Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.91.20
Current Song - Beautiful Stranger (Madonna)
I'm going to take some time away from my blog. That way no one will know what I'm thinking about.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
When I Know The Economy is Bad
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.61.20
Current Song - I Was Made to Love Her (Stevie Wonder)
I live a fairly spend-happy life. I find it hard to refrain from spending too much.
The trips to Freeport and eating fast-food made me gain weight. I flew through the Sunday papers at work. The usual manufacturer coupons were not there. Only Walgreen's had coupons, and there was hardly anything worth buying. A can of Campbells Soup costs 69 cents.
At Sauk, I can heat up the can of soup in a microwave and walk 20 feet to a computer. At Highland, I have to walk to another building and back to use a microwave. I wonder if I should try this.
At least I'm worked a lot of hours last week. I'm expecting at least a $250 check on Wednesday. More than half of that will be toward car insurance, plus a QC Times renewal. I'm also expecting $50 from Johnson Oil for passing a sting op. That's three weeks of fillups (including a $25 Mystery Shop pass). The remainder will be divyed between savings and carry money.
Next week I'm down to three days: Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I'm now starting work one hour later due to a payroll cut. Less than 20 hours next week. That's after I asked for Saturday off! I don't like this double whammy. When springtime comes, I'm going to have to sell some of my things. Taxes are coming up, as well as the summer semester in May.
Work seems to be going okay. I left tonight at 12:17 - one of my quickest times thus far. No tensions have popped up lately. Although I want to get as many hours as possible before I leave for Tucson. I don't expect more than four days next week. I don't expect to work Saturday, because I want to go to Penguin's with Mema and Jess. BTW - I'm not getting paid for this vacation. I have to work a full year before I get vacation pay.
Update to previous Entry
I accidentally deleted everything I edited. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!!!!!!
Current Song - I Was Made to Love Her (Stevie Wonder)
I live a fairly spend-happy life. I find it hard to refrain from spending too much.
The trips to Freeport and eating fast-food made me gain weight. I flew through the Sunday papers at work. The usual manufacturer coupons were not there. Only Walgreen's had coupons, and there was hardly anything worth buying. A can of Campbells Soup costs 69 cents.
At Sauk, I can heat up the can of soup in a microwave and walk 20 feet to a computer. At Highland, I have to walk to another building and back to use a microwave. I wonder if I should try this.
At least I'm worked a lot of hours last week. I'm expecting at least a $250 check on Wednesday. More than half of that will be toward car insurance, plus a QC Times renewal. I'm also expecting $50 from Johnson Oil for passing a sting op. That's three weeks of fillups (including a $25 Mystery Shop pass). The remainder will be divyed between savings and carry money.
Next week I'm down to three days: Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I'm now starting work one hour later due to a payroll cut. Less than 20 hours next week. That's after I asked for Saturday off! I don't like this double whammy. When springtime comes, I'm going to have to sell some of my things. Taxes are coming up, as well as the summer semester in May.
Work seems to be going okay. I left tonight at 12:17 - one of my quickest times thus far. No tensions have popped up lately. Although I want to get as many hours as possible before I leave for Tucson. I don't expect more than four days next week. I don't expect to work Saturday, because I want to go to Penguin's with Mema and Jess. BTW - I'm not getting paid for this vacation. I have to work a full year before I get vacation pay.
Update to previous Entry
I accidentally deleted everything I edited. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!!!!!!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Copy Editing is a BITCH!
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.51.20
Current Song - You Haven't Done Nothing (Stevie Wonder)
Converting English papers to journalism style is difficult. Quote structure is horrible. Run-on sentences run wild.
I'm going to format my edits onto Word 2007 today. I'm either doing this at Sauk or Highland, depending on the observance of Presidents Day (AP book says no apostrophe). If Sauk is closed because of the holiday, I'm calling Highland and asking if they have it. If not, I'm going up there do to edits. While I'm there, I may as well talk to Sam about this plan.
I stayed up last night, oh, about five hours overnight just trying to find errors. They were THAT BAD! I even had to go back to Shell and get a pop to stay awake.
I only hope everyone will understand where I'm coming from. I plan on actually lecturing the class on Tuesday. I just hope I can make it through the night. There's a Highland basketball double-header Tuesday night I have to go to.
They're NOT ENGLISH PAPERS!!!!!
Current Song - You Haven't Done Nothing (Stevie Wonder)
Converting English papers to journalism style is difficult. Quote structure is horrible. Run-on sentences run wild.
I'm going to format my edits onto Word 2007 today. I'm either doing this at Sauk or Highland, depending on the observance of Presidents Day (AP book says no apostrophe). If Sauk is closed because of the holiday, I'm calling Highland and asking if they have it. If not, I'm going up there do to edits. While I'm there, I may as well talk to Sam about this plan.
I stayed up last night, oh, about five hours overnight just trying to find errors. They were THAT BAD! I even had to go back to Shell and get a pop to stay awake.
I only hope everyone will understand where I'm coming from. I plan on actually lecturing the class on Tuesday. I just hope I can make it through the night. There's a Highland basketball double-header Tuesday night I have to go to.
They're NOT ENGLISH PAPERS!!!!!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Don't Try it On Me
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.31.20
Current Song - Love Is (Herb Alpert)
Sometime this week I was stung by a compliance check. I stung back by not giving smokes to the bastard. There is a prize for this depending on what it was for: if it was a Johnson Oil compliance check, it is a $25 bonus, and if it is a state or city check it is a $50 bonus. That's on top of passing the store's monthly customer compliance last month. It will sure pay for gasoline the next two-three weeks!
I'm being given four days off after Sunday. I'm working three straight from Friday to Sunday. I think I'll go to the River Ridge 1A girls Sectional on Thursday.
I'm also trying to get the 28th of February off - friends want me to go to the comedy club with them.
Current Song - Love Is (Herb Alpert)
Sometime this week I was stung by a compliance check. I stung back by not giving smokes to the bastard. There is a prize for this depending on what it was for: if it was a Johnson Oil compliance check, it is a $25 bonus, and if it is a state or city check it is a $50 bonus. That's on top of passing the store's monthly customer compliance last month. It will sure pay for gasoline the next two-three weeks!
I'm being given four days off after Sunday. I'm working three straight from Friday to Sunday. I think I'll go to the River Ridge 1A girls Sectional on Thursday.
I'm also trying to get the 28th of February off - friends want me to go to the comedy club with them.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Horoscopes
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.21.20
Current Song - Pray (M.C. Hammer)
Once in a while I'll try the lottery out. That's what happens when you work at a gas station I guess. The elderly couple that plays every night use something called a Lottery Bible, and once in a while they'll use a certain horoscope they get at Kmart. [AP Stylebook says no hyphen on the store.] It comes in a thin, five-inch tall tube and costs $2.50.
This particular horoscope (I'm a Taurus) has the month's lucky numbers, a "super number", Pick 3 and 4 numbers for the month, lucky playing cards and lucky color. For each day, there are three symbols that describe the major accents for the day.
Today is February 12th (in case you don't understand how the log date works).
"New colleagues or tasks make a job wish come true. You solve a difficult puzzle by asking for a friend's advice. Reaching out actually draws you closer to a compatible person or group. Banish self-doubts now!"
Major accents: "Friends, goals, hopes and wishes, socializing, groups" - "Work, co-workers, service to others, health, fitness" - "behind-the-scenes, secrets, solitude, ESP" (this one's icon is reversed, which means less favorable).
I was actually planning on doing sentence two today! The past couple days have nearly been accurate too! I can't say the same about the 3 and 4 numbers.
Today is Abraham Lincoln's 200th Birthday. I celebrated today by buying five of his scratch-off tickets.
Current Song - Pray (M.C. Hammer)
Once in a while I'll try the lottery out. That's what happens when you work at a gas station I guess. The elderly couple that plays every night use something called a Lottery Bible, and once in a while they'll use a certain horoscope they get at Kmart. [AP Stylebook says no hyphen on the store.] It comes in a thin, five-inch tall tube and costs $2.50.
This particular horoscope (I'm a Taurus) has the month's lucky numbers, a "super number", Pick 3 and 4 numbers for the month, lucky playing cards and lucky color. For each day, there are three symbols that describe the major accents for the day.
Today is February 12th (in case you don't understand how the log date works).
"New colleagues or tasks make a job wish come true. You solve a difficult puzzle by asking for a friend's advice. Reaching out actually draws you closer to a compatible person or group. Banish self-doubts now!"
Major accents: "Friends, goals, hopes and wishes, socializing, groups" - "Work, co-workers, service to others, health, fitness" - "behind-the-scenes, secrets, solitude, ESP" (this one's icon is reversed, which means less favorable).
I was actually planning on doing sentence two today! The past couple days have nearly been accurate too! I can't say the same about the 3 and 4 numbers.
Today is Abraham Lincoln's 200th Birthday. I celebrated today by buying five of his scratch-off tickets.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
The Maturity Gap
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.11.20
Current Song - Don't Walk Away (Jade)
I act like I'm in my 50s, but I'm only 22. Everyone I know that's in the 20's acts like they are in their 20s.
When Ging asked about why the boards were slow, I couldn't help but think of my actions as moderator. The board attracts people over 30, and those under 30 are heistant to post. Maybe it's because the practices I preach are not liked by the 20s, but are okay with the 30+'s.
It's simple - the board will collapse if the 20somethings run amok on it. The NISB boards have a certain amount of respect and class - which is something the younger generation just doesn't seem to understand. There actually are quite a bit of young people who get it.
I do not think respect and class are hard things to abide by or understand. If people have a problem with it, chances are they want to say something that's untrue and possibly demeaning. Some people don't want to abide by these standards because they want their belief to be the truth, but they don't know reality. Some people want to make degrading comments for their own personal satisfaction and fun. They don't know that high school sports is a serious business.
Current Song - Don't Walk Away (Jade)
I act like I'm in my 50s, but I'm only 22. Everyone I know that's in the 20's acts like they are in their 20s.
When Ging asked about why the boards were slow, I couldn't help but think of my actions as moderator. The board attracts people over 30, and those under 30 are heistant to post. Maybe it's because the practices I preach are not liked by the 20s, but are okay with the 30+'s.
It's simple - the board will collapse if the 20somethings run amok on it. The NISB boards have a certain amount of respect and class - which is something the younger generation just doesn't seem to understand. There actually are quite a bit of young people who get it.
I do not think respect and class are hard things to abide by or understand. If people have a problem with it, chances are they want to say something that's untrue and possibly demeaning. Some people don't want to abide by these standards because they want their belief to be the truth, but they don't know reality. Some people want to make degrading comments for their own personal satisfaction and fun. They don't know that high school sports is a serious business.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Haven't Quit Yet, But I'm Looking
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.90.20
Current Song - Hey Nineteen (Steely Dan)
Things get worse and worse for me at work. My day was going extremely well until I lifted up the rug in front of the register area.
It's a fact that the rugs are a piece of crap, but this is one step further. Our rugs are red with a type of black rough rubber to keep from sliding. The rubber had turned into black dust. So there was a rectangle of black dust that I had to sweep up.
I get the mop. There's nothing where the black rectangle used to be. Sure enough, the mop head turns pitch black. I tried to sweep all of it, and of course there's always some left on the floor that can't be seen.
The rest of the store has to be mopped yet. I'm out of mop heads. The black one can't be bleached out. If I don't mop the store Mary's going to kill me.
I place a call to the North End store, and they too are out. First Avenue is also out. I had to drive all the way to Route 30 to get one. That means I had to lock the store up, drive 3 miles to get a mop head and drive back to mop the store. The security tape is running, and it may seem like "what the hell is Cody locking up and unlocking for?"
My days are numbered.
Pretty soon I'll be one of those statistics on the unemployment lists.
I'm trying to figure out if this is a specific horrible experience. I never had these down moments when I worked for Janyce and Manjit. I never had a problem with Jayantial. I did have some issues with Ghanshyam, but they were mostly with consenquence. Mary, for some reason, I can't work out with. Maybe it's because people like Kathy and Mr. Johnson keep a huge watch on their stores. So, yeah, I guess I said it - I liked Jay more than Mary.
But I'm not going back to BP because the way I left still resonates.
Maybe I can settle for a transfer to North End, First Avenue (I'd be the only man I think) or Route 30. Heck, I may even consider working the overnight shift at the Oregon station; and I once worked at a job with a long commute (Crest). I still think Johnson Oil is a good place to work for, but this East End thing gets nuts after a while.
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.11.20
A couple days ago one of my regular customers stayed to visit for two-and-a-half hours. Sometimes I think Joe is crazy. He said Blago owned the steel mill and was born in Rock Falls. Ailens came down and told the Mayans about the world ending in 2012.
I should ask him if he's heard of Art Bell or George Noory of Coast 2 Coast radio.
He stayed until 11:45 and nearly all my chores were not done.
I didn't feel as bad that night as I did on Monday.
Current Song - Hey Nineteen (Steely Dan)
Things get worse and worse for me at work. My day was going extremely well until I lifted up the rug in front of the register area.
It's a fact that the rugs are a piece of crap, but this is one step further. Our rugs are red with a type of black rough rubber to keep from sliding. The rubber had turned into black dust. So there was a rectangle of black dust that I had to sweep up.
I get the mop. There's nothing where the black rectangle used to be. Sure enough, the mop head turns pitch black. I tried to sweep all of it, and of course there's always some left on the floor that can't be seen.
The rest of the store has to be mopped yet. I'm out of mop heads. The black one can't be bleached out. If I don't mop the store Mary's going to kill me.
I place a call to the North End store, and they too are out. First Avenue is also out. I had to drive all the way to Route 30 to get one. That means I had to lock the store up, drive 3 miles to get a mop head and drive back to mop the store. The security tape is running, and it may seem like "what the hell is Cody locking up and unlocking for?"
My days are numbered.
Pretty soon I'll be one of those statistics on the unemployment lists.
I'm trying to figure out if this is a specific horrible experience. I never had these down moments when I worked for Janyce and Manjit. I never had a problem with Jayantial. I did have some issues with Ghanshyam, but they were mostly with consenquence. Mary, for some reason, I can't work out with. Maybe it's because people like Kathy and Mr. Johnson keep a huge watch on their stores. So, yeah, I guess I said it - I liked Jay more than Mary.
But I'm not going back to BP because the way I left still resonates.
Maybe I can settle for a transfer to North End, First Avenue (I'd be the only man I think) or Route 30. Heck, I may even consider working the overnight shift at the Oregon station; and I once worked at a job with a long commute (Crest). I still think Johnson Oil is a good place to work for, but this East End thing gets nuts after a while.
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.11.20
A couple days ago one of my regular customers stayed to visit for two-and-a-half hours. Sometimes I think Joe is crazy. He said Blago owned the steel mill and was born in Rock Falls. Ailens came down and told the Mayans about the world ending in 2012.
I should ask him if he's heard of Art Bell or George Noory of Coast 2 Coast radio.
He stayed until 11:45 and nearly all my chores were not done.
I didn't feel as bad that night as I did on Monday.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Good Morning
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.50.20
Current Song - Stoned Soul Picnic (The 5th Dimension)
Tuesday's guest in class was the Freeport Journal-Standard managing editor.
Petermann came to class to talk about journalism and all that. We asked him questions about the newspaper biz and such. I asked him a question about the future of local newspaper column writing, because it seems to be a lost art. He told me that there were likely to be no more "Mike Royko's" out there anymore because they are getting too boring to read.
But I was going to do this in sports, which is a different animal from news division. Petermann asked if I could send him a few of my columns to look over. I spent the entire time after class preparing my columns and e-mailing them to him. I was supposed to go to Forreston for a game, but did this instead.
While I was doing this I realized I was behind in my Chronicle work. Thus I had to also axe my plans to see the Rockford Christian-Indian Creek girls game tonight. But I'm still planning on going to the Little Ten finals on Friday in Somonauk.
I'm writing my "Bits and Pieces" article today. It's one of four you'll see in the Chronicle. The other three are a men's basketball bio, and men's and women's Region IV previews. The really stinky thing about this issue is that it comes out on the day before the R-IV championship. So there's a possibility that a team's season may be over with before the issue gets released. And it's all because we decided not to do a February issue.
My deadline is February 11 and I haven't written anything yet.
I can't remember, but I think I mentioned in an earlier entry that I was going to be Copy Editor instead of Associate Editor. I am planning on using the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook for copy edits. Sam thought this was a good idea, but Marques frowned upon it. He says since we are a student newspaper, we should write our own way. The fact is, we are not supposed to be writing blog entries, research papers or persuasive essays. We are writing news stories. That is why there is a seperate class for news writing.
Days Off
I have a habit of putting days off well in advance. I put off the next three Saturdays a couple months ago. I had to change my plans for next Saturday since we'll be short - so there goes the girls bowling tournament. The next two Saturdays are Individual Wrestling @ Champaign and Team Wrestling @ Bloomington.
I put off class on Tuesday to go to the Boylan girls basketball regional.
At least my vacation is still intact from March 13-22.
The other days I put off were April 28 (duh), Sterling-Rock Falls night, Columbus Day and Veterans Day. There is a new rule where we can't ask for holiday's off. So I asked for the holidays not marked with "nobody ask off."
However, I think I'll be working on my birthday.
Throughout high school I always took time out of my schedule to watch the Rock Falls softball team play - in particular Emily, Korby, Jen, Joi, April, Marilyn, and a few others (none of them read this blog so I won't worry about not mentioning more names). I came to some of their summer league games before they were in high school, and covered them when they went to state in 2004. Emily and Korby went to Quincy University, Marilyn went to Illinois State and Jen went to Sauk.
I saw Jen a couple times. I wasn't able to see Marilyn however. I haven't seen Emily and Korby, yet. They have a two-game Chicagoland stretch on April 25-26 (Wisconsin-Parkside @ Kenosha and Lewis U. @ Romeoville - both 12:00 starts). I decided to take that weekend off in place of my birthday. I feel like I owe them.
Current Song - Stoned Soul Picnic (The 5th Dimension)
Tuesday's guest in class was the Freeport Journal-Standard managing editor.
Petermann came to class to talk about journalism and all that. We asked him questions about the newspaper biz and such. I asked him a question about the future of local newspaper column writing, because it seems to be a lost art. He told me that there were likely to be no more "Mike Royko's" out there anymore because they are getting too boring to read.
But I was going to do this in sports, which is a different animal from news division. Petermann asked if I could send him a few of my columns to look over. I spent the entire time after class preparing my columns and e-mailing them to him. I was supposed to go to Forreston for a game, but did this instead.
While I was doing this I realized I was behind in my Chronicle work. Thus I had to also axe my plans to see the Rockford Christian-Indian Creek girls game tonight. But I'm still planning on going to the Little Ten finals on Friday in Somonauk.
I'm writing my "Bits and Pieces" article today. It's one of four you'll see in the Chronicle. The other three are a men's basketball bio, and men's and women's Region IV previews. The really stinky thing about this issue is that it comes out on the day before the R-IV championship. So there's a possibility that a team's season may be over with before the issue gets released. And it's all because we decided not to do a February issue.
My deadline is February 11 and I haven't written anything yet.
I can't remember, but I think I mentioned in an earlier entry that I was going to be Copy Editor instead of Associate Editor. I am planning on using the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook for copy edits. Sam thought this was a good idea, but Marques frowned upon it. He says since we are a student newspaper, we should write our own way. The fact is, we are not supposed to be writing blog entries, research papers or persuasive essays. We are writing news stories. That is why there is a seperate class for news writing.
Days Off
I have a habit of putting days off well in advance. I put off the next three Saturdays a couple months ago. I had to change my plans for next Saturday since we'll be short - so there goes the girls bowling tournament. The next two Saturdays are Individual Wrestling @ Champaign and Team Wrestling @ Bloomington.
I put off class on Tuesday to go to the Boylan girls basketball regional.
At least my vacation is still intact from March 13-22.
The other days I put off were April 28 (duh), Sterling-Rock Falls night, Columbus Day and Veterans Day. There is a new rule where we can't ask for holiday's off. So I asked for the holidays not marked with "nobody ask off."
However, I think I'll be working on my birthday.
Throughout high school I always took time out of my schedule to watch the Rock Falls softball team play - in particular Emily, Korby, Jen, Joi, April, Marilyn, and a few others (none of them read this blog so I won't worry about not mentioning more names). I came to some of their summer league games before they were in high school, and covered them when they went to state in 2004. Emily and Korby went to Quincy University, Marilyn went to Illinois State and Jen went to Sauk.
I saw Jen a couple times. I wasn't able to see Marilyn however. I haven't seen Emily and Korby, yet. They have a two-game Chicagoland stretch on April 25-26 (Wisconsin-Parkside @ Kenosha and Lewis U. @ Romeoville - both 12:00 starts). I decided to take that weekend off in place of my birthday. I feel like I owe them.
Some Site Work
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.30.20
Current Song - Do It Again (Steely Dan)
I'm listening to a new Steely Dan CD I bought - "The Definitive Collection" - which is the only career-spanning Dan CD from 1972s Do It Again to 2003s Things I Miss The Most.
I was bored at work one day and I came up with possible story ideas ranging from columns to in-depth stuff. I'm even getting back on the Q&A wagon once again. Possible one tonight with a South Beloit kid. One story suggestion I've had on the shelf since July, and I just don't know how to write it.
There are a couple things on the whole prayer issue as well as conference chatter (seems to be a biggie of mine) and other historical and IHSA-related things. There's also some internet things on this list. One of them in particular I've had on the table since mid-December.
Call it the momentum from the Scott Williams piece I did last month. I changed the way I released my columns: instead of the new column going up on the homepage, I am putting new columns on the Cody's Corner page where they all are. I did it this way in order to seem as if the site's focus isn't on columns I write. I had to direct people to the new columns - and the Williams piece was the first one I did that with. Turns out it was good - not as good as Kevin's Do What's Wrong piece - but I'm hoping I can keep this up.
I want to write things one does not normally see in a newspaper. They are businesses, and I am me.
Speaking of economics, it's kind of hitting me a bit. I used to say three nights a week was okay, but not now. However, since Julie is gone I'm probably going back to four-to-five nights a week, which looks good on the paycheck. But that doesn't look good with the site plans. I've already had to de-commit to some state tournament series events such as girls bowling and maybe both wrestling events (unfortunately).
Today I'm going to Forreston vs. South Beloit (boys)
Thursday it's Rockford Christian vs. Indian Creek (girls)
Saturday it's the Newman wrestling Regional until time for work.
Only four months until NISB's fifth birthday - whoa!
The three nights thing isn't giving me a whole lot of money, and my paycheck is spent on gas fillups and the occasional expensive thing: monthly insurance payments take a huge chunk of my weekly check. Oil changes and cell phone cards and QC Times bills. I have an oil change and haircut put on hold until next week - and my hair is kind of long at the moment. I've got the Grizzly Adams look underway.
Stupid Debit Tricks
Plus I have been having dificulty keeping track of my debits. It's not because I don't keep a ledger, but rather different places taking money out at different times! I'd like to go back to writing checks because the ledger is right in front of me. But I misplaced my checkbook somewhere in my bedroom. Don't worry - no one has been using it. So it just means I hid it and now I can't find it.
Even with checks, you never know when they are going to actually clear.
Because of the un-immediate charges, I found myself with another negative balance. Another good thing about checks is that fast food places don't accept them. Wink, wink.
Current Song - Do It Again (Steely Dan)
I'm listening to a new Steely Dan CD I bought - "The Definitive Collection" - which is the only career-spanning Dan CD from 1972s Do It Again to 2003s Things I Miss The Most.
I was bored at work one day and I came up with possible story ideas ranging from columns to in-depth stuff. I'm even getting back on the Q&A wagon once again. Possible one tonight with a South Beloit kid. One story suggestion I've had on the shelf since July, and I just don't know how to write it.
There are a couple things on the whole prayer issue as well as conference chatter (seems to be a biggie of mine) and other historical and IHSA-related things. There's also some internet things on this list. One of them in particular I've had on the table since mid-December.
Call it the momentum from the Scott Williams piece I did last month. I changed the way I released my columns: instead of the new column going up on the homepage, I am putting new columns on the Cody's Corner page where they all are. I did it this way in order to seem as if the site's focus isn't on columns I write. I had to direct people to the new columns - and the Williams piece was the first one I did that with. Turns out it was good - not as good as Kevin's Do What's Wrong piece - but I'm hoping I can keep this up.
I want to write things one does not normally see in a newspaper. They are businesses, and I am me.
Speaking of economics, it's kind of hitting me a bit. I used to say three nights a week was okay, but not now. However, since Julie is gone I'm probably going back to four-to-five nights a week, which looks good on the paycheck. But that doesn't look good with the site plans. I've already had to de-commit to some state tournament series events such as girls bowling and maybe both wrestling events (unfortunately).
Today I'm going to Forreston vs. South Beloit (boys)
Thursday it's Rockford Christian vs. Indian Creek (girls)
Saturday it's the Newman wrestling Regional until time for work.
Only four months until NISB's fifth birthday - whoa!
The three nights thing isn't giving me a whole lot of money, and my paycheck is spent on gas fillups and the occasional expensive thing: monthly insurance payments take a huge chunk of my weekly check. Oil changes and cell phone cards and QC Times bills. I have an oil change and haircut put on hold until next week - and my hair is kind of long at the moment. I've got the Grizzly Adams look underway.
Stupid Debit Tricks
Plus I have been having dificulty keeping track of my debits. It's not because I don't keep a ledger, but rather different places taking money out at different times! I'd like to go back to writing checks because the ledger is right in front of me. But I misplaced my checkbook somewhere in my bedroom. Don't worry - no one has been using it. So it just means I hid it and now I can't find it.
Even with checks, you never know when they are going to actually clear.
Because of the un-immediate charges, I found myself with another negative balance. Another good thing about checks is that fast food places don't accept them. Wink, wink.
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