When you hear the words, "He/she has cancer," the mind sinks and worry begins to emit from the soul. Pain and anger can ravage the mind, wishing the awful disease would auto correct its self and everything would return to normal.
In some cases it does, in a lot, it doesn't. As is with SIU head baseball coach Dan Callahan.
Since 2006, the skipper has been battling melanoma, a most dangerous and deadly form of skin cancer. On Monday, he succumbed to the disease.
While I won't claim to know the most intimate secrets of the late skipper, or pretend I knew him for years, I do have some great memories I would like to share about Callahan.
This reporter had the pleasure of covering SIU baseball during the 2006 season. As with any team, a squad of promise. There were many young faces on the Diamond Dawgs that year, including Scott Elmendorf, Bret Maugeri, Cody Adams and Danny Wells.
While coach Cal (as most called him), promised nothing to freshmen, these players would see significant playing time and develop into great players during their tenure at SIU.
My first time meeting coach Cal was a couple of weeks before the season began. Basketball was in full swing, but America's favorite past time was about to begin and I was needed to get a couple stories before the season started.
As the latest reporter to cover baseball, I made an appointment with Callahan and met him down at his office at Abe Martin Field the next day. At the field...? I wondered to myself. After meeting the head basketball and football coaches, I fully expected to be going to Lingle Hall for my first sit down. Not at all.
The next day, while rather rainy, I walked over to his office. Using the word, "office", would be rather giving. He had an old desk covered in paperwork. Behind him the locker rooms and to the left, a couple sets of old washer and dryers. This was far different than what I was expecting, but after a few interviews with Callahan, I saw it was fitting.
We chatted for the next hour or so about his father who was in media relations, the expectations of this year's team and what I should expect from his players. First and foremost, Callahan required his players to make themselves available to all media requests in a timely fashion. He understood what deadline was and how anxious we can get when someone doesn't call back. The same availability went for him too.
Callahan went so far as to pull the list of players numbers off the wall so I could copy it and call them whenever I needed a quote. From there on, I knew covering baseball was going to be interesting. While covering basketball, tracking down a player after hours was about as easy as finding the Holy Grail.
After our meeting, I knew baseball was going to be my favorite sport to cover of all SIU Athletics. Since I was set to graduate in May, the culmination of ending my career in Carbondale and at the Daily Egyptian, finishing it with my favorite sport seemed fitting.
The season began and within the first couple of weeks, it was obvious two things were happening. Several pitchers were dominating, but the defense was sinking faster than the Bismarck.
The once-stable left side of the Saluki field, anchored by Matt Brewer at third and Nathan Emrick at shortstop, was falling apart.
While Brewer didn't flat out lose his position, Emrick was replaced by true freshman Scott Elmendorf. Emrick was fresh off a phenomenal junior season, garnering first-team honors for the Missouri Valley Conference, and had no words to explain this rapid downfall in defense. Callahan couldn't offer any solutions to the question either.
Over and over, the central theme was behind the fledgling defense. In fact, at the end of the year, they lead the conference in errors by a solid 20 percent.
I found this a mystery myself...so I began to write about the inequities of the Saluki defense. Apparently this started getting to Emrick's girlfriend, Krystal Stein. We shared a class, and one day after an article I wrote she decided to spout off loud enough for me to hear.
I remember her saying something like, "Nathan didn't get a hit, but at least he hit the ball hard." The guy went 0-3, advanced no runners and committed three errors. Not what I would call solid production. What drove me nuts is Stein played softball, so she knew better. This little outburst left me laughing and I knew someone who would also appreciate this humor...coach Callahan.
What a coincidence I was going down to the field after class. He burst into laughter and told me he was glad I was writing what I was. Maybe the focus on the bad would finally get it through their heads and they would play better baseball. Eventually their defense got better, but that is clearly no attribute to my writing.
Thursday was my meeting day with coach Callahan. After class, like a ritual, I would meet him at the field and we would discuss the weekend match ups, pitching rotation and everything Saluki baseball.
Callahan would discuss his players potential and if they were hitting their stride or working off a slump. As one would expect, he knew everything about his program, from the ground on up...literally. He knew what kind of grass the field had and specifically ordered it.
After decades on the diamond, Callahan knew what kind of grass was conducive for southern Illinois weather and baseball.
The paper stopped publishing before the season ended, so I wasn't able to finish the year properly. I called Callahan for the last interview. As usual, he was courteous and offered me an official Saluki baseball hat, which I never took. I did see him off campus before I left and had a quick conversation. Little did I know that would be the last time I talked to him.
Coach Callahan was total class. No other way to explain it. Total class.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Using Twitter to Snag Suns Tickets
When I first signed up for Twitter, I wasn't sure what to expect. I knew that it was a great source for an insightful look into the personal lives of celebrities, and a quick source for information in 140 character form. I still wasn't sure it was for me.
Since using it for the last five or so months, I am hooked.
Twitter is my generations radio. When you want to know now, you get on Twitter and find it. And for a news junkie who always wants the most current information, it's a perfect tool for me.
Not only has it also gotten me reconnected with friends across the country, I won basketball tickets from using Twitter.
Two weeks ago, my new favorite radio station in the Valley posted a tweet saying if you retweet this, you have a chance at winning tickets to the Suns home opener against the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers.
Even though I never win anything like this, I figured why not give it a chance. Retweeted the message just like they said and Booommmm, got a DM like an hour later telling me I won tickets to the game. All I had to do was drive to the station and pick them up.
Andrea and I went, had good seats and thorough ally enjoyed ourselves. The Suns/Lakers rivalry is pretty big here, so it was fun to see everyone really getting into the game, especially it being the home opener.
Thank you KTAR for the tickets. We look forward to having a chance at winning again!
Since using it for the last five or so months, I am hooked.
Twitter is my generations radio. When you want to know now, you get on Twitter and find it. And for a news junkie who always wants the most current information, it's a perfect tool for me.
Not only has it also gotten me reconnected with friends across the country, I won basketball tickets from using Twitter.
Two weeks ago, my new favorite radio station in the Valley posted a tweet saying if you retweet this, you have a chance at winning tickets to the Suns home opener against the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers.
Even though I never win anything like this, I figured why not give it a chance. Retweeted the message just like they said and Booommmm, got a DM like an hour later telling me I won tickets to the game. All I had to do was drive to the station and pick them up.
Andrea and I went, had good seats and thorough ally enjoyed ourselves. The Suns/Lakers rivalry is pretty big here, so it was fun to see everyone really getting into the game, especially it being the home opener.
Thank you KTAR for the tickets. We look forward to having a chance at winning again!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Have a Tucker Max Kinda Day
Since moving to Arizona, life has been quiet.
Don't know a lot of people, so we don't go out a lot. We have been to parks, taken the dogs for long walks, eaten some great food and for the most part, enjoyed ourselves. Especially this past Thursday.
Tucker Max was in Tempe to sign copies of his new book, Assholes Finish First. I had to be there. It's not everyday you meet a person who claims to have "slept with more women than is safe or reasonable." Besides the fact that he is a raging asshole (obviously he likes to be called that) who pisses off a lot of people, he is a fantastic writer.
He pieces together stories brilliantly and knows how to word each sentence to get the full picture, even though sometimes I don't think you want the Full Monty.)
Well, I got to meet him and here are the pictures.
Before the book signing, he got everyone together to do a little Q&A. A lot of dumb college students asked him questions like where he was going to party tonight and blah, blah, blah. I asked him "You are an accomplished writer of two books and made a movie, where do you go from here?" He replied that the residuals from the two books and movie will keep him living just fine for the next 15-20 years. Makes sense. I do really wonder how much money he does make.
http://www.tuckermax.com/
Don't know a lot of people, so we don't go out a lot. We have been to parks, taken the dogs for long walks, eaten some great food and for the most part, enjoyed ourselves. Especially this past Thursday.
Tucker Max was in Tempe to sign copies of his new book, Assholes Finish First. I had to be there. It's not everyday you meet a person who claims to have "slept with more women than is safe or reasonable." Besides the fact that he is a raging asshole (obviously he likes to be called that) who pisses off a lot of people, he is a fantastic writer.
He pieces together stories brilliantly and knows how to word each sentence to get the full picture, even though sometimes I don't think you want the Full Monty.)
Well, I got to meet him and here are the pictures.
Before the book signing, he got everyone together to do a little Q&A. A lot of dumb college students asked him questions like where he was going to party tonight and blah, blah, blah. I asked him "You are an accomplished writer of two books and made a movie, where do you go from here?" He replied that the residuals from the two books and movie will keep him living just fine for the next 15-20 years. Makes sense. I do really wonder how much money he does make.
Creating a New Avenue For Myself
Working in a bank is mundane for the most part. From time to time, exciting events might take place, but for the most part, the monogamy drags. SSDD is the best way to describe it.
Yes, I do get to meet new people everyday, help out ones I already know, but mainly, I feel my brain slowly turning to mush. I swear I am having dreams about DDA's (where are my bankers, you know what that means...if you don't, look it up.)
The money is good, the bonuses are better and the benefits (I mean health insurance, not the ability to look cool by saying I work for a bank) are aspects that seem harder to walk away from each day I dig deeper into the sands of the financial industry.
But I digress.
Here goes...I am getting back into journalism. No other way around it. My desire, taste and want is there. Since options are limited at this point, I am going to start blogging on a regular basis. I am going to start writing for associatedcontent.com. I am going to take this to the next level because, I am not going to get stuck working in a bank for the rest of my life. I have too much talent and energy to get micromanaged on a daily basis.
There are also some other ideas I currently have floating out there as well. I don't want to divulge anymore information until I finish the book I am reading. From there, I might be making strides toward a similar avenue, expect with me in the drivers seat.
MM
Yes, I do get to meet new people everyday, help out ones I already know, but mainly, I feel my brain slowly turning to mush. I swear I am having dreams about DDA's (where are my bankers, you know what that means...if you don't, look it up.)
The money is good, the bonuses are better and the benefits (I mean health insurance, not the ability to look cool by saying I work for a bank) are aspects that seem harder to walk away from each day I dig deeper into the sands of the financial industry.
But I digress.
Here goes...I am getting back into journalism. No other way around it. My desire, taste and want is there. Since options are limited at this point, I am going to start blogging on a regular basis. I am going to start writing for associatedcontent.com. I am going to take this to the next level because, I am not going to get stuck working in a bank for the rest of my life. I have too much talent and energy to get micromanaged on a daily basis.
There are also some other ideas I currently have floating out there as well. I don't want to divulge anymore information until I finish the book I am reading. From there, I might be making strides toward a similar avenue, expect with me in the drivers seat.
MM
Monday, September 20, 2010
NFL Football News after Week Two
Some interesting headlines coming out across the wire after all but one game is finished for week two of the NFL.
Kolb Back and will start in Week Three
Eagles QB Kevin Kolb will be back for Week 3, despite the strong performance from Michael Vick against the Detroit Lions.
Eagles head coach Andy Reid said, "I think it's a beautiful situation. I look at it a lot differently that a lot of people look at it. I've got two quarterbacks who can play at a very important position."
Vick will still see action out of the Wildcat formation.
Moore Benched, Leading way for Clausen
Fans of the Carolina Panthers will see Jimmy Clausen taking the snaps this Sunday after head coach John Fox announced he is benching Matt Moore.
Moore has compiled a 0-2 record and six turnovers since officially taking over the starting job this season.
I guarantee Fox has his fingers crossed Clausen can do the job better than Moore. His pants are starting to get a little warm and the threat of the longest tenure for any NFL coach might be on the line because of it.
Buffalo Bills changing QB's as Well
Two losses have the Buffalo Bills already pulling their No. 1's, hoping the No. 2's can perform better.
Try as he may, QB Trent Edwards is now losing the starting gig to Ryan Fitzpatrick who will make the start this week against the New England Patriots.
I remember when Fitzpatrick played for the St. Louis Rams several years ago and came out and took over for an injured Marc Bulger and threw for almost 400 yards in one game.
The seventh round QB must have been using that knowledge he earned playing for Harvard to stay in the NFL as long as he has. No offense, but he hasn't lived up the hype since that first appearance. It won't be looking any better on the road against Tom Brady either.
Kolb Back and will start in Week Three
Eagles QB Kevin Kolb will be back for Week 3, despite the strong performance from Michael Vick against the Detroit Lions.
Eagles head coach Andy Reid said, "I think it's a beautiful situation. I look at it a lot differently that a lot of people look at it. I've got two quarterbacks who can play at a very important position."
Vick will still see action out of the Wildcat formation.
Moore Benched, Leading way for Clausen
Fans of the Carolina Panthers will see Jimmy Clausen taking the snaps this Sunday after head coach John Fox announced he is benching Matt Moore.
Moore has compiled a 0-2 record and six turnovers since officially taking over the starting job this season.
I guarantee Fox has his fingers crossed Clausen can do the job better than Moore. His pants are starting to get a little warm and the threat of the longest tenure for any NFL coach might be on the line because of it.
Buffalo Bills changing QB's as Well
Two losses have the Buffalo Bills already pulling their No. 1's, hoping the No. 2's can perform better.
Try as he may, QB Trent Edwards is now losing the starting gig to Ryan Fitzpatrick who will make the start this week against the New England Patriots.
I remember when Fitzpatrick played for the St. Louis Rams several years ago and came out and took over for an injured Marc Bulger and threw for almost 400 yards in one game.
The seventh round QB must have been using that knowledge he earned playing for Harvard to stay in the NFL as long as he has. No offense, but he hasn't lived up the hype since that first appearance. It won't be looking any better on the road against Tom Brady either.
Fotball is Here, Baseball is Basically Over for Me
With the St. Louis Cardinals grasping, hoping and waiting for some help from whomever the Cincinnati Reds are playing, MLB baseball is over for me.
Don't get me wrong, I will be rooting the Cards until the magic number reads 0, but in the meantime, the NFL is in full swing and time to switch gears and watch the gridiron on Sundays.
Ahh Sundays...the day where you can sit back, beer in hand, hot wing in the other (it would be the remote for me, but our landlord won't allow us to get Directv, so I can't get the NFL Sunday Ticket so I am forced to watch whatever is on our here.)
Anyway, The Indianapolis Colts looked terrible last Sunday. Got smoked like a pack of Kool's to the Houston Texans. Didn't actually get to watch the game (see previous note,) but I was excited about this past Sunday's...brother v. brother...Eli v. Peyton. Two Super Bowl winning MVP's.
That until the second half. I figured as usual, the Colts defense would have been left back at training camp, Eli would put up gaudy numbers, as would Peyton, and we would have an action packed game. Well, the Indy defense remembered they were to play on Sunday and showed up in full force knocking Eli around like a punching bag.
Defensive ends Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney would tell you Eli's cologne stunk of those little beads coming off the new astro turf of Lucas Oil Stadium. No. 10 got pounded and pounded again and again. I would have been quite embarrassed if i were Tackles Kareem McKenzie and David Diehl.
What do you say to Eli after a game like that? 'Sorry we got bull rushed and you got your undies twisted all game.' After a melee like that is it appropriate to take Eli out to St. Elmo's and pay for his dinner? Would that be enough?
I know, I know, it's all part of the game, but wow, you have to feel sorry for him. No doubt about that.
The Colts poured it on and won 38-14.
Indy goes to Denver to take on the Broncos, which should be another clean up game. Eli and the Giants get to host the Tennessee Titans. Vince Young coming off a fresh benching and a beat down of the Ben Roethlisberger-less Pittsburgh Steelers should be hungry and in attack mode. That one won't be easy.
Don't get me wrong, I will be rooting the Cards until the magic number reads 0, but in the meantime, the NFL is in full swing and time to switch gears and watch the gridiron on Sundays.
Ahh Sundays...the day where you can sit back, beer in hand, hot wing in the other (it would be the remote for me, but our landlord won't allow us to get Directv, so I can't get the NFL Sunday Ticket so I am forced to watch whatever is on our here.)
Anyway, The Indianapolis Colts looked terrible last Sunday. Got smoked like a pack of Kool's to the Houston Texans. Didn't actually get to watch the game (see previous note,) but I was excited about this past Sunday's...brother v. brother...Eli v. Peyton. Two Super Bowl winning MVP's.
That until the second half. I figured as usual, the Colts defense would have been left back at training camp, Eli would put up gaudy numbers, as would Peyton, and we would have an action packed game. Well, the Indy defense remembered they were to play on Sunday and showed up in full force knocking Eli around like a punching bag.
Defensive ends Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney would tell you Eli's cologne stunk of those little beads coming off the new astro turf of Lucas Oil Stadium. No. 10 got pounded and pounded again and again. I would have been quite embarrassed if i were Tackles Kareem McKenzie and David Diehl.
What do you say to Eli after a game like that? 'Sorry we got bull rushed and you got your undies twisted all game.' After a melee like that is it appropriate to take Eli out to St. Elmo's and pay for his dinner? Would that be enough?
I know, I know, it's all part of the game, but wow, you have to feel sorry for him. No doubt about that.
The Colts poured it on and won 38-14.
Indy goes to Denver to take on the Broncos, which should be another clean up game. Eli and the Giants get to host the Tennessee Titans. Vince Young coming off a fresh benching and a beat down of the Ben Roethlisberger-less Pittsburgh Steelers should be hungry and in attack mode. That one won't be easy.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Gotta Love The Fire
During the dog days of August, MLB teams are hitting the home stretch. Those who are still in the race have made their trade deadline moves, while the others fade into the distance, only hoping to make the ESPN headlines by making those late season upsets.
Two teams, the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds, are showing no signs of slowing down. And that agression seemed to boil over Tuesday night at the Great American Ballpark.
The Cardinals, one game back in the NL Central and wanting to pounce on the Reds after a good showing last night, made some noise after Brandon Phillips made some interesting comments before the game.
"I'd play against these guys on one leg," Phillips said. "We have to beat these guys. All they do is (complain) and moan about everything, all of them. "
He went on to say some more interesting, yet off the cuff comments, calling the Cardinals "bitches."
"I really hate the Cardinals. Compared to the Cardinals, I love the Chicago Cubs. Let me make this clear. I hate the Cardinals."
All that animosity started to show in the bottom of the first inning when Phillips tapped catcher Yadier Molina on the shinpads. Words exchanged, both benches cleared and hilarity ensued. Like a nest of bees toward honey, the swarm of players moved around the infield, eventually moving toward the backstop where Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto got pinned. He started flailing his legs, kicking any player that came towards him.
Apparently, he landed some MMA kicks on some players. Chris Carpenter, who took the W last night, had this to say after the game.
"That's super unprofessional. I don't know where he learned to fight."
Good question Carp.
After the teams said their "My dad is bigger than your dad" speeches, the Cardinals went on to take the win 8-4. Molina, who hits like three homeruns a year, jacked one out and had a single helping them tie up the Central once again.
Unlike 2009, when the Cardinals had the division locked up by the All-Star break, this season is proving to make it an interesting 50+ days of regular season baseball.
Too bad these two teams will only meet for one more series this year.
What are the odds another fight breaks out tomorrow? Since I'm a betting man, I would put it at 5-1.
Tomorrow's probables:
Adam Wainwright 16-6 2.07 ERA
Bronson Arroyo 12-6 3.83 ERA
Two teams, the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds, are showing no signs of slowing down. And that agression seemed to boil over Tuesday night at the Great American Ballpark.
The Cardinals, one game back in the NL Central and wanting to pounce on the Reds after a good showing last night, made some noise after Brandon Phillips made some interesting comments before the game.
"I'd play against these guys on one leg," Phillips said. "We have to beat these guys. All they do is (complain) and moan about everything, all of them. "
He went on to say some more interesting, yet off the cuff comments, calling the Cardinals "bitches."
"I really hate the Cardinals. Compared to the Cardinals, I love the Chicago Cubs. Let me make this clear. I hate the Cardinals."
All that animosity started to show in the bottom of the first inning when Phillips tapped catcher Yadier Molina on the shinpads. Words exchanged, both benches cleared and hilarity ensued. Like a nest of bees toward honey, the swarm of players moved around the infield, eventually moving toward the backstop where Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto got pinned. He started flailing his legs, kicking any player that came towards him.
Apparently, he landed some MMA kicks on some players. Chris Carpenter, who took the W last night, had this to say after the game.
"That's super unprofessional. I don't know where he learned to fight."
Good question Carp.
After the teams said their "My dad is bigger than your dad" speeches, the Cardinals went on to take the win 8-4. Molina, who hits like three homeruns a year, jacked one out and had a single helping them tie up the Central once again.
Unlike 2009, when the Cardinals had the division locked up by the All-Star break, this season is proving to make it an interesting 50+ days of regular season baseball.
Too bad these two teams will only meet for one more series this year.
What are the odds another fight breaks out tomorrow? Since I'm a betting man, I would put it at 5-1.
Tomorrow's probables:
Adam Wainwright 16-6 2.07 ERA
Bronson Arroyo 12-6 3.83 ERA
STL (-135) CIN +115
Over/Under 7.5
Monday, July 19, 2010
Yerrr Outta Here!!!
The last time I posted anything on here has been a while, so I thought I would update in a shortened manner.
The impossible has happened. I finally got out of Illinois. One more year there and I think I would have been sank for sure. Down to the depths of Lake Springfield, to be eaten by catfish and perch, no doubt.
I took a position with another financial institution in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The wife and I traveled 1,600 miles across the Midwest, into the desert and are now here in the Valley of the Sun. I couldn't be happier. I may know very, very few people here, but I needed to escape the Midwest.
No one should live and die in the same place they grew up. It's not healthy, not natural. Get out in the world and experience something. Way too easy to just say...No, I'm going to be complacent and stay where it's comfortable. Where would that have gotten anybody?
Even if it's just for a year or two. EXPERIENCE.
Vacation is one thing, but actually getting out there and sowing your seeds deep within another terrority is very therapeutic. I already feel 15 lbs. lighter. (The real weight is for another blog though.)
There is so much to do, see and live. Museums, Theathres, hiking, biking, walking, skiing...we are going to do it all. Live up the experience...not just drink it away in some bar, tucked away from life.
I feel that's how some of my friends are back home.
They want to get away, because there is nothing waiting for them except maybe an STD, or another DUI. They know better, but choose not to do anything better. Now, this doesn't apply to everyone, just a select few.
CPK for instance, rose from the ashes like the phoenix, now has a great job in Chicago, smart and funny wife and is living the dream on the Northside.
That's the way to go.
Me. I have one part down. I got out of Illinois. Now, I need to work on the employment factor.
There is so little offered in SPFLD when it comes in the ways of Media employment.
Population Comparison
125,000---Springfield, Illinois
4,300,000---Phoenix Metro Area
Enough said. Opportunities completed. A banker is a good job. Get to meet new people everyday. Show them how to save money and help them with their finances. But to me, it's just that...a job. It could be a career, but I choose it to be a job. Interviewing people. Talking and walking that beat. cultivating new and exciting leads, while maintaining your current beat is the way to go.
Now, if I can only network enough to get that...
The impossible has happened. I finally got out of Illinois. One more year there and I think I would have been sank for sure. Down to the depths of Lake Springfield, to be eaten by catfish and perch, no doubt.
I took a position with another financial institution in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The wife and I traveled 1,600 miles across the Midwest, into the desert and are now here in the Valley of the Sun. I couldn't be happier. I may know very, very few people here, but I needed to escape the Midwest.
No one should live and die in the same place they grew up. It's not healthy, not natural. Get out in the world and experience something. Way too easy to just say...No, I'm going to be complacent and stay where it's comfortable. Where would that have gotten anybody?
Even if it's just for a year or two. EXPERIENCE.
Vacation is one thing, but actually getting out there and sowing your seeds deep within another terrority is very therapeutic. I already feel 15 lbs. lighter. (The real weight is for another blog though.)
There is so much to do, see and live. Museums, Theathres, hiking, biking, walking, skiing...we are going to do it all. Live up the experience...not just drink it away in some bar, tucked away from life.
I feel that's how some of my friends are back home.
They want to get away, because there is nothing waiting for them except maybe an STD, or another DUI. They know better, but choose not to do anything better. Now, this doesn't apply to everyone, just a select few.
CPK for instance, rose from the ashes like the phoenix, now has a great job in Chicago, smart and funny wife and is living the dream on the Northside.
That's the way to go.
Me. I have one part down. I got out of Illinois. Now, I need to work on the employment factor.
There is so little offered in SPFLD when it comes in the ways of Media employment.
Population Comparison
125,000---Springfield, Illinois
4,300,000---Phoenix Metro Area
Enough said. Opportunities completed. A banker is a good job. Get to meet new people everyday. Show them how to save money and help them with their finances. But to me, it's just that...a job. It could be a career, but I choose it to be a job. Interviewing people. Talking and walking that beat. cultivating new and exciting leads, while maintaining your current beat is the way to go.
Now, if I can only network enough to get that...
Sunday, April 25, 2010
I am not addicted to drugs. No drugs whatever. But, there is something that I might have a little of an addiction for. That is "Breaking Bad". It's a show on AMC in it's third season.
I have watched a lot of shows on television and have had some close calls. Prison Break was one of them. That show was great. The Office. No one can deny the humor in that show. (Unless you are Un-American or Un-British for that matter.)
Breaking Bad is just one of those shows that grabs me and gives me a ride every episode.
It might slow, people might get killed, but Breaking Bad gets me every time.
Sundays are a terrible day. The new week and new problems are beginning. But I don't care. Breaking Bad is on. It's one of those things that gives me a reason to look forward to Sundays. yes, the new week is coming, but at least I get to watch Walt get into new and more curious trouble.
Two seasons. Two Emmy's. There is obviously to show for that.
I have watched a lot of shows on television and have had some close calls. Prison Break was one of them. That show was great. The Office. No one can deny the humor in that show. (Unless you are Un-American or Un-British for that matter.)
Breaking Bad is just one of those shows that grabs me and gives me a ride every episode.
It might slow, people might get killed, but Breaking Bad gets me every time.
Sundays are a terrible day. The new week and new problems are beginning. But I don't care. Breaking Bad is on. It's one of those things that gives me a reason to look forward to Sundays. yes, the new week is coming, but at least I get to watch Walt get into new and more curious trouble.
Two seasons. Two Emmy's. There is obviously to show for that.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Everyone is Irish for one day
So it took me a while to finally finish this and post it, but alas, it is here. Not like it's going to win anything, but here is my interpretation of Springfield, Illinois during the 2010 St. Patrick's Day weekend.
Thousands of wild drunks ascend the streets of Springfield clamoring, hammering and stammering toward troughs like pigs for the feed. Each soul is dressed from head to toe in green garb, saluting the patron Saint Patrick, though I fear and doubt most couldn't tell what he did. The behavior can range from fun and wild to downright boorish. Some lost their corn beef and cabbage through emesis, while other wolf down potatoes and green beer as it was their last Irish day on earth.
That green mass swells the sidewalks of downtown and walking through the crows is like trudging through quicksand. Hello's, good byes and Irish car bombs turn the air into a salty mix of upheaval. There is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. You are cocoon-wrapped in the annual St. Patrick's parade.
Parking is a nightmare and most have to park tens of blocks away, walk through the minefield of babies to make their way to the designated party zone. 5 th St. between Washington and Capitol is where the drunkards swill and spent most of their time. Outside of those parameters, families take their children to witness the parade, away from the people with loose morals and hot tongues. The one time a year where drinking the streets is condoned and full advantage is taken in this situation. While some sneak in cheap beverages, most will stick to the troughs of chilled Budweiser and Bud Light in green bottles.
And all of this happens before the parade starts at noon. Once the procession establishes itself, all eyes are fixated on the street. Floats, cars, motorcycles fill the pavement with excitement, cheer and jubilation. For children, it's the abundance of candy most only know inside of Halloween, making this day especially enjoyable. For the "adults", beads take top billing. Green shiny necklaces with emblems of shamrocks and other beverages sponsors assault the air by the thousands. While the girls don't flash the cleavage for those beads like Mardi Gras, some nipples will be seen today.
Once the parade is over, the overage abundance of people hit the local pubs and bars for watered down meisterchow, corned beef and anything alcoholic.
By 4 pm, the downtown scene turns into a delightful cold and green spring break. enemies become the best of friends, old flames may reunited and good friends coagulate together for one extra special day of debauchery. Everything swells with the immense amount of people clogging every pour of sidewalk, crevasse and bathroom in a four square block radius.
Mouths squawk, but nothing makes sense. Words fall from tongues upon imbibed ears, yet those precious moments will rarely be remembered. What will stay intact will be the piece together photos taken from this glorious day. Starting from the happy and holy sober pictures from the beginning to the tattered and messes portraits of the end of the day, everyone will wish the had ended on a stronger note.
Stronger as in that most will need to be carried from their drinks, thrown into cabs or friends cars and shuttled off to a sober living facility.
Thousands of wild drunks ascend the streets of Springfield clamoring, hammering and stammering toward troughs like pigs for the feed. Each soul is dressed from head to toe in green garb, saluting the patron Saint Patrick, though I fear and doubt most couldn't tell what he did. The behavior can range from fun and wild to downright boorish. Some lost their corn beef and cabbage through emesis, while other wolf down potatoes and green beer as it was their last Irish day on earth.
That green mass swells the sidewalks of downtown and walking through the crows is like trudging through quicksand. Hello's, good byes and Irish car bombs turn the air into a salty mix of upheaval. There is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. You are cocoon-wrapped in the annual St. Patrick's parade.
Parking is a nightmare and most have to park tens of blocks away, walk through the minefield of babies to make their way to the designated party zone. 5 th St. between Washington and Capitol is where the drunkards swill and spent most of their time. Outside of those parameters, families take their children to witness the parade, away from the people with loose morals and hot tongues. The one time a year where drinking the streets is condoned and full advantage is taken in this situation. While some sneak in cheap beverages, most will stick to the troughs of chilled Budweiser and Bud Light in green bottles.
And all of this happens before the parade starts at noon. Once the procession establishes itself, all eyes are fixated on the street. Floats, cars, motorcycles fill the pavement with excitement, cheer and jubilation. For children, it's the abundance of candy most only know inside of Halloween, making this day especially enjoyable. For the "adults", beads take top billing. Green shiny necklaces with emblems of shamrocks and other beverages sponsors assault the air by the thousands. While the girls don't flash the cleavage for those beads like Mardi Gras, some nipples will be seen today.
Once the parade is over, the overage abundance of people hit the local pubs and bars for watered down meisterchow, corned beef and anything alcoholic.
By 4 pm, the downtown scene turns into a delightful cold and green spring break. enemies become the best of friends, old flames may reunited and good friends coagulate together for one extra special day of debauchery. Everything swells with the immense amount of people clogging every pour of sidewalk, crevasse and bathroom in a four square block radius.
Mouths squawk, but nothing makes sense. Words fall from tongues upon imbibed ears, yet those precious moments will rarely be remembered. What will stay intact will be the piece together photos taken from this glorious day. Starting from the happy and holy sober pictures from the beginning to the tattered and messes portraits of the end of the day, everyone will wish the had ended on a stronger note.
Stronger as in that most will need to be carried from their drinks, thrown into cabs or friends cars and shuttled off to a sober living facility.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Why I Landed Here.
I was never into blogging, bloggers and this whole, "hey, look at me, I have access to the Internet, so I think I can be a journalist." In fact, I wrote a 10 page paper on bloggers and their role in society and media nowadays. Don't get me wrong, I am definitely impressed with the amount they have leaked into society. Now, bloggers are mainstream. They get passes to the RNC, along with the men and women who work for newspapers, radio, tcv etc.
It always seemed like the bloggers were moving in on my territory. I earned that journalism degree, I was the one who spent $65,000 on my education, I took the classes, what gives you the right?
Well, when you lose your right, like I did in January 2009 and get laid off from my radio gig, I figured journalism dead for me. I couldn't beg, borrow or steal my way into a new job. Talk about depressing. This pent up writer can't just sit back and dabble on Microsoft Word when the alcohol runs through his veins anymore. So I am taking to the only outlet currently offered to me, blogging.
After a discussion with my wife, dad and sister, I am going to use this blog for my advantage. No, I won't always be spewing about life and how I hate living in central Illinois (but that will def. be a topic of conversation) but I will be using this to write reviews for shows, games, books and other trials and tribulations I may come along. I'll let everyone out there in Internet land about my vacations, job (which can come with frustrations) and everything inbetween.
I open my blog for anyone who ever feels frustrated and content at the same time. Anyone who wants to cast away from their birthplace, but can't seem to muster up the strength. Anyone who yearns to slide away from the normal everyday mundane and get out and get it done.
Write me and tell me your story.
It always seemed like the bloggers were moving in on my territory. I earned that journalism degree, I was the one who spent $65,000 on my education, I took the classes, what gives you the right?
Well, when you lose your right, like I did in January 2009 and get laid off from my radio gig, I figured journalism dead for me. I couldn't beg, borrow or steal my way into a new job. Talk about depressing. This pent up writer can't just sit back and dabble on Microsoft Word when the alcohol runs through his veins anymore. So I am taking to the only outlet currently offered to me, blogging.
After a discussion with my wife, dad and sister, I am going to use this blog for my advantage. No, I won't always be spewing about life and how I hate living in central Illinois (but that will def. be a topic of conversation) but I will be using this to write reviews for shows, games, books and other trials and tribulations I may come along. I'll let everyone out there in Internet land about my vacations, job (which can come with frustrations) and everything inbetween.
I open my blog for anyone who ever feels frustrated and content at the same time. Anyone who wants to cast away from their birthplace, but can't seem to muster up the strength. Anyone who yearns to slide away from the normal everyday mundane and get out and get it done.
Write me and tell me your story.
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