Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.52.11
Current Song - Open Your Eyes (Doobie Brothers)
Another virus hit the computer. So I just got it back, and am in the process of trying to make sure this doesn't happen again.
I think this happened because of the long process of using HighSchoolSports.net's scheduling service. I wanted to create a master schedule of all of the NISB teams. However, the process ended up nearly crashing my computer and therefore letting a virus come in. So much for that project. So I went ahead and deleted my account with it.
I also deleted several accounts on websites that I don't go to anymore.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Week Ahead
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.71.11
Current Song - Virtual Insanity (Jamiroquai)
I don't have class today due to Sauk's inservice. So that frees me up to go anywhere tonight. I'm going to the opening night of the Bureau Valley Thanksgiving Tournament. It is one of two new Turkey tournaments starting in the area: the other being in Rochelle.
I also have Wednesday open, as I usually do. I may wind up doing some website cleaning all day.
I'm working the Thursday midshift and get off at 5. I'm working the Friday night shift @ Dixon. I plan on covering Morrison's semifinal game vs. GCMS on Saturday afternoon, then heading to work afterward. I've already been okayed for a late start.
Pulling off another double-shift on Sunday.
I'm trying to find something for Wednesday the 23rd. I will be covering the final day of the Sauk Valley Shootout on the 28th.
---
I worked the midshift on Monday afternoon, and was unexpectedly asked to train someone. This was also inventory day, so it was absolutely nuts. I'm training her once more on Friday. So I get to train someone how to close a store that I have never closed before. How weird is that?
Current Song - Virtual Insanity (Jamiroquai)
I don't have class today due to Sauk's inservice. So that frees me up to go anywhere tonight. I'm going to the opening night of the Bureau Valley Thanksgiving Tournament. It is one of two new Turkey tournaments starting in the area: the other being in Rochelle.
I also have Wednesday open, as I usually do. I may wind up doing some website cleaning all day.
I'm working the Thursday midshift and get off at 5. I'm working the Friday night shift @ Dixon. I plan on covering Morrison's semifinal game vs. GCMS on Saturday afternoon, then heading to work afterward. I've already been okayed for a late start.
Pulling off another double-shift on Sunday.
I'm trying to find something for Wednesday the 23rd. I will be covering the final day of the Sauk Valley Shootout on the 28th.
---
I worked the midshift on Monday afternoon, and was unexpectedly asked to train someone. This was also inventory day, so it was absolutely nuts. I'm training her once more on Friday. So I get to train someone how to close a store that I have never closed before. How weird is that?
Friday, November 13, 2009
Work Never Ends
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.31.11
Current Song - Pray (MC Hammer)
I'm working today from 11-5 in addition to the usual weekend nights.
I'm working the mid at Dixon, and once again rushing to get to my film class. If I'm not working at my place on Tuesday, I'm going to see the debut of the Bureau Valley girls Thanksgiving tournament that night. Most likely working at my place Wednesday and Thursday. Working my first close at Dixon on Friday night. Doing Saturday night at my place, and once again going double on Sunday.
At least that's what I think I'm doing.
I know I'm going to write girls basketball previews this weekend.
This is the time of year I hate -- when sports and work collide.
Current Song - Pray (MC Hammer)
I'm working today from 11-5 in addition to the usual weekend nights.
I'm working the mid at Dixon, and once again rushing to get to my film class. If I'm not working at my place on Tuesday, I'm going to see the debut of the Bureau Valley girls Thanksgiving tournament that night. Most likely working at my place Wednesday and Thursday. Working my first close at Dixon on Friday night. Doing Saturday night at my place, and once again going double on Sunday.
At least that's what I think I'm doing.
I know I'm going to write girls basketball previews this weekend.
This is the time of year I hate -- when sports and work collide.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Cards: What's For Sale
Cutter's Log - Supplemental
Information on the thousand-for-a-hundred set ($100)
Information on the other starter sets and certain cards
Just added:
Box of 64 super-star cards (including game used, rookies, couple of autographs): Book value nearly $400 ... selling it for $75.
Or just take the entire collection of available sale items for $400.
Information on the thousand-for-a-hundred set ($100)
Information on the other starter sets and certain cards
Just added:
Box of 64 super-star cards (including game used, rookies, couple of autographs): Book value nearly $400 ... selling it for $75.
Or just take the entire collection of available sale items for $400.
Wednesday Free Day
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.11.11
Current Song - Biggest Part of Me (Ambrosia)
Today is Veteran's Day: I'm going to use this day to buy five of the Veteran's Cash scratch-off tickets. I really only buy scratch-off tickets during holidays.
I'm also going to be registering for spring classes at SVCC today. I have to do it through an advisor because of a prerequisite conflict. I was suggested to take ART 231 in SHS's Tech Zone, but a requirement for that class is a lower level one. But I was given "consent of instructor" to take it. After I get that registered, I'll have to call the TZ and create a class time. Once I create a class time, I'll then pick which speech class I will take.
Once my spring class schedule is determined, I'll create my custom work schedule for the semester. The semester ends on December 8 and begins January 11.
Really that's all I have planned for today. I'll be going to the Morrison-Orion football game on Saturday. I'll also have to find something to do for Tuesday the 17th, because we have no class on that night. I may get started on the F5 today.
As far as work is concerned, I'm expecting a 5-day check tomorrow and a six-day check next Wednesday.
Current Song - Biggest Part of Me (Ambrosia)
Today is Veteran's Day: I'm going to use this day to buy five of the Veteran's Cash scratch-off tickets. I really only buy scratch-off tickets during holidays.
I'm also going to be registering for spring classes at SVCC today. I have to do it through an advisor because of a prerequisite conflict. I was suggested to take ART 231 in SHS's Tech Zone, but a requirement for that class is a lower level one. But I was given "consent of instructor" to take it. After I get that registered, I'll have to call the TZ and create a class time. Once I create a class time, I'll then pick which speech class I will take.
Once my spring class schedule is determined, I'll create my custom work schedule for the semester. The semester ends on December 8 and begins January 11.
Really that's all I have planned for today. I'll be going to the Morrison-Orion football game on Saturday. I'll also have to find something to do for Tuesday the 17th, because we have no class on that night. I may get started on the F5 today.
As far as work is concerned, I'm expecting a 5-day check tomorrow and a six-day check next Wednesday.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Other Stores
Cutter's Log - Supplemental
I finished my third day at Dixon East. I'm not going to be needed for the rest of the week, and I don't know the possibilities of the week after. I'm going to assume that they'll get someone hired by then. So I'm going into today thinking I've worked my last day there.
I found the experience working there a great one. I don't know if that's how the others feel, though. Personally, I've learned a thing or two from the way they run things there, which I can carry over to my own store.
1. Mystery Shopper - I have NEVER been that fond of the whole Mystery Shopper thing. Sometimes I think it's only out there to ruin employees. I was that lucky person seven times. I passed 6 of 7. The one I didn't pass was a November one. We never had that at BP, and I kept saying, "have a good day" after every customer. That soon changed to "we'll see you later." I've passed "shoppers" that way.
Apparently the correct salutation is something in the tune of "stop in again." I tried saying that early on at my store, but it felt very awkward after saying it. Especially because I get the same customers over and over again. So I started saying that. I'm going to retry this at my store, and see if this still feels weird.
2. Facing Bills - Someone please comment on this one and explain this to me.
I never face my bills. Here's why:
Take two pop cans. Put one on the table and ask yourself if that is a pop can. Now, take the other can and flip it over and put that on the table, and ask yourself if that is a pop can. Do the same with five-dollar bills. Put one on the table right-side-up and ask yourself if that is a five-dollar bill. Now, take another five-dollar bill and flip it over and put it on the other bill. Is that a five-dollar bill?
I've always thought this was some sort of OCD thing. After looking up the whole phenomenon on the Internet, I found out that banks HAVE TO have their bills upright. The money we get in the register goes to banks eventually. Facing them before entry in the register cuts time.
Now, banks have to have it that way. But people? I guess it depends on how much flexibility one can handle. I have found myself able to have a TON of flexibility, do I consider this a talent?
Another thought on this: if you keep doing it, does it really get contagious? It's like I'm being forced to change to accommodate those who can't count as quick as I can. And another: I don't face my coins.
3. Sandwich making made easy - I had to make 24 salad sandwiches the Sunday afternoon I was there. I don't make more than six in a month at my place. After looking at the list of sandwiches I nearly gasped. That was until I was shown how to make six of them at a time.
I never made sandwiches until a few months ago. I now make them as needed, which isn't often.
I changed my salutation to "we'll see you later" after finding out "see 'ya" didn't work. That was a pickup from Route 30. Another pickup from Route 30 was the amount of money per drop. Theirs is more than ours, and I have found that a more confortable way of dropping.
I finished my third day at Dixon East. I'm not going to be needed for the rest of the week, and I don't know the possibilities of the week after. I'm going to assume that they'll get someone hired by then. So I'm going into today thinking I've worked my last day there.
I found the experience working there a great one. I don't know if that's how the others feel, though. Personally, I've learned a thing or two from the way they run things there, which I can carry over to my own store.
1. Mystery Shopper - I have NEVER been that fond of the whole Mystery Shopper thing. Sometimes I think it's only out there to ruin employees. I was that lucky person seven times. I passed 6 of 7. The one I didn't pass was a November one. We never had that at BP, and I kept saying, "have a good day" after every customer. That soon changed to "we'll see you later." I've passed "shoppers" that way.
Apparently the correct salutation is something in the tune of "stop in again." I tried saying that early on at my store, but it felt very awkward after saying it. Especially because I get the same customers over and over again. So I started saying that. I'm going to retry this at my store, and see if this still feels weird.
2. Facing Bills - Someone please comment on this one and explain this to me.
I never face my bills. Here's why:
Take two pop cans. Put one on the table and ask yourself if that is a pop can. Now, take the other can and flip it over and put that on the table, and ask yourself if that is a pop can. Do the same with five-dollar bills. Put one on the table right-side-up and ask yourself if that is a five-dollar bill. Now, take another five-dollar bill and flip it over and put it on the other bill. Is that a five-dollar bill?
I've always thought this was some sort of OCD thing. After looking up the whole phenomenon on the Internet, I found out that banks HAVE TO have their bills upright. The money we get in the register goes to banks eventually. Facing them before entry in the register cuts time.
Now, banks have to have it that way. But people? I guess it depends on how much flexibility one can handle. I have found myself able to have a TON of flexibility, do I consider this a talent?
Another thought on this: if you keep doing it, does it really get contagious? It's like I'm being forced to change to accommodate those who can't count as quick as I can. And another: I don't face my coins.
3. Sandwich making made easy - I had to make 24 salad sandwiches the Sunday afternoon I was there. I don't make more than six in a month at my place. After looking at the list of sandwiches I nearly gasped. That was until I was shown how to make six of them at a time.
I never made sandwiches until a few months ago. I now make them as needed, which isn't often.
I changed my salutation to "we'll see you later" after finding out "see 'ya" didn't work. That was a pickup from Route 30. Another pickup from Route 30 was the amount of money per drop. Theirs is more than ours, and I have found that a more confortable way of dropping.
Ripped?
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.01.11
Current Song - Ah Leia! (Donnie Iris)
Advice on finding plagarism: If you suspect plagarism has occured, please make sure you've read the piece first.
Really.
I did a take-home essay for my film mid-term about a month back. I was to discuss a significant moment that lighting was used well in a scene from Citizen Kane. I was also to do the same about a camera angle. The way I looked at this - it was 1/4 of the whole mid-term. Something that large had to be well-done.
So I rented Citizen Kane and played it in my DVD player. I was armed with a notepad and the textbook (and I think popcorn and pop). I watched the entire movie and paused, rewound and fast forwarded to try to put together some good notes. I then took the notes and wrote five paragraphs to answer the two questions.
I took the mid-term the next night. I couldn't answer any of the other essay questions because I had only seen the movies once and couldn't find a way to rewatch them. So with the other essay questions not answered, and this one completed, the instructor called me into his office. He thought I ripped the take-home essay from elsewhere. Apparently it was only supposed to be two paragraphs.
So I explained how I wrote it and showed my notes, all while rolling my eyes behind his back. He then read it, and saw that the piece had a poor amount of film vocabulary, he then knew it was not another product.
Problem rectified = 68%, which was "good compared to the rest of the class."
NOW ...
There was a 50-point paper due tonight. I never did it.
It was supposed to be a critical analysis paper on the film I did a review on: De Sica's Bicycle Thieves. I got as far as the prewriting stage. I found things to write about, such as why the onlooker of the theft acted all "ho hum," the double-life of the thief, the similarities of the movie's opening to the casting of the film, and the whole "distruption in a church" thing. These were the main points and I had to try to find something to string them together with - which is something I can pretty much do in my sleep.
However, my plan for the paper was not one of the suggested ways to write the piece. After finding this out, oh a couple of days ago, I was back at square one and dead in the water. I had to work (more on that later).
With the realization of this analysis piece not being turned in, and the suspected "ripping," somehow I think I'm going to relive this moment next week.
For the record, I did complete a 25-point review of a review (Ebert on Freddy Got Fingered) earlier in the semester, and the 25-point review on Bicycle Thieves. I have also aced every quiz we have taken thus far.
I'll just have to see how this plays out.
Current Song - Ah Leia! (Donnie Iris)
Advice on finding plagarism: If you suspect plagarism has occured, please make sure you've read the piece first.
Really.
I did a take-home essay for my film mid-term about a month back. I was to discuss a significant moment that lighting was used well in a scene from Citizen Kane. I was also to do the same about a camera angle. The way I looked at this - it was 1/4 of the whole mid-term. Something that large had to be well-done.
So I rented Citizen Kane and played it in my DVD player. I was armed with a notepad and the textbook (and I think popcorn and pop). I watched the entire movie and paused, rewound and fast forwarded to try to put together some good notes. I then took the notes and wrote five paragraphs to answer the two questions.
I took the mid-term the next night. I couldn't answer any of the other essay questions because I had only seen the movies once and couldn't find a way to rewatch them. So with the other essay questions not answered, and this one completed, the instructor called me into his office. He thought I ripped the take-home essay from elsewhere. Apparently it was only supposed to be two paragraphs.
So I explained how I wrote it and showed my notes, all while rolling my eyes behind his back. He then read it, and saw that the piece had a poor amount of film vocabulary, he then knew it was not another product.
Problem rectified = 68%, which was "good compared to the rest of the class."
NOW ...
There was a 50-point paper due tonight. I never did it.
It was supposed to be a critical analysis paper on the film I did a review on: De Sica's Bicycle Thieves. I got as far as the prewriting stage. I found things to write about, such as why the onlooker of the theft acted all "ho hum," the double-life of the thief, the similarities of the movie's opening to the casting of the film, and the whole "distruption in a church" thing. These were the main points and I had to try to find something to string them together with - which is something I can pretty much do in my sleep.
However, my plan for the paper was not one of the suggested ways to write the piece. After finding this out, oh a couple of days ago, I was back at square one and dead in the water. I had to work (more on that later).
With the realization of this analysis piece not being turned in, and the suspected "ripping," somehow I think I'm going to relive this moment next week.
For the record, I did complete a 25-point review of a review (Ebert on Freddy Got Fingered) earlier in the semester, and the 25-point review on Bicycle Thieves. I have also aced every quiz we have taken thus far.
I'll just have to see how this plays out.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
"The World According to Mister Rogers"
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.70.11
Current Song - Praise You (Fatboy Slim)
The book I'm reading right now is called "The World According to Mister Rogers." It was a book I got for my 19th birthday, but never really read until now.
Current Song - Praise You (Fatboy Slim)
The book I'm reading right now is called "The World According to Mister Rogers." It was a book I got for my 19th birthday, but never really read until now.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Even more Cards for Sale
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.60.11
Current Song - People's Court Theme
In addition to the $100 5k set, I'm also selling the following:
Random 1992 Starter Set (3 boxes of roughly 1k cards) - $15
Complete set of 1992 Fleer (and then some) - $11
800-card Starter Set (early-to-mid 1990s) - $13
1k mixed common/rookie/star - $20
900-card mixed common/rookie/star - $18
Complete set of 1984 Topps rub-ons (tattoos) - $8
Pack of Pokemon cards - $1
Cal Ripken Jr. - 1997 Collectors Choice, The Big Show insert (rare World Headquarters edition), plus you get a tiny mugshot of Dan & Keith on the card - $60
Bo Jackson - 1987 Topps Rookie card - $3
Andy Van Slyke - 1984 Donruss Rookie card - $4
Sammy Sosa - 2002 Leaf (Beckett magazine rare gold sample card) - $5
Barry Bonds - 2005 Topps Home Run History (No. 700 in a 750+ card set) - $5
Barry Bonds - 1993 Topps Finest (the first chrome set in card history) - $15
George Brett - 1993 Topps Finest (the first chrome set in card history) - $15
Nolan Ryan - 1994 Collectors Choice silver signature - $8
David Wright - 2001 Upper Deck Pros and Propspects rookie card - $20
Mark McGwire - 1987 Press Box (a virtually unknown card) - $5 (I have a few of these)
Chris Duncan - 2003 Topps rookie card - $3
Current Song - People's Court Theme
In addition to the $100 5k set, I'm also selling the following:
Random 1992 Starter Set (3 boxes of roughly 1k cards) - $15
Complete set of 1992 Fleer (and then some) - $11
800-card Starter Set (early-to-mid 1990s) - $13
1k mixed common/rookie/star - $20
900-card mixed common/rookie/star - $18
Complete set of 1984 Topps rub-ons (tattoos) - $8
Pack of Pokemon cards - $1
Cal Ripken Jr. - 1997 Collectors Choice, The Big Show insert (rare World Headquarters edition), plus you get a tiny mugshot of Dan & Keith on the card - $60
Bo Jackson - 1987 Topps Rookie card - $3
Andy Van Slyke - 1984 Donruss Rookie card - $4
Sammy Sosa - 2002 Leaf (Beckett magazine rare gold sample card) - $5
Barry Bonds - 2005 Topps Home Run History (No. 700 in a 750+ card set) - $5
Barry Bonds - 1993 Topps Finest (the first chrome set in card history) - $15
George Brett - 1993 Topps Finest (the first chrome set in card history) - $15
Nolan Ryan - 1994 Collectors Choice silver signature - $8
David Wright - 2001 Upper Deck Pros and Propspects rookie card - $20
Mark McGwire - 1987 Press Box (a virtually unknown card) - $5 (I have a few of these)
Chris Duncan - 2003 Topps rookie card - $3
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Cards for Sale
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.50.11
Current Song - Morning Train (Sheena Easton)
I moved my baseball cards from the basement to my second-floor bedroom. My back hurts.
I haven't really collected since I started my career in high school sports, so there's a portion of them I'm looking to sell. After buying the Beckett magazine and pricing some of the cards, I've come up with at least one bunch of cards to sell for sure.
There's 5,000 cards in this large box: 3 3/4 commons, and 1 1/4 star/rookie cards. Plenty of doubles, triples, etc. Cards date as late as 1980 and early as 2006. The total mint value of all of these cards is over $1,000. However, I'm not going to sell it for that much. The asking price for this large box will be 90% off: $100.
The box is a perfect start for a young collector who's just starting out. I began collecting baseball cards when I was 4 years old. The collection kept getting bigger. After a while, I started sending cards to the players to get autographed. The "starter set," as I like to call this, is good for autograph sending (as long as you know the player's addresses).
I will warn though, you're not going to find any super-super star cards in there. No Griffeys, Pujols, Jeters, etc. From these starter cards, you can work your way up by trading or selling in order to get that star card.
The box can't clutter my room forever. I'll deliver.
Current Song - Morning Train (Sheena Easton)
I moved my baseball cards from the basement to my second-floor bedroom. My back hurts.
I haven't really collected since I started my career in high school sports, so there's a portion of them I'm looking to sell. After buying the Beckett magazine and pricing some of the cards, I've come up with at least one bunch of cards to sell for sure.
There's 5,000 cards in this large box: 3 3/4 commons, and 1 1/4 star/rookie cards. Plenty of doubles, triples, etc. Cards date as late as 1980 and early as 2006. The total mint value of all of these cards is over $1,000. However, I'm not going to sell it for that much. The asking price for this large box will be 90% off: $100.
The box is a perfect start for a young collector who's just starting out. I began collecting baseball cards when I was 4 years old. The collection kept getting bigger. After a while, I started sending cards to the players to get autographed. The "starter set," as I like to call this, is good for autograph sending (as long as you know the player's addresses).
I will warn though, you're not going to find any super-super star cards in there. No Griffeys, Pujols, Jeters, etc. From these starter cards, you can work your way up by trading or selling in order to get that star card.
The box can't clutter my room forever. I'll deliver.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Dixon East Thoughts
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.04.11
Current Song - Disco Inferno (The Trammps)
I've now worked in three Shell stations, with Route 30 being the other one. To compare the transitions from mine to that one to mine to this one is going to be different. Route 30 was very easy to transition into because much of that was run similar to mine. In fact, I would rather work there than my own store, but things may have changed since there is a new manager there now.
Let me just say that Dixon East is WAY different than my own store. We don't have diesel at our store, and they do (okay, so that's not a big problem). They count cigarettes after every shift, and we don't (big time consumer). They save their carton flaps (both of them) after stocking, and we just pitch them. They have a hot dog machine and we don't (which isn't a problem since I was very used to cleaning BP's nightly). They go through a boatload of coffee.
Procedure-wise, there's not much of a difference. The cigarettes are different. But the thing that probably scared me the most was the fact that there has been no Mystery Shopper fail in "a long, long, long time here." If I failed, I would be dead. Plus this is November, and I was reminded that this is the one for $1000. So it nulls the opinion I made last November.
Apparently, the mystery shopper bonus money goes toward getting Christmas presents. I disagree with that. I don't like HOPING the money comes from a chance. That's like going to the boat to get shopping money. It's a Bonus, which is something that is not expected. Christmas shopping for six employees shouldn't hang on whether or not someone passes the mystery shopper. There are ways to get around this.
Current Song - Disco Inferno (The Trammps)
I've now worked in three Shell stations, with Route 30 being the other one. To compare the transitions from mine to that one to mine to this one is going to be different. Route 30 was very easy to transition into because much of that was run similar to mine. In fact, I would rather work there than my own store, but things may have changed since there is a new manager there now.
Let me just say that Dixon East is WAY different than my own store. We don't have diesel at our store, and they do (okay, so that's not a big problem). They count cigarettes after every shift, and we don't (big time consumer). They save their carton flaps (both of them) after stocking, and we just pitch them. They have a hot dog machine and we don't (which isn't a problem since I was very used to cleaning BP's nightly). They go through a boatload of coffee.
Procedure-wise, there's not much of a difference. The cigarettes are different. But the thing that probably scared me the most was the fact that there has been no Mystery Shopper fail in "a long, long, long time here." If I failed, I would be dead. Plus this is November, and I was reminded that this is the one for $1000. So it nulls the opinion I made last November.
Apparently, the mystery shopper bonus money goes toward getting Christmas presents. I disagree with that. I don't like HOPING the money comes from a chance. That's like going to the boat to get shopping money. It's a Bonus, which is something that is not expected. Christmas shopping for six employees shouldn't hang on whether or not someone passes the mystery shopper. There are ways to get around this.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Dixon East
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.03.01
Current Song - Couldn't Get it Right (Climax Blues Band)
I just picked up a shift at the Shell station on Franklin Grove Road in Dixon. I'm working Tuesday from 10:30 to 5:00. There's a possible Sunday afternoon in store too. I'm only doing three days at my store next week: Friday mid, and the weekend nights at 4.
Because I picked up this extra shift, I had to make some more adjustments.
I will NOT be at the Somonauk Volleyball Regional final on Saturday afternoon. I'm going to use Saturday afternoon as time to get the Film paper put together. Hopefully I can get that settled early and start working on the Round 1 Obs piece early.
Wednesday figures to be another off day. Thursday will be spent at a Volleyball Sectional: either Eastland, Oregon or Rochelle depending on who's actually there. Friday night will have to be spent at a somewhat close football game.
Saturday afternoon will be the same as well, but I have a bad feeling there's not going to be much around. I work at 4. The best hope is for Rockford Christian to beat Oregon, and Newman to beat Sherrard - which makes a Newman home game for 1:00 usually. An Oregon-Sherrard rematch may also work, but will be cutting it close. If EPC beats Downs Tri-Valley, they'll host Morrison. If the game is in Lanark, that may also work. These are the only scanerios for Saturday.
Friday's scenarios look dim.
At least I'm getting some hours.
I hope I pass the audition!
Current Song - Couldn't Get it Right (Climax Blues Band)
I just picked up a shift at the Shell station on Franklin Grove Road in Dixon. I'm working Tuesday from 10:30 to 5:00. There's a possible Sunday afternoon in store too. I'm only doing three days at my store next week: Friday mid, and the weekend nights at 4.
Because I picked up this extra shift, I had to make some more adjustments.
I will NOT be at the Somonauk Volleyball Regional final on Saturday afternoon. I'm going to use Saturday afternoon as time to get the Film paper put together. Hopefully I can get that settled early and start working on the Round 1 Obs piece early.
Wednesday figures to be another off day. Thursday will be spent at a Volleyball Sectional: either Eastland, Oregon or Rochelle depending on who's actually there. Friday night will have to be spent at a somewhat close football game.
Saturday afternoon will be the same as well, but I have a bad feeling there's not going to be much around. I work at 4. The best hope is for Rockford Christian to beat Oregon, and Newman to beat Sherrard - which makes a Newman home game for 1:00 usually. An Oregon-Sherrard rematch may also work, but will be cutting it close. If EPC beats Downs Tri-Valley, they'll host Morrison. If the game is in Lanark, that may also work. These are the only scanerios for Saturday.
Friday's scenarios look dim.
At least I'm getting some hours.
I hope I pass the audition!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Next Great Debate
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.92.01
Current Song - Break my Stride (Matthew Wilder)
In the turn of this century, there was much talk about the expansion of football classes. It was the first hot topic discussed on Illinois high school sports message boards, I'm sure.
Then a couple of years later, there was an even greater hot topic. Many message boards even laid out rules regarding the public-private debate, which included such things as the Multiplier.
A couple of years later, another hot topic was debated. However, the class expansion wave didn't generate as much talk as the public-private debate did.
I'm predicting a pattern here. Whatever is the next great debate may be as big as public-private.
I believe Geographical Competition will be the next biggest thing to debate. Included in this are sectional complexes, and the ever-growing call for 1-32 seeding in football.
---
It's Wednesday, so that means I'm trying to plan my week.
I'm getting more money at work. At first I thought I was going to need new shoes, but they are okay at the moment. My shoes got torn up while walking along the muddy Rock Falls football sideline this past Friday. I'm aiming for 28.5 hours this week. I work tomorrow afternoon, Friday afternoon, and the weekend nights. That's another $200 to put in safe keeping. I think it'll be the richest I've ever been when I get next week's paycheck.
I'm going to write the F5 when I get home from work tomorrow afternoon. Friday afternoon will be work, and then straight to the Sterling-LP game that I'm covering. I will be in the press box for this one, that way I can try to improve my stat keeping.
Hopefully I can make it to the Somonauk VB Regional on Saturday, and cover it. I'll be passing out candy for Halloween while at work. That leaves Round 1 Observations left to do.
I'm actually going to postpone Round 1 Observations until Tuesday morning. That's because I have this all-important two-page paper to write about a film we saw in class. The film is called "Bicycle Thieves," which is an Italian film often called one of the best ever made. I'm going to spend all day Sunday and all day Monday working on it. Luckilly I found a complete print on YouTube.
That leaves a column and a blog proposal on the backburner for now. I'm going to have to cancel an appearance at the PJStar Message Board get-together. That is, unless I can rush through the F5 and have time to start the Film paper. Monday morning at 8:00 a.m. I'm also going to have to register for my Sauk classes for spring.
Current Song - Break my Stride (Matthew Wilder)
In the turn of this century, there was much talk about the expansion of football classes. It was the first hot topic discussed on Illinois high school sports message boards, I'm sure.
Then a couple of years later, there was an even greater hot topic. Many message boards even laid out rules regarding the public-private debate, which included such things as the Multiplier.
A couple of years later, another hot topic was debated. However, the class expansion wave didn't generate as much talk as the public-private debate did.
I'm predicting a pattern here. Whatever is the next great debate may be as big as public-private.
I believe Geographical Competition will be the next biggest thing to debate. Included in this are sectional complexes, and the ever-growing call for 1-32 seeding in football.
---
It's Wednesday, so that means I'm trying to plan my week.
I'm getting more money at work. At first I thought I was going to need new shoes, but they are okay at the moment. My shoes got torn up while walking along the muddy Rock Falls football sideline this past Friday. I'm aiming for 28.5 hours this week. I work tomorrow afternoon, Friday afternoon, and the weekend nights. That's another $200 to put in safe keeping. I think it'll be the richest I've ever been when I get next week's paycheck.
I'm going to write the F5 when I get home from work tomorrow afternoon. Friday afternoon will be work, and then straight to the Sterling-LP game that I'm covering. I will be in the press box for this one, that way I can try to improve my stat keeping.
Hopefully I can make it to the Somonauk VB Regional on Saturday, and cover it. I'll be passing out candy for Halloween while at work. That leaves Round 1 Observations left to do.
I'm actually going to postpone Round 1 Observations until Tuesday morning. That's because I have this all-important two-page paper to write about a film we saw in class. The film is called "Bicycle Thieves," which is an Italian film often called one of the best ever made. I'm going to spend all day Sunday and all day Monday working on it. Luckilly I found a complete print on YouTube.
That leaves a column and a blog proposal on the backburner for now. I'm going to have to cancel an appearance at the PJStar Message Board get-together. That is, unless I can rush through the F5 and have time to start the Film paper. Monday morning at 8:00 a.m. I'm also going to have to register for my Sauk classes for spring.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
More Site Talk
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.82.9002
Current Song - Don't Sleep in the Subway (Petula Clark)
When I started the site, the message board began with many NCIprep holdovers. The posters were from bits and pieces from all over the place. Many retired, except for the ones closer to Sterling. They helped bring in many new message board posters from around their area.
Many times I had tried to think of a way to get more posters on the message board. I tried flyers, and even tried mailing letters to each school. Nothing really brought people to the boards. It just had to take some time. Now, I think I've pinpointed the general area of the board's popularity.
Current Song - Don't Sleep in the Subway (Petula Clark)
When I started the site, the message board began with many NCIprep holdovers. The posters were from bits and pieces from all over the place. Many retired, except for the ones closer to Sterling. They helped bring in many new message board posters from around their area.
Many times I had tried to think of a way to get more posters on the message board. I tried flyers, and even tried mailing letters to each school. Nothing really brought people to the boards. It just had to take some time. Now, I think I've pinpointed the general area of the board's popularity.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Free days
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.12.90
Current Song - Shattered Dreams (Johnny Hates Jazz)
Now that I'm working a little more often, I find myself excited at the opportunity of getting a Free Day. A free day means no work and no classes. Today is a free day. A free day is fun until the end, where you have to plan the rest of the week until your next free day.
I have the pressure of two exams and two pieces of homework lifted from me. I've got things on the website done. Now what?
I've got to get my paycheck, make my monthly car insurance payment, and put a portion of that in my savings.
I work on Thursday night, Friday afternoon, and the weekend nights. There's nothing real good going on tonight. I'm going to Rock Falls-Rockridge on Friday night, and can't really go anywhere else until next Wednesday, and it's going to be the usual nothing. I'm also going to be at work for Pairings Night, too, which is a big disappointment.
As far as the first round of the playoffs goes, I think I'm going to find a good Friday night football game and cover a Volleyball Regional on Saturday afternoon. All that plus the usual written banter on NISB.
I wouldn't be surprised to see next week's post look just like this one.
Current Song - Shattered Dreams (Johnny Hates Jazz)
Now that I'm working a little more often, I find myself excited at the opportunity of getting a Free Day. A free day means no work and no classes. Today is a free day. A free day is fun until the end, where you have to plan the rest of the week until your next free day.
I have the pressure of two exams and two pieces of homework lifted from me. I've got things on the website done. Now what?
I've got to get my paycheck, make my monthly car insurance payment, and put a portion of that in my savings.
I work on Thursday night, Friday afternoon, and the weekend nights. There's nothing real good going on tonight. I'm going to Rock Falls-Rockridge on Friday night, and can't really go anywhere else until next Wednesday, and it's going to be the usual nothing. I'm also going to be at work for Pairings Night, too, which is a big disappointment.
As far as the first round of the playoffs goes, I think I'm going to find a good Friday night football game and cover a Volleyball Regional on Saturday afternoon. All that plus the usual written banter on NISB.
I wouldn't be surprised to see next week's post look just like this one.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Hours!
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.41.01
Current Song - Everybody Everybody (Black Box)
I got more hours at work, but it was due to a very unfortunate circumstance. One of the women there, who is really good at what she does, was let go. We're trying to fill in her hours, and I'm going to work Thursday night, Friday afternoon, and my usual weekend. The paycheck is going to double, and that should work out well for my school/insurance payments. However, I still can't believe she is gone.
With my Thursday plans (Moline-Quincy VB) cancelled, I tried to find the best Wednesday event. Turns out a volleyball game between Freeport and Rockford East was the best one, as the two teams were 1-2 seeds at their Regional tournament. The match didn't turn out to be a good one, as Freeport stomped on East. I ended up just posting a score on the message board.
Hopefully I can get out of work at a decent time to make it up to the Alden-Hebron/Rockford Christian game. If I can't get that far, then the crosstown showdown between the two Belvidere schools will do.
The coming days are going to be VERY hectic. I've got an essay to do for the film class. I've got a math test to study for, and a film mid-term as well. The football article, Friday 5 and Weekly observations piece too. Plus work. In fact, I forgot to do the Fake Polls for last week. I think I can try to see what I can get done tonight before passing out.
Current Song - Everybody Everybody (Black Box)
I got more hours at work, but it was due to a very unfortunate circumstance. One of the women there, who is really good at what she does, was let go. We're trying to fill in her hours, and I'm going to work Thursday night, Friday afternoon, and my usual weekend. The paycheck is going to double, and that should work out well for my school/insurance payments. However, I still can't believe she is gone.
With my Thursday plans (Moline-Quincy VB) cancelled, I tried to find the best Wednesday event. Turns out a volleyball game between Freeport and Rockford East was the best one, as the two teams were 1-2 seeds at their Regional tournament. The match didn't turn out to be a good one, as Freeport stomped on East. I ended up just posting a score on the message board.
Hopefully I can get out of work at a decent time to make it up to the Alden-Hebron/Rockford Christian game. If I can't get that far, then the crosstown showdown between the two Belvidere schools will do.
The coming days are going to be VERY hectic. I've got an essay to do for the film class. I've got a math test to study for, and a film mid-term as well. The football article, Friday 5 and Weekly observations piece too. Plus work. In fact, I forgot to do the Fake Polls for last week. I think I can try to see what I can get done tonight before passing out.
There's always time
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.41.01
Current Song - Easy Lover (Phil Collins/Philip Bailey)
I frequent the SportsJournalists.com message board. I usually go there for tips on how to improve myself as a high school sportswriter.
I'm not in a serious job hunt at this time, but today's tip came from a topic calling for a writer at the Quincy Herald-Whig.
It was about what to put in a portfolio.
I think most good-sized papers ask for a portfolio of five pieces. The advice was to not put all gamers in it, or even four gamers out of the five. I should put a variety of pieces in it.
I haven't inquired at a newspaper since leaving Sauk Valley Newspapers five years ago. I only flirted with openings at the BCR and QC Times, and even those were longshots. Even though I know darn well not to fill it up with gamers, it did make me think about exactly what to put together.
So what's out there? There's game stories, feature articles and columns. That's three. I figure I should get my best game story, my best feature story and my best column. I should put them together with the two ICCJA award-winning pieces (a gamer and a feature).
1. "Not So Fast" - a men's basketball gamer written for the SVCC Voyager in 2007 between Sauk and Black Hawk East. This won second place for best gamer. However, after looking at it one more time the lead looks real crappy.
2. "Young, But Determined" - a volleyball feature written for the Highland Chronicle in 2008 as a team preview. This got honorable mention in 2009.
After that, I'm real weary about putting any piece from NISB in my portfolio. So I have to look deep into the SVN vault. Hopefully spring/summer 2004 isn't too old.
3. "Oh, What a Season!: It was the stuff dreams were made of" - My 100-plus-inch feature on Rock Falls Softball's season and fourth-place finish at the Class A State Tournament in 2004. And yes, it DID run. It may have been the first wrap-around in the sports section in quite some time. The paper does this a lot now.
4. "Sterling's Chiu wins one to write home about" - A gamer of the NCIC boy's tennis meet. Exchange student Koon Chiu was a part of the winning No. 1 Doubles team. Its my best non-Rock Falls and non-softball gamer. The portfolio is supposed to be diverse, right?
The final piece in the portfolio is a column. I only wrote a handful of columns for SVN, but I shouldn't include a third piece from 2004. At the same time I hate digging through the NISB archive, but I think I have no choice.
5. "The Trial of Steve Sandholm" - Yes, THAT one. A copy of it sits somewhere in Sandholm's lawyer's file cabinet.
If there's any other suggestions, or general suggestions, feel free to let me know.
---
Another suggestion from the message board topic was to have some sort of background in design. The only layout I currently do is with a website. Of the five semesters I have worked with a college newspaper, I had design experience in two of them. It was with Quark, and I think most papers have transitioned to InDesign - which I have no experience with at all. InDesign costs somewhere in the neighborhood of $500. Do I really have to cough up that much just to toy with it on my own?
It's like the job interview I once had for being a pizza delivery driver (before working at gas stations). "Have you ever held cash?" Well, where do I start???
Have I ever worked with InDesign? No. But how do I start?
Current Song - Easy Lover (Phil Collins/Philip Bailey)
I frequent the SportsJournalists.com message board. I usually go there for tips on how to improve myself as a high school sportswriter.
I'm not in a serious job hunt at this time, but today's tip came from a topic calling for a writer at the Quincy Herald-Whig.
It was about what to put in a portfolio.
I think most good-sized papers ask for a portfolio of five pieces. The advice was to not put all gamers in it, or even four gamers out of the five. I should put a variety of pieces in it.
I haven't inquired at a newspaper since leaving Sauk Valley Newspapers five years ago. I only flirted with openings at the BCR and QC Times, and even those were longshots. Even though I know darn well not to fill it up with gamers, it did make me think about exactly what to put together.
So what's out there? There's game stories, feature articles and columns. That's three. I figure I should get my best game story, my best feature story and my best column. I should put them together with the two ICCJA award-winning pieces (a gamer and a feature).
1. "Not So Fast" - a men's basketball gamer written for the SVCC Voyager in 2007 between Sauk and Black Hawk East. This won second place for best gamer. However, after looking at it one more time the lead looks real crappy.
2. "Young, But Determined" - a volleyball feature written for the Highland Chronicle in 2008 as a team preview. This got honorable mention in 2009.
After that, I'm real weary about putting any piece from NISB in my portfolio. So I have to look deep into the SVN vault. Hopefully spring/summer 2004 isn't too old.
3. "Oh, What a Season!: It was the stuff dreams were made of" - My 100-plus-inch feature on Rock Falls Softball's season and fourth-place finish at the Class A State Tournament in 2004. And yes, it DID run. It may have been the first wrap-around in the sports section in quite some time. The paper does this a lot now.
4. "Sterling's Chiu wins one to write home about" - A gamer of the NCIC boy's tennis meet. Exchange student Koon Chiu was a part of the winning No. 1 Doubles team. Its my best non-Rock Falls and non-softball gamer. The portfolio is supposed to be diverse, right?
The final piece in the portfolio is a column. I only wrote a handful of columns for SVN, but I shouldn't include a third piece from 2004. At the same time I hate digging through the NISB archive, but I think I have no choice.
5. "The Trial of Steve Sandholm" - Yes, THAT one. A copy of it sits somewhere in Sandholm's lawyer's file cabinet.
If there's any other suggestions, or general suggestions, feel free to let me know.
---
Another suggestion from the message board topic was to have some sort of background in design. The only layout I currently do is with a website. Of the five semesters I have worked with a college newspaper, I had design experience in two of them. It was with Quark, and I think most papers have transitioned to InDesign - which I have no experience with at all. InDesign costs somewhere in the neighborhood of $500. Do I really have to cough up that much just to toy with it on my own?
It's like the job interview I once had for being a pizza delivery driver (before working at gas stations). "Have you ever held cash?" Well, where do I start???
Have I ever worked with InDesign? No. But how do I start?
Monday, October 12, 2009
Crap!
Cutter’s Log – Stardate 9002.21.01
Current Song – Get Down (Gilbert O’Sullivan)
The computer got H1N1, or something like that.
My computer was offset by a virus on Friday, which seemed to come out of nowhere. I had to take the computer down to the shop to get repaired. It’s still there as of this write. I’m working at the SVCC Computer Lab at the moment, where the internet was down for quite a while. It’s up now.
So I’m trying to find a way to access the website. I tried at my grandmother's house, but her computer is too slow. So I'm at SVCC. I have to download a plugin to my traveldrive, and from there end up downloading the site tools from the Internet onto the computer's desktop. I have to be sure to erase my things once i leave the computer. The next day I'll have to do the downloading over again.
Therefore, I had to cancel my plans to cover the Riverdale-St. Bede game on Friday night. It turned out to be a very good game as Riverdale won 23-22. I also had to cancel plans to take pictures of the Dixon VB Invite, and cover the Sterling Boys Golf Sectional, which is going on right now. I haven’t event written the Observations piece yet, or tallied up the Pick’ems yet.
I had to find out some scores the old fashioned way – by reading the newspaper. That’s how I found out Rock Falls defeated Hall. In the short time I read the weekend’s activity on the boards, I am surprised that this huge upset did not generate more talk than the ONE post. There were many posts on the expected Sterling blowout of Streator. It baffles me a bit. With the win, Rock Falls moves to 3-4 on the season. They play winless Kewanee this week, and could very well be 4-4 heading into the final week. This hasn’t happened since 2003, and I clearly remember this talk.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a Sterling alum. I like the Sterling talk on there. There doesn’t need to be less of it. I just wish there were other schools and fans of these other schools that would make their voices heard as much as Sterling fans do.
I know where I’m going for Week 9!
Current Song – Get Down (Gilbert O’Sullivan)
The computer got H1N1, or something like that.
My computer was offset by a virus on Friday, which seemed to come out of nowhere. I had to take the computer down to the shop to get repaired. It’s still there as of this write. I’m working at the SVCC Computer Lab at the moment, where the internet was down for quite a while. It’s up now.
So I’m trying to find a way to access the website. I tried at my grandmother's house, but her computer is too slow. So I'm at SVCC. I have to download a plugin to my traveldrive, and from there end up downloading the site tools from the Internet onto the computer's desktop. I have to be sure to erase my things once i leave the computer. The next day I'll have to do the downloading over again.
Therefore, I had to cancel my plans to cover the Riverdale-St. Bede game on Friday night. It turned out to be a very good game as Riverdale won 23-22. I also had to cancel plans to take pictures of the Dixon VB Invite, and cover the Sterling Boys Golf Sectional, which is going on right now. I haven’t event written the Observations piece yet, or tallied up the Pick’ems yet.
I had to find out some scores the old fashioned way – by reading the newspaper. That’s how I found out Rock Falls defeated Hall. In the short time I read the weekend’s activity on the boards, I am surprised that this huge upset did not generate more talk than the ONE post. There were many posts on the expected Sterling blowout of Streator. It baffles me a bit. With the win, Rock Falls moves to 3-4 on the season. They play winless Kewanee this week, and could very well be 4-4 heading into the final week. This hasn’t happened since 2003, and I clearly remember this talk.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a Sterling alum. I like the Sterling talk on there. There doesn’t need to be less of it. I just wish there were other schools and fans of these other schools that would make their voices heard as much as Sterling fans do.
I know where I’m going for Week 9!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Digital Camera on last leg
Current Song - Stardate 9002.90.01
Current Song - Grease (Frankie Valli)
I was covering the AFC-Orangeville volleyball meet tonight, and had my digital camera with me. Earlier in the year I thought it would be good to take a couple of pictures of the events I cover.
The camera is a Canon Powershot A95. I got it from my grandparents on my high school graduation. I graduated in May of 2005, so it's probably five years old. In fact, I know it's old because the flashcard that came with it is one that is not sold in stores anymore.
It worked real well when I was taking pictures for the site early on. It still works well for still images. It just can't muster any action shots anymore. The pictures keep getting blurry and the zoom sucks. It's like I need to be a few feet away in order to have a chance at a good shot. I can't really do that while I'm covering a game.
Maybe it was this double-duty thing that made the pics look bad. I'll try the camera one more time, when I head for the Dixon VB Invitational on Saturday afternoon. If it doesn't work out, then who knows what I'll be doing.
It's not a piece of junk just yet. Like I said, it does well for stand-alone shots and works well for Glory Days trips and vacations.
Current Song - Grease (Frankie Valli)
I was covering the AFC-Orangeville volleyball meet tonight, and had my digital camera with me. Earlier in the year I thought it would be good to take a couple of pictures of the events I cover.
The camera is a Canon Powershot A95. I got it from my grandparents on my high school graduation. I graduated in May of 2005, so it's probably five years old. In fact, I know it's old because the flashcard that came with it is one that is not sold in stores anymore.
It worked real well when I was taking pictures for the site early on. It still works well for still images. It just can't muster any action shots anymore. The pictures keep getting blurry and the zoom sucks. It's like I need to be a few feet away in order to have a chance at a good shot. I can't really do that while I'm covering a game.
Maybe it was this double-duty thing that made the pics look bad. I'll try the camera one more time, when I head for the Dixon VB Invitational on Saturday afternoon. If it doesn't work out, then who knows what I'll be doing.
It's not a piece of junk just yet. Like I said, it does well for stand-alone shots and works well for Glory Days trips and vacations.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Found a few?
Cutter's Log - Supplemental
I made a search for weekly newspapers from around the SV area. I found the Fulton Journal, the Carroll County Mirror-Democrat, the Carroll County Reporter and the Savanna Times-Journal. I also got a Polo paper today. I have read the Amboy and Ashton papers online.
Fulton has two high schools: Fulton and Unity. Carroll County has three: Eastland, Milledgeville and West Carroll. Polo just has Polo. Amboy just has Amboy and Ashton just has AFC.
Each will hear from me.
I made a search for weekly newspapers from around the SV area. I found the Fulton Journal, the Carroll County Mirror-Democrat, the Carroll County Reporter and the Savanna Times-Journal. I also got a Polo paper today. I have read the Amboy and Ashton papers online.
Fulton has two high schools: Fulton and Unity. Carroll County has three: Eastland, Milledgeville and West Carroll. Polo just has Polo. Amboy just has Amboy and Ashton just has AFC.
Each will hear from me.
Payday
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.70.01
Current Song - Smiling Faces (The Undisputed Truth)
Today is payday - so I'm getting my meager $120ish. I have my final college payment coming in 10 days, and hopefully I won't have to w/d anything from my savings to cover for it.
I was digging through my desk a couple of days ago and found an uncashed birthday check from April. It's still good, and it's more money that came from nowhere. If only life could work like that ... lol.
I drove to Erie to buy an Erie Review. It seems as if Riverdale sports are well-covered because an athlete from each team is writing the stories. Didn't see anything on Riverdale football, or any of Erie sports (save EP football). It's a great concept, really. However, if I were to fill in the missing blanks, it may bring a writing style/philos conflict that I don't want to occur. If anything, I would like to encourage Erie students to do the same thing as Riverdale does.
So call my aspirations for the Erie Review dead in the water, too. I'm going to try Fulton, Amboy and Ashton. I think there's also a Polo and/or Mt. Carroll paper?
Current Song - Smiling Faces (The Undisputed Truth)
Today is payday - so I'm getting my meager $120ish. I have my final college payment coming in 10 days, and hopefully I won't have to w/d anything from my savings to cover for it.
I was digging through my desk a couple of days ago and found an uncashed birthday check from April. It's still good, and it's more money that came from nowhere. If only life could work like that ... lol.
I drove to Erie to buy an Erie Review. It seems as if Riverdale sports are well-covered because an athlete from each team is writing the stories. Didn't see anything on Riverdale football, or any of Erie sports (save EP football). It's a great concept, really. However, if I were to fill in the missing blanks, it may bring a writing style/philos conflict that I don't want to occur. If anything, I would like to encourage Erie students to do the same thing as Riverdale does.
So call my aspirations for the Erie Review dead in the water, too. I'm going to try Fulton, Amboy and Ashton. I think there's also a Polo and/or Mt. Carroll paper?
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Work Update
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.60.01
Current Song - I Can Dream About You (Dan Hartman)
I can pretty much call the Rt. 30 thing stuck in the water. They rehired someone, a former night worker, who is known for her flexability. She even helped out at my station a few times. This is coupled with the if-the-new-girl-doesn't-work-out backup plan.
I have thought about getting a Monday-thru-Friday (or Thursday) first-shift job somewhere. That would make Shell the part-time gig. But where could I get that first-shift thing?
Actually, the biggest question is 'am i up to it?' It would involve getting up at 6:00 a.m. and getting off sometime around 5:00. I would still have time for high school sports on Wednesday-Friday nights, that is if I'm not falling flat when I come home. Well, pizza delivery? Erie Review?
Current Song - I Can Dream About You (Dan Hartman)
I can pretty much call the Rt. 30 thing stuck in the water. They rehired someone, a former night worker, who is known for her flexability. She even helped out at my station a few times. This is coupled with the if-the-new-girl-doesn't-work-out backup plan.
I have thought about getting a Monday-thru-Friday (or Thursday) first-shift job somewhere. That would make Shell the part-time gig. But where could I get that first-shift thing?
Actually, the biggest question is 'am i up to it?' It would involve getting up at 6:00 a.m. and getting off sometime around 5:00. I would still have time for high school sports on Wednesday-Friday nights, that is if I'm not falling flat when I come home. Well, pizza delivery? Erie Review?
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Silver
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.40.01
Current Song - Jack and Jill (Raydio)
I've recently become interested in finding silver coins.
So I guess that's another one minute of time wasted at the gas station. The price of silver as of this entry is $16.65/ounce. I've got $1.25 face value, which translates to a minimum asking price of $14.87. I'm going to keep the Peace Dollar I have, so the $0.25 I've actually garnered translates into $2.92.
Current Song - Jack and Jill (Raydio)
I've recently become interested in finding silver coins.
So I guess that's another one minute of time wasted at the gas station. The price of silver as of this entry is $16.65/ounce. I've got $1.25 face value, which translates to a minimum asking price of $14.87. I'm going to keep the Peace Dollar I have, so the $0.25 I've actually garnered translates into $2.92.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
At the tip of the tongue - crap I can't talk!
Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.30.01
Current Song - The Best Is Yet To Come (Frank Sinatra)
I had a career-changing, if not life-changing, experience at the Sterling-Morris football game on Friday night.
In 5 of my 7 years of high school sportswriting I had been writing articles that had some sort of quoted matter in them. Only for 1/4 of these five years had I actually found the courage to strike up a conversation to get quotes. That 1/4 was when I was working at the newspaper. The rest of the time while running NISB I have just sat back and let the newspaper reporters do their thing. After all, they are on a deadline and I don't want to distrupt their train of thought.
They think I just stand there with a recorder just to get some free information. I just don't want to distrupt the writer.
However, there are a lot of times when my social ineffectiveness kicks in. It really did at this football game. I WANTED to talk, but I COULDN'T.
If I want to keep going in this career goal to be a high school sportswriter, conducting an interview is one of the things I have to excel at. I can't just sit back and tune in anymore, but at the same time I don't want to interfere with the other writers' mindset.
I need to find good games/meets that are less likely to be covered by a newspaper reporter, and cover them myself. The problem is, where? And how will this effect the following on NISB?
I've got one football game in mind for next week. Hopefully all will go well there. Hopefully laying off the real big games will help bring a more diverse audience to NISB.
Current Song - The Best Is Yet To Come (Frank Sinatra)
I had a career-changing, if not life-changing, experience at the Sterling-Morris football game on Friday night.
In 5 of my 7 years of high school sportswriting I had been writing articles that had some sort of quoted matter in them. Only for 1/4 of these five years had I actually found the courage to strike up a conversation to get quotes. That 1/4 was when I was working at the newspaper. The rest of the time while running NISB I have just sat back and let the newspaper reporters do their thing. After all, they are on a deadline and I don't want to distrupt their train of thought.
They think I just stand there with a recorder just to get some free information. I just don't want to distrupt the writer.
However, there are a lot of times when my social ineffectiveness kicks in. It really did at this football game. I WANTED to talk, but I COULDN'T.
If I want to keep going in this career goal to be a high school sportswriter, conducting an interview is one of the things I have to excel at. I can't just sit back and tune in anymore, but at the same time I don't want to interfere with the other writers' mindset.
I need to find good games/meets that are less likely to be covered by a newspaper reporter, and cover them myself. The problem is, where? And how will this effect the following on NISB?
I've got one football game in mind for next week. Hopefully all will go well there. Hopefully laying off the real big games will help bring a more diverse audience to NISB.
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