Next Idols?

My first "article" for the Commuter (it's actually a profile):

Profile: Summer Soundtrack

Members: Amanda Dewolfe and Mike Ewing, both aged 18 and are freshman at LBCC

Music Genre: folk, pop, rock...mix of everthying (except metal and country)

Duration: playing together two months, dating for about two years

Typical Performace: playing with other music groups and having fun

Fun Fact: first performance by themselves (no other groups) was Sat. Oct. 3 at Fireworks

Current Status: looking for friends (Myspace.com and Facebook.com) and people to jam with

Secret Plot: have people constantly jamming in the LBCC quad

Latest Achievement: asked to join the music guild at OSU by the founder!

Shout Out: "Get to know us! We want to get to know you too!"

Passionate Music Duo: Summer Soundtrack

Amanda Dewolfe and Mike Ewing are ready to belt it out during their first solo performance Oct. 3 at Fireworks restaurant and grill in southtown Corvallis.

Photo Critique for PhotoJournalism (I've got Weddings on the brain)

Unlike those poor souls in Office Space, I do not have a case of the Mondays. I do have, however, weddings on my mind (go ahead, ask why). So for my photo critique assignment, I chose to look at photos pertaining to this topic on Flickr.com (great photo website).

Here is the picture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeannemariepics/3989854981/

I like this photo because it's fun and intimate. The bride and groom (or at least let's hope it's the groom) are standing by the ocean. The ocean and light blue (but softly cloudy) really add serenity to the tender happy kiss the groom gives his bride (on the nose no less). The colorful flowers and happy-almost-laughing smile of the bride make the photo fun.

The only thing I don't like is that my eyes always go to the flowers. I'd rather have my eyes go to the bride and her man. The flowers are so colorful and centered that it's a distraction from the couple.

Credit: jeannemarie@flickr

My First Blog Post (for PhotoJournalism)

High Lights:

I am not just taking photojournalism to get better picture taking skills. That's just a bonus for me. I'm really taking this class because journalism is my desired profession. I love everything from reporting, to editing, and I'm sure I'll fall in love with publishing.

As for those pictures we took on Wednesday (for a class assignment) it was an interesting experience. For one thing, I took a picture of some people I knew without even recognizing them until after I took the pictures. Also, we (me and my awesome group members) had a "delinquent moment when we were taking pictures in the Linn Benton Community College Bookstore. We took some pictures behind the register while students were making purchases. The cashiers asked us not to do that because some people had personal information on those screens.

Here is a photo taken on Wednesday in class:

It Couldn't Get Any Worse....Right?

First of all, I just discovered that I kinda broke my "." key. Obviously, it works, but the cover is loose. It looks pretty cool and intricate under that covering. Secondly, I have an adventure story to prove the wisdom behind NEVER saying (and meaning) the phrase "it couldn't get any worse".

Being the social creatures that we are, Shaun and I wanted to party. We got our mutual friend Aaron involved in this process by asking to hold it at his place in Beaverton (he was all up for this idea). A few days later, he informs us that the party has been moved to a series of bars in Portland. Of course, I can't get in because I'm under 21. Does Aaron care? Apparently not.

After getting kicked of Bartini (all I ordered was a cheeseburger, I swear)Shaun and I were forced to fend for ourselves (Aaron didn't even ask where we'd gone and if there was anything he could do to help). We found our way to a bus stop, then to a MAX station which got us back to Beaverton (and my car). At this point, Shaun and I were really hungry and it was 11:30 at night.

We got in the car and went on a search for food, finally finding an Applebee's. It was a Godsend. And to further boost our spirits, the song I'm Walking On Sunshine was playing upon our arrival. We were pretty reassured at that point. That was our mistake.

Dinner was excellent. Full and relaxed, we decided to go to Shaun's parents' house to sleep (since Aaron was probably out of commission). We successfully drove to his parents' house (about a half hour drive)and found that we were incredibly tired. Shaun went inside to disable the alarm. That didn't go over so well.

Fortunately, the police did not come (the alarm company kindly informed them that there was no problem). For whatever reason though, the company could not shut the system off with out a code (which Shaun did not have). After physically trying to shut the system off with wire cutting (and discovering that that did not work) we decided it would be best to drive back to Corvallis.

At about one o'clock, we were on I-5 driving back to Corvallis. We got to his place at about 3:30 a.m. Today is Monday, and we've finally recovered from our adventure.We have no regrets, we may forgive Aaron for his lack of consideration, and I thank God that the worst did not happen.

I'm Back With It

It may seem that I've disappeared for awhile, considering my last post was sometime early July. But I'm still here and I've some story ideas.

In the mean time: I picked a "writing day" (a day that I have to write, no matter what). Friday is my most "powerful" day of the week, so I chose that to be the day. Last Friday was my first official writing day, and this is what I came up with:

August 28, 2009

Dear America,

Why do you have to move so quickly, as an elusive cheetah would? What are we rushing toward? Are we in the final stretch toward the finish line? I do not know how much more my tired cane can take. I am sorry I have so many questions and you do not have the time to answer them.

My generation has some complaints and passing wisdom for you America. If you want to fall into this trap, then that is your choice. Do not take us with you. Do not rush us to our graves. We will be there faster than you think.

On behalf of the elder generation, we wish you would not run when you are in our presence. We do not appreciate being hurried through our meals. We hate watching you addict the youth to this drug. All we have left to contribute to society is our wisdom. It hurts that you cannot take a moment to listen.

If you had a moment, this is what we would tell you: life is precious; why are you rushing through it? When you are old, you will leave the speed trap to fall into a new one of your memories; take the time to create good ones. When your body becomes old and tired, sometimes you will have to say, “The hell with it” and get up slowly.

Of course this is still in draft form, and it may not go very far, but the point of this was to make sure that I write at least once a week.

That's it for now. I'll be back

Running Secrets

Some people (including myself) don't believe a secret until they have solid proof that it is true. So here's the skinny: I have personally tested some passed down secrets of running, and now I'm aiming to inspire all of you runners (and wanna be runners) to try them out.

1. Have a slightly sugared drink about 10 min before heading out. Try something with natural juice. The sugar will provide you with some well needed carbs to keep your muscles happily working.

2. Focus on your strong points. Imagine you have weak lungs but very strong leg muscles. Focus on the great work your leg muscles are doing. This will distract you from the slight shortage of breath.

3. Set little goals throughout the run. Say you're half way done and you're feeling really tired. Try making goals like "I can make it to that mail box" or " at the end of this song I'll walk a stretch". These little goals will help to push you, help you get stronger, and improve your time.

4. Pacing is your friend. Don't run uber fast at the beginning of your run. Take it a bit slower than you think you should. Then near the end if you have lots of extra energy, sprint it out.

5. Use positive mental self talk. Encourage yourself throughout the run saying things like "you're doing good" or "keep it up".

6. Listen to your fave upbeat music.

And finally...

7. When you're breathing starts getting considerably faster, start breathing in this fashion: two short breaths then a long one. The long breaths will expand your lungs (and clear them of excess CO2) and the short ones will trick you into believing you're getting the air you need as fast as you need.

Enjoy your next run :)