This has been my favorite phrase for several years. Popularized by then Dallas Cowboy Terellel Owens, it just means sit back, relax and prepare for a show.
It's hard not to think about it without connotating it with the infamous T.O. celebration when he showered himself with a box of popcorn after one of his many TDs in Dallas. But when he joined fellow flashy WR in Cincy for 2010, it became a battle cry for this season. Forgetting the Bengals woes, it's week 17 of the NFL season: get 'cho popcorn ready.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
A writer's reflection
I want to write something. But I don’t want to write just anything. I want to write something special. Any two-cent blogger in his mom’s basement can squeeze out six words about Brett Favre, Michael Vick or any number of hot topics in sports. And most do. I want to be different. But right now, I realize that this blog is more for my own personal growth as a writer than getting hits. I don’t know the actual statistics, but I have a feeling it’s somewhere in the ballpark of 3.
But do I care?
No.
OK, maybe I care a little bit. It would be nice to be getting just a hint of attention like I used to. Back in the days when I was called the “15 year-old NFL draft expert” and was a regular guest on a local AM sports talk radio show. Back in the days when I had a blog on that same station’s communal blog site and received around 100 hits every day. But I’m not 15 anymore. I don’t have that appeal I used to.
Think about it. How many homeschooled 15 year-olds are passionate about sports
writing? Not many. Back in the day, I was an interesting story; a rare anomaly that made for a good half hour of radio. But I’ve lost that appeal. I’m now just like countless other college freshman who are journalism majors aspiring to be sports journalists. I sat next to one three days a week my first semester in college.
What do I have to separate myself from the pack?
I was the only freshman on staff at Indiana Wesleyan University’s award-winning student newspaper. We were named one of the top 10 4-year college papers in the entire country. But what else? I have two and a half years of experience working at a public newspaper. Although I admit it was probably one of the smallest newspapers in the country. When it all really comes down to it, what can I offer future employers that Joe College Graduate cannot?
Maybe this realization is a good thing for me. Maybe it’s a sign that I shouldn’t take anything for granted now or ever. Maybe it’s far too early to give up on hard work, and I should be wary of complacency. Maybe I still have a shot to be the national sports journalist that I know I can be, but it’s not a guaranteed thing. So there’s only one thing to do: keep on writing.
But do I care?
No.
OK, maybe I care a little bit. It would be nice to be getting just a hint of attention like I used to. Back in the days when I was called the “15 year-old NFL draft expert” and was a regular guest on a local AM sports talk radio show. Back in the days when I had a blog on that same station’s communal blog site and received around 100 hits every day. But I’m not 15 anymore. I don’t have that appeal I used to.
Think about it. How many homeschooled 15 year-olds are passionate about sports
writing? Not many. Back in the day, I was an interesting story; a rare anomaly that made for a good half hour of radio. But I’ve lost that appeal. I’m now just like countless other college freshman who are journalism majors aspiring to be sports journalists. I sat next to one three days a week my first semester in college.
What do I have to separate myself from the pack?
I was the only freshman on staff at Indiana Wesleyan University’s award-winning student newspaper. We were named one of the top 10 4-year college papers in the entire country. But what else? I have two and a half years of experience working at a public newspaper. Although I admit it was probably one of the smallest newspapers in the country. When it all really comes down to it, what can I offer future employers that Joe College Graduate cannot?
Maybe this realization is a good thing for me. Maybe it’s a sign that I shouldn’t take anything for granted now or ever. Maybe it’s far too early to give up on hard work, and I should be wary of complacency. Maybe I still have a shot to be the national sports journalist that I know I can be, but it’s not a guaranteed thing. So there’s only one thing to do: keep on writing.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Well this is interesting (part II)
The second thing I noticed is the receiver statline: Look at the receivers with catches... there's Jermaine Gresham, Andre Caldwell, even Jerome Simpson (who?).
But do you notice who's not on the stat sheet for the first half?
Chad Ochocinco
T.O.
Jordan Shipley
Reggie Kelly
TJ Houshmandzadeh
Peter Warrick
Carl Pickens
Chris Collinsworth
...none of the household names that we expect to get receptions on a week in, week out basis. And i wouldn't be surprised if this was a foreshadowing of next year.
But do you notice who's not on the stat sheet for the first half?
Chad Ochocinco
T.O.
Jordan Shipley
Reggie Kelly
TJ Houshmandzadeh
Peter Warrick
Carl Pickens
Chris Collinsworth
...none of the household names that we expect to get receptions on a week in, week out basis. And i wouldn't be surprised if this was a foreshadowing of next year.
Well this is interesting
Im sitting at a stoplight. No, this isn't an interesting anecdote. It's just the way things are.
The Bengal's game is once again blacked out (I mean c'mon Cincinnatians, who doesn't want to watch a 3-11 team in the freezing snow?) so I can't see the game, but I can follow the statline.
It's halftime, and Carson Palmer is 8-for-8 with two touchdowns. Maybe that will silence the critics for a day... but there's still the second half.
The Bengal's game is once again blacked out (I mean c'mon Cincinnatians, who doesn't want to watch a 3-11 team in the freezing snow?) so I can't see the game, but I can follow the statline.
It's halftime, and Carson Palmer is 8-for-8 with two touchdowns. Maybe that will silence the critics for a day... but there's still the second half.
Monday, December 13, 2010
My First Big Story...
I had no idea it would be this big...
A little over a month ago, I took on a story for Indiana Wesleyan University's student newspaper, The Sojourn about a seemingly innocent change in an IWU-run convenience store. They pulled a drink from store shelves. They rejected two others. But the story here comes from why they rejected the drinks.
You can read the story here to get the full picture.
After the article was published, IWU's campus erupted with student reaction, and recently, a letter to the editor was published on The Sojourn's website, and has generated as much student response on our website as anything I have ever seen.
Next, the Pepsi Cola Company (which owns one of the banned drinks) found out about the story and has been hounding the university with phone calls about why the drinks are not on shelves.
Finally, a couple of larger media outlets (MSNBC?) have heard about the story and might even run it themselves.
This could get interesting...
A little over a month ago, I took on a story for Indiana Wesleyan University's student newspaper, The Sojourn about a seemingly innocent change in an IWU-run convenience store. They pulled a drink from store shelves. They rejected two others. But the story here comes from why they rejected the drinks.
You can read the story here to get the full picture.
After the article was published, IWU's campus erupted with student reaction, and recently, a letter to the editor was published on The Sojourn's website, and has generated as much student response on our website as anything I have ever seen.
Next, the Pepsi Cola Company (which owns one of the banned drinks) found out about the story and has been hounding the university with phone calls about why the drinks are not on shelves.
Finally, a couple of larger media outlets (MSNBC?) have heard about the story and might even run it themselves.
This could get interesting...
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