Madison

Hello -

Again thanks to everyone who keeps asking about Madi.

He is still with us.

My parents are still looking for the symptoms the vet told them to expect, but so far, they are not there.

He is sleeping more and has less separation anxiety, but other than that, he is ok.

Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Even though we have had this bonus time we were not expecting with him, it is still very difficult knowing the end is right around the corner. We are still going to lose him.

Syracuse, NY

October 1st – 3rd

West Virginia vs Syracuse - CFB

On Thursday, I flew to Syracuse. It’s not on the top of my list as far as travel destinations go. I have never had a good experience visiting there. Perhaps it’s the freezing cold weather?

Or maybe it stems from my first ever visit… the Carrier Dome incident. ???

I have been to many domes in my time. I did not realize that the Carrier Dome was inflated, sorta like a balloon. Went I went inside on that first trip, several years ago, I saw that there was a sign stating to close the door behind you before opening the next one. To me, that meant they were cheap and didn’t want to let the heat out. I was in a hurry, so I ignored the sign.

Needless to say, I got yelled at.

If you have both doors open, it lets air out of the Dome.

Now how stupid is that?
With all the technology today and there is a building that can deflate by opening 2 doors?!

Since many of my friends and co-workers know about my first visit, they tease me each time I go there. They say there are wanted posters at the security office to watch out for me, etc.

This time, I tied to join along in the fun and mock myself as well.
This is where the magic happened the first time:

My mood quickly changed when one of the security guards asked me what I did in the TV Truck, being a girl and all?

Are you kidding me?

On Friday, Jason and I went to lunch at Cosmo’s. It was the hangout of our director, Jeff, when he attended Syracuse.

Granted a few years have passed since then, so perhaps it’s not the best place in town anymore. It looked as if nothing had changed over the years! My pizza was fine – but health nut Jason insisted on getting a salad. Not the best choice at a college pizza joint. He of course was sick later in the day.

We walked around Marshall St. a bit – it’s kinda the main drag and then headed back to the compound.

On Saturday, our game went well.

(Yes, there were a few more fans there for the game)

I flew back to Columbus late Saturday night.

Madison Update

Madison is still holding on. Still eating and appears to be in no pain.

Mom says she thinks his breathing is getting heavier and his color is gray. But he seems okay in general.

So... at this point, we are still in a holding pattern.

Columbus

Nashville Predators vs Columbus Blue Jackets – CBJ Vision

Tonight was the last preseason home game for the Jackets.
The home opener is on Saturday – bummed I will not be there for it.

I think this is a record – I haven’t done 4 CBJ games in a span of 7 days in years.

Cincinnati, OH

September 25th – 26th

Fresno State vs Cincinnati – CFB – Big East Network

Today I met my new football crew! Well, I knew a couple people already, but I would say about half of them were new to me.

Jason, my AP from last year is joining me again this season. We have been anxious for the season to begin!

So my package is Big East Syndicated. Which means it is not seen nationally. It is seen in the markets of Big East teams and then is sold to any market that wants it. In addition, I believe it’s part of ESPN’s Game Plan.

It is ESPN, but instead of ESPN logos, there are “Big East Network” logos on all the graphics and elements. Why? Since we are syndicated, any TV station or network purchase and air the games. So if you are a NBC station, you don’t want ESPN logos all over the screen for 3.5 hours.

Our set day on Friday went well.


There was extreme fog on Saturday morning. I took photos, but they didn’t come out.
Thankfully it lifted for the most part before the game started.

After the game, I drove home.

Columbus > Cincinnati

Pittsburgh vs Columbus – Preseason NHL – CBJ Vision

3rd preseason NHL game in 4 days. Exciting stuff!

After the game, I drove down to Cincinnati. Got there around midnight.

Tomorrow I start my football package for the season – Big East. Looking very forward to it finally starting!

Madison Update

When I talked to mom today, she said Madison was still doing good.
Still eating and acting somewhat normal.

No news really… just waiting ….

Columbus

Minnesota vs Columbus – Preseason NHL – CBJ Vision

Can’t believe it’s already hockey season again!

Fairmont, WV > Cleveland, OH

September 18th – 20th

Ohio State vs Toledo

On Friday I had to drive from Fairmont to Cleveland. Which, unfortunately, meant I had to cross the border into Pennsylvania. Oh the horror!!


Since I was still in search for underwear, I had my eyes open for a mall or ??

Somewhere in PA, I saw a Wal Mart up on a hill, so I got off at that exit. And guess what? I couldn’t find the road to it!! You can see the place you want to go; just can’t get to it! Reason #742 to hate the state!

After about 12 minutes, I was able to find my way and got a lovely package of scratchy underwear.

Eventually made my way into downtown Cleveland, where “Linda” promptly flipped out and got me lost. She does it every time when we are there.

Finally found the hotel, but couldn’t find the valet stand. Circled the block again.
I gave up and parked at the taxi stand.

Stayed at the Renaissance, which is a nice old historic hotel.

My friend Jonny picked me up for an early dinner – like around 4pm. (I had to go early so I could get back to go to bed by 8p.)

Anyway, we went to Shooters in the Flats. It was nice to catch up with him.

He had me back to the hotel with plenty of time to spare. Was able to sleep just fine.

Alarm went off at 3:30. Ugh!
To make it worse, as I was getting into the shower, I could hear people in the hallway stumbling back from the bars. Nothing more annoying than starting your day as people are just finishing up their night.

Game went fine.

That evening, I headed over to Boo/Banks house to hang out with them and Matty. We ended up going to Streetsboro, where Boo is from. We met some of her family & friends at the BW3s. A fun time had by all.

By the time I got to bed, I had been up for over 22 hours.
]Living the dream baby!

Columbus > Fairmont, WV

September 16th – 17th

Glenville State vs Fairmont State

I headed out on Wednesday afternoon to Fairmont, WV. I assumed “Linda” would send me on I-70 East; but she instead sent me South on 33 and on all back roads. Grr. Oh well, I didn’t have a map, so I had to trust her!



So I arrive at the lovely Holiday Inn Fairmont…
Upon check in the desk clerk assigns me a 1st floor room, so I ask for a room on any floor but the first because I will feel safer.

He goes on to tell me that the hotel is built into a hill and that right now, in the lobby, we are technically underground. So the 1st floor is really the 2nd floor, so I will indeed be safe because I am not at ground level.

Ok.

So I go out to get my stuff and head up to the entrance.
Hmm… that’s strange… this sure looks like a ground floor to me…


Whatever, I let it go. I don’t feel like arguing with the guy.

I got settled and turned on the TV. Channels don’t work. I can turn the TV on/off, just can’t change channels with arrows or numbers.
Oh boy. This is not going to work out for me.

So I took the remote and went back to the front desk to ask for new batteries. He told me that batteries were not the problem, I was using it incorrectly. I explained that the infared light was not coming on the remote and he told me that light wasn’t used on these remotes.

Ok, I guess they have special remote controls in Fairmont that use magic.

He eventually gave me batteries and explained you couldn’t just turn the TV on, you had to press the “Menu” button and arrow down to “watch live TV” – which is indeed a way to watch TV with the hotel remotes, but you can also just turn it on and start changing channels. I kinda have a little experience with hotel remotes! But I could tell arguing would get me nowhere.. this guy felt it was necessary to 'learn me a lesson'.

I got back to my “2nd floor” room to test the new batteries. Nothing.
So just to make sure he wasn’t right, I attempted his theory of using the “menu” button – nope! I think it was the arrow buttons that were dead. There was no way I was going to watch TV without manually changing the channels on the actual TV. Moving on! I don’t have enough patience to deal with the village idiot again.

Later in the evening I went down to the hotel bar for a beverage.
Ugh.. they apparently still smoke indoors in West Virginia. I drank about half my beer and had to leave – I couldn’t breathe!

I pretty much gave up, went back to my room, watched TV via my sling box and went to sleep.

Thursday morning, I ventured out a little early to take in the sights

I was hoping to find at least a Wal Mart… I had discovered that I didn’t pack enough underwear.

Unfortunately, I never found a store for underwear, but walked around the general store which was cute & quaint.

Then I headed over to campus..




Game went fine.
Headed back to the lovely Holiday Inn afterwards.

Madison Update

Just wanted to update you all on Madi...

I got home around 5:30p on Saturday - he was very happy to see me!

We spent the night watching football with my dad.

He is doing ok. He has lost about 5lbs - which is over 10% of his body weight - so it's pretty significant. He just feels a little bony to me when I pet him - but he doesn't "look" sick.

His appetite has gotten better, but is likely due to the steroids he is on.
Of course he is being spoiled with Stove Top at least once a day - it's one of his favorite people food items that doesn't make him sick.
(He has always gotten sick from people food, treats, bones, etc - not a side effect of the cancer)

Tonight he had some mashed potatoes too!

We don't feel he is responding to the chemo as the oncologist said if it worked, he would be bouncing off the walls again by this weekend. Well, that is not the case. He has some of his "Madison-isms", but not at all like he was a month ago. For starters, he could care less when we leave. He has always had separation anxiety and now it doesn't seem to phase him. His pacing is also almost non-existent.

Sadly, for the first time in his life, he almost seems like a normal dog!

Tomorrow I will go to the vet to get details on making the final arrangements as well as getting the info from the funeral home on cremation. I am not familiar with the procedures here, but assume they are similar to what I did in Columbus when Pokey died. I would just like to take care as many things as possible to eliviate some of the burden from my parents. They have the hardest part still ahead of them.

Right now it's hard to say how much time we have. All research points to less than a week... but you wouldn't think that if you saw him.

Our number one goal is to not let him suffer.

Thank you everyone who encouraged me to come to Florida. I am cherishing my time with him.
I also got to go on the boat today with my parents and time spent on the boat is very therapeutic for me.

I appreciate all of your kind words and well wishes... your emails and texts have meant a lot to me. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers - we definitely need them!

Thanx :)

Columbus

September 11th-12th

ESPNU Road Trip – The Ohio State University

This weekend I worked on a new show. So new, it’s the very first episode.

The premise is an inside look at what students and fans do leading up to game day. AND a behind the scenes look into ESPNs College Game Day.


Friday was fun – I didn’t have a lot of graphics to build, so I made a bunch of signs to pass out to the crowd to hold during College Game Day and the Road Trip show.

Thanks to all my friends who sent me suggestions for sign ideas!

I also wandered around the College Game Day compound as it was right next to ours. Very cool!

Saturday morning came fast!
Our crew call was at 4am – ugh! But the show started at 9a, so it made sense. Still getting up at 2:30am is never an easy task.

It’s amazing that the fans are so into College Game Day that they arrive the night before to line up for front row standing room only spots!

The talent’s tour bus where they rest between live shots & also watch games


The area inside the gates is for the crowd


The light blue box is air conditioning being pumped up under the set so the guys don’t get too hot under all the lights


The crowd waiting to get in (first person arrived at 11pm the night before)


The gate is opened









After my show, College Game Day began. I wish I could of stayed a while and watched. But I had a flight to catch. Am going to spend a few days with my Madison in Florida.

I can't think of a title line

I am very sad to tell you all this... Madison, my precious dog, has cancer.

We found out last Thursday.
I didn't post it then because we did not know the diagnosis until today.

He had an appointment with a doggie oncologist this afternoon.
We still don't have an exact diagnosis but will know for sure in the next few days.

It's not good.

He will likely only be with us for maybe a week or so.
Possibly a few months, but it's unlikely.

Thankfully, my schedule will allow me to fly down on Saturday night and spend a few days with him and say goodbye to him.

We are shocked to say the least.
As I have written before, we were expecting to lose Rizon soon, but not Madi.

Lymphoma spreads crazy quick in dogs. They can get it and die from it all within the same month. There are no symptoms until it's too late.

Doggie chemo is very successful when started in Stage 1 or 2.
But he is in Stage 4 or 5.

It also does not have the side effects that human chemo has.
So that's a plus!

Even so, it is most likely too late.

He got a shot of chemo today... by this weekend we will know if it worked.

So forgive me once again as I will likely fall behind on my posts.

Please keep my family in your thoughts & prayers.
We have been through a lot in the last month (grandma died a month ago today)

Pets are like humans to us.
Madison is my parents' only 'grandchild'.
This is not going to be easy.

Columbus

The much anticipated day is FINALLY here! I am getting a front yard!!!

Let me take you back in time....
I got home very late on the night of Wednesday, January 17, 2o07....
The tree roots in my front yard had pressed down on the sewer lines long enough and the line had collapsed. Resulting in a very bad situation in my finished basement (office & laundry room).

I had 5 hours until my morning flight to Durham for a game at Duke the next day.


Thank God for my wonderful friends Patty & Dave - they handled the "situation" while I went to work the next day.



A new sewer line was put in the following week.

But the saga didn't end there.



And when I say saga, that is NO exaggeration!



A little piece of advice... never pick a contractor (of any kind) from a cute logo in the yellow pages!


LONG story short... the company I hired did not pull the proper permits with the city. They also made a mistake, resulting in a water line leak. Therefore, the city made them tear up the yard again to make the proper repairs. The company then tried to bill me for the additional days of work. Ha!




This 1 day project turned into 7 months of HELL!

This is what I got to see everytime I came home for months to come.

A constant reminder of a bad decision made, based on clip art of a rat in the yellow pages.


It took endless calls and complaints to the BBB, Angie's List and the Ohio Attorney General.
At long last, it was the OAG who finally was able to get it straightened out.



Needless to I was left with no grass. Basically a mud pit for a front yard.

Because my yard gets no sun, growing grass is not an easy task. I had grand plans of having a landscaping company doing it for me - but I chickened out of the large investment at the last minute. Which in hindsight, was the right choice, considering a client at that time went out of business a few weeks later and didn't pay me the $8,000 they owed me. But that's a whole other story in itself!

Flash forward to today.

These are the weed patches that I had learned to live with...

Much research and planning by Dave, Roger and myself. We were ready!

Earlier this week, I had $500 worth of dirt delivered.

A semi backed up and "slung" the dirt across the yard - it was actually really cool!

And there was some to spare...


Dave, Roger and I got it all spread out evenly and then seeded.


After seeding, we laid out these rolls of "germination blankets" - it looked and felt like shredded wheat.

Then we came up with a watering system...

Which led to hours and hours of me trying to get the timers to go off at the correct times. Along with constant rearranging of the sprinklers to ensure all the areas were getting water. That in itself took a week.

And now the waiting....

(It's the hardest part ya know!)

Batesville, MS > Memphis, TN

September 4th – 5th

ESPNU High School Football – South Panola (MS)

What a day!

Of course woke up with a horrible migraine. I knew it was coming.
Eyes were also puffed shut.

I was smart and had put a wet wash cloth in the freezer part of the mini fridge before going to bed, so I was able to get some of the swelling down before going to work.



As luck would have it, my Duet didn’t work once I got to work.

It was a good diversion though – no time to discuss with co-workers why I was visibly a disaster and obviously had spent a lot of time crying over the past 16 hours.

This Duet needed to be dropped over the side of a cliff.
It was so screwed up! All but one of the USB ports had been fried weeks earlier. The one that was left, was not 2.0, so the copy never happened. I had to burn my files to CDs and copy in that way. Hours and hours behind!

Catering was BBQ. Why?
When will people in the South realize that not everyone in the world likes BBQ?

The game went well, considering all the set backs.

I headed back up to Memphis afterwards as I had an early flight out on Saturday morning.

I was talking on the phone to my friend Amy as I was driving. I had stopped at a gas station just before the hotel – for my much anticipated adult beverage from the night before.

I sat in the parking lot for about 10 minutes finishing up my call. Walked into the gas station and guess what?
It was 12:02 am – they don’t sell alcohol past 12!
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

On Saturday, I got into Columbus around 10am. Since it was a football Saturday off – I was very out of my element! I headed over to my friend Patty’s – as we had talked about having breakfast. We never made it out, but I had a nice day hanging out with her, the kids and her husband.

Later that night, I met up with them again to go to the Millersport Corn Festival.

What a scene man!

It’s a town about 40 minutes east of Columbus. This is an annual summer festival about the corn they are apparently known for.

Gunnar

I had issues with the cleanliness, or lack there of!

But I did my best to overlook the obvious germ factory and enjoy a few ears!

We walked around for a while and then Rick and I stood in line to wait for the donuts.
The wait was about 30 minutes, but it’s for a good cause. The local high school band runs the operation – and I must say it’s quite the operation!



I am not a “donut fan” by any means, but I must say, they were very tasty!