I live my life by a quote I heard at a conference. The saddest thing is that I don't know who spoke the phrase, even though it's become one one my personal mantras. It's simple and profound. Being busy, tired and stressed are our society's status symbols. Someone asks how you are and you launch into a diatribe on the three cliches. Here's … [Read more...]
My Journalism Panties
"I consider my ethics to be my journalism underpants." It's the opening line from an informative column of sorts written by Bob Williams, former reporter for The Raleigh News & Observer. Needless to say, it got my attention. The great thing is that the rest of the column is just as interesting. I use it as a handout in my News Writing … [Read more...]
Leave Your Desk
Dear Student Journalists, The news will not walk into the newsroom and beg you to put it in the paper. It will not do a little dance and say "Hi! I'm the news! Look at me! Put me in the paper!" You have to remove your ass from your chair, leave the newsroom and go out into the world to discover the news. News is greater than what you see … [Read more...]
Why Can’t We Be Friends?
It's a social media issue that comes up at least once an academic year: Should students and their professors be friends on Facebook? There are varying schools of thought on the issue. Some professors and administrators think it's fine to befriend students, while others avoid it. Some students think it's creepy, while others request professors' … [Read more...]
When Did You Know?
I loved to write when I was a girl. I didn’t just love the writing process; I loved the tools of the trade. Books, notepads, pens, and pencils always have been some of my favorite possessions. They still are today. My obsession with office supplies developed into a love of all things written. Even before I could write “real” letters, I would … [Read more...]
Death to Comic Sans!
This post ran originally in April 2009. My hatred for Comic Sans has only intensified since that time. If every font has a personality, what does the one you're using say about you? It's a question worth asking. I'm just the kind of nerd who spends hours (ok, exaggeration) choosing a font for each class I teach. I then spend more hours … [Read more...]
Don’t Let Fouls Keep You Benched
I originally published this post in 2010. I updated my daughter's age, but left the remainder of the post in its original form. It is just as applicable today as it was when I wrote it. Enjoy! My daughter makes basketball look good. Sure, I know I'm biased, but not a game is played that a parent or opposing coach doesn't approach to tell my husband … [Read more...]