Topical Blog Post: "Check, Please!"

I smile and wave goodbye, walk over to the table and open up the check. What? How can this be? Do they not know how this works, or did I take too long with their drinks? This is the conversation I have almost every weekend at work. You guessed it, I’m a server. Almost every server I’ve met has had the same thing happen. They give great service and open up the check to see no tip. I did some research of my own, asking friends and family how they usually tip. Some guess. Others double the tax. Then there are those who hate tipping, like my roommate. For some reason, she thinks tips are unnecessary. Most servers I know tip well because they know what it’s like being on the other side of the table. The fifteen percent tip that you think is over the top is standard. Twenty is the new fifteen. It may sound a bit greedy servers have their own understanding of tipping. In fact, the restaurant industry has its own understanding. You pay for the food and tip for the service. If you are going to be a picky patron, it’s only fair you tip properly. The same goes for bad service. If you get the server who shoots you a dirty look because you asked for ketchup with your fries, you can bet her tip will not be so generous. It’s not easy waiting on people hand and foot, especially when those people are screaming kids knocking over water. So the next time you go out and have a great dinner with exceptional service, think twice before you scribble down any number. What do we really deserve?

My Favorite Magazine

We all know tabloids are junk and celebrity magazines are a waste of brain cells, but I have to say I am a "sucker" for celebrity gossip and news. I definitely understand why people would think that is a waste of time, but for me it's pure entertainment. Just like some of us prefer to watch sports, I prefer to read Us Weekly. Us Weekly is a celebrity magazine that I rely on for the latest fashion news, the best actors and actresses, and breaking stories about the rich and famous. Although some celebrities don't deserve their title because they are fake reality t.v. stars or known only for a sex tape, we can't forget about those actors who actually have talent and whose movies and songs we love. I can depend on Us Weekly for accurate information about these stars. Many tabloid magazines fabricate stories and it is unfair to both the reader and the subject. Us Weekly conducts actual sit-down interviews with these people and sometimes even gets access to their real lives at home. This gives celebrities the chance to prove they are in fact, just like"Us". The magazine targets young women the most, but overall aims at female readers between ages 20 and 40. Almost every issue has a section about what the best products and trends are that season, and it is broken down into three age groups: 20s, 30s, and 40s. The magazine's writing style is very casual. When it comes to breaking news, I almost always find myself engaged throughout the entire two to three page article. The writers manage to do exactly what our text teaches us to do by balancing important facts about a story and the opinion of the magazine. For the most part, the magazine stays neutral. There are times when I'll read about a star being deemed the worst dressed person of the year, but wearing a feather headdress or a bikini for a dress can do that to anyone. What I like most about the magazine is the truth factor. Granted there have been stories where no one knows for sure what the truth is because it is too early to tell or publicists will not confirm anything, but Us Weekly rarely jumps to conclusions. I can definitely respect honesty. Overall, the magazine is engaging. From its entertaining news stories to the latest photographs of celebrities, it's got me hooked.

Link to the magazine online: http://usmagazine.com

Fog Index

Sample writing (excerpt form previous post):
This year’s election was probably the most interesting one I have ever been a part of. I had the opportunity to vote for the first time in the John Kerry and George Bush election, and I was disappointed my candidate did not win. I did learn however, how important the electoral college votes were. This year, I knew exactly what states to look out for. Of course, I was rooting for Obama all the way. I gave McCain a chance in the beginning because I did not want to be biased but something about Obama’s poise and character captured my attention. I made a connection to him more than McCain, especially because Obama was a minority like me.

Average words per sentence: 16
Total hard words: 17
Sum: 33
Fog index calculation: 33 x 0.4=13.2
Fog index=13

I've discovered that when I have less restrictions on word counts and my topic deals with something personal, I tend to use more words and longer sentences. I know that with certain types of writing, like a hard news story, I have to be "to the point" and "zap out" unnecessary words. It is a challenge when you are used to writing freely using emotion and imagination, but the more you can adapt to these changes and control your writing, the better writer you can become.

Got What it Takes to be a Reporter?

I scored 28 points! I've always been passionate about writing. I always felt like an artist growing up. I loved drawing and writing my own poetry. It was a way of expressing myself with freedom and creativity. As I read every question on this test, I could tell what my outcome would be. I know I have what it takes to be a reporter. After years of soul-searching and trying to find a career that I would love forever, I found my answer in what I've always loved to do. The only thing I was scared of was not having the freedom to write the way I wanted to. However, after taking this class and having to write about different topics in different styles, I'm confidant I can do this. When you are driven by something you love, anything is possible. I've always been an optimist and dreamer. When something great is given to you, I believe in sharing it with the rest of the world. When I read great writing, it moves me. It stays with me. As I grow older each year, I become more involved in what is going on in the world. I feel more aware and one step closer to helping give back. If I can do that through writing and becoming a reporter, I will have accomplished one of my greatest goals.

Election NIght Blog

Had Obama not won this year’s election, I would have had the worst week of my life. I remember throwing my absentee ballot away because I told my family I want to be a part of history and actually go into the polls this year to get the full experience. Little did I know that two nights before the election I would be involved in a car accident. I’m definitely thankful to be alive because that accident could have been much worse. The unfortunate part was that I was in a different county with a totaled car, and no way of getting to the polls in time. I thought maybe they would just let me vote since I used to live in Sacramento. I remember frantically calling the voter hotline and being denied that option. I was miserable, but I had a great feeling California would sway his way anyway, and I kept my eye on CNN’s Election Night coverage. I depended on CNN for the coverage because they had by the minute updates and projections. I also liked the way they covered the election, with different anchors in Arizona and Chicago. You could see the excitement in the crowd’s faces as the electoral vote count for Obama began to rise. It made me feel like I was there with the mass of people. I watched for the electoral states, and was in awe to see Obama leading in states like Pennsylvania and Florida. Instead of beating myself up for not making it to the polls, I took in the news coverage with so much excitement. We were really going to make history tonight, and even though my vote was not cast, my choice for president had my support all along.

This year’s election was probably the most interesting one I have ever been a part of. I had the opportunity to vote for the first time in the John Kerry and George Bush election, and I was disappointed my candidate did not win. I did learn however, how important the electoral college votes were. This year, I knew exactly what states to look out for. Of course, I was rooting for Obama all the way. I gave McCain a chance in the beginning because I did not want to be biased but something about Obama’s poise and character captured my attention. I made a connection to him more than McCain, especially because Obama was a minority like me. As a minority, I’ve grown up in America struggling with the idea that this is the white man’s land. I never believed that, but after September 11th, my race had become the new target for jokes and fear, and I felt even more left out. I felt like no one believed me when I came out with an American flag showing my support, when in reality I loved this country and the ideals it was based on. The night of November 4th changed my life. For once, I felt like I was included. I was not proud of our government for the past 8 years like many Americans. I felt detached from our country because of all the damage the Bush administration had done. Other countries hated us. Americans were more divided than ever. There was so much hate going on, I wondered why the government stopped caring about its people? Then came Obama. He was the voice of hope and the idea of “Yes We Can”.

I have to say I’m very happy with the the media coverage during this election. I felt it kept everyone engaged and aware, especially the youth of America who were often criticized for not voting. Seeking a career in media has always been something I wanted to do, and I examined the coverage very carefully this year. Finally on my way back to the bay area, I listened to the AM radio station in my friend’s car. I thought how ironic for me to go from watching the news coverage on cable TV in high definition to one of the early inventions of our time. I was on the road when I received about eight text messages saying “YES WE CAN!!!!!” and “OMG Obama won!!!”; it was a kind of happiness and shock that you will remember for the rest of your life. I was part of history. The effect of hearing his live speech on the radio gave it an even more historical feel. I was full of joy and everything I learned in class about the radio giving audiences a sense of imagination was experienced first hand. Although I am part of the younger generation, I got the chance to experience history the old way, and it was extraordinary.

Broadcast Project Link-(ACTIVE)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bS9oe3TUrrk

Broadcast Project Script

(ANCHOR ON CAM)

IT'S STRESSFUL ENOUGH WORRYING ABOUT KEEPING YOUR JOB IN TODAY'S ECONOMY BUT WHAT IF YOU HAD TO WORRY ABOUT KEEPING YOUR RESIDENCY IN THE UNITED STATES TOO...AS SCARY AS IT SOUNDS, MANY WORKERS HERE ON A VISA HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE EVERY YEAR.

LUCKILY, AN INFORMATIONAL CONFERENCE ON IMMIGRATION WAS HELD BY LAW ATTORNEY DAVID ZARIT-SKEE BROWN AT THE CISCO BUILDING IN SAN JOSE ON OCTOBER 29. ONLY ONE GUEST WAS FROM CISCO, THE REST FROM VARIOUS COMPANIES THROUGHOUT THE BAY AREA. MOST WERE MEMBERS OF A VIRTUAL NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION FOR CANADIANS WORKING IN THE BAY AREA. ONE MEMBER, HEATHER LAWLER, SAID THAT SHE ATTENDS THE CONFERENCE EVERY YEAR AND FINDS IT VERY HELPFUL.

ATTORNEY BROWN ADDRESSED VARIOUS TOPICS ABOUT THE IMMIGRATION PROCESS AND GAVE SPECIFIC TIPS AND STRATEGIES TO GETTING AROUND THE ISSUES. OVERALL, GUESTS FOUND THE CONFERENCE INFORMATIONAL AND HELPFUL...FOR THOSE OF YOU AT HOME INTERESTED IN ATTENDING NEXT YEAR OR RECEIVING MORE INFORMATION YOU CAN VISIT DIGITAL MOOSE LOUNGE DOT COM OR EMAIL ATTORNEY BROWN AT DEE BROWN AT BROWN IMMIGRATION LAW DOT COM.