Monday, December 23, 2013
An open letter to my father
Hi Dad:
I'm writing to you because I am going to be a father for the first time. Also, you have been popping up in my dreams lately. Each dream is about the same where you come back after so many years and you ask me 'what have I done'?
Also, my wife and I have our little baby Ben's room decorated and put together. All we need now is for Ben to arrive. If I end this letter abruptly at anytime, that means it's go time for me to get my wife and I to the hospital.
A lot has happened in the six-and-a-half years since you passed away. Near the end of 2007, I met a beautiful woman named Kelly Sanders who agreed to go out on a few dates with me. They went so well we became a couple within 10 days and we have been together for six years. You were right that a good woman would come along for me and that all I had to do was be patient.
Before I met Kelly, I met up with a cat named Phillip. One of my former CNN colleagues asked me if I wanted to adopt him. I was reluctant at first because I never owned a pet except for that goldfish in high school. I couldn't resist the look on that cat's face, and before you know it, I adopted him. I renamed him Daniel. Daniel T. Cat was his name. He was one of my favorite cats of all time. Of course he scratched me, walked on me, meowed at me, sat on my lap, and loved me. I bet you never thought I would be a cat person.
I also took a record 4 trips out west from here in Atlanta from May-December of '07. I went to California 3 times and Arizona twice. I even pulled off a sports trip extravaganza during the Christmas Holiday that year. That was where I went to an Arizona Cardinals game against the Atlanta Falcons at the new home of the Arizona Cardinals, University of Phoenix Stadium. The next day (Christmas Eve 2007) I attended a San Diego Chargers game against the Denver Broncos for Monday Night Football. My first and last Christmas by myself, I attended a Phoenix Suns/Los Angeles Lakers game at Staples Center. After that, I retreated to my motel room and konked out for the night.
In 2008, I went on my first cruise ship. Kelly and I took a trip to Miami to board a Carnival Cruise to Key West and Cozumel. I am now addicted to cruises and want to go back on them again. I've been to four in total with the last one to tell you about later. Later that year, it felt right to ask Kelly to move in with me, and she did. She has done wonders on the house I still live in today. It has truly become our home. I even took to painting the inner walls of the house that year. Let's just say I got better at painting as time goes on.
In 2009, one of your old friends, Frank Vale Sr., called me looking for you one day. I had to tell him that you were no longer with us. Sometime after that, he told me that my mom didn't die the way you told me she did. With the help of Kelly, she helped my find my mom and that side of the family. It was one of the most exciting, important events of my life. Mom, Gena, Helen, and George (and all of their children) welcomed Kelly and I with open arms. It was a sad day for me when I had to leave the Tulsa Airport. The flight home was made worse when our flight got delayed and missed our connecting flight in Memphis and didn't get home until way, way late on Labor Day 2009. I've gone on to visit my mom and family about three times a year since then.
2010 would prove to be a difficult year working for CNN and cnn.com for me. At the some time, March 2010 was a great time for me because that was when I got engaged to Kelly on Tybee Island, GA. It was the happiest day of my life at that point. In August of 2009, I took an editing rotation for cnn.com so that I could have weekends off. That decision made for great quality time with Kelly as we got to spend more time together watching movies, going to games, visiting her family with her, and visiting my family with her. January 16, 2010 was the first birthday that I knew of that I got to spend my birthday with my mom, and it has been the only one to date.
Part of my problems with working for cnn.com was that I got rushed a lot in having to edit multiple video requests at one time. The people that were making requests were rude, didn't know the rules of what videos I could post and not post, and didn't like what I edited when I put a lot of time and effort into them. There were times I got frustrated and 'blew up' at people, and I did that either by phone, in person, or e-mail. I just felt disrespected and never got the due that I deserved for the work that I did. The best thing that was said on my review was that I could edit a ton of video each day. I did that because I had to. I had too many "ASAP" requests that I believe never should have been "ASAP." I tried not to complain about the heavy rush workload for so long before I failed and did complain.
In 2011, I was winding down my rotation at cnn.com because I was told I needed to get back into the edit pool and sharpen my skills on our new editing system, Final Cut Pro. On April 2, 2011, the best day of my life, I got married to the beautiful, wonderful Kelly Sanders on board the Carnival Imagination in Jacksonville, Florida. My mother and my sister Helen were there and it was beautiful. That meant so much to me for both of them to be there with me and Kelly.
After I returned from my honeymoon, I returned to work at CNN. On my first day back, I had an incident where I didn't see an interview feed in from London that I was supposed to edit and send to playback. The associate producer yelled at me and gave me a hard time. She made it seem like it was my fault. I admit I had a slow start in getting back into the work groove, but I thought I was gaining steam. Later on that day, one of my bosses told me that one of the post production editors got injured. That forced one of the regular cnn.com editors to move back to post production, and I was asked to move back to cnn.com for the day (and for a while).
I didn't mind the assignment at first, but after a while, weeks, months would go by and I found myself working more at cnn.com video than I did inside the CNN Edit Pool. Only four weeks into my marriage, I suffered a big health scare. I had to call 911 and get an ambulance to go to the hospital. At first, I thought I was having major chest pain (something close to a heart attack). Instead, it was just a case of acid reflux disease. I gave up junk food, fried foods, soda, and coffee for at least four months. I lost weight along the way and I dropped down to as little as 169 pounds in the procuess.
Back to work. I kept thinking that my situation at CNN would get better. I kept going back into work each and every day thinking I was closer to my work and life goals. I even had a CNN Passport to shadow people at CNN Radio and the year before I had a shadow session on the National Desk. I even applied to different jobs like social media producer, HLN Associate Producer, and to a writing workshop for a week. I failed to get into all of those things.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized that nobody was going to see or know what kind of good work I was going to do since I was five floors away from everyone who was a decision maker. I got yelled at and disrespected more and more for my editing, for my decision making on what to edit, and for my decision making on taking certain requests over others. Ultimately, the bottom fell out for me at CNN. On November 11, 2011, a day that will live in infamy as 11.11.11, I got laid off at CNN.
It was over. My 11 year career at CNN came to an end. The good news was that I got a half-year of severance pay and more quality time with my wife at home. Kelly got me through those tough times when I was searching for a job. I got to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with her at the end of the year.
Early in 2012, I got a lifeline. I got some freelance work as an editor for the Weather Channel. I got a shift anytime someone called in sick or went on vacation. Sometimes I got called into work on the day of. It make planning for life hard sometimes, but I made it work. I applied for a Video Producer position later that year, but I got passed over in favor of six other people. I still got some freelance work as a video producer and as an edit support worker from March until August. I would have liked to stayed at TWC, but I never found anything full time that I could do.
August 2012 was when I started a new full-time job with WGCL-TV here in Atlanta as a non-linear video editor. I mostly edit VOs, SOTs, VO/SOTs, and I throw in packages that other people have edited and move them electronically to playback for air. This past year, I have edited more packages for sports. That has made me feel good and has given me some sense of accomplishment.
After my wife and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary, Kelly to me that she was pregnant with our first child. I am going to be a father for the first time any day now. I mean, it could be any minute now. I want to do everything I can in order to be an excellent father for my son Ben.
I know that we went through the good times and the bad times together. Late in your life, when we lived together again, we clashed a lot. I got angry at you because I felt that you were trying to parent me and micromanage my life all over again well into my 20's and early 30's. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings or make you feel bad. I just wanted space that I felt that I earned after showing signs that I could support myself and make a living.
I don't know what the future holds just yet. I want more out of my career than just cutting basic videos every day. I will continue to seek out opportunities in my field. I even hope that there's still a chance that I could be a voice talent somewhere. I want to pursue other opportunities here at the station, but I will keep all my options open.
I wish there was something you could tell me about how to be a good father. Ben is my first child and I want to do everything right for him and by him.
I hope you're doing well up in Heaven and that all your suffering is gone.
I love you and I wish you nothing but the best.
Zach
I'm writing to you because I am going to be a father for the first time. Also, you have been popping up in my dreams lately. Each dream is about the same where you come back after so many years and you ask me 'what have I done'?
Also, my wife and I have our little baby Ben's room decorated and put together. All we need now is for Ben to arrive. If I end this letter abruptly at anytime, that means it's go time for me to get my wife and I to the hospital.
A lot has happened in the six-and-a-half years since you passed away. Near the end of 2007, I met a beautiful woman named Kelly Sanders who agreed to go out on a few dates with me. They went so well we became a couple within 10 days and we have been together for six years. You were right that a good woman would come along for me and that all I had to do was be patient.
Before I met Kelly, I met up with a cat named Phillip. One of my former CNN colleagues asked me if I wanted to adopt him. I was reluctant at first because I never owned a pet except for that goldfish in high school. I couldn't resist the look on that cat's face, and before you know it, I adopted him. I renamed him Daniel. Daniel T. Cat was his name. He was one of my favorite cats of all time. Of course he scratched me, walked on me, meowed at me, sat on my lap, and loved me. I bet you never thought I would be a cat person.
I also took a record 4 trips out west from here in Atlanta from May-December of '07. I went to California 3 times and Arizona twice. I even pulled off a sports trip extravaganza during the Christmas Holiday that year. That was where I went to an Arizona Cardinals game against the Atlanta Falcons at the new home of the Arizona Cardinals, University of Phoenix Stadium. The next day (Christmas Eve 2007) I attended a San Diego Chargers game against the Denver Broncos for Monday Night Football. My first and last Christmas by myself, I attended a Phoenix Suns/Los Angeles Lakers game at Staples Center. After that, I retreated to my motel room and konked out for the night.
In 2008, I went on my first cruise ship. Kelly and I took a trip to Miami to board a Carnival Cruise to Key West and Cozumel. I am now addicted to cruises and want to go back on them again. I've been to four in total with the last one to tell you about later. Later that year, it felt right to ask Kelly to move in with me, and she did. She has done wonders on the house I still live in today. It has truly become our home. I even took to painting the inner walls of the house that year. Let's just say I got better at painting as time goes on.
In 2009, one of your old friends, Frank Vale Sr., called me looking for you one day. I had to tell him that you were no longer with us. Sometime after that, he told me that my mom didn't die the way you told me she did. With the help of Kelly, she helped my find my mom and that side of the family. It was one of the most exciting, important events of my life. Mom, Gena, Helen, and George (and all of their children) welcomed Kelly and I with open arms. It was a sad day for me when I had to leave the Tulsa Airport. The flight home was made worse when our flight got delayed and missed our connecting flight in Memphis and didn't get home until way, way late on Labor Day 2009. I've gone on to visit my mom and family about three times a year since then.
2010 would prove to be a difficult year working for CNN and cnn.com for me. At the some time, March 2010 was a great time for me because that was when I got engaged to Kelly on Tybee Island, GA. It was the happiest day of my life at that point. In August of 2009, I took an editing rotation for cnn.com so that I could have weekends off. That decision made for great quality time with Kelly as we got to spend more time together watching movies, going to games, visiting her family with her, and visiting my family with her. January 16, 2010 was the first birthday that I knew of that I got to spend my birthday with my mom, and it has been the only one to date.
Part of my problems with working for cnn.com was that I got rushed a lot in having to edit multiple video requests at one time. The people that were making requests were rude, didn't know the rules of what videos I could post and not post, and didn't like what I edited when I put a lot of time and effort into them. There were times I got frustrated and 'blew up' at people, and I did that either by phone, in person, or e-mail. I just felt disrespected and never got the due that I deserved for the work that I did. The best thing that was said on my review was that I could edit a ton of video each day. I did that because I had to. I had too many "ASAP" requests that I believe never should have been "ASAP." I tried not to complain about the heavy rush workload for so long before I failed and did complain.
In 2011, I was winding down my rotation at cnn.com because I was told I needed to get back into the edit pool and sharpen my skills on our new editing system, Final Cut Pro. On April 2, 2011, the best day of my life, I got married to the beautiful, wonderful Kelly Sanders on board the Carnival Imagination in Jacksonville, Florida. My mother and my sister Helen were there and it was beautiful. That meant so much to me for both of them to be there with me and Kelly.
After I returned from my honeymoon, I returned to work at CNN. On my first day back, I had an incident where I didn't see an interview feed in from London that I was supposed to edit and send to playback. The associate producer yelled at me and gave me a hard time. She made it seem like it was my fault. I admit I had a slow start in getting back into the work groove, but I thought I was gaining steam. Later on that day, one of my bosses told me that one of the post production editors got injured. That forced one of the regular cnn.com editors to move back to post production, and I was asked to move back to cnn.com for the day (and for a while).
I didn't mind the assignment at first, but after a while, weeks, months would go by and I found myself working more at cnn.com video than I did inside the CNN Edit Pool. Only four weeks into my marriage, I suffered a big health scare. I had to call 911 and get an ambulance to go to the hospital. At first, I thought I was having major chest pain (something close to a heart attack). Instead, it was just a case of acid reflux disease. I gave up junk food, fried foods, soda, and coffee for at least four months. I lost weight along the way and I dropped down to as little as 169 pounds in the procuess.
Back to work. I kept thinking that my situation at CNN would get better. I kept going back into work each and every day thinking I was closer to my work and life goals. I even had a CNN Passport to shadow people at CNN Radio and the year before I had a shadow session on the National Desk. I even applied to different jobs like social media producer, HLN Associate Producer, and to a writing workshop for a week. I failed to get into all of those things.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized that nobody was going to see or know what kind of good work I was going to do since I was five floors away from everyone who was a decision maker. I got yelled at and disrespected more and more for my editing, for my decision making on what to edit, and for my decision making on taking certain requests over others. Ultimately, the bottom fell out for me at CNN. On November 11, 2011, a day that will live in infamy as 11.11.11, I got laid off at CNN.
It was over. My 11 year career at CNN came to an end. The good news was that I got a half-year of severance pay and more quality time with my wife at home. Kelly got me through those tough times when I was searching for a job. I got to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with her at the end of the year.
Early in 2012, I got a lifeline. I got some freelance work as an editor for the Weather Channel. I got a shift anytime someone called in sick or went on vacation. Sometimes I got called into work on the day of. It make planning for life hard sometimes, but I made it work. I applied for a Video Producer position later that year, but I got passed over in favor of six other people. I still got some freelance work as a video producer and as an edit support worker from March until August. I would have liked to stayed at TWC, but I never found anything full time that I could do.
August 2012 was when I started a new full-time job with WGCL-TV here in Atlanta as a non-linear video editor. I mostly edit VOs, SOTs, VO/SOTs, and I throw in packages that other people have edited and move them electronically to playback for air. This past year, I have edited more packages for sports. That has made me feel good and has given me some sense of accomplishment.
After my wife and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary, Kelly to me that she was pregnant with our first child. I am going to be a father for the first time any day now. I mean, it could be any minute now. I want to do everything I can in order to be an excellent father for my son Ben.
I know that we went through the good times and the bad times together. Late in your life, when we lived together again, we clashed a lot. I got angry at you because I felt that you were trying to parent me and micromanage my life all over again well into my 20's and early 30's. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings or make you feel bad. I just wanted space that I felt that I earned after showing signs that I could support myself and make a living.
I don't know what the future holds just yet. I want more out of my career than just cutting basic videos every day. I will continue to seek out opportunities in my field. I even hope that there's still a chance that I could be a voice talent somewhere. I want to pursue other opportunities here at the station, but I will keep all my options open.
I wish there was something you could tell me about how to be a good father. Ben is my first child and I want to do everything right for him and by him.
I hope you're doing well up in Heaven and that all your suffering is gone.
I love you and I wish you nothing but the best.
Zach
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Bad dream unrealized
Early Saturday Morning, I had a dream where the Phoenix Suns lost a home game to the Dallas Mavericks at US Airways Center that day.
After the dream game was over, I was a talk show host discussing the game inside a glass partition of the arena. I think I was saying that the Suns have to hurry up and get the taste of losing out of their math. I also said that it was gut check time to see what the Suns were made of.
In my dream, the final score was 79-74 Mavericks.
In reality, The Suns won back-to-back games over the weekend. They beat the Denver Nuggets in come from behind fashion 103-99 on Friday. Last Night, the Suns BEAT the Dallas Mavericks 123-108 in a mini-blowout.
FRIDAY: SUNS BEAT NUGGETS 103-99
http://www.nba.com/video/games/nuggets/2013/12/20/0021300390-phx-den-recap.nba
SATURDAY: SUNS BEAT MAVERICKS 123-108
http://www.nba.com/video/games/suns/2013/12/21/0021300400-dal-phx-recap.nba
After the dream game was over, I was a talk show host discussing the game inside a glass partition of the arena. I think I was saying that the Suns have to hurry up and get the taste of losing out of their math. I also said that it was gut check time to see what the Suns were made of.
In my dream, the final score was 79-74 Mavericks.
In reality, The Suns won back-to-back games over the weekend. They beat the Denver Nuggets in come from behind fashion 103-99 on Friday. Last Night, the Suns BEAT the Dallas Mavericks 123-108 in a mini-blowout.
FRIDAY: SUNS BEAT NUGGETS 103-99
http://www.nba.com/video/games/nuggets/2013/12/20/0021300390-phx-den-recap.nba
SATURDAY: SUNS BEAT MAVERICKS 123-108
http://www.nba.com/video/games/suns/2013/12/21/0021300400-dal-phx-recap.nba
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Monday, December 9, 2013
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Dreaming that I was in Toronto
I had a dream this morning that I was attending my first Toronto Blue Jays game inside the Skydome. Actually, it's called Rogers Centre now, but I still like the name Skydome.
I was sitting in the lower bowl of the third base line and watching a night game with the roof of the dome closed. I was sitting next to one of my former co-workers from The Weather Channel watching his New York Yankees play. It was a treat to be in a new baseball park for me for the first time in four years.
In reality, I've never been to Rogers Centre in Toronto. I would love to go to that once brand-spanking-new ballpark for a game someday.
There are now two (soon to be three) sports venues that have the Rogers name to it. In Vancouver, there's Rogers Arena (home of the Vancouver Canucks), Rogers Centre (home of the Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Argonauts and occasionally the Buffalo Bills), and soon to be new home of the Edmonton Oilers, Rogers Place.
Also on Sunday, I was watching my Atlanta Falcons play the Buffalo Bills on TV. That game was held at Rogers Centre in Toronto instead of Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.
I was sitting in the lower bowl of the third base line and watching a night game with the roof of the dome closed. I was sitting next to one of my former co-workers from The Weather Channel watching his New York Yankees play. It was a treat to be in a new baseball park for me for the first time in four years.
In reality, I've never been to Rogers Centre in Toronto. I would love to go to that once brand-spanking-new ballpark for a game someday.
There are now two (soon to be three) sports venues that have the Rogers name to it. In Vancouver, there's Rogers Arena (home of the Vancouver Canucks), Rogers Centre (home of the Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Argonauts and occasionally the Buffalo Bills), and soon to be new home of the Edmonton Oilers, Rogers Place.
Also on Sunday, I was watching my Atlanta Falcons play the Buffalo Bills on TV. That game was held at Rogers Centre in Toronto instead of Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.
Dreaming that I was back in Escondido
On Tuesday Morning, I had a dream that I was going eastbound up a hill on a street in Escondido, California. The street reminded me of going up Citracado Parkway on the south side of the city. I was riding in a car that was a combination of a Model-T/Jeep Wrangler.
I had a fun-filled time just being back in my hometown once again, even though it was but a dream. Maybe this dream was partly inspired by one of my favorite San Diego radio personalities and Facebook friends of all-time, Ernie Martinez.
In reality: I have not set foot back in Escondido since 2007. That was when I took off for a much needed vacation to California after my dad died. I hope one day to return there to visit and show my wife around my former hometown. I will even bring Ben along for the ride.
I had a fun-filled time just being back in my hometown once again, even though it was but a dream. Maybe this dream was partly inspired by one of my favorite San Diego radio personalities and Facebook friends of all-time, Ernie Martinez.
In reality: I have not set foot back in Escondido since 2007. That was when I took off for a much needed vacation to California after my dad died. I hope one day to return there to visit and show my wife around my former hometown. I will even bring Ben along for the ride.
Monday, November 25, 2013
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Back to back CNN dreams
This past weekend, I had dreams where I returned to CNN as a video editor for the first time in two years.
One day, I had a dream where I was working in the edit pool with some of my favorite colleagues. I was back working on the old Pinnacle Liquid Blue system. It had been more than two years since I worked on Pinnacle, but I had no trouble editing on it for different assignments.
I had a warm, fuzzy feeling about working there again. I had co-workers believing in me and telling me that I was doing all right. I remembered the yellow highlight when it came to clicking on a bin and a section where I needed to use raw video to make clean, cut video for air.
The next day, I had a dream where I was working at CNN NewSource. I had a lot of people encouraging me to take my time to get to know the system there. In the dream, it was two years since I last worked down in NewSource. Everybody was very friendly and helpful to me. My co-workers were very patient with me too. I didn't want to let anyone down and I wanted to get it right for everybody I was working with.
Back to reality. I'm still working hard here at WGCL-TV/CBS Atlanta News. I edit news, sports, and public affairs from Saturday to Wednesday. I don't know what the future holds for me or if I want to make another comeback at Turner Broadcasting/CNN.
I may have to re-think that one since I learned that HLN is going in a different direction and that layoffs will result from that. If there is anything I can do to reach out to those people and help them out, I want to do that. I want to help make their dreams come true someday.
One day, I had a dream where I was working in the edit pool with some of my favorite colleagues. I was back working on the old Pinnacle Liquid Blue system. It had been more than two years since I worked on Pinnacle, but I had no trouble editing on it for different assignments.
I had a warm, fuzzy feeling about working there again. I had co-workers believing in me and telling me that I was doing all right. I remembered the yellow highlight when it came to clicking on a bin and a section where I needed to use raw video to make clean, cut video for air.
The next day, I had a dream where I was working at CNN NewSource. I had a lot of people encouraging me to take my time to get to know the system there. In the dream, it was two years since I last worked down in NewSource. Everybody was very friendly and helpful to me. My co-workers were very patient with me too. I didn't want to let anyone down and I wanted to get it right for everybody I was working with.
Back to reality. I'm still working hard here at WGCL-TV/CBS Atlanta News. I edit news, sports, and public affairs from Saturday to Wednesday. I don't know what the future holds for me or if I want to make another comeback at Turner Broadcasting/CNN.
I may have to re-think that one since I learned that HLN is going in a different direction and that layoffs will result from that. If there is anything I can do to reach out to those people and help them out, I want to do that. I want to help make their dreams come true someday.
Friday, November 1, 2013
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Monday, October 28, 2013
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Friday, October 25, 2013
Dreaming of a good life for our future newborn son
As I sit here and ponder my family's future, I think a lot about the future of my son Ben. He has yet to be born, but I can't help to think about how limitless his future is.
It is my dream that I can give Ben all that he needs to succeed. I want to be able to give all the educational, financial, athletic, and entertainment tools that he needs in order to have a wonderful life.
I will work very hard to find the best books, schools, videos, and toys to give him. I want him to be able to learn everything he needs to know and give him what he wants so that he can have fun.
So far, Ben has some diapers, books, bears, clothes, a crib, and a dresser. We will have more for Ben in the coming days before he enters the world and our home.
I want to give something you can't touch, and that is the ability to dream. Not only do I want him to dream, I want him to dream big.
I want to give him the confidence to dream boldly, dream big and show people that he can do anything he wants and wishes to do.
I want to inspire him to do great things and do anything he wants to do. I want him to be what he wants to be or do what he wants to do. I will do my best to give Ben ALL the resources he needs.
The most important thing I will give to Ben is this: LOVE.
I love you Baby Ben.
It is my dream that I can give Ben all that he needs to succeed. I want to be able to give all the educational, financial, athletic, and entertainment tools that he needs in order to have a wonderful life.
I will work very hard to find the best books, schools, videos, and toys to give him. I want him to be able to learn everything he needs to know and give him what he wants so that he can have fun.
So far, Ben has some diapers, books, bears, clothes, a crib, and a dresser. We will have more for Ben in the coming days before he enters the world and our home.
I want to give something you can't touch, and that is the ability to dream. Not only do I want him to dream, I want him to dream big.
I want to give him the confidence to dream boldly, dream big and show people that he can do anything he wants and wishes to do.
I want to inspire him to do great things and do anything he wants to do. I want him to be what he wants to be or do what he wants to do. I will do my best to give Ben ALL the resources he needs.
The most important thing I will give to Ben is this: LOVE.
I love you Baby Ben.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Baby dream
Earlier this week, I slept well and I had a dream where I was at a place I've only been to once before in my life.
In the dream, I was with my wife before she was set to give birth to my first child. Before the baby would be born, I had to go to the bathroom.
My need to go to the bathroom and not be able to go overrode my desire to see my baby enter the world for the first time. I wished I could have flipped the switch and just 'held it' or not think about it and focus on the delivery.
In reality, I am less than two months away from being a father to a live baby for the first time. In a special way, it is a dream come true for me that I have a family of my own. It is a family that I have always wanted.
In the end, my wife helped me find my mother's side of my family for me. For that, I owe her everything. I live you Kelly!!!!!
In the dream, I was with my wife before she was set to give birth to my first child. Before the baby would be born, I had to go to the bathroom.
My need to go to the bathroom and not be able to go overrode my desire to see my baby enter the world for the first time. I wished I could have flipped the switch and just 'held it' or not think about it and focus on the delivery.
In reality, I am less than two months away from being a father to a live baby for the first time. In a special way, it is a dream come true for me that I have a family of my own. It is a family that I have always wanted.
In the end, my wife helped me find my mother's side of my family for me. For that, I owe her everything. I live you Kelly!!!!!
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Spirit Airlines flight makes a emergency landing
Spirit Airlines flight makes a emergency landing: A Spirit Airlines flight from Dallas makes a emergency landing after passengers hear a band and the cabin filled with smoke. (10/15/13)
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Two travel dreams in two days
Thursday and Friday Nights respectively, I had dreams where I traveled to New Zealand and Boston.
In the New Zealand Dream, this marked the first time I had ever flown overseas to another country. I couldn't have picked a better place to travel to in my mind. For most of this dream, I was at the airport in an undetermined city. I was easily going in and out of the airport terminal traveling to an old friends hours or to the deli for some sandwiches. Later on in the dream, I found myself going back to the airport and I didn't know why.
In the Boston dream, I was moving from Atlanta to Boston and moved into a nice new apartment wtih my wife. I found some books lying on a coffee table. I mean the apartment was furnished with comfortable sofas, books, and a flatscreen TV. I wondered what I was doing there and why I was there.
In reality, I have never traveled overseas and I have only been to Boston once in 2002.
In the New Zealand Dream, this marked the first time I had ever flown overseas to another country. I couldn't have picked a better place to travel to in my mind. For most of this dream, I was at the airport in an undetermined city. I was easily going in and out of the airport terminal traveling to an old friends hours or to the deli for some sandwiches. Later on in the dream, I found myself going back to the airport and I didn't know why.
In the Boston dream, I was moving from Atlanta to Boston and moved into a nice new apartment wtih my wife. I found some books lying on a coffee table. I mean the apartment was furnished with comfortable sofas, books, and a flatscreen TV. I wondered what I was doing there and why I was there.
In reality, I have never traveled overseas and I have only been to Boston once in 2002.
Friday, October 4, 2013
Thursday, September 26, 2013
When two dreams collide
One dream came true for me this past week. I got to take a trip with my wife to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. All we did on this fun-filled vacation was go to the beach, relax, eat, and go to the beach some more. I loved every minute of that. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about that vacation. It is most special now because it will be the final vacation we take before our baby will be born later in the year.
In my dream during the vacation, I dreamed that I was moving back to Escondido California. It would mark the first time since 1987 (aged 7 in the dream) that I would return to live in California.
In the dream, it is present day 2013 (aged 33 in the dream) that I would drive down Center City Parkway to begin my new life in California. Along the way, I would pass by the state route 78 interchange, pass an old U-Totem store, and talk to kids along the way before finding a place to live.
In this dream, it would mark the first time in my life that I have successfully returned to a place that I had moved away from. Moving away involved me moving by my dad's choice or by my choice.
In reality, I live in Acworth, Georgia with my beautiful life Kelly, my cats Gadget and Gandalf, and my future son. I had an awesome time in Hilton Head Island.
There were two highlights to my vacation. The first highlight was going to the beach and swimming out in the ocean at least once a day. The other highlight was "judging" free samples of steak, shrimp, other meats, and steak from four of the finest chefs of Hilton Head Island.
Kelly, the baby, and I will return to the island one day in the future.
In my dream during the vacation, I dreamed that I was moving back to Escondido California. It would mark the first time since 1987 (aged 7 in the dream) that I would return to live in California.
In the dream, it is present day 2013 (aged 33 in the dream) that I would drive down Center City Parkway to begin my new life in California. Along the way, I would pass by the state route 78 interchange, pass an old U-Totem store, and talk to kids along the way before finding a place to live.
In this dream, it would mark the first time in my life that I have successfully returned to a place that I had moved away from. Moving away involved me moving by my dad's choice or by my choice.
In reality, I live in Acworth, Georgia with my beautiful life Kelly, my cats Gadget and Gandalf, and my future son. I had an awesome time in Hilton Head Island.
There were two highlights to my vacation. The first highlight was going to the beach and swimming out in the ocean at least once a day. The other highlight was "judging" free samples of steak, shrimp, other meats, and steak from four of the finest chefs of Hilton Head Island.
Kelly, the baby, and I will return to the island one day in the future.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Dreaming of my drive and adventures in Phoenix
Earlier this week, I had a dream where I was driving down I-17 Southbound in Phoenix. Along the way, I saw a sign that read "Arizona 169". Just imaging the shape of the state of Arizona with the number 169 on it, that's what I was on.
Here's what it looked like in my dream as if it were on a lightpole:
Since I couldn't find a good southbound video for I-17, here is what the northbound view looks like.
I didn't know where I was going or where I was heading as I was driving down the freeway in my dream. It seemed like a lot of fun at the time.
In reality, I did the drive from the Sedona Area to Phoenix in October last year. I visited a good friend of mine in Peoria, Arizona that day.
Arizona Highway 169 is a connector road From Arizona 69 to I-17 (From Prescott to the Verde Valley).
Here's what it looked like in my dream as if it were on a lightpole:
Since I couldn't find a good southbound video for I-17, here is what the northbound view looks like.
I didn't know where I was going or where I was heading as I was driving down the freeway in my dream. It seemed like a lot of fun at the time.
In reality, I did the drive from the Sedona Area to Phoenix in October last year. I visited a good friend of mine in Peoria, Arizona that day.
Arizona Highway 169 is a connector road From Arizona 69 to I-17 (From Prescott to the Verde Valley).
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Dreaming of a raise and a gig
Early in the morning, I had this dream where I was anticipating a raise after one year on a job. In my dream, my base salary was at $45,000. As the dream got deeper, I would see my new salary increase as I watched the number automatically increase on a big-screen 1985 style calculator. It would go up in $30 intervals until it decided to stop at a certain number.
Somewhere along the way in the dream, the number stopped growing and it looked like it had reached the new dollar amount of $45,500 for the upcoming year.
Still in the dream, I was hoping for more. At any rate, any raise is better than no raise.
Later on in the dream, I switched jobs and places where I work. This is unrelated to the dream about the raise I got.
In the dream, I was working for another station where I was trying to show someone how to fix an edit. It was a story package about something that I don't remember. I even tried to drag and edit, or in this case, backtime a soundbite to make the edit look like it made a lot of sense.
I would like to think that I made a contribution to the day's assignment that I was to help out on.
In reality, I'm happy to be working at WGCL-TV/CBS Atlanta News and that I'm expecting a raise later on this year.
Somewhere along the way in the dream, the number stopped growing and it looked like it had reached the new dollar amount of $45,500 for the upcoming year.
Still in the dream, I was hoping for more. At any rate, any raise is better than no raise.
Later on in the dream, I switched jobs and places where I work. This is unrelated to the dream about the raise I got.
In the dream, I was working for another station where I was trying to show someone how to fix an edit. It was a story package about something that I don't remember. I even tried to drag and edit, or in this case, backtime a soundbite to make the edit look like it made a lot of sense.
I would like to think that I made a contribution to the day's assignment that I was to help out on.
In reality, I'm happy to be working at WGCL-TV/CBS Atlanta News and that I'm expecting a raise later on this year.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Sunday, August 25, 2013
My dream of working at The Weather Channel digital division
When I was asleep Saturday Morning, I had a dream that I was working inside The Weather Channel that also doubled as a game show set. In that dream, I was working on some sort of computer software program. It did not resemble any kind of editing software or editing work that I am used to doing.
In the dream, I was working on some DOS-based PCs while I was working. I don't remember what I was working on nor who I was reporting to. I remember working with someone over there who now just became a former colleague of mine at CBS Atlanta News.
In reality: I have not worked at The Weather Channel since I left in August 2012. I left to become a Full-Time non-linear editor for CBS Atlanta News.
I intend to get better and learn more skills as I progress over time here. As a matter of fact, I am going to learn how to dub a piece of video onto a DVD right now.
In the dream, I was working on some DOS-based PCs while I was working. I don't remember what I was working on nor who I was reporting to. I remember working with someone over there who now just became a former colleague of mine at CBS Atlanta News.
In reality: I have not worked at The Weather Channel since I left in August 2012. I left to become a Full-Time non-linear editor for CBS Atlanta News.
I intend to get better and learn more skills as I progress over time here. As a matter of fact, I am going to learn how to dub a piece of video onto a DVD right now.
Friday, August 9, 2013
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Monday, July 1, 2013
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Saturday, June 29, 2013
a trio of dreams
I had some dreams where I was with a long-time high school friend of mine, I was back to work at The Weather Channel, and I was at a panel discussion about same-sex marriage at CNN.
In my dreams, I hadn't seen my friend whom I went to Red Mountain High School in years since I moved to Atlanta. We hung out together in Phoenix/Mesa and picked up right where we left off, just like old times. We caught up on each other's lives and how far we each have come since 2000.
Next, I dreamed that I returned to work at The Weather Channel. I brought in my green badge and performed a few edits for the morning and afternoon shows. I reconnected with one of my former bosses/producers and I forgot what we discussed.
Finally, I dreamed that I returned to CNN as a worker. I sat in on a discussion about the Supreme Court's rulings on the same-sex marriage issue. I remember that one of my former bosses at cnn.com led the group discussion and I remember being fascinated by it.
In reality, I have not returned to work either at CNN or The Weather Channel since I came to work for WGCL-TV in August 2012. My immediate goal is to become a producer and advance from my status as an editor. I promise to reconnect with my high school friend from the 1990s via facebook.
In my dreams, I hadn't seen my friend whom I went to Red Mountain High School in years since I moved to Atlanta. We hung out together in Phoenix/Mesa and picked up right where we left off, just like old times. We caught up on each other's lives and how far we each have come since 2000.
Next, I dreamed that I returned to work at The Weather Channel. I brought in my green badge and performed a few edits for the morning and afternoon shows. I reconnected with one of my former bosses/producers and I forgot what we discussed.
Finally, I dreamed that I returned to CNN as a worker. I sat in on a discussion about the Supreme Court's rulings on the same-sex marriage issue. I remember that one of my former bosses at cnn.com led the group discussion and I remember being fascinated by it.
In reality, I have not returned to work either at CNN or The Weather Channel since I came to work for WGCL-TV in August 2012. My immediate goal is to become a producer and advance from my status as an editor. I promise to reconnect with my high school friend from the 1990s via facebook.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Dreaming of work again
I had a short dream where I was working with some old friends of mine at the CNN Center. I even got along with someone on an edit project whom I had some troubles with in the past when I worked in feeds. I forgot what I was editing at CNN in the dream.
In reality: I will stay on with CBS Atlanta News and get the writing/producing training that I need in order to advance my career. With a baby on the way, I have to do better to provide for my family.
In reality: I will stay on with CBS Atlanta News and get the writing/producing training that I need in order to advance my career. With a baby on the way, I have to do better to provide for my family.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Dreams come true: My Phoenix Suns have a new head coach
My Phoenix Suns made it official: They hired Jeff Hornacek to be the team's new head coach.
I admit, it wasn't a name that I had sought after when rumors of a Suns' head coaching search got underway after their season ended. Names like Vinny Del Negro, Stan Van Gundy, Mike Brown, and Byron Scott jumped out at me before Hornacek's name came into the discussion.
Over the weekend, I got wind of Hornacek's impending hire to the team through the AP wires, social media, and sports reports from the internet.
It took a few minutes for the phrase "Suns Head Coach Jeff Hornacek" to sink in. Thankfully, they are imbedded into my brain.
The hiring of Jeff Hornacek gives Suns fans something that the Interim Coach Lindsey Hunter didn't: hope. I didn't get the sense that the Suns were going to be any better after they dismissed Alvin Gentry as Head Coach after a 13-28 start to this past season.
In some way, bringing in Hornacek makes sense. Hornacek was part of the Suns' turnaround in 1988 after the Suns suffered through three straight non-playoff seasons (as well as the infamous 'drug years). Hornacek can be part of the turnaround at the top after the Suns have gone three straight years without making the playoffs.
Hornacek was part of the 4 player trade in 1992 that brought Charles Barkley to the Valley. Barkley and the Suns made a historical run through the 1993 playoffs before losing out to the Chicago Bulls in Game six of the 1993 NBA Finals. Hornacek's arrival to Phoenix brings him full circle.
The difference between October/November 1988 and today is the talent level on this team. The Suns brought over Tom Chambers via free agency and the team had a good core group of young talent for a bright future. Today's team doesn't have as much talent at this time. The Suns will have to build through the draft with the many picks they have and hope to supplement that with the addition of quality free agents.
It would be a stretch to bring in the high-caliber players like Chris Paul and Dwight Howard to come to the Valley of the Sun. An NBA team is one (or two) players away from instant contention. Just look at the Suns from 2003-04 and 2004-05 with the Addition of Steve Nash. The Phoenix Suns rose from the ashes, rising from 29 wins to 62 wins.
The Suns have a ways to go before they can run to the playoffs again. At least they have a coach that has paid his dues, has played the game, and has a winning history with the Phoenix Suns.
I admit, it wasn't a name that I had sought after when rumors of a Suns' head coaching search got underway after their season ended. Names like Vinny Del Negro, Stan Van Gundy, Mike Brown, and Byron Scott jumped out at me before Hornacek's name came into the discussion.
Over the weekend, I got wind of Hornacek's impending hire to the team through the AP wires, social media, and sports reports from the internet.
It took a few minutes for the phrase "Suns Head Coach Jeff Hornacek" to sink in. Thankfully, they are imbedded into my brain.
The hiring of Jeff Hornacek gives Suns fans something that the Interim Coach Lindsey Hunter didn't: hope. I didn't get the sense that the Suns were going to be any better after they dismissed Alvin Gentry as Head Coach after a 13-28 start to this past season.
In some way, bringing in Hornacek makes sense. Hornacek was part of the Suns' turnaround in 1988 after the Suns suffered through three straight non-playoff seasons (as well as the infamous 'drug years). Hornacek can be part of the turnaround at the top after the Suns have gone three straight years without making the playoffs.
Hornacek was part of the 4 player trade in 1992 that brought Charles Barkley to the Valley. Barkley and the Suns made a historical run through the 1993 playoffs before losing out to the Chicago Bulls in Game six of the 1993 NBA Finals. Hornacek's arrival to Phoenix brings him full circle.
The difference between October/November 1988 and today is the talent level on this team. The Suns brought over Tom Chambers via free agency and the team had a good core group of young talent for a bright future. Today's team doesn't have as much talent at this time. The Suns will have to build through the draft with the many picks they have and hope to supplement that with the addition of quality free agents.
It would be a stretch to bring in the high-caliber players like Chris Paul and Dwight Howard to come to the Valley of the Sun. An NBA team is one (or two) players away from instant contention. Just look at the Suns from 2003-04 and 2004-05 with the Addition of Steve Nash. The Phoenix Suns rose from the ashes, rising from 29 wins to 62 wins.
The Suns have a ways to go before they can run to the playoffs again. At least they have a coach that has paid his dues, has played the game, and has a winning history with the Phoenix Suns.
Dreaming of working and living in New York
Over the weekend, I had a dream where I was living inside a Manhattan loft. I had this weird, cool sensation of living by myself and being a single guy. It seemed like I was living a carefree life in my mid-20's living in a big city. In real life, when I was 24 and 25 years old, I lived by myself inside an apartment at Post Lindbergh in Buckhead (Atlanta).
In my dream, I was working for WABC-TV in an unknown capacity. In real life, I was working as a Video Journalist, game logger, and feeds coordinator for CNN in Atlanta. In my dream, the highlights of living in Manhattan were that I could look out my expansive window and look out to the city and the streets. In real life, I could see the Atlanta skyline as well as the parking lot out my window. I could even open the doors to what passed for a balcony.
In my dream, I looked forward to getting the Sunday papers from Newsday and the New York Post. In real life, I had a subscription to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution every single day.
In reality today, I love my life and can't imagine living by myself ever again. I look forward to living with the love of my life, my wife, Kelly Sanders Irwin.
In my dream, I was working for WABC-TV in an unknown capacity. In real life, I was working as a Video Journalist, game logger, and feeds coordinator for CNN in Atlanta. In my dream, the highlights of living in Manhattan were that I could look out my expansive window and look out to the city and the streets. In real life, I could see the Atlanta skyline as well as the parking lot out my window. I could even open the doors to what passed for a balcony.
In my dream, I looked forward to getting the Sunday papers from Newsday and the New York Post. In real life, I had a subscription to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution every single day.
In reality today, I love my life and can't imagine living by myself ever again. I look forward to living with the love of my life, my wife, Kelly Sanders Irwin.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Monday, May 20, 2013
Dreams of me being in San Diego County
I had two dreams that I was somewhere in the San Diego Area both night and day.
The night dream of me in San Diego consisted of traveling Westbound on I-8. In that journey, I was traveling to see some lady about dieting advice. It turns out that I had already bought a diet plan and I couldn't get out of paying for it. After I bought the diet plan, I went South on a street, made a u-turn, and made a trip westbound again on I-8 before making a transition onto I-805 in Mission Valley.
Over the weekend, I had a dream where I was traveling up I-5 Northbound in San Diego County. I approached an inspection station on the freeway, and I saw a Mexican restaurant in the median in addition to the usual inspectors on the road. During my 'inspection', I was greeted by CNN Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and Former CNN Anchor T.J. Holmes. I don't remember what we all talked about, but I think they were friendly to me.
In reality: I haven't been to San Diego in almost five years and I don't expect to travel there again anytime soon.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Monday, May 13, 2013
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Dreaming of being a producer
Last week, I had a dream. I had an awesome dream. I didn't mean to quote Billy Ocean, but I did. I had a dream where I was basically told that I can become a producer. I had producers and reporters talk to me in my dreams that I can accomplish this great goal that I have in real life.
In reality, I have started taking steps to this goal. It's almost like an epiphany if you will. I know that I have to do more than just be a video editor for the rest of my career.
The steps that I have taken so far are practicing my writing, studying the day's news rundown to see how a show gets put together, and submitting sample scripts to the producers and writers to get their feedback on my efforts.
I will sum up my writing efforts as follows, two "good jobs", two suggested improvements, and one 'watch what you say and how you say it.'
Part of my problem is self-motivation. I have to overcome that in order to get to the next level of my career. I have to get out of my editing comfort zone and try new things.
My boss even told me that he wants more than just VO/SOT cutters before he ultimately hired me. I'm going to do everything I can not to let him down and I will make him proud of me.
Starting again on Sunday, I will practice my script writing and I will get some feedback on my work. Let the fun begin.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Monday, May 6, 2013
Friday, May 3, 2013
Dreaming of an ever-expanding career
My goals, hopes, and dreams for the forseeable future are to stay on with WGCL-TV/CBS Atlanta News and work my way to becoming a writer/producer. I want to do more than just be a video editor, but at the same time I appreciate the skills and talents that I have with being a non-linear editor.
I want to add more skills to my arsenal such as writing, show producing, video arranging, and collaborating with team members inside the newsroom. I have some experience in tease writing for future stories inside a newscast. I have suggested two teases to my producers in the evening newscasts. One story was about air fare based on weight and the other was about a soccer stadium scoreboard fire.
This weekend, I'll be back at work after two days off as part of my weekend. I'll edit videos for the 6pm and 11pm newscasts. In addition to my duties as an editor, I will practice writing stories. I'll write stories that our photographers shoot around Metro Atlanta and I'll write stories that come from the AP wires.
I'm going to be a good writer someday. Practice makes perfect, and I'll be as close to perfect as I can. My journey to career progression continues.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Zachary Irwin 4.30.2013 sports update demo B
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Thursday, April 25, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Dreaming of driving up I-85 in Atlanta
I had a dream last night where I was driving up Interstate 85 here in Atlanta. In that dream, I was driving Northbound up the freeway during the daylight hours.
Up the road, I was approaching the junction to Georgia 400. In the dream, there were exits for both the Northbound and Southbound lanes to get on to Georgia 400. The freeway signs up ahead were clearly marked for one lane to go North and for one lane to go South.
Once I got to those signs approaching Georgia 400, I stopped driving. It was as if time stood still and I stood still. I was in awe of how beautiful the signs were inviting people to get on Georgia 400.
In reality: I woke up and there is still only a Northbound transition to Georgia 400 while going NORTH on I-85 near Buckhead. Soon that will change. The Southbound I-85 transition to Georgia 400 Northbound will be constructed and opened by the end of the year. The Georgia 400 Southbound Flyover ramp to I-85 North will open by the end of the year as well.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Friday, April 12, 2013
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Monday, April 8, 2013
Traveling to our cabin from home
My wife and I got away for our two year anniversary to our beautiful "home away from home" for a few days last week. Our cabin has an excellent view of the river flowing across the way as we looked out from our deck in the afternoon and at night.
We got there by traveling East/North on Georgia Highway 92 until we reached Woodstock, Georgia. From there we took I-575 North for the next 22 miles. We took the freeway until it ended North of Canton, Georgia. From there, I-575 morphed into a mere state highway (State Route 5/515). We traveled North on that road for approximately 40 miles until we reached Ellijay, Georgia.
Off the main highway, a couple of side roads later, we made it to our dream destination. Most of the time at the cabin, we did nothing. We did nothing, and we loved it!!!!!
I love my wife of two years, Kelly Sanders Irwin. Here's to us for the next 70 years!!!!!
I had a dream of working at Channel 2
Last Week I had a dream where I worked at a competing television station in Atlanta. Some of the dream felt familiar to me. It combined the staffs of the Weather Channel and CBS Atlanta News. Some of the people from both channels were people that I have worked with and people I currently work with.
We were all working as original content video producers for the day. That was where we found the best video to put on the air for Channel 2 Action News throughout the afternoon. Some of the work space was at someone's house, and some of the space was inside a large breakroom complete with MACs and Final Cut Pro.
In reality, I woke up still working for CBS Atlanta News as a non-linear editor. I have been with WGCL-TV/CBS Atlanta News since July 2012, and I have been full-time since Last August. I like what I'm doing now, and I'm ready to more for the station that has given me the opportunity to work and make a living once again.
Thank you CBS Atlanta News!!!!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Friday, March 22, 2013
Dreams come true #6: I ran in the Publix Georgia half-marathon
For the first time on March 17, 2013, I ran in a major race. I ran a half-marathon for the first time and loved every minute of it. I took part in the Publix Georgia half-marathon on the morning of St. Patrick's Day and saw how the day changed from dusk to dawn.
My journey started in Downtown Atlanta at Centennial Olympic Park. I ran down Marietta Street, north on Piedmont Avenue, and then Eastbound toward Virginia Highland. I ran up Moreland Avenue through Little Five Points, and I desperately wanted to see The Vortex up my route. I wanted to see the skull-like entrance to that fabled restaurant. I passed it, but I didn't see it. It would be the only disappointment of the day running the race.
After running through Little Five, I went westbound on Freedom Parkway and ran through some neighborhoods to get to Piedmont Park. When I entered Piedmont Park, I ran at least nine miles of the 13.1 of this race. In that moment, that was the most amount of miles I've ever run in one moment. I never ran nine miles on the treadmill or outside before. This was a huge "milestone" in my running history.
What kept me going was people in the CBS Atlanta News cheerzone propelling me through Piedmont Park. CBS Atlanta's Jeff Chirico was my biggest supporter of the day when he cheered me on. I kept going, and then I saw the 'dreaded' hill that was the westbound portion of 10th Street in Midtown Atlanta. I didn't walk, but I slowly ran up the hill as I was doing my best to maintain my ten minute a mile pace. I believe that I would have to settle for an 11 mile a minute pace instead after that stretch.
After surviving 10th street, I ran through Juniper Street, and that was a little uphill too. The last third of the race seemed like it was all uphill, but I was determined to finish no matter what the cost would be to me. After finishing off Juniper Street, I went eastbound on 5th street and crossed a bridge over the Downtown Connector (I-75/I-85) and saw yet more supporters and drink stations to fuel me up and keep me running.
Next I ran southbound on Techwood Drive. I don't remember much about that portion of the run other than seeing Bobby Dodd Stadium to my right (home of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets' football team). Running down North Avenue and Tech Parkway were the last two blurs of my memorable run. Somehow, I remember the M&M's that I ingested to power me through the final mile of the half-marathon. Now that i remember, when I saw "MILE 12" on Tech Parkway, I could taste the finish of this race.
In that final mile, I ran nearly all of it on Marietta Street en route to the finish line at Centennial Olympic Park in Downtown Atlanta. That run seemed like it was slightly uphill. Deep down I was conflicted for the last 5,280 feet. I wanted to sprint and go all out, but I did not want to pull a quad or a hamstring. I would have been so disappointed in myself if I did not finish what I started. As I was running down the last 4,000 feet, I had to look at the big picture and finish the race. As I was heading down the last 3,000 feet, I tried to countdown the number of steps it would take to finish so that i could keep my mind active and keep myself running. As I kept moving down the final 2,000 feet, I wanted to count the number of green flags to the right of me. As I was traveling down the final 1,000 feet, I stopped thinking and kept running.
Finally, I could turn the corner going left to see the finish line. As I saw the finish with the time clock moving, I raised both of my hands and said "I DID IT", "I DID IT", "I did it!!!" I cried right before I crossed the finish line and the last thing I remember besides the crying was that I finished the race. I saw the time as "2:35:46". I got my free water, my free chocolate milk, free sweat, and a free heat bag to keep me warm after I ran 13.1 miles. A few of my friends came over to congratulate me and take my picture of me after the race. I feel bad that I didn't think to take a picture of me before the race. I finished the race in 2 hours, 22 minutes. That time exceeded my prediction of wanting to finish in 2 hours, 30 minutes.
I ran in the half-marathon for myself, my wife, and our cat Gadget. I ran for myself to prove that I could overtime my asthma and my condition of being out of shape. I ran for myself so that I could overcome the times I failed to run the mile in 4th grade, 7th grade, and ninth grade. I remembered the times that I ran the mile, or at least failed to run the mile without stopping or feeling myself go out of breath. Running the mile scared me in 4th grade because that would be something I would fail in 1985-1986. In 7th grade, I finished dead last in the mile run in a track meet. The worst part of my failure was the kids in the bleachers made fun of me when I was way behind everyone else. That has stuck with me to this day, and I use that as motivation to keep going on the track or the treadmill.
I ran for my wife who believes in me and loves me. I ran for Gadget M. Cat who was recovering from surgery to remove a mass in his stomach. I ran for Gandalf who is a cute little kitty cat.
Next year, I want to run this race and finish it in under 2 hours and 15 minutes. 2:15 has a nice ring to it.
Dreaming of CNN again
This morning, I had a dream where I was working toward my way back to CNN. I was working to offer my services for Anthony Bourdain's new show on CNN called "Parts Unknown." Somehow, I got his business phone number. That gave me direct access to him to where I could pitch video and show ideas to him. When I called that number, I got one of his assistants on the phone. The first time I called she seemed nice and receptive to me when I was interested in contributing to his show. I was watching a baseball game on TV inside my old apartment at Post Lindbergh for the next two hours. The second time I called that number, I sounded too eager and too desperate to pitch video services to him. It was after I spoke to his assistant that she sounded mean and didn't want me to call her or the show team anymore. I came away disappointed after that phone call.
In reality, I woke up and I find myself in a good position to work for WGCL-TV/CBS Atlanta News as a video editor. I hope to learn more editing and producing skills while I'm employed as a non-linear editor. I can't say for certainty that I will work for CNN again. When the time comes, I will do what's best for my family and my career.
Also, I am a big fan of Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations" on The Travel Channel. I am eagerly awaiting his new show on CNN in April. I love to travel, eat, and experience new things. I'm looking forward to my Sunday's at 9PM when I'm editing for the 11PM newscasts at CBS Atlanta News.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Dreaming of CNN again
Early this morning, I had a dream where I was working for CNN on a freelance basis. I was editing some video where the National Desk sits. Later on, I was moved to one of my old edit bays where I was working on a package. I was editing a four minute story on something that happened in Orlando, Florida. I don't remember what the story was about. I remember that it was at night, overnight in fact. It took me a long time to get the story put together visually on Final Cut Pro. I don't remember if I had someone check my work before I sent it over for air.
After I edited my package, I was watching a late night car chase on TV from the Los Angeles Area. I felt a really good sensation about working in news and enjoying what I did for a living.
In reality, I woke up and realized that I don't work for CNN anymore. It has almost been a year-and-a-half since I last worked for Turner Broadcasting. I don't think I've set foot inside the CNN Center since I interviewed for an Associate Producer position last July. Also, I came close to setting foot inside the CNN Center twice this past weekend. On Saturday, I volunteered for the Publix Health and Fitness Expo inside the Georgia World Congress Center. On Sunday, I ran the Publix Georgia Half-marathon, met our friends Pam and William at Centennial Olympic Park, ate at Meehan's Irish Pub, and attended the Deftones Concert at the Tabernacle.
I'm going to give everything I have to being the best I can be at CBS Atlanta News.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Monday, March 4, 2013
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Dreams Come True #5: I move to Atlanta
On this date in history 13 years ago, I set foot in Atlanta for the first time. I stepped out of my comfort zone to being my career at CNN and more important, start a new life. My comfort zone was my dad's home in Mesa, Arizona and growing up in Arizona for more than 12 years before making the bold move across the country. Fortunately, I had a lot of help from my dad in packing the U-Haul and driving my old Chevy Cavalier with the U-Haul in tow along the way.
From the passenger side of the car, I saw the bright lights that made up Turner Field while we were traveling down I-20 at night. My dad drove the maze of freeways in Downtown Atlanta for the first time, getting lost and finding our way to where we needed to be for the night. Eventually we stayed at a Howard Johnson in Marietta, Georgia for the next few days before I settled into my apartment in the Buckhead section of Atlanta.
Learning about how CNN operated, learning about my duties as a video journalist, traveling on MARTA's rail lines, and seeing all parts of the CNN Center were amazing experiences that I will treasure forever.
I hope the next 13 years are more successful than the previous 13 years that I have enjoyed here in the Peach State.
Quick dream of Escondido Christian School
In reality: This dream lasted all of 10 seconds.
The dream: I was quickly transported to a place where I went to school for all of 4th grade and part of 5th grade. I saw the front cover of what looked to be a 1986-1987 yearbook cover in red with black lettering of Escondido Christian School. In the dream, one of the photos contained what appeared to be me and a girl from one of the school dances.
In reality: Just like that, I woke up. I moved out of Escondido, California on January 3, 1987. The last thing I remember doing at Escondido Christian School was taking an American History test and getting close to 100% on it. I guess you could say I ended my private school career on a high academic note.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
Dreaming of Las Vegas and future success again
This morning, I had a dream where I met up with a former colleague while I was in Las Vegas. We were both walking down to what appeared to be a federal courthouse and he was giving me some advice on how to be successful. I wanted to hear more from him, but he went into the courthouse and disappeared.
Later on in the dream, I was walking down the Las Vegas Strip looking for a nice place to eat a buffet meal. I was feeling the pull of friends and family dragging me along while I was in search of something that resembled an endless supply of prime rib. I settled for a place to grab some Pepsi. The first casino was charging me $5.50 for a 32 oz. cup of Pepsi. I say no way. The 2nd casino I went to was worse. That unnamed casino wanted to charge me $8 for a 32 oz. cup of Pepsi.
In reality, my cat Gandalf woke me up and I 'felt' obligated to give him attention, my lap, and my time. I really like Gandalf. He can be one of the sweetest cats I've ever met.
In reality, there will be a day that I return to Las Vegas, have a good time there, have some great meals, and if I'm lucky, win at some of the finer casinos in the city.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Had a dream about Los Angeles and Freeways
In reality: I slept a lot and woke up really, really late this morning. I went to bed at midnight and woke up just after 11am this morning.
In my dream, I was driving down the 110 Freeway in Pasadena and I was getting set to make a turn onto I-5 southbound. In the dream, I was driving into this tunnel to lead me to I-5, and I did so very, very slowly. In the dream, I was driving with Kelly and I was driving as slow as a crawl inside this dark tunnel.
Later in the dream, I was walking around some other major freeway interchanges in the Los Angeles Area. I was walking around some unnamed interchanges when it was sunny outside. I didn't care if I didn't know what they were or where I was exactly. What I remembered was that the quality of the material that made all the flyover ramps came directly from Arizona. They were peach/beige in color compared to the standard, usual gray color found in most California freeway interchanges.
In reality, here's what the 110 Southbound to I-5 interchange looks like:
Monday, February 18, 2013
Dreaming of Phoenix and my family
This morning I had a dream where I saw my father and my mother in different scenes in the Phoenix Area. For some reason, I was trying to dig up some information on them, and thankfully I didn't find anything.
Along the way, I was driving Eastbound on I-10 in Chandler, Arizona ("Southbound" to be map correct)and I was driving by the Loop202 & Pecos Road stack interchange. I saw signs for it as if it were 2013 and that the Westbound Extension of the Loop202/South Mountain Freeway was never to be built in my lifetime.
Here's the best illustration of my driving dream below:
on of my driving dream below:
In reality, my dad is still deceased, my mother is alive, and I want to visit her again soon. I have been to Arizona in October of last year, but I didn't quite make it to Chandler. I made it to Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Tempe, and Sedona.
on of my driving dream below:
In reality, my dad is still deceased, my mother is alive, and I want to visit her again soon. I have been to Arizona in October of last year, but I didn't quite make it to Chandler. I made it to Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Tempe, and Sedona.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Dreams come true #3, my first shot at being a live producer
Saturday Night, I got to sit in the booth for a live sports show here at WGCL-TV/CBS Atlanta. I got to feel like I was a live show producer for the hour even though I did none of the prep work to get the video on the air beforehand.
I like working in the control room. In my position as a video editor, I don't get many opportunities to work in there. I do my best to make the shows look perfect in my position. I work to get my videos perfect and make sure my peers' videos are perfect as well.
I look forward to my next shot as a 'producer' in the control room. I'm going to work towards a goal to become a producer in the coming months (maybe years). I just have to work hard and be patient.
Sunday will be another day of editing for the 6:30pm and 11pm newscasts here at the station. I can't wait to see what videos I have to work with then.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Dreaming of a bad crash in the San Fernando Valley
Dreaming of the Suns and Padres
I had a dream where I was in the media lunch room at US Airways Center at halftime of a Phoenix Suns/Toronto Raptors game. I walked in there without a media pass or a credential. I breezed in there with ease. I met up with an old colleague of mine from my Cox Communications Days. I went to see Rich Reid; he and I chatted about something, but I don't remember what it was. Looking out the window, it was dark outside. One minute, I saw a blue tennis court in the dark with night lights. Later on, I saw the playing court of the Phoenix Suns when they battled the Toronto Raptors to start the third quarter.
Later on in this dream, I was listening to a Toronto Blue Jays/San Diego Padres baseball game on a 1990's style radio. My Padres were down 8-0 to the Blue Jays. I saw in an online in-game box score, I saw that one of the relief pitchers gave up 7 earned runs in 1 and 1/3 innings of work. That "7 spot" came in the third inning of that game.
In reality, I woke up and i see that the Phoenix Suns are in last place in both the Pacific Division and in the Western Conference at 17-35. My San Diego Padres finished 2012 with a 76-86 record and didn't end up in Last Place in the National League West. I'm optimistic about the 2013 campaign for my Padres. I hope my optimism extends to the Suns going into next season.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Dreaming of ASU again
This morning, I had a dream where I was back at ASU again. I wa on my way to the Memorial Union while picking up a free copy of the "State Press" and getting some of the best college food to eat.
Later on in the dream, I was on my way to the Student Recreation Center in the middle of the night to go and work out. I was all set to go, then some unknown person in the dream interrupted me and took me away from the destination I was intending to go to.
In reality, I was back in bed and ready to wake up after Gandalf woke me up. I haven't been an active student since 1998. I was back on the ASU campus with my wife this past Fall. I showed her around some of the places I used to hang out at, where I studied, and where I did some of my best work as a student.
Somewhere along the way in my dream, I'm being told that I like newspapers and food. That is true in my life to this day.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Dreaming of Phoenix, sort of
This morning, I was in Arizona with one of my old college friends and mentors. He had some friends that were Green Bay Packers fans. In this dream, those Packer fan friends of his were about to have a baby. I was on my way into the delivery room ready to take some pictures of the impending child birth.
In reality, I woke up. I haven't been back to Phoenix since October. I haven't seen my friend from college since my college days at Arizona State back in 1998. I hoe to show him that I'm a good runner someday.
In reality, there's no way I'd ever be a Green Bay Packer fan. Go Chargers!!!!!!
Dreaming of Escondido
Monday Morning, I had a dream where I was back in my hometown of Escondido, California. I was in a big van down Center City Parkway with my wife, mom, sister Gena, and an unidentified passenger.
I wanted to invite my whole family to live with me in California and have fun with me and enjoy life where I once did, most of the time.
In reality, I woke up. I haven't been to Escondido since my dad died back in 2007. The last time I was in San Diego was in 2008. I hope to go back there with my wife again someday.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Who would have dreamed one tweet would set off a huge story?
It began all so innocently when Daina Falk sent out one little tweet. In that, she said that the 'Seattle Kings were a done deal.' I'm not quoting word for word, but you get the idea.
One tweet gave a story such legs, it sent journalists scrambling to cover the big sports story of the day in Seattle and Sacramento. Without the speculation about the team's future in Sacramento leading off the newscasts in California's Capital City, who knows what the top story was unless you were there.
Reporters went out on the street to get reaction about the impending/potential of the Sacramento Kings. Even though that tweet was removed, it didn't prevent respected reporters like Yahoo! sports reporter Adrian Wojnarowski reporting that the sale was nearly a done deal.
I first heard about the story as I ususally do, listening to Sirius/XM satellite radio on my way to work Wednesday Afternoon. It stunned me that a deal like that could be underway because I had not been made aware of it by SportsCenter, online news sources, sports talk radio, or even in the back end of my local sports page.
What if that tweet never got sent out in the first place? I mean, if nobody picked up on that tweet, nobody would have talked about rumors about the Kings leaving Sacramento for Seattle as much people did yesterday. I got my fill of how Sacramento's local news channels (via the internet) covered the Kings even being mentioned as "for sale" and what the implications could be if they were sold and later moved.
Too many things have to happen before a sale of an NBA franchise can be consummated. Too may I's have to be dotted and too many T's have to be crossed before a transaction can become final. Also, the deadline to file an application for relocation is March 1st. That alone could make a relocation problematic if the team and potential new ownership wants to play in Seattle in time for the 2013-2014 season.
To me, the only way that this story advances is that the Maloof family makes a statement on whether or not the Sacramento Kings are for sale. Until then, this story does not advance.
The power of social media is real and it is here to stay. It can be a valuable tool to get the latest scoop on news stories or it can be a dartboard where rumors go to land. Either way, it has changed the landscape of journalism forever. In this case, it has given voice to a story that either could have gotten buried forever or simply delayed the time when the news would break.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Friday, January 4, 2013
Two dreams about California
On Tuesday morning, I had a dream that I was watching the Holiday Bowl from San Diego's Petco Park. Later on in that dream, I was hovering over Downtown San Diego listening to Sean McDonough call play-by-play of the game between two undetermined teams. Moments later, I was hovering over the streets of Downtown San Diego in an industrial part of town where hundreds of cars were all moving in perfect harmony in and out of various parking garages and freeway on-ramps and off-ramps.
In reality, I wake up and find that The Holiday Bowl as always been played at Qualcomm Stadium. There has never been a playing of that game at Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres. In recent years, there have been a few bowl games that have been staged at baseball stadiums. There was the one playing of the Seattle Bowl at Safeco Field in 2001. The Insight Bowl was staged at Phoenix's Bank One Ballpark from 2002-2005. The New Era Pinstripe Bowl is at Yankee Stadium, and the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl is housed at San Francisco's AT&T Park. My Arizona State Sun Devils beat Navy in the Fight Hunger Bowl last weekend.
This morning, I had a dream where I was back in Southern California's Imperial Valley. In the dream, the city of El Centro looked like a bustling metropolis complete with not one, but two East-West freeways. There's the longstanding Interstate 8 and another not named freeway north of Interstate 8. The Imperial Valley just East of San Diego looked like Eastern San Diego County with multiple exits within a mile of each other and restaurants like Denny's on the side of the freeway. Too bad in my dream I did not see a Cracker Barrel off the road. I saw exit signs for U.S. Highway routes like U.S. 19 and U.S. 41 and thought about how they connected from California to the Midwest.
In reality, California's Imperial Valley looks nothing like a busy metropolitan area. El Centro, California is a nice go-between from Yuma to San Diego. There was a Denny's off Imperial Avenue and I-8. There are no U.S. Highways in the Imperial Valley. There is only one freeway in the Imperial Valley, and that freeway is Interstate 8. I have driven on Interstate 8 many times when I lived in Arizona and for a few times since I moved to Georgia in 2000.
One day, I hope to visit San Diego and Los Angeles again and go on vacation with my wife. I want to show her Petco Park for a Padres game, the Ghirardelli Ice Cream shop for another chocolate-caramel ice cream, and take her to the beach again.
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