Welcome

[goatsweater]

I need to start drawing more so every single person who reblogs this by January 17th will get a drawing by me based on their blog. Everyone.

[georgiepine18]

This should be interesting!

[georgiepine18]

UI vs WSU, Dec. 7, 2013

First time I've ever shot at a UI basketball game, first time I've shot with a D7000 with multiple lenses, and first time I've ever gotten quality results from shooting at a live sports event. Many thanks to Tony Marcolina, one of my mentors in the Argonaut. Shame we lost by one point...

[georgiepine18]

Dining Contract Renewal

The process for what company contracts with Vandal Dining come next year is going underway with a listening tour by the Assistant Vice President of Auxiliary Services, Tyrone Brooks. Been a heck of a time transcribing the interview we had, so much tape....

[georgiepine18]

Chopping it up at Vandal Meats

Whenever one gets the opportunity to work on a project that crosses-over and fulfills assignment requirements in multiple classes, the clever student will pursue that without hesitation. Such is the case with this recent story that will both get me bank with the Argonaut, as well as a deciding grade in my Reporting class. I've heard many rumors circulated around regarding Vandal Meats, but never have I fully investigated the business. 

This inspired my recent trek to the Vandal Meats facility to meet with Ron Richard, Manager of Vandal Meats. After seeing its creation, I also purchased some of their summer sausage and now I'm aware of why it's such a popular item during the Winter holidays.

[georgiepine18]

Men Shaved, Kids Saved: SAE 2nd Annual Beard Auction

One of this week's highlights was shooting at SAE Dec. 3, on an Argonaut assignment. Why this was such an easy opportunity to take for me was my select connections at the fraternity. The two lightly scruffed gentlemen at the bottom (Yamil Ariss and Sam Silberman) have introduced me to quite a few people affiliated with the fraternity, a few of which are in my classes.

There is this stereotype that GDI's (Gosh Darn Independents*), especially those of the Residence Hall Community, and Greeks, don't generally affiliate. This certainly has validity, Greek houses in general are very exclusive within their respective houses, though there are many cases when different houses collaborate for bigger events. At any rate, very exclusive against the Res Halls. The social chasm that exists between the two greater communities isn't helped by physical distance, precedent feelings of separation, and a clear differentiation in certain values.

But not all values. There's commonality to be discovered once the initial hurdle of living preference is jumped. Divisions between the two communities proliferate due to stereotyping by both parties, and stereotyping has to be reigned in to progress relationships. Plus, it's handy to have connections in as many communities on campus as possible, each group will have something unique to offer.

*HR Appropriate 

[georgiepine18]

If you're like me, you may have the urge to try the maple bacon milkshake from Denny's. Shun that urge like an electrician in an Amish community. In fact, it's better if you avoid Denny's in general. Your hips, heart, and self-esteem will thank you. Yucky.

[georgiepine18]

IACURH 2013: A Photostory

Intro: For the past three months, I've been prepping to get everybody to our regional conference, and though it has been very stressful at times, I am happy to say the experience was well worth it! 

1. The delegation, comprised of (from left) Nate McLeod, Michelle Aoi, Ann Wardlaw, Loretta Moate, Micheal Lowe, Brett Kohring, Amanda Mollet, myself, and Claire Lundeby.

2. Soaring about Provo, gorgeous area.

3. What my conference seat generally looked like.

4. Being woken up by my regional director, the sly Brett Kohring. He has a nasty habit of taking pictures of exhausted delegates trying to catch a wink.

5. The UI bid team, whose flawless presentation won us the ability to host the 2014 IACURH Conference in Moscow, ID. WOOOOOOO

6.The view from my hotel room. The Provo topography in that area had my adventuresome side all sorts of riled up. 

[georgiepine18]

No Shave November, No More

Itch itch scratch, stroke, stabs face trying to kiss, rubs on clothing but looking 3 years older at the same time, catch crumbs in, brush crumbs out, uneven, haggardly ambitious, Mormon honor code defying, topic of conversation, untamed semi beard... simply must die. One more day though. One more day.

[georgiepine18]

You know what friends are for? Introducing you to excellent music, and both of these albums by little hurricane and Washed Out are gold. So much repeat in my room,

[georgiepine18]

Gobble-digook type Thanksgiving! Spent the holiday with some unexpected developments, some quality time with friends both old and new, and an oozy-delicious caramel apple pie for appetizers, main course, and dessert.

I began the day prepped and ready to leave Rathdrum, ID, where I had spent the past few days bumming for an unjustifiable amount of time. Still, I'm OK with that.

Spent the rest of the day getting unpacked, and then watching Ted at a friend's house. Pretty solid, though I longed to see my family.

This was the first Thanksgiving I've had where my family was little part of it, other than the phone calls I sent out to my Mom and Dad, and little brother Justin. Connie, Dylan, and Brendan, I miss them so much, and I was not able to get in touch with them.

I'm thankful I was able to talk to what family I could get a hold of. I'm thankful I was able to have an inglorious feast with friends. I'm thankful for Mila Kunis. I'm thankful I have the abilities I have due to the work I've put in. I'm thankful for many things. 

[georgiepine18]

Here's to future wisdom:Minivans really don't drift well

[georgiepine18]

PACURH 2013! What an Experience. Part 1 of 2 November RHA Leadership Conferences, and I can't wait till the second! Met so many cool people, and explored the Gonzaga Campus! What an excellent experience. 

[georgiepine18]

This weekend in events:

Preview of Oxfam Hunger Banquet story, it's going on Monday at the SUB @ 7pm. Basically, you draw a card and that decides how much and what quality of food you get.

Maric Nabee is a good friend of mine that  invited me to attend his performance in the commons. Sometimes, one has to make these events... especially when there's the opportunity to take pictures for Rawr!

Teju Cole, award-winning novelist and photographer, read an excerpt from his newest project at the UI School of Law Courtroom. Not only was it an excellent diversion, but I spent it with lovely company.

Fun Fact: UI has an Ultimate Frisbee Club! One night, while restless and having no work to be completed, I grabbed a camera and went to explore the night. I think it was around 8 pm when I stumbled across the club practicing outside the Kibbie Dome. Moth to Light at that point.

Excellent Shoot, and very cool people. My oh my, there are some cute girls on the Ultimate Frisbee Squad.

Finally, I attended a Falconry Program in the LLC Classrooms, after being invited by Ryan Spaniel,a Progamming Chair for the LLC Community.  Very interesting stuff!

[georgiepine18]

Double Standards

They burn me up more then anything. Especially when it involves female sexual practices. Scenario: The other night I was kicking back at a friends house when a group of guys came in. Room ratio: 8ish men, 2 females. They got to talking about sexual practices at parties, two instances when discretion wasn't taken into account as far as where to fool around.

Both times, the majority of the guys threw around words like "slut" and "trashy" in describing the female, but the guy was totally scotch free. It's sick, watching the culture thrive so strongly against female sexual freedom. What happened was a little bit of uninhibited fun, and suddenly the ladies are demonized and should feel ashamed at their part in it. The guys? Hey, they would've done the same thing.

Meanwhile, both girls in the room became very interested in their phones during the conversation. Thank goodness they didn't chime into the ignorant, double-standardized witch burning. I would've left sooner then I did, (which was already pretty quickly at that point), but not before barfing on their carpet.

First of all, Webster's definition of "Slut": a woman who has many casual sexual partners. Could they prove that, from seeing/hearing one incident at a party? Plus the negative connotation on the word is so vile. Try looking up a definition for a man that has many casual sexual partners: Nothing comes up. I feel like it's just assumed guys are promiscuous, whereas with girls it's a deficient personality trait. Ridiculous.

Andre Benjamin, aka Andre 3000 of Outkast in the song "Where are my Panties?":

I know she think that I just think she some kind of ho I don't give a **** bout given it up on the first night That just lettin' me know She know what she want outta life

I'll end with that, and a link to a well written article on the topic I just found.

http://www.collegian.com/2013/09/why-you-should-stop-saying-the-word-slut/44006/

[georgiepine18]

Follow up, one of the better photos I took during the photoshoot that I worked on with Philip Vukelich. I'm proud of it, I'd never expect to be able to crank out this sort of quality this early in taking photos!

[georgiepine18]

Damn, good photography can turn anyone, at least temporarily, into a fierce narcissist.

Recently, I had the opportunity to work with Philip Vukelich, (the photographer I would call one of my mentors, as well as the shooter of the above shot), in a professional studio setting, I even got to take some pictures using the full lighting, backdrop, and quality camera! So fcking cool.

I don't want to pursue photography as any sort of career, more of a side skill for becoming a freelance journalist. But I would definitely take the opportunity to do a professional fashion photoshoot, that's on my to-do list. After working with Phil, that goal is within reach.

[georgiepine18]

Recently, I did a profile story on the Islamic Center of Moscow, a local landmark that I had always walked by but never questioned until the opportunity to write a "diversity" story came up for my Reporting I class. What started as a small profile has now developed into a series covering the Mosque as well as the Muslim community in Moscow as a whole! 

Never before have I taken more care to develop and polish a story. I've met and interviewed such a large group of the most respectful individuals, and was even invited to shoot at the Mosque's Jumu'ah prayer ceremony, which was an unbelievable experience in itself! Plus, the Argonaut has asked me to do a center piece on it! :) 

This is why I pursue journalism. I get paid to notice something I see in everyday life and tell the world about what I've learned from it. Does it  get any better?