Another week comes to an end

Concluding my second week here in Aspen I have begun to settle in. I have no strict schedule like I am used to and am not running around like crazy suffocating from what I need to get done. It's been a quiet and relaxing week. There was a lot of time spent at the office working on stories, but I also got out had some fun, met new people, got some great exercise and relaxing moments.

On the reporting side, it has been a great week at The Aspen Times. I have worked on four stories that all came together quickly and smoothly. Each was a different type - sports (game and press release), profile and personal. These stories have given me the opportunity to show everyone what skills I do have. I have also snapped a lot of photos for the paper this week since our main photographer has been out of town.

I have definitely learned that if I want to do something I just need to step up and say that I want to do it and am capable of doing it.

Writing about my hike over the weekend showed me the freedom I have here to accomplish what I want to accomplish. If I come up with a story idea my editors will let me run with it. Tuesday, the day my story appeared in the paper, I also had a photo that was my idea. I wrote a story for last week's paper about a local's fundraising efforts and a companion of his was throwing a fundraiser at his restaurant to further their benefits to the Boulder Flood Relief. I knew it didn't deserve a story, but I thought it would make a great photo opp. and my editor agreed.

The Meatball Shack, a local business in downtown Aspen, hosted a fundraiser to support Boulder Flood Relief Monday evening.  Manager Aidan Wynn and his restaurant raised over $10,000 dollars and collected numerous donations. 

Tuesday I was able to finish up my press release story about the Denver Cutthroats minor league hockey team coming to play in Aspen this winter. The story wrote itself and once I got my local quote I was set. It is set to appear over the weekend.

Wednesday, the EIC went out of town so I have been left to do my own thing. I've had enough to keep me busy and have had the chance to get out there. I've stepped up to take photos, write sports, news and features. I'm always talking to someone about what's going on to come up with my next story, so I'm not always assigned something new.

Since day one I told the sports editor I wanted to help cover some sports and Thursday I was given my chance. I was able to go report on the Aspen High School boy's soccer team. Now, compared to my high school team (who won state 8 years in a row) they weren't that impressive, but a gorgeous day made it worth it. The team put up a good fight and it was an entertaining game.

I got to see my byline in Friday's paper for the fourth time this week making my grin a bit bigger than usual (2 photo credits and 2 stories).

Thursday I also got called into action to run over to a hotel to snap a quick photo to accompany a news reporter's story.

Dusty Diaz, right, sponsorship and events coordinator for Aspen Skiing Co., hands over a T-shirt and other materials for The Meeting to David O'Connell, of Edwards. Registration for The Meeting, Skico's annual pre-winter conference, started Thursday. 

So, after taking a few photos this week I have learned that I may shoot good photos but I am not very good at writing cutlines for them. The cutline above was mine expanded by the news reporter I took the photo for. I have found that I am not as specific as I need to be and do not include as much information as I should. It's all a learning process here and I'm just glad I have the chance to take photos. I have never taken photos for a news publication before, which is ironic because I love photography. 

My week does not end here though, I have an exciting night planned. I will be attending my first homecoming High School football game to shoot photos. I know this might sound sad, but my high school was too small to have a football team so our main sport was soccer. So, despite the poor weather conditions I am very excited to see what is in store for me tonight. 

And, looking forward to next week I have been given two story ideas to work on. 

I have finally settled into my new life here in Aspen. There are a lot of quiet moments, but the chances I have to take here are worth it. I'm starting to get into some sort of a routine and I'm not as stressed or anxious as I usually am about my life. I really like not having to do school work on top of reporting. 

I can just come into the office do my thing and leave. After experiencing a real news room for two weeks it just furthers my passion for this industry even though it is greatly changing. There is always going to be a demand for this business whether the format changes in the future. 

In these past two weeks my writing has already improved, I have gained more confidence and my excitement for what I am doing just keeps growing. 

Look for my football photos later this weekend and any updates about hikes I might go on. It's going to be another beautiful weekend here in the mountains.