Worthington, OH

November 2nd

Just an update on Smokey and Claude.....

Claude still hates Smokey, but she can now stand to be in the same room with him.

Here is a photo of them sleeping with their Unlce Melfi.

October 30th – November 1st

East Lansing, MI
Wisconsin vs Michigan State – ESPN Noon ET – CFB Week 10

Started out as a great trip – I was staying at my favorite hotel in East Lansing – the Marriott on M.A.C. Ave. Nothing really special about this hotel; just in the heart of campus with lots of bars just outside the front door.

If anything, I think I enjoy staying here because I have a lot of good memories of seasons past and great friends.

On Thursday, I walked around and just enjoyed the fabulous weather and campus sites.
In the evening, I went across the street to El Azteco for dinner. The margarita’s we just as I had remembered!

On Friday, I dressed up as a black cat for work. Auntie Gayle had been visiting my house earlier in the week and made the kitty collar for me.

(Kinda blurry, but you can see me holding my tail)

It was a pretty good day and I wasn’t even cranky about building more Javon Ringer graphics!

Then…. In the late afternoon… we got some bad news. Our show was under some major budget cuts and we were losing members of our crew, including the other graphics operator, Amy.

I didn’t take the news well. She has become a very good friend of mine. I couldn’t imagine doing the rest of the season without her!


What did I miss this weekend?
Passing out candy to the kids.

Worthington, OH

October 26th

Dave adopted a kitten today. His name is Smokey.
He is almost 4 months old and so adorable!
















Claude, Dave’s other cat, is not at all happy. But we are hoping they will be the best of friends very soon!

Claude, pouting

Madison, WI

October 23rd – 25th

Illinois vs Wisconsin – ESPN2 Noon ET – CFB Week 9


Yah!! A weekend of new teams! Very exciting to not be covering Michigan State!

It was my first visit to Camp Randall. I have been to Madison for basketball and a few other events, but never football.

And of course, Madison is my favorite city because it is also the name of my dog.

Actually, it was a really fun weekend because a few of my friends from ESPN Regional were also in town – covering volleyball.

I got in early on Thursday so I spent the afternoon with Shannon – mainly getting lost. But we had lots of time to catch up and of course have some giggles.

Thursday night our crew was meeting at the Essen House for a group dinner. The ESPN Regional crew also joined us. It was a lot of fun!

A couple of the guys got the 2 Liter Boot of beer.


Saks with Das Boot

What did I miss this weekend?
Nothing really. It was a good weekend on the road.

Evanston, IL

October 16th – 18th

Purdue vs Northwestern – ESPN2 Noon ET – CFB Week 8


We were back at the Doubletree in Evanston as we were the first week. So much better than the Holiday Inn!

Uneventful weekend for the most part.


Our compound

On Saturday night I flew back to Fort Myers for 2 more days.

What did I miss this weekend?

My friend Patty had a party to celebrate her daughter's birthday and her husband finishing his first half marathon.

Columbus Blue Jackets home opener. Not that big of a deal, but it is something I have been around for the past several seasons.

Fort Myers, FL

October 13th – 16th

On Sunday morning I took a flight to Fort Myers to surprise the family.

Spent a few days helping out with family stuff and spent each morning on a walk with my boys!


Madison & Rizon

They are both getting pretty old and aren’t able to walk my 3 miles, so after a while, they just enjoy the ride.

Madison is my dog, but moved in with my parents in 2001 right before I started freelancing full-time. My constant travel kinda prevents me from having pets, especially a dog!

But when I go to FL, he doesn’t leave my side. He pretty much goes everywhere with me – even on my errands. We leave the car and AC running and lock him in. He loves to just go anywhere!

Evanston, IL

October 9th – 12th

Michigan State vs Northwestern – ESPN2 3:30ET – CFB Week 7


Landed in Chicago a little after 3pm ct. Once I got my rental car I discovered I had left “Linda” my GPS in my car at home. (Dave named her, not me)
I dreaded the thought of Chicago with no GPS. But I had done it for years before “Linda” came into my life, so I know I could do it again.

Another weekend at a Holiday Inn. Ugh!

This week it’s Holiday Inn Skokie.
They tried, they really did. Everyone was helpful, but it took numerous staff just to pull off one task. (reminds me of China)

When I printed stuff in the business center, I realized there was no printer. That’s strange. So I went to the front desk and they explain everything gets printed there. “Ok, can I please have the things off the printer?” – the guy hands me 2 pages. I explain that there are probably 10 more pages – they say it takes literally 5 minutes per page to print because quote, “it has to go thru a wire first.”

I went back an hour later and they didn’t know what had happened to the stuff I printed. Forget it!

Yet another weekend covering Michigan State!

On Friday night, ESPN had a crew dinner for us at Bravo! in Evanston. It’s a great Italian place that we have in Columbus too. Anyway, there were about 30-40 of us and a nice time was had by all!

On Saturday, for some reason, we were the 3:30 game and not the noon game this week. So that means I was not able to fly home on Saturday night. Grrr!


What did I miss this weekend?
Actually, nothing really.

Columbus

October 7th – 9th

Tour My Town

This week my Uncle Hugh, Aunt Mary and Frank (their cat) were traveling through Ohio with their RV and decided to stop to visit for a few days.

Frank enjoyed a couple of days in my house as it always stays parked in the same spot.

Besides doing a some repair jobs around my house, Uncle Hugh, Aunt Mary and I had a nice couple of days seeing the sights around Columbus.

They saw the cement corn field in Dublin.


I also drove them around campus and we stopped to take photos at where else? Ohio Stadium!


We took in the sites of the Short North and North Market.

Followed by a behind the scenes tour of Nationwide Area – home of the Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL) and Columbus Destroyers (AFL). It is also where my friend Dave works.

We drove past the state house – none of us were up for a history lesson.

Then we went on to the Franklin Park Conservatory – which is one of my favorites. Not this time though. The exhibit was “Bending Nature” – we still have no clue what exactly it was supposed to be. Thankfully they still have permanent pieces from Dale Chihuly – I can see those over and over.


We have no clue what this is supposed to be – but Uncle Hugh and Aunt Mary looked cute inside of it.

We ate at a few of the local favorites – Thurman’s in German Village, Chef-a-nette in Upper Arlington and Cap City in Grandview.

It was a nice mini-vacation for all of us – I rarely take the time to explore and enjoy my own city.

East Lansing, MI

October 2nd – 4th

Iowa vs Michigan State – ESPN2 12ET – CFB Week 6

Another weekend covering Michigan State!
I am soooo sick of creating graphics about Javon Ringer!!

Stayed at a Holiday Inn Express for the second weekend in a row. Trust me, it’s not at all like the commercials!

Totally uneventful weekend travel & work-wise.


What did I miss this weekend?

My cousin, Sean, got married this weekend in Big Rapids, MI. A lot of my family was there, including my mom and her 5 brothers. The six of them have not all been together in many, many years.

Was so disappointing because I was about 3 hours away – but I would of missed all the festivities if I had driven up on Saturday night after my game. Only to have to drive back to Lansing a few hours later to catch my flight. Plus, I wouldn’t have had time to see both sides of my family. So close, yet so far away.

Again, another time that my job sucks. I have missed endless weddings and family functions over the years. If only weddings were during the week!

Bloomington, IN

September 25th - 27th

Michigan State vs Indiana – ESPN2 12ET – CFB Week 5

So this weekend was another ‘drive’ for me. Takes 6 hours to fly to Indianapolis because I can not get a direct flight. Takes 3 hours to drive.

However, the positive this weekend is that I got to see my godson, Cameron. He lives in Bloomington, with his dad, Rob and dog, Buster. Rob’s parents and my parents have been close friends for over 25 years – so we pretty much grew up like brother & sister.

Cameron with his chicken hat that he got at a beer festival in Cincinnati


Buster

What did I miss this weekend?

THE biggest event to ever take place at Quicken Loans Arena!
(For those who don’t know – that is the home of the Cleveland Cavaliers/Cleveland Gladiators (AFL) and Cleveland Monsters (AHL)

NTAC Productions pulled off its biggest show yet – the engagement extravaganza of Cliff & Boo!

The NTAC’s shot and edited a music video of Cliff and Jonny performing “Round and Round” by Jagged Edge. Over 60 of Cliff & Boo’s friends and family were waiting in the stands of the arena as Boo walked in only to see the video playing on the Jumbotron, followed by Cliff on the court in the spotlight, proposing.

Cliff & Boo later in evening

Several of my friends work at the arena and mainly in the Game Ops/Video Production departments – that is how the event was made possible.

It is weekends such as this that I totally hate my job. I miss all the good times with my friends.

The NTAC's minus me

(In the now classic pose of Dave putting a bowling ball in front of Cliff's face at the last second)

Pittsburgh

September 18th – 20th

Iowa vs Pitt – ESPN2 12ET – CFB Week 4

First of all, if you are from Pittsburgh or like it, I apologize in advance. It is quite possibly my most hated city in the country. Pennsylvania is my most hated state. (You are welcome to hate Columbus and or Ohio)

Plus, it is not easy to fly there from Columbus – in order to do so – I would have to connect in Chicago or DC – which is just stupid. It takes about 6 hours to fly, 3 to drive. So, I sucked it up and drove.

I was completely dreading the trip – BUT – I was going to finally meet the triplets! My friends Mark & Lori have 2 year old triplets that I have yet to meet. So I was very excited about that!

I went over to their house and played with the kids and had dinner with them – it truly was a great time. And so nice to see Mark & Lori – it had been probably 6 years or more since I had seen Lori.


I had purposely charged my camera battery before I left so I could take photos of the kids. Did I take a single photo?

Our crew hotel was the Doubletree downtown Pittsburgh. Of course, I drove around the block 4 times before I could figure out how to actually get in the hotel. Typical of Pittsburgh – you can see where you want to go – just can’t get there.

There wasn’t a valet anywhere to be found, but I really didn’t care. I left my car on the street anyway.

Okay, so it’s a Doubletree – that’s good – you get a fresh baked oatmeal chocolate chip cookie when you check in. :)

I finally get to my room and realize they didn’t give me a cookie! Grr! Leave it to the Pittsburgh Doubletree to screw me out of my cookie!

Went to the hotel bar… asked for a IC Light in an aluminum bottle (it’s the beer to drink in Pittsburgh). “We don’t have it in aluminum.” “Okay, I will have a Miller Lite in a bottle.” “We only have it on draft.” “Fine, I will have IC Light in a glass bottle.”
(I don’t drink draft beer because most bars are bad about cleaning the lines… insane amounts of mold build up in the lines and I am very allergic)

IC Light is made in Pittsburgh! How can they not have the aluminum bottle?! (there really is a difference)

So pretty much the rest of my weekend was spent getting lost and frustrated because the road you want to be on is under construction or closed because there is a Pirates game.

I called my friend Dave on my way to work on Friday to ask which bridge was the “Roberto Clemente” (he lived in Pittsburgh for a few years). He told me it was the yellow one.


Guess what? THEY ARE ALL YELLOW!

It wasn’t just me. I think I heard just about everyone on the crew say at least one negative thing about Pittsburgh.

Of course when I was leaving town, the bridge I wanted was closed, so I had a difficult time getting out of downtown. But here are the 2 best photos I have taken in a long time…..


This means I have found the tunnel back the real world


I am escaping!


The plus side to working only 3 hours away - I was home at 8pm!
AND even better, I was no longer sick, so I was able to enjoy a night on the couch with Dave ... switching between the Indians game and numerous football games. The Indians won - making it the first time since mid-May that the Indians were above .500

I'm still writing!

Hello all!

Again, want to thank everyone for reading while I was in China. It really helped pass the time - because I had to write each night. Plus, while writing, I got to experience the trip all over again... of course some of the things would have been best only experienced once!

The "bird flu" has pretty much ran it's course and life was just starting to get back to normal... then Hurricane Ike hit Ohio. Yes, Ohio! Have been without power for a few days.

East Lansing, MI

September 11th – 13th

Florida Atlantic vs Michigan State – ESPN2 12ET – CFB Week 3

Still coughing, but am so much better! Started another round of antibiotics earlier in the week – it seems to be doing the trick.

This weekend I worked at Michigan State. Sparty, the mascot, is one of my favorite collegiate mascots. It’s just a really good “costume”.

Our hotel was in Lansing – about 15 minutes from campus. So that sucked. We usually stay at the Marriott which is right in the middle of campus – surrounded by great bars.

Oh well, I wasn’t really feeling up to going out anyway.

My flight on Saturday out of Lansing was delayed. I came really close to just getting a rental car and driving to Detroit to ensure I would make my connection. But I decided to have patience and wait since we were still (allegedly) going to get to Detroit in plenty of time.

We were delayed because one of the engines needed oil and the mechanic had gone home. So we had to wait for him to come back.

Of course the delay ended up being much longer than we were originally told. But by the time they were honest with us, it was too late to get a rental car and drive to Detroit.

So we finally get on the plane and get settled and the captain comes out informs us he can’t fly us to Detroit because it will exceed his allowed hours for the day. This prompts the other idiots on the plane to start yelling and screaming.

Well personally, as much as I hate for my travel to get interrupted, I am completely okay with the rules for pilots. Their work days are too long as it is – the last thing I want is an over tired pilot!

As the other disgruntled passengers go to the ticket counter to be rebooked, I went over to Hertz and got a car. (what I should of done hours ago!) I knew I wouldn’t make my connection, but figured I would just start driving and then figure out what to do.

Just when I was leaving the airport, there was an announcement saying that Northwest had un-cancelled our flight and to return to the gate immediately. I looked at my watch and did the math – it was still possible to fly to Detroit and make my connection, so I went back to Hertz, got rid of my car and ran to the gate.

Mistake #2.

Because there was a new pilot, there was new paperwork to be filed. Consequently we sat on the ground for another half hour. I now would officially miss my connection.

The other passengers decided to yell at the flight attendant the entire way (20 mins) to Detroit. Good times!

Of course, to make matters worse, there was not a ground crew at our gate in Detroit, so we had to wait 20 minutes to be ‘marshaled’ to our gate. This only made the others more outraged.

Once we got off the jetway, the gate agent handed us boarding passes for Sunday and vouchers for hotel & food. I took one look at it and handed it back. It was currently 10:30pm on Saturday and the next flight to Columbus at 1:43pm on Sunday. The hotel voucher was for a Best Western. There is no way in hell I am sitting in a Best Western for the next 14 hours – when I can drive 3 hours and be home!

Went to National, got a car, and headed south. Didn’t make it far – I was so tired! (I get up at 5a on Saturday’s)

Got to Toledo and finally found an exit that had acceptable hotels. The first one I chose, was sold out – but that was just as well – come to find out - it was next to a race track that was having a 24 hour race. So I ended up at the Hampton Inn – which was fine.

I got some Miller Lite and chips and watched the highlights of the USC/Ohio State game. Another exciting Saturday night!

On Sunday morning I drove home.

What did I miss this weekend?
My friends all met up at Cliff & Boo’s (in Cleveland) to watch the USC/Ohio State game. If I had been smart, I would of just driven there after my game. Although I would have been exhausted, I could of spent the evening with friends instead of wasting 6 hours and only getting as far as Toldeo!

I'm getting closer every day.....

So I just posted another update.

Now that you all know I am back from China, I don't think anyone is reading the blog anyway.

So yes, I am behind. But, I have had a severe case of "the bird flu" since my return. Sleeping, blowing my nose and coughing has pretty much occupied all of my time.

I want to thank ALL of you for reading over the past 2 months. I never imagined so many people would read, let alone care about me!

I assure you, I will continue to update. Keep in mind, I travel somewhere every week. Some weeks, several places!

So please continue to check back.

Columbus

September 5th & 6th

Ohio vs Ohio State - ESPN 12ET – CFB Week 2

So good news – I did not contract a deadly disease from China!
Just a really bad sinus infection and bronchitis. And when I say really bad, I mean the worst of my life!

Thankfully, our game was at Ohio State this weekend, so I didn’t have to travel on Thursday.

Our set day went pretty well on Friday. It’s not everyday that you can sit in the stands at Ohio Stadium on the 50 yard line and eat your lunch.

Things like that used to never even phase me. In the beginning, I was not really a sports fan. Now, I appreciate things like that. It’s those moments when I realize that I have a cool job.

Had issues with my Viz on Saturday, but life goes on.

Ohio State played a terrible game, so that was entertaining :)
Of course, they still managed to win. Hope they enjoy it while it lasts… next week isn’t going to be at all the same!

To be home at 5pm on a football Saturday is UNHEARD of! And there I was, on the couch, sleeping!

My favorite cover band, “The Menus” were playing in Columbus. Dave and I were going to go – but they didn’t start until 10p and there was no way I was getting off the couch!

I think this was my worst night of coughing.

Columbus

September 2nd

Called the doctor’s office this morning – 2:45p appointment with a nurse practitioner.

Once I explained my symptoms…. Severe cough, no fever, but phases of severe sweating, no energy, etc… she informed me I needed to go get chest x-rays because I may have picked up SARS or tuberculosis while in China. Or come down with pneumonia.

Gee – which one do I hope for?

By the time I got out of the doctor’s office, it was too late to go home and get my insurance card and still make it to the x-ray place before 5. (Insurance card was still on kitchen counter because I had taken out of my purse; useless in China)

So… I will have to go another day with whatever disease I have managed to contract.

I have never coughed so much in my life.

Columbus

August 31st

Got up early – my sleep schedule is still kinda screwed up.
I still feel okay overall, but this cough is killing me.

Dave and a few friendsare running in a half marathon this morning. It is Dave’s first half marathon, so I promised to be at the finish line.


He is the one in the gray long sleeve t-shirt







Our friend Roger

Nothing got accomplished today. Dave was exhausted from his run and I was slowly accepting I was sick. We laid on the couch all day.

In the evening, Roger came over and the three of us went to the festival at St. Michael’s in Worthington for beer, brats and gambling! We had fun, but we all were so tired!

Chicago

August 28th – 30th
Syracuse vs Northwestern - ESPN2 12ET – CFB Week 1

Woke up Thursday morning in a cloud. Slept pretty good, but everything is still very surreal. My cough is getting worse & worse.

The hardest part about this weekend is wearing shoes again!
As most of you know, I am a flip flop freak! While in China, I wore them everyday - even have flip flop tan lines on my feet :)

However, I am not allowed to wear open-toed shoes while in an ESPN compound. So it's back to actual shoes again. Yuk!

Had a half set day on Thursday – basically got our area set up in the “B” Unit and got our Viz’s up and running.

“B” Unit – this means that myself, Jason (my AP), Amy (the other Viz op) and Tom (her AP) are not in the main production truck this football season. We are in a second truck which carries the cameras and various other gear.

Also in our truck are the Sportsvision people – they are the ones who put the yellow down and distance line on the screen during the game.

The Viz’s are the graphic systems that Amy and I operate during the game.

On Thursday evening, there was a crew party at the hotel. They had drinks and appetizers for us. It was really nice – I went for about an hour – but was so insanely tired, I had to leave and go to bed.

Our set day on Friday went well. Am still trying to adjust to the quirks of the Viz. I feel fine, but my cough is getting pretty severe.

Saturday – complete blur! Half way thru the game I accepted the fact that I must be getting sick. Thankfully, in my backpack, I had the antibiotics my doctor sent to China with me – so I took one.

Got to the airport with plenty of time to spare. Paid $50 and jumped on an earlier flight back to Columbus. Landed around the time I should have been taking off from Chicago.

Oh my, the house is still a disaster! Ugh! The China suitcases still haven’t unpacked themselves.

I really think I might be sick.

Columbus > Chicago

August 27th

Slept about 6 hours. Feel like total crap.
I think it is a combination of many things…. With a touch of the vodka cranberry flu to top it all off.

Got my nails done for the first time in just over 5 weeks. I have never gone this long before (usually every 2 weeks). They were insanely long!

Am not thinking straight. Kinda seems like I am floating in a bubble.

I flew to Chicago in the afternoon.
Didn’t I just leave Chicago?

Had issues at National Car Rental. Complete jackass checked me out. There’s gonna be a phone call to the Executive Elite customer service!

My cough seems to be getting worse.

Ordering room service…. Some chicky soup and a chicky samich. Then going to bed.

Columbus

August 26th

Only was able to sleep about 4 hours. Not so bad since I slept so much on the plane yesterday.

Being home is completely overwhelming. I leave again tomorrow to start my football season. There is luggage and piles of mail everywhere!

My main focus today is doing laundry and getting prepared to leave for football.

Ran out for milk, bread and a cup of coffee. Had Cheerios, peanut butter toast and coffee – finally after 5 weeks!!

Lost count on the loads of laundry – had to be about 10 or so.

Had lots of stuff to print and check on for football season – can’t believe it’s already here!

Dave got Sparano’s for lunch. Mmmm… Italian Roast Beef… did I ever miss you!

In the afternoon we went to his house and lounged on the couch.

That night we went to see Bill Foley play. He is an old favorite of ours. Have seen him play in bars off & on over the years. He is so talented. It was a beautiful & cool fall evening to enjoy music on the patio. Everything from Fleetwood Mac, Little River Band to Crosby Stills Nash & Young… he does it all, and fabulously!

I may have had a few too many vodka & cranberry juices… but hey, they didn’t have cranberry juice in China, so I was overdue!

My summer is over. Today was the last day. Wow!