1. First, the basics. Age, year in school, major, occupation,blood type, etc.
I am a 21 year old English/Creative Writing major with no realoccupation unless you count Ball State's Ball Street Journal. Thebest I got is a $5.50 an hour job at the Helpdesk. As for my bloodtype... Hell if I know. I suppose I should know that in case ofemergencies.
2. Where are you from, and where do you see yourselfpost-graduation?
I'm from Fort Wayne, but I don't plan on letting that be mypermanent address for much longer. After this next summer, I planto head to London to hang-out and work wherever I can find a job.I'll be there for five months or so, and then after that, it's allup in the air. Chances are I will end up either in Arizona or Imight make my way up to Toronto, Canada. The thing about graduatingwith an English major is that there is no real solid plan forpost-graduation. Essentially, I can try to do whatever I want or Ican end up doing some horrible part-time job until I write a storyworth publishing.
3. What do you 'do'?
Well, I used to say that most of what I "do" took place on thecouch. That included general laziness and television. But since Istarted doing Ball Street Journal, I'm generally stuck behind mycomputer with Ball Street business. It's more than a full-time job.But, I am pretty good at sleeping very few hours a night and thensurviving the whole day without dying. My mom says it's a gift - ormaybe she says it's dumb. Either way...
4. You're currently trying to get 'The Ball Street Journal' offthe ground. The Daily News was here when we all got here. Tell usabout the process of starting a publication.
Well, for one, I had to find the staff and hope that theyunderstand there will be no payment for services rendered. Findinga solid staff of people to help out is huge. Then... You settledown for long nights without any sleep. Seeing that the Universityisn't helping me out, I am pretty much raising the money withoutany big help. The thing that sucks about starting from scratch isthat everything must be done just to even be able to start. We havemeetings in public places because we have no main office. Thebusiness side is not exactly the best part, but luckily my pops isan accountant and has been a huge help with the business side ofthings. Right now we are trying to setup a solid staff of writersso that we aren't simply relying on submissions. Submissions aregreat and all, and we will always accept them, but it is going tobe a lot easier with staffed writers. The great thing about BallStreet Journal is that I really feel we will be a viable way forpeople on campus to get their voice out there. It also takes a lotof people skills. Lately, I've tried to go to as many events aroundcampus as I can to get the word out about Ball Street.
Overall, I'd have to say the most important part is having asolid group of people. I rely a lot on my "naughty" secretary tohelp me out with the random ideas that pop into my head. She's notreally that naughty. but it's funny to say. I have a greateditorial staff and promotions team, and my graphic designer isworking her tail off. Plus, I have to give a thanks to the ReverendMatthew S. Knoy. His help and guidance with Ball Street has, byfar, been the best a man can get.
5. What other crazy ideas do you have rattling around in thathead of yours?
Right now, Ball Street is helping to promote the MT Cup Open MicNight. Plus, I am still doing the Poetry Slam. We will have anotherone here this semester. The date's not set yet. But look for it inthe near future. Plus, I am helping out local music acts to promotetheir work. The hope is that Ball Street can be an outlet to letpeople know what is really going on in this town. Plus, I plan tohave Ball Street Journal concerts here on campus. Keep looking forBall Street flyers. My promotions team is amazing and can puttogether some awesome stuff. On a side note, check out MysterySchool at Open Mic Night. These guys have some amazing rhymes anddefinitely some great things to say.
6. It's10 p.m. Saturday. What are you doing?
More than likely I am having some me time before the nightbegins.
7. It's 2 a.m. Sunday. A Carter dog, a slice from Greek's or LaBamba's?
I'm a big Greek's fan. The Slice of Pepperoni is by far the bestafter a long night of drinking. But the sad fact is, I usuallycan't eat at that point. By that point I stumble home and sleep thedeep sleep.
8. What's your poison?
Camel Special Lights, Rum and Coke and probably gross-outhumor.
9. There's a fire in your building and you have five minutes toget out. What do you take with you?
Damn... I would have to say my computer, Season One and Two ofSmallville (by far the best show on television), my guitar, mybooks (especially my newly signed copy of Chuck Pahalniuk's"Invisible Monsters") and the severed limb he signed as well. Ithink that might take more than five minutes, but those are atleast my desert island top five and I can handle some singed hair.I have enough of it.
10. What are three things that anger you off the most?
It's so hard to narrow it down to just three. Usually, I am apretty calm person. Lately though, it is the slow drivers who makeslow-as-Hell turns. I can't stand mustaches. You can't trust a manwith just a mustache. Just think about it. And... I guess somethingthat really bothers me is when people won't just agree to disagreeon politics, religion or other every-day controversies.
Oh... I know this is more than three, but it angers me whencarnie folk trick me into trying to win a motorbike by riding abicycle that's all wonky. Damn Crazy Bike.
11. Who is the greatest Ball State alum?
Did Shelley Long go to Ball State? I don't know. My friend Cocois pretty damn great and then there is always the group of people Imet at a restaurant in Fort Wayne a month ago. They seemed prettycool. And this woman who let us empty out her garage sale twosummers ago for only $4. It was awesome. She pretty much gave useverything we needed for our house just because we were studentshere at her alma matter. I would have to say every Ball State AlumI meet are just pretty damn cool.
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