It was evident that every journalist feasted over the excitement of the elections. As an overly enthusiastic start-up freelance journalist, I remained at home watching episodes of Gossip Girl.
Of course, I would proceed to a string of reasons. Which I will do even though I originally intended not to. Sigh.
A. My parents are involved in local politics. While they have (thankfully) stopped running after positions, they have friends in the circuit. I've overheard a lot of issues, my cowardice is still overpowering.
Of course, I would proceed to a string of reasons. Which I will do even though I originally intended not to. Sigh.
A. My parents are involved in local politics. While they have (thankfully) stopped running after positions, they have friends in the circuit. I've overheard a lot of issues, my cowardice is still overpowering.
Yes, I've had my taste of compromising situations but the elections made me feel like I was tiptoeing against landmines.
B. The place I was assigned to wasn't very friendly. I don't mean in a "let's be acquaintances!" way. I mean it in a "(on the phone)men are outside your gate and another group is scouting the area. Lock the doors." way.
That was an actual conversation.
C. Last but not the least, I would like to say I've appeared on CNN TV International already. My father was being interviewed and I got into the frame by strategically positioning myself.
C. Last but not the least, I would like to say I've appeared on CNN TV International already. My father was being interviewed and I got into the frame by strategically positioning myself.
The night before, a man went wild with his gun after doses of whatever compound outside our gates. While I distinctly remember the whole family crawling to the half-buried concrete room in the house, it was the passengers of a passing van that were unlucky.
I really can't remember the number of people killed but some of them were foreigner that is why international news outlets were interested.
I really can't remember the number of people killed but some of them were foreigner that is why international news outlets were interested.
Anyhow, the whole point is that I missed a very important part of national history which is cardinal sin for a reporter.
Yes, I ended up being in the municipal hall that night taking pictures of the election machines being brought in. Yes, I was there when cars owned by the politicians raced back and forth. Yes, I trailed a convoy of army and police trucks (to no avail, they were on rotations).
I couldn't blame the zero election-related violence reported by the police by press time. My mantra is this:
When there is no news, I'm looking at the wrong direction.
And because this blog post is like an exhaust vent (I'm using a vehicle metaphor as opposed to an obscene human one), I am hoping that these problems don't block me the next time.
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