Is your birthday giving you something to look forward to this year?
By jazzsue58
@jazzsue58 (2666)
May 14, 2009 10:08am CST
[b][/b]Mine is!
I might have dropped a few hints here on how I'm developing a writing career (hint hint!) but so far its been all internet publishing.
Anyhoo, just lately I started doing the occasional scathing satirical article on world politics, environment issues etc which meant digging quite deep to undish the dirt at times. I found I quite liked it! So now I'm thinking: Hmm, a journalism career beckons.
Well, the Brighton Argos newspaper has a journalism school, and I've just been accepted on a 1 day 'taster' workshop. It's free, you get given an assignment and if you're good enough you can go a lot further - i.e. work for them and get a journalism diploma at the same time.
Whoo, I'm really looking forward to this! Okay, I know the Argos isn't exactly the New York Times, but it's better than sitting in front of the PC at home.
And then I realized - it's on my birthday, July 3rd (triple hint hint I don't like vanilla icing by the way). I'm 51 this year. Last year was my 50th and, for many reasons (marriage broke up/health problems etc) I SO did not want to celebrate. It made me reet mad when people kept saying, 'So - you having a party then?' like I cared or something. No I wasn't having a party, in fact I just wanted the world to switch off, okay?
This year I shall be doing what I want to do and it'll be great. Brighton with an overnight stay, Japanese restaurant for dinner, fantastic journalism course and just maybe I'll meet a cute sub-editor to share my succhi with. All arranged by me and for me alone and hence - it will be brrrrrillllliant.
How about you - any birthday stories (past or present) to share?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@Darkwing (21583)
•
19 May 09
Wow, Sue! The Argus may not be the top British newspaper my friend, but they take care of their staff down there. I have a couple of friends who used to work for them and only left them because they moved to Epping Forest. I'm really pleased for you... this is a great step up! You know I shall have to start buying the paper soon to see if your name's in it, don't you? I don't buy many papers but occasionally, the Middy if I'm in the mood!
I hope you enjoy the one-day workshop and go on to much better things, and also have a very happy birthday celebration. By the way, have you ever tried the Bali Brasserie in Hove. It's quite special there, and my favourite restaurant for food, service and atmosphere. It's Indonesian/Malaysian food, and very tasty!
Brightest Blessings my friend... congratulations and good luck!
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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19 May 09
You're welcome... I think it's great when friends get chances like this one. I really hope it comes off well for you. Ouch! The invoices could prove to be a bit of a problem. Still, things are going well for you at present, so you'll soon have those cleared, I'm sure. Lol at the trilby... I think to stick a feather in your cap would be more appropriate for the moment. Pin your press ticket on your chest! lol.
The Bali Brasserie is off a corridor under a block of flats on the seafront between 1st and 2nd Avenues in Hove. You can't miss it as it has the name on the green shades over the steps where you walk up to the door. It's about halfway along the corridor, and has a glass front... or probably perspex. As you walk in, you're greeted by bamboo furniture with glass tabletops and an oceanic bar, which has restuarant bookings one end, cocktails the other, and normal bar drinks between. The restaurant is through back, and if you go on a weekend, the waitresses wear national costume, there are fans in the ceiling and puppets and such like around the walls. I love the atmosphere there. I normally take the Ricetable, which is a four course meal, where you can visit the Ricetable as many times as you like to choose from the main course dishes. Hove has a lot of restaurants; Italian, French, Indian, Thai, Chinese, and the Bali Brasserie! lol. The Brasserie is only just in Hove, more or less opposite the lawns but just off the seafront. It's good to take a nice bracing walk along the prom after a meal on a summer evening. :)
Anyway... enjoy your day, and all the very best to you. You've really done well here, Sue.
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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19 May 09
By the way, Ricetable costs a mere £14.95 a head, or did last year, for a four course meal, with as many visits as you like to the main course Ricetable. You have a choice of dishes, and it's good to first take a little of each to "taste", then go back for the ones you prefer.
1 person likes this
@jazzsue58 (2666)
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19 May 09
Thanks for the encouragement! Amazing I'm looking forward to a work placement on my birthday. I'm actually able to legitimately call myself a writer now - I've just been reminded 2 invoices are overdue. Over a hundred quid too - gosh.
It'll be great to see how a 'real' press office functions, rather than a corner of my living room. Guess I'll have to get myself a trilby with a place in the band to put my Press Ticket!
I'll try the restaurant you mentioned - I usually go to Brighton for ethnic food - didn't think Hove had anything but Mackie Dees.
Signed,
Someone whose sole experience of newspaper reportage has been picked up from 1940s Film Noir.
2 people like this
@westernangel (237)
• Canada
22 May 09
I can't think of a birthday story to share at the moment, but I wanted to congratulate you. Your plans sound awesome. I will turn 51 in September of this year, so we're the same age. You've got a lot to look forward to, a lot of great times. I'm sure you will really enjoy the journalism workshop, sounds great. I hope you get accepted. Be sure to let us know. What a wonderful birthday you will have.
@jazzsue58 (2666)
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22 May 09
A year ago I was 50 feeling 60. This year, at least I'm only feeling my age! I think journalism is one area where age is definitely no barrier. My sister in law is sub-editor of a local paper, she took her journalism degree when she was 45 - not too much younger than me!
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@jazzsue58 (2666)
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22 May 09
PS happy birthday for September, btw - remember, life starts the age you want it too!
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@soulist (2985)
• United States
14 May 09
I generally do look forward to my birthday. I like spending it with someone who cares about me and celebrate my birthday with friends, family and just making memories. I will be 27 this year, and it just feels odd that I am 27 already.
@jazzsue58 (2666)
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14 May 09
Ah yes, I remember my twenties - well, bits of them anyway!
1 person likes this
@arcidy (5005)
• United States
14 May 09
No not really since my birthday is in january and I dont even think about it now and if it was the only thing I was looking for then I need to do more stuff lol. But thats far from my mind since its only may. I wont think about my birthday till december and thats when ill start thinking about my birthday.
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@jazzsue58 (2666)
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14 May 09
Yeah, my youngest has a january birthday - my other 3 kids are in July and August so it's an expensive time: school holidays, family hols, a 16th and a 21st to plan for this year!
1 person likes this
@blue65packer (11826)
• United States
20 May 09
Mine birthday is tomorrow. I'm not looking forward to it! I'm one year older and one year closer to 50! I hope to recieve birthday cards or phone calls from members of my family. With my very dysfunctional work family I hope they don't forget! The last few years they have surprised me with a cake,a card and usually a t-shirt! It is very nice they do that! Oherwise I'd have a lonely birthday!
1 person likes this
@jazzsue58 (2666)
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20 May 09
Happy birthday! Same me some cake. I don't do cakes with candles these days. The blaze would burn my eyeballs out.
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@Canellita (12029)
• United States
22 May 09
My birthday is something I look forward to every year. It is my own special, personal holiday and nothing and no one is allowed to take it away from me even if I don't have a special plan to celebrate.
I haven't decided what I will do though I will probably spend it with my sweetie, something I haven't had the option to do for quite some time. The big 4-0 has come and gone so the next significant one is probably 50.
It looks like I am teaching this summer and classes begin the day after my birthday so partying all night long isn't going to cut it.
