Remy's job - day 3 - accidents and progress

There’s a clear somber atmosphere on the farm today. There was a car accident last night in front of the farm. It’s a classic story – a teen couple out for a joy ride, going too fast after too much to drink on a road which was already dangerous enough. They rapped their car around a telephone pole. It’s believed the girl went through the windshield. Her face was all cut up. The boy though … Mike (one of the main staff members here) did what he could for the kid, but based on the gruesome scene he encountered in the car, I wouldn’t at all be surprised if the guy doesn’t make it. Apparently the two were both drunk. Everyone seems a bit shook up. Guy injured his leg, and I’m not really sure how Mike’s doing. He started talking about it in the car on the way here from South Gate. He was so nonchalant I wasn’t entirely sure I believed him. It was only when we arrived did I realize it was all quite serious. I feel bad for him. That couldn’t have been easy.

On a work-related note, Guy’s given me another task, and also cleared up some questions. Apparently the Take5 article is an expository feature about the farm as a whole, while a new article he wants me to write for the B.C. Schizophrenia Society deals more in-depth with the programs and their aims. I suppose it’ll be nice to be able to split the two. The email he sent me regarding the issue contained a forward from the Schizo society asking for information rather than an actual article though, so I’m not entirely sure if I need to write a whole article.

Some good news: I should finally get that interview with Guy, which would be really useful. If I don’t get it by lunch I might just have to write the articles without him. Maybe I’ll start on that anyway, just to have something constructive to do.

Update:

It’s the end of the day. I’ve begun writing the article, but there isn’t much to it so far. I finally got the interview finished. I’ll need to compile the information and make it cohesive. There’s never a shortage of stuff to do here, that’s for sure.

It sounds like Guy wants me to start interviewing the students next week for the documentary. In addition he might ask me to transcribe the audio of video footage they’ve taken of the farm so far (writing down what is said, and when it’s said and who is saying it). That is, of course on top of everything else. I also need to start writing web content next week, starting with a brief history of the farm. That, at least I have a fair bit of information about. They’ve had quite the past. I’m sure they’ll get me to start answering phones, too…

It’s hard to believe I’ve been here a week already. Over 36 hours, and I barely feel like I’m making a dent. I feel like that ox stuck in a whole who got dirt poured on it so it could climb up. I’m trying really hard to climb. Luckily a lot of this will just be writing up what I’ve already researched. My biggest concern is figuring out the format for each type of piece I’m writing. I don’t have a whole lot of experience in any of this. I’m really lucky to have this job. I only pray I’ll be worth the decent amount of money they’re paying me.

That reminds me, I got paid today! I’m so excited! Haven’t had a cheque of this amount in my hand ….probably ever. Too bad most of it will have to go towards saving up for the move.

I’m off now. Off to enjoy my weekend which suddenly doesn’t seem nearly long enough.