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Report User "Just when I think I'm out... they PULL me back in!"
This famous Al Pacino line (who coincidentally is celebrating his 66th birthday today) from the Godfather trilogy aptly described the feeling I had when I received my email notification that the Next Great Sportswriter II contest was set to begin.
On the one hand, much like the gangster life was intrinsic to Michael Corleone, sports will always be an important part of my everyday life. And what better way to convey this inborn passion than to write about it and interact with thousands of individuals around the globe who share the same affinity. But on the other hand, after the last fiasco that was the original NGS, I was somewhat hesitant to re-enter.
Don't get me wrong, there was much to enjoy about the first NGS - great discussion/debate, amity, arguments, agreements and a LOT of outstanding work put forth by the contestants. But once the final 16 was revealed, all hell broke loose!
People were questioning the selections by the judges... a few even claimed that it was all fixed from the beginning. We had an underaged contestant admit to his ineligibility, only after he was eliminated. A seemingly fantastic writer was eliminated for suspicion of plagiarism. And round-by-round eliminations were decided by the scorned "outsiders" instead of the judges themselves, leading many to believe that it was more of a popularity contest than a writing competition. Needless to say, it all became quite the headache, at least for yours truly. In the end, I do believe the right man won. But all the extracurricular stuff (in addition to some health issues) drove me away from the blogging experience here for the better part of four months.
But now, with some reservation, I'm back... and the heavily anticipated NGS - Part Deux is upon us. In order to avoid the frustrations that came with the inaugural edition, I decided to make a deal with myself... sort of a self-contract if you weill (TM - Dusty Rhodes), loaded with incentives, stipulations and out-clauses. And for my first blog on Foxsports.com since mid-January, I thought I'd share some of the particulars of my "self-contract" for the NGS II with my fellow bloggers.
The following criteria must be met in it's entirety in order to continue blogging in the Next Great Sportwriter II contest on Foxsports.com:
* You shall only endeavor to write a blog if the mood should strike you. DO NOT write just for the sake of posting in order to "pad" your blog. This is not a contest to see who can write the most blogs. It is a contest to see who can write the most effective blogs.
* You must NEVER take the contest, or your writing, too seriously. Sports are your passion and you love to write. Have fun with it! Otherwise, what's the point?
* You must NEVER offer another blogger anything but kind words and/or constructive criticism. If you should read something in a blog, or in a comment to one of your blogs that repulses you, simply move onto something else and ignore it. Nothing good comes from bickering with people you don't know. Save the venom for your ex-girlfriend!
* You must NEVER post a blog immediately after a Pistons, Tigers, or Red Wings loss ... especially if there is a blown official's call of some kind. Doing so will only reflect bitterness and poor sportsmanship on your behalf. Instead, sleep on it and put together honest criticisms and thoughts from your team's performance the next day.
* You must NEVER, under any circumstances, EVER post drunk. In addition to it being almost impossible to convey a point coherently through the spoken word with "beer goggles" on, it's equally impossible to do so via the written word. Typos and misspelled words will most certainly be at a premium, and no matter how much sense it makes in your mind at the time, it won't make any sense at all the next day and you'll be left with nothing but regret. (For the record, I never did this the first time.
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* You must not put too much stock into the comments posted on your blogs by other members. Welcome the feedback as always, and strive to post thoughts on other blogs, but do not take them as gospel. Everyone has different opinions on what makes a good piece, what makes a great game or play, and what constitutes a lucid thought or observation. So always keep that in mind when blogging.
* DO NOT spend too much time on one post. If it flows, it flows. If it doesn't, it isn't worth your time. Move on and wait til the mood strikes you again.
* DO NOT treat this like it is the gateway to becoming a nationally recognized journalist. There are many other ways to break through and you are pursuing all of them. Treat this only as a fun endeavor and if something else comes out of it - bonus.
* If someone gets caught cheating after the finalists are revealed, DO NOT shake your head and think "that cheatin' son of a #&&#*#* took MY spot". Instead, simply sigh and say ... "Wow! That sucks that he got caught!"
* Finally, you MUST resolve to do your best and accept whatever results may loom. If you're lucky enough to advance to the final 16 this time, relish the opportunity and put your best foot forward. If not, well... there's always the "Next Great Pornstar" competition.
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Failure to adhere to any and all of these guidelines will result in the immediate removal of one MotorcityMadman from the NGS II contest.
Okay, okay... I admit it. I didn't actually make a contract with myself. I just thought I'd throw that out there as a reminder to myself, and perhaps others, of what this contest is really about. Maybe you agree, maybe you don't. It's cool! The bottom line is that the Madman is back and I look forward to interacting with all the familiar cohorts from last December, as well as all the new blood out there.
Good luck to everyone and I'll talk to you soon! Perhaps as soon as tomorrow if the Red Wings don't figure out that stupid trap Edmonton is playing.
Oh wait, that would be in direct violation of a contract stipulation, wouldn't it?