Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.51.60
Current Song - You're My Best Friend (Queen)
I released the 2010 NISB State of the Site Address, and updated the website a bunch. Hopefully I can live up to these changes. There are still a few kinks to work on. As to when I can find time to do it, I'm not sure of.
I begin a string of nights working beginning Thursday. I'll be at my store on Thursday and Saturday, and at Dixon on Friday and Sunday. This week should be over 40 hours once again. I worked a tad bit over 40 last week between the two stores. I also know what I'll be doing next week. I'll be doing at least 33 hours at my store.
Aside from working, I'm trying to make up plans for NISB summer coverage. I don't know what will happen just yet, but I'm hoping next week I'll be able to come up with something.
All of this working will make my paycheck somewhat bigger. Sometime over the summer I will be making good on my plan to try to get off on my own two feet. I will be trying to figure out what the "living bills" will be.
What are they? (I'm trying to remember the Mr. Underwood math class budget)
Groceries
Fuel
Verizon/Phone
ComEd/Electric
Water
Nicor/Heating
Cable
Internet
Fun Stuff ("Entertainment" just doesn't sound right)
Out of my paycheck, roughly 15% is taken out for taxes. If I work a minimum of 20 hours a week (I will almost always work more than 20) @ $8.50/hour, that's $170 total. Take that times 0.15 and the weekly check is usually $144.50. That's a minimum monthly earning of $578.
Divy up that 144.50 into the bills:
Phone - I use the refill cards. I currently recharge $15/week. (129.50)
Fuel - The tank goes from top to bottom in about a week. A max of $3 in a 12-gallon tank: $36. It may just end up being $30/week instead. They say it's not wise to top off. (93.50)
Groceries - I haven't figured this one out yet. It's just me for now. I wouldn't mind trying it out for one week. In preparation for a bunch of work on the State of the Site Address, I bought a 12-pack of Dr. Pepper last night for $5.34 (w/tax). It's about half gone now. I may have to go 24/30 pack and try to save it for a week. That's just pop. Other stuff is just not known right now.
Electric, Water, Heating, Cable - Five people live in my house. I don't know whether or not to just divide the monthly bill, or perhaps the highest month thus far, my parents get by 5.
Internet - I don't even know how this one works.
All of this is NOT counting the biggest expense of them all: RENT
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Five Days Until SOSTA
Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.10.60
Current Song - Chelsea Dagger (The Fratellis)
I have written the 2010 NISB State of The Site Address, and will tweak it for any more suggestions up until Tuesday. I work on Monday night, so it will be a long night when I get off.
It will also be a very long few days as well. I'm heading into work early today to relieve someone who isn't feeling well. I had to do an energency fill-in at Dixon yesterday, and may wind up doing more in the near future. At least it looks good on the paycheck.
After I get off work I should have plenty of sleep, because on Friday I'm covering Moline-Sandburg at the Softball State Tournament at 7:00 p.m. That could be followed by a early DeKalb Baseball game on Saturday -- followed by work.
Sunday may be the only off day I'll have for a while.
Current Song - Chelsea Dagger (The Fratellis)
I have written the 2010 NISB State of The Site Address, and will tweak it for any more suggestions up until Tuesday. I work on Monday night, so it will be a long night when I get off.
It will also be a very long few days as well. I'm heading into work early today to relieve someone who isn't feeling well. I had to do an energency fill-in at Dixon yesterday, and may wind up doing more in the near future. At least it looks good on the paycheck.
After I get off work I should have plenty of sleep, because on Friday I'm covering Moline-Sandburg at the Softball State Tournament at 7:00 p.m. That could be followed by a early DeKalb Baseball game on Saturday -- followed by work.
Sunday may be the only off day I'll have for a while.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Another Busy Weekend
Cutter's Log - Supplemental
It looks like it will be another busy weekend for me with NISB. Both DeKalb Baseball and Moline Softball will be competing at the large school roundball State Tournaments.
I will be doing Moline Softball on Friday and Bill will be doing DeKalb Baseball on Friday. I will be doing DeKalb on Saturday, and Bill does Moline on Saturday. Everything really worked out. I have to work on Saturday night, and DeKalb will be playing in the afternoon.
Bill covered the small school softball action this past weekend, while I covered IVC Baseball at Baseball State. Hopefully the weather cooperates.
Coming back from Joliet on Saturday was a mess. I was going west on I-80 when it started to sprinkle when I hit Morris. It was a downpour after that. I couldn't see more than ten feet in front of me. When I got home I found out that I was at least five miles north of a tornado near Marseilles.
Yeah, I really hope the weather is nice.
It looks like it will be another busy weekend for me with NISB. Both DeKalb Baseball and Moline Softball will be competing at the large school roundball State Tournaments.
I will be doing Moline Softball on Friday and Bill will be doing DeKalb Baseball on Friday. I will be doing DeKalb on Saturday, and Bill does Moline on Saturday. Everything really worked out. I have to work on Saturday night, and DeKalb will be playing in the afternoon.
Bill covered the small school softball action this past weekend, while I covered IVC Baseball at Baseball State. Hopefully the weather cooperates.
Coming back from Joliet on Saturday was a mess. I was going west on I-80 when it started to sprinkle when I hit Morris. It was a downpour after that. I couldn't see more than ten feet in front of me. When I got home I found out that I was at least five miles north of a tornado near Marseilles.
Yeah, I really hope the weather is nice.
State of the Site Writing
Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.80.60
Current Song - Regulate (Warren G)
I will be writing the NISB State of the Site Address most of the day Tuesday, and maybe even Wednesday. Yeah, it's THAT long.
I had planned most of it before, but within the past couple of weeks I am beginning to see the writing on the wall. Cut the coverage area 90% to only a fixed portion of the area - in particular the schools not too far from where I live. As if these are the only schools I should give a darn about.
And these people are HAPPY that I'm in a state of confusion right now, as if they think I'm starting to come their way.
Current Song - Regulate (Warren G)
I will be writing the NISB State of the Site Address most of the day Tuesday, and maybe even Wednesday. Yeah, it's THAT long.
I had planned most of it before, but within the past couple of weeks I am beginning to see the writing on the wall. Cut the coverage area 90% to only a fixed portion of the area - in particular the schools not too far from where I live. As if these are the only schools I should give a darn about.
And these people are HAPPY that I'm in a state of confusion right now, as if they think I'm starting to come their way.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
My Best "Bill-O The Clown"
Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.30.60
Current Song - Tired of Being Alone (Al Green)
I get asked all of the time, "Do you make money on NISB?" The answer to that question is 'No.' I don't really need to make money on NISB. I do offer a way so that I could make money (through the story archive), but it doesn't get used. I don't get paid for writing pieces, traveling to games, or reimbursed for such things including hotel stays. Everything from NISB comes out of my own pocket.
I do this as a service to the northern Illinois high school sports community. My main task as I run the website is to inform. That's different from my counterparts on the print side of things.
A few years ago, a few newspapers experimented with charging for online content. SVN, the Ottawa Times, the BCR, and the Argus/Dispatch did this. It didn't work out too well for them, and they went back to posting things online for free.
This was before the days of severe cutbacks.
At one time a couple of years ago, each NISB-area newspaper was posting stories online for free. The LaSalle-News Tribune couldn't make up their mind over the past couple of years. There were times they charged for a full story, and times were they didn't charge for a full story.
Then about a year ago, the Kewanee Star-Courier began cutting back their online version of its stories to about the first 1/3rd. The Rochelle News-Leader began doing this, too. The first 1/4 of its stories are posted.
Ottawa Delivered, the new "rival publication" to the Times, ripped a page out of the Times' past playbook. Nothing is free on there anymore, unless you take a survey and are willing to recieve a bunch of junk mail in your Inbox.
The Morris Daily Herald took everything a step further last week. In order to read anything local, you need to pay. The national stuff is free game. The local stuff, not so fast. Oh wait, columns are free. Factual stories, not so fast. The process worked so well at Morris, that SVN is doing it too.
To read why Morris went to such a format, you'll need to read the story from April 27th. Unfortunately, you'll need to shell out an extra $2.50 to retrieve it because it is more than seven days old. You CAN read SVN's reason for going to this new format. Hurry up, because after this upcoming Saturday, you'll need to pay the $2.50. Shaw (SVN, MDH, BCR, DeKalb, NW Herald, KCC, yada yada yada), QC Online and the T-H archive all past recent stories. Gatehouse (Rockford, Freeport, Kewanee, Peoria, Chillicothe), the OT, N-T, Clinton Herald and QC Times has articles for free online, dating back to who knows when.
Some little things irk me.
The SVN and MDH articles (I happen to remember the MDH article) were written by writers. The writers interviewed their respective publishers. Apparently the publishers didn't want to stamp their name on the by-line.
I'm going to get some flack from those who read during the Grandon-era, but when I worked for SVN, albeit briefly, I considered Bill Shaw (who was then-publisher) a very great guy. Someone who was very involved with the newspaper business, from editorial to printing press. Someone who was very involved with the community. He was the fifth- or sixth-generation Shaw to run the Dixon paper. He even wrote on rare occasion, maybe three or four times a year.
Then came the current guy in charge. Half of the Sauk Valley couldn't recall his name without researching it. That wasn't the case with Bill SHAW. I'll give you a hint, his last name isn't Shaw.
I'm trying to imagine Johnson Oil without any family running the show. I don't think I'd want to go on any further. I'm recalling a comment I heard regarding the National transition from the Bittorfs and Bensons to Stanley Tools.
The point I'm trying to make is that a great sense of family involvement makes a business special. Maybe I'm biased: my great-grandfather, grandfather and father have all worked for Cutter Electric. The family business had helped out with Johnson Oil for nearly 25 years.
Everything changed when Bill left. It became more of a business than a family business. There was no more tradition left. No flow.
Current Song - Tired of Being Alone (Al Green)
I get asked all of the time, "Do you make money on NISB?" The answer to that question is 'No.' I don't really need to make money on NISB. I do offer a way so that I could make money (through the story archive), but it doesn't get used. I don't get paid for writing pieces, traveling to games, or reimbursed for such things including hotel stays. Everything from NISB comes out of my own pocket.
I do this as a service to the northern Illinois high school sports community. My main task as I run the website is to inform. That's different from my counterparts on the print side of things.
A few years ago, a few newspapers experimented with charging for online content. SVN, the Ottawa Times, the BCR, and the Argus/Dispatch did this. It didn't work out too well for them, and they went back to posting things online for free.
This was before the days of severe cutbacks.
At one time a couple of years ago, each NISB-area newspaper was posting stories online for free. The LaSalle-News Tribune couldn't make up their mind over the past couple of years. There were times they charged for a full story, and times were they didn't charge for a full story.
Then about a year ago, the Kewanee Star-Courier began cutting back their online version of its stories to about the first 1/3rd. The Rochelle News-Leader began doing this, too. The first 1/4 of its stories are posted.
Ottawa Delivered, the new "rival publication" to the Times, ripped a page out of the Times' past playbook. Nothing is free on there anymore, unless you take a survey and are willing to recieve a bunch of junk mail in your Inbox.
The Morris Daily Herald took everything a step further last week. In order to read anything local, you need to pay. The national stuff is free game. The local stuff, not so fast. Oh wait, columns are free. Factual stories, not so fast. The process worked so well at Morris, that SVN is doing it too.
To read why Morris went to such a format, you'll need to read the story from April 27th. Unfortunately, you'll need to shell out an extra $2.50 to retrieve it because it is more than seven days old. You CAN read SVN's reason for going to this new format. Hurry up, because after this upcoming Saturday, you'll need to pay the $2.50. Shaw (SVN, MDH, BCR, DeKalb, NW Herald, KCC, yada yada yada), QC Online and the T-H archive all past recent stories. Gatehouse (Rockford, Freeport, Kewanee, Peoria, Chillicothe), the OT, N-T, Clinton Herald and QC Times has articles for free online, dating back to who knows when.
Some little things irk me.
The SVN and MDH articles (I happen to remember the MDH article) were written by writers. The writers interviewed their respective publishers. Apparently the publishers didn't want to stamp their name on the by-line.
I'm going to get some flack from those who read during the Grandon-era, but when I worked for SVN, albeit briefly, I considered Bill Shaw (who was then-publisher) a very great guy. Someone who was very involved with the newspaper business, from editorial to printing press. Someone who was very involved with the community. He was the fifth- or sixth-generation Shaw to run the Dixon paper. He even wrote on rare occasion, maybe three or four times a year.
Then came the current guy in charge. Half of the Sauk Valley couldn't recall his name without researching it. That wasn't the case with Bill SHAW. I'll give you a hint, his last name isn't Shaw.
I'm trying to imagine Johnson Oil without any family running the show. I don't think I'd want to go on any further. I'm recalling a comment I heard regarding the National transition from the Bittorfs and Bensons to Stanley Tools.
The point I'm trying to make is that a great sense of family involvement makes a business special. Maybe I'm biased: my great-grandfather, grandfather and father have all worked for Cutter Electric. The family business had helped out with Johnson Oil for nearly 25 years.
Everything changed when Bill left. It became more of a business than a family business. There was no more tradition left. No flow.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Can't catch a break
Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.20.60
Current Song - You Can Do Magic (America)
You'll notice the formatting has somewhat changed. I don't know why exactly, but I made some setting changes to the blog.
Anyway, I'm busy making changes to NISB at the moment. I'm trying to get that accomplished, preparing for Joliet over the weekend, and dealing with work, and prepping for the MLB Draft early next week. For the third year in a row, I'll be keeping my eye on things in regards to Illinois high schoolers being drafted.
Current Song - You Can Do Magic (America)
You'll notice the formatting has somewhat changed. I don't know why exactly, but I made some setting changes to the blog.
Anyway, I'm busy making changes to NISB at the moment. I'm trying to get that accomplished, preparing for Joliet over the weekend, and dealing with work, and prepping for the MLB Draft early next week. For the third year in a row, I'll be keeping my eye on things in regards to Illinois high schoolers being drafted.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Been a While
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.
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 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.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Highland
Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.92.40
Current Song - Paperback Writer (The Beatles)
I made a cameo appearance at the Highland Chronicle yesterday.
When I walked in the door, the editor (whom I worked with when I was there) was in the middle of a conversation when I came in. There was no "Hi Cody!" or anything like that. "We should have used you for sports!" was the first thing he said when he looked at me.
Anyway, I wanted to make a trip up there to see the recent work by the Chronicle staff and take home some print copies. The staff was working on the final paper of the semester, and was a bit behind. I introduced myself to the rest of the staff (only one other person is still there). I ran into my former advisor, who let me know about a possible internship ...
Fate?
I have heard of the company before, but have only seen a couple of its products. They don't have individual websites, but I'm thinking about viewing some of the products to see what's out there for sports coverage.
No clue-ins yet.
Current Song - Paperback Writer (The Beatles)
I made a cameo appearance at the Highland Chronicle yesterday.
When I walked in the door, the editor (whom I worked with when I was there) was in the middle of a conversation when I came in. There was no "Hi Cody!" or anything like that. "We should have used you for sports!" was the first thing he said when he looked at me.
Anyway, I wanted to make a trip up there to see the recent work by the Chronicle staff and take home some print copies. The staff was working on the final paper of the semester, and was a bit behind. I introduced myself to the rest of the staff (only one other person is still there). I ran into my former advisor, who let me know about a possible internship ...
Fate?
I have heard of the company before, but have only seen a couple of its products. They don't have individual websites, but I'm thinking about viewing some of the products to see what's out there for sports coverage.
No clue-ins yet.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
NISB: Where Have I Been?
Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.82.40
Today is my 24th Birthday, so I'm told.
I knew it was going to happen, but didn't know what age it would happen. I didn't spend April 27 thinking about how tomorrow will be my birthday.
Instead, April 28 is going to be a busy day for me. College graduation is just a little more than two weeks away, and there are a few assignments I need to finish. There's also a few things for work, a few other things, etc.
If you've noticed on the website I haven't written a whole lot this spring. I've only covered one game this month. However, thanks to Bill Lidinsky there's the same amount of content as I had intended to have by this time.
I can pound out Friday 5's and Honor Roll updates, but that's about it. I had to make like a strongman and push some things out of the way just to write this blog entry. Strongmen can also juggle around three different weighty things with their two hands. My three are work, school and NISB.
So if you've wondered where I've been, I had to temporarily lighten the load a bit.
When there's such an absence, some think of burnout. That's not me. There are some good games and meets out there. Normally I would be at two of them every few days during the spring. I can't do that now. Work calls. School calls.
The gig at the Shell station is going okay, but that is nothing compared to the burden of schoolwork I now face.
I will be presenting a speech on the landmark Supreme Court case of Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier in speech class. The case, argued in the mid-1980s, involves high school administration's regulation of studen publications. Having wrote for the Sterling High School Script, as well as the Sauk Voyager and the Highland Chronicle, this is a speech right up my alley when it comes to issues of value.
The class that ties into my journalism profession even moreso is the Graphic Design class I'm taking. Originally, it was going to be a lesson in Adobe InDesign, the program many newspapers use to lay out their print copies. It turns out there's not much in the class with InDesign, compared to Adobe Illustrator - which I've been slowly trying to figure out since the beginning of the semester. The key word here is "slowly."
I'm failing the Graphic Design class at this time. I need to pass this class in order to graduate in less than two weeks, and have developed a timetable toward passing it.
High school sports can wait.
Did I just type that? It seems so uncharacteristic for someone like yours truly to make such a statement. Especially during the final season of some senior's career. After all, last year I made the realization that running NISB has cost me at least three years of my adult life so far. If I didn't create this website - which is enjoying its best year ever - right now I'd be doing what everyone else is doing at 24 years of age.
Even with such realization, I hate taking breaks from doing what I love to do. However, I had to do this so that I could ensure that I can continue to do this for a long time. Right now I'm thinking of a scrapped column idea a couple of years back called "My yearly apology to spring sports athletes," for not focusing on them as much as I focused on the fall and winter seasons.
Despite my absence, there is a lot of spring coverage on NISB this year. Lidinsky's familiarity with the Little 10 and Interstate 8 conferences is displayed all over NISB. Years ago, when people thought of NISB, they thought of the NCIC, TRAC-8 and the Upstate Illini. At this time, we are informing these same people of what else is out there in the land not too terribly far away from them. 'Tis one of the goals of NISB.
So how about Somonauk? Their baseball team is the only unbeaten team of its kind in the area, and one of three in the area (the only others being Lutheran soccer and Ottawa tennis). Their softball team has what many teams of its kind don't have - two real talented freshmen. That's the newest story on the website from Lidinsky. Check it out!
There hasn't been a whole lot of coverage from teams west of I-39. However, that should change by at least May 15, when I can toss schoolwork out through the window. Coming back into the spring sports scene, together with Lidinsky's coverage mainly from the east, NISB may have a publication that's actually exceptional for once.
There'll be much more when the annual State of the Site Address comes out on June 15.
Okay, I'm done. Now how did Hazelwood win that case?
Today is my 24th Birthday, so I'm told.
I knew it was going to happen, but didn't know what age it would happen. I didn't spend April 27 thinking about how tomorrow will be my birthday.
Instead, April 28 is going to be a busy day for me. College graduation is just a little more than two weeks away, and there are a few assignments I need to finish. There's also a few things for work, a few other things, etc.
If you've noticed on the website I haven't written a whole lot this spring. I've only covered one game this month. However, thanks to Bill Lidinsky there's the same amount of content as I had intended to have by this time.
I can pound out Friday 5's and Honor Roll updates, but that's about it. I had to make like a strongman and push some things out of the way just to write this blog entry. Strongmen can also juggle around three different weighty things with their two hands. My three are work, school and NISB.
So if you've wondered where I've been, I had to temporarily lighten the load a bit.
When there's such an absence, some think of burnout. That's not me. There are some good games and meets out there. Normally I would be at two of them every few days during the spring. I can't do that now. Work calls. School calls.
The gig at the Shell station is going okay, but that is nothing compared to the burden of schoolwork I now face.
I will be presenting a speech on the landmark Supreme Court case of Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier in speech class. The case, argued in the mid-1980s, involves high school administration's regulation of studen publications. Having wrote for the Sterling High School Script, as well as the Sauk Voyager and the Highland Chronicle, this is a speech right up my alley when it comes to issues of value.
The class that ties into my journalism profession even moreso is the Graphic Design class I'm taking. Originally, it was going to be a lesson in Adobe InDesign, the program many newspapers use to lay out their print copies. It turns out there's not much in the class with InDesign, compared to Adobe Illustrator - which I've been slowly trying to figure out since the beginning of the semester. The key word here is "slowly."
I'm failing the Graphic Design class at this time. I need to pass this class in order to graduate in less than two weeks, and have developed a timetable toward passing it.
High school sports can wait.
Did I just type that? It seems so uncharacteristic for someone like yours truly to make such a statement. Especially during the final season of some senior's career. After all, last year I made the realization that running NISB has cost me at least three years of my adult life so far. If I didn't create this website - which is enjoying its best year ever - right now I'd be doing what everyone else is doing at 24 years of age.
Even with such realization, I hate taking breaks from doing what I love to do. However, I had to do this so that I could ensure that I can continue to do this for a long time. Right now I'm thinking of a scrapped column idea a couple of years back called "My yearly apology to spring sports athletes," for not focusing on them as much as I focused on the fall and winter seasons.
Despite my absence, there is a lot of spring coverage on NISB this year. Lidinsky's familiarity with the Little 10 and Interstate 8 conferences is displayed all over NISB. Years ago, when people thought of NISB, they thought of the NCIC, TRAC-8 and the Upstate Illini. At this time, we are informing these same people of what else is out there in the land not too terribly far away from them. 'Tis one of the goals of NISB.
So how about Somonauk? Their baseball team is the only unbeaten team of its kind in the area, and one of three in the area (the only others being Lutheran soccer and Ottawa tennis). Their softball team has what many teams of its kind don't have - two real talented freshmen. That's the newest story on the website from Lidinsky. Check it out!
There hasn't been a whole lot of coverage from teams west of I-39. However, that should change by at least May 15, when I can toss schoolwork out through the window. Coming back into the spring sports scene, together with Lidinsky's coverage mainly from the east, NISB may have a publication that's actually exceptional for once.
There'll be much more when the annual State of the Site Address comes out on June 15.
Okay, I'm done. Now how did Hazelwood win that case?
Friday, April 23, 2010
A real busy three weeks
Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.32.40
Current Song - And She Was (Talking Heads)
The work I'm about to undertake is just as important as the one for my Humanities final. I took a look at what I posted about it (see, this blog can work as an update, sounding board, and for personal reference).
I'll be buried in assignments and commitments until I throw that cap in the air. Tonight I will try to put together a schedule for the next three weeks. I may be away from this blog for a while, I'll be away from any work on IHSGD. I'll be away from most good things. The most desperate worry is the Graphic Design class.
Current Song - And She Was (Talking Heads)
The work I'm about to undertake is just as important as the one for my Humanities final. I took a look at what I posted about it (see, this blog can work as an update, sounding board, and for personal reference).
I'll be buried in assignments and commitments until I throw that cap in the air. Tonight I will try to put together a schedule for the next three weeks. I may be away from this blog for a while, I'll be away from any work on IHSGD. I'll be away from most good things. The most desperate worry is the Graphic Design class.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Value Speech Centered Around a Supreme Court Case
Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.22.40
Current Song - People's Court Theme
The next speech is the "value" speech. We were directed to look at any Supreme Court case. Can't think of one.
The only case that I have interest in is the landmark Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier case that, to summarize, allows school administration to have editorial power in the school newspaper.
According to my speech class guidelines, I have to "find a case involving a specific instance of something that is pervasively unresolved." Keeping in mind that the case "must look to an issue in which we as a culture have not settled on the direction we are going." Such examples are the landmark Roe v. Wade, Brown v. Board and Tinker v. Des Moines. I don't know if Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier fits the guidelines. It may be too specific and narrow. H v. K is more of a matter of policy, rather than a matter of value.
Cohen v. California has to do with the F-word in public, and may be more of a "value." However, I want to see if Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier really works out.
Current Song - People's Court Theme
The next speech is the "value" speech. We were directed to look at any Supreme Court case. Can't think of one.
The only case that I have interest in is the landmark Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier case that, to summarize, allows school administration to have editorial power in the school newspaper.
According to my speech class guidelines, I have to "find a case involving a specific instance of something that is pervasively unresolved." Keeping in mind that the case "must look to an issue in which we as a culture have not settled on the direction we are going." Such examples are the landmark Roe v. Wade, Brown v. Board and Tinker v. Des Moines. I don't know if Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier fits the guidelines. It may be too specific and narrow. H v. K is more of a matter of policy, rather than a matter of value.
Cohen v. California has to do with the F-word in public, and may be more of a "value." However, I want to see if Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier really works out.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Theme
Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.12.40
The next Graphic Design assignment involves a song. The song I chose is Herb Alpert's "This Guy's in Love With You" which is a song that none of my friends know, but I like.
The next Graphic Design assignment involves a song. The song I chose is Herb Alpert's "This Guy's in Love With You" which is a song that none of my friends know, but I like.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Knowing who's good
Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.12.40
Current Song - Biggest Part of Me (Ambrosia)
It's that time of the spring sports season where you get to know who is hot or not. Thus it's time to look at upcoming games. This may also make me clear up some scurrying around later on. Sometimes I like having a large coverage area.
I return to covering things on May 18.
Current Song - Biggest Part of Me (Ambrosia)
It's that time of the spring sports season where you get to know who is hot or not. Thus it's time to look at upcoming games. This may also make me clear up some scurrying around later on. Sometimes I like having a large coverage area.
I return to covering things on May 18.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Clearing The Head
Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.91.40
Current Song - Steppin Out (Joe Jackson)
I have taken tonight off of work due to someone wanting an extra day, and because I feel like I need to clear my head.
Let me try to do some spring cleaning. In my head.
Hopefully this week's NISB schedule will be determined. I know I'm having Newark/Somonauk Baseball covered on Tuesday, as well as DeKalb/Hononegah softball on Saturday. One more game is pending. Heck, I'm trying to sort out the week after. There are some good ones, really good ones that make me want to give in to this hiatus I'm taking from covering things.
In the six years I've run the website, I only took one extended break. That was for a month during the spring of 2006. I'm in the middle of a one-month break right now. The Lutheran-Freeport soccer game is like a triple whopper with cheese right now.
But back to reality, I have a speech test to study for on Wednesday morning. I'm going to visit grandpa on Tuesday. I'll need to build up my final speech on Wednesday night. It's the "value" speech.
Then there's the Graphic Design class. I'm headed there in a couple of hours (as of this writing). I have 12 more classes. I have five more assignments. One will be completed today. When I get done with class today I will have a completion timetable. As I mentioned many times before, just passing the class is the goal. By Wednesday night I should have a timetable for the rest of speech class, and therefore a timetable for the rest of the semester. The speech will be done on May 12. The GD will be done on May 13. Graduation rehersal is at 5:30 on the 13th. Ceremony is on Friday night.
So there'll be an academic gridlock.
Here's the week:
Monday: GD class and get that one assignment done. Figure out a timetable for that class. Pick up graduation announcements. Finalize NISB assignments. Get honor roll updated to include all weekend events.
Tuesday: Study for speech test in the morning. Visit a speaker with grandpa that night. Edit/post baseball game article.
Wednesday: GD class. SVCC assessment test. Speech test. Final speech preperation and timetable figured. Possible story editing/posting.
Thursday: Friday 5 pre-write. Work. Calculate budget. Sierra Mist instead of Mountain Dew. Friday 5 written. Sleep!
Friday: GD class. Possible road trip dinner. Academic update.
Saturday: Work "death shift" from 12-9. Edit/post softball game article.
Sunday: Work from 12-5. Possible road trip dinner. Determine NISB coverage schedule.
Current Song - Steppin Out (Joe Jackson)
I have taken tonight off of work due to someone wanting an extra day, and because I feel like I need to clear my head.
Let me try to do some spring cleaning. In my head.
Hopefully this week's NISB schedule will be determined. I know I'm having Newark/Somonauk Baseball covered on Tuesday, as well as DeKalb/Hononegah softball on Saturday. One more game is pending. Heck, I'm trying to sort out the week after. There are some good ones, really good ones that make me want to give in to this hiatus I'm taking from covering things.
In the six years I've run the website, I only took one extended break. That was for a month during the spring of 2006. I'm in the middle of a one-month break right now. The Lutheran-Freeport soccer game is like a triple whopper with cheese right now.
But back to reality, I have a speech test to study for on Wednesday morning. I'm going to visit grandpa on Tuesday. I'll need to build up my final speech on Wednesday night. It's the "value" speech.
Then there's the Graphic Design class. I'm headed there in a couple of hours (as of this writing). I have 12 more classes. I have five more assignments. One will be completed today. When I get done with class today I will have a completion timetable. As I mentioned many times before, just passing the class is the goal. By Wednesday night I should have a timetable for the rest of speech class, and therefore a timetable for the rest of the semester. The speech will be done on May 12. The GD will be done on May 13. Graduation rehersal is at 5:30 on the 13th. Ceremony is on Friday night.
So there'll be an academic gridlock.
Here's the week:
Monday: GD class and get that one assignment done. Figure out a timetable for that class. Pick up graduation announcements. Finalize NISB assignments. Get honor roll updated to include all weekend events.
Tuesday: Study for speech test in the morning. Visit a speaker with grandpa that night. Edit/post baseball game article.
Wednesday: GD class. SVCC assessment test. Speech test. Final speech preperation and timetable figured. Possible story editing/posting.
Thursday: Friday 5 pre-write. Work. Calculate budget. Sierra Mist instead of Mountain Dew. Friday 5 written. Sleep!
Friday: GD class. Possible road trip dinner. Academic update.
Saturday: Work "death shift" from 12-9. Edit/post softball game article.
Sunday: Work from 12-5. Possible road trip dinner. Determine NISB coverage schedule.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Those Problems a bit ago
Cutter's Log - Supplemental
It occurred to me last night that I may still have a chance.
It occurred to me just now that I can take this list and tear down most of it.
When I wrote about the 40 crushes, there were times that girls would reappear as my true crush. Many of which I don't stand a chance anymore, because of time. I can just forget about these. There are a few out there, still, who have a special place in my heart.
It occurred to me last night that I may still have a chance.
It occurred to me just now that I can take this list and tear down most of it.
When I wrote about the 40 crushes, there were times that girls would reappear as my true crush. Many of which I don't stand a chance anymore, because of time. I can just forget about these. There are a few out there, still, who have a special place in my heart.
WSN for 4/18
Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.81.40
Current Song - Goodnight Tonight (Paul McCartney & Wings)
There are three things in my mind all of the time. Cody's Law = When two of them are going well, one of them isn't going as well.
WORK: I have recently found myself losing my mind toward the end of the night. Last night was one of those days when I woke up at 4:00 p.m. and worked at 5:00. By 11:30 p.m. I felt like I needed to go to sleep. I didn't have a few crucial things done yet. After seven hours of work, on a not-so-busy Saturday, after four refills of Mountain Dew, I was wiped out. The balancing act has also been crazy.
I have a short three-hour day today (two register, one cooler). I am up to 32 hours next week, so hopefully I can improve myself and make the money earned worth it.
SCHOOL: The Graphic Arts class is getting better. I completed the design part of the business card on Wednesday, and will do the gang-and-cut part of it on Monday morning. The presentation to my client will probably be this week. Hopefully I can slam down these assignments in time. As I mentioned earlier, I'm just looking to pass the class - I don't care if it's a "D".
The speech part is going okay. There is a test on Wednesday night, which will be my second test of that night. I have a college assessment test, too. I'm glad I'm doing no travel for NISB.
NISB: Although I'm not covering games for a while, it still seems as if I'm spending a lot of time on it. Right now I'm trying to finalize a coverage schedule, and wait for an article to be turned in. I did a bunch of preliminary "2010 State of the Site" things, and will put that project on hold until June. I need to get that off of my mind. I just got done (literally) updating Honor Rolls for two hours. Geez!
Current Song - Goodnight Tonight (Paul McCartney & Wings)
There are three things in my mind all of the time. Cody's Law = When two of them are going well, one of them isn't going as well.
WORK: I have recently found myself losing my mind toward the end of the night. Last night was one of those days when I woke up at 4:00 p.m. and worked at 5:00. By 11:30 p.m. I felt like I needed to go to sleep. I didn't have a few crucial things done yet. After seven hours of work, on a not-so-busy Saturday, after four refills of Mountain Dew, I was wiped out. The balancing act has also been crazy.
I have a short three-hour day today (two register, one cooler). I am up to 32 hours next week, so hopefully I can improve myself and make the money earned worth it.
SCHOOL: The Graphic Arts class is getting better. I completed the design part of the business card on Wednesday, and will do the gang-and-cut part of it on Monday morning. The presentation to my client will probably be this week. Hopefully I can slam down these assignments in time. As I mentioned earlier, I'm just looking to pass the class - I don't care if it's a "D".
The speech part is going okay. There is a test on Wednesday night, which will be my second test of that night. I have a college assessment test, too. I'm glad I'm doing no travel for NISB.
NISB: Although I'm not covering games for a while, it still seems as if I'm spending a lot of time on it. Right now I'm trying to finalize a coverage schedule, and wait for an article to be turned in. I did a bunch of preliminary "2010 State of the Site" things, and will put that project on hold until June. I need to get that off of my mind. I just got done (literally) updating Honor Rolls for two hours. Geez!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Budget
Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.51.40
Current Song - Lowdown (Boz Scaggs)
I thought it would be interesting to participate in a workshop at SVCC regarding personal finances. The 30 minutes didn't cover a whole lot, but the main focus was trying to get people to put together a budget.
The budget examples were monthly. That wouldn't do any good for me as I don't have a set income per month. I know the maximum guaranteed amount (MGA) on each paycheck. I make more than that per check, which I get to keep in reserve.
Budgeting the MGA. I sound like a businessman.
Current Song - Lowdown (Boz Scaggs)
I thought it would be interesting to participate in a workshop at SVCC regarding personal finances. The 30 minutes didn't cover a whole lot, but the main focus was trying to get people to put together a budget.
The budget examples were monthly. That wouldn't do any good for me as I don't have a set income per month. I know the maximum guaranteed amount (MGA) on each paycheck. I make more than that per check, which I get to keep in reserve.
Budgeting the MGA. I sound like a businessman.
Friday, April 9, 2010
This is my Twitter
Cutter's Log - Supplemental
Just finished writing the Friday 5, and cancelled the one for next week. I now have time to work on my Graphic Design class. Some errands today and that's it.
Just finished writing the Friday 5, and cancelled the one for next week. I now have time to work on my Graphic Design class. Some errands today and that's it.
No. 40
Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.90.40
Current Song - I Thank You (ZZ Top)
From kindergarten to college, there have been 39 different girls I have either had crushes on or thought was kind of cute. No. 39 was a year ago, and No. 38 was a few years ago.
No. 40 has appeared just recently. With nos. 38, 39 and 40 I have come up with the same thought after thinking about them:
I will not be good enough for them.
When I have high thoughts of her, I immediately come to the conclusion that it's not going to work out. And it will all be because I'm not fit for a relationship. I don't know how I could train for something like this - and if I did, wouldn't it be treated as if it was business-like? No one wants that. No matter how hard I try, nothing I do is going to satisfy anyone.
Every time I fall in love with someone, why do I feel even more depressed? Who would have thought the next time I meet someone who I think highly of can throw a punch at my world.
Current Song - I Thank You (ZZ Top)
From kindergarten to college, there have been 39 different girls I have either had crushes on or thought was kind of cute. No. 39 was a year ago, and No. 38 was a few years ago.
No. 40 has appeared just recently. With nos. 38, 39 and 40 I have come up with the same thought after thinking about them:
I will not be good enough for them.
When I have high thoughts of her, I immediately come to the conclusion that it's not going to work out. And it will all be because I'm not fit for a relationship. I don't know how I could train for something like this - and if I did, wouldn't it be treated as if it was business-like? No one wants that. No matter how hard I try, nothing I do is going to satisfy anyone.
Every time I fall in love with someone, why do I feel even more depressed? Who would have thought the next time I meet someone who I think highly of can throw a punch at my world.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Speech Time
Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.80.40
I had my Policy Speech last night in Speech class. It was about the college football playoffs. I advocated for a college football playoff bracket.
The speech was something I worked on starting on Monday. In the two days I conducted research and wrote about things I knew about it, apparently I conducted too much research. Now this doesn't seem to make a whole lot of sense. I was assigned this speech two weeks ago. If I worked on it two weeks ago, I would have had WAY too much, right?
The post-speech critique made me realize a couple of things, since I went a couple of minutes over the maximum time limit (11:00):
1) I had too much to talk about. This was a topic that seemed to only interest the small part of the class that likes college football (and this includes my young female instructor). I sort of knew this coming in, and spent some time trying to explain a connection. Turns out I didn't explain enough - and if I did, it would have made me go more over the time limit.
I also didn't really find anything to cut out of the speech, except maybe the list of representatives to contact.
2) I talk slow. That's the nature of how I communicate, which is far different from the way everyone else does it. I felt if I were to speed up, I would stumble more often.
--
The next speech is the Value Speech (don't know what that really is), and is 9-11 minutes long, so I even went over the limit for this speech. So I don't really know what fix. Condensing the information, or talking faster?
I finished writing this particular speech on Wednesday morning. I was tired, so I took a nap. I woke up and had to then immediately put it in power point form by 4:30 that afternoon. That now tells me one important thing: I didn't have enough time to edit it. That's a sign to begin working on the speech more earlier, so that I have enough time to edit it. The key thing is while editing it, I can actually find the things to chop down.
Chopping down things is hard to do with a Cody Cutter work. Just ask anyone who has edited my stories for SVN and the college newspapers. Take one small thing out, and the whole piece looks ruined. I think my flow is too strong.
Overall, I don't think the research is a problem. It's just editing.
(On a totally unrelated side note - for some reason there were two songs stuck in my head while writing this speech and presenting it. Those two songs were ZZ Top's "I Thank You" and Fleetwood Mac's "Gold Dust Woman." Why, I don't know.)
I had my Policy Speech last night in Speech class. It was about the college football playoffs. I advocated for a college football playoff bracket.
The speech was something I worked on starting on Monday. In the two days I conducted research and wrote about things I knew about it, apparently I conducted too much research. Now this doesn't seem to make a whole lot of sense. I was assigned this speech two weeks ago. If I worked on it two weeks ago, I would have had WAY too much, right?
The post-speech critique made me realize a couple of things, since I went a couple of minutes over the maximum time limit (11:00):
1) I had too much to talk about. This was a topic that seemed to only interest the small part of the class that likes college football (and this includes my young female instructor). I sort of knew this coming in, and spent some time trying to explain a connection. Turns out I didn't explain enough - and if I did, it would have made me go more over the time limit.
I also didn't really find anything to cut out of the speech, except maybe the list of representatives to contact.
2) I talk slow. That's the nature of how I communicate, which is far different from the way everyone else does it. I felt if I were to speed up, I would stumble more often.
--
The next speech is the Value Speech (don't know what that really is), and is 9-11 minutes long, so I even went over the limit for this speech. So I don't really know what fix. Condensing the information, or talking faster?
I finished writing this particular speech on Wednesday morning. I was tired, so I took a nap. I woke up and had to then immediately put it in power point form by 4:30 that afternoon. That now tells me one important thing: I didn't have enough time to edit it. That's a sign to begin working on the speech more earlier, so that I have enough time to edit it. The key thing is while editing it, I can actually find the things to chop down.
Chopping down things is hard to do with a Cody Cutter work. Just ask anyone who has edited my stories for SVN and the college newspapers. Take one small thing out, and the whole piece looks ruined. I think my flow is too strong.
Overall, I don't think the research is a problem. It's just editing.
(On a totally unrelated side note - for some reason there were two songs stuck in my head while writing this speech and presenting it. Those two songs were ZZ Top's "I Thank You" and Fleetwood Mac's "Gold Dust Woman." Why, I don't know.)
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Hurdles
Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.40.40
Current Song - Give it Away (RHCP)
Honor Roll. Updated.
Upcoming Spring Assignments. Scheduled.
Finances. In Order.
Pictures. Need to hold off for a while.
Work. Limited next week.
Homework. Disarray.
Now that I caught up on most of the household crap for the website, I can start touching the speech assignment. After that is complete (key word - complete) I can start on the business card design.
This is going to be a brutal month.
Sked: Work, grandparents and sleep today. Begin writing speech all day Monday afternoon until work at 5:00. Continue writing speech all day Tuesday and get it done! Graphic arts class on Wednesday and continue until noon working on the business card; then immediately to SVCC to set up speech powerpoint and rehearse before class. All day Thursday before work at 4:00 will be spent compiling the Friday 5. As much as possible on Friday will be spent on the business card. Work from 12-9 on Saturday. Much-needed time off on Sunday.
Current Song - Give it Away (RHCP)
Honor Roll. Updated.
Upcoming Spring Assignments. Scheduled.
Finances. In Order.
Pictures. Need to hold off for a while.
Work. Limited next week.
Homework. Disarray.
Now that I caught up on most of the household crap for the website, I can start touching the speech assignment. After that is complete (key word - complete) I can start on the business card design.
This is going to be a brutal month.
Sked: Work, grandparents and sleep today. Begin writing speech all day Monday afternoon until work at 5:00. Continue writing speech all day Tuesday and get it done! Graphic arts class on Wednesday and continue until noon working on the business card; then immediately to SVCC to set up speech powerpoint and rehearse before class. All day Thursday before work at 4:00 will be spent compiling the Friday 5. As much as possible on Friday will be spent on the business card. Work from 12-9 on Saturday. Much-needed time off on Sunday.
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