The University of Blog

There is something so fantastic about being with family after not seeing them in awhile. Sure, I will see them in two weeks when I come back to Lawrence, but it’s really great to have them visit Denver. It gives me a chance to do everything that I’d like to do/see/experience in Colorado.

Yesterday, we made our way up to Pike’s Peak. We hopped on the Cog Railway and climbed thousands of feet to reach one of America’s most majestic fourteeners. Was it a spectacular view or what! My goodness. We could see Kansas from that point. It was easy to feel a bit lightheaded up there. Hiking it would be a challenge for sure. We took the railway back down and then drove through Garden of the Gods.

We made it to Ft. Collins and tried some beer at New Belgium and Odells. Then the last touristy thing that I hit with my parents was the Botanical Gardens of Denver. We walked among a variety of plants. My favorite was the Japanese garden. Unfortunately, a woman dropped her camera into the pool, but the lotus flowers were really spectacular.

My family enjoyed the trip and it was good to have them here. It certainly felt like a family vacation. In fact, it reminded me of our camping trips in Yellowstone.  So, even though I will see them soon, I think it is nice for them to see my life in Colorado. It is nice for them to see everything I’ve accomplished here, and even though they may not want to admit it, I’m sure it’s nice for them to see how independent I am here.

What will I miss about Colorado? Well, the internship has been a rewarding experience, but at the same time, it is not what I will miss most. Being from Kansas, we do not have this type of impressive beauty there. Looking out of my backyard in Lawrence, I could probably see for miles since it is so flat.

However, here, the mountains are absolutely spectacular. On Saturday, I took a hike into Rocky Mountain National Park. We found a trail complete with a waterfall. Roundtrip was about seven miles. After seeing two snakes and getting eaten alive by mosquitoes, it was a relief to see Cascade Falls. I just took some time at the falls to enjoy the scenery and acknowledge the fact that indeed, I can return. Colorado will be here after I graduate. Colorado will be here when I go on family trips. It’s not going anywhere. I can return.

Today, I took photos of an African elephant. That is probably the only time in my life that will happen. She was beautiful. And no, if you are wondering, I did not suddenly take a trip to Africa (I wish). Instead, she was brought on set for DIY’s Disaster House. The show recreates disasters that happen to houses in an interesting way and then demonstrates how to fix the damage. Since first shooting, they have dropped a piano through the roof, had Clydesdales tear up a wall and had roller derby girls in the living room.  It might not be life changing hardcore journalism, but it sure is fun helping out on set.

When taking photos on set, it is important to pay attention to where the photographer is shooting so you avoid walking in his shot, but you still get what you need. For the DIY network, the photos of the host are used for press to promote the show. The others provide a step-by-step guide for users to see online. It was a good refresher on how to use the camera since first learning my freshman year.

Some other highlights of my week were learning more about the other aspects of production. I sat down with a casting agent and listened to her interviewing a potential couple for an upcoming FN Challenge show. When an editing bay was free, I jumped in there and strung together a sequence. I also played with the ISIS system and created a string-out from saved footage. A string-out is what a writer creates and strings together how the show will look before it goes to an editor to add footage and finesse. Just continue to knock things off my list…

Each day counts. With about three weeks left, there is a strong need to maximize my time at work talking to people, asking questions, watching and learning. Everyone has something that you can learn from. Whether it is finding out the way an editor edits, attending a casting interview, or assisting on any type of shoot, it is great to learn more about the entire process. Today I learned about casting for both Challenge and Cake Boss. Since these shows each have their strengths, it’s fun to be able to work for shows other than FN Challenge to see how those shows operate. High Noon is a powerhouse in production and is a great resource for learning as much as I can about television production. In addition, Denver is a great place to live. I wouldn’t mind returning after I graduate. It will even be pretty hard leaving in three weeks.

My friends from Columbia visited this week. I have been roommates with her since freshman year. This summer is our first time apart in quite some time. It’s bizarre and great to have visitors. Bizarre because I knew no one out here initially. To see someone that I’m so familiar with in another city when we aren’t roommates anymore shifts my thoughts. Playing host is also a challenge. It’s necessary to make sure to pack in a lot and figure out what would make them most happy. I did plan a pretty good weekend–
Friday night: hanging out in the hipster bars in South Broadway
Saturday: hiking, Brews and Blues on Old South Pearl Street near DU. Saturday night: dancing at Rock Bar
Sunday: Whitewater rafting on Clear Creek (class 4 rapids on cold water), shopping downtown
Needless to say, they left very satisfied and loving Denver.

When you think of life in segments, you think about the beginning and the end. When you live in a place for a set time period, it’s always in your head when you will leave the place. I reluctantly counted down my time in London and dreaded my departure date. It’s hard to not think of life in segments when you spend three months there, four there and then realize that for nine months you will be in one place… doing one thing. In five weeks, I will be back at school. It seems like forever since I’ve been on campus. In London, I had an internship which I needed to do good work to get credit. The same thing is true here in Denver. However, when I go back to classes, I will once again write papers, take tests and receive grades.

I’m excited about the classes that I’m taking, which is a strong motivation for returning to Mizzou. Since I’ve taken journalism classes for so long, I have neglected to take “college” classes — those classes like psychology and sociology that college is all about. In fact, I only have three classes left to finish my degree, but I’d like to stay and take classes that interest and excite me. One of these is a history class and another is a Sociology of Gender class. The one that I’m most excited about? Screenwriting. In this class we write an entire screenplay. For once in a long while, I will feel creative again.

I’ve thought that this internship would give me the golden answer to what I want to do when I graduate. It really is not that simple. If anything, it has raised more questions about my future. What do I like doing? What is most fulling? Hopefully, this last year in school will continue to answer some of these questions and raise new ones. Until then, however, I’ll keep exploring, asking questions and enjoying my time in Denver.

Fourth of July always brings back memories. My usual is towing lawnchairs to the Kansas River   and setting up near the music. My mom and I would enjoy the local musicians while slathering on bugspray and prepare for the fireworks display. After watching another impressive display of  manmade lightning in the sky, we would then head home and eat our Fourth of July cake (poundcake with tons of  whipped cream and colorful, festive berries decorated in an American flag).

This weekend was different. No family, but that didn’t make anything less festive.  Luckily, Friday was a holiday from work. To celebrate, I went on a hike in the foothills. If there is anything that can clear your mind quickly, it would have to be outside enjoying nature. It was my first official hike in Colorado, which will be repeated again soon. I then saw Wilco at RedRocks. Most likely the coolest venue that I’ve been to/will ever go to. I listened to music while watching the sun set over Denver. On the Fourth for dinner I decorated my salad with the same berries that once made our Fourth of July cake. I then headed downtown to watch the fireworks display. Instead of seeing only one display, any way you looked, you could see fireworks lighting up the sky. It was for sure a successful evening.

The next day I got in a game of tennis by my complex and then jumped in our community pool. That alone would have made for a pretty great Sunday, but I then went to a BBQ in Washington Park. I felt the grass under my feet as I played frisbee and catch under the Colorado sun and ate delicious grilled veggies and chicken. I’m not sure a weekend gets much better.