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)