Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.82.21
Current Song - That's All (Genesis)
Tonight's meeting of East End's evening coffee clatch brought up the topic about how Sterling has gone downhill. It's a common topic.
This time, we talked a little about the "old" downtown. Places like Fourth Street Methodist, the Lincoln Hotel, Emil's, Susan's, etc.
For those who remember these places, the word "businesses" is the synonymous word. To me, that word is "destruction."
You see, I was a five-year-old kid when these places fell to the wrecking ball. It was my first visual experience with things ceasing to exist. When you are that young, you think everything lasts forever. Then, "out of nowhere" there's a big hole in the church building. Then more buildings had big holes in them.
Pretty soon I thought every building would have big holes in them. My house, my neighbor's, the Synagogue, the old chiropracter's home, Wallace School, grandpa and grandma's house ...
I thought the whole town was going to be destroyed. Where were we going to live now??
I didn't say anything until the Wayne-Burdue building (in the other part of downtown) had holes in it.
"Are they going to tear down Sterling?" I asked either mommy or daddy.
(That building was actually being renovated)
It was extremely weird seeing these buildings just not there anymore. The KFC was where my grandma was an assistant manager. On a pre-school walking trip, we stopped at the Kastle for ice cream - and Mr. Fell of Fell's Barber Shop (remember "New Bosnia?") invited us all in and we each got a piece of candy. Eberley's Drug was a frequent errand for the family.
The specific area I'm referring to (if you don't know) is bounded by Locust Street on the east, Avenue C to the west, Fifth Street to the north, and Third Street to the south.
I found an online archive of the old buildings. It's from the Sterling Public Library's photo album. A lot of the pictures are of the library's new addition.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Work
Cutter's Log - Supplemental
My fill-in assignment at Dixon appears to be over. They hired someone.
I really enjoyed working there. Some of the things I learned there that I can bring back to my store include: making sandwiches faster, facing bills, and caring about the coffee.
This is why I like working at different stores. I get to learn things that can help me at my own station (see how). But the biggest thing I will miss about Dixon East is getting to meet a lot of new people. The customers there are more friendly than the customers who come in my store. I find myself not stereotyping customers there compared to East End. It actually made me look forward to working THERE, compared to my place.
I'm going to miss it there. I'm going to miss getting along with everyone there. Can't say that same thing about my place.
Call it the generation rivalry rekindled. I thought things were getting better about a month ago, but lately things have been going down a slippery slope. A bad chord was struck when it came to the super-regular customers. "Those people." Those people? You aren't going to talk to my regular customers, then I won't talk to your regular customers. Plus, I don't like talking to other workers about work gossip. I don't bring my personal life to work, I leave it at home. That way I don't let it get in the way of my performance, and my customer relations.
I'm doing just three days this week: Christmas day from 10:00 to 6:30 p.m. and the usual weekend nights. I'm working one extra hour on the weekend, plus the Christmas shift is a 2 1/2 hour extension of a normal shift. Holiday pay for me is $12.37/hour. I'm probably going to make just over $200 for the week, which is roughly $100 less than doing two stores.
So I'm going to go back on the floating block: One day a week at another store.
My fill-in assignment at Dixon appears to be over. They hired someone.
I really enjoyed working there. Some of the things I learned there that I can bring back to my store include: making sandwiches faster, facing bills, and caring about the coffee.
This is why I like working at different stores. I get to learn things that can help me at my own station (see how). But the biggest thing I will miss about Dixon East is getting to meet a lot of new people. The customers there are more friendly than the customers who come in my store. I find myself not stereotyping customers there compared to East End. It actually made me look forward to working THERE, compared to my place.
I'm going to miss it there. I'm going to miss getting along with everyone there. Can't say that same thing about my place.
Call it the generation rivalry rekindled. I thought things were getting better about a month ago, but lately things have been going down a slippery slope. A bad chord was struck when it came to the super-regular customers. "Those people." Those people? You aren't going to talk to my regular customers, then I won't talk to your regular customers. Plus, I don't like talking to other workers about work gossip. I don't bring my personal life to work, I leave it at home. That way I don't let it get in the way of my performance, and my customer relations.
I'm doing just three days this week: Christmas day from 10:00 to 6:30 p.m. and the usual weekend nights. I'm working one extra hour on the weekend, plus the Christmas shift is a 2 1/2 hour extension of a normal shift. Holiday pay for me is $12.37/hour. I'm probably going to make just over $200 for the week, which is roughly $100 less than doing two stores.
So I'm going to go back on the floating block: One day a week at another store.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Computer is Back
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.32.21
Current Song - Hello News
Another virus came. Another virus gone.
Now it's time to get the website back on schedule.
Current Song - Hello News
Another virus came. Another virus gone.
Now it's time to get the website back on schedule.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Without a car
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.41.21
Current Song - Stormy (Classics IV)
I've been battling a cold/sore throat/runny nose/headache/cough, and just about the whole nine yards on a Nyquil bottle. I've been staying at home lately (aside of work) to try to make myself feel better. I don't think there's much out there as far as sports in the coming days. I can only imagine what's out there - rides to and from places only close by.
I'm working the nightshift up in Dixon tonight for the second time. Most of the sandwiches were made over the weekend, so that cuts out some time. The cooler isn't what I thought it was, so that's cut out. I think I'll be okay.
I'm off Tuesday and Wednesday all day. I'm working Thursday and Friday midshift, and the usual weekend close, along with Sunday afternoon at Dixon. There's a wrestling meet in Dixon on Thursday vs. Rocky, and that's about it. Hopefully I get the car back by Friday. I really want to go to Hononegah-Boylan on Friday night.
What was supposed to be a couple of days at Dixon has now turned into a month and a half.
Also, there's supposed to be some Christmas get-together of the store's employees on Saturday. It's going to be AT the store. When I'M working. My performance may be judged or something?
Current Song - Stormy (Classics IV)
I've been battling a cold/sore throat/runny nose/headache/cough, and just about the whole nine yards on a Nyquil bottle. I've been staying at home lately (aside of work) to try to make myself feel better. I don't think there's much out there as far as sports in the coming days. I can only imagine what's out there - rides to and from places only close by.
I'm working the nightshift up in Dixon tonight for the second time. Most of the sandwiches were made over the weekend, so that cuts out some time. The cooler isn't what I thought it was, so that's cut out. I think I'll be okay.
I'm off Tuesday and Wednesday all day. I'm working Thursday and Friday midshift, and the usual weekend close, along with Sunday afternoon at Dixon. There's a wrestling meet in Dixon on Thursday vs. Rocky, and that's about it. Hopefully I get the car back by Friday. I really want to go to Hononegah-Boylan on Friday night.
What was supposed to be a couple of days at Dixon has now turned into a month and a half.
Also, there's supposed to be some Christmas get-together of the store's employees on Saturday. It's going to be AT the store. When I'M working. My performance may be judged or something?
Thursday, December 10, 2009
I hate Winter
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.01.21
Current Song - Deacon Blues (Steely Dan)
When I was younger I never really cared about how wet my clothes were. Now I can't go outside without trying to figure out how NOT to get them wet. This always ends up failing. There's nothing I can do about it, though. It's a texture thing.
We don't have a garage at home (well, we do, but it's filled with junk), so our cars are always outside. Mine and Chris's are out on the street, and they either get plowed in or snowed in. So we have to dig our cars out and try to get them over the pile of snow that's in the way of the street. It takes a lot of driving and reversing to do that. I got it out and headed to work in Dixon.
I get halfway there and my car starts to vibrate. So I think there's something stuck between the car and one of the tires. I clean it out and proceed to Dixon. The same thing happens. So I turn onto another road and it seemed to have cleared out. Now I needed to turn around and go out. I pull in a driveway, and put it in reverse, and I hear a bunch of clanging. I get the car back on the road, but I can't move anywhere.
I go to a house and call a tow place, and call work and tell them I'll be late. My car is towed back home and I get a ride to work. The problem, we think for now, is a broken drive axle on my front side. A rough estimate is $250 to get it fixed. It won't be looked at until Monday.
I feel like Greg Oden.
Of course, the stretch where I plan on covering things is the same stretch my car breaks down. So I'm going to have to come up with backup plans. I think I can get rides from my parents and my brother. Chris is going to work the Carson on Saturday, and I already told him to have me tag along and take some pictures.
I'm pretty much limited to Sterling, Rock Falls and Newman until the car is fixed. Absolutely okay for anyone, but most of the events are going to be yawners for me. A quick look at their sports schedules for the week shows there's not much excitement going on for the next week or two. Many away games, some absolute yawners, etc.
Current Song - Deacon Blues (Steely Dan)
When I was younger I never really cared about how wet my clothes were. Now I can't go outside without trying to figure out how NOT to get them wet. This always ends up failing. There's nothing I can do about it, though. It's a texture thing.
We don't have a garage at home (well, we do, but it's filled with junk), so our cars are always outside. Mine and Chris's are out on the street, and they either get plowed in or snowed in. So we have to dig our cars out and try to get them over the pile of snow that's in the way of the street. It takes a lot of driving and reversing to do that. I got it out and headed to work in Dixon.
I get halfway there and my car starts to vibrate. So I think there's something stuck between the car and one of the tires. I clean it out and proceed to Dixon. The same thing happens. So I turn onto another road and it seemed to have cleared out. Now I needed to turn around and go out. I pull in a driveway, and put it in reverse, and I hear a bunch of clanging. I get the car back on the road, but I can't move anywhere.
I go to a house and call a tow place, and call work and tell them I'll be late. My car is towed back home and I get a ride to work. The problem, we think for now, is a broken drive axle on my front side. A rough estimate is $250 to get it fixed. It won't be looked at until Monday.
I feel like Greg Oden.
Of course, the stretch where I plan on covering things is the same stretch my car breaks down. So I'm going to have to come up with backup plans. I think I can get rides from my parents and my brother. Chris is going to work the Carson on Saturday, and I already told him to have me tag along and take some pictures.
I'm pretty much limited to Sterling, Rock Falls and Newman until the car is fixed. Absolutely okay for anyone, but most of the events are going to be yawners for me. A quick look at their sports schedules for the week shows there's not much excitement going on for the next week or two. Many away games, some absolute yawners, etc.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Wow! Been a while
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.70.21
Current Song - All I Want (Toad the Wet Sprocket)
My wall calendar is still on November - which should give you a glimpse of how far I'm really behind because of work and school.
Part one of class is now over with. I just took my Film final tonight. Half of it was to be done over the course of the week in the form of essay questions. I could only try to put together a mildly coherent thought as I was answering them. I'm making a guess at high D or low C. This leaves one more day left, and that's the Math final. I'll prepare for that all day tomorrow.
Because I've been spending a lot of time worrying about finals, I've been very slow at keeping up with NISB. I didn't even get a F5 piece in last week. Things I've been putting off are noe too late to be put up. Since school will be out of the way for the time being, I have more time.
Plus - I was able to reduce my work schedule to the point where I am off of East End for four days, but in Dixon on Wednesday afternoon. I'm working Friday afternoon at Sterling.
This means I have Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights open - and possibly Saturday morning if I can muster it. I have four of the five Friday bits figured out so far, so I guess I'm doing okay.
Saturday afternoon - Carson DeJarnatt Wrestling Invite (hopefully a gamer)
Friday night - South Beloit @ Pecatonica boys basketball (gamer)
Thursday night - Bolingbrook @ Morris wrestling (pics) & Ottawa @ Morris girls basketball
Wednesday night - Rock Falls @ Dixon wrestling (pics)
... and hopefully I follow this.
Current Song - All I Want (Toad the Wet Sprocket)
My wall calendar is still on November - which should give you a glimpse of how far I'm really behind because of work and school.
Part one of class is now over with. I just took my Film final tonight. Half of it was to be done over the course of the week in the form of essay questions. I could only try to put together a mildly coherent thought as I was answering them. I'm making a guess at high D or low C. This leaves one more day left, and that's the Math final. I'll prepare for that all day tomorrow.
Because I've been spending a lot of time worrying about finals, I've been very slow at keeping up with NISB. I didn't even get a F5 piece in last week. Things I've been putting off are noe too late to be put up. Since school will be out of the way for the time being, I have more time.
Plus - I was able to reduce my work schedule to the point where I am off of East End for four days, but in Dixon on Wednesday afternoon. I'm working Friday afternoon at Sterling.
This means I have Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights open - and possibly Saturday morning if I can muster it. I have four of the five Friday bits figured out so far, so I guess I'm doing okay.
Saturday afternoon - Carson DeJarnatt Wrestling Invite (hopefully a gamer)
Friday night - South Beloit @ Pecatonica boys basketball (gamer)
Thursday night - Bolingbrook @ Morris wrestling (pics) & Ottawa @ Morris girls basketball
Wednesday night - Rock Falls @ Dixon wrestling (pics)
... and hopefully I follow this.
Friday, November 27, 2009
What strikes my nerve
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.72.11
Current Song - Sweetheart (Franke and the Knockouts)
It's Friday afternoon, and both East End and Dixon East schedules are not made yet. That's really odd.
This is the kind of thing that irritates me. Not knowing my schedule until the last minute isn't good when I try to figure out what to do in my off days.
Plus, Dixon has to know what I'm doing in Sterling before they make their schedule. Yikes!
Current Song - Sweetheart (Franke and the Knockouts)
It's Friday afternoon, and both East End and Dixon East schedules are not made yet. That's really odd.
This is the kind of thing that irritates me. Not knowing my schedule until the last minute isn't good when I try to figure out what to do in my off days.
Plus, Dixon has to know what I'm doing in Sterling before they make their schedule. Yikes!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Doing What I want to Do
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.52.11
Current Song - Across the Universe (The Beatles)
Today was one of those days where I wanted to just walk out and leave.
After trying to get new pumps at our store, we finally got them last week. We were toward the bottom of the list for some reason (along with Walnut and maybe Davis). There were many times the credit card readers would not work. This was one of the reasons why I yearned for new pumps.
We got them. But the network connecting register and pump doesn't want to cooperate. That's just one problem: the other involves the collective consciousness of the store's customer base. Let's talk about the latter.
There's a certain procedure to operate the new pumps. 1. Lift up the nozzle. 2. Select the grade of fuel. 3. Wait for the pump to authorize. 4. Begin pumping. Sounds like any pump out there, doesn't it?
However, there are many older customers who seem to think that their own way of doing it is the only way it will work. To them I say, please understand the English language. There is a screen on the pump. "Please wait" means please wait. "Please wait" does NOT mean hold on to the lever, or lock it. "Please wait" is not directed to the gas that's coming out, but rather a direction to you the pumper.
If anything it made me more impatient having to walk this through the customers than the impatiences of the customers themselves. I darn near had a brain hemorrhage at the end of my shift. I think I pissed off many customers today, and even a few friends. I don't normally do this, but the emotions just kept coming back with each error.
During each period of calm, I tried to imagine myself following my dreams and escaping this joint. Then it would disappear.
When I got back home, I wrote something (with the Beatles' Across the Universe humming in my head):
"I want to fly away. I want to escape from the problems that are bugging me. I can't be frustrated many times. It's happened before.
When I get tense, I imagine myself accomplishing my dreams. I lose all focus of the present. The constant interruptions get annoying. I want to break free from the annoyance and fly away toward my dreams.
I am where I am because it contains a couple of things that I want: money and friends. I have made some money and garnered a few friends. But I'm still unhappy inside.
I want to fly away and toward my dreams. But what may be in my way? If there's something, I want to rid of it.
There are those who say it cannot be done anymore. That it's closed off to new people. But not if it can be re-revolutionized by my presence.
With each passing day I dream of new ways to enhance my dream. I dream of making new friends in thise quest and establishing a friend base I can always lean on in times of need. At least they can understand where I'm coming from.
Probably the biggest obstacle I have is the timing of this dream.
I'm 23 years old. I have a lot of life left in me. If something were to destroy my dream with plenty of time left, I'd have a life for not. Thus I can create a backup plan. I know what I can do. I can create new dreams based on the experiences of prior ones. It'll be a cycle, with each version being better than the previous one.
However, what I want now is something I want to do for the rest of my life.
I have the support. I will end up having the time. But will I have the fuel to accomplish my dream? And thus fly away from the problems that are in front of me?
I want to fly away. I want to be myself, and I want to enjoy doing what I want to do.
My dreams - here I come."
Nothing's gonna change my world.
It starts with some cutting back and preservation measures.
Current Song - Across the Universe (The Beatles)
Today was one of those days where I wanted to just walk out and leave.
After trying to get new pumps at our store, we finally got them last week. We were toward the bottom of the list for some reason (along with Walnut and maybe Davis). There were many times the credit card readers would not work. This was one of the reasons why I yearned for new pumps.
We got them. But the network connecting register and pump doesn't want to cooperate. That's just one problem: the other involves the collective consciousness of the store's customer base. Let's talk about the latter.
There's a certain procedure to operate the new pumps. 1. Lift up the nozzle. 2. Select the grade of fuel. 3. Wait for the pump to authorize. 4. Begin pumping. Sounds like any pump out there, doesn't it?
However, there are many older customers who seem to think that their own way of doing it is the only way it will work. To them I say, please understand the English language. There is a screen on the pump. "Please wait" means please wait. "Please wait" does NOT mean hold on to the lever, or lock it. "Please wait" is not directed to the gas that's coming out, but rather a direction to you the pumper.
If anything it made me more impatient having to walk this through the customers than the impatiences of the customers themselves. I darn near had a brain hemorrhage at the end of my shift. I think I pissed off many customers today, and even a few friends. I don't normally do this, but the emotions just kept coming back with each error.
During each period of calm, I tried to imagine myself following my dreams and escaping this joint. Then it would disappear.
When I got back home, I wrote something (with the Beatles' Across the Universe humming in my head):
"I want to fly away. I want to escape from the problems that are bugging me. I can't be frustrated many times. It's happened before.
When I get tense, I imagine myself accomplishing my dreams. I lose all focus of the present. The constant interruptions get annoying. I want to break free from the annoyance and fly away toward my dreams.
I am where I am because it contains a couple of things that I want: money and friends. I have made some money and garnered a few friends. But I'm still unhappy inside.
I want to fly away and toward my dreams. But what may be in my way? If there's something, I want to rid of it.
There are those who say it cannot be done anymore. That it's closed off to new people. But not if it can be re-revolutionized by my presence.
With each passing day I dream of new ways to enhance my dream. I dream of making new friends in thise quest and establishing a friend base I can always lean on in times of need. At least they can understand where I'm coming from.
Probably the biggest obstacle I have is the timing of this dream.
I'm 23 years old. I have a lot of life left in me. If something were to destroy my dream with plenty of time left, I'd have a life for not. Thus I can create a backup plan. I know what I can do. I can create new dreams based on the experiences of prior ones. It'll be a cycle, with each version being better than the previous one.
However, what I want now is something I want to do for the rest of my life.
I have the support. I will end up having the time. But will I have the fuel to accomplish my dream? And thus fly away from the problems that are in front of me?
I want to fly away. I want to be myself, and I want to enjoy doing what I want to do.
My dreams - here I come."
Nothing's gonna change my world.
It starts with some cutting back and preservation measures.
Clawing back
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.52.11
Current Song - Open Your Eyes (Doobie Brothers)
Another virus hit the computer. So I just got it back, and am in the process of trying to make sure this doesn't happen again.
I think this happened because of the long process of using HighSchoolSports.net's scheduling service. I wanted to create a master schedule of all of the NISB teams. However, the process ended up nearly crashing my computer and therefore letting a virus come in. So much for that project. So I went ahead and deleted my account with it.
I also deleted several accounts on websites that I don't go to anymore.
Current Song - Open Your Eyes (Doobie Brothers)
Another virus hit the computer. So I just got it back, and am in the process of trying to make sure this doesn't happen again.
I think this happened because of the long process of using HighSchoolSports.net's scheduling service. I wanted to create a master schedule of all of the NISB teams. However, the process ended up nearly crashing my computer and therefore letting a virus come in. So much for that project. So I went ahead and deleted my account with it.
I also deleted several accounts on websites that I don't go to anymore.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Week Ahead
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.71.11
Current Song - Virtual Insanity (Jamiroquai)
I don't have class today due to Sauk's inservice. So that frees me up to go anywhere tonight. I'm going to the opening night of the Bureau Valley Thanksgiving Tournament. It is one of two new Turkey tournaments starting in the area: the other being in Rochelle.
I also have Wednesday open, as I usually do. I may wind up doing some website cleaning all day.
I'm working the Thursday midshift and get off at 5. I'm working the Friday night shift @ Dixon. I plan on covering Morrison's semifinal game vs. GCMS on Saturday afternoon, then heading to work afterward. I've already been okayed for a late start.
Pulling off another double-shift on Sunday.
I'm trying to find something for Wednesday the 23rd. I will be covering the final day of the Sauk Valley Shootout on the 28th.
---
I worked the midshift on Monday afternoon, and was unexpectedly asked to train someone. This was also inventory day, so it was absolutely nuts. I'm training her once more on Friday. So I get to train someone how to close a store that I have never closed before. How weird is that?
Current Song - Virtual Insanity (Jamiroquai)
I don't have class today due to Sauk's inservice. So that frees me up to go anywhere tonight. I'm going to the opening night of the Bureau Valley Thanksgiving Tournament. It is one of two new Turkey tournaments starting in the area: the other being in Rochelle.
I also have Wednesday open, as I usually do. I may wind up doing some website cleaning all day.
I'm working the Thursday midshift and get off at 5. I'm working the Friday night shift @ Dixon. I plan on covering Morrison's semifinal game vs. GCMS on Saturday afternoon, then heading to work afterward. I've already been okayed for a late start.
Pulling off another double-shift on Sunday.
I'm trying to find something for Wednesday the 23rd. I will be covering the final day of the Sauk Valley Shootout on the 28th.
---
I worked the midshift on Monday afternoon, and was unexpectedly asked to train someone. This was also inventory day, so it was absolutely nuts. I'm training her once more on Friday. So I get to train someone how to close a store that I have never closed before. How weird is that?
Friday, November 13, 2009
Work Never Ends
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.31.11
Current Song - Pray (MC Hammer)
I'm working today from 11-5 in addition to the usual weekend nights.
I'm working the mid at Dixon, and once again rushing to get to my film class. If I'm not working at my place on Tuesday, I'm going to see the debut of the Bureau Valley girls Thanksgiving tournament that night. Most likely working at my place Wednesday and Thursday. Working my first close at Dixon on Friday night. Doing Saturday night at my place, and once again going double on Sunday.
At least that's what I think I'm doing.
I know I'm going to write girls basketball previews this weekend.
This is the time of year I hate -- when sports and work collide.
Current Song - Pray (MC Hammer)
I'm working today from 11-5 in addition to the usual weekend nights.
I'm working the mid at Dixon, and once again rushing to get to my film class. If I'm not working at my place on Tuesday, I'm going to see the debut of the Bureau Valley girls Thanksgiving tournament that night. Most likely working at my place Wednesday and Thursday. Working my first close at Dixon on Friday night. Doing Saturday night at my place, and once again going double on Sunday.
At least that's what I think I'm doing.
I know I'm going to write girls basketball previews this weekend.
This is the time of year I hate -- when sports and work collide.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Cards: What's For Sale
Cutter's Log - Supplemental
Information on the thousand-for-a-hundred set ($100)
Information on the other starter sets and certain cards
Just added:
Box of 64 super-star cards (including game used, rookies, couple of autographs): Book value nearly $400 ... selling it for $75.
Or just take the entire collection of available sale items for $400.
Information on the thousand-for-a-hundred set ($100)
Information on the other starter sets and certain cards
Just added:
Box of 64 super-star cards (including game used, rookies, couple of autographs): Book value nearly $400 ... selling it for $75.
Or just take the entire collection of available sale items for $400.
Wednesday Free Day
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.11.11
Current Song - Biggest Part of Me (Ambrosia)
Today is Veteran's Day: I'm going to use this day to buy five of the Veteran's Cash scratch-off tickets. I really only buy scratch-off tickets during holidays.
I'm also going to be registering for spring classes at SVCC today. I have to do it through an advisor because of a prerequisite conflict. I was suggested to take ART 231 in SHS's Tech Zone, but a requirement for that class is a lower level one. But I was given "consent of instructor" to take it. After I get that registered, I'll have to call the TZ and create a class time. Once I create a class time, I'll then pick which speech class I will take.
Once my spring class schedule is determined, I'll create my custom work schedule for the semester. The semester ends on December 8 and begins January 11.
Really that's all I have planned for today. I'll be going to the Morrison-Orion football game on Saturday. I'll also have to find something to do for Tuesday the 17th, because we have no class on that night. I may get started on the F5 today.
As far as work is concerned, I'm expecting a 5-day check tomorrow and a six-day check next Wednesday.
Current Song - Biggest Part of Me (Ambrosia)
Today is Veteran's Day: I'm going to use this day to buy five of the Veteran's Cash scratch-off tickets. I really only buy scratch-off tickets during holidays.
I'm also going to be registering for spring classes at SVCC today. I have to do it through an advisor because of a prerequisite conflict. I was suggested to take ART 231 in SHS's Tech Zone, but a requirement for that class is a lower level one. But I was given "consent of instructor" to take it. After I get that registered, I'll have to call the TZ and create a class time. Once I create a class time, I'll then pick which speech class I will take.
Once my spring class schedule is determined, I'll create my custom work schedule for the semester. The semester ends on December 8 and begins January 11.
Really that's all I have planned for today. I'll be going to the Morrison-Orion football game on Saturday. I'll also have to find something to do for Tuesday the 17th, because we have no class on that night. I may get started on the F5 today.
As far as work is concerned, I'm expecting a 5-day check tomorrow and a six-day check next Wednesday.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Other Stores
Cutter's Log - Supplemental
I finished my third day at Dixon East. I'm not going to be needed for the rest of the week, and I don't know the possibilities of the week after. I'm going to assume that they'll get someone hired by then. So I'm going into today thinking I've worked my last day there.
I found the experience working there a great one. I don't know if that's how the others feel, though. Personally, I've learned a thing or two from the way they run things there, which I can carry over to my own store.
1. Mystery Shopper - I have NEVER been that fond of the whole Mystery Shopper thing. Sometimes I think it's only out there to ruin employees. I was that lucky person seven times. I passed 6 of 7. The one I didn't pass was a November one. We never had that at BP, and I kept saying, "have a good day" after every customer. That soon changed to "we'll see you later." I've passed "shoppers" that way.
Apparently the correct salutation is something in the tune of "stop in again." I tried saying that early on at my store, but it felt very awkward after saying it. Especially because I get the same customers over and over again. So I started saying that. I'm going to retry this at my store, and see if this still feels weird.
2. Facing Bills - Someone please comment on this one and explain this to me.
I never face my bills. Here's why:
Take two pop cans. Put one on the table and ask yourself if that is a pop can. Now, take the other can and flip it over and put that on the table, and ask yourself if that is a pop can. Do the same with five-dollar bills. Put one on the table right-side-up and ask yourself if that is a five-dollar bill. Now, take another five-dollar bill and flip it over and put it on the other bill. Is that a five-dollar bill?
I've always thought this was some sort of OCD thing. After looking up the whole phenomenon on the Internet, I found out that banks HAVE TO have their bills upright. The money we get in the register goes to banks eventually. Facing them before entry in the register cuts time.
Now, banks have to have it that way. But people? I guess it depends on how much flexibility one can handle. I have found myself able to have a TON of flexibility, do I consider this a talent?
Another thought on this: if you keep doing it, does it really get contagious? It's like I'm being forced to change to accommodate those who can't count as quick as I can. And another: I don't face my coins.
3. Sandwich making made easy - I had to make 24 salad sandwiches the Sunday afternoon I was there. I don't make more than six in a month at my place. After looking at the list of sandwiches I nearly gasped. That was until I was shown how to make six of them at a time.
I never made sandwiches until a few months ago. I now make them as needed, which isn't often.
I changed my salutation to "we'll see you later" after finding out "see 'ya" didn't work. That was a pickup from Route 30. Another pickup from Route 30 was the amount of money per drop. Theirs is more than ours, and I have found that a more confortable way of dropping.
I finished my third day at Dixon East. I'm not going to be needed for the rest of the week, and I don't know the possibilities of the week after. I'm going to assume that they'll get someone hired by then. So I'm going into today thinking I've worked my last day there.
I found the experience working there a great one. I don't know if that's how the others feel, though. Personally, I've learned a thing or two from the way they run things there, which I can carry over to my own store.
1. Mystery Shopper - I have NEVER been that fond of the whole Mystery Shopper thing. Sometimes I think it's only out there to ruin employees. I was that lucky person seven times. I passed 6 of 7. The one I didn't pass was a November one. We never had that at BP, and I kept saying, "have a good day" after every customer. That soon changed to "we'll see you later." I've passed "shoppers" that way.
Apparently the correct salutation is something in the tune of "stop in again." I tried saying that early on at my store, but it felt very awkward after saying it. Especially because I get the same customers over and over again. So I started saying that. I'm going to retry this at my store, and see if this still feels weird.
2. Facing Bills - Someone please comment on this one and explain this to me.
I never face my bills. Here's why:
Take two pop cans. Put one on the table and ask yourself if that is a pop can. Now, take the other can and flip it over and put that on the table, and ask yourself if that is a pop can. Do the same with five-dollar bills. Put one on the table right-side-up and ask yourself if that is a five-dollar bill. Now, take another five-dollar bill and flip it over and put it on the other bill. Is that a five-dollar bill?
I've always thought this was some sort of OCD thing. After looking up the whole phenomenon on the Internet, I found out that banks HAVE TO have their bills upright. The money we get in the register goes to banks eventually. Facing them before entry in the register cuts time.
Now, banks have to have it that way. But people? I guess it depends on how much flexibility one can handle. I have found myself able to have a TON of flexibility, do I consider this a talent?
Another thought on this: if you keep doing it, does it really get contagious? It's like I'm being forced to change to accommodate those who can't count as quick as I can. And another: I don't face my coins.
3. Sandwich making made easy - I had to make 24 salad sandwiches the Sunday afternoon I was there. I don't make more than six in a month at my place. After looking at the list of sandwiches I nearly gasped. That was until I was shown how to make six of them at a time.
I never made sandwiches until a few months ago. I now make them as needed, which isn't often.
I changed my salutation to "we'll see you later" after finding out "see 'ya" didn't work. That was a pickup from Route 30. Another pickup from Route 30 was the amount of money per drop. Theirs is more than ours, and I have found that a more confortable way of dropping.
Ripped?
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.01.11
Current Song - Ah Leia! (Donnie Iris)
Advice on finding plagarism: If you suspect plagarism has occured, please make sure you've read the piece first.
Really.
I did a take-home essay for my film mid-term about a month back. I was to discuss a significant moment that lighting was used well in a scene from Citizen Kane. I was also to do the same about a camera angle. The way I looked at this - it was 1/4 of the whole mid-term. Something that large had to be well-done.
So I rented Citizen Kane and played it in my DVD player. I was armed with a notepad and the textbook (and I think popcorn and pop). I watched the entire movie and paused, rewound and fast forwarded to try to put together some good notes. I then took the notes and wrote five paragraphs to answer the two questions.
I took the mid-term the next night. I couldn't answer any of the other essay questions because I had only seen the movies once and couldn't find a way to rewatch them. So with the other essay questions not answered, and this one completed, the instructor called me into his office. He thought I ripped the take-home essay from elsewhere. Apparently it was only supposed to be two paragraphs.
So I explained how I wrote it and showed my notes, all while rolling my eyes behind his back. He then read it, and saw that the piece had a poor amount of film vocabulary, he then knew it was not another product.
Problem rectified = 68%, which was "good compared to the rest of the class."
NOW ...
There was a 50-point paper due tonight. I never did it.
It was supposed to be a critical analysis paper on the film I did a review on: De Sica's Bicycle Thieves. I got as far as the prewriting stage. I found things to write about, such as why the onlooker of the theft acted all "ho hum," the double-life of the thief, the similarities of the movie's opening to the casting of the film, and the whole "distruption in a church" thing. These were the main points and I had to try to find something to string them together with - which is something I can pretty much do in my sleep.
However, my plan for the paper was not one of the suggested ways to write the piece. After finding this out, oh a couple of days ago, I was back at square one and dead in the water. I had to work (more on that later).
With the realization of this analysis piece not being turned in, and the suspected "ripping," somehow I think I'm going to relive this moment next week.
For the record, I did complete a 25-point review of a review (Ebert on Freddy Got Fingered) earlier in the semester, and the 25-point review on Bicycle Thieves. I have also aced every quiz we have taken thus far.
I'll just have to see how this plays out.
Current Song - Ah Leia! (Donnie Iris)
Advice on finding plagarism: If you suspect plagarism has occured, please make sure you've read the piece first.
Really.
I did a take-home essay for my film mid-term about a month back. I was to discuss a significant moment that lighting was used well in a scene from Citizen Kane. I was also to do the same about a camera angle. The way I looked at this - it was 1/4 of the whole mid-term. Something that large had to be well-done.
So I rented Citizen Kane and played it in my DVD player. I was armed with a notepad and the textbook (and I think popcorn and pop). I watched the entire movie and paused, rewound and fast forwarded to try to put together some good notes. I then took the notes and wrote five paragraphs to answer the two questions.
I took the mid-term the next night. I couldn't answer any of the other essay questions because I had only seen the movies once and couldn't find a way to rewatch them. So with the other essay questions not answered, and this one completed, the instructor called me into his office. He thought I ripped the take-home essay from elsewhere. Apparently it was only supposed to be two paragraphs.
So I explained how I wrote it and showed my notes, all while rolling my eyes behind his back. He then read it, and saw that the piece had a poor amount of film vocabulary, he then knew it was not another product.
Problem rectified = 68%, which was "good compared to the rest of the class."
NOW ...
There was a 50-point paper due tonight. I never did it.
It was supposed to be a critical analysis paper on the film I did a review on: De Sica's Bicycle Thieves. I got as far as the prewriting stage. I found things to write about, such as why the onlooker of the theft acted all "ho hum," the double-life of the thief, the similarities of the movie's opening to the casting of the film, and the whole "distruption in a church" thing. These were the main points and I had to try to find something to string them together with - which is something I can pretty much do in my sleep.
However, my plan for the paper was not one of the suggested ways to write the piece. After finding this out, oh a couple of days ago, I was back at square one and dead in the water. I had to work (more on that later).
With the realization of this analysis piece not being turned in, and the suspected "ripping," somehow I think I'm going to relive this moment next week.
For the record, I did complete a 25-point review of a review (Ebert on Freddy Got Fingered) earlier in the semester, and the 25-point review on Bicycle Thieves. I have also aced every quiz we have taken thus far.
I'll just have to see how this plays out.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
"The World According to Mister Rogers"
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.70.11
Current Song - Praise You (Fatboy Slim)
The book I'm reading right now is called "The World According to Mister Rogers." It was a book I got for my 19th birthday, but never really read until now.
Current Song - Praise You (Fatboy Slim)
The book I'm reading right now is called "The World According to Mister Rogers." It was a book I got for my 19th birthday, but never really read until now.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Even more Cards for Sale
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.60.11
Current Song - People's Court Theme
In addition to the $100 5k set, I'm also selling the following:
Random 1992 Starter Set (3 boxes of roughly 1k cards) - $15
Complete set of 1992 Fleer (and then some) - $11
800-card Starter Set (early-to-mid 1990s) - $13
1k mixed common/rookie/star - $20
900-card mixed common/rookie/star - $18
Complete set of 1984 Topps rub-ons (tattoos) - $8
Pack of Pokemon cards - $1
Cal Ripken Jr. - 1997 Collectors Choice, The Big Show insert (rare World Headquarters edition), plus you get a tiny mugshot of Dan & Keith on the card - $60
Bo Jackson - 1987 Topps Rookie card - $3
Andy Van Slyke - 1984 Donruss Rookie card - $4
Sammy Sosa - 2002 Leaf (Beckett magazine rare gold sample card) - $5
Barry Bonds - 2005 Topps Home Run History (No. 700 in a 750+ card set) - $5
Barry Bonds - 1993 Topps Finest (the first chrome set in card history) - $15
George Brett - 1993 Topps Finest (the first chrome set in card history) - $15
Nolan Ryan - 1994 Collectors Choice silver signature - $8
David Wright - 2001 Upper Deck Pros and Propspects rookie card - $20
Mark McGwire - 1987 Press Box (a virtually unknown card) - $5 (I have a few of these)
Chris Duncan - 2003 Topps rookie card - $3
Current Song - People's Court Theme
In addition to the $100 5k set, I'm also selling the following:
Random 1992 Starter Set (3 boxes of roughly 1k cards) - $15
Complete set of 1992 Fleer (and then some) - $11
800-card Starter Set (early-to-mid 1990s) - $13
1k mixed common/rookie/star - $20
900-card mixed common/rookie/star - $18
Complete set of 1984 Topps rub-ons (tattoos) - $8
Pack of Pokemon cards - $1
Cal Ripken Jr. - 1997 Collectors Choice, The Big Show insert (rare World Headquarters edition), plus you get a tiny mugshot of Dan & Keith on the card - $60
Bo Jackson - 1987 Topps Rookie card - $3
Andy Van Slyke - 1984 Donruss Rookie card - $4
Sammy Sosa - 2002 Leaf (Beckett magazine rare gold sample card) - $5
Barry Bonds - 2005 Topps Home Run History (No. 700 in a 750+ card set) - $5
Barry Bonds - 1993 Topps Finest (the first chrome set in card history) - $15
George Brett - 1993 Topps Finest (the first chrome set in card history) - $15
Nolan Ryan - 1994 Collectors Choice silver signature - $8
David Wright - 2001 Upper Deck Pros and Propspects rookie card - $20
Mark McGwire - 1987 Press Box (a virtually unknown card) - $5 (I have a few of these)
Chris Duncan - 2003 Topps rookie card - $3
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Cards for Sale
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.50.11
Current Song - Morning Train (Sheena Easton)
I moved my baseball cards from the basement to my second-floor bedroom. My back hurts.
I haven't really collected since I started my career in high school sports, so there's a portion of them I'm looking to sell. After buying the Beckett magazine and pricing some of the cards, I've come up with at least one bunch of cards to sell for sure.
There's 5,000 cards in this large box: 3 3/4 commons, and 1 1/4 star/rookie cards. Plenty of doubles, triples, etc. Cards date as late as 1980 and early as 2006. The total mint value of all of these cards is over $1,000. However, I'm not going to sell it for that much. The asking price for this large box will be 90% off: $100.
The box is a perfect start for a young collector who's just starting out. I began collecting baseball cards when I was 4 years old. The collection kept getting bigger. After a while, I started sending cards to the players to get autographed. The "starter set," as I like to call this, is good for autograph sending (as long as you know the player's addresses).
I will warn though, you're not going to find any super-super star cards in there. No Griffeys, Pujols, Jeters, etc. From these starter cards, you can work your way up by trading or selling in order to get that star card.
The box can't clutter my room forever. I'll deliver.
Current Song - Morning Train (Sheena Easton)
I moved my baseball cards from the basement to my second-floor bedroom. My back hurts.
I haven't really collected since I started my career in high school sports, so there's a portion of them I'm looking to sell. After buying the Beckett magazine and pricing some of the cards, I've come up with at least one bunch of cards to sell for sure.
There's 5,000 cards in this large box: 3 3/4 commons, and 1 1/4 star/rookie cards. Plenty of doubles, triples, etc. Cards date as late as 1980 and early as 2006. The total mint value of all of these cards is over $1,000. However, I'm not going to sell it for that much. The asking price for this large box will be 90% off: $100.
The box is a perfect start for a young collector who's just starting out. I began collecting baseball cards when I was 4 years old. The collection kept getting bigger. After a while, I started sending cards to the players to get autographed. The "starter set," as I like to call this, is good for autograph sending (as long as you know the player's addresses).
I will warn though, you're not going to find any super-super star cards in there. No Griffeys, Pujols, Jeters, etc. From these starter cards, you can work your way up by trading or selling in order to get that star card.
The box can't clutter my room forever. I'll deliver.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Dixon East Thoughts
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.04.11
Current Song - Disco Inferno (The Trammps)
I've now worked in three Shell stations, with Route 30 being the other one. To compare the transitions from mine to that one to mine to this one is going to be different. Route 30 was very easy to transition into because much of that was run similar to mine. In fact, I would rather work there than my own store, but things may have changed since there is a new manager there now.
Let me just say that Dixon East is WAY different than my own store. We don't have diesel at our store, and they do (okay, so that's not a big problem). They count cigarettes after every shift, and we don't (big time consumer). They save their carton flaps (both of them) after stocking, and we just pitch them. They have a hot dog machine and we don't (which isn't a problem since I was very used to cleaning BP's nightly). They go through a boatload of coffee.
Procedure-wise, there's not much of a difference. The cigarettes are different. But the thing that probably scared me the most was the fact that there has been no Mystery Shopper fail in "a long, long, long time here." If I failed, I would be dead. Plus this is November, and I was reminded that this is the one for $1000. So it nulls the opinion I made last November.
Apparently, the mystery shopper bonus money goes toward getting Christmas presents. I disagree with that. I don't like HOPING the money comes from a chance. That's like going to the boat to get shopping money. It's a Bonus, which is something that is not expected. Christmas shopping for six employees shouldn't hang on whether or not someone passes the mystery shopper. There are ways to get around this.
Current Song - Disco Inferno (The Trammps)
I've now worked in three Shell stations, with Route 30 being the other one. To compare the transitions from mine to that one to mine to this one is going to be different. Route 30 was very easy to transition into because much of that was run similar to mine. In fact, I would rather work there than my own store, but things may have changed since there is a new manager there now.
Let me just say that Dixon East is WAY different than my own store. We don't have diesel at our store, and they do (okay, so that's not a big problem). They count cigarettes after every shift, and we don't (big time consumer). They save their carton flaps (both of them) after stocking, and we just pitch them. They have a hot dog machine and we don't (which isn't a problem since I was very used to cleaning BP's nightly). They go through a boatload of coffee.
Procedure-wise, there's not much of a difference. The cigarettes are different. But the thing that probably scared me the most was the fact that there has been no Mystery Shopper fail in "a long, long, long time here." If I failed, I would be dead. Plus this is November, and I was reminded that this is the one for $1000. So it nulls the opinion I made last November.
Apparently, the mystery shopper bonus money goes toward getting Christmas presents. I disagree with that. I don't like HOPING the money comes from a chance. That's like going to the boat to get shopping money. It's a Bonus, which is something that is not expected. Christmas shopping for six employees shouldn't hang on whether or not someone passes the mystery shopper. There are ways to get around this.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Dixon East
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.03.01
Current Song - Couldn't Get it Right (Climax Blues Band)
I just picked up a shift at the Shell station on Franklin Grove Road in Dixon. I'm working Tuesday from 10:30 to 5:00. There's a possible Sunday afternoon in store too. I'm only doing three days at my store next week: Friday mid, and the weekend nights at 4.
Because I picked up this extra shift, I had to make some more adjustments.
I will NOT be at the Somonauk Volleyball Regional final on Saturday afternoon. I'm going to use Saturday afternoon as time to get the Film paper put together. Hopefully I can get that settled early and start working on the Round 1 Obs piece early.
Wednesday figures to be another off day. Thursday will be spent at a Volleyball Sectional: either Eastland, Oregon or Rochelle depending on who's actually there. Friday night will have to be spent at a somewhat close football game.
Saturday afternoon will be the same as well, but I have a bad feeling there's not going to be much around. I work at 4. The best hope is for Rockford Christian to beat Oregon, and Newman to beat Sherrard - which makes a Newman home game for 1:00 usually. An Oregon-Sherrard rematch may also work, but will be cutting it close. If EPC beats Downs Tri-Valley, they'll host Morrison. If the game is in Lanark, that may also work. These are the only scanerios for Saturday.
Friday's scenarios look dim.
At least I'm getting some hours.
I hope I pass the audition!
Current Song - Couldn't Get it Right (Climax Blues Band)
I just picked up a shift at the Shell station on Franklin Grove Road in Dixon. I'm working Tuesday from 10:30 to 5:00. There's a possible Sunday afternoon in store too. I'm only doing three days at my store next week: Friday mid, and the weekend nights at 4.
Because I picked up this extra shift, I had to make some more adjustments.
I will NOT be at the Somonauk Volleyball Regional final on Saturday afternoon. I'm going to use Saturday afternoon as time to get the Film paper put together. Hopefully I can get that settled early and start working on the Round 1 Obs piece early.
Wednesday figures to be another off day. Thursday will be spent at a Volleyball Sectional: either Eastland, Oregon or Rochelle depending on who's actually there. Friday night will have to be spent at a somewhat close football game.
Saturday afternoon will be the same as well, but I have a bad feeling there's not going to be much around. I work at 4. The best hope is for Rockford Christian to beat Oregon, and Newman to beat Sherrard - which makes a Newman home game for 1:00 usually. An Oregon-Sherrard rematch may also work, but will be cutting it close. If EPC beats Downs Tri-Valley, they'll host Morrison. If the game is in Lanark, that may also work. These are the only scanerios for Saturday.
Friday's scenarios look dim.
At least I'm getting some hours.
I hope I pass the audition!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Next Great Debate
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.92.01
Current Song - Break my Stride (Matthew Wilder)
In the turn of this century, there was much talk about the expansion of football classes. It was the first hot topic discussed on Illinois high school sports message boards, I'm sure.
Then a couple of years later, there was an even greater hot topic. Many message boards even laid out rules regarding the public-private debate, which included such things as the Multiplier.
A couple of years later, another hot topic was debated. However, the class expansion wave didn't generate as much talk as the public-private debate did.
I'm predicting a pattern here. Whatever is the next great debate may be as big as public-private.
I believe Geographical Competition will be the next biggest thing to debate. Included in this are sectional complexes, and the ever-growing call for 1-32 seeding in football.
---
It's Wednesday, so that means I'm trying to plan my week.
I'm getting more money at work. At first I thought I was going to need new shoes, but they are okay at the moment. My shoes got torn up while walking along the muddy Rock Falls football sideline this past Friday. I'm aiming for 28.5 hours this week. I work tomorrow afternoon, Friday afternoon, and the weekend nights. That's another $200 to put in safe keeping. I think it'll be the richest I've ever been when I get next week's paycheck.
I'm going to write the F5 when I get home from work tomorrow afternoon. Friday afternoon will be work, and then straight to the Sterling-LP game that I'm covering. I will be in the press box for this one, that way I can try to improve my stat keeping.
Hopefully I can make it to the Somonauk VB Regional on Saturday, and cover it. I'll be passing out candy for Halloween while at work. That leaves Round 1 Observations left to do.
I'm actually going to postpone Round 1 Observations until Tuesday morning. That's because I have this all-important two-page paper to write about a film we saw in class. The film is called "Bicycle Thieves," which is an Italian film often called one of the best ever made. I'm going to spend all day Sunday and all day Monday working on it. Luckilly I found a complete print on YouTube.
That leaves a column and a blog proposal on the backburner for now. I'm going to have to cancel an appearance at the PJStar Message Board get-together. That is, unless I can rush through the F5 and have time to start the Film paper. Monday morning at 8:00 a.m. I'm also going to have to register for my Sauk classes for spring.
Current Song - Break my Stride (Matthew Wilder)
In the turn of this century, there was much talk about the expansion of football classes. It was the first hot topic discussed on Illinois high school sports message boards, I'm sure.
Then a couple of years later, there was an even greater hot topic. Many message boards even laid out rules regarding the public-private debate, which included such things as the Multiplier.
A couple of years later, another hot topic was debated. However, the class expansion wave didn't generate as much talk as the public-private debate did.
I'm predicting a pattern here. Whatever is the next great debate may be as big as public-private.
I believe Geographical Competition will be the next biggest thing to debate. Included in this are sectional complexes, and the ever-growing call for 1-32 seeding in football.
---
It's Wednesday, so that means I'm trying to plan my week.
I'm getting more money at work. At first I thought I was going to need new shoes, but they are okay at the moment. My shoes got torn up while walking along the muddy Rock Falls football sideline this past Friday. I'm aiming for 28.5 hours this week. I work tomorrow afternoon, Friday afternoon, and the weekend nights. That's another $200 to put in safe keeping. I think it'll be the richest I've ever been when I get next week's paycheck.
I'm going to write the F5 when I get home from work tomorrow afternoon. Friday afternoon will be work, and then straight to the Sterling-LP game that I'm covering. I will be in the press box for this one, that way I can try to improve my stat keeping.
Hopefully I can make it to the Somonauk VB Regional on Saturday, and cover it. I'll be passing out candy for Halloween while at work. That leaves Round 1 Observations left to do.
I'm actually going to postpone Round 1 Observations until Tuesday morning. That's because I have this all-important two-page paper to write about a film we saw in class. The film is called "Bicycle Thieves," which is an Italian film often called one of the best ever made. I'm going to spend all day Sunday and all day Monday working on it. Luckilly I found a complete print on YouTube.
That leaves a column and a blog proposal on the backburner for now. I'm going to have to cancel an appearance at the PJStar Message Board get-together. That is, unless I can rush through the F5 and have time to start the Film paper. Monday morning at 8:00 a.m. I'm also going to have to register for my Sauk classes for spring.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
More Site Talk
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.82.9002
Current Song - Don't Sleep in the Subway (Petula Clark)
When I started the site, the message board began with many NCIprep holdovers. The posters were from bits and pieces from all over the place. Many retired, except for the ones closer to Sterling. They helped bring in many new message board posters from around their area.
Many times I had tried to think of a way to get more posters on the message board. I tried flyers, and even tried mailing letters to each school. Nothing really brought people to the boards. It just had to take some time. Now, I think I've pinpointed the general area of the board's popularity.
Current Song - Don't Sleep in the Subway (Petula Clark)
When I started the site, the message board began with many NCIprep holdovers. The posters were from bits and pieces from all over the place. Many retired, except for the ones closer to Sterling. They helped bring in many new message board posters from around their area.
Many times I had tried to think of a way to get more posters on the message board. I tried flyers, and even tried mailing letters to each school. Nothing really brought people to the boards. It just had to take some time. Now, I think I've pinpointed the general area of the board's popularity.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Free days
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.12.90
Current Song - Shattered Dreams (Johnny Hates Jazz)
Now that I'm working a little more often, I find myself excited at the opportunity of getting a Free Day. A free day means no work and no classes. Today is a free day. A free day is fun until the end, where you have to plan the rest of the week until your next free day.
I have the pressure of two exams and two pieces of homework lifted from me. I've got things on the website done. Now what?
I've got to get my paycheck, make my monthly car insurance payment, and put a portion of that in my savings.
I work on Thursday night, Friday afternoon, and the weekend nights. There's nothing real good going on tonight. I'm going to Rock Falls-Rockridge on Friday night, and can't really go anywhere else until next Wednesday, and it's going to be the usual nothing. I'm also going to be at work for Pairings Night, too, which is a big disappointment.
As far as the first round of the playoffs goes, I think I'm going to find a good Friday night football game and cover a Volleyball Regional on Saturday afternoon. All that plus the usual written banter on NISB.
I wouldn't be surprised to see next week's post look just like this one.
Current Song - Shattered Dreams (Johnny Hates Jazz)
Now that I'm working a little more often, I find myself excited at the opportunity of getting a Free Day. A free day means no work and no classes. Today is a free day. A free day is fun until the end, where you have to plan the rest of the week until your next free day.
I have the pressure of two exams and two pieces of homework lifted from me. I've got things on the website done. Now what?
I've got to get my paycheck, make my monthly car insurance payment, and put a portion of that in my savings.
I work on Thursday night, Friday afternoon, and the weekend nights. There's nothing real good going on tonight. I'm going to Rock Falls-Rockridge on Friday night, and can't really go anywhere else until next Wednesday, and it's going to be the usual nothing. I'm also going to be at work for Pairings Night, too, which is a big disappointment.
As far as the first round of the playoffs goes, I think I'm going to find a good Friday night football game and cover a Volleyball Regional on Saturday afternoon. All that plus the usual written banter on NISB.
I wouldn't be surprised to see next week's post look just like this one.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Hours!
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.41.01
Current Song - Everybody Everybody (Black Box)
I got more hours at work, but it was due to a very unfortunate circumstance. One of the women there, who is really good at what she does, was let go. We're trying to fill in her hours, and I'm going to work Thursday night, Friday afternoon, and my usual weekend. The paycheck is going to double, and that should work out well for my school/insurance payments. However, I still can't believe she is gone.
With my Thursday plans (Moline-Quincy VB) cancelled, I tried to find the best Wednesday event. Turns out a volleyball game between Freeport and Rockford East was the best one, as the two teams were 1-2 seeds at their Regional tournament. The match didn't turn out to be a good one, as Freeport stomped on East. I ended up just posting a score on the message board.
Hopefully I can get out of work at a decent time to make it up to the Alden-Hebron/Rockford Christian game. If I can't get that far, then the crosstown showdown between the two Belvidere schools will do.
The coming days are going to be VERY hectic. I've got an essay to do for the film class. I've got a math test to study for, and a film mid-term as well. The football article, Friday 5 and Weekly observations piece too. Plus work. In fact, I forgot to do the Fake Polls for last week. I think I can try to see what I can get done tonight before passing out.
Current Song - Everybody Everybody (Black Box)
I got more hours at work, but it was due to a very unfortunate circumstance. One of the women there, who is really good at what she does, was let go. We're trying to fill in her hours, and I'm going to work Thursday night, Friday afternoon, and my usual weekend. The paycheck is going to double, and that should work out well for my school/insurance payments. However, I still can't believe she is gone.
With my Thursday plans (Moline-Quincy VB) cancelled, I tried to find the best Wednesday event. Turns out a volleyball game between Freeport and Rockford East was the best one, as the two teams were 1-2 seeds at their Regional tournament. The match didn't turn out to be a good one, as Freeport stomped on East. I ended up just posting a score on the message board.
Hopefully I can get out of work at a decent time to make it up to the Alden-Hebron/Rockford Christian game. If I can't get that far, then the crosstown showdown between the two Belvidere schools will do.
The coming days are going to be VERY hectic. I've got an essay to do for the film class. I've got a math test to study for, and a film mid-term as well. The football article, Friday 5 and Weekly observations piece too. Plus work. In fact, I forgot to do the Fake Polls for last week. I think I can try to see what I can get done tonight before passing out.
There's always time
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.41.01
Current Song - Easy Lover (Phil Collins/Philip Bailey)
I frequent the SportsJournalists.com message board. I usually go there for tips on how to improve myself as a high school sportswriter.
I'm not in a serious job hunt at this time, but today's tip came from a topic calling for a writer at the Quincy Herald-Whig.
It was about what to put in a portfolio.
I think most good-sized papers ask for a portfolio of five pieces. The advice was to not put all gamers in it, or even four gamers out of the five. I should put a variety of pieces in it.
I haven't inquired at a newspaper since leaving Sauk Valley Newspapers five years ago. I only flirted with openings at the BCR and QC Times, and even those were longshots. Even though I know darn well not to fill it up with gamers, it did make me think about exactly what to put together.
So what's out there? There's game stories, feature articles and columns. That's three. I figure I should get my best game story, my best feature story and my best column. I should put them together with the two ICCJA award-winning pieces (a gamer and a feature).
1. "Not So Fast" - a men's basketball gamer written for the SVCC Voyager in 2007 between Sauk and Black Hawk East. This won second place for best gamer. However, after looking at it one more time the lead looks real crappy.
2. "Young, But Determined" - a volleyball feature written for the Highland Chronicle in 2008 as a team preview. This got honorable mention in 2009.
After that, I'm real weary about putting any piece from NISB in my portfolio. So I have to look deep into the SVN vault. Hopefully spring/summer 2004 isn't too old.
3. "Oh, What a Season!: It was the stuff dreams were made of" - My 100-plus-inch feature on Rock Falls Softball's season and fourth-place finish at the Class A State Tournament in 2004. And yes, it DID run. It may have been the first wrap-around in the sports section in quite some time. The paper does this a lot now.
4. "Sterling's Chiu wins one to write home about" - A gamer of the NCIC boy's tennis meet. Exchange student Koon Chiu was a part of the winning No. 1 Doubles team. Its my best non-Rock Falls and non-softball gamer. The portfolio is supposed to be diverse, right?
The final piece in the portfolio is a column. I only wrote a handful of columns for SVN, but I shouldn't include a third piece from 2004. At the same time I hate digging through the NISB archive, but I think I have no choice.
5. "The Trial of Steve Sandholm" - Yes, THAT one. A copy of it sits somewhere in Sandholm's lawyer's file cabinet.
If there's any other suggestions, or general suggestions, feel free to let me know.
---
Another suggestion from the message board topic was to have some sort of background in design. The only layout I currently do is with a website. Of the five semesters I have worked with a college newspaper, I had design experience in two of them. It was with Quark, and I think most papers have transitioned to InDesign - which I have no experience with at all. InDesign costs somewhere in the neighborhood of $500. Do I really have to cough up that much just to toy with it on my own?
It's like the job interview I once had for being a pizza delivery driver (before working at gas stations). "Have you ever held cash?" Well, where do I start???
Have I ever worked with InDesign? No. But how do I start?
Current Song - Easy Lover (Phil Collins/Philip Bailey)
I frequent the SportsJournalists.com message board. I usually go there for tips on how to improve myself as a high school sportswriter.
I'm not in a serious job hunt at this time, but today's tip came from a topic calling for a writer at the Quincy Herald-Whig.
It was about what to put in a portfolio.
I think most good-sized papers ask for a portfolio of five pieces. The advice was to not put all gamers in it, or even four gamers out of the five. I should put a variety of pieces in it.
I haven't inquired at a newspaper since leaving Sauk Valley Newspapers five years ago. I only flirted with openings at the BCR and QC Times, and even those were longshots. Even though I know darn well not to fill it up with gamers, it did make me think about exactly what to put together.
So what's out there? There's game stories, feature articles and columns. That's three. I figure I should get my best game story, my best feature story and my best column. I should put them together with the two ICCJA award-winning pieces (a gamer and a feature).
1. "Not So Fast" - a men's basketball gamer written for the SVCC Voyager in 2007 between Sauk and Black Hawk East. This won second place for best gamer. However, after looking at it one more time the lead looks real crappy.
2. "Young, But Determined" - a volleyball feature written for the Highland Chronicle in 2008 as a team preview. This got honorable mention in 2009.
After that, I'm real weary about putting any piece from NISB in my portfolio. So I have to look deep into the SVN vault. Hopefully spring/summer 2004 isn't too old.
3. "Oh, What a Season!: It was the stuff dreams were made of" - My 100-plus-inch feature on Rock Falls Softball's season and fourth-place finish at the Class A State Tournament in 2004. And yes, it DID run. It may have been the first wrap-around in the sports section in quite some time. The paper does this a lot now.
4. "Sterling's Chiu wins one to write home about" - A gamer of the NCIC boy's tennis meet. Exchange student Koon Chiu was a part of the winning No. 1 Doubles team. Its my best non-Rock Falls and non-softball gamer. The portfolio is supposed to be diverse, right?
The final piece in the portfolio is a column. I only wrote a handful of columns for SVN, but I shouldn't include a third piece from 2004. At the same time I hate digging through the NISB archive, but I think I have no choice.
5. "The Trial of Steve Sandholm" - Yes, THAT one. A copy of it sits somewhere in Sandholm's lawyer's file cabinet.
If there's any other suggestions, or general suggestions, feel free to let me know.
---
Another suggestion from the message board topic was to have some sort of background in design. The only layout I currently do is with a website. Of the five semesters I have worked with a college newspaper, I had design experience in two of them. It was with Quark, and I think most papers have transitioned to InDesign - which I have no experience with at all. InDesign costs somewhere in the neighborhood of $500. Do I really have to cough up that much just to toy with it on my own?
It's like the job interview I once had for being a pizza delivery driver (before working at gas stations). "Have you ever held cash?" Well, where do I start???
Have I ever worked with InDesign? No. But how do I start?
Monday, October 12, 2009
Crap!
Cutter’s Log – Stardate 9002.21.01
Current Song – Get Down (Gilbert O’Sullivan)
The computer got H1N1, or something like that.
My computer was offset by a virus on Friday, which seemed to come out of nowhere. I had to take the computer down to the shop to get repaired. It’s still there as of this write. I’m working at the SVCC Computer Lab at the moment, where the internet was down for quite a while. It’s up now.
So I’m trying to find a way to access the website. I tried at my grandmother's house, but her computer is too slow. So I'm at SVCC. I have to download a plugin to my traveldrive, and from there end up downloading the site tools from the Internet onto the computer's desktop. I have to be sure to erase my things once i leave the computer. The next day I'll have to do the downloading over again.
Therefore, I had to cancel my plans to cover the Riverdale-St. Bede game on Friday night. It turned out to be a very good game as Riverdale won 23-22. I also had to cancel plans to take pictures of the Dixon VB Invite, and cover the Sterling Boys Golf Sectional, which is going on right now. I haven’t event written the Observations piece yet, or tallied up the Pick’ems yet.
I had to find out some scores the old fashioned way – by reading the newspaper. That’s how I found out Rock Falls defeated Hall. In the short time I read the weekend’s activity on the boards, I am surprised that this huge upset did not generate more talk than the ONE post. There were many posts on the expected Sterling blowout of Streator. It baffles me a bit. With the win, Rock Falls moves to 3-4 on the season. They play winless Kewanee this week, and could very well be 4-4 heading into the final week. This hasn’t happened since 2003, and I clearly remember this talk.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a Sterling alum. I like the Sterling talk on there. There doesn’t need to be less of it. I just wish there were other schools and fans of these other schools that would make their voices heard as much as Sterling fans do.
I know where I’m going for Week 9!
Current Song – Get Down (Gilbert O’Sullivan)
The computer got H1N1, or something like that.
My computer was offset by a virus on Friday, which seemed to come out of nowhere. I had to take the computer down to the shop to get repaired. It’s still there as of this write. I’m working at the SVCC Computer Lab at the moment, where the internet was down for quite a while. It’s up now.
So I’m trying to find a way to access the website. I tried at my grandmother's house, but her computer is too slow. So I'm at SVCC. I have to download a plugin to my traveldrive, and from there end up downloading the site tools from the Internet onto the computer's desktop. I have to be sure to erase my things once i leave the computer. The next day I'll have to do the downloading over again.
Therefore, I had to cancel my plans to cover the Riverdale-St. Bede game on Friday night. It turned out to be a very good game as Riverdale won 23-22. I also had to cancel plans to take pictures of the Dixon VB Invite, and cover the Sterling Boys Golf Sectional, which is going on right now. I haven’t event written the Observations piece yet, or tallied up the Pick’ems yet.
I had to find out some scores the old fashioned way – by reading the newspaper. That’s how I found out Rock Falls defeated Hall. In the short time I read the weekend’s activity on the boards, I am surprised that this huge upset did not generate more talk than the ONE post. There were many posts on the expected Sterling blowout of Streator. It baffles me a bit. With the win, Rock Falls moves to 3-4 on the season. They play winless Kewanee this week, and could very well be 4-4 heading into the final week. This hasn’t happened since 2003, and I clearly remember this talk.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a Sterling alum. I like the Sterling talk on there. There doesn’t need to be less of it. I just wish there were other schools and fans of these other schools that would make their voices heard as much as Sterling fans do.
I know where I’m going for Week 9!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Digital Camera on last leg
Current Song - Stardate 9002.90.01
Current Song - Grease (Frankie Valli)
I was covering the AFC-Orangeville volleyball meet tonight, and had my digital camera with me. Earlier in the year I thought it would be good to take a couple of pictures of the events I cover.
The camera is a Canon Powershot A95. I got it from my grandparents on my high school graduation. I graduated in May of 2005, so it's probably five years old. In fact, I know it's old because the flashcard that came with it is one that is not sold in stores anymore.
It worked real well when I was taking pictures for the site early on. It still works well for still images. It just can't muster any action shots anymore. The pictures keep getting blurry and the zoom sucks. It's like I need to be a few feet away in order to have a chance at a good shot. I can't really do that while I'm covering a game.
Maybe it was this double-duty thing that made the pics look bad. I'll try the camera one more time, when I head for the Dixon VB Invitational on Saturday afternoon. If it doesn't work out, then who knows what I'll be doing.
It's not a piece of junk just yet. Like I said, it does well for stand-alone shots and works well for Glory Days trips and vacations.
Current Song - Grease (Frankie Valli)
I was covering the AFC-Orangeville volleyball meet tonight, and had my digital camera with me. Earlier in the year I thought it would be good to take a couple of pictures of the events I cover.
The camera is a Canon Powershot A95. I got it from my grandparents on my high school graduation. I graduated in May of 2005, so it's probably five years old. In fact, I know it's old because the flashcard that came with it is one that is not sold in stores anymore.
It worked real well when I was taking pictures for the site early on. It still works well for still images. It just can't muster any action shots anymore. The pictures keep getting blurry and the zoom sucks. It's like I need to be a few feet away in order to have a chance at a good shot. I can't really do that while I'm covering a game.
Maybe it was this double-duty thing that made the pics look bad. I'll try the camera one more time, when I head for the Dixon VB Invitational on Saturday afternoon. If it doesn't work out, then who knows what I'll be doing.
It's not a piece of junk just yet. Like I said, it does well for stand-alone shots and works well for Glory Days trips and vacations.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Found a few?
Cutter's Log - Supplemental
I made a search for weekly newspapers from around the SV area. I found the Fulton Journal, the Carroll County Mirror-Democrat, the Carroll County Reporter and the Savanna Times-Journal. I also got a Polo paper today. I have read the Amboy and Ashton papers online.
Fulton has two high schools: Fulton and Unity. Carroll County has three: Eastland, Milledgeville and West Carroll. Polo just has Polo. Amboy just has Amboy and Ashton just has AFC.
Each will hear from me.
I made a search for weekly newspapers from around the SV area. I found the Fulton Journal, the Carroll County Mirror-Democrat, the Carroll County Reporter and the Savanna Times-Journal. I also got a Polo paper today. I have read the Amboy and Ashton papers online.
Fulton has two high schools: Fulton and Unity. Carroll County has three: Eastland, Milledgeville and West Carroll. Polo just has Polo. Amboy just has Amboy and Ashton just has AFC.
Each will hear from me.
Payday
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.70.01
Current Song - Smiling Faces (The Undisputed Truth)
Today is payday - so I'm getting my meager $120ish. I have my final college payment coming in 10 days, and hopefully I won't have to w/d anything from my savings to cover for it.
I was digging through my desk a couple of days ago and found an uncashed birthday check from April. It's still good, and it's more money that came from nowhere. If only life could work like that ... lol.
I drove to Erie to buy an Erie Review. It seems as if Riverdale sports are well-covered because an athlete from each team is writing the stories. Didn't see anything on Riverdale football, or any of Erie sports (save EP football). It's a great concept, really. However, if I were to fill in the missing blanks, it may bring a writing style/philos conflict that I don't want to occur. If anything, I would like to encourage Erie students to do the same thing as Riverdale does.
So call my aspirations for the Erie Review dead in the water, too. I'm going to try Fulton, Amboy and Ashton. I think there's also a Polo and/or Mt. Carroll paper?
Current Song - Smiling Faces (The Undisputed Truth)
Today is payday - so I'm getting my meager $120ish. I have my final college payment coming in 10 days, and hopefully I won't have to w/d anything from my savings to cover for it.
I was digging through my desk a couple of days ago and found an uncashed birthday check from April. It's still good, and it's more money that came from nowhere. If only life could work like that ... lol.
I drove to Erie to buy an Erie Review. It seems as if Riverdale sports are well-covered because an athlete from each team is writing the stories. Didn't see anything on Riverdale football, or any of Erie sports (save EP football). It's a great concept, really. However, if I were to fill in the missing blanks, it may bring a writing style/philos conflict that I don't want to occur. If anything, I would like to encourage Erie students to do the same thing as Riverdale does.
So call my aspirations for the Erie Review dead in the water, too. I'm going to try Fulton, Amboy and Ashton. I think there's also a Polo and/or Mt. Carroll paper?
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Work Update
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.60.01
Current Song - I Can Dream About You (Dan Hartman)
I can pretty much call the Rt. 30 thing stuck in the water. They rehired someone, a former night worker, who is known for her flexability. She even helped out at my station a few times. This is coupled with the if-the-new-girl-doesn't-work-out backup plan.
I have thought about getting a Monday-thru-Friday (or Thursday) first-shift job somewhere. That would make Shell the part-time gig. But where could I get that first-shift thing?
Actually, the biggest question is 'am i up to it?' It would involve getting up at 6:00 a.m. and getting off sometime around 5:00. I would still have time for high school sports on Wednesday-Friday nights, that is if I'm not falling flat when I come home. Well, pizza delivery? Erie Review?
Current Song - I Can Dream About You (Dan Hartman)
I can pretty much call the Rt. 30 thing stuck in the water. They rehired someone, a former night worker, who is known for her flexability. She even helped out at my station a few times. This is coupled with the if-the-new-girl-doesn't-work-out backup plan.
I have thought about getting a Monday-thru-Friday (or Thursday) first-shift job somewhere. That would make Shell the part-time gig. But where could I get that first-shift thing?
Actually, the biggest question is 'am i up to it?' It would involve getting up at 6:00 a.m. and getting off sometime around 5:00. I would still have time for high school sports on Wednesday-Friday nights, that is if I'm not falling flat when I come home. Well, pizza delivery? Erie Review?
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Silver
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.40.01
Current Song - Jack and Jill (Raydio)
I've recently become interested in finding silver coins.
So I guess that's another one minute of time wasted at the gas station. The price of silver as of this entry is $16.65/ounce. I've got $1.25 face value, which translates to a minimum asking price of $14.87. I'm going to keep the Peace Dollar I have, so the $0.25 I've actually garnered translates into $2.92.
Current Song - Jack and Jill (Raydio)
I've recently become interested in finding silver coins.
So I guess that's another one minute of time wasted at the gas station. The price of silver as of this entry is $16.65/ounce. I've got $1.25 face value, which translates to a minimum asking price of $14.87. I'm going to keep the Peace Dollar I have, so the $0.25 I've actually garnered translates into $2.92.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
At the tip of the tongue - crap I can't talk!
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.30.01
Current Song - The Best Is Yet To Come (Frank Sinatra)
I had a career-changing, if not life-changing, experience at the Sterling-Morris football game on Friday night.
In 5 of my 7 years of high school sportswriting I had been writing articles that had some sort of quoted matter in them. Only for 1/4 of these five years had I actually found the courage to strike up a conversation to get quotes. That 1/4 was when I was working at the newspaper. The rest of the time while running NISB I have just sat back and let the newspaper reporters do their thing. After all, they are on a deadline and I don't want to distrupt their train of thought.
They think I just stand there with a recorder just to get some free information. I just don't want to distrupt the writer.
However, there are a lot of times when my social ineffectiveness kicks in. It really did at this football game. I WANTED to talk, but I COULDN'T.
If I want to keep going in this career goal to be a high school sportswriter, conducting an interview is one of the things I have to excel at. I can't just sit back and tune in anymore, but at the same time I don't want to interfere with the other writers' mindset.
I need to find good games/meets that are less likely to be covered by a newspaper reporter, and cover them myself. The problem is, where? And how will this effect the following on NISB?
I've got one football game in mind for next week. Hopefully all will go well there. Hopefully laying off the real big games will help bring a more diverse audience to NISB.
Current Song - The Best Is Yet To Come (Frank Sinatra)
I had a career-changing, if not life-changing, experience at the Sterling-Morris football game on Friday night.
In 5 of my 7 years of high school sportswriting I had been writing articles that had some sort of quoted matter in them. Only for 1/4 of these five years had I actually found the courage to strike up a conversation to get quotes. That 1/4 was when I was working at the newspaper. The rest of the time while running NISB I have just sat back and let the newspaper reporters do their thing. After all, they are on a deadline and I don't want to distrupt their train of thought.
They think I just stand there with a recorder just to get some free information. I just don't want to distrupt the writer.
However, there are a lot of times when my social ineffectiveness kicks in. It really did at this football game. I WANTED to talk, but I COULDN'T.
If I want to keep going in this career goal to be a high school sportswriter, conducting an interview is one of the things I have to excel at. I can't just sit back and tune in anymore, but at the same time I don't want to interfere with the other writers' mindset.
I need to find good games/meets that are less likely to be covered by a newspaper reporter, and cover them myself. The problem is, where? And how will this effect the following on NISB?
I've got one football game in mind for next week. Hopefully all will go well there. Hopefully laying off the real big games will help bring a more diverse audience to NISB.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Even More Thoughts About NISB
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.92.90
Current Song - Whispers (unknown artist)
I've always had another writer in mind for NISB. If I were to ever afford to these freelance writers, this is something I wouldn't mind doing.
I have plans in mind, so if you want to know what I'm thinking, let me know.
Current Song - Whispers (unknown artist)
I've always had another writer in mind for NISB. If I were to ever afford to these freelance writers, this is something I wouldn't mind doing.
I have plans in mind, so if you want to know what I'm thinking, let me know.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Thoughts about NISB
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.72.90
Current Song - Steppin Out (Joe Jackson)
There was only one time in NISB's history when I had my full concentration on it. That was from when I graduated high school in June 2005 until starting work at the BP station in August 2006; the entire 2005-06 school year.
Sauk was on the schedule too, but it didn't turn out to be as bad as I thought it would.
When I look at on the 2005-06 school year (and you can too by viewing the NISB story archive), I saw some real good teams, some real good games (Erie 80-West Carroll 78 in 2 OTs) documented the rise of some programs (Polo and Lemont football come to mind), and did Q&As on several good athletes. The next year, having squeezed work time in the mix, the stuff I wrote didn't turn out that well.
I then wrote a column, sometime after the 2007 RF Shootout, about being through with game articles. I accomplished what I could with game articles, but decided to stick to columns and feature pieces. These kind of pieces involve less travel and more time communicating via e-mail or phone.
That was January 2007. Since then I've written a bunch of non-gamer stories: Kewanee's Conference drama, "The Trial of Steve Sandholm," the IPA situation, NCIC expansion, PA prayer, and the basketball coaching wins record all come to mind. I did stick a few gamers in there when I could.
"When I can." That's the story of how I'm running NISB right now. I run it when I can. The amount of things released on the site has decreased considerably since getting a job. I left that BP station in April of 2008 and three months later found myself at the Shell station I currently work at. I was able to write the Five-part NCIC series and expand the MLB draft coverage in that small amount of time.
When I started at Shell I was named the main clerk for nights. That meant working the busy Friday and Saturday evening shifts. There went most of everything, except for writing columns on statistics on nights off. At the same time, it did help my column-writing. I feel I can crank out a column whenever I feel like it.
However, just writing columns isn't going to get me anywhere. I had a serious hours reduction at work that allowed me to fit in a few things for the site. I started writing football game articles once more. I actually got the new version of the site off the ground. The extra time was devoted toward finding out things for the Friday 5, and other bits and pieces.
One day, just this past week, I wanted to go down to Princeton to do research for a story I had in mind. The end result was the history of the Kewanee-Princeton football rivalry. I've received more kind words about that particular piece than any other one I've written for NISB. I covered the particular football game - which is kind of odd because I usually cover the top-notch games - and covering it was an interesting experience. I got to witness something historic ending, met some people that liked the site, and drove back in a thick fog.
The football game this past Friday was a tough one to cover. But it is games like these that have to be taken seriously in order to write a good gamer. I cried many tears after seeing Boylan-Guilford in last year's opener. I cried after Friday's game. I kept on thinking, this is what I want to do. This is what I want to do.
I have thought about doing this for The Review, a weekly newspaper covering SW Whiteside and Northern RI counties. I e-mailed a former editor for their parent company, and he mentioned that it won't stuff the wallet very much. I'd have to write 6-7 stories in order to make as much money as I do, on average, at Shell. That's easy, right? E-P Football, Riverdale Football, Erie VB, Riverdale VB, Erie Golf, Riverdale Golf, E-P XC, Riverdale XC, and Riverdale soccer - nothing real top notch. That's nine. However, it will take up too much space in the tiny paper, which would probably have to raise its newsstand price in order to accomodate me. I don't want that to happen.
It's going to be a backup plan, just in case something bad happens.
All of that, and the Kewanee experience, is making me lean toward coming back to writing gamers. The column well seems to have run dry. Now if I can make time for something. A non-football event would have to be on Wednesday or Thursday.
Enter in that MASH episode where everyone is dreaming. This is where the excitement ends.
Things at work have not been going so smoothly. Being down to two nights a week bites. I'm going to ask Route 30 if there's something for Wednesday and Thursday night.
Current Song - Steppin Out (Joe Jackson)
There was only one time in NISB's history when I had my full concentration on it. That was from when I graduated high school in June 2005 until starting work at the BP station in August 2006; the entire 2005-06 school year.
Sauk was on the schedule too, but it didn't turn out to be as bad as I thought it would.
When I look at on the 2005-06 school year (and you can too by viewing the NISB story archive), I saw some real good teams, some real good games (Erie 80-West Carroll 78 in 2 OTs) documented the rise of some programs (Polo and Lemont football come to mind), and did Q&As on several good athletes. The next year, having squeezed work time in the mix, the stuff I wrote didn't turn out that well.
I then wrote a column, sometime after the 2007 RF Shootout, about being through with game articles. I accomplished what I could with game articles, but decided to stick to columns and feature pieces. These kind of pieces involve less travel and more time communicating via e-mail or phone.
That was January 2007. Since then I've written a bunch of non-gamer stories: Kewanee's Conference drama, "The Trial of Steve Sandholm," the IPA situation, NCIC expansion, PA prayer, and the basketball coaching wins record all come to mind. I did stick a few gamers in there when I could.
"When I can." That's the story of how I'm running NISB right now. I run it when I can. The amount of things released on the site has decreased considerably since getting a job. I left that BP station in April of 2008 and three months later found myself at the Shell station I currently work at. I was able to write the Five-part NCIC series and expand the MLB draft coverage in that small amount of time.
When I started at Shell I was named the main clerk for nights. That meant working the busy Friday and Saturday evening shifts. There went most of everything, except for writing columns on statistics on nights off. At the same time, it did help my column-writing. I feel I can crank out a column whenever I feel like it.
However, just writing columns isn't going to get me anywhere. I had a serious hours reduction at work that allowed me to fit in a few things for the site. I started writing football game articles once more. I actually got the new version of the site off the ground. The extra time was devoted toward finding out things for the Friday 5, and other bits and pieces.
One day, just this past week, I wanted to go down to Princeton to do research for a story I had in mind. The end result was the history of the Kewanee-Princeton football rivalry. I've received more kind words about that particular piece than any other one I've written for NISB. I covered the particular football game - which is kind of odd because I usually cover the top-notch games - and covering it was an interesting experience. I got to witness something historic ending, met some people that liked the site, and drove back in a thick fog.
The football game this past Friday was a tough one to cover. But it is games like these that have to be taken seriously in order to write a good gamer. I cried many tears after seeing Boylan-Guilford in last year's opener. I cried after Friday's game. I kept on thinking, this is what I want to do. This is what I want to do.
I have thought about doing this for The Review, a weekly newspaper covering SW Whiteside and Northern RI counties. I e-mailed a former editor for their parent company, and he mentioned that it won't stuff the wallet very much. I'd have to write 6-7 stories in order to make as much money as I do, on average, at Shell. That's easy, right? E-P Football, Riverdale Football, Erie VB, Riverdale VB, Erie Golf, Riverdale Golf, E-P XC, Riverdale XC, and Riverdale soccer - nothing real top notch. That's nine. However, it will take up too much space in the tiny paper, which would probably have to raise its newsstand price in order to accomodate me. I don't want that to happen.
It's going to be a backup plan, just in case something bad happens.
All of that, and the Kewanee experience, is making me lean toward coming back to writing gamers. The column well seems to have run dry. Now if I can make time for something. A non-football event would have to be on Wednesday or Thursday.
Enter in that MASH episode where everyone is dreaming. This is where the excitement ends.
Things at work have not been going so smoothly. Being down to two nights a week bites. I'm going to ask Route 30 if there's something for Wednesday and Thursday night.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
When it comes to research ...
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.42.90
Current Song - Reminiscing (Little River Band)
I know what I'm doing.
This may sound strange, but I never liked doing research. It took the love of high school sports to get me to like research. I enjoyed doing research stories for the Gazette (Newman's 1985 Wrestling season, the brief history of Sauk Valley high school football, the 50th anniversary of Sterling Youth Baseball). When I left there I carried this over to NISB. Then it got me interested in Illinois High School Glory Days.
NISB began to take shape during my first years of college, where I was taking a Western Civilizations class at the time. After doing the college research papers, I began to get a feel for credible research and used it for certain NISB historical articles. My history instructor, Rich Eichman, spoke these words about research that I will never forget:
"Consider your source."
I've done quite a bit of high school sports/history research in the past few years. There are plenty of sources out there when trying to uncover when doing high school research.
Let's go into the making of my article "The History of the NCIC" -
http://www.northernillinoissportsbeat.com/2009spring/news/ncichistory.html
I wrote this piece because different newspapers were writing different histories of the conference. For example, one paper had the conference forming in 1942 (it was really 1929), another had Geneseo joining in 1947 (1942), another had Rock Falls as a charter member (1942). My article aimed to correct this information.
Most of what was written in the papers came as a result of looking at a past issue of recent timing, before the popularity of microfilm. The problem with referring to recent information is that the possibility of it being skewed exists. Some newspaper writers are absolutely certain that what was in their paper at one point of time is really true.
Say something happened in 1958. Which is the best source? A) A 30th Anniversary Article of the event from 1998? B) An account of the event from 1958? The answer is B. You try to find information dating back to the most recent account. It is freshest this way, and is not filled with after-the-fact information. Historical accounts often have this after-the-fact information to define it's legacy. However, in newspaper writing, one is limited to the amount of space they are alotted. Therefore, namy details about the event are left out in order to give readers a recent link (interviews). In most instances of historical accounts written before the 1980s, the research isn't as easy.
Since I'm from Sterling, I started looking through Sterling-based accounts. There's the newspaper's microfilm. There's also the high school yearbooks.
Yearbooks are the most underrated source of information. They are extremely valuable. That's because the books are made for the SPECIFIC purpose of preserving the memories, events, and life in the high school. We turn to newspapers because of trust, but the purpose of newspapers and yearbooks do not match. Which has more information about the school? The yearbook does. This is why libraries attempt to keep a collection of high school yearbooks, and safeguard them extensively. The collection at Sterling and Rock Falls libraries are behind the front desk. Sterling's first yearbooks require gloves in order to touch - I'm not kidding.
When trying to find Sterling's first year in the NCIC, I sifted through yearbooks in a quick fashion. Yearbooks are quicker to go through, and I went 1970, 1960, 1950 and so on until I hit 1920. I didn't find the NCIC in the 1920 edition, so I went 1921, 1922, 1923 and so on, knowing I'd hit it sometime before 1930. I eventually found it in 1929.
After finding Sterling's first year in the NCIC I didn't say that was the first year of the NCIC. The 1928 yearbook still mentioned the Rock River Valley. From there I did fact checking through the newspaper, but noticed that a small paragraph in the 1928 book mentioned the formation of a new conference. That had to be verified, so I did the same motions at the Dixon Library.
From there, after knowing that both Sterling and Dixon were charter members of the NCIC, every yearbook was looked at up until LP joined. I was able to get information on what conference opponents were, and when the football divisions were created. After going through other school's yearbooks, I had a good idea what the history was.
--
So it's all about which source is better. When going on a research adventure for Illinois High School Glory Days, I'm always looking through the County Histories of the late 1800s. Subsequent county histories are always sourcing the previous one.
I look at all of the published county histories to see if the dates match. There could have been a recent discovery. There was an instance where two histories of the same county had different dates for a school's establishment. Which one is it? If the most recent county history cannot prove a contradiction to the earlier one, I go with the earlier history. If a contradiction is proved, then I go with the later history. Memory is fresher in the earlier histories.
--
I did a piece on the founder of the University of Illinois football, which happened to be the founder of Sterling High School football. In the process, I was able to relook at a piece of Sterling football history that I think only I knew about.
http://www.geocities.com/northernillinoissportsbeat/aa_winter08_columns_scottwilliams
First off, the name Scott Williams, to me, was known as the founder of SHS football - and there was a Scott Williams who was the founder of U of I football. Little did I know about his connections to the Fighting Illini until stumbling upon an article while doing GD research at SVCC. This particular piece linked the U of I's Williams with a newspaper position at the Gazette. It had me thinking if the two Scott Williams's were one.
The little "unknown piece of history" I had looked at was Sterling's 1898 football season consisting of just one game. It's not documented in the official SHS athletics research. But looking at the 1924 Blue and Gold, it had an article on the first and second teams. It mentioned the first team as an afterthought because the 1899 season fared much better.
So it does take a little going back-and-forth to get something right.
--
I have nothing new to share at this time. In my Kewanee-Princeton research, I was able to find evidence of a Princeton Football game taking place in 1895 against Geneseo. This was from the 1896 Princetonia yearbook. I know someone who is doing research on the history of Geneseo Football, beginning in 1912.
Current Song - Reminiscing (Little River Band)
I know what I'm doing.
This may sound strange, but I never liked doing research. It took the love of high school sports to get me to like research. I enjoyed doing research stories for the Gazette (Newman's 1985 Wrestling season, the brief history of Sauk Valley high school football, the 50th anniversary of Sterling Youth Baseball). When I left there I carried this over to NISB. Then it got me interested in Illinois High School Glory Days.
NISB began to take shape during my first years of college, where I was taking a Western Civilizations class at the time. After doing the college research papers, I began to get a feel for credible research and used it for certain NISB historical articles. My history instructor, Rich Eichman, spoke these words about research that I will never forget:
"Consider your source."
I've done quite a bit of high school sports/history research in the past few years. There are plenty of sources out there when trying to uncover when doing high school research.
Let's go into the making of my article "The History of the NCIC" -
http://www.northernillinoissportsbeat.com/2009spring/news/ncichistory.html
I wrote this piece because different newspapers were writing different histories of the conference. For example, one paper had the conference forming in 1942 (it was really 1929), another had Geneseo joining in 1947 (1942), another had Rock Falls as a charter member (1942). My article aimed to correct this information.
Most of what was written in the papers came as a result of looking at a past issue of recent timing, before the popularity of microfilm. The problem with referring to recent information is that the possibility of it being skewed exists. Some newspaper writers are absolutely certain that what was in their paper at one point of time is really true.
Say something happened in 1958. Which is the best source? A) A 30th Anniversary Article of the event from 1998? B) An account of the event from 1958? The answer is B. You try to find information dating back to the most recent account. It is freshest this way, and is not filled with after-the-fact information. Historical accounts often have this after-the-fact information to define it's legacy. However, in newspaper writing, one is limited to the amount of space they are alotted. Therefore, namy details about the event are left out in order to give readers a recent link (interviews). In most instances of historical accounts written before the 1980s, the research isn't as easy.
Since I'm from Sterling, I started looking through Sterling-based accounts. There's the newspaper's microfilm. There's also the high school yearbooks.
Yearbooks are the most underrated source of information. They are extremely valuable. That's because the books are made for the SPECIFIC purpose of preserving the memories, events, and life in the high school. We turn to newspapers because of trust, but the purpose of newspapers and yearbooks do not match. Which has more information about the school? The yearbook does. This is why libraries attempt to keep a collection of high school yearbooks, and safeguard them extensively. The collection at Sterling and Rock Falls libraries are behind the front desk. Sterling's first yearbooks require gloves in order to touch - I'm not kidding.
When trying to find Sterling's first year in the NCIC, I sifted through yearbooks in a quick fashion. Yearbooks are quicker to go through, and I went 1970, 1960, 1950 and so on until I hit 1920. I didn't find the NCIC in the 1920 edition, so I went 1921, 1922, 1923 and so on, knowing I'd hit it sometime before 1930. I eventually found it in 1929.
After finding Sterling's first year in the NCIC I didn't say that was the first year of the NCIC. The 1928 yearbook still mentioned the Rock River Valley. From there I did fact checking through the newspaper, but noticed that a small paragraph in the 1928 book mentioned the formation of a new conference. That had to be verified, so I did the same motions at the Dixon Library.
From there, after knowing that both Sterling and Dixon were charter members of the NCIC, every yearbook was looked at up until LP joined. I was able to get information on what conference opponents were, and when the football divisions were created. After going through other school's yearbooks, I had a good idea what the history was.
--
So it's all about which source is better. When going on a research adventure for Illinois High School Glory Days, I'm always looking through the County Histories of the late 1800s. Subsequent county histories are always sourcing the previous one.
I look at all of the published county histories to see if the dates match. There could have been a recent discovery. There was an instance where two histories of the same county had different dates for a school's establishment. Which one is it? If the most recent county history cannot prove a contradiction to the earlier one, I go with the earlier history. If a contradiction is proved, then I go with the later history. Memory is fresher in the earlier histories.
--
I did a piece on the founder of the University of Illinois football, which happened to be the founder of Sterling High School football. In the process, I was able to relook at a piece of Sterling football history that I think only I knew about.
http://www.geocities.com/northernillinoissportsbeat/aa_winter08_columns_scottwilliams
First off, the name Scott Williams, to me, was known as the founder of SHS football - and there was a Scott Williams who was the founder of U of I football. Little did I know about his connections to the Fighting Illini until stumbling upon an article while doing GD research at SVCC. This particular piece linked the U of I's Williams with a newspaper position at the Gazette. It had me thinking if the two Scott Williams's were one.
The little "unknown piece of history" I had looked at was Sterling's 1898 football season consisting of just one game. It's not documented in the official SHS athletics research. But looking at the 1924 Blue and Gold, it had an article on the first and second teams. It mentioned the first team as an afterthought because the 1899 season fared much better.
So it does take a little going back-and-forth to get something right.
--
I have nothing new to share at this time. In my Kewanee-Princeton research, I was able to find evidence of a Princeton Football game taking place in 1895 against Geneseo. This was from the 1896 Princetonia yearbook. I know someone who is doing research on the history of Geneseo Football, beginning in 1912.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Let's Move Forward, Shall We?
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.22.90
Current Song - Mammagamma (Alan Parsons Project)
The last entry was kind of overreacting a bit. Thankfully I have five days off to try to relax. This relaxation comes in the form of going to class, seeing Friday night football, and trying to write two articles for NISB. Usually I do one: The Friday 5. I'm also trying to get a Guest Picker in line for this week's football pick'em.
I will be going to the Kewanee-Princeton game on Friday night. It'll be the last time these two get together due to the Boilermakers' departure to the Big Rivers next year. I want to try to write a historical article on the rivalry.
Class seems to be going okay at the moment. I get my first Math test back tonight.
The bike will see some much-needed riding this week, too.
Current Song - Mammagamma (Alan Parsons Project)
The last entry was kind of overreacting a bit. Thankfully I have five days off to try to relax. This relaxation comes in the form of going to class, seeing Friday night football, and trying to write two articles for NISB. Usually I do one: The Friday 5. I'm also trying to get a Guest Picker in line for this week's football pick'em.
I will be going to the Kewanee-Princeton game on Friday night. It'll be the last time these two get together due to the Boilermakers' departure to the Big Rivers next year. I want to try to write a historical article on the rivalry.
Class seems to be going okay at the moment. I get my first Math test back tonight.
The bike will see some much-needed riding this week, too.
Friday, September 18, 2009
The Search Begins
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.91.90
Current Song - Early Autumn (Stan Getz)
This is what happens after you faint when you get the kicked the crap out of.
It's hard for me to write this.
I love my customers at the gas station. Aside from my classmates from school, these are the friends I talk to these days. I come to work each night to service them. I want to be here for them. My customers are the reason why I work at the Shell station. I come in early because of them. I stay there late because of them. I skip some of my chores because of them. They bring in the dough, but I don't think of it as that. My concentration should be on them, because they take the time to come in the store to get their things. For most customers it has become THE go-to place for things.
These particular customers, for whom East End Shell is a go-to place for, I know by name. They're the ones who stay a minute or two to chat. For someone who has deep trouble communicating with people, this is something I cherish.
Working at a gas station is not what I want to do. That honor goes to sportswriting.
There have been many times where I thought about quitting. But there are a few people who somehow manage to make me stay behind the counter. Indeed, the relations I have with the customers is what makes me want to stay at Shell.
That can only go so far, however.
While customers make me happy, it is the inner workings of the workplace that fusturate me. I hate it when I get pushed around by my co-workers. They out-perform me, and now I am slow. These are the same people that work there for a paycheck. It's nothing more than a job to them. For me, being at work is the only time I can put forth a Social life. A social life is something I always wanted to regain from childhood.
When work, and co-workers, take away my mission to obtain something I always wanted, I feel even more depressed. I keep getting kicked around, and any form of retailiation just can't work because it goes too over the edge.
It's come to that point when the inner workings have become just too much for me, having overshadowed my customer relations.
I want to quit.
I don't know if I'll be able to right away, but I do know time is going to run out. I put in everything I can, but it's still not enough. I have a talent and I want that to be the thing that makes me successful.
I want to write again.
I'm eyeing a weekly newspaper out of Erie that covers Erie and Riverdale high schools. I bought their paper a couple of days ago and noticed they didn't have a sports section. I wonder if they would like one? I can most certainly do that - I did it for two college newspapers and won awards for it.
The Review would give me a chance to cover just two schools; two schools that don't necessairly stand out in anything. It's more community-based, aside from my power-based NISB.
I talked to a friend of mine who is working at a weekly in the Washington panhandle. He says he's making good money there, and is nearly double of what I make in a month. I want to take a guess and say working there would be just like getting paid at Shell, and just like commuting to and from Highland.
I took a look at a few other weeklies from around here, and they all have good sports coverage. I don't think I'm fit for a daily just yet. Working at a daily requires full attention, which is something I can't obtain until at least June 2010.
I want to give them a call and discuss my plans with them. I don't even know if it will be sucessful. But I want to give it a try.
I want to be able to do what I like doing.
Current Song - Early Autumn (Stan Getz)
This is what happens after you faint when you get the kicked the crap out of.
It's hard for me to write this.
I love my customers at the gas station. Aside from my classmates from school, these are the friends I talk to these days. I come to work each night to service them. I want to be here for them. My customers are the reason why I work at the Shell station. I come in early because of them. I stay there late because of them. I skip some of my chores because of them. They bring in the dough, but I don't think of it as that. My concentration should be on them, because they take the time to come in the store to get their things. For most customers it has become THE go-to place for things.
These particular customers, for whom East End Shell is a go-to place for, I know by name. They're the ones who stay a minute or two to chat. For someone who has deep trouble communicating with people, this is something I cherish.
Working at a gas station is not what I want to do. That honor goes to sportswriting.
There have been many times where I thought about quitting. But there are a few people who somehow manage to make me stay behind the counter. Indeed, the relations I have with the customers is what makes me want to stay at Shell.
That can only go so far, however.
While customers make me happy, it is the inner workings of the workplace that fusturate me. I hate it when I get pushed around by my co-workers. They out-perform me, and now I am slow. These are the same people that work there for a paycheck. It's nothing more than a job to them. For me, being at work is the only time I can put forth a Social life. A social life is something I always wanted to regain from childhood.
When work, and co-workers, take away my mission to obtain something I always wanted, I feel even more depressed. I keep getting kicked around, and any form of retailiation just can't work because it goes too over the edge.
It's come to that point when the inner workings have become just too much for me, having overshadowed my customer relations.
I want to quit.
I don't know if I'll be able to right away, but I do know time is going to run out. I put in everything I can, but it's still not enough. I have a talent and I want that to be the thing that makes me successful.
I want to write again.
I'm eyeing a weekly newspaper out of Erie that covers Erie and Riverdale high schools. I bought their paper a couple of days ago and noticed they didn't have a sports section. I wonder if they would like one? I can most certainly do that - I did it for two college newspapers and won awards for it.
The Review would give me a chance to cover just two schools; two schools that don't necessairly stand out in anything. It's more community-based, aside from my power-based NISB.
I talked to a friend of mine who is working at a weekly in the Washington panhandle. He says he's making good money there, and is nearly double of what I make in a month. I want to take a guess and say working there would be just like getting paid at Shell, and just like commuting to and from Highland.
I took a look at a few other weeklies from around here, and they all have good sports coverage. I don't think I'm fit for a daily just yet. Working at a daily requires full attention, which is something I can't obtain until at least June 2010.
I want to give them a call and discuss my plans with them. I don't even know if it will be sucessful. But I want to give it a try.
I want to be able to do what I like doing.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Chore adjustments
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.31.90
Current Song - I saw the light (Todd Rundgren)
For some reason I felt tired all day today, until I got home from work. I did site work when I got home, so maybe that made me awake.
While I'm getting more hours at work, my mind is killing me. I don't know how many times I had to repeat totals to customers. Or how many times I had to ask Dorothy to repeat herself. It was yet another horrible night at work. Customers were in-and-out for most of the early session, and Stan stayed for a while. Then when it died down, Bill and Dorothy showed up. Then Joe and Kay. They're pretty much taking my time until 11:00. I can get around these four, but I have to be absolutely perfect in the beginning of my shift in order to have a good night. I didn't have it.
About three months ago I made adjustments to my chorework. I had always made a list of things to do. This time I had made personal deadlines for each chore. That started out well, but began to falter.
I think I'm going to make some adjustments in chorework. I start the day making a list of cigs to stock. Since this is mostly a front job, I think I'll move it to during chit-chat time.
Clock in by 4:45. Inside trash right away. It'll push cappuchino rinsing to be done by 5:30. Fountain ice by 6:00. 5 bags of ice by 6:30. Lot or another five bags by 7:00. Rugs done by 7:30. Cigs done by 8:00.
Cooler count from 8:00 until the gang begins to arrive.
Lotto numbers entirely printed out by 9:30 (I would only do three for the gang, but didn't really print the ten for the customers). Papers stripped AND restrooms by 10:00.
Cooler, sweep and mop from 10 to 12. Lotto will be moved from 11 to 12, but still stop selling at 11.
Hopefully this will work out. There are a lot of things in the first half that may have already been done during mid.
Current Song - I saw the light (Todd Rundgren)
For some reason I felt tired all day today, until I got home from work. I did site work when I got home, so maybe that made me awake.
While I'm getting more hours at work, my mind is killing me. I don't know how many times I had to repeat totals to customers. Or how many times I had to ask Dorothy to repeat herself. It was yet another horrible night at work. Customers were in-and-out for most of the early session, and Stan stayed for a while. Then when it died down, Bill and Dorothy showed up. Then Joe and Kay. They're pretty much taking my time until 11:00. I can get around these four, but I have to be absolutely perfect in the beginning of my shift in order to have a good night. I didn't have it.
About three months ago I made adjustments to my chorework. I had always made a list of things to do. This time I had made personal deadlines for each chore. That started out well, but began to falter.
I think I'm going to make some adjustments in chorework. I start the day making a list of cigs to stock. Since this is mostly a front job, I think I'll move it to during chit-chat time.
Clock in by 4:45. Inside trash right away. It'll push cappuchino rinsing to be done by 5:30. Fountain ice by 6:00. 5 bags of ice by 6:30. Lot or another five bags by 7:00. Rugs done by 7:30. Cigs done by 8:00.
Cooler count from 8:00 until the gang begins to arrive.
Lotto numbers entirely printed out by 9:30 (I would only do three for the gang, but didn't really print the ten for the customers). Papers stripped AND restrooms by 10:00.
Cooler, sweep and mop from 10 to 12. Lotto will be moved from 11 to 12, but still stop selling at 11.
Hopefully this will work out. There are a lot of things in the first half that may have already been done during mid.
Friday, September 11, 2009
WSN - It's been a while
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.11.90
Current Song - Gimme Shelter (The Rolling Stones)
I'm not laying around the house anymore, really.
WORK - Our assistant manager got transfered to Route 30, where she was promoted to manager. I really want the one I mentioned "in-waiting" in the previous entry to be the new second-in-command. I don't want to do it. So now we're down to a staff of five, which means I will be getting more hours at work.
I am available for work Wednesday mid or night, Thursday mid or night, Friday mid, Saturday night and Sunday night.
The Friday mids are going to be a bit painful. I wonder how far I can drive when I walk out the door at 5:30 p.m.?
I work today from 11:00 to 5:00. I'm headed for Amboy afterward. I also work Saturday and Sunday close. Next week I'm working Wednesday close, Friday mid and weekend close.
We are remodeling our countertops in the store. There was a lot of glue throughout the place, and I worked throughout the night like I was high. I think I said a cuss word to a customer. I had a real bad run at work in January. This was due to experiencing a broken jug of nail polish in a building at Highland. My mind was full of crap, and things didn't taste right.
SCHOOL - I totally dropped the ball on a math group project. I'm real shy when it comes to groups. I was the last one to sign up for a presentation. The one I chose was Paradoxes. It was a group created by someone a couple of seats next to me as the signup sheet was being passed toward me on Tuesday. We had another girl get moved to it later.
Anyway, I had set up a meeting time for Thursday morning in the library. I was feeling very ill after work on Wednesday that i had to rest for the day. It wasn't until later in the day, when I finally felt better, that I realized I had missed the meeting.
I only know one person in the group, and I didn't have a means of contact for him. I wound up using the SVCC Student E-mail system. I needed a middle inital for it to work. The address is something like "cody.c.cutter" so I ended up typing the person's first and last name like "cody.a.cutter" "cody.b.cutter" "cody.f.cutter" and so on. Hopefully he gets it.
I got a sneak peek at the Spring schedules for 2010. I need a speech class and I will also be taking an Intro to PE class (a gen ed). The PE class will be from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday morning. I would like the 2:00-3:15 speech class these same days. This makes me unavailable for Tuesday/Thursday mid and available for everything else. This may also give me some likeable days/times off.
NISB - I finally felt good enough to travel to Sycamore to take pics of a soccer match. It was on the way there I realized I had missed the Math group meeting. The Sycamore-Dixon pics are up on the website. I also found time to write the Friday 5 in quick enough time (it was posted at 12:05 a.m.).
I will be covering BV-Amboy (as mentioned) on Friday night. I will also try to test out my camera at the Newman-St. Bede game on Saturday afternoon. Hopefully the glue won't bother me.
The Guest Picker idea for the pick'em seems to be working, but it worrys me a bit.
Current Song - Gimme Shelter (The Rolling Stones)
I'm not laying around the house anymore, really.
WORK - Our assistant manager got transfered to Route 30, where she was promoted to manager. I really want the one I mentioned "in-waiting" in the previous entry to be the new second-in-command. I don't want to do it. So now we're down to a staff of five, which means I will be getting more hours at work.
I am available for work Wednesday mid or night, Thursday mid or night, Friday mid, Saturday night and Sunday night.
The Friday mids are going to be a bit painful. I wonder how far I can drive when I walk out the door at 5:30 p.m.?
I work today from 11:00 to 5:00. I'm headed for Amboy afterward. I also work Saturday and Sunday close. Next week I'm working Wednesday close, Friday mid and weekend close.
We are remodeling our countertops in the store. There was a lot of glue throughout the place, and I worked throughout the night like I was high. I think I said a cuss word to a customer. I had a real bad run at work in January. This was due to experiencing a broken jug of nail polish in a building at Highland. My mind was full of crap, and things didn't taste right.
SCHOOL - I totally dropped the ball on a math group project. I'm real shy when it comes to groups. I was the last one to sign up for a presentation. The one I chose was Paradoxes. It was a group created by someone a couple of seats next to me as the signup sheet was being passed toward me on Tuesday. We had another girl get moved to it later.
Anyway, I had set up a meeting time for Thursday morning in the library. I was feeling very ill after work on Wednesday that i had to rest for the day. It wasn't until later in the day, when I finally felt better, that I realized I had missed the meeting.
I only know one person in the group, and I didn't have a means of contact for him. I wound up using the SVCC Student E-mail system. I needed a middle inital for it to work. The address is something like "cody.c.cutter" so I ended up typing the person's first and last name like "cody.a.cutter" "cody.b.cutter" "cody.f.cutter" and so on. Hopefully he gets it.
I got a sneak peek at the Spring schedules for 2010. I need a speech class and I will also be taking an Intro to PE class (a gen ed). The PE class will be from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday morning. I would like the 2:00-3:15 speech class these same days. This makes me unavailable for Tuesday/Thursday mid and available for everything else. This may also give me some likeable days/times off.
NISB - I finally felt good enough to travel to Sycamore to take pics of a soccer match. It was on the way there I realized I had missed the Math group meeting. The Sycamore-Dixon pics are up on the website. I also found time to write the Friday 5 in quick enough time (it was posted at 12:05 a.m.).
I will be covering BV-Amboy (as mentioned) on Friday night. I will also try to test out my camera at the Newman-St. Bede game on Saturday afternoon. Hopefully the glue won't bother me.
The Guest Picker idea for the pick'em seems to be working, but it worrys me a bit.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Hey, Wait a minute!
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.70.90
Current Song - Too Close (Next)
I get a note as I walk into work.
It starts out by saying "Day before Labor Day Cleaning!"
The girl who worked before my shift started got the same note. She did an aisle. I do an aisle. There are a few aisles, the storefront, the restrooms, the cooler, and behind the counter left to do. Apparently only these two aisles were a part of "Day before Labor Day Cleaning."
Then I get another note.
An important part of the store was not locked (there are several of these, including the store itself). I went and locked it the night before, basically because it is supposed to be locked. This note tells me to leave it as it is, unlocked.
Believe me, this thing is better off locked than unlocked. The extra time it takes to monkey around with it is worth it.
All told, never take orders from an heir-apparent to the management.
Current Song - Too Close (Next)
I get a note as I walk into work.
It starts out by saying "Day before Labor Day Cleaning!"
The girl who worked before my shift started got the same note. She did an aisle. I do an aisle. There are a few aisles, the storefront, the restrooms, the cooler, and behind the counter left to do. Apparently only these two aisles were a part of "Day before Labor Day Cleaning."
Then I get another note.
An important part of the store was not locked (there are several of these, including the store itself). I went and locked it the night before, basically because it is supposed to be locked. This note tells me to leave it as it is, unlocked.
Believe me, this thing is better off locked than unlocked. The extra time it takes to monkey around with it is worth it.
All told, never take orders from an heir-apparent to the management.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Focus Will Still be the Same Next Year
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.13.80
Current Song - Deacon Blues (Steely Dan)
I feel compelled to address the fact that there will be a big change next year in the northern Illinois sports scene. The NCIC Reagan and some Western Sun schools will form the Northern Illinois Big 12.
The NIB-12 is a conference that brings together similar schools: Eight schools are Class 5A in football and eleven schools are Class 3A in the four-class system.
It also brings together all of the NISB area's heavyweights that are not in the NIC-10 or Western Big 6.
The coming together of these schools brought excitement all throughout these schools. I was dreaming of a conference that would have a football team play in Champaign every year, and a team that can play in Peoria. It's a conference that brings together many of the message board junkies from this part of the state. It's big, and it's wonderful.
But as the months after the first press conference passed, I found myself thinking of being in Anakin Skywalker's shoes. He is witnessing the light saber battle between Palpatine and Windu (Episode III). I found myself being forced to choose a side: Be a person that is a face of the greater, or be a person that is a face of a few.
“POOOOOOWWWWWWEEEEEEERRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!”
“No. That's not me.”
Now, the new conference is NOT going to be some evil empire. I was trying to get the point across that I can't turn my back on 90% of my coverage area to service the remaining 10%.
I've probably lost some popularity among the NIB-12 crowd because I chose not to stress that particular conference amongst the rest.
It sounds like my loyalty experience in high school. I went to a high school that stressed school pride. I looked into that differently than others. As much as I should have pride in my own school, I should also respect other's pride to their schools. I should respect the pride one has to the Catholic school (Newman). I should respect the pride one has to the neighboring school (Rock Falls). I should respect the pride one has to the arch-rival school (Dixon or Geneseo).
My soft side for Dixon, Geneseo and Rock Falls got me into a lot of dissatisfaction within the Sterling High School brethren. At one point, it got too far and I wished some evil upon my own school. That didn't work out too well.
Having been raised in the NCIC and it's large school division, some say I should have a (“real-time” note: I was just called into work for Friday night and can't cover the Sterling-Lemont game) bias toward the NCIC Reagan and the NIB-12. But throughout my journalism career, I have respected a lot more conferences.
I won't make the same mistake again. I wish the NIB-12 well.
So with that being said, I'm still going to cover the same teams I always have been covering. The NIB-12 will just be one of the many conferences that I cover. This group may be the most popular, but all in all it is one of many. Kind of like high school students in a school.
Current Song - Deacon Blues (Steely Dan)
I feel compelled to address the fact that there will be a big change next year in the northern Illinois sports scene. The NCIC Reagan and some Western Sun schools will form the Northern Illinois Big 12.
The NIB-12 is a conference that brings together similar schools: Eight schools are Class 5A in football and eleven schools are Class 3A in the four-class system.
It also brings together all of the NISB area's heavyweights that are not in the NIC-10 or Western Big 6.
The coming together of these schools brought excitement all throughout these schools. I was dreaming of a conference that would have a football team play in Champaign every year, and a team that can play in Peoria. It's a conference that brings together many of the message board junkies from this part of the state. It's big, and it's wonderful.
But as the months after the first press conference passed, I found myself thinking of being in Anakin Skywalker's shoes. He is witnessing the light saber battle between Palpatine and Windu (Episode III). I found myself being forced to choose a side: Be a person that is a face of the greater, or be a person that is a face of a few.
“POOOOOOWWWWWWEEEEEEERRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!”
“No. That's not me.”
Now, the new conference is NOT going to be some evil empire. I was trying to get the point across that I can't turn my back on 90% of my coverage area to service the remaining 10%.
I've probably lost some popularity among the NIB-12 crowd because I chose not to stress that particular conference amongst the rest.
It sounds like my loyalty experience in high school. I went to a high school that stressed school pride. I looked into that differently than others. As much as I should have pride in my own school, I should also respect other's pride to their schools. I should respect the pride one has to the Catholic school (Newman). I should respect the pride one has to the neighboring school (Rock Falls). I should respect the pride one has to the arch-rival school (Dixon or Geneseo).
My soft side for Dixon, Geneseo and Rock Falls got me into a lot of dissatisfaction within the Sterling High School brethren. At one point, it got too far and I wished some evil upon my own school. That didn't work out too well.
Having been raised in the NCIC and it's large school division, some say I should have a (“real-time” note: I was just called into work for Friday night and can't cover the Sterling-Lemont game) bias toward the NCIC Reagan and the NIB-12. But throughout my journalism career, I have respected a lot more conferences.
I won't make the same mistake again. I wish the NIB-12 well.
So with that being said, I'm still going to cover the same teams I always have been covering. The NIB-12 will just be one of the many conferences that I cover. This group may be the most popular, but all in all it is one of many. Kind of like high school students in a school.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Planning the week
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.03.80
Current Song - Let 'Em In (Paul McCartney and Wings)
I got a couple of fill-ins last week!
I filled in on the morning shift on Thursday and Friday. It's a whole different world from what I'm used to. Everyone is starting their day. I'm trying to end mine. It's like customer service magnets repeling. Anyway, Mary was feeling tired both days and couldn't function. So here I am trying to explain to every single customer where Mary is. I don't know these people, and they probably know Mary very well. A couple asked for her phone #. I gave it to them. I get chided tonight.
Cripes almighty, these people probably know her so well they know her husband's name. It's in the phone book. Two, I never heard of such a rule. Three, she should be thankful that there are people who are concerned.
Anywho, on to the schedule:
MONDAY: Release the Week 1 Observations piece. Study for the Early Films quiz for class today (thank God for YouTube). Go to class.
TUESDAY: Complete the math assignment I have yet to start on. Go to class.
WEDNESDAY: Payday (+12 unexpected hours)!! Pretty much just budgeting my week. Maybe a sports event that night.
THURSDAY: Really not much to do. If I feel like it, I'll try to get that photo thing accomplished. Friday 5 to be written.
FRIDAY: Possible mid-shift. Sterling-Lemont tonight. Article writing and all that.
SATURDAY: Work. Begin Week 2 obs piece.
SUNDAY: Work. Finish Week 2 obs piece.
MONDAY: No class due to Labor Day. Possible work. If not, try to find a sports event.
And that's pretty much it.
Current Song - Let 'Em In (Paul McCartney and Wings)
I got a couple of fill-ins last week!
I filled in on the morning shift on Thursday and Friday. It's a whole different world from what I'm used to. Everyone is starting their day. I'm trying to end mine. It's like customer service magnets repeling. Anyway, Mary was feeling tired both days and couldn't function. So here I am trying to explain to every single customer where Mary is. I don't know these people, and they probably know Mary very well. A couple asked for her phone #. I gave it to them. I get chided tonight.
Cripes almighty, these people probably know her so well they know her husband's name. It's in the phone book. Two, I never heard of such a rule. Three, she should be thankful that there are people who are concerned.
Anywho, on to the schedule:
MONDAY: Release the Week 1 Observations piece. Study for the Early Films quiz for class today (thank God for YouTube). Go to class.
TUESDAY: Complete the math assignment I have yet to start on. Go to class.
WEDNESDAY: Payday (+12 unexpected hours)!! Pretty much just budgeting my week. Maybe a sports event that night.
THURSDAY: Really not much to do. If I feel like it, I'll try to get that photo thing accomplished. Friday 5 to be written.
FRIDAY: Possible mid-shift. Sterling-Lemont tonight. Article writing and all that.
SATURDAY: Work. Begin Week 2 obs piece.
SUNDAY: Work. Finish Week 2 obs piece.
MONDAY: No class due to Labor Day. Possible work. If not, try to find a sports event.
And that's pretty much it.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Back to "Vacation"
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.42.80
Current Song - Holding Back The Years (Simply Red)
Another weekend done. Another five days off to begin.
Back to class tonight. I still do not have my book, which the Bookstore is ordering ANY DAY NOW! I don't know if I'll have Chapter 1 read by class. I still haven't touched my Math assignment. I think I'll arrive to the classroom real early to concentrate on the problems.
The work situation keeps going from grim to promising, back and forth. It's all a matter of "I hope I'm on the schedule next week." I'm not the only one not happy about the situation. I'm joined by the two other men. Is this coinsidence? I hate mentioning these facts when I'm sweeping up two days worth of crap on the floor.
To give you an idea of what the two days are like at work:
Saturday is spent trying to figure out what WAS done and what WASN'T done. I've found that the recent Saturdays are more difficult than previous Saturdays.
Sundays are A LOT easier than Saturdays, because there is not as much to clean :)
I put in a little more time this week (mess to clean up on Saturday, and marquee sign on Sunday): 16.25 hours. That should translate into a couple of more dollars. I just have a car insurance payment left for this month.
Now, as to the rest of the week:
MONDAY: I will be writing up the NIC-10 Conference Call for Edgy, and hopefully getting that done before class. Then I'm planning on going to the Rt. 30 station to inquire about October. Probably wrapping up the CC late night.
TUESDAY: I'll be starting on the NCIC Lincoln Conference Call, and hopefully wrapping that up late night. As mentioned, I'm going to class a bit early to concentrate on my math homework. After class, I'm going to spend some time with some friends at Shell.
WEDNESDAY: Hopefully Conference Calls are complete by now. I'm going to my grandmother's to talk about her Will. She wants me to be the executor, and I plan on doing that. Also calling people about Thursday and Friday.
THURSDAY and FRIDAY: Payday! Hopefully I can catch up with a summer feature I've put off for so long. Friday night will be spent at Polo to see the Marcos take on East Dubuque. Friday night I'll try to get myself back in article writing form.
SATURDAY: Figuring out the pick'em, scoreboard, and other NISB things. Working. More to come.
Looks to be a very busy week, and hopefully I can follow this to a T.
Current Song - Holding Back The Years (Simply Red)
Another weekend done. Another five days off to begin.
Back to class tonight. I still do not have my book, which the Bookstore is ordering ANY DAY NOW! I don't know if I'll have Chapter 1 read by class. I still haven't touched my Math assignment. I think I'll arrive to the classroom real early to concentrate on the problems.
The work situation keeps going from grim to promising, back and forth. It's all a matter of "I hope I'm on the schedule next week." I'm not the only one not happy about the situation. I'm joined by the two other men. Is this coinsidence? I hate mentioning these facts when I'm sweeping up two days worth of crap on the floor.
To give you an idea of what the two days are like at work:
Saturday is spent trying to figure out what WAS done and what WASN'T done. I've found that the recent Saturdays are more difficult than previous Saturdays.
Sundays are A LOT easier than Saturdays, because there is not as much to clean :)
I put in a little more time this week (mess to clean up on Saturday, and marquee sign on Sunday): 16.25 hours. That should translate into a couple of more dollars. I just have a car insurance payment left for this month.
Now, as to the rest of the week:
MONDAY: I will be writing up the NIC-10 Conference Call for Edgy, and hopefully getting that done before class. Then I'm planning on going to the Rt. 30 station to inquire about October. Probably wrapping up the CC late night.
TUESDAY: I'll be starting on the NCIC Lincoln Conference Call, and hopefully wrapping that up late night. As mentioned, I'm going to class a bit early to concentrate on my math homework. After class, I'm going to spend some time with some friends at Shell.
WEDNESDAY: Hopefully Conference Calls are complete by now. I'm going to my grandmother's to talk about her Will. She wants me to be the executor, and I plan on doing that. Also calling people about Thursday and Friday.
THURSDAY and FRIDAY: Payday! Hopefully I can catch up with a summer feature I've put off for so long. Friday night will be spent at Polo to see the Marcos take on East Dubuque. Friday night I'll try to get myself back in article writing form.
SATURDAY: Figuring out the pick'em, scoreboard, and other NISB things. Working. More to come.
Looks to be a very busy week, and hopefully I can follow this to a T.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Back to WSN
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.12.80
Current Song - What you won't do for love (Bobby Caldwell)
Just an entry because I feel like it at the moment:
Work: I have contacted a couple of stations regarding Wednesdays and Thursdays: Morrison, Grand Detour, and Dixon East. I also kind of inquired at my own station. It turns out that the girl who makes the schedules was so confused as to which days to schedule me. Hopefully this misunderstanding will be clear and I can get a day. But I'm still waiting for calls anyway.
I made a meager $118.41.
School: The weekly classes seem to be alright. I'm still waiting on my Film Appreciation textbook. Stupid bookstore! My math class is okay, but involves group work at times, which I'm really NOT good at.
NISB: Just released this week's version of the Friday 5. Started the pick'em, and finished the Western Big 6 Conference Call - most of the info I got from the banquet on Wednesday. There were also a few audio clips to save for eternity.
I'm tired.
Current Song - What you won't do for love (Bobby Caldwell)
Just an entry because I feel like it at the moment:
Work: I have contacted a couple of stations regarding Wednesdays and Thursdays: Morrison, Grand Detour, and Dixon East. I also kind of inquired at my own station. It turns out that the girl who makes the schedules was so confused as to which days to schedule me. Hopefully this misunderstanding will be clear and I can get a day. But I'm still waiting for calls anyway.
I made a meager $118.41.
School: The weekly classes seem to be alright. I'm still waiting on my Film Appreciation textbook. Stupid bookstore! My math class is okay, but involves group work at times, which I'm really NOT good at.
NISB: Just released this week's version of the Friday 5. Started the pick'em, and finished the Western Big 6 Conference Call - most of the info I got from the banquet on Wednesday. There were also a few audio clips to save for eternity.
I'm tired.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Let the Crusade Begin
Cutter's Log - Stardate 90.02.80
Current Song - Stone Cold Theme
"Hello. My name is Cody Cutter, I am a cashier at the East End Shell (No. 18) in Sterling.
I recently had my hours cut to two nights a week because of a new hire there. I'm a college student still in the process of paying my tuition. Therefore, I'm attempting to seek out more hours.
My family has worked with, or for, Johnson Oil for four generations in some capacity (clerk or electrical work), and I really like working for Mr. Johnson.
I currently work from 5:00 PM to closing time (12:00) on Saturday and Sunday nights. I attend class at Sauk Valley Community College on Monday and Tuesday nights. I am usually at a high school football game every Friday night. This leaves Wednesday and Thursday nights open.
What I would like to do is NOT to cut someone else's hours. Therefore, here's what I would like to propose:
If the person you have scheduled to work on Wednesday night or Thursday night calls off, I would like to be included as an emergency backup. Obviously, you can call your store's workers first before me.
If you are a 24-hour store, I am available "Monday into Tuesday", Tuesday into Wednesday", "Wednesday into Thursday", and "Thursday into Friday."
I have worked the night shift at East End for over a year, and rarely ever do the morning and afternoon (mid) shifts. So I'm used to the night shift. Before working at East End, I spent 19 months as overnight lead at a BP. In my time at East End (btw - we work with RUBY registers), I have passed the Mystery Shopper four times and passed sting operations. A couple of negatives (what is mentioning positives without negatives?) would be that I have not worked with a scratch-off lotto machine, and rarely make food.
I have only missed work once in my time at East End, and have an ability to make the customer feel welcome at the store - in other words, they are not treated as customers who bring in money, but rather people who choose us as their "go-to" place in which we should appreciate.
Thanks for your time in reading this, and if you have any questions please let me know.
Cody Cutter
East End No. 18
Phone: 1-815-626-7181
E-mail: shs42886@yahoo.com"
I'm determined to go to as many JO's as possible. Any attempt to stop this will be looked at as an attempt to destroy me.
Current Song - Stone Cold Theme
"Hello. My name is Cody Cutter, I am a cashier at the East End Shell (No. 18) in Sterling.
I recently had my hours cut to two nights a week because of a new hire there. I'm a college student still in the process of paying my tuition. Therefore, I'm attempting to seek out more hours.
My family has worked with, or for, Johnson Oil for four generations in some capacity (clerk or electrical work), and I really like working for Mr. Johnson.
I currently work from 5:00 PM to closing time (12:00) on Saturday and Sunday nights. I attend class at Sauk Valley Community College on Monday and Tuesday nights. I am usually at a high school football game every Friday night. This leaves Wednesday and Thursday nights open.
What I would like to do is NOT to cut someone else's hours. Therefore, here's what I would like to propose:
If the person you have scheduled to work on Wednesday night or Thursday night calls off, I would like to be included as an emergency backup. Obviously, you can call your store's workers first before me.
If you are a 24-hour store, I am available "Monday into Tuesday", Tuesday into Wednesday", "Wednesday into Thursday", and "Thursday into Friday."
I have worked the night shift at East End for over a year, and rarely ever do the morning and afternoon (mid) shifts. So I'm used to the night shift. Before working at East End, I spent 19 months as overnight lead at a BP. In my time at East End (btw - we work with RUBY registers), I have passed the Mystery Shopper four times and passed sting operations. A couple of negatives (what is mentioning positives without negatives?) would be that I have not worked with a scratch-off lotto machine, and rarely make food.
I have only missed work once in my time at East End, and have an ability to make the customer feel welcome at the store - in other words, they are not treated as customers who bring in money, but rather people who choose us as their "go-to" place in which we should appreciate.
Thanks for your time in reading this, and if you have any questions please let me know.
Cody Cutter
East End No. 18
Phone: 1-815-626-7181
E-mail: shs42886@yahoo.com"
I'm determined to go to as many JO's as possible. Any attempt to stop this will be looked at as an attempt to destroy me.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Almost TOO much to do
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.81.90
Current Song - It Ain't Over Till It's Over (Lenny Kravitz)
I've been so worried about work that I sort of put everything else on the backburner. I'll bet work will be on the backburner when this everything else is accomplished.
My car is a mess. I bought a bicycle last week (yes, I finally got one), and had to move all of the things out of my trunk to fit it in. They're still in my backseat. I may as well get my car cleaned while I'm at that.
I'm starting to make the transition from debit card purchases to writing checks. Of course, I'll have to prewrite them before I enter the store. If I know how much something will cost, I'll write down the price before I walk in. This kind of saves "line time." Coming in with a pre-written check is slightly shorter than using a card (trust me I know). But there's an actual reason for me writing checks. Fast food joints do not take checks. If I get into the habit of writing checks, I will not be likely to drive up to one.
Otherwise, finances are going to be a bit slim. My paycheck will be weak for obvious reasons. Also, since I will be using checks more, it will seem as if I'm getting paid on Thursday instead of Wednesday. Here's why, the direct deposits are entered at 6:00 a.m. Wednesday, but I won't know exactly how much until the stubs come in on Thursday.
I will be going to the Western Big 6 Football Coaches Banquet tomorrow night. I'll try to use that to write my Western Big 6 Conference Call for Edgy Tim. I also have the rest of this week and next to organize these. Plus a Friday 5 for Friday. I also have to set up the pick'ems on Saturday. Other than that, no more NISB stuff until Week 1 of the football season.
I was offered to be my grandmother's executor of her Will. I checked a book out from the library and will start reading about all of this soon.
Classes began yesterday. The Film Appreciation one seems to be going real well, and I will experience the math one tonight. It's my first math class in four years.
I'm going on the bike.
Current Song - It Ain't Over Till It's Over (Lenny Kravitz)
I've been so worried about work that I sort of put everything else on the backburner. I'll bet work will be on the backburner when this everything else is accomplished.
My car is a mess. I bought a bicycle last week (yes, I finally got one), and had to move all of the things out of my trunk to fit it in. They're still in my backseat. I may as well get my car cleaned while I'm at that.
I'm starting to make the transition from debit card purchases to writing checks. Of course, I'll have to prewrite them before I enter the store. If I know how much something will cost, I'll write down the price before I walk in. This kind of saves "line time." Coming in with a pre-written check is slightly shorter than using a card (trust me I know). But there's an actual reason for me writing checks. Fast food joints do not take checks. If I get into the habit of writing checks, I will not be likely to drive up to one.
Otherwise, finances are going to be a bit slim. My paycheck will be weak for obvious reasons. Also, since I will be using checks more, it will seem as if I'm getting paid on Thursday instead of Wednesday. Here's why, the direct deposits are entered at 6:00 a.m. Wednesday, but I won't know exactly how much until the stubs come in on Thursday.
I will be going to the Western Big 6 Football Coaches Banquet tomorrow night. I'll try to use that to write my Western Big 6 Conference Call for Edgy Tim. I also have the rest of this week and next to organize these. Plus a Friday 5 for Friday. I also have to set up the pick'ems on Saturday. Other than that, no more NISB stuff until Week 1 of the football season.
I was offered to be my grandmother's executor of her Will. I checked a book out from the library and will start reading about all of this soon.
Classes began yesterday. The Film Appreciation one seems to be going real well, and I will experience the math one tonight. It's my first math class in four years.
I'm going on the bike.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Another work update
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.41.80
Current Song - Talking in My Sleep (The Romantics)
I'm going to pitch in to Chris's book fund on Monday. He doesn't know it.
An update on the work situation:
Looks like nothing's really open throughout the JO circuit, although Kathy pointed to Route 30 as a possibility. Sounds familar. So really nothing outlandish is going to occur. Personally, I'm kind of waiting for the man who works one day of the week to up and leave (the younger one). That'll add at least one night.
The way I look at it:
5+ is excellent (which won't happen due to football and school)
4 is great
3 is fine
2 is not feasible
1 is an insult
Plus, I don't have the Saturday's where I'm coming in an hour early. So it's a 15-hour week.
15 x 8.25 = 123.75 - ~10% taxes = 111.37
Whoop-de-do!
I'm pretty much down to emergency fill-in on Wednesday and Thursday nights until October. I may have to back down from October Friday night games in order to ensure a 3-4 night schedule at Rt. 30. Thus, I have made a backup plan for Weeks 7-9: Kaneland at DeKalb, Fulton at St. Bede, and Mt. Vernon at Geneseo in that order. Only one week is certain, and that is Week 5 when Kewanee hosts Princeton.
Current Song - Talking in My Sleep (The Romantics)
I'm going to pitch in to Chris's book fund on Monday. He doesn't know it.
An update on the work situation:
Looks like nothing's really open throughout the JO circuit, although Kathy pointed to Route 30 as a possibility. Sounds familar. So really nothing outlandish is going to occur. Personally, I'm kind of waiting for the man who works one day of the week to up and leave (the younger one). That'll add at least one night.
The way I look at it:
5+ is excellent (which won't happen due to football and school)
4 is great
3 is fine
2 is not feasible
1 is an insult
Plus, I don't have the Saturday's where I'm coming in an hour early. So it's a 15-hour week.
15 x 8.25 = 123.75 - ~10% taxes = 111.37
Whoop-de-do!
I'm pretty much down to emergency fill-in on Wednesday and Thursday nights until October. I may have to back down from October Friday night games in order to ensure a 3-4 night schedule at Rt. 30. Thus, I have made a backup plan for Weeks 7-9: Kaneland at DeKalb, Fulton at St. Bede, and Mt. Vernon at Geneseo in that order. Only one week is certain, and that is Week 5 when Kewanee hosts Princeton.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Proposals, proposals
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.31.80
Current Song - One Night in Bangkok (Murray Head)
Since it looks as if I'm unable to pry more hours at the station I work out, I came up with a plan to try to get more hours elsewhere.
The plan does not involve taking someone else's hours away. Rather, it's an emergency call-off plan.
I'm available to work Wednesday nights and Thursday nights. I am also available to work Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at the JO overnight stations (remember, I did 15 months of overnights).
If someone calls off of their shift, and backup plans get cold, I am available as a last resort, and willing to travel all the way to Galesburg, Woodstock, Ottawa, etc.
All I have to do is put this in the right words for a note.
I just can't do 2 nights a week.
Current Song - One Night in Bangkok (Murray Head)
Since it looks as if I'm unable to pry more hours at the station I work out, I came up with a plan to try to get more hours elsewhere.
The plan does not involve taking someone else's hours away. Rather, it's an emergency call-off plan.
I'm available to work Wednesday nights and Thursday nights. I am also available to work Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at the JO overnight stations (remember, I did 15 months of overnights).
If someone calls off of their shift, and backup plans get cold, I am available as a last resort, and willing to travel all the way to Galesburg, Woodstock, Ottawa, etc.
All I have to do is put this in the right words for a note.
I just can't do 2 nights a week.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
What to do, what to do?
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.9002.11.80
Current Song - Undun (The Guess Who)
May take Dan out driving today. Not much else to do, other than phone in my tickets to an event.
May pick up ticket on Wednesday, as well as buy a bicycle - all of this taking Dan driving with me. I also have some books to pick up from the bookstore.
Thursday, I'm going bowling with the family and possibly heading to Ottawa for the rest of the day.
Friday I'm going to be in Dixon.
Will probably be visiting football practices in Ottawa (Thursday) and Dixon (Friday). 21 more practices follow.
Current Song - Undun (The Guess Who)
May take Dan out driving today. Not much else to do, other than phone in my tickets to an event.
May pick up ticket on Wednesday, as well as buy a bicycle - all of this taking Dan driving with me. I also have some books to pick up from the bookstore.
Thursday, I'm going bowling with the family and possibly heading to Ottawa for the rest of the day.
Friday I'm going to be in Dixon.
Will probably be visiting football practices in Ottawa (Thursday) and Dixon (Friday). 21 more practices follow.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Let's find a schedule
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.60.80
Current Song - We Built This City (Starship)
I do not have a schedule in place thus far. Hopefully by the end of the entry I will have one.
The work schedule is going to be nuts. We hired someone who had been working there before, and she was placed above me in the priority list. That means the manager, assistant manager, and two people I have seniority over are literally running the store. I feel degraded a bit. It's not that I need Mondays and Tuesdays off, but apparently Wednesday and Thursday is a problem? That's what I thought at first, but I have to come to the fact that I need to accept my role there. I MAY be picking up a night in the next couple of weeks, but it's still one less that what I really want.
I also may end up getting Friday's completely off. I had asked for just midshift (no night) on Friday, but other priorities made that not happen. So I'm hoping for Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday nights when the Fall semester starts.
Plus, in October, I think I'm still designated as a replacement for someone who's pregnant at Route 30. If so, I want to try to get three nights there, and one night at my place. Me just having one night at my place may still make the schedule there worry-free.
I hope this all works out well.
Anyway, today I'm getting new brake pads installed. I had pads installed in October, and they are squealing already. So I'm getting a refund from Auto Zone. I may also take Dan driving, and cleaning my room. I already filled up my tank this morning.
Michael is gone. His stuff that was left in my room from a long time ago, is now gone. I have a bunch of clothes there I need to get rid of. So I may make a trip to Goodwill today.
I work for Justin on Friday, and I work Saturday and Sunday night. I had a brief morning appearance on Wednesday - yes, a MORNING appearance. So my paycheck next Wednesday is going to be slightly bigger. What to do with that paycheck, which will be roughly $220.00? There's a bike I want that's just less than $100.00 at Walmart. There's also the Film Appreciation textbook that's about the same price. That nearly wipes me out for that week.
The date of my next paycheck also happens to be the start of the 2009-10 high school sports season. As with last season, I will not be doing any kind of preseason previews for the teams (I don't have this time yet), but still able to do a few Conference Calls for Edgy, if he asks me to do these once again. I have to get the pick'em up by the 22nd, and put out a call for cybercasts from radio stations. As well as update the list of MLB Draftees.
I think what I'm going to do again for the football season is continuing the Weekly Observation piece (due Sunday), the Friday 5 (due Friday) and do an NISB Game of the Week or something, since I'm planning on getting Friday nights off. The GOTW is usually the "tiebreaker" game in the Pick'em. Hopefully I have a successful season this year, and nothing like last year.
So the schedule is set, for now.
Current Song - We Built This City (Starship)
I do not have a schedule in place thus far. Hopefully by the end of the entry I will have one.
The work schedule is going to be nuts. We hired someone who had been working there before, and she was placed above me in the priority list. That means the manager, assistant manager, and two people I have seniority over are literally running the store. I feel degraded a bit. It's not that I need Mondays and Tuesdays off, but apparently Wednesday and Thursday is a problem? That's what I thought at first, but I have to come to the fact that I need to accept my role there. I MAY be picking up a night in the next couple of weeks, but it's still one less that what I really want.
I also may end up getting Friday's completely off. I had asked for just midshift (no night) on Friday, but other priorities made that not happen. So I'm hoping for Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday nights when the Fall semester starts.
Plus, in October, I think I'm still designated as a replacement for someone who's pregnant at Route 30. If so, I want to try to get three nights there, and one night at my place. Me just having one night at my place may still make the schedule there worry-free.
I hope this all works out well.
Anyway, today I'm getting new brake pads installed. I had pads installed in October, and they are squealing already. So I'm getting a refund from Auto Zone. I may also take Dan driving, and cleaning my room. I already filled up my tank this morning.
Michael is gone. His stuff that was left in my room from a long time ago, is now gone. I have a bunch of clothes there I need to get rid of. So I may make a trip to Goodwill today.
I work for Justin on Friday, and I work Saturday and Sunday night. I had a brief morning appearance on Wednesday - yes, a MORNING appearance. So my paycheck next Wednesday is going to be slightly bigger. What to do with that paycheck, which will be roughly $220.00? There's a bike I want that's just less than $100.00 at Walmart. There's also the Film Appreciation textbook that's about the same price. That nearly wipes me out for that week.
The date of my next paycheck also happens to be the start of the 2009-10 high school sports season. As with last season, I will not be doing any kind of preseason previews for the teams (I don't have this time yet), but still able to do a few Conference Calls for Edgy, if he asks me to do these once again. I have to get the pick'em up by the 22nd, and put out a call for cybercasts from radio stations. As well as update the list of MLB Draftees.
I think what I'm going to do again for the football season is continuing the Weekly Observation piece (due Sunday), the Friday 5 (due Friday) and do an NISB Game of the Week or something, since I'm planning on getting Friday nights off. The GOTW is usually the "tiebreaker" game in the Pick'em. Hopefully I have a successful season this year, and nothing like last year.
So the schedule is set, for now.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Humanities thing done ... now what?
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.10.80
Current Song - Moonlight Feels Right (Starbuck)
I completed my Humanities project at 7:30 PM Thursday night. A huge weight just got off of my shoulders. Apparently, I wasn't the only one who felt this way. There were many people on the class's discussion board that said this was the most difficult thing they had done. I'm just hoping I pass it. If I pass this project, I pass the class. If I fail the project, I fail the class.
There's only four more classes to take at SVCC before graduating (assuming I pass this HUM final). I will be taking another Humanities class: Film appreciation. According to the SVCC Catalog, "An introduction to film as an art form, emphasizing a study of the aesthetic and production elements of the medium, including narrative genres, directorial style, cinematography, acting and editing." The other one is Principles of Modern Mathematics. According to the Catalog, "An investigation of the key ideas in contemporary mathematics. The following topics will be studied in-depth: mathematics of finance, basic geometry and measurement, coordinate geometry, and introductory probability and statistics. These topics are taught with an emphasis on problem-solving. This course serves as a general mathematics elective for liberal arts majors."
My Film books are going to cost $88.75, and it is a collection I have to get via the bookstore. My math book is going to cost $123.50 in the bookstore, but less than $35 on Amazon. I'm going to get the Amazon book on Wednesday, when I get paid.
I'm doing okay financially. I just made my first college payment yesterday of $193. All I have left this month are the textbooks. Hopefully I won't have to dig in my savings any further than what I just did yesterday.
I mentioned this a few posts back. I want to get a bicycle. There's a bike shop in town that I haven't made my way to yet. There's another bike at Wal-Mart that I like. So money is going to be a bit tight this month.
Which brings me to work. I'm still doing Saturday-Sunday-Monday, and may pick up an extra day next week.
Then there's NISB. I was planning on doing a photo feature, but only got halfway done with it before Humanities crunch time. Hopefully I can get a writeup of it done soon, and at least one more place. I'm also thinking about bringing back the Friday 5 in time for the fall season. I'll know more about the work/NISB arrangement after this string of days.
Finally, I'd like to end tonight by thinking about what Mike told me today. He wants to move out of the house in a week, and apparently he's already found a place to stay. All six of us have been together for 16 years. Kinda sad, but good for him and I hope he survives.
Current Song - Moonlight Feels Right (Starbuck)
I completed my Humanities project at 7:30 PM Thursday night. A huge weight just got off of my shoulders. Apparently, I wasn't the only one who felt this way. There were many people on the class's discussion board that said this was the most difficult thing they had done. I'm just hoping I pass it. If I pass this project, I pass the class. If I fail the project, I fail the class.
There's only four more classes to take at SVCC before graduating (assuming I pass this HUM final). I will be taking another Humanities class: Film appreciation. According to the SVCC Catalog, "An introduction to film as an art form, emphasizing a study of the aesthetic and production elements of the medium, including narrative genres, directorial style, cinematography, acting and editing." The other one is Principles of Modern Mathematics. According to the Catalog, "An investigation of the key ideas in contemporary mathematics. The following topics will be studied in-depth: mathematics of finance, basic geometry and measurement, coordinate geometry, and introductory probability and statistics. These topics are taught with an emphasis on problem-solving. This course serves as a general mathematics elective for liberal arts majors."
My Film books are going to cost $88.75, and it is a collection I have to get via the bookstore. My math book is going to cost $123.50 in the bookstore, but less than $35 on Amazon. I'm going to get the Amazon book on Wednesday, when I get paid.
I'm doing okay financially. I just made my first college payment yesterday of $193. All I have left this month are the textbooks. Hopefully I won't have to dig in my savings any further than what I just did yesterday.
I mentioned this a few posts back. I want to get a bicycle. There's a bike shop in town that I haven't made my way to yet. There's another bike at Wal-Mart that I like. So money is going to be a bit tight this month.
Which brings me to work. I'm still doing Saturday-Sunday-Monday, and may pick up an extra day next week.
Then there's NISB. I was planning on doing a photo feature, but only got halfway done with it before Humanities crunch time. Hopefully I can get a writeup of it done soon, and at least one more place. I'm also thinking about bringing back the Friday 5 in time for the fall season. I'll know more about the work/NISB arrangement after this string of days.
Finally, I'd like to end tonight by thinking about what Mike told me today. He wants to move out of the house in a week, and apparently he's already found a place to stay. All six of us have been together for 16 years. Kinda sad, but good for him and I hope he survives.
Friday, July 24, 2009
One last, difficult challenge for class
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.42.70
Current Song - In a Big Country (Big Country)
I'm taking a break from my "blog absence" to let you in on some school developments. This edition of WSN will be tweaked to be SWN to emphasize the school things.
School: I completed my PSY stuff, and just one Humanities assignment. I'm hovering somewhere around a 57%. Here's what the final project consists of:
It is a teaching unit - come up with a topic to teach people about.
Fill out an "objectives" form about the topic - the topic has to be approved beforehand
Write one lecture - 3 pages
Either write one reading, or use something already published - 8 pages
Write an outline of the reading - 2 pages
Create a 20 question multiple choice quiz on the topic
Write out a writing assignment about the topic, plus an outline - 2 pages
Write out another writing assignment (just an essay answer)
Work Cited page - minimum 7 sources
Come up with five more related links about the topic
Yikes!
The instructions include this:
"Feel free to choose a topic that you may have an interest in or some background in."
The topic has to be related to the Humanities, obviously. So, using these two thoughts, I jotted down a list of things that interested me:
Illinois High School Sports (and it's journalism form)
Asperger's Syndrome
Lost Film/Movies
Destination Shortcuts
Illinois Lottery
Blackjack
Abandoned Buildings
Histories of defunct high schools in Illinois
I sent this list to my Humanities instructor, along with a description that I can't seem to find a topic.
After a day-and-a-half of no response, I went ahead and started on "lost film," and had a good idea about what to write about.
I then get this back:
"You need to accept the fact that this is a humanities course. (This is exactly the reason the State of Illinois requires higher ed students to take different types of courses, so that you begin to appreciate what's out there in this big old world.)"
If I get a teacher to spit out "the State of Illinois requires" it must mean I did something REAL terrible.
"You're right, the only topic on the list that is even close to being appropriate is the Movies. But here's a suggestion based on your list-- how sports are portrayed in the Arts."
Okay, so I'll go with "How Sports Are Portrayed in the Arts" then.
Cody + Sports = Easy ... right?
The Mighty Ducks? The Big Green? Field of Dreams? "Centerfield" by John Fogerty? John Tesh? Ancient Olympics?
Back to square one. Sports is a topic I'm interested in, yes. Sports portrayed in the arts is a topic I'm not interested in. I guess this is the only way I can do the assignment. Time is running out.
The instructor posts a Q&A about the final, with this included:
"But how do I come up with objectives if I don't know anything about the topic?
"Obviously you need to teach yourself about the topic before you can teach it to someone else. In other words, you need to do a fair amount of the research before you begin to see ideas for the sub-topics, although what really happens is that it is sort of a back and forth process."
So I need to learn about "How Sports Are Portrayed in the Arts" before I even fill out the SECOND objective form. I was also recommended to do a Google search for "making sense of sports." Turns out that is a title of a book. A book that I cannot acquire in time for the completion of the project.
I have been given three Internet links to try to figure something out ...
http://www.asama.org/index-2.html
http://www.customsportsart.com/
http://www.edgarbrown.com/index.php
I will have no hair on my head by August.
Work: It looks as if the current scheduling arrangement is going to be the status quo. If this keeps up, the possiblilty of filling in at Route 30 seems hopeful. I get another four-day stretch next week. Plenty of time to work on the Humanities thing.
NISB: I was able to send out the many mailings this week. I have heard back from only one school thus far. Not sure what that really meant, however.
I also posted the NISB Master football schedule on the Message Board. This thing helps for the scoreboard and pick'ems, and it's also a guide for the fans. I'm holding on the photo feature for a while, until I get the Humanities thing done.
IF I GET IT DONE!
Current Song - In a Big Country (Big Country)
I'm taking a break from my "blog absence" to let you in on some school developments. This edition of WSN will be tweaked to be SWN to emphasize the school things.
School: I completed my PSY stuff, and just one Humanities assignment. I'm hovering somewhere around a 57%. Here's what the final project consists of:
It is a teaching unit - come up with a topic to teach people about.
Fill out an "objectives" form about the topic - the topic has to be approved beforehand
Write one lecture - 3 pages
Either write one reading, or use something already published - 8 pages
Write an outline of the reading - 2 pages
Create a 20 question multiple choice quiz on the topic
Write out a writing assignment about the topic, plus an outline - 2 pages
Write out another writing assignment (just an essay answer)
Work Cited page - minimum 7 sources
Come up with five more related links about the topic
Yikes!
The instructions include this:
"Feel free to choose a topic that you may have an interest in or some background in."
The topic has to be related to the Humanities, obviously. So, using these two thoughts, I jotted down a list of things that interested me:
Illinois High School Sports (and it's journalism form)
Asperger's Syndrome
Lost Film/Movies
Destination Shortcuts
Illinois Lottery
Blackjack
Abandoned Buildings
Histories of defunct high schools in Illinois
I sent this list to my Humanities instructor, along with a description that I can't seem to find a topic.
After a day-and-a-half of no response, I went ahead and started on "lost film," and had a good idea about what to write about.
I then get this back:
"You need to accept the fact that this is a humanities course. (This is exactly the reason the State of Illinois requires higher ed students to take different types of courses, so that you begin to appreciate what's out there in this big old world.)"
If I get a teacher to spit out "the State of Illinois requires" it must mean I did something REAL terrible.
"You're right, the only topic on the list that is even close to being appropriate is the Movies. But here's a suggestion based on your list-- how sports are portrayed in the Arts."
Okay, so I'll go with "How Sports Are Portrayed in the Arts" then.
Cody + Sports = Easy ... right?
The Mighty Ducks? The Big Green? Field of Dreams? "Centerfield" by John Fogerty? John Tesh? Ancient Olympics?
Back to square one. Sports is a topic I'm interested in, yes. Sports portrayed in the arts is a topic I'm not interested in. I guess this is the only way I can do the assignment. Time is running out.
The instructor posts a Q&A about the final, with this included:
"But how do I come up with objectives if I don't know anything about the topic?
"Obviously you need to teach yourself about the topic before you can teach it to someone else. In other words, you need to do a fair amount of the research before you begin to see ideas for the sub-topics, although what really happens is that it is sort of a back and forth process."
So I need to learn about "How Sports Are Portrayed in the Arts" before I even fill out the SECOND objective form. I was also recommended to do a Google search for "making sense of sports." Turns out that is a title of a book. A book that I cannot acquire in time for the completion of the project.
I have been given three Internet links to try to figure something out ...
http://www.asama.org/index-2.html
http://www.customsportsart.com/
http://www.edgarbrown.com/index.php
I will have no hair on my head by August.
Work: It looks as if the current scheduling arrangement is going to be the status quo. If this keeps up, the possiblilty of filling in at Route 30 seems hopeful. I get another four-day stretch next week. Plenty of time to work on the Humanities thing.
NISB: I was able to send out the many mailings this week. I have heard back from only one school thus far. Not sure what that really meant, however.
I also posted the NISB Master football schedule on the Message Board. This thing helps for the scoreboard and pick'ems, and it's also a guide for the fans. I'm holding on the photo feature for a while, until I get the Humanities thing done.
IF I GET IT DONE!
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