They don't let me write headlines at the paper, so this feels naughty

In reference to the title, it's not that they don't let me write titles, but I just never do, knowing they'll probably change them. It's like doing packing a vehicle with my dad, you could do it right, but he'll change it anyways.

(Editor's note: I love my father. I also love my mother. Infact I love my whole family.)

Work at the paper has been going well, they have me working on about three to five stories a week, which keeps me busy. This week (week three) I'm working on eight! I also had a story on the front page (link will probably expire in a few days, but it was a link to the story) which made me real happy.

I'm really enjoying the work. I get to learn a lot of new stuff everyday; writing things, newspaper things, and just random stuff from interviewing people. Between this job and the Stuff You Should Know podcast by howstuffworks.com (that's the second time I've plugged it, but it's amazing. Look it up on itunes if you're really curious) I feel like I'm soaking up more knowledge than back when I was in elementary school, reading Lego magazine on my floor learning random facts tangentially related to the promoted Lego lines of the issue. I love it.

Using learning as a segue, I must bring up my next topic, as I've been excited about this for about a week now. I will set the stage, so that I don't alienate all of my beautiful amazing readers (when I re-read this blog to myself the next 15 times I'm going to be so turned on that I think I'm beautiful).

When I was in elementary school, sponging knowledge from Lego magazines and books about primates from the school's library, I also had another quest. To watch the series of short documentaries. This series was called "Eyewitness" and was done by the BBC. I'm not sure if it was THE BBC, but whatever. They also did a line of educational books as well. I watched every video my elementary school library had and loved every single one. I remember I watched one and wanted my mom to quiz me on a it because I was a such a kiss ass back in the day.

"Look how smart I am."

So I'm tasked at the paper with doing a series of interviews with three retiring teachers, all from the elementary school. I did the first one last week with the library lady (she would be extremely mad, as she informed me of all the credentials and titles that go along with it. I'm in no means knocking it, she was one of those nice old ladies that are some of the sweetest people around, but they're library ladies. I said it when I was eight years old, I'll say it now). She wanted to do the interview in the library she worked at, so I met her there and was a little early and had a look around, and too my surprise found the videos in the picture above. I was excited. I hadn't had a nostalgia rush like that since ever because I'm too young for nostalgia rushes (even though I wish I was an old man).
During the interview I couldn't contain myself, I told the subject about the videotapes and my love for them as a young pup. I could feel the apathy radiating off her body. As we finished the interview, I continued, unashamed, I told her I should become a member of the library, with a pinch of sarcasm.

You can decide how that ended. So I left with my copy of EYEWITNESS DINOSAUR in hand. I finally got around to it tonight.

The following is an unedited first look.


and.... (these videos literally took like 30 minutes to upload).




Also, don't try to pin AP style on me. I'm just freestylin'.
The video was amazing BTW.

One week down

I think I've settled into the (relative) swing of things here in Crosby, ND.
Wake up at 7:30 am. Bike to work.Work. Eat a turkey sandwich for lunch. Work. Bike home. Usually eat supper with my most gracious host, John Andrist. Sit in my room in the basement and pass time until I sleep at 11:30 pm.

It should be noted that John is a real nice and wise old man. For starters he took in a stranger (me) for the whole summer. I don't even have to pay rent. I help him with random tasks around the house, it's a good deal.

But not all is well in this house, or Crosby...
I've taken to drinking the water here, just because it's simple. I plan on not drinking any soda during my time here (though I did drink some while in Hutchinson, MN this past weekend for my sister's wedding.)

BTW congratulations Sister Johanna, and Mark, my new brother.

Sorry for the tangent. Anyways, I've noticed something odd about the water here though. If you'll look at exhibit A on the right side, you'll see a toilet bowl. This is not a bad white balance by my cell phone camera, nor is not the bowl after I have urinated into it.

This is the bowl , with some nice clean Crosby, ND water.

I drink it.

If I may jump back to my host for a moment before we part again, It should be noted that not only did he take me in for the summer - he even offered me a choice of which room I wanted when I first moved in.

I picked the basement room, just so I would stay out of his hair and it was cooler in the basement. I only peeked my head into the upstairs room.

A few days ago though, while I was returning the vacuum to the upstairs bedroom option after John and I had cleaned his porch, I was met with a most horrifying sight. I immediately felt thankful I had instinctively picked the basement like a true social recluse. Don't scroll down if you have Coulrophobia.









I'll stay in the basement, thanks.

This is the entrance to 94 off of 8th Street in Moorhead, Minnesota.

I (probably illegally) took this picture from my car on my cell phone camera. It says "WEST" on that green sign in the middle, which is why I took the picture.

Anyways, I drove for about seven hours. It wasn't so bad, as I had made a playlist on itunes specifically for the occasion (howstuffworks.com has the best podcast everrrrr). Along the way I took note that North Dakota isn't nearly as flat as I had originally thought in my head, and saw some interesting sights along the way.

Between Minot and Crosby (it's a big stretch but they're the only two landmarks I can think of) I saw giant numbers on the hills on either side of the highway built out of stone; 98, 55, 78, 80, 91 and so on. I gathered these must be graduating classes of a local high school. Finally one of them read underneath "State Champions". So if anyone can tell me what sport and what high school these Easter Island like numbers belong to I would appreciate it.

When I pulled into Crosby my gracious host for the summer greeted me with spaghetti. What a guy. That night I met my most gracious roommate for the summer. Shelob the spider. I let her live. That's what friends do right?

The next day (today as of writing), was my first full day in the majestic Crosby, ND. And I already made two new friends; Mike L, a wise old man who I'll hopefully be biking with this summer, and Jack.

Jack the Donkey.



First day of my internship starts tomorrow at 8:30 am. Goodnight.