“Have you posted the blog?” said my host, Akos. Sitting on breakfast table in his beautiful apartment overlooking a lush green view of Philadpehia, we were racing against each other to grab the maximum stuff.
He must be trying to divert my attention from food, I jokingly thought, without giving him benefit of doubt.
“What’re you saying,” I said, my shoulders got stiffened as if successfully going to contest his deceptive move. I trudged to cushion and glanced through the newspaper. Sooner than later, I sank into cushion and my shoulder drooped. The realization started creeping into my mind that some disciplinary action could be taken against me for violating Washington Accord. The deadline for fortnightly entry has been over for last three days. “If you were dozing off when Susan was briefing about fellowship rituals,” I ticked myself off, finally surrendering to Akos. But he dropped yet another bombshell. “Friday was closing date,” Akos said, his words struck at my mind like hammer. But why I am out of Katie’s radar screen, I wondered. She would send reminders of “Hi Fellows” couple of days before the close of deadline, but not this time.
In no time, however, I finally took in my blunder. Realized it’s my fault that must graciously be admitted without smelling any intelligence failure on part of Katie. But I don’t think it’s made-up problem on my part since I have been chronic feckless. My mother always complains against this. “You never care to send me a few lines, detailing your well being,” she would say, putting me on weaker wicket. But what can I do? I happen to be highly unceremonial, caring though.
Sitting on the cushion at Akos apartment and repenting my bad habit, I thought I could not be a good correspondent. Lit a cigarette and started taking into account my smoke-and-mirror policy but in fractions of seconds I bailed myself out and went outdoor with Akos for touring the historic city where the United States of America was born. But the idea of blog writing kept haunting me all the time when we were visiting the Independence National Historical Park that has preserved a fair portion of colonial, revolutionary and federal period heritage. As we were visiting the Liberty Bell that is considered an international symbol of freedom, I found a bunch of tourists curiously reading the history of bell and how the crack appeared into it on its way from England, a mystery still unresolved. At the same time, the blog writing was revisiting my mind. “Umar! Let the freedom ring,” Akos said, in an effort to fetch me into present. So I did, jerking my head. Later he took me to the Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed, initially by 13 States. “Are you feeling the history in air,” Akos said, but I kept pushing me back into blog syndrome. Later we moved to the Franklin Court, again a must-visit place that preserves the belonging of Franklin Benjamin, then went to the oldest street of the city, 18th century garden, museums and many more places. So I spent the last weekend visiting the history and thinking about the blog that I am writing after belated realization. However, this weekend brought a significant let up in office work, unlike the past two weeks.
Now when I have finally mustered courage to compose my fortnightly thoughts, I am dejected to learn that they have already been ‘leaked’ to you people in bits and pieces by me.
But I would like to share one thing with you. There is a visible difference in state of my mind. I am changed now. In my last blog entry, you must have found the depression pronouncing in the fair portion of my writing. I am at ease now, after the publication of four stories. And more satisfied. Reason? The metro section put me on work and directed me to bring ‘actionable intelligence’ for getting space in newspaper. I did so and was legitimately rewarded. Sometimes, I spent even my week-ends working on story ideas, visiting difference places and persons. A day before my (so far) last story was published, I left my apartment at 6am to get a place where the ferry service was to start. It was quite memorable experience.
There was tremendous learning for me, culturally and professionally both. I got the idea how to tell the story.
Now-a-day, I have been posted on CAR section. My friendly advice to friendly fellows and alpha pearl fellow is to spend sometime in CAR. You would learn a lot. My instructor at CAR has taught me how to locate the figure fudging often done by financial gurus especially during budget presentation. The CAR also helps in figure documentation. I believe it’s a must-do exercise. I am also working on a story along with two other reporters. That is related to unrest on Pak-Afghan border.
There are a lot of other things to do in New York but they have nothing to do with professional training. Therefore I am not going to share with you because American culture does not allow anybody to intrude into your privacy (Joking). Hold on readers, let me thank you for reading the whole blog. I owe you a lot. Please tell me your name so I could read you, too.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Friday, May 2, 2008
Past and Present
Past and Present
“I appreciate you love challenging assignments,” Jose said, sipping coffee.
Sitting in airy cafeteria at the 14th floor of New York Times building overlooking the heart of Manhattan, I was ‘confessing’ before the metro editor, Jose, that I feel disillusioned. People are pinning high hopes on me, I told a red faced Jose, wearing French cut beard and eye-glasses.
Jose has been covering sports before coming to metro desk and I have been covering politics before coming to the Times. He used to write about the successes and accomplishments. I have been criticizing the system, bad politicians and therefore mounting frustration among public through writings. Our professional background has left a great impact on our personalities and it was quite obvious during our conversation.
I was getting frustrated for not being properly consumed by the metro desk and sharing my ordeals with him. He kept nodding on whatever I pointed out in 15-minute conversation that took place on April 24 at 11am. Before him, I discussed this issue a number of times with my mentor, Nancy Sharkey. She tried her level best to help me in maximum possible manner. So is the situation of my friend-cum-mentor, Kareem Fahim.
But being on metro desk I needed to speak to the person calling the shots, Jose Sexton.
You should understand that I have been sent in the Times with huge expectations, I told him. But the results so far are contrary to my expectations, let alone others. You people send me on those assignments that are immaterial for you, I said.
And I am not cub reporter; I am here after spending seven years in journalism. I want to utilize my time.
The ideas that look workable to me are frivolous for you. You do not send me on assignments that could create space in paper, I told him.
I have been kept busy in net practice and nothing more. What I would be sharing with my colleagues if this dismal pace of learning continues, I said venting out my frustration in controlled manner. I would be an ambassador of the Times, my people would shape their opinion about your newspaper from my work. Jose kept me listening. “Ok! We will do the maximum. Do not worry,” he said concluding the discussion.
Now there is a hell of difference from then onward. Initially I was treated as a cub reporter, but not now. I am being taken seriously.
Before this 15-minute session, I was sent on assignments that could generate interest for me but not for the newspaper. Anyway it was quite interesting meeting people of diverse culture. I covered a reception ceremony of Bronx-Berlin students’ exchange that has been started this year. It has very interesting background. A video aired last year by television channels showed German army recruits on firing practice. The instructor was shown directing them that feel as if you are in Bronx and some African-American have insulted your mother and you are shooting at that black man. This movie has outraged many people in Bronx and they protested over this. The German government immediately fired that instructor and started working out on idea how to remove this misunderstanding. Therefore the student exchange program was started. It was quite interesting for me but was immaterial for the newspaper.
But covering this event, helped me understand that how to approach the right persons for information when there is bunch of people. Likewise, another net practice assignment was related to the coverage of the presentation of proclamation to a man who saved the life of an unconscious person lying on subway track. I did the whole coverage, took names of different participants but forgot asking one of them, his full name. My assignment editor told me the significance of seeking full details.
I covered a demonstration against Iraq war. Talking with the families of those soldiers fighting in Iraq, helped me get the first hand account of these people and their feelings about this illegitimate adventure.
The nature of my assignments after meeting with metro editor has changed. I am sent on purposeful work. First I contributed for a story related to food habits. I went to different fast food outlets, interviewed people there regarding their consciousness about the number of calories different food items contains. The story was in backdrop of a Manhattan Court’s directive to restaurants to post the amount of calories on the price list of different food items. It was found out that MacDonald and KFC do not mention calories.
Now-a-day I am doing a story over police department’s one of the fraternity organization representing African-Americans, Guardians Association that was formed in 1949.
It is very interesting story idea. An African American was shot dead by the detectives who are also black. The court has acquitted the detective, saying they acted in self defense, presuming that the slain person might fire at them. However the fact remains that the slain was having no gun or pistol along when was shot dead.
There is greater resentment among the African-Americans against the court verdict.
A fraternity organization of African-Americans, Guardian Association, is silent over the issue. I have been working on this story for a week. Still a number of people, who needs to be talked on this issue, are not available.
The New York Times has different style especially on metro pages. It’s far different from many US newspapers are. They rarely cover routine stories in a straight reporting style.
Majority of the stories start from wind up lead, not ‘wreck’ style intros. But one thing interesting is, their reporters have acquired mastery in telling tale. They are great story tellers. One day a story about cricket match was related with the cricket match that was held in 1901 in New York and was reported by the Times.
They link the present with far past. The intro would often start from such happening that has taken place, for example, in 1973.
Initially I felt bored and told my assignment editors that understanding the real theme of the story, takes me sometime because I have to pass through 3-4 paragraphs to get, what is called here, ‘money line’. But now I appear to have become addicted to this style and try to adopt it.
As far as my story on these African Americans are concerned, I have been advised not to make abrupt start. I would be starting it giving reference of Guardian Association’s role in past.
“I appreciate you love challenging assignments,” Jose said, sipping coffee.
Sitting in airy cafeteria at the 14th floor of New York Times building overlooking the heart of Manhattan, I was ‘confessing’ before the metro editor, Jose, that I feel disillusioned. People are pinning high hopes on me, I told a red faced Jose, wearing French cut beard and eye-glasses.
Jose has been covering sports before coming to metro desk and I have been covering politics before coming to the Times. He used to write about the successes and accomplishments. I have been criticizing the system, bad politicians and therefore mounting frustration among public through writings. Our professional background has left a great impact on our personalities and it was quite obvious during our conversation.
I was getting frustrated for not being properly consumed by the metro desk and sharing my ordeals with him. He kept nodding on whatever I pointed out in 15-minute conversation that took place on April 24 at 11am. Before him, I discussed this issue a number of times with my mentor, Nancy Sharkey. She tried her level best to help me in maximum possible manner. So is the situation of my friend-cum-mentor, Kareem Fahim.
But being on metro desk I needed to speak to the person calling the shots, Jose Sexton.
You should understand that I have been sent in the Times with huge expectations, I told him. But the results so far are contrary to my expectations, let alone others. You people send me on those assignments that are immaterial for you, I said.
And I am not cub reporter; I am here after spending seven years in journalism. I want to utilize my time.
The ideas that look workable to me are frivolous for you. You do not send me on assignments that could create space in paper, I told him.
I have been kept busy in net practice and nothing more. What I would be sharing with my colleagues if this dismal pace of learning continues, I said venting out my frustration in controlled manner. I would be an ambassador of the Times, my people would shape their opinion about your newspaper from my work. Jose kept me listening. “Ok! We will do the maximum. Do not worry,” he said concluding the discussion.
Now there is a hell of difference from then onward. Initially I was treated as a cub reporter, but not now. I am being taken seriously.
Before this 15-minute session, I was sent on assignments that could generate interest for me but not for the newspaper. Anyway it was quite interesting meeting people of diverse culture. I covered a reception ceremony of Bronx-Berlin students’ exchange that has been started this year. It has very interesting background. A video aired last year by television channels showed German army recruits on firing practice. The instructor was shown directing them that feel as if you are in Bronx and some African-American have insulted your mother and you are shooting at that black man. This movie has outraged many people in Bronx and they protested over this. The German government immediately fired that instructor and started working out on idea how to remove this misunderstanding. Therefore the student exchange program was started. It was quite interesting for me but was immaterial for the newspaper.
But covering this event, helped me understand that how to approach the right persons for information when there is bunch of people. Likewise, another net practice assignment was related to the coverage of the presentation of proclamation to a man who saved the life of an unconscious person lying on subway track. I did the whole coverage, took names of different participants but forgot asking one of them, his full name. My assignment editor told me the significance of seeking full details.
I covered a demonstration against Iraq war. Talking with the families of those soldiers fighting in Iraq, helped me get the first hand account of these people and their feelings about this illegitimate adventure.
The nature of my assignments after meeting with metro editor has changed. I am sent on purposeful work. First I contributed for a story related to food habits. I went to different fast food outlets, interviewed people there regarding their consciousness about the number of calories different food items contains. The story was in backdrop of a Manhattan Court’s directive to restaurants to post the amount of calories on the price list of different food items. It was found out that MacDonald and KFC do not mention calories.
Now-a-day I am doing a story over police department’s one of the fraternity organization representing African-Americans, Guardians Association that was formed in 1949.
It is very interesting story idea. An African American was shot dead by the detectives who are also black. The court has acquitted the detective, saying they acted in self defense, presuming that the slain person might fire at them. However the fact remains that the slain was having no gun or pistol along when was shot dead.
There is greater resentment among the African-Americans against the court verdict.
A fraternity organization of African-Americans, Guardian Association, is silent over the issue. I have been working on this story for a week. Still a number of people, who needs to be talked on this issue, are not available.
The New York Times has different style especially on metro pages. It’s far different from many US newspapers are. They rarely cover routine stories in a straight reporting style.
Majority of the stories start from wind up lead, not ‘wreck’ style intros. But one thing interesting is, their reporters have acquired mastery in telling tale. They are great story tellers. One day a story about cricket match was related with the cricket match that was held in 1901 in New York and was reported by the Times.
They link the present with far past. The intro would often start from such happening that has taken place, for example, in 1973.
Initially I felt bored and told my assignment editors that understanding the real theme of the story, takes me sometime because I have to pass through 3-4 paragraphs to get, what is called here, ‘money line’. But now I appear to have become addicted to this style and try to adopt it.
As far as my story on these African Americans are concerned, I have been advised not to make abrupt start. I would be starting it giving reference of Guardian Association’s role in past.
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