Journalism takes you places

Journalism is like a back-stage pass to life, in some ways.  I'm only in training, but I can already see that not only do you get to find out new stuff almost every day, you also get to meet different people and hear their stories, as well as going places you might never otherwise have.
Granted, I imagine the job can take you places you don't really want to go yet are obliged to - but the rest of it can be fascinating.

I've just spent four weeks of 'holidays' getting some experience with a paper and, looking back, I've learnt about a pretty wide variety of topics.
For example, I now know how rat poison works.
I've spoken to relationship counsellors, rugby clubs, child safety advocates, high school students, and frustrated Dinsdale residents.
I've got all kitted up to get onto a building site.  Right down to the steel-capped boots.

Headed down to the Frankton Sale Yards to find people to talk to about petrol - felt I stuck out like a sore thumb in my corporate-ish clothes, and was asked by the young girl helping out "are you buying cows?"
Made a little road trip to meet the couple who are probably the biggest fans of the royal family in the Waikato.
And witnessed a piece of history at Rukumoana Marae.  Aside from the historic settlement, there was some great singing there that day.  See it below - sideways, because my phone did something weird with the recording.

Before signing of the deed, Rukumoana Marae.

Statue of King Mahuta, Rukumoana Marae.

They were four interesting weeks, but now it's back to student-land for some more learning!