read a blog, forget books, a review on journ1 blogs

Blog review
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University is known to be the pillar and backbone of confused, young, zesty students trying to find their identity, enduring personal growth, learning independency, and ultimately get a taste of “life”. No parents, no headmasters, and no prefects, it’s your way or the high way. The RU scandalous blog (www.ruscandalous.blogspot.com)imagery encapsulates this idea precisely.

The colours are daring, bold, and adventures. Out in the big bad world, and away from parental guidance. The blog welcomes one with an image of the clock tower, which for me symbolises novel beginnings. However, the term “scandalous” has a sense of ambiguity. The images suggest outrageous, indecent behaviour, but the content proves other wise. The other understanding of the term “scandalous” suggests and re-enforces the idea of journalists driven and interested in the socio and political scandals of the world. Good use of imagery is used in most of the articles. However, it is very difficult to read as the writing is red and backgrounded by black.

The young cultures emporium blog (http://youngculturesemporium.blogspot.com/ ) has made use of simplicity rather that boldness. The blog is neatly coordinated. However, the blog could have made use of more images to accompany their stories.
Both the blogs have made use of the hard news reporting style, but especially the opinion style. Greater attention should be given to colour use, imagery, and not to come across as too informal.

Motorcycle crash course.. emphasis on the crash.

By Michael Moodie g09m2875



Riding a motorbike is something I have always wanted to do but just never quite had the chance. “We're never going to buy you a bike,” my parents told me. “We don't want you to become a big smudge in the middle of the road.” I've never given much heed to my motorbike dreams since then, not until I had a knock on my door and an offer to learn to ride.

I felt pretty apprehensive at first. When I was a kid I had always imagined riding a motorbike was like riding a very big bicycle. After my first try at getting the bike to move however, I found that there was much more to it than just that. Clutch left hand, front brake right hand, gears left foot, back brake right foot.. it is a lot to remember for someone who used to sit on his bicycle, “Vroom, vroom!!” and then ride off as fast as he could. After several tries and only two stalls later, I was off and moving at what felt like break-neck-speeds, but what the speedometer told me was actually 20 k's and hour. It was an accomplishment none-the-less, and from there on I only got better.

Eventually, after I had finally mastered moving the bike in the right direction, we decided to move on to dirt roads. It was much more challenging technically, but there was much less chance of me riding into something. I had started to master riding the bike well, and despite the sand and gravel sliding beneath my tires, I managed to stay on and look ever-so-slightly as though I knew what I was doing.

Riding that motorbike was an experience that I will never forget, and hopefully it is an experience I will have again. It gave me a sense of freedom and exhilaration that I had never felt before. One day I might just run the risk of becoming a smudge in the road and buy myself my own bike.

A Gem of a First Year Blog

Being a Journalism one student is by no means a pleasant walk in the park. With so many deadlines and specifications sometimes it is hard to put your all into one task. However, after sifting through various blogs, I found one that is truly inspiring: Journ-Inside Out.

Journ-Inside Out has a very attractive format. It resembles what a Journalists table would probably look like. The white background and black text makes the blog posts very reader friendly. There is lots of colour that inspires creativity. On the right hand side of the blog the creators have put information containing what their blog is about, relating websites that would interest the reader of this particular blog, fun quotes aimed at Journalists, and even a game. These little suggestions automatically create a closer bond with the reader and demonstrate purely, by their presence, that the authors of this blog care about their fellow readers.

The information content in Journ-Inside Out is of an extraordinary range. The authors of this blog have really taken pride and interest in filling their blog with information that pertains to first year Journalist and to educating them about current events. The articles cover a wide range of different topics such as politics, poverty, class, life worth, and even waitressing.

If you have not yet indulged yourself in the sweet treats of this blog, I highly recommend that you do so. There is so much to look forward to.

The Life of a Rhodent is a Life for Me

Inside the Union Club, mixture of my Rhodes friends and Nalson Mandela Metropolitan University friends having a good time.

The bragging had gone on since the begging of the year: My high school friends, now students at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, bragging about how much better the partying is in PE compared to the partying done by the students of Rhodes University. In opposition to these outrageous assumptions I argued that if they came to Rhodes to party it up, they would be embarrassed because they would only then discover the true meaning of the word party.

So the bet was on. Two of my Grahamstown buddies and I packed our bags, loaded up my car, and headed off to PE to experience the party life of a Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University student. This was a task that we knew was going to take us out of our comfort zone, but had to be done to prove a point. During the first night we found ourselves being mocked and judged because we where Rhodes students in a PE world. Although the mocking was light and very sarcastic it made us feel tremendously out of place and looked down on. However, us being the true Rhodens we are, pushed this aside, and put on our partying shoes. First up was a club called the College. The people where grossly overdressed, the music was average, and the friendliness of the people, non-existent. We ended up going home at 12 and my mates from PE thought this was an absolute joll. Second night, we were faced with the same story. They thought this club, the Collage, was the most hectic place on earth.

My two Rhodent friends and I noticed the cliques of people that stuck together in the club. People were not open and friendly like in Grahamstown. The whole vibe and mentality of the people was also different. We noticed how many girls flaunted their high hill shoes and uncomfortable clothing all in the name of fashion. That’s when I realized that Rhodes is really laid back in comparison. We do not necessarily worry too much about what we wear as long as we have a good time. We also don’t worry as much about flaunting our valuables is order to gain status for what we own. The students of Rhodes just all mesh together and become equals in a vibe that is like no other.

Our stay in PE ended that Monday morning. A weekend was long enough in the city of PE and we were ready to head back to our beloved Grahamstown. Port Elizabeth is not a horrible place, but the vibe of Grahamstown is so much more welcoming. The people are friendly and laid back, the clubs all unique in their own ways, and to my surprise I learned we know how to handle our alcohol consumption; and are not afraid to experiment with the cheap stuff like Crackling.

Our turn was over; it was now time for my friends from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University to pull their weight. When Inter-varsity time rolled around I gave my friends from PE a call. They came through and joined us Rhodents in one of the most legend parties known to student kind. They found themselves lying in, gutters, scoring random people, and much to my disgust puking on my kitchen floor.

When the discussion of whose University had the best parties came about, there was no argument. Rhodes had defiantly taken the trophy. My friends commented on the hospitality of the fellow Rhodent’s, the ability to make a party wherever they went, and of course the ability to hold the unnatural amount of alcohol and still function semi-normal. All in all, my uncomfortable experience in PE helped me realise that my university, Rhodes, has some of the best parties around, and for that I am proud.

True Grit

Experiences and our choices of experiences are what make our lives , hence the cliche life is what you make it. As a spontaneous need for something to do last weekend a couple of mates and I took of to do a bit of rock climbing in Morgan's bay , something which I had never done assuming that it wouldn't bode well with my fear of heights. The first climb we got onto was called 'True Grit' and as the name implied it tested your desire to make it and not bail out. Looking up at the half a meter wide crack which was ominously looming above me I was tied on and heard the command from Dave "climb when ready." With a racing pulse and a mind wracked with thoughts of what might happen I stepped onto the climb and began by hoisting myself into the crack. Accompanied by many jokes I slowly wedged myself up the crack. The experience of exerting yourself purely due to the fact that adrenaline had overtaken was exhilarating allowing me to forget everything else in the world. The feeling of finally finishing the climb was one which was fleeting but truly amazing. The accomplishment , fear , adrenaline and physical exertion all bundled into one euphoric breath. As life experiences go , this one trumps all. It is these experiences that I seek and that make my life meaningful to me. So why waste your life when you could be doing something completely pointless.

Wana bs dilemma

A blog is successfull by primarily the quality and quantity of its content however other side dishes entice the reader such as its layout , style , use of multimedia and when all of this is brought together how controversial the blog is . The blog Wanna.b.Journos ( http://www.wannabjournos.com/ ) is a blog which in aspects of this fails whilst in other aspects exceeds creating a dilemma for any potential reader. The content of this blog is varied ranging from well written critical anlyses of local and International controversial topics to excessivley personnel and slightly mundane experiences of the bloggers. The blog is filled with articulatley written pieces on issues concerning not only readers in Grahamstown but readers from across the globe and includes posts ranging from racism at Rhodes University to Barack Obama's Nobel peace prize. However this content is often personell almost to the extent of a stream of consciousness which detracts from the professionalism of the blog and bores the already inattentive readers. The layout of the blog echoes what it is about and who is writing giving the reader an immediate sense of what they are going to be reading. Multimedia included in this blog is lacking and the use of more photographs as well as video clips would enhance the readers experience. This blog has various admirable qualities could be enhanced to become like the blog Heavy Chefs ( http://www.heavychefs.com/ ) using large amounts of multimedia and keeping all content topic specific.

students pay doctors for laziness- the predicament of LOA's

Zama khumalo

Tweet: “Is it fair for others to pay themselves out of academic work?
Tweet: http://twitter.com/zakhum

The "Duly Performed" rule applies to all academic departments at Rhodes University. Students are obliged to meet the DP requirements of each department. However, for some students the term DP and LOA (leave of absence letter) also stands for “I can pretend to be sick, because I can afford for a doctor to confirm me sick, when I am not”. Acquiring a leave of absence letter is made easier for students who can afford medical aid in Grahamstown.
It has come to my attention, disappointment and dismay at the number of students who miss their tutorials, and seek for a test or assignment extension, because they depend on a doctor’s certificate.
When the pressure is mounting and academic demands are escalating, students will turn to their medical aids for a doctor’s note to sign them off. Have you ever wondered why students who never attend tutorials, or hand in assignments on time still have their DP’s without warnings?
If you don’t have a doctor to pay you off, for lectures, tutorials and assignments in Grahamstown, then you are really out of luck, because the Sanatorium doesn’t dish out ‘leave of absence letters’ like hot cakes.
It is unfair and unjust that students who do not have medical aid and are rejected at the Sanatorium for a leave of absence, have to suffer the consequences of not having an LOA. We have all heard the saying “it’s chilled; I’ll just go the doctor and cough once or twice to get an LOA”.
I don’t have a solution for this increasingly common predicament amongst students, but university should aim to level the playing fields.

Are You in Control, or Does Racism Control You

Racism in South African Universitie's is a problem that has recently drawn a lot of media attention. In August, during inter-varsity, on my very own university campus (Rhodes), a student allegedly shouted out the derogatory term, nigger, at Prof Fakson Banda and his family whilst they where driving by in their car. In another case, at the University of the Free State, 4 students made a video of a group of black workers being instructed to drink beer, dance and play rugby, and also eat food that was allegedly urinated on.

It is sad that years after apartheid we are still dealing with discrimination amoungst our people based purly on the colour of one's skin. I think it is unacceptable and childish. Racism should be treated with zero tolerance. We all have the same needs and wants such as: shelter, food, love and acceptance. For one race to think and act like they are superior to another is ridiculous.

Sadly, incidenes like these are not only limited to universities, they are prevalent around the world. How long will we let such shallow assumptions and stereotypes rule us? I think that we should all learn from the mistakes of our forefathers and strive for a future were everyone is equal and free of the poison, racism, that is dividing our nations.

Related topics:

http://www.grocotts.co.za/content/racism-still-haunts-rhodes-28-08-2009
http://www.sabcnews.com/portal/site/SABCNews/menuitem.5c4f8fe7ee929f602ea12ea1674daeb9/?vgnextoid=966024152c064210VgnVCM10000077d4ea9bRCRD&vgnextfmt=default

Age of Ambivalence

A vulture seems to be stalking an infant. This award winning photograph taken by a memeber of ' the bang bang club' Kevin Carter epitomizes our need for action.

" Most of all . I am not proud of a South Africa where youth are largely apathetic , content with them and theirs , and willing to see injustices occur everyday, every minute , every second."
Danielle Bowler .

In a society where poverty is ever present and experiences of it are had it is not the state of the world which we should blame but look inwards at ourselves. This thought was triggered by the book I am currently reading called 'the bang bang club' by Greg Marinovich and Joao Silva. This book is a commentary on award wining photographs taken by the authors and their peers and highlights the post 1990 violence in South Afica whos memory has been lost in the 21st century (Photos viewed at http://www.joaosilva.co.za/ ).The dominant theme throughout this book is the indiffernce of the majority of white South Africans continued their lives in ambivalence of the mass organised violence. Following this trail of thought process I realized my generations ambivalence to the poverty of the majority of South Africans which , to an extent, has been caused by apartheid. As young journalists we need to engage with the needy support the poor and uplift the impoverished. To step out of the bubles of comfort in which we live and confront the poverty. Every world citizen encounters such povert but by wriding ourselves of this ambivilence and apathy we will find a solution and learn from the likes of Marinovich and Silva.

In the interests of reconciliation...

By Michael Moodie g09m2875

Looking back several years, I remember feeling the same sense of disgust and revulsion as I do now at what was done to the workers at the University of the Free State. I remember peering at the newspaper, seeing the humiliation to which the workers were subjected, and feeling sick to pit of my stomach.

Now, as back then, that feeling has returned although for an entirely different reason altogether. "In a gesture of racial reconciliation and the need for healing," said the new Vice Chancellor to the university, "the disciplinary charges against the four accused students will be dropped." As I read these words, I felt the sick in my stomach slowly begin to boil. When these four Afrikaans students decided to humiliate and demean the black workers in the way that they did, they spat in the face of reconciliation. Why is it that it should be reconciliation that saves them from punishment? What they did was unforgivable and they should suffer the consequences for it.

There is a time and a place for forgiveness, healing and reconciliation, but this is not it. South Africa has become too concerned with race relations to see that the actual crime committed here is a crime against our fellow man. Ignore race and ignore colour and see the bare fact here is that no human being should be treated in this way.

Once again Jonathan Shapiro has got it dead right. His latest cartoon in the Mail&Guardian says all that I have just said using no words at all:

A Cry to Save the World

How much longer will we turn a blind eye on the crisis destroying our world? Planet Earth houses us, feeds us, and keeps us alive, in return we poison it. Recent reports have been challenging us to pay more attention to this global crisis, and I agree. When we burn fossil fuels, greenhouse gasses are released into the atmosphere, which adds to the crisis of global warming.

Greenpeace has done recent studies proving that South Africa alone can reduce its annual greenhouse gas emissions by more than 200 million tons by 2050 without hindering the economic growth of the country. This can be done by making use of more solar and wind powered appliances. Also we can start being more conscious of our electricity usage and make sure we use it more efficiently.

Also making headlines is a song titled Beds'r Burning, featuring 55 famous celebrities. The song is mainly directed at world leaders, and focuses on raising awareness on the issue of global warming in order to bring them together and come up with a plan on how they can reduce the issue of global warming .This idea came from the Geneva-based Global Humanitarian Forum and was released on October the 1st in Paris.

I think with all this awareness being raised about global warming, the eye’s of the world could be opened before it is too late. It is up to us to decide if we are going to help play a part in reducing the amount of exerted greenhouse gasses or add to the detriment of our planet Earth.

Sources and related news articles:

http://www.climateark.org/globalwarmingcrisis/

http://www.health24.com/news/Enviro_Health_/1-1308,52912.asp

http://www.globalwarmingheartland.org/

http://www.news24.com/Content/Entertainment/International/1044/9902c259e9ff4476ae6743aff69db655/15-09-2009-11-56/55_celebs_for_climate_change

Something is seriously amiss..

Article abstract from: The Mail&Guardian newspaper
Headline: "DA warns against pardon for Shabir Shaik"

After nineteen years spent living in South Africa, I find that it takes a lot to shock and disturb me. Corruption and bribery have become just another part of everyday life in South Africa and like me, many other people have learned just to accept it. There was a rare moment of justice however, when Shabir Shaik was convicted for fraud and sent to prison. It was a small step towards justice, but it was a step none-the-less.

In the article I found in the Mail&Guardian, I read that Shabir Shaik had applied for a presidential pardon as long ago as April 2008. Over a year ago, a convicted fraudster applies for a presidential pardon, and for over a year the rejection letter that ought to have been sent back to him has been left unmailed. What is the ruling party waiting for? There should be no debate whatsoever as to what should be done. The small bit of me that still cares and still longs for justice stirred.. for just a moment.. and then subsided back into the depths of realisation that there is virtually nothing I can do to stop it. I have become too complacent to care and too accustomed to injustice in South Africa to bother to lift a finger. If I am the youth of South Africa today, what of the children of tomorrow?

(http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-10-19-da-warns-against-pardon-for-schabir-shaik)

The prevelance of the 'status quo' in articles

Article abstracted from: Daily News:
Headline: “Drug mule mom finally home”

“I've paid my dues, I am stronger, and I have changed my ways for the better”, typically those are words of an ex rebellious, defiant adolescent. Was that a bold, unfair, stereotypical, statement? Truth is, if we did not live in a world that perpetuates the status quo, ideologies and stereotypes, the story of a drug dealer mom would not have made headline news.
Joeleene Phillips is a mother of two, who arrived back in South Africa on Wednesday after serving almost three years in a Brazilian prison, for smuggling 3kg of cocaine in 2006.
Somehow the status quo does not concur that a white, middle class, South African mother can be involved in drug trafficking. Even though Philips eventually admitted that she was aware that she was transporting drugs, society would typically blame the Nigerian boyfriend, who fled after her arrest, for luring her into this shameful, dodgy activity.
We have all figured by now, that news is influential on public opinion in a range of specific and measurable ways. Therefore depending on how the story is told, the quotes chosen, information presented and whose point of view is represented, the story may promote a certain point of view. The story has taken a sympathetic approach, highlighting on sensational and emotionally expressive phrases and quotes. The information presented is largely Phillips ‘moving’ opinions.
This re-enforces the idea of stereotyping ethnicity's, genders and class positions in society. To some extent, the act of Phillips was deviant from the usual societal standards and expectations. Therefore it is written in a remorseful, repentant manner. The images used also bind this suggestion. Because of these ideological subconscious ideas being reflected in this article, Phillips story may come as natural, accepted and preferred in society.

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?art_id=vn20091015104153497C578411&set_id=1&click_id=13&sf=

Images

http://gallery.iol.co.za/v/iolnews/Drug+mule+mom+comes+back+home+14_10_2009/

The not so Wonderful Wizard of ASA

Lying seems to have become a cliche amongst not only South African politicians but also her sports associates and bosses. Leonard Chuene , the boss of Athletics South Africa (ASA) is one who is perpetuating this stereotype as evidence has been revealed of his lies surrounding gender tests done on Caster Semenya prior to the Athletics World Championship. The Mail and Guardian article (http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-09-18-semenya-saga-chuenes-trail-of-lies#comments ) called " Semenya saga : Chuene's trail of lies" provided evidence stating that not only did ASA conduct gender tests on Semenya prior to the Berlin Athletics World Championships 2009 but that the results were not what they should be, two facts that Chuene strongly denied. The Zapiro cartoon ( http://www.mg.co.za/zapiro/fullcartoon/2282 ) encompasses the 'saga' in a broader sense displaying a humorous yet blatant reaction to the actions of the Australian press , the IAAF and ASA whilst highlighting Semenya's innocence. Fittingly Zapiro plays on the Wizard of OZ, and yes this story could very well be a fairytale , that is a fairy tale with a gratuitous hermaphrodite and without the hero and happy ending. This cartoon highlights how each organisation by lack of a fundamental human organ has created a nightmare for Semenya , stressing their inhumanity. The bottom line amongst all the pointing of fingers and slinging of feces is that ASA lied causing Semenya irreparable damage and should meet the consequence of their actions. This virtue which could be recited by a five year old , has yet to sink into the skull of ASA.

Great footwork has no age

WARNIG: JOURNALISM STUDENTS EVERYWHERE!

Gettin this journalism thing down!

g09m7425 Melissa Moss

Read a lot, learn a lot, and write extraordinary stories, a lot! Like the saying goes, “A reading journalist is a good journalist! “I believe this is a very true statement. As a journalist, you have to know what is going on in the world all the time. If you are not aware of currant events and information you are more likely to publish material that is not necessarily true, based on your ignorance of the world around you. I am also a strong believer in the saying, “Do not trust anyone”, when it comes to Journalism and getting the story right that is. You cannot base you story on what a friend of a friend of a friend heard, because we are all human and sometimes like to add our five cents in here and there. You need to go straight to the source and extract your information first hand, which ultimately ensures that your news will be based on hard fact. This blog aims to reflect the material, us (first year journalist students), are taking in, and discuss it in ways that will help us understand it. Our blog aim is to make students aware of what news sources can be trusted and how to go about gathering information for stories. If your experience in first year journalism has been anything like mine, I bet you are suffering from a bit of whip-lash. All the writing and deadlines can leave you feeling slightly bewildered. I hope that our blog will be a place that first year journalism students can come and share their experiences and struggles. Hopefully their struggles can be resolved and their lives enriched by the encouragement and input of other first year journalists.
We live in a forever changing world, with break throughs in technology nearly everyday. This means that the ways in which we communicate with each other are not the same ways in which we communicated a hundred years ago. Journalism is no longer limited to news papers, tabloids, and magazines. There are all kinds of exciting new possibilities in which journalist are able to express their talents and passion for writing and reporting. We hope that our blog will enlighten students to experiment and make use of the new multi media possibilities and opportunities available in the journalism sector today. In all aspects, we would like to think that our blog will make our target audience better rounded journalists.

I run my life, my life doesn't run me.-Zama

As a wannabe journalist I suffer one of two things, the pain of discipline and the pain of deadlines. Deadlines can't be changed, but I can take personal responsibilty for my actions and learn to like what I do, instead of doing what I like. if I end up being something, I would have made myself so, through hardwork, because passion can make clever men idiots and make the biggests of idoits clever. I want my work as a journalist to be a portrait of my personality. Creative, bold and influential. What I write needs to be a reflection of what is important to me, the things I believe and value the most. What can be concieved in words I believe can be achieved in my personal growth as a journalsit. the experiences I have encountered in my path as an aspiring journalist is trying to be myself in a world that is constantly trying to make me something else.

I want to get to a point where I can tell people to read my work, to know who i am. at least i dont need to be great to start but i need to start to be great. i dont want to be the moving horse that makes no progress and writing stories that have no value. we all want to be someone in life or something in life, but we are never specific. As student journalists we should aim to find that "specific thing" we want in life.

The notion of a wack or bad idea is nothing but a feeble and weak excuse as a journalist. I have learned to work with bad ideas until they become great ideas. If I end up walking on thin ice, Imight as well dance while the ice has not melted. I guess what I'm saying is that journalists face many challenges but the great ones are those that don't fear hopeless situations.

A famous writer said " If you want to dance to somebody's music, you need to get into thier house". Rock and roll to the lingo of the township scene and jive to the street sweepers broom. feel the music and understand the lyrics to appreciate the song. Journalists should have a deep understanding and take the time to experience what they are talking about, be knowledgable and informed. I want to be the journalist that has the power to change peoples lives through the words that I chose and the experiences I share.

and Mick too..

By Michael Moodie g09m2875

The world of journalism is forever changing. In yester-years, all it took to be a journalist was a notepad, a pen and the faint ability to write words into sentences that bear some resemblance to what we know as sense. Times have changed though, and the world of media and journalism has moved into a whole new solar system altogether. Television news networks, radio broadcasters, magazines, newspapers and the Internet are all sources of journalistic material and media production, and it is into this world that we as journalism students are taking our first tentative steps. It is a daunting thought that one day, when we are done living the life of beer, friends and Saturday morning hangovers, that we will have to find our place in this ever-expanding and chaotic world. We will have to be as good (and as sober) as we can be so that we can make our mark, make ourselves noticed, and make waves in the journalistic world that awaits us. We are the up-and-coming generation of young and opinionated journalists who will take journalism a few more steps forward, bettering and improving it always.

Journalism, to me, is the opportunity to experience something new and different every single day. From what little experience I have of the journalism world so far, I have found that no two days are the same and that each day offers me the chance to meet new people and do new things. I find the journalism world exciting, unpredictable and constantly in a state of motion. My blog will offer you insight into my experiences as a young and eager to learn journalist, as I share with you my thoughts, opinions and amateurish commentaries of the journalism world exactly as I experience it everyday of my life spent here at university. Perhaps those of you who read this blog will have some sense of what I am writing about and will be able to relate in some way or another, and then again perhaps those of you who read this blog will read it only out of interest, but either way I welcome you into my world as a journalist and hope that you enjoy the read.

Here's Jonny

By: Jonathan Jones ( 09j0848)
My Name is Jonathan Jones , Jon for short as the full name is cumbersome and only used by my mother. I come from a family of five and grew up in Johannesburg and at the moment I am studying a B.A. at Rhodes University in Anthropology , English, Geography and Journalism. I am particularly interested in Anthropology as it is concerned with the human in a cosmological sense and it nurtures my interests in the similarities and differences of people. My hobbies include cycling , climbing , photography, all of which I struggle to find time for and although i hate to admit it I am somewhat of a wanabe surfer. Climbing holds something which interests me. It is the most intense form of escapism i know as it demands concentration and strength. It is my favourite hobby as its intensity and demanding nature continually pushes a climber allowing him to disappear into his own world. However anything involving the outdoors with an edge of adrenaline will interest me. I enjoy getting out of the city and so if I could be anywhere in the world right now I would be sitting next to a fire in Tranquilitas( Waterval Boven) sipping on some gluvine and watching the stars. I am a curly haired 'shortish' guy and I adamantly maintain that I am not short but that everyone else is freakishly tall.


My aim for Note Pads and Deadlines (N&D) is to publish my experiences as a first year student of journalism including the 'Vac work' , my impression of the course and course work as a whole as well as comment on the current events of today in a satirical manner. The Authors of this blog ( Melissa , Zama and Mick) are my peers all studying journalism at Rhodes amongst other subjects. Amongst the four of us we will publish discusions of the news with a twist whilst commenting on our own experiences , opinions and interests as up and comming journalists. We have set up this blog to share our experiences , opinions and interests and to enhance and share our experiences of journalism whilst allowing for other potential journalists to comment and supplement their own experiences. Expect to find analysis of pics , cartoons controversial news as well as accounts of the exploits of first year journlism students finding their way through the maze like world of journalism in the 21st century.