A new experience

My Guinea Pig Journalism experience of Target Archery

Another activity that I partook in to see what it was like was target archery. I knew that at £16 for an hour the price may be too steep for some people but I will give you an insight into what to expect.

When approaching the field, it generally looks nothing more than a field with six targets in it but when you are a part of it, the place transforms to a world of complicated teaching.

Target Archery and Clay shooting at
Elveden Forest Center Parcs

The teacher was a skilled individual with enough knowledge to teach the worst learners, he must have been he made me relatively good by the end of the hour.

When you arrive you get taken into the holding and sat down for a chat on what is going to happen. Following that you get kitted out with all the safety gear and tools necessary to make you safe at all times,

You get put in pairs and you both have a target to aim at. The target has five colours on it ranging from White through to black, blue, red and gold, your aim is to hit one of those colours. Sound simple? Think again.

You get three arrows at a time but before you even pick them up you are shown in detail how to hold the bow and how to aim. A lesson that was in dire need to be taught to me especially who cannot hit a dart board very often.

Our first task was to aim at the target and see where the first few arrows went, mine of course did not go past the second way point let alone past the first and onto the target board. After a few more instructions, we went forward to the front target point and shot from there. Unsurprisingly I was ten times better and actually hit blue.

We played a game of bingo where we had to hit each colour once and see who got there first. It took all of us about four rounds to complete the bingo and we just had the gold to hit! So that was a milestone and a learning curve for me!

After a few attempts on this target we moved back to the middle way point we started to hit more often and so the instructor put us into a competition where we were against each other couple in the field and worked towards three rounds then there was a final battle between the three highest contender couples.

The first couple of rounds me and my partner did quite well, the final part not so much but we tried. It turned out we qualified for the final in third place! I was in shock and then it hit me. I actually have to compete with people who can actually aim consistently!

All we had to do for the decider was hit gold. I think I hit white, and my partner hit what we thought was gold but it turned out to just be on the borderline between red and gold, the same as another couple so there was a rematch.

Second time around the other coupe won but we came second which was fantastic considering I cannot aim to save my life!

It was a fun morning out and I learned a lot, I learned how to aim, how to shoot and how hard it is for archers to hit a target!

I have a new found respect for anyone who can consistently hit gold. It was fantastic and I urge everyone to have a go! I did leave with a couple of war wounds though but that was going to happen!

 Victoria V L Walker

Overcoming goals in life...

My Guinea Pig Journalism experience of Rapids!

Ever since I was four years old I have had issues with large quantities of water. I don’t mean that drinking a glass of water means that I am rendered with the shakes but after nearly being accidently drowned I was left with a mild fear of being underwater.

I have recently taken a trip to Center Parcs to unravel what the big deal is surrounding all in one holiday’s. 

Accompanying me were four friends and my other half who dragged me to the swimming pool three out of five days of the holiday. Through their persistence and my willingness to get over my irrational fear I followed like a sheep. After the first day I was feeling more confident in water and was getting used to the waves machine and was also able to go under water for three seconds, a goal I set myself for numerous years now.

However there was one obstacle I was both fearful and intrigued by and that was the Rapids. I had been on log flumes in my life and they led to screaming and terrorising moments for me so I try with all my might to avoid those…purely because it mixes my water fear with that of heights and I am more fearful of heights than anything.

Anyway, back on topic, I was talked into going down the rapids. There was a steep ramp you had to literally throw your legs over otherwise you go down on your front and I was apprehensive enough without going backwards! So there I was clinging onto my friend who was trying her best to keep me calm and I was doing alright, bobbing along in about five inches of water down a slide. The buoyancy was a bit of an issue because it kept trying to tip me backwards but I stayed upright. Luckily there was a half-way point where I could catch my breath and calm my nerves.

After I stopped shaking I got back on my feet and headed to the next section. After a few slides, the water started to get a little bit deeper which did not help my nerves, I nearly tipped backwards and got dragged down the next and final part which was nowhere near as calming as the first part. There were jets pushing the water and anything/anyone at a fast whirlwind speed down the final part of the slide in a matter of seconds and lands them in a 0.9 metre pool…something I forgot about until I went under water and started panicking. 

Luckily a friend was there to grab me and help me up but it was a big step for me.

After that I was ready to pack it in but no, I was told to keep going until I felt more confident but after four more attempts, the only part that worried me was the plunge at the end and I had two people ready and waiting to stop me from going under so by that point, I was safe!

By the end of the holiday I was going down the slide on my own! At one point I got turned around and was going backwards which really freaked me out but I managed to pull it back around! The only part I was assisted in was the landing but I was a lot more confident after the whole experience!

I was proud too because I overcame a massive fear and did a guinea pig article on my experience…and you’re reading it! A step-by-step account of what happened.

I hope I have inspired you to overcome a small personal goal in your lives.

Victoria V L Walker

Avenue Q

I went to The Regent Theatre in Hanley last night to see Avenue Q and was positively delighted with what I saw! Here is my opinion on the performance, the actors and the plot.

Avenue Q

Hanley, The Regent Theatre, Tuesday 20^th March 2012, 7:30pm.

Being the winner of the 2004 Tony award for best musical Avenue Q is, in my opinion, one of the most iconic musicals of our generation. Audiences in Stoke-on-Trent are lucky enough to be blessed with their presence this week only from Tuesday 20^th March – Friday 24^th March in Regent Theatre, Hanley where you can see this fabulous musical for yourselves! You will never laugh as hard as you do over this performance!

The story behind Avenue Q is one not so far from real life. A new guy rocks up on Avenue Q wanting a place to stay. He finds a home within Avenue Q and makes numerous friends including the colourful Christmas Eve and fiancé Brian. Closet-gay Rod and room-mate Nicky, Pervert Trekkie Monster, loveable Kate Monster, the bad bears and last but not least Lucy the Slut.

 

As the audience we are taken on a journey along with the puppets through discovery, finding the meaning to your life, relationships, break-ups, weddings and a whole whirlwind of other emotions that we all contend with in everyday life.

With comedic songs such as ‘The internet is for porn’, ‘Everyone’s a little bit racist’ and ‘If you were gay’ the comical genius behind this musical is paramount throughout the performance.

You have to hand it to each and every actor within this musical that they have got every detail spot on. The voices are flawless and the characters loveable.

Each of the characters has been so well thought out that they all have endearing qualities, even pervert Trekkie Monster!

For anyone who has never seen this musical before you are missing out. I had not seen it until last night but I didn’t know what I was missing! The songs are amazing, the cast are wonderful and the story is an emotional roller-coaster that will make you think about your life!

The cast of this fantastic production on the 2012 tour are as follows:

Kate Monster/Lucy the Slut – Katharine Moraz

Princeton/Rod – Sam Lupton

Nicky/Trekkie Monster/Bear – Chris Thatcher

Mrs T/Bear – Daniella Gibb (who is also understudy for Kate Monster and Lucy the Slut)

Christmas Eve – Julia Yammanee

Gary Coleman – Matthew J Henry

Brian – Edward Judge

The music and lyrics are by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx and the book by Jeff Whitty. Jason Moore acted as director and the puppets were designed by Rick Lyon. The choreography was structured by Ken Roberson.

For anyone who has not seen this and you live in the Stoke area, get yourself down to The Regent Theatre every day until 24^th March and find out for yourself why this musical is so amazing!

Victoria V L Walker

Serenity Band Profile

Here is my latest band profile installment, I have been working on a few projects at a time so have not had the chance to write band profiles as often as I would like but here is my latest installment!

Serenity Band Profile 21.03.2012
http://otherclothing.co.uk/music/band-profiles-bands-t-shirts-music-reviews/serenity-band-profile/ 

Posted on 21-03-2012 | By: Darkened Crucifix

Category : Band Profiles

According to their website, Austrian band Serenity are hard at work on their upcoming album and they have even said that a couple of tracks are near completion!

Serenity are a band that first formed in 2004 in the Tirol in Austria.

They have had three album releases in their history which all began with ‘Words untold and dreams unlived’ in 2007 closely followed by ‘Fallen Sanctuary’ in 2008.

Their latest release ‘Death & Legacy’ released merely last year (2011) is a tribute to their journey so far. Having only had three albums Serenity have become a well-known band for having spectacular songs performed by skilled musicians and flawless vocals.

The band is comprised of Georg Neuhauser (Lead Vocals since 2004), Thomas Buchberger (lead/rhythm guitar since 2004), Mario Hizinger (Keyboard and backing vocals since 2001), Andreas Schipflinger (drums and backing vocals since 2001) and Fabio D’Amore (bass guitar since 2010).

Serenity are currently mid-tour and are playing in the UK later this month. The band will be appearing in Cardiff on March 24^th and in London on March 25^th, so if you’ve never heard these guys before head down to either location and check them out, you will not be disappointed!

Their best Album: Death & Legacy (2010)

Best tracks: The Chevalier and Serenade of Flames

For more information visit the bands website. www.serenity-band.com

Written by Darkened Crucifix.

Victoria V L Walker

Published content

Staffordshire Bride Magazine: Issue 1

I was lucky enough to get to write a piece for Staffordshire Bride Magazine a new bridal magazine for the Staffordshire area. My job was to call a bride and ask her to recap her memorable day and I got to write it up from her point of view.

I have never had such a fantastic assignment, I did not realise how much I love all aspects of weddings, and writing an account of someones special day was a magical assignment. I am now published on page 64 and 65 of Spring 2012 Staffordshire Bride Magazine and this is one of my proudest moments to date.

Today I can honestly say I feel like a competent journalist! I really would just love to write for a bridal magazine...it's a passion I never knew I had until this opportunity fell into my lap. Now all I have to do it make it happen...

Victoria V.L Walker

To be fair or not to be fair, that is the question

As a journalist, I know that it is my job to see both sides of a story and report both sides without showing prejudice towards one more than the other. I can in most cases complete this task and fulfill my duty.

There is however one subject that I will never be able to report both sides for and that is animal abuse cases. I will never be able to represent the side of the abuser because in my opinion each life is sacred and for any human being to hurt an innocent animal is just plain wrong.

Beautiful Innocence

Yes, you can say that animals are vicious, but they were not born that way. Human actions and the way the animal gets brought up is the only reason they would ever resort to violence. Being brought up in an environment where you are abused from birth, or being trained and forced to partake in dog fighting is a sure fire way to damage an innocent creature. Dogs, cats, no matter what the animal is they are forced to live in fear and then blamed for being angry, you only have one person to blame. The owners.

What reason would you have to stab an innocent puppy, to throw them into a bin and just leave them there, to stomp on the animal within an inch of its life...all because it peed on the floor? When you take an animal into your life, you expect these things, you need patience and love to take care of an innocent creature.

It makes me feel physically sick to think about the people who do this stuff to animals, they deserve the same done back to themselves. In my mind, a life is a life, and for people that harm and even kill animals just because they make one mistake, they should bring the maximum penalty down on these people. Websites like: http://www.animaladvocates.com is a prime example of hundreds of animal abuse cases. Granted this is an american site but it is also a country that needs the most help. Here is the link to one of the most recent cases found in America of horrendous animal abuse: http://www.examiner.com/animal-advocacy-in-national/horribly-abused-and-injured-puppy-needs-help?CID=examiner_alerts_article. Please tell me no one agrees that the person who did this is humane in any way, shape or form. The people who do this are sick and are showing some of the worst abuse possible.

That is why I will do everything possible to support those who are fighting these horrific incidents of animal abuse all over the world.

Have respect for the people who work day in day out to find animals that are being abused and that go beyond the call of duty to protect their innocent lives. The RSPCA is a prime example, protect those who cannot ask for help.

Animals cannot speak out for themselves when being abused, it is down to us to put a stop to it!

Victoria V.L. Walker

New ideas

I was asked by Louise Elliot of Staffordshire Life magazine to write a piece for them based on weddings. I was thrilled, not only do I love weddings, but I have also wanted to write something for Staffordshire life so when this opportunity appeared, I was quick to accept.

True love in all it's beauty

The request was only emailed to me three days ago and I had a week deadline on the piece which was fantastic. I know that on journalism articles I work better with a small deadline purely because it means I have to write constantly or I will not finish in time. I had to write a 1,000 word piece based around a local couple's wedding. I had the phone number of the couple, so I had set up an interview the day I was offered this fantastic opportunity. The bride was more than happy to assist me with my article and I got to listen to a lovely story about how the couple met, how they got engaged, how the planning went for the wedding and the honeymoon. It was a fabulous job that combined two things I love. Weddings and Writing.

I had to follow a specific style which was always good because I like having a free flow to write articles and having to write to a specific structure helped me understand more about readership and writer styles. It was all in the Bride's words and it was my job to structure the piece in a logical order and to pick from all the information the best bits to tell a wonderful story of reunions and love.

Ain't love grand?

With permission from the photographer and the bride to use photos from the wedding, I am now all set to submit my article to Louise, three days before the deadline. In three days I was able to carry out two interviews, create, structure and organise a 1,000 word article and ensure that the text flowed and was coherent throughout without losing the bride's tone throughout the piece.

This was a wonderful experience for me and has opened my eyes to how much I enjoy writing for bridal publications and may have opened my eyes to a future career path. I am a big fan of magazine designing also and know that if I had to choose any job right now, it would be writing for and styling for a bridal magazine.

I shall post my article when it is available. I am feeling like a competent journalist ready to make her mark on the world one wedding at a time!

Victoria V.L. Walker