Before the beginning  | | Blast reporters for 2005 |
I was randomly flicking (or rather clicking) through the BBC site when I spotted an advert for BBC Blast young reporters. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to me combining many of my creative interests, so I started filling out the application form immediately. However me being me I got distracted after 10 minutes (probably by something shiny) and left the form. Thankfully I finally managed to complete the questions and send them off as before I knew it I received a voice mail telling me I had got an interview! Just a few days later I arrived at BBC Leicester and tried my best to answer the interviewers' questions confidently. Being in the brand new building made me want the place even more but I was convinced I wouldn't be stepping in there again. Little did I know! The Blast Family Before I could catch breath (figuratively - I didn't actually hold my breath for a week...) I was in Bristol meeting the rest of the Blast reporters.  | | Some of the Blast Reporters in Bristol |
After an initial talk we were treated to a lovely BBC buffet - a wonderful sight for all the hungry Blastees. Then I teamed up with Craig from Coventry for a workshop on editorial rules and regulations in the SON&R. I was pretty impressed with my Jack and Jill spin - "Kill Hill"... well you do better!! By 6pm, when the coach finally arrived, we were all pretty tired. We all debated the idea of staying at a Youth Hostel (a new experience for most of us) on the long journey to Bath (which included a confused stop at the YMCA!). After food (the chicken nuggets were revolting!), a quiz and Big Brother (definitely not my choice) we made our weary way to bed. Day Two After not a particularly good nights sleep (due to the phantom snorer) I woke up to a much nicer continental breakfast ("bread and jam!"). The rest of the day was spent learning to format out work for web use and camera techniques - which I found more interesting than the previous day. After another lovely buffet we all made our way to Bristol train station. Tuesday 26th July - Introduction After a week in Wales I arrived at the BBC building not quite knowing what to expect. I soon felt settled as I got to know the online team. My mentor, Sonia, talked me through everything I would be doing and I arranged to be involved in the BBC News and Sports Tour on Friday. I also researched and wrote a feature on surviving Summer Sundae which was quite fun. You can see my ideas at the link below... Friday 29th July - On Tour  | | Can you spot me in red? |
Today I was involved with BBC News and Sport on Tour that was set up in a huge tent in Leicester City Centre. Kate (a BBC Leicester worker) and me were set the task of handing out loads of flyers to shoppers and letting people know about the public space in the new Leicester building. This is a much harder job than I thought and from now on I'm always going to take flyers from people on the street (unless it's advertising something rubbish, I'm in a bad mood or my hands are full). The tour gives people a brilliant chance to try being involved in a news or sports production - whether it's on television, radio or online. I took lots of pictures of people enjoying the day and got to meet some really interesting people. Monday 1st August - Gallery Making a picture gallery takes a lot, lot longer than I anticipated! I thought it was just throw a few photo's together in about half an hour... how very wrong was I! It's taken me nearly all day to crop, edit and title each picture. Make sure you take a look at the picture gallery on the link below... Looking forward to attending the Caribbean Carnival on Saturday - should be great fun! Saturday 6th August - Caribbean Carnival  | | A snap from the Carnival |
Had a really good day! The carnival was brilliant - lots to look at, listen to and taste. I took plenty of colourful pictures and interesting interviews - I even got to talk to the carnival queen - almost like royalty! Was fun going round with a big mic recording thing - but scary asking people for interviews. Tried some jelly coconut and sugar cane - I'll explain in more detail in my review! Hopefully I'll get all the bits on the site soon - so keep a look out! Tuesday 9th August - Carnival Review Stuart (one of the online team) kindly put my carnival pictures on the site. So it was up to me today just to write up my carnival review. I kept messing the pictures up a bit so the format was all wrong - very annoying!! I don't want to look at another computer for at least a couple of days! It's very satisfying to see the end result though, I tell you! So take a look and let me know what you think. Remember to send me any ideas for features at [email protected] Friday 12th August - Profile Today I finally put my profile on the system (something the other Blastees did aaaagggges ago!) So now you can read all about me - don't you feel lucky? It's actually taken quite a lot of effort as I'm very tired after going to a gig last night. We managed to get a bit lost on the way and ended up right outside the BBC Leicester building (after I'd done two U-turns on the same piece of road!) Anyway I'm really looking forward to reporting on Summer Sundae on... Sunday! So watch this space... Sunday 14th August - Summer Sundae  | | A new Sondre Lerche fan is born! |
Wow - what a day! After a bit of an annoying start in which I was ringing people up and dashing around, I finally arrived at DeMonfort Hall which had been transformed into a mini indie haven! It was a bit daunting being on my own at first but I soon got used to it and enjoyed the freedom of watching what I wanted to. I don't think I saw a bad band (though there were some that I felt were only average...mentioning no names!) and I also got to interview the lead singer of Alfie (which I kinda wish I could do again as I stuttered and forgot some good questions!) I've seen a real legend in Patti Smith, become a fan of Sondre Lerche and paid stupid prices for festival food - a very tiring but satisfying day! Thursday 1st September - A good old catch up! You may have noticed I haven't quite got round to adding bits to my diary recently... so I though rather than working out the days I've been in I'll just give you a quick update!  | | The sand without the rain! |
The day before my exam results I nipped downstairs at BBC Leicester to take a look round 'Leicester Pier'. I've always been a bit worried to have my fortune read - rather leaving it to happen on its own accord. Anyway it was quite interesting (and amusing), but also scary as I was told I had not done very well in school and my A Level results were waiting for me the next day! Results went well though and I'm pleased to say I got into my first choice English course at Nottingham uni! Whilst at results day, ever the journalist, I took along a camera and recording equipment however found it a little hard to convince my peers to give me a few words as tensions were definitely high! Since then I've mainly been involved with promoting BBC Radio Leicester at the Expo beach and Castle Park. The beach was a lovely idea but it wasn't great fun whilst it was raining and cold (very British weather). We did receive a bit of entertainment in the form of a constant Expo sales stream from Saira (who came second in The Apprentice). I'm not entirely sure she actually needed that megaphone though! Anyway that pretty much brings us up to date. I'm a little worried as the interview I did with Alfie at Summer Sundae may have been lost... so not sure how that one will turn out! To finish I'd just like to quickly pass on a message to one of my best friends... HAPPY 19TH BIRTHDAY SAI! | 
