Bob's Blog

I propose that the capability of sending e-mails to blutz@wichitaeagle.com be stripped from every Kansas State football fan. Can I make this happen? Is there a state legislator I can talk to? Or is this a federal issue?

No, actually, my Kansas State friends are a lot of fun. Every time I say anything that could be interpreted as a slight question of Bill Snyder’s authority as the Wildcats’ football coach, my inbox becomes the food line at a college cafeteria.

To those of you who think I’m a little bitter because Snyder denies the media much access to his football program I can only say: Ding ding ding ding. You win the jackpot. Being a sportswriter, I like access to the things I cover. Funny, huh? I’ve found that I can do my job so much better if I can actually talk to the people involved.

So why doesn’t Snyder take his media paranoia thing all the way? Why not refuse credentials to games? Why hold a weekly Tuesday news conference in Manhattan? Why talk to reporters after games?

I’ll tell you why. Because even good ol’ Bill understands that would be going too far. If he did that, there are probably even two or three Kansas State fans who would grumble because I suspect even they enjoy getting up in the morning and reading a story about Kansas State football.

Snyder isn’t alone in his media policy. Other coaches, including Mark Mangino at Kansas, have adopted his anti-media stance. Mike Leach at Texas Tech closed ranks so tight that the Fort Worth Star-Telegram has pretty much stopped covering the team.

I’m the first to admit that those of us in the media can be a real pain in the rear. But we’re pretty nice people when you get to know us.

It’s our problem and I don’t expect you to be much concerned. But don’t expect me just to shut up and accept it, OK? It’s just not my style. I’m a cage rattler. It’s one of my most endearing qualities.

Finally, to all Kansas State football fans: I have decided to limit my access to you. I will be available for e-mails every Wednesday from 3 p.m. until just after 3:07. Other requests should be made through my public relations department, just as soon as I get one. Hey, it works for Snyder.

The great thing about the television show Lost is that I really never know what is happening. I need to get to work the next day and discuss the previous night’s episode with my friends before I can make any sense of who’s doing what to whom and why. And then I’m not real sure.

Wednesday’s episode, the first of the new TV season, has me confounded. What is going on inside that hatch?

Who is that guy? What is his association with Jack? Is this all an elaborate set-up? And if so, for what purpose?

OK, this is the last I’ll talk about Lost for a while. But I’m so hooked on this show.

Meanwhile, thanks to everyone who is contributing to this blog. Some good ideas for music and books and the such. I’ll get to as much as I can. It’s time I became a more well-rounded person and I’m depending on you bloggers to help. I read everything that is sent in and I post most of it for others to read. This could change Wichita. And have you noticed how I’m catching on to blog lingo. I now speak blogese.

Check with you soon.

OK, OK, now we’re rolling. People are responding. I feel wanted. Which is very important for me. If I don’t feel wanted I tend to shrivel up into a ball and sleep for days upon end.

But some of your suggestions for music have inspired me. Let’s see, here are the bands suggested so far: Split Lip Rayfield (love that name), The Bravery, Bright Eyes, Hot Hot Heat and the Killers. I’m going to give all of them a listen and I’ll check back later. Actually, I have heard some of the Killers’ stuff and like it. When I’m driving around in my car, I’ll slip some of this stuff into my CD player.

OK, now I’ve got something else for you all to participate in. Seriously, have you ever had more fun? Lost is my absolute favorite television show. And the Season 2 debut is tomorrow night with two hours. Of course, the highlight is going to be that we finally get too see what is inside the mysterious hatch that the survivors opened in the Season 1 finale.

I want your guesses. And I’ll buy a drink for anyone who guesses right, up to two people. Because, after all, I’m a journalist and really can’t afford a round for the house. Plus I’m paying off a car, a house, a . . . well, I don’t need to get into that. Oh, college tuition, can’t forget that one.

Keep the responses coming. I get a nickel for every one, which means I’m up to almost $3. Actually, I don’t really get a nickel for your response. I have to tell you that because so many people can’t tell when I’m kidding.

I feel a connection here with you fellow bloggers. A deep, satisfying connection.

I had this idea to go back and look at my senior yearbook from high school in Derby and see what people had to say about me. It’s been a while since I’ve done that.

I think most of my friends liked me, which is a good thing. If most of your friends don’t like you, imagine what your enemies think.

Anyway, here’s a sampling of what some of those people had to say about me more than 30 years ago, with my comments in parentheses:

From Christine: "You’re really an unusual guy, but just the same I think your neat (this is how we talked then). It’s been fun in geometry, even during our fights (I was mouthy in those days).

From Vicki: "You’re a really wonderful guy. I never even talk to you any more (this is why she thought I was a really wonderful guy) but I really still think a lot of you. I don’t know what else to say except that you are a really wonderful person.” (The mystery of why Vicki thought I was such a wonderful person remains to this day).

From Ron: "To a fantastic baseball pitcher (got that right) and an all-around great person because you know German. (Yeah, I know German, laugh). Keep up the good work and perhaps you’ll be the only All-State pitcher who knows German.”

From Becky: "Bobby, to a great guy who is very good lookin’ (Becky wore bifocals). I hope we’re always friends.” (Lost track of Becky years ago)

From Charlene: "I don’t know where to really begin. But I guess I’ll tell you that all those times I seem like such a gripe, I’m just teasing you coz’ I knew it bothered you. Not for meanness, for fun. (How many times have I heard that from a woman since?) Really, Bob, you’re a really great person with a wonderful personality.”

From Miss Holsapple, the teacher who kicked me out of journalism class: "You are a good sports editor and I hope you keep improving with time. Good luck in the future with your journalism career.” (Well, Miss Holsapple, thanks for everything you did for me, like kick me out of the freakin’ class)

From my pal Doug: "You’re a great friend. We’ve had a lot of great times. Good luck on the radio.”  (Doug later became a fortune teller)

From Ron: "We’ve had some great times together in school and sports. Even though we beat the heck out of each other, I know we’ll aways be great friends. (I’ve still got the scars to prove it)

From Diana: "Bob, I have no idea what to say to you. You are such a good friend of mine. Even when we get into fights and stuff, it’s fun. You really have a great, wonderful personality. I just love coming into journalism and fighting with you! (Are you seeing a trend?)

From Glennda, who has already made a rather nasty contribution to this blog: "Dear Bobby-do, everyone probably tells you you’re the funniest guy around and you sure are (I paid her to write that). I’m glad that I’ve gotten to know what a great guy you are. I’ll never forget that night, either. My cat’s in love with you (OK, I don’t know what happened but I need to find out).

And finally, from another Vicki, someone I went to grade school with: "To a really grouchy guy. You remind me of an old man.” (Some people just hit the nail on the head).

My sincere thanks to everyone who is posting on this blog. I have enjoyed your comments and appreciate the time you take to do so. I know I’m not holding up my end in this process by posting as much as I should. I’ll try and do better.

Now, on to Dave Freeman, the "chief" meteoroligist for Channel 3 News in Wichita. I’ve met Dave and he’s a good guy. He didn’t seem to take himself seriously off camera.

On camera? Or on the airwaves? Little different story.

Have you heard the commercial that runs on radio in which Freeman says something like this: Kids are scared of storms and parents in Wichita and surrounding communities would be wise to sit those kids down and tell them that Dave Freeman is watching out for them. Freeman always speaks with such earnestness about the weather. And yes, I realize weather can be a very serious matter. But to suggest that parents need to gather the kids around for a talk about Dave Freeman _ well, it seems a little self-indulgent.

Parent: Kids, we know you’re a little antsy when there’s thunder and lightning. So your mother and I just want to tell you that one of our weathermen, "chief" meteoroligist Dave Freeman, is going to take good care of us.

Kid: Daddy, I want some soup.

Parent: Now, now, you have to listen to us about this. Weather is important. Just listen to Dave, he’ll tell you. He’s on TV all the time.

Kid: SpongeBob is on TV? Does Dave Freeman know SpongeBob?

Parent: Hey, I’m serious. Weather is serious. Dave is serious. Please pay some attention to this. When there is the threat of bad weather, we’ll all gather around the television and listen to Dave.

Kid: My thumb hurts.

Parent: Don’t you understand? Dave Freeman wants to make us safe. Especially you kids. He’s a "chief" meteoroligist.

Kid: A chief medeur-what?

Parent: I give up. We’re switching to Merril Teller.