Category: Electronic Media

This piece was previously published here on the Electronic Media blog, EC Reporter.

By now, you’ve all sent in your WordPress usernames and have been added to the EC Reporter blog.

If not, here’s the link to make a WordPress account.

Which brings me to my first point, adding in hyperlinks! This allows you to reference back to websites and posts you’ve found on the Internet that are relevant to whatever you’re writing about. Like Jennifer Lord-Paluzzi’s original welcome letter to the EC Reporter blog.

Adding in a hyperlink is super easy. You copy and paste the link and up at the top of the screen there is a button that looks like a chain link. After highlighting the text, click that button and paste in your hyperlink (be sure and check off “open in another window” so your audience doesn’t get derailed from your article)

Adding media into your article is about as easy as it gets. There’s a button at the top that says “Add Media.” Click on that, and you’re brought to the gallery of every photo ever uploaded to the site ever. Seriously. These are some of mine from two years ago.

If you want to upload your own photos, just drag and drop them into the “Upload Files” tab of the “Add Media” window.

It’s also super easy to make these photos into a photo gallery! All you have to do is, after you click “Add Media,” is click on the button on the side of that pop-up that says “Create Gallery,” select your photos, change the settings to slide show, and you’re all set!

There’s also a way to set the “Featured Image” for your article. This picture will show up in tweets and on the website. Like this.

Down on the right hand side is the “Set featured image” button. Click it and it brings you to the photo gallery. Select the image you want and bam! All done.

There are lots of other things you can add into your WordPress article and most of them just require a URL. You can add tweets, YouTube videos, a Google Map with plot points, and polls.

For tweets, simply copy and paste the tweet link into your article…

It’s going to show up as a hyperlink in your draft, but once you click Preview you will see the tweet: emojis, pictures, gifs, and all.

YouTube videos are the same deal. Copy and paste the hyperlink in and watch the magic ensue.

Google Maps are harder and take more time, especially when it comes to adding multiple points. If you need to use one, try the link or make an appointment with me.

The “Add Poll” button is right next to the “Add Media” button. You need to make a PollDaddy account that links up with your WordPress, so use the same email.

In drafts, the poll will show up like after you hit preview/publish…

And that’s it! Your basic tour of WordPress is over! You made it! So save your draft one last time (just to be sure) hit publish, and wait for the views to slowly trickle in.

And remember guys, if you have any questions, I’m here to help.

This post was previously published here on the Electronic Media blog, EC Reporter.

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It has been said that marathon running can be addictive. Sophomore Kristina O’Neil would find out if this saying holds any truth.

A biology major from Holyoke, Massachusetts, O’Neil decided to run her first marathon around this time last year. Until April 20, O’Neil had only run half marathons and shorter, often with her brother.

“It’s not like, something we do together, but…I guess something we do together…I was like, by the time I finish my undergrad we’re gonna run a marathon, and he was like uuuuhhhmmm, and I was like no, we are.”

Running was something she started off doing during sports seasons, but upon reaching college, O’Neil decided she needed something to keep in shape.

It began with just a few miles every day. O’Neil describes herself as a very goal oriented person, and that reflected in her running. She began to set goals for herself to meet. Running was something she fell into, never expecting to enjoy it as much as she does. O’Neil needed a new goal, and decided on the Boston Marathon in 2015.

O’Neil knew she would not be able to qualify for the marathon, which requires runner to finish in 3-4 hours, depending on the age group. The elite runners usually finish at around two hours. In 2015, Lelisa Desisa from Ethiopia ran 2:09:17 coming in first for the men’s elite. Caroline Rotich of Kenya ran 2:24:55 coming in first for the women’s elite. For the wheelchair race, Marcel E. Hug of Switzerland finished in 1:29:53 coming in first for the men, and Tatyana McFadden of Maryland finished in 1:52:54 coming in first. In the handcycles race, Tom Davis of New York came in first for the men with 1:17:49, and Francesca Porcellato came in first for the women with 1:34:12.

O’Neil decided instead to apply to run for a charity. She applied to as many as she could, and Brigham & Women’s was the first to accept her. Brigham & Women’s was also responsible for providing a lot of cancer research to O’Neil’s family when her grandfather was diagnosed. After his death at the end of the summer of 2014, O’Neil was further inspired to run for a charity.

As part of running with a charity, O’Neil was required to fundraise for the marathon. Typically, the minimum is $5,000 per runner, but with a large hospital like Brigham & Women’s, O’Neil says they wanted their runners to go above and beyond. She set her goal at $9,250, and has currently raised 82 percent of her goal. Click here to donate.

A part of running with an charity like Brigham & Women meant that O’Neil had access to a trainer who helped her get in shape for the marathon. Every Saturday starting in December the runners would meet and run out of the city. They began with short six mile runs, and added two miles every week. After reaching 12 miles, they would drop back down to 10 miles every other week until stopping at 21 miles, the longest run they would do.

O’Neil herself only ran three or four days out of the week. Sundays were her recovery day, Mondays and Wednesdays were spent in the gym doing weight training and the elliptical for recovery.

Though training in the winter was difficult, O’Neil knew it would prepare her for whatever weather could happen on race day. This year, it was cold and rainy.

At 12:13PM: Athlete Alert. Kristina O’Neil @ 10km. Time 0:57:23, Pace 9:14

For more tweets from the marathon, view the Storify here.

“We had such beautiful weather the past week so I was very bummed out when it was raining all morning. But I made the best of a situation that was out of my control. There was no use crying over a little rain when I’ve worked so hard for 6 months,” O’Neil said.

After a few miles, O’Neil didn’t even notice the weather. She credits the crowds lining the streets for her distraction.

“Everyone is cheering for you like they’ve known you forever. They want the runners to do well and enjoy their special day,” O’Neil said.

O’Neil did not struggle with running the marathon until she reached “Heartbreak Hill” about 20 miles in. She saw two friends there who motivated her to keep going. By mile 23, O’Neil just wanted the race to be over.

“Once I entered Kenmore I saw all of my friends, and then my parents and brother. That was the best part of the run,” she said.

Crossing the finish line was not what O’Neil expected it to be. She expected to jump around and yell after crossing, but all she wanted was a water, her medal, and a heat cape.

“I did feel a sense of accomplishment, but it followed with some tears of sadness because this great big day that i’ve been looking forward to for forever had just came to an end,” O’Neil said.

“This is a day that I will never be able to forget,” O’Neil said. “Hopefully I’ll be crossing that finish again sometimes in the future. Maybe not next year, but soon.”

This post was previously published here on the Electronic Media blog, EC Reporter.

Nothing says “Red Sox Game” quiet like the song Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond. It’s a classic 8th inning song that the entire stadium knows, and if you don’t then you’re either rooting for the other team or oblivious to Boston culture.

Sweet Caroline is not the only song in the Sox’s playlist. 14 other songs are also played throughout the course of a game, repeated at the will of the sound guy. You probably won’t know half of them until you listen…and skip to the chorus.

Dirty Water is a classic that you probably only know the chorus of. Honestly, so long as you can belt out “BUT I LOVE THAT DIRTY WATER, BOSTON YOU’RE MY HOME” in time with the crowd, you’ll be okay.

You won’t know this (practically) one hit wonder by it’s title. Press play. You know you know all the words, don’t be ashamed. At the very least, you know the chorus, and how to mumble along with the rest.

This song is probably only played because of the lyric “I’m in love with Massachusetts” but it does have a nice beat to it.

This song is gold and the fact that it’s on this playlist is amazing. A+ choice sound guy. This isn’t a tried and true Fenway classic, but it has the makings of one. New songs have to be added, gotta keep the millennials interested after all.

This song is so middle class American Dream it practically oozes red, white, and blue patriotism. No better song for the classic American pass time of baseball. And that $10 hotdog.

BABY YOU A SONG, YOU MAKE ME WANNA ROLL MY WINDOWS DOWN AND CRUUUUUISE. Another song for the millennials probably. It’s a total jam, and it’s been on the radio enough that you probably know all the words without faking it.

Town Called Malice by The Jam, Baba O’Riley by The Who, Saturday Night by Bay City Rollers, Badlands by Bruce Springsteen, Beautiful Sunday by Daniel Boone, Steppin’ Out by Joe Jackson, Modern Love by David Bowie, and All My Loving by The Beatles are also featured on the playlist, but are not as iconically Fenway as the other seven.

You also might hear a variety of Dropkick Murphy’s songs, which is mostly just awesome bagpipe music and guitar solos, so just bash your head to the beat and try not to get concussed.

This post was previously published here on the Electronic Media blog, EC Reporter.

In the words of Rihanna, “I’m just trying to make it back home by Monday morning.”

I have to admit it was really hard to remember to document everything that I was doing. I forgot to take a picture in class and at breakfast. I blame under caffeination. I got better the rest of the day though. I only wish I wasn’t at work for so long because nothing really happened. I had a hard time fitting in all my videos, and I couldn’t figure out how to get the combined videos on Tout. I had to take out a few pictures, but other than that I felt like my day got very well documented.

This post was previously published here on the Electronic Media blog, EC Reporter.

The polls are closed and the results are in, Boston runs along the Charles River. Out of 29 votes, 16 people voted for the Charles River. Eight voted for the Fens area, three voted for the treadmill, and two voted for the Back Bay area.

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Few people run along the Charles in the winter months. Those that do are usually in training for the Boston Marathon in April.

Maura Tuohy ’16 at Emmanuel College enjoys running along the Charles in the warmer months because there is no guarantee that the sidewalk has been shoved she said. The combination of the peaceful water and the lack of traffic attract Tuohy to this running path. There are no cars to worry about while running, just other pedestrians and jogging moms with strollers.

Tuohy does admit that sometimes she worries about running along the river, as she does anywhere in Boston.

“Sometimes you hear news stories about people getting assaulted there really late or really early in the day,” Tuohy said. However if you run from 5pm to 7pm, everyone is running, so it’s safer.

David, an older gentleman from Beacon Hill clad in florescent yellow, likes running by the water when the river isn’t frozen over. In the winter, the running paths are often better than the roads, he said.

Emily Miliken ’17 at Emmanuel College prefers running in the woods at home, but does not mind running along the Charles. The trail is very flat, she said, though it is a really nice run.

Alex, a freshman at Northeastern University said he likes looking at the buildings along the Charles and that it’s a pretty nice view all the way around.

“It’s just a meditative experience, that’s why I run for the most part.” Alex said.

In line with seeking that meditative experience, the Esplanade Association holds sunset yoga along the Charles River in warmer months. They also have Zumba, Tai Chi, CrossFit, a running club, and sunset dance lessons making this a major hub for Boston fitness.

This post was previously published here on the Electronic Media blog, EC Reporter.

By Abbi Matheson & Paul Rowley

Whoa! Elegant self-depreciation! The 2015 Oscars began with a fun montage of celebrities as humble, struggling actors in their youth with dreams of making it big one day. It created this initial, tenser atmosphere, like Caesar Flickerman from The Hunger Games was going to ask Bradley Cooper and Julianne Moore about hot tribute gossip and their respective districts. Immortality is at stake tonight, but it was beguiling to so quickly ask who we think deserves it.

The young adult genre was courted in other ways this evening: the Oscar playlist broadcasted on cable was most certainly stolen from an upcoming spring high school prom. Music by Jessie J and a remix of the 2014 LEGO movie song “Everything is Awesome” were on the switchboard for most of the awards show premier.

NPH looking good as usual with his partner. They’re too cute it makes me want to puke. I’m loving the grey. A nice break from the usual black or white.

Lupita is a goddess and I will fight anyone who says otherwise.

Zendaya’s come a long way from her Disney days. Though I’m not too crazy about the off the shoulder sleeves.

I love everything about this dress except for the neckline…like why Felicity Jones? Why?

Dior is one of my favorite designers but what even is this dress?? A doily?? And why cinch it there?? Very unflattering.

More suited for a funeral than the Red Carpet but I’m a fan of the plunging neckline.

Gorgeous. Beautiful. The straps are so thin it looks like they aren’t there, which is magical.

I never have and never will like the one shoulder thing. And this is just terrible. Is that rope? Fitting because of 50 Shades.

Navy and black is just a no no for me. It looks like you got dressed in the dark.

Anna Kendrick you flawless human. Where was this dress two years ago for prom??

Bowties are cool. And so is dark lipstick. Ya’ll nailed it.

Rosamund. Pike. That is all.

The drop waist is very 20’s and I love it.

High-low and asymmetrical? Too much for one dress.

Finally a break from bland colored suits! Men join the world of fashion with colors!

Those are bricks on her dress. Why. Just why.

Simple but elegant. The statement necklace is just enough. I wish there wasn’t that awkward train though.

There’s nothing to this dress. I wish she wore bigger jewelry…or a different bag…

This looks like fireworks or stars. It’s perfect.

Eddie baby you so cute. But again with the navy and black WHY??

Wait…I’ve seen this before…Let’s pit him and Eddie against one another in a patriarchal judgement of beauty.

So why is there a flower on your sleeve? And why just one long sleeve? Can you not decide if you’re cold?

This dress is beautiful. I don’t care what anyone says, peplum is great. Hides the food baby.

When I get married I want to wear this dress. J Lo is flawless.

I’m in love with Chris Pratt. I don’t know what else to say about a tux. It’s fitted well? Good job?

Wait is her dress safety pinned on the side? Emo middle school phase anyone?

Poor excuse for color blocking. I wish it wasn’t black and white. White and gold? Black and red? Literally anything else.

I’m just not crazy about long trains…but this dress is gorgeous.

DOES THIS DRESS HAVE POCKETS???? It does. That cancels out the terrible waistline.

This might be one of my favorite dresses so far tonight. It just fits her so well.

Again with the trains?? I love the color but come on people. How can you walk in that?

Glitter sparkle yes. I love this dress.

Mad props for being able to wear yellow.

Scarlett Johansson is flawless. But that necklace. Or is it part of the dress? Not a fan.

This dress confuses me. Why does it need to look like she’s wearing two dresses?

There’s nothing more to say other than Oprah, you’re killin’ it.

This dress is very Lady Gaga and can only be worn by Lady Gaga. Because why would anyone else wear those gloves unless you’re a superhero?

This is so Midsummer Night’s Dream and I love it. I don’t like that there are words. No one can read them.

This dress looks very art deco and it’s fabulous.

Nicole Kidman is just too skinny…the dress is pretty though.

I don’t think Jennifer Aniston ages. This wrapped style dress is very popular it seems.

Let’s end on a beautiful note. Channing Tatum. More like Channing Ta-dayum.          

Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts and her team were familiar with social media trends like #AskHerMore, influencing their conversations with the actors in a positive way. Reese Witherspoon, who had endorsed the hashtag on Instagram earlier, was asked directly about it and thoughtfully explained that she believed herself and her colleagues to be “more than dresses.” On the premier broadcast with Robin Roberts, #AskHerMore was only acknowledged once, with Ms. Witherspoon brought on deck to explain. It felt like a slight misstep on the behalf of those who conducted interviews that any one woman tonight be asked to explain the hashtag like it was their idea alone.

Dakota Johnson continued to uncomfortably field questions about her role in this month’s wildly successful first installment of “Fifty Shades of Grey,” this time accompanied by her mother Melanie Griffith who was likewise shifty about the film’s material. Their reluctance underscored the overall humorlessness of the red carpet broadcast this evening, at least until Kerry Washington let us know she just wanted to have a good time. Was it the rain? It seemed a bit too dry under the tents.

Cue Lady Gaga, who enters wearing a beautiful, sparkly bellowed gown that looked like it was cut from a marble block. She knew what kind of a statement she was making by wearing 50’s housewife inspired rubber gloves and a killer dress. Like Beyonce’s performance last year at the VMA’s with the word “feminist” blazing in white behind her, Gaga tried to show that you can have couture and work it like a stay-at-home mom. Paired with NPH’s “the best and the whitest” opening performance with Anna Kendrick and Jack Black, and you had one of the most self-aware Oscar nights in recent memory.

This post was previously published here on the Electronic Media class blog, EC Reporter.

On Valentine’s Day, my friends Siobhan, Sarah and I walked through the Fens to Northeastern. It was snowing well before we left, and by the time we set out, fat flakes were falling from the sky. I love snow more than anything else, and decided to capture this moment in moving picture. It was a long, cold, slushy walk, but at least it was pretty.

This post was previously published here on the Electronic Media class blog, EC Reporter.

November 27, 2014 began the fury of winter weather pictures in my camera roll. Thanksgiving of all days it snowed in New Hampshire, leaving the state covered in snow and without power. At least it looked pretty. In the calm after the storm while my parents decided what to do for Thanksgiving, I walked around my yard totally in awe.

I took this one from my bedroom window when I first woke up. My bed was still in front of the window at this point, so as soon as I woke up I pulled back the shades to see the world covered in snow. The sun had just come up so the clouds still looked pink.

The swing set in my backyard has always been one of my favorite things to take photograph covered in snow. There’s so much surface area for snow to land on. I love the huge pine trees in the back, towering over everything else.

You wouldn’t know it, but that saggy structure is our blueberry patch. I took this picture before we shook the snow off of the mesh so that it didn’t break and ruin the bushes. That’s happened before.

 The trees were so weighed down with snow and ice. The branches on the bush on the left never touch the ground, but thanks to the snow they did today. We lost a lot of branches in that storm.

I half expected to see someone on the street because it was plowed so clean. There was no one to be seen up and down the street. My neighbors weren’t even out shoveling. Standing here, I could hear the hum of everyone’s generators.

This post was previously published here on the Electronic Media class blog, EC Reporter.

In the warmer months to come, Bostonians will once again flock to the streets for their runs. All runners have their favorite paths, and Bostonians are no exception. Vote for your favorite running path.

• The Charles River- One of the more picturesque runs in Boston, the trail loops the Charles. There are water fountains scattered along the trail for convenient hydration. This trail is good for both long and short distance runs.

• The Fens- Located near the Emmanuel Campus, running around the Fens is great for short runs that can be added to by running around nearby roads. There are paths inside the Fens as well for added distance and diversity.

• The Back Bay- If you don’t mind hoards of Newbury Street shoppers, the Back Bay, especially along the mall, is a good running path. It leads to the Boston Public Gardens and Boston Common, both scenic places to run.

• The Treadmill- Some people just don’t like running outside and prefer the comfort of the gym and the programable treadmill, even when the weather gets warm again.