Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.82.50
Current Song - Straight On (Heart)
The graduation get together was awesome. Many family and friends showed up, and it was good to see them all. Written words can't describe just how it meant a lot to me. It's hard to sum it all up. All I had to do, on my part, was to announce what I'll be doing for the forseeable future.
The next chapter in my life is beginning.
I may be spending more time away from this Blog for a little while, to try to figure out just how to go about moving forward. For starters, I need to save money. So I bought a book at Borders when I was up in Rockford a couple of Tuesdays ago. It's called "365 Ways to Live Cheap". I'm reading through it a little at a time. It slams being frugal down your throat.
Some of the things I just can't do because it's not my nature - like complain to people in order to save money. One cannot be too frugal, and I don't plan on being too frugal - who would want that, other than others who are too frugal?
Money saving is kind of important right now, at this stage of my life.
Two weeks into my post-college life, and I'm still in spring sports mode. It's the way it should be. I want to finish up the Spring grind and get the 2010 NISB State of the Site Address posted. My future plans will be announced in the Address, and those who follow this Blog will be directed to read it (on 6/15) for more information.
As for the current time, I just got done posting the latest Friday 5 for NISB. I'll be covering the LaSalle-Peru Baseball Regional final between Rock Island and LP on Saturday morning, then heading for work. Yuck. Bill will be covering Somonauk softball versus Forreston at the Pearl City Sectional on Saturday. Next week's plans for coverage are TBD.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Why I don't like pro sports
Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.41.50
Current Song - Pomp and Circumstance
T-minus about four hours before graduation.
But right now I have to get something off my chest about professional sports. I can't stand the politics of those who are in the offices of these pro sports teams.
Take a look at the NBA's Eastern Conference right now. The Chicago Bulls make the playoffs, and their head coach gets fired because they lost in the first round, to the Cavs. The Cavs are considering firing their head coach, mainly because of two bad losses to end their series, against the Celtics. The Atlanta Hawks have fired their coach, after being swept by the Magic. The coach for Miami, who saw their season end to the Celtics, could be on the hot seat if Pat Riley wants to return to coaching.
The Celtics play the Magic for the Eastern championship. Stan Van Gundy had better be careful.
Already two, and probably three, head coaches have recieved the axe after leading their programs to the playoffs. If this is the case, then shouldn't every team that didn't make the playoffs fire their head coaches?
I used to think the NFL was bad, when Week 17 would be followed by "Pink Slip" week. The NBA and the NFL feel as if every season is World Championship or death. There's too much rumor and gossip, as well as expectations.
I live in the Chicago sports media area. It seems like after every Bears loss there's a call to fire Lovie Smith. It seemed like after every Cubs loss there's a call to fire Dusty Baker, which eventually did happen. Cubs under .500? Mass murder. Every team wants to reach the top, but only ONE will get there. The others are just crap-out-of-luck. At the pace of paranoia I've seen from Cub fans, Martial Law will be declared in the organization in 20 years (if "the year" hasn't arrived).
There's a lot of fan frustration out there at the moment. In many ways, this is linked to the struggling economy. I found this out from a comment about a past column I wrote about something similar in high school sports. These fans want to have pleasure in the form of professional sports. When they don't get it, they have to vent a kind of frustration similar to the ones they vent when it comes to job security, economy, etc.
I used to follow the White Sox religiously. I don't follow them as much anymore. I fully realize there may not be another 2005 season. I do not expect this season to be just like 2005. Furthermore, I have not set goals or expectations for the Sox this season. I have not made a prediction about the season's wins and losses. Because if they do not meet what I personally have laid out for them, I would cringe.
The key phrase in that past sentence is "I personally." I do not feel as if they have to cater to me. I am not the central important figure of the franchise. I am not their boss.
Since I do not follow the Sox as much, I have prevented myself from anguish over failed expectations that may lead to brain damage and erratic behavior. I haven't completely isolated myself from the professional sports world. I still watch Sportscenter. I heard the cries from Cardinal fans after their team was swept by the lowly Astros. My first thought? It's good to see the Astros rebound and accomplish something good. And I kind of consider myself a de facto Cardinal fan.
I have never had a favorite NBA team. I never was really a Bulls fan growing up, just because I didn't pay attention a whole lot. I have had brief loyalties with the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles and Cincinatti Bengals, but those were simply brief. I don't follow the NHL a whole lot, but at the rare times I do, I keep a tab on the Chicago Blackhawks. NASCAR hasn't been the same for me since Dale Sr. died.
Sometimes you just have to sever the rope. I did.
Current Song - Pomp and Circumstance
T-minus about four hours before graduation.
But right now I have to get something off my chest about professional sports. I can't stand the politics of those who are in the offices of these pro sports teams.
Take a look at the NBA's Eastern Conference right now. The Chicago Bulls make the playoffs, and their head coach gets fired because they lost in the first round, to the Cavs. The Cavs are considering firing their head coach, mainly because of two bad losses to end their series, against the Celtics. The Atlanta Hawks have fired their coach, after being swept by the Magic. The coach for Miami, who saw their season end to the Celtics, could be on the hot seat if Pat Riley wants to return to coaching.
The Celtics play the Magic for the Eastern championship. Stan Van Gundy had better be careful.
Already two, and probably three, head coaches have recieved the axe after leading their programs to the playoffs. If this is the case, then shouldn't every team that didn't make the playoffs fire their head coaches?
I used to think the NFL was bad, when Week 17 would be followed by "Pink Slip" week. The NBA and the NFL feel as if every season is World Championship or death. There's too much rumor and gossip, as well as expectations.
I live in the Chicago sports media area. It seems like after every Bears loss there's a call to fire Lovie Smith. It seemed like after every Cubs loss there's a call to fire Dusty Baker, which eventually did happen. Cubs under .500? Mass murder. Every team wants to reach the top, but only ONE will get there. The others are just crap-out-of-luck. At the pace of paranoia I've seen from Cub fans, Martial Law will be declared in the organization in 20 years (if "the year" hasn't arrived).
There's a lot of fan frustration out there at the moment. In many ways, this is linked to the struggling economy. I found this out from a comment about a past column I wrote about something similar in high school sports. These fans want to have pleasure in the form of professional sports. When they don't get it, they have to vent a kind of frustration similar to the ones they vent when it comes to job security, economy, etc.
I used to follow the White Sox religiously. I don't follow them as much anymore. I fully realize there may not be another 2005 season. I do not expect this season to be just like 2005. Furthermore, I have not set goals or expectations for the Sox this season. I have not made a prediction about the season's wins and losses. Because if they do not meet what I personally have laid out for them, I would cringe.
The key phrase in that past sentence is "I personally." I do not feel as if they have to cater to me. I am not the central important figure of the franchise. I am not their boss.
Since I do not follow the Sox as much, I have prevented myself from anguish over failed expectations that may lead to brain damage and erratic behavior. I haven't completely isolated myself from the professional sports world. I still watch Sportscenter. I heard the cries from Cardinal fans after their team was swept by the lowly Astros. My first thought? It's good to see the Astros rebound and accomplish something good. And I kind of consider myself a de facto Cardinal fan.
I have never had a favorite NBA team. I never was really a Bulls fan growing up, just because I didn't pay attention a whole lot. I have had brief loyalties with the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles and Cincinatti Bengals, but those were simply brief. I don't follow the NHL a whole lot, but at the rare times I do, I keep a tab on the Chicago Blackhawks. NASCAR hasn't been the same for me since Dale Sr. died.
Sometimes you just have to sever the rope. I did.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Last Week of School
Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.31.50
Current Song - Break My Stride (Matthew Wilder)
I recently concluded my final week of classes at SVCC.
On Wednesday I finished my speech class. I gave my final assignment a week ago, but was there to critique the other speeches going on that day. I think I'm going to get a B- in the class, which is beyond my goal. I really liked the class, and I really liked the teacher. She called us all "ducklings" last night.
A couple of the speech students and I had dinner at Angelos II last night. They were much older than me and in the industrial sector, so they had a lot to share. Here I was, a young kid who will be graduating soon with an A.A. in communication arts. I learned a lot about meat and places to eat in Chicago. Did I mention I'm going to miss the teacher?
Today I finally finished the Graphic Design class. The brochure was not too terribly hard to put together, but getting the right detail and utilizing the instructor's tips were difficult. It was the only assignment done with Adobe InDesign, a program used by a lot of newspapers to lay out their pages. I would have had the assignment done yesterday, but there were problems with the printer. I needed to have the pages printed out. So I stopped by today. There were more printer problems today, but I finally got the darn thing printed. It felt like something was tugging at me - not wanting me to end this.
I have commencement practice at 5:30 tonight. Graduation is at 7:00 p.m. Friday night. You can view the ceremony at the SVCC website (http://www.svcc.edu).
Current Song - Break My Stride (Matthew Wilder)
I recently concluded my final week of classes at SVCC.
On Wednesday I finished my speech class. I gave my final assignment a week ago, but was there to critique the other speeches going on that day. I think I'm going to get a B- in the class, which is beyond my goal. I really liked the class, and I really liked the teacher. She called us all "ducklings" last night.
A couple of the speech students and I had dinner at Angelos II last night. They were much older than me and in the industrial sector, so they had a lot to share. Here I was, a young kid who will be graduating soon with an A.A. in communication arts. I learned a lot about meat and places to eat in Chicago. Did I mention I'm going to miss the teacher?
Today I finally finished the Graphic Design class. The brochure was not too terribly hard to put together, but getting the right detail and utilizing the instructor's tips were difficult. It was the only assignment done with Adobe InDesign, a program used by a lot of newspapers to lay out their pages. I would have had the assignment done yesterday, but there were problems with the printer. I needed to have the pages printed out. So I stopped by today. There were more printer problems today, but I finally got the darn thing printed. It felt like something was tugging at me - not wanting me to end this.
I have commencement practice at 5:30 tonight. Graduation is at 7:00 p.m. Friday night. You can view the ceremony at the SVCC website (http://www.svcc.edu).
Monday, May 10, 2010
A Couple of Other Things I'm Working on
Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.01.50
Current Song - Undun (The Guess Who)
I started to cover things once again on Saturday. At points during that day, I thought of a couple of things. A column and a statement.
The column will be something along the line of seeing different atmospheres within the NISB coverage area. The second, the one which is more like a statement, is about trying to fend off potentially-fatal blows that newspapers are trying to deliver to NISB. If anything, online sites like mine are nothing but a nusiance to newspapers, according to them.
Newspapers will survive for many, many, many, many, many years. The typical online rival publication doesn't last too long. Every year for the past six years I've been trying to reinvent the website I run. I think a lot of newspaper people think that one day I'm going to launch something sick, and I should be taken down before I launch it - (Where does this sound familiar? Am I Khan Noonien Singh in control of Genesis?).
As I'm being looked at as a threat to the survival of the press, at the same time I still want to do what I love doing. I don't believe that since I don't work for a newspaper I am barred from doing it. I'm just going to be looked at differently.
The thoughts in the past three paragraphs are those I have constantly thought about over the past few years. Is it best to take out the other side? Is it best to work together? Is it best to stay apart? If we stay apart, doesn't that entice one side to overtake the other? So, is it really best to work together?
How does a website like Northern Illinois Sports Beat work together with a newspaper sports section? This calls for an Accord.
Give me a few weeks.
Current Song - Undun (The Guess Who)
I started to cover things once again on Saturday. At points during that day, I thought of a couple of things. A column and a statement.
The column will be something along the line of seeing different atmospheres within the NISB coverage area. The second, the one which is more like a statement, is about trying to fend off potentially-fatal blows that newspapers are trying to deliver to NISB. If anything, online sites like mine are nothing but a nusiance to newspapers, according to them.
Newspapers will survive for many, many, many, many, many years. The typical online rival publication doesn't last too long. Every year for the past six years I've been trying to reinvent the website I run. I think a lot of newspaper people think that one day I'm going to launch something sick, and I should be taken down before I launch it - (Where does this sound familiar? Am I Khan Noonien Singh in control of Genesis?).
As I'm being looked at as a threat to the survival of the press, at the same time I still want to do what I love doing. I don't believe that since I don't work for a newspaper I am barred from doing it. I'm just going to be looked at differently.
The thoughts in the past three paragraphs are those I have constantly thought about over the past few years. Is it best to take out the other side? Is it best to work together? Is it best to stay apart? If we stay apart, doesn't that entice one side to overtake the other? So, is it really best to work together?
How does a website like Northern Illinois Sports Beat work together with a newspaper sports section? This calls for an Accord.
Give me a few weeks.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Progress?
Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.10.50
Current Song - Revolution 909 (Daft Punk)
I woke up Friday morning after about two-and-a-half hours of sleep. It was 7:00 a.m. and my graphic design class began at 8:00. I thought about just taking a couple of more hours of sleep, and go in at 10:00. It's one of those classes where I can really just come in whenever I want. I did end up going at 8:00. I'm glad I did, because it took me a while to complete the assignment.
The assignment is a theme sequence. I was to take a song (as mentioned before, Herb Alpert's "This Guy's in Love With You") and paint brush strokes that went along with the mood. I also had to choose pictures that went along with it. I made three prints to go along with the three pictures. The first print was an image relating to the first part of the song, with lyrics spread across it and the brush strokes in the background. The second, and the third were likewise. I also had to cut it and place it on matte board. The whole project took five hours. Yeah, I'm glad I came in at 8:00.
When I left class, I went over to a framing shop in town to see how it could be framed. It was going to be my only real important artwork, so I wanted to keep it. Thus, frame it. Because of the odd shape of the matte, the framing would cost a bit. At least $85 with tax. That kind of threw me off somewhat, as I didn't know that framing it would cost as much. I told the lady there I'd give it some time to think about it. That's my way of escaping the situation. One of the other instructors in the class told me later that I could get it done at Menards for much less. That may be the route to go, as I want it to be done in time for my graduation cookout.
I still don't know what's the bigger ripoff: $85 to frame it, or $2.50 for a piece of luster paper.
Either way, the project is done. I was told I could move forward to the last possible assignment I could do (the brochure) in order to get a passing grade. I have two weeks to accomplish this task. It's the only project which involves InDesign, which is a bummer. The whole reason for taking the class was to get that InDesign work for future work with newspapers. Two weeks. Final assignment. May the force be with me.
I haven't touched my speech paper since Wednesday. I'll spend today working through the brainstorming process for the brochure. I'll spend all day Sunday getting that speech in order. If I actually get it done, that's better! If I get it done, then I can cover a game on Tuesday and begin my comeback to covering things earlier. Aren't getting rewards fun? May the force be with me.
I'm finding out that I could really cover things after all. The 7th?
May the force be with me.
Current Song - Revolution 909 (Daft Punk)
I woke up Friday morning after about two-and-a-half hours of sleep. It was 7:00 a.m. and my graphic design class began at 8:00. I thought about just taking a couple of more hours of sleep, and go in at 10:00. It's one of those classes where I can really just come in whenever I want. I did end up going at 8:00. I'm glad I did, because it took me a while to complete the assignment.
The assignment is a theme sequence. I was to take a song (as mentioned before, Herb Alpert's "This Guy's in Love With You") and paint brush strokes that went along with the mood. I also had to choose pictures that went along with it. I made three prints to go along with the three pictures. The first print was an image relating to the first part of the song, with lyrics spread across it and the brush strokes in the background. The second, and the third were likewise. I also had to cut it and place it on matte board. The whole project took five hours. Yeah, I'm glad I came in at 8:00.
When I left class, I went over to a framing shop in town to see how it could be framed. It was going to be my only real important artwork, so I wanted to keep it. Thus, frame it. Because of the odd shape of the matte, the framing would cost a bit. At least $85 with tax. That kind of threw me off somewhat, as I didn't know that framing it would cost as much. I told the lady there I'd give it some time to think about it. That's my way of escaping the situation. One of the other instructors in the class told me later that I could get it done at Menards for much less. That may be the route to go, as I want it to be done in time for my graduation cookout.
I still don't know what's the bigger ripoff: $85 to frame it, or $2.50 for a piece of luster paper.
Either way, the project is done. I was told I could move forward to the last possible assignment I could do (the brochure) in order to get a passing grade. I have two weeks to accomplish this task. It's the only project which involves InDesign, which is a bummer. The whole reason for taking the class was to get that InDesign work for future work with newspapers. Two weeks. Final assignment. May the force be with me.
I haven't touched my speech paper since Wednesday. I'll spend today working through the brainstorming process for the brochure. I'll spend all day Sunday getting that speech in order. If I actually get it done, that's better! If I get it done, then I can cover a game on Tuesday and begin my comeback to covering things earlier. Aren't getting rewards fun? May the force be with me.
I'm finding out that I could really cover things after all. The 7th?
May the force be with me.
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