Writing Assignment #5

Student Creates Sex Column

By Stacie Blanke

Writing has become a Binghamton student’s life, passion, and career path which has led her to start her own column in her college newspaper.

“I’ve loved writing since I was in elementary school and learned about writing workshop,” said Dawn Eisner, 19, a columnist for Pipe Dream Newspaper. “I find it as a kind of therapy and form of catharsis.”

Eisner started Binghamton University’s very first sex column. She said she enjoys talking about the interactions and truths between men and women.

“I watch people; I do not focus on the obvious, but things people don’t notice, like body language, tone of voice, people's actions and reactions. I always have the desire to get into the psyche of others,” Eisner said.

Her column is called “Sex in the Suny” and was inspired by the popular TV show, “Sex and the City”. Her articles include topics about attraction, male clothing, and penis envy.

She said she enjoys submitting her monthly column because of the feedback she gets from students. People recognize her all over campus and sometimes at local bars.

“They tell me they like my humor and wit in the articles and stands out from all of the other columns,” Eisner said. “People say my headlines are eye-catching and the stories are extremely engaging.”

Eisner is majoring in English to gain more knowledge about writing and plans on interning at a magazine firm to gain experience this summer.

For more information about Eisner’s columns, check out the Pipe Dream Newspaper online at http://www.bupipedream.com/Articles/Pipeline_Redirect/9042.

Writing Assignment #4

An accidental explosion occured in a Baltimore public housing complex Thursday, in which a wall collapsed and landed on the crib of a sleeping 10 day-old baby.

Arnetta Sands, 36, of the 200 block of North Aisquith St. was spraying insecticide from an aerosol can which ignited from a stove that she used at 12:13 AM. Sands obtained 1st degree burns on her back and arms, officials said.

Andre Henderson, 10 days, was sleeping when the wall tumbled onto his crib. Firefighters said the baby might have possible smoke inhalation. They removed parts of the wall off of the crib.

Henderson’s mother, Renee Henderson, 23, was also uninjured. Andre was treated and released from Johns Hopkins Medical Center. Sands was treated and released from Church Home and Hospital.

Writing Assignment #3

Three males robbed the Greenmount Avenue Provident Savings Bank Wednesday afternoon.

At 12:22, these three males entered the bank and one was armed with a .22-caliber rifle and ordered the two customers to lie on the floor. One robber aimed the gun at the manager of the bank, while another jumped around the counter and ransacked many teller's cages.

The robbers took an undisclosed amount of cash into pillowcases then fled off into the north side alley of the bank, in which police later discovered the rifle. There were no arrests or injuries from the robbery.

The men were wearing a red football jersey, a fishnet shirt, red tennis shoes and a red hat.

Writing Assignment #2

 A father of three children releases his stress by learning how to play the acoustic guitar.

“Learning how to play the guitar has been a life altering experience,” said Bruce Blanke, 53, owner of two chains of The Athletes Foot in Long Island, NY. “It created a new way of thinking about music.”

Blanke has been looking for a new hobby for a while. After his three children moved out, he had more time on his hands and yearned to try something new. He said he was nervous about learning how to play an instrument at his age.

“It was so simple to find an instructor who lived nearby,” Blanke said. “The lessons are fairly inexpensive for the amount of information I learn at each one.”

Participating in hobbies is important at all ages because it provides an escape from stressful lifestyles.

Writing Assignment 1, Post 2

Bomb Blast Kills Tourist in Cairo

There was an unexpected bombing in Cairo on Sunday that injured 20 people and killed a Frenchwoman.

Cairo is filled with tourists from all over the world. People travel there to enjoy the food, holy cites, jewelry, traditional herbs, and eclectic crafts. The bomb sent tourists and residents desperately looking for safety.

Specifically, the bomb hit Hussein Square. Authorities say there were two bombs, but the other did not go off and landed in a grassy area nearby. No one has taken responsibility, but The Associated Press has suspected three people.

People who live in Cairo must be frustrated because on top of this bombing, they've dealt with concerns of poverty, problems with the state security forces, and conflicts with Gaza. This is certainly not a place I'd like to visit anytime soon.

Luckily, a doctor in northern Cairo said that most injuries he dealt with were minor, except for a young French boy who is still in critical condition.

This story just adds to the negative events that have been happening. It does not seem that we will achieve world peace anytime soon.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/23/world/middleeast/23egypt.html?ref=todayspaper

Writing Assignment 1, Post 1

Bomb Blast Kills Tourist in Cairo
(Michael Slackman)

There was a bomb that hit in Cairo on Sunday. The bomb killed one woman and injured 20 others. Hussein Square, a populated tourist area, was filled with people running for cover.

Authorities said that two explosives were shot into Hussein Square, however, only one seemed to go off. The other bomb was found in a nearby grassy region.

So far, no one has taken responsibility for the bombs, but three people are suspected by The Associated Press.

Cairo is going through heavy dilemmas with Gaza, the state security forces, and poverty.

The witnesses described this bombing as a loud blast, along with chaos and people running in all different directions. People were not sure where the loud bang came from.

"It’s as if time stopped,” said a Frenchwoman, who was knocked unconsious from the bombing. “I woke up and people were taking me in an ambulance.”

Besides the death of the 17-year-old Frenchwoman, 3 Saudis, 13 French citizens, and 4 Egyptians were injured. In a hospital in northern Cairo, one doctor said that many of the wounds were minor.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/23/world/middleeast/23egypt.html?ref=todayspaper