[JOUR2229] Profile Project Pitch

Every year on the third Monday in April, approximately 30,000 runners from around the globe converge upon the city of Boston to complete one of the world’s most challenging athletic contests: the Boston Marathon. These men and women come from a plethora of different backgrounds, a wide range of athletic ability, of all ages, ethnicities and creeds, yet each Patriot’s Day for almost 120 years, the Boston Marathon has served as a unifying force in the lives of thousands. I want to tell one of those stories: that of Emily Belic, a 21-year-old student at Boston College who set out to run the marathon in 2013, was stopped when tragedy hit at the finish line, and–against all obstacles–finally achieved her goal in 2015, the 119th running of the pivotal race.

Belic’s story is one of determination, struggle and triumph, yet Belic herself is a down-to-earth, easy-going, good-natured young woman–a relatable subject with an unbelievable story. Though Belic and I only know each other casually, our ties to each other through the bond of our common classmateship would make our work together to create her profile uncomplicated and honest in nature. As her peer, I believe I could access a part of Emily Belic that other reporters could not: the part that loves to hang out her friends in the Mods, who munches potato chips for lunch, who knows every word to Disney’s Frozen, who befriends every dog she meets. As I get to know Belic, I hope to capture her human spirit alongside her superhuman accomplishments as a marathon runner in a profile article that depicts not just her abilities, but her true self.

[JOUR2229] Travel Assignment Shortlist

Glasgow, Scotland (1250 words total)

3 things you have to see: The Botanic Gardens; Kelvingrove Park; George Square/City Chambers

5 great local places to eat: The Left Bank; Balbir’s; Two Fat Ladies; Artisan Roast

Cool day trip to visit: Loch Lomond

The city that never sobers (places to drink): Dram!; Box;

3 hotels to stay at: Hotel Du Vin (for the upscale traveler); (for the backpacking student); (for the economic weekender)

3 iconic cultural attractions: Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Willow Tea Rooms; the Gallery of Modern Art; University of Glasgow

Q&A… hmm

[JOUR2229] Best of BC Blurbs

Viewable on the class blog site here.

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The Marathon Monday Timeline

8:00 AM: Time to rise and shine! Throw on your tank and get ready to go.

8:30 AM: Breakfast! Carbo loading is necessary for endurance. Stock up at the dining hall the night before and eat in your room—there’s no time for lines today!

9:00 AM: The runners are off, so let the games begin! Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint—pace yourself.

10:30 AM: Start rallying the troops to go outside. Don’t forget sunscreen, water and (if you’re feeling bold) a couple of drinks for the road.

11:30 AM: The lead runners are expected shortly at Mile 21, so get out there and cheer your face off! The real party is out on Comm Ave.

12:30 PM: Hit up the Shack outside Lower for some much-needed sustenance. Burgers and dogs are the perfect midday fuel!

1:00 PM: You might find yourself hitting a wall as the day wears on—if you need to nap, go nap. Nobody wants to pass out on the sidelines.

2:00 PM: Most amateur runners (i.e. your BC classmates) make it to Mile 21 around now—time to cheer extra loud for the Superfan marathon runners!

4:00 PM: The afternoon draws to an end, the crowd wanes, another Marathon Monday is done. Whether you head home to sleep off the evening hangover or continue the party into the evening, remember Tuesday is coming soon…

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Best BC Twitter Accounts

@BCstreak. The daily “Streak newsletter” keeps BC students up-to-date on the news on the Heights and around the world, but their Twitter captures the pulse of campus life and news you won’t find anywhere else.

@bcmakeouts. Pucker up but don’t get caught! Checking out the snapshots of sloppy smooches is the ultimate schadenfreude—it’s like BC’s very own paparazzi, and they’re always watching.

@BostonTweet. BC alum Tom O’Keefe started this account in 2008 as a way to bring attention to local businesses during the recession; today, thousands of followers turn to him to find out what’s going on in the 617.

@BCAlumni. Even if you haven’t graduated yet, the Alumni Twitter is a great way to learn about what your fellow Eagles have been up to. Can anyone say networking?!

@bcinterruption. The official Twitter of the SB Nation BC sports blog. Everything you need to know about athletics on the Heights, served up with a side of snark.

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Best Beer List: Sunset Grill & Tap

They don’t call it Allston’s Finest for nothing! Sunset boasts one of Boston’s most impressive lineups of both drafts and bottled beers, ranging from bar room standards to eclectic seasonals you won’t find anywhere else. The Grill & Tap gets the edge over the Cantina—its neighbor just down Comm Ave by Agganis Arena—due to its proximity to other Harvard Avenue hot spots: situated on Brighton Ave, it’s the perfect place to go grab some food and drink before heading to White Horse or Tavern in the Square for a rowdy night out.

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Best Comedy Group: Hello… Shovelhead!

Founded in 1989, Hello… Shovelhead! is BC’s premier sketch comedy troupe—an exclusive corps of a dozen of the funniest kids on campus. Their irreverent senses of humor leave no stone unturned, whether it’s BC-specific or universal; their most recent show included Nicolas Cage rushing a sorority one minute, then stripper cops busting a forced-triple party on Upper the next. Rarely does the group perform outside of its biannual end-of-semester show in Fulton 511, so don’t miss out! Who loves ya, baby? Shovelhead does.

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Best Cultural Diversity Core: Family, School and Society

This course serves as half of the foundational curriculum for students in the Lynch School of Education; after taking Child Growth and Development in the fall to learn the basics of developmental psychology, students take Family, School and Society to discuss the social justice issues surrounding education. Expect to read fiction as well as psychological studies, watch relevant films and videos, and add your voice to a relevant social conversation—all while knocking out that elusive Cultural Diversity core requirement.

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Best FYWS Instructor: John Anderson

The offerings for FYWS can be hit or miss. Most seminars are taught by graduate students, but if you get lucky, you’ll end up with one of the talented professors of the English department. Anderson, a self-described “epic poet”, appeals to first-year writers of all ability levels in his approach, which both encourages creativity and a mastery of the craft. A close reading of the myths of Ovid’s Metamorphoses accompanies daily writing assignments, which run the gamut from personal narrative to researchable argument. You’ll learn a lot about writing, but you might learn a thing or two about yourself as well.

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Best Mathematics Core: Finite Probability and its Applications

There’s not a lot of variety in the choices for math core, but for students who can’t get their heads around calculus, Finite isn’t a bad option. Most of the course content—counting sample sets, probability and basic statistics—should be familiar to a student who did well in your average high school math class. Pro tip: acquire a used copy of the textbook and learn the material on your own time; the major pitfall of this course is the overcomplication of not-so-complicated topics.

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Best Chant: The Sieve Chant

The puck slides between the pipes. The goal horn blares. Conte Forum explodes. Over the clang of a cowbell, the student crowd jeers, “Oh, sieve!” They scream the opposing goaltender’s name. “You suck at life and goaltending! It’s all your fault!” Coarse and demeaning it may be, but nothing brings the Superfans together like aggressive putdowns in the aftermath of an Eagle success, and no chant at any other BC sporting event can compare to the pure animosity of the Sieve Chant.

[JOUR2229] Front-of-Book Assignment Pitch

February can be the cruelest month here in New England. The weather is often unpleasant–cold, snowy and bleak–and for students at Boston College, the four short weeks of February can be a long haul to spring break. With February in full swing and midterms on the horizon, BC students (especially those living in apartments without meal plans) don’t have time to think about cooking for themselves, and the bland, repetitive options at the dining hall may be a real spirit-breaker at a time when morale is getting low on the Heights.

With all of this in mind, I am planning a feature which poses convenient and delicious off-campus alternatives to on-campus dining options; for instance, in lieu of the Chestnut Hill Grill burger/sandwich station, I’ll recommend Eagle’s Deli; instead of the Jalapenos Mexican food special, I’ll review El Pelon Taqueria. Each recommendation will be accompanied by a brief review and some more information about the off-campus eatery, and could be strengthened by quotations from regular customers or even restaurant employees or owners.

This article would be a perfect front-of-book feature for any magazine geared towards BC students due to the aforementioned timeliness–with midterms, dreary winter weather and the push towards spring break inflicting their wrath, a little change in something as simple as their eating routine could help ease the February doldrums. As a senior at BC and a passionate and dedicated eater, I pride myself on my familiarity with the area’s popular dining spots and believe I could put together a well-thought-out guide to dining hall alternatives.

[JOUR2229] 2/3/15 Assignment

InStyle, January 2015

FOB Items

Fashion features (i.e. “It’s Time To Meet the Colors of 2015”; “New Year, New Do”): assigned because of typical magazine content/focus, with the spin of a new year in fashion to heighten appeal

“Burning Question” (which character on Girls do celebs most relate to?): assigned because Girls returned to HBO this month; the celebrities featured add a relatable element to the item

“Golden Globes: Sunday FUNDAY Flashback” (pictures from last year’s Golden Globes): assigned because the 2015 Golden Globes are coming up

Feature

“Go Ahead, Dare Her” (feature on Jessica Chastain): As a critically acclaimed actress with a wide variety of performances in her portfolio (including the recently released, Oscar-buzz worthy A Most Violent Year), featuring Chastain as this month’s cover seems a wise decision. Though Chastain’s acting talent is certainly laudable, her graceful and sophisticated public presence make her an attractive choice for InStyle‘s cover feature.