My first assignment

Whirlwind, crashcourse, sinking or swiming...I am on my way to swashbucklingdom!

Assignment #1: audio slideshow

Armed with my trusty audio recorder (which I maybe know how to use?), my steno pad, and of course my leather satchel, I set out last Sunday to find a story.

My first try was the Apache Motel, one of a dozen or so 1960s-era motels that line a short stretch of Lincoln Avenue, classified by some as Hooker Motels. Hitesh, the front desk man, was kind and friendly, but not so well-informed on the history of the area. Background character, but not the story. So I called Heart O'Chicago. And the Tip Top. And the Diplomat. But no luck -- few managers were in, and those that were were not keen to be interviewed. So, the first story has been shelved until I can make a Karaoke Night at the Hidden Cove (a bar whose name says it all).

But what to do now? My deadline looming, I got desperate. Could I interview the little girls selling lemonade out of the red wagon on my street corner? Maybe a profile of a dog would be interesting...

This is when I know it's time to get out of my head and go for a walk.

And walk right into it, I did. It, in this case, being a little old Russian lady and her daughter picking berries from the bush by the tunnel under Lakeshore Drive. Forest stories! Mushroom soup recipes! Giant urban indoor cacti!

Falling in love with my subjects seems to be my biggest journalistic challenge. That is, until I start puking up poisonous berries tomorrow.

Stay tuned for the slideshow...