Story of My Life

By Aaris A. Schroeder
Editor-In-Chief

I have been reading since I was three years old, reading at a second grade level in Kindergarten [once I became beyond my social anxiety]. I have been writing books since I was eight years old and became involved with journalism when I was only 12-years-old. I was in 8th grade ['92] and I cut and pasted my 'fun page' for our school 'paper' ...er newsletter. I collected jokes for the day, cross word puzzles, listed random trends and mind puzzles.

I was put off by the fact that I didn't get into Honors English as a freshman [due to sloppy handwriting; hence actual writer, I can think faster than I can write -- wow!!] so I didn't join Journalism until I was 16-years-old [a couple got in as sophomores and I am sure I could have with my experience but I was not happy]. I wrote ten pieces a month as well as conducted online research as the internet was in its primative modern times ['96]. I wrote anything from news to opinion to features -- I even covered some horoscope pieces.

My senior year, I had a talk with my Journalism Advisor and suggested that I should move to High School Yearbook so I could learn layout. He told me that if I stayed I could have any section I wanted. I picked Features.

I still wrote ten pieces a month in a SacBee type layout and feel. I also edited stories from not just my section but overflow from the news section. On top of that, I didn't just lay out one page but two -- the same size as The Sacramento Bee. I used Pagemaker ['97-'98] and also printed out each section and cut and pasted them on our grid and sent them off to press; old skool style.

College came around and I opted for junior college. As I was taking various classes I was working my ass off trying to get a job at a publication with no avail. I submitted for several editing and staffwriting positions; whether they were hiring or not for such publications as Rocklin News, Orangevale News, West Sacramento News, The Roseville Tribune, Sacramento News and Review, Jane Magazine and Teen People.

Teen People made me a TrendSpotter in my community and Sacramento News and Review made me a contributing writer.

As I was persued my professional career, I enrolled in the college newspaper course where, first semester was deemed features and assigning editor. There were a lot of jealous personalities surrounding me but I made it happen nonetheless. I already was one. I had been one since I was a kid.

August '01 brought UBO Magazine, or should I say UndergroundBeat Online. With help from three wonderful men, Mike Steiner, Dave Drever and Chris Schmalbeck -- my goal of my own magazine came to life. Business direction, graphic design and layout assisted my while I wrote, networked, gathered staff and edited content. I attended events, collected press kits, interviewed bands and reviewed events and albums.

This was the life! I found what I wanted so I continued in this path which lead me into becoming a publicist for artists, musicians and independent business events as well as booking, marketing and promoting local events.

I am now sponsored by Redbull, I freelance for Sacramento News and Review and I make money as I support and assist local artists. UBO Magazine is thriving as I was able to be a critic for the Sacramento Music Awards [SAMMIES] given by Sacramento News and Review. I was honored to awknowledge Sacramento's best hip-hop artist/band. I am also; second year running, a judge for the American Marijuana Music Awards yet this year I am the solo hip-hop judge -- this means if you make Mary Jane Music -- I am picking your song for America! I am also judging the Reggae, Dub and Ska World Section. I book and market shows locally -- everything is looking up and I am excited about the future!!