Ireland is calling me back

If this year's Smedia Awards is as good
 as last years, attendees will be in for a treat

I may have just over a month to go in Canada, but Ireland is telling me to come home.  She’s been punishing me for leaving since I left her shores on January 2nd. I should have known better than to leave home. For the last few months I’ve been describing myself as a prospective immigrant, but now that I’ve left the homeland, I know that Ireland won’t let me leave longterm.

 The first incident was the fact that my flight the St John’s, Newfoundland was cancelled because of extreme weather conditions, meaning I had to stay in New York overnight.

 Next up, Continental Airlines lost all of my bags, so that I had to buy enough clothes and toiletries to last me a few days. Worst of all, I was technically under arrest, as I was dragged into interrogation, as border police thought that my reason on visiting Canada wasn’t for study. Just over 100 days to go at that stage. What more could happen?

Since then, I’ve been bedbound with the Newfie flu and other viral nasties that have ensured that my social life here is kept to an absolute minimum. Also, have I mentioned the snow? The snow here is bitter and stinging. The worst thing about the Newfoundland snow is that when it’s rained on top of, it turns into this rock hard ice that is incredibly slippery. I’ve almost had a number of concussions walking along it.

Just this week there was a great thaw out. The sun was shining and I was delighted that I was beginning to see the grass again. I jinxed it. The next day, the snow started afresh and the snow ploughs are going full throttle throughout the night once more.

But now, I have a whole new reason to return home. This blog has been nominated for a student media award. I was lucky enough to be a guest at last year’s awards and was delighted with the night. It’s fantastically organised and it’s a great night. I’m looking forward to seeing what comes out of it. I’m also happy to see fellow ULers Finn McDuffie and Colm Fitzgerald nominated for other awards. Best of luck to everyone taking part. It will definitely be a night to celebrate.

Ireland is calling me back

UL does Come Dine with Me

Students in UL have kicked off their own version of come dine with me. Fairplay to ULTV for teaching freshers how to shoot and edit the videos. I really enjoyed this one and shows just what's the come for the society.

 

UL does Come Dine with Me

Getting to know you

The first thing I learned about journalism is that it’s a dog-eat-dog, cutthroat business, but I wonder does that lesson stem to college journalism. Take a look at twitter and you’ll see great banter between journalists from all different kinds of newspaper. A journalist from the Star might be having a laugh with someone from the Indo. But where are all the student journalists?

There doesn’t seem to be a sense of camaraderie between student paper journalists.

I’m wondering whether it be possible to organize a meeting of journalists, photographers, designers and editors from student newspapers across Ireland later this year. Gather some guest speakers and some social activities and really get to know each other. If anything, it would create contacts in Ireland’s student media.

Would people go to it? Would it be worth doing? If possible, what would be the best way to go about doing it? Your thoughts would be very much appreciated in this. 

Getting to know you

An Focal wins TV3 award

I'm delighted to say that my friend, Finn McDuffie has won the TV3 Student Newspaper of the Year on Tonight with Vincent Browne. Finn has worked very hard with the paper and I'm proud to say that I was his campaign manager to get elected to his position. Undoubtedly, there will be a party in UL to celebrate the award.
Finn called me a few hours before it was announced to tell me the news. He has no idea who nominated him and he's still getting over the news. You can now follow him on twitter here. To view past editions of An Focal, click on the link in the masthead.

Congratulations on a well deserved award, Finn.

An Focal wins TV3 award