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Thursday, 17 April 2014

Day 7- Home coming and Pros & Cons of London Life

Once again I was lazy and caught the DLR over to Greenwich for my placement. I arrive early per usual but was complimented on being punctual, which I suppose is good.

Work was really good today, I started writing the articles for the section I'm editing and even got treated to a free bacon sandwich on behalf of the company, I wasn't hungry but I couldn't refuse it.

I had to phone up different press offices today which was really scary, I had to put on a phone voice and speak really slowly; if you know me, I don’t speak slow.

“Hello, James Jefferson calling from FE week regarding the press release you sent” was what I had to say on each call. Luckily all these press releases were good so I didn’t have to grill anything bad or secretive out on anyone.

I then had to write up articles, although some I couldn’t complete due to not having all the information I need; lots of offices were shut today due to the forthcoming bank holiday weekend. It got pretty stressful because they press deadline is next Tuesday and many businesses/ education institutes may still not be open.Due to this I had to type ‘back-up’ stories encase we couldn’t complete the intended ones. 

The newspaper/ magazine I’m working for is coming up to their 100th edition so everyone around the office was all excited as they are working on the edition which is set to be a ‘special’ filled with surprises. I can’t tell you the plan due to it all being secretive; imagine if I got the blame for the secret being leaked.  Wouldn’t fancy the legal bill!

The hardest part today was writing the captions for the images to go along with the article, you have to name them specifically in order for them to be found and used with the selected article. You also have to include so much in a short caption and you're limited with characters.

The chief executive was in the office today (the person who owns the company) so everyone was on their best behaviour even though there was still all the swearing- (must be the norm for working in an office).

FE Week 99th Edition
As the paper went to print last night, we had a delivery of all the papers ready for them to be sent out. It was so strange seeing what was being worked on yesterday (mostly unfinished when I had left; I overheard the other workers saying they were in the office until gone 9:00 the night before, don't quite fancy that yet) to a completed final piece.

 Papers apparently only have a shelf life of less than 5 years, but I think they would be missed if they all went digital due to the novelty of holding them in your hands and reading it.
My name was featured in the paper as ‘guest editor’ which was a good feeling, even though I didn't actually contribute anything to this one.

We all left early today due to the bank holiday weekend and the majority of the journalists get Friday – Monday off but I still have to go in on Easter Monday. #InternLife

I rushed home from work and packed my things as I’m coming back to Devon this weekend, but returning again on Monday. In fact, I’m on the train now from London back to Newton Abbot as I type this, munching away on a bag of ‘M&S Fruit Sherbets’.

I had to complete the dreadful walk from where I'm staying to the local DLR station with all my bags and to make it even worst it was rush hour. The trains were packed and I had to squish in the corner trying to stand up and not fall. As the tube goes really fast, if you don’t hold on, you’re all over the place: I was all over the place.

I got confused on when I had to change lines so I ended up getting off a stop early and to my embarrassment everyone on the platform noticed as I got off the train then boarded the next train going to the exact same place. They must have thought I was mad, or a tourist (oh no).

When arriving at London Paddington, I still had 40 minutes to spare so just watched the interesting departure screens waiting for my train to flag up. I  then remembered I have to take two passport photos into work tomorrow (Debenhams Torquay) in order to receive my staff discount card, so I spotted a passport photo machine and dragged all my baggage over to it. Once sat comfortable in the machine (surrounded by people as the station was so busy) I realised it wouldn’t accept notes so that was one big fail. I had to get out without any photos. Once again #embarrassing



It was then time to board my train and here I am now.

I won't be blogging for the next two days am I’m back in Devon and got far too much to do and lots of people to see.  Also I have work tomorrow in Torquay which means no lie in for ‘James’.

I'll be back on Sunday evening after my trek back up to London, ready for a fresh week of work; I’m aiming not to take as much back with me, even though I'm staying for longer- not quite sure how I will figure that one out. Might have to cut down on my cosmetics- don't be silly.
Have a great weekend and happy Easter. (I wonder if I will have any chocolates eggs. Mum, you best take note!)

Pros of London life-
  1. 1.       Amazing liberal city
  2. 2.       Excellent cheap transport
  3. 3.       It’s where everything is happening

Disadvantages of London life-
  1. 1.       Tourists
  2. 2.       Terrible skin (the pollution does me no favours)
  3. 3.       Expensive living 


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