It has been posted

Job Title: Interactive Media Content Producer
Property: IMD - Statesville Record & Landmark
Schedule: 10-6 Monday-Friday

Web content producer needed to join newsrooms of Statesville Record & Landmark, Mooresville Tribune and Lake Norman Navigator. Looking for innovative, convergence-based organizer to develop web and newsroom relationship to produce high-quality, interactive web journalism. Should have web production skills (including audio/video experience), and be able to use Adobe and Macromedia products. Needs ability to meet deadlines, communicate effectively, focus on details and work collaboratively. We seek people of high integrity who do quality work, coach effectively, provide excellent customer service and motivate team members to achieve our goals.

Job Skills:
Must be a convergence-based employee who is well organized. Should have journalism background (preferably with online experience); must be able to plan and execute an effective online content strategy; must be comfortable making presentations to newsroom or others who may influence content decisions; must be a strong communicator and presenter; must work well with a variety of individuals and personality types; must be able to train. Should have experience managing and scheduling projects and ability to multi-task.

Education:
bachelor's level degree in journalism, graphic design and/or computer science

Great news

The job was approved, and is on its way to public posting.

Unless some insanely qualified person applies for it, it's as good as mine.

To think, I waited at least three months for this and it's finally coming into fruition.

On a separate note...

You've probably seen an e-mail or two from me in the past week or so asking for family histories. It isn't for any large-scale event or anything, just a quaint family tree book I'm making.

I figure when we have children and generations pass, it would be good to try to keep up with what we have while it's still fresh. I think I'm almost done with naming, all I need to do now is dig through old photos.

Tick tock

I want to own a house.

That is the first step in becoming a true adult in my book. It is the first step to setting yourself up financially. It gives you roots to begin planting your own family (read: children), and it gives you a lot of perspective on exactly what you want (and where you want to be).

So I want a house.

I've been combing the Remax Web site because it is the best I've found so far if you want to browse photos and listings without obligation.

I don't know what Brad or my next career move will be. I do know that the options are limited in the Charlotte area: for me, CPCC, the Observer and maybe the Gaston Gazette (unless I go into PR); for Brad, take away CPCC, and probably the Gaston Gazette.

I think the next move may be in the Piedmont Triad (don't get too close to Greensboro though, I wouldn't want my parents to think I lived near them). When I think about it, there are two major cities and one semi-major city (duh, triad means three). That means the W-S Journal, the Greensboro News & Record, the High Point Enterprise, several colleges and sports coverage that would go beyond preps.

So as much as I love the shotgun houses in Huntersville, and as much as I would love to live near the Normans, I think our next move will be away from the Queen City. Not to mention the amount of home you can get for the money is WAY better in Winston.

Let me apologize in advance if you do not see or hear from me until around summer 2008. I am scrimping on all expenses to build a nice down payment on my first step to adulthood.

Baby steps

Not exactly big news, but it made my night. The editor told me he would probably have permission to post the IMD job early next week. For corporate talk, that's pretty big. For reality, it's just a small step. A big step would have been "I've been given permission." So we continue to wait, and hope first quarter numbers don't spook the suits in Richmond into a hiring freeze.

Brad and I are off to Charlotte this weekend for "RENT" at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. I'm excited, although a little sad. Poor Queen is sick and missed her showing tonight. I hope she can exchange her ticket and go with us tomorrow.

That's about all I have for now. Like I said, baby steps.

Non-update update

So I'm sitting here at work waiting for the press and remembered that I haven't updated my blog in a while.

Then I thought long and hard and realized that I don't really have much to talk about.

The biggest news is the wedding of Amanda and Jake.

It was pretty and cute, but almost the most untraditional thing I've ever witnessed. Let me explain:

1. There were no bridesmaids or groomsmen, just attendants. That meant both sexes on both sides of the aisle (including one girl in a tuxedo).

2. There was no "normal" bridal music. Attendants marched to a song from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," and Amanda walked to a Ben Folds song.

3. There was no sign of Christianity anywhere in the ceremony. They did have a Native American poem. No prayers, no blessings.

4. They said vows I think Amanda wrote. The gist of them had something to do with not expecting more than the other could give, etc. etc. Interesting...

5. Amanda didn't throw her bouquet and they didn't have cake at the reception. I was a little sour about that, but when they wheeled out strawberry cheesecake slices I got over it quickly.

After a great boatride around the river, the Normans (sans CJ) were off to the Wilmingtonian for late-night pizza and Balderdash. And fun was had by all, or at least I hope so.

Part 2

I get back to Daddy's house (two houses away) to find his car in the driveway, but no sign of human life. I make lunch and sit down in front of an antenna-only TV. Court shows galore. Someone kill me.

Obviously I fell asleep.

I wake up and still haven't seen anyone. I go in their bedroom to find them both asleep. Whatever, I'm leaving. They knew I was going to come down.

I decide I'll hit up a few stores on my way back to Hickory. I hadn't heard from the girls, so I figured our late lunch/dinner plans were off.

But first I have to say bye to Granny.

She's been waiting for me. See, she was afraid to use her little porta-potty she keeps in front of the living room TV without sturdy support nearby (read: not her hired nurse, but me).

I'm sure there are lots of people in this world cut out for this kind of thing. I am not one of them. And if I ever get to the point that I need that sort of assistance, someone pull the plug. I'm being completely serious.

Back to my visit. So I had to assist Granny in ways I will not go into much detail on due to their graphic nature. Just know in my last two visits, this has been my lasting memory. Granddaddy is still at the oncologist (isn't that what cancer doctors are called?), so I don't get to say goodbye to him.

I hit up stores. Nothing like a little retail therapy to cure your ails. Especially when you hit up two craft stores. There's also nothing like a gargantuan overtime check to make it even sweeter.

Happy New Year!

Almost. We did just finish up the Jan. 1, 2007, issue, so excuse me if I think it already happened. HA!

I had a random Friday off and thought I would spend it visiting friends and family I didn't see for Christmas. So off to Greensboro I went after work on Thursday night. I got to Daddy's house around 12:30 a.m.

They knew I was coming. No blanket. No pillows. No friggin heat (they put a cedar chest over the heat vent in my old room so it's as cold as a witch's nipple in there). There is even a big pile of cat crap in the middle of the room (literally, they put an extra litter box in there). What a great welcome.

There were two gifts on my bed from my aunt Susie. One was a super cool ceramic server with a metal stand (sort of like a chafing dish). Then there was a bag with a neat looking candle and a flashlight. I always seem to need a flashlight... I took them off my bed and sitting right in the middle, staring me in the face, was a half-used bottle of KY warming liquid.

I knew where it came from; it was part of a package the girls gave me on the morning of the wedding. What I didn't know is where half of it went, and why it was no longer packed in my other wedding stuff. Eww. I don't want to know.

Sleep.

Woke up to the smell of cinnamon rolls, but no people. I guess the elves baked them for me. I headed up to Granny's for a visit.

Granddaddy was about to leave to go to the cancer doctor to see if his prostate cancer was still in remission (he's a tough old man). "Christine" was going to come over to watch Granny while he was gone. Who is Christine? I asked the same thing. She's the home care nurse...who is crippled (just had knee replacement. How on earth is she supposed to take care of an arthritic old woman when she can hardly support her own weight is beyond me).

"She's colored, but she does a good job."

No, really. Granny said that. Repeatedly.

I've had all I can take. I leave, promising to swing back by on my way out of town.

(more coming shortly...)

IMD update

The head of Interactive Media for North Carolina told our editor he received permission to fill the Statesville IMD position ASAP.

I sent my resume information, and (through Mike) the IMD head was impressed. That's a good sign! If I get it (because it isn't completely in the bag yet), I'll probably move over to IMD in early February.

N.C. Press Association

May I have your attention, please...

I won an award. Well, technically I came in third, but still.

I won third place in the N.C. Press Association's 2006 awards for headline writing.

Oops

Did I really stop posting on Nov. 29? Oops. My bad.

Let's see...where to start.

I'm working a lot. I'll have a super overtime check rolling in right after Christmas, which I guess is nice.

I'm excited that I get to see Erin and Sarah next Friday. It's also a good time to hit up Gboro to visit my family, since our schedules won't let us do both sides of the family this year for Christmas.

My brother called today to tell me that my mom's mom isn't doing too well in the nursing home. I'm not really upset, I just hope if it is her time that it isn't painful. Brad has never met her, and I don't think I've seen her in years.

As for the washing machine, it's still on the fritz. Apparently they make detergent especially for front loading washers because they are "high efficiency." The detergent we have says it is for HE washers, but it isn't. The repair guy ordered some part related to the drain, and said we had to get new soap. That means we're scrimping by on the clothes we have, and hoping Queen will let us wash the essentials when we come down for Christmas. If it's not fixed soon we may have to find a laundromat. I really thought those days were behind us. It's good to know the repair was needed because I bought the wrong soap, and that our washer wasn't just a dud. I really love that washer.

It's getting really close to the New Years, and since I don't do resolutions I figure I'll just tell you all what my pet projects are for life improvement.

The first is to cut out the cancers. Those would be the things, the places and the people that do nothing but suck life away. Instead of feeling guilty for cutting communication short, or not visiting those people/places/things in my life that do not enrich my life in any way, I'm going to leave them in my past. Most of the cancers drag me down, and life is too short to allow that sort of nonsense. So HAI-YA! (That's the karate chop noise).

The second pet project is to be healthy. I started this one last year and made drastic improvements for the wedding. Now it's just for overall wellness. For those of you who have never visited www.calorie-count.com, it is a great tool for keeping track of what you're doing (and whether it's good or bad). It has food and activity logs, and tracks weight (for those using it for that purpose). It even has grades for foods. For instance, the rice I had with dinner last night was an A-, but the crunch bar I had for dessert was a C.

I've sort of taken up "running." I know there are several ex-marathoner readers, so I use "running" loosely. By running, I mean trying to keep my joints from getting old and rheumatoidy by doing high impact exercises. So instead of the ellyptical at the gym, I am now using the treadmill. Very high speed walking uphill for 30 minutes, with 2 minute running intervals every 10 minutes. It's cool for me because the Hickory gym we use is full of old people walking, so I can feel like a buff kid when I work out.

I'm hoping to increase my "running" to where I can get up to a mile of just running (no walking). A girl can dream, can't she? I couldn't do that even when I played soccer seven days a week in high school. I convinced myself I just wasn't cut out for running long distances. Maybe I just wasn't motivated (and I think not eating in high school may have had something to do with it too).

I'm off to work, one of seven straight this week. The copy desk has a hard time covering shifts for those who take time off for Christmas, and this year I am bearing the brunt. They bore the brunt for our honeymoon in September, so I'm not complaining much.

If I forget to post again, have a very Merry Christmas!

IMD?

I had a chat with the editor today. The IMD job is a most-likely in January.

Here's what I know about it.

1. Significant pay increase. We're talking 30 percent.

2. Significant responsibility and authority increase. I would go from a mere copy editor in charge of myself, to IMD coordinator with a hand in management over all the reporters (basically the news editor of the Internet).

3. Constant exposure to video, audio and story creation. The job is basically to maintain Statesville, Lake Norman and Mooresville Web sites with breaking news updates and multimedia. I'm working up a proposal for a way to reach new audiences through a Web-only platform (the audience being young adults, the holy grail of newspapers around the country).

4. Occasional front page designs. The editor wants me to stay sharp in design, so he'd give me 1A every week or so.

5. Lots of travel and training. The one I know of right now is that UNC Multimedia Bootcamp in May. Added bonus: in my free time I can hang with Sarah in Raleigh!

I'll keep you updated. I am extremely excited about the possibilities.

Turkey Day

Thanksgiving was everything it was supposed to be and more! Kitchens collided at the Norman home in Charlotte (meaning the poor Norman slave, Queen, was relieved of daylong kitchen duties as the cooking chore was spread around between her, Bumps and myself).

Did I mention how much I enjoy cooking? I don't get to do it much, especially when I'm married to a carnivore.

After lots of food, a nap, lounging and a little sleep, Queen and I initiated Mission Shop. We synchronized our departure time for 4 a.m. First stop: Carolina Place Mall. Not too crowded, no one visibly grumpy or downtrodden. OK, so maybe there were two exceptions: 1. The line that wrapped around the old-person walking track beside GameStop, where I can only assume people were vying for one of four PS3s sitting in the window. 2. Sears.

Sears opened at 5 a.m., and offered $10 gift cards to the first 200 people. We thought the crowd at the door was hungry for free money. When the chainlink gate refused to open and the crowd saw other people browsing Sears before them, a hysteria began. God forbid!

Some were scrambling to get up the stairs to the second-floor entrance. Queen and I didn't understand: why would they be so upset over $10?

We didn't know where to get our $10, but we figured if we followed the crowd they would lead us to the mother lode. Once the gate opened, two-thirds of the crowd rushed to electronics and the other third darted to tools. Losers.

The gift cards were at the merchandise pick-up entrance. We had to go outside to get in the back of the line. I was #198 and Queen was #199. Woohoo! We made it!

It was a sign of good things to come. Traffic wasn't as bad as last year. Men weren't as grumpy, and there weren't nearly as many small children being dragged by their mothers because their strollers were full of packages.

The second stop was to Dick's Sporting Goods. We considered purchasing another fire pit since last year's got such rave reviews from the recipients. Nah... (I cannot go into great detail of our stop because it may divulge more than I should.)

The third and final shopping stop was to Kohl's. I am a fan of this store. Quality clothes for the boys, cute stuff for the home, and a super sweet $10 for every $50 bonus! The lines once again wrapped entirely around the store, but a woman told us the upstairs lines were considerably quicker. So away we went!

The stop was a complete success, even though I had a run-in with a rude man (who let those creatures out on such a day anyway?)

I just have to tell you about it. Queen ran into one of her friends as we were looking for a Kohl's exclusive near the toy section. This man rolls his shopping bag with wheels next to me and says "oohhhhh K, I need a horn on this thing." He starts to run me over with the thing! I look him right in the eyes and say as coldly as possible "excuse me works too." He just rolls off.

Seriously, it was the only blemish on an otherwise fantastic outing. Once again, women, leave the men folk in bed where they can't get in the way.

We returned, successful in our operation, at 8:30 a.m. Of course, we had to get a super huge breakfast first. It's only proper; we'll call it "debriefing."

It was off to bed for a few hours, then off to work (where I now sit waiting on the press operators to tell me the newspaper is running so I can go home).

Happy Thanksgiving! Remember, your leftovers are only good for three to four days (I learned that today from the advance Sunday health page).

On the horizon?

I was told this week that the new Web site position in Statesville was approved through various corporate meetings. I found out because, upon telling the editor about my recent seminar in Richmond, he mentioned trying to get corporate to pay for half of the annual UNC multimedia bootcamp in May. The response? Since the IMD (interactive media division) job would be open in Statesville, and I would probably get it, then they would pay the entire bill to send me.

Of course, what corporate says and what corporate does aren't always the same thing.

I haven't gotten my hopes up quite yet. But the idea of not only a new position with my name written on it AND a weeklong seminar at UNC (home of online journalism in North Carolina) excites me. I will have to get over the whole UNC thing. Eww.

So I haven't ranted in a while, and ... now that I got it out of my system it has been deleted. Sorry!

Tick tock...

How can I be expected to keep the maternal clock on snooze when the only photo assignments I've shot involve very cute children doing very cute things with their families?

Evidence A: Halloween in downtown Statesville

Honestly, sheis cute. And this little clown is one of about 400 trying to get me to carry on my genes during downtown Statesville's annual trick-or-treating fiasco. Of course, after a few teenage rogue militants with fake machine guns my instincts were thoroughly squashed.

Evidence B: Family Reading Night at Northview Elementary

I wanted to pull up a pillow and listen to this mom read her adorable boys a story. Instead I hassled a 4-year-old for his name (I have to get captions, don't I?).

So there you have it. If you're reading this Queen, don't get your hopes up yet. You definitely have the world on your side. Good thing I'm extremely stubborn.

RIP Ol' Yeller

I write this as I sit alone in a luxurious hotel in Richmond, Va. I say luxurious because they use those white stripe comforters and there are bath robes in the closet.

The R&L sent me to a one-day seminar on "Growing your Online Audience." So here I am, chillaxing at 7:30 on a Monday night 300 miles away from my kitties and my husband.

Speaking of husband, Brad is currently halfway through his first day at the R&L. I know he's going to love it. I do, even if there are a few bad apples (it could be a lot worse).

You ask, who is Ol' Yeller, and why did Jess name this entry after him?

Ol' Yeller was the larger, blue fish of my two fishies. I got them when I moved into my chocolate brown apartment, well before Brad and I began dating. That would make them a little over three years old. I had a red Betta, but he seemed lonely in his big tank. I bought two $0.25 Wal-Mart fishies to keep him company.

No one told me other fish will eat the long fins off Bettas. Oops. The Betta didn't last long, but the fishies did. Well beyond their expected lives.

Just before we left for King's birthday celebration in Charlotte, I noticed that the little blue fish was just sitting on the rocks at the bottom of his tank. Still breathing, but otherwise immobile. When we returned he was belly up on the other side of the tank. Petunia (the pink fish) was swimming over him, as if grieving her loss.

Brad chose not to attend the bon voyage funeral. I'd like to think it was because he was too emotionally distraught (although I think playing Madden '07 seemed like a higher priority than a fish he wish would have died two apartment moves ago).

Ol' Yeller blended in with the blue toilet water, and as he swirled away I said my final goodbyes.

I hope Petunia isn't so heart broken that she chooses to join him soon. What will I do with my super cool aquarium then? Wait... What am I saying?! How can I think real estate at a time like this!? And how could I flee the state when Petunia is in clear distress? I'm a bad human being...

My high school is gone

You know that high school that was all over the news? Yeah, the one that burned to the ground? That was my high school.

Eastern Guilford High School is no more.

I don't really have anything invested in that school anymore, except the $5 I spent on a senior block. Everything else is in my mind. I didn't plan to return for Homecoming or anything. Maybe that's why I'm more amused than saddened.

So here's the story you won't get from AP. Mr. Hefner teaches the not-so-good students. He was on lunch duty when a small fire started in his chemistry classroom. Mr. Riggs (my old marine science teacher) found the fire, tried to extinguish it and failed. He then pulled the alarm and helped everyone out of the building.






Apparently in 1974 when the building was erected, sprinklers were not a requirement. (Good to know I went to a school with no sprinklers, geez.) They just sort of forgot to install sprinklers once it became a requirement.

The auditorium where I gave PTSA speeches is gone. The commons where we met before school to do homework and watch the geeks play with Magic cards is gone. The senior blocks, the stinky locker rooms, the darkroom where I learned photography, the art room where I spent four years...all gone.


I'm not getting mushy or anything. It's just sad for the kids who have to be split up to finish up their school year.



Here are some photos:

Maybe later, Oz

So sorry to disappoint, but high winds kept me on the ground today. Oh well.

I don't really have much other than that.

Clients!

I just got my third major client. If I were a fully-functioning business, this would be putrid. But I am doing this on the side, so this is wonderful!

The first major client was Dr. Roy Gaines' oral surgery Web site. My many thanks to Sarah Mann for referring him to me.

The second major client was Fat Girl 911's logo redesign. Once again, many thanks to Adam Bennett for referring her to me.

The third client was referred to me by the Fat Girl 911 client. It's called Soulutions for Life, and they want a complete design overhaul. New logo, business cards, letterhead, brochures, the works.

It's nice to know that I have spent exactly no dollars to get three clients. Maybe if I decide to take this thing "legal" I'll have some startup scratch!

But that's down the road. For now I am excited to have clients on the West Coast. I am excited that I am being a professional woman with much to offer the market.

Sweet.

Oh! And on a side note, the R&L is a sponsor of the Balloon Fest this weekend. I get to ride in a hot air balloon Saturday for free! I'll share later (if I survive).

Birthday!

I had a fantastic birthday.

King and Queen threw a birthday party in Charlotte on Sunday. It was my first Norman birthday party. It's so comforting to see what a healthy, functioning family I have joined.

Brad took me to Celebration Station on Monday (my actual birthday). We rode gocarts, played mini golf, and racked up 488 tickets in the game room. I had a LOT of fun. Even though I beat him in gocarts, he thoroughly stomped me in minigolf (think 11 shots on just 18 holes). Not my best effort, I must admit.

We traded our tickets for a funny looking cow and a whoopie cushion. We also got two mini Nerf toys, but I think the cats enjoy the Nerfs more than we did.

We headed back to Hickory that afternoon. I took a nap and Brad played Madden 07. Then he took me to Dos Amigos in Newton.

This was one of the best birthdays I've ever had.

Speaking of getting old, I am 25. Brad and I talked about the big rites we have yet to pass.

I think the first on our list is to buy a house. We're thinking within the next two years. The only thing stopping us from trying to a house now is that we have quite a bit of student loans to pay down, and we don't want to buy a house then move up to our next jobs, not knowing where those jobs may be.

Newspapers are unlike other careers. There is usually only one place you can work per city, so you have to be prepared to move in order to move up the totem pole.

That leads to the next big rite: children.

I am not ready. Yet.

I would really like five years for Brad and I to enjoy each other's company and do some of the things we would like to do together before we have to stop being selfish. That would make me 30 when we started trying, if that's how we still feel in five years. Talking to Amy this weekend, anything could happen. We could want to start trying next year. Who knows. We'll take it step by step, and the next step is a semi-permanent home (read: buy a house).

It's amazing how a birthday really kicks you in the rear to think big picture.

And a final note: Brad accepted the job in Statesville. I think everyone is excited, including me. I'll keep you updated on the possible promotion on my end.

Breaking News...

I don't want to jinx too much, but I have to break the story (or stories):

Brad was offered a job at my newspaper. He would make 28 percent more, have a bigger beat to cover and would have WAY better benefits. (Listen to me talk like an adult...) I don't know if he will take it yet. We have to do that marriage-like thing of talking it through.

The second story is that there is a likely promotion/transfer for me. Not to another newspaper, just another job. The Interactive Media Division (IMD) of Media General wants an IMD person at every newspaper. The position would be advertised in January. I've talked to the editor, and since I'm basically overqualified for that job, they would move me into it.

I don't know if it comes with much of a salary increase yet, but I am definitely going to push for one. That means they would replace me on the copy desk and I would spend the day shooting and editing video, and updating the Web site with breaking news throughout the day. Yeah, that's definitely what I got my master's degree for.

I promise to keep my loyal readers more updated. Now that wedding season is winding down, I have a little more time for blogging.