Cutter's Log - Supplemental
My work schedule will once again be Monday night, Thursday night, and both weekend nights. I have school on Wednesday night. This leaves Tuesdays and Fridays open. I'm going on the assumption that this is the normal schedule for now on.
I'm going to try to figure out what's available on these days.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
I Write Checks
Cutter's Log - Supplemental
Everyone has their habit, whether it be drinking, smoking, gambling, biting nails, etc. I have a habit of my own that is just as lethal as drinking and smoking. That's the habit of eating fast food.
I had a debit card and/or cash with me a lot. That's enough for a meal from the drive thru window. I thought I could kick the habit by buying everything with checks. Because I'm only carrying checks, I can't go to the drive thru. It's worth it to me to pull the ID out of my wallet every time and have the wait. The person behind me can't say that. Thus I try to go to a less-distracting line.
However, there are times I do need cash. Little do I know that until it's too late.
I had to drive to Cambridge to pay a fine. The ticket says checks are okay. The Clerk says they're not. So I'm scrambling around beautiful downtown Cambridge for a money order. The post office doesn't accept checks, but a debit card. The bank was no help, either. I didn't bring cash or debit with me because I would wind up in a drive thru.
I'm going back down there on Tuesday, with cash.
Everyone has their habit, whether it be drinking, smoking, gambling, biting nails, etc. I have a habit of my own that is just as lethal as drinking and smoking. That's the habit of eating fast food.
I had a debit card and/or cash with me a lot. That's enough for a meal from the drive thru window. I thought I could kick the habit by buying everything with checks. Because I'm only carrying checks, I can't go to the drive thru. It's worth it to me to pull the ID out of my wallet every time and have the wait. The person behind me can't say that. Thus I try to go to a less-distracting line.
However, there are times I do need cash. Little do I know that until it's too late.
I had to drive to Cambridge to pay a fine. The ticket says checks are okay. The Clerk says they're not. So I'm scrambling around beautiful downtown Cambridge for a money order. The post office doesn't accept checks, but a debit card. The bank was no help, either. I didn't bring cash or debit with me because I would wind up in a drive thru.
I'm going back down there on Tuesday, with cash.
You're Better off Shooting a Lion
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.03.10
Current Song - Benny Hill Theme
When I'm not writing articles for NISB, I'm taking pictures. I'm not the best photographer, but I try to be. As a staff of one, I sometimes have to pull double-duty to get both and article and a picture of what's going on. That's not an easy thing to do during basketball games. I did this during the Little 10 Girls Basketball Tournament championship night. The end result, I thought, didn't turn out good.
Early in my career with PSO, I was treated more as a photographer than I was a writer. It's one thing to have a D60 with you, and another to have a Canon Powershot. You can probably guess which one I have now. The photography still lingers in me.
There was an event today that I wasn't able to stay for the duration of, but could get some pictures of. I'll begin the story by saying this: It's been a while since I've been to a bowling meet.
Maybe it's just me, but I don't take a few hours out of my day to shoot sub-par pictures. I shoot pictures in an effort to make it the best shot I can get. That's what the newspaper photographers do, especially those who have to run to 2-3 games a night. In order to get that best shot, the flash really helps.
The pic I shot for a wrestling story I did a couple of weeks back was shot from in front of the scorer's table. I shot quite a bit of photographs at that angle. No complaints. For a little bit I wondered if my flash was distracting, but since I didn't hear anything from anyone, I kept it on.
I came to this bowling meet like I did any other event I'm shooting. I get to a balcony, "click!" Next thing I notice, there's people looking at me like an angry mob. Only then did I realize the problem.
Needless to say, I was embarassed and left the event. I drove back trying to figure out what the problem was. I mean, I shoot wrestling pics, volleyball pics, basketball pics, and I don't get dirty looks. What was the problem here? I didn't understand. I started to think that I now know why bowling isn't covered by the papers as much.
I get home and ask my dad why this is. He told me that it distracts the bowlers' concentration. I told him that every pic I shoot distracts concentration in some way. He told me that bowlers put forth more concentration in what they do than what other athletes do. I'll take his word for it: he bowled in a Friday night league for years.
I'll admit for a second this scared me from ever covering a bowling meet. But I learned something about bowling out of all of this. Bowling is often disrespected by the media, and doesn't get covered except for big meets and profile stories. Like my dad said, bowlers put in a lot of concentration. Does this make bowling a much tougher sport than, say, wrestling?
With that being said, I think I've developed a whole new respect for high school bowling.
Current Song - Benny Hill Theme
When I'm not writing articles for NISB, I'm taking pictures. I'm not the best photographer, but I try to be. As a staff of one, I sometimes have to pull double-duty to get both and article and a picture of what's going on. That's not an easy thing to do during basketball games. I did this during the Little 10 Girls Basketball Tournament championship night. The end result, I thought, didn't turn out good.
Early in my career with PSO, I was treated more as a photographer than I was a writer. It's one thing to have a D60 with you, and another to have a Canon Powershot. You can probably guess which one I have now. The photography still lingers in me.
There was an event today that I wasn't able to stay for the duration of, but could get some pictures of. I'll begin the story by saying this: It's been a while since I've been to a bowling meet.
Maybe it's just me, but I don't take a few hours out of my day to shoot sub-par pictures. I shoot pictures in an effort to make it the best shot I can get. That's what the newspaper photographers do, especially those who have to run to 2-3 games a night. In order to get that best shot, the flash really helps.
The pic I shot for a wrestling story I did a couple of weeks back was shot from in front of the scorer's table. I shot quite a bit of photographs at that angle. No complaints. For a little bit I wondered if my flash was distracting, but since I didn't hear anything from anyone, I kept it on.
I came to this bowling meet like I did any other event I'm shooting. I get to a balcony, "click!" Next thing I notice, there's people looking at me like an angry mob. Only then did I realize the problem.
Needless to say, I was embarassed and left the event. I drove back trying to figure out what the problem was. I mean, I shoot wrestling pics, volleyball pics, basketball pics, and I don't get dirty looks. What was the problem here? I didn't understand. I started to think that I now know why bowling isn't covered by the papers as much.
I get home and ask my dad why this is. He told me that it distracts the bowlers' concentration. I told him that every pic I shoot distracts concentration in some way. He told me that bowlers put forth more concentration in what they do than what other athletes do. I'll take his word for it: he bowled in a Friday night league for years.
I'll admit for a second this scared me from ever covering a bowling meet. But I learned something about bowling out of all of this. Bowling is often disrespected by the media, and doesn't get covered except for big meets and profile stories. Like my dad said, bowlers put in a lot of concentration. Does this make bowling a much tougher sport than, say, wrestling?
With that being said, I think I've developed a whole new respect for high school bowling.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
A pretty Blah week
Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.42.10
Current Song - Welcome Back (John Sebastian)
This is going to be a very boring week. There's not much as far as good games coming up this Friday. This past weekend pretty much took the magic away from the upcoming games. Upset after upset after upset, from Moline to Rock Falls to Princeton to Rochelle. Ugh! This Friday, the top tiers of the conferences will pretty much feast on the bottom, from the Big 6 to the NIC-10.
I have to make a stop in Cambridge on Friday anyway, and I was thinking about Rocky-UT. But UT's been struggling a bit as of late and Rocky's at the top of the conference. Their lone conference loss was to UT. Princeton-RF pretty much cancelled each other out this past weekend. Rochelle-Kaneland is another kind of close one. That's it. Even Danny doesn't have a game on Friday (Sterling). Hope for upsets in the I-8 or Tri-County tournaments? Geez. I may as well just work. If I was still covering Galesburg (I stopped last year), I'd travel down to Quincy.
I'm going to have a first-time freelance writer cover Princeton/Byron on Tuesday. I had already decided to take Tuesday off of covering games to focus on getting my schoolwork in order. May as well just take Friday off as well.
Speaking of schoolwork ...
I'm still stuck on that first project for Graphic Design. I've got a design made out for a t-shirt, now it's just a matter of hoping I go forth with the project correctly. It's a tough class. I'm expected to remember my way around from 4 1/2 years ago when I took a class in the Tech Zone. Ugh!
My speech class was cancelled last week due to the ice storm. I have no idea what we're doing in the class.
This week I work Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday nights. It's one more night than what I had been doing. So Saturday morning could shine a light. Dixon has a bowling invitational that morning, but I don't know whether or not to cover it, or just take pictures.
Okay, so not as blah as once thought.
Current Song - Welcome Back (John Sebastian)
This is going to be a very boring week. There's not much as far as good games coming up this Friday. This past weekend pretty much took the magic away from the upcoming games. Upset after upset after upset, from Moline to Rock Falls to Princeton to Rochelle. Ugh! This Friday, the top tiers of the conferences will pretty much feast on the bottom, from the Big 6 to the NIC-10.
I have to make a stop in Cambridge on Friday anyway, and I was thinking about Rocky-UT. But UT's been struggling a bit as of late and Rocky's at the top of the conference. Their lone conference loss was to UT. Princeton-RF pretty much cancelled each other out this past weekend. Rochelle-Kaneland is another kind of close one. That's it. Even Danny doesn't have a game on Friday (Sterling). Hope for upsets in the I-8 or Tri-County tournaments? Geez. I may as well just work. If I was still covering Galesburg (I stopped last year), I'd travel down to Quincy.
I'm going to have a first-time freelance writer cover Princeton/Byron on Tuesday. I had already decided to take Tuesday off of covering games to focus on getting my schoolwork in order. May as well just take Friday off as well.
Speaking of schoolwork ...
I'm still stuck on that first project for Graphic Design. I've got a design made out for a t-shirt, now it's just a matter of hoping I go forth with the project correctly. It's a tough class. I'm expected to remember my way around from 4 1/2 years ago when I took a class in the Tech Zone. Ugh!
My speech class was cancelled last week due to the ice storm. I have no idea what we're doing in the class.
This week I work Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday nights. It's one more night than what I had been doing. So Saturday morning could shine a light. Dixon has a bowling invitational that morning, but I don't know whether or not to cover it, or just take pictures.
Okay, so not as blah as once thought.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Apparently you have to bend down and ...
Cutter's Log - Supplemental
While trying to sleep this morning (after I got done typing my last entry), a thought came to me. I want to get by in the journalism world. In order for me to do that, apparently I have to sacrifice some things that I believe in. I have to, to put it in simple terms, bend down and kiss butt. My apologies to family members who read this.
I don't feel good about falling in line with the system. At times I've felt that I won't get anything out of it. I'd just be making someone else rich, and I'm nothing but a pawn for someone's success. I wasn't going anywhere with PSO, but the company was (at the time). It was there that I was labled a "loose cannon" at age 16. Since then I've had disagreements with the newspaper, and was passed over for leadership at two gas stations.
If someone tells me to do something, I have to wonder if they're making me do this for their own personal success. Or if they are really making use of what I can do best in aiding the workplace. If I can't find some sort of benefit from what I'm being asked of, I don't see why I should do it - and it's just a matter of me beind used.
While trying to sleep this morning (after I got done typing my last entry), a thought came to me. I want to get by in the journalism world. In order for me to do that, apparently I have to sacrifice some things that I believe in. I have to, to put it in simple terms, bend down and kiss butt. My apologies to family members who read this.
I don't feel good about falling in line with the system. At times I've felt that I won't get anything out of it. I'd just be making someone else rich, and I'm nothing but a pawn for someone's success. I wasn't going anywhere with PSO, but the company was (at the time). It was there that I was labled a "loose cannon" at age 16. Since then I've had disagreements with the newspaper, and was passed over for leadership at two gas stations.
If someone tells me to do something, I have to wonder if they're making me do this for their own personal success. Or if they are really making use of what I can do best in aiding the workplace. If I can't find some sort of benefit from what I'm being asked of, I don't see why I should do it - and it's just a matter of me beind used.
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Newspaper
Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.12.10
Current Song - Let's Groove (Earth, Wind and Fire)
Sometimes silence can be golden. I've often been that. When it comes to here, however, I'm not as tight-lipped. Once again, I was quite angry and posted something bone-chilling against the local newspaper. It just takes me a little while to realize that doing this over and over again isn't going to help matters.
What I posted is probably etched somewhere in history. Now I have to work my way back up out of that.
Hopefully we can agree to disagree on certain things. If we can agree on that, I would be more than willing to work alongside them (note: I didn't say "with" because I probably jinxed that). I would be more than willing to work alongside them if we can agree to disagree. If they choose to push me around, I'm not going to just lie there like a coward. All I'll do is just get back up again.
I guess the word is out: I can't work well with authority. However it takes a strong person to convince me otherwise, and still make me feel good about working in the high school sports world.
Current Song - Let's Groove (Earth, Wind and Fire)
Sometimes silence can be golden. I've often been that. When it comes to here, however, I'm not as tight-lipped. Once again, I was quite angry and posted something bone-chilling against the local newspaper. It just takes me a little while to realize that doing this over and over again isn't going to help matters.
What I posted is probably etched somewhere in history. Now I have to work my way back up out of that.
Hopefully we can agree to disagree on certain things. If we can agree on that, I would be more than willing to work alongside them (note: I didn't say "with" because I probably jinxed that). I would be more than willing to work alongside them if we can agree to disagree. If they choose to push me around, I'm not going to just lie there like a coward. All I'll do is just get back up again.
I guess the word is out: I can't work well with authority. However it takes a strong person to convince me otherwise, and still make me feel good about working in the high school sports world.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
I Won't Bow Down
Cutter's Log - 0102.91.10
Current Song - Hold The Line (Toto)
It's nice to know I have some followers on here.
I was confronted by someone regarding something I wrote on here. A lot of it was just frustration and wondering. A week ago I wrote something about newspapers and wrestling coverage. I think it was this one that was troublesome:
"Basketball-oriented reporters simply do not know the basics of the moves ... If I want bout results, I will look at the box. Some reporters have a habit of not wanting to learn the detail of something new."
Apparently that didn't bode well with someone I know. I know this person is real good at wrestling. I was simply applying that statement to those who don't do a whole lot of wrestling meets: "basketball-oriented reporters." At first I couldn't understand why he had a problem with it. Then it hit: we're dealing with a newspaper that wasn't all too great back then. Now they are winning awards. I was told of one of them tonight.
Is this what they do to make people shut up? Say they won an award, so back off?
The readers didn't give out the awards. Executives from far away did. It's one thing to prove it to them, now can it be proven to the readership? Or do we all just not get it? Don't tell me about awards.
Oh, so now I'm the biggest tool in the prep sports scene? I'm a disease to businesses? I don't have people above me on any ladder telling me what to do, or what to write, or how to write. I don't conduct my work in the high school sports world wearing a business cap. I don't write with a survival slant, or a notoriety slant. If I did, I would have a much larger website by now. But I don't. I'm fine with that. I don't have anyone else to worry about except the high school sports world.
If I have a problem with something, am I going to write it on here? Hell yes.
I enjoy what I'm doing. I don't need to bow down to anyone.
Current Song - Hold The Line (Toto)
It's nice to know I have some followers on here.
I was confronted by someone regarding something I wrote on here. A lot of it was just frustration and wondering. A week ago I wrote something about newspapers and wrestling coverage. I think it was this one that was troublesome:
"Basketball-oriented reporters simply do not know the basics of the moves ... If I want bout results, I will look at the box. Some reporters have a habit of not wanting to learn the detail of something new."
Apparently that didn't bode well with someone I know. I know this person is real good at wrestling. I was simply applying that statement to those who don't do a whole lot of wrestling meets: "basketball-oriented reporters." At first I couldn't understand why he had a problem with it. Then it hit: we're dealing with a newspaper that wasn't all too great back then. Now they are winning awards. I was told of one of them tonight.
Is this what they do to make people shut up? Say they won an award, so back off?
The readers didn't give out the awards. Executives from far away did. It's one thing to prove it to them, now can it be proven to the readership? Or do we all just not get it? Don't tell me about awards.
Oh, so now I'm the biggest tool in the prep sports scene? I'm a disease to businesses? I don't have people above me on any ladder telling me what to do, or what to write, or how to write. I don't conduct my work in the high school sports world wearing a business cap. I don't write with a survival slant, or a notoriety slant. If I did, I would have a much larger website by now. But I don't. I'm fine with that. I don't have anyone else to worry about except the high school sports world.
If I have a problem with something, am I going to write it on here? Hell yes.
I enjoy what I'm doing. I don't need to bow down to anyone.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Things looking good for NISB
Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.51.10
Current Song - Red Red Wine (UB40)
17 new posters in the past 15 days. Much of it due to the decrease of popularity in the Illinois Hoops boards. I'm glad they came to NISB. Hopefully the rest of us can learn more about what's up their way, and they can learn more about what's south of them.
I say that because most of the new posters are coming from the northern part of the area, noteably Winnebago.
It's things like this that make me want to think about leaving the Shell station and putting focus on the website.
Current Song - Red Red Wine (UB40)
17 new posters in the past 15 days. Much of it due to the decrease of popularity in the Illinois Hoops boards. I'm glad they came to NISB. Hopefully the rest of us can learn more about what's up their way, and they can learn more about what's south of them.
I say that because most of the new posters are coming from the northern part of the area, noteably Winnebago.
It's things like this that make me want to think about leaving the Shell station and putting focus on the website.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Conference Conferences
Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.41.01
Current Song - Right Place, Wrong Time (Dr. John)
It's a fact: I get nervous when interviewing people like athletes and coaches. There's another group of people I get EXTREMELY nervous trying to interview. That's athletic administrators, principals and superintendents.
These kinds of people are sources for whenever a conference affiliation change takes place, such as what's happening with Rock Falls. I wanted to do something full-blown on it, but I decided not to touch it, except for writing about it in the Friday 5.
Here's Why:
Back in March, I had some trouble trying to find out an affiliation situation regarding the Lincoln Trail. The Aledo radio station tried to cover the meeting, but was shut out of it - a day before the meeting. The reason for the shutting out, according to the conference president, was pretty much a fear of being misquoted. I didn't quite understand this. So I tried to get some answers. I was pretty much told the same thing.
So I sent the president an e-mail. The response is to call him. Trust me, e-mail is so much better when it comes to these things. You can't use a delete button in a phone conversation. You can in an e-mail message.
That's not the real problem. The problem was that the meeting was supposed to be secret or something. Do athletic conferences NOT want you to know whether or not schools are looking at joining? What's not being told here?
Go back about 3-4 years, when I was writing a summer series on changes in many athletic conferences. I did one on an NUIC restructuring. Did the e-mail thing. Someone I e-mailed was apparently "uncomfortable" with answering the questions I had. So he directed the question to someone else. I can't understand what would be so "uncomfortable" about discussing a conference realignment.
When I do get the chance to talk, I have to introduce myself and what I do. When I tell them "I'm from Northern Illinois Sports Beat," they respond by asking my if I'm a newspaper. Apparently me not being a newspaper writer raises a red flag. It's like they think I'm the Perez Hilton of high school sports or something.
Current Song - Right Place, Wrong Time (Dr. John)
It's a fact: I get nervous when interviewing people like athletes and coaches. There's another group of people I get EXTREMELY nervous trying to interview. That's athletic administrators, principals and superintendents.
These kinds of people are sources for whenever a conference affiliation change takes place, such as what's happening with Rock Falls. I wanted to do something full-blown on it, but I decided not to touch it, except for writing about it in the Friday 5.
Here's Why:
Back in March, I had some trouble trying to find out an affiliation situation regarding the Lincoln Trail. The Aledo radio station tried to cover the meeting, but was shut out of it - a day before the meeting. The reason for the shutting out, according to the conference president, was pretty much a fear of being misquoted. I didn't quite understand this. So I tried to get some answers. I was pretty much told the same thing.
So I sent the president an e-mail. The response is to call him. Trust me, e-mail is so much better when it comes to these things. You can't use a delete button in a phone conversation. You can in an e-mail message.
That's not the real problem. The problem was that the meeting was supposed to be secret or something. Do athletic conferences NOT want you to know whether or not schools are looking at joining? What's not being told here?
Go back about 3-4 years, when I was writing a summer series on changes in many athletic conferences. I did one on an NUIC restructuring. Did the e-mail thing. Someone I e-mailed was apparently "uncomfortable" with answering the questions I had. So he directed the question to someone else. I can't understand what would be so "uncomfortable" about discussing a conference realignment.
When I do get the chance to talk, I have to introduce myself and what I do. When I tell them "I'm from Northern Illinois Sports Beat," they respond by asking my if I'm a newspaper. Apparently me not being a newspaper writer raises a red flag. It's like they think I'm the Perez Hilton of high school sports or something.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Thoughts to the "Out" Box
Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.21.10
Current Song - I Saw The Light (Todd Rundgren)
I've got a bunch of things piled in my "In" box on top of my file cabinet: game rosters, game notes, programs, etc. I'm just now sorting it all into my file cabinet. The bottom of the stack is Kewanee-Princeton football stuff.
Not only do I have a box for the file cabinet, but today I have a bunch of things that need transferred from the brain to the blog.
One of my regular customers at the gas station, who is an assistant wrestling coach for an area high school, was talking to me one day about wrestling coverage in the newspaper. There was this quad one day and it didn't get a whole lot of press in the newspaper. The local paper didn't cover it, but another paper did. This led to the whole "basketball gets more press than wrestling" debate. I didn't take a stance, but I wanted to try to figure it all out.
I haven't made it out much to high school sports events this winter, and when I do, they are usually basketball games. I had yet to cover a wrestling meet all winter. One day I picked a good one: a triangular between Newman, Erie and Dakota @ Dakota. I did not cover it. I just wanted to observe a couple of things. I wanted to try to figure out what makes it so difficult to cover these events.
The first point was obvious: basketball is more popular. There were no reporters covering this particular meet, which took place on a Wednesday. I was listening to the local radio's sports news on the drive up, and they mentioned there were a few basketball games going on. I easily predicted the winners of these games, so they weren't going to be good. I came to the conclusion that the reporters are simply in a basketball mood throughout the entire winter season, and they would have to go out of their way in order to figure out exactly how to cover a wrestling meet. It's a big snowball effect.
Observation No. 2 may be unique to this particular meet, but because of the "size" of this one, I had to judge the book by the cover. There were no rosters available at the door. No big whoop, but it saves the reporter time so that he/she doesn't have to bug the scorer's table.
3. Basketball-oriented reporters simply do not know the basics of the moves. They know that when a wrestler is forced down onto the mat and continues to have clear control of the opponent, it is a two-point takedown. They aren't as educated in back points, the names of the moves, what a tech fall is, etc. Therefore, they will simply recite bout results. If I want bout results, I will look at the box. Some reporters have a habit of not wanting to learn the detail of something new.
4. There's no identifying mark on the wrestlers. Basketball players wear jerseys, and the ones you want to quote has been a familiar face to you for the duration of the basketball game. Wrestlers are only out there for six minutes. Again, no big whoop but just a small observation.
The four points above are really the reason for the whole debate. However, they only serve as a lead-in to the REAL reason. Space. Newspaper space has decreased, we all know that.
***
The wrestling coverage observations had me thinking just recently, what would the public reception be like if a new sports editor at a newspaper decided to give equal coverage to all high school sports? How would the basketball fans react?
Does the number of new subscribers due to the coverage increase outnumber the loss of subscribers due to the cuts in popular sports? I'm not sure if newspapers have tried this experiment. I would like to try it.
In June's NISB State of the Site Address, I will announce a plan for equal coverage. On the wrestling front, I would like to commit to Dvorak, PIT and the Bi-State, as well as Team State. Dvorak is easy because it falls on a weekday. If I'm still working at the Shell station, priority will be given to weekday events.
***
I hope to go the final day of Hononegah's MLK Shootout on Monday. Hopefully I am not working.
***
Speaking of work:
I will be putting in a 11-4 shift at Route 30 today. It'll be the first time I've worked there in nearly 8 months. I was only scheduled 24 hours this week. I gained two more on Tuesday afternoon, filling in for someone on a doc appointment. So there'll be five more today. Thirty-one hours this week. Not bad, considering I spent most my money on errands yesterday (insurance bill, plate stickers, oil change, headphones and batteries, stamps, and a new basketball scorebook).
Today will be challenging. I have Tech Zone this morning, followed by work, and followed by my first speech class.
On Thursday, I plan on going to the Big Northern Conference meeting. They are meeting to determine a new addition to the conference. That's at 1:00, and I want to go to the HBR-Newark girls game that night.
Friday morning will be spent in the Tech Zone. Then I'd like to see the DeKalb/Sycamore wrestling dual that night.
Current Song - I Saw The Light (Todd Rundgren)
I've got a bunch of things piled in my "In" box on top of my file cabinet: game rosters, game notes, programs, etc. I'm just now sorting it all into my file cabinet. The bottom of the stack is Kewanee-Princeton football stuff.
Not only do I have a box for the file cabinet, but today I have a bunch of things that need transferred from the brain to the blog.
One of my regular customers at the gas station, who is an assistant wrestling coach for an area high school, was talking to me one day about wrestling coverage in the newspaper. There was this quad one day and it didn't get a whole lot of press in the newspaper. The local paper didn't cover it, but another paper did. This led to the whole "basketball gets more press than wrestling" debate. I didn't take a stance, but I wanted to try to figure it all out.
I haven't made it out much to high school sports events this winter, and when I do, they are usually basketball games. I had yet to cover a wrestling meet all winter. One day I picked a good one: a triangular between Newman, Erie and Dakota @ Dakota. I did not cover it. I just wanted to observe a couple of things. I wanted to try to figure out what makes it so difficult to cover these events.
The first point was obvious: basketball is more popular. There were no reporters covering this particular meet, which took place on a Wednesday. I was listening to the local radio's sports news on the drive up, and they mentioned there were a few basketball games going on. I easily predicted the winners of these games, so they weren't going to be good. I came to the conclusion that the reporters are simply in a basketball mood throughout the entire winter season, and they would have to go out of their way in order to figure out exactly how to cover a wrestling meet. It's a big snowball effect.
Observation No. 2 may be unique to this particular meet, but because of the "size" of this one, I had to judge the book by the cover. There were no rosters available at the door. No big whoop, but it saves the reporter time so that he/she doesn't have to bug the scorer's table.
3. Basketball-oriented reporters simply do not know the basics of the moves. They know that when a wrestler is forced down onto the mat and continues to have clear control of the opponent, it is a two-point takedown. They aren't as educated in back points, the names of the moves, what a tech fall is, etc. Therefore, they will simply recite bout results. If I want bout results, I will look at the box. Some reporters have a habit of not wanting to learn the detail of something new.
4. There's no identifying mark on the wrestlers. Basketball players wear jerseys, and the ones you want to quote has been a familiar face to you for the duration of the basketball game. Wrestlers are only out there for six minutes. Again, no big whoop but just a small observation.
The four points above are really the reason for the whole debate. However, they only serve as a lead-in to the REAL reason. Space. Newspaper space has decreased, we all know that.
***
The wrestling coverage observations had me thinking just recently, what would the public reception be like if a new sports editor at a newspaper decided to give equal coverage to all high school sports? How would the basketball fans react?
Does the number of new subscribers due to the coverage increase outnumber the loss of subscribers due to the cuts in popular sports? I'm not sure if newspapers have tried this experiment. I would like to try it.
In June's NISB State of the Site Address, I will announce a plan for equal coverage. On the wrestling front, I would like to commit to Dvorak, PIT and the Bi-State, as well as Team State. Dvorak is easy because it falls on a weekday. If I'm still working at the Shell station, priority will be given to weekday events.
***
I hope to go the final day of Hononegah's MLK Shootout on Monday. Hopefully I am not working.
***
Speaking of work:
I will be putting in a 11-4 shift at Route 30 today. It'll be the first time I've worked there in nearly 8 months. I was only scheduled 24 hours this week. I gained two more on Tuesday afternoon, filling in for someone on a doc appointment. So there'll be five more today. Thirty-one hours this week. Not bad, considering I spent most my money on errands yesterday (insurance bill, plate stickers, oil change, headphones and batteries, stamps, and a new basketball scorebook).
Today will be challenging. I have Tech Zone this morning, followed by work, and followed by my first speech class.
On Thursday, I plan on going to the Big Northern Conference meeting. They are meeting to determine a new addition to the conference. That's at 1:00, and I want to go to the HBR-Newark girls game that night.
Friday morning will be spent in the Tech Zone. Then I'd like to see the DeKalb/Sycamore wrestling dual that night.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Back to School .... Back to School ...
Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.11.10
Current Song - Georgy Porgy (Toto)
For the first time in 4 1/2 years, I took at class at Sterling High School. Actually, it was a Sauk class that was being taken in the school's Tech Zone. Graphic Design II.
I am a TZ alum, having taken Media Arts during my senior year. That was such a long time ago, and with the way technology had changed four years ago seems like the Stone Age. It took a while to get used to the servers and such. I had an assignment already, and that was to create a desktop background. It's basically an ID badge. Going through Photoshop took a bit of time, but there were some things that I remembered from last time.
The badge had to be redone a couple of times because I forgot to save the file in the correct format.
It was like going back to high school again. Now if I can just write neater notes in my notebook, I should be fine.
Current Song - Georgy Porgy (Toto)
For the first time in 4 1/2 years, I took at class at Sterling High School. Actually, it was a Sauk class that was being taken in the school's Tech Zone. Graphic Design II.
I am a TZ alum, having taken Media Arts during my senior year. That was such a long time ago, and with the way technology had changed four years ago seems like the Stone Age. It took a while to get used to the servers and such. I had an assignment already, and that was to create a desktop background. It's basically an ID badge. Going through Photoshop took a bit of time, but there were some things that I remembered from last time.
The badge had to be redone a couple of times because I forgot to save the file in the correct format.
It was like going back to high school again. Now if I can just write neater notes in my notebook, I should be fine.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Resolution: Pick up pieces of the past
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.30.10
Current Song - Two Hearts (Phil Collins)
I don't get into New Year's Resolutions too often. I know that they won't last, so why bother doing it? It got me thinking, what is a resolution? Everyone says "lose weight," or "quit smoking," or "quit drinking, or quit this or that. A resolution is something you want to do that is somewhat attainable. Moving out of the house is probably not attainable yet, but neither is getting my degree (which is something I know I'm going to get). It takes some might in order to do it.
I'd like to scrap up the remnants of the girlfriend searches from school days, and repatch them together to finally find a solution. In other words, get a girlfriend.
Looking back, I'm glad I didn't get involved when I was in school. I don't think any of my friends have the same partner (save one couple) today that they had during their freshman year. It kind of made all of those failed attempts worth it. They now tell me, "Cody, it's not worth it." All of the girls I had crushes on are probably involved in a very strong relationship right now.
The problem back then was going a bit too fast. Something attracted me and I wanted to go right for her. Truely stupid on my part. I think what has to be done is to have one land in front me. Seems like a huge longshot.
Current Song - Two Hearts (Phil Collins)
I don't get into New Year's Resolutions too often. I know that they won't last, so why bother doing it? It got me thinking, what is a resolution? Everyone says "lose weight," or "quit smoking," or "quit drinking, or quit this or that. A resolution is something you want to do that is somewhat attainable. Moving out of the house is probably not attainable yet, but neither is getting my degree (which is something I know I'm going to get). It takes some might in order to do it.
I'd like to scrap up the remnants of the girlfriend searches from school days, and repatch them together to finally find a solution. In other words, get a girlfriend.
Looking back, I'm glad I didn't get involved when I was in school. I don't think any of my friends have the same partner (save one couple) today that they had during their freshman year. It kind of made all of those failed attempts worth it. They now tell me, "Cody, it's not worth it." All of the girls I had crushes on are probably involved in a very strong relationship right now.
The problem back then was going a bit too fast. Something attracted me and I wanted to go right for her. Truely stupid on my part. I think what has to be done is to have one land in front me. Seems like a huge longshot.
New Year's Resolution
I made one last year, and that was to weigh less on January 1, 2010 than I did on January 1, 2009. About six months ago, I was going the wrong direction. From that point until now, I have lost 31 pounds, and still down 13 overall since a year ago. I'd like to keep that going for another 12 months. If I do that, it'll mean I'm looking at a goal of -60 from now to a year from now.
Friday, January 1, 2010
We lost our manager today
Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.10.10
Current Song - Follow You, Follow Me (Genesis)
Mary is no longer at the Shell station.
It was a decision made by upper management. She has been grieving from losses of her son and sister in the past year. Certainly a rough year for anyone who has had similar feelings. It affected her focus a bit too much, and the plug was pulled.
Mary was a popular manager with the morning customers. She kept them coming back each morning, and that's where most of the revenue comes in. It will be extremely hard for them to realize that she's not there anymore. I can't imagine how customers felt after seeing a new manager in 25 years at Route 30.
I know how it feels to lose a real good manager all of a sudden. I was witness to Janyce's departure from BP over two years ago. That place has yet to recover. However, Janyce was up to par when it came to running the place while her husband was on his deathbed. Mary wasn't. I can understand that: no mother has to bury his son (ask my grandma about it). I feel that management letting her go was probably the best thing for her, as it takes a heavy burden off her. My best wishes to her as she moves on to a new chapter in her life.
Sheila, the manager at the Clinton Shell, will be taking over. She's been around the block here before and at the other S/RF stations. She's big on cleaning, which hasn't been our strong point as of late. It's already been a difficult winter for me, having to deal with all of this snow. I had a real bad New Year's Eve, and didn't get out until late. When it isn't as busy, I've found some time to get things done and get out at a decent time. I can only guess there'll be added chores.
Here's hoping the transition is a lot smoother than the one I experienced at BP.
Current Song - Follow You, Follow Me (Genesis)
Mary is no longer at the Shell station.
It was a decision made by upper management. She has been grieving from losses of her son and sister in the past year. Certainly a rough year for anyone who has had similar feelings. It affected her focus a bit too much, and the plug was pulled.
Mary was a popular manager with the morning customers. She kept them coming back each morning, and that's where most of the revenue comes in. It will be extremely hard for them to realize that she's not there anymore. I can't imagine how customers felt after seeing a new manager in 25 years at Route 30.
I know how it feels to lose a real good manager all of a sudden. I was witness to Janyce's departure from BP over two years ago. That place has yet to recover. However, Janyce was up to par when it came to running the place while her husband was on his deathbed. Mary wasn't. I can understand that: no mother has to bury his son (ask my grandma about it). I feel that management letting her go was probably the best thing for her, as it takes a heavy burden off her. My best wishes to her as she moves on to a new chapter in her life.
Sheila, the manager at the Clinton Shell, will be taking over. She's been around the block here before and at the other S/RF stations. She's big on cleaning, which hasn't been our strong point as of late. It's already been a difficult winter for me, having to deal with all of this snow. I had a real bad New Year's Eve, and didn't get out until late. When it isn't as busy, I've found some time to get things done and get out at a decent time. I can only guess there'll be added chores.
Here's hoping the transition is a lot smoother than the one I experienced at BP.
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