March 17-18th

Saturday – Travel Day

Columbus > Philadelphia

After a couple much needed days at home, I found myself back on the road again.

Flight to Philly on my most hated airline to my most hated state.  What could be better?

Took a taxi to the hotel because I hope to make an earlier flight tomorrow and having a rental car will only hold me back.

First time hotel for me – The Four Seasons.  A little excited.  It was nice and the service was impeccable.  

Upon arrival, I dropped my stuff and went for a walk.  I was looking for a place for a late lunch/early dinner.  Needed to get to bed since I have a 3am crew call tomorrow.

I was quickly discouraged because it was St. Patty’s day and the bar patrons were spilling out into the streets.  Not at all what I was in the mood for.

I did find a nice wine shop so I got a bottle and headed back to the hotel.

I had a $22 burger at the hotel bar and it was good.  Just not $22 good.

Then up to the room for a couple glasses of wine and off to bed by 6p.

Sunday – Game Day

NIT 2^nd Rd: UNI vs Drexel

It’s never fun getting up for work at 1:30am.  But I decided to embrace the day and have a little secret in my back pocket.  It was a challenge to myself that I was eager to accept.

Took a cab to the arena.

Upon arrival, I met my AP, Megan, whom was someone new to me.  We quickly got acquainted and eagerly awaiting the other graphics operator.

The day quickly turned into an unbelievable saga.  I have seen a lot on the road in my years, but this was a first.

Out of respect to the other operator, I will not share names or details.  However, the morning resulted in me building all of the Viz graphics and Megan, the AP, building the Duet graphics.  The Duet Op originally hired, did show up eventually, but was not fit to work – so went back to the hotel.

The new Duet Operator ending up being a last minute local hire whom knew Duet, but had never worked an ESPN show before. Or for the most part, done basketball.

But God bless her, she showed up about 2 hours to air, listened to what Megan and I told her and we got that game on the air!  She ended up doing really good!

After the game, I raced to the airport with my co-worker Mark.  I was rushing to make an earlier flight, but since I was on US Air, I had no status to get on the earlier flight.

It took a lot of sweet talking, but I did it!  Again, I had that secret in my back pocket that I had been keeping there all day.  I used it when it mattered most – getting home in time for dinner with my best friend Patty.

It wasn’t until I was on the flight home that I texted Megan about our day and what an unbelievable day it had been, how it was great to meet her, etc, that I revealed my secret….  Today was my birthday.  We had both had an unreal experience with the other graphics op – we had been to hell and back to get the show on the air, but I had kept that challenge I had made to myself in the wee hours of this morning….  I wasn’t going to tell anyone it was my birthday until the day was over.

An honestly, during all the shit that the day had provided, I had said to myself numerous times, “I can’t believe this is happening…  especially today.  This is a horrible ‘gift!’ ”

But the silver lining..  I made it home in time for dinner at Cap City with Patty.  It’s our annual tradition, but it’s been forever since we have done it on our actual birthdays, so this made it extra special.