Wed 4/29
The article about college dining halls going trayless felt like they were talking about UNH. Too bad we didn't get a mention....
Specter switching parties...seems more of a desperate act than anything pure and virtuous.
The day after the article saying eating red meat often can kill you, the 2/3 of their dining front page is devoted to eating red meat.
Thursday
Nice article about Ultimate Frisbee. Not exactly sure why it's in the Styles section, but better than what's usually in there I guess. And the week I'm looking at what tent I should buy, the Times previews tents...too bad they're all hundreds more than I'll pay for one, though admittedly they are reviewing four season tents.
Loved the article about Lance Armstrong. I think I'm becoming more of a Lance fan now that I'm following on Twitter.
So much in the Times to read everyday, so little time.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Some Reading Logs
Monday 4/27
Good article in Business about CNN drawing declining ratings. I always felt that they should be getting the highest ratings because they are less biased than Fox/MSNBC, and never considered the fact that their low rating could be because of their lack of bias. I like CNN, and the coverage on the others is just so partisan sometimes it's laughable. But apparently I'm in the minority. At least the dining halls show CNN...
Tuesday 4/28
Favorite article today was about the Louisiana high school sprint star who trains without a track due to the affects of Katrina. Pretty cool stuff.
More later...
Good article in Business about CNN drawing declining ratings. I always felt that they should be getting the highest ratings because they are less biased than Fox/MSNBC, and never considered the fact that their low rating could be because of their lack of bias. I like CNN, and the coverage on the others is just so partisan sometimes it's laughable. But apparently I'm in the minority. At least the dining halls show CNN...
Tuesday 4/28
Favorite article today was about the Louisiana high school sprint star who trains without a track due to the affects of Katrina. Pretty cool stuff.
More later...
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Shark Blamed for Attacks Caught, Beaches Reopen
Amity Police Chief Martin Brody announced early this morning that the shark blamed for two gruesome deaths in the past days has been caught.
According to Brady, the shark was caught be two local fishermen in waters one mile southwest of Amity. The fisherman will receive the $3000 reward advertised by Audrey Kitner, mother of one of the victims.
“They [the fishermen] were trolling with a 25 lb turkey attached to a giant hook and the shark took the bait,” said Brody.
The shark was then inspected by Matt Hooper, a marine biologist from the Woods Hole Oceanographic institute, and one of the world’s foremost experts on sharks. Hooper identified the shark as a nurse shark, considered among the most dangerous of all sharks.
Though the shark’s stomach was not checked for human remains, out of respect for the deceased’s families, Brody is confident that this is the shark confident for the attacks.
“Of course it’s the same one. How could it not be?” said Brody, referencing the shark’s unusually large size.
Brody also took comfort in the analysis by Hooper.
“He’s convinced me that this is indeed the shark,” said Brody. “He’s known around the world as a shark expert, so if he says that this is the shark, than this is the shark.”
The shark was blamed for two deaths at area beaches. The first was the July 1 death of 16-year-old Wendy Watson, whose mangled body was found washed up on an Amity beach. She had been last seen alive yesterday at about 11 p.m. the night before as she was leaving a beach party with a male friend, apparently to go skinny-dipping.
The second death believed to be caused by the shark was that of 10-year-old Alex Kitner, who was floating on a rubber raft in the water off Village Beach when witnesses at the beach reported seeing him pulled under the water several times in rapid succession, his airs flailing. He appeared to be trying to fight his attacker, but was ultimately pulled under. The water immediately surrounding where Kitner disappeared took on the color of blood. His body has not been recovered, but the raft floated ashore with what appeared to be a bite taken out of it.
Beaches were reopened on the announcement of the shark’s capture, after having been closed just hours beforehand, just in time for the popular July 4 weekend. Brody said that there will continue to be shark spotters from various federal and local agencies, but they are just a safety precaution. There is also a toll-free hotline to report shark spotting, 1-800-sharksee.
Despite the precautions, Brody does not think there are other sharks in the area.
“This is a very rare shark for these waters,” he said. “We really doubt it.”
In fact, Brody went so far as to encourage residents to go to the beach.
“I urge all our residents to recreate at the beaches in order to encourage the participation of all our visitors in the wonderful water sports of which we all so happily partake throughout the summer,” he wrote in a press release.
And indeed, the beaches were packed this morning. The same couldn’t be said for the water though- at first.
Hundreds of people seemed to be out to soak up some rays, but not necessarily soak in the water. But when someone did go in- Amity Resident Jim Henderson and his family- they were quickly followed and the water was soon as crowded as the beach once was.
However, the spirit of the shark wasn’t gone completely. Shark spotters roamed on the beach and in boats offshore, watching for anything unusual. And while no sharks appeared, the young boys diving with a shark fin on their backs did create a stir and prompt an evacuation of the water before the hoax was realized.
It’s just another sign, perhaps, that it will take more than a couple hours in the sun for this community to get back to normal following the tragic events of late.
According to Brady, the shark was caught be two local fishermen in waters one mile southwest of Amity. The fisherman will receive the $3000 reward advertised by Audrey Kitner, mother of one of the victims.
“They [the fishermen] were trolling with a 25 lb turkey attached to a giant hook and the shark took the bait,” said Brody.
The shark was then inspected by Matt Hooper, a marine biologist from the Woods Hole Oceanographic institute, and one of the world’s foremost experts on sharks. Hooper identified the shark as a nurse shark, considered among the most dangerous of all sharks.
Though the shark’s stomach was not checked for human remains, out of respect for the deceased’s families, Brody is confident that this is the shark confident for the attacks.
“Of course it’s the same one. How could it not be?” said Brody, referencing the shark’s unusually large size.
Brody also took comfort in the analysis by Hooper.
“He’s convinced me that this is indeed the shark,” said Brody. “He’s known around the world as a shark expert, so if he says that this is the shark, than this is the shark.”
The shark was blamed for two deaths at area beaches. The first was the July 1 death of 16-year-old Wendy Watson, whose mangled body was found washed up on an Amity beach. She had been last seen alive yesterday at about 11 p.m. the night before as she was leaving a beach party with a male friend, apparently to go skinny-dipping.
The second death believed to be caused by the shark was that of 10-year-old Alex Kitner, who was floating on a rubber raft in the water off Village Beach when witnesses at the beach reported seeing him pulled under the water several times in rapid succession, his airs flailing. He appeared to be trying to fight his attacker, but was ultimately pulled under. The water immediately surrounding where Kitner disappeared took on the color of blood. His body has not been recovered, but the raft floated ashore with what appeared to be a bite taken out of it.
Beaches were reopened on the announcement of the shark’s capture, after having been closed just hours beforehand, just in time for the popular July 4 weekend. Brody said that there will continue to be shark spotters from various federal and local agencies, but they are just a safety precaution. There is also a toll-free hotline to report shark spotting, 1-800-sharksee.
Despite the precautions, Brody does not think there are other sharks in the area.
“This is a very rare shark for these waters,” he said. “We really doubt it.”
In fact, Brody went so far as to encourage residents to go to the beach.
“I urge all our residents to recreate at the beaches in order to encourage the participation of all our visitors in the wonderful water sports of which we all so happily partake throughout the summer,” he wrote in a press release.
And indeed, the beaches were packed this morning. The same couldn’t be said for the water though- at first.
Hundreds of people seemed to be out to soak up some rays, but not necessarily soak in the water. But when someone did go in- Amity Resident Jim Henderson and his family- they were quickly followed and the water was soon as crowded as the beach once was.
However, the spirit of the shark wasn’t gone completely. Shark spotters roamed on the beach and in boats offshore, watching for anything unusual. And while no sharks appeared, the young boys diving with a shark fin on their backs did create a stir and prompt an evacuation of the water before the hoax was realized.
It’s just another sign, perhaps, that it will take more than a couple hours in the sun for this community to get back to normal following the tragic events of late.
Shark Blamed for Attacks Caught, says Police Chief
Amity Police Chief Martin Brody announced early this morning that the shark blamed for two gruesome deaths in the past days has been caught.
According to Brady, the shark was caught be two local fishermen in waters one mile southwest of Amity. The fisherman will receive the $3000 reward advertised by Audrey Kitner, mother of one of the victims.
“They [the fishermen] were trolling with a 25 lb turkey attached to a giant hook and the shark took the bait,” said Brody.
The shark was then inspected by Matt Hooper, a marine biologist from the Woods Hole Oceanographic institute, and one of the world’s foremost experts on sharks. Hooper identified the shark as a nurse shark, considered among the most dangerous of all sharks.
Though the shark’s stomach was not checked for human remains, out of respect for the deceased’s families, Brody is confident that this is the shark confident for the attacks.
“Of course it’s the same one. How could it not be?” said Brody, referencing the shark’s unusually large size.
Brody also took comfort in the analysis by Hooper.
“He’s convinced me that this is indeed the shark,” said Brody. “He’s known around the world as a shark expert, so if he says that this is the shark, than this is the shark.”
The shark was blamed for two deaths at area beaches. The first was the July 1 death of 16-year-old Wendy Watson, whose mangled body was found washed up on an Amity beach. She had been last seen alive yesterday at about 11 p.m. the night before as she was leaving a beach party with a male friend, apparently to go skinny-dipping.
The second death believed to be caused by the shark was that of 10-year-old Alex Kitner, who was floating on a rubber raft in the water off Village Beach when witnesses at the beach reported seeing him pulled under the water several times in rapid succession, his airs flailing. He appeared to be trying to fight his attacker, but was ultimately pulled under. The water immediately surrounding where Kitner disappeared took on the color of blood. His body has not been recovered, but the raft floated ashore with what appeared to be a bite taken out of it.
Beaches were reopened on the announcement of the shark’s capture, after having been closed just hours beforehand, just in time for the popular July 4 weekend. Brody said that there will continue to be shark spotters from various federal and local agencies, but they are just a safety precaution. There is also a toll-free hotline to report shark spotting, 1-800-sharksee.
Despite the precautions, Brody does not think there are other sharks in the area.
“This is a very rare shark for these waters,” he said. “We really doubt it.”
In fact, Brody went so far as to encourage residents to go to the beach.
“I urge all our residents to recreate at the beaches in order to encourage the participation of all our visitors in the wonderful water sports of which we all so happily partake throughout the summer,” he wrote in a press release.
According to Brady, the shark was caught be two local fishermen in waters one mile southwest of Amity. The fisherman will receive the $3000 reward advertised by Audrey Kitner, mother of one of the victims.
“They [the fishermen] were trolling with a 25 lb turkey attached to a giant hook and the shark took the bait,” said Brody.
The shark was then inspected by Matt Hooper, a marine biologist from the Woods Hole Oceanographic institute, and one of the world’s foremost experts on sharks. Hooper identified the shark as a nurse shark, considered among the most dangerous of all sharks.
Though the shark’s stomach was not checked for human remains, out of respect for the deceased’s families, Brody is confident that this is the shark confident for the attacks.
“Of course it’s the same one. How could it not be?” said Brody, referencing the shark’s unusually large size.
Brody also took comfort in the analysis by Hooper.
“He’s convinced me that this is indeed the shark,” said Brody. “He’s known around the world as a shark expert, so if he says that this is the shark, than this is the shark.”
The shark was blamed for two deaths at area beaches. The first was the July 1 death of 16-year-old Wendy Watson, whose mangled body was found washed up on an Amity beach. She had been last seen alive yesterday at about 11 p.m. the night before as she was leaving a beach party with a male friend, apparently to go skinny-dipping.
The second death believed to be caused by the shark was that of 10-year-old Alex Kitner, who was floating on a rubber raft in the water off Village Beach when witnesses at the beach reported seeing him pulled under the water several times in rapid succession, his airs flailing. He appeared to be trying to fight his attacker, but was ultimately pulled under. The water immediately surrounding where Kitner disappeared took on the color of blood. His body has not been recovered, but the raft floated ashore with what appeared to be a bite taken out of it.
Beaches were reopened on the announcement of the shark’s capture, after having been closed just hours beforehand, just in time for the popular July 4 weekend. Brody said that there will continue to be shark spotters from various federal and local agencies, but they are just a safety precaution. There is also a toll-free hotline to report shark spotting, 1-800-sharksee.
Despite the precautions, Brody does not think there are other sharks in the area.
“This is a very rare shark for these waters,” he said. “We really doubt it.”
In fact, Brody went so far as to encourage residents to go to the beach.
“I urge all our residents to recreate at the beaches in order to encourage the participation of all our visitors in the wonderful water sports of which we all so happily partake throughout the summer,” he wrote in a press release.
Amity’s Beaches Closed on the 4th Following Alleged Shark Attacks
Amity Police Chief Martin Brody announced that Amity’s beaches would be closed for 24 hours effective immediate, heightening suspicion that recent deaths at area beaches were due to shark attacks.
The announcement came at a meeting yesterday evening, attended by Brody, town officials, and concerned townspeople. Brody also announced that extra summer deputies would be assigned to the beach.
“Yes, we are,” Brody said somberly when asked if the beaches would be closed.
The decision prompted heated debate at the meeting, given the economic toll that the decision will likely have. The July 4 weekend is traditionally one of the most popular weeks of the year for beachgoers.
“24 hours is like three weeks,” one resident was heard to say in the uproar that followed the annoucement.
The decision came just hours after the second suspicious death on area beaches, which officials are investigating as possibly due to shark attacks. 10-year-old Alex Kitner of Amity was floating on a rubber raft in the water off Village Beach when witnesses at the beach reported seeing him pulled under the water several times in rapid succession, his airs flailing. He appeared to be trying to fight his attacker, but was ultimately pulled under. The water immediately surrounding where Kitner disappeared took on the color of blood. His body has not been recovered, but the raft floated ashore with what appeared to be a bite taken out of it.
Police are also investigating as to whether the July 1 death of 16-year-old Wendy Watson is also shark related. The mangled body of Watson was found washed up on an Amity beach. She had been last seen alive yesterday at about 11 p.m. the night before as she was leaving a beach party with a male friend, apparently to go skinny-dipping.
Kitner’s mother, Audrey Kitner, has posted signs advertising a $3000 reward for the shark believed responsible for the attacks. Local Fisherman Ben Quint had an offer of his own at the meeting as well.
“I’ll catch and kill him for ten [thousand dollars],” said Quint. “I’ll catch this bird for you. It’s not going to be easy. It’s a bad fish.”
Quint’s offer is a tempting one, given the area’s reliance on summertime visitors, a fact that he acknowledged in his proposition.
“We have to do it quick,” said Quint. “We have to get all the tourists back.”
The announcement came at a meeting yesterday evening, attended by Brody, town officials, and concerned townspeople. Brody also announced that extra summer deputies would be assigned to the beach.
“Yes, we are,” Brody said somberly when asked if the beaches would be closed.
The decision prompted heated debate at the meeting, given the economic toll that the decision will likely have. The July 4 weekend is traditionally one of the most popular weeks of the year for beachgoers.
“24 hours is like three weeks,” one resident was heard to say in the uproar that followed the annoucement.
The decision came just hours after the second suspicious death on area beaches, which officials are investigating as possibly due to shark attacks. 10-year-old Alex Kitner of Amity was floating on a rubber raft in the water off Village Beach when witnesses at the beach reported seeing him pulled under the water several times in rapid succession, his airs flailing. He appeared to be trying to fight his attacker, but was ultimately pulled under. The water immediately surrounding where Kitner disappeared took on the color of blood. His body has not been recovered, but the raft floated ashore with what appeared to be a bite taken out of it.
Police are also investigating as to whether the July 1 death of 16-year-old Wendy Watson is also shark related. The mangled body of Watson was found washed up on an Amity beach. She had been last seen alive yesterday at about 11 p.m. the night before as she was leaving a beach party with a male friend, apparently to go skinny-dipping.
Kitner’s mother, Audrey Kitner, has posted signs advertising a $3000 reward for the shark believed responsible for the attacks. Local Fisherman Ben Quint had an offer of his own at the meeting as well.
“I’ll catch and kill him for ten [thousand dollars],” said Quint. “I’ll catch this bird for you. It’s not going to be easy. It’s a bad fish.”
Quint’s offer is a tempting one, given the area’s reliance on summertime visitors, a fact that he acknowledged in his proposition.
“We have to do it quick,” said Quint. “We have to get all the tourists back.”
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Reading Log week of 4/20
I need to stop putting my reading logs off until Thursday...
I'm gonna start before Monday, and just say that this article (about sledding down a volcanoe) is awesome, and now I really want to do that.
Monday- I clearly am not a good college student, b/c I didn't even know I was supposed to be smoking weed all day on account of it being 4/20. I will say though, it's been interesting following the increase interest in legalizing marijuana across the country. That and legalizing gay marriage seem like they've been in the news forever, but may actually be making progress for once. I'm not sure exactly what I think about that, but it has been interesting to follow.
A very good article today was the profile on the guy who picks the letters that make it to the president. He said he picks the letters that give you chills when you read them, and the one to Obama telling him to quit smoking on account of his daughters really did give me the chills. So the journalist really picked good letters to excerpt. It's really cool how Obama writes back to some of them too.
Tuesday- Actually, the news that caught my attention in the front section was that Vermont got an IHOP. I'd known for years they were the only state lacking one, and I see they've finally succumbed. I guess it's good they have real Vermont syrup, though it's too bad they charge extra for it.
Boston Marathon Coverage! Solid showing by the US. Go Ryan Hall.
By the way, Times had some printing pages today for the second day. Yesterday some pages were too dark, today too light.
Wednesday- Seriously. Twitter is everyone! Made it to the dining section today. It was an interesting concept though- basically puzzles to solve for foodies.
And Twitter again. Maureen Dowd on page A23 had a pretty neat interview with Twitter's founders. They had a pretty smart-ass answer to everything she asked ('Do you ever think "I don't care that my friend is having a hamburger?'" 'If I said I was eating a hamburger, Evan would be surprised because I'm a vegan.')
Thursday- Suicide of the Freddie Mac exec attracted my attention most out of the articles on the front page. Everybody's got problems.
Pretty fast skim of the paper today, as I was finishing a couple articles for TNH.
Oh, and I forget what day it was in, but there was an article in sports about a competition that featured snowboarding, surfing, and skateboarding and crowned a champ of the three sports. I never realized the connection among the three before, though I guess it's pretty obvious. I love when the times covers the more fringe sports/sporting events. I can't get interested in the mainstream sports anyway.
Okay, that looks good. Posting this to my ugly blogspot blog.
I'm gonna start before Monday, and just say that this article (about sledding down a volcanoe) is awesome, and now I really want to do that.
Monday- I clearly am not a good college student, b/c I didn't even know I was supposed to be smoking weed all day on account of it being 4/20. I will say though, it's been interesting following the increase interest in legalizing marijuana across the country. That and legalizing gay marriage seem like they've been in the news forever, but may actually be making progress for once. I'm not sure exactly what I think about that, but it has been interesting to follow.
A very good article today was the profile on the guy who picks the letters that make it to the president. He said he picks the letters that give you chills when you read them, and the one to Obama telling him to quit smoking on account of his daughters really did give me the chills. So the journalist really picked good letters to excerpt. It's really cool how Obama writes back to some of them too.
Tuesday- Actually, the news that caught my attention in the front section was that Vermont got an IHOP. I'd known for years they were the only state lacking one, and I see they've finally succumbed. I guess it's good they have real Vermont syrup, though it's too bad they charge extra for it.
Boston Marathon Coverage! Solid showing by the US. Go Ryan Hall.
By the way, Times had some printing pages today for the second day. Yesterday some pages were too dark, today too light.
Wednesday- Seriously. Twitter is everyone! Made it to the dining section today. It was an interesting concept though- basically puzzles to solve for foodies.
And Twitter again. Maureen Dowd on page A23 had a pretty neat interview with Twitter's founders. They had a pretty smart-ass answer to everything she asked ('Do you ever think "I don't care that my friend is having a hamburger?'" 'If I said I was eating a hamburger, Evan would be surprised because I'm a vegan.')
Thursday- Suicide of the Freddie Mac exec attracted my attention most out of the articles on the front page. Everybody's got problems.
Pretty fast skim of the paper today, as I was finishing a couple articles for TNH.
Oh, and I forget what day it was in, but there was an article in sports about a competition that featured snowboarding, surfing, and skateboarding and crowned a champ of the three sports. I never realized the connection among the three before, though I guess it's pretty obvious. I love when the times covers the more fringe sports/sporting events. I can't get interested in the mainstream sports anyway.
Okay, that looks good. Posting this to my ugly blogspot blog.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Young Boy Killed in Waters off Village Beach
A 10-year-old boy was killed while playing with friends in the waters off Village Beach, in what the police chief says may have been an unprovoked shark attack.
According to documents released by Amity Police Chief Martin Brody, Alex Ferguson, 10, of Mayfair Court in Amity, was floating on a rubber raft in the water when the alleged attack occurred. His body has not been recovered, but the raft floated ashore with what appeared to be a bite taken out of it.
Witnesses at the beach reported seeing Ferguson pulled under the water several times in rapid succession, his airs flailing. He appeared to be trying to fight whatever was responsible for the attack, before he was ultimately pulled under. The water immediately surrounding where Ferguson disappeared took on the color of blood.
This is the second suspicious death in three days on Amity. On July 1, the mangled body of 16-year-old Wendy Watson was found washed up on the beach. Brody says that it officials now believe the Watson death may also have been linked to possible shark activities, but that the investigation is still ongoing.
Brody has requested that Amity’s beaches be closed due to the incidents. The request will be discussed at a meeting at 5 p.m. tonight in the town hall, along with an offer from a local fisherman, Ben Quint, to hunt down the shark though to be responsible for the attacks.
In a press release, Brody wrote: “I join Mayor Bob Farley in expressing the town’s deepest and most sincere condolences to the Ferguson Family.”
Ferguson’s mother, Marian Ferguson, who was on the beach when her son disappeared, is being treated for shock at Amity Hospital, where she is listed as being in fair condition.
According to documents released by Amity Police Chief Martin Brody, Alex Ferguson, 10, of Mayfair Court in Amity, was floating on a rubber raft in the water when the alleged attack occurred. His body has not been recovered, but the raft floated ashore with what appeared to be a bite taken out of it.
Witnesses at the beach reported seeing Ferguson pulled under the water several times in rapid succession, his airs flailing. He appeared to be trying to fight whatever was responsible for the attack, before he was ultimately pulled under. The water immediately surrounding where Ferguson disappeared took on the color of blood.
This is the second suspicious death in three days on Amity. On July 1, the mangled body of 16-year-old Wendy Watson was found washed up on the beach. Brody says that it officials now believe the Watson death may also have been linked to possible shark activities, but that the investigation is still ongoing.
Brody has requested that Amity’s beaches be closed due to the incidents. The request will be discussed at a meeting at 5 p.m. tonight in the town hall, along with an offer from a local fisherman, Ben Quint, to hunt down the shark though to be responsible for the attacks.
In a press release, Brody wrote: “I join Mayor Bob Farley in expressing the town’s deepest and most sincere condolences to the Ferguson Family.”
Ferguson’s mother, Marian Ferguson, who was on the beach when her son disappeared, is being treated for shock at Amity Hospital, where she is listed as being in fair condition.
Mangled Body of Teenager Found on Amity Beach
Early this morning, police officials found the mangled body of a teenager washed up on an Amity Beach.
Wendy W. Watson, 16, of Amity, had been last seen alive yesterday at about 11 p.m. as she was leaving a beach party with a male friend, apparently to go skinny-dipping.
Watson was reported missing to the police by her companion when she did not return from the water. Witnesses at the party said that both teenagers had been drinking; but that the weather was clear and seas were calm.
The cause of Watson’s death is still unknown, and her body has been transported to the coroner for an autopsy. No charges have been filed in the case, although police are still investigating.
In a report, Amity Police Chief Martin Brody wrote that although a shark attack had not been ruled out, beaches would remain open and officials felt that beach-goers were not in danger.
Wendy W. Watson, 16, of Amity, had been last seen alive yesterday at about 11 p.m. as she was leaving a beach party with a male friend, apparently to go skinny-dipping.
Watson was reported missing to the police by her companion when she did not return from the water. Witnesses at the party said that both teenagers had been drinking; but that the weather was clear and seas were calm.
The cause of Watson’s death is still unknown, and her body has been transported to the coroner for an autopsy. No charges have been filed in the case, although police are still investigating.
In a report, Amity Police Chief Martin Brody wrote that although a shark attack had not been ruled out, beaches would remain open and officials felt that beach-goers were not in danger.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
It's...reading log time!!!
Reading Log
Monday 4/13
Good to see the captain's freed. It's been an interesting story to follow, and I can't imagine going through what Capt. Phillips did. That said, I didn't read the article, having already heard it 50 million times on CNN by the time this article came out (which I guess is one of the problems newspapers face).
That said I did read some of the other things on the front page-
$80,000 for a year off law- Totally would take this opportunity. Then again, I'll never sell my soul enough to be employed at a high profile law firm. But at least a couple of the lawyers have their priorities straight.
Toilet Ratio in Ballparks- It's a good article when I read it all the way to the end. Apparently I'm fascinated with ballpark restroom counts.
Overall, a good paper, especially for a Monday edition (which seem to lag sometimes- writers probably still recovering from cranking out the Sunday edition).
Tuesday 4/14
Ever notice how often the NYTimes mentions Twitter? SO OFTEN!! Anyway, it's on the front of business today. Enjoy reading about it (and today- Thursday I started a Twitter account). Anyway, nice article about bouldering in Sports. But please no more Michael Jackson pictures, please. Even if it is in painting format wearing Rennaissance type clothes. And even when it portrays him when he was still black and had a nose.
Wednesday 4/15
A+ Dining section. Nice job, NYT. Good article about the teen violinist on the front page. The headline made me expect more about music, but I probably enjoyed the real life focus more anyway. And enjoyed the article about the MN senate race. 312 votes. Dang.
And the golfer in sports who used to be an extreme sports junkie? Awesome. I actually look up to a golfer now. Though wouldn't we all be willing to work as a waiter and spend all our time outside if we knew in 10 years time we'd be able to afford a multimillion dollar home.
Thursday 4/16
Nice look into the life about Palin. I usually groan every time I hear her name, but this was actually an informative article, not just something stupid to fill a couple minutes of the news. But please tell me she's not thinking about 2012...
When I saw the article in styles about bike commuters, I expected it to be mentioned on one of the blogs I read regularly, BikeSnobNYC. And it was- http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2009/04/backlash-conspiracy-divide-and-conquer.html (have to scroll down past his mentioning of elizabeth hasselback's twitter.) Not surprising, he planned the bikes, living up to his name.
Another blog I read mentioned the times today. It's actually a very journalistic blog, about a freelance adventure writer who often writes about general journalism topics (including the various problems that plague the industry). http://onthewater.wordpress.com/2009/04/16/nyts-downsizes-and-axes-escapes/
Apparently, NYT is getting rid of Friday's Escapes section. Can't say I've read it, but I think they should get rid of the arts section instead. Or Thursday styles, for that matter.
Okay, I think I've done a decent amount of musing for the week.
Monday 4/13
Good to see the captain's freed. It's been an interesting story to follow, and I can't imagine going through what Capt. Phillips did. That said, I didn't read the article, having already heard it 50 million times on CNN by the time this article came out (which I guess is one of the problems newspapers face).
That said I did read some of the other things on the front page-
$80,000 for a year off law- Totally would take this opportunity. Then again, I'll never sell my soul enough to be employed at a high profile law firm. But at least a couple of the lawyers have their priorities straight.
Toilet Ratio in Ballparks- It's a good article when I read it all the way to the end. Apparently I'm fascinated with ballpark restroom counts.
Overall, a good paper, especially for a Monday edition (which seem to lag sometimes- writers probably still recovering from cranking out the Sunday edition).
Tuesday 4/14
Ever notice how often the NYTimes mentions Twitter? SO OFTEN!! Anyway, it's on the front of business today. Enjoy reading about it (and today- Thursday I started a Twitter account). Anyway, nice article about bouldering in Sports. But please no more Michael Jackson pictures, please. Even if it is in painting format wearing Rennaissance type clothes. And even when it portrays him when he was still black and had a nose.
Wednesday 4/15
A+ Dining section. Nice job, NYT. Good article about the teen violinist on the front page. The headline made me expect more about music, but I probably enjoyed the real life focus more anyway. And enjoyed the article about the MN senate race. 312 votes. Dang.
And the golfer in sports who used to be an extreme sports junkie? Awesome. I actually look up to a golfer now. Though wouldn't we all be willing to work as a waiter and spend all our time outside if we knew in 10 years time we'd be able to afford a multimillion dollar home.
Thursday 4/16
Nice look into the life about Palin. I usually groan every time I hear her name, but this was actually an informative article, not just something stupid to fill a couple minutes of the news. But please tell me she's not thinking about 2012...
When I saw the article in styles about bike commuters, I expected it to be mentioned on one of the blogs I read regularly, BikeSnobNYC. And it was- http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2009/04/backlash-conspiracy-divide-and-conquer.html (have to scroll down past his mentioning of elizabeth hasselback's twitter.) Not surprising, he planned the bikes, living up to his name.
Another blog I read mentioned the times today. It's actually a very journalistic blog, about a freelance adventure writer who often writes about general journalism topics (including the various problems that plague the industry). http://onthewater.wordpress.com/2009/04/16/nyts-downsizes-and-axes-escapes/
Apparently, NYT is getting rid of Friday's Escapes section. Can't say I've read it, but I think they should get rid of the arts section instead. Or Thursday styles, for that matter.
Okay, I think I've done a decent amount of musing for the week.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Reading Logs 4/6-4/9
I feel like I've read less of the paper than I normally would each day this week. I'm not sure whether this was due to time constraints and a million other things to do, or the fact that less articles seemed to reach out and grab me. Probably a mix of both. Anyway, time to get my reading log out there before I start studying microeconomics.
My favorite article Monday was probably the feature story under national about the candy shop that burned down in Washington. Due to not being observant and missing the byline, I thought for half the story that the shop was actually in the Alps, not just called "The Alps" and which the architecture similar to that region. Oh, and I also thought this despite the fact that it was under the "National" section. I'm not sure that kind of thinking boded well for my exams.
Tuesday. Very sparse reading of section A today. Advertising Column was sort of interesting, as I'd noticed the same retro trend (the I can't believe it's not butter commercial is so annoying...). And the frequent flier column was good too. So basically the old standbys were okay, but most things failed to interest me.
Wednesday. The New York Times was kind enough to let me know that UNC won the men's basketball championships, which I hadn't even known were being held the previous day. Found the advertising column very interesting today. I guess I wouldn't be opposed to small front page ads. In the event of the Esquire cover will the pull back mix and match of famous faces, I actually think it's a really cool idea and a creative way to come up with a few extra bucks for the mags. And obviously, I read with interest the debate about charging for online content. Hopefully the industry can work together and figure something out.
Thursday. I liked how the Times had an article on the increased demands on Minnesota's sole senator with the second role still unfilled. It is something that people wouldn't normally think about but is actually really interesting. With most articles just about the court decisions regarding the senate race, it sort of goes behind the headlines a bit (though it's still behind the headlines, considering it's buried on page A18...). I liked the pictures of teh Desert "trash house" in the Home section. In fact, I definitely read more of Home then I normally would. And finally...kosher dog food. Learn something every day.
Wednesday. I liked the piece about tracing lost belongings using the internet. S
My favorite article Monday was probably the feature story under national about the candy shop that burned down in Washington. Due to not being observant and missing the byline, I thought for half the story that the shop was actually in the Alps, not just called "The Alps" and which the architecture similar to that region. Oh, and I also thought this despite the fact that it was under the "National" section. I'm not sure that kind of thinking boded well for my exams.
Tuesday. Very sparse reading of section A today. Advertising Column was sort of interesting, as I'd noticed the same retro trend (the I can't believe it's not butter commercial is so annoying...). And the frequent flier column was good too. So basically the old standbys were okay, but most things failed to interest me.
Wednesday. The New York Times was kind enough to let me know that UNC won the men's basketball championships, which I hadn't even known were being held the previous day. Found the advertising column very interesting today. I guess I wouldn't be opposed to small front page ads. In the event of the Esquire cover will the pull back mix and match of famous faces, I actually think it's a really cool idea and a creative way to come up with a few extra bucks for the mags. And obviously, I read with interest the debate about charging for online content. Hopefully the industry can work together and figure something out.
Thursday. I liked how the Times had an article on the increased demands on Minnesota's sole senator with the second role still unfilled. It is something that people wouldn't normally think about but is actually really interesting. With most articles just about the court decisions regarding the senate race, it sort of goes behind the headlines a bit (though it's still behind the headlines, considering it's buried on page A18...). I liked the pictures of teh Desert "trash house" in the Home section. In fact, I definitely read more of Home then I normally would. And finally...kosher dog food. Learn something every day.
Wednesday. I liked the piece about tracing lost belongings using the internet. S
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Class Assignment 4/8- Issue Story
Citizens Debate Future of Biddeford Airport
A referendum question on the ballot in June’s general election will let Biddeford voters decide on the future of the Biddeford airport.
The question will read: “Shall the city authorize the Airport Authority to close the Biddeford City Airport at a cost of about $3 million, to be taken from general operating funds?”
The main argument against the airport is the cost of maintaining it. The airport currently takes in about $56,000 annually from sales of gas, property taxes, and land leases, according to John Bubier, Biddeford city manager. However, records in Bubier’s office show that the cost of the airport in 2008 was $60,000, spent primarily on maintenance, utilities, and recent improvements. The airport property is worth $1.6 million, according to records in the City Assessor’s office.
Bubier himself, however, doesn’t want to be the one making the decisions on the airport’s future.
“The City Council really hasn’t come down on one side of the issue or the other,” he said. I think they’d prefer to have the voters settle this one.”
And city residents clearly have their opinion on the matter. Paul Archambault, Chairman of Get Ride of Our Little Airport (GROLA), supports closing the airport.
“Once we started looking at the airport, we came to the conclusion that there is no financial benefit at its existing size and capacity,” said Archambault. “It continues to be a tax burden.”
Rolland Pelletier, who has lived next to the airport for 25 years, agrees.
“Times are tough in this economy,” he said. “We can’t afford to support operations that don’t support themselves.”
But Phyllis Landry, a private pilot who keeps a single-engine Cessna Sky Pilot 180 at the airport, feels that there are things other than costs that should be considered when deciding the airport’s fate.
“Maybe it’s expensive to run the airport,” he said. “But it’s a great resource. I know business people who fly in here all the time.”
There are 47 planes based at the airport, about half of which are owned by corporations, according to Tom Bryand, Airport Manager.
This is not the first time the airport has been controversial. For some, the airport lost their support a few years ago when they cut down trees on the border of the property and enforced no-trespassing rules. The changes were federal safety regulations that were undertaken because the airport was at risk of losing Federal Aviation Administration funding.
Pelletier felt the trees were necessary to keep the airport’s neighbors safe.
“NTSB has a report of a pilot, who was also an instructor pilot, who hit the trees at the end of the runway,” he said. “Some residents no longer have trees to protect them- this bothers me.”
But Bryand says the changes have made the airport safer.
“We had pedestrians, motorcycles, four-wheelers (and) ATVs all using it,” said Bryand. “They just used it as a backyard and that’s against regulations.”
Ultimately though, cost is most likely to be what’s on the minds of most when they head to the polls.
“Sure this started out as a fight about trees and public access,” said Archambault. “But it’s not just about that any more. Now it’s about money too.”
A referendum question on the ballot in June’s general election will let Biddeford voters decide on the future of the Biddeford airport.
The question will read: “Shall the city authorize the Airport Authority to close the Biddeford City Airport at a cost of about $3 million, to be taken from general operating funds?”
The main argument against the airport is the cost of maintaining it. The airport currently takes in about $56,000 annually from sales of gas, property taxes, and land leases, according to John Bubier, Biddeford city manager. However, records in Bubier’s office show that the cost of the airport in 2008 was $60,000, spent primarily on maintenance, utilities, and recent improvements. The airport property is worth $1.6 million, according to records in the City Assessor’s office.
Bubier himself, however, doesn’t want to be the one making the decisions on the airport’s future.
“The City Council really hasn’t come down on one side of the issue or the other,” he said. I think they’d prefer to have the voters settle this one.”
And city residents clearly have their opinion on the matter. Paul Archambault, Chairman of Get Ride of Our Little Airport (GROLA), supports closing the airport.
“Once we started looking at the airport, we came to the conclusion that there is no financial benefit at its existing size and capacity,” said Archambault. “It continues to be a tax burden.”
Rolland Pelletier, who has lived next to the airport for 25 years, agrees.
“Times are tough in this economy,” he said. “We can’t afford to support operations that don’t support themselves.”
But Phyllis Landry, a private pilot who keeps a single-engine Cessna Sky Pilot 180 at the airport, feels that there are things other than costs that should be considered when deciding the airport’s fate.
“Maybe it’s expensive to run the airport,” he said. “But it’s a great resource. I know business people who fly in here all the time.”
There are 47 planes based at the airport, about half of which are owned by corporations, according to Tom Bryand, Airport Manager.
This is not the first time the airport has been controversial. For some, the airport lost their support a few years ago when they cut down trees on the border of the property and enforced no-trespassing rules. The changes were federal safety regulations that were undertaken because the airport was at risk of losing Federal Aviation Administration funding.
Pelletier felt the trees were necessary to keep the airport’s neighbors safe.
“NTSB has a report of a pilot, who was also an instructor pilot, who hit the trees at the end of the runway,” he said. “Some residents no longer have trees to protect them- this bothers me.”
But Bryand says the changes have made the airport safer.
“We had pedestrians, motorcycles, four-wheelers (and) ATVs all using it,” said Bryand. “They just used it as a backyard and that’s against regulations.”
Ultimately though, cost is most likely to be what’s on the minds of most when they head to the polls.
“Sure this started out as a fight about trees and public access,” said Archambault. “But it’s not just about that any more. Now it’s about money too.”
Class Assignment 4/8- Story Lead
The proposed shuttering of the Lakes Region Facility prison by early this summer could save the state $1.7 million, but also cost some of the facility’s 90 staffers their jobs.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Reading Logs 3/31-4/2
Tuesday 3/31
My top three articles:
Great article about how those who can pay for college are more likely to get in. I'm surprised as many colleges that did were willing to admit this. I mean, it's mildly obvious, but seems it would remain unspoken.
Southern Korean bullfighting- Awesome article. Didn't have a clue that this sport exists, and its totally different from what we normally think of when we think of bullfighting.
Newspapers in Detroit. Well, we'll (read the past 2 words and realize what a difference an apostrophe makes...) see how this experiment works. Maybe they can figure out a way to make the papers profitable. Certainly interesting, and better than the paper shutting down completely.
Wednesday 4/1
Solid paper. Going to try something different and just comment on a few photos.
A1- Picture of abandoned sailboat. Very well composed photo. Your eye is first drawn to the boat, but then follows the mast to view the rest of the picture. Please the colors seem to blend very well. I really like the layer of brown grass/aquatic plants.
A17- Picture of mother and daughter in room covered with Jonas Brothers posters- I think it's hilarious that the subjects look so sad, especially the mother. It's not that you lost your job, or found out you got cancer- IT'S JUST YOU DIDN'T GET TICKETS TO THE JONAS BROTHERS! This is not the end of the world, guys. The facial expression on the mother feels like it should be part of the injured workers article. Oh, and the room disturbs me.
,
B11- Aron Ralston. Please cut the hair and shave the beard. You looked sooooo much better on the front cover of your book (which I read). And trust me, I'm the kind of guy who romanticizes and idolizes the "mountain man," but having seen you both ways you definitely looked better before.
D1- The biggest picture in the paper is of..................a goat. Ummm, okay. That's cool. I like goats.
Thursday 4/2
Didn't find a ton that interested me in the front section, perhaps because I tend more towards feature-type stories and there seemed to be less than usual. In fact, probably spent less time reading the overall paper than normal. There were a wealth of sections, but not necessarily geared toward the my interests (Thursday Styles and Home were joined by a special section on retirement). Interestingly though, it was the retirement section that I read the most of of those three, as it had articles about the peace corps and travel. I'd definitely consider joining the Peace Corps after college (after hiking the AT of course), so enjoy reading about it. Interesting article about the downfall of professional video game leagues in sports. All in all, an okay paper, nothing I'd rave about though.
My top three articles:
Great article about how those who can pay for college are more likely to get in. I'm surprised as many colleges that did were willing to admit this. I mean, it's mildly obvious, but seems it would remain unspoken.
Southern Korean bullfighting- Awesome article. Didn't have a clue that this sport exists, and its totally different from what we normally think of when we think of bullfighting.
Newspapers in Detroit. Well, we'll (read the past 2 words and realize what a difference an apostrophe makes...) see how this experiment works. Maybe they can figure out a way to make the papers profitable. Certainly interesting, and better than the paper shutting down completely.
Wednesday 4/1
Solid paper. Going to try something different and just comment on a few photos.
A1- Picture of abandoned sailboat. Very well composed photo. Your eye is first drawn to the boat, but then follows the mast to view the rest of the picture. Please the colors seem to blend very well. I really like the layer of brown grass/aquatic plants.
A17- Picture of mother and daughter in room covered with Jonas Brothers posters- I think it's hilarious that the subjects look so sad, especially the mother. It's not that you lost your job, or found out you got cancer- IT'S JUST YOU DIDN'T GET TICKETS TO THE JONAS BROTHERS! This is not the end of the world, guys. The facial expression on the mother feels like it should be part of the injured workers article. Oh, and the room disturbs me.
,
B11- Aron Ralston. Please cut the hair and shave the beard. You looked sooooo much better on the front cover of your book (which I read). And trust me, I'm the kind of guy who romanticizes and idolizes the "mountain man," but having seen you both ways you definitely looked better before.
D1- The biggest picture in the paper is of..................a goat. Ummm, okay. That's cool. I like goats.
Thursday 4/2
Didn't find a ton that interested me in the front section, perhaps because I tend more towards feature-type stories and there seemed to be less than usual. In fact, probably spent less time reading the overall paper than normal. There were a wealth of sections, but not necessarily geared toward the my interests (Thursday Styles and Home were joined by a special section on retirement). Interestingly though, it was the retirement section that I read the most of of those three, as it had articles about the peace corps and travel. I'd definitely consider joining the Peace Corps after college (after hiking the AT of course), so enjoy reading about it. Interesting article about the downfall of professional video game leagues in sports. All in all, an okay paper, nothing I'd rave about though.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Paralympic Dreams
Jon Parker was a successful high school alpine ski racer, one of the top skiers at his school, which is impressive when you consider that the school he went to combined academics with intensive ski training. He’d already been to the junior Olympics, and his name was popping up as a top college recruit as he began his junior year. But Parker was thinking even farther ahead than that. He wanted to go to the Olympics.
Then came the accident.
The fall in a high school race required the amputation of Jon’s leg. Suddenly, skiing wasn’t so easy anymore. But then he heard about one-legged skiing, which pretty much is everything it sounds like. He tried it twice that first winter, then most weekends the next. Now, in his freshman year at UNH, Parker is pursuing the sport seriously. And the dreams he had haven’t changed.
“I want to go to the Paralympics now,” he said.
Parker has his sights set on the 2014 Winter Paralympics, to be held in Sosko, Russia. With any luck, he may have another UNH athlete on his team.
Ted Broderick doesn’t have any accident to trace his disability back to. He’s a congenital amputee, born missing his right forearm. He also is an alpine ski racer for UNH, and also has his sights sight on the 2014 games.
Parker and Broderick can take advantage of something that isn’t offered to most other disabled athletes, even those competing on the college level- they train with their able-bodied counterparts on the UNH ski team.
“We ski the same mountains, we do the same workouts, we do everything with the regular ski team,” said Broderick.
This opportunity is given to them thanks to Northeast Passage, which runs the competitive disabled sports program for students, along with a wide range of other programs offered to both the campus and the outside community.
According to Tom Carr, Director of Northeast Passage, most schools keep their disabled and able-bodied athletes together, even the University of Illinois, which has one of the largest disabled sports programs in the country. UNH is unique in that regard.
Believe it or not, Broderick and Parker aren’t the only ones interested in making it to the Paralympics. In fact, their fellow athletes on the sled hockey team just might make it there a few years earlier.
Josh Moran and Taylor Chace are two dominant members of the UNH sled hockey team and, despite opposing stories, mesh well enough on the ice to make the Wildcats one of the top teams in the league.
Chace was left with a spinal cord injury and paralysis in both legs following an accident in a high school hockey game. Upon realizing the extent of his injuries, he took up sled hockey immediately.
“It was hockey again,” he said. “If it’s hockey, I want to be involved in it.”
And involved he is. In fact, Chace is the only one of the four athletes who can say that he has been to the Paralympics already. Chace was a member of the US National Sled Hockey Team that won a bronze medal at the 2006 games in Torino, Itlay.
Moran hopes to join his teammate in Vancouver next year. Like Broderick, Moran was born with his disability, although they are more extensive. However, he has proved to be an elite athlete on the ice. He has been on the US National Team in the past and been on the winning team at the Disabled Festival, considered the national championship of the sport, for the past five years.
Carr says that all four athletes have a “more than realistic” chance of fulfilling their dreams of making it to the Paralympics.
Then came the accident.
The fall in a high school race required the amputation of Jon’s leg. Suddenly, skiing wasn’t so easy anymore. But then he heard about one-legged skiing, which pretty much is everything it sounds like. He tried it twice that first winter, then most weekends the next. Now, in his freshman year at UNH, Parker is pursuing the sport seriously. And the dreams he had haven’t changed.
“I want to go to the Paralympics now,” he said.
Parker has his sights set on the 2014 Winter Paralympics, to be held in Sosko, Russia. With any luck, he may have another UNH athlete on his team.
Ted Broderick doesn’t have any accident to trace his disability back to. He’s a congenital amputee, born missing his right forearm. He also is an alpine ski racer for UNH, and also has his sights sight on the 2014 games.
Parker and Broderick can take advantage of something that isn’t offered to most other disabled athletes, even those competing on the college level- they train with their able-bodied counterparts on the UNH ski team.
“We ski the same mountains, we do the same workouts, we do everything with the regular ski team,” said Broderick.
This opportunity is given to them thanks to Northeast Passage, which runs the competitive disabled sports program for students, along with a wide range of other programs offered to both the campus and the outside community.
According to Tom Carr, Director of Northeast Passage, most schools keep their disabled and able-bodied athletes together, even the University of Illinois, which has one of the largest disabled sports programs in the country. UNH is unique in that regard.
Believe it or not, Broderick and Parker aren’t the only ones interested in making it to the Paralympics. In fact, their fellow athletes on the sled hockey team just might make it there a few years earlier.
Josh Moran and Taylor Chace are two dominant members of the UNH sled hockey team and, despite opposing stories, mesh well enough on the ice to make the Wildcats one of the top teams in the league.
Chace was left with a spinal cord injury and paralysis in both legs following an accident in a high school hockey game. Upon realizing the extent of his injuries, he took up sled hockey immediately.
“It was hockey again,” he said. “If it’s hockey, I want to be involved in it.”
And involved he is. In fact, Chace is the only one of the four athletes who can say that he has been to the Paralympics already. Chace was a member of the US National Sled Hockey Team that won a bronze medal at the 2006 games in Torino, Itlay.
Moran hopes to join his teammate in Vancouver next year. Like Broderick, Moran was born with his disability, although they are more extensive. However, he has proved to be an elite athlete on the ice. He has been on the US National Team in the past and been on the winning team at the Disabled Festival, considered the national championship of the sport, for the past five years.
Carr says that all four athletes have a “more than realistic” chance of fulfilling their dreams of making it to the Paralympics.
Commitment to Journalism
I definitely plan to continue being involved in journalism, and hopefully transitioning along with it as it adopts new forms for new times. Within the context of education, I hope to take advanced newswriting, feature writing, and advanced creative nonfiction writing.
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the NY Times so far this semester, and hope to continue reading a newspaper regularly. It seems that journalism has to continue in some form. When I watch the news on TV, they often reference newspapers in theirs ("The Washington Post reported today..."). Despite the time advantage that TV admittedly has, newspapers are still the best source for solid investigative and in-depth reporting. Newspapers seem to be looking into things long before it ever gets on the radar of CNN, for example.
Ideally, journalism and writing will factor in some way with the career I eventually get. I hope to combine this with my major to give myself a self-designed background in environmental journalism. I'm thinking for my required environmental conservation internship of trying to get a job with a environmental or science related magazine.
Basically, I hope to be playing some part in the future of journalism.
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the NY Times so far this semester, and hope to continue reading a newspaper regularly. It seems that journalism has to continue in some form. When I watch the news on TV, they often reference newspapers in theirs ("The Washington Post reported today..."). Despite the time advantage that TV admittedly has, newspapers are still the best source for solid investigative and in-depth reporting. Newspapers seem to be looking into things long before it ever gets on the radar of CNN, for example.
Ideally, journalism and writing will factor in some way with the career I eventually get. I hope to combine this with my major to give myself a self-designed background in environmental journalism. I'm thinking for my required environmental conservation internship of trying to get a job with a environmental or science related magazine.
Basically, I hope to be playing some part in the future of journalism.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Reading Log 3/30
I got a job with the AMC for the summer!
Oh, right, reading log, yeah, that...
Times seemed a little light today. Read less than I usually due, and not b/c of any time constraints. I won't hold it against them though. I did like the lead piece in National about the luxury motor home makers and the piece on applications to elite colleges, but otherwise breezed through most of section A.
I was surprised upon reaching the sports section that we're down to the final four already. Haven't really been paying any attention to the tournament. No sports writer ambitions for me anyway, so that's okay.
Business- Hmmmm..... cable is having the same problem as newspapers. "We put stuff online for free, and people stop paying for our service. Why could that be?" I've never gotten into the whole watch shows online thing, but an interesting read nonetheless. Oh, and the SF Chronicle is collapsing. Because we can never go more than 3 days without a newspaper collapse story.
Arts- Skimmed the article about books about current events coming out faster than ever. I can see the advantages and drawbacks. Interesting read.
Oh, right, reading log, yeah, that...
Times seemed a little light today. Read less than I usually due, and not b/c of any time constraints. I won't hold it against them though. I did like the lead piece in National about the luxury motor home makers and the piece on applications to elite colleges, but otherwise breezed through most of section A.
I was surprised upon reaching the sports section that we're down to the final four already. Haven't really been paying any attention to the tournament. No sports writer ambitions for me anyway, so that's okay.
Business- Hmmmm..... cable is having the same problem as newspapers. "We put stuff online for free, and people stop paying for our service. Why could that be?" I've never gotten into the whole watch shows online thing, but an interesting read nonetheless. Oh, and the SF Chronicle is collapsing. Because we can never go more than 3 days without a newspaper collapse story.
Arts- Skimmed the article about books about current events coming out faster than ever. I can see the advantages and drawbacks. Interesting read.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Reading Logs 3/24-3/26
Ah, such a busy week. Time to catch up on the blog...
Tuesday 3/24
Some good articles today:
-When Economy Sours, a Tootsie Roll Can Still Soothe
-Strip Search of Young Girl Tests Limit of School Policy
-In a City of Landmarks, a Court Case Alarms Preservationists
- A Vow By a Star to Win or Pay Stirs a Sport (I think this is pretty impressive; talk about putting pressure on yourself)
-Students Get a Course in Layoffs
Frequent flier column was as good as ever too.
Wednesday 3/25
For once, I can say the dining section didn't completely dominate my paper reading. I liked the article about selling wine at grocery stores, but the main competition which dominated the section didn't win me over.
Wish I had more time to read the paper today, but between a couple interviews, 3 classes, and Outing Club trip sign-ups, time was a little tight, so I mostly skimmed. I liked the picture of the mexican border wall on page A10. The wall really accentuates the up and downs of the sand dunes. And to touch on an article, I liked the article about cricket in the sports section. I will say, the Times does a good job on touching on a lot of the lesser known sports.
Thursday 3/26
I'm noticing a trend in the Home section. It seems there's been some article on "green" decorating the entire semester. This week it was "Slow, Easy and Green" on page D1. Obviously, I have no problem with this trend. Just pointing it out.
Okay, on to the other sections.
Nice picture on the front page. Says a lot. Hooverville is coming back. Oh, and the flood picture says a thousand words as well. Bunch of good articles in section A. The article about the RealAge website says a lot about how advanced advertising is today. Article about environmental police was also very good.
Very large paper today, and very busy day today. I think I'll continue reading it tomorrow, but just wanted to make sure I got something about it up for the week.
Tuesday 3/24
Some good articles today:
-When Economy Sours, a Tootsie Roll Can Still Soothe
-Strip Search of Young Girl Tests Limit of School Policy
-In a City of Landmarks, a Court Case Alarms Preservationists
- A Vow By a Star to Win or Pay Stirs a Sport (I think this is pretty impressive; talk about putting pressure on yourself)
-Students Get a Course in Layoffs
Frequent flier column was as good as ever too.
Wednesday 3/25
For once, I can say the dining section didn't completely dominate my paper reading. I liked the article about selling wine at grocery stores, but the main competition which dominated the section didn't win me over.
Wish I had more time to read the paper today, but between a couple interviews, 3 classes, and Outing Club trip sign-ups, time was a little tight, so I mostly skimmed. I liked the picture of the mexican border wall on page A10. The wall really accentuates the up and downs of the sand dunes. And to touch on an article, I liked the article about cricket in the sports section. I will say, the Times does a good job on touching on a lot of the lesser known sports.
Thursday 3/26
I'm noticing a trend in the Home section. It seems there's been some article on "green" decorating the entire semester. This week it was "Slow, Easy and Green" on page D1. Obviously, I have no problem with this trend. Just pointing it out.
Okay, on to the other sections.
Nice picture on the front page. Says a lot. Hooverville is coming back. Oh, and the flood picture says a thousand words as well. Bunch of good articles in section A. The article about the RealAge website says a lot about how advanced advertising is today. Article about environmental police was also very good.
Very large paper today, and very busy day today. I think I'll continue reading it tomorrow, but just wanted to make sure I got something about it up for the week.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Reading Log 3/23
New Orleans was so amazing...
Really strong front section today. Spent a while reading that, then breezed through the other sections. I'd say I read all or a majority of each of the articles on the front page except for the ones about trade barriers and buying up bad bank assets. Read about the drug violence, the energy secretary, road through the texas prairie, saab. Nice article about the creamery in Cali and I thought the tavern that was half in Slovenia and half in Croatia sounded so cool. Interesting White House memo- cool to read about what Obama does in a day. And the metro diary was great as usual. Oh, and rise in RA applications was very good too. Seriously, it was a freakin' awesome section A today. Way to go, Times.
I didn't read much of the others. Basically nothing in arts, and I've failed to get interested in March Madness this year and lost interest in baseball years ago, and that comprised the entire sports section. Business did have a good piece about a thriving weekly in Austin.
Really strong front section today. Spent a while reading that, then breezed through the other sections. I'd say I read all or a majority of each of the articles on the front page except for the ones about trade barriers and buying up bad bank assets. Read about the drug violence, the energy secretary, road through the texas prairie, saab. Nice article about the creamery in Cali and I thought the tavern that was half in Slovenia and half in Croatia sounded so cool. Interesting White House memo- cool to read about what Obama does in a day. And the metro diary was great as usual. Oh, and rise in RA applications was very good too. Seriously, it was a freakin' awesome section A today. Way to go, Times.
I didn't read much of the others. Basically nothing in arts, and I've failed to get interested in March Madness this year and lost interest in baseball years ago, and that comprised the entire sports section. Business did have a good piece about a thriving weekly in Austin.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Reading Log 3/12
Seemed to be less interesting articles in today's Times than I usually find. Oh, well.
Of course, I read the article on the downfall of two newspaper markets and the anticipated no-market newspapers. Obviously, that really sucks, but I guess my generation just isn't picking up a paper anymore. Which is a shame, because reading the times is just a nice break in my day, and you can get quite an education from it.
Mostly just skimmed a lot of the paper. Interesting to read about ads creeping onto the front covers of magazines, though I suppose not surprising. Also read about the shooting spree in Alabama- it was a nice summary of the events, as I had just read bits and pieces about the spree, as opposed to a full chronological account of it.
Oh yes, the article about biathlon was really interesting. Wouldn't have thought about combining xc skiing and target shooting.
Of course, I read the article on the downfall of two newspaper markets and the anticipated no-market newspapers. Obviously, that really sucks, but I guess my generation just isn't picking up a paper anymore. Which is a shame, because reading the times is just a nice break in my day, and you can get quite an education from it.
Mostly just skimmed a lot of the paper. Interesting to read about ads creeping onto the front covers of magazines, though I suppose not surprising. Also read about the shooting spree in Alabama- it was a nice summary of the events, as I had just read bits and pieces about the spree, as opposed to a full chronological account of it.
Oh yes, the article about biathlon was really interesting. Wouldn't have thought about combining xc skiing and target shooting.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Reading Log 3/11
Tons of stuff to read in the times today. Of course, it's Wednesday, so there was, as usual, a superb dining section to read, this week complete with the Michelle Obama factor! Seriously though, it was interesting to see how she is advocating healthy eating. Plus, it balanced out the fat and calories in the article about cashew chicken, another highly engaging article.
Some other good articles today:
-As Jobs Vanish, Motel Rooms Become Home (Nice to read about a lot of people)
- At Spring Break in Mexico, Revelry Mixes with New Caution (Really making college students look good here...)
- Two Political Rivals, One Playbook (Wait, I read something in the Arts section for the second day in a row!)
- Madoff's Advocate (Superb profile piece)
Some other good articles today:
-As Jobs Vanish, Motel Rooms Become Home (Nice to read about a lot of people)
- At Spring Break in Mexico, Revelry Mixes with New Caution (Really making college students look good here...)
- Two Political Rivals, One Playbook (Wait, I read something in the Arts section for the second day in a row!)
- Madoff's Advocate (Superb profile piece)
Reading Log 3/10
Hey, I actually read something in the arts section today. Might not normally have read an article about a Phish concert, but considering it took place in the town next to where I live (Hampton, Va), I figured I'd make an exception. I actually never knew that the Hampton Coliseum was such a well known amphitheater. Strange reading about/seeing pictures of places I've actually been. Also, thought the pictures that went with the article were superb. The picture on the front of the audience just had so much energy, and I like how the times went with that as the main pic as opposed to one of the band (I mean, come on, they just look like guys playing guitar, nothing unusual...). Also really liked the one inside, with the woman wearing the really weird peacock like tail thing. Showed what type of people were showing up to teh concert and was a really nice picture of the Coliseum. I'm a little confused about all the smiley faces in the picture though- not sure if they were installed for the concert or they're a temporary display or something.
That's right, I actually wrote about the Arts section. As usual, plenty of other interesting articles too of course. Have to mention the nice profile piece about the owners of the cash register store, since we talked about profiles in class today.
That's right, I actually wrote about the Arts section. As usual, plenty of other interesting articles too of course. Have to mention the nice profile piece about the owners of the cash register store, since we talked about profiles in class today.
Class Assignment 3/11 Part 2
As you look into the leopard exhibit at the Durham Zoo, you’re not getting the full picture. Part of the cage is obscured from view from the walkway. It’s rarely used by the animal, according to zoo keepers, but on some days, the pile of straw is a tempting spot for a morning nap.
But this isn’t a case of out of sight, out of mind. When rare spotted leopards are out of sight, they are most certainly on your mind, particularly if you’re a member of the Durham Police, State Police, National Guard, and New Hampshire state wildlife department, all of whom were called to the Durham Zoo, when the potentially dangerous animal was reported missing.
But potentially dangerous, rare spotted leopards, it turns out, are quite deep sleepers.
Through all the chaos that ensued in the Durham zoo following her reported escape, Fluffy was just napping under a pile of straw in the cage, out of sight of the zoo visitors and officials who inspected her cage. Her presence was discovered early yesterday afternoon, after several hours of intensive search within the zoo and the residential communities neighboring it.
But this isn’t a case of out of sight, out of mind. When rare spotted leopards are out of sight, they are most certainly on your mind, particularly if you’re a member of the Durham Police, State Police, National Guard, and New Hampshire state wildlife department, all of whom were called to the Durham Zoo, when the potentially dangerous animal was reported missing.
But potentially dangerous, rare spotted leopards, it turns out, are quite deep sleepers.
Through all the chaos that ensued in the Durham zoo following her reported escape, Fluffy was just napping under a pile of straw in the cage, out of sight of the zoo visitors and officials who inspected her cage. Her presence was discovered early yesterday afternoon, after several hours of intensive search within the zoo and the residential communities neighboring it.
Class Assignment 3/11
“Extremely Dangerous” Leopard on the Loose in Durham
A rare, potentially dangerous spotted leopard is missing from its cage in the Durham Zoo, and officials are unsure of its whereabouts.
Fluffy, as the leopard is called, was noticed to be missing when the zoo opened this morning, according to Gerry Durrell, the director of the zoo. The door of the cage was shut and did not appear to have been tampered with, and the fencing was unbroken. Alarms rigged to the cage did not sound during the night. The leopard was last seen in her cage when the zoo closed last night at 9 p.m.
Zoo visitor James Petronkis, 36, of Newmarket, has a different account of the morning, saying zoo officials were slow to react to Fluffy’s disappearance. He said he arrived at the zoo at 7:30, as he does every day to see the leopard. Upon noticing Fluffy’s disappearance, he spoke to the guard and was told “Mind your own business.”
“I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “So I pulled a fire alarm and that got their attention. They said Fluffy was inside her little house and not to worry. I waited and half an hour later I told them again. This time they checked the house, and then all hell broke loose.”
Police cars arrived within minutes, and officers shepherded visitor to the exits. The crowds of distraught parents and crying children were, not surprisingly, quite disturbed by the news.
“I want my money back, and then I’m never coming back here again,” said one man as visitors streamed out the front gate. “This place is out of control.”
“We have no idea what time Fluffy escaped or where she went,” said Gerry Durrell, the director of the zoo, at a news conference held at 9 a.m. “We are searching the grounds of the zoo but so far we haven’t a clue. She may have left the area and could be walking around Durham at this point. We just don’t know.”
Police Chief William Blair detailed the plans for the capture.
“If possible, Fluffy will be shot with a tranquilizer gun,” he said. “But if necessary, we will shoot to kill.”
Kitty Smith, the zoo’s chief biologist, says Fluffy is “extremely dangerous” and that the animals have been driven to the brink of extinction primarily because of their appetite for young children.
The zoo’s location makes a timely capture of the essence.
“We are concerned because this is a residential neighborhood with an elementary school and we don’t want Fluffy wandering around after the kids get out of school,” said Blair. “We have got to find her before 3 p.m.”
Durham Police are being assisted in the search by New Hampshire State Police and the state wildlife department. The National Guard will be supplying five helicopters with infrared sensors as well.
“We’re gonna find this cat if it kills us,” said Blair.
According to Smith, Fluffy is a 10-year-old Romanian spotted leopard, one of only five such animals in existence, and the only female. She is black with white spots, weights 146 pounds, and can run 60 miles an hour. She was a gift to the city from Durham’s sister city in Romania.
Smith has careful instructions for those who may counter Fluffy.
“We urge anyone who encounters Fluffy to get slowly to the ground and lay still,” she said, adding that it is important to avoid eye contact. “Unless she senses fear she’s not likely to react violently.”
Despite the threat posed by the animal, zoo officials see a softer side to Fluffy.
“We love that cat, and we don’t want to lose her,” said Durrell, his eyes getting teary and his voice beginning to choke.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Reading Logs 3/5-3/6
3/5 (Wednesday)
Free throws on the front page? Very interesting article. Sometimes it's not the hard news that attracts one's attention at first. It's a sports phenomenom I never would have even thought about, so I'm glad they brought it to light.
Ads directly targeted to specific consumers? I'd like to think I'm a bit more mature than my peers. Can you bump me up an age group?
Ebay finds it's been green all along- Yeah, you're definitely behind on this one, ebay. Really behind.
A+ dining section. I don't even eat red meat for the most part, but I still want to read hundreds of words about cube steaks. I guess that means it's good writing. But the analysis of organic products was interesting to. I definitely think the label lost some of its clout when it starting appearing on processed foods. Organic pop tarts just sort of ruined it for me.
3/6 (Thursday)
Lots of time to read the paper today. Hooray!
Read about Obama's gray hair first. I, like everyone else, just want to read anything about the guy. And I learned that he gets his hair cut every two weeks. That's important, right?
I balanced reading that by following it up with "For Some Troubled Borrowers, Plan Offers No Hope of Relief."
The article about Pontiac, MI in National was quite good. As I mentioned before, I usually find the top article in National to be very good writing, with a nice balance of focus on hard news and the people affected by it.
Thursday Styles- WHY IS THERE SO MUCH FASHION NEWS IN THE NEW YORK TIMES? EVERYTHING THEY WEAR JUST LOOKS HIDEOUS!!!
Okay...just had to get that out there.
Home- Started reading "Carbon Neutral on a Shoestring", but lost interest when it got too decoratingy. But it was in the home section, so I was forewarned, and will not complain.
Sports- Tour of Citi Field was interesting.
Free throws on the front page? Very interesting article. Sometimes it's not the hard news that attracts one's attention at first. It's a sports phenomenom I never would have even thought about, so I'm glad they brought it to light.
Ads directly targeted to specific consumers? I'd like to think I'm a bit more mature than my peers. Can you bump me up an age group?
Ebay finds it's been green all along- Yeah, you're definitely behind on this one, ebay. Really behind.
A+ dining section. I don't even eat red meat for the most part, but I still want to read hundreds of words about cube steaks. I guess that means it's good writing. But the analysis of organic products was interesting to. I definitely think the label lost some of its clout when it starting appearing on processed foods. Organic pop tarts just sort of ruined it for me.
3/6 (Thursday)
Lots of time to read the paper today. Hooray!
Read about Obama's gray hair first. I, like everyone else, just want to read anything about the guy. And I learned that he gets his hair cut every two weeks. That's important, right?
I balanced reading that by following it up with "For Some Troubled Borrowers, Plan Offers No Hope of Relief."
The article about Pontiac, MI in National was quite good. As I mentioned before, I usually find the top article in National to be very good writing, with a nice balance of focus on hard news and the people affected by it.
Thursday Styles- WHY IS THERE SO MUCH FASHION NEWS IN THE NEW YORK TIMES? EVERYTHING THEY WEAR JUST LOOKS HIDEOUS!!!
Okay...just had to get that out there.
Home- Started reading "Carbon Neutral on a Shoestring", but lost interest when it got too decoratingy. But it was in the home section, so I was forewarned, and will not complain.
Sports- Tour of Citi Field was interesting.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Catching up on Reading Logs 3/2-3/3
3/2 (Monday)
Some interesting articles today:
"Well Regarded Public Colleges Get a Surge of Bargain Hunters"
"Facing Counterfeiting Crackdown, Beijing Vendors Fight Back"
"No, Not the Rolls, My Good Man. These Times Demand the Audi"
"Food magazines Begin To Consider Cooks' Budgets"
"In Denver, Residents Lament the Closing of a Newspaper"
3/3 (Tuesday)
Love the picture on the front. Like the one with the monks last week, for some reason a largely white picture just seems to work on a black and white dominated page. Enjoyed the citadel article on the front page. Hadn't heard of the author, but it was interesting to see how the school eventually came around to accept him, and vice versa.
Doctors in Maine learning dentistry- who knew?
Also thought the article in health about how commercials might actually improve our TV viewing pleasure was interesting. Definitely didn't see that coming. Most scientific studies it seems, come to fairly obvious conclusion.
Both articles on flying in the itineraries section were good reads, with the one on the writer who took flights just to work being particularly weird.
Oh, and interesting to read about the controversy surrounding the baseball memoir. Indeed, sounds a little fishy.
Some interesting articles today:
"Well Regarded Public Colleges Get a Surge of Bargain Hunters"
"Facing Counterfeiting Crackdown, Beijing Vendors Fight Back"
"No, Not the Rolls, My Good Man. These Times Demand the Audi"
"Food magazines Begin To Consider Cooks' Budgets"
"In Denver, Residents Lament the Closing of a Newspaper"
3/3 (Tuesday)
Love the picture on the front. Like the one with the monks last week, for some reason a largely white picture just seems to work on a black and white dominated page. Enjoyed the citadel article on the front page. Hadn't heard of the author, but it was interesting to see how the school eventually came around to accept him, and vice versa.
Doctors in Maine learning dentistry- who knew?
Also thought the article in health about how commercials might actually improve our TV viewing pleasure was interesting. Definitely didn't see that coming. Most scientific studies it seems, come to fairly obvious conclusion.
Both articles on flying in the itineraries section were good reads, with the one on the writer who took flights just to work being particularly weird.
Oh, and interesting to read about the controversy surrounding the baseball memoir. Indeed, sounds a little fishy.
Class Assignment 3/4
School on Saturday Could Be in Future for Portsmouth Students
Students in Portsmouth Public Schools who have disciplinary problems may find themselves going to school on Saturday occasionally next year.
The policy, proposed by School Board Member Tim Steele at yesterday’s meeting of the Portsmouth School Board, is an effort to reduce the number of in-house suspensions, which require students to spend a school day under close supervision of a faculty member in an empty classroom. In 1995, 154 students received in school suspensions.
Under the proposed policy, instead of the suspensions, students would show up for special sessions run from 8 a.m. until noon on select Saturdays. The project would cost an extra $3,000 a year to pay for staffing.
The majority of those present voiced opposition to the proposal. Parent Peggy Bacon went so far as to say she wouldn’t enforce it.
“I know my son isn’t perfect, and I know he’ll probably wind up on the Saturday list at some point, but I’m not going to force him to go,” she said. “I just don’t think it’s going to make any difference, and the parents are going to pay for it- in higher taxes as well as in ruined Saturdays.”
However, the proposal did gain some support. Resident Bob Farley of 64 Elm St. spoke in support of the proposal.
“Parents aren’t teaching their kids any discipline, so the kids have no respect for the rules,” he said. “Maybe if they have to miss a few Saturday morning cartoons they’ll start wising up.”
The issue even drew 5 high school students to the meeting.
Senior Lisa Gallagher noted that she’d never served a detention and didn’t intend to break her streak, but was against the proposal anyway.
“I don’t like this idea,” she said. “I think it’s just being done to make life easier for the faculty, so they don’t have to deal with detentions during the week.”
She also noted that students would likely just skip the session. Steele made it clear that that behavior would not be tolerated.
“If a student skips Saturday school, he or she will not be allowed to return to school until the detention has been served,” he said.
One of the largest disciplinary problems at the school is smoking, according to Steele.
“There are other problems,” he said, “but smoking is by far the biggest one.”
After 30 minutes of discussion, the board voted 5-3, with one member abstaining, to table the issue until the School Board’s next meeting on March 7. The Board requested that Steele return with figures on the number of in-school detentions so far this year.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Reading Log 2/26
Awesome Paper today. Thought the front page presented a bunch of interesting articles- I followed more of them into the interior than I usually do. The piece about the British politician and his son was quite interesting and it was interesting to learn that it doesn't cost more and is actually cheaper to use recycled material in toilet paper. Also though the picture on the front was very good- it's interesting that what is pretty much just a vast expanse of white can be as alluring as a piece full of color, particularly when its on a page that consists of black and white to start with.
Some interesting articles today:
-More than the Menu on Display (sounds like a good idea to me)
-As the Demand for Help Grows, Operators Heed the Calls
-When the Next Wave Wipes Out
-What's Eating Out Kids? Fears About 'Bad' Foods
-A Walk Through A Crop of Readers (I can't see myself getting into this anytime soon)
Anyway, I read a bunch of others besides that, but those stand out on going back a second time.
Speaking seriously, reading the Times is one of the best parts of my day.
Some interesting articles today:
-More than the Menu on Display (sounds like a good idea to me)
-As the Demand for Help Grows, Operators Heed the Calls
-When the Next Wave Wipes Out
-What's Eating Out Kids? Fears About 'Bad' Foods
-A Walk Through A Crop of Readers (I can't see myself getting into this anytime soon)
Anyway, I read a bunch of others besides that, but those stand out on going back a second time.
Speaking seriously, reading the Times is one of the best parts of my day.
Reading Log 2/25 (Wednesday)
Some articles I found interesting in Wednesday's paper:
-They Stand When Called Upon, and When Not
-Bloomberg Buys Out the Neighbors on East 79th St.
-Now in Brooklyn, the 19th Century
-For a New Generation, Kimchi Goes With Tacos
-Frito-Lay Tries to Enter the Minds (And Lunch Bags) of Women
-Humanities Must Justify Their Worth on Campus
The first and the last above both regard education, which also popped up in a couple other areas, about colleges getting less in donations and students trying to condense coursework into 3 years to save money. A little theme through the various sections.
-They Stand When Called Upon, and When Not
-Bloomberg Buys Out the Neighbors on East 79th St.
-Now in Brooklyn, the 19th Century
-For a New Generation, Kimchi Goes With Tacos
-Frito-Lay Tries to Enter the Minds (And Lunch Bags) of Women
-Humanities Must Justify Their Worth on Campus
The first and the last above both regard education, which also popped up in a couple other areas, about colleges getting less in donations and students trying to condense coursework into 3 years to save money. A little theme through the various sections.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Reading Log 2/24
Tons of stuff to read in the paper today. Found a bunch of interesting stuff in all the sections. Hands down though, the best piece was the profile of Matt Carpenter, record holder in the Pikes Peak Marathon. I did think it was a little low that they brought up doping, particularly so early in the article ("Carpenter has never been publicly accused of doping, he said he has never taken performance enhancing drugs and is willing to be tested anytime). First of all, the money you earn from trail running would probably be less than the drugs would cost. This isn't a hugely popular sport here, there's not that much to gain. Otherwise, though it was a good article.
Again good paper, found a ton to read.
Again good paper, found a ton to read.
Class Assignment- The French Connection Clip
NYC Detective Fatally Shoots Suspected Assassin After Extensive Chase
A New York City Police Detective shot and killed a suspected assassin late Sunday afternoon. The assassin was allegedly working on belief of a French drug kingpin whom the detective had been investigating.
Detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle of the NYCPD’s Narcotics Division brought down Pierre Jeantot, of Nice, France, after an extensive chase. The chase began on foot after Jeantot fired at Doyle from the roof of an apartment building.
After running several blocks, Jeantot was able to elude Doyle by escaping onto an elevated train. Doyle responded by commandeering a car and following the train in a wild high speed chase down city streets, disrupting both vehicular and pedestrian traffic on the way from the 35th. St. Station to the 15th St. Station.
“All of a sudden I saw this big burgundy car coming in my direction and I just froze,” said Manhattan resident Margaret Johnson, who said she narrowly avoided being hit by Doyle as she crossed the street along with her 2-year-old in a stroller.
Numerous collisions also occurred directly or indirectly because of the chase. The car Doyle commandeered suffered extensive damage.
The chaos was not limited to the road level.
Jeantot held the trainman at gunpoint and forced him to bypass the 25th St. Station, believing that Doyle would follow him there. He shot and killed a conductor and police officer who were aboard the train when they confronted him. The trainman died at the controls of a heart attack.
City resident Betty Lou was in the elevated train that Jeantot escaped on.
“Once the train didn’t stop at the station I wanted, I realized something was really wrong,” she said.
Jeantot exited the train at the 15th St. Station. As he made his way down the stairs leaving the platform, he was confronted by Doyle. Doyle shot Jeantot in the back as he turned to get away.
City police officials find themselves reacting to a citywide controversy of whether Doyle’s actions were appropriate.
“I think he could have handled it in another way, because he put a lot of innocent lives in danger,” said Johnson.
NYC Police Chief Morgan Freeman said that Doyle simply did what was necessary.
“We commend Detective Doyle for his bravery in attempting to track down a dangerous criminal,” he said. “We believe that, in the end, he did the right thing.”
Freeman noted that time was a factor in Doyle’s decision, and that Jeantot would likely have gotten away were it not for his actions.
According to a press release from the office of Ruth L. Ess, New York City Police Commissioner, Jeantot is suspected to have been associated with a crime syndicate that had been laying the groundwork for a major heroin shipment into the city from France. Doyle and his partner, Buddy “Cloudy” Russo had been investigating the kingpin in charge of the organization.
“Let me just say that it is always unfortunate when these incidents end in a loss of life,” the release reads. “We would have preferred to see Jeantot prosecuted in the courts, and we believe Doyle was close to a breakthrough on the case.”
Two other men believed to be involved in the smuggling operation are being sought at this time.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Reading Log 2/19
Short and sweet today.
Favorite article was on E1 about the fitness benefits of climbing stairs and the Empire State Building Run-up. I really want to do this someday. Talk about building up lactic acid. Would have been nice to hear from the winner though- maybe what he did for training, whether he's run it before, what other events he runs, etc.
Favorite article was on E1 about the fitness benefits of climbing stairs and the Empire State Building Run-up. I really want to do this someday. Talk about building up lactic acid. Would have been nice to hear from the winner though- maybe what he did for training, whether he's run it before, what other events he runs, etc.
2/18 (Wednesday) Reading Log
Really nice paper today. Seemed like I read a lot of it.
Interesting that Obama signing the bailout bill was buried on page 17. So used to every little development on it being front page news that it just seems odd that the actual signing got so little respect. But hey, maybe A-Rod's selling more papers.
Great piece on uninsured 20somethings. Read the entire piece, held my interest the entire time. That's a good article.
Also read a fair amount of National and New York, including feeding the elk, photos on subways (made me wanna just go down there and start taking pictures to see what would happen), cheney vs. bush over libby.
Section B- Liked the piece on Instant Starbucks a lot. Saw a snippet about it on CNN, but nice to sit down with the times and get the full story. Be interesting to see how it goes over. Seems like SBucks is targeting those who already drink starbucks and would use it when they couldn't get to the nearest SBucks (b/c they closed some stores so there's not one on every corner anymore...) as opposed to people who already drink instant. Thought the fact that europeans drink a lot more instant than we do was intriguing.
Picture on B8 of distressed trader on floor of Stock Exchange- They just love showing these type of pictures. Somebody should start a blog called "Stressed Trader of the Day Photo"
Arts- Still not finding much stuff in Arts that's all that interesting.
Dining- Best dining yet. Read the entire thing,
Interesting that Obama signing the bailout bill was buried on page 17. So used to every little development on it being front page news that it just seems odd that the actual signing got so little respect. But hey, maybe A-Rod's selling more papers.
Great piece on uninsured 20somethings. Read the entire piece, held my interest the entire time. That's a good article.
Also read a fair amount of National and New York, including feeding the elk, photos on subways (made me wanna just go down there and start taking pictures to see what would happen), cheney vs. bush over libby.
Section B- Liked the piece on Instant Starbucks a lot. Saw a snippet about it on CNN, but nice to sit down with the times and get the full story. Be interesting to see how it goes over. Seems like SBucks is targeting those who already drink starbucks and would use it when they couldn't get to the nearest SBucks (b/c they closed some stores so there's not one on every corner anymore...) as opposed to people who already drink instant. Thought the fact that europeans drink a lot more instant than we do was intriguing.
Picture on B8 of distressed trader on floor of Stock Exchange- They just love showing these type of pictures. Somebody should start a blog called "Stressed Trader of the Day Photo"
Arts- Still not finding much stuff in Arts that's all that interesting.
Dining- Best dining yet. Read the entire thing,
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Reading Log 2/17
I just noticed how blurry some of the photos in the Times are. The one on today's front page today is particularly bad. Just an observation.
Section A- Didn't read a ton of the front section today. Interesting how many Republican governors support the stimulus when Rep. Congressmen don't. I suppose they're desperate for any money they can get to their state. Also read about the death of the bodybuilder. Odd. That's a subculture I don't understand.
Section B- Mostly skimmed. Unemployment of white collar auto workers sort of interesting. Also read about deodorant advertising though, so not too sure I have very good taste.
Interesting that cycling's Tour of California makes the Times. I wouldn't necessarily have thought that it would. Definitely not a complaint though.
Section C- Liked reading about how much various films made over the weekend. I used to keep up on this (despite not being a movie buff), but rarely think to look into it now.
Section D- Liked the health section, particularly the personal health column, which I commented on last week (come to think of it, last week they talked about real sugar, this week fake sugar- "artificial sweeteners"- a little trend there).
Oh, side note, the frequent flier column person said his favorite airport was Norfolk, Va. Wouldn't have thought of it as particuarly nice. But there's a couple trees around it, I guess that's rare for airports.
Section A- Didn't read a ton of the front section today. Interesting how many Republican governors support the stimulus when Rep. Congressmen don't. I suppose they're desperate for any money they can get to their state. Also read about the death of the bodybuilder. Odd. That's a subculture I don't understand.
Section B- Mostly skimmed. Unemployment of white collar auto workers sort of interesting. Also read about deodorant advertising though, so not too sure I have very good taste.
Interesting that cycling's Tour of California makes the Times. I wouldn't necessarily have thought that it would. Definitely not a complaint though.
Section C- Liked reading about how much various films made over the weekend. I used to keep up on this (despite not being a movie buff), but rarely think to look into it now.
Section D- Liked the health section, particularly the personal health column, which I commented on last week (come to think of it, last week they talked about real sugar, this week fake sugar- "artificial sweeteners"- a little trend there).
Oh, side note, the frequent flier column person said his favorite airport was Norfolk, Va. Wouldn't have thought of it as particuarly nice. But there's a couple trees around it, I guess that's rare for airports.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Reading Log 2/16
Section A- Interesting article about librarians- to be honest I'd say that the librarians I've encountered were expendable. Also read the article about New Orleans day laborers. Topical since I'm in an honors inquiry course about New Orleans, where we obviously talk about Katrina and the aftermath of it, as well as racial relations, so this ties in in several ways.
Good article about helicopters- usually I know about most of the domestic articles from 24 hour news, checking online, but hadn't heard about this dilemma.
Oh, and as a side note, "Metropolitan Diary" always has the most interesting little stories- short, sweet, and always positive.
Business- Section B- Mostly skimmed, nothing caught my eye enough to make me commit to reading the whole thing.
Arts- Section C- I have no idea why I read the article about "The Bachelor," but I did. Please don't hold it against me.
Sports - Section D- Awesome article about women's cycling. Amazing how sucessfully the woman are managing to be in the corporate/business world while still going to various races and finding time to train. Interesting that they wish they had the media attention that men's cycling has, considering men's cycling gets no media attention compared to football, baseball, basketball, etc.
"The Yankees 25 Fact Roster" was as interesting as the 25 lists it emulates. Why do we crave random facts about people we don't really know?
Good article about helicopters- usually I know about most of the domestic articles from 24 hour news, checking online, but hadn't heard about this dilemma.
Oh, and as a side note, "Metropolitan Diary" always has the most interesting little stories- short, sweet, and always positive.
Business- Section B- Mostly skimmed, nothing caught my eye enough to make me commit to reading the whole thing.
Arts- Section C- I have no idea why I read the article about "The Bachelor," but I did. Please don't hold it against me.
Sports - Section D- Awesome article about women's cycling. Amazing how sucessfully the woman are managing to be in the corporate/business world while still going to various races and finding time to train. Interesting that they wish they had the media attention that men's cycling has, considering men's cycling gets no media attention compared to football, baseball, basketball, etc.
"The Yankees 25 Fact Roster" was as interesting as the 25 lists it emulates. Why do we crave random facts about people we don't really know?
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Reading Log...or why you should skip the first 22 pages of the paper today...
Switching things up for the reading log today. Going to focus on what I thought was the best piece of journalism in today's time. Not on the front page, not international, not even national. A piece out of Queens, NY (a reminder that the times is first and foremost NYC's paper). It's buried- a whooping page A23. "Queens Driver Unknowingly Drags a Body Nearly 20 Miles." For some reason, this piece really struck me. Not that there wasn't death elsewhere in the paper (Afghan deaths on the front page), it wasn't some huge catastrophe. But it was so unusual and so incredibly disturbing. A car hits a person crossing the street. The driver gets out, but doesn't see a person or a body anywhere. The police even come, decide he was mistaken. An HOUR LATER, a car is flagged down and the driver realizes he has been dragging a body underneath his car for the last 20 miles. Yep, the same guy. Normally I don't show much/any facial expression when reading the paper, but with this article I couldn't stop myself from reacting. Disturbing is the only word I can think of for it. This was an incredibly unusual story and I believe it was a very good account of a horrific incident.
Well, that's the times for another week.
By the way, Gregg is currently on CNN announcing that he's withdrawing from commerce secretary consideration. Way to make my newswriting article for the week obsolete, senator. Oh well, such is the nature of the news...
Well, that's the times for another week.
By the way, Gregg is currently on CNN announcing that he's withdrawing from commerce secretary consideration. Way to make my newswriting article for the week obsolete, senator. Oh well, such is the nature of the news...
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Reading Log 2/11
Section A- I've noticed that I always seem to read the main article on the front page of National, which starts midway through Section A. I like it because it's an indepth focus at a problem/issue affecting a small geographic area, but they're always very interesting and you can learn a lot about the area being covered.
Interesting article about Republicans in the Tennessee House. Politics can be so...odd at times. Fascinating what people in positions of power do.
Article on Maine senators- I like how they're described as part of the vanishing breed of New England republicans- moderate, bipartisan. When I did the article on Bonnie Newman, Dante Scala (Poly Sci professor) described her in that exact term- New England Republican, and he actually compared her to Susan Collins. Times basically backs him up.
Section B- Nice photo on the front. Interesting that it's two photos they put next to each other. I almost didn't notice that. Main comment from that section.
Section C- I guess I need to develop an interest in New York theatre and classical music, because otherwise I'm never going to read the Arts section. Which means I'll just spend more time reading...
Section D- I like reading about food. High-brow food. Low-brow food. Looking at pictures of food. Liked the piece about picking up the check and companies/agents/etc eating out less, as well as the lead story.
Interesting article about Republicans in the Tennessee House. Politics can be so...odd at times. Fascinating what people in positions of power do.
Article on Maine senators- I like how they're described as part of the vanishing breed of New England republicans- moderate, bipartisan. When I did the article on Bonnie Newman, Dante Scala (Poly Sci professor) described her in that exact term- New England Republican, and he actually compared her to Susan Collins. Times basically backs him up.
Section B- Nice photo on the front. Interesting that it's two photos they put next to each other. I almost didn't notice that. Main comment from that section.
Section C- I guess I need to develop an interest in New York theatre and classical music, because otherwise I'm never going to read the Arts section. Which means I'll just spend more time reading...
Section D- I like reading about food. High-brow food. Low-brow food. Looking at pictures of food. Liked the piece about picking up the check and companies/agents/etc eating out less, as well as the lead story.
Class Assignment - 2/11
Quick Thinking Saves Man Whose Car Stalled on Downeaster Tracks
The quick thinking of a 17-year-old and a captain on the police force saved the life of an 80-year-old tourist whose car stalled on the Downeaster’s tracks yesterday morning in Old Orchard Beach.
According to police reports, James Laboke ran into the Pier Street police station at 6 a.m. Monday and reported seeing a car stalled on the tracks and a man, who appeared unconscious, slumped over the steering wheel. The car’s engine was still running and the doors were locked. Laboke reportedly pounded on the window but received no response from the driver.
Laboke, a Sudanese refugee, said there was never any question about what he should do.
“I never thought about it,” he said. “I just knew I couldn’t let that man get crushed by a train.”
Janket Paradiso, a captain on the town police force, was a mile away from the railroad crossing when she heard the call on the radio about the stranded vehicle.
“I knew there was no time,” Paradiso said later. “I had to do something.”
Brian Paul, Chief of Police, said Paradiso rammed her police cruiser into the 1987 Cadillac and pushed it from the tracks. Thirty seconds later, a train passed by.
“It was that close,” said Paul.
The Downeaster is a passenger train operated by Amtrak that runs from Portland, Maine to Boston, and makes a stop in Old Orchard Beach during the summer.
The man in the car was Francois Truffaut, a tourist from Quebec City, Canada. He is listed as being in stable condition at Southern Maine Medical Center.
“I don’t remember a thing,” Truffaut said.
Police believe Truffaut, who is diabetic, may have gone into insulin shock just as he reached the railroad crossing.
Traffaut said he has been coming to Old Orchard Beach, a summer tourist community on the southern Maine seacoast, since he was a child.
He can thank one of the workers in the tourist industry for his narrow escape.
Laboke is a waiter at the Eezy Breezy Restaurant on East Grand Street and was on his way to the restaurant when he came across Truffaut.
Charles Champaigne, Laboke’s boss, said Laboke reported to work on time and didn’t even mention the incident.
“It doesn’t surprise me,” said Champaigne. “That young man is one of my most responsible employees. He’s just a great kid.”
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Reading Log 2/10
Section A- Nothing really grabbed me until Page 8. Interesting article about the hotel that houses most of Wyoming's legislature. Seems like a good idea having politicians living next to each other and seeing each other as human beings. And I can't imagine that they the lobbyist influence is all that much more than in other states. I especially like how the photo showed the hotel sign had both "Welcome Legislators" and "Welcome Lobbyist," showing how closely the two interacted. Didn't read much about Obama's speech because I'd heard a lot about it (and some of the actual speech) from CNN.
Business- Section B- I really like the "Frequent Flier" column- it always has interesting stories.
Sports- As a runner, nice to see a piece of US Track, though not exactly positive.
The Arts- Section C- Don't think I read any articles completely here, just skimmed.
Science- Enjoyed the Personal Help column on there being too much sugar in American's diet. Even though I already knew that, I just enjoy reading about nutrition.
Looking forward to the Dining section tomorrow...
Business- Section B- I really like the "Frequent Flier" column- it always has interesting stories.
Sports- As a runner, nice to see a piece of US Track, though not exactly positive.
The Arts- Section C- Don't think I read any articles completely here, just skimmed.
Science- Enjoyed the Personal Help column on there being too much sugar in American's diet. Even though I already knew that, I just enjoy reading about nutrition.
Looking forward to the Dining section tomorrow...
Monday, February 9, 2009
Reading Log 2/9
Nice paper today.
Read a decent amount of the front section today. Nice comprehensive article on the Georgia peanut plant. Also read about Australia's fires and really liked the picture that accompanied it (page A8). It was interesting to compare the plane that crashed in the Amazon (also page 8) to last month's Miracle on the Hudson.
Very nice article on downtown Vegas and the the representative who's been in the House since 1955 (!!).
Business- Think that the service stations to recharge electric cars is an amazing idea. Its definitely necessary if we ever want to translate to a all electric fleet. Also liked the article on Newsweek, since I pick it up from time to time.
Arts- Didn't really read it. Not interested in the Grammys.
Sports- Skipped the article on A-Rod and opted for the one on the Native American boxers instead. Fairly good- a little hard to follow, but a nice human interest sports story about a non-mainstream sport.
But speaking of sports, saw this on nytimes.com over the weekend. I think I have a new hero:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/sports/othersports/08cycling.html?_r=1
Read a decent amount of the front section today. Nice comprehensive article on the Georgia peanut plant. Also read about Australia's fires and really liked the picture that accompanied it (page A8). It was interesting to compare the plane that crashed in the Amazon (also page 8) to last month's Miracle on the Hudson.
Very nice article on downtown Vegas and the the representative who's been in the House since 1955 (!!).
Business- Think that the service stations to recharge electric cars is an amazing idea. Its definitely necessary if we ever want to translate to a all electric fleet. Also liked the article on Newsweek, since I pick it up from time to time.
Arts- Didn't really read it. Not interested in the Grammys.
Sports- Skipped the article on A-Rod and opted for the one on the Native American boxers instead. Fairly good- a little hard to follow, but a nice human interest sports story about a non-mainstream sport.
But speaking of sports, saw this on nytimes.com over the weekend. I think I have a new hero:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/sports/othersports/08cycling.html?_r=1
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Reading Log 2/5- Going Fridgeless, Diet Betting, 25 Things
Paper seemed pretty dead flipping through section A today. Read about Daschle and digital piracy but overall didn't find many articles that really cried out for me to read them.
That changed with section D. I thought the article about the environmentalists who decided to get rid of their fridges was fascinating. I hadn't heard anything about it before, and I consider myself fairly well versed in the various environmental experiments that catch headlines (I frequently visited No Impact Man's blog, which is referenced in the article, along with 365 days of Trash and other wites similar). Thought the article did great job presenting people who did it, and people who couldn't fathom doing it. Really says a lot about how difficult it would be that both sides were represented by environmental types. Definitely a thing to do when you're single or with a very tolerable, like-minded spouse. Maybe I'll have to add it to my to-do list.
Also liked the "diet betting" article in the Styles section, mostly due to interest in food and nutrition.
Finally, I liked the article in Styles about the 25 Random Things About Me lists. The article couldn't have been more perfectly timed. In the past week, it seems half my "friends" have written one of these. I haven't, but I guess it says something about me that I read them, even (as the article references) people I don't really know. Also liked the little line about the guy having 1790 friends, 17 of which he knew personally. So true, so true.
And I don't know if this was in print anywhere, but saw this on the times website and was convinced once again that Christoph Niemann is a genius.
http://niemann.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/02/i-lego-ny/?em
Read the coffee timeline he drew on napkins back in December too.
That changed with section D. I thought the article about the environmentalists who decided to get rid of their fridges was fascinating. I hadn't heard anything about it before, and I consider myself fairly well versed in the various environmental experiments that catch headlines (I frequently visited No Impact Man's blog, which is referenced in the article, along with 365 days of Trash and other wites similar). Thought the article did great job presenting people who did it, and people who couldn't fathom doing it. Really says a lot about how difficult it would be that both sides were represented by environmental types. Definitely a thing to do when you're single or with a very tolerable, like-minded spouse. Maybe I'll have to add it to my to-do list.
Also liked the "diet betting" article in the Styles section, mostly due to interest in food and nutrition.
Finally, I liked the article in Styles about the 25 Random Things About Me lists. The article couldn't have been more perfectly timed. In the past week, it seems half my "friends" have written one of these. I haven't, but I guess it says something about me that I read them, even (as the article references) people I don't really know. Also liked the little line about the guy having 1790 friends, 17 of which he knew personally. So true, so true.
And I don't know if this was in print anywhere, but saw this on the times website and was convinced once again that Christoph Niemann is a genius.
http://niemann.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/02/i-lego-ny/?em
Read the coffee timeline he drew on napkins back in December too.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Class Assignment- 2/4
Who- Three people- 17 year old Jamie Peterson and two young female passengers
What- Car Accident
When- Monday evening
Where- Mile Hill Road in Belmont, Massachusetts
Why- Accident likely due to speeding and lack of street lights
How- Car swerved off road, hit embankment, and flipped over
So what- Local, site of previous accident
2 Injured When Car Flips on Mile Hill Road
A car swerved off the road, hit an embankment, and flipped over along Mile Hill Road in Belmont approximately 9 pm Monday evening, injuring two of the three young passengers inside.
The two female passengers, who have not yet been identified, were trapped inside the crushed car, and had to be rescued with the jaws of life, a process which took 45 minutes. Both victims were taken to Memorial Hospital in Belmont. One remains there in stable condition. The other was airlifted to Mass. General Hospital in Boston.
The driver of the white Ford Mustang, seventeen-year-old Jamie Peterson of Belmont, was unhurt, and managed to crawl out of the car on his own, according to Lieutenant Judith Barkus of the Belmont Police Department.
Josie M. Crandall saw the accident from her house at 27 Mile Rd and called police.“I’ve never seen a car going so fast on this road,” Crandall said. “It’s a dirt road, and it’s really easy to lose control.”
Tom Carroll Jr., 17, was driving on Mile Hill Road at the time, and was the first on the scene.“I thought the worst,” Carroll said. “They were flying. It’s hard to see kids your age in something like this. You realize when you see it what could happen, especially on this road.”
Mile Hill Road has no streetlights. There was a fatal accident at this same sport December 24, 1998. Two people were killed in that accident.
What- Car Accident
When- Monday evening
Where- Mile Hill Road in Belmont, Massachusetts
Why- Accident likely due to speeding and lack of street lights
How- Car swerved off road, hit embankment, and flipped over
So what- Local, site of previous accident
2 Injured When Car Flips on Mile Hill Road
A car swerved off the road, hit an embankment, and flipped over along Mile Hill Road in Belmont approximately 9 pm Monday evening, injuring two of the three young passengers inside.
The two female passengers, who have not yet been identified, were trapped inside the crushed car, and had to be rescued with the jaws of life, a process which took 45 minutes. Both victims were taken to Memorial Hospital in Belmont. One remains there in stable condition. The other was airlifted to Mass. General Hospital in Boston.
The driver of the white Ford Mustang, seventeen-year-old Jamie Peterson of Belmont, was unhurt, and managed to crawl out of the car on his own, according to Lieutenant Judith Barkus of the Belmont Police Department.
Josie M. Crandall saw the accident from her house at 27 Mile Rd and called police.“I’ve never seen a car going so fast on this road,” Crandall said. “It’s a dirt road, and it’s really easy to lose control.”
Tom Carroll Jr., 17, was driving on Mile Hill Road at the time, and was the first on the scene.“I thought the worst,” Carroll said. “They were flying. It’s hard to see kids your age in something like this. You realize when you see it what could happen, especially on this road.”
Mile Hill Road has no streetlights. There was a fatal accident at this same sport December 24, 1998. Two people were killed in that accident.
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