Tag Archives: KATU

Helping Haiti

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Understanding the full catastrophe in Haiti after their 7.0 earthquake and aftershocks is actually quite difficult via controlled and edited media. Everything we read, hear, and learn about is governed through filters in broadcast control. Not only are numerous sightings too graphic for network television, but there is also the fact that the news we receive is heavily delayed by communication and post-production.

I’m trying to discover the career path I want to follow in life. I sometimes doubt my interest in news, broadcasting, and technology. But then a horrible event like Hurricane Katrina, the 2004 Indonesian Tsunami, and most recently the Haitian catastrophe cause me to reconsider my stance. It is times like these that I so badly want to be part of a major news team and travel to these countries – experience and immerse myself in all that is happening, and be able to compel emotions, feelings, and visuals through writing, photography, and even technology. For example, right now I would really like it if I wasn’t in college and was working with a news organization and had the chance to cover the events in Haiti. I want to help people, but I am no doctor, no relief worker, no medical student, no bringer of peace. But what I can do is utilize my skills in what I know best to compel those who view my work to donate money for organizations, and perhaps even inspire others to follow my same path.

This has actually just occurred to me. I had a brief conversation on Twitter with @BrianBarker, an ex-KATU’er, now Public Information Officer for TVF&R. He explained to me how he convinced KATU to send him to New Orleans after the Hurrican Katrina disaster in 2006. He commented on the bodies he saw laying around the streets, the horrible things he has seen, and the experienced that was life-changing. His story is what has inspired me to keep following my love for journalism. I don’t want to grow up to be a reporter, a director, or some script writer… Maybe something regarding new media communications… Yet in fact, I do not know what I want to do, but if events like these tug at my heart to be there and capture the mood and details, I know something is there for me to pursue.

Help victims of the Haitian Earthquake disaster…  click on the SocialVibe widget to the right of this page. There is no sign-up necessary, and all you have to do is answer questions and complete basic activities.

You can also aid those in Haiti by text messaging “Give10″ to 20222. This will add $10 to your wireless account bill and will be donated to services in need of funding, but keep in mind that this monetary support can take up to 90 days for organizations to receive and process. Donating online is the quickest way to expedite support to the Haiti disaster response and recovery, but keep your eyes out for cyber-scammers looking to steal your money. The best route to take is locating donation websites via major news sources such as your local television stations or network channels like CNN, FOX, ABC, or through trusted re-tweets on Twitter.

Originally published on F[t]D

F1: December 19, 2009

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Mmmk… It has been a whirlwind of a past couple of weeks. I drudged through fall term finals, poked my head up for breath in the first few days of winter break, and am again slammed with busyness.

  • I began my two-and-a-half-ish weeks of seasonal employment back at the Tualatin Haggen Service Deli. It wasn’t difficult or terribly stressful coming back to work after two-and-a-half months of absence. Though, after completion of my first shift, I was really having withdrawals from my winter break freedoms. I was kind of bummed – I kept wondering if it was a mistake to return to the working world, if only for a couple of weeks. I kept touching base on the idea that this is my vacation from school – the biggest break of the school year… and I’m working my butt off? Yeah. I would love to go on vacation somewhere – anywhere, but the best choice is to earn as much money as I can to pay off rent and utilities. I’m feeling better now, and seeing more of the positives rather than the negatives in this process.
  • Change in academic plans? A bit. I’m beginning to see more and more how difficult the broadcast/journalism industry currently stands as. First of all, you’re lucky to even get a job. Second of all, your starting pay likely sucks. Third and finally, you could get canned unexpectedly. This is why I’m starting to take some time to consider alternatives in the technology/media/writing/communications options. What could I do in this world that would pay well and be my ideal job? I was thinking about technology and communications in health systems – like how hospitals operate their databases and communicate from organization to organization. Maybe there’s a need out there for them to enhance in the digital world… I keep coming back to the likings of Twitter. There’s something about Twitter than leads me to believe a greater, more efficient, more powerful form of “new media” is out there – where I will be at the head of the game and be skilled and informed very well enough to be a solid asset to a company. I am left with this question… “What technological form of communication is on the forefront, and how is it a perfect match for health systems?”
  • By the way, Twitter was hacked the other day. Our world’s involvement with new media communications is definitely evolving.
  • Charles Gibson signed off one last time on ABC’s World News. He is retiring, and my fascination with news media was a bit damaged as I was at work and could not watch it on television. Other signs of my broadcast love: KATU, 9/11 coverage, YouTube’ing old ABC promo packages, Wikipedia’ing journalists, and Peter Jennings’ passing away. There’s a love for the news, but I just don’t know if I can act upon it. Diane Sawyer, another one of my idolized journalist, begins hosting World News on Monday. Watch out Katy Couric.
  • In other news… My diet and weight loss is in a holding pattern. I eat Mom’s cooking – again props for how amazing and delicious it is – and how thankful I am for her love and care. But I need to counterbalance this new level of food ingestion. I never ate like this in Corvallis. I eat just enough to get me by – and healthy items at that. I come home to an Italian-style home of cooking. Dangerous. I got a free 21-day guest pass at 24 Hour Fitness. In my first few days of winter break, I could easily take advantage of its 8am-8pm workout time restrictions. But now with work, I find it so difficult to visit the club. But the weight has only risen slightly, something that I know I will get back down ASAP.

F1: November 19, 2009

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Finally, an update! It has been a couple of busy weeks – either that, or just so drab that there’s nothing worth posting. I don’t know; I don’t want to stop and think about it really. Anyway, here is the latest scoop:

  • I have been working on the final, big assignment for my Writing for Media class. Our task is to interview someone and portray them in our writing, using quotations and observations. Several weeks ago when we were just being introduced to the project, I sat in the desk and tried to think about who I would interview. I was pretty nervous, pondering whether I should choose to converse with my current math professor (who I don’t like). It didn’t seem like a good idea. I’ve learned that great writing comes from a subject you enjoy covering. So… I went a while without any idea who I would talk with. But then I let my brain talk to me, and I began to consider someone I have a lot of respect for – who works in an industry and at a news station that has held my interest for years – who has achieved very high educational standards – who is friendly, thought-provoking and helpful, all the while balancing business and personal life. I talked with my writing professor about my ambitious thoughts, and after some procrastination, I finally sent off a request-for-interview email. About two weeks later, here I sit having not only worked through my second interview ever, but also having got to meet someone I consider my idol in broadcasting. Anita Kissee of KATU-TV in Portland was a joy to converse with and made my day.
    • To our advantage, there was also a great casual media event called Media Circus! that was open to the public which took place in downtown. We set to rendezvous at Invasion, the hosting location of the event, about 45 minutes prior so that we could talk without distractions. We headed to the local Java Man coffeehouse where we began our chat over a cup of coffee. It worked out perfect. I got to ask many questions about Kissee and KATU that I just couldn’t have ever achieved through Twitter, Oregon Media Central (OMC), the internet, or anything at all. There’s nothing like meeting someone face-to-face. About an hour later, we walked one block down the road and arrived at the event where we got to talk with some radio and unemployed folk. It was a solid time.
      • Funny story: I walk into Invasion which is the hosting location of the media event, and since the event was free, the employees really encourage and sort of hustle you to purchase a drink. Keep in mind this place is a cafe by day, a nightclub and lounge by night, so when I nervously ask what they’ve got (since there was no menu), the guy gestures to the 10-foot hight wall of alcohol. My mind kind of stuttered – I was thinking, “Holy crap – FINALLY my appearances pass me as 21!” I politely declined to purchase a drink, and good thing I didn’t say I was a minor. Later, on an OMC Media Circus! follow-up blog posting, I read that a woman with her kids was not allowed to attend the event because, it turns out, the OLCC changed the liquor rules just days prior to the event changing Invasion to a full-time no-minors location… What a good day it was.
    • The profile assignment is due on the 30th of this month, and I have about half of my draft done that’s due tomorrow. Yes, three hours at Starbucks equals half a rough draft…

Anita Kissée

  • The end of fall term 2009 is really closing in fast. Half of next week is Thanksgiving break, and when we come back to class we’re amidst dead-week (the week prior to finals). One week after that and it’s winter break for three weeks!
    • I have talked with Haggen and will be working during the big break… It will be fun.
  • Last but not least… I hate being relied upon as a chauffeur. One can try to barter, trade, or compensate for the travel, but when it comes down to it, I am being used as a service, and any form of reimbursement won’t make up for the act itself. A car for transportation is a luxury that I ante-up for and pay to provide myself with as my own service. The costs of the vehicle and just the ability to have it here is more than just gas. There are a variety of risks and other factors that I must afford and endure, such as insurance while the car is away from the home location, the increase of miles on the odometer, the risk of damage or theft, and the overall maintenance to keep the car up-to-date and running. There are already a pinch-full a minor fixes that should be addressed that no one else will cover but myself, let alone if my prize possession decides to even conk out on me. Splitting gas? A temporary offering which works for the most part and for the time being, but surely doesn’t justify these four wheels as a mutual and fair ride for all ages.
  • Party tomorrow? Yeah, maybe. Just let this week be over.

Music Spotlight: The Olive Grove

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Browsing the tweets from my tweeps, I became informed of a new artist called The Olive Grove thanks to KATU’er Anita Kissée. I took some time to browse over The Olive Grove’s music offerings on their August-release album Here’s a Letter. I must say I have not purchased the $9.99 album yet, but feel very inclined to indulge. The Olive Grove’s music is relatively similar to that of Norah Jones, yet with a more colorful, not-so-classical taste with a snap of electronic synthetic variety.

The only factor holding me back from adding the album to my cart is not the composition of the artist or the album, but rather my simple taste of genres. I am more of an electronic, alternative, pop sort of guy with a few exceptions for pieces by Lights, Adele, Norah Jones, or Sarah McLachlan. However, I will definitely go back over to that iTunes Store and re-preview the tracks again and maybe hand-select one, two, or more. Of the thirty-second snippet previews, my favorites are Simple, Landslide, and The Other Summerwind.

I can really see The Olive Grove making it to the featured front of iTunes – and I hope such an artist finds the success its music proves deserving.

The Olive Grove > Here’s a Letter