I know it's been a while again... I did meet Pat Conroy though!

I'll go ahead an apologize, as I do realize I haven't been posting much lately. I have been very busy between work and searching for a "real" job - you know one where I get paid...

Anyway,

Sometimes journalism is simply the greatest job ever. I realize not everyone will agree with me on that, but for someone like me - it could not be any more true.

A while back I interviewed Paula Deen. A lot of people got very excited about that, and it was an interesting and fairly unique experience that I wouldn't trade, but I got a much cooler experience yesterday.

I was not supposed to work yesterday. I planned on spending the entire day looking up jobs, writing cover letters, and sending editors the whole package. However, at about noon my editor called and said something along the lines of, "Hey, Corey. I've got an assignment and I thought of you first. Do you know who Pat Conroy is?"

"Whoa, are you serious? Yes, I do."

"Well, he's doing a book signing downtown and we're sending a photographer over there. If you'd like you can head over there and talk to some people, you might even get to talk to him."

Funny story, when I was in high school, my English teacher for my first couple of years was June Johnston. Mrs. Johnston was a very influential in my life - whether she knew it or not - she is the person that really showed me that I had an ability to write. 

Mrs. Johnston made us read "The Prince of Tides." I wasn't really thrilled about it at the time, but it turned out that it was an amazing book. In fact, I would list it as one of my all time favorite novels. Since then I have read a couple of Conroy's other books - Beach Music and Lords of Discipline.

So, getting this assignment really had me pumped. There was, though, a chance I would not actually get to meet him or interview him. I was a little worried when I first got to the bookstore. It was slam packed. You could not move in there. 

Fortunately, the crowd died down a bit, and I actually got to spend about 45 minutes in the room with him. Asked him questions, go advice. Let me tell you something, Pat Conroy is a really cool guy. He greeted every person he met as though they were a friend. Shared many, many anecdotes from throughout his life. 

It was a great experience all around, and one I will never, ever forget. 

Yeah, did I mention I friggin' LOVE this internship!

The story was in today's paper, here is a link:

Pat Conroy greets, signs books for Savannah fans

I have had a few other articles published since my last post, I actually don't remember everything, but I found these two quickly:

Blood urgently needed in Savannah - This was on the front page! (I also took the photos)

Gullah/ Geechee launch 2009 festival in Savannah

I am working on five different articles right now. So, hopefully they will get in the paper within the next week or so. I will try as hard as possible to update more frequently, but I'm not making any promises.

This has been Corey. Signing off.

I am Corey, and I need a job

Well, I am now over the halfway mark in my internship - actually I've been over the halfway mark, but I never really mentioned it.

I finally know when I'll be done - Sept. 18 (just in case anyone reading this really want to give me a job!)

This week was pretty fun, wrote a few articles, took some pictures. All the fun stuff!

Next week, I don't really know what I'm doing. I am the only intern left on the metro desk, most of the other interns are heading back to school now.

But, when I find out I will let you all know.

For now, I will post an article I wrote that was in the paper today and an article Mary Landers wrote that I took pictures for.

Article I wrote:

Memorial sculpture revealed at Imperial Sugar

I took the pictures for this one:

Tybee turtles hatch

In other news: I've been spending my off time working on updating my portfolio and resume, and I've been looking for a job. If anyone knows of newspapers that are hiring, please let me know!

I've got nothing else to add right now.

This is Corey, signing off.

It's been a while

I realize I have not updated in a while, for that I apologize.

Honestly when I get home from work I either didn't do anything worth writing about, or more likely, I am too exhausted to write more!

I'm not going to write every little thing I have done recently, but I will post the stories I have had published. 

Just to let you all know, the internship is still going wonderfully. As I have said many times I could not ask for anything more.

Here are my recent stories:

Local camp helps kids with Downs sydrome - By the way this story was Saturday's front page centerpiece! 

Garden City police help battle summer heat

Tybee Museum closed for fixup

Do-it-all jeweler owns laid-back shop

I think that's all of them. I have a few more that I have written that should be published this week.

I'm going to do my best to get back into updating with more information. So, check back often!

This has been Corey, signing off.

Yesterday

Good morning,

I was very tired and practically went straight to bed last night after work, so I didn't post.

Anyways, I started my day yesterday at the Savannah Country Day School where a program called Horizons was being hosted for children of low-income families.

Yesterday, the U.S. Coast Guard brought a helicopter to let the kids check it out and speak with them.

I took photos and wrote an article:

Coast Guard shows off chopper at Savannah Country Day School

Guys, it was so hot out there. Before going to the office, I had to go home and change - I was soaked in sweat.

So, that's what I spent most of the day doing. After that I was on cops beat, but nothing exciting came up. 

I'm working a late shift tonight. Cops beat again I think. Possibly another assignment, we shall see.

This is Corey, signing off.

Articles in todays paper

Here they are:

Paula Deen serves up ham

Wiley's Championship BBQ trains for state competition

Paula Deen, Wiley's BBQ, food, food, food

You always know it's going to be an interesting day when you have two stories to do in one day. Interviews, photos, notes and eventually writing takes time. Especially when both are budgeted for the next days paper - that's called deadline.

Then again, when you draw an article about a professional barbeque competition team and the other one is about Paula Deen, well you figure it's gonna be a good day.

I headed straight to Wiley's Championship BBQ this morning to interview Wiley and his wife for a story about Team Wiley - a competitive BBQ team trained by Wiley, who has essentially retired from competition after 13 years - oh, and he can cook! Awesome ribs, chicken, pork, brisket, the works!

Immediately after getting back to the office it was time to head to the local food shelter in Savannah to interview Paula Deen - yes, that's right I said it, I interviewed Paula Deen, all you food network fans know you are seriously jealous right now!

Anyways, I talked to Paula one on one and talked to her son Bobby as well as some less well known people who were helping with the food donation.

Afterwards I rushed back to the office to write both stories - I'll post them in the morning - it took a little time, but I got it done.

Anyways, I apologize for not updating as much lately, but I'm doing what I can!

Tomorrow I've got a story about Coast Guard Helicopters, should be interesting

Until then,

This is Corey, signing off

Latest article

I've got today off, they basically said I've been working too much so I'm going to take it a little easier - I guess the 56 hour week last week was a little much - oh well, now I've got to find something to occupy my time!

Here is what I did yesterday:

Sidewalk lawns now residents' responsibility 

Link to today's story

Finally have a day off!

Here's my dolphin story: 

Dolphin Project on water for 20 years

Dolphins, etc.

Even though it's Saturday I got to work almost all day!

Although it may seem like that was a sarcastic remark, it really wasn't. Work was pretty dang cool today!

I drove out to Isle of Hope Marina this morning to meet up with a volunteer with The Dolphin Project - once again, to make you come back and read my blog, I'm not going to give details abou the actual organization, because you can read them in my article that I will post in the morning, so there!

Anyway, it was a really amazing experience. We took off from the marina and headed down Skidaway River to Wilmington River, eventually to the ocean.

We saw a group of dolphins almost immediately after taking off and we saw a couple other groups, too. They are amazing creatures. They would come right up to the side of the boat - They're so graceful, all different sizes and colors.

We spent about three hours out on the water, even though we were only supposed to spend an hour. I was pretty excited about getting the extra time - Hunter, the photographer that came along, was a little nervous. She had another assignment to get to after that one (don't worry she made it just fine and got all her work done).

After being out on the boat all morning I had a couple of hours to relax before going into the office. I was pretty exhausted, so I just laid around.

I headed back into the office at 5 for "cops duty." I use quotation marks because I did nothing like cops duty. Nothing happened! 

I spent the first hour and a half writing my dolphin story (it will be in the paper tomorrow, I'll post the link). The editor said he really liked it, I hope you all do too.

I left after spending a couple more hours listening to the police scanner and cruising the internet reading about Walter Cronkite.

Another good day, even though I had to work on a Saturday. This is one hell of a good internship!

This is Corey, signing off.

P.S. - A link to my story in today's paper:

Armstrong freshmen engage in early research

A day as a cops reporter

Both cops reporters were off today, so naturally I got the call to go to the show - the exciting fast paced life as a cops reporter for a day.

Well, maybe not so exciting nor faced paced, but hey, it's part of the gig.

I started work at 1 today (it was nice to sleep in a little!) and headed straight to the police station, where I picked up a few police reports. The lady that you get the reports from now knows me by name.

I spent the rest of the day arranging my schedule for next week mostly. I wrote three briefs and was essentially just on call at my desk in case anything happened - nothing did.

I get to get up really early and go out on a boat to get the scoop on something called The Dolphin Project. I'm pretty excited, it should be fun. 

Next week I have about five stories already lined up, so it should be a hardworking week!

Well, that's all for now, 

This is Corey, singing off

Side note: RIP Walter Cronkite, an American legend and a great journalist.

I know, I know, It's been a couple days - My bad

So, in case you haven't noticed I have not posted for a couple days, and for that I am sorry.

I didn't feel that the last couple of days were eventful enough for me to post - also I've been rather tired.

Since my last post I've had two articles published, neither of which were anything to write home about. I will have another article in tomorrow's paper. So, I am certainly getting plenty of work done.

I spent most of the day today hanging out at Armstrong Atlantic State University with incoming freshmen that are in the STEP program, which is for science research... Damn, those kids are smart, by the way, I didn't understand any of the technical stuff - guess that's why I'm a journalist!

I'm pretty excited that I don't have to work until 1 tomorrow. One of the cops reporters is going on vacation and I am filling in for him tomorrow. So I can sleep in, I do have to work until 8, but I can live w/ that.

I'm also working on Saturday - but it should be interesting. I'm going out on a media only boat for the 20th anniversary of The Dolphin Project. I don't yet know much about it, but I have a 2,500 word (possibly an exaggeration?) press release in my e-mail that should inform me about that.

I don't have anything else to add. 

This is Corey, signing off

As the soldiers approached the Iraqi villagers in market for a simple security maneuver a sudden blast shook the area, followed by a quick flash and a roaring fire. Suddenly the American soldiers rushed into action with the Iraqi police force to assess and facilitate the situation.

No, I didn't spend the afternoon in Iraq, but I did spend the day at Fort Stewart, and yes, the above scenario really happened.

Soldiers at Fort Stewart were on a training mission for their next deployment to Iraq. Other soldiers acted out the roles of Iraqi civilians, police and even insurgents.

This was one of the coolest experiences I've ever had.

Set up in a military issue kevlar vest and helmet, I joined about five other journalists to shoot video and still pictures and interview the soldiers. After a 45-minute Humvee ride (those things are freakin' huge - yet amazingly cramped with four people and equiptment in them) we arrived on scene where we were briefed and finally released to wander about as we wanted.

I was given a video camera and told to shoot the mission. I don't have a ton of experience shooting video, but hey I'm an intern and I gotta learn all this stuff, right? I'll tell you what though - when that explosion went off I must have jumped 12 feet in the air!

Not only was this an amazing experience, but it really brought to life what our soldiers are going through overseas. I already had a ton of respect for the men and women who serve our country, but let me just tell you guys - I talked to a number of soldiers today who have been deployed to Iraq, and they told me that as good as these practice missions are, you still just can't fathom how it is over there.

So, I spent most of the day at the base. I got to talk to Pam, who is the military reporter a lot which was really cool. When I got back to the office I wrote a little blurb that will go with Pam's story. So that's about it. 

Tomorrow I have an early assignment, and then whatever may come up the rest of the day!

Hope you enjoy the pics - Let me tell ya, the Kevlar is heavy, and frickin' hot. The tanks are way cooler in person then you can imagine. 

This is Corey, signing off.

The revealing of the article

Good afternoon everyone,

Well it is Sunday and time to reveal my article. The funny thing is that this is the first article I wrote for SMN, although it is the fourth to be published. 

Habitat for Humanity accepting applications

So there ya have it, it was about Habitat for Humanity.

Anyway, I'm pretty tired and I need to go get a haircut. I'm really looking forward to my big day at the base tomorrow though! I will tell you guys all about it when I'm done.

Until then,

This is Corey, signing off.

A week down and I made the front page

I woke up this morning and walked outside to grab the newspaper and low and behold, there was my article on the front page with the headline above the fold! 

I think I may have been speechless for a second.

Here's a link to the article:

Savannah adored by magazine readers

Anyway, I didn't update my blog after work yesterday due to some personal issues, and since I did not make this blog to tell people what's going on in my "personal life," I'm not going to bother you guys with that stuff...

That being said Friday was a pretty short day. I went to work and had a couple of press releases in my inbox and started to get to work on the above story. I spent about 30 minutes writing it before going downtown to get some quotes.

After getting quotes, eating lunch, slurping a venti black iced coffee from Starbucks and running to the police station to get some police reports I headed back to the office. I threw in the quotes and read through some police reports and that was the end of the day.

In other news, my secret article that I still haven't released to you people what the topic is will be in tomorrow's paper. At that time I will post the link and you will know what it is - I know, I'm so mean. 

Monday I get to go into work early, 8:30 a.m., and go to the army base with one of the other reporters for a "special assignment." I'm really looking forward to this and will tell you guys all about it Monday night. I also already have an assignment for Tuesday.

Well, I've got nothing else to add right now. It's been one hell of a first week. I love what I'm doing and I really cannot complain about a damn thing!

Until tomorrow,

This is Corey, signing off.

A morning Post - TWO bylines!

I woke up this morning to find that I did, indeed, get two bylines in today's paper!

Here are links to the stories:

Agents arrest 2 suspects, seize $50,000 in cocaine

Kitten rescued from rush-hour traffic

Now, I'm off to work!

My first SMN byline!

Day four, three stories, one byline (so far), and I am exhausted once again.

After spending the early part of the day putting the finishing touches on the article that I have been working on (that I'm still not telling you what the topic is! HA!) I was given two assignments for the day.

The first was a tragic story gone good. Oh, and it is already online, with my very own byline! Check it out here: 

http://savannahnow.com/node/750288 

It's not the greatest piece of journalism in modern  history, but hey, it's a byline and another step towards a real career.

After completing that assignment I was deployed to the Chatham-Savannah Narcotics Team headquarters for a press conference. After snapping some photos and asking some questions I headed back to the office to write a quick story. 

The story turned into a 7 incher with a photo, I do not yet know whether I will get a byline with it but it should be in the paper tomorrow, so that's cool.

Anyway, it's been a long, but very good day. I really like it here. The people are really helpful and I hope I'm making a good impression on them, while doing some good work. 

There is zero doubt in my mind that this is the career for me!

This is Corey, signing off

Day three - What's the phone number?

Day three has come and gone, and yes, I am still alive.

Have you ever done something stupid? I have - I won't get into most of that here, but I will tell you that getting used to some things here is a little difficult, and sometimes I feel like a dumbass. What I'm referring to is a voicemail I left this afternoon. Not only did I not know my office phone number - I actually drew a complete blank on my own cell phone number while leaving the voice mail. How could I possibly forget my own cell number, which I have had since I was a junior in high school - seriously! 

Well, it turns out it wasn't entirely my fault that I didn't know my phone number at the desk, because I was given the wrong number. It seems they have cleared that little issue up though, so hopefully people will be able to call me now - let's just hope I can remember my own damn cell phone number - how embarrassing...

As I drove home from the office tonight I spent some time reminiscing about the good old days in the Colonnade office and what is similar and different at the Morning News.

While the Morning News newsroom has a laid-back feel to it, it is really very different from the 'Nade office - I know hard to believe, right? But the key difference I've noticed is that everyone spends more time on task. 

It seems that the "professionals" are much more interested in getting in, getting their stuff done and getting out. For me, I don't know how to describe it, it's a little odd. There seems to be a certain lack of camaraderie, but hey I suppose that's why they call it the real world.

One of my favorite things about this newsroom, though, is similar to the Colonnade office. It is set up wide-open so that everyone can talk to each other. Writers and editors are within "hollerin'" distance, so that makes life easy.

On another note, I'm beginning to figure out how this office works. First of all, as I mentioned earlier they are not Mac - I have had to readjust to Windows, which sucks, my computer is awfully slow and I hate that it's, well, not a Mac. But that's really my only complaint. So, that's not too bad.

Anyway, I spent most of the day in the office today. I got to work at about 10:15 and made some phone calls to sources for my article that I am working on. I left at 1 and headed to the police station once again to do police check. Wrote two more briefs - I think they were better this time. One was really quite interesting - it seems that some burglars busted through a concrete wall to steal a safe at a convenience store!

I spent the rest of the day working on my article. I am still not going to reveal to you what the subject is, but I will tell you that it is a news feature. And, it is nearly complete!

I don't have much to add right now. I am extremely tired for some reason so I apologize if this post reads rather slowly.

Until next time, 

This is Corey, signing off.

Day two - I have my own assignment

Ladies and gentlemen only a day in and already I've got my own story!

When I got into work this morning I was greeted with a press release in my e-mail and a note to get working on the story. It may not be an investigative story going after crummy politicians or evil doers, but everyone has to start somewhere, right?

Actually, the assignment really is rather interesting. I'm not going to tell you all what it is yet, because I've gotta keep some suspense so you will keep coming back.

Anyway, I spent the first part of the day on the phone and doing research on the internet for the assignment, which I will be working on over the next couple of days and should be in the paper this weekend (with my own byline - at a major newspaper, what what!).

I spent the second half of the day once again working on the exciting land of cops reporting. I met another reporter at the police station and got some police reports and wrote up briefs on them this afternoon. Nothing terribly exciting just a couple of local establishments that got broke into last night. But hey, I get my name in the paper every time I do the write-ups, which is pretty nice. Actually it's kind of funny how my heart still beats a little stronger when I see my name in print - maybe that's narcissism, but I like to think it's just excitement.

So day two is over, tomorrow I am interviewing a source in the morning and possibly continuing on the police beat again in the afternoon. 

Well, I don't have a lot to add other than it is storming like crazy here, and I think I'm just going to spend the rest of the day watching T.V. 

Once again, this has been Corey, singing off.

Day one - Cops, briefs and my very own shiny badge

Well, the first day of my internship has come and gone. 

After waking up to the 8 a.m., alarm, I downed half a pot of coffee and a scrumptious bowl of Raisin Bran Crunch then hopped in the shower.

By 9:30 I was on the road for my ten minute drive to the office. (BTW: if you have never seen the office of the Savannah Morning News it is rather remarkable. It's a massive brick building that was built about three years ago out on Chatham Parkway, and it really is impressive!)

Not long after arriving I was in a meeting with the bosses discussing the budget for the day and looking over the Sunday paper (for those Colonnadians out there: yes, it was similar to our Monday 12:30 meetings!) Not long after that I was awarded my very own desk, complete with phone, my personal company e-mail and Dell (boo...) computer.

After spending roughly 30 minutes on the required HR paperwork, that assured me that I am, in fact, an UNPAID intern - I believe six times - I was ready to have my own press badge made.

Soon it was time for lunch so I joined one of the other interns for lunch and a meeting with the Savannah-Chatham County Metropolitan Police's information officer. Following the brief meeting we headed back to the office, and I finished out the day by writing a few police briefs (yes, much like The Colonnade's Public Safety Report - Which btw, I have never done before, and I found to be somewhat more difficult than expected).

So day one has ended, and I now am laying in bed in my small studio apartment excited about the day tomorrow. My boss, Josh, already has said he has some stuff for me to do tomorrow, so we shall see what it will bring.

Until tomorrow, 

This is Corey, signing off.

Almost time!

Hello all,

I decided that it might be fun to do a little blog about my internship with the Savannah Morning News. I hope you all enjoy reading up on what I'm doing!

I start tomorrow working on the Metro Desk. I know I'm to be there at 10 a.m., I don't know much else, and I am thoroughly looking forward to getting started! I will post what my day was like tomorrow night.

I will update this blog as much as possible. Thanks for tuning in!