I'm back, and it's hustlin' season!

Ladies and gentlemen, let the hustlin' begin.

Every summer, my friends and I create a theme to live our summers by.

A few years ago, it was "The Summer of Love," which didn't turn out the way I planned.

Last year, we had the summer in which we made it rain ... no official title ... but I turned 21, made it rain in Las Vegas and the Cubs made it rain on the NL Central.

This year we've decided to combine the two concepts by filing them under "Hustling."

Every summer deserves a soundtrack and the sounds of this summer will be forever known as "Hustlenomics: The Ultimate Hustle." And yes, I do know that Yung Joc's last album was called "Hustlenomics."

Whatever.

And while combining the summer of love and making it rain to make it hustle, we're adding the concept of Deuces Wild, my triumphant return to Vegas.

The storm clouds are headed west and this year we're adding two more ultimate hustlers to the gang. Expect a slew of heavy showers on the Vegas strip in early-to-mid June that will hopefully be assisted by Pac Man Jones, Tank Johnson and other pros.

What about the rest of the summer?

Well, I'll be working at Z-Frank Chevrolet as a garage attendant. It's not pretty or glamorous, but it puts enough money in my pocket to support that drinking habit I developed at SIU.

I plan on buying a car (hopefully the dealership can cut me a deal) so I can travel on my own schedule during the 2008-09 school year.

I also plan to keep my writing skills sharp. While I'll be commenting on aspects of my own life, my favorite sports teams and hot chicks at this site, I'll be contributing my views on the sports world's hot topics over at The Big Dead Sidebar with fellow Daily Egyptian sportswriter Matt Hartwig and Memphis Grizzlies broadcasting intern Mike Carter (and maybe others?)

When I'm not working or blogging, I'll be keeping a keen eye on my Cubbies. Hell, I'll even be at the game on July 27. Bleachers baby!

Where'd you go?

Now that I'm home and settled (kinda), I am back from my blog vacation.

It was a great semester at SIU, even though my grades (3 C's and 1 A) would say it was average, it was much more than that.

My passing grades have put me one step closer to graduation, and I'm excited about that. Sure, it's going to take five years to get that four-year degree, but it will be worth it in the end.

Without a doubt, my favorite thing about this semester was working for the Daily Egyptian, the student newspaper of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where I work as a sports reporter.

It's been a long climb to the DE. I've applied every semester and have been shot down every time until this semester. Originally I signed on to be a correspondent, but when I got a call from the sports editor saying a spot at the sports desk opened up I had to take it.

It's arguably been the best thing to happen to me at SIU. In my first semester at the paper, I've written stories about swimming, track and field, tennis, golf, baseball and women's basketball.

There are so many more stories, catch them all here.

At the DE, I met so many wonderful and talented people that I'll never forget. The only downfall is that I'm not there with them this summer. I hope I get the opportunity to return next semester.

With school and work at the DE in the rearview mirror (for now), it is time to focus on "The Summer of Hustle."


And for your viewing pleasure, here's a sample of what we'll be doing.





Oh and a lil' bit of this too.





Oh and we'll be ballin' out this summer too, fa sho!





And finally, in October, we'll be doing this for the first time in 100 years. Book it!