Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.01.60
Current Song - Hells Bells (AC/DC)
Why should thought be contained to themselves? Are there certain thoughts that are not allowed off of one's chest?
Hence, my thoughts.
What is killing print journalism is a simple concept: Following the company line.
Since the newspaper industry is tanking, they all have to bunch together and act alike. Thus, they create one collective mind of their own. Everyone is a clone of another. They all act alike. There's no room for creativity and new ideas. There's no room for difference.
The first sports editor to shoot me with a tranquilizer dart wins my services.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
Whole lotta computer time
Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.90.60
Current Song - Sweetheart (Franke and the Knockouts)
Today was the first day of Physics class. Seemed like I can do this go-around better than the last time I had a physics class. There's only 8 people in it, and I can get along with people better. I was very shy about group work the last time I took it. Seems okay.
Did some more work with the Music class. Did a short quiz on the syllabus and a brief "why I love the class" assignment. ZZZZZZZZ.
A friend of mine showed me the promised land of textbook buying: Amazon. Looks like my two books are going to cost me only $20 all together. Bookstore charges $270 I believe. My orders would be sent to me next week. Hopefully that will go okay. If so, that's a better alternative than bookstore shopping.
It's going to take me some time to get back in a routine of college studies. I believe the Music assignments seem like a "do all of this by (due date)" format. That worked out well the last couple times I did it. Still got plenty of work to do on NISB. I'm hoping it all fits well in schedule.
Current Song - Sweetheart (Franke and the Knockouts)
Today was the first day of Physics class. Seemed like I can do this go-around better than the last time I had a physics class. There's only 8 people in it, and I can get along with people better. I was very shy about group work the last time I took it. Seems okay.
Did some more work with the Music class. Did a short quiz on the syllabus and a brief "why I love the class" assignment. ZZZZZZZZ.
A friend of mine showed me the promised land of textbook buying: Amazon. Looks like my two books are going to cost me only $20 all together. Bookstore charges $270 I believe. My orders would be sent to me next week. Hopefully that will go okay. If so, that's a better alternative than bookstore shopping.
It's going to take me some time to get back in a routine of college studies. I believe the Music assignments seem like a "do all of this by (due date)" format. That worked out well the last couple times I did it. Still got plenty of work to do on NISB. I'm hoping it all fits well in schedule.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
St. Louis
Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.70.60
Current Song - With A Little Luck (Paul McCartney and Wings)
I'll be going on Leg 3 of the Illinois Route 66 trip this weekend. Leg 1 was from Chicago to Odell, Leg 2 was from Odell to Lincoln, and Leg 3 will be from Lincoln to St. Louis. I'll be staying overnight with my grandparents.
Should be a lot of fun. I like going down these historic routes!
Started working with my Music Appreciation internet class today. I think it'll work out okay.
Current Song - With A Little Luck (Paul McCartney and Wings)
I'll be going on Leg 3 of the Illinois Route 66 trip this weekend. Leg 1 was from Chicago to Odell, Leg 2 was from Odell to Lincoln, and Leg 3 will be from Lincoln to St. Louis. I'll be staying overnight with my grandparents.
Should be a lot of fun. I like going down these historic routes!
Started working with my Music Appreciation internet class today. I think it'll work out okay.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
So little time, so much to do
Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.50.60
Current Song - California Soul (Marlena Shaw)
So much to spend, too!
Today I found out my books for this summer would cost a whopping $270! $161.00 is just for the Physics book. Four dollars for the lab manual. Another $105.00 is for the Music package: the book and 2-CD set.
The bookstore is operating in the red, duh! The physics book is only an inch thick, but brand new. There's got to be a CD or something in it. The music book and CDs were sold seperately, but they bunched it up and raised the price. Plus, they are accepting fewer and fewer buybacks. It really sucks. I happen to have the CDs for the music class, but I was lucky to have the book sold back. I don't think I should have sold it back now.
That would wipe me out, and I'll be operating in the red.
WLLT has recieved my app.
Super Pantry will be pending if WLLT doesn't get back to me soon.
Current Song - California Soul (Marlena Shaw)
So much to spend, too!
Today I found out my books for this summer would cost a whopping $270! $161.00 is just for the Physics book. Four dollars for the lab manual. Another $105.00 is for the Music package: the book and 2-CD set.
The bookstore is operating in the red, duh! The physics book is only an inch thick, but brand new. There's got to be a CD or something in it. The music book and CDs were sold seperately, but they bunched it up and raised the price. Plus, they are accepting fewer and fewer buybacks. It really sucks. I happen to have the CDs for the music class, but I was lucky to have the book sold back. I don't think I should have sold it back now.
That would wipe me out, and I'll be operating in the red.
WLLT has recieved my app.
Super Pantry will be pending if WLLT doesn't get back to me soon.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Diet pop
Cutter's Log - Supplemental
On my late night pop run at Rock Falls Mobil (cheap 24 oz. 2-for-2.22 deal), I accidentally grabbed a diet pepsi instead of a regular pepsi. Once I had realized my mistake, I shrugged it off thinking it will be good for me.
Of course it's going to be good for me. I opened the diet pepsi at 1:00 a.m. and it is only 2/3 full as of 4:30 this morning.
I downed the regular Dew in 45 minutes.
On my late night pop run at Rock Falls Mobil (cheap 24 oz. 2-for-2.22 deal), I accidentally grabbed a diet pepsi instead of a regular pepsi. Once I had realized my mistake, I shrugged it off thinking it will be good for me.
Of course it's going to be good for me. I opened the diet pepsi at 1:00 a.m. and it is only 2/3 full as of 4:30 this morning.
I downed the regular Dew in 45 minutes.
WLLT?
Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.40.60
Current Song - Hold The Line (Toto)
I was made aware of a opening at WLLT. At first, I'm like "shut up, you know my voice sucks." Then I was told there was some sports involved. Ca-Ching!
I guess I'm putting that ahead of the Super Pantry opening right now.
Current Song - Hold The Line (Toto)
I was made aware of a opening at WLLT. At first, I'm like "shut up, you know my voice sucks." Then I was told there was some sports involved. Ca-Ching!
I guess I'm putting that ahead of the Super Pantry opening right now.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Staying Afloat
Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.30.60
Current Song - Stranglehold (Ted Nugent)
I have recieved over 500 bucks in tax rebates and economic stimulus payments. I'm living off of that, money that I have earned at BP, and personal monies. I guess a good thing is that my Insurance payment went down a few bucks for the next session of payments. I'm going to not try to spend a whole lot.
Since it is getting nice, I'm thinking about planning the rummage sale before it gets too cold out. Also, the brothers are getting their bikes out and repaired. I don't know if my bike is fixable, considering that I last rode it a couple of years ago. That's what happens when you have a car. A full tank of gas is just over $50 with the price of gas at $4. I don't have any immediate plans on covering something somewhere this summer. There's a Glory Days research trip into the suburbs that I want to take. There's also the Wyanet school auction, but I do not know when that is. The first series of traveling is when football practices start. I plan on hitting Galena, Dakota, Plano and the Annawan/Wethersfield co-op.
Getting back on the bicycle is something I should start doing. But it's just trying to afford one that's making me feel iffy. I will start shopping around for one. I just have to find a bicycle that will be able to withstand my 290-pound body.
Getting the bicycle is one thing; actually riding it is another. At the 2004 Class A softball tournament, I suffered a severe sunburn while covering a 20-inning softball game. This is why my skin appears more red than most. It became one of the bodily sacrifices just to get a story published. However, the damage was so bad that subsequent times spent outside just got worse. I had to stop covering outside events that took place in open sunlight, unless I wore a long-sleeved shirt and put the maximum-proof sunscreen on. It took me a long time to realize how important sunscreen really is. I wasn't able to buy any until just recently (it's $10 for SPF 55). I think I look dorky with an umbrella.
Who knows, maybe I can do a repeat performance of the Geneseo trek I made in 2002.
If I don't have a bicycle, I could always walk. When the bike was broke, that's what I would do. Then I got the car. Walking does involve more beaming sunlight, however.
Another way I can save money is by eating less fast food ("Cody, you moron!"). My typical fast food meal costs around seven bucks. Cutting back on that will help immensely.
With a boatload of website restructuring and updates left to do, I still need to get back to the normal sleep cycle. This is because my classes begin next week.
I am hearing of a part-time opening at the BP/Super Pantry across town.
Current Song - Stranglehold (Ted Nugent)
I have recieved over 500 bucks in tax rebates and economic stimulus payments. I'm living off of that, money that I have earned at BP, and personal monies. I guess a good thing is that my Insurance payment went down a few bucks for the next session of payments. I'm going to not try to spend a whole lot.
Since it is getting nice, I'm thinking about planning the rummage sale before it gets too cold out. Also, the brothers are getting their bikes out and repaired. I don't know if my bike is fixable, considering that I last rode it a couple of years ago. That's what happens when you have a car. A full tank of gas is just over $50 with the price of gas at $4. I don't have any immediate plans on covering something somewhere this summer. There's a Glory Days research trip into the suburbs that I want to take. There's also the Wyanet school auction, but I do not know when that is. The first series of traveling is when football practices start. I plan on hitting Galena, Dakota, Plano and the Annawan/Wethersfield co-op.
Getting back on the bicycle is something I should start doing. But it's just trying to afford one that's making me feel iffy. I will start shopping around for one. I just have to find a bicycle that will be able to withstand my 290-pound body.
Getting the bicycle is one thing; actually riding it is another. At the 2004 Class A softball tournament, I suffered a severe sunburn while covering a 20-inning softball game. This is why my skin appears more red than most. It became one of the bodily sacrifices just to get a story published. However, the damage was so bad that subsequent times spent outside just got worse. I had to stop covering outside events that took place in open sunlight, unless I wore a long-sleeved shirt and put the maximum-proof sunscreen on. It took me a long time to realize how important sunscreen really is. I wasn't able to buy any until just recently (it's $10 for SPF 55). I think I look dorky with an umbrella.
Who knows, maybe I can do a repeat performance of the Geneseo trek I made in 2002.
If I don't have a bicycle, I could always walk. When the bike was broke, that's what I would do. Then I got the car. Walking does involve more beaming sunlight, however.
Another way I can save money is by eating less fast food ("Cody, you moron!"). My typical fast food meal costs around seven bucks. Cutting back on that will help immensely.
With a boatload of website restructuring and updates left to do, I still need to get back to the normal sleep cycle. This is because my classes begin next week.
I am hearing of a part-time opening at the BP/Super Pantry across town.
Friday, May 30, 2008
The Six-Dollar Man
Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.03.50
Current Song - Let My Love Open The Door (Pete Townsend)
Cody Cutter, Sportswriter
A kid barely alive
Sportswriters, we can rebuild him
We have the experience
We have the talent to make him the world's first super sportswriter
Cody Cutter will be that man
Better than he was before
Better
Smarter
Faster
Okay, I'm awake. What a weird dream.
Current Song - Let My Love Open The Door (Pete Townsend)
Cody Cutter, Sportswriter
A kid barely alive
Sportswriters, we can rebuild him
We have the experience
We have the talent to make him the world's first super sportswriter
Cody Cutter will be that man
Better than he was before
Better
Smarter
Faster
Okay, I'm awake. What a weird dream.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
No more gambling!
Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.82.50
Current Song - Let's Get Down (Tony, Toni, Tone)
So I recieved a free hotel stay at the Isle of Capri resort in Bettendorf. I used that up last night as I was going to a couple of board meetings. Two new coaching hires were taking place at East Moline UT and Moline.
The UT hire was the sophomore coach. They had a press conference and everything announcing it. That's something you don't see at other schools: press conferences. The other board meeting was at Moline. Moline's district offices are located in a nice, big, old house in the middle of town. There are a couple of Ph.D.s on the board, which is something you don't see a lot of. Coach Webber wasn't there (I should have figured before I went there), so I've only got Polite's hire to write about.
While at the hotel, I wanted to go to the casino. Mind you, that I told my parents that the next time I lost money at a casino, I was never going to gamble again. So I lost $80 there, and exited never looking back. This was at the blackjack table, too.
I went out in climactic fashion. I was down to my last ten dollars when I was dealt an ace-ace. Normally, you split those, but I didn't have any money left. Damn! So I had to hit. I got an 8, which brought my total to 20. Then the dealer gets a 21. Double damn!
At 22, this was my first hotel stay by myself. I got a nice view of K&K Hardware (a true value store in Bettendorf) from my room.
I also did some sightseeing in the Quad Cities, going to places that I had never seen before. Normally, when I'm with the family going to the QC, we take the same stupid roads (John Deere, I-74, Kimberly). I saw St. Ambrose, the QC Times building, the Dispatch/Argus building, TV-6's studios, went into Arsenal Island, Ben Butterworth parkway, East Davenport, etc. It's funny how a little freedom can be exciting. Other than Chicago, the QC is my favorite metro area to go to (sorry Rockford).
The largest commonly visable landmark is the I-74 bridge. If you've never been on that bridge, go on it. Bring someone to hold onto, as well. The bridge is situated high above the Mississippi and is narrow. I never used to be somewhat afraid of going across, until the Minneapolis bridge collapse. You see, the bridge is 70-some years old. But it will be replaced in the next ten years. I cross that thing 5 times when I was there.
I wrote my site's State of the Site Address there too last night. It will be put up on the site's 4th Anniversary (June 15).
No more gambling! But I did recieve another thing in the mail: two $10 free cash coupons. I'm just going to walk in, take the cash, and drive to the nearby Shell and put it in the tank.
Current Song - Let's Get Down (Tony, Toni, Tone)
So I recieved a free hotel stay at the Isle of Capri resort in Bettendorf. I used that up last night as I was going to a couple of board meetings. Two new coaching hires were taking place at East Moline UT and Moline.
The UT hire was the sophomore coach. They had a press conference and everything announcing it. That's something you don't see at other schools: press conferences. The other board meeting was at Moline. Moline's district offices are located in a nice, big, old house in the middle of town. There are a couple of Ph.D.s on the board, which is something you don't see a lot of. Coach Webber wasn't there (I should have figured before I went there), so I've only got Polite's hire to write about.
While at the hotel, I wanted to go to the casino. Mind you, that I told my parents that the next time I lost money at a casino, I was never going to gamble again. So I lost $80 there, and exited never looking back. This was at the blackjack table, too.
I went out in climactic fashion. I was down to my last ten dollars when I was dealt an ace-ace. Normally, you split those, but I didn't have any money left. Damn! So I had to hit. I got an 8, which brought my total to 20. Then the dealer gets a 21. Double damn!
At 22, this was my first hotel stay by myself. I got a nice view of K&K Hardware (a true value store in Bettendorf) from my room.
I also did some sightseeing in the Quad Cities, going to places that I had never seen before. Normally, when I'm with the family going to the QC, we take the same stupid roads (John Deere, I-74, Kimberly). I saw St. Ambrose, the QC Times building, the Dispatch/Argus building, TV-6's studios, went into Arsenal Island, Ben Butterworth parkway, East Davenport, etc. It's funny how a little freedom can be exciting. Other than Chicago, the QC is my favorite metro area to go to (sorry Rockford).
The largest commonly visable landmark is the I-74 bridge. If you've never been on that bridge, go on it. Bring someone to hold onto, as well. The bridge is situated high above the Mississippi and is narrow. I never used to be somewhat afraid of going across, until the Minneapolis bridge collapse. You see, the bridge is 70-some years old. But it will be replaced in the next ten years. I cross that thing 5 times when I was there.
I wrote my site's State of the Site Address there too last night. It will be put up on the site's 4th Anniversary (June 15).
No more gambling! But I did recieve another thing in the mail: two $10 free cash coupons. I'm just going to walk in, take the cash, and drive to the nearby Shell and put it in the tank.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Infinite Bogey
Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.32.50
Current Song - Enter Sandman (Metallica)
Not even Metallica can wake me up today.
I seem to have lost my typing ability. My hands are weak and can't seem to press down on the keys correctly. I was able to put out a column about high school sports journalism, but was afraid to release it. I feared that they'd all murder me by firing squad. After re-reading it, I did sound like I wanted to anniliate all of them. So that's the end of that column. Stupid me.
Current Song - Enter Sandman (Metallica)
Not even Metallica can wake me up today.
I seem to have lost my typing ability. My hands are weak and can't seem to press down on the keys correctly. I was able to put out a column about high school sports journalism, but was afraid to release it. I feared that they'd all murder me by firing squad. After re-reading it, I did sound like I wanted to anniliate all of them. So that's the end of that column. Stupid me.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
College Plans, once again
Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.71.50
Current Song - I do (Toya)
Now that Sauk has screwed up my college plans, I've been forced to make some changes to my plans.
I will still take Physics 175 and Music 210 this summer. But I don't know if I will be able to take Humanities 150 this fall. That's because I may have to spend AN ENTIRE YEAR taking a journalism class somewhere else.
I have been awarded 36 credits as of the completion of this spring's classes. GPA: 2.05 :(
I have 7 credits pending upon completion of this summer's classes.
At the end of the summer I will have earned 43 credits.
I could take a whole year with the journalism study at another college: 3 + 3 = 6
I'll have 49 credits at the end of Spring 2009.
I have 15 credits left to go in order to get my Associate's Degree.
1 summer class: Summer 2009.
2 fall classes: Fall 2009.
2 spring classes: Spring 2010.
Graduate in Spring 2010.
***
Course Fees and tuition for other colleges (tack on $10 for other fees):
Sauk Valley CC: $80.00 per credit hour.
Clinton or Scott CC: $153.00 per credit hour. $103.00 per credit hour if I lived there.
Rock Valley CC: $245.00 per credit hour. $61.00 per credit hour if I lived there.
Illinois Valley CC: $242.50 per credit hour. $60.50 per credit hour if I lived there.
Highland CC: $128.00 per credit hour. $76.00 per credit hour if I lived there.
I am going to make another appointment with my academic advisor to see if I can transfer to another institution for one year, and then come back.
Highland's journalism classes run from 5:00 to 6:15 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
JOUR231 and JOUR232
If I am unable to do so, I am going to transfer fully to Clinton CC.
Current Song - I do (Toya)
Now that Sauk has screwed up my college plans, I've been forced to make some changes to my plans.
I will still take Physics 175 and Music 210 this summer. But I don't know if I will be able to take Humanities 150 this fall. That's because I may have to spend AN ENTIRE YEAR taking a journalism class somewhere else.
I have been awarded 36 credits as of the completion of this spring's classes. GPA: 2.05 :(
I have 7 credits pending upon completion of this summer's classes.
At the end of the summer I will have earned 43 credits.
I could take a whole year with the journalism study at another college: 3 + 3 = 6
I'll have 49 credits at the end of Spring 2009.
I have 15 credits left to go in order to get my Associate's Degree.
1 summer class: Summer 2009.
2 fall classes: Fall 2009.
2 spring classes: Spring 2010.
Graduate in Spring 2010.
***
Course Fees and tuition for other colleges (tack on $10 for other fees):
Sauk Valley CC: $80.00 per credit hour.
Clinton or Scott CC: $153.00 per credit hour. $103.00 per credit hour if I lived there.
Rock Valley CC: $245.00 per credit hour. $61.00 per credit hour if I lived there.
Illinois Valley CC: $242.50 per credit hour. $60.50 per credit hour if I lived there.
Highland CC: $128.00 per credit hour. $76.00 per credit hour if I lived there.
I am going to make another appointment with my academic advisor to see if I can transfer to another institution for one year, and then come back.
Highland's journalism classes run from 5:00 to 6:15 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
JOUR231 and JOUR232
If I am unable to do so, I am going to transfer fully to Clinton CC.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Not a good past 24 hours for me :(
Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.41.50
Current Song - Low (REM)
NOTE: THIS BLOG ENTRY IS BROKEN UP INTO SMALLER ENTRIES. IT'S BEEN AN ABSOLUTELY AWFUL LAST 24 HOURS.
FUNDS ARE LOW
Since I quit my job (totally justified) I haven't been able to make any money. Okay, so there was Birthday money.
I had a bad run at a casino on Monday afternoon. Not going to one again.
I'm down to about $500 in my name. I'm in the middle of putting my junk together and starting a rummage sale. I'm selling my electronic keyboard, probably my stereo, small stuff and about 10,000 baseball cards (2/5 of my entire collection).
Plus, it will get rid of clutter that's been piling up all over the house. I've already laid claim to the basement couch and old entertainment center.
SUCK VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE REJECTS MY JOURNALISM CLASSES
It seems like everyone has their own Sauk Valley Community College horror story. I can now claim to have one of my own.
I am persuing an Associate's Degree in Mass Communication. In order to get that degree, I have to take two Journalism classes. They were not offered when I first arrived at SVCC in Fall 2005. When I was working with the Voyager, there was a Journalism tutorial class offered. But I had enough in my workload planned by then, so I couldn't take it.
This past March, I had my "academic check-up" (as I like to call it), and there was hope that the Journalism classes would be revived as a tutorial. That decision would be made final by the Vice President of Academics.
Two weeks ago, I asked the VP of A for permission to take the beginning Journalism class. He would come up with a final decision at the end of the school year.
Yesterday, I get an e-mail from the VP of A's secretary, asking me for a reason I would like to take the class:
"I talked with (him) regarding your inquiry about being able to take the ENG 151 as an independent study and he wondered why you wanted to take it. Is it to fulfill a specific requirement for a program or are you just interested in taking it? If you could let me know your reasoning, I would appreciate it."
My response was:
"First, ENG 151 (and 152) are required for the A.A. in Mass Communication, which I am persuing. It is my understanding that these classes were cut due to low enrollment. However, they were revived as tutorials in 2006-07.
Second, I am not fit to transfer to another college. If I did, I may be in violation of a residency requirement."
The VP of A e-mails me later in the day (five hours later):
"I am sorry, but the College will not be in a position of offer ENG 151 to you as a tutorial.
I do not expect the College will offer this class again next year and encourage you to meet with an advisor to see in which other program of study the courses you have completed will fit."
WHAT?
I'm pretty sure my reasoning was clear that since you offer it, I have to take it. Right? If I said that I wanted to take it just for the heck of it, I'm pretty sure that request would have been denied. So do I take this as it was going to be denied anyway? I guess no one in the English department wants to take time to do this. The college President currently has Brian, the journalism instructor, tied up in his PR job.
So the Administration has totally screwed me over.
I'm looking at other institutions. Clinton and Scott CC's and Illinois Valley CC. Now I don't know if I have it better off moving into an apartment, or commuting and paying an out-of-district fee. I will continue to take my two summer classes at Sauk. I may have to pull out of the Norris class in the Fall.
FUTURE OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS SPORTS BEAT UNCERTAIN
Running out of money and gas prices skyrocketing just doesn't mix. I've had to put off A LOT of Spring events because the travel was just too great. I resorted to writing news-like sports stories just to stay fresh in my writing. There hasn't been a whole lot of that, except NCIC expansion and the Steve Sandholm suit.
I want to get into the habit of writing more periodically. Earlier in the blog, I outlined a plan to apply to the Ottawa Times, LaSalle News-Tribune and the Freeport Journal Standard. It looks like Ottawa is looking for some spring help, but I'm going to see if I can be of any help for them in the fall. Freeport I hear takes a long time to cut stringer paychecks. LP I don't know much about, except that it is one of the smaller papers in the area.
If I land at one of those, I'll have to make some drastic changes to the content side of the site, but still retain the message boards.
That's Plan A.
Plan B involves creating a second website called NewRocSter.com - basically a site with articles about Sterling, Rock Falls and Newman sports. It would act as an unofficial text supplement to the Sterling and Rock Falls sites. They have the pictures and video, I'll provide the stories. I'd have to make money selling archives of articles - and get a paper route. That would bring me back to making half of what I did at BP.
Either way, the NISB Message Boards will always be up and running if any changes are made.
INTERNET CONNECTION BITES
The Internet connection here sucks. It disconnects every 30 minutes for some reason. Three times since I began typing this. The computer here is eight years old (that's 80 in computer years), and is a Pentium III processer. It just can't keep up with today's increasing demands.
Dad is thinking about buying a new computer. When he does, he asked if I could possibly have any use of the present one. I'd like to. It's a free computer! I'll just have to pay for an Internet connection. Plus, after transferring 85% or so of the computer's stuff to the new one, I'll have what's left. Maybe that will help the computer run better when I have it for my own.
IT'S ALL ONE BIG KNOT
Everything mentioned has to do with one another. Finding a job right now will affect the newspaper job search, which will affect NISB. It's hard for me to find a filter here. Carrying on with another odd job will further damage my writing.
The LaSalle News-Tribune will be getting an introductary packet soon. I'll be requesting $25-50/story.
Current Song - Low (REM)
NOTE: THIS BLOG ENTRY IS BROKEN UP INTO SMALLER ENTRIES. IT'S BEEN AN ABSOLUTELY AWFUL LAST 24 HOURS.
FUNDS ARE LOW
Since I quit my job (totally justified) I haven't been able to make any money. Okay, so there was Birthday money.
I had a bad run at a casino on Monday afternoon. Not going to one again.
I'm down to about $500 in my name. I'm in the middle of putting my junk together and starting a rummage sale. I'm selling my electronic keyboard, probably my stereo, small stuff and about 10,000 baseball cards (2/5 of my entire collection).
Plus, it will get rid of clutter that's been piling up all over the house. I've already laid claim to the basement couch and old entertainment center.
SUCK VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE REJECTS MY JOURNALISM CLASSES
It seems like everyone has their own Sauk Valley Community College horror story. I can now claim to have one of my own.
I am persuing an Associate's Degree in Mass Communication. In order to get that degree, I have to take two Journalism classes. They were not offered when I first arrived at SVCC in Fall 2005. When I was working with the Voyager, there was a Journalism tutorial class offered. But I had enough in my workload planned by then, so I couldn't take it.
This past March, I had my "academic check-up" (as I like to call it), and there was hope that the Journalism classes would be revived as a tutorial. That decision would be made final by the Vice President of Academics.
Two weeks ago, I asked the VP of A for permission to take the beginning Journalism class. He would come up with a final decision at the end of the school year.
Yesterday, I get an e-mail from the VP of A's secretary, asking me for a reason I would like to take the class:
"I talked with (him) regarding your inquiry about being able to take the ENG 151 as an independent study and he wondered why you wanted to take it. Is it to fulfill a specific requirement for a program or are you just interested in taking it? If you could let me know your reasoning, I would appreciate it."
My response was:
"First, ENG 151 (and 152) are required for the A.A. in Mass Communication, which I am persuing. It is my understanding that these classes were cut due to low enrollment. However, they were revived as tutorials in 2006-07.
Second, I am not fit to transfer to another college. If I did, I may be in violation of a residency requirement."
The VP of A e-mails me later in the day (five hours later):
"I am sorry, but the College will not be in a position of offer ENG 151 to you as a tutorial.
I do not expect the College will offer this class again next year and encourage you to meet with an advisor to see in which other program of study the courses you have completed will fit."
WHAT?
I'm pretty sure my reasoning was clear that since you offer it, I have to take it. Right? If I said that I wanted to take it just for the heck of it, I'm pretty sure that request would have been denied. So do I take this as it was going to be denied anyway? I guess no one in the English department wants to take time to do this. The college President currently has Brian, the journalism instructor, tied up in his PR job.
So the Administration has totally screwed me over.
I'm looking at other institutions. Clinton and Scott CC's and Illinois Valley CC. Now I don't know if I have it better off moving into an apartment, or commuting and paying an out-of-district fee. I will continue to take my two summer classes at Sauk. I may have to pull out of the Norris class in the Fall.
FUTURE OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS SPORTS BEAT UNCERTAIN
Running out of money and gas prices skyrocketing just doesn't mix. I've had to put off A LOT of Spring events because the travel was just too great. I resorted to writing news-like sports stories just to stay fresh in my writing. There hasn't been a whole lot of that, except NCIC expansion and the Steve Sandholm suit.
I want to get into the habit of writing more periodically. Earlier in the blog, I outlined a plan to apply to the Ottawa Times, LaSalle News-Tribune and the Freeport Journal Standard. It looks like Ottawa is looking for some spring help, but I'm going to see if I can be of any help for them in the fall. Freeport I hear takes a long time to cut stringer paychecks. LP I don't know much about, except that it is one of the smaller papers in the area.
If I land at one of those, I'll have to make some drastic changes to the content side of the site, but still retain the message boards.
That's Plan A.
Plan B involves creating a second website called NewRocSter.com - basically a site with articles about Sterling, Rock Falls and Newman sports. It would act as an unofficial text supplement to the Sterling and Rock Falls sites. They have the pictures and video, I'll provide the stories. I'd have to make money selling archives of articles - and get a paper route. That would bring me back to making half of what I did at BP.
Either way, the NISB Message Boards will always be up and running if any changes are made.
INTERNET CONNECTION BITES
The Internet connection here sucks. It disconnects every 30 minutes for some reason. Three times since I began typing this. The computer here is eight years old (that's 80 in computer years), and is a Pentium III processer. It just can't keep up with today's increasing demands.
Dad is thinking about buying a new computer. When he does, he asked if I could possibly have any use of the present one. I'd like to. It's a free computer! I'll just have to pay for an Internet connection. Plus, after transferring 85% or so of the computer's stuff to the new one, I'll have what's left. Maybe that will help the computer run better when I have it for my own.
IT'S ALL ONE BIG KNOT
Everything mentioned has to do with one another. Finding a job right now will affect the newspaper job search, which will affect NISB. It's hard for me to find a filter here. Carrying on with another odd job will further damage my writing.
The LaSalle News-Tribune will be getting an introductary packet soon. I'll be requesting $25-50/story.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Light bulb shines
Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.01.50
Current Song - Baba O'Reilly (The Who)
I have an idea to get back into the print journalism world.
I would like to target the Ottawa Times, LaSalle News-Tribune and Freeport Journal-Standard into this idea that will help them save on gas mileage and get those "God awful, parent-bitching" away game stories covered. I chose those three because they have teams that come toward my way regularly, and have later deadlines. The deadlines part is so because I have little-to-no deadline experience.
The three of them are papers that do a very good job covering their local sports teams. Freeport has the whole Upstate Illini covered, Ottawa and LaSalle have the entire Illinois Valley and the Little 10 covered.
Where I'm located, we've got Sterling, Newman, Rock Falls, Dixon, Morrison, Sterling Christian, Amboy, Ohio, Erie, Prophetstown, Fulton, Milledgeville, Polo and a few more. I'll just say I'm able to go to the schools located in the Sauk Valley News coverage area.
Ottawa and LaSalle cover NCIC teams - I am around NCIC teams
Freeport covers NUIC teams - I am around NUIC teams
Ottawa and LaSalle cover Marquette and St. Bede, respectively - I am around Big Rivers teams
Freeport, Ottawa & LaSalle playing in the QCA / Geneseo? - I'm closer to the QCA than they are
I can write columns
I can write sports-like news stories
Stringer pay is fine - $20 or more per article
I can write 7 or more articles a week if necessary
I know street fighting, so I can kick my brothers off of my computer
I'm more of an old school writer; I don't attempt to sprinkle fairy dust on it.
I believe in teamwork, therefore I am not in the business to perk up any one athlete(s).
All, plus more, explained in the cover letter I can write.
Current Song - Baba O'Reilly (The Who)
I have an idea to get back into the print journalism world.
I would like to target the Ottawa Times, LaSalle News-Tribune and Freeport Journal-Standard into this idea that will help them save on gas mileage and get those "God awful, parent-bitching" away game stories covered. I chose those three because they have teams that come toward my way regularly, and have later deadlines. The deadlines part is so because I have little-to-no deadline experience.
The three of them are papers that do a very good job covering their local sports teams. Freeport has the whole Upstate Illini covered, Ottawa and LaSalle have the entire Illinois Valley and the Little 10 covered.
Where I'm located, we've got Sterling, Newman, Rock Falls, Dixon, Morrison, Sterling Christian, Amboy, Ohio, Erie, Prophetstown, Fulton, Milledgeville, Polo and a few more. I'll just say I'm able to go to the schools located in the Sauk Valley News coverage area.
Ottawa and LaSalle cover NCIC teams - I am around NCIC teams
Freeport covers NUIC teams - I am around NUIC teams
Ottawa and LaSalle cover Marquette and St. Bede, respectively - I am around Big Rivers teams
Freeport, Ottawa & LaSalle playing in the QCA / Geneseo? - I'm closer to the QCA than they are
I can write columns
I can write sports-like news stories
Stringer pay is fine - $20 or more per article
I can write 7 or more articles a week if necessary
I know street fighting, so I can kick my brothers off of my computer
I'm more of an old school writer; I don't attempt to sprinkle fairy dust on it.
I believe in teamwork, therefore I am not in the business to perk up any one athlete(s).
All, plus more, explained in the cover letter I can write.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Moline Dispatch
Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.90.50
Current Song - Fool For The City (Foghat)
Look what just opened up ...
Company: Moline Dispatch Publishing Company, LLC
Position: Sportswriter
Location: Moline, Illinois
Job Status: Full-time
Salary: $25,000 to $30,000
Ad Expires: June 13, 2008
Job ID: 595356
Website: http://QCOnline.com
Description:
Successful candidate will:
* have broad knowledge of sports and strong math skills
* be able to work efficiently and accurately under nightly deadline
* have healthy skepticism coupled with ability to ask probing questions
* have developed sense of curiosity and willingness to offer new ideas
* be comfortable dealing with all types of people
* be thick-skinned
* be open-minded
* be bold, enterprising and able to think on his/her feet
* be able to work well independently in the field but also as a part of the sports reporting team
* have excellent English language skills – both written and verbal
* have degree in journalism (or related field) or equivalent life experience
Prefer candidates with work experience as newspaper or broadcast reporter.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS require: ability to work in all climatic conditions; valid drivers license and safe driving record; ability to effectively and efficiently use editorial computer systems.
EXPECTED WORK SCHEDULE: Generally 40 hours/week, weekend work mandatory, hours will vary.
We offer: base salary plus bonus compensation program. Medical/prescription/dental. Vision care reimbursement, 401k/profit sharing, paid vacation, holidays and personal days and much more.
Send cover letter and resume to: humanresources@qconline.com Subject line: sportswriter(text files only)
Okay, looks like they are asking for too much out of me.
Call me back when you have a part-time or correspondant opening.
Current Song - Fool For The City (Foghat)
Look what just opened up ...
Company: Moline Dispatch Publishing Company, LLC
Position: Sportswriter
Location: Moline, Illinois
Job Status: Full-time
Salary: $25,000 to $30,000
Ad Expires: June 13, 2008
Job ID: 595356
Website: http://QCOnline.com
Description:
Successful candidate will:
* have broad knowledge of sports and strong math skills
* be able to work efficiently and accurately under nightly deadline
* have healthy skepticism coupled with ability to ask probing questions
* have developed sense of curiosity and willingness to offer new ideas
* be comfortable dealing with all types of people
* be thick-skinned
* be open-minded
* be bold, enterprising and able to think on his/her feet
* be able to work well independently in the field but also as a part of the sports reporting team
* have excellent English language skills – both written and verbal
* have degree in journalism (or related field) or equivalent life experience
Prefer candidates with work experience as newspaper or broadcast reporter.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS require: ability to work in all climatic conditions; valid drivers license and safe driving record; ability to effectively and efficiently use editorial computer systems.
EXPECTED WORK SCHEDULE: Generally 40 hours/week, weekend work mandatory, hours will vary.
We offer: base salary plus bonus compensation program. Medical/prescription/dental. Vision care reimbursement, 401k/profit sharing, paid vacation, holidays and personal days and much more.
Send cover letter and resume to: humanresources@qconline.com Subject line: sportswriter(text files only)
Okay, looks like they are asking for too much out of me.
Call me back when you have a part-time or correspondant opening.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Comeback Attempt?
Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.70.50
Current Song - Sirius (Alan Parsons)
I have been preparing to make a comeback attempt to event articles. It's just a matter of combating these high gas prices and taking time to fit these events into a schedule. I'm out of work at the moment, and am trying to sell stuff I don't want in order to make ends meet. I'll have a listing of stuff for sale on here soon.
I came up with a list of good high school sports events From now until the end of SY 2007-08. I'm probably not going to go to all of the events, but the ones I'll be at I'm going to concentrate on doing Q&As and Team Spotlights. Plus on each stop I make, I'll carry around the NISB/IHSGD flyers.
A while ago, I made a post on the Sports Journalists.com message boards opening myself to any part-time help or desk jobs in Northern Illinois. I only got one response, from the Crystal Lake-based Northwest Herald. They said they were always looking for correspondents. One of the games I plan on going to is a softball game next Wednesday at Burlington Central (who hosts Marengo).
I'm working on a plan to go back to gamers by this upcoming fall, and trying to incorporate it with a job I may get.
Current Song - Sirius (Alan Parsons)
I have been preparing to make a comeback attempt to event articles. It's just a matter of combating these high gas prices and taking time to fit these events into a schedule. I'm out of work at the moment, and am trying to sell stuff I don't want in order to make ends meet. I'll have a listing of stuff for sale on here soon.
I came up with a list of good high school sports events From now until the end of SY 2007-08. I'm probably not going to go to all of the events, but the ones I'll be at I'm going to concentrate on doing Q&As and Team Spotlights. Plus on each stop I make, I'll carry around the NISB/IHSGD flyers.
A while ago, I made a post on the Sports Journalists.com message boards opening myself to any part-time help or desk jobs in Northern Illinois. I only got one response, from the Crystal Lake-based Northwest Herald. They said they were always looking for correspondents. One of the games I plan on going to is a softball game next Wednesday at Burlington Central (who hosts Marengo).
I'm working on a plan to go back to gamers by this upcoming fall, and trying to incorporate it with a job I may get.
Monday, April 28, 2008
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.
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.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, April 11, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
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.
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.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, March 3, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, February 29, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
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.
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.
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