The F-Word

It’s official - I am Facebook-phobic.



I was asked to set up a Facebook account for one of the departments at work this week; "No problem," I thought, "let's do it." I sat at my PC, found the site, registered the user name… and then it started.

At first it was the shakes, then a cold sweat, followed by a twitching right-eye and an unexpected voice that said “go on, find your boyfriend’s page and see if his profile says ‘In a relationship’ or not.”



I looked around and there was nobody there. Strange. Such a notion surely couldn’t have come from my own thoughts; I’ve steered well clear of social-networking politics since the days of Myspace, but things are moving on and here I am, being forced to jump into the spiders-web that is social networking, the potential maze of information overload that, in the wrong hands, can be a tool of destruction through tedious over-sharing of trivial nonsense.


A few weeks back on the Catch22 course one of our tutors asked us to join Twitter (follow me on the right, hehe) and I felt a thud in my chest, sweat prickling my palms and a muted voice within me screaming “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!”

At that point I figured I could have a problem.

But it was Facebook that got me shook – my hands were actually shaking as the searching began – typing in names and seeing faces from the distant past, the possibility that someone could look me up at whim, the peer pressure to divulge intimate details of my life right up to the brand of margarine I spread on my toast this morning – it was all too much.



So what does a Facebook-phobic journalist do in the ever expanding digital age? With social networking and futuristic gadgets galore becoming highly addictive for most, is it possible to overcome the fears of getting hooked and ‘search responsibly’ without being sucked in?



For a journalist, making much needed contacts without using social networking these days is like walking up 200 steps on the tube when the lift is coming - not impossible, but failing to use a major shortcut. So how do I overcome my Facebook-fear and reap the benefits of social-networks without getting 'too into it'? It’s a Catch22.

Or is it? Just when you thought I sounded crazy...

Newsflash: The University of California has revealed that highly addictive gadget-crazes captivating the world (including your new i-phone, sorry) are affecting our mental health - Data overload is impeding on our ability to focus and process information and, as result, the demand for Technology Rehab (I kid you not) is set to increase.



Aha!

That’s what I’ll do. Taking inspiration from the above, I’m setting up Facebook-ophobes Anonymous, a support group for those looking to overcome their dread of using the site, and all its affiliated networking trappings. Membership is free, we meet once a week and the group is a safe space to ‘discover solutions together’. Whatever your social networking issues, we have the answer. Let’s support each other people.



Ah yes, I can feel the love already...



P.S. For details on how to join, visit my facebook page :)

My Work Experience

It's a huge question: "where would you like to go for your work experience placement?"
This is the task for today.

Hmmm... (Thinks deeply) A few weeks ago we, the current Catchment, had to figure out where we think we belong in the industry, i.e. what area we want to write in. That was hard enough, but this takes things that little finicky step further.

Mid-task, I asked another Catch22-ee "If this is what I really want should I be finding this so hard??" She felt the same. But there is one thing i know for sure: I want to be challenged. I'm certain I'll learn a lot wherever I'm placed. Travel magazines appeal to me, as I'm a huge fan of travel and brilliant photography. And, I mean, there's always a chance they might send me here:



And before I can run to pack my luggage the news arrives: I have been put forward for Trinity Mirror and Company Magazine.

I can definitely work with that. The news-related tasks have been some of my favourite assignments on the course, so applying what I've learnt in a professional environment would be a great experience.



And Company magazine? Me? Am I seriously that lucky?? Wow.

This magazine has a campaigning heart that I truly admire - how many magazines can successfully place articles about beauty and fashion alongside a first person story about forced marriage and an interview with Alaistar Darling?? Now THAT is a skill.



So now the waiting begins. WHO will choose me? And will I get to contribute editorially?

One thing is for sure - in addition to my newly honed journalism skills, I had better learn how to make a decent cup of tea.

30 seconds in the mind of.... Leanne 'Tamera'

Hey! As I'm a person who loves to share, this next post is dedicated to a fellow Catch22 student (yes, I can share the spotlight, no divas 'round here)

Introducing....Leanne!




What is your biggest regret?
I've had regrets in the past but I don't allow myself to dwell on them because it's negative. But if I had to choose one it would be not learning to play the drums. There is still time to do that though!

What 3 items do you always carry with you?
Phone, Oyster card and my vaseline

Who or what is the greatest love of your life?
My cat Chloe (he's a boy, don't ask...)

Where would you like to live?
New York - I've been there 3 times and I love it. Plus it's cheaper to fly to the Caribbean from there!

What is your greatest fear?
Losing my mum

What is your perfect idea of happiness?
Eating curry mutton and reading magazines in the company of my loved ones - Heaven!


Twitter: www.twitter.com/insearchofmissp
Favourite Song: Kings of Leon - McFearless
Favourite Website: Facebook
Favourite You Tube clip:

What's the Catch?

Welcome to the blogspot. Take off your shoes, get comfortable and make yourself at home (coasters, please).

In case you hadn't figured it out, I write. To me, writing is... writing is... something like this:

But more importantly, I think first (which is probably why it's taken me ages to come up with a post!) But I'm getting sharper - on the Catch 22 course greatness is the only option!

Let me explain...

Catch 22 is a journalism course for aspiring journos who don't have enough experience to get experience in the industry.

Before my initiation into this exclusive opportunity I spent my days saving the world through community initiatives and, of course, writing a little here and there. But, like many things in life, these opportunities weren't all they were cracked up to be..



As for my skills, they were ok-ish, but I felt something was missing; I needed more...

And then, I found Catch22!

Since becoming a member of the Cath22 Academy I've been brushing up on my research skills, learning some new interview techniques and a working on my very own magazine feature.

It's been demanding, but I'm a grafter.

With professional journalists as our tutors (Shout-outs to Kate, Matilda and Simmy) the experience has been priceless.

From scouring the streets of Tottenham for a news story, to live court-reporting (and the less glamourous, yet potentially lucrative task of sub-editing) the experience has been a well rounded, practical voyage into the skills of journalism - and we're not even halfway through the course yet!

But don't just take my word for it, check out the last edition of the mag: http://www.catch22mag.com/magazine/download-issues

Impressed? You should be.

So, 5 weeks deep and I would recommend this course to any aspiring journalist who is serious about getting ahead in the industry. Like any challenge, it has been a little daunting at times...



But it will certainly be worth it in the end.

What's the catch?? HARD WORK!! Stick around to see if I pass the test...