Columbus > Auburn, AL

Flew from Columbus to Columbus!

Well… Columbus, OH to Atlanta to Columbus, GA.
(It’s the closest airport to Auburn, AL)

It’s about a 45 minute drive from Columbus, GA to Auburn, AL.

Found the hotel and then ventured into downtown Auburn. I have never been to the campus before, so I wanted to check it out. Plus, I was on a mission to find some Toomer’s Lemonade for a work friend of Dave’s. The friend, Eric, is a graduate of Auburn he said I had to have some Toomer’s Lemonade.

So, that’s what I did!

It’s an old fashioned soda & ice cream shop that sells fresh lemonade and endless Auburn products.

The lemonade was delish!

And they had plastic bottles of it to go, so I bought a few bottles to take back to Columbus as a surprise for Eric.

I then checked out campus….

After getting settled in the hotel, I walked next door to the Italian place.

It was average – but the garlic rolls were AMAZING!





Afterwards I went back and went to bed.

West Lafayette, IN > Columbus

Indiana vs Ohio State Men’s Basketball – Big Ten Network

Got up early this morning and made the drive back to Columbus.

Ugh – so freaking boring!

Tonight’s game was a biggie since Evan Turner made his return only a month after breaking two bones in his back. He was expected to be out until at least February.

Buckeyes win 79-54

West Lafayette, IN

Minnestoa vs Purdue Men’s Basketball – ESPN

Nothing really to report.

I am tired.

West Lafayette, IN

Notre Dame vs Purdue Women’s Basketball – ESPN 2

Even though I had a (very) mini-vaca in Cancun last week, I am exhausted! Yesterday’s travel did me in!

The climate is slightly different from Cancun as well.

Cancun > Houston > Indianapolis > West Lafayette

When I got back to the hotel around 11pm last night, I made another attempt to straighten out my bill. No success.

I then booked a cab to pick me up at 5am. My flight was not until 9, however, we had been told to get there 3-4 hours early do to it being the end of a holiday weekend AND because of the idiot who had just tried to blow up his underwear on an international flight into Detroit.

Anyway – even after I made the reservation thru the concierge, the cab company called me back to confirm.

By the time I got packed and into bed – I only got to sleep a couple hours.

I get down to the concierge.. no cab.

I waited a few minutes and have him call…. Yah ALLEGEGLY there was an accident and the cabbie was stuck in Sunday 5am rush hour traffic and would be there in 30 mins.

Nope!

The concierge got me a cab immediately.

Arrived at the airport only about 10 minutes “behind” schedule.

OMG the line was insane! Literally several hundred people in front of me. I knew, there was no way I would make it to the front of the line – even though I still had 2 hours.

So I rolled the dice. The airline was Continental. I don’t have ‘status’ with them, however, they are part of the Star Alliance. I am Premiere on United – which is part of the Star Alliance. However, Premier is like Level 1 of 4 levels of the Star Alliance. The “special” line was for Premiere Exec and up… (ie: level 2-4)

Knowing I would never make it with the “commoners” I went for the speedy pass. Played stupid and thought the special line was for ALL Star Alliance passengers.

I stood in that line for about 45 mins…. When it was my turn, I killed the ticket agent with kindness and random conversation, never really answering her when asked what my specific status was in the Star Alliance.

Bam! It worked!!

Made it thru security with n hassles and on over to my gate. Hmm… delayed.

So I decided to have some breakfast and do some souvenir shopping. Headed back to the gate – delayed even more.

This was not looking good. My flight was to Houston and then onto Chicago. I have a game in West Lafayette, IN tomorrow and I couldn’t get a flight from Cancun to Indy (closest airport) – so I chose Chicago – it’s an hour or so further.

It was looking like I was going to miss my connection. Mainly because in Houston, I would have to go thru immigration, then get my luggage and then go thru customs and then re-check my bag.

I needed to get online so I could research other options. The airport was a Boingo Hotspot – however, the website was in Spanish. So I was having a hard time logging into my account and charging another session. I had to ask a shop keeper for help.

Once online, I discovered my options were VERY limited. So I called emergency travel since sometimes they can “see” seats on flights that I can not.

Again – not many options. It looked like the only thing I could do was fly from Houston to Detroit and then to Indy.

So I just hoped for the best!

After landing in Houston, I jogged to immigration, got thru there, then on to get my luggage. Wait, wait, wait… on to customs. Then when it was time to re-check my luggage, I asked the agent if I was going to make my flight since it was already boarding. He said, “No. There’s no way you will get to that terminal in under 10 minutes when the plane doors will close”.

So I stepped out of line and called emergency travel.

Asked for them to book the Houston > Detroit > Indianapolis option we spoke about earlier in the day. Sure, no problem, the seats were held for me, however, the person who could authorize the charges was not answering his phone. So I had to wait. And wait. And wait.

I dragged all my luggage the mile or so to the other terminal and ticket counter. Called emergency travel again. Nope the person had yet to call back. And the travel agent even said to me, “Ya know, he hasn’t returned any calls today. You are not the only stranded person for the network”

AGHHHH!!! The last possible flight was leaving in less than 1 hour!

So I called the “Crewer On Call” and explained that if she didn’t do something to get the charges approved, I was not going to make the game at Purdue tomorrow.

About 15 minutes later she called back and had everything taken care of.

Thankfully, there was still time to check my bag and make it thru security!

Later that night, I finally arrived in Indianapolis (after connecting in Detroit).

After getting my luggage and heading up the escalator to the rental car facility, I lost control of my luggage and it went bouncing down the steps!

I then discovered that when the emergency travel agent cancelled my ticket from Houston to Chicago, they forgot re-book my rental car pick up from Chicago to Indy.

One more hassle. One more charge to my personal credit card.

Made it up to West Lafayette late Sunday night. Ugh – what a day!

Cancun

Stopped by the front desk today to once again to see if we could work out the issues with my bill. They pretend to not understand – but I know very well they understand English. Because when you ask them ANYTHING else, there are no translation issues.

Basically, they are putting the room on my personal credit card. When in reality, only incidentals are to go on my card (ie: things I charge, such as drinks, internet, food). It’s not the end of the world, I just know it’s going to be a pain to expense since the bill is in pesos and it going to take longer to deal with after the fact.

I eventually gave up due to frustration. I again found myself in a circular argument as I previously had about the clouds covering the sun, not the sun setting in the west.

Headed over to site mid-morning.

Still impressed with the venue. So much nicer than I ever imagined!

Today the rest of team graphics was on site. Our slider op and bug op.

Due to the size of the truck – they had to be outboarded to the “B” Unit. We said that jokingly because it was a cargo truck that one would associate with Mexico… but more of one that crosses the border into Texas in the middle of the dark night.

Thankfully, there was an air conditioner!








Now lets take a tour of “The Best Truck In Mexico”

Audio

Tape/Video

Space for my feet

There was this 2x4 that was there and I couldn’t put my feet straight – had to put them at an angle. On top of the 2x4 was a platform of sorts that the actual mainframe of the Duet sat on. If I put my feet on the platform, I would run the risk of kicking my external hard drive and unplugging it – which I did a few times.






At dinner time, the AP, Slider Op and I went to a Mexican fast food joint….

I tried, I really did. I ordered whatever the hell the chicken specialty was... couldn’t do it.

Instead I ate chips and salsa. As well as what equates to a quesadilla with just a taco shell and cheese.



The game got on the air. Mission accomplished!


There were several things that were wrong… but for the most part, only us TV geeks knew. The viewers at home… had no clue.

Granted, this was just one game. Can a tournament be done in these conditions in December? Well, probably. Would it meet the quality standards. No!

But hopefully, from the reports from myself and others on this ‘test’ – it can be done with some basic gear being flown in and set up in office trailers. Something that has been done by the network in other countries. And fortunately, something I have been a part of several times now. So hopefully, our suggestions will help make the tournament a success!

Believe me… I have spared you all the details. So much of what took place would seem menial to you, yet earth shattering to us. But we tend to do that…. Outthink what the viewer actually sees, understands and expects.

And don’t take that the wrong way – I am not insulting you, the viewer, I am insulting us – the broadcasters.

Even though the conditions were primitive, I am so thankful I was given this assignment. I enjoy these types of challenges! And it’s always nice to know your opinion is valued.

Cancun

Happy New Year!

Got up early again for breakfast so I could sit at the pool for a bit before work.

Checked out the progress of the beach project

This time, I actually walked down to the beach. Ugh. I am not a fan. Ya know with the sand, salt water and all.

View from beach looking at resort




Afew more hours of sun… I think I may officially be burnt!

I headed over to the arena in the afternoon with the AP.

It was actually MUCH better than anyone expected!

The truck on the otherhand….

It’s the “best truck in Mexico” !







The parking spots were interesting though… you had to get your tires lined up with these cement strips.

It’s evident that there was not going to be a surprise visit by any of the network safety inspectors….

The steps into our office trailer








Another of my personal favorites was the cable running thru the cesspool.

I believe that was our power.






The smell… was overwhelming!
That water had been there for a LONG time.

And allegedly, a co-worker of mine saw some of the locals peeing behind the truck in the other “lake”.

The producer, director and AD were from ESPN International in Bristol. The Ops Producer, AP, slider op and I were hired by the Charlotte office. Everyone else was local.

The condition of the truck did not come close to network standards. But this is the best truck in the country – so it will have to do.

Why not bring down a truck from the states?

It has been done. However, it’s not an easy task or cheap one!

Networks that have brought their trucks into Mexico have run into tons of delays getting thru customs. It also involves a lot of “tipping” to the officials. Nothing illegal is being brought across the border – it’s just a matter of the border personnel knowing that the truck and it’s contents are precious cargo en route to a production that a network is counting on to air. If it doesn’t air, millions of advertising dollars are lost. So the customs agents and border patrol feel the need to be given money, lots of money, or they don’t let the truck enter.

Even once it does get into the country, it gets pulled over for various reasons and then the police expect to be ‘tipped’ as well.

The alternative is sending a truck over on a ship. Possible, but very expensive. Again, still have to deal with customs.

So… the theory this weekend is to make do with what we have!

The graphics bench is lacking many of the basic essentials. Monitors for starters. A headset panel. A place to put my feet. Plus the bench seat is way too low. The counter that my keyboard is sitting on is chest high – not waist high. All things that we can solve with a little improvising!

Communications are going to be difficult. We do not have nearly the amount of channels we are accustomed to. Let alone enough headsets. It’s determined that the usual 2 channels for the graphics department is now going to be 1. And I don’t get a headset. My AP will just have to repeat to me whatever the stats person says.

There is also software missing from the Duet. But I can manage without it. Not convenient, but possible.

Once the Duet was loaded and we worked out some of the kinks, we headed back to the hotel.

I chose to have room service tonight.

While on hold to place my order, the advertisement for tonight’s special said….
“LIVE A TREMEDOUS GASTRONOMIC EXPERIENCE”

I think something got lost in translation there… because whatever their special was, I didn’t want it!

I did order sangria though – come on – sangria in Mexico has to be awesome, right?!

Oh dear God – it was so terrible! I couldn’t drink it!

Cancun

Got up, had breakfast and headed to the pool!

I wasn’t going to get screwed by the “clouds” today (or the sun setting behind the building)

My brain hurts from the constant currency conversion. Thankfully, I remembered my mini calculator that I used nonstop in China to do the math for me. What’s strange here, is that the conversion fluxuates. The hotel or business dictates the rates.. right now it’s anywhere from 12-14 pesos to 1 US dollar.

Anyway…. The grounds are very nice and there are numerous poolside options.

Currently they are replenishing the beaches along the coast as they had washed away during the hurricanes over the past few years.

It’s an interesting process to watch. It’s something I have seen happen many times over the years along the beaches of Florida.

At lunchtime, I enjoyed an ice cold cerveza! I love the way they serve it to you. Your cone shaped glass, sits inside this vase of ice.

Spent the rest of the afternoon reading and napping poolside… with a few margaritas mixed in here and there.

In the late afternoon I went back up to the room for a siesta.

A late dinner with Steve, Jessica & Scott. The rest of the crew traveled in today, so I had a chance to meet them afterwards.

New Years Eve is one of my least favorite holidays. As far as I am concerned, there was no need to stay up to toast the new year, but I caved to peer pressure and had one final margarita at the bar.

At approximately 12:02am, Jessica (who also had similar feelings about the holiday) and I promptly went to our rooms.

Columbus > Cancun

Took another crazy early flight – but it was only so I could get to Cancun by noon.

Why Cancun? Well because ESPN is doing a test game on January 2nd. There will be a basketball tournament taking place at this arena in December of 2010 – so they are doing a test this year to see what limitations they will face for the tournament.

Will fill ya in on all that later in the week. For now, I am on vacation!!

The Cancun airport was nicer that I expected. It looked pretty new actually.

Due to security and safety concerns, I was not allowed to leave the resort unaccompanied. They didn’t even want me to take a cab from the airport to the resort out of fear I would be kidnapped. But I talked them into letting me take a shuttle service – figuring it would be less likely for me to be abducted since there would be witnesses.

Online, the resort looked nice. However, I still was skeptical.
Upon arrival, I was pleasantly surprised.

The lobby area was all open. Very cool! No walls.

This is looking up into the hut roof

There were issues with my room. As in they didn’t have one for me.

But thankfully, I was able to convince them I was indeed with ESPN and they gave me a room anyway. I knew this was only going to lead with trouble later though – with billing.

The courtyards were beautiful. Very tropical…

My room








I got unpacked and headed down for some lunch and a margarita!


Then planted myself poolside.

I quickly discovered that after 3pm, the sun was blocked by the hotel. It was several stories high and was in the shape of a horseshoe.

Grrr….





So I decided there had to be a place on the front of the resort I could sit.

I inquired at the front desk…. Where I was told the hotel was not blocking the sun, the clouds were. It turned into this entire saga… I walked away. Not worth my energy to explain that the sun moved towards the west in the late afternoon and the pool was on the east side of the hotel.

I explored the grounds for a while and didn’t really find a place to sit. So I went back to my room for a nap.

I woke up around sunset and had a wonderful view from my room.

Later that evening, I met up with Steve, the one person I knew working this event. He had returned from the venue with two other people (Jessica and Scott) from the Charlotte office and I joined the 3 of them for dinner.

Soon after dinner, I went to bed.

Columbus

Lots of prep to do today – I leave tomorrow for a 8 day trip.

Cancun > West Lafayette, IN > Columbus

So… a little complicated since I am dealing with summer and winter climates!

Plus, I have to go get my final Hepatitis A shot. I had gotten the first one prior to China. But never went back for the 2nd one. My doctor wanted me to get the second one before setting out to Mexico.

Ugh! Another needle!

Fort Myers > Columbus

Ugh! Flights at this hour our torture! But I took it so I would be able to work this evening. Plus I was able to sleep, so that always helps.

Detroit vs Columbus – NHL – CBJ Vision

The Jackets won in overtime!

Fort Myers

The weather was again windy. So we decided to go to a movie. We went and saw “Up In The Air” – which was good. My parents understood it, knowing me and my obsession with having “status” with airlines and hotels.

However, I am afraid they now think I pick up strange men for one night stands in Hilton hotels!

After the movie, the weather was still windy – but not a cloud in the sky. So we decided to go ahead and head back out to Sanibel for a couple hours.

Again, very chilly – but time spent on the water is always a good thing!

That evening, I worked on packing. My flight on Monday morning is at 5:50am. Ouch!

Fort Myers

Mom and I did a little shopping this morning. Rather disappointed by the limited selection. In years past we had made out good on Christmas supplies. Not this year.

That afternoon we ventured out on the boat. It was pretty chilly and windy. But it was supposed to be the better of the 2 days I had left.

Even though I never got to take my sweatshirt off – I was on the water.