Gainesville, FL

Georgia vs Florida Men's Basketball

Since I was on Duet, and had a set day, I didn’t really have a whole lot to do to prepare for the game. So I walked around and took some photos.

The 3D cameras are larger and heavier than normal 2D cameras.

There is a left eye and a right eye.

I would like to tell you how it all works, but I don’t really know.

I believe one of the two eyes alone is what is “sent” home to the 2D viewers. The two eyes combined are what makes up 3D and is “sent” home to the 3D viewers.

In the truck, everything looks blurry unless you are wearing the 3D glasses.

I never really “got” what was so great about televising sports in 3D until today. Watching basketball in 3D was an unbelievable experience. So thankful for the opportunity!!

Columbus > Gainesville, FL

Today started at the un-God-ly hour of 4:15am.

I went to bed around midnight last night.

I had a 5:55a flight to Atlanta. Those first few hours were a complete blur.

Thank God for First Class. I slept like a baby on my flight to ATL. I am pretty sure I snored.

I had a really tight connection in ATL, but we landed early, so there was time to hit the SkyClub in Concourse C for half a bagel.

It was only a mere matter of moments after sitting down on my second flight that I passed out again. Small RJ, but I had 2 seats to myself.

Landed in Gainesville, headed to the hotel.

Room wasn’t ready, so I had to change out of my sweats into grown up clothes in the lobby bathroom.

Grabbed a breakfast sandwich en route to site and let the fun begin!

Today is a first for me…. I am working on a 2D/3D simulcast. It’s a first for a lot of people considering that this is only the 2nd time the network I work for has tried this. (the 1st time was this past Friday on a boxing event)

For about 1.5 years now, the network I work for has been televising 3D broadcasts. However, the technology forced them to have 2 of everything…. Meaning 2 completely different productions, side by side. Which is Latin for very expensive.

They have figured out how to streamline the equipment (for the most part) so it can provide both a show in both 2D and 3D; from one production truck. Of course there are still a few exceptions – but technology has progressed a lot in the past year.

Is it easy? No.

Is it cheaper than 2 separate broadcasts? Yes.

Is it perfect? No.

I am doing Duet for this game. The Duet will not be seen by 3D viewers; only 2D viewers. Whew! Less stress for me!

The Viz is being seen by both 2D and 3D viewers. But there is a designer on site to help the Viz op as he discovers issues.

Basically, since the Viz is being seen by both viewers, it’s not truly 3D. If it were, it would be all blurry to the 2D viewers. So it’s kind of ‘fake 3D’. But I gotta say, it looks pretty damn cool when you have the glasses on! I can’t imagine what it looks like when it’s “true” 3D!

My day was uneventful. Since this is all new, there is a lot to be explored and planned.

I built a few graphics and spent a lot of time just learning more about 3D. I am a tech junkie. But most of what I ‘learn’ anymore, goes right over my head!

Once checked in and settled at the hotel, I ordered room service.
So much for the hummus plate...  most of the celery was rotten.

February 18th – 20th

Columbus > Charleston, SC

Friday
So earlier in the week I had dinner at my friend Patty’s house. Got caught up on all that was going on with the kids, dog, etc. I also had dinner at Jessica and Dave’s house – where I got to play with the baby!

Then I did a NHL game and we aren’t going to talk about that. I was not at all happy with the crew I worked with. I also did a OSU Women’s game.

Mom flew up late last night and we spent this morning together.

Now I find myself back out on the road.

Got down to Charleston in the late evening. Ordered room service and headed to bed.


Saturday
Vermont vs College of Charleston Men's CBB

Kinda cool view from my balcony this morning

Wait, what are they setting up in that park? Is that a doggie pool?

Sure enough, it was one of those jumping contests. Pretty cool! Wish I could go.





Off to work!

Took a while to figure out where the crew parking lot was. There is some sort of street festival going on this weekend and there is a maze of people.

Eventually found my way and got to the truck a little late.

Was working with a new AP so I knew I had my work cut out for me.
But she was very sweet and eager to learn – which makes all the difference in the world.

We went to lunch at a very packed Q-doba. While we were in line I did a triple take at one of the tables… OMG that IS what I think it is!! I whispered to her – “there is a huge snake at that table”. She turned and had a look of panic in her eyes. Meanwhile the restaurant dude was asking what we wanted but we were in such a state of panic that neither of us could focus.

Eventually I gained my composure and said, “I am sorry sir, I can’t think straight – that person over there has a snake at the table”. He looked, excused himself and went and kicked the people out.

Neither of us could really eat… we were so rattled (no pun intended). So we chatted and headed back to the truck.

Game went pretty well.

Afterwards, I went back to the hotel to meet up with my “family” who lives in the area. Auntie Gayle, Uncle Mike and Mike. Also in town were Rich & Linda. We headed to some place on the water that Auntie Gayle liked.

It took about an hour to even get a table. The food was ok. But it was awesome to see everyone and catch up. I wish I could do so more often.



Sunday

Early flight home.

Mom picked me up and we spent the day doing this and that. She flies home tomorrow.

February 12-13th

Saturday
Durham, NC > Lansing, MI
Took a midday flight from Durham to Lansing with a stop in Detroit on the way.

I gotta say it’s VERY weird to not be working on a basketball Saturday!!

Got in to the hotel, got settled, had some dinner and headed to bed.

Got to get up at 4a tomorrow.


Sunday
Michigan vs Michigan St Women’s Basketball

It’s not just cold, it’s CRAZY cold!

Just another basketball game. Nothing really to report.

Was able to catch a late flight home.

Durham, NC

12 Oak Hill (VA) vs Christ School (NC) High School Basketball

Worked with one of my favorite APs today… Alex. Always a treat!

The game was played at Cameron Indoor Stadium at Duke because two of the players are Duke recruits – Quinn Cook & Marshall Plumlee.

Oak Hill defeated Christ School 78-64.

Columbus > Durham, NC

Ten days since I have stepped foot on a plane – WOW!

Ten nights since I slept in a hotel!

Had a stretch of games in Columbus, now it’s back to reality!

Got to the airport about 50 minutes before my flight. Drove around for another 10 looking for a parking spot. Had to park on the 5th floor which is going to totally throw me off when I return. I always park on the 4th floor on the north or south end; depending on the airline I am returning on. That’s the secret to me finding my car.

Today, I had to park on the 5th floor, on the west side… there’s no chance I will remember where it is come Monday.

Managed to get thru the regular x-ray and not the naked x-ray. Yah! But they nabbed me for having a bottle of water in my backpack. Oops! I truly didn’t know it was there. That’s what happens when you don’t deal with the TSA for 10 days.

So that delay had me getting to the gate 25 minute prior to departure. Wasn’t boarding yet, so I got a bottle of Dasani from the Coke machine. Agh… my secret to getting real water at my airport – from vending machines! If you go to the stores, they sell crappy tap water in a bottle.

As I was walking away from the Coke machine, I realized it was one of my favorite Lyon engineers sitting there at the gate. Yah! As we talked, we discovered we were on the same flight, going to the same event. And not only were we working together on Friday, but also Sunday. Sweet!

The new Raleigh/Durham airport is very nice! So much better than the old one! (I bet the cab drivers at the new one also know where Duke is located)

Don’t know what I referring to? Check out the March 14, 2009 blog entry.
GREAT story!

Anyway got to the hotel, worked on email for a bit and then had dinner at the hotel bar… called Blue. Hah! The logo was half light blue/half dark blue… get it? Carolina blue and Duke blue. Where I proceeded to have the best steak quesadilla ever!

Columbus

San Jose vs Columbus – NHL – CBJ Vision

I guess when I work at home, I don’t have much to say about the games. I guess there is less “adventure” to my days.

Columbus

The Buckeyes didn’t have the best of games. But you can’t win them all!

After the game, I was able to meet up with my friend Jeremy and his family. They were in town to watch Brittany play.

Little Marley is just too cute!

It’s always nice to see old friends.

Columbus

Edmonton vs Columbus – NHL – CBJ Vision

Another night of hockey in Columbus!

I guess it’s getting better. My bitterness is subsiding.

Columbus

Michigan State vs Ohio State Hockey

Nothing like spending a weekend at home AND working.

Nice change of pace.

Columbus

Smokey and Claude came back to Auntie Nic’s for a few days. I am working in town the next week and their Daddy is on the road. So I am happy to have them again!

They enjoyed watching the wildlife from the warmth of their perch.

Cleveland Visit

Today I rode up to Cleveland with my friend Dave. He was working the Cavs game, so I decided to keep him company for the drive and then visit friends while he was working.

First I visited my friends who work for the Cavs. Always so good to see everyone!

My friend Amanda is very pregnant, I don’t know how she’s doing it these final weeks.

My friend Matty took me out to see the start of the game.

After that I headed over to visit my friends Cliff, Boo and baby Avery.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take any photos. I suck.
Avery is growing like a weed though!

I spent a few hours catching up with them and then headed back downtown to pick up Dave.

It was an excellent day spent with friends!!

Columbus

Chicago vs Columbus – NHL – Comcast Chicago

Nothing really to report.