Mary Oneida has an atavistic streak. She descends from a New York family headed by a graduate of the Yale Divinity School, himself a nephew of Daniel Webster. She goes to a prim New England protestant church on the edge of a 350 acre lake every day, before she carries her doughty figure over to the livestock, work the gardens, and make sure all accommodations are set for the customers she expects roll into her property to lodge in one of several cottages. If there is any other colonial American innkeeper characteristic that could come to mind, it probably fits her.
Keeping all that in mind one might almost convince oneself that the woman’s nudity is some kind of illusion. Perhaps it’s too sunny out. These things happen.
It might seem surreal, but your eyes are not deceiving you. For $90 a day you can skinny dip in her lake, pray buck naked in her chapel, or for a larger fee set your RV up in a lot she’ll rent to you. But whatever naked stuff you do, don’t make it funny stuff. Seriously, the wholesome New England Christian thing is for real. And she can tell you how it works, remember, she is descended from a well educated if heretical minister.
The family nude campground that she runs has strict rules, though they’re more pragmatic than Christian.
--You must come with a member of the opposite sex (to root out groups of gawkers)
--No animals (they may be nude, but that’s not what it’s all about)
--
If you can spend some time with Mrs. Oneida, she might explain how she got into the business. It wasn’t inherited, thought perhaps the calling is in the blood. The lot cost her a life savings, that she earned in a sort of larval existence, when she was a city dwelling mother in New York.
“When I was 35 I went to a distant relatives funeral and started to discover a family history that I would have wished was apocryphal. I was too curious, and found out it wasn’t. Then I went native.”
It didn’t feel quite right at first.
“I was a little too Emily Dickenson New England Protestant, then I finally reached the naked Emily Dickinson phase, and here I am.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Journalistic Code
During his visit last week, Mr Damish said, contrary to most, that journalism is as vibrant as ever, with a promising future. He didn't mean print, or it seems any historical form. His focus is on creating useful, potentially life-changing journalism in whatever format people want. In his case that happens to be in print and online multimedia that also borrows from broadcast news. But the fundamental commitment is to providing a service to a community that he regards as essential in a form that is in demand.
In so much as there is a clear distinction between journalism and entertainment, the only universally reasonable commitment is ethical. Today the most popular medium, television, is blurring the line between opinion, news, and pure entertainment in programing ostensibly presented as journalism. If I were to work in a newswriting position, duty one would be to follow a sort of Hypocratic oath of integrity, and trustworthy practice; the second, maybe equal duty would be to try to experiment with technology and technique to create the most cutting edge product.
I
In so much as there is a clear distinction between journalism and entertainment, the only universally reasonable commitment is ethical. Today the most popular medium, television, is blurring the line between opinion, news, and pure entertainment in programing ostensibly presented as journalism. If I were to work in a newswriting position, duty one would be to follow a sort of Hypocratic oath of integrity, and trustworthy practice; the second, maybe equal duty would be to try to experiment with technology and technique to create the most cutting edge product.
I
Friday, March 27, 2009
Thursday, March 26
There is a nice pair of stories on Tent Cities in Sacramento, CA: the front page Wall Street Journal style in depth article and brief, both by the same reporter. It was interesting to see the two takes. The fresh information in each indicated how much reporting was done. I wonder if Jesse McKinley originally planned on doing both or if there was an attachment to the information and desire to get more of it printed?
Interesting how University of California and Columbia economists found that proximity of fast food restaurants to schools is a fair indicator of the rate of area youth obesity. The article didn’t say whether their might be other factors that complicate the findings. Makes the story pretty flimsy, even if the claim is true.
Wednesday, March 25
I appreciate the academic deadpan put down of Michael Jacob’s play “Impressionism,” and the eloquence of good obituaries. Ben Brantley’s review has all the critical sharpness and humor I have been used to from Rolling Stone, EW, and Time, but none of the pedomorphic pandering. To extend the theme of the play he considers, it’s as if he’s at an art exhibition, knows the painter is next to him, and proceeds to make barbed comments about both artist and work, without turning. It may be snobbish, but unlike many art reviews, the writer’s me-factor is not gratuitous.
The two types of obituary style are intriguing—the mini-bio and the lugubrious RIP modes. The RIP is more familiar, and I never appreciated it, but the artful mini-bio style has made it possible to look at the formulaic, epithet laden, Lincoln-log RIP style of the “with deep sorrow,” “beloved,” “devoted” death notice with fresh eyes. It is amazing how little is needed to individualize, and how timeless and universal the phrasing is. Today, besides comparing obit modes, I enjoyed the notice for Mexican boxer Raul Macias. A great example of how suggestion paints a fuller picture than a more concrete statement of the same length.
Tuesday, March 24
“They strip search first and ask questions later.” The central story on the strip search of an 8th grade girl by school officials based on “evidence” (goofy behavior at a school dance and an unsubstantial accusation of having served alcohol prior to the dance), and the legal discussion going on 6 years later is one of the best stories I’ve read this semester, not because the writing stood out, but because of the material. It’s probably a good lesson for newswriters too—appearances can be colored falsely by biased or careless information.
There is a nice pair of stories on Tent Cities in Sacramento, CA: the front page Wall Street Journal style in depth article and brief, both by the same reporter. It was interesting to see the two takes. The fresh information in each indicated how much reporting was done. I wonder if Jesse McKinley originally planned on doing both or if there was an attachment to the information and desire to get more of it printed?
Interesting how University of California and Columbia economists found that proximity of fast food restaurants to schools is a fair indicator of the rate of area youth obesity. The article didn’t say whether their might be other factors that complicate the findings. Makes the story pretty flimsy, even if the claim is true.
Wednesday, March 25
I appreciate the academic deadpan put down of Michael Jacob’s play “Impressionism,” and the eloquence of good obituaries. Ben Brantley’s review has all the critical sharpness and humor I have been used to from Rolling Stone, EW, and Time, but none of the pedomorphic pandering. To extend the theme of the play he considers, it’s as if he’s at an art exhibition, knows the painter is next to him, and proceeds to make barbed comments about both artist and work, without turning. It may be snobbish, but unlike many art reviews, the writer’s me-factor is not gratuitous.
The two types of obituary style are intriguing—the mini-bio and the lugubrious RIP modes. The RIP is more familiar, and I never appreciated it, but the artful mini-bio style has made it possible to look at the formulaic, epithet laden, Lincoln-log RIP style of the “with deep sorrow,” “beloved,” “devoted” death notice with fresh eyes. It is amazing how little is needed to individualize, and how timeless and universal the phrasing is. Today, besides comparing obit modes, I enjoyed the notice for Mexican boxer Raul Macias. A great example of how suggestion paints a fuller picture than a more concrete statement of the same length.
Tuesday, March 24
“They strip search first and ask questions later.” The central story on the strip search of an 8th grade girl by school officials based on “evidence” (goofy behavior at a school dance and an unsubstantial accusation of having served alcohol prior to the dance), and the legal discussion going on 6 years later is one of the best stories I’ve read this semester, not because the writing stood out, but because of the material. It’s probably a good lesson for newswriters too—appearances can be colored falsely by biased or careless information.
Friday, March 13, 2009
NYT March 9-12
Monday, March 9
I gave the paper a desultory view, but did zero in on an article on “drink responsibly” liquor ads. They’re one kind of advertisment that isn’t declining, and may be increasing, now. They are a clever way of promoting a product without giving much fuel to anti alcohol activists. I think it may be a good topic to research in the hopes of finding a good story locally.
Also spent more time on “CNBC Thrives Blurring the Line.” It seems that too many people haven’t gotten past the childhood precautionary “don’t believe everything you see on tv.” Even on news programs.
Tuesday, March 10
The newly discovered and debated ur-portrait of Shakespeare had too much unconvincingly argued material from the pro side. But there is enough information embedded in the story to question the claims—for example, why would this likeness, which would have had to have been done near the end of Shakespeare’s life have hair, when the others don’t.
Wednesday, March 11
“California Pinot Noirs with a Manifesto” is a great story about vineyard owners with strong opinions about what a wine should be and how it should be consumed. I thought the snarky attitudes (“I wish somebody could explain to me how picking grapes when they’re precisely in balance and making a wine in balance became unfashionable”) were hilarious at first, but by the end of the article, I had been convinced, at least momentarily
I gave the paper a desultory view, but did zero in on an article on “drink responsibly” liquor ads. They’re one kind of advertisment that isn’t declining, and may be increasing, now. They are a clever way of promoting a product without giving much fuel to anti alcohol activists. I think it may be a good topic to research in the hopes of finding a good story locally.
Also spent more time on “CNBC Thrives Blurring the Line.” It seems that too many people haven’t gotten past the childhood precautionary “don’t believe everything you see on tv.” Even on news programs.
Tuesday, March 10
The newly discovered and debated ur-portrait of Shakespeare had too much unconvincingly argued material from the pro side. But there is enough information embedded in the story to question the claims—for example, why would this likeness, which would have had to have been done near the end of Shakespeare’s life have hair, when the others don’t.
Wednesday, March 11
“California Pinot Noirs with a Manifesto” is a great story about vineyard owners with strong opinions about what a wine should be and how it should be consumed. I thought the snarky attitudes (“I wish somebody could explain to me how picking grapes when they’re precisely in balance and making a wine in balance became unfashionable”) were hilarious at first, but by the end of the article, I had been convinced, at least momentarily
Monday, March 9, 2009
Misbehaving students unsatisfied with school behavioral restrictions may find themselves getting an extra helping of what they don’t want –school. On Saturday.
Monday, The Portsmouth School Board tabled a motion that would require students with in-school suspension to serve their time several Saturday mornings during the school year. School board member Tim Steele said his motion would prevent students from missing regular class, causing trouble with make-up work and school supervisory personnel.
Parents were divided on the issue.
“I work six day a week – including Saturday morning,” said Peggy Bacon, mother of a student she suspects might be affected by the policy. “I just don’t think it’s going to make any difference, and the parents are going to pay for it –in higher taxes as well as ruined Saturdays.”
But resident Bob Farley liked the idea: “Parents can whine all they want … [they] aren’t teaching their kids any discipline, so the kids have no respect for rules. Maybe if they have to miss a few Saturday morning cartoons they’ll start wising up.”
Steele said bathroom smoking is the disciplinary problem his proposal would be primarily combating: “there are other problems, but smoking is by far the biggest one.”
The issue will be further discussed during the next school board meeting, March 7.
In other news, the Middle school, which along with other city school buildings has seen a 25 percent drop in rental value, has been vandalized with graffiti. The rental committee suggested marketing the buildings more aggressively in newspapers.
Monday, The Portsmouth School Board tabled a motion that would require students with in-school suspension to serve their time several Saturday mornings during the school year. School board member Tim Steele said his motion would prevent students from missing regular class, causing trouble with make-up work and school supervisory personnel.
Parents were divided on the issue.
“I work six day a week – including Saturday morning,” said Peggy Bacon, mother of a student she suspects might be affected by the policy. “I just don’t think it’s going to make any difference, and the parents are going to pay for it –in higher taxes as well as ruined Saturdays.”
But resident Bob Farley liked the idea: “Parents can whine all they want … [they] aren’t teaching their kids any discipline, so the kids have no respect for rules. Maybe if they have to miss a few Saturday morning cartoons they’ll start wising up.”
Steele said bathroom smoking is the disciplinary problem his proposal would be primarily combating: “there are other problems, but smoking is by far the biggest one.”
The issue will be further discussed during the next school board meeting, March 7.
In other news, the Middle school, which along with other city school buildings has seen a 25 percent drop in rental value, has been vandalized with graffiti. The rental committee suggested marketing the buildings more aggressively in newspapers.
Friday, March 6, 2009
NYT March 4-5
Wednesday, March 4
A modern brief of Gogol’s “Dead Souls” highlights this one. “So You’re Dead? …” describes debt collectors that sound like teenage girls rather than Sly Stallone, and their cautious, manipulative touches on heavy social cues—like being responsible for the peaceful rest of a deceased relative whose debts need to be payed off—to get you to pay. And they won’t break your fingers if you don’t. Often there is no requirement anyway, though that may be on an “if you don’t ask, we won’t tell” basis. “If you plant a seed and leave on a good note, they’ll call back and pay it,” says a top collector, Brenda Edwards. I guess it’s a good, legitimate idea, but it still makes me think of Tchitchikov riding around the Russian countryside on his dead peasant buyout.
Thursday, March 5
Despite the looser, more narrative structure of the Home, Arts, Technology sections, the stories still try to incorporate the economic angle, even though today’s “Tenants of a Vanishing World” seems like it would have been written almost the same way if there were no recession. It’s basically just a story about the curious apartment world of NYC. The O’Neals have been renting a house-size apartment in a Florentine style building on Broadway since the 70s and renting laws have kept their rate at about 2,500 a month when it would cost 28,000 a month to start a new rent in the building. The recession angle is slipped in here because now the owners, long considering selling to someone who would convert the place to condos, may be even more pressed to do so now. But the O’Neals have faith in NYC rent laws, and so the rest of the story is mostly a colorful depiction of their mildly bohemian lifestyle.
The front page has an interesting bit on Obama’s hair—is it going gray or is there some underhanded, theatrical dying tainting the president’s claim to transparency? I noticed as far back as a year ago that his hair was partially gray, but not noticeably so when the cut was fresh. This story has to be some kind of way of respectfully laughing at Obama. The president’s barber says “we do not tease about the gray hair at all,” but the NYT does as a way of saying something else.
A modern brief of Gogol’s “Dead Souls” highlights this one. “So You’re Dead? …” describes debt collectors that sound like teenage girls rather than Sly Stallone, and their cautious, manipulative touches on heavy social cues—like being responsible for the peaceful rest of a deceased relative whose debts need to be payed off—to get you to pay. And they won’t break your fingers if you don’t. Often there is no requirement anyway, though that may be on an “if you don’t ask, we won’t tell” basis. “If you plant a seed and leave on a good note, they’ll call back and pay it,” says a top collector, Brenda Edwards. I guess it’s a good, legitimate idea, but it still makes me think of Tchitchikov riding around the Russian countryside on his dead peasant buyout.
Thursday, March 5
Despite the looser, more narrative structure of the Home, Arts, Technology sections, the stories still try to incorporate the economic angle, even though today’s “Tenants of a Vanishing World” seems like it would have been written almost the same way if there were no recession. It’s basically just a story about the curious apartment world of NYC. The O’Neals have been renting a house-size apartment in a Florentine style building on Broadway since the 70s and renting laws have kept their rate at about 2,500 a month when it would cost 28,000 a month to start a new rent in the building. The recession angle is slipped in here because now the owners, long considering selling to someone who would convert the place to condos, may be even more pressed to do so now. But the O’Neals have faith in NYC rent laws, and so the rest of the story is mostly a colorful depiction of their mildly bohemian lifestyle.
The front page has an interesting bit on Obama’s hair—is it going gray or is there some underhanded, theatrical dying tainting the president’s claim to transparency? I noticed as far back as a year ago that his hair was partially gray, but not noticeably so when the cut was fresh. This story has to be some kind of way of respectfully laughing at Obama. The president’s barber says “we do not tease about the gray hair at all,” but the NYT does as a way of saying something else.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
NYT, March 2&3
[I am going to start posting these more regularly through the week, hopefully daily soon. Here is this weeks Monday and Tuesday]
Monday, March 2
I’ve been skimming the sports and arts sections, enjoying those before going through the A section. So the lasting impression from my read today was of the “first family” of Rhode Island basketball—the tough-as-nails father/ coach; the sensitive, balancing mother/ artist; and the privileged son who lives like he wasn’t/ b-ball team standout. But maybe it wasn’t so much the family that left an impression, but the perspective that the author invented to get his angle. The information was very clearly spun to get the desired result, or rather forced into a dramtic mold. Almost like there was a 3 way standard paradigm that the family members needed to fit into, but didn’t. It almost involved doublespeak when the author tried to imbed the angle with the facts, or the facts with the angle. I feel bad picking apart the story because it would sound like criticism of the newsmakers.
Other thing that stood out was the first page ad for “a late night stimulus package.” I think the term “stimulus” is taking on a new meaning and significance that will last longer than news coverage of the specific Obama package. I am only starting to realize how far the current events term is being appropriated culturally.
Tuesday, March 3
The centerpiece for section B, on allegedly corrupt pharmaceutical practices, did what news reports do rarely—it shocked me. Not because of the shady bonds between industry, some doctors and some med schools that have been in the news (Rolling Stone published a story on Eli Lilly and docs last issue, for instance), but because Harvard, often ranked first among med schools, received a failing grade for oversight over faculty/ private interest relationships, while most of the immediate competition got A’s/B’s. Not quite enough to make one adopt a Tolstoy stance to medicine, but enough to raise serious concern. If it came out that the pope was using papal priviledges to have secret liaisons in the open, hidden by the perceived dignity of his position, it would be an offense of similar quality… though perhaps different magnitiude.
A nice story to bridge to—the Art’s section review of Philip Herrewegh’s conducting of Bach’s B Minor Mass. Finding extreme clarity in the performance, the reviewer wondered if Herrewegh’s medical training led him to prepare the performance by sitting down with the score the way a psychiatrist sits down with a patient.
Monday, March 2
I’ve been skimming the sports and arts sections, enjoying those before going through the A section. So the lasting impression from my read today was of the “first family” of Rhode Island basketball—the tough-as-nails father/ coach; the sensitive, balancing mother/ artist; and the privileged son who lives like he wasn’t/ b-ball team standout. But maybe it wasn’t so much the family that left an impression, but the perspective that the author invented to get his angle. The information was very clearly spun to get the desired result, or rather forced into a dramtic mold. Almost like there was a 3 way standard paradigm that the family members needed to fit into, but didn’t. It almost involved doublespeak when the author tried to imbed the angle with the facts, or the facts with the angle. I feel bad picking apart the story because it would sound like criticism of the newsmakers.
Other thing that stood out was the first page ad for “a late night stimulus package.” I think the term “stimulus” is taking on a new meaning and significance that will last longer than news coverage of the specific Obama package. I am only starting to realize how far the current events term is being appropriated culturally.
Tuesday, March 3
The centerpiece for section B, on allegedly corrupt pharmaceutical practices, did what news reports do rarely—it shocked me. Not because of the shady bonds between industry, some doctors and some med schools that have been in the news (Rolling Stone published a story on Eli Lilly and docs last issue, for instance), but because Harvard, often ranked first among med schools, received a failing grade for oversight over faculty/ private interest relationships, while most of the immediate competition got A’s/B’s. Not quite enough to make one adopt a Tolstoy stance to medicine, but enough to raise serious concern. If it came out that the pope was using papal priviledges to have secret liaisons in the open, hidden by the perceived dignity of his position, it would be an offense of similar quality… though perhaps different magnitiude.
A nice story to bridge to—the Art’s section review of Philip Herrewegh’s conducting of Bach’s B Minor Mass. Finding extreme clarity in the performance, the reviewer wondered if Herrewegh’s medical training led him to prepare the performance by sitting down with the score the way a psychiatrist sits down with a patient.
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