The Collective Will of a Math Class Can Make the Snow Fall Faster

When I was in college, I worked at the most kick-ass student run Web site ever. Before I went to work as a reporter there, I had no real interest in new media journalism. After being there for a few weeks, I noticed that I had turned into a raging internet dork. Unfortunately, I hadn't had the foresight to choose "raging internet dork" as my major, and I graduated and went to work in public relations.

Today, though, I accepted a job with the Memphis Commercial Appeal's new media department. I'm going to be working for the internet, and I couldn't be more excited.

It's started to feel like spring here, and it's strange. For the last four years, I've spent spring in Indiana, where the shift from cold to warmish is entirely more noticeable.

When you're in college, spring feels so hopeful. The year is almost over, all of the hot dudes have started going shirtless on the quad again, and it's no longer too unbearably cold to stand outside between classes and eat apples while your best friend smokes. Spring feels like a promise when you're in school - it's almost done, you're almost done, and everyone is in a good mood.

As a grownup, though, it's kinda weird. The weather is there, but now, when I'm outside, it's walking from the parking garage to work. When I find time to eat lunch, it's at my desk. When you're an adult, it's a lot harder to say "screw it, eff my responsibilities, I'm going to skip those and run through that fountain, or drink beer, or stay out all night."

I've been really stressed out this week, and I didn't notice until today that the trees were green and the dogwoods had exploded, and that it was nice enough outside this morning that I didn't need my hoodie.

In two weeks, I start my new job. In two months, Matt moves here. Right now, it's 8:34 p.m., and I'm finally sitting down to a dinner of yellow Zatarains and basil-seasoned fish.

Spring is pretty great.

- K

(Hi Rachel!)

We're Gonna Get So Busted!

Matthew is in town (yay!), and yesterday, he made a promise to an NPR employee at the "Bryant Park Project" that we would take pictures of where Jeff Buckley died. We did, and then they totally put it on the NPR Web site.

How insane is that?

It's almost as insane as the green snake-shaped loaf of bread that's sitting on my kitchen table. I think it's supposed to relate to St. Patrick's day, but I haven't seen anyone but the Midtown Schnucks celebrate thusly.

Anyway. Dude! NPR? They totally put us on their site. Weird.

- K

Picture Your Day: The Photos

The photos from Feb. 29th are here.

I didn't do very well - I could have taken more pictures, or better ones. I'm going to do it again in about a month, and maybe I'll have had more time to prepare.

Enjoy!

Leap Day Photo Project

I'm participating, and so should you.




I'll post pictures tomorrow.

Meanwhile - new OTM recap at Radio Sweethearts.

I'm normally not a huge fan of sports journalism. It seems to remove all of the excitement from sports, focusing too much on the who-what-when-where-by-how-many-points. However, Geoff Calkins is brilliant.

He wrote this piece about last Saturday's Memphis basketball game against Tennessee.

Look out, Frank Deford. You may make more educated comments about wonderful and bizarre things like cricket, but Geoff Calkins makes me feel just like I did when I was standing in the Deli, watching the Tigers lose.

How you like them apples,
Kerry

Unemployment Fest '08 - Day 10: I Won't Be Taking It To Eleven

I was offered a really fantastic job yesterday, and I'm accepting! I'll have benefits, a much shorter commute, and a regular paycheck. This means I can buy groceries again! Woot!

I'm starting tomorrow, and I really couldn't be more excited.

Also, on Radio Sweethearts, Carl Kassell croons, everyone swoons, and a new OTM recap goes live.

Viva, viva,
Kerry

Unemployment Fest '08 - Day 9: Tackling the Great Reorganization

Tomorrow morning, I have my third interview for a position that I'm very interested in.

In times of stress, or when I'm feeling freaked out, or like everything is beyond my control, I tend to do one of three things - bake, drive around, or re-sort my record collection.

So, here I am, on my living room floor, trying to figure out if I'm in an alphabetical, chronological, or autobiographical mood.

I have found that Ray Charles' "Unchain My Heart" is entirely fitting for this moment. It just sounds right.

Tomorrow, I'll put on my swank new suit, listen to Jay-Z's "Dirt Off Your Shoulders" and Mr. Quintron's "Swamp Buggy Bad Ass", and go to my interviews. Kiss your lucky what have you for me.


Ineffably,
Kerry