Next time I’m looking to pop an inflated ego I’ll need turn no further than to the New York Times. Or just make sure it’s the end of the month. And yes, I realize that it’s already May but it still feels like April to me, or something. Because then I’ll know it’s time for the monthly shine-light-upon-beautiful-successful-youths piece. Last month it was The Rising Stars of Gossip Blogs. This particular article hit too close to home. I read through the name of contempt, high-and-mighty bloggers posing for their NYT photo shoot, who were probably dying to reveal the shit-eating grins they kept bottled inside in favor of cool indifference. I suddenly froze on one of the names. The spelling, her face, dear god, my ex-boyfriend’s sister was staring straight at me from inside nytimes.com.
The same girl who’d politely asked 18-year-old me to not address her by name in her comments was now featured in the New York Times. And I was some dweeb lame enough to read an article about rising blog stars in the first place. Where did I go wrong? And what had she done that made her go so right? I’ll admit, it’s a fantastic blog my ex’s sister runs, but that’s not THE POINT. The point is, I need to not personally know the current bloggette star clogging up the NYT’s traffic. Mainly because it just freaks me out.
Today the blow came in New York Times Magazine form. A bigger beast in almost every way. The article, titled All the Obama 20-Somethings brought about inspiration more than jealousy. And when I talk about inspiration, I mean by Ashley Parker, the author of the piece. Her style refreshed me and her story-telling was too legit to quit. And sadly, when I tried to Google search for her twitter page, all I found were results for Ashley Parker Angel of O-town fame.
No thanks.
And the stories about the young White House assistants were absolutely endearing. They’re just like us, but all fancy! And they get to look at sacred American treasures and hoop it up with the White House staff (if they’ve got the cajones to play, that is). Parker hints that only men are welcome participants on the b-ball court. Boiz Club.
But still, to be writing about such incredible 20-Something in itself makes a person, in my eyes, an incredible 20-Something. Parker gets to describe Obama in her work. What do you do?
“It was as excited as I’d seen anyone since election night, since inauguration,” Favreau later told me. At one point, he saw Axelrod and Gibbs telling Obama some jokes. “He was laughing so hard,” Favreau said. “I’d never seen the president laugh that hard.” Adam Frankel — the history buff of the speechwriting staff — asked if perhaps he could see the Lincoln Bedroom. “Before I knew it, the president was like, ‘Who’s coming on the Lincoln Bedroom tour?’ ” Favreau recalled. Obama showed off the handwritten Gettysburg Address and said, “I’m just here by myself tonight, so you can come in, check everything out.” (Michelle and their two daughters were in New York for the weekend.)
The night ended at close to 1:30 a.m. “We finally realized we should probably let the president go to bed,” Favreau said. Obama thanked them all again and they trickled from the White House residence and into the cool early morning.
OK, so I’ve got to hand it to Mark Luckie over at 10,000 words, he’s got quite a site running. Not only is he a great source for journalists and students alike, but he’s got a great sense of humor! Today Luckie posted a screenful of punny, beautifully designed Valentines for journalists. My favorite feature — they’re 100 percent cost-free, environmentally friendly, and easy to post into an e-mail or message at work to give your colleagues and friends a quick day-warming. I’ve posted a few of my favorites below. Be sure to check out the rest at 10000words.net.
And finally, my personal favorite:
This means you may arrive at my heart, take a look around, maybe a photo or two, and ask me some juicy questions. It’s not quite a VIP pass, you’ll notice, so please don’t abuse it as such.
Hi all. Being the young 20something that I am in the fresh, beautiful beginnings of my brofessional career, I have done most networking in my life the new-fangled way. If we’re talking networking that doesn’t involve a [computer] screen and text then I’m a little inexperienced. It’s intimidating being a n00b in the big scary world of grown professionals, amiright? Being young in the business world definitely leaves you feeling vulnerable, but there are a few shining qualities we share that we MUST EXPLOIT. And the most important of those is the fact that you have a fresh-thinking, creative mind fathered by the 21st century. We’re gifted, it’s true!
In the dark ages there was nothing for me but horrible networking opportunities in the form of communications career fairs in college. You stand in line in a business suit with a fancy black folder and a stack of resumes and try to think of a way to stand out. These events were especially sad for the journalism majors when we realized that none of the companies represented at the fairs actually wanted to hire us. I remember frolicking up to the Statesman’s booth only to find they were only seeking advertising interns. But I digress.
Since graduation my tactics have changed — I mean since graduation Twitter changed everything — and I really only network with other media professionals via social media. (I guess technically my co-workers are media professionals, too, but that’s not networking — that’s just plain old working.)
This will all change in March. I’m taking a plunge and hopping a plane to SXSW Interactive Fest this year. Long story short, I am going to need all the help I can get with this in-person networking. I want to make a lasting impression. So, I’ve decided to come up with an unforgettable business card. I’ve come up with a few winners, I believe. Let me know which ones you like best.
On that note — I’m also hoping to find a way to tastefully and zingfully insert a last name joke. I mean my last name is Blewitt. There’s gotta be something there.
And without further ado, the selection of biz cards from which I will suck out all my inspiration:
I’m leaning toward a combo special between two, three and four. What do y’all think!?
I know, it’s quite difficult to watch. And she is eerily reminiscent of Britney Spears. In the baddest way possible.
What is there to say on a day like today when I was so freaking swamped at work and totally tied up all evening that I missed the most vomit-inducing news I’ve experienced in this lifetime? It’s baffling. The Washington Post tried to help me 12 hours ago. And I was too god damn busy to read my e-mail today? Really? I had access to the internet and my phone ALL DAY LONG and I missed this? I am baffled. Floored.
That there’s some photographic proof to you that I need more iPhone and twitter breaks. Boohoo cry weep.
So it’s recently come to my attention that an old ex-colleague of mine has offended a huge fan-base of this month’s featured blogger on 20something Bloggers, Liz from It’s Unbeweavable!. I guess my pal sort of attacked her (by some bloggers’ perspectives) in an open forum, and suddenly he was running for hills after Liz’s entourage went after him. It was all a very dramatic experience and I’m sorry that one thoughtless thread post could cause a nightmare of day — by the end of it he was no longer a member of 20something Bloggers. In fact, I just checked, and his blog post detailing the event is gone, too, but basically he shot down Liz’s ability because her blog was pink and girly and she wrote about fashion.
But it’s not easy being pink.
Yeah, we’re 20something Bloggers and we’re women now, but we’re still not men, god damn it. And if it’s necessary to write in all black type and keep things conventional and masculine-looking in order to be a worthy blogger with important things to say and content that will keep you coming back, then I guess you can count me out. Pink is not a color to be taken lightly.
Pink says I am a girl. Pink says I enjoy being a girl. Pink says ballerinas are beautiful and I love me some stiletto heels. Pink says I’m not one to mask my passion for lip gloss.
I felt bad that my friend ruined his reputation and chances within the 20something Blogger community. In one regard it is a bit disappointing that the forum can’t be controlled a little bit more, a network like 20SB should try to hold onto its users as much as it can. But it really did get ugly.
Anyway while working on my new site redesign I kept that whole situation and Liz’s deserved respect in mind. I went through dozens of color palettes to find the perfect hue of pink. And I vow to publish things that represent the pink well. And hope all those smelly boys dare try to taunt me from their big boring black blogs.
When you’ve had to stay late to edit out video footage of some reporter’s poorly played faux paux, or worse, cut out the live shots that include factual errors and misreportings, you really do learn to relish bloopers like this one.
And since it comes from FOX I just can’t help myself.
That’s right, because most journalists are three times more likely to be out of a job. (Or into something else.) According to a study by UNITY: Journalists of Color, while the rest of the country is losing its jobs at an 8 percent rate, journalists are being shed at a 22 percent rate. I couldn’t help but wonder who UNITY’s 2009 Layoff Tracker Report was really tracking. I mean, was I tracked? Because if so, I most certainly was not notified.
Either way that means we have three times more the reasons to wallow and complain.
I especially enjoyed what Onica N. Makwakwa, executive director of UNITY, had to say about the study.
“These numbers confirm that the economic downturn has hit the news industry very, very hard.”
It has finally been confirmed officially, guys. We’ve been hit very, very hard. But wait, there’s more!
“As the news industry shapes a new future and companies battle the financial storm, it’s important to remember that it’s about people too,” said Makwakwa.
Oh my goodness, good point, brah! What about the families?
But before you get too worried about the people battling the raging financial storms, just know that in the end, I finally read down to the last paragraph of this UNITY story. I learned that the report was compiled using SEC filings and self-reported data from media outlets.
But I still kinda wonder how many lost journos there are out there, unrecorded…
And in case you’d like to read a copy of the report, by all means, knock yourself out.
Tao Lin is a really funny guy. I’m going to go ahead and tell you about his new book now. It’s called Shoplifting from American Apparel.
Seems pretty good. I wonder if it has a twisty plot. Or a surprise ending. Something tells me neither will be the case.
An excerpt of the book was posted on hipster runoff. I’m going to have to admit that the portion he chose to share hit close to home. Here it is:
“You know those people that get up every day, and do things,” said Luis.
“I’m going to eat cereal even though I’m not hungry,” said Sam.
“And are real proactive,” said Luis. “And like are getting things done, and never quit their jobs. Those people suck.”
“We get shit done too,” said Sam. “Look at our books.”
“I know, but that brings in no money,” said Luis. “Are we, like, that word ‘bohemians.’ Or something. Our bios: ‘They lived in poverty writing their masterpieces.’”
“We are the fucked generation,” said Sam. “Someone release the press release announcing this. Look at that typo.”
The word “announcing” was almost twice as long as normal.
“I’m laughing,” said Luis. “That is a good typo.”
“How do we get out of this,” said Sam.
I want to read it. I do. But I would feel so much less awkward about giving the dude money if he wasn’t always coming up with online marketing schemes and/or selling his possessions on eBay.
But then again, I read his Hipster Runoff blog and give him ad sales at least weekly. So maybe I should just suck it up and do it.
But then I see then again maybe I shouldn’t.
And if you need any help deciding whether to love or hate Tao, here’s a sampling of one of his poetry readings. Dare I say, “hehehehehehehehehehehehehehe?”
recent comments