Last night I fit my cell-phone into my helmet so I could give an audio feed of the broomball game. I called my brother's work to leave a voicemail, which would get turned into an audio file. Unfortunately, I got cut off after only three minutes, which happened to be the exact time the game actually started. I didn't have time during the game to redial, which is probably for the best since we were demoralized 7-0 (or something like that... the scoreboard wasn't working, and I lost count of the goals after four). Anyway, here's the 3 MB .au file of the call.

I'm really bad at organization. Actually, I take that back: I'm good at organization; I'm bad at staying organized. Today I sat in the Pub and got myself organized. How did I do it?

My first idea was to hang a big piece of poster paper in my room and use Post-It� Notes to keep track of all the things I was working on. I could arrange the notes by due-date or project and it would be available to look at all the time. Except I'm not home all the time. I'm hardly home at all except to sleep, and if I'm home and not sleeping, I'm probably watching TV.

My second idea was to use computer-based solutions like iCal and Omni Outliner. The problem is that I don't always have reasonable access to my computer. I usually carry it with me, but it's not convenient for quick entries, especially in the middle of class.

After considering the problem after work today, I think I've got a solution. I purchased some folders, Post-It� Notes and folder labels, then went to the pub, ordered a PBR and spread the contents of my shoulder bag onto the table.

I created a folder for each major project. One for each class, one for each project outside of class and one for small projects. I labelled each folder then put loose papers from my bag into their appropriate container. I used the Post-It notes to "chunkify" the tasks for each project into smaller pieces, then stick them inside the folder.

This solves both of the above problems. The folders remain in my bag, so I have access to them when I need them and I also have a Post-It notepad in my bag, so I can write quick notes and add them to the folders quicker and less conspicuously than entering things in my laptop. I still use iCal for scheduling, but I don't need to refer to it as often, because each Post-It has a due date, so I can see what's coming up.

Only time will tell if this system will work, but it seems to have quite a bit going for it. I just need to make sure I check the folders on a regular basis so I can avoid missing deadlines. I'm also sure that I haven't thought of all possible problems, but the system seems flexible enough to adapt to most hiccups I'll encounter.

This weekend, one of my roommates and I rented a car and drove to Anchorage (high five!) We were gone for a grand total of 30 hours, 12 of which were spent driving to and from the big city. The drive was nice both ways; there were just a few icy parts of the road. Being in Anchorage felt almost like summer. The 40-degree temperatures felt amazing compared to the -20 that we've been experiencing lately (although it's warmed up to about 20 today). The funny thing about the trip was that we went to Anchorage to look up some court records. The clerk told us that the cases had closed so the records were sent back to Fairbanks just a few days before we got there. We also got to have a visit (albeit a short one) with my friend who recently moved there.

On Friday, the UAF Weekly team completed our first dry run (high five!). The dry run is important because we need to practice working as a team and get familiar with the equipment. Before we got started, we had to adjust the lights and move the furniture to get more dimension for the anchors. The backdrop looks really good on camera and there were few technical problems. Next week will be a second, but more thorough, dry run and following week's program will be scheduled for broadcast.

Everyone's favorite broomball team, the Deadites, didn't lose! (High Five!) I was working hard in the crease. I caught one of the first shots, but then got hit by the shooter. I started sliding back into the goal so I had to get rid of the ball before it crossed the goal line. It was an awesome save. I had several other good saves, too. I wish I would have taped the game. One shot snuck between my elbow and body, but then Matt scored tying the game 1-1.

iChatAV has been out for a while and it finally looks as though people are taking advantage of audio conferencing available (high five). This is the first time that everyone online has had audio conference capabilities.

The newest issue of Penny Press has been published. Lots of great writing that everyone should read.

The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour makes a stop in Fairbanks each year. It's aMAZing. The grand-prize winner, The Other Final, was incredibly well produced and truly awe-inspiring to watch. There are video clips available on the web site.

I will never misspell the word peristaltic again.

Last night two fellow journalism students and I participated in the 12th Annual Biz Bee. It's a fundraiser for the Literacy Council of Alaska where businesses and organizations sponsor teams to compete in a spelling bee. There were twenty-two teams of three, including us. Based on our table position, we were to go last in each round.

As each team was given words like "mage" and "rudimentary," we thought we would be able to pretty easily make it to the second round. One by one, teams spelled their words. A few even got out the first round, but bought back in (it is a fund-raiser after all). As each team spelled or misspelled their words, our excitement clicked toward nervousness. After the team from UAF's Arctic Region Supercomputing Center, the CRAYons, the spotlight was on us.

Our word: peristaltic. Only one of us had ever heard it, and that was a long time ago. We spelled it parystaltic. When asked if we wished to buy back in for $100, I was feeling frisky and said, "On a journalist's salary?"

Although I have no idea what peristaltic means (other than having something to do with the throat), I'll always remember how to spell it.

Last night's broomball game went much better than the one before it. We still lost, making our record 0-4-0 in conference play, but they only scored one very lucky goal. Check out the Highlight Reel (1.8 MB Quicktime).

Some of you might be asking why there's only footage of the goalie. Well, the first reason is that I'm the goalie and this is my web site. The second (more practical) reason is that there's no one to man the camera so it has to remain stationary, and the goalie doesn't move around the ice too much.

Bicycle friendly folks will likely be able to relate to this simple quiz.

For the first time in this blog, when I refer to hardware, I'm actually referring to stuff you buy at a hardware store. I got to use power tools yesterday and I must say, it was FUN. I was simply cutting 1x3s to length in order to build the backdrop for our TV News program. Then I got to glue braces and drill screws with a drill (I have used a drill before, but I hadn't used the miter saw).

Today I earned my first pair of paint-stained jeans while applying paint to our muslin backdrop. Tomorrow is second coat and then texture. I've got video of some of our work, and I'll be getting some more, so keep an eye out.

I participated in a spelling bee for charity. High Five! It was fun, but our team was eliminated in the first round by the word "peristaltic." I had never heard it before, but I'll never misspell it again. In case you're wondering, it has something to do with muscles in the throat and intestines that coordinate in such a way to keep food and other stuff moving.

When you play on any team, it's hard to get everyone to show up at 12:45 a.m. on a weeknight. Such is the plight of The Deadites. Last night we lost 3-0 to Team Ramrod, partially because some teammates didn't show and partially because i had to use loaner pads, which threw off my game. Mostly the helmet, actually, because it was falling apart.

• Goal #1
• Goal #2
• Save
• Goal #3

I'm in charge of archiving the file footage for UAF Weekly, a start-up student-produced newscast (high five!). I captured clips from MiniDV tapes and will burn them to DVD. The other option was to archive them back on one MiniDV, but then whenever they were needed the reporter/editor would have to recapture the clips. By burning the clips to DVD (as a data disc) we'll save time because we can just use the clips without spending the time to capture.

I recently made some mix CDs for a couple friends and didn't include a track list. I had originally forgot to print one and include it in the mailing, but now I think I'm glad I left it out.

Part of the fun of getting a mix tape or CD is the element of surprise. You're heart rate increases everytime a track ends, because you just don't know what's next. Is it club banger or soul-bearing confession? When those seconds-turned-hours of silence finally come to a close and the first notes come through the speakers you feel a release, only to have the tension begin to rise as the next track approaches.

Another reason to leave the track list behind is to prevent any preconceived notions. If you get a CD or tape and it has a song by an artist you normally wouldn't consider listening to, it's easy to skip over to the next track. But if you don't know what the songs are, you'll listen to each one and accept it on it's individual merits, outside of any preconceived notions, and you'll also consider it's context within the mix. Even if it's by an artist you dislike, the track may make perfect sense based on its placement alongside the other songs.

One might argue that one point of making a mix is to expose others to good music they probably haven't heard, so if you leave the track list out they won't know who's playing the good stuff. My workaround is to save a copy of the list so the recipient can ask me for it after he or she has had a chance to listen to it.

(1) In a South Park episode, Cartman tricks Butters into staying in a fridge for a week so Cartman can go with Kyle to Casa Bonita, a Mexican theme-park restaurant. It turns out, the restaurant is very much like it's described in the episode.

(2) This goes out to all my hiking and camping homies: Portable stoves can be expensive, but now you can build one of your own from cans of Pepsi and Guinness.

(3) Photographer Emese Gall discusses the relationship between photoblogging and professional photography.

(4) From the folks who brought you Gawker: Wonkette.

According to Phil, we've got six more weeks of winter ahead, but I'm actually looking to the past to see how I've done on my New Year's Resolutions.

Read one book per month. I started strong, completing a third of a book in the first few days of the month. Unfortunately, that book sat on the shelf for quite some time and it was looking like I might not be able to claim a win for the book-reading category. Fortunately, I rallied in the last days of the month to finish Neal Stephenson's The Big U mere hours before the deadline.

Get and Remain effectively organized. I have made some progress in this area. Moving has proved both a help and hinderance. On one hand, it forces me to clear out clutter that has accumulated, but on the other hand, I have to pack everything and then unpack it, which is usually quite chaotic. I haven't let papers pile up on my desk for a significant length of time, but I definitely have room for improvement.

Work smarter, not longer hours. This is an area I'm doing well in. I feel like I'm actually making progress on work projects and am leaving the office at a reasonable hour. (the limited bus schedule kind of forces this, which is nice)

Spend more time being social. I've gone out more than 50% of weekends so far this year, which is about right. Sometimes I need to spend some time at home and relax. My weekdays have been less social, and is a place I will try to improve this month.

Cook a decent meal three times a week. January has been an utter failure in this regard. Mostly this is because I moved and so my cooking utensils were packed for most of it. February is my time to rally in the kitchen.

Take control of financial situation. My financial situation isn't bad, but I need to keep it from deteriorating. I do have some debt to pay off and I want to have a decent amount saved up by the time I graduate. Also, I wouldn't mind setting up a long-term savings plan like an IRA or mutual fund investment.

OVERALL SCORE (not an average): 57%
If the year were to end right now, I wouldn't be satisfied with the result. Fortunately, I've got 11 more months to shape up. There are other non-contractual obligations that I have yet to Make Happen also, contributing to a lower score than I would like.

[no picture] I went to my friend's house for one of the best Super Bowl games, ever (high five!). I was rooting for the Patriot's the whole time, but I was glad to see Carolina give them a run for their money.