Halloween in the 21st Century

You know you live in the 21st century when:

Drop the Halloween mask! It might scare someone.

If only I could get quotes like this one for every story and put it in a paper that the entire world reads...

“I’m not sure what is driving this memo,” Mr. Bishoff said. “But perhaps it is reaction to years past. Sometimes kids will have those ‘Scream’ masks, but usually not too blood and gutsy. I mean, can’t parents have discretion? The fact is, if parents are too stupid to not send kids to school with hockey masks as Jason, they are probably too stupid to read this memo.”

Excuses, excuses, excuses

Wow. I just looked at this and the last time I posted something was on July something.

Sorry about that...

It's made me think about why I haven't posted and there are the obvious reasons such as being busy, blah blah blah. But I think the main reason is that my life is so routine and not much exciting has happened since school started back up. I have the same schedule for the most part every week and nothing huge has happened in my social life. My dad did get a job, which is awesome.

But all of this is about to change because I am graduating from college in seven months. Ah! So I will do my best to keep everyone updated. And if I don't post pictures from Halloween then I should be severely punished. I have two words for you: Giant. Chicken.

Oh ya.

Collegian has been going well. You can check it all out at www.URCollegian.com and if you search my name all of the articles I have ever written will show up including my weekly news column. And check out this weeks front page. Elizabeth Ygartua, who is our design editor drew the main graphic and it is amazing. I am quite proud of her and this front page.

Now I have to get ready for AXIS, our annual fall conference for Christian Student Fellowship where I will reveal the chicken suit on Saturday. Be ready people.

Weddings, Weddings, Weddings

So many weddings!

Saturday my friends Nick and Kayla, now Mr. and Mrs. Burt, got married! It was a nice ceremony and Kayla looked gorgeous. Alicia even cried as Kayla walked down the aisle to the song from The Holiday. *sigh*

The food at the reception was delicious and even though the sound system wasn't working correctly, the dances were beautiful.

Congratulations Nick and Kayla!

And in less than a week I will be flying to San Fransisco to get ready for Kimi's wedding on August 8.

You people are making me feel old.

The Burts' first dance

The kiddos hanging out at the reception. From left, Alex Rice, Cierra Kierstead (I know I spelled that wrong), Alicia Bosse, me, Christian Turner

All of my pictures can be found here.

The Rev. Kocher Chosen as Chaplain

We have a new chaplain!

Kocher to be university's next chaplain

I was working on the story on Adnan Hajizada yesterday when I got a call: "They picked a chaplain." And we're off!

I called Rev. Kocher and he called me back not long after that. We were sent a press release and about 10 minutes later President Ayers sent out an e-mail. We were scooped! But it's OK. We had the interview with Kocher and the VERY large, spiffy picture on the homepage.

On a personal, opinion-section note, I am very pleased with the decision. As you know, I had a chance to interview both candidates and their colleagues and I felt Kocher would be an excellent fit at Richmond. He seems to connect with students. He has quite a trial in front of him, since this will be his first time serving as the chaplain, but I think Richmond and Rev. Kocher will benefit from this appointment.

Exclusive Interview with Hajizada's Girlfriend; Judge Rejects Appeal

Updated stories on Adnan Hajizada, arrested on charges of hooliganism in his native Azerbaijan, where he is a political activist.

Professors sign letter supporting Hajizada as pretrial hearing delayed to July 20

Girlfriend says injuries untreated as judge rejects detention appeal

Dan Petty and I worked on the story last night, with me sending him what I had at about 1:30 a.m. California time (he's in Denver). Then I got a text message saying Hajizada's girlfriend had sent him a very long message right about then. Apparently Dan stayed up until about 5 a.m. to finish and post this story. Go Dan! You are good at what you do.

Hajizada's Acitivism Began at Richmond, father says

We have an updated story on Adnan Hajizada.

I had the opportunity to interview his father, Hikmet Hajizada, for this story. It was difficult because the call was dropped about three times and my voice was echoing in my ear, but it was an amazing experience.

The story has been picked up by U-Wire, the Associated Press for college newspapers, the Richmond Times-Dispatch and the blog Near West End News.

UR Alum Turned Activist Arrested

A University of Richmond alumnus was arrested in Azerbaijan possibly for speaking out against the government. Story HERE.

I got a text message last night at 11:30 about this story and have been working on it since, with a few hours of sleep in between. It's pretty exciting and we will continue to update it.

And my body hates me more than I thought it would. It was just one kickboxing class and one spin class. I'm sorry!

Oh, and I got another tattoo. I will put up pictures when it's healed and looks prettier.