The Paul Monitor #1: Hello World

Yeah, that won’t work. 

So in the end, I grabbed, “Paul Monitor”. You know, like a Hall Monitor. Get it? Let’s move on.  

1. I graduated from Fairfax High School in 2001. I went to Christopher Newport University and majored in English with a concentration in Journalism in Film Studies. 

2. I have played an organized version of nearly every sport, but was pretty mediocre in most. I was a three-sport athlete at Fairfax — football in the fall, wrestling in the winter, track and field in the spring. I was a two-year varsity starter for the football team, playing right guard. I was First-Team All-District at guard during my senior year – but at 190 pounds, received only a little bit of Division III interest and decided to hang up the pads. (That’s me on the left during my last game with the super-awesome mohawk.) During my sophomore year at CNU, I roomed with a defensive tackle and tight end for the football team. They were each nearly 100 pounds heavier than me. I made the right choice. 

3. I was a very, very, very, bad wrestler. My crowing achievement was posting an above-.500 record on JV during my junior year.

4. I also tried out for the lacrosse team during my junior year. I had never picked up a stick before, I just wanted a reason to hit people. Needless to say, I didn’t make the team. I have tremendous respect for lacrosse players because, man, that sport is hard. 

5. I covered Fairfax County and Loudoun County for the Connection Newspapers from May 2006 to August 2008. I won seven Virginia Press Association Awards during that time. As you can tell, I’m kind of a big deal. 

6. I was born in San Jose, California, moved to Colorado, then to Michigan, then back to California before settling in Fairfax County in the fourth grade. Never have I lived in Baltimore, much less Maryland. I root for the Baltimore Orioles and Baltimore Ravens — it’s a long story. (Side Note: That’s me in with the Oriole Bird at Camden Yards. It was probably one of the highlights of my life). (Side Note #2: Don’t expect any updates on Sunday as I will be sitting at my parent’s house my 13-year-old brother — the only other Ravens fan I know — watching the Ravens beat on the Steelers. I can’t be out in public during that time because I know how many Pittsburgh fans roam around Northern Virginia).

7. I have two dogs. The dog that you saw in the first photo was Krypto (Superman’s dog, the Dog of Steel — duh). I also have an 85-pound monster named Allie. Why do you need to know that? Well next time I interview you, check for dog hair covering my body. It will be there. 

8. I believe strongly that cheerleading is a sport. I get some flak from my colleagues for this. I have two sisters that were cheerleaders. Being the hunky football player that I was in high school, I have also dated a few. I know the kind of work that cheerleaders put in. I know the kind of injuries that cheerleaders get. Last fall, during the district competitions, I saw a cheerleader fall over six feet, clearly injure her shoulder and continue the rest of the routine with only one arm, fighting back tears. Now that’s tough. I’d like to see an offensive lineman do backflips the length of a basketball court on two bum ankles and a bad knee.

9. Here is a dirty little secret about journalists — or at least me as a journalist: I rely heavily on coaches, players, athletic directors, parents pointing me in the right direction for stories. Got a story that you want me to write? Shoot me an email. Got a tip? Tell me. 

10. I started a Facebook Group. Please join. Upload photos. Post on the wall. See where I’ll be each night. The amount of people that join is directly related to my self esteem, so please help me out. I’ll also be closely monitoring (Get it?) the page, so lets keep it friendly.