Jobs

Cutter's Log - Stardate 7002.90.11
Current Song - Sweet Lullaby (Deep Forest)

Don't ask me why I'm listening to a Deep Forest song.

I don't mean to reiterate things all of the time. However, here is a little about my jobs stance:

I am currently working three or four days a week at BP: from midnight to 9:00 AM. These are new hours. I am working three days this week, and four days next week. I'm alternating with Jess - and I just hope he is more flexible to work with than Kevin was. I lose just a little sleep with this new thing, but I hope it will work out well with the writing-school-work balance.

If any of you locals have heard, yes, we have new Indian owners and a completely different management. Only me, Jess, Mema, Sam and Magen have been retained. Two noteable names are missing, and with that, a lot of regulars. Jess is already thinking about looking for another job, and I'm only looking at possibilities right now. I still plan on staying.

The one obvious place is Sauk Valley Newspapers. They are not looking for a sportswriter at this moment, although I do check the Shaw Newspapers' career postings on the Internet. Newton, IA is not in my interests, nor is copy editing for the NW Herald. Another issue I have with SVN is over creative differences. The two writing philosophies are different (theirs and mine), and I know I won't get creative control over my stories. If only they would grant me creative control over my stories, maybe I'll consider it. And it's not like I come at a hefty price (a la Joe Torre); it doesn't matter how much I am paid (7.50 or over). I just want people to know things. Spotlight stealing is also an issue, which was what Jeff told me from the moment I was hired.

I have ruled out small weeklies, such as the P-Town Echo - not enough pay, and I thought I'd let the locals get a crack at that. That is what makes a weekly paper unique. I don't want to tarnish that good thing they have going. And I would encourage more locals from these small towns to take a shot at writing for a weekly.

The Quad City Times I had to put on the backburner until I was feasibly able to know of my stance at BP and my associates degree. That, and the car situation. However, Don has heard of my website. Jon, I'm not sure. He's the one who runs the preps part of the sports section. I have mentioned that I would be great for an eastern-area correspondent (Morrison, Fulton, Erie, Ster-Rock). A resume may be coming. It looks like they've also added Shannon to their staff. He worked at the Moline Dispatch and is the QCA's wrestling guru.

Things may be looking full at the Rockford Register Star. They've got a well-balanced preps staff, and Andy too.

I'm checking out the Peoria Journal Star site right now ... nothing.

Now I'm just doing a run-through all around Illinois ...

crickets chirping

The LaSalle News-Tribune. A beam of light? -