Zachary J. Irwin 1.30.2012 Sports Update Demo 2

Zachary J. Irwin 1.30.2012 Sports Update Demo 1

Dreaming of a trip to an L.A. Angels game

This morning, I had a dream that I was leaving for a day of trip from Phoenix to Anaheim for a Los Angeles Angels baseball game. On my way out the door, I was tackled by Chelsea Handler before I could start my car. Somewhere in my mind, I thought it would be an hour-long trip to get to Angel Stadium. Later in the dream, my friend Gary comes out of nowhere and reminds me that I'm never going to make it to the Seattle Mariners vs. Los Angeles Angels game on time. Before I know it, I find myself stuck in an unknown parking garage. In reality: I haven't been to an Angels' game since 2007, and I don't have any plans to go to one anytime soon. The last MLB game I went to was in September, game 162 of the Atlanta Braves' season finale vs. the Philadelphia Phillies.

I helped put this piece on the air today - Unique Alabama Storm Shelter

A mix of dreams

I had dreams where I was hanging out with Former San Diego Chargers Running Back LaDainian Tomlinson, getting ready to go to a boxing match with my family in Las Vegas, and I was playing a bunch of board games in my big house with my wife, family, and friends. In Reality: I hope to travel to Las Vegas one of these days, LaDainian Tomlinson is my favorite Charger of all time, and the 2004 Chargers were one of my all time favorite teams in the NFL, and Kelly and I have played video games here at home several times in the last week.

Interesting sports and training dream

I had a dream this morning where I was at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. I was watching practice and later, a game. I was watching this with a local radio sports talk show host and we were discussing the pros and cons of the Sun Devil Football Team. Later on in the dream, I was traveling down I-10 into Texas. Before I knew it, I was getting ready for some basic training and physical conditioning for the armed forces. I had a military suit underneath a dress suit. In the dream I had to quickly get out of my dress clothes and have just my military gear on. I was told that I had to go through 10 intensive days of physical training. In reality: I've never been in the Army. I have visited a recruiting station in Arizona when I was applying for an ROTC scholarship and applying for admission into the Air Force Academy. I have been to Sun Devil Stadium many times in my life, but the last time I was there for a game was in 2007 for homecoming.

New memories beginning today

Today was the first day I worked as a freelancer/contractor for the Weather Channel. After the first assigment, I nailed down the workflow for each and every assignment from then on. My shift started at 2pm and ended at 11pm. Here's hoping for the beginning of many good, great days here at the Weather Channel. I had another dream this morning where I was outside my old Mesa, Arizona home. From there, I found newspapers and magazine dropping out of the sky and from my old rooftop. I found myself starting to read some of them. One of the magazines was an incomplete prototype of a Sports Illustrated issue. The logo was different looking and everything. In the dream, I found myself back on the campus of Arizona State University. I found myself back in the basement of Hayden Library and I Was enjoying myself there. I found myself wanting to spend some time reading old newspapers via hardcover or the old microfilm. I was loving life in my dream. In that dream, I was walking around campus and looking for more free newspapers and magazines to get my hands on. In reality: I've done those things as a student and as an alumnus visiting the campus for homecoming.

Zachary J. Irwin 1.13.2012 sports update demo 2

Reviewing previous dreams

Over the years, I've had a dream where I would one day decide to leave CNN to move back to Arizona, move on to a better job, or to strike out on my own. These "dreams" were dreams I had in my sleep. I never thought of these things on my own over the 11 years I was privileged to work for CNN. In these dreams, I am later thinking "What have I done?" Suddenly, these moves didn't seem like such a good idea anymore. In my dreams, I hoped that I could reverse what I did and make my return to CNN. Fast forward to today. It has been two months since I was laid off and I haven't as bad or low as I do right now. It has been admittedly difficult keeping positive and upbeat for everyone else over these last few weeks. Suddenly, these "dreams" don't sound so good to me anymore. Nevertheless, I continue to search for jobs, network with friends and former colleagues, and to start looking for groups to join. One thing that is keeping me busy and hopeful is that I work on my sports updates. I have one more to work on for today. I will resume my updates on Tuesday, January 17th at the earliest. By the time that happens, I will be 36 years old. Thanks for reading and I hope you all have a happy weekend.

Zachary J. Irwin 12.9.2011 Sports Update Demo a

Sunday's Dream: me trying to return to Atlanta

I had yet another long distance travel dream where I had to return to Atlanta in time for work. Only this time, I had to travel from Los Angeles to do it.

I didn't know how much time I had to get back home from LAX. I know that in the dream I had a connecting flight to Minneapolis to make in order to make it home.

I knew that in my dream, I could call on the SuperShuttle Service to take me home straight from the Airport in Atlanta if I needed it.

IN REALITY: I have not traveled to Los Angeles since 2007 and I only have one more scheduled flight to make this year: a December 4th plane ride to Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Zachary J. Irwin 1.13.2012 Sports Update Demo 1

A dream that I was in New Orleans

In my dream on Monday, I was in New Orleans. On one side of the dream, there was a large body of water on the left. On the right, I saw a bridge underwater only to be shielded by some kind of levy. I was hovering over the site in my dream and I must have been amazed by what I saw. I would guess that it was the I-10 bridge. In reality: I have never been to New Orleans. I've traveled through the state of Louisiana only one time in 2000. That was when I moved from Arizona to Georgia. Last Night, I saw the BCS Championship game on TV. I saw the University of Alabama destroy and dominate Louisiana State University 21-0 to capture the BCS and AP National Championship. Here's hoping that one day I will get a chance to travel to New Orleans.

Zachary James Irwin CNN Edit Demo Reel