“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who will decide where you go.” — Dr. Suess, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
“Write drunk, edit sober.” — Ernest Hemingway
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'Gay Cure' Ban Heads For Vote In California -
When James Guay was 12, he went into a Christian bookstore to look for information on what was wrong with him. He found just one book on homosexuality — “on how to change it,” he recalled. When he brought it to the counter, the clerk asked if it was for him. “She said she would pray for me,” he said.
A few years later Guay had a nervous breakdown and told his parents what was distressing him. His father, a pastor, helped him find a licensed “ex-gay” psychologist. The psychologist said he had been gay, but now was married to a woman. He told Guay that change was possible. “It was this newfound hope,” Guay said. Within six months to a year, the therapist promised him, Guay could overcome his attraction to men and learn to be attracted to women.
Two months ago, Guay testified at a hearing on a new bill in the California State Legislature that would ban the “gay cure,” as this type of therapy is known. The bill is the first of its kind in the U.S., and observers expect it to pass by the end of August. If Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signs it, licensed therapists who try to change the sexual orientation of minors will run the risk of losing their licenses.
“I wanted parents to understand that this therapy is crazy,” said Sen. Ted Lieu, the California Democrat who authored the bill.
(via newsweek)
Every Sunday night I count the hours until the clock reads 9, then I tune in to HBO’s new show, The Newsroom. From the pilot of the show I have been in love. The characters, the plot, the dialogue all interest me in ways that no other show has until this point. Mostly because this show is the epitome of what I want my life to look like soon.
I love the news. I love watching, reading, hearing the news. But mostly I love reporting the news. I consider myself to be a very ardent journalist and I hope to make a career out of it. There are so many reasons why the news has me completely enraptured, so I decided that I would share my love.
Firstly, media is able to create a story from the facts. While some will argue that creating a story from scratch is harder than framing the facts, I would say that those people have never tried to create an interesting frame for mundane details (although, I don’t disagree that fiction is hard). Being able to package facts, details and quotes into a compelling story is a skill set that was perfected by the media and one that is required by news stations everywhere.
Aside from the creativity needed to write a news story, I also love the importance of the media. People depend on their news and they depend on it being accurate. The influence of this dependence is astounding. The media and the people behind it are put to the test every day. They must deliver the news with accuracy and timeliness for their readers/viewers/listeners. And they do a damn good job.
One reason why journalists are so good at their jobs is because they understand that the media is always evolving and they take advantage of that. From print to radio to television to the internet to social networks, the media is able to use every medium to spread the news in ways that allows everyone to stay connected. This means that the media can only ever expand.
Lastly, I love the media because of the passion it takes to be involved in it. Reporters must be passionate about their jobs because there is never a dull moment when reporting the stories from around the entire world. It takes some serious energy to work 24/7.
Christian Bale is apparently in Colorado, visiting Aurora shooting victims. Good for him. (ht @breaking, @star1023fm)
Good guy, that Batman.
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Writer’s block has always been particularly annoying to me because I thought there was nothing I could do about it; an affliction without a cure, a ghost disease that can’t be treated. Usually, when I get writer’s block it can last awhile. It may take weeks before I can think clearly and express those thoughts accurately. Being unable to write my thoughts is difficult, especially because usually writing is a natural, easy way for me to share myself with others.
The frustration of writer’s block can even have palpable symptoms for me. Heavy wrists, uncoordinated fingers, sluggish brain. Trust me when I say that staring at a blank computer screen, fingers posed above the keyboard, waiting for inspiration is not a fun way to waist time. Typing and retyping can be so tedious, so how does anyone move beyond this blockage?
When I posed this question to Google, many people suggested writing exercises or outlining and organizing the ideas. There was even a 12-step program (which had some excellent tips). While all of these are great, and useful, ideas, my favorite cure so far has been to simply write without going back or fixing anything. Once the ideas are down, you can go back and refine them.
I’ve learned that pushing past the writer’s block and getting something down, even if it’s terrible (remember, nobody has to read it but you), is the best cure. I used to wait for the writer’s block to pass, but that wasn’t helping because I wasn’t writing. In the end, you are the only one standing in your way.
Here are some ideas to help you get started: http://creativewritingprompts.com/
Today on Glamour.com: Jessica Alba’s super strange tip for surviving high heels.
Valentino velvet sandals, $695, netaporter.com