Schmoozin'

     So the highlight of my day was schmoozin' a bit with reporter TJ Winick. He's right in our newsroom and a good resource, as he's been in a business for a while. There was some back and forth over the past few times in setting up a time for us to talk, but today we had a good hour or so. I was able to just ask any questions I had, from the career track he took, his future aspirations, and striking the balance between family and work. Actually, we even went through a few of the videos I had online from reporting I did back in Columbia last month before I left. (I included a couple here.)  But that was slightly mortifying, yet incredibly insightful and helpful. We just went through and he gave constructive crticism as far as what he would've done differently with certain aspects, what he liked and thought I could do more of, stuff like that. So, having the opportunity to sit down and go through packages I've done with someone at his level was incredible. He focused alot on me bringing my personality into the work more. He was like, "because the you that i see here (pointing at me) isn't the you that's on camera." So, that was some advice I could understand and hopefully work on in the future. But it's weird for me because I'm still getting used to the sound of my own voice when I hear it back, let alone having someone critique it--while I'm sitting RIGHT there!

     But he's pretty cool. He first comes off like he may be pretentious and a bit of a diva, which I can absolutely appreciate as I tend to sport both qualities myself. But he has this dry sense of humor which I reallly appreciate it, and I think makes it easier for me to gel with him. I hope I get the opportunity to do that more, schmooze with other people around the office. Calling it "schmoozing" sounds all corny and like I'm really just kissin' ass, but that's not--or atleast that's not compeltely it. I think when I can talk to someone on a one-on-one basis and in a chill setting, I'm able to relax more and crack jokes and vibe better with them...lol in other words, if you give me 15 minutes I can essentially win over anyone!