Autumn of Ohio--Golden Tree

Photo by JESSICA J. NOLL

Chicago's feces: A stench to be reckoned with

What is it about Chicago and feces? Dave Matthews Band’s bus manager and now Vandale Amos Willis—apparently if you give lots of money or apologize for flinging poo, then it’s okay(?).

The Associated Press published a story about a Chicago man in a Duluth, Minn. court who was reported as apologizing for “spreading his feces around a courtroom during his trial on drug charges.”

This really warrants a couple of questions, like, was he on drugs or selling? Because being on drugs can slightly explain what he was doing smearing his own poo all around—or if he was selling, who was desperate enough to buy drugs from Mr. Poo-hands? Okay, that’s a little ridiculous, I know, but isn’t spreading your feces a little on the ridiculous side too?

Why is it that Chicago seems to get the brunt of the crap club? Dave Matthew Band’s tour bus, in 2004, I believe, was in trouble for throwing, literally, tons of feces into the Chicago River—Nice. Well Matthews apologized for his employee who did this and then made a donation to a Chicago organization to help clean the river, ect. I'm not sure if the lawsuit was dropped, but I know I didn't hear anything else said about it.

Meanwhile, Willis was sentenced for 10 years—not for his poop in the courtroom, but 10 years for his drug offense. In fact, the judge said that his actions would not be held against him—to that I would have say, “ick!” But hey, he did apologize for poo-flinging, so all is forgiven, right?

I just know that while I lived in Chicago, I also experienced feces in the city--on a train. I even wrote a column about it. I enjoy the windy city, but some things do not make me want to stand too far down wind of Lake Michigan.

Newest freelance article and photo link...

I recently wrote an article for one of the local papers here called the
Milford-Miami Advertiser at:

http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/C2/20060927/NEWS01/609270626/.

My Chicago Immigration Ralley photo was also featured in the newest edition of Reservoir Online Mag at:

www.colum.edu/students/reservoir.

To view, cut and paste links into your web address bar and --> go!

Long time no blog...

Well, since my last post, I moved from Chicago back to Cincinnati. While working hard at finding advertisers for Bohème Vérité I am also working as Elissa Sonnenberg's freelance assistant for Cincinnati Wedding (magazine) and as the Cincinnati correspondent for People (magazine). Things are slowly moving in the right direction here after a couple of months, but to tell the truth, I enjoy living back, near my family and friends. Now all I need is a full time gig, health insurance and a car and I'll be one happy lil' photographer and writer!

I will be sure to update the blog a little more regularly with anecdotes and my thoughts as a writer and photographer. And I would like to talk about what is going on in the news itself. If anyone has any suggestion on what they'd like me to discuss, feel free to pitch it.

Plug for new publication

Be a part of something HUGE! Soon-to-be journalism graduate, Jessica Noll is in the process of starting her own publishing company with an online magazine. She is in search of contributing writers and photographers, as well as copy editors and marketing/advertising students or graduates to assist her in this venture as interns.

The magazine will showcase breakout talents nationwide as well as offer tips on how to become known in the industry. There will be a little something for everyone--if you're in the arts, love the arts or just support unknown talents. Everything is art and art is everywhere.

Also if you are an artist, photographer, writer, poet, theater or film anything, dancer, fashion designer, musician, political savvy or travel savvy--she wants you!
For more information, to contribute your talent or to have your talent showcased as a feature article feel free to contact Jessica at: bohemeveritemag@gmail.com

Waking from a coma

Do you ever wonder what someone who awoke from a coma after ten years would think about the world today? I do.
Let's see, little Katie Holmes from Dawson's Creek is having 80s heartthrob Tom Cruise's baby. The Terminator is the Republican governor of California and wrestler Jesse Ventura is a politician! Holy cow.
Just think, to wake from a long slumber and read the headlines today: We're at war in Iraq, the World Trade Center is gone and you can't even take nail clippers on a plane.
Peter Jennings passed away, Dan Rather retired after a messy media faux pas and Katie Couric is going to be the first woman evening news anchor.
Or what about celeb gossip? Liza Minnelli married a gay guy, Liza Minnelli divorced said gay man. Friends is off the air. Brad and Jennifer broke up and now Brad is part of Bradgelina. Britney Spears went white trash and married a wannabe rapper and had a baby. Martha Stewart went to prison then got out and had a flop reality show--and Donald Trump has a reality show too. Pretty much everybody has a reality show, in fact they've taken over the air waves.
The thought of waking up to such crazy news and changes in the world, may just make you want to fall back asleep for just a bit longer, as if it were just a bad dream.
Just some food for thought.

Defending the prince of party

Third in line to be king--that would make anyone act out. And Prince Harry of Wales is no exception. When you're mom dies too young, your dad is with a woman who's been around since your mom and dad's marriage and your older brother--second in line to the throne--is a goody goody, you'd be a screw up too.
From dressing like a Nazi to partying with the kinkiest of gals in Europe, Prince Harry finds his place in the spotlight. In fact, he's in the news more often than his polo-playing older brother and his adulterous father.
There have been a plethora of biographies done both on TV and book form of his mother Princess Diana and even now, there's a new diet book, that she's publishing.
So where's the book on Prince Harry? It has to be coming soon. While he's only 21-years-old, he's led a pretty high and low life. Even though his upbringing was identical to his big bro William--he's somehow strayed from conforming to the royalty he was born into.
But is that really a bad thing? Everyone knows him, knows what he's doing and would even probably cheer for his crowning, but nay-sayers think that he's a screw up.
Screw up or celebrity--He is saluted.

Don't judge a show by its movie reproduction

Many Broadway shows have been made into movie reproductions, like Chicago, Phantom of the Opera and most recently RENT.
After seeing the Broadway show RENT in 1997, I was stoked to see that it was coming to the big screen. And while the movie was a decent rendition of the stage show it couldn't hold a candle to the live rock opera. This week, after seeing the movie in November I needed my fix of Rent on stage so I went to Chicago's Cadillac Theatre to see Rent.
As I sat there, enjoying the original storyline, music and dancing, I was disturbed by the comments coming from over my shoulder. The show-goers behind me kept talking about how this wasn't like the movie and in the movie they did this and that. Well you know what? It's not the movie, and guess what else, the movie was BASED on this show, not the other way around.
When seeing a show on the stage, keep in mind that there is, well, limited space. It is after all, a stage, not a huge movie set. My advice to those who want to see these shows that were originally stage musicals, not movie musicals: go see the stage version and then the movie. You'll see noticeable differences but I think you'll find that nothing beats a live performance.
And also remember, to "shhhh" when the show starts, whether it is at the movie theater or the staged theater. Thank you for your cooperation.

Chicago: View from above

News Generation

Welcome one, welcome all to my blog. Come back soon for features, columns and general news commentary!

-Jess