God it's been a really long time since I wrote anything. It's really easy to get out of the habit though. Got into blogging through a journalism course, and for the last four months I haven't had a journalism job. It's fair to say I forgot I think, if I'm being totally honest.
I've just rediscovered Twitter. I never thought I'd say this but I prefer it to Facebook. Less bullshit ... allegedly anyway. Although the lack of photos is sad. They are really the only reason I stick with the 'Book. I think the last 5 years of my life is documented on Facebook - by other people naturally. I must take more photos.
I realise there is an app on Twitter to upload pics but it's not the same is it. Plus, just because I prefer it doesn't mean I understand all the things that come with it, like Tweetie, Tweetdeck etc. If anyone would like to teach me please do. But for now, I'll just annoying little Tweets about mince pies and the Weasley twins.
My old tutor would be so disappointed, he taught to use it for journalism purposes. I'd rather have a little ramble.
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
Thursday, 21 May 2009
Staycations
It is a frequently ignored fact the UK has some of the best scenery in the world, with the majority of the population opting to go abroad to destinations with sunny beaches or plush green countryside. The fact is, the UK has both scattered across it Isles.
Only several weeks ago Barry Island beach was named one of the cleanest in the country and received a high star rating for it. Wales offers some of the greatest mountain ranges and views in the world, and while many tourists flock to the area to admire it, it’s own locals often flee for the summer.
But the recession has hit and people are more or less stuck at home to occupy themselves. This should not worry people though. It should not be considered the poor relation to a big budget five star holiday abroad. In fact it should be embraced. It’s coined it’s own term: “staycation.” So, let us get back to basics and revel in the beauty on our very doorstep.
Large amounts of people are booking holidays at home this year and we thoroughly encourage those of you who have not to join them. In Wales alone there are 101 things to do for people looking for adventure or just a tranquil state of rest and relaxation and guaranteed, the places on offer will not even seem like home.
Take a mountain holiday. Hundreds of people every year visit the three peaks in the Brecon Beacons or the ranges of Snowdon. Do it. If you’ve never been before, we urge you to go. There are breathtaking views to be seen and it would be a travesty to live in this wonderful country and never have seen them. For those of you not keen on activity holidays, this shouldn’t stop you from exploring. There are quaint village pubs and towns scattered at the foot of the mountains, perfect for some peace and quiet if you’re looking for it. In fact, there’s nowhere better.
Hostels are also making a huge resurgence this year. Forget the idea of a scummy, student filled, backpackers nightmare. Hostels have been seriously upgraded and now give even the best hotels a rather cheaper run for their money. Go to Pembrokeshire and stay in one of the many high-end hostels scattered along the coast. Not only will you have easy access to the areas wonderful beaches and cliff top scenery, but hostels are also a great social point without the stifling aura of a hotel.
The rest of the UK offers similar experiences all over, so try it. You might find there really is no place like home.
Only several weeks ago Barry Island beach was named one of the cleanest in the country and received a high star rating for it. Wales offers some of the greatest mountain ranges and views in the world, and while many tourists flock to the area to admire it, it’s own locals often flee for the summer.
But the recession has hit and people are more or less stuck at home to occupy themselves. This should not worry people though. It should not be considered the poor relation to a big budget five star holiday abroad. In fact it should be embraced. It’s coined it’s own term: “staycation.” So, let us get back to basics and revel in the beauty on our very doorstep.
Large amounts of people are booking holidays at home this year and we thoroughly encourage those of you who have not to join them. In Wales alone there are 101 things to do for people looking for adventure or just a tranquil state of rest and relaxation and guaranteed, the places on offer will not even seem like home.
Take a mountain holiday. Hundreds of people every year visit the three peaks in the Brecon Beacons or the ranges of Snowdon. Do it. If you’ve never been before, we urge you to go. There are breathtaking views to be seen and it would be a travesty to live in this wonderful country and never have seen them. For those of you not keen on activity holidays, this shouldn’t stop you from exploring. There are quaint village pubs and towns scattered at the foot of the mountains, perfect for some peace and quiet if you’re looking for it. In fact, there’s nowhere better.
Hostels are also making a huge resurgence this year. Forget the idea of a scummy, student filled, backpackers nightmare. Hostels have been seriously upgraded and now give even the best hotels a rather cheaper run for their money. Go to Pembrokeshire and stay in one of the many high-end hostels scattered along the coast. Not only will you have easy access to the areas wonderful beaches and cliff top scenery, but hostels are also a great social point without the stifling aura of a hotel.
The rest of the UK offers similar experiences all over, so try it. You might find there really is no place like home.
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
Ch-ch-ch-changes
I have decided to rename my blog and I thought I should briefly explain why.
When I came up with the name Pandora, it was as in Pandora's Box. You never know what you're going to get, and well, because I was blogging for my course on various lectures we were having, neither did I know what I would blog on.
But now, as the course is coming to an end, and I want to start blogging more . . . widely, I have re-named it for the sake that I will be blogging now about anything and everything. I'm calling it "stuff" because well, that's what it is, but also I still wanted quite a quirky name for a supposedly professional blog, because I still like to think of myself as vaguely humorous.
Just to let you know.
When I came up with the name Pandora, it was as in Pandora's Box. You never know what you're going to get, and well, because I was blogging for my course on various lectures we were having, neither did I know what I would blog on.
But now, as the course is coming to an end, and I want to start blogging more . . . widely, I have re-named it for the sake that I will be blogging now about anything and everything. I'm calling it "stuff" because well, that's what it is, but also I still wanted quite a quirky name for a supposedly professional blog, because I still like to think of myself as vaguely humorous.
Just to let you know.
About time . . .
It's been nearly two months since my last blog, that's shocking. Sometimes though, you just don't know what to write about, because you're not really sure what people will want to read but I figure if I write, someone, somewhere will read won't they.
It's nearly the end of term here in Cardiff. For the last two months we've been involved in rather heavy production days to prepare us for the big wide world. Well there's my excuse for not blogging, I knew there was a better reason.
But back to our production days. As a trainee journalist who comes from a History background I always knew it was going to completely different but maybe I didn't realise how much. It's hard going all this training. And sometimes, it's hard to believe that I'm doing it right at all. My confidence hit a real low last week, and now this week it's right back up again. Maybe it's because of the weather . . . maybe it's because I did some work experience on the weekend and LOVED IT.
When you have a downer, it's hard to remember why you want to be doing this at all. There are about 27 of us on my course, and sometimes my lack of experience really shines through. At least I think it does. No one else seems to notice at all! On production days we come against hurdles, slow news days, people who won't talk to us because we're "trainees, and I'm far too busy dealing with the REAL media." No wonder we all get down sometimes. Of course, no matter how hard you try something is always going to come up you just have to push through. And if there's nothing you can do about it, at least you can say you tried and no one can hold it against you.
It's been a really stressful term, but now it's coming to an end I realise how much I'm going to miss it. This entire year has just raced past, it's crazy. Soon we'll be in the real world, that is, of course, if there are any jobs out there anywhere.
It was suggested to us to go travelling for a year before we contemplate work. Not a bad idea that. It's the perfect excuse isn't it, I know where I'd go, what I'd do, the places I'd see. The question is . . . without that job, how do I pay for it?!
It's nearly the end of term here in Cardiff. For the last two months we've been involved in rather heavy production days to prepare us for the big wide world. Well there's my excuse for not blogging, I knew there was a better reason.
But back to our production days. As a trainee journalist who comes from a History background I always knew it was going to completely different but maybe I didn't realise how much. It's hard going all this training. And sometimes, it's hard to believe that I'm doing it right at all. My confidence hit a real low last week, and now this week it's right back up again. Maybe it's because of the weather . . . maybe it's because I did some work experience on the weekend and LOVED IT.
When you have a downer, it's hard to remember why you want to be doing this at all. There are about 27 of us on my course, and sometimes my lack of experience really shines through. At least I think it does. No one else seems to notice at all! On production days we come against hurdles, slow news days, people who won't talk to us because we're "trainees, and I'm far too busy dealing with the REAL media." No wonder we all get down sometimes. Of course, no matter how hard you try something is always going to come up you just have to push through. And if there's nothing you can do about it, at least you can say you tried and no one can hold it against you.
It's been a really stressful term, but now it's coming to an end I realise how much I'm going to miss it. This entire year has just raced past, it's crazy. Soon we'll be in the real world, that is, of course, if there are any jobs out there anywhere.
It was suggested to us to go travelling for a year before we contemplate work. Not a bad idea that. It's the perfect excuse isn't it, I know where I'd go, what I'd do, the places I'd see. The question is . . . without that job, how do I pay for it?!
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
Reaching its peak
Exciting developments today in Cardiff. The St Davids 2 development had a "topping ceremony." This, as it sounds celebrates the top, naturally. Actually its a long historical tradition in building which marks the point at which building reaches its highest peak.
More to the point though, this ceremony marks the closest stage in its 10 year development of nearing its grand opening. The whole thing is so exciting. I love Cardiff as it is. I can see why its one of the fastest growing capitals in the world, and this development can do it no harm.
It will introduce 100 brand new shops including the classy John Lewis's, Reiss and numerous others (98 to be exact), and will really elevate Cardiff's already growing status.
I am immensely excited. As an Exeter Graduate, I remember the day I came back in my third year and the Princesshay development they'd been working on since I arrived in the city was finally complete. And my God, did it change the atmosphere of the city. It also attracted a terrorist bomber, but the less said about that the better.
But this development in Cardiff is promising to be even better, including a restaurant by Jamie Oliver. Isn't that rather posh.
I realise now I'm repeating myself quite alot, so I'm going to make this short and sweet, but just say, once more for the record, that I'm really really excited.
More to the point though, this ceremony marks the closest stage in its 10 year development of nearing its grand opening. The whole thing is so exciting. I love Cardiff as it is. I can see why its one of the fastest growing capitals in the world, and this development can do it no harm.
It will introduce 100 brand new shops including the classy John Lewis's, Reiss and numerous others (98 to be exact), and will really elevate Cardiff's already growing status.
I am immensely excited. As an Exeter Graduate, I remember the day I came back in my third year and the Princesshay development they'd been working on since I arrived in the city was finally complete. And my God, did it change the atmosphere of the city. It also attracted a terrorist bomber, but the less said about that the better.
But this development in Cardiff is promising to be even better, including a restaurant by Jamie Oliver. Isn't that rather posh.
I realise now I'm repeating myself quite alot, so I'm going to make this short and sweet, but just say, once more for the record, that I'm really really excited.
Monday, 12 January 2009
How about a trip to the museum, darling?
The National Museum of Wales is split up into various historical aspects, each of which are displayed in different locations throughout Wales:
View Larger Map
Museums are fabulous places. Every country has a national one, and nearly every town or city has one dedicated to it. Museums were, at one point, the high point of social and cultural visits. With events such as the Grand Tour and high status exhibitions brought over to the UK, such as the Elgin Marbles, a frieze from the Parthenon, Athens, museums became popular focal interest points. They became places to enhance your social standing by increasing your knowledge of history and the classics.
When people visit new towns and cities, be it at home or abroad, many of us will track down the local museum in a bid to find out more about the local history, or to see impressive exhibitions and collections which can emphasise a place's wealth and status. Much can be said about a place by the collection of exhibitions in its museums, even the smallest towns can have pieces of such grandeur and you have to wonder how on earth they managed to obtain them.
Yet, are museums still as popular as they once were? They are places you go on school trips, or with new friends when they visit you from another town or city, more because they want to see it, than you do.
London has perhaps some of the most renowned collection of museums in Europe. Who can not be amazed when you first walk into the National History Museum, into the shadows of the full size skeleton of the Diplodocus who guards the foyer. Similarly, the Science Museum attracts 1.6 million tourists a year. Arguably then, museums seem to still be a hugely popular social activity and major tourist attractions.
Museums have seen an impressive increase in visitors over the past 30 years. The National Museum of Wales, Cardiff saw its visitor toll rise by 50,000 to 353,509 in the financial year 2007/2008.
Cardiff houses two of Wales's most popular museum sites. St Fagans is Wales's most visited heritage site, but it is the National Museum in Cathay's Park which is perhaps one of Cardiff's most recognisable attractions.
The museum once housed its own impressive dinosaur exhibition. `One could never fail to be amazed by its display and no matter how many times you walked through the exhibition, everyone still got scared by the full-size, floating model of a Basking Shark. Which, excitingly, has made its return to the museum floor, or ceiling as the case may be, as part of the museum's Welsh wildlife display. Who knew Basking Sharks make frequent appearances off the coast of Cornwall in that little bit of sea between the borders?
The museum underwent some major changes during 2008. More specifically, the museum’s art galleries were completely refurbished from their previous 1980/1990’s decor, which had not changed since the galleries were first opened nearly 20 years ago. The new galleries promote and include public interaction, bringing the status of the museum into the new era.
Given this new revamp, the museum certainly seems to be upping its cool points with the general public. But this attention on the art galleries alone marks another, potentially huge change in the museum’s status.
To visit the museum now, one finds it mainly consists of some very impressive art collections and not much else. The National Museum is home to 43,000 works of art, including one of Europe's best collections of French impressionism including Claude Monet's Waterlillies, and a copy of the sculpture, The Kiss, by Auguste Rodin. It is in fact not just an impressive collection of Impressionism, but actually one of Europe's finest art collections, period.
There are rumoured plans to turn the National Museum into a stand-alone art gallery and while this may not surprise many people it is actually rather a pipe dream than a definite possibility. There are four brand new galleries dedicated to Welsh art alone, but the Museum still receives new exhibitions on science and archaeology, which are just as popular.
Plans have been put forward by Welsh Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones to move archaeological exhibitions on the history of Wales, which are currently on display in the museum to the site at St Fagans. This a long-term, on-going plan and will by no means retract from the Museum's status as such.
So how will this affect the “Museum’s” status? As far as it goes, it appears that not a lot should change. The museum will still house many exhibits dedicated to archaeology and science, and will keep adding to its impressive art collections. With the popularity of the museum growing year by year, it would be appear that whatever changes occur, they can't go far wrong, and yes, museum's are just as popular as they have ever been. After all, as human beings we do have an inherent curiosity to see and learn.
View Larger Map
Museums are fabulous places. Every country has a national one, and nearly every town or city has one dedicated to it. Museums were, at one point, the high point of social and cultural visits. With events such as the Grand Tour and high status exhibitions brought over to the UK, such as the Elgin Marbles, a frieze from the Parthenon, Athens, museums became popular focal interest points. They became places to enhance your social standing by increasing your knowledge of history and the classics.
When people visit new towns and cities, be it at home or abroad, many of us will track down the local museum in a bid to find out more about the local history, or to see impressive exhibitions and collections which can emphasise a place's wealth and status. Much can be said about a place by the collection of exhibitions in its museums, even the smallest towns can have pieces of such grandeur and you have to wonder how on earth they managed to obtain them.
Yet, are museums still as popular as they once were? They are places you go on school trips, or with new friends when they visit you from another town or city, more because they want to see it, than you do.
London has perhaps some of the most renowned collection of museums in Europe. Who can not be amazed when you first walk into the National History Museum, into the shadows of the full size skeleton of the Diplodocus who guards the foyer. Similarly, the Science Museum attracts 1.6 million tourists a year. Arguably then, museums seem to still be a hugely popular social activity and major tourist attractions.
Museums have seen an impressive increase in visitors over the past 30 years. The National Museum of Wales, Cardiff saw its visitor toll rise by 50,000 to 353,509 in the financial year 2007/2008.
Cardiff houses two of Wales's most popular museum sites. St Fagans is Wales's most visited heritage site, but it is the National Museum in Cathay's Park which is perhaps one of Cardiff's most recognisable attractions.
The museum once housed its own impressive dinosaur exhibition. `One could never fail to be amazed by its display and no matter how many times you walked through the exhibition, everyone still got scared by the full-size, floating model of a Basking Shark. Which, excitingly, has made its return to the museum floor, or ceiling as the case may be, as part of the museum's Welsh wildlife display. Who knew Basking Sharks make frequent appearances off the coast of Cornwall in that little bit of sea between the borders?
The museum underwent some major changes during 2008. More specifically, the museum’s art galleries were completely refurbished from their previous 1980/1990’s decor, which had not changed since the galleries were first opened nearly 20 years ago. The new galleries promote and include public interaction, bringing the status of the museum into the new era.
Given this new revamp, the museum certainly seems to be upping its cool points with the general public. But this attention on the art galleries alone marks another, potentially huge change in the museum’s status.
To visit the museum now, one finds it mainly consists of some very impressive art collections and not much else. The National Museum is home to 43,000 works of art, including one of Europe's best collections of French impressionism including Claude Monet's Waterlillies, and a copy of the sculpture, The Kiss, by Auguste Rodin. It is in fact not just an impressive collection of Impressionism, but actually one of Europe's finest art collections, period.
There are rumoured plans to turn the National Museum into a stand-alone art gallery and while this may not surprise many people it is actually rather a pipe dream than a definite possibility. There are four brand new galleries dedicated to Welsh art alone, but the Museum still receives new exhibitions on science and archaeology, which are just as popular.
Plans have been put forward by Welsh Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones to move archaeological exhibitions on the history of Wales, which are currently on display in the museum to the site at St Fagans. This a long-term, on-going plan and will by no means retract from the Museum's status as such.
So how will this affect the “Museum’s” status? As far as it goes, it appears that not a lot should change. The museum will still house many exhibits dedicated to archaeology and science, and will keep adding to its impressive art collections. With the popularity of the museum growing year by year, it would be appear that whatever changes occur, they can't go far wrong, and yes, museum's are just as popular as they have ever been. After all, as human beings we do have an inherent curiosity to see and learn.
Thursday, 27 November 2008
Confused.com
What is a blog? A few weeks ago we were told by someone who was not a journalist than a blog should not consist of opinion. Then Shane Richmond, communities editor for The Telegraph, tells us that actually yes, the best blogs are opinionated. I'm confused.com.
To me, a blog should be opinionated. Surely that is the point of them? We are being told that journalism needs to become conversational to survive and this is what is happening through blogs and the internet.
Now, please correct me if I'm wrong but surely a conversation is a discussion based upon varying opinions? The opinions don't even have to be varying, many conversations are based upon things people have in common. I realise that to be too opinionated causes argument, but that's not what I'm trying to get across. To start any kind of conversation, one needs to strike up an opinion on something that they can converse with others about.
A riveting conversation would not be me talking purely factually about the ins and outs of blogs, who uses them, which ones are popular and what they consist of. Data and numbers are all well in good in context, but not in any conversation I've ever enjoyed having.
I sometimes think that people are scared to be opinionated. In terms of blogging it might suggest that if someone disagrees with you, you lose your audience. Not necessarily. That's a neanderthal approach (see, opinion).
These guys have a point. Is this what people are worried about? A few choice comments that well, aren't the nicest? As journalists we aren't used to our work being commented on, but well, it doesn't make it wrong if someone disagress . . . that's just their opinion.
Of course to keep an audience, as long as your opinions don't become arrogant or self righteous, surely people are going to relate to you because they think great, that guy has blogged again, I really enjoy reading his blog, I wonder what I'll think of his argument today/this week etc. Opinions have always differed, even our own.
The beauty of a blog is you can blog several times on the same topic if events occur that change you opinion of it. Or it doesn't even have to be a new blog, just comment. This will lead to more comments, which will lead to a conversation, which will, hyperthetically give you a rather loyal audience.
Blogging by journalists is not journalism as we know it. Your not trying to get across a story that comes in the newspapers, you may be highlighting a point within that story in a way that gives people the opportunity to highlight something else that you may have missed, or which, in your opinion, wasn't as important as you thought.
As journalists, the new era we are entering makes blogging really important. We need to realise that its ok when someone disagrees with us, because no one agrees with everyone 100% of the time. In fact, to become a successful blogger, we need to depend on these people who will suggest other links to us, and in return, link people to our blogs, whether it's because they agree or not. As long as we are willing to join this discussion network I think blogging and opinion are the way forward.
To me, a blog should be opinionated. Surely that is the point of them? We are being told that journalism needs to become conversational to survive and this is what is happening through blogs and the internet.
Now, please correct me if I'm wrong but surely a conversation is a discussion based upon varying opinions? The opinions don't even have to be varying, many conversations are based upon things people have in common. I realise that to be too opinionated causes argument, but that's not what I'm trying to get across. To start any kind of conversation, one needs to strike up an opinion on something that they can converse with others about.
A riveting conversation would not be me talking purely factually about the ins and outs of blogs, who uses them, which ones are popular and what they consist of. Data and numbers are all well in good in context, but not in any conversation I've ever enjoyed having.
I sometimes think that people are scared to be opinionated. In terms of blogging it might suggest that if someone disagrees with you, you lose your audience. Not necessarily. That's a neanderthal approach (see, opinion).
These guys have a point. Is this what people are worried about? A few choice comments that well, aren't the nicest? As journalists we aren't used to our work being commented on, but well, it doesn't make it wrong if someone disagress . . . that's just their opinion.
Of course to keep an audience, as long as your opinions don't become arrogant or self righteous, surely people are going to relate to you because they think great, that guy has blogged again, I really enjoy reading his blog, I wonder what I'll think of his argument today/this week etc. Opinions have always differed, even our own.
The beauty of a blog is you can blog several times on the same topic if events occur that change you opinion of it. Or it doesn't even have to be a new blog, just comment. This will lead to more comments, which will lead to a conversation, which will, hyperthetically give you a rather loyal audience.
Blogging by journalists is not journalism as we know it. Your not trying to get across a story that comes in the newspapers, you may be highlighting a point within that story in a way that gives people the opportunity to highlight something else that you may have missed, or which, in your opinion, wasn't as important as you thought.
As journalists, the new era we are entering makes blogging really important. We need to realise that its ok when someone disagrees with us, because no one agrees with everyone 100% of the time. In fact, to become a successful blogger, we need to depend on these people who will suggest other links to us, and in return, link people to our blogs, whether it's because they agree or not. As long as we are willing to join this discussion network I think blogging and opinion are the way forward.
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