Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Whoops

Through all the commotion, I forgot to do my last blog post.

My last week was good, though uneventful. Kevin gave me Sandinista! and Combat Rock (both Clash CDs) for my birthday/thank you gift. I got three offers for job reccommendations, which I will be taking advantage of, and everyone was really nice. I'm very happy with my internship.

I'll maintain for the rest of my life, I think, that Georgia was the best thing that ever happened to me. I really learned how to function there, and I'm really thankful for this awesome opportunity. I couldn't have done it without my Aunt Janet and Uncle Charley, though.

Since I've been home, I've been going non-stop. On Saturday, the day I got back AND my birthday, my brother and friend Andre threw me a surprise party. I was so surprised. Well, that's obvious. But still, I had a great time and got to see Spencer, whom I haven't seen for quite a while.

So far it's been really hard to adjust back into my household. In Georgia I had a very specific, structured schedule, and I thirived in that. Here, back at my house, nothing is set in stone and I would go as far to say that it is hectic in a bad way. I'll adjust.

I also have to find a job this week. Man, life is really happening.

love---micha

Saturday, May 1, 2010

8 days

8 days? Like, really? I just got here!

I've been working on the beginnings of my symposium speech. And I say speech because I will be doing talking, with a sliudeshow in the background. Now, the only problem with that is there runs the risk of people only paying attention to the slideshow and not what I have to say. But I think the people that really care will actually listen. Do we give our symposium at graduation? I'll look at my email...

Oh, sounds like symposuim is before graduation. So why does is take so long? Our class is not that big. Oh, I guess all the videos will be shown. Maria, Tenara, Genelle, and Amy B. are doinf my video. They say they have no idea what to do. I have no ideas either.

Well, this week was slow. I did celebrity birthdays, ballots (for the 'Best of Everything' in Atlanta), and rode the bus, train, bus like always. Kevin said we need to get together to talk about what I want to do for my last 8 days. I really haven't thought about it, but I suppose I should shoot for the stars. Interview Anti-Flag for some random feature? That would be my dream. Actually it would be to interview the remaining members of The Clash, and Anna Wintour, Obama (not because I like him but because, hey, he's the Prezzzzz), and I'm sure there's other people--oh like Jemina Pearl--but I can't think of any. My head is foggy today. I'm tired. I think I've just gotten progressively more tired as the weeks go on. BUT it's two weeks until my birthday. I'm asking for money. It'll just go towards prom.

I'm not in the mood to write today. I'm hungry. We're having a birthday party today and they're making marzzetti. (spelling?) Anyways see y'all.

love---micha

Friday, April 23, 2010

Hey all

Well, my fourth week is done and I've got three weeks left.

I wrote an actual story yesterday. Kirsten, who is the life and food editor, said it looked really good. The article was on deals in restaurants in Atlanta; like loyalty programs. She let me pick out a few books to read as well. I picked out three and I'm going to review them before I leave. The book I am currently reading is called "Little Bee". It's about a Nigerian refugee, and the woman she lives with. It's really good, but I probably just like it because it's British. I have an extremely disconterting (yes I know what that word means) obsession with GB and Europe in general. I plan to live in England as soon as I can. I don't care if it's rainy or dirty or anything like that. I have always felt a connection to London and I think I would really fit in there. Plus it's where Joe Strummer is from, so I can visit his grave AND follow my Clash map of London. SPEAKING OF THE CLASH:

I, as some of you may know, am getting a tattoo. But what to get? Well, I am definitely getting a phoenix on my right wrist. Why a phoenix? Long story short, I have risen out of the ashes just like a Phoneix. I have a new life, just like the bird. So I'll symbolize that with a tattoo. However, I haven't found the right design, so I asked my friend Liz to design it for me. Now, you may be thinking, Micha, why on your wrist? WHYYYY? And how will you cover it up? Well, it's because I've always wanted a wrist tattoo. And as for covering it up, they're called bracelets. Amy V. has a wrist tattoo and you can't even tell it's there because she covers it up just like that. Plus, from what I can tell journalism is a bit more lax when it comes to tattoos. I'll ask my mentor what he thinks, just in case. I wouldn't want something that silly to ruin my chances at getting a job in my chosen field.
Ok, there is something else I want to get:

As you all know I am a die hard Clash fan. And I don't just like London Calling and their self-titled. I LOVE it all--Sandinista, Combat Rock, and even the uninspiring Supet Black Market Clash. So I was thinking, what can I get tattooed on me that will represent the Clash? I looked up 'Clash tattoos" on the internet and lo and behold, there came up Angelina Jolie. She has a tattoo in the middle of her shoulders that says KNOW YOUR RIGHTS. Now, that's cool, because that's the name and main line of a bangin' Clash song, but as I am not very political AND Angelina Jolie already has it, so I will not get that. But when I saw that I thought of the quote that I live by. And I mean, I truly live by it. It is a Clash quote:

"Then you realize that you gotta have a purpose or this place is gonna knock you out sooner or later."

So I'm thinking about getting "gotta have a purpose" right where Angelina got hers, and in the same type, because it looked pretty darn sharp. That way I can cover it up, and not have to worry about explaining it.

I just love The Clash. They changed my whole existence, and that's the god-forsaken truth.

Night y'all--micha

Friday, April 16, 2010

YES

I have found the secret to waking up in the morning...

3 cups of bold roast coffee. Yes, I will soon have a caffeine addiction, but it is better than a sleeping pill addition. It is in my eyes anyway.

I submitted my pictures and interviews for the fashion story to Kirsten. One picture I got was of a very chic business manager who wrote down his address so I could send him a copy of the paper he was in. I liked him. The second person I photographed was dressed totally punk rock, which is my weakness. I mean, it doesen't get better for me than Punk. I asked about a million people and only those two said yes. I would be totally flattered if someone liked my style enough to be featured in a newspaper. That's ok, I guess some people are shy.

I was in the paper last week, this time even more. And I feel like I am getting into the mood of humor that is required to write celebrity birthdays. That feels pretty good.

The two guys I am always with, Zach and Ryan, keep me laughing all day long. They're 20 and 21, respectively, and we get along pretty well.

This week was great. It was so easy to get into the swing of things; I REALLY enjoy my job. I probably say that a lot. But it's 100% true. I love journalism; it's my passion and really the only thing I want to do. I can't wait to write for Kent State's paper, and then Vanity Fair. Ha. But If I could choose anywhere to work, it would be Vanity Fair. Would it be possible to work for them in the U.K.? Or Bazaar. Those are my two favorites.

I will be graduating high schoola published reporter. That is amazing. I am so thankful to Graham for providing me with this opportunity.

love--micha

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Second week

I know I'm a little late...

This past week was good. I picked up the paper that I'm published in, wrote a little story (which my mentor said was good), and on my weekend took pictures of people at the mall that looked good. The first guy I photographed was named Menard, and I gave me his address so I could send him a copy of the newspaper he'll be in. Hopefully he'll be in one of the first ones. Well now, I haven't even said anything about the column. It's Atlanta Street style, and we (Jill, the other mentor and I) basically take pictures of people who we think look good and ask them a few questions. All the people have to do is sign the release and I'm on my way. Most people, I've found, don't want to be photographed. Oh well. And those people are the best looking ones.

I really love my job. I hope to write bigger stories soon. But anything is fine really. I just love journalism. It's amazing how efficient people are. They know how to do their job well and they get it done. I respect that. There's a deadline every week and they always make it.

My body does not get up at 6:30 every day. It sucks and I'm not a fan of it. However, I still get up and do my make up and my hair, eat, and brush my teeth. Plus I havent missed any connections yet and I'm never late for work. That's pretty good. It's because I'm taking care of myself outside of work. I eat, I shower, and I take my vitamins. Although, I can never get to sleep before 12:30. It's like during the day my body just gets over this hump and then I'm awake until between 12:30 and 2:00. Lame. I need something to help me sleep. Benadryl does absolutely nothing to me except give me bad dreams. Any ideas? There is a yoga place near my house...

See y'all...micha

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Wellll now...

I am very happy to be here. Yes, with travel I work 11-hour days, but my name is going to be in the newspaper this week. Finally, I am published. It is only a little paragraph, but that's more than most high schoolers can say. I realized that in Columbus, people would be virtually attacking The Sunday Paper with requests to work for them. I am extremely lucky to have this opportunity. Yes, the four hour commute everyday is a bore, but I am actually doing journalism! That is so great. That's all I've wanted to do since I decided I wanted to become a reporter in 7th grade. I never thought I would be seriously doing it in high school. My boss, Editor-in-Chief Kevin Moreau, asked me what I'm interested in. I told him I loved fashion, music, reading, and that I would love to write about those things. He is setting up a meeting with the writer who covers those sections. I AM SO HAPPY I DID THIS. People at SP keep asking me how I found them. I literally put "newspapers near Buford, GA" into google and this was the only place I emailed that responded. And I'm pretty sure that so far it's the best thing that's ever happened to me. If anyone from SP is reading, no pressure. I'll make it my own.

All the computers are Macs at The Sunday Paper, so I'm still getting used to that. It's frustrating but if that's the hardest thing that has come my way so far then I'm happy.

The ride in is no problem, I sleep for half of it and then I'm good to go for the rest of the day. It's really not that complicated at all. Get on the shuttle, get on the MARTA, get on the bus. Somehow it only takes me four dollars to get from my house to SP, but for some reason it takes $8.50 to get home. Have I beaten the system? I hope so. But still, that's 12.50 per day. Now I really wish I had gotten that scholarship. I should have. Oh well, silly Micha didn't turn the paperwork in. I don't know how, but I totally missed it and now I have to spend college money. Great.

Anyways work is great so far and I am looking forward to tomorrow. I don't know if I mentioned this before but I am still work on perfecting the Southern drawl. I'm just fixin' to get me some sweet tea, Miss Scarlett.

g'night---micha

Thursday, March 25, 2010

GEORGIA

Yes, folks, I am here.

I got my license on Monday (it is Thursday) and I now have to learn to drive in Atlanta in an old green stick shift station wagon. Weirdly, I am really looking forward to it and becoming a better driver. If I can drive in the god awful traffic of Atlanta, I can probably drive a lot of other places as well. At least that's what my mom says. She and my grandma are here staying with me until Tuesday. Today, my mom and I got up at 6:15 to make it on the 7:30 shuttle bus to Atlanta. That was an hour. Then we took a Marta to some place else (I myself was half asleep, so I remember very little of this,) and then took another bus to my work. It was altogether a 2-hour trip. I'm not really happy with it, but if it's what I have to do, then that's that. Tomorrow we are actually driving (well I'm driving) into Atlanta to see how bad the trip is. That should only be an hour. That's half as long but twice as bad. Which route is better? I don't know. I'll let you know tomorrow.

Anyways the weather is awful (cloudy, chilly, and rainy--all day), so hopefully it will warm up. I'm dead tired but I think the overload of seeing all the family and my trip today and the knowledge (and mystery) of this Walkabout before me has gotten me going. Wish me good luck sleeping.

g'night---micha