NYC Trip 2

Today started with a visit to FOX news. The tour started late because it was said that a big meeting was called and one of our hosts who had to report to Rupert Murdoch apparently had to meet with him. So that tour started late.

We had a short tour, and after that, we were led to a conference room with "FOX News" goodie bags sitting on the table. The bags held a red notebook that said "Fox News" on the cover. The notebook came with a pen attached. There was also a Fox Radio pencil.

That visit was nice, and I had the chance to meet some of the personalities for the second time.

AFter that visit, I had lunch with another student. We didn't even sit down and lounge and take our time, we age and made a mad dash for a cab... but were five minutes late to our next appointment... and they didn't let us upstairs. So we decided to make our way to the next appointment, a couple of hours in advance.

Instead of taking a cab we decided to be adventurous and hop on the subway. The student I was following kinda knows the city. She asked this 82-year-old man where to find the subway that would take us to our destination. He told us, we followed him and ended up talking to him at least 30 minutes... We learned about his life, his struggle with civil rights and discrimination... all of this on the way to the subway... We also chatted waiting for the subway, and in the subway train... He missed his stop in order to show us where to go... And we talked some more after we got off the subway around the Macy's area on... 33rd st.

After talking to that gentleman, not five minutes passed before we were engaged in another conversation. This gentleman was younger, and started talking about Barack Obama... he said complimentary things... then started saying that Barack Obama doesn't have an African-American bloodline and how we need someone in the White House with that bloodline... (wait, hold up... wasn't this the same brother praising Obama just two minutes before?) In the process we found out that he never voted. WHAT THE HE#$? So we both lit into him. My fellow student told him that complaining about leadership without casting a vote is bullsh#$. I told him the thing that keeps me voting are those images of my ancestors being toppled over by firehoses and chased by fierce dogs because they wanted equality. That keeps me voting. How dare I not vote? He appeared to see our point, but only he will know if and when he hits the polls.

Don't talk about what you want if you aren't participating in the process to create what you want.

NYC Trip 1

09 January 2008
This is my second night in NYC. Too bad I am under the weather for this networking trip. Last night was the pits! We met at Gallagher's Steakhouse, and the room was full of many breathing people emanating lots of heat... Enough to make the first guest at our table keep wiping the perspiration from his face. He is a FOX News correspondent. It was kind of awkward sitting in front of him, having no questions. My classmate and I were early so we decided to choose the seat right smack dab in front of the alum. It could be I had no questions because I am not as interested in television reporting as I am interested in radio, or it could be this dumb cold! Television is interesting to me, so I think it was this wretched cold.

The next alum who rotated to our table was from Coach... And had little if any relation to a career path anyone at our table wanted to take. What made it more awkward was when the representative had to stay at our table for extra time... With a bunch of students who weren't studying public relations. It was interesting (for me anyway) learning about what she does for a living. Sounds like the hours are loooonnng, the work fun, and the travel opportunities great.

After awhile, I had to potty, so I excused myself from the table and went downstairs, spotted the lobster tank, and made my way to the WC.

In the restroom I had an inter-stall conversation with another SOC student. She complained about the food, and we shared a few laughs about the sliced meat on bread and pasta alternative.

Wednesday night was a networking reception with a lot more AU alumni. I had some interesting conversations with people.

Another conversation I had with an ABC producer and someone from New York Bank was fun and informative. I learned that long hours are the norm, and passion is key. L., the producer, says we should go for the positions we want. For example, if we want to work on-air, it is better to get an on-air gig in a nowheresville city than to get an assistant producer's job in a big city thinking to "work my way up to an on-air gig.". Just go for what you want, she says.

I found the conversation with the gentleman at Sirius radio helpful. He wasn't a plethora of words, but those are the personalities I really find intriguing. He did give me a couple of leads for areas that found me interesting, and I learned one of the things he's looking for in the talent he hires... and it's more than a great voice. I found out that I need to have a healthy Rolodex also.

Wondering

While I know, I still don't know. And I wish I did know.
Why is it that there's always the catch when it comes to me... That one thing... that potential dealbreaker? Why are the confused always dropped on my doorstep?

It never fails.

Oh, well...

Whatever is happening...

I kind of like it. I really don't know what is happening, but all I know is that our friendship is new and it is surprisingly comfortable. He is so thoughtful and caring...

This is pleasant.

Yes, it is pleasant.