Random journalism insight

Cutter's Log - Stardate 0 (Happy Birthday to ME!)
Current Song - When I Meet Them (Seals and Crofts)

I am 22 years old, and I am an unemployed sportswriter.

For the past four years, I have been tweaking my work as a web publisher and web sports writer (they call me an "online"). I don't get paid to do the thing I do. Parents, athletes, coaches and schools do not pay me to have me over at their athletic program and write stories about them. If anything, I have spent around $5,000, give or take a grand, on maintaining the site, traveling, supplies, and other miscallany. That's quite alright.

This calendar year, I experimented with writing news stories related to sports. It's like your front page news stories that have to do with front page stuff, and not about stats and scores.

Meanwhile, while I am doing that, newspaper after newspaper is writing at least one feature every couple of days. It's like they'll do a background check on each athlete in their coverage area and find something to make it a story. It's slowly becoming the norm, and unfortunately I don't have the resources to do that kind of background checking. These days, a newspaper sports section is a personal momento for a family.

They call the thing a NEWSpaper! Now its called a scrapbook sampler.

Unfortunately, I can't tell editors out there that I don't write for scrapbook collections. Then I won't be working for anyone. I don't know if they are trying to create a gridlock by doing these things.

But I propose a challenge to sports editors in northern Illinois.

Hire me. Then train me, and tame me.

Here's what I need work on:

1) Deadlines. I only served four months at a daily paper, and that was during the spring and summer sports season. Maintaining my own site meant that I made the rules and deadlines. I understand that major dailys have nightly deadlines of 9:30 to midnight. Fridays and Saturdays are even earlier. Some nights stories have to be written in 15 minutes or less. I've never had that experience before. Probably because I have no access to a laptop. Training me for deadlines is a must.

2) Trying to accept that any idea from me is a stupid one. At times, I have been bitter at the fact that something I wanted to do was rejected. Like columns. I might write something that could be newspaper smiley-face suicide. I suggest trying to vent my fustrations into a notebook or something. Because if I have an issue with something, I will write it and post it onto my website.

3) These "background checks". How did you know so-and-so athlete has cancer? How did you know about this baseball player having a boa constrictor? How did you know what this star basketball player had for breakfast yesterday? I'm unaware about how to do a background check. Why should I do a background check? Who do I do one on?

4) I'm a very isolated person; help me work well with others. Even when I was at SVN, I thought I was in my own little sportswriting world. But I AM in my own world. Being able to connect me to you is tricky.

5) Grammar, and all that good stuff. Duh.

I am from Sterling, IL - the epicenter of the Sauk Valley Newspapers conglomorate. My immediate area has a couple of NCIC schools, as well as the southern part of the NUIC, and pretty much all of the TRAC-8. I could correspond from a fixated area (NE rep, NW rep, southern rep, northern rep). I'll even shoot for stringer pay if I have to.

But the Mr. Hyde you think I resemble can quickly turn into a Dr. Jekyll in a snap, and stay there when tamed.

On the Job Hunt

Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.62.40
Current Song - Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (The 5th Dimension)

It's been no surpirise that the BP gas station has been losing business since the new owners took over. In order to help them achieve a profit, they have resorted to sucking money from our paychecks. If there is a drive-off, it comes from our check. If we are more than $2.00 short on our drawer, that comes out of our paycheck.

I have decided I didn't want to be a part of this bullcrap, so effective this past Wednesday, I left. I can't see the business surviving any longer.

I have applied at Angelo's Pizza for a part-time daytime delivery driver that they are advertising for. If that doesn't work, I'll try to find something else around here to my liking. I have thought about giving newspapers a call as well. Until then, I have a lot of finances to re-manage. I'll also have to sell off a few things in order to make an extra buck. That also means gas at Checkers (I get $0.04 off a gallon). I don't think living off the cheap end will be so bad. No fast food. Good.

Ball and Chain

Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.22.40
Current Song - Reveille

Just got off of a meeting of the employees, ordered by owner Ghanshyam. He said someone got angry with him about the cleansiness of the store, and now there are reprecussions if the store is not clean. He didn't seem angry at all, probably because he knew people like me were going to come into it with a cross and yell "the power of Christ compels you!"

Overall, it wen't alright. Sam has been named assistant manager. I'm already drafting the power abuse charges, because I know there will be many. Upon Gary's orders, if Sam does not see the place we are docked an hour of our pay - which is just great because she is so nitpicky.

The thing I worry about the most is how the aura of the workplace will be after today. Although Gary has said that it would be best if we were paired up with someone we like working with. The inspections will be brutal. That's just a guess.

It has now challenged me to work better when I'm working with someone. Right now, I'm still used to working solo. Working with someone else is better off because someone else is doing half of your chores. But when I'm working with you, it's like who gets to do what.

I got to get in the shower, more later.

Summer Plans: NISB / IHSGD Tour

Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.11.40
Current Song - Early Autumn (Stan Getz)

When I'm not studying for class, I plan on making tours throughout Northern Illinois promoting Northern Illinois Sports Beat and Illinois High School Glory Days.

I plan on making flyers with rip-off pieces of paper on the bottom of them. Plus, instead of just barging in and thumbtacking my propaganda all over the place, I plan on coming up with a informational flyer for the businesses that wish to display my flyers, just to tell them good reasons my flyer should be put up.

The cost of paper will be up there. But I don't plan on putting them up on every single pin board in Northern Illinois. I'd like to find out where the most trafficked places are in Northern Illinois cities and towns. I'm shooting for five places in each town, and maybe a few more in the bigger cities.

The cost of gas will be up there too! I'm still trying to find a solution there. The routes will be tough to determine too. There are so many directions from Sterling to head to.

I will test this either today or tomorrow when I make a trip to Princeton.

Summer Plans

Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.80.40
Current Song - Moonlight Feels Right (Starbuck)

I'll be making my summer plans known soon. I just got done taking my next biology test, but probably did worse than the last two tests. Oh well. I'm kind of excited for the coming days because after I go to work in an hour, I will be getting four days off. Hence, more time to think about my summer plans.

Basically, the plans are to travel around Northern Illinois to spread the word about NISB and Illinois High School Glory Days. As well as making improvements on NISB, and preparing for Team Previews to be sent out. The family is thinking about taking a trip to Memphis as well.

I will have class in the summer, though. I plan on taking Humanities 210 (internet) and Physics 175 (on campus).

In the coming days, I'll be posting segments on my summer plans.

BIO test

Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.30.40
Current Song - the one on the new K-Mart commercial

I had to put off taking my BIO test for a week due to a busy schedule. I'm working mornings for four straight days and can't get a grip on anything else afterwards, except for sleep. It sucks.

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?