Posts
Broadcasters have lost touch with the words "Breaking News". I watch a lot of CNN. Since 9/11 I believe the words "Breaking News" have burned themselves into my Television Monitor. They're using the term loosely to grab your attention but the 'cry-wolf' syndrome and law of diminishing returns have to eventually kick in.
Before the turn of the century it seems to me news was broken down into Sports, Weather, Latest News, Developing Stories and Breaking News. Breaking News was rare.
Breaking News is not a story that developed a couple hours ago. Breaking News is something developing as we watch. It doesn't come with pre-packaged pieces edited with well-written commentary. There isn't time for that. What we see the likes of Anderson Cooper and Nancy Grace dubbing "Breaking News" is generally what ought to be considered "The Latest".
Someone employed by Rupert Murdock needs to pull the reins on the term before it is squeezed dry of all meaning. Go back to terms like "The Latest" so that when we see "Breaking News" we actually watch with the anticipation of old.
Of course, I recognize they use "Breaking News" as a sales pitch. I don't buy it anymore. Do you?
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Our Amusing Trip to Lagoon
We've been planning a trip to Lagoon (Utah's answer to the amusement park scene) for weeks. We decided that the day before school starts would be a great way to wrap up the summer.
We prepared our picnic and sort of had fun mapping out what we'd do with our day once we got there. We checked the Lagoon website to determine what time they opened and got there a half-hour early anticipating having the park to ourselves on a weekday.
Driving up we noted the lack of activity and cars in the parking lot. As we got closer I started wondering where the employees parked. I started wondering, 'Don't the workers get here a little early to open up the park?'
We rolled up to the parking attendant booths noticing a couple driving away looking a bit miffed. In big letters the sign read, "Open Weekends Only for Remainder of Season".
It was my Clark Griswold moment. Tuesday was the second day of their new Fall schedule. Oh, the disappointment in the eyes of my 11 and 6-year-old was unbearable.
All was not lost. Quick thinking landed us at Boondock's (Typical Fun Park/bowling alley/mini-golf facility) for an 11 hour romp. I think we had more fun playing laser tag, bumper boats, go karts, mini-golf and video games than we could have had sweating it out at Lagoon and Tuesday was discount day for unlimited passes at Boondock's.
I guess our not-so-close reading of the Lagoon online-calendar yielded a serendipitous event that my children both remarked they'd never forget.
We prepared our picnic and sort of had fun mapping out what we'd do with our day once we got there. We checked the Lagoon website to determine what time they opened and got there a half-hour early anticipating having the park to ourselves on a weekday.
Driving up we noted the lack of activity and cars in the parking lot. As we got closer I started wondering where the employees parked. I started wondering, 'Don't the workers get here a little early to open up the park?'
We rolled up to the parking attendant booths noticing a couple driving away looking a bit miffed. In big letters the sign read, "Open Weekends Only for Remainder of Season".
It was my Clark Griswold moment. Tuesday was the second day of their new Fall schedule. Oh, the disappointment in the eyes of my 11 and 6-year-old was unbearable.
All was not lost. Quick thinking landed us at Boondock's (Typical Fun Park/bowling alley/mini-golf facility) for an 11 hour romp. I think we had more fun playing laser tag, bumper boats, go karts, mini-golf and video games than we could have had sweating it out at Lagoon and Tuesday was discount day for unlimited passes at Boondock's.
I guess our not-so-close reading of the Lagoon online-calendar yielded a serendipitous event that my children both remarked they'd never forget.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)