Wednesday, October 20, 2010

MEDIA RELEASE: South America miss out on Wellington journalist

Confirmation has finally been received about where Matiu Workman will spend next year - and it's good news if you live in Auckland.

Workman announced earlier today at a press conference that he will be spending 2011 in the "City of Sails" to take up the position of sports reporter at www.sportal.co.nz.

The offer had been made to Workman earlier this morning, which had been gladly accepted by the student of Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa descent.

It ends the two month long speculation about his future, which at one stage included going to South America in July 2011.

This move looks set to dash those plans.

An emotional Workman was still pinching himself over the announcement.

"Look, sports reporting is something I've had a huge passion for over the last few years. To get an in like this is just incredible.

"I'm waiting for the annoying alarm clock to wake up - this is the dream."

The news will come as a blow to Wellingtonians keen to catch up with the 21-year-old, while his South American friends will have to wait at least another few years before a reunion is thought up.

"I won't be moving away from this job any time soon. I feel sorry for friends, and family especially, who I have been away from for a long time.

"But it won't be forever, and to you South American friends, we will be seeing other again soon, I promise."

But for now, the biggest challenge Workman has to encounter is finishing four assignments by Friday afternoon.

"It'll be an interesting night tonight," Matiu laughed.

"But I'll make sure it gets done. I have to finish with my head high."

Workman begins at his new job on November 15.

ENDS

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Day 116/120

It has been an interesting few weeks. They have summed up the year rather well actually, with stormy clouds being offset, at times, by beautiful sun and clear blue skies in the not too distant horizon.

Yep, she's been a busy time.

But it's that hectic rush, it's the deadline, it's the encouragement, enthusiasm and enlightenment that AUT Journalism 2010 has provided that will ultimately be gone on Monday 25th October 2010.

Classes will have wound down, the last smidgen of activity will be limping around in the newsroom, the pressures of deadlines past will be all but over. Unless you have exams. Rubbish.

Sitting on my green, plush reclined chair that continues to break because of a supposed jigsawing problem, I'm caught wondering about the future at the same time as reminiscing over the last 8 months.

The rush of adrenalin that has pretty much powered my life over the last two semesters is wearing thin. I'm starting to get used to the kick. That is, the rush of the newsroom.

This is a link to my next par about a job interview I went for. It pretty much links the rush of the newsroom and how I am becoming more used to it, to the fact that I could be having that rush for on a more permanent basis.

The job interview was for a sports website called Sportal - www.sportal.co.nz. Not familiar? That's cool - neither was I until I checked them out. Turns out they're the content provider for some websites you might know. www.vodafone.co.nz, www.allblacks.com, www.skysport.co.nz to name a few.

Anyway, the interview went well, and I find out about the job by the end of this week. Who knows, could be in for a title change should this be the case.

Though let's not get ahead of ourselves. Because sometimes, despite thinking you're ahead of the pack, you still need to be humble. It's all about avoiding the left and right turns, staying straight and knowing you have done your best.

Otherwise, who knows, you could end up near The Edge. Heh.

Anyway, aside from all that riff raff, 2010 for me will be the year of the achievements. It's been a year of significant growth, maturity, and knowing just how much I can do.

There isn't enough time to reminisce just yet - I still have four assignments to do before Friday! Uni's good at keeping you grounded, isn't it?

Nah.

Far from it.

Uni has kept me floating for the whole year. It's an anti-grounding.

In fact, it's so distracting that the last thing it does is keep you grounded in general.

Over the last year I've seen other areas of my life become diminished. Some friendships, even close ones, have withered. It's a devastating feeling and one no one likes to feel.

One of my resolutions this year was to lose a bit of weight, but the only thing I have seemed to lose is the patience to wait. Patience for bigger and brighter things. It has become difficult with deadlines.

I've also felt I've left behind a few important things in my life.

Busy-ness is devastating business when you're an uncle. Last year I saw my nephew, Hikairo, twice. This year he turned two and I vowed to make the time to see him this year. To date, I haven't seen him once this year. The worst part? He lives 11 minutes away.

Eleven.

I've also lost touch with the Lord. Distressing as it sounds, I de-prioritised the Man and left him to catch all of my uni notes and deadlined documents. It's got to the point where I've lost my Bible. Ouch. But I know that He's looking down and seeing how I'm doing. He knows I'm there and ready for Him again. We're about due for a catch up :)

CAtching up with friends is also something I haven't done much of this year, as I'm sure most of you are the same. But come Friday, this will change. Come Friday, i'm free. It's the day where all assignments are finished, fellowship is at an all time high and the celebrations are going crazy.

Maybe they should have called it Freeday instead.

Here's hoping the weather will be full of sunshine and Vitamin Tan for all :)