Journalists get paid to do the silliest things….
Karson Wilkerson, 10 of Bethany, spends time kayaking with his mentor, Billy Swindell, at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City, Thursday, July 28, 2011. Wilkerson and Swindell have been together in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program for more than a year. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
I should first point out that I am an unpaid intern, but the headline stands; being a journalist allows you to go on some pretty cool adventures.
When I received my assignment Thursday to photograph children and mentors of Big Brothers Big Sisters kayaking, I expected to show up and photograph them getting into their boats and rowing off into the sunset.
Thankfully, this was not the case.
Dave Lindo of OKC Kayak was nice enough to offer to have one of his volunteers, Sharon, escort me around Lake Hefner to get a closer look at the action.
Kayak guide Sharon and I on our Lake Hefner cruise.
View from the passenger's seat.
I’ve done a lot of cool stuff in the last eight weeks, but riding in a kayak for the first time has all that other stuff beat.
Some of the guys on the beach threatened to pull my “man card” for not getting out and helping Sharon pull the boat back on shore, but I like my shoes and expensive camera too much to have any sort of pride in that situation.
Now that I have kayaking behind me, I’m hoping maybe horseback riding is next.
David Curtis, 8 of Oklahoma City, laughs as he paddles in his kayak at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City, Thursday, July 28, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Read about how Big Brothers Big Sisters lost federal funding here.
To see more photos, click here to see the gallery.
TOP 3: Just Dance
Just when I didn’t know what the next TOP 3 blog post would be about, I reach into my extended memory which is better known a flash drive and found a topic am very familiar with. Dancing. Not the random dancing that can be seen on iCarly (please don’t ask me if I watch this show. You may receive a mysterious answer. )
But the type of dancing that makes you enthusiastically say, “Did you see that move! I wish I could do that!” The only show that I have found to warrant this emotional response is: America’s Best Dance Crew. If you have not seen the show, today I introduce you to the TOP 3 : ABDC Dance Crews.
Street Kingdom
I was a little upset with Street Kingdom. I’ve watched them dance in Rize, so I know how talented they are. If anyone deserved to win Season 6 they did because they fought so hard to overcome their circumstances. Surviving in South Central L.A. is not easy due to the amount of violence they have to live through everyday. Krumping became their escape. It gave them hope. Unfortunately, they were not able adapt as well as they should have on stage. In spite of their loss, I still love Street Kingdom and all they are doing to make a difference in their communities.
Beat Freaks
As an all female dance crew Beat Freaks continually amazed me on ABDC season 3. I was rooting for them to win, but they were beat out by Quest Crew. Here’s a clip of Beat Freaks dancing during the Illusion challenge. This is hands down one of the most impressive routines I have seen in ABDC’s history.
Jabbawockeez
Many talented dance crews have graced the stages of America’s Best Dance Crew since being founded by Randy Jackson. But, Jabbawockeez has always been among my favorites. While Jabbawockeez, is not first on this post, they will always be able to say they were the first crew to win ABDC.
Velociraptoring Anyone?
Velociraptoring Example
So everyone has heard of planking and probably to a lesser extent owling. This past weekend as I enjoyed a short vacation with my family, I tried to explain these things to my sister. She didn’t understand the reasoning behind laying face down on the ground with your arms held tightly to your side – in fact neither do I. These odd past times are sweeping twitter feeds and will soon even be featured on pages of The Oklahoman (Krystle Wagner is working on the story as I type). So as my sister and I discussed this cool new trend we decided we’re not going to follow the crowd. Rather, we’re starting our own – Velociraptoring.
‘What is velociraptoring,’ you might ask. Well it is much like owling and planking in which you pose for pictures in a particular and recognizable stance. In this case you hold your middle three fingers in a claw like position and look like you are stalking prey. The last bit is very important because, as the pose’s name suggests, you are trying to resemble a prehistoric carnivorous dinosaur. The rest of the weekend was filled with impromptu velociraptor poses. We even got my parents to join in.
Here are a few reasons why I think it should work. First, who doesn’t love dinosaurs? Second, it doesn’t involve laying on the floor or standing on furniture – so you can remain looking fairly normal and may not draw so many glances of curiosity and disdain.
I am aware that anatomically speaking the three middle fingers pose is incorrect because velociraptor‘s claws more closely resembled the thumb, pointer and middle fingers. So despite that small inaccuracy who’s on board for making velociraptoring the next big thing??? Come on, I know you want to! And if you do… add your pictures to the Facebook fan page. You can find it here.
Gang aft agley
Sitting on the beach in Destin, Florida. I’m held hostage by the white sand, blue water, orange juice and sparkling wine.
I did a phone interview for a story my first day here. Since then the beautiful weather and steamed shrimp has stifled any motivation to do more than dig my toes deeper into the refined grains of rock and minerals of the Gulf of Mexico.
I intend to finish three stories while I’m here, but you know what they say about good intentions.
This time last year there was a black hole bleeding approximately 798,000 gallons of toxic Texas tea into the gulf daily. One year later many victims are still waiting for compensation.
Their lawyers say BP has failed to comply with “the letter and spirit” of the U.S. Oil Pollution Act by using “coercive tactics” to force people to accept inadequate payments. They convince the victims that they are only eligible for a small amount of money and they have to sign a full release to receive it. Many have accepted the terms because they can’t afford to wait anymore.
BP set up a $20 billion account to pay victims and damages last year. To date, the company has paid more than 20,000 claimants for a total of $250 million, fund administrator Kenneth Feinberg said. Altogether BP has paid about $4.3 billion in damages.
But the company is doing extremely well financially. They reported a $5.3 billion profit for the second quarter of 2011. It’s a shame the property owners, businesses, and people that live in the Gulf aren’t doing as well as BP is one year after the worst oil spill in U.S. history.
Like the hole that spewed 205 million gallons of oil into the gulf, there is a hole in our system that allows the elite to abuse it. They have the financial means to jockey the courts, destroy environments and ruin lives while making ridiculous profits.
We should slash the red tape of our legal system and use it to bind the hands of giant corporations that use it to exploit the country’s middle and working-classes. Some of these bloated companies would inevitably get tangled and asphyxiate trying to get free. Like animals in an oil spill. But capitalism is survival of the fittest.
This 90 degree heat and cool ocean breeze must be getting to me. I’ll just listen to the waves crash, go back to burying my toes in the sand and consider doing the same with my head. After this mimosa.
TOP 3: Inspiration Poems
Hello hello hello everyone,
I’m back with another TOP 3. I say “I’m back” as if I’ve actually been gone somewhere and haven’t been blogging regularly…to continue… I always enjoy reading and hearing about stories where people triumph over adversity. It always inspires and encourages me along the way. So, I want to share the TOP3: poems that are inspirational.
The first one its not a poem, but today it will be.
Smile - words by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons, Charlie Chaplin composed the music, sung by Nat King Cole
Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it’s breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you’ll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You’ll see the sun come shining through for you
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That’s the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what’s the use of crying?
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile
That’s the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what’s the use of crying?
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile
A Creed To Live By - Nancye Sims
Don’t undermine your worth by comparing
yourself with others.
It is because we are different that each of us is special.
Don’t set your goals by what other people
deem important.
Only you know what is best for you.
Don’t take for granted the things closest to your heart.
Cling to them as you would your life, for without them
life is meaningless.
Don’t let your life slip through your fingers
by living in the past or for the future.
By living your life one day at a time,
you live all the days of your life.
Don’t give up when you still have something to give.
Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.
Don’t be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect.
It is this fragile thread that binds us to each other.
Don’t be afraid to encounter risks.
It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.
Don’t shut love out of your life by saying it’s impossible to find.
The quickest way to receive love is to give love.
The fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly;
and the best way to keep love is to give it wings.
Don’t dismiss your dreams.
To be without dreams is to be without hope;
to be without hope is to be without purpose.
Don’t run through life so fast that you forget
not only where you’ve been, but also where you’re going.
Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored
each step of the way.
Passion Of Life - POOJA NATARAJAN
To achieve something great in the world you need Passion
To fulfill vision, a great leader’s courage comes from Passion
Whatever it may be, you must find your Passion
If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins
Follow your passion and success will follow you!
Never underestimate the power of passion
Without passion religion is spiritless
Without Passion history is meaningless
Without Passion art is useless
Follow your passion and success will follow you!
When you take up a mission with passion
There are no dreams too large
No innovation unimaginable
No frontiers beyond reach
Follow your passion and success will follow you!
Our passions are the winds that propel our vessel
Our reason is the pilot that steers her
Without winds the vessel would not move
Without a pilot she would be lost
Follow your passion and success will follow you!
There is no end and there is no beginning
There is only the passion of life
Passion is universal humanity
Passion is the genesis of genius
Follow your passion and success will follow you!
I hope you were just as inspired by these poems as I was.
-Tiffany
OKC’s Royals Living Life to the Fullest
Players of the Oklahoma City Royals pray before beginning a game at the Plex Sports Complex in Oklahoma City, July 5, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
For the last few weeks, I have spent some quality time with an extraordinary group of gentlemen.
The Oklahoma City Royals are a group of 75+ senior softball players that get together every Tuesday night to fellowship and play the sport they love.
Sports intern Tariq Lee and I worked on this story together. I produced a slideshow separate from his story and we somehow came out at the end of it with a great package that is featured in the sports section of the Oklahoman and on its very own nDepth page on NewsOK.com.
One of the most profound moments I witnessed while doing this project was when one of the guys pulled out a piece of paper with the name of a condition he had been diagnosed with. He had to write it down so he could remember what it was called and tell the other guys about it.
A player for the Oklahoma City Royals reads a new condition that he has been diagnosed with, Polymyalgia rheumatica, to his fellow teammates at the Plex Sports Complex in Oklahoma City, July 5, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
The condition was polymyalgia rheumatica, a syndrome with pain or stiffness, usually in the neck, shoulders, and hips.
I was inspired by the positive outlook of the players. I won’t ruin any more of the story for you, I’ll just say that I hope I’m this cool when and if I turn 80-years-old.
Check out Tariq’s story and my slideshow here: OKC’s Boys of Summer
Ray Rowland gets ready to bat during a game at the Plex in Oklahoma City, July 19, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Loal Buttram runs onto the field during a game at the Plex Sports Complex in Oklahoma City, July 5, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
It could’ve been a lot worse!
The Oklahoman broke the news to the world this morning that the now defunct Oklahoma City Arena now has a new name.
Chesapeake Energy Arena will be the newly named home to the Oklahoma City Thunder and its fans and quite frankly, OKCitians should be delighted with this outcome.
With arenas and stadiums all over the succumbing to big business names such as PETCO Park where the San Diego Padres play, the Jobing.com Arena for the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes, EnergySolutions Arena for The Utah Jazz in the NBA and probably the worst the KFC Yum! Center for University of Louisville basketball; Thunder fans and fans of Oklahoma in general should be happy that the name is as plain as it is.
So I wanted to brainstorm a few ideas that could have been a lot worse than the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
In no particular order, here are your top 5 worst possible names for the Thunderdome!
1. Knippelmier Chevrolet Arena
Really can’t think of much that would be worse than this, especially because all the visitors to our city asking way to many questions about how to get the “Knipple” and where is the best place to park around the “Knipple”? My dad would blush so hard each time that happened that you would think it was 100 + degrees all years round.
2. Mutts Amazing Hot Dogs Arena
Though the food inside would definitely be an improvement… wait this would only be bad because we would be the Mutts Arena. I’m totally for this one actually, bring on the Tatonka dog!!!
3. Toby Keith’s I love This Basketball Arena
I can hear the lyrics now!
“We got winners, you got losers
Kevin Durant beats Carlos Boozers
And we got Rumble, we got drummers
We got overpriced beer and water
And the girls next door dress up like Gov. Fallin’s daughter 
Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this basketball Arena”
4. 1-800-2 Sell Homes Arena
I just have this awful vision of the lady from those commercials blasted up on the side of the arena reading cue cards… OH THE HUMANITY!!!
5. CityWalk Presents Up in the Club Basketball Arena
Seriously… I don’t know if there is a worse place in the city. But if you have doubts in CityWalk’s evil, try their website out. http://www.citybrickwalk.com/
PARTY ON KD!
Some basketball Jones
I remember reading a story about Kevin Durant once.
Someone asked him, ‘What do you like to do for fun?’
KD’s answer came back quicker than one of his crossovers, ‘I play basketball.’
If that doesn’t make you miss Durant and the rest of your favorite Thunderers then I don’t know what will.
With the NBA lockout ongoing and not appearing like it will reach an end within the next few months, OKC fans might be feeling a pain of longing for their favorite basketball stars.
But have no fear… Kevin Durant and James Harden will be playing basketball again soon and you can watch it… for free!
Kevin Durant, who has been playing for the Goodman league, a DC basketball pro am league, will take on the Drew league, an LA pro am league which features fellow Thunder teammate James Harden.
The game is set for Aug. 20 in DC at Georgetown University.
The rosters are filled with a whose who of NBA talent:
Durant will be teamed up with John Wall (Wizards), Ty Lawson (Nuggets), Gary Neal (Spurs), Tyreke Evans (Kings), Michael Beasley (Timberwolves), DeMarcus Cousins (Kings), Josh Selby (Grizzlies), Sam Young (Grizzlies), Donte Green(Kings), Hugh “Baby Shaq” Jones (AND1 Tour), Emanuel “Duce” Jones and Warren “D-Nice” Jefferson
While Harden will have DeMar DeRozan (Raptors), Nick Young (Wizards), Dorrell Wright (Warriors), Brandon Jennings (Bucks), JaVale McGee (Wizards), Craig Smith (Clippers), Pooh Jeter (Kings), Bobby Brown (Aris BC), Marcus Williams (Grizzlies) and three more players yet to be named.
I don’t even care that this isn’t real NBA basketball or that the Goodman squad should win by 40 every game! This is probably as close as people will get to the NBA for months because of the lockout, and you can stream it for free on your computer! http://thebasketballchannel.net./
You’d be crazy not to watch! Right James Harden?
Let’s just hope Harden goes off and scores 50+ like he did a few weeks ago and maybe Durant can treat us all with another one of these:
Glass Case of Emotion
So the title is a reference to Anchorman: The legend of Ron Burgundy and if you haven’t watched it you’re missing out. Okay so the title is funny but the post itself is serious… seriously.
This Tuesday I was having dinner with a couple of friends, both of which have career aspirations within the medical field. One of them mentioned how emotionally draining the medical field is. Many of the stories she shared confirmed that. But I also realized how emotionally draining journalism is as well.
Some of the stories we cover every day take us on an emotional roller coaster. You can be happy, bewildered, scared or sad. For some reason I have the hardest time dealing with happy and sad. Sometimes when I do a feature over someone with a positive or happy story, I’m overcome by the character they’ve shown throughout their life or the struggles they had to overcome. I always feel so grateful to have met them.
The first time I experienced such strong emotion was when I covered the opening of the National WASP World War II Museum in my hometown of Sweetwater, Texas, a museum dedicated to Women Airforce Service Pilots. My hometown was where their training base was located. They were trailblazing patriots who paved the way for all women to be treated equally and to be able to serve their country. I cried on the way home after the ceremony; I was just so moved by their stories.
The latest incident of emotional news coverage happened last Friday. I interviewed the woman who helped make Oklahoma the first state with a 
pancreatic cancer awareness license plate. The tag will be released in November and $20 out of the tags $35 price will go towards pancreatic cancer research. The disease has grim statistics like – for every 425 patients diagnosed in Oklahoma this year with pancreatic cancer, 400 will die within one year from the disease. King chose to support this disease because her twin sister Connie died from it in 2008. Throughout the entire interview King kept it together except once when she spoke of life without her best friend.
“To be able to do this in her memory means a lot,” King said with a shaky voice. Then tears filled her eyes as she went on. “The first year was very difficult and I’ve gotten better. I’m past my grief but I still have my days.”
My eyes got a little teary but I held it together until I got in my car after the 
interview. I have a twin sister who just happened to be born three years late. We often say the same thing at the exact same time, wear the same thing though we live 10 hours apart and sometimes I’ll have strange emotions throughout the day that make no sense and it turns out she had a bad day. She was all I kept thinking of while I cried, but it was difficult forcing myself away from those thoughts during the interview. Even now while writing it, I have a lump in my throat.
I love this career but it is tough in so many ways. A professor once said that your Weltanshauung – German for world view, philosophy, ideology – is what makes you unique and a good journalist. But you’re a great journalist when you can remove yourself from your weltanshauung and just report.
Ali Harter is hitting her REM cycle.
Oklahoma songstress Ali Harter recently caught up with electronic reggae artist INABEATHEAD to cover the wonderful tune by REM “Losing My Religion.”
Listen to the song below and if you like it, you can buy it on iTunes!
For more info or to hear more sultry goodness by Ali, visit her website http://www.aliharter.com.
LOSING MY RELIGION feat ALI HARTER by INABEATHEAD (R.E.M. Cover) by Inabeathead
