The Bogman Cometh

Who am I?

My name is Marsh Hamel. This is my blog, but I'm calling it The Bog, because somewhere down the line, this is gonna get messy. Regardless, whether sticky, sweaty, muddy or otherwise, I'm happy to welcome readers to this little digital window into the inter-sanctum that is my mind. I'm currently a Digital Communication Arts Major at Oregon State, but I'm also dual enrolled at Linn-Benton part time. In other words, I'm all over the place- and happily, too.

On my own time, I can usually be found plucking away on my bass,  tickling the ivories, taking it easy by the river, or looking for nooks and crannies to explore out on the town.

I've spent all but the first few months of my life in the Mid-Willamette Valley, Primarily in Albany, but I originally hail from Independence MO. I like to tell folks I'm a 'neo-pioneer' of the Oregon Trail, only I waited for a 757 and a decent meal. 

New year, new me: goals for this term

Through my time with The Commuter, I hope to refine my skills as a reporter on as well as off the scene, and above all else as a storyteller. There are voices in this valley, and they need to be heard! I would also like to improve my interviewing capabilities in order to be on top of my game. Practice makes progress!

Ok, enough about me. This is what I'm working on at the moment:

First Story: What's cooking at the Courtyard Cafe?

The general idea for this story was to take a look at some "secret menu" items at the student operated cafeteria here on campus, but once I realized this was gonna be a difficult one to spin, I had to make the pivot. Now, based on the interviews I've conducted, as well as the rest of the info I've been able to gather, the story has taken a spin toward highlighting the super convenient online ordering process. As of right now, the whole operation (online ordering) is suffering from a nasty case of "seen, but unheard of." In other words, chances are that most students who have spent any amount of time in the cafe have seen the various QR code links which are posted all around the place. So how come the system is hardly used? I don't know, I haven't gotten that far into this job just yet. But that's ok, because now I know what story needs to be told. Stay tuned folks.

Sources thus far:

Jesse Jones (Cafe Manager) 

Tyler Slaght (4th term student and frequent customer)

AHHHHHH