June 10-13th

Friday - Baseball Super Regional – Set Day

Long set day.  Lots of graphics.

Cranky & tired.  

I chose to eat left over pizza from last night.  I had a fridge, so I was able to keep it.  Just no microwave.  Never fear, I have been in this situation before! Dinner was cooked via blow dryer!

Didn’t sleep well at all.

Saturday - GM 1: UC Irvine vs 1 Virginia

Through three innings, UVA led by a 2-0. Then a rain delay was called in the top of the 4th inning.

It lasted 1 hour, 23 minutes.

Cranky Nicole.

Virginia eventually won.

It is crazy hot here.

Went to dinner at Ruby Tuesdays with my long time friend Barb and Christine.

We were able to make it back to the hotel in time for a couple of beers in the concierge lounge.

Sunday - GM 2: 1 Virginia vs UC Irvine

Since this is a “best of 3”, all we need is the favored team, Virginia, to win and we are all on a flight home tomorrow!!  This was something I really wanted because I have been on the road for 2 weeks now. I leave at 6a on Wednesday for vaca, so a bonus day at home would be HUGE!

Insert 4 hour rain delay here.

UVA led 3-0 in the 5^th.  

Then in the 8^th, the damn Anteaters scored 3 runs.  Serenity now!

UC Irvine one 6-4.

We left not knowing what time our game would be tomorrow.  Have to wait until all the games are finished tonight, to see how many games there are tomorrow – then programming will assign our time slots.

Monday - GM 3: UC Irvine vs 1 Virginia

Game tied… bottom of the 9^th….  

UVA was down to its final strike with the bases empty before loading the bases, and Chris Taylor singled home the winning runs to set off pandemonium at Davenport Field.

There MAY have been some pandemonium in the truck too!

I helped the A-2 strike the booth and the field.  For some reason there was only one A-2 today and there was a ton to do.  Plus, I was in no rush.  Nothing to do tonight anyway.

Got back to the hotel late, hot and sweaty.  Showered, packed and headed to bed.

It’s official, my summer is here!  I managed to survive another year!!! 

Oklahoma City > Atlanta > Charlottesville, VA

Thursday – Travel Day

Got up at 6…  still had some stuff to pack after I showered.  And wanted to catch a cab around 8:15 – just in case there was any rush hour traffic.

Checked email…  showered…  watched the 1^st block of the Today Show…  it’s Ann Curry’s first day as co-host, so couldn’t miss that.  Even though I have heard that she is kind of a nut job, based on some “intell” I have gotten from the crew.  However, I am a total Today Show junkie, so I have to see all the “historical” events.

Headed up to the concierge lounge around 7:20a…  got my free omelet.  For my most hated hotel in the country, I have to give them HUGE props for having an omelet station in the lounge.  Have NEVER had that at any brand of hotel’s concierge lounge.

Finished getting ready and got packed up.

Headed down to the bell stand, requested a cab and dropped my bags.

Went over to the coffee shop for my free drink.  I had picked up a punch card earlier in the week….  I had earned enough stamps for a free coffee beverage of my choice.  Considering the fact that someone at this hotel, now had over $4,000 of my jewelry, I figured I had earned my free drink!  Even if I took it and thrown it away, I had earned it!

Very disappointed.  I was convinced the person who stole my jewelry was actually stupid enough to wear it to work.  Not the case.  I have spent that past 10 days, keeping my signature “Sanibel Sandal” in seclusion, just so I could spot the thief.  No luck.

When I got to the airport, my friend Dave from Cincinnati, was in line in front of me.  We were both on the 9:57a to Atlanta.  So we sat together waiting for our flight, exchanging stories from the road.  It’s just what freelancers do.  We all have stories…  sometimes it almost seems like we are competing for the worst (aka: best) story of all time.

It truly takes a special breed to live this life.

When we landed in ATL, our connections were in different terminals, but we sat for an hour together in the SkyClub since my terminal didn’t have one.  More stories and gossip ensued.

We parted ways..  I headed out to the dreaded D Concourse.

Upon arrival, I found my flight was delayed 26 minutes.  So I had just over an hour.  I decided that I should eat.  My day was headed for migraine territory – thought it would be best to nip that in the bud.

Got take out from Chili’s and headed to my gate.  There were no seats left, so I sat on the ground next to the trash can to eat.  Livin’ the dream baby!

I noshed away as people stepped on my feet.  Whatever dude.  Don’t like it?  Tell Delta to buy more chairs.

We got on plane around 3pm. (the time we were scheduled to depart)

After we all boarded, they announced (around 3:20), we now had a 50 minute delay due to weather.  AGGGHHHHH!!!!!

It’s a regional jet – so space is very limited.  This is a 1h10m flight; meaning we are on this plane for about 2 hours.  There is no way in hell I am staying on for an additional 50!

God bless the passenger rights bill that was recently passed.  It dictates that passengers have to be allowed off a domestic plane after something like a 3 hour delay (4 hours for International).  For whatever reason (I am not complaining), Delta, has started to allow us off right away.  Which is golden!

Last week, when we had a 20 minute delay, I stayed seated, not this time!

I went out and plopped back on the floor.  Where I proceeded to watch the gate agent have a melt down.  She was upset that flight crew allowed the passengers off the plane.

“It’s only a 50 minute delay – they can just stay on that plane!”

Oh… sweetie, keep pitching your fit…  it’s all being logged in my brain.  I can’t wait to report you!

You sit on that 98 degree plane for 3 hours and see how you feel honey!  

Regional jets have about 1 square inch of additional personal space than a prop plane…  and the ventilation is brutal.  Cattle en route to slaughter are treated better!

We eventually re-boarded the plane.  Sat there for about 20 mins and were informed that there was now a security issue because someone didn’t reboard the plane.

Not good.

That passenger had not checked a bag, so they were fearful he/she had left a gate check item or something in an overhead bin.  So the flight attendant came down the isle asking each of us if we had gate checked a bag.

Well that worked until he got to the drunk lady behind me.  She didn’t understand the question, so the flight attendant moved on.  That made me feel safe!  This could result in the gate checked luggage vs passenger gate checked luggage count to not match.

I noticed the jetbridge moving back towards us.  Damn it!  This means they are gonna make us get off !

A few moments pass…  They announce that they have found the missing passenger.  He will be back on board shortly.

Cheers erupted!

Got to Charlottesville just about 2 hours late.

Arrived at the hotel around 7p.

I was exhausted!  Just a day of travel, but it had wiped me out!!

Ordered room service pizza – actually not that bad.

Checked email and then went to bed.

Women's College World Series

May 31st – June 8th

TUESDAY - TRAVEL DAY - BALTIMORE > OKLAHOMA CITY

Nothing exciting to really report.  I am en route to my most hated hotel in the country…  The OKC Renaissance.    This is the scene of the crime – where on this same trip last year, over $4,000 in jewelry was stolen from my room.

Upon arrival, I asked the front desk staff to put it in the system that NO ONE is allowed in my room, unless I am present.  No excuses will be accepted.  

In the evening, I met up with Erin for dinner at Abuelo’s

There are lots of options within walking distance from the hotel in Bricktown.

Then we met up with others to get frozen yogurt, followed by hanging out in Heather’s room for a while once back at the hotel.

How I love this event!  All my favorite TV friends are here!

WEDNESDAY - SET DAY

It’s always something.  Lots of issues with the disk; but life will go on.  This year I am working nightshift; which means I am on the Championship crew.  Finally!  I have spent many years on this event and it’s nice to finally get to stay for the duration.

The only problem, most of my friends who worked night shift all these years, are now on day shift.  So I don’t get to hang with the much 

THURSDAY - SUNDAY

The days go by in a blur.  

On Sunday, there is the potential for 4 games, but could be as few as 2.  We alternate.  Day side does Game 1 and possibly Game 3, Night side does Game 2 and possibly 4.  

There is a lot of downtime waiting for the games to play, so I got to hang out in the “Camera Guy” lounge.  Which is a RV that one of the guys brings each year.  The actual camera guys rotate and go inside to cool down for an inning or two since the temps are always 100+.

The rest of us, just wait for a lawn chair to open up and watch an inning or two.

Our compound….

The stedi-cam rig…

It sits on a stand while the operator takes a break.  When he is wearing it, it attaches to the harness hanging there.

The room service menu makes me giggle each time I see it…

Why would you name a dish “Airline Chicken”?

Who in their right mind would want anything served on an airplane?  Doesn’t naming it that, imply it is similar?

Before you know it, it’s Sunday night and time for our annual outing to the Biting Sow.

It’s a dive bar, but there is an inside area with pool tables and a large deck where there is always live music.  And a lower level patio area.

It’s the first night that all of the crew can hang out together because starting tomorrow, there is not a dayshift.  There is only 1 game and it’s at night.

Alex and Steve playing pool.

Before I know it, everything pretty much looks like this…..

There is an after party into the wee hours of the morning back at the hotel.  

MONDAY – GAME 1 - BEST OF 3

No one makes it to the concierge lounge for breakfast this morning.  

Arizona St defeated Florida…  

TUESDAY – GAME 2 - BEST OF 3

It’s safe to say that the entire truck is full of Arizona St fans tonight.  If they win, we are done.  We don’t have to work tomorrow.  No one discusses it because that is seen as a jinx.  

Arizona St does pull off the win.  

Emergency Travel’s phone lines light up.  People are on hold for about an hour.

I chose to stay.   I would only get to go home for about 30 hours, and that’s only if I take the 6a flight tomorrow.

I know I say it every year, but this is an amazing event.  The crew is top notch.  Just a fabulous experience year in and year out.  Proud to be a part of it.

WEDNESDAY – OFF DAY

Like I mentioned, most everyone flew home this morning since we didn’t end up having a game 3.  But I decided to stay.

Slept in, got caught up on life in general!

In the afternoon, I walked to Bricktown……

Walked around and looked at some of the little shops.

Ended up going to the theatre and seeing “Bridesmaids”.

Afterwards, I hit Mickey Mantle’s for dinner.

Walked back to the hotel and went to bed at a reasonable hour.  Nice day of nothing!

NCAA Lacrosse Championship Weekend

May 26^th – 30th

THURSDAY - TRAVEL DAY

Columbus > Baltimore

Was delayed out of Columbus by about an hour.  Not a big deal because I was on a direct flight.  However, I have my annual Spring sinus infection, so I am not feeling the best.

Our lacrosse director lives outside of Baltimore and is having a cookout tonight for the crew.  I had to turn down the invite because of this stupid sinus infection and horrific cough.  He was 1 year old twins – couldn’t expose them to that.

I got settled in my room and went down to have dinner at the hotel bar.  Got to bed early. 

FRIDAY – SET DAY

Our set day was good.  Got lots done.

A bunch of us went to this Farmers Market type place for lunch.  It was mainly all seafood places, but I was able to find a really good sliced beef sandwich.

That evening, I went to dinner with a bunch of my friends.  We went to the Pratt St. Ale House.  It’s kinda like a local version of a Fridays.  It’s a short walk from the hotel.

SATURDAY - SEMIFINALS

Walked the 20 minute walk over to M&T Bank Stadium this morning.  It’s much easier than driving over.

On the walk, there is a fan fest area with all sorts of vendors and lacrosse activities.  It’s pretty cool if you are a lacrosse fan.  Nice family atmosphere.

Since the catering is so terrible, we decided to get our own lunch at break time.  Mmmm….  This is the best food stand ever!  

(Besides ones that serve adult beverages)

SUNDAY – EDIT DAY

Short set day today; went well.

In the late afternoon, Steph, her husband and I walked over to the Pratt St Ale house for an early dinner.  And what do you know?!  A bunch of the crew was there for a surprise party.  This is Steph’s last event as a staffer – she gave her notice months ago, but she wanted to finish out the lacrosse season.  So I organized this little farewell party.

Later in the evening, a bunch of us went to some bar.  

It was a lot of fun!

A shooting game broke out..

MONDAY – CHAMPIONSHIP DAY

Maryland vs Virginia

It amazes me each year how many people LOVE lacrosse and the tailgating!

I always like to walk on the field and check it out – pretty cool.  It’s crazy hot down there!

Virginia won, which was pretty cool.  It’s been a rough season for them since the murder.  It was nice to see them win.

It was a weird day in some ways.  The person who has sat next to me only a weekly basis for the last several years on lacrosse (and other events) was leaving me.

I am sad for me, but happy for her.  She is moving on to a part time job and family life.

Once I got back, I got organized and packed.  I head out to Oklahoma City in the morning.

In the evening, I went to Sullivan’s alone for dinner.  I needed some time away from people.  This is a long road trip and I don’t want to get cranky pants.

Another lacrosse season comes to an end.  Sad, but that only means summer is so close I can taste it!