09
Oct 25
Oct 25
Classes and bicycle clicks
Once again, a quickish post, because that is the theme of late. It is a necessary theme. Why, I do not really understand, but it just is.
We’re entering a little podcast section of the criticism in sport media course. Today was our first. They’ll listen to a different style of production next week. And, two weeks from today we’ll have a little midterm exercise on a third style of podcast. After which, we will move back into video products. By then we’ll also be halfway through the term, and I am hoping we’ll start turning a corner into some real critical analysis. But, today, we discussed this.
It was clear that some people actually listened to this episode. And not all of them especially liked it.
There are six or eight general styles of podcast, this sits in perhaps two of those little worlds, and it is well done. Also, the story is a good one, and it is well produced. But it didn’t land to the degree that I’d hoped. One key task in teaching media criticism is to convince people of the need and value of critical analysis even when it’s not your favorite subject matter. The episode above is the final installment of a four-part serial about money in college basketball. The exploitation and the exploited. That should be fairly mainstream for a sports media audience. The podcast they’ll listen to next week is a bit more of a back-and-forth talk show. Maybe that’ll solve our problems.
In the org comm class I returned the students into their groups — they are running a fantasy football league as part of the class — and pretended to be their GM, telling them each to nominate and pitch one of their players as a feature story for Monday Night Football. At the end of the class they all gave a give spiel. Then we all voted on the best one. One group got a few extra points for having the best story and best pitch, almost by unanimous consent. And, truthfully, they were ready to help the MNF producers tell a great story.
When we got home this evening my lovely bride told me to go on a bike ride. I do what I’m told. She had to go do something else, but I got to pedal away into the early evening air.
Normally, I would avoid or crop or otherwise edit a little power line out of my photos, but I liked the way the sunlight was bouncing sharply off the underside of this one.
And my timing was just right, such that i got a terrific shadow selfie. I’ve almost got the technique here down, as you can see.
It was just a little 50-something minute ride, through and around town, but I was grateful for the chance to get out and do it. (Thanks, hon!)
This is going up the little hill where our subdivision is. So, once again, I was able to time this out pretty well. Power lines notwithstanding.
That’s it. Tomorrow will be less fun than this, but at least it starts the weekend!
08
Oct 25
Oct 25
An open house day
We spent much of the day on campus. It was a welcome back open house. We were all encouraged to attend, make nice, be in our offices and look refreshed and recharged. We are six weeks into the semester.
Branding issues aside, it was a big success. There was a fire alarm and firefighters and students interested in our programs and a lot of life and energy and vitality, which is what we were hoping for. And I even got some grading and other work done.
I am never going to get caught up, though. Maybe next week. Or the week after. Definitely by the week after that one. That’s what it might take. Today didn’t cause the problem, but there were about four hours that didn’t get devoted to the problem for all of the fun of seeing friends and meeting new people and so on.
The best part, perhaps, was listening to the young woman standing outside my door telling someone else she was going to finish this degree, and then get a master’s degree in that, and another master’s degree in this other, and then maybe an MBA, and then get a PhD. I applaud that enthusiasm, would that everyone had it in the classroom. But I wondered: has she discussed these ambitious plans with her parents and financial advisors? And, also, will I be working for her one day?
Somehow, when we left, it was almost dark. I mean, come on, I took this photo at 6:22 p.m.
Surfers chase an endless summer, I just want to chase long daylight hours. Hours which I can sit in my house or office and admire as the day passes me by, mostly, but still. Don’t judge me, I have fair skin and a lot of reading to do.
OK, the continuation of a light week. I also have two classes to prepare for tomorrow, and then the rest of everything else, as well. Until tomorrow, enjoy Catober!
