Category: Personal Story

Today I walked by a Miss Sullivan, who happened to mention that she had read my last post. It was recommended to her by a Miss Carroll. That got me thinking, who is reading my junk? Leave your names in the comments please….It is interesting to know…

Everyone has that someone in High School. Sometimes they actually are with them for some time, and others they aren’t. She was my someone. I wasn’t likely her’s, but there was a little ‘bit in which there was that glimmer of chance.

I don’t know if she will read this, she may, if so (not sure I would want her to), but it doesn’t really hurt for her to read.

Her and I only went out on one official date. It was pretty much a bomb, but we did go out on one date. Some movie during winter break Junior year. All throughout High School, we had been pretty flirtatious, even though she had a boyfriend for most of it.

I remember seeing her for the first time on school bus number 5. She was a few rows back on the bus. There weren’t many people on the bus, so I introduced myself. I still remember thinking how cute this girl was at this first impression. Over that year, we were pretty much bus buddies on the way home. We interacted some in school activities freshman year but not a ton. There was the occasional flirting, but nothing over the top. This increasingly continued for a couple of years. I had other crushes, but she was always on the radar.

Junior year, it became more up front. She had broken up with her boyfriend in the summer. Her and I went out to lunch everyday. It was sort of an adventure, since I was only a Junior and not allowed to go off campus. Sort of like something forbidden and it added to the thrill. During this is when things started to shift more.

At YiG that year, I was running for Governor; she was Speaker of the House. Interestingly, it was because I was hanging out with her that the thought of running for Governor even entered my mind. Her friend Kate suggested it to me sophomore year after I won an award. The idea stuck, and I ran.

When I was elected Governor, our advisor forbid anyone from waking me up early to tell me. I had so little sleep during that weekend, and he wanted me to sleep. The way I remember the story is that I was asleep on the couch. Dead to the world. The phone rang. My friend Brian picked it up and yelled at me from the next room to tell that it was for me. I was half asleep, and somehow I got on the phone (I think I hung up at first and they called back). She was on the phone and was telling me that I won. It took me a few seconds to realize it, but I eventually did.

I don’t remember much else about that day other than calling my parents. But it was probably my favorite moment of something related to High School. All of my friends rushing in after the phone call makes it great, but her calling is probably my favorite part of my proudest moment of high school.

That Christmas, at a party, her and I were just sitting on the couch. We were basically toying with each other hinting that we had a thing for each other. It eventually came out in a cute fashion, and we acted a little bit like a couple for the rest of the night. We went to Schnucks (a grocery store) for some reason and set to have our first date be some movie on a day right after Christmas.

Probably my biggest what if of all of High School is about something that happened between then and the date. She had called me on Christmas Eve asking if I want to go to Mass with her and two friends of ours (another couple). I wasn’t sure if it was really kosher to do, leaving family for friend for Christmas, so I said I wasn’t going to.

The date itself was pretty awkward. Our relationship had been so established as friends punctuated with flirtation that nothing else really worked. Us being a couple pretty much fizzled without either straightforwardly acknowledging it, but we both knew.

As for my biggest if…I always wondered what would have happened if I had gone to that Mass. Would that of been an easy enough thing to ease us into being an actual couple? Sort of like a transition date. Likely not, but I have wondered.

The rest of Junior year (note she was a Senior at this time) we went back to our lunches. However, I worked up the courage in March to ask her to Prom. I did (still remember where we were). She said “Yes.”

My Grandfather had died in Febuary, and the funeral was set for March originally. They moved it because they knew my Grandfather and I were close, and I couldn’t make it that day because of the SATs. They just happened to move it to the day of Prom.

As irrational as it was, I still don’t question the following: I honestly searched to see if there was some way I could go to both. Please note, the funeral was in New Jersey. I actually worked out a plan where I could make it as long as the flights were all exactly on time. I would of had to wear a tux on the airplane, but I was honestly okay with doing it all. However, I reconsidered and decided not to. I don’t remember why, but I did.

I went to the funeral. I was glad that I did.

She went to prom. Her date then is now her fiance.

Her and I last saw each other before she went off to college at a friend’s house. Her and her fiance were an established couple. Ironically, that night was probably my favorite night that I ever had with my guy friends in High School. She wasn’t a part of it, but sort of interesting that she was there for part of it.

When she left for school, we corresponded some by e-mail. There is one she wrote about college that I still save because it was so dead on. I have looked back at those e-mails, and I am Wowed at how stupid I was in writing. However, they were pushing the line some of what two people in our situation should talk about, but at the time I loved them.

We e-mailed again this past summer, nothing truly significant. I think I was honestly exploring what I still felt for her. I was really unsure what I thought. She had sort of become a figure in my mind, not idealized, but still was that girl.

We ate lunch when I was back in St. Louis. And it wasn’t there. We sat there. Caught up. Random things like Grad School, High School, just general things. We talked about her prom date some. She mentioned marriage was in the outlook but nothing official. It wasn’t there. I remember telling another friend that night that for some reason the feelings weren’t there. And I was glad. No longer was I really wondering about her. And I haven’t been.

…

Erica Flor told me tonight that she is engaged. She actually got engaged very shortly after our lunch. Erica was the girl I reflect back on as that girl from High School. It wasn’t one thing about her, but it was the whole package. Smart, funny, and really cute. I haven’t felt like I have towards Erica as I have towards anyone else, but I am sure I will and more.

Congratulations & thanks Erica.

Probably for the first time in a while, I am actually concerned about whether I can handle the challenge that is in front of me. The parallels of my 3rd year of college to my 3rd year of High School are becoming scary.

Junior year of High School, I had a part time job throughout the whole year; I was organizing myself to run for Youth Governor along with being involved with like 5 other clubs; I was taking 3 APs including AP Chem (the hardest class at KHS); and for those who know me, December 2001 was probably the most ridiculous month of my life.

Now, entering my Junior year of College. I have an internship; I need to get my stuff together for the Truman Fellowship; I am taking a Graduate level PSC with a nice, but not easy Professor; I am also taking a history (which I want to take (US Hist, 1890-1945)) that is a boat load an half of reading, and I am taking another 2 respectable courses (Hist. of Modern China & PSC International Organizations). And I would be surprised if another December 2001 sort of popped on me at some time this year.

Basically, I am not confident in my abilities for once. Not to be arrogant, but usually there is a challenge in front of me, it rarely daunts me. I am actually scared of what is in front of me.

So far this weekend, I have read over 300 pages for a my US Hist. class, and I have read about 80 pages of PSC Journal Articles. I have about another 60 Journal Pages to read (I think, likely more) and a 130 page book to read (I have read it once, but I have to present questions for discussion on it, and I need to be on top of it).

That reading is just for 2 classes, I have some more for 2 other classes, but nothing huge. However, those 2 and my other history are the “blow off” classes of the semester. Basically I have always had a class or two that just required some work/cramming before midterm and final, and I would get an A. However, those “cram” classes this semester are of the level of what I focused on in the past 2 years. Makes me scared when those 2 classes are taking a backseat… Plus, at least in HS I was fine getting a B, and now an A- hurts my Cumulative GPA, which I want to protect.

But, thanks to my friends who have listened to me bitch this week. Since I have been a bit of a whiner, and they have listened when I just needed someone to listen (wow that is sappy). And sorry to those friends who I haven’t visited as much as I should. When I would be doing so usually, I know have my nose in a book as my roommates can attest to.

We will see how this goes. I didn’t pull off the academics that well all throughout high school, but in college I have been significantly better. The other stuff went pretty well in HS…Will it in college as well? I rarely fail to meet my expectations…However, now there I have doubt.

Well, as you may or may not know, my power was out last week for about 3+ days. On Tuesday, my power went back on, but not my cable. Therefore, I had to resort to dial up for my internet. While I chatted online and watched a junk movie, I was bored so I decided to apply to an internship.

In June, TheNote (Political Newsletter thing I read daily, it is a great joy in my life, basically pick the top stories of the day and extract key quotes) asked for Interns to submit applications. They only asked once, and it was over two months ago, so I assume their search was over. However, I was bored and couldn’t do much online. So applied. Mainly, I wrote a joke cover letter and submitted it.
The Note-

This application is not the typical one. First off, it is being submitted extremely late, which is not my style. Also, I must admit I was originally unsure of applying for an internship with The Note, but I have pretty much decided to give it a go and apply, obviously. The internship would be fun, and while it is not necessarily tailored to my career goals, I should be entitled to some fun.

The Note is a highlight of my day; I kid you not. I talk to friends about my enjoyment of it. One in particular, Victoria Johnson, has heard more than she would like to hear about my love of The Note. I invite you to call her at ###-###-#### and ask. I think she would find it to be a hoot if you called, and I assure you, she is not forewarned of her mentioning in this e-mail (so have some fun with her, she is very good humored).

My Note reading started last year when I worked for the Kerry-Edwards campaign. A friend in the regional press part of Communications pointed it out to me while I was working in Political, and I have been a reader ever since. It honestly has helped develop my understanding politics, and I feel that I have learned as much from it as some of my courses at GW.

In your inquiry regarding interns over a month ago, The Note staff asked what would make me stand out. This question is often answered in my cover letters in applications to other internships. I typically say my communication skills and experience are what make me stand out. However, with this application, I am doing it more on the fly, so more a blunt and less typical and dry response will be given.

Honestly, my greatest assets are likely things not necessarily directly related to politics. Consider me a “handyman intern” with a strong political focus. For example, I am excellent with computers and technology. I own and operate a web site, Billikens.com, that receives over 10,000 daily visits. For the Kerry Campaign, I got my start as an intern by working in IT where I worked with all levels of the campaign.

My “handyman intern” skills also proved to be useful this summer when I worked for a Member of Parliament. Christopher Fraser MP was newly elected this May, and he didn’t have a staff. This summer he only had a part-time personal secretary and me. My job pretty much ended up being running his office in Westminster. This involved various tasks from making sure the pictures in the office were hung properly to formulating debate preparation and speeches. It was a good experience because I worked with everything including scheduling, press, research, and interacting with other MPs. This utilized my “handyman” abilities.

My eventual future likely will either be political staffing or academia. Communications and the media have not necessarily been on my radar. With this information, along with my tardy application and informal message, my application for an internship is not quite by the book for applying to a major media outlet. However, this stranger (me) can assure you that you would not regret having me as an intern. In my past jobs, I am always one of the hardest workers and an asset to my employer. I hope my resume and GPA offer some reassurance that I am not a slacker of a college student. I believe I can be on the best Googling monkeys that you have ever seen.

I have attached my resume to this e-mail, and I honestly am not expecting an internship from my loved The Note because of the tardiness of this application amongst other reasons. Nonetheless, it would be nice to receive a reply, and I hope The Note staff enjoys their respective vacations. I will miss my Note this month, but I have slowly been weaned off because of the diminishing number of “must-reads” recently.

Sincerely,

Steve Rogers

PS On a more formal note, I would like to mention that I am the nephew of David Rogers of The Wall Street Journal. I do not know if this would present a conflict of interest regarding your publication. Obviously, he is a journalist you reference to often, and I wanted to be up front regarding this relation of mine. If this is a conflict of interest and are the grounds for not extending me an internship opportunity, I would completely understand without complaint.

PSS Excuse the length of this message, but just consider it to be a big news day. The Note and articles, depending on the day, can take me 20 minutes or over an hour to read. Think of this message as one of the extending days but in application form.

Basically, (as seen above to those Note readers) I tried to use some of the Note’s little phrases and how they word things. However, I was mainly entertaining myself. I was also curious about how they would react to my letter….

Well…the next day, I surprising got an e-mail from The Note offering me a position. I replied with my availability. They want me for more hours, and my class schedule isn’t very cooperative with my few hours factor. However, they have said they would be in touch.

So, let this be a lesson to everyone who has ever gotten career advice.
When on Dial-Up, watch the Movie You’ve Got Mail and write your cover letter as a joke. And definitely make a reference to Victoria Johnson
Following that little rule, I have a 100% internship success rate…

Well. This is the first post on here. Aren’t I cool now? I have a blog…