Month: November 2005

Interesting week

Well, it’s Wednesday night and rather than just wrapping up one paper today, I’ve been a part of three papers getting wrapped up this week.
Moving to a daily is definitly different.
And moving from editor to reporter is definitly different as well.
I have moments where I’m just sitting and waiting for phone calls and want to surf the net, but then I remember how dadgum slow my computer is and how upset I would get when my reporters would just sit around and surf the web.
I don’t blame them (now for sure). Sometimes there’s just down time.
It’s weird. I’ve never been just a reporter except for a brief stint at Eastfield Community College.
That lasted for one semester and I think I may have written four stories.
So this is a whole new world for me.
I need to get out and meet more people so I can have more things to write about on my own.
I need to find more of my own assignments. So far I have one, which I started on on Monday – but my interview isn’t until tomorrow.
I want to get out and start working different beats, but I’m cautious that I don’t step on anyones toes.
And just an FYI, the paper is still looking for one staff reporter.
If you’re interested, give me a shout and I’ll see if I can help ya out.

This week’s column: Returning home

It’s been five-years, but I’ve finally made my return to the Mega-Plex.

I was born in Dallas, raised in Dallas and graduated in Mesquite.

During college I moved to central Texas and Belton where I swore it would be a long time before I would ever consider returning to the Big-D.

But paths, passions and feelings can change quickly – sometimes overnight.

And now that I’ve moved back, I’ve moved in with my parents for a few weeks until final contracts are signed on my house.

A lot has changed in five years.

As I moved back into my old bedroom, which was painted lavender several years ago, I reflected on yester-year.

My first memory of our house in Mesquite was slightly traumatic.

We moved from 8751 Milverton in Dallas to Mesquite at the end of my freshman year.

Shortly after we moved I decided it was time to put my waterbed back together and began the process of filling the large mattress.

But watching a waterbed fill with water is about as exciting as watching an Austin College or McMurry University football game.

So I left my room and went outside to play football with my sisters.

Naturally football took precedence and it was several hours before I returned inside.

In the span of several hours, the hose filling my waterbed had popped lose from its connection and filled the entire end of the house with 1/2-an-inch of water.

Needless to say, my mom wasn’t too happy – until she found out she would be able to re-carpet the entire house for a small insurance deductible.

Now, more than 10 years later, my mom is ready to re-carpet the house, but unfortunately the waterbed is long gone.

As I look back and reflect, I remember the last time I lived at home with my family.

August 2000.

At the time I was 21 and ready to move to University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

My sisters Amy and Kara were in the room next door.

I remember randomly running into their room while they tried to sleep and jumping on top of both of them. I also had a “bad habit” of pulling off their covers while they tried to sleep.

But that last night I lived at home I remember I couldn’t sleep.

I was so anxious to head to college.

Then in 2003 when I finally finished school, I was so independent I wasn’t going to move back home. I wasn’t about to “bum off my parents”, I was going to make it on my own.

But last night I started thinking about all the “what-ifs.”

What if I had moved back home when I graduated?

I would have been able to spend more time with my family, including my sister Amy who left us at the age of 24 in March.

I might have found a job working in radio in Dallas.

I might have found a job at a daily paper – much sooner than I did.

I’d probably have less debt.

I wouldn’t have my dogs, Payton and Precious.

I wouldn’t have gotten to know David Tuma at all.

I wouldn’t have gotten to know Berneta Peeples at all.

I probably wouldn’t be best of friends with Allman — my former landlord and fellow West Wing nut and wrestling fanatic.

I probably wouldn’t be involved with Christian Wrestling Federation.

I probably would have never joined the Lions Club – at least not until I had many more gray hairs.

I probably would have never learned all I did about running a weekly newspaper.

I would have been able to see more of Amy while she was sick and in the hospital.

And the list goes on and on…

Some regrets, some blessings, but “what-ifs” never really get you anywhere.

So I’m going to stop and look to what’s ahead instead.

I may have an imperfect past – but I have a spotless future.

So let’s see where I go from here.

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Phil. 3:13b-15

Make your life count…

This is from Jerico (former WCW and WWE wrestler)…

WWE.com: What will you remember most about Eddie?
Chris Jericho: Just how humble he was. He had two sides to him. He was very serious, but he had a really funny sense of humor. He was a really fun guy to be around when he was in that type of mood. And anyone who knows him knows about “The Cricket.” I’m not going to explain it, but those who know, know. And those who don’t, wish they knew about “The Cricket.” That was probably about the funniest thing you could say about Eddie. He was just a really cool guy. He had a real strong faith and belief in God, too. He was never afraid to talk about it, but he would never push it on anyone. He was a true family man and most importantly a warrior for God. He taught me so much about wrestling and about being a man and it is an honor to call him a true brother and friend.

Eddie Guerrero 1967-2005

Eddie Guerrero & Chris Benoit | Photo from Wikipedia

WWE Superstar Eddie Guerrero passed away Sunday morning in his hotel room in Minneapolis.

The cause of death is unknown but some sources are sighting a possible heart failure.

He recently celebrated his 4th year of being clean and sober from substance abuse and was proud of his new-born faith in Christ.

He will be missed.

He made an impact on those around him and it’s interesting to note that WWE CEO Vince McMahon made sure to point out Eddie’s recent acceptance of Jesus in a press conference regarding his death.

Moving back home

So I’ve moved back home for the next few weeks, until Thanksgiving weekend.
I’ll be comuting to work each day, so if anyone knows of a Dart rail heading from Mesquite to Waxahachie – holla.
As I moved back into my old room (which is now lavender) and set some pictures on top of my dresser (which I’ve enjoyed since I was a mere lad at 8751 Milverton in Dallas) I began to think back about the last time I lived here.
August of 2000.
At the time I was 21 and ready to move to UMHB.
My sisters Amy and Kara were in the room nextdoor.
I remember randomly running into their room while they tried to sleep and jumping on top of both of them. Or pulling the covers off of them or any other mean big brother jokes.
But the last night I stayed here I remember I couldn’t sleep.
I was so anxious to head to college.
Then in 2003 when I finally finished school, I was so independent I wasn’t going to move back home. I wasn’t about to bum off my parents I was going to make it on my own.
And last night I thought of all the “what-if’s.”
What if I had moved back home when I graduated.
I would have been able to spend more time with my family – including Amy.
I might have moved in with Matt at the time.
I might have found a job working in radio in Dallas.
I might have found a job at a daily paper – much sooner than I did.
I might have met a girl who rocked my world and whom I could marry (fat chance :-)).
I’d probably have less debt.
I wouldn’t have my dogs, Payton and Precious.
I wouldn’t have gotten to know David Tuma at all.
I wouldn’t have gotten to know Berneta Peeples at all.
I wouldn’t have gotten to know any people in Belton or at the Belton Journal.
I probably wouldn’t be as good of friends with Allman – my former landlord.
I probably wouldn’t be as involved with CWF.
I probably never would have joined the Lions Club.
I probably would have never learned all I did about newspapers.
I would have been able to see more of Amy while she was sick and in the hospital.
And the list goes on and on…
But “what-if’s” never really get you anywhere. So I’m going to stop with them for now.
And look to what’s ahead. What’s coming.
I may have an imperfect past – but I have a spotless future.
Let’s see where I go from here.