Relief in the form of the internet, and the kickin'est internship ever.

So, sadly, but perhaps not surprisingly, now that I have the Internet in my apartment, I feel much more at home. I was feeling waves of homesickness and discomfort-- normal for being 8,762 (approximately) miles from home-- but they were amplified by having to spend NZ dollar coins on internet usage, an hour at a time, and very inconveniently.

I finally caved and purchased the Internet service that has a monopoly on my building, and though my debit account and my pride feel violated, I feel so much more at ease. Definitely says something about my generation, no doubt. I'm alright with being a stereotype. I like to feel connected.

I still don't own an iPod, so you can't judge me too much.

Anyway. I had my interview with Satellite Media today; more specifically, their publication Rip it Up. The interview was pretty much a formality; Nikki (the co-general manager of the company) and Karl (Rip it Up's executive editor) mostly talked at me, and Kevin (my program coordinator) was in the room the whole time, much to my chagrin. In that regard, it felt mildly unprofessional. I can definitely manage myself in an interview. (Perhaps you've noticed, but talking about myself is one of my favorite hobbies.) So I would have liked to have been able to talk with them, without Kevin prompting me with things like, "Jackie, tell Nikki what you were telling me about the show at Shadows last night." Alright, Kevin. I was getting to that.

Anyway, I did all that I could to insert my own questions and thoughts, and seem incredibly excited about the opportunity they are essentially handing me (because I am incredibly excited about it). So, I think we'll have a symbiotic relationship.

Though I'm not quite sure exactly what my duties will entail, I know I will be maintaining the music news for the mag's website (!), and I'll probably be reviewing CDs (!!) and shows (!!!). Interns in the past have conducted celebrity interviews (!!!!) and have had multi-page features published (!!!!!). Kevin told me that Rip it Up flew one past intern from the BU group from Boston (because this is after she had left NZ, and their company) to DC to interview Jack Black for a cover story. So... um... I'M FREAKIN' STOKED. Their mentality is pretty much that I'll get as much out of it as I put in (like most things), so if I show initiative I'll get cool stuff to do. Sounds good to me. Sounds sweet as to me.

The company is real small, and real funky, and also young (in spirit; this is Rip it Up's 31st year of publication).

I start August 12, which is right about the time that they're starting the October/November issue, so I'll get to be a part of everything from pre-production to store display. SERIOUSLY. HOW COOL IS THIS. I AM SO EXCITED. AND I AM SO LUCKY. WHO GETS SUCH COOL INTERNSHIPS, SERIOUSLY.

Alright, I have to go do my homework. Which means, I have to go catch up on four back-issues of Rip it Up. Including one with a cover story about Flight of the Conchords, formerly New Zealand's fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo.

Huzzah!