So after graduating in december I've spent a hellish 8-month exile working in roswell, NM at the daily record.

Today, the sports editor at the Odessa American called to offer me a job. I will put in my notice tomorrow and should be in Texas by the time the Aggies play Texas State.

It's Texas. Don't knock until you spend time away, even if it is in NM.

Anyone have any suggestions on where to look for places to live and other stuff about getting settled in?


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Check out "Unsolicited Sports Opinions"
at fourthandshawn.com

Congrats. Work hard there, it's a good paper from all I've heard.

Welcome to the neighborhood!
I enjoyed NM when I first moved away, a few months later it set in what I had done. After 3 years I wanted to kiss the ground when returning from NM. I will never willingly leave TX again.

Congrats on the OA job! It's a much better paper than the MRT.

Congrats on the job.
Can't help you on places to live in Odessa. If you just graduated you are probably in your early 20's and looking for an apartment. You probably want to look around the utpb campus in Odessa or look in Midland. There are nice apartments off the loop just north of Midland College.
Several apart. complexes over by the football and baseball stadiums in Midland. That might come in handy since you are a sports writer.

Good Luck

Just a warning, if you are looking to buy a home. Midland/Odessa is a big time "sellers" market right now. You will pay top price for homes for now.

[This message has been edited by Midland Aggie (edited 9/2/2005 2:56p).]

yeah an apartment for now at least.

I need a couple bits of information:

Cable/high speed internet in Odessa?

Places to work out/play some pickup basketball?

What area is the "wrong side of the tracks?"



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Check out "Unsolicited Sports Opinions"
at fourthandshawn.com

From what I've always heard, you can pretty much separate the "right" and "wrong" side of the tracks by looking at the boundary lines of the Odessa High & Permian school districts.

Of course, that is subject to change, in the event an extremely talented young man were to move into the "wrong" side of town.

I don't know Odessa that well, but I think you will be alright if you live around utpb or the mall.
As far as cable/internet, go with Cox or Grande Communications. Both are top notch.

OK. how about gyms?


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Check out "Unsolicited Sports Opinions"
at fourthandshawn.com

Don't know about gyms in Odessa. Most of the bigger churchs have nice gyms and usually have pick up basketball games going on at lunch.
I know my church (First Baptist Midland) has basketball games going on a regular basis. I think the same thing is happening at First Pres. Midland, Crestview Baptist, First Methodist, etc. etc.
You might also check the YMCA in Midland.
The churchs in Odessa probably have the same activities going on. Most Churchs probably have weight rooms as well, and they are free.

Grande has a great package for digital cable, high speed internet, and phone.

There is a 24 hr. gym on John Ben Sheppard by UTPB. Lots of apartments on the east side off the loop and there are several on 52nd. I wouldn't commute from Midland with $3 gas unless you drive a rice burner.

found a place right off 80 outside the loop. Gettin' excited about the move.


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Check out "Unsolicited Sports Opinions"
at fourthandshawn.com

Definitely go Grande in Odessa.
A little over $100 will get you digital cable, telephone, and HIGH speed internet.

Does this mean we can get stories on the Ags in the OA now?

Signed,

Tired of only reading about the raiders

Not necessarily. I'm just a writer, I don't decide what goes where.


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Check out "Unsolicited Sports Opinions"
at fourthandshawn.com

I found out that there is an Ag in some editor position at the [sub]Standard-Times in Angelo. I wrote an email bit#hing about something and found out the guy was an Ag. Quite a change from the Tsip sports writer they had.

Just a side note.....

Dont live in Odessa for obvious reasons...

Odessa isn't that bad...

Grew up there - but got the hell out as fast as possible.

Really though - would be happy to help with any questions you might have.

By the way - anoither really good Mexican food choice:
La Esparanza on West County Road

Yeah, his name's Anthony Wilson (Standard-Times Managing Editor) and he has a vendetta against the sports department.

BTW, Bad mexican food can be hard to find in Midland Odessa. I'm sure it exists but I haven't really found any yet.

HKP, he should have as that department sucked for years. If the Big XII news was not positive for the sips it was buried or not even put in the paper. For a paper that would have a 4 page sports section you would think they would put in all the stuff they could get.

Also, and I know I am biased, but if we did something good against tu it would get a buried article. Let the sips outscore us or some other "bad" news come out about A&M and it would not only be on the front of the Sports sec, but on THE front page as well. I am talking from a history of 37 years in Angelo.

Man this forum has died.... activity wise, I mean.

[This message has been edited by EMc77 (edited 9/28/2005 3:34p).]