tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54916282011-04-29T16:05:19.499-04:00SaphhousPoetry, prose, and the occassional intelligent thought Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4051100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1152743656668447192006-07-12T18:34:00.000-04:002006-07-12T18:34:16.680-04:00By the way, all the good stuff is on the family blog.Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1152562364597118572006-07-10T16:12:00.000-04:002006-07-10T16:12:44.656-04:00Zidane headbutts in finalTracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1150280747490508822006-06-14T06:25:00.000-04:002006-06-14T06:25:47.640-04:00Too damn earlyIt just dawned on me that0there is something very surreal about my daily life. I have gotten used to it and everything seems very easy and normal, but to someone on the outside, it probably looks a little insane. Why an epiphany now? Well, for over a year now I have known it is much easier to do homework in the morning when everyone's asleep than to do it in the evening when everyone is clamoringTracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1149856925999972342006-06-09T08:42:00.000-04:002006-06-09T08:42:06.056-04:00entry 6/9/06So, here I sit, pecking away at my treo instead of studying for my chemistry test. I set up an address to which I can email entries, but this is the first time I've tried it. So, if you can see this, it must have worked right.The treo is pretty freaking sweet. It' a 650: I had been talking about wanting one (there just a little out of my price range) when my mother-in-law got one. I tried not to Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1149242991590466912006-06-02T05:54:00.000-04:002006-06-02T06:09:51.640-04:00Summer SchoolIt's a dilemma -- I don't know if summer school sucks because it's during the summer, of if I like it because the classes are short and I'm only taking one at a time (a la Cornell College). I had a three week class on the history of Jazz, which my sorry tone-deaf, musically-inept self managed to pull off an A. It's hard to screw up with the class is only three weeks long. There's no Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1148033386923922932006-05-19T05:57:00.000-04:002006-05-19T06:09:46.936-04:00Yesterday a colleague informed me I could not start a sentence with the word "and." This has been nagging me ever since -- that is just some arbitrary rule that Strunk or somebody made up. It is only applicable to those styles of writing that depend more on the form than the words themselves. The adherence to form is the style, I suppose. But don't people consider writing a form of art? You can Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1147861161024516652006-05-17T06:09:00.000-04:002006-05-17T06:19:21.056-04:00So ... I got this new-fangled fancy iPod thing for mother's day, and I've become completely obsessed with looking at (although not buying) accessories for it. I know at least a few of you have an iPod, so if you have any recommendations, feel free to leave them. Things I know I will need:- Case (I like the Griffin SiliSkins, to start - may eventually get a nice leather case, too, and I want a Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1146565545876368082006-05-02T06:23:00.000-04:002006-05-02T06:25:45.886-04:00I love FileMaker Pro. I keep trying to invent new ways to use it in my daily life, which I think says a great deal about the levels of my OCD and it's ability to hide under the guise of "efficiency" or "usefulness." That's alright though. It's a wonderful program.Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1146423677423392392006-04-30T14:58:00.000-04:002006-04-30T15:01:25.143-04:00So I've got one more final on Monday, then I'm done with school ... until May 8, when my first summer class (Jazz history) starts. It's three hours long, M-F, until May 26, which I guess is a pretty good deal. Then I'm taking CHEM 101 from May 30 till June 30, from 9:40-11:10 a.m. M-F. Whoo-hoo.Then I'm out till August 22 or so, when I'll be taking four classes and doing an internship in PR at Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1145750797796097512006-04-22T20:06:00.000-04:002006-04-22T20:06:37.843-04:00... Derby begins first try at raw processing Originally uploaded by Mike Lutz. If you're not from Kentucky -- and most of you aren't -- the Kentucky Derby runs the first Saturday in May. But, in about 20 minutes, the first Derby Festival event will come in blazing: Thunder over Louisville.If you're bored, you can watch the live stream online tonight from 8-9 p.m. Eastern.Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1145010444116403872006-04-14T06:25:00.000-04:002006-04-14T06:27:24.126-04:00All you BU kids and other people familiar with my dismal grades throughout my freshman year -- and my failure to make it to most classes -- should find this funny. Not only have I joine the communication honor society, but I was voted in as president for 2006-07. Hahaha! And, for that matter, I should have a 3.4 overall at the end of the semester, and an even higher departmental average.Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1144748880413826382006-04-11T05:46:00.000-04:002006-04-11T05:48:00.426-04:00McDonald's Call CentersThe NYT had an interesting story today about McDonald's having call centers to take drive through orders. At about 50 McDonald's in the country, your drive through order might be taken by a person 250 miles away ... It's just weird!Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1144404686808506132006-04-07T06:08:00.000-04:002006-04-07T06:11:26.823-04:00You should always assume a story is going to be interesting when a customer walks up to the business owner and asks, "Do you do anals?"What makes it so funny is that the lady -- who was in her 50s -- was asking about dogs. Apparently they have stinky anal glands and you have to squeeze the stuff out. Gross.So the pet biz story, after the idea inception around Thanksgiving, is nearing completion. Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1144316859481808442006-04-06T05:46:00.000-04:002006-04-06T05:47:39.493-04:00Hooray, Tiktaalik!In the fishes' forward fins, the scientists found evidence of limbs in the making. There are the beginnings of digits, proto-wrists, elbows and shoulders. The fish also had a flat skull resembling a crocodile's, a neck, ribs and other parts that were similar to four-legged land animals known as tetrapods.Alright, where's the evolutionists? Somebody explain this one! Read the Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1143315925721267762006-03-25T14:45:00.000-05:002006-03-25T14:45:25.733-05:00Dylan's first column came out in the Voice-Tribune this past week; his second one will be out this coming Thursday. I don't have online versions yet but I'm going to work on it. We're also signing on to do a weekly business feature, which the two of us will trade back-and-forth depending on our schedules, workloads and the topics. The V-T is going to contribute about $400 of extra income a Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1142441078221745112006-03-15T11:39:00.000-05:002006-03-15T11:44:38.233-05:00Super-coolI found this site called Notezar today. If you use more than one computer on a regular basis, it's really cool. It allows you to create little notebooks and entries that you can access from any computer in the whole world! Wow! Anyway, it's great for me because I constantly have notes I need to reference from home and work, like meeting notes or story contacts/questions. It'll let you Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1141729414420527422006-03-07T06:03:00.000-05:002006-03-07T06:03:34.440-05:00These things are like little surprises!Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1141642573152326642006-03-06T05:46:00.000-05:002006-03-06T05:56:13.370-05:00School, school, school.After pouring over my program requirements sheets this weekend, I still have no idea when I'll graduate. I technically only have 35 credits left (12 classes), but more than that if I get the BS. So I may switch back into the BA so I can get my JA minor.Even though registration isn't until April, here's what my schedule will be:Chem 101Intro to World ReligionsFundamentals ofTracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1139999660768356602006-02-15T05:34:00.000-05:002006-02-15T05:34:20.783-05:00Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1137628397158678862006-01-18T18:51:00.000-05:002006-01-18T18:53:17.170-05:00Federal loansI just got my annual statement from the federal loan people. I owe about a third of what I thought I was in for ... I really thought I owed nearly $30k by now. But I'm sitting at just $11k, and my loan amount should decrease in the upcoming years. I could graduate law school and be less in debt than it costs for one year at BU. Crazy.Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1136810657936877082006-01-09T07:33:00.000-05:002006-01-09T07:44:17.946-05:00Well, classes start today. I have History 102 (gen-ed) from 9-10 and Public Relations from 10-11 MWF; TR I have Intro to Mass Comm from 8-9:15 and Crime and Justice in the U.S. from 9:30 to 10:45. Whoo-hoo. I don't work Mondays (except today), and the rest of the week I work 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.I applied for a job at CNET. If I'm lucky, I'll be making $25,000+ with benefits here soon. No exactTracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1136322994741981942006-01-03T16:15:00.000-05:002006-01-03T16:16:34.753-05:00My 12-year-old stepdaughter just analyzed my choice of underwear. I'm not sure what to think.Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1136311079272971452006-01-03T12:55:00.000-05:002006-01-03T12:57:59.283-05:00TextbooksHopefully by now you guys all know you don't have -- and really shouldn't -- buy your textbooks at the on-campus stores. Then again, I've also found you rarely need the books anyway, and libraries often have ones you can borrow. That said, check out Cheapest Textbooks for an easy way to find the cheapest online textbook prices. It's easier than searching on Amazon and Half.com, and Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1135687047529410952005-12-27T07:36:00.000-05:002005-12-27T07:37:27.540-05:00Coolest thing everPocket Mod is a customizable, single paper organizer. It's sweet. Also, you can download all the Flash files, so I may be able to make more templates. This is awesome.Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1135685590739485052005-12-27T07:02:00.000-05:002005-12-27T07:13:10.750-05:00Whew.My first Christmas with children is officially over. Months of shopping and hundreds of dollars all condensed into three days of semi-havoc. Glad that's over.Cool stuff I got: Gerber tool, lots of sewing stuff (cutting board, rotary cutter, dressmakers carbon and wheel), sewing books, Bukowski CD, lots of gift cards.So, today the kids and I are going to the mall; until then, it's Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1134612160491749772005-12-14T21:01:00.000-05:002005-12-14T21:02:40.503-05:00Lane Report storyWhat originally started out as a 500-word piece evolved to an 800-word one, then ended up as a 1,200-word cover. Not bad for my first piece for the magazine. Check it out here.Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1134270316461659782005-12-10T22:04:00.000-05:002005-12-10T22:05:16.473-05:00Why is it that the people who believe we should have guns in case we need to overthrow the government are often the same people who think our government is doing a good job now?Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1134268473331376412005-12-10T21:30:00.000-05:002005-12-10T21:34:33.343-05:00Another year ...Well, my birthday is a mere eight days away. Here's a recap of my past year: I transferred schools, got a job, moved, got married, semi-changed my career plans, raised my GPA.Goals I accomplished: Freelancing more (LEO, AP, Lane Report), repairing the aforementioned dismal GPA.Goals I missed: Kicking ass at The Cardinal, making lots of money.Goals for my 21st year: Be the best Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1133560670687317952005-12-02T16:54:00.000-05:002005-12-02T16:57:50.700-05:00Stupid non-artsy brain!I have been trying to come up with a business card design that would translate well to letterhead. So far, no dice. All I know is that it must fulfill these requirements:Professional but not boringCreative but not juvenileColorful but not gaudyReliable but outgoingAny of you more artistically-inclinded people have any ideas? I am trying to express myself on a piece of paperTracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1133223970211782422005-11-28T19:15:00.000-05:002005-11-28T19:26:10.226-05:00So close ...Well, just five more days of class left -- for some reason, the last day of class is on a Monday. I have a presentation tomorrow, a test Thursday and a test Friday. I have one cummulative final on Dec. 13, in Mass Communication Law. Since I got a 102 on the midterm and have a 100 average in that class, I'm not terribly worried.So what's next? Three weeks of just work and writing. I Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1132315932107798142005-11-18T07:08:00.000-05:002005-11-18T07:12:12.116-05:00StringersWhile I was in the hospital waiting room yesterday, I got a phone call. I didn't recognize the number, so I decided not to answer it, since waiting rooms aren't really the place for that. I did listen to the voicemail when it arrived, and it was so exciting that I told my family I'd be back and ran to the hallway.The message was from Ann Gibson, the Associated Press news chief in Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1132262069761374092005-11-17T16:06:00.000-05:002005-11-17T16:14:29.770-05:00FoodWhile hanging out with my family today at the hospital, we were talking about food. Sometimes I forget that our kitchen at the Lightfoot homestead may surprise/frighten other people.In our kitchen all the time: whole-grain bread and whole-wheat bread (the kids don't like the nuts and seeds in the whole-grain stuff); yogurt; cheese; Triscuits/Wheat Thins; apples, bananas and carrots; milk, Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1132190609404843982005-11-16T20:06:00.000-05:002005-11-16T20:23:29.446-05:00ChroniclesWhat's new in Tracy-land ... I got a brand-new iMac G5 at work today and it's wicked sweet. I have Studio 8, Office and CS2 is on its way. And my new mouse. I am spoiled. We just bought two new video iPods that will be passed around between a few of us to play with, also. And I got a raise. Sweet!School is almost over; I'm carrying three As and a B right now. Ridiculous. I have two daysTracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1129028613599620592005-10-11T07:02:00.000-04:002005-10-11T07:03:33.606-04:00I think I'm going to try to get into law school. This means lots of hard work between now and whenever I graduate. I'm going to talk to some media lawyers in Louisville first, to verify the jobs are there, then start crunching.Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1125402015195696832005-08-30T07:37:00.000-04:002005-08-30T07:40:15.200-04:00Pirate dreamsSo, for about the last hour I was asleep this morning, I was dreaming I was in some group learning a song. But not just any song -- a pirate song. Now, I don't think there were any pirates there, it was more like Barrand's class. (And come to think of it, it sounds like something he would have taught.) And it was just two lines over and over again. Here is how I think they went:"16 Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1124795430115459092005-08-23T07:04:00.000-04:002005-08-23T07:10:30.123-04:00UgggggghSo here's my new routine: Up at 5:30 a.m., shower, get lunches ready for the kids. Drink coffee, eat. Get dressed. Do newspaper stuff from 6:30-8. Wake Joab up at 7:20. Get him dressed, fed, shod. Joab on the bus at 8:10 a.m. Me on campus around 9, find parking. Work and class, times depending on the day. Home late all this week because of extended hours; after that, home by 6 M-R, 5:30 Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1123973643542924932005-08-13T18:53:00.000-04:002005-08-13T18:54:03.550-04:00all done!Wedding: over. Honeymoon: almost over. (In the technical fashion, of course.One week down. Thousands to go.Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1123070169206318862005-08-03T07:55:00.000-04:002005-08-03T07:56:09.213-04:00It definitely seems like I should get to spend the day before my wedding laying around at a spa or something ... Instead, I've got laundry and dishes to do, errands to run and a brain to not lose. More bah!Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1122980055356047312005-08-02T06:52:00.000-04:002005-08-02T06:54:15.363-04:00too early, clanky, too earlyI hate getting up at 6 a.m. I just hate it. Two more days. Just two. I suppose it'll go fine, or at least close to fine. I have to work today, then tomorrow is rehearsal day. Bah. I'm really just ready for it to be over so I can stop worrying.Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1122893541068917802005-08-01T06:51:00.000-04:002005-08-01T06:52:21.076-04:00Bah!I see how it is. I finally post again and now nobody comments. C'mon, give me some incentive!Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1122635979137712392005-07-29T07:14:00.000-04:002005-07-29T07:20:44.893-04:00Stuff and thingsWell, we're down to six days till W-Day, which doesn't quite sound as good as "D-Day," but is more accurate. Things still to do: get flowers for cake, finish table decorations, print announcements, speakers for the reception ... Okay, maybe that's it. It'd be nice if it was.I went down to the AP Wednesday to fill out my application and take the newswriting test. I took half the Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1121255092418544962005-07-13T07:40:00.000-04:002005-07-13T07:44:52.426-04:00I know, I know, it's been a while. But ... Well, I've been busy. Somehow, a job, two kids, a wedding, another semi-job and keeping the house running eats up all my time.My first question for myself is, why am I up so early? I'm not entirely sure, but it seemed like a good idea last night. It's also very quiet ... Reason enough in itself. I should be cleaning or something, but I need some more Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1116012209137763722005-05-13T15:16:00.000-04:002005-05-13T15:23:29.143-04:00An update.Well, we're pretty much moved in. If you want to stop by, feel free. The house is mostly painted and Dyl's at home refinishing the table today. Good times.I am just so happy I don't know what to do with myself. I just lean back and contemplate how wonderful my life is.The new job is okay; it has ups and downs like any job. I hate having a forced schedule, but apparently that's how a lotTracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1114993104293103572005-05-01T20:17:00.000-04:002005-05-01T20:18:24.293-04:00Movin' on upLiterally, to the East side. We're moving out to J-town. Feel free to send money.Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1113939620478752942005-04-19T15:40:00.000-04:002005-04-19T15:40:20.480-04:00Internship.So I went and took my writing test for G/M today. Granted, I had some idea of what to expect, but it was still harder than I thought it would be. Yuck. Here's what happened.At 11 a.m., I'm stationed in a cubicle in the rear of the office. I'm handed a personalitiy test. "Whoo-hoo," I think to myself. It's one of those obvious-answers kind of personality quiz. The front pages says to Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1113876179641923162005-04-18T21:45:00.000-04:002005-04-18T22:02:59.646-04:00Of interest.First, I got a 70 on that stat test I didn't know I had a couple of weeks ago. Now, before there are any comments about that grade ... there's one guy in there who's always really on top of things and has study sessions for other students and whatnot, and he only got a 48. So get over it.Also: Joab is having some kind of breakthrough. He was on incredibly good, mind-blowing behavior Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1113789018416584352005-04-17T21:41:00.000-04:002005-04-17T21:50:18.416-04:00This week.Dylan is in Missouri till Wednesday. He's doing an embedded-reporter thing with some ROTC kids from U of L. I've decided, since about 30 minutes after he left this morning and increasingly since then, that it sucks. Then again, I've spent this whole week talking him into going. Partially because I think it'll be good experience, and partially because he shouldn't flake on things just toTracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1113184411584905252005-04-10T21:51:00.000-04:002005-04-10T21:53:31.586-04:00smoke and soapyou smell like wood smoke and warm soapand you look at me like ... like a million years could go bybut we'd still be here, siting, passing time, passing by, getting by ...smoking, drinking, laughing as the sun goes down but we'restill outside -- with the smoke and you with your soapy skin.Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1112804345105721322005-04-06T12:14:00.000-04:002005-04-06T12:19:05.106-04:00He's too good for the likes of meProof.Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1112455657087865872005-04-02T10:19:00.000-05:002005-04-02T10:27:37.090-05:00Well.My dad told me I don't post enough. I think he should start his own blog, now that I think about it. Hell, Dad, you can write about your treatment on a blog and then we'll turn it into a book. You write the posts, then I'll help you edit it into a book. Then we'll be rich!Anyway. The dress quest has ended. After just two shops and 12 dresses, I found the one I wanted. You can see it here. Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1111451167000759832005-03-21T19:23:00.000-05:002005-03-22T09:20:04.493-05:00Hooray!In addition to the other wonderful things that have happened recently, let's add one more to the list. I found out via email today that I got into the AP's Diverse Voices program. Accordint to the email, I'm one of 12 college sophomores/juniors nationwide to be chosen for the five-day program."Diverse Voices is an intensive one-week program in which participants work one-on-one with a Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1111272145733245712005-03-19T17:41:00.000-05:002005-03-19T17:42:25.733-05:00Damn.I'm in the midst of a 12-year-old girl's birthday party. I'd like to sincerely apologize to my father for a) being 12 and b) throwing an 18x24-inch sheetcake all over the house.Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1110509899999421872005-03-10T21:57:00.000-05:002005-03-10T21:58:49.126-05:00Been awhile ...Since I wrote a poem, at least.you're the kind of man girls write home about --make 2 a.m. phone calls to their friends about --stay up late thinking and dreaming about --you're the kind of man girls dream about --read in Harlequin romance books about --look at other couples and fantasize about --you're the kind of man girls cry about --and after years and years of searching about Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1109741627654737452005-03-02T00:40:00.000-05:002005-03-02T00:39:50.486-05:00Heretofore untitled: Ramblings 1Some downtime, some alone time ... Time, I suppose, for some reflection. I wrote 2,100 words today, about. I did some research on another story, but somehow I still feel inefficient. Must work harder to achieve maximum production. I wish I could write that much every day, but some days must be reserved for doing the stuff that goes into the story. However, I Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1109687372726837462005-03-01T09:26:00.000-05:002005-03-01T09:29:32.726-05:00What I learnedFrom KIPA and post-KIPA:Our half-assed efforts aren't good enoughEbay is the best place to get graphicsGood design just means thinking about it before laying it out on Sunday.We really can put out a good-looking paper.Column rewriting is fun. Rewriting in general is fun I should do it more.I need more dedicated writing time. Thank you, Tuesdays.Today is law enforcement funding Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1109325821072484752005-02-25T05:02:00.000-05:002005-02-25T05:03:41.073-05:00We're off.Morehead-bound till Saturday afternoon we're going to win us some Kentucky Intercollegiate Press Association awards.Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1109096398930962992005-02-22T13:18:00.000-05:002005-02-22T13:19:58.930-05:00Confessions of an uncurable potty-mouth.What can I say? He's damn good.Updates to the Published Pieces blog have been made. Check 'em out and comment, damnit.Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1109019555249743932005-02-21T15:58:00.000-05:002005-02-21T15:59:15.250-05:00In memoriam.Of course I have to make this post ..."I'd blown my mind, couldn't work," he told Playboy. "So finally I just started jerking pages out of my notebook and numbering them and sending them to the printer. I was sure it was the last article I was ever going to do for anybody."Instead, he said, the story drew raves and he was inundated with letters and phone calls from people calling it "Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1108836379301053042005-02-19T13:03:00.000-05:002005-02-19T13:34:37.563-05:00Damn.I'm dating a smart, funny guy who wants to write for a living. He listens to good music and is a great cook. He buys corn liquor in a Bell jar.We just got done snapping beans for our dinner party, for which he's also making jumbalaya and cornbread.Yes, my internal Southern girl is alive and well, thankya.Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1108566151373632972005-02-16T10:00:00.000-05:002005-02-16T10:34:42.600-05:00Integrity First. We Are Not For Sale. Classifieds, Page F10. In the 1990s, The Washington Post began running little witticisms in an ear in the Style section. If you know what an ear is, you'll think it's funny. If you don't, well, just ignore this post. You're probably one of my family members; in which case, our forum is in the post two below. See you there.Read this.You can, of course, find Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1108516232112667842005-02-15T20:04:00.000-05:002005-02-15T20:10:32.113-05:00New stories!The Published Pieces blog will be updated shortly, whenever Dylan finishes the Cardinal site.I got approved on two stories for LEO, longer pieces, one for late March and one for late April. I also got assigned a story that will probably run March 1 or so. Yay!Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1108418515841492922005-02-14T16:56:00.001-05:002005-02-14T17:01:55.843-05:00Something I scribbled down last week.February might be the shortest month of the year, but it seems to be dragging on forever. As a tease, it was spring-warm out last weekend (which was fantatstic) but this week has been gray and snow and rain and cold.Today, on my way to class, the frigid winds whipped my nose Rudolph-red and stiffened my fingers. But as I walked down the sidewalk, I heard the Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1108331404822495872005-02-13T16:47:00.000-05:002005-02-13T16:50:04.823-05:00the farm.After growing up surrounded by fields with one-lane roads leading to cities 15-30 minutes away, I had mentally vowed to never live that far from the hustle and bustle of my every day life. I was more like my first editor, who lived in the apartment above the newspaper office for a long time, then moved a block away.But, after yesterday, I'm beginning to reconsider plunking down a nice Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1108072572465156212005-02-10T16:42:00.000-05:002005-02-10T16:56:12.466-05:00What's on my plate.
I think it's more of a platter, really. And I really don't have time to be making this entry, but I'm hoping it'll help me stay sane.
Today: two more interviews and 1,400 words of copy, comprised of two stories. Upcoming: I pitched a piece to LEO about a tobacco tax increase opposition hotline that I saw advertised at a cigarette store, so I need to call them about that, and Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1107964225123019922005-02-09T14:45:00.000-05:002005-02-09T14:46:45.500-05:00Updates
I've updated the published pieces blog and the froogle wish list, if anyone's interested. Secret admirers are welcome to buy me stuff off the list, too. Also, anyone (i.e., my family) who couldn't comment on the published pieces blog, you should be able to now. And you had better.
An update to the updates
I just landed a 1,500 word story for Snitch, to be published in Louisville and Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1107873284050256662005-02-08T09:33:00.000-05:002005-02-08T09:34:44.050-05:00Lightbulb
I want to write a story about crossing guards. Don't let me forget.Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1107285328828000782005-02-01T14:13:00.000-05:002005-02-01T14:15:44.703-05:00So far, no dice.
I got hung up on by an employee at a place where I was trying to schedule an interview; the C-J isn't sure they ever received my packet; I'm still missing a $110 check ...
I think I'm losing my mind. Breakdown eta: apx. 24 hours from now.Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1107006691521994872005-01-29T08:50:00.000-05:002005-01-29T08:51:31.520-05:00Fam'ly
Our family portraits alwasy end is laughter and bad picutes, but here's a good one from not too long ago.Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1106979770723773892005-01-29T01:20:00.000-05:002005-01-29T01:22:50.723-05:00Burger Boy
We swung open the wide, brown wooden door of Juanita's. Any second it could fall of the hinges; it's notched and beaten all to hell. The windows are disgusting. I can see three old men sitting by a window smoking.
Inside, there are maybe 10 tables. There's only one employee. She's an older woman, gray-haired and over-weight. Her hair is plastered to the back of her neck with grease, Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1106341486842778572005-01-21T18:05:00.000-05:002005-01-21T18:07:53.276-05:00I'm free ... freelancing ...
Sorry. Bad word play. Point is, LEO wants at least three of my stories and wants me to check out all of last year's special sections and figure out what else I can contribute. And Louisville Magazine finally got my clips and said they really like what they saw and want me to come in next week and pitch some stories. Yay! Now I've just got to call Des and Velocity.
Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1105766444299777052005-01-15T00:00:00.000-05:002005-01-15T00:20:44.300-05:00My poor laptop
A few days ago, my internet was working fine; I was connected at home and at the cardinal. Then, suddenly, Tuesday night, it stopped. "There is no ethernet cable plugged in," System Preferences said. I disagreed. I tried everything. Multiple cables. Restarting my laptop, cable modem, router. Everything.
Thinking it might be my service at home, I try the cardinal Wednesday morning. Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1105478075183168502005-01-11T16:13:00.000-05:002005-01-11T18:30:56.620-05:00The Cardinal
My first story came out today. Yay!
New mac goodies
Incredible. Mac mini, ipod shuffle.Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1105158824053812012005-01-07T23:31:00.000-05:002005-01-07T23:33:44.053-05:00Hey look!
I'm famous! I'm in the newspaper! (Twice, even.)
And I'm somehow embarassed he mentioned me. Why are staff boxes and bylines so different?Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1105057600536715402005-01-06T19:23:00.000-05:002005-01-06T19:27:52.863-05:00In summary
I stole this idea from Alana. I took all the entries from 2004 and found the first entry from each month. Following is the first couple of lines from all of those first entries:
Jan. 6, 2004
Oh my. The iPod is now worth me buying. How can I turn down something minature?
Feb. 2, 2004
Boston.com / Weather : "Today. Mostly sunny. Highs 35 to 40. Northwest winds around 10 mph this Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1104509732262669522004-12-31T11:11:00.000-05:002004-12-31T11:15:32.263-05:00Winter?
This weather reminds me of writing, of spring. It's post-rain and 55 degrees; the snow finally melted away (mostly), and it's so nice outside I can't stay indoors.
New Snitch site underway; it's keeping me busy, at least. Trying to land some freelancing gigs ... School starts Jan. 10 ... Will have cable internet in my apt. next Wednesday. Until then ...Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1103742570055546072004-12-22T14:05:00.000-05:002004-12-22T14:09:30.056-05:00Kentucky is the smartest state in the country. I say this because on Dec. 22, today, the first day of winter, it decided to start snowing. There's something like four inches out there now. It's purty. And fluffy.
Got new tires and brakes on the car, which is good, due to the snow. Got lots of other cool stuff too a bunch of UofL gear, an awesome digital voice recorder (forget the mic) ... And Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1102397180415751492004-12-07T00:23:00.000-05:002004-12-07T00:26:20.416-05:00Anniversary.
we've got a long road in front of us --
the hilly, rocky kind,
like the ones we grew up on.
think we can make it? want to try?
i don't have a map, no plan
no idea where we're going
no directions to get there --
but why don't you go ahead and drive:
we'll figure it out on the way.
To yesterday and, hopefully, a long time to come.Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1102361186699992852004-12-06T14:25:00.000-05:002004-12-06T14:29:12.546-05:00Final final
Yes, the previous link to my farm buildings story was a rough draft. Don't act like I'm stupid (*cough* Matt *cough*). Matt, I dunno how you thought you'd be a copy editor, if that was all you noticed. Even my grandma found the place where it said "be" instead of "but." The best was that nobody noticed it said "Bread and Breakfast," instead of "bed." Well, I found it, anyway. I'm sureTracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1102312796482865882004-12-06T01:58:00.000-05:002004-12-06T00:59:56.483-05:00Final feature
Here's my final feature for JO309. It's about converting old farm buildings into houses. Read it, please.Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1102085055722523962004-12-03T09:40:00.000-05:002004-12-03T09:44:15.723-05:00Quick.
Yes, I'm still neglecting the blog. It's been a very busy time 'round these parts. This weekend: study Russian, do myth readings, do interviews and write feature, write and record radio script ... And my myth final is Dec. 10, which is also my last day here. Kind of.
Yes, that's right. On Dec. 10, next Friday, I'll pack up as much stuff as I can (hopefully I'll get a ride to the airport) Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1102048599600256902004-12-02T23:35:00.000-05:002004-12-02T23:36:39.600-05:00Ugh.
Too much work! Interesting stuff later. In the meantime ... Audiobloggen: the collaborative audio blogTracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1101144366093413962004-11-22T13:25:00.000-05:002004-11-30T21:26:17.493-05:00Fantastic.
Bob Dylan concert last night. More on that later. Quote: "That lady just shoved her books in your face." "Yeah, she's done it twice today already."
I'm going home today. Plane out at 3:30. Have a good break everybody.
I never thought there could be another person in the world who looked like me. However, this girl looks somewhat similar.Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1100967863665518032004-11-20T11:14:00.000-05:002004-11-20T11:24:23.666-05:00Damnit, Mike
A: First, recommend to me:
1. a movie:
2. a book:
3. a musical artist, song, or album:
B: I want everyone who reads this to ask me three questions, no more, no less. Ask me anything you want.
C: Then I want you to go to your journal, copy and paste this allowing your friends to ask you anything.
Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1100755791205628762004-11-18T20:40:00.000-05:002004-11-19T00:24:53.846-05:00Saddle shoes
One year, I wanted saddle shoes. I wanted them bad. I don't know why; I was six or seven and why didn't matter. But I got those saddle shoes. Black and white. I wore them all the time. I think it was the same year I dressed up as a '50s girl in a poodle skirt and got to wear my saddle shoes.
I remember sitting on the bus, wearing those shoes. It was a long ride home and I was one Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1100646624104068012004-11-16T18:08:00.000-05:002004-11-16T18:10:24.103-05:00O'Reilly
Not much to say, except Bill O'Reilly thinks Bill Clinton should be appointed Secretary of Defense. Maybe he's not such an idiot. Or maybe he just needs someone to make fun of. Either way, it's a good idea.Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1100530559321452722004-11-15T13:50:00.000-05:002004-11-15T13:49:33.263-05:00New day ...
Too bad it's a Monday. I promised Dan a new post last night, so here it is. In the last post, I was just grumpy because I hadn't eaten all day and couldn't find anyone to eat with. I'm actually in a pretty good mood.
Thursday I sat around on my ass; I did some shopping around, hung out at Snitch for a few hours, and otherwise wasted time. Friday I sat at the doctor's for hours, then Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1100480536727135412004-11-14T19:57:00.000-05:002004-11-14T20:02:16.726-05:00Damn.
This place is cold and lonely and I hate it.
In other news, I bought this. I'm excited. I plan on buying business clothes soon, too, and I'm going to dress all professional all the time. It'll be awesome. I'm thinking knee-length a-line skirts, button up shirts, pearls and heels. Fantastic. Absolutely fantastic.
Mal took me to the Cardinal offices on Saturday. I like 'em. It's going to be Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1100011241675563272004-11-09T09:40:00.000-05:002004-11-09T09:40:41.676-05:00Go cards!
I've officially been accepted to UofL. Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1099937328190377242004-11-08T17:56:00.000-05:002004-11-08T17:56:45.826-05:00Weekend!
It was a good weekend, mostly. A little hectic, but it wasn't school hectic. I bought things: an entertainment center, a green suede slipcover for the couch, an eight-piece pots and pans set (stainless steel with aluminum/copper bottoms!), groceries ... Man, I sound like such a ... fuddy-duddy grown up.
I spent way too much time shopping and it eventually got to me and I got stressed outTracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1099580069019531972004-11-04T09:52:00.000-05:002004-11-04T09:54:29.020-05:00Mornings.
Let me just say, because it's been on my mind, that mornings at home are going to rock. True, I'll probably have to get up earlier than I do here. But my bathroom floor won't be wet, I'll have a coffee pot and a well-stocked kitchen. Which will be great on days like these when I would kill for biscuits, scrambled eggs with cheese, bacon and coffee. Ohhhhhhhhh ... Saturday morning, here Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1099532164665851982004-11-03T20:30:00.000-05:002004-11-03T20:36:04.666-05:00Election.
Well, now everybody wants to move to Canada. That seems like the cheap way out. Just leave, let Bush do his thing, let the conservatives run the country into the ground. It'll happen, because everyone else will have left and the Republicans will just do whatever they want. Now, granted, you guys won't be here for it. But you're going to go somewhere else that's not quite as good, not asTracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1099352573226579652004-11-01T20:10:00.000-05:002004-11-01T20:07:14.293-05:00Revised.
New lede. New suggestions welcome. Is this one any clearer, or should I just give up my food-related analogy altogether? I feel if I don't do something, the piece is going to start off as a boring court piece nobody will want to read.
Supposedly courts serve up justice like Starbucks does coffee. But like ordering from the Starbucks menu, the court system isn't exactly simple. Like Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1099276043992340682004-10-31T21:11:00.000-05:002004-10-31T21:27:23.993-05:00Appeals court.
Here's the rough draft. Like really rough. Read if you want. Thanks to Joy for giving it a good read-through when it was even rougher than it is now. It's still missing some info, which I should have tomorrow.Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1099244510836199492004-10-31T18:00:00.000-05:002004-10-31T17:59:13.390-05:00Oops.
Okay, so I lied about writing an update on the plane. I read a magazine and worked on my Court of Appeals piece instead. (Lede to follow at end of entry.)
No, I didn't go to any fun Halloween parties over the weekend. Yesterday Eric and I went slipcover and other furniture shopping. Z said that sounds like something his mother would do, and I thought to myself, "Tracy's all grown up." For Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1099068304268543222004-10-29T13:42:00.000-04:002004-10-29T12:45:04.266-04:00ERIC!
So, here's a picture from the "photo shoot" from a few weekends ago. My friend Vanessa is in a photography class and needed models, so we agreed. This print got exposed funny (silly Vanessa) so we look like we have ghosts. And her scanner pulled it in a little dark, so my face is hard to see. But ghosts or no, it still looks like an AE ad or something. How cute!
Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1099006840004205572004-10-28T19:40:00.000-04:002004-10-28T19:40:40.003-04:00Update, kinda.
This is a promise for an update to occur over the weekend. In fact, I'll probably write it on the plane tomorrow and post it as soon as I can after that. I've been a busy girl, really. So busy. I finally own my Russian text book, so maybe I'll pass with a decent grade. Still waiting to hear if I've been accepted to UofL. (Haha.)
So until I update again ... here's some links to Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1098405063790287732004-10-21T20:31:00.000-04:002004-10-21T20:31:03.790-04:00Sox in SevenOkay, so instead of rioting after the game, I was in the office writing this. They destroyed my lede and added two incorrect attributions, which I demanded be fixed. I also told them to never call me again. I'm angry. Hey, at least I gave them a chance.School sucks. Or maybe I suck at school. Still reworking my shape-note story, so once that's really finished I'll put it up.Tired. Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1098213911170663952004-10-19T15:21:00.000-04:002004-10-19T15:25:11.170-04:00Finally.
Okay, I hate loud obnoxious people on their cell phones in public just as much as everyone else, maybe more, but ... this is great news. Really. I mean, I suppose cell phone use couldn't be anymore annoying than anything else people do on airplanes, and I can still counter it with headphones. But I could do so much more on my frequent plane trips if I could use the phone.
Now, I wonder Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1098002556616199532004-10-17T04:42:00.000-04:002004-10-17T04:42:36.616-04:00Don'tDon't ever give up, don't ever look back, and for christ's sake, when you find that one person you're meant to be with, don't ever, ever let go.Thank you. Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5491628.post-1097712835400531452004-10-13T20:13:00.000-04:002004-10-13T20:13:55.400-04:00Random.I've got 30 minutes to kill, so I figured I'd waste a few here. I think I'm going to buy GT4. Not GTA4, that's something for someone else to get Eric for his birthday or for him to get himself. But I want gran turismo. I'm usually okay at car racing games. (Like that time I beat Mr. I'm-a-show-off Eric at that arcade.) Figure for $150, I should get some use out of this thing. I've decided Tracy Lightfootnoreply@blogger.com