Test Cast

Images of Haiti

It's pretty incredible the images that you see from Haiti after the recent earthquake. The death and destruction that surrounds these people--children suffering injuries that you yourself can't be sure you would survive.

But what I find more astounding, is when you see a picture of a child smiling. Now that's amazing! But that's the the thing with children--they are extremely resilient! Surrounded by rubble and death, some of them orphaned, yet they still find moments where they can feel something other than pity. Where they can still enjoy what they do have, which to the spoiled North American countries is nothing at all.

Capturing the moments--that's what photography does. The good, the bad and the amazing.

Thoughts on journalism...

Now, I knew going into this that there would be lots I needed to learn—but these first 2 days has been a real wake up—and not alarm going off, hit the snooze kinda’ wake up—I’m talking cold water in the face, jump outta’ bed kinda’ wake up…

Sitting in classrooms, with active, industry involved teachers, in such an intimate atmosphere is both inspiring and intimidating. Being a student of University, I am not used to this—but I think I like it! One of the main things that I found about university is that it let me get away with a lot of things, not going to class, not handing assignments in, not making eye –contact with the professors… but sitting here, in room S210, there is no escape from the glare of Mr. Ken Wolff.

Despite that fact that it has been a very relaxed atmosphere in the classroom, and everything we have been put up to do is quite simple, I can’t help but find myself having a very hard time searching for a focus to write about. I hear all the other students’ keyboards click-click-clicking away and I wonder, “Are they having a difficult time too?” But seeing as how some of them have already left—I’m guessing not too difficult of a time….

So to keep my rambling short, I guess if I were to pick the one thing that really stuck out in my mind from this class today, it would be summed up in one sentence:

Journalism isn’t trying to push your opinion upon the reader, but to objectively convey a story to the audience.

Bringing Backless Back--but what to do about the front?

I'm sure that many have seen the new trend of backless tops and dresses all around, some completely bare, or even some with a beautiful crotcheted design--but what about the front?

I think that the bare back is incredibly sexy, but what about the front? Being a relatively young girl that has been blessed with a pair of perky b-cups, I have gotten away with a few different styles in a few different situations: on vacation in the bahamas, darkly lit nightclubs, France--but most of the time, those tops are just a waste because you end up ruining it by wearing a bra or tank top underneath it--or worse, your nipples show right through! WHAT IS THE POINT THEN?! Designers come up with all these great ideas and elaborate prints, with fancy details--but then you can never wear them without looking completely trashy!

I have waited for a modified version of the backless tops to come out with some sort of support in the front--a shelf bra, perhaps with a little padding--but nothing! There have been some that I have found made with thicker materials with some spandex so that it is at least a snug fit that isn't see through, but the majority of them still leave much to be desired. On top of that, all the gimicky sort of backless bras or nipple covers don't work...especially when the material of the shirt is that slinky polyester that seems to cling to every bump and crease on your body.

So what to do? I'm hoping that there is still a chance for some designers to smarten up and think of the practicality of their clothes before they market them--but until that happens, try to make your own shelf bra. Take a fairly firm cloth (depending on the depth of your support) and add some elastic around the bottom (similar to the front part of a sports bra), and sew it on to the front of the shirt.

Good luck!