Public Enemy

Well for starters let me say that these past few days have been full of new knowledge to me...for the greater good I am sure.

Now let me get on to the good stuff...

OSU.

How'd that go?

After hyping up this game all week and people clamoring to see what kind of show OSU was going to put on against USC...they hopefully got their money back. Now I'm not going to say "I told you so," but I did. OSU was easily handled by their opponent in every fashion and the final score of 35-3 or 38-3 I can't remember (nor care) doesn't even begin to show what kind of whooping OSU go on both sides of the ball. This definitely takes OSU out of the championship picture...unless of course a bunch of top teams lose...twice...which will not happen. I honestly believe that they (OSU) will fall even farther in the polls about facing Wisconsin in a few weeks. The Big Ten title will fall out of their hands, the Rose Bowl will no longer be a thought...and things will need to change on that football team. It'll be interesting to see how they come out against Troy (you know, they're called "Trojans" too!!). I've heard that Troy is very fast on both offense and defense...and if OSU fails to come out with any kind of fire or a pissed off attitude...they might have their hands full. Just like they did against the powerhouse of Ohio. But by the time Wisconsin rolls around...OSU better figure something out. Terrell Pryor may be the savior, but they need to rework a lot of things.

Now as some of you may know...I recently became a part of Notre Dame's watch list. My blog, allegedly, sparked some interest around the campus higher-ups and I was called into a conference to discuss what I recently said about the financial aid staff. Now if you read the blog thoroughly, you can see that even though I made dissenting remarks about some folks...I did say not all the people had those characteristics...and that there are some new people in that office that are very helpful, very nice, and do what they can to help. But I still don't agree that it's the best situation...

I guess the thing is...it's a blog...it's just randomness and feelings that I evoke from myself and my experiences on a daily basis...and I write what I see. I'm not journalist, never said I was, not trying to be one. So the need for me to talk to people, to investigate the reason why things go down and find out all the facts, it just doesn't appeal to me or what I am trying to write about in this blog. If I wanted to get behind what I wrote and wanted to get everyone the pinpoint reasons for certain actions...I'd write for the paper, which I used to do. But this is a spot where I can come and write down what I feel about certain things and actually lay my feelings out on a line for everyone to see. If you know me, you know that I'm not one to blurt how I feel about certain issues all the time, I'm not confrontational by any means. But writing gives me that area of work where I can be confrontational and can show you what I feel about things. I've always been able to express myself with the written word better than the spoken...so you just have to understand that.

Now I thought it was exciting to hear that more than a finger-count amount of people read and have read my blog, I didn't realize I was such a HUGE deal. My ego has been soaring...but not really. But to make sure I no longer appear in NDC's search engines for "Student/Volunteer coach blog entries about Notre Dame College," I simply clicked a little box in the settings so my blog no longer is "searchable". Now that means people searching for my thoughts about Brett Favre (it still bugs me) and bank tellers ill have to either become my friend on Facebook or find a way to view my AIM profile for a link...but I'd rather not have to sit in on meetings anymore about why and what I wrote about. It was interesting to know that people took the time to read what I had to say though. Even if the higher-ups didn't agree with what had to say, maybe it'll start some conversation about certain issues at school. Like I said, I'm not one to go in an complain or throw a fit in someones face...I'd rather get someone else talking, then get the whole talking...and have everyone come to a consensus about the problem.

It was also hard to take that what I wrote about NDC has negatively influenced everything I have done for the cross country and track programs. Now I don't know how people choose or not choose to go to certain schools and institutions. But if by reading someones blog...one paragraph of a blog...changes your mind completely without ever visiting the place, I don't understand you. There are students on every campus EVERYWHERE that dislike the school they chose or certain elements of the school they are in. I can find one person a day that does not like something about NDC, but you know what, they are there...and there are plenty of things to like about Notre Dame. But you can't honestly say that people will choose to pass up NDC because I made a remark about our financial aid staff. Go in, experience it for yourself, and maybe you'll have a better experience than me. Like I said previously, my very first day here, in that office, had my entire family in fits...we couldn't believe how it went down. There was no mistake in my billing or pay, I didn't mess something up that I was supposed to do right, there were no late fee's owed...we just went in to get things set up, just like every other freshman does...and it wasn't a great situation. To think I did something wrong to be treated the way I did...that just doesn't make sense. But back to the point...even with that bad experience in the office, I didn't decide to leave or go to another school. I enrolled for a reason...and that's the reason I came. I didn't come for the personalities of the people working behind a plastic counter who figure out my bill...and I don't think other people do either. Now if you do pick schools on the basis of how welcoming and friendly 75% of the Financial Aid staff at the school is...well, then I don't know what to tell you.

But anyways, I've done a lot for the cross country and track program by being there. I don't want to feel like I'm ruining what I helped build because of what I said, so I won't. A lot of athletes have thanked me for what I have done and what I am doing, and there have been recruits that became interested in NDC just because I went on scouting trips and handed them a pamphlet of info. If my one paragraph ruins what ever future NDC has in XC and track, then I'll step away from the program today...but that's not the case.

Yea I said my brother wouldn't come here. I said nothing about the half-off pricing being crappy or that him coming to this school would be terrible for him. I just don't want him to have to deal with the things I went through, headaches that can be avoided. Aren't I supposed to look out for my little brother? I don't want to put him in a situation where he won't enjoy himself or have to deal with certain issues. But with that being said...I will talk to him when that time comes about NDC. Our XC and track programs are going in a great direction and I loved every minute of XC, there were some struggles in track, but the camaraderie alone just made it the best college experience of your life. But also, a better reason why my brother may not come here is because he is twice the runner I was at his age...and his times will enable him to choose a better school and faster program...one that will be able to offer him a full-ride perhaps, or a better price and situation because of NDC. I'm not going to tell him to not go to NDC because of a few people at the school bug me....thats selfish and dumb.

So there you have it...I could write all day on this subject and this past week, but I won't....right now. Feelings will fade in and out and certain aspects may need a little more attention than others, so you might here more about this later.

Oh and I'm real sorry if the spelling errors or grammar errors bug you. First of all the keybord on my labtop is becoming less and less effective...which explains the lack of letters at times, but you still get what I'm trying to say. I use spellcheck...sometimes....but I don't go back and read and re-read or edit my blog very much. Like I said, I'm not looking to win an award for journalism...but I do the best I can. So one more thing...gotta make sure I get this right...

"Debauchery" (spell check helped me out, hope that is suffice)


It's great to be back, and to still be here...because I'm not going anywhere