I spent two weeks during November working at the Burnley Express on the sport desk. I was there at a relatively unfortunate time because the weekend between my two working weeks the Premier League was on an international break. Basically that meant that Burnley weren't playing, so there wasn't a game to build-up to and Chris (sport editor) didn't have a whole lot for me to do, although I managed to occupy myself and enjoyed what I did get to do.
Also most of that first week I was getting to grips with the system and the people, but I did get to meet and ask a couple of questions to Wade Elliot, who is a Burnley hero after scoring the goal to put them into the Premier League after a 33 year absence!
The second week Chris was away on holiday so I was working with Dan, who is the other sports staffer. That was a fairly busy week and I got to go to the unveiling of the international honours board at Turf Moor, which was an eye opener being my first real taste of a 'media event', trying to muscle to the front and get quotes, and especially trying to pin down the important people for a quick couple of questions.
I also got to sit in on Thursdays pre-game match conference for the Aston Villa game which was an excellent experience, and got to meet another Burnley hero, Brian 'Beast' Jensen, who was waxing lyrical about the Thierry Henry handball scandal.
This again was a brilliant experience and I was immersed in secret mirth as the Beast ranted on about Henry and France. When I got home that evening I watched his interview back on Sky Sports with my brother and we were in stitches. The Villa game that Saturday was also my birthday and I have to say, being that involved in the behind-the-scenes build-up made it even more fun to watch.
Before I started this degree I had pretty much convinced myself that I didn't want to work at a local paper when I came out the other side, but having been a Burnley fan for nigh on 20 years and being so involved with the club was purely amazing. Chris and Dan (and most of the other staffers there) were huge Burnley fans too so the sheer passion for the work gave me this warm, fuzzy feeling and made it that bit more fun, and gave me that bit more enthusiasm. So much so in-fact, I'm going to try my utmost to get more work there after graduation.
Thursday 14 January 2010
Haiti Earthquake
Survivors of the Haiti earthquake are awaiting the arrival of a global rescue effort following the earthquake that devastated the country.
Survivors slept in the streets whilst many remained missing, feared buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings and roads.
The UN have confirmed that 16 personnel have died and that at least 100 are still unaccounted for.
Crude initial estimates of 30,000 to 50,000 people have lost their lives, although that number is expected to rise.
There are reports that there are bodies lying in the streets and around 100 in the grounds of one hospital, which are struggling to cope with the sudden influx of patients needing urgent care or surgery.
Aid from the US, UK and China, amongst others, is on its way, which includes rescue workers, sniffer dogs, mechanical lifting gear and other relief supplies such as water, food and medicine are desperately needed.
Cornwall-based relief charity Shelterbox are gearing up to send out aid. You can donate here
Survivors slept in the streets whilst many remained missing, feared buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings and roads.
The UN have confirmed that 16 personnel have died and that at least 100 are still unaccounted for.
Crude initial estimates of 30,000 to 50,000 people have lost their lives, although that number is expected to rise.
There are reports that there are bodies lying in the streets and around 100 in the grounds of one hospital, which are struggling to cope with the sudden influx of patients needing urgent care or surgery.
Aid from the US, UK and China, amongst others, is on its way, which includes rescue workers, sniffer dogs, mechanical lifting gear and other relief supplies such as water, food and medicine are desperately needed.
Cornwall-based relief charity Shelterbox are gearing up to send out aid. You can donate here
Wednesday 13 January 2010
Brian Laws Appointed As Burnley Manager
Brian Laws has been unveiled as Burnley's new manager this afternoon.
Ex-Burnley defender Laws won promotion with the club in the 1981-82 season and has cut his managerial teeth with Grimsby, Scunthorpe and Sheffield Wednesday.
Many fans are unsure about the appointment however, and are sceptical about Laws' managerial pedigree, especially after being sacked by Wednesday in December.
Laws beat Doncaster Rovers manager Sean O'Driscoll to the job, but the clubs couldn't agree compensation.
Laws' first game in charge will be against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Tuesday 12 January 2010
Dakar Rally Pictures
Another link sent from my brother. Here is a selection of pictures taken from this years Dakar rally, being held in South America for the second year, instead of the traditional African location, because of ongoing security concerns.
The Dakar is a form of motorsport I've never really fully embraced. It's sort of danced on the fringes of my interest because of the sheer distance and terrain the competitors face, plus the amazing machines that are used, but I never found it as exciting as the WRC.
However, this collection of photos showcase a most extraordinary event, so feast your peepers on 'em.
Clicky
The Dakar is a form of motorsport I've never really fully embraced. It's sort of danced on the fringes of my interest because of the sheer distance and terrain the competitors face, plus the amazing machines that are used, but I never found it as exciting as the WRC.
However, this collection of photos showcase a most extraordinary event, so feast your peepers on 'em.
Clicky
Japanese Photgrapher Bends Electricity
This link was sent to me by my brother. Hiroshi Sugimoto hooks a Van De Graff generator up to a metal table to create the mind blowing photos for his latest project Lightning Fields.
The photos show some amazing patterns, some looking not dissimilar to trees or the human vascular system.
Enjoy.
Click Here
Saturday 9 January 2010
Burnley Agree Coyle Compensation Package
Burnley and Bolton yesterday agreed a compensation package that sees manager Owen Coyle return to the Reebok Stadium.
Burnley fans are now looking to the future and chairman Barry Kilby has said he wants a new manager in within a fortnight.
Burnley's Graham Alexander came out to reassure fans that the move won't dishearten the players to much, telling the clubs' website, "We have played under him but we haven't played for him, we have played for Burnley."
With the Clarets game against Stoke being postponed today due to the snow, it gives caretaker Steve Davis more chance to get to grips with the team.
Burnley's worry now is that Coyle will come back to Turf Moor to pilfer the players he's brought in, such as Chris Eagles and Steven Fletcher.
David Nugent will be a major target, but Avram Grant may not let him sign for either North West club because of Pompey's transfer embargo.
Burnley fans are now looking to the future and chairman Barry Kilby has said he wants a new manager in within a fortnight.
Burnley's Graham Alexander came out to reassure fans that the move won't dishearten the players to much, telling the clubs' website, "We have played under him but we haven't played for him, we have played for Burnley."
With the Clarets game against Stoke being postponed today due to the snow, it gives caretaker Steve Davis more chance to get to grips with the team.
Burnley's worry now is that Coyle will come back to Turf Moor to pilfer the players he's brought in, such as Chris Eagles and Steven Fletcher.
David Nugent will be a major target, but Avram Grant may not let him sign for either North West club because of Pompey's transfer embargo.
Thursday 7 January 2010
Youtube Inundated With Porn
Members of the 4Chan messageboard have uploaded a multitude of pornographic videos to Youtube.
The videos have been tagged as children's shows like Hannah Montana and Jonas brothers, starting with footage of kids videos before cutting to copulating adults.
The raid was a protest against Youtube taking down the channel of Lukeywes1234 and also for deleting music.
Lukewes1234, otherwise known as eight-year-old Luke Taylor, became an internet sensation when 4Chan members encouraged each other to subscribe to his videos about Harry Potter, Super Mario and hunting ghosts.
Youtube disabled his account because being eight years old, was in violation of their terms of service.
Google has already set about deleting the videos and the public has descended into its' usual moral panic.
The argument that kids can and will find this stuff on their own is valid, but this attack takes away the choice by forcing it on on the viewer. On the one hand it's fairly irresponsible but on the other it's fairly amusing too.
The videos have been tagged as children's shows like Hannah Montana and Jonas brothers, starting with footage of kids videos before cutting to copulating adults.
The raid was a protest against Youtube taking down the channel of Lukeywes1234 and also for deleting music.
Lukewes1234, otherwise known as eight-year-old Luke Taylor, became an internet sensation when 4Chan members encouraged each other to subscribe to his videos about Harry Potter, Super Mario and hunting ghosts.
Youtube disabled his account because being eight years old, was in violation of their terms of service.
Google has already set about deleting the videos and the public has descended into its' usual moral panic.
The argument that kids can and will find this stuff on their own is valid, but this attack takes away the choice by forcing it on on the viewer. On the one hand it's fairly irresponsible but on the other it's fairly amusing too.
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