, who is known for the TV show “Girlfriends.”
I made sure that Marcellus made all of his appointments and started to feel a little anxious when he would introduce me. He was so nice to explain what I was doing, what I was studying. I was amazed at how gracious he was being, but I think he really appreciated that I was keeping him on track. He generously introduced me to Kelsey Grammer and others who may make great contacts for my future in “the biz.”
During the TV Luncheon, Caroline (one of our leaders) snuck up to me to ask me to prepare for the next session. Marcellus was to “make remarks” at that session, but it wasn’t on his schedule. Luckily, Caroline approached me otherwise I wouldn’t have known to go Marcellus to that session. So, while he was shaking hands with all involved in the luncheon, I was gently suggesting that we get going. Marcellus read over the script on the way to the session. But, he was smooth on his feet and the event went well. It was a busy, busy day. But after a few sessions, Marcellus cabbed it to the Bellagio and I made my way home. It was only about a 12 hour day.
OK, I best get food before we leave the airport. But, more on NAB later!
April 18th, 2009
Back to BATE
By on April 18th, 2009
We got our journey off to a good start on Friday… kindof.
The Enterprise rent-a-van that was supposed to arrive about an hour or so before our scheduled meeting time was about two hours late. The 7 of us - Louie, Jeff, Jennifer, Chris, John, Marisol and I - were waiting on the corner of Monroe, waiting to start our journey to the aiport.
We made it in record time (thanks, Louie) and got through security. During our drive, discussion of “new fangled” words came up. Remember when we were young adults, and we used terms like “dank” and “hella.” Well, one of the girls had a discussion with her brother about slang words that he uses. Her brother uses the word “bate” and it stands for badd @$$ to the extreme.
After we arrived at the airport, we passed through security without a hitch and then we headed to Wendy’s.
Las Vegas came up fast. It is such a large and all-encompassing city. Even the phone book is huge. Every hotel, every block, every sculpture is huge. And I don’t mean that they doubled the size and called it larger than life. Everything is ten, twenty times life size. And my hotel - the MGM Grand - is practically an entire city in itself. The MGM Grand hosts more than a dozen restaurants and at least five nightclubs (just on the bottom floor).
After arrival on Friday, we took cabs downtown to Freemont street.
On Saturday, the group decided to head down the strip for a little exploring. We walked from our hotel (at one end of the strip aka Las Vegas Blvd.) all the way to the Venetian Hotel, which is practically at the other end. We journeyed to the Venetian and had lunch at a deli there. We power walked it back and made the roughly four- to five-mile trek in about 45 minutes. It was impressive. But also difficult, let me tell you. I’m not really one for power walking but it was fun.
This afternoon, we journeyed to the Las Vegas Convention Center to receive our job assignments. We took the extended tour and got a feel for the “NABshow” hosted by the National Association of Broadcasters. The show floor, which we crossed through briefly, was in construction and I’m sure we’ll see an amazing transformation when we see the floor tomorrow. It is truly amazing how fast those shows can be put togheter.
Tonight, we are headed to an Italian restaurant (my favorite type of food). I’m nervous about my assignment, but I’m sure I’ll get through it. I am following one of the (for lack of a better descriptive noun) “big wigs” around and keeping him a) on schedule and b) not lost. I was tapped for the job after we (our chaperones and leaders Jeff and Louie) decided that I have decent navigation skills. I suppose all of the map and compass work for search and rescue should have earned me something.
So, it’s a big deal and we’ve seen other media-types around our hotel already. Now, if only they could band together and get me free wireless (without having to sit in the lobb). I’m sure we’d have the talent to make something happen, because I refuse to pay $14.99 a day for wireless internet.
On Las Vegas, there’s been a couple of things that have struck me. First, the advertising is amazing. I cannot believe the quality and QUANTITY of advertising all over the city. Along with advertising, there are people on the streets wearing “Girls, Girls, Girls!” shirts. They hand out stacks of small business-card size fliers. They are advertisements for ahem… “escorts.” I’ve collected a pile just because I wanted to look at one, which meant that I was handed a stack by everyone in that vicinity. Second, everything is HUGE. I mentioned this earlier, but you can’t imagine the magnitude. The hotels, the slot machines. Everything is grand and massive and way too ritzy for my meager tastes. All of the hotels are made with with marble, yet the prices are slim.
Alright, I’m sitting in the lobby and some guys is looking at me wierd. So, I’m off. Back to the room to get ready for dinner.
This is a photo of the original pioneer who was perched atop The Pioneer Club. He’s been around forever, but currently rests at the Freemont Street Experience.
This is a photo of the lights on Freemont St. Also called “The Freemont Street Experience.”
April 17th, 2009
After much ado…
By on April 17th, 2009
We’ve made it to the airport, stuffed our selves with some Wendy’s and will be boarding shortly.
Remind me to explaine BATE. Las Vegas is just a few hours from now. A new post later today.
April 15th, 2009
The countdown begins
By on April 15th, 2009
As of Friday, I’m on a plane to Las Vegas, Nev.
And, sadly, I’m not eloping or going on a super-sweet vacation. However, I’m looking forward to the series of events that I’m in for. I’m headed to the National Association of Broadcasters convention at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
I’m in for (pause, while I count on my fingers) 6 days of new media speakers, demonstrations, toys and education.
The Barometer news staff has been kind enough to entertain my idea for a blog while I’m away on vacation. Check this spot right here for updates, photos and super-sweet blog entries about the newest stuff in new media. Speakers include Henry Selick, the director, writer and producer of Coraline and Nightmare Before Christmas, and Josh Schwartz, the creator and executive producer of Chuck and Gossip Girl. Also, Rob Cohen of XXX and Fast and the Furious fame and Phillip Rosedale — the genious behind SecondLife.
While I won’t be begging for autographs, I am so intrigued by these people who spend their lives developing media software, hardware and technology.
Stay tuned for more from the NABshow where I’ll be posting pictures and info that I’m picking up along the way. Wish me luck at not gambling my life savings away.
September 11th, 2007
Back to school
By on September 11th, 2007
I was to only have three more days. The plan changed with News Editor Ty had a hockey incident. I will be subbing for Ty (in terms of news section production) for the next week. While the Barometer is in desparate need of attention (which I intend to grant it) I will be skipping out to do production at the McMinnville News-Register.
I am days away from the Snowden annual reception, where I will have my portfolio in tow. I will shake hands, talk about my wonderful experience and eat the food. Mostly, I’ll probably stay next to my advisor, Frank, and talk to my mom (she’s coming too).
We are just a few weeks now away from the beginning of another OSU school year. Football games, orange and black striped socks, Rockstar energy drink for breakfast, homework, new pencils,…. you get the picture. It’s exciting. It’s fun to think of being a freshman again, being so full of potential. It’s sad to realize that you don’t have as much potential as you once dreamed. But, alas, you struggle through your health care admin. classes and wait (not so) patiently for your OSU paycheck at the end of the month. Why does OSU do monthly anyway?
I sit in wait. I was waiting for a week-long break from work before I hit the grindstone at OSU but, alas, I get none. I will be simultaneously working on the Barometer and the News-Register. I will be performing similar tasks at least (in terms of layout/design).
I am living in Corvallis at least and I am driving a new car. So, life is good. I’ve missed the Cor, but driving to McMinnville and back everyday is a bit of a bear. Like, the animal. Like, being mauled by the animal.
If you are interested in writing for the Barometer (we are hiring columnists, reporters, cartoonists, sports writers, photographers, planners and editors). If you have a skill and an interest, we can probably put you to work. Or, if you want to develop a particular skill, let us know!
editor@dailybarometer.com
541.737.3191
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