Unleashing the beast

Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.80.30
Current Song - Superbeast (Rob Zombie)

Now that I will be preparing to concentrate my journalism expertise toward my fall semester journalism class, I will be taking my sportswriting to a whole new level (I hope) soon.

I'm trying to work on churning out my columns.

There needs to be an anchor to the sugar and spice feeling surrounding high school sports.

Journalism Classes

Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.30.20
Current Song - We Built This City (Starship)

I recieved good news from my lastest academic advisor check-up.

Sauk will offer Journalism tutorially starting in the Fall semester.

This is a great relief because I was considering transferring to other institutions in order to take the classes. I can get out of Sauk by Fall of 2009. I also dropped my current Sociology class and elected to re-take the Psychology class that I failed last semester. Then I rounded out my remaining schedule until graduation. I am so pleased that Sauk is getting the journalism back.

Now, if I can just get off of third shift, that would be great as well! It looks like I should be off of thirds by the end of April. Beginning in mid-May I can't work M-Th mornings, but I can do Friday mornings and Sunday mornings.

Sports Journalists make me REALLY MAD

Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.92.20
Current Song - Burning Heart (Survivor)

You know what, screw this!

I am SO ANGRY at sports journalists right now! They only care about themselves and how good they are and how good their papers are!

It's only a matter of time until there is a Dot Com genocide put forth by print journalists! Dot Commers do this for the love of the sport, print people do it for money and fame. Everything is about money and politics. They are trying to destroy these dot commers who have free realm over their stories, whereas print people are constrained by a set amount of column inches.

Of course that's why print journalists have a hatred for dot commers, who can do whatever they want.

When did we stop looking at the young athletes, and begin looking at our egos?!?!?!?!

I can't stand journalists anymore. From EVERY newspaper! They're all fixated on competition. No wonder there are logjams at the rare high school sportswriting openings! There's not one around here for HUNDREDS of miles!

I used to like everyone, but I can't right now. I am absolutely livid about where the sports journalism world is headed. It's just like current baseball hall of famers: they don't want anyone in their EXCLUSIVE club.

All about money and fame.

I can't believe I looked up to these people.

I just can't control myself right now.

I LOVE high school sports journalism! I LOVE high school sports! I want to continue to be a high school sports journalist. But I don't want to be associated with people who don't give a rats ass about the game.

A large majority of high school sports journalists don't even want to be there covering a high school game. They always seem bored and uninteresting: go in, see game, interview, quickly write article to beat deadline, walk out.

I understand deadline pressure. But you don't need to be a JERK just because YOU are trying to beat a deadline. That only shows people you care about yourself, your profession, and your hourly wage!

I have Asperger's Syndrome, and even I am more colorful than these journalists.

Congratulations, print journalists, you just made a student of your profession CRY. Shame on you, sports journalists!

I don't know what to do. I'm just going to run upstairs and cry until I can't cry anymore - I don't give about you anymore

I'm not asking, begging, pleading or whining for a job.

I need to be alone right now. If anyone needs me, please drop me a line.

I need help. Someone help me.

Work, laptops, and other news

Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.02.20
Current Song - Canned Heat (Jamiroquai)

I just haven't had any time to write an entry. Too many things going on with sports, work, and classes.

One of my customers is opening up a auto shop and would like to know if I am interested in doing office work for him. I'd imagine it would be a 9-5 job, which would be great for me, since my school work is carte blanche this semester. It's just tryin to convince him that I'll be off for class a certain time of the day. The Physics class I like to take is 9:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Monday thru Thursday.

I wonder what office work at an auto shop is like? Keeping track of payments and ordering parts probably. The only downside is that I don't know a whole lot about auto parts and auto repair. But maybe this will give me a chance to learn. The next time I see him come into the gas station I'll let him know.

Then there's commitment. I know I can be committed until at least mid-August. That's when the next semester of school starts. After that I am not certain because I don't know what classes I will want to take in the Fall of '08. I'm leaning toward a math class and a film appreciation class.

I'm planning on going to Peoria for the state finals like I did last year. That depends on who is going. There is a great chance that one of my 2A teams may advance, but it is less likely that one of my 1A teams will advance. The new class system has brought teams like Monmouth-Roseville, St. Anne and Donovan up to NIU to face reps from my area. It gets worse with 3A and 4A. So there's not a guarentee that a team IS going to make it. I'll just have to root and wait.

I was looking at laptops yesterday and the whole process really confused me. I know that a laptop is either battery-powered or has a plug-in. I know I can type something at a game, save it onto a portable disc, and take it to somewhere that has internet capabilities.

Apparently I need a router. That's where I stumble. Could there be some way I can connect a laptop with a phone jack? How do you connect a laptop with a phone jack? Geez this is confusing.

Once I understand these things, it may be all I need to compete with the news outlets.

Input

Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.70.20
Current Song - It's Mac Tonight!

I made a tough decision to showcase my site on a sports journalists website. I figured I would get schallacked, but it was worth it. I asked for some suggestions to improve, feedback, and other tips, etc.

Some things I found out so far:

1. I have a poor high school project-designed website.
2. I severely need a copy editor.
3. Tone down a bit on columns.
4. I have a great concept.

I'll add more when more people grade me.

Reading and Comprehension

Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.50.20
Current Song - Boogie Oogie Oogie (A Taste of Honey)

Maybe it is my fault for letting this slip past me. This has been happening all of my life, but I can't seem to read and comprehend things that I have zero interest in.

Sociology and Biology: two things I have zero interest in, but are courses I have to take in order to fufill my social/behavorial credit and sciences credit. Maybe I let certain interests take over my head over the years, to the point where I can block off things I have no interest in. This is a problem with myself, not a problem with the subject matter, so talking to the professors routinely can't be a solution.

So I guess what needs to be accomplished is me becoming interested in these things that I am not interested in.

To help answer this question, here are the things I am interested in:

sports
high school sports
directions to places
US history
war history
local history
government
love/sex
Chicago
the WWE
mass communication
super mario
sonic the hedgehog
pop culture
poplar music
television
biographies
board games
trivial pursuit
driving
writing
humor

Assignment?

Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.42.10
Current Song - The Logical Song (Supertramp)

At some point during the spring sports season, I will be on assignment. An assignment created by me, for me to do. It's for NISB.

Be prepared. It'll be lethal.

REALLY Not doing too well

Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.91.10
Current Song - Shine (Collective Soul)

I know I keep saying it, and I never do it. BP turned hellhole once again as their heater broke. Again. I was stuck working all night in the cold. Again. What a way to come back after having five days off.

Now I have a cold. And I'm looking. Again.

Not doing too Well

Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.81.10
Current Song - Sara Smile (Hall and Oates)

I've been off of work the last five and a half days, and I really don't want to go back. But I have to. It's the only thing that is bringing me dough.

Had a good story idea on the Shootouts, but the Journal-Standard pretty much touched on the idea. Looks like I'll have to rework this. I'm falling into the SVCC Telecourse "trap" at this moment. Give me a good couple of days with Shootout stuff, and I'll be back to form on studying.

As always, I'm looking for good story ideas for Northern Illinois Sports Beat. I'm taking a break from writing game articles for a while - so anything will do.

Then, I've got to get some finances in order - and hopefully I'll be out of the red and into the black soon.

First post of '08

Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.70.10
Current Song - Fool For The City (Foghat)

It's been quite a while since I last posted on here, but that's because I've been busy over the holidays: working, writing, seeing games, having fun with the new presents, sleeping, and thinking. I covered the Warkins Cardinal Classic at Erie, a Byron-Oregon girls game, and the Rock Falls Shootout since I last posted.

I get to test out the new work schedule tonight. I work tonight, and I'm off tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, I had some plans wrecked. I was going to go down to Chillicothe and take pics and write a feature on the new gym at IVC, then hurry and make it to St. Bede where there is a girls game with Prophetstown. However, I found out today that my Sociology telecourse orientation is tomorrow evening. Crap!

Being sidelined isn't new to me. I'd like to get more done for the site. Announcement on that shortly, on NISB.

Tuesdays and Saturdays

Cutter's Log - Stardate 7002.22.21
Current Song - One of a Kind (The Spinners)

I am about to finalize my work schedule for January and onward. I'll be working Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, while Kevin is working Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday. We will alternate Mondays.

Tuesdays and Saturdays I can spend traveling to games, while Fridays I can spend more time around home.

It's simple

Cutter's Blog - Stardate 7002.41.21
Current Song - Mozart's No. 40

It's that simple. I work the days given to me on my schedule, and the days I'm not scheduled to work I get off.

This is the second day of my time off, and this is the second day they've called for me to fill in. I can't work third shift 6-7 days a week. There are certain days I need off, and I have them off. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays: I've worked enough of these days in the past. Again, it's that simple. I work the days given to me on my schedule, and the days I'm not scheduled to work I get off.

Sanity

Cutter's Log - Stardate 7002.03.11
Current Song - that Sears commercial

I've been sleeping off and on all day. I'm not going anywhere tonight, just because there's nothing real interesting in Sterling or Rock Falls tonight. I'm still in my lounging clothes.

I woke up around 10:00 or so this morning, and after 'breakfast' I got a call from BP. Yawn. Wanted me to work tonight and have Monday off. Nope. I couldn't just go back to sleep the rest of the day to work overnight, I've been awake for only an hour when they called. When I'm up, I plan on being up for a while.

When they called, I told him that I'd call back. After pondering about the fact that I've lost my sanity by working, going to school, and how that's literally draining my journalism profession, I called back to tell them 'no'. I've already used the 'wedding' excuse, and I just said I can't do it. Speaking of sanity, I could be going somewhere tonight, and almost every off night, but the damn car is still at Mike's.

Going the blog route?

Cutter's Log - Stardate 7002.72.11
Current Song - I Saw The Light (Todd Rundgren)

I see that some sports writers have blogs of their own through the newspapers they write for. I thought why not me?

This is my blog: mostly about my personal life with some high school sports stuff in it.

Here's what I'm thinking about regarding a sports-themed blog, in pro-con form:

PROS:
1. It would get thoughts out of my head and onto print.
2. By making thoughts, and directing comments to the message board, it would increase message board traffic.
3. I can have a sports blog, no one else in the Sauk Valley has one.

CONS:
1. My thoughts may decrease the # of posts I make on the message board, and other message boards.
2. I would have to create two seperate blogs: one for sports, and the other for personal stuff.
3. Possible wear about IHSA this and IHSA that - could be considered public enemy No. 1 by them.

I'm seriously thinking about this.

Sucks?

Cutter's Log - Stardate 7002.62.11
Current Song - Plush (Stone Temple Pilots)

I'm in a war over a few 20-25 year olds in Morrison over the use of the word 'sucks'. A poster registered with the username 'newmansucks' and I let it go until complaints piled up about it. I had to pull the plug. He wouldn't listen, and is suspended. Then his friends had to get all riled up about it. The poster formerly known as 'newmansucks' can only have his posting priviledges back IF he changes his username. So far, he is refusing to cooperate.

Then one of his buddies registered under a name that I personally took offense to - and he is suspended until this 'sucks' matter clears.

Throughout all of this, I put a temporary ban on the word 'sucks' - sounds weird, doesn't it? That p'd off more of his buddies. One has now questioned the way I run the message board and predicted it's downfall. The thing to remember about this is that the bickering is coming from an isolated group of people, in defense of someone they know.

I'm in the middle of drawing up a compromise.

Cutter's Log - Stardate 7002.22.11
Current Song - Ragdoll (The Four Seasons)

I am seriously thinking about quitting BP. Looks like I will if I find a better job soon.

I'm expected to do everything for everybody. That's not the way I should be doing my work over there. More job responsibilities have been handed to me, which can't be done in the time alotted. I'm having to pick up after the shift before me, which in turn doesn't help complete my things. I'm having to leave with plenty more to do. I shouldn't have to be doing half the things I am now doing. That, and no one seems to understand that we all need to pitch in and get that place clean. Getting the store clean is NOT JUST mine and Jess's responsibility.

I also had a huge beer rush right before 1:00 a.m. There is a new bar open down the street, which is pretty popular I guess. They all come crawling in and get their carry-out before the clock strikes one. Well, the main clock in the store is one of those analog clocks with the big hand and little hand. There is only a 12, 3, 6, and 9 on it. The big hand didn't point straight up yet on the 12. Just seconds after the rush, one of the Indians from 2nd shift comes running in the store and looking at the register journal. Turns out I sold a 12-pack 35 seconds after 1:00. I even had to turn down my barber away at 1:03 - after a long argument.

The night before I was told by 2nd shift to mop, sweep, vaccum the rugs and clean the countertops. I do 3 out of 4 every night. Then one Indian had to call the Indian owner (which happens to be his uncle) and confirm that this message was being sent to me.

I don't like it when I am being watched upon like that. What's weird is, I've done things that are against the rules that is being caught on camera - and nothing is ever said to me about it.

They only care about money and profit. Our sales have suffered since the new ownership change. Third shift's sales have been cut in half. We've lost regulars. We lost management. I've lost sanity. So has Jess.

I would like to find another job. And not one of those "temp" jobs, either. As you may know, I am picky about the kind of job I want to work at - I won't work for organizations that shove a rule book down your throat. That means no Wal-Mart Distribution Center for me. And I will not become a robot.

I've put in a lot toward trying to make the place look better. I brought customers back from the last Indian regime (Dave) and developed a carte blanche style of customer service. That's how I like it. But being treated the way I am now, for $7.50/hour, I just can't.

Want Ad's, here I come.

And before you comment, the Gazette is NOT looking for a sports writer.

Columns

Cutter's Log - Stardate 7002.81.11
Current Song - What You Won't Do For Love (Bobby Caldwell)

I am beginning to wonder where all of the high school sports columns have gone.

Everywhere you see pro and college sports columns, but rarely any high school sports columns. When I do happen to see a column, they look more like personally-written stories. I thought the purpose of a column was to have an opinion and persuade? At least that is how I write my columns. I've even kind of embedded this philosophy into my students.

Why don't we see high school sports columns? One thing could be the softness of high school sports. It seems more harsh to criticize something about high school sports than it is with college and professional sports. We are dealing with 14-to-19-year-old kids along with adults who do this kind of thing (coaching) as a secondary profession. Kids are young and cute. These adults are just trying, like a parent in PTA.

I've always considered the fact that for a big majority of high school athletes, their senior year of high school is where the buck stops. Should they be exposed to some (limited) criticism? Thinking about it further, I think it would be acceptable for a newspaper to do such a thing. This is because they act as the voice of the town, or region. With me, my credo doesn't carry much weight because of my loose ties with such a large area.

So do you go after those whose full-time focus is on high school athletics? Athletics Directors? IHSA Administration? Principals? I've gone after the IHSA tons of times.

Another reason why we do not see a whole lot of high school sports columns is because internal matters are not interesting enough. Internal matters in high school sports include: coaching searches, conference changes, high school tradition changes, new basketball rules, and other inner workings that make up the aura of high school sports.

It is possible to comment about the inner workings of high school sports, but the commitment towards writing and researching data on that does not seem enthusing. You begin to wonder who in the world would read it? Does this contained matter interest those outside the containment field? Figuring how it will interest those takes time; some would feel that is wasted time.

Then how much is too much? You want to try to make the game(s), person(s), or season(s) interesting. Cliffhangers?

A dream of mine has always been a Northern Illinois high school sports summit. I often wonder if message boards serve that purpose.

College blues

Cutter's Log - Stardate 7002.61.11
Current Song - The Long and Winding Road (The Beatles)

I don't know what classes I would like to take at SVCC next semester. I have options, obviously.

SPE 131 - Oral communication. I would like to take more toward the end of community college, not only because of my talking problem, but because I can't be in the class when I am tired and talking in slurs.

MAT 115 - A math class, principles of modern mathematics. Good luck with that, Cody! There's only a 6:00 to 8:45 Tuesday night class for this.

ENG 201 - Fiction. Reading. Monday and Friday 9:30 to 10:45. Chances are, I'll have to read a book within the week.

ENG 206 - Creative Writing II. Getting through this creative writing class was tough enough. TWO? I'd get to have some pub in the literary magazine.

BIO 104 - Biology. Telecourse. I get to watch movies overnight when I'm not working.

Future ideas include:

HUM 112 - Film appreciation. Also an NIU Comms transfer.
CHE 101 - Intro to chemistry for non-science majors.
PED 214 - Intro to physical education. Probably fufills my sports emphasis.
HUM 210 - Intro to the Humanities. Internet class.

I have been strongly recommended by academic advisors to only take 6 or less credit hours a semester. I've got at least 11 classes (33 credit hours) to take before getting out of here. If all goes well, I could be done by summer of 2009. If I am out of work, or working less hours, I could be done sooner.

Either way, it's been one hell of a slow ride.

Jobs (continued)

Cutter's Log - Stardate 7002.01.11
Current Song - Little Lies (Fleetwood Mac)

The Paris Beacon-News is looking for a sports editor.
The Mt. Vernon Sentinel is looking for a sportswriter - but they require an Associates

Submitting news?

Jobs

Cutter's Log - Stardate 7002.90.11
Current Song - Sweet Lullaby (Deep Forest)

Don't ask me why I'm listening to a Deep Forest song.

I don't mean to reiterate things all of the time. However, here is a little about my jobs stance:

I am currently working three or four days a week at BP: from midnight to 9:00 AM. These are new hours. I am working three days this week, and four days next week. I'm alternating with Jess - and I just hope he is more flexible to work with than Kevin was. I lose just a little sleep with this new thing, but I hope it will work out well with the writing-school-work balance.

If any of you locals have heard, yes, we have new Indian owners and a completely different management. Only me, Jess, Mema, Sam and Magen have been retained. Two noteable names are missing, and with that, a lot of regulars. Jess is already thinking about looking for another job, and I'm only looking at possibilities right now. I still plan on staying.

The one obvious place is Sauk Valley Newspapers. They are not looking for a sportswriter at this moment, although I do check the Shaw Newspapers' career postings on the Internet. Newton, IA is not in my interests, nor is copy editing for the NW Herald. Another issue I have with SVN is over creative differences. The two writing philosophies are different (theirs and mine), and I know I won't get creative control over my stories. If only they would grant me creative control over my stories, maybe I'll consider it. And it's not like I come at a hefty price (a la Joe Torre); it doesn't matter how much I am paid (7.50 or over). I just want people to know things. Spotlight stealing is also an issue, which was what Jeff told me from the moment I was hired.

I have ruled out small weeklies, such as the P-Town Echo - not enough pay, and I thought I'd let the locals get a crack at that. That is what makes a weekly paper unique. I don't want to tarnish that good thing they have going. And I would encourage more locals from these small towns to take a shot at writing for a weekly.

The Quad City Times I had to put on the backburner until I was feasibly able to know of my stance at BP and my associates degree. That, and the car situation. However, Don has heard of my website. Jon, I'm not sure. He's the one who runs the preps part of the sports section. I have mentioned that I would be great for an eastern-area correspondent (Morrison, Fulton, Erie, Ster-Rock). A resume may be coming. It looks like they've also added Shannon to their staff. He worked at the Moline Dispatch and is the QCA's wrestling guru.

Things may be looking full at the Rockford Register Star. They've got a well-balanced preps staff, and Andy too.

I'm checking out the Peoria Journal Star site right now ... nothing.

Now I'm just doing a run-through all around Illinois ...

crickets chirping

The LaSalle News-Tribune. A beam of light? -

WARNING: A Reoccuring theme

Cutter's Log - Stardate 7002.40.11
Current Song - I Can't Go For That (Hall and Oates)

WARNING: This isn't the first time I have mentioned this, and certainly isn't the last. It's more like the umpteenth time. It's about trying to get more posters on the message board. Writing and typing my thoughts is what helps me think about what I'm trying to accomplish. That's all.

How to get more posters on the message board: Part (insert random roman numerals here)

Not too long ago, I looked back on my proposed and never accomplished Road Trip and saw something wasn't right with it. Something wasn't right with the timing, too. The RT originally had me traveling in two circular shapes: a small one through the Sauk Valley area and a big one starting and ending at Galesburg. This would be difficult to accomplish.

Then when looking at our surviving playoff teams, I thought of a better idea. Four teams that are still in the running are Cambridge, Galena, Plano and Harvard. The, or close to the, four corners of the area.

Ahh, the four corners process. The gold represents the Sauk Valley area, which surrounds the epicenter of the coverage area, Sterling. That task doesn't seem too bad. I've astricked the dense population areas. However, this process does not hit the anchor areas. I'd let the connecting process take care of itself. This idea is also best in order to retain the box-like boundaries of the coverage area.

What would happen if I were to make Freeport, the QCA, Princeton, and DeKalb the four centers? (Sorry, but uploading another picture will distort the structure of the blog entry) The chances of that process retaining the box area is not as great as the pic above. Sure, I could let the connecting process take care of itself as well in this area. However, an anchor city is more likely to take notice of the spreading process taking place in the four corners, than a corner city is to take notice of the spreading process in the anchors.

That would, in turn, overlap the Sauk Valley area with the four anchors. Lanark, Oregon, Amboy and Erie - the four corners of the Sauk Valley area, would experience influence from two directions.

So that would put out four seperate trips, outside of Sterling's area:

1. QC/Galesburg/Princeton/Erie - key stop: Geneseo
2. Princeton/Seneca/DeKalb/Leland - key stop: LaSalle-Peru
3. DeKalb/Harvard/Freeport/Oregon - key stop: Rockford
4. Freeport/East Dubuque/QC/Lanark - key stop: Savanna

Message Boards and Me

Cutter's Log - Stardate 7002.30.11
Current Song - Clap For The Wolfman (The Guess Who)

Hi, my name is #35.

I am a selfish, inconsiderate, rude, irresponsible, forgetful, mindless, insulting, unforgiving devilish brat of message board posting.

Every post I post gets shot down. I've lost my message board sanity. I constantly make mistakes. I stumble in my arguments. I contridict myself. It was exciting to see that I was a young kid who knew a lot, but now I have grown older. I've been dethroned. Thrown into the ranks of HHSTigerFan and Fratboy.

There are a few that would like me to turn back to their side. As Vader said, "I'm afraid it's too late for me." If I turn back to your side, I will die.

Haven't written in a while

Cutter's Log - Stardate 7002.92.01
Current Song - The Logical Song (Supertramp)

My car is still in the shop. We're just waiting for payment. He needs $500.00 to start with it, and $500.00 when completed. My parents and I agreed on dividing up the payment. I have my $250.00 ready. I'm just waiting on them. And waiting.

This is really backing up my site plans. Although I like to spend time with my grandparents, who were kind enough to take me to Forreston and GENOA (paying for their gate and dinner afterwards is something I don't mind doing), I wouldn't mind driving with my own plans in mind. I had plans for going to a volleyball meet in Byron on Thursday, a playoff game on Friday, and a double-header on Saturday. All in limbo over whether or not my parents can cough up $250.00 to BEGIN WORK on the car.

Now, I'm just sitting in my pj's with nothing to do.

now what?

Cutter's Log - Stardate 7002.51.01
Current Song - How Much I Feel (Ambrosia)

A head gasket costs a lot of money. There's not much I can do as far as money is concerned because I have a lot of payments to make. The head gasket is $500 out of my pocket ($500 out of my parents), the car payment, the college payment - this sucks! And I don't have too much money already.

I wonder if it is too late to have a rummage sale? I've got so much shit at home that I don't have a use for anymore, and I don't think there is enough space in this house to fit packed boxes of these things all in. There is the garage, but that is messier than a landfill. Both the garage and our basement are icky.

bad news about the car

Cutter's Log - Stardate 7002.31.01
Current Song - I saw The Light (Todd Rundgren)

The car has been placed on the 60-day DL.

Hopefully for less than 60 days. Blown head gasket. $1,000 to repair.

This possibly blows up the Dakota-Forreston plan. Even the Champaign plan is bust. Looks like until it is fixed, I will be walking to Sterling/Newman/Rock Falls events. Question is: What good events are possibly available at those three schools in the next week or two?

crickets chirping