13 Day Work Marathon - Day 13

(Author's Note: This is the 13th in a 2-week long series of what I am doing during my 13 straight days of work)

This is it folks. My final post for probably a while. The marathon is over and I have reached the finish line. My body and mind are worn out but there is a blog post to be written. So here goes...

I woke up today feeling great, knowing that the end was near. Just 10 or so hours from 2 days of freedom. I was gonna eat some breakfast and really be fresh but instead, I laid in bed and watched The Price Is Right and my station's noon cast. The goal was to get to work around 1:30pm so I could work on that story before the station got filled with reporters who needed edit bays to work on their informative yet depressing stories of tax increases, murders or car fires. I decide I'll just take a lunch to work and eat there.

Working on the package is easy. I actually have so much good sound, I'm not sure what to cut out. The story could easily go 3 minutes but with no big comeback from death or inspirational story here, anything more than 1:45 is too long. I settle at 1:50 in the end because I figure, the longer package, the less time I have to fill later. As I stated yesterday, my interview video was all blue so I tried the color correcting. Well, try is the main word. No matter how long I would have stared at that screen, there was going to be a twinge of blue in that video. After the 6pm cast, my news director even comes by and suggests I talk to the chief photographer and have him show me how to white balance. I reassure I know and just had a mental fart. She does tell me that she likes the package and that I am ambitious enough to do stories like that on a Monday. That makes me feel better but it was the firs bit of disappointment from her.

After the cast, it's off to the ballpark to watch the future Indians take on the future Giants (Lake County Captains vs. Augusta Greenjackets). I get there and as usual, no score and after a few innings, I am bored out of my mind. Again, I don't want to complain too much because I am at a baseball game and not in a cubicle but man, hit the ball! I do get a run from Lake County in the 4th and call it a night. As I leave, a 15 or 16 year girl calls me News 12 Sports Guy and asks to shake my hand. An obvious flirt attempt. I oblige but man, one look at my face and she knew I wasn't in the mood. I know I am supposed to be always welcoming and happy wherever I am because I represent my station but at that time, I was just tired. Tired of baseball, tired of people, tired of working. That's what 13 days will do to you.

The 11pm cast is pretty much done by 9:45pm. Greenjackets package and game. A quick blurb about a Greenjacket pitcher being named pitcher of the week. Add in some Braves highlights that even came early since of the speed of the game. Then, the ACC preseason rankings to fill my last little bit of time. On air, it's all good and right when it's over, I feel the monkey come off my back. I know the marathon is over. But then I remember, I have to archive. And of course, this is something I could have been doing every night but decide to put it off until I leave tonight. So I don't get out of the station until 1:40am. Oh well, it's over and days off await.

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY: Well, today I did learn to never use bad video again unless I am ready to hear about it. I was kind of hoping it would slide but this is the big time now. No more WOUB brushing things off. I also learned today that now that I am getting back to a regular work week, life is going to be much more fun. The ability to go out any night can happen again. The ability to fix up my place. The chance to see a movie or the driving range. All of the things that I enjoy that have been deprived from me because of this 13-day work-a-thon. Over the 13 days, I learned a lot about myself like knowing I love this profession and telling these stories. I learned that our viewers are a bit crazy and will call about anything. Heck, they may even be stalkers. I found out just how much fun the main anchors are and how welcoming the whole station staff can be for the new guy. I learned first-hand that this gig can be the easiest job in the world at times to the most stressful in 2 minutes. Take today for instance. The power went out twice around 3pm during a thunderstorm. It set me back about 30 minutes as I tried to redo all I'd done. I went from relaxed to almost pressed for time. But I love doing things under pressure so it wasn't a big deal. I am also learning how to get around this city and how competitive this market is. I am learning that I am going to be noticed by people now frequently, maybe even more than people recognized me for Gridiron. I am learning that you can eat healthy at fast food restaurants, though it is nowhere near as good as not eating healthy. I also learned just how important it is to stay active and work out because since I have not been able to do that, I can feel my body feel more sluggish and weaker. And finally, I learned just what great friends I have at home and across this nation who continually checked up on me, read my blog, left comments on the Book and sent texts or IMs.

In the end, I am happy I was put through this. It just showed me I could do this job and do it pretty darn well. Viewers are saying that. My bosses are saying that. My co-workers are saying that. But the biggest (and best) critics, my friends and family, are saying it as well. I mean, who else will tell you the truth all the time besides them? And because of all that, I feel like I did a good job. 13 days wasn't easy by any means but it started turning into a routine, and that's a good thing. Knowing I jumped into something fairly unknown and 2 weeks later, it's routine, makes me feel like I achieved something. Now though, it's time to relax. Take a break. Hit the range or movie theater. Work should only important for 5 days a week. These next 2 days will be great...and man, it's been a long time coming.

13 down...I did it.

13 Day Work Marathon - Day 12

(Author's Note: This is the 12th in a 2-week long series of what I am doing during my 13 straight days of work)

I can't believe it. I only have one day left in this thing. And while I cannot wait to get that day off, I am going to miss doing these blogs at 2:30am. It became a ritual almost for me. Oh well...I really want that day off.

Another slow morning. Waking up gradually while watching Greg Norman blow the British Open. That tournament went from one to tell my kids about to just another player winning a major because Tiger wasn't there. You can't tell me that Tiger would not have beasted in condition like that. That's just what he does. So after watching the end, I leave for work around 2pm, so getting there early but not getting there crazy early like other days.

The plan for the day is to get some video of the drag boat racing and use that in the 6pm cast. Then, get the baseball game's ending since it has a 5:35pm start time. So I head to the river and yea, it's hot again. I mean, unbearable. How people can just sit there in the sun (or shade) and just watch boats fly by without really knowing any of these racers is just beyond me. I mean, it's exciting for about 10 minutes but 7 hours of it? A bit much. Since getting a driver is almost out of the question since they are racing all day and for money now, I get some quick video and get out of the heat. I even brought a sweat towel with me but after a while, wiping the sweat off your face with a towel wet with sweat just doesn't help. Plus, this event is nowhere as compelling as I thought it would be before the weekend. Unlike the Peach Jam, there's not a real story that pops up. Plus, it's just too damn hot. I knew it would be too when as I was driving to work, it said 101 on a lighted sign. Never appreciated A/C more.

So I get back to the station and put it all together. Braves play early so that gives me something plus the British Open stuff is a great filler. I still am a little light so I add the Tour De France. I mean, it does end next week so someone might care (I know, no one does). Cast goes fine on air though I did stumble over a word and instead of just stopping, I let out a big BLEH. Yea, kind of embarrassing but I found it funny...as did my other anchors. When the show is over, I begin thinking about the 11pm and tomorrow's cast. I have to start doing that now because I found out last week, the weekdays are slow. So I figure to fill time tomorrow, I'll interview a player after the game since it is ending early. As I listen to the game on the radio, I hear that today is game 99. BANG. And there's a story for tomorrow!

I get out to the ballgame around 7:45pm. Figure to get the last 2-3 innings. Not too worried about highlights since my cast only needs 20 seconds filled so even the final two outs would work for me. Of course, it's humid so I still sweat though the temp is down to about 80-ish degrees. I get lucky and get three runs while there so I get highlights anyways. (Quick aside: They are playing the single-A team of the Indians. I'm not impressed with the future Tribe players). Game ends with a 7-2 Greenjackets victory and that means players will be more than willing to talk. I get the manager first who is less than thrilling on camera but has some great sound bites. I grab two players younger than me (I know, hard to believe huh?) because I wanna make sure they are playing in their first full season (140 games). I ask the players about playing this long of a season, the heat, and the alternatives to playing baseball. Both give me great stuff and when I leave, I feel good about the story I'm going to put together tomorrow.

Of course, it's too good to be true. I forget to white-balance the camera for the interviews so the coach and players are blue. I try color correcting the video immediately so I can at least know whether or not if I will need to come in earlier than usual to think of something else. After some tinkering, I find the right combination that makes the video usable. I'm not overly happy but it will do. Plus, I just will count on more video of actual games and less on the sound. That's the good thing about sound. It only needs to be seen once and after that, it can just be heard. I calm down a bit, finish preparing my cast and get ready for the 11pm. Cast goes well though it does end with a funny moment. The story is about a nudist community in Portland, Oregon. It's what we call in the TV biz, a "kicker". Something funny to end the show and talk about until we sign off. Well, in this one, we all saw our lines and then our main anchor talks about their activities include kayaking, canoeing, tennis and fly-fishing. She then continues to say "so make sure you bring your pole". Now, me and the weather guy just start cracking up but she is completely lost. Oh, good times on the weekend. Our ratings should be going through the roof.

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY: Well, besides learning that my sweating out of control is getting well, out of control, I learned just how fortunate I have been in this work marathon. I had a prominent AAU tournament, a drag boat event, Greenjackets at home, an MLB all-star game, and two people call me for story ideas I used. And then today, hearing that 99-game stat on the radio just gave me one more idea. They say luck is when preparation meets opportunity and I agree with it. I was ready to do stories. I just needed the opportunity and so far, so good. I also learned today that these minor league baseball players are geniunely good guys. Since they make about much money as I do and are the same age, they don't have an ego yet. They know their careers are just in the baby stage and most of them aren't getting to the big leagues. I think it'd be kind of cool to hang out with them for a couple days and learn what they go through. Maybe a story idea for next year since they only have 40 games left. Finally, I learned something else about being on TV here in Augusta. But I will leave that moment on my Facebook. Make sure you read and leave your input. It would be greatly appreciated.

12 down, 1 TO GO!

13 Day Work Marathon - Day 11

(Author's Note: This is the 11th in a 2-week long series of what I am doing during my 13 straight days of work)

Alright folks, I can see the finish line. I am smell the sleeping in (on purpose) and can taste the driving range. I can feel the sense of freedom and hear the sounds of getting stuff done around my place. Think I covered all five senses there.

Today was another slow morning. The gradual wake up as usual. It's easy to do with the British Open because golf is a naturally boring sport so it's easy to watch when half-awake because that's about as conscious as you need to be. Most of the gallery is anyways. I get up and really get ready around noon and leave the place around 1:30pm. For today, I have to head to the Savannah River and cover the richest drag boat race in the country. The Augusta Southern Nationals. I figure get a soundbite from a driver and some quick video and that'll be plenty once I add the British Open and some generic baseball.

So I head over to the river and let me set up the picture for you. This thing resembles the fair in terms of concessions. All the good Southern food with sweet tea and lemonade galore. Canopy tents and camping chairs are everywhere and shade is at a premium if you forgot your tent. Most guys are shirtless, no matter thier size (and even race for that matter) and the ladies are donning bathing suits. The temperature is around 95 and not a cloud in sight. The breeze helps a little but not really. The humidity pushes the heat index up, meaning it feels more like 100+ degrees. And all of this with me holding a camera and in a polo. And sweating profusely.

After grabbing some video of a couple racers, I seek out my first (and only due to my sweating) driver for an interview. I find one and ask him some questions. He's a real nice guy and great interview. But as I interview him, I continue sweating as if I'm a 400 lb guy on my first day on "The Biggest Loser". The guys asks me twice if I want water, as if I'm gonna pass out. I assure him that I'm fine and just sweat like it's my job. In the end, I'm practically too embarrassed to sweat and carry on with my day as a representative of my station. So I head back with my one interview, though making a package out of this thing would've been easy.

The 6pm cast goes fine, including showing a Manny Ramirez play in the outfield that just has us all cracking up on set. We all knew it was coming but re-living that moment live on air was apparently too much for us. After the cast and a microwave dinner, it's off to the ballpark for the Greenjackets game. As usual, I try to get there early so I can just get highlights and go. Well today, it backfired. By the end of the fifth, there is no score and 4 hits between the two teams, and all 4 from the Greenjackets. So now I have two thoughts: 1. Leave and use strikeouts and groundouts and go with the pitcher's duel theme or 2. Stay and maybe see history if the Greenjackets pitcher throw a no-hitter. Well, within one out, I get a third answer. With one out, a hitter on the other team hits a solo shot. I don't get the best video because I am on the phone with a friend at the same time (I was bored as all hell and needed to catch up) and it's a bit out of focus. Doesn't matter though...I'm leaving. I do run the risk of missing a comeback but really, I had been there for 90 minutes. I'm good.

I get back to the station to see the Braves are losing (no surprise) and see 15 minutes later that the Greenjackets lost 1-0. I breathe a sigh of relief because I didn't stay for more worthless pitching and (lack of) hitting. I even find out the visiting team only had 2 hits, but it was just one they needed. And as an added bonus, the homer isn't that bad. The cast is easy to do...I just tweak the 6pm for some new intros and soundbites. We have a good time on air as usual and I bounce from the place immediately when it's over cause I am craving something sweet. Figure why not try the strawberry Frosty shake. It's actually really good. May be a treat for me after a good show.

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY: Well, I think it hit me today that I need to introduce myself to the people in this area. I was watching the other sportscasters at the game (and when I was on the phone) and saw them chatting it up with people. It's not like I was jealous or anything but I just was thinking I may want to start making myself more recognizable. One thing that would help is a polo with my station's logo on it. I also could just introduce myself and say I'm new to the area. In fact, the GM of the baseball team did that for me today, telling me he'd like to take me to lunch. Nice gesture from a guy who probably is busy with a team but he understands the media needs to be his friend and I'm more than willing to market my station and myself to help out. Something for me to work on in the coming weeks before high school football season really gets going and then it's Gridiron Glory: Augusta Style. Another thing I learned is just how young I am. Seems like everyone I meet here is 24-25. Yea, that's not old but man, I feel like a little kid. Maybe when I hit 22 next week, I'll feel older cause right now, not only am I the rookie/newbie/new hire/new sports guy, I'm the new kid on the block...and it feels like it. Eh well, it still makes me feel good to think that if I do leave this city after 2 years, I'll only be 23 and hopefully, moving to a bigger city or closer to home (or both). And then, it's a whole new world.

11 down, 2 to go!

13 Day Work Marathon - Day 10

(Author's Note: This is the 10th in a 2-week long series of what I am doing during my 13 straight days of work)

Well, the week is over. No, not the marathon but the week. In some sort of way, it feels like an achievement since the weekdays and weekends have two different feels to them. So to get through the week is an accomplishment.

Waking up today wasn't bad. It kind of came in phases. First, the alarm on my phone. Then, the second alarm on my phone. And then, when my cable decided to go out for a couple minutes while I was trying to watch British Open coverage. Eh well, it got me up. Just like yesterday, getting to work early isn't a big deal because I have a story already. All I need to do is edit it and there's two minutes practically. So I decide 2pm is good enough and roll into work then.

Editing today is completely different than the day before. Instead of jumping from one bay to another, I stay in one and get my story done in about an hour and 30 minutes. I will say, having to hear teenage girls say the work "like" every 5 words get kind of annoying as I listen for soundbites but the story ends up pretty well. In fact, I got an e-mail from the coach saying it was "perfect" so I guess I did a good enough job. For the rest of the 6pm, I add British Open again and bang, cast is done. Not gonna lie, I love being in a golf-friendly market because no matter what tournament there is, I can use it for almost a minute's worth of highlights but that's especially true during a major.

For the 11pm, I need one more minute of material but that's easy tonight. Add Braves and Greenjackets highlights and it's done. So I get to the baseball game around 7:05 and am outta there at 7:45. Since I really only needed one highlight, I got two and called it a night. Before I left though, I had a quick chat with my "competition", the ABC station. The weekend anchor was doing a story on that former MLB player who is meeting the President on Tuesday. Her story is not running until Monday so I get to thinking. Do I try to run one Saturday or Sunday? Do I even trying to do one Tuesday when it happens or am I now at risk of copying? The more and more I think about it, I remember just how much it doesn't matter. Instead of trying to stretch myself too thin by trying to do 2-3 stories, let me just stick with one until I really feel comfortable with everything. So I concede the story to the ABC station, which has 2 anchors right now, and give myself a pat in the back though still for turning in 3 packages in 5 days by myself.

I get food at Chick-Fil-A, again trying to eat somewhere different and then head back to the station. As for the 11pm cast...well, it was fun. I got so caught up in my lack of having to do anything that I decided to archive video for the week. Something that was really overdue. I get a lot of it done and when 11pm comes by, I feel nice and relaxed. I mean, my cast has been done since 9:30pm. So I sit down at on the set, ready for my cast when the director tells me that after my second story, I'm on my own cause she has no scripts. I laugh cause I think she is kidding but then I look at my scripts. I forgot to write intros and tags to my stories! That's not good, especially when we're talking about the whole second half of your sportscast. Thankfully, I use my best ad-libbing skills and make it work but man oh man, talk about dodging a bullet. That could have been a lot worse.

After work, it's off to Somewhere In Augusta for some brews. A good time yet again and allow me to almost forget that I have 3 more straight days of work before that priceless day off.

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY: Learned a couple things tonight. First, I learned that even ad-libbing in the real world just takes some guts and some experience. Thanks to the many times I had to ad-lib at WOUB, doing it on a Friday at 11pm newscast with the possibility of over 100,000 people watching was not a big deal. Also, I learned that trying to produce high-quality stories with just one person is tough. And it's even tougher when you have no sources because you're new to the area. Hence why I am so proud that I made 3 packages out of stuff I had just learned. I could have just packed it in but I tried to push the limit. But yet, when the old MLB player was there, I knew what my limit was and how that would just not work for me and my time. I gotta look out for my well-being after some point. I still have three more days to go and tiring now is not an option.

13 Day Work Marathon - Day 9

(Author's Note: This is the 9th in a 2-week long series of what I am doing during my 13 straight days of work)

I can't believe that I've made it this far and haven't lost my mind yet. I read the 8 blogs before this one and though about how much crap I've gone through and how much stuff I've learned and it was almost enough to make my head blow. WOW...not too bad.

So today was an early start, about 9:30am. I wanted to wake up early to get some stuff done around the apartment, like put up a shower curtain. By time I left my place at 11:45pm, that's about all I actually did around the apartment. I'll wait until a day off to really be productive. I leave at 11:45pm because I have to pick up credentials for the drag boat races that go on over the weekend. The press conference that precedes my picking them up is long and boring but it's a part of the job. Plus, I get a free lunch (2 hamburgers and some Coke). After picking up my credentials, it's back to the station to start working on the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) story. As I knew yesterday, the sound was less than stellar so it takes a bit longer than a usual package but I make it work to be somewhat decent. Again, you can be the judge by going on the website and checking it out. The annoying part of editing the thing was that I got moved from Edit Bay 2 to 1 then to 3 and then back to 2. That's kind of annoying when you are trying to finish a story. The 6pm gets finished with some British Open highlights and the cast goes well on air.

Immediately after finishing, it's off to Midland Valley High School to get some video of an area softball team that is heading to the World Series. Just like the MMA story, I am shooting this for the next day to use as a package. The girls are just silly...you know, that "I just turned a teenager and think I'm still cute but it's actually annoying to everyone else" phase. But at least they are perky and provide some good sound. Should be an easy edit tomorrow. The video should be pretty good too. Of all the things I need to work on, that's the biggest thing so I mix up some shots. Hope it comes out well.

After the shoot, it's over to the Greenjackets game for some baseball. I grab a few highlights and leave right after the hairy back contest. Trust me, you would have too. It's a shame they did the hairy back contest tonight too. It was Thirsty Thursday at the ballpark...in other words, 12 oz cups of beer for a buck. Oh, how I wish I wasn't working today. The cast is easy to write since the MMA package takes up half of it so that's easy. The best part though is when I decide to use the hairy back contest as the first thing in my cast. It freaks out my female anchor and makes my male anchor laugh his head off...all while I try to call highlights. It is so funny they decide to use the hairy back shot as the closing shot of the newscast. Really? A hairy back? What is wrong with my station...

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY: Honestly, I didn't learn too much today. It was the kind of day where everything just went smooth. I was never really in a time crunch. I go everything done and then some. Posted some stuff to the web and set up the stuff for Friday and the weekend. I think what that teaches me though is that I'm really getting the hang of this sports anchoring thing at News 12. After a couple weeks of learning everything, I think I've got it down. How fast I can get things done. How creative I can get with my intros. All of these things are starting to come into place. Whether I get in at 1pm like today or 4pm like a day ago, I can get my job done. Not only that, but I am feel like I am really becoming a member of the News 12 family by working all these days. Everyone has to see my face pretty much all day and all have commented to me about how hard I've been working. That's a good feeling, especially for a guy from the northern half of the U.S. and who knows no one in the city. These people and this station are growing on me. It kind of reminds me of how OU grew on me after the end of Fall Quarter. At first, it was just a place to learn more stuff and meet some people but it slowly grew into a home. I'm not saying Augusta is even close to that but it is becoming a bit more comfy...and it hasn't even been a month yet.

9 down, 4 to go.

13 Day Work Marathon - Day 8

(Author's Note: This is the 8th in a 2-week long series of what I am doing during my 13 straight days of work)

You know, life is crazy. I went from the day I loved (my best package), to a bland day (yesterday), to maybe the worst day so far of my professional life (today). It all started at 3:45pm. Yea, 3:45pm, when I woke up! That's not good, especially when I am supposed to be at work at 2:30pm and plan to work on a package on that darn behind the scenes of the Peach Jam. I still don't know how I slept 13 hours and over an alarm. When I woke up, I had no doubt that it maybe noon or maybe even 1pm, but 3:45! I freaked, running around, cussing up a storm. And then, to show just how crazy this marathon is making me, I can't find my keys. I'm already wearing the same pants as yesterday and a wrinkled polo. I open my front door and there they are. YIKES. Good thing my place is next to only one more door and not a ton cause that was asking for an intruder.

As I drive to work, my asst. news director calls me wondering if I am okay. I tell him the situation and he seems sympathetic, understanding that I have been working my butt off this week and only being 3 weeks into the job. When I get to work, my news director feels bad as well, saying I must have really needed sleep. I think they both understand how tired I am getting and they don't even know about the move from one apartment to the other. I'm not 100% sure that some kind of punishment or talking to is coming but if not, then I dodged a bullet. Besides, I guess my punishment is trying to produce a cast in less than 2 hours. Thankfully, I have a press conference shot by someone in news that I can use and the British Open. The stuff sent by CNN is about Tiger not being there which is an easy way t fill over a minute so I do. The cast goes swimmingly and no one would have even known I came into my own newsroom scared as heck for my cast and my job.

After the cast, it's off to the Mixed Martial Arts place to do a story. I get there 5 minutes later than I said and then find out, I have no tape. GREAT. I head back to the station , grab it and then drive back. By then, they're well into training so I have now missed my opportunity to get interviews with anyone. Well, thankfully, he gives me about 5 minutes during a break and well, let's just say the interviews are less than thrilling. I've got my work cut out for me tomorrow for sure.

After the MMA thing, I head to the minor league baseball game around 8:50. No doubt it's only in the 6th or 7th inning. Welp, nope. Instead, how about the bottom of 8 and the home team winning! I dodge another bullet and at least get a strikeout, deep flyout and the final strikeout. That works just fine with me and head back to the station. My stuff gets done late like last week but considering my day, I'm happy.

The night ends with me checking my e-mail and seeing the e-mail that lady said she would send. Instead of my news director, she sends it to my GM but hopefully, it gets to her. It kinda puts the whole day into perspective.

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY: Well, besides learning that my body can sleep nonstop for 13 hours, I learned that there are gonna be bad days. The trick is to just get through them and trudge on. And I mean bad days like this. Showing up to work 90 minutes late is bad enough but even worse when you just got the job. But you know, I made it work. I got stuff done and did my job. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not gonna be late for a long time but for now, I feel alright. The fact that I could get my job done today with no help and in half the time I'm used to is a great feeling. It showed me how far I have come from that freshman at OU who couldn't find the power button on the camera. I can now put together a full sportscast in about an hour, edit all the video and make it work on camera. Not bad Matt, not bad.

8 down, 5 to go

13 Day Work Marathon - Day 7

(Author's Note: This is the 7th in a 2-week long series of what I am doing during my 13 straight days of work)

Well, I've made it past the halfway point. Thank God. Through having being told to get my stuff done faster than I like to moving from one apartment to another, it's been a trial starting off my career this way but something tells me, I'll be better for it in the long run.

Today wasn't a bad day, though yet again, it had its moments. I go to work at 1pm, knowing that I have to get to the Peach Jam for the semifinals. I skip the 11am one because I don't need it nor do I want to wake up that early. So I go to the second one but being the timely guy I am, I get there with less than 2 minutes left in the game...and it's a 1 point game. Yea, I'm an idiot. It's the California team I want to win the whole thing versus some team from Boston. My Cali team runs out of gas though in the last 2 minutes and loses, leaving me with a Boston team whose only highlights I got are free throws. No worries though...I grab an interview and head back to the station knowing I have enough to get by. I decide for the 6pm to use that game, that Oliver Purnell sound I got yesterday (again, planning ahead works!), and the Paddy Harrington injury. Not an amazing cast but thats what ya get on a Tuesday.

Now, for the 11pm, I have it all planned out by 5pm. The 17 and under game is at 8pm and the 16 and under game is at 6. So highlights and sound from both and that's an easy 2 minutes. Add an All-Star Game fullscreen (can't be video because it's a live national broadcast - against the rules to show on another station) and more about the British Open and I'm good. Well, I thought I was. I drive to the rec center to find out the 6pm game got moved to 2pm (I was wondering why teams were warming up after the semi...). So now, I am confused again. I decide to go back to the station, chow down on some free pizza from the station (primary election day in GA so long day for all), and think about ideas. After a few minutes deep in thought, I decide to put Oliver Purnell in the 11pm as well but changing the angle a bit. I also decide for my big finish, I'll make it longer and do my top 5 favorite plays from the Peach Jam (at least, ones that I shot well enough to show, cause I missed a ton of great plays).

Before I head back to the rec center, I decide I'm gonna try to do a story on the people behind the scenes of the Peach Jam. It's ambitious, considering my lack of video from the previous 3 days. I go around asking for interviews and well, let's just say, it went as well as Rudy Guiliani running for the Republican nomination. This story has hope...but only a glimmer. I table it for tomorrow because it is gonna take awhile to edit. In my biz, sound drives a story so when sound is bad, then video is. Well, my video isn't exciting so now, my voice track does. And that means taking time. I'll update you tomorrow.

The game is rather boing for a championship. It never gets closer than 7 points in the second half. So no big comeback story here. Just your simple interview of a player and coach and call it a night. Plus, I know there's a chance the station will be busy with all the election stuff going on. Editing and writing come easy....but late. Thankfully, everyone is turning in stuff late so I just join the party. The cast goes well and I head home feeling pretty good. I have a story for tomorrow, another story to shoot tomorrow, and the minor league team heads back to town.

Now, the final thing I am gonna report today from my somewhat uneventful day is this: I was walking into the Rec Center when I hear someone yell "Matt". I do a 360 and then just keep walking because Matt is the most popular name in America. But then, I hear "Matt, I know you're in a hurry". I look and there's this woman who is obviously talking to me. I assure her I am not in a hurry and say hello. She compliments me on the story I did on her son's team on July 12th and says she is sending an e-mail to my station to say so. Which leads me to...

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY: I found out for the first time that I am being watched by someone other than friends and family. And beyond that, I'm being recognized for my work. That's a great feeling, especially when in day 7 of a 13-day work marathon. Right when I feel like this marathon can't get worse, it just gets better. It made me want to really work hard on these last 6 days, putting out stories that people will appreciate. In my mind (and maybe theirs), I have set a standard and to fall from that now, would not be a good thing. I was always praised for my work for Gridiron but then, I didn't really feel like I should have. The stars of that show were the games and players. And don't get me wrong, the same goes for the stories I have done. But unlike Athens, Augusta is a two-state area and word doesn't travel as fast. So to be able to spread the news to everyone and and in a good way, really makes me feel good. The other thing I learned today isn't enlightening but still something new. The past two nights, I have received two phone calls from viewers that completely blow my mind. The first was last night when an old man calls me to ask "What is the phone number you can call to see Major League Baseball games?" Uh......what? I call him back, cause he left a voicemail, and tell him I don't know. He then says, "It's okay. I figured it out. MLB.com". WOW, really? Old people... The second call was from a middle-aged black guy (assumption from voice) and he asks me "Who's singing the national anthem at the All-Star game?" Really? Who asks that? And even more important...why call the local sports guy? Oh man, if this is a sign of the crazy random calls I will get as a television personality, then I am in for a treat. Needless to say, I'm gonna start posting them somewhere. Blog, the 'Book, my AIM profile or my wall at home...cause I don't wanna forget them.

7 down, 6 to go

13 Day Work Marathon - Day 6

(Author's Note: This is the 6th in a 2-week long series of what I am doing during my 13 straight days of work)

What a day. That's just the best way I can put this day into words. As you can, the post is later than usual and that's all because this day had it all.

I knew this would be a rough day ever since I moved into my apartment complex. I've been calling it the day of reckoning. Why? Because it was the day I had to move from my plush, furnished, two bedroom, two bath corporate apartment to my permanent, bare, lifeless, one bedroom, one bath living space. Yea, I'm not sure yet if it qualifies as an apartment. In an effort to have cable the first day I move in, I already scheduled the cable guy to come in the morning before I go to work. The range is from 8:30-11:30am. So I'm expecting him at either 8:31am or 11:29am cause that's how they are. Well, I can't get to my new place though until the office opens at 9am. Thankfully, the guy doesn't show until 10:15, so all is well. After he leaves, I make a half-hearted effort to start moving stuff but the heat is getting to me so I decide to do the rest after work when it is cooler. Yea, not cool, just cooler (like 78 degrees and only kind of humid).

I get to work early (again) and head straight for the Peach Jam. Again, I have zero angles. Since all my ideas were washed out due to my laziness, stupidity or just bad timing, I go in hoping something just happens. And wouldn't ya know it, it does. I watch a team from Illinois beat a team from Memphis in what was a pretty good game. I go for the interview of the Illinois team and I get a kid who just loves to talk. A reporter's dream. He talks to me about everything from maintaining team tradition to icing down after the game to prepare for the one later. All his sound is great so I use two soundbites for my cast. Before I go, I check up on the local team in the tourney that made it just cause another team backed out. Instead of getting killed like on Saturday though, they win. And you know what that means...I win too! I get the last couple minutes of the game, including the elation on their faces as they celebrate with their fans. Before I go, I grab a quick interview with Clemson coach Oliver Purnell about recruiting in the area. You know, just in case I need it later that night or tomorrow. Just planning ahead (see, I do learn from previous days)

The 6pm cast just coasts by...I have it written and edited by 4:45pm so for an hour, I put some stories on the web and field a couple phone calls. It's funny cause I hadn't gotten one phone call in 2 weeks but today, I got 3. One from a man in Canada for vacation but calling all the Augusta stations to see if we are interested in covering an event he is doing. The Cliffs Notes version is that he works for a non-profit organization like Make-A-Wish but it's for senior citizens and they set up this former MLB pitcher and N. Augusta native to meet Dubya in ATL next Tuesday. I LOVE the idea and tell him to send me all the info. Later, a lady from who knows where calls to tell me the Columbia County softball team won the state tournament and is going to the Little League Softball World Series. I'm perplexed though because I was planning on going to the championship game at 7pm like the lady told me to yesterday. Yea, she made me feel bad that it hadn't gotten any coverage though I didn't know a thing about it. When I ask her how it's over, she says "Well, they moved it up. I thought you'd figure it out". Oh people....I told her we would do a story on them before they go and she seems somewhat satisfied. Finally, I get a voicemail from a guy talking about a mixed martial arts club here in Augusta that went to a state or regional tournament and brought back some titles and wanted to know if we wanted to cover it. Of course, I'm down for it and immediately call back for info. Within 5 minutes, I set up Wednesday at 7:15pm as the shoot time. I just hope I don't get beat up by a 10 year old.

So after the 6pm cast, I immediately head out the door for the Peach Jam since softball is no more. Again, no idea what I'm doing. Now, what's funny is that if this were my sports director, he wouldn't have gone back. He just would have recycled the 6pm and added maybe a new soundbite from that player. But that's not me. I like to have different casts at 6 and 11 if possible and with this tourney going on, it's easily possible. Just like at 6, a story just falls in my lap and this one is amazing. I almost missed it though. I went in thinking I would do a story on the Georgia Stars team. They weren't from my area but you know, it is regional. But I see the NBC sports guy there and I don't wanna stoop to his level (they are the distant #3 station in my market). Plus, the game is riddled with fouls and not camera-friendly. So with plenty of time until I have to get back to the station, I roll over to the next court and find a more entertaining and competitive game. It's between a team from California and one from Illinois. My gut instinct says do a story about this team being from so far away if they win. If they lose, then back to the drawing board.

Well, it just got better. The game gets really tight and I mean tight. The lead goes back and forth in the last 2 minutes until IL is up 91-90 with 17 seconds left. CA inbounds the ball and just looks disorganized. They try throwing it down to their one big man, prolly about 6'8, and he blows a makeable layup. The ball goes loose for about 5-6 seconds and somehow finds its way back to the big guy. With seconds ticking away, he shoots a 10 footer and it goes...with .6 seconds left. The place goes crazy. I go crazy. And the team goes crazy. The heave at the end doesn't go and just like that, my story idea changes. It has to be about this game's ending and the drama of the Peach Jam.

So I follow the team out in the hallway and go right to the big guy and start asking questions. On about the 4th question, he says that "though (they) only have 7 players, (they) keep scrapping and keep beating people and it's a good feeling". Wait...huh? 7 players? How did I not notice that? The game was so intense, I never looked to see more coaches on the bench than players while the game was going on. And just like that, my story shifts again...from drama to underdog story. A team with 7 players wins a quarterfinal game and is going to the Final Four of the Peach Jam. I interview the coach and 2 others and all are money. Inside, I love every second of it because not only do I have a great story, but these guys are making great memories...and I am a little part of it. Plus, as I ask the questions, I learn more and more about this team like that they were here last year and didn't win a game. I also learn the team that won last year had 7 players and that is their inspiration. Oh, this story is gonna be great.

So now, the pressure is on me at the station to make it look nearly as good on TV as it was in person. And without gloating too much, I think I did a damn good job. And it wasn't really me...it was those players and their soundbites that made my package so good. The female main anchor loved it and she doesn't even really follow sports. It just validated the way I felt about the package once I finished it. I was proud of it. I thought it gave the guys justice. Yea, I "threw" it together in 45 minutes but I cared about it. I really wanted to portray them as the underdogs they were and man, it feels good when you know you did something right.

After work, it was back to the corporate place to finish moving. I got most of it out but I have a little left, including this computer. I'll do it in the morning though. It's already 4am.

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY: I kind of gave away some of what I learned up top but oh well. The biggest thing I learned today though is how flexible I am becoming as a journalist. At WOUB till junior year, I always seemed to have one idea for my packages and that was it. It wasn't until after my internship when I noticed that you can't go in with a clear cut plan. Just like life, there will be bends and turns and you just gotta go with them. Now granted, going to the Peach Jam with no plan isn't the right strategy but being able to find stuff and make them into good stories really boosts my confidence. My rowing story was pretty cookie-cutter. It was about rowing and the growth...not much more I could do with it. My second one about the team playing in the Peach Jam was good...but it could have been better if I had more time. This one though...I am very proud of. And it's because I am learning how to be flexible. Funny what a week of being thrown into the fire will do for you. I also learned that I have to stay a fan first and journalist second. What I mean by that is some sportscasters (Joe Buck) only do what they do cause of the paycheck and not for the love of the game. Well, I love every game. So watching these games, I try to stay a fan because then, I can get into what I am watching. Once that happens, I can think of stories that fans would appreciate. That's why the underdog thing clicked for me. Every fan loves a good underdog story and when I heard that, I jumped at it. I'm don't know if my sports director is a fan. I think he is too much business but I may be getting a bad read. I think you gotta have both and like I said, fan first. Other than that, I learned that all those years of wrestling and lifting weights have truly come to be helpful these past days as I move large items by myself. Yea, I'm beat now but it'll feel good looking at my new, permanent place knowing I did all the moving by myself and to make it more impressive, in the middle of a work marathon.

6 down, 7 to go

13 Day Work Marathon - Day 5

(Author's Note: This is the 5th in a 2-week long series of what I am doing during my 13 straight days of work)

Another day, another dollar. That's the approach for me every day I wake up now. I was hoping it would take more than 2 weeks for me to feel that way but eh, whatever. Woke up around 11am today but yet again, that means get out of bed 45 minutes later. Really, my cell phone alarm is just not effective enough. No worries though. I don't plan on getting to work until 2:30 anyways, my time of arrival according to the work schedule. Well, as I get set to eat a bowl of cereal and surf the web for a bit, I check out ESPN.com and there it is. The sight of a promo for the MLB Futures Game on ESPN2 at 12:30pm. Now, for most people, that's not a big deal. For me, it was a kick in the shin because I am supposed to tape the event for my show at 6 and 11. So there goes my 2 hour rest. I immediately get dressed and head out the door, mad at myself for lack of better planning.

I immediately pop the tape in and then sit down and think...what am I going to do now? I decide to go back to the Peach Jam and find a story. I have an idea of doing a story on kids from the Class of 2012, the youngest of the bunch. Since I show up when only one is in action, I chronicle him. Of course, he doesn't score one point while I shoot him he rest of the game but at least he is active. I ask to talk to him after the game and he's cool with it. When I ask him to spell his name and all his info, I hear something that makes me cringe: He's in the Class of 2011. I think twice about the interview but you know, he's still young so it worked. Now, the kid is 6'9, 219lbs and darn good so for all I know, I just interviewed the next Lebron or Carmelo. His name is James McAdoo. If he hits it big, remember that I interviewed when he was nothing special (though Roy Williams and Wojo were watching him VERY closely all game).

After stopping for lunch at another new place (working hard to not repeat places until I hit them all), I head back to the station and get all my stuff done pretty quickly. After yesterday, I worked hard to make sure stuff gets done an hour before the show. Even with all my hard work, my cast couldn't be fully complete until I had updated Braves and Greenjackets (our minor league Class-A team) scores. Both are playing during the show. Not to mention also I had to get the final scores from the golf tournament preceding our newscast (CBS). Well, it's 6:05, and the golf is running late. I decide the heck with updating the cast and settle for what I have. That's the time I would've abandoned anyways if the show were on. Down in the studio, we are all on standby, just waiting for the golf to end and begin our show. But then, Kenny Perry decides to bogey the last, setting up a 3-man playoff. That's at 6:15pm. Now the way it works is that anything before 6:30 is our time so if golf would've ended at 6:15, we had a 15 minute newscast till we throw it to NYC for national news. But it didn't. Now if it would've ended from 6:30 to 6:45, we supersede CBS Evening News and they have no cast. If after 6:45, we have no cast and whenever golf ends, it goes to NYC. The latter is what happened. Golf ended at 6:49, meaning all my hard work and hustle for the 6pm was for naught......or was it?

Since my 6pm cast was't shown, I copied and pasted the entire cast to the 11pm. Yep, copy and paste...what a great tool. The only things changed from the cast were updating the scores from the games and putting final highlights for golf. It literally took me 20 minutes to do. With that much time left, I had plenty of options. I could go back to Peach Jam and find a new story for tomorrow at 6pm. I could try to make a package out of the 15 year old kid I interviewed earlier. Or I could go for ice cream with my weekend anchor team. I chose the latter and loved it. After getting back from Brusters, I put my package from Saturday on the web, attempted to add scores (to no avail), and archived video for the weekend so I could go home earlier. The 11pm cast was a cakewalk on air and just like that, the first full weekend with the full weekend team was done. I'm telling ya now, we are by far the best in the market. Bring in the ratings!

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY: Well, as kind of mentioned earlier, I wish I would have planned better and actually known what time that Futures Game was. I just figured it was later in the day but no, it was at 12:30. Yea, that means no matter what I would have had to go to the station but at least, I could've planned going there and then going back home for two hours until I had to go back. But I was too flustered and just stayed. Another thing I learned is that while I agonized a lot about my job search and even a little bit about my college search, I have no envy for these high school players, especially the really good ones. They have the best college coaches looking at them, watching their every move and mannerism. That's a lot of pressure on a 15-17 year old kid. And then, after this whole thing, they're gonna get 10-15 coaches recruiting them, pitching to them the same money (full ride with perks), which means these kids have to then weigh all those intangibles. Yea, it's a good problem to have but man, talk about a big decision. Think about it. My choice between Northwestern, Syracuse, or OU was a big one in my mind. Professionally, maybe not very big since no matter where I would start as a sports guy, I would make the same amount of money, or a bit less. For these kids, the wrong college decision could make the difference between millions of dollars later. And finally, the last thing I learned is that working the weekends is going to be a lot of fun. It's laid back since there are only about 6 of us there compared to about 30-40 during the week. I can wear shorts and a t-shirt while I work and can even watch Family Guy twice as I did today. Plus, my anchor is 23 and my weather guy is 26, and both are great. As I said earlier, we are the best weekend team and it's because we mesh well. Now, let's just hope I mesh well with the weekday crew. 5 days of Matt and Richard, Meredith and Bob this week...and I am definitely the odd man out.

5 down, 8 to go.

13 Day Work Marathon - Day 4

(Author's Note: This is the 4th in a 2-week long series of what I am doing during my 13 straight days of work)

After a fun Friday night and finishing the blog later than usual, waking up this morning was tougher than usual. Mainly because I had to get up to buy Cleveland Browns tickets. If you know me, then you know they weren't for me in any way. Instead, they were for a friend. So I got up and went on Ticketmaster and got some tickets. Then went back to sleep.

An hour later, I woke up, still mad and tired. I was thinking about it all morning about what time to head to work. Today was officially the first day without y sports director by my side. With his vacation pretty much starting today, it's my show. Scary, I know. So after debating about when to go in, I settle on 1pm, 90 minutes earlier than my scheduled time in. That's because of two things. First, I don't wanna be rushed all day since I  am truly going solo. An second, today starts a huge event in the area and I wanted to get a feel for it.

What is this event you say? Well, it's the Nike Peach Jam Invitational. It's one of 3 tournaments Nike sponsors for high school basketball players. With college basketball recruiting just underway, it's one of the many tournaments that allow players to showcase themselves and NCAA coaches to check them out. The coaches are only window-shopping though. They can't talk to the players so for now, it's just note-taking time.

So I pull up around 1:30pm and before I can even walk in the door, I see Tubby Smith, head coach of Minnesota. Immediately, I know this is gonna be a fun day. I have no clue what story angle to take so I just walk in first to a gym. Lo and behold, I am starstruck again. Sitting on the other side of the court, I see Bruce Pearl (Tennessee). Thankfully, he's wearing a shirt. The game I walk in on is a 2 point game in the last 15 seconds so it's absolutely packed. Before I even get a chance to turn the camera on, I watch the end of the game and see a man I have to say Hi too. No, not Coach K or Roy Williams or Thad Matta. Nope, instead it is John Groce, new head coach of OU. I go up to the guy, introduce myself and say congrats. As any good coach (and recruiter), he says he hopes to make me proud as a coach and assures me he'll do his best. Right then, I couldn't have been a happier guy.

The rest of the first time I'm there, I start to just see a Who's Who of coaches. Paul Hewitt (GT), John Beilein (Michigan), Mike Montgomery (California), Steve Wojo (Duke), Roy Williams (UNC), John Calipari (Memphis), Tom Izzo (MSU), Jeff Capel (Oklahoma), Thad Matta (OSU), Mark Gottfried (Alabama), Andy Kennedy (Ole Miss), Mike Anderson (Mizzou), Billy Donovan (Florida), Seth Greenberg (VT) and Bob Huggins (WV). Quite a list, I know. I talk to none of them for fear of stuttering the entire time but I do get some video for my show. Before I go, I decide my story will be on the team that is comprised of a lot of local players. They're not good and were added only after a team backed out at the last second but for these kids, the chance to play in this tourney is amazing. They've been watching it their entire lives and to actually play in it is just great.

The team loses by 45 points but the interviews and attitudes of the players are great. I go back to the station and decide not to do an actual package until the 11pm so for the 6pm, I just get a couple good soundbites. The 6pm goes fine and then it's dinner time. This time, I actually brought dinner. My old Tuna Helper and veggies from 5 days ago. It tastes great but it doesn't fill me up. I'll have to work on that. After an hour of relaxation and chatting with the other weekend warriors, I start and finish my package in about 75 minutes. In the meantime though, I neglect to remember the rest of my cast needs to get done. It's around 9:30pm and I have nothing else done. So I rush and get what I can done, knowing that the NASCAR race won't end until after 11pm and that the Braves don't even start until 10:15pm. Of course, this just puts me in more of a time crunch than I would like. It all gets done (barely) but at the end of the cast, I get summoned by the director. Apparently, she didn't get any of my scripts. After a small tongue-lashing, I vow to work quicker. After wiping my makeup off, I put off archiving and posting to the web till Sunday cause I am beat.

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY: As usual, I learned a lot. First off, I gotta get a better alarm cause my cell phone alarm just isn't cutting it. It's too easy to cut off. My old one needed two different buttons to turn it off. By time I found them, I was frustrated enough to be awake. Secondly, I learned a lot about myself today. I found out that I can find a story quickly and turn into a package in good enough time. It just gave me confidence as I begin this stretch of anchoring all the time. I also learned that I picked the right profession because as the stress level went up in me, I felt like my drive grew as well. I mean, when I could have just stopped caring around 10:45pm and just put on two Greg Maddux striekouts for Braves highlights and a crash with 43 laps to go in the NASCAR race, I push the limit so my viewers see real action. That meant I use a third inning score from the Braves around 11:02 and the final 2 laps of the race around 11:15. That's insane...and cutting it very close. But again, I want my viewers to enjoy my casts and who enjoys seeing things that are 30 minutes old. Instead, how about something that happened just 5 minutes ago? They obviously missed it, since they were watching my station the entire time. In the future, it may not be that way but for now, I love it. I also learned a few notable things. One is that Billy Donovan seems like a real chill guy while Roy Williams loves being noticed. Tom Izzo and Bruce Pearl are prolly really funny and Bob Huggins hates random people who talk to him. Thad Matta chews gum all the time and John Groce is gonna not only be good for OU Basketball but for the OU student media as well. I learned Wojo is really short and that Saul Smith (Tubby's son and former player) is even uglier in person. And finally, the last thing I learned is that this stretch is gonna wear me out more than I originally thought. Those days off can't come fast enough.

4 down, 9 to go

13 Day Work Marathon - Day 3

(Author's Note: This is the 3rd in a 2-week long series of what I am doing during my 13 straight days of work)

For the first time in my two weeks here in Augusta, I woke up before 10am and stayed awake. The reason: I had to work. Yea, I didn't get to work out again but that's for another day. Today was a big day because I got to do my first package. So instead of working the normal 2:30-11:30 shift, I worked the 9-6 day shift. Not gonna lie, I like the later shift better. Waking up that early brought back memories of bad things like OUIM morning meetings, Tour Guide big visit morning meetings and the even more dreadful WOUB morning radio casts. But I woke up unwillingly and made it to work on time (somewhat...I didn't really have a set time)

My story today is about a rowing camp for kids down by the Savannah River in Augusta. The story has some promise to it. The possible angles range from the amount of girls interested in rowing to the growth of the sport in general. I go for the second angle since the girls here seem unwilling to acknowledge the fact that they are a rare breed in the sport. When it comes to video, I get the gift of riding in a motorboat with two of the camp directors. That means being able to follow the boats in the water instead of being stuck at the dock. Plus, it's more fun for me too.

The hour on the river ends up being a lot of fun. I get some great video and get to see the cool interactions between counselors and participants. I can see the fun the kids are having and it even makes me jealous, wishing I had the opportunity to do this when I was a kid. The interviewing goes well, including finding a kid who talks a ton even asking one question. In case you don't know, that's a reporter's dream. I leave the scene around noon and head to the station for editing.

Editing the package isn't tough at all. Neither is the writing part surprisingly. I finish the whole thing around 2:30pm, giving me around 3 hours to do other things. So to pass the time, I put my story on the web, print-style, and stop doing more high school football schedules. 5:30pm rolls around and I am free to go and that means one thing for me: FRIDAY NIGHT FUN!

Now, I e-mailed a few co-workers earlier the night before telling them I needed ideas of what to do. Thankfully, they came through and we met up at a wings place for food and drinks. The company and food hit the spot and the night goes later than I anticipated, all the way to about 12:30am. Yea, seems early but I had planned on only being out till 11pm. I mean, I did wake up rather early. All in all, good night with the co-workers, giving me more hope that I can have fun in this city.

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY: As stated earlier, the first thing I learned today is waking up early stinks now. I'd rather just head out around midnight and mingle with people then. I also learned that packages here in Augusta are going to be fun. I think that's because unlike when I was in Athens and got into a rut, I am new to this place and just as much I want to share the story with the viewers and have them learn something, I want to learn as well. It kind of brings a new dynamic to my writing and my way of thinking. Instead of asking the predictable questions just to fill a package, I now want to ask more insightful questions that may give me a new angle or an idea for a future story. Above all though, I want people to be excited about the story. This was my package debut and if it stinks, well you know, you only get one chance to make a first impression. The final things I learned all had to do with people from the South. One coworker and her guy friend tried to lecture me and a few "Northerners" or "Yankees" about how weird we are. First off, we talked about which area had more fat people. Then it turned to which one had sluttier girls. A large chunk was spent on University of Georgia football games, in which female fans dress in their Saturday night best for football games. Yea, that means dresses, skirts, red and black blouses and high heels. WTF?!?! It's football! She said I would have to see it to believe it. Thankfully, I'll get that chance but as of now, I have learned that people in Athens, GA are idiots. I understand football games being a great time to be drunk and merry with friends...but at UGA, you have a good football team. At OU, we do not. We have an excuse to be so drunk to not know what's going on. At UGA, no excuses. Dress like a football fan and act like one too. (That was a rant)

3 down, 10 to go. Hakuna Matata

13 Day Work Marathon - Day 2

(Author's Note: This is the 2nd in a 2-week long series of what I am doing during my 13 straight days of work)

The goal for this morning: wake up at 9:30am and go work out. The reality: wake up at 12:30pm and disappoint myself. Eh well, couple episodes of Home Improvement lift my pathetic spirits and my day goes on.

After a sweaty day yesterday of hanging around a gold course, I was hoping for something different today. Of course, I knew that wasn't to be. The final round of the tournament was today so there was no getting around it. I head to the station and of course, head right back out to the golf course. I know my way this time so it's a bit faster. As I drive, I notice the clouds are kinda dark around me. I'm hoping and praying it doesn't rain. It would just ruin the flow of the day. I had plans. Finish the golf tournament stuff, take it back to the station, get some quick grub and then work on my first package (a minute and 30 second story) on a softball team. But it was not to be.

The rain, thunder and lightning came right when I got there. Play was suspended and was not going to start again until Thor said so. (Quick aside...Thor is the same system that OUIM had to use for its fields. I hate it, despise it and resent the damn thing) So to pass the time by, I interviewed the presumptive winner of the girls competition (up 13 strokes with one hole to go. She would hafta Tin Cup the hole to lose) and 2 local guys who were out of the hunt but still needed for an interview. The rain delay is really boring all in all, plus, I'm getting really hungry. Probably should've packed an apple.

The rain delay doesn't end before I have to get back to the station and edit the video for the 6pm. I pull into the station to hear only that things are crazy there. The power has gone out twice, the station's tower was hit by lightning and half of the computers don't work. Instead of actually having to edit my video in a time crunch, my sports director scares the hell outta me just to say that the golf has resumed and he wants me to head out there for the ending. So I haul ass and make it just in time to see the final groups finish. After a brief awards ceremony, I interview the winner and head for the station.

I hadn't eaten since 1pm so I stop by Raising Canes (fav place to eat so far). I get to the station, edit my stuff and head for home. What seemed like a long work day wa really only about 7 hours, with about an hour of it in a car and 5 hours on a golf course. And of those 5 hours, 2 hours were spent standing underneath an overhang of a golf club cottage, looking at the skies and talking to AJGA (American Junior Golf Association) interns. So really, not that bad.

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY: I learned a few things today as well. First off, rain can be great at times and terrible at times. Today, it was a mix. It stunk at first, as I thought about the lack of video I would be bringing back. But it was a blessing as well, as it gave me time to get more highlights for the 11pm. Another thing I learned today is that you know, my hours may be awkward to those of you who like the conventional 9-5 but I really enjoyed the fact that today, I woke up at 12:30pm, went to work at 2:30pm, got off at 9:45pm and was back at home by 10pm and feel like I did something. Yea, it was just golf highlights, but for the people of Augusta and the golfers, this is a big deal and I'm proud to bring the highlights to them. This actually is a very rewarding job. Showing people what they want to see when many times they wouldn't be able to is a great feeling. I am providing a great service and as I continue here in GA, I hope every day I feel this same way.

2 down, 11 to go. Hakuna Matata

13 Day Work Marathon - Day 1

(Author's Note: This is the 1st in a 2-week long series of what I am doing during my 13 straight days of work)

After two glorious days of nothing, it was back to the grind today. The goal for me was to wake up at 10am and get to the Y to work out. Instead, I woke up at 10am, unknowingly fell back to sleep and woke up to Drew Carey yelling at how close a contestant came to getting $1 on the Big Wheel. Yep, no Y for me. Maybe tomorrow.

So I leave for work at 2:15, get there at 2:30 and wouldn't ya know it, I walk in just to walk right out to go cover a golf tournament. Now, I assumed I would be covering this event. I though though I'd get more than 3 minutes at the station before I left. So after driving 15 minutes to work, I drive the same way I came and more to get to Champion Retreat Golf Club. And before I go on about my day, let me attempt to draw a picture of this place. The houses are huge...and I mean huge. To get to the neighborhood where the golf course is, you have to go through a guard gate. As any gate, it's some old retired guy who just gives you a wave as the gate goes up so real safe in there I presume. As I drive to the course, I see 5 different landscaping vans, all at 5 different houses to do the yardwork that lazy rich people don't want to. When I get to the golf course, nice cars are everywhere, including my News 12 Cruiser (PT Cruiser covered with station info for promotional purposes). And the biggest sign of me knowing I didn't belong, everyone is wearing khaki shorts that don't reach the top of their kneecaps, including the teenage golfers.

So the golf tournament today is a junior golf tournament. Most of the golfers range from 16-18 years old. My mission is to get highlights of two area golfers. I got there late (I got lost) but just in time to get the shots of the two area guys. Now, shooting (another word for filming for you non-TV folks) golf is not easy. You can't see the ball once it leaves the ground, especially on a sunny day. Well, today was tough. The sun was shining, I was sweating and above all, it was my first time. The putting part was pretty easy though. Since it was 95 degrees outside, I didn't stay too long. I was beginning to sweat through my khakis and other parts of clothing.

I got back and edited the highlights for the sports director. After he was done, it was time for dinner. That took 6 minutes at Wendy's...yea, I will eat healthier as time goes on. Once I get back, my job for the rest of the night is to write out the weekly high school football schedules. Tedious and absolute bitch work? Obviously. But is it necessary? Absolutely. Plus, I was in A/C so tough to complain. I get of work early, around 10:20pm and head home to my too-large complimentary apartment and end up right here.

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY: Well, people have always told me that you learn something new everyday. Well, I decided during these 13 days, I would share a little something (or two) that I learned. Today, I learned a few things. One, I learned that I need to take a sweat towel with me when I am going to be outside in 90-degree weather at all times. No excuses. No one wants to be interviewed by a guy who looks like he is about to melt away to Hershey's chocolate syrup. I also learned just how wealthy this community is. Kind of made me think about my future and if I would ever want to love in a house that big. After living in the house I've lived in for my whole life, I have no idea how I would be able to even fill a house the size of the ones I saw. But it does give me something to aspire to, because if I can afford a house like them, then I must be doing pretty well. The final thing I learned is that I need to step my game up. If I am going to be a successful sports broadcaster, I need to start doing my homework a little better and find some sweet stories. In other words, I'm putting the pressure on myself. I always aspire to do my best but I've noticed that I'm being a bit complacent. With 12 days left in my marathon (with 10 of them with me on the anchor desk), it's time to show Augusta what I've got.

1 down, 12 to go. Hakuna Matata

The First Full Week

Whew! It's over. My first full week of working in the real world is done. So what did I learn? A TON.

1. Working from 2:30pm-11:35 isn't that bad. I had reservations about this schedule first. I mean, nightlife is somewhat shot when you get off work at that time. You can't even get to the establishment until midnight and getting drunk in two hours is not an option when you have no ride home. But after working the schedule for the past week, I'm really enjoying it. I get to wake up late, which for me is around 10am. That way, I can shower and stuff before The Price Is Right at 11am. After that, it depends on what I feel like doing. This week, it was watching Wimbledon. Next week, probably head to the driving range or work out at the gym. By time I leave for work around 2pm, I'm in a great mood, relaxed and ready to go. When I get off work, I can still go out for a couple or come back and hit the web.

2. Keeping in touch is easier than I thought. I wondered how well I would be able to stay in touch with friends once I got my first job, let alone move 10 hours from home. I know the internet helps everything but I didn't know it'd be this easy. Even during the "busiest" times at my job, I have plenty of time to text back and forth. I check facebook and all my favorite websites all the time and track my fantasy team throughout the day. I have no qualms with calling friends after work either. Come on, who goes to sleep by midnight these days anyway? Plus, I can update my blog more frequently...and I know you are enjoying that

3. Not living in a college town SUCKS. I told myself I wanted to live in a college town so that I would be around people my age. Well looking back, man, wish I would have. It didn't dawn on me until I had some conversations with my co-workers. They were telling me about the "scene" here and honestly, they weren't very complimentary of the city. They mentioned that the students that are here don't party or go out because they study too much (FYI: Medical College of Georgia is in Augusta). To go along with that, there's no real strip of places to go. They're really spread out and the cab situation in the city isn't the best. Plus, without a big college scene, you don't get those acts that may roll through a college campus like a RENT or John Legend.

4. Going out to the establishments every night is not an option anymore. I kinda figured this one before I even started working but now that I have started, I can put the thought completely by the wayside. It's not the effect on the body that concerns me. It's the money. Yes, me talking about money. The prices down here aren't bad at all either but I'm living alone now. I'm also 10 hours away from home and things I need now cost a bit more. It's kind of a scary thought. So trust me, if I go out hard even twice a week now, then it's a special week.

5. Having just one job is a welcome change. This one is a big deal to me. At OU, I was working 3-5 jobs, depending on the quarter and that really took its toll on me. I loved every one of the jobs (why else would I work that many?) but no doubt, I was spreading myself too thin. Instead of being able to put 100% behind one job, I was putting 70-80% effort into each. Plus, I am a naturally very forgetful person. So trying to manage that many jobs and the responsibilities that come with them was tough. So being able to just have one job is wonderful. I can concentrate fully on it and instead of thinking about something 24/7 because the jobs weren't exactly M-F, I can cherish the 2 days off I get and not worry or wonder about my job. Which brings me to my final point...

6. Days off are wonderful. It's funny that I think this now because at OU, a day off for me was having my shift cancelled due to rain. And then what did I do? Just head to the bar earlier. I mean, I was prolly gonna anyways. But now, a day off for me is truly relaxing. It means go to the driving range or play a round of golf. Or go to the mall or check out a movie. It could also mean chill at my place and play Guitar Hero. The point of this is that anything goes. There's zero pressure to go anywhere like there was at OU (bars). In the future, I plan to take trips to Valdosta or Statesboro to visit friends, Atlanta to check out a sporting event or concert, and Savannah and Hilton Head just for a beach getaway (though I'm the not the biggest beach fan). Plus, putting the two days together just makes it that much better, giving me all the more time to not think about anything related to work. Yea, it's not on the actual weekend but working at the station on the weekend is great. It's a lot quieter and there are a ton of sporting events to watch. Not to mention also the establishments aren't packed during the week. There's a crowd but not a huge one...and that's fine by me.

So yea, I've learned a little bit. Nothin philosophical or anything and no real advice for you the reader. I just wanted to let you know that in just one week though, I've matured a little and learned a lot. Now time for me to enjoy my two days off. What am I gonna do? I have no clue....and that's what so great. HAKUNA MATATA

What A Difference A Year Makes.

July 2nd, 2007. The Cleveland Indians were on top of the AL Central and practically the baseball world. GM Mark Shapiro was being hailed as the brightest mind in baseball for the way he rebuilt the team from the big-money stars of the mid-90's to the young guns of the 21st century that brought a new hope to the city that wins nothing. The team had tons of promise (yea, I said it) and was being predicted to do big things that year and many years to come. After their great playoff run which was stopped by the juggernaut that is any Boston area team these days, the team licked their wounds and vowed to come back and fight for a World Series next year. So what's happened since October?

Well, let's see. It all started in the offseason. Numerous times, Shapiro (the mastermind right?) assured fans that he would look to improve the tea but not at the expense of ruining the core that got the team to one win away from the Fall Classic. So what did he do? Well, there wasn't a splash for sure. When Dan Haren and Jason Bay were both on the block to be traded, Shapiro sat idly by, instead watching other teams bolster their lineups. Remember, we had a "core" that just needed a small improvement. So instead of a big-name pitcher that would add maybe 8-10 more wins or a hitter for maybe 2-3 more runs a week, our "splash" was Jamey Carroll and Masa Kobayashi. Yea, that's it.

Even with our lack of moving and shaking in the offseason, fans had hope. I mean, this was pretty much the same team that made it so far the season before. Yea, we lost the "Pie Man" in Trot Nixon and the "Ageless Wonder" in Kenny Lofton but this team had potential. So much so, Peter Gammons, the man when it comes to baseball, picked the Tribe to not only play the Braves in the World Series, but WIN IT! Yikes, talk about pressure. So how has the team lived up to that pressure?

Take a look at the numbers. As of July 2nd, 2008, my Tribe are 37-48, 12.5 games back of the White Sox and in last place (yes, behind even the Royals) in the division. Last year on this same date, the team was flying high with a 50-32 record. The team had a healthy 31-12 record at home and a respectful 19-20 record on the road. This year, how bout only a 22-22 record at the Prog/Jake and a miserable 15-26 record away from the corner of Carnegie and Ontario. The '07 Tribe also knew how to score, tallying 444 runs while only giving up 379. The '08 Tribe are scared of circling the bases, scoring only 375 runs. But in a sweet sign of hope, this year's team has given up less runs by this date last year....by 11 runs, giving up 368. Oh and here's a tidbit for ya. As you can see the team has scored more runs than they've given up. Only three other teams under .500 can boast that as well. They have much better records though. Atlanta, who is +31 sports a record of 40-45. Toronto (+29) is 41-44 and the Dodgers (+4) sit at 40-44. 

Oh, and here are some more numbers to look at. No one on the team is batting .300. Nope, not even Victor Martinez (on the DL), a career .300 hitter. Only 2 players have double-digit homers (Sizemore and Peralta). C.C. Sabathia has more homers (1) than Martinez (0) this season even though Victor led the team last season with 25. Kelly Shoppach, our back-up catcher, has more homers (6) than Hafner (4), our designated hitter (also on DL). Oh, and did I mention that more than $25 million of our payroll is on the DL (Add Westbrook and Carmona to our growing list).

Well, maybe we can attribute all of this to a lackluster spring that carried into the 1st half of the season. OR NOT. Martinez (.389), Gutierrez (.346), and Hafner (.333) were all faring well in March. Meanwhile, our batting average leader today Jamey Carroll (.289) batted a paltry .212 in the spring.

And comparing this team to the league is just scary. 14th in the AL in batting average (.247), 11th in OBP (.323) and 14th in Saves (14). What's sad is that we have 14 saves from a starting pitching staff that is 2nd in quality starts (49). The team is 2-8 in their last 10, 4-11 in their last 15 and 5-12 in their last 17.

So is there hope? Who knows? Don't ask Eric Wedge right now. He'll give ya a cliche answer of of course. As my friend Kevin Hunt pointed out, Wedgie is in a tough situation. In his own words, "It's just hard for me to focus on (being out of the race). If and when that day comes - it comes. Until it does, we just need to focus on getting better and winning ball games." Well, being swept by the White Sox could not have helped Wedge's feelings. In fact, losing two nights in a row by walk-offs probably brings that proverbial day he is talking about closer and closer.

So what's next for my Tribe? Well, how bout the hot as hell Twins for 3 games, the hot as hell Tigers for 2 and then 4 games against, you guessed it, the hot as hell Rays. The "glass half full" part of me still thinks this team can turn it around. I mean, just to match their 96 wins from last year, they'd have to go 59-18 down the stretch. Impossible? Yea, but I don't think 96 wins is needed. The Sox, Twins and Tigers are beatable and probably will implode somewhere down the line. If the Tribe can instead go maybe 52-25, that gives them 89 wins. Respectable enough for me.

What needs to be done though. Well, as K-Hunt said, time to move Grady down the lineup. At least to #2. I mean, Carroll is batting a respectable .289. Move him up to the top spot, Grady to #2, Francisco to #3 and Victor when healthy to the 4 spot. I love Gutierrez but Choo is a better hitter so until Hafner gets back, Choo in the 5 spot as DH is nice. Garko and Blake can flip-flop 6 and 7. Peralta is too inconsistent to bat higher than the 8 spot and Shoppach is quite fine batting last. Our pitching staff is fine. Even Sowers and Byrd pitch somewhat well every other start. Once Carmona gets back though, send Byrd packing. Joe-Bo can go too. Who closes? Who cares. If we hit the damn ball like we should, we won't even need one. Trust me, we weren't 29-24 in 1-run games because of Joe-Bo. We were because of timely hitting. Finally, should we trade C.C.? For once, I'll keep my opinion quiet and let the "mastermind" Shapiro decide.

Am I frustrated with the Indians? Obviously. The best part about being in Augusta, GA is that I can't watch them struggle anymore. But once they do start playing well (and they will...I think), oh how I wish I had STO again. For now though, HAKUNA MATATA...and go Braves (hey, a brotha needs to cover something good)