Hopefully this blog entertains all of you as much as it entertains me, and it’s from that mindset where this latest “contest” was conceived. You won’t be receiving anything in the mail – e-mail, maybe, in the form of positive or negative feedback – but your input is vital.
Here’s the gist: I’m going to be starting “Forum Friday,” in which I provide a topic and I’m going to select two or three readers to provide their opinions, stances, arguments, etc., and publish their comments. But for “quality control” concerns, I’m going to be conducting an experiment – which brings us back to today’s contest. To be considered as a participant for a future “Forum Friday,” I need you to submit a brief essay – nothing longer than 75 words, please – in the comments field below that explains a) why you’re interested in this endeavor, b) what your qualifications are to be a part of the “K-Stated” family (we have a secret handshake and everything – ask Mrs. Smith), and c) why I should choose you.
Creativity is a must – as is passion. Sucking up is expected, but not totally necessary.
Up to the challenge?
20 Comments
Just when I think that you can’t possibly outdo yourself you go and do something like this. Well done Mr. Mart.
Qualifications:
You used some of my questions on Yo’s got 5 on it early in the process.
Avid reader of Eagle/Kstated entries.
High level questions on your Q/A forum.
High FBIQ Not high BBIQ (perfect balance of Yin and Yang)
I too prefer to drive places and not fly.
I suggested/demanded live blogging during the summer when you first mentioned this site before it happened and it is obviously a big hit even though you kinda dropped the ball on it during FB.
You should choose me because of everything I just listed.
I live in Pittsburgh, PA and outside of my Dad and KSUfans.com; I don’t get a lot of true interaction with K-Staters. An opportunity to express myself on this HIGHLY visited website would be an absolute thrill.
Secondly, as an avid reader, I would also love to show my writing skills (or lack thereof).
Lastly, I was raised in the heart of the enemy, Lawrence; however, my father and I overcame all the jayhawk torment.
Long time caller, first time listener (ha). JMart, I was raised in Manhattan and have been a K-Stater since I listened to the calls on Lynn Dickey playing football, and Steve Honeycutt and Wheeler Hughes playing hoops. Analytical mind with a good sense of humor and a passion for sports…particularly basketball and football…and particularly the Cats. I read your site daily..if that has any bearing on the case…and it should!
Great idea, J-Mart. I’m a K-State grad and never miss a football or basketball game. I’ve also got a blog and I link to your blog from mine. How’s that for brownie points? I am the guy you see in the grocery store or in a restaurant that is dressed from head to toe in purple because K-State gear constitutes 95% of my wardrobe. Try that in a town dominated by KU fans and see the reaction you get. My wife is not a sports fan, but I told her about Mama Sayz so she went online to read it and now she’s hooked.
This blog is the best thing to happen to K-State fans in a long time. More brownie points?
I’m not sure if I should thank you for the opportunity or resent you for subjecting me to a state of groveling for unpaid work. (We aren’t going to get paid are we?) Never-the-less, I have decided to humor us both with my submission.
While I have little experience in journalism, I do have experience writing professionally. I’ve written several feature length screenplays, and yes I’ve even sold a couple. Luckily, I’ve produced nothing but garbage for the past couple years, so I didn’t have to test my scruples during the recent strike. My K-State fan credentials may not run as deep as many, but I did attend every b-ball game in Asbury’s last season. There are very few people who can make that claim.
As for why I’m interested and why you should choose me, it’s really the same answer for both questions: I’m a total blowhard. My sense of self importance and understanding of the universe is irrationally out of whack. I’m just itching for an outlet to express my omniscience…and I think people like reading that sort of thing.
hearken back to the days of short shorts, the old willie the wildcat, and the two-handed set-shot. my purple bloodlines were formed by my grandpa, a kstater and color commentator for basketball during the glory years. i’ve earned my stripes at kstate by drinking wildcat iced-teas at the old tula’s, scarfing inedible tacos at rusty’s, and selling my soul to the architecture program. kstate is my school. purple is my color. this is my forum.
My qualifications? Short and sweet. We’ve obviously met AND there might be a bottle of Napa Valley wine in it for you. . .and you know I can deliver.
I have been a K-State fan since I was born. I remember listening to KSU football and woundering when they would win a game. But never gave up on them. I was surrounded KU fans from the time I was in 1st grade until I graduated high school then I had the privlidge of attending KSU in Manhappiness from 94-98 (the best 4 years of KSU football IMO)I bleed purple. Not to mention I can debate just about anything, whether I believe it or not!! So I feel I can bring good conversation and argue just for the sake of argument. My spelling—Not so good.
Why do I want to write for this site? I’m not sure, but it might be out of boredom. No, I just like talking rationally about Wildcats sports (and by sports I mean football and basketball only).
What qualifications do I have? None at all. I did this kind of work for XFL.com for a bit. So since I wouldn’t want that on a resume we’ll pretend I have no experience.
Why should you choose me? Well it depends on if you want to listen to someone calling for Prince and Martin’s heads every time they lose a game. If that is what you want then I am not your man.
I’ve posted my application in the form of a Haiku:
Young, purple-faced coach
First team all-american
Discuss them I will
a)Why I’m interested in this endeavor: I enjoy enriching people’s lives with my powerful insights and insufferable smarm.
b)Qualifications: Second City certified comedy writer, I’m familiar with Kansas State football, the state of Kansas and the unique culture and traditions of this University, and above all else a master of secret handshakes (pick me and I’ll teach you “The Thunderbird” and “The Wild Cowboy”).
c)Why you should choose me: Think about it… your brains and my brawn- WE’D BE UNSTOPPABLE!!! Well, until we happened upon someone stronger and smarter, anyway. But I bet if we started at an elementary school, for a good 3-5 minutes, WE’D BE UNSTOPPABLE!!!
Doom.
I haven’t entered an essay contest since grade school, but here goes.
You covet my input because:
1. As a former Collegian sports writer, I honed three key skills that make life better: I can write (somewhat competently), I can drink with the best of them (I once polished off two King Cobra 40s in one setting. I would not suggest repeating this.), and I know which rub-on tanning cream gives you that perfect Asbury glow.
2. My blog is named in honor of the pimp classic Dolemite. That HAS to give me some old school cred.
3. I bring Tony Kitt-like effort (and equally potent B.O.) in the form of Darren Kent-like awkwardness.
JMART-
a) I have been on board since Kstated was nothing more than some chicken scratch on a chalkboard. More than anything else, I want to see it grow. At the same time I dont want you to get a Head Coach size type ego, so your dad is sending me to check you.
b) I am just a regular everyday normal guy (http://www.jonlajoie.com/video/eng.php) Plus, Oprah is backing my nomination.
c) I start all my days the same way. I put on my Michael Bishop vintage jersey. I have a bowl… of cereal. I read KStated. Then I go back to bed. Sometimes I cry myself to sleep with thoughts of the 1998 Big 12 Championship. Sometimes the vision of 5 star recruits dance through my head. I think The Rock and Ron Prince would make a sweet tag team duo. I once slapped Bill Snyder on the butt and told him ‘good game’.
c)
A. I can’t pass up an opportunity to talk K-State sports on the 1# K-State site.
B. Forgot the suit and laid Dad to rest in his K-State football jersey. (He would have loved this forum)
C. I make my point under the word requirement. I’m reasonable, I bet my friends K-State men would make the Sweet 16 before the season started.
Gotta give some love to the Big 12 #1 Lady Cats.
I should be a member of Forum Friday because I have excellent message board skills, have an extremely serious Kansas State blog for HBBIQ readers only, I smell nice, Levi proclaimed me the best J-Mart Q&A contributor, I would be an excellent counter-point to the other Forum contributors, I have a first name for a last name, my mom says I am handsome and I typed my whole essay in the form of one sentence.
I have a bottle of crown with which to secure exclusive interviews.
Addition to my essay: I am the only person that I know of that has asked, and subsequently been turned down by, Fatima Smith for a date.
J-Mart:
Why this for me, because I am ridiculously good looking and I blocked Kendra Wecker’s shot once at the Rec in a pick-up game.
My qualifications include many late nights in Aggieville and calling countless KU players the night before games.
Why choose me, because since I currently reside in Des Moines, I can get the inside perspective when I call in to the Greg McDermott show and Gene Chizik!
My interest in this endeavor is driven by greed and revenge…and almost certainly not in that order. My qualifications are many…the usual particulars are in place; KSU grad, wildcat sporting savant, creepy levels of internet message board participation, etc. However, my key differentiator from the mouth breathing trolls around me is my proven dedication to the helmsman of this congregation. I have twice been banned from an infamous message board community for telling the truth about the real leader in KSU sports coverage. Participating in what may be the most important, and historically significant endeavor in the saga of the world wide web, will almost certainly result in vast wealth and fame for me…and I will simultaneously quench the fires of message board vengeance that burn within me. Oh, and I think this deal would be awesome, and by that I mean totally sweet.