A toast to Radio Humber’s class of 2015!

Meet Athena. My husband and I brought her into our little family in August 2014. She’s a seven year old beagle mix who we got from the Toronto Humane Society. I don’t know much about her past life, but I do know that the shelter said that she was the loudest dog they had. I also know that she was transferred there from another shelter that got overcrowded, so it seems like she spent quite a bit of time stuck in a cage, and without the love of a family. And you can’t see it in this picture, but she has so many teats on her stomach that she probably had about seven or eight litters of puppies in her life. So I have reason to believe that she might have been rescued from a mill.

This picture was taken the day after we brought her home, and as you can see, she’s smiling. Plus she rarely barks at all now. So what does this have to do with radio broadcasting?

Well, as it seems to be with my dog, I’ve had quite a bit of tragedy for someone my age. I watched both parents suffer from cancer and end up in an early grave. My brother died of a heart attack three years ago at 37 years old. And one of my best friends took his life two years ago – I had no idea he was even depressed. I figured I have a choice – I can either let all that stuff wear me down, or I can try my best to have a happy life despite all that craziness. So I left behind a career that I hated with the intention of giving radio a chance. I always thought it was interesting, and I am a music lover, but I got talked out of it before because of how competitive the business is. However, life is too short to spend doing things you hate.

One of the reasons why I’ve always had an interest in radio is because I love music. I’ve played guitar, trombone, and piano, but my drums are my favorite. First of all, it gives me something to hit really hard when I am stressed. Second of all, jamming with your friends or even playing along to a CD is always fun.

Plus, if you look at the markings on the skins of the drums, you can see that I’ve had a lot of practice (and that I need to replace the skins soon). Every time I practice, I get a little better (and get a little closer to my goal of learning how to play at least one Rush song). Well, the same rings true for radio. If you want to be a good announcer, you HAVE to practice your art, which we clearly have. Think about how far we’ve all come since starting this program. Most of us (myself included) were terrible on the mic and/or on the air at first! But we have all worked very hard and each one of us is so much better than we were when we first started. And just as my dog has found the love and support she needs, we’ve found lots of love and support in each other too.

Let’s hear it for Radio Humber’s class of 2015!!!!

Career Prep Class with Special Guest Speakers Robert Turner and Jessie Lorraine

Yesterday Radio Humber’s Career Preparation class met with Robert Turner, host The Early Edition on Newstalk 1010 and Technical Producer for the Moore in the Morning Show on that station. The class also met Jessie Lorraine, who is the Content Producer for the Moore in the Morning Show on Newstalk 1010.

In a class that is mostly students who are training to be announcers, it was nice to get some perspective from people who are on the other side of the board. While on-air personalities are vital to the success of a radio station, the people behind the scenes are just as important. That being said though, they both gave a lot of great advice that students interested in any aspect of radio can take away.

Both guests stressed the importance of internships. Turner interned with Newstalk 1010 as a technical producer while in high school, and has spent his whole career there, and Lorraine interned at both Bayshore Broadcasting and the Fan 590 before getting paid work. Their advice to the students was to make yourself indispensable and work your way up.

“Do whatever they ask you to do,” Lorraine says. “Never say no, just be that person that they can’t live without, and you will get a job.”

It’s also important to be relentless in this line of work, yet you have to know how to talk to people. One of Lorraine’s job duties is to chase people down for interviews and/or quotes.

“You just have to be a really good competitor,” she says. “I like looking at obituaries for contacts. I just do whatever I can to find a name…I talk to people like I’m their best friend.”

Lorraine really stressed the point that you have to have nerves of steel for her job. Which is true in other aspects of radio as well. Just as an announcer can’t take every listener’s criticism to heart, a chase producer can’t take it personally if someone is not willing to go on the air to talk.

“You’re going to call a lot of people, and a lot of people will tell you to screw off, right”, she said. “But one person will take off and want to come on, and then you’re golden.”

Their main advice to students in regards to nailing the job interview is to do your research.

“I’m sort of in the unique situation that I’m also on the air” Turner says. “So it’s hilarious when people come in and don’t know who I am, because it means that they just didn’t go to the website.”

They mentioned the importance of continually learning on the job, even if you have had the same position for ten years. Adaptability is a must.

“Change is the only constant”, Turner says. “I technically have the same job I did ten years ago, but I’m doing lots of different type stuff, different technology”

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The Senior Student: How to deal with burnout

As much as I love this program, I have to admit, I am done with this semester. I’m more than ready to have an entire month of no all-nighters, no early classes, and no homework. Just one more week to get through until I can sleep as long as I want, catch up with friends, have a Netflix marathon…but to get there I must survive this next week.

So what’s been keeping me going? First of all, I just picture where this is all going to take me. I picture myself being in the DJ chair at an awesome radio station and not having to work at a boring desk job again. Achieving the dream job will make all of this hard work worth it. Basically, I think of crunch time at school the same way I think of my tattoos – a painful process to endure, but the final product is worth it.

It also helps to take breaks. Grab a coffee or a beer with a friend, take a nice hot bubble bath, whatever. Even during exam season your brain needs to relax sometimes. And make sure you get enough sleep! A proper night’s sleep may make the difference between getting a 90 on an exam versus getting a 60.

Exercising is great too, because it releases endorphins to the brain, which can make you happier. Yes, I know it may be difficult to find time to do it, but even ten minutes can do wonders. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk to school if you live close. If you have a dog, walk it.

Healthy eating can help too. Yes, it is difficult to find time to cook, but even if you do order out, some places have healthier options. I can’t speak for anyone else, but for me, after a certain point, sugar makes my anxiety levels go through the roof.  But a diet that includes vegetables, fruit, proteins, water, etc, will make you feel more energized.

And if all else fails, there’s only a couple of days left to get through….

The Senior Student: Music As Therapy

I’m someone who’s had quite a lot of tragedy for someone my age. I’ve had a lot of family members die young, as well as a couple of my friends. It’s been quite stressful, to be honest.

Which is why I’m especially grateful for my drums. There is something really therapeutic about cranking your favorite song while pounding the crap out of a drum kit. Plus it gives me something to focus my mind on for awhile when I particularly feel like I’m going to go crazy.

There’s lots of other benefits to learning a musical instrument. First of all, it is such a confidence boost. There’s been numerous times when I’d have to play a drum fill (or an entire song even) about 20 times before I’d get it completely right. But man, once I nail a song (or part of one) that I had a lot of trouble with at first, it is the GREATEST feeling. It also teaches you patience. There’s been a few times when I’ve been tempted to pull my hair out in frustration over a particularly difficult song, but it’s even more rewarding when you do eventually play it right.

Jamming with your friends is also a great feeling. I’m lucky enough to have a few friends who play guitar and/or bass and who can sing well. So if pounding the drums doesn’t take you out of your funk, perhaps playing with your buddies will. Playing with your buddies in a band also requires teamwork – you’ve got to work together and you all have to practice if you want to sound any good.

Learning a musical instrument also helps you with your creativity. There’s been a few times when I’m working on a song, and I come up with my own drum fills or different beats that go with whatever tune I’m playing. So I get to work my creative skills too.

Yes, learning a new instrument takes time, and it doesn’t come overnight. But neither does anything else in life. If you want to do well at something, you have to work at it. Studies have also shown that playing an instrument can help you with your organizational skills. If you want to make time for it, you have to figure out how to fix practice into your schedule. So it teaches you how to budget your time, which is something that can benefit you with your schoolwork or on the job.

This Week in Ink: Dumb Questions/Stereotypes

I’m a girl with tattoos (three in total, and am planning to get a fourth). Most people have been pretty cool about it. But I’ve heard some stupid things too since I got my first tattoo six years ago. Honestly, I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve gotten a dirty look in public when wearing anything that shows off my upper arm tattoo. I had some pretty crazy reactions too when I told people that the hubby and I were getting tattoos instead of wedding rings.

So here are some of the dumb things I’ve heard from non-inked people (along with some of my favorite responses to give):

1. You do realize that’s a lifetime commitment, right?

You mean I can’t just wash this thing off? Of course we realize that! But guess what? We’re not as impulsive as some might think. Some of us spend a lot of time looking at designs and thinking about what to get and where to put them. Personally, I’ve never gotten a tattoo that I didn’t spend at least six months thinking about first, and I’ve never gotten anything that has no meaning whatsoever to me.

2. I think tattoos look trashy.

Well, isn’t that polite. Does judging people for their life choices make you feel superior to the rest of the human race?

3. How do you expect to ever find a job?

You mean I can’t just walk into a corporate office with Big Bird tattooed to my face? Seriously, all of my tattoos are easily covered. Believe it or not, many of us do consider employment opportunities before getting them. And there is almost no tattoo that a well thought-out wardrobe cannot hide.

4. Wow, you must be one tough chic, eh?

If I’m a tough girl, it’s because I’ve faced a lot of battles in my life and have gotten through them. The flaming guitar on my back has nothing to do with that.

5. Is that a tattoo on your arm?

No, I just decided it would be fun to finger paint on my arm. Pretty neat, eh?

6. Aren’t you worried about how it will look when you get older?

Aren’t you worried about getting gray hair and wrinkles when you get older? I’ll just be a granny with a little more colour on my skin. Plus they have these things called touch-ups now, so my ink will look awesome for years.

7. Is that a gang symbol on your arm?

Yes. The letters under the bird are the first initials of my dead parents and dead brother. As far as gangs go, they don’t get any better than the Morgan family gang!

I don’t mind at all if someone asks me how painful it was, or how much it cost me to get. If you’ve never had a tattoo before, then you need to know what to expect. And I don’t mind talking about the personal meanings behind my ink either. But don’t jump to conclusions. I’m no more likely to rob you than anyone else is.

Have you ever gotten nasty comments for your tattoos? Hit me up on Twitter @ Linda_M82.

You don’t need boxing gloves to battle stress (but they don’t hurt either :)).

Is homework making you pull your hair out? Are you falling asleep in class from constant all-nighters? Are people making you want to put your fist through a wall? If so, you might want to check out this video and learn some ways to cope with stress, since stress can kill ya and all.

Christmas: Fun for us, not fun for our wallets

Christmas is the time of year where our main concern is giving. However, with the numerous costs associated with Christmas, many of us end up receiving a pile of debt once the holidays are over. Here are some tips that can help you have a great holiday without breaking the bank.

Health and the College Student

A couple of days ago, I found a study released by the US Center for Disease Control that indicated that about 5.2 million college students in the US were obese. That comes to approximately 3 out of every 10 students.

Believe me, this is a struggle that I can identify with. Despite dropping nearly eighty pounds in the past year and a half, saying no to the sugar cravings is still a daily battle for me. In this week’s podcast, in addition to reflecting on my own weight loss battle, I talk about the statistics in the study noted above, as well as talk about the reasons for it, and offer solutions.

For more tips on how to stay healthy while in school, check out this Web MD article

Got any health tips or a weight loss story of your own? Hit me up on Twitter @Linda_Morgan82.

Body Modifications in the Workplace

An Edmonton woman has recently started an online petition, advocating for it to be illegal for employers to discriminate against potential employees based on body modifications such as tattoos, piercings, and hair color. But some business owners are making the argument that this could hurt their businesses.

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What do you think? Tweet me with your thoughts @Linda_Morgan82

How to handle setbacks

Setbacks. We all have them. But it’s how you deal with them that counts.

I’ve dropped 80 pounds in the last year and a half. Guess what happened in my life that made me finally decide to do something about my weight? My brother having a heart attack at 37 and dying. My parents died young too – both from cancer. All three of them were quite overweight for most of their adult life, and they never exercised. Well, their bad habits caught up to them and now they’re paying for it. That was what lit my butt on fire to do something about my own weight problem. I want to be around long enough to dance at my (future) kids’ weddings and meet my grandkids. So, I completely changed my habits. I started eating healthier, going to the gym more, walking my dog for an hour every day, drinking more water, etc. I worked hard despite the constant cravings for junk food, and I’ve gotten good results.

Today, I had another setback. I got pulled off the air from 96.9 for the time being. My traffic reports have been a mess and there have been issues with how I sound on the air. Yes, I do feel crappy about it, and no one is kicking my butt more than I am right now. But mark my words: just as I turned my weight problems around, I will turn this one around too. I happen to know that I’m not the only one who got pulled off today. Don’t take this lying down! Use this as inspiration to perfect your craft! None of the best broadcasters were amazing at first. My plan is to spend a few extra hours in the studio every week and practice – treat the studio as if it were an actual radio station, so to speak. Imagine how awesome it’s going to feel at the end of the year if you literally went from being so bad that you got pulled off the air, to being really good at the on-air stuff. Not to mention what that kind of thing will say about your work ethic.

THAT is the key to handling setbacks in life. Whether you’ve been fired, or you’ve been unlucky in love, or whatever else – don’t let these things knock you down. Learn from theem and aim to do better. You gotta believe in yourself too. One day, when I had first started the weight loss journey, I was going through some of my clothes. Every now and then, I held up some beloved item that was too small for me, go up to the mirror, and literally tell myself “You WILL fit into this again.” Not only did I manage to fit into those items again, but a lot of them went to Goodwill eventually because as my weight went down, they got to be too big for me. Learn from your mistakes, work your butt off, and believe in yourself. You’ll succeed if you truly are determined to do so.

So tell me, how do you handle setbacks? Tweet me @Linda_Morgan82

Now this is a story all about how the Fresh Prince twisted my life upside down

So I’d like to take a minute, just sit right there, and I’ll tell you everything I’ve learned from the prince of Bel Air.

1. ALWAYS dance like no one is watching.

Call me crazy, but this is honestly one of the mottos I live my life by, and Carlton is one of my inspirations for it. Mind you, I’m more likely to headbang to the Ramones instead of bust a groove to Tom Jones. However, when Carlton does the dance, he looks like an idiot, but he’s having too much fun to care! The point? Whether it’s dancing like a nutcase or something big like going for a certain career, do what makes you feel good and don’t let anybody else’s opinion stop you.

2. Always keep a sense of humor

How would you react to getting shot? You’d probably be traumatized. But when Will got shot, yes, he was shaken by the incident, but not even a bullet would stop him from telling jokes from his hospital bed or trying to score with his girlfriend in the hospital room. Enjoy your life the best you can, while you can.

3. Don’t easily give up

One of the most beloved gags of the show was Uncle Phil throwing Jazz out of the house all the time. Neither him nor Hilary appreciated Jazz’s attempts to get her to go out with him. Yet despite the numerous times he got thrown out, he didn’t let that stop him from trying again. Life is going to knock you to the ground some times, and you can either give up easily or get back up and try again.

4. Think outside the box.

My all time favourite episode is “Striptease for Two.” In that episode, Aunt Viv asks Will and Carlton to take her bracelet to the jeweler to get reset. Before they do that, Carlton gets an insider tip about a stock. The guys don’t have the money for it, so they decided to pawn the bracelet, then buy it back once they made money on the stock. And of course, their plan goes belly up. The company declares bankruptcy the day after they buy the stock, and they lost all their money. Most people would just confess and put aside money from the next few paychecks in such a situation. Will and Carlton instead get jobs as male strippers. Granted, this was not the best solution, but in life there are many times when creative thinking is necessary.

And now, for your listening entertainment, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song as performed by (some of) the students of Radio Humber!

Life lessons from a 30-something student

By Linda Morgan

Starting school is scary enough. But going back after you’ve had a career? Absolutely terrifying!

I speak from experience. I went to Humber from 2001 – 2004 and studied Business Administration. From graduation until 2012, I worked in accounting. I always thought that radio was interesting but quite competitive, and since I had a natural talent for business, I figured I would pursue that field. I found that sitting at a desk and crunching numbers all day just wasn’t for me. Then I had a long string of personal tragedies and came to the conclusion that life is too short to spend doing stuff you hate doing. So here I am!

For those of you who are fresh out of high school, kudos! It’s great to pursue what you want when you’re young and don’t have kids or a mortgage to worry about. For those of you who are older, kudos to you too! It takes a lot of guts to change careers, especially if you have kids or financial obligations like mortgages or car payments.

The older crowd definitely has some unique challenges when it comes to college. How do you make friends? How do you balance home, school, work and kids (if you’re a parent)? Not to mention the added fear of failure – leaving one career to pursue another is no easy feat, and some people may say you’re nuts. Plus you’ve been out of school for awhile and perhaps your writing, math, or technology skills are lacking.

Balancing your school responsibilities with your family and work is tough. It requires some serious time management skills and you WILL have to make some sacrifices. If you’re married or common law, or have older kids even, don’t be afraid to lean on them for help with chores. Cooking, cleaning, walking the dog, paying the bills – nobody can do it all on their own if they’ve got a full course load and a job besides that. Not to mention that their help will give you more time for them.

Making friends is actually not that difficult. Younger students can learn from you, but you can also learn things from them as well (whether it be life lessons or even a band someone recommends you check out). You have at least one common interest with the people in your program – the program itself! So that’s one thing you can bond with people over.

The fear of failure is common, but you can’t let that stop you from pursuing your dreams. Same goes for the people who try to discourage you. They’ll come around eventually.

Humber’s got some great resources to help mature students transition to college life. If you need to upgrade your math skills, visit the Math Center at J134 or GH203 for Guelph Humber students. The Writing Center, located at GH202, can help improve your writing skills.

There’s no denying that mature students face unique challenges. But there are ways to adjust. So enjoy the ride!

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