Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Random #2 (I think)
A big controversy has erupted at The Daily Tar Heel, the nation's finest college newspaper (in my unbiased opinion). Details are here and here...I won't bore you with the rehashing. But I will back the young collegians putting their heart and souls and time (lots of time!) into the DTH (even the sloppy writing conservatives). I was once one of them, and I consider my time spent at the paper a highlight of my college years. I rose from a lowly business reporter documenting the arrival of a new "surf/beachwear" shop to managing editor and eventually a candidate for editor. Back then, the position of editor was a campuswide elected position, and I and my running mate Mary Jo Dunnington lost against a less-qualified but better-campaigning team. It was a crushing blow at the time that temporarily derailed my journalism plans, but in the long run, I guess I'd say it worked out. I mean, I believe that things happen for a reason, and as a result of me not being the editor of the DTH, I was able to take a job with UPI as a sportswriter, which lead to all sorts of cool stuff at the tender age of 21.
So anyway, my time at the DTH taught me more about being a journalist than any J-school class; journalism and writing are crafts that need to be practiced, and that's what six to eight hours a day at the DTH offices gave me: lots of practice! Not to mention several of my closest friends to this day: Louis Bissette and Dave Glenn. If any budding journalists read this: go work at your campus paper! Best training you can get!
Other random thoughts: condolences to my mom's cousin Clariss, whose husband Jack passed away on Saturday. Clariss and Jack and their daughters -- my second cousins, I think I've figured out -- are the closest thing we had to extended family in N.J. as I was growing up. Jack was a wonderful family man, and always was interesting to talk to. My Mom knew Jack since she was seven, when her family and the Rocks attended the same church in Paterson, N.J. (where my great-grandfather was mayor).
Not much news on my grandfather. I did talk to my Aunt Lynne last night for the first time in years...probably the first time since she ripped me a new one after my ex-wife and I separated. She basically called me a bad father and a bad person...and then less than two years later, she separated from her husband of 20+ years, with two kids in high school. Hmm. Methinks she transferred some of her issues on to me. But we've made the peace, and she's apologized for saying those horrible things to me (her words). She's heading to Florida this weekend to see Campbell and support my Uncle Tom, who is on the frontlines of caring for my grandfather. I wish my Dad would get over his shit and get down there too.
Perhaps something more observational and less personal next time?
So anyway, my time at the DTH taught me more about being a journalist than any J-school class; journalism and writing are crafts that need to be practiced, and that's what six to eight hours a day at the DTH offices gave me: lots of practice! Not to mention several of my closest friends to this day: Louis Bissette and Dave Glenn. If any budding journalists read this: go work at your campus paper! Best training you can get!
Other random thoughts: condolences to my mom's cousin Clariss, whose husband Jack passed away on Saturday. Clariss and Jack and their daughters -- my second cousins, I think I've figured out -- are the closest thing we had to extended family in N.J. as I was growing up. Jack was a wonderful family man, and always was interesting to talk to. My Mom knew Jack since she was seven, when her family and the Rocks attended the same church in Paterson, N.J. (where my great-grandfather was mayor).
Not much news on my grandfather. I did talk to my Aunt Lynne last night for the first time in years...probably the first time since she ripped me a new one after my ex-wife and I separated. She basically called me a bad father and a bad person...and then less than two years later, she separated from her husband of 20+ years, with two kids in high school. Hmm. Methinks she transferred some of her issues on to me. But we've made the peace, and she's apologized for saying those horrible things to me (her words). She's heading to Florida this weekend to see Campbell and support my Uncle Tom, who is on the frontlines of caring for my grandfather. I wish my Dad would get over his shit and get down there too.
Perhaps something more observational and less personal next time?
// posted by Bill @ 3:46 PM 
Comments:
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Bill - I have lurked long enough. Your blog was referred to so often by great blogger Eric G that I checked it out a while back and have enjoyed reading it. I have a kindergartener and a two year old and can relate to a lot of your kid stuff.
But I had to respond today when you mentioned Louis Bisette. He was an acquaintance of mine through mutual friends in CH and the last time I saw him was at the Peach Bowl in 1992. (If I have the right guy, he was from Asheville and was a very nice fellow). In 1992, I think he had been living in California since graduation. Where is he now?
Keep up the good writing.
But I had to respond today when you mentioned Louis Bisette. He was an acquaintance of mine through mutual friends in CH and the last time I saw him was at the Peach Bowl in 1992. (If I have the right guy, he was from Asheville and was a very nice fellow). In 1992, I think he had been living in California since graduation. Where is he now?
Keep up the good writing.
# posted by 
: 9:04 AM
: 9:04 AM
Emma --
Thanks for the comment. I'm simultaneously pleased and aghast that someone is reading this besides Eric, my Mom, my sister and my wife.
You have the right Louis -- one of the planet's more decent guys. He and his wife and two young sons are moving this month from the LA area to Charlotte. If you e-mail me at wftpdx@yahoo.com, I can pass along contact info, if you are interested.
Keep up the reading!
Bill
Thanks for the comment. I'm simultaneously pleased and aghast that someone is reading this besides Eric, my Mom, my sister and my wife.
You have the right Louis -- one of the planet's more decent guys. He and his wife and two young sons are moving this month from the LA area to Charlotte. If you e-mail me at wftpdx@yahoo.com, I can pass along contact info, if you are interested.
Keep up the reading!
Bill
The world is even smaller than I thought. I also thought the name Dave Glenn sounded familiar, so I find out last night that he is one of my husband's fraternity brothers. My husband had talked to him a few years ago when his little brother was thinking of pursuing a career in journalism and that is why the name sounded familiar.
# posted by : 6:02 AM
: 6:02 AM
Ah, the legendary DU house. I spent far too many nights there with Dave and his brothers. Your husband must know the legendary Billy Perkins, then, and his Ping hat. Small world.
Franz does know "Billy Ping Hat", as me and all my girlfriends referred to him when we saw him out EVERY night on Franklin Street. We saw Billy at He's Not a couple of years ago and though he was still sporting a hat, it was not the legendary Ping Hat. Franz is one or two years behind Billy (and Dave, too). They tore down the DU Bain house, rebuilt it and are dedicating it at the Dook football game.
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# posted by : 7:59 AM
: 7:59 AM << Home
