That moment you catch yourself saying those words

Parades ... sometimes just about as exciting as it gets.

That moment when you think to yourself, "Gee, I really do love community journalism," is a moment to stop and realize what you just said.

If you are truly and honestly saying that, well, my friend, you are where you're meant to be.

What's your preferred sensationalism?

Sir Michael Caine as Scrooge

I admit it: I have been viewing peoples' Christmas preparations with a lot of cynicism this year.

With trees that are set up on Black Friday and the incessant blasting of music completely unrelated to Christ's birth ("Baby It's Cold Outside," "Santa Baby," or "Christmas Shoes" ... need I go on?), I guess I did have some support for my grumpy crusade.

The missed photograph

We were standing in a circle, holding hands, all half-dozen or so of us.

I had my camera slung around my neck after pausing in snapping some pictures to accompany the story I was working on. At the moment both of my hands were in the possession of the two people on either side of me.

We were praying together.

Thoughts on completing "Dracula"

After putting it off for far too long, I recently finished reading the original "Dracula" by Bram Stoker.

My quick opinion is that as a piece of literature it was excellent ... but since you can already find plenty of literary commentary on this book/character, that's not the reason for my bringing it up. If you're looking for actual literary criticism feel free to visit Google.

Reading this 19th-century story that essentially formed the modern understanding of the vampire figure is fascinating.

Follow-up stories and human interest

I recently spoke with someone about the scenario of doing "follow-up stories." Those are, naturally, stories that follow an earlier story, a "what are they up to now/the plot thickens, etc" sorts of articles.

Our conversation really led me to reevaluate how I as a reporter should address these types of stories.