Once a newsie, always a newsie

Film vs. Digital

2009-04-10T09:50:00.001-07:00

the back and forth will go on til the end of time.

Here.

Something good for newspapers, maybe

2009-03-26T08:29:00.000-07:00

A bill that could give newspapers nonprofit status here.

More Bad News

2009-03-16T18:21:00.000-07:00

Here

We can also add Seatte to the cities hit by newsapers leaving... Here

Sad times everyone.. very sad times

FUTURE

2009-03-11T09:29:00.000-07:00

I have seen the future and it is here ......

Bad News

2009-03-09T11:53:00.000-07:00

Sad days ahead for newspapers.

Here.

Revamping, revising, revitalizing

2009-03-04T16:57:00.000-08:00

I'm hoping to get this blog up and running again.

I know all of you are busy but posting is as simple as sending an e-mail, which you can do from just about anywhere, if you set your blogger account up to do so (under settings). You're all admin so invite other previous DEN staffers to join.

It'll be a great way to network and share news amongst ourselves - especially in light of the recent news regarding Howard Price (R.I.P) and with newspapers closing and downsizing across the country.

Please, join me.

Another reunion

2008-02-18T23:27:00.000-08:00

I feel the need to get everyone together... or at least a large group of newsies, but I don't want to have another wedding.

Any ideas?

Wedding

2007-09-13T10:13:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

Stephen and Mal's wedding was a blast. I pity the fools who didn't go.

EIU bomb scare?

2007-07-23T20:27:00.001-07:00

Poli sent me this over AOL news.
WHAT THE?!?

College Application Causes Bomb Scare
by Associated Press
Posted: 2007-07-21 15:09:09

Emergency crews evacuated an Eastern Illinois University building Friday, after a campus postal carrier discovered a disheveled-looking package heading for the college's admissions office.
"There was no return address, it was poorly written, poorly addressed to the university, there were misspellings," school spokeswoman Vicki Woodard.
The stuffed-and-stained envelope was strange enough that police alerted the bomb squad. Explosives investigators X-rayed the package and blocked off a nearby street before they discovered the envelope contained only an application to the 12,500-student school.

Why does this not surprise me? And who would want to bomb EIU?

Congrats, Grizzly!

2007-07-16T19:46:00.001-07:00

I'm so happy for you. :)

I am in the process of scanning for new jobs too. No big hurry though I guess. I don't even know what I want to do specifically.

I hope that Mal got my RSVP, I remember filling it out but can't remember whether I mailed it. I also need to reserve a hotel room like ASAP probably.

In other news, I felt creative tonight so I'm moving my personal blog over to blogspot. It's appropriately named http://onetoomanyblogs.blogspot.com

I also am working on a real project, which is a blog about St. Louis- things to do there, reviews, news commentary, etc. I always tell people why it's so great but this should spell it out a little better.

Go to http://ilovestlouis.blogspot.com

My Facebook and MySpace will be updated with the blogs I will actually be using from here on out. :)
This one included.

I quit

2007-07-16T18:48:00.000-07:00

I quit my job in Mattoon last week.

Luckily, it was because I got a job offer from the Herald & Review in Decatur to join their photo staff. I miss shooting. A lot... so it was a no-brainer.

I start there next Wednesday.

Between the new job, packing up all of my stuff, throwing out all of my college boy things to move into a married boy and girl apartment and finalizing all of the wedding plans things have been pretty hectic.

That's about it. I'll update more once the job gets into full swing.

Update

2007-06-10T13:27:00.000-07:00

Coming up on one year with The Telegraph.

I have been out of school for more than a year now, and I'm still adjusting to some things. I'm not used to being in one place constantly, and my one year marks one year of being at home with no changes in the forseeable future.

I always liked having something to count down to.
3 more weeks until I come home from Rock Island...
1 month before Christmas vacation...
2 years until graduation...

stuff like that.

Now its
one month until..
oh wait, I'll be doing the same thing in a month, possibly for a lot longer than that. I'll be in the same place with the same people and nothing seems like its going to change.

I guess what I am trying to say is I'm getting comfortable, but comfort is feeling more like boredom at the moment.

Anybody out there?

2007-06-03T19:19:00.000-07:00

I don't think anyone reads this...

YAYUS!.... NOOOOO!

2007-05-14T12:20:00.000-07:00

Somewhere there exists a James Tidwell who continues to reproduce...

Tidwell
James Tidwell and Heather Dillon of Roxana, a son, James Riley, 7 pounds 3 ounces, 5:47 p.m. Monday, May 7, 2007, Alton Memorial Hospital. Grandparents: Charlene and Darren Endicott, Devin Dillon, all of Roxana; Dorothy Tidwell, Medora. Great-grandparents: Dorothy and Charlie Sauls, Roxana; Bob and Verna Dillon, Rosewood Heights; Barb and Jerry Faulkner, Brighton.

RIP Josh Hancock

2007-05-01T14:57:00.000-07:00

You guys may not pay attention or even like the Cardinals, but there was a tragedy Sunday I'm sure you've heard about already.

mlb.com and laura'nette say:
St. Louis reliever Joshua Morgan Hancock was killed in an auto accident on westbound Highway 64/40 within the St. Louis city limits. He apparently spent time earlier in the night at Mike Shannon's bar and restaurant and toxicology and autopsy results are pending to see whether or not he was drunk at the time. A man who said he saw him earlier in the night said he was plastered. I don't beleive the tow truck guy he hit was injured. I could be wrong.
The Cubs v. Cardinals game scheduled for Sunday night was canceled.
Hancock, who was single, has been a member of the Cardinals since February 2006 and helped the team to its 10th World Series title last fall.
Fans on Sunday were leaving bouquets of flowers outside the gates at Busch Stadium.
The Cards went ahead and played the Brewers on Monday, but lost. Visibly bothered by their teammate's death, they wore the No. 32 on their shoulders and hung Hancock jerseys in the dugout (or bullpen, can't remember which) during the game. Scott Spiezio asked to be scratched from the starting lineup because he couldn't bring himself to play the game.

bored

2007-04-19T13:44:00.000-07:00

I am absolutely, incredibly, without a doubt extremely bored with my job! I have done everything in my power to avoid the actual work I have sitting in front of me to do. I just finished reading about two months worth of blog entries provided by one Stephen Haas. I also caught up on all of the latest news from VTech. I feel really bad for everyone in Virginia, but times like these make me wish I was still in newspaper. I used my newspaper skills to get the Northwest Herald to cover a Chicago Hounds hockey game, something their PR director has failed to do all season. I will be starting my new job May 16. I am officially a computer nerd, but I think I will be a lot more productive and like it a lot more. I go on my first official business trip next week. I am heading to Orlando for a conference. It should be really busy, really warm and lots of fun. However, the fact that I am terrified of flying will not make the trip any easier. I hope everyone is doing well.

Glad to see Jamie gets it

2007-04-15T16:52:00.000-07:00

You're absolutely right.
If you took the time to sign up for this, then let's hear something about your life. Mine's still pretty much the same as the last time I posted but here you get me posting once again.

Here's me

hanging out at a bar called Norb's, which has become pretty much like my home, thus why I am laying across a few chairs, taking it easy on a Thursday night.

I've been playing volleyball on Thursdays since the summer, and this session is particularly fun because we are actually pretty decent! Each session is me and one or two repeat players-- but other than that we revamp our team every 10 weeks. And after the games, we head out to our favorite bar and... well, keep with the tradition of Thursdays being a really, really fun night. God I miss bingo...

Here,

in a familiar scene you may have already noticed if you ever go on Facebook, I am with my boy toy otherwise known---by me, in this photo alone--- as Box Head Ben. I'm at his apartment in the photo, doing what it seems like my life consists of these days besides working, sleeping, eating and volleyball Thursdays-- spending time with the bf, his roommate and neighbor. (Yes, he likes the Red Sox. Worse yet, he's a huge CUBS fan. Sorry to all you Cubs fans, but you know of my Cardinal preference already I'm sure of it.) Yep, yep it's just like old times at good ole' EIU, where now that I think about it-- most of my closest friends were all guys.... and Erin Miller.

Speaking of the Cardinals, I went to my first of five games Friday and ---JUST MY LUCK ---it began raining right after they sang the national anthem, about 5 minutes before start time, and they canceled it. Ben and I had enough time to wander around and find our seats, have one beer each, then I had a hot cocoa and we sat in the cold waiting for official word on the game.

Then then we caught Denny's on the way home. I almost killed us driving in the rain trying to get there-- but on a happier note, we DID eat Denny's finally, (which has amazing buffalo chicken sandwiches if you haven't tried one) for the first time since our after-bar dig in Alton (RIP Denny's) straight up closed its doors forever without warning, leaving only Steak n' Shake in its wake. Ugh. They better schedule the make-up with enough advance time for me to take a damn vacation day if I must to go see it... that's all I got to say.

Sorry to hear you had to get braces Jamie. I had them from 5-9th grade. I also realize that was in grade/middle/high school and you are an adult, so I feel your pain. It might not be so bad though after all. Anyways, the job situation doesn't sound too shabby, I think it was the same last time I talked to you... glad to hear an update nevertheless.

Recently, in March I beleive, we had an impromptu reunion in Charleston, of which there are many funny pictures on Stephen Haas' photobucket taken my myself or Grizzly Lightning himself. Check them out if you get a chance, and be very jealous.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grizzly_lightning/

Waz up, hos

2007-04-13T09:08:00.000-07:00

Guess everyone here knows the life update. I'm freelancing it at the QC Times, switching gears now to write for their weekly Rock Island publication. It's a nice gig. And I get to work days at a dental office and have normal type hours and such. It's a good life.
Also, I got grills. They're sparkly and metal and OK, they're really braces. I'll post some pictures soon. I was thinking of starting a braces blog to track my progress and bitch about what it's like wearing braces when you're 25. Do y'all think anyone would read it?
What's new with everyone? I think if you bothered to sign up, you should post something.
Werd.
jamie

per Laura's request

2007-04-11T07:24:00.000-07:00

So Laura requested that I post something so she wasn't the only one to post something. I really don't have much going on except I am looking for a new job (I hope to know something more by the end of the week) and am trying to start my own PR company with my friend. I plan on working with the Chicago Hounds (UHL hockey team at the Sears Centre). I want the Hounds to freelance some writing and misc. work to me because they could really use the eyes of a journalist. As for the Cards vs. Cubs game (re: Laura's last post), I am not sure what is up with that, but will let everyone know as soon as I know something. Jenni told me that Joe started a similar blog, but I have yet to hear anything more. Everyone should post something soon!

EIU Cards Game

2007-04-11T07:20:00.000-07:00

Not the same as what Erin mentioned, but-

Click here to check it out

"EIU Alumni Day at Busch Stadium - Celebrate the 4th with America's pastime. Come watch the WORLD CHAMPION St. Louis Cardinals take on the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ticket price ($80/ person) includes food, beverages (yes, beer too) and watching the game from the comfort of air-conditioned Redbird Row Suites."

I made you all administrators

2007-04-09T20:34:00.000-07:00

for the purpose of inviting more people. Don't be a douche, and go changing stuff or I will non-admin you, haha.

Go under permissions and enter e-mail addresses to invite those DENners you miss and want to update.

Cards v. Cubs

2007-04-09T20:09:00.000-07:00

Erin says some EIU alum mag says they're trying to promote a Cards v. Cubs at Wrigley night for Eastern alum to come and meet with one another. Why don't you give us some more info Erin?

By the way, the bloggers on this site currently are Jim Allocco, Erin Miller, myself and Colin McAuliffe. Trying to get more... I could use suggestions.

We have some bloggers!

2007-04-05T15:17:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,
Now that you're an "author" or member of this blog, you get to post messages. So it's not just me. I'm not that exciting.
How is everyone? Whatcha been up to?
Fill me in.

Also, let me know who else I should invite...

What's Going on in Laura world

2007-04-05T08:31:00.000-07:00

The job.
I work at the Alton Telegraph, which is my hometown paper for those of you who don't know. I am part designer/copy editor and part reporter, covering a rural county north of Godfrey/Alton. It gets rough sometimes and sometimes I can't find any motivation, but it fluctuates and it's really not too bad of a time to tell you the truth. Just a stepping stone in the path of life if you want to get really cheesy about it.

The homelife.
I live with my parents still, which drives me frickin' crazy. It's actually not been so bad recently, since my boyfriend moved into an apartment about 10 minutes away from me- I have a place to escape to now. At home, I'm stuck in a tiny little room with all my stuff, which would be fine if my mom wasn't always trying to throw my things away. Still looking at all my options, hoping something will come up.

The boyfriend.
All is well in this area of life. Speaking of moving into a new apartment, Ben's (my bf) roommate is amazing, and with his friends, I have played about 40 games of Wii bowling in the past week alone. I love it.

What I'm looking forward to.
*The Cardinals hopefully winning their first game of the season. I'd boo the Mets if my fantasy team wasn't 50 percent of them. Going to my first game of the year April 13 (friday the 13th!), can't wait!
*BO'Malley is coming for a visit! He will arrive LATE after the Cards v. Brewers game April 13 and stay 'till Sunday when I have to work at 2 p.m. Always an exciting time.
*Visiting friends in Carbondale and Ohio this month. Yay for weekend roadtrips!

That's all for now.

Welcome

2007-04-04T15:09:00.000-07:00

You know Lola's journalism list serv?

Well- This blog, if anyone joins, will be similar to that only it will be a kind of forum for you and me and everyone else who was a DEN newsie when it was cool to catch up with one another. I've done it before with my friends from home whenever we didn't live by one another, and it worked as long as a few of us posted every once in awhile. See http://whatthefu.blogspot.com for an example.

It works because not everyone posts updates on MySpace and Facebook. You all know you use them for wall posting and picture commenting. Don't lie.

Currently, this blog is readable by all. If I get a bunch of people to sign on as bloggers, I will edit the privacy of the site so only people we want to can read our posts. Therefore, you will be able to post whatever the hell you want and not worry about who is reading it.

Believe me, this is better than sending a random e-mail to someone you haven't talked to for months. This way, it's like constantly updating everyone at once.

I don't have everyone's e-mail addresses, so if there is someone you would like to join, send me their e-mail addresses to laminette.griff@gmail.com and I will invite them ASAP.