Erythro is on WordPress

I mention many times in this blog that I join a student journalism club in my campus. Now, my journalism club, Erythro, is on WordPress. The site is still blank now. Visit us here.

What theme do you think is suitable for our site? What widgets should we put there? It’s intended to be a site for news and it’s not a personal site. 

Journalists I Met

I missed a lot of prompts in Writing 101. This time I’m going to write for day six prompt, “Who’s the most interesting person (or people) you’ve met this year?”

I met some interesting journalists last year and this year. They taught many good lessons.

In 2014, there was a journalism workshop for the members of student journalism club. The speakers were two journalists.

The first journalist was a young woman. She wrote entertainment news in local newspaper. I remember she taught us how to befriend fellow journalist. She shared her experience, “There was an event attended by many journalists. I was still new and I didn’t know anyone. I then told my editor about it and he said, ‘You have to talk to them (other journalists). Even if you don’t know them. Just approach them and ask what media they work in,’ ”  To be honest, I often feel awkward around people. There are many times when I attend events with people I don’t know well. I will try to start conversation.

The second speaker was a journalist for online media platform. He gave us important lesson on news writing and deadline. I remember he said, “I work for online media and it means that I must write quickly. Right after an event happens, the news should be seen online.” I was amazed by that considering that I often procrastinated writing article.

Also on 2014, my friend and I became representatives of our journalism club to attend a journalism gathering. Ardus. M. Sawega, a senior journalist, spoke in that gathering. He used to write article on art performance and culture. He told us that one day, he watched a performance with fellow journalist. They both were going to write it in their newspapers. Their articles were quite different since Mr. Ardus notice things that his fellow journalist didn’t notice. Lesson to learn: always pay attention. 

Recently in the journalism club upgrading, a student journalist from history faculty came as a speaker and she was cool. She has written since she was in junior high school. Not only that, she has ever seen “tawuran” (student fighting) and child jail for her articles. Whoa, I haven’t written article on those topics. It would be quite terrifying for me to see such things.

There was also one thing they always told us about: etiquette.

I Watched Karate

Today (Sunday, March 8th), I watched karate tournament with my friend for our magazine article.

The tournament was held by karate club in my university and it was great because it was the first time I watched karate match in real life. I also found that there was team kumite.

What is kumite anyway? 

In karate tournament there are two main categories: kumite and kata. Kumite is sparring. Kata is movement demonstration.

When an official told me that there is team kumite, I imagine a group of 4 people fight against a group of 4 people, all on one tatami. I was wrong (of course!). The sparring is still one on one. To make it clear, I suggest you to watch YouTube video on team kumite because I can’t explain it properly.

A Story about Deadline

“Journalist: a person without any ideas but with an ability to express them; a writer whose skill is improved by a deadline: the more time he has, the worse he writes.”

          -Karl Kraus-

When I read that quote for the first time, I laughed. “It’s true!” I said. 

I’m not a newspaper journalist so I don’t experience crazy deadline but I understand that “skill is improved by a deadline” part. Usually, I have three days to finish an article and the process goes like the following.

Day I

I interview. After that I’m like, “I still have a lot of time. I’ll write the article tomorrow. I’m still tired from that interview.”

Day II

I try to write the article. After writing a few sentences, I read the sentences again and I’m like, “This is terrible. I can’t even stand reading an article that’s written like this.” Then, I think, “I guess I should take a rest and maybe I can find the proper sentence later.”

Day III

Few hours before deadline, even an hour before deadline, I can write well and the article is fine.

Note: I don’t promote procrastination. I just share my experience. Note again: I decide to give this post a pingback to Twenty Somethings Edition 1.

Student Journalist’s Stupid Moment

I’ve mentioned before that I’m a student journalist. I interview people and I admit that sometimes I do stupid thing while interviewing someone.

In one interview, I shook the interviewee’s hand and he looked startled. I then realised that we didn’t actually shake hand. It was like, I took (or grabbed) his hand. He was startled then he knew that I wanted to shake his hand so we shook hand. Whoa, I guess I should learn how to shake hand properly next time.

Another time, there were three people. I should do quick interview to three of them. Since I only knew one person personally, I talked a lot to him and talk awkwardly to the other two. That was, I admit, not professional.

I think that’s all I can remember. I may write more next time.

Whom I Want to Interview

I join the journalism club in my faculty. I’ve interviewed some people and written news. For me, interview is more interesting than news writing.

Since my journalism club belongs to the faculty, I mostly interview people from my faculty. However, if I’m given the chance, I want to interview Marianela Núñez or Polina Semionova. Why them? Because I like watching ballet and they’re two of my favourite ballet dancers. If you click the link I put on their names in this post, you will see amazing acts and dances. I’ve watched many good dance but when I watch them, I not only watch but also feel.

P.S.

In the description of this video, Carlos Acosta’s role is Don Quixote but I thought he was Basilio. Can somebody explain to me?