Chelsea Castle

As someone whose job and college career requires daily writing and inspiration, writer’s block is often my worst enemy. I often find myself nearing the end of my work day — running on fumes after a long day of class and work on little sleep — struggling to find the precise, eloquent words to fit in a tiny space. Or that moment when you are finishing an important assignment due in less than 24 hours and you find yourself staring blankly at the screen for minutes on end until your eye lids physically refuse to close.

It happens. To everyone, you’re not alone.

Steve Martin once said, “Writer’s block is a fancy term made up by whiners so they can have an excuse to drink alcohol.”

While I certainly disagree, he went on to offer his own suggestions for writer’s block. So as a student, journalist and writer, here are some things that tend to help me when combating this issue:

1. Admit it
I often find myself denying having a “writer’s block” and continually push myself to keep writing. While this might sound like more of a solution than a problem, I often end up writing multiple things that I am unhappy with, waste time and end up at square one. Admit that you’re having a block in creativity, take a deep breathe and move on.
2. Take a break
Staring a white blank page or a white stale computer screen can really mess with your head. Back away from the computer or pad of paper, and take a five or 10 minute break. Stretch, do some yoga, make a phone call — whatever works for you. But don’t take too long of a break, or procrastination can eat you alive.
3. Read elsewhere for inspiration
Pick up a favorite book and read a page or two, peruse a favorite blog, or troll the Internet for quotes or inspiration. Reading something else I adore and trying to write from it often helps get my creative juices flowing.
4. Eliminate distractions
A block in creativity will often cause you to grow frustrated and start browsing elsewhere online. You know what I’m talking about. Scrolling through your Twitter feed or Pinterest boards for hours on end. Close every other page and turn everything off (or if you’re like me and turning your phone off isn’t that simple, flip it on vibrate and face the screen down). Help yourself focus but getting rid of basic distractions.
5. Start writing
Force yourself to write. You have to get started somewhere. So after some breathing, relaxing and inspiration — get writing again!

The other day when discussing a potential phone upgrade for my boyfriend, I caught myself uttering something I now find to be a little ridiculous …

“Your life will be better with an iPhone.”

Really? A piece of technology will improve the quality of your life?

But I admittedly meant it when I said it. When I made the switch from Blackberry to iPhone, I did feel as if it had changed several aspects of my life. I was able to manage, carry out and complete many of my daily tasks (personal, professional and otherwise) more easily and efficiently. I can virtually access everything I need from my phone. Whether it be a movie time, important email, news stories that need edited or the answer to a question that came up among friends.

While all of this (and more) is true, isn’t it a bit crazy (and maybe, just a bit sad?) that something like a cell phone can affect how we live and the condition of our lives in such a way?

I have yet to create a time for myself to have vacation from technology, but I think we all need one (of a few) at some point in our busy lives. We need time, whether it be a weekend or a vacation abroad, to take a break from staring at a screen all day.

Do you think we rely too much on technology? How does it affect the quality of your life?

I don’t believe in rules when it comes to blogging.

Baby boomers, generation x, generation y — these are just a few labels placed on individuals born in particular decades.

The latter, Gen Y, has often described my generation. Twenty-somethings, college students or young professionals, living in the peak of the digital age. We have so many opportunities and luxuries at our feet, compared to those a decade or two older than us. Computer technology, social media, environmental advancements, hybrid cars, information and data at our fingertips.

But I think we are the overworked generation.

I am 21-years-old. I work 30 hours a week, attend school full time, have an internship and a demanding class the enables me to actively write for my school newspaper. I don’t go out on campus, or to a bar or a club. I spend time with my boyfriend, a few close friends and family. To any other college student, I don’t have a life. I am overworked. To me, I am working for my future.

My point is that I am not the only person like this. I can name a dozen students off the top of my head who juggle heavy work loads, multiple jobs, internships, etc.

Personally, I enjoy my job, I enjoy my internship and I enjoy writing for the paper. I work hard and I see the benefits of it. But I don’t have time to sit at my house and watch movies or read for pleasure. I stay up late and wake up early, every day. Am I happy? Yes. I am working toward my future and my goals. But why do I deprive myself of any sort of break?

Why is my generation so overworked? You tell me. I don’t have time to stop

You’re a 21-year-old college student. You have a decent resume, a lot of interests, a diverse skill set and many aspirations. You have a job you enjoy, an internship you love and are actually working toward goals in school. You also have deep roots in the city in which you live and no worries about future internships or opportunities.

And boom. An amazing opportunity presents itself before you. An internship with a venerable, established company working in e-commerce and social media. A paid, three-month long program that ensures a rich experience and looks mighty fine on a resume.

Oh, and it’s three thousand miles away.

What do you do?

—

I went on a internship applying frenzy and applied for something I thought was a long shot. A great company I love and respect, with a program that would provide an unbelievable experience … in Santa Monica. You never know until you try, right? I wasn’t expecting anything.

And I don’t have anything. Except a phone interview.

Now let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I really shouldn’t consider the situation so much, considering the position is not even in sight (and I am not a person to count my chickens before they are hatched) but I can’t help but be a little excited to even be asked for an interview. And come on, how can you not toy with the idea of moving to a place that looks like this?

My point to all of this, seriously considering moving across the country to live by myself for three months is huge.

I’m a big girl. I like traveling. (No, I love traveling.) I traveled around Europe when I was 17. If offered this position, how could I say no? How can I pass up what could be a once in a lifetime chance? And if I’m not offered the position, I’m grateful and humbled just to be considered.

There is a lot to contemplate. And I have made about a dozen pro/con lists. (Anyone who knows me, knows this is not an exaggeration.) For now, I’m on both sides of the fence. Ultimately, it isn’t my choice until I receive the next phone call in a week.

Until then, would you move across the country for an opportunity in your area of studies or occupation?

This past Friday at 5 p.m., lines formed across the country for the release of the iPad 2. These lines were comparable to those that formed last summer for the iPhone 4G and the lines that form for the release of a new video game or shoe. New product launches always draw the big crowds.

I was talking with a friend yesterday about the wait for the iPhone 5 and while we are both waiting for it, he made a valid point. “No one is living for the moment anymore, we are always waiting for the next thing.” This really struck me. Whether we are talking about technology or choosing to enjoy the moments spent with friends and family, I think this is true for many of us.

“Why can’t we just enjoy what we have now?” he said.

Exactly, why can’t we?

In his everyday life, social media strategist Nate Riggs works to create social media buzz for his clients. On March 8, he plans to do the same for the city of Columbus when he joins with four other Internet influencers on a social media driven trek to Texas.

The road trip is a Chevy sponsored Challenge that involves a four-day drive to South by Southwest, an annual festival in Austin, Texas, that features music, film and interactive conferences.

“It is very similar to the old MTV series Road Rules, except that it’s for social media geeks, all the content is online and hopefully there is not as much drama in each team,” Riggs said.

Ten teams will be given 11 mysterious challenges to complete throughout the drive. They will be judged on the Web buzz they create and how unique they are in their execution of the tasks.

Riggs was chosen as the team captain by last year’s winning team from Detroit and compiled his team of Elijah Young, Mike Whaling, Sarah Storer and Eric Leslie.

“They [Team Detroit] selected people they knew had some influence, had the ability to pull talent together and people they liked to hang out with,” he said.

The winning team will receive unknown prizes and an ‘epic party’ in their hometown, but Team Cbus is also determined to win so that they may bring national recognition and awareness to Columbus.

Eric Leslie, videographer and photographer, said he joined the team to convey the story of Columbus and the five individuals who collectively represent it.

We want to “really force the county to look at us in a series manner and to show what we have to offer,” he said. “There is more than cows and buckeyes here. We want to put out front all of our abilities and competencies.”

Team Cbus is also helping non-profit organizations along the way. Their first challenge from Chevy involved raising $200 for the Chevy chosen non-profit, Adopt-a-Classroom according to the Team Cbus website.

“We’ve actually raised a ton more than that,” Riggs said. “We’re just waiting to see what Chevy throws at us, but our goal is to donate everything we have outside of a few expenses back to charity.”

Adopt-a-Classroom is a charity that exists to provide teachers and schools with resources that are not easily accessed through the school system, said Elijah Young, entrepreneur and co-founder of Social Talk Live.

“Teachers often reach into their own pockets for these things, teachers can now reach out to the community through the platform of Adopt-a-Classroom to get these resources,” Young said.

In order to win, Team Cbus is rallying support to help keep the buzz going while they are on the road. They are hoping their more than 300 followers will help by giving tips when completing challenges and engaging in their posts, videos and trivia, Leslie said.

“The more teammates we have supporting us at home, the better,” said Sarah Storer, speaker and content manager for Team Cbus. “There are cool and awesome things happening in this city and these things start with you.”

Storer, a well-known local blogger, said the aspect of community is at the core of what they are doing.

“Community is pretty damn important,” she said. “If you are willing to invest in your community, whether that is your city or group of friends, you are going to get out of it what you put into it. You are really going to accomplish some awesome things.”

Mike Whaling, founder of marketing business 30 Lines, said you don’t have to be from Columbus to get involved in the community.

“It is a great opportunity to get involved and get a feel for the community outside of you personally,” he said. “If you don’t step up, no one is going to know about you.”

A win means that five individuals pulled together a community and represented something bigger than them, Riggs said.

“A win means that we all did our jobs and that Columbus and all we have here is a force to be reckoned with,” Riggs said.

Anyone can contribute to their community by following and engaging with the team on Facebook, Twitter and their blog.

“[Your] footprints help define what this community is,” Leslie said.

You can get on the bus at www.columbussxsw.com

In my news class today, we had the pleasure of hearing from Michael Paull, who is the information architect for the Columbus Dispatch. His title is a little misleading, because his job is so much cooler than I can describe. He handles user interface design for websites that are a part of the Dispatch Printing Company.

He shared that he and his team are currently working on finishing a new website for the Columbus Dispatch that will be pushed out by fall of this year. As a newspaper company that was among the first to be online, the “inside” information about this process was incredibly interesting.

Data is key. When revamping any Dispatch [owned] website, they observe how people handle and use newspapers. Then they have to figure out how to translate this to web — constantly having to think web first and realize the scope of what is changing. Everything you do on any website can be tracked and computes data. Privacy is becoming more of a hot topic with social media and web use these days, but if you leave privacy issues out of it the data that results from your website use is so beneficial to people like Michael. It enables them to develop and design websites for the user.

As a sort-of recent Ohio State graduate, it was great to learn that he has found a successful journalism job and it is a stable one that he loves. And I can’t blame him… his job sounds down right fun. (I guess if you’re a nerd like me.)

One of the most influential points Michael made was his reference of Chris Anderson’s “long tail” theory. You get your story (or idea, video, article, etc.) out there and it hits a peak. Your goal then is to get enough people aware of it, spread it around, make it possible for it to shop up in many places and linger. You create brand awareness at the top of the tail, and development brand relationships as it goes on. You make your money in the lingering.

As a huge admirer of Twitter, I was happy to see Michael push for us to b prevalent in the social media world, especially Twitter. “You need to be on it,” he said. “It’s like water, it’s a public utility.”

Tools are being made simpler. Twitter is here to stay. Supplies and resources that once took up a whole room and cost millions of dollars, can now be carried in your pocket in a mobile device.

I can’t even imagine what we will be raving about six months from now.

A wrecking ball could be making its way to the university area in 2011.

If the University Area Commission gets their way, demolishing a pre-existing building and developing a new student housing development at 52 East 15th Ave. will never happen. The project was proposed to the council at their monthly meeting on Jan. 19 by the Edwards Student Housing Management Company.

The commission strongly opposed the proposal presented by Edwards representative, Mike Shannon. Also responsible for Fisher Commons, the proposed project would be the second Edwards property in the university area.

While the commission as a whole voted on the project, the Columbus Board of Zoning Authority makes the final decision.

The recommendation of the zoning commission on the project, given by Commissioner Ron Hupman, was for disapproval. The rejection was based on the high density of the building, insufficient parking and because it conflicts with the university overlay.
The consensus of the commission was that the parking provided in the building is insufficient and parking in the area would be severely impacted.

“One of the major concerns is this project could have a major impact on the parking issue already present in the area,” Hupman said.

Shannon negated the rejection of the plan by saying the parking is sufficient and that most of those living in the building will not have or need cars.

“We consider this location to be the epicenter of campus,” Shannon said. “It is our strong belief in carrying out this student housing that the vast majority of our students will be walking to campus. They will not be driving to class. They will be more inclined to bike it or walk.”

The 167,000 square foot building will house 147 units on three and four stories, with added security of an underground parking garage, Shannon said.

Community member Evan Davis spoke in support of the zoning committee’s disapproval. He pointed out a quote from the document in support of the development that states, “The single family of low density properties that is the traditional standard today simply do not fit the two year plan for the area.”

“That to my ears as a resident of the neighborhood is shameful,” Davis said. “What makes the university area special is that it is not homogeneously student housing. We have people who are going to be here for the long term to make sure that there’s some kind of continuity, some kind of conscious presence in the neighborhood.”

Commissioner Miles Curtiss said the proposed location is already a confusing place to drive.

“I think this is a brutal, confusing block of Columbus, Ohio to drive around in,” Curtiss said. “So you throw that and 500 people and girlfriends and kids who won’t get off their couches on top of that… I mean maybe they need an underground tunnel or something to accommodate this traffic.”

Only one commissioner voiced his approval of the project. Commissioner Seth Golding said if you’re going to have a high density building, the proposed location is ideal.

“If my kid came here from out of state, I think it would be a good location for not needing a car,” Golding said.

Ohio State University alumna and Commissioner Sara Matthiesen raised concerns about the added congestion in the area affecting the safety of those walking and driving.

“People are going to get really aggressive and upset when they’re driving,” Matthiesen said. “It’s going to cause them to act recklessly, drive faster, potentially hitting a person.”

The proposal was rejected by the University Area Commission (UAC) by a vote of 16 – 2.

“If we allow this project to go through, because it is asking for almost four times the allowable density, we set a precedent that will come to haunt us in perpetuity,” Commissioner Grado said.

The Columbus Board of Zoning Authority will take the recommendation for disapproval by the UAC into consideration when the Edwards Student Housing Management Company presents the proposal for their final approval on Tuesday, Jan. 25.