GSONewser

More to come

2005-04-28T20:27:00.000-04:00

The parent company of WFMY News 2 is considering a Blog policy that could put the likes of Eric and me blogging on the station's website. Until that time I'm going to stop posting to this site and accepting comments.

There will be more to come.

Thursday Ride

2005-04-28T12:18:00.000-04:00

Great weather, friend willing to take a day off, time for a ride.

Since I'm relatively new to cycling I've been wanting to push my distance. I've gone 40 miles once before and I wanted to do it again. Even though the friend had only been out 3 times this year he was willing to go along. It's amazing how much easier it is when there are at least two on a ride. Thanks Jeff.
40-miles 17.2 mph.

Oh, and by the way, if you're the female cyclist who wears the Cycles De Oro Jersey, who was riding on Pleasant Ridge Road today around 9:30... I know you're a serious cyclist, but that doesn't mean you can't take a moment to wave at some rookies!!!

Invade-away

2005-04-27T00:33:00.000-04:00

Am I missing something? Alamance Burlington School System adopted a random drug-testing policy for extracurricular activites and parents are livid.

We we at the meeting this week and didn't hear any parent who spoke FOR the program. One parent even said she would not sign the consent form because she thought it was tatamount to handing over her rights as a mother. However, we went to a gym and talked with kids who PLAY these sports and found kids don't mind. We even found kids who want to be tested. They want to have a level playing field. They want people to understand they are not like the 4-dozen Alamance County kids busted for drugs last year.

Drug tests have become an evil necessity of society. Professional teams require them. Amature athletics require them. Corporations require them. In fact the company I work for requires a test before a hire is official. Don't like it: Don't apply here. I didn't mind. I've never had anything to worry about nor hide.

As a parent of a teenage athlete I don't understand why those parents believe a drug test is invasive when the students we spoke with don't mind. It only invades the cloak of those trying to side-step accepted rules and laws.

"Popcorn"-Barrel Projects

2005-04-26T22:04:00.000-04:00

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools will pay $1-million to fix roads around Glenn High School to make way for Dell. We started working on this story Tuesday during our afternoon story meeting. We found it interesting that the Corporation that is getting more than 270-million dollars in incentives from the State/County/City is not chipping in for these new roads.

What we found: Dell asked that Union Cross Road be widened to make for better access to and from I-40 and Highway 311. Understandable. It's a growing area and would need to be widened as part of growth anyway. As part of that deal, Dell leaders suggested Glenn High School relocate the entrance to lessen the amount of traffic on Union Cross Road. The school district agreed and asked Dell to help out with the $1-million price tag. No luck.

We asked the district why Dell wasn't ponying up the funds since the road wouldn't need to be widened, the entrance wouldn't need to be moved, if Dell wasn't coming. To which we got the sense that no one wants to be the "bad neighbor" to the new kid on the block. The system rep even told our reporter it won't be a major deal. They (schools) will take a little from here, a little from there. "We'll cut down on popcorn."

My question is this: Why can't districts cut down on this "popcorn" when it comes to budget time. This is the time of the year when districts go through elaborate presentations as to why they need greater-than-rate-of-inflation increases. I will grant you there are issues (like gas prices) that put a strain on budgets. But if these system leaders can make up a million dollars this easy there must be some more "popcorn" to cut.

Tuesday Ride

2005-04-26T12:23:00.000-04:00

Overcast and breezy but I still got out for a few miles. I planned on doing hills today but after a couple I wasn't feeling too good. Ended up doing a 22-mile route. Happy with my time though: 18.2 mph. Not bad for a windy day.

Happy Birthday Yuki

2005-04-25T00:40:00.000-04:00

If you're ever hiking in the Superstition Mountains near Phoenix, and if you think "there's no way my son could catch one of those lizards," and if you think... "I bet him $10 that he can't do it," and if you end up a little lighter in the pocket and a boy is begging you to take a Horned Lizard on the plane back to NC, and after you get it home find out it can't survive in this climate, and if you then find out it was illegal to transport it out of Arizona, and if your son is now attatched to the little critter thinking he can work on Reptile and Amphibian Merit Badge, and if you settle with him that he give it to a Natural Science Center and in turn you'll buy him another reptile, and if he should pick a SNAKE...
I hope it's as cute and fun as our little Yuki.

Happy Birthday Yuki!!!!
Yuki is a Snow Corn Snake. (His name comes from the Japanese word for snow.)

I like it FLAT! When I'm Riding.

2005-04-23T13:33:00.001-04:00

Here's a big thank you to the one who controls the weather!.
All week I listened to Eric (and last night, Rachel) tell us it was going to be raining and windy for today's Tour De Cure to benefit the American Diabetes Association. When riding buddy Jeff picked me up I was glad I brought a jacket. But by the time we were unloading our bikes I had dumped the jacket and had the long sleeved jersey. It was a little windy but the sky cleared for a great ride.

Jeff getting ready. He wouldn't turn around.

I opted for the 50k (31-mile) version. (The ambitious cyclists, like Greg Kerr, went on the 100-miler. And then there was the middle route that was 100-k or 62 miles)

Start Line

I just like this photo of my bike.

Alongside Jeff. You can't see his bike but it's sweeeeeet!

Riding a bike at 20 miles an hour and turning around to take a photo can be a challenge!

We got in a couple good groups and were moving along at a good clip. I don't know the roads in Winston-Salem well enough to document them, but we went straight, we turned left, right, and went straight again. (Know where we were?. Me neither!) There were times when we had the line of four of us doing about 25-27 miles an hour. Yes, it was flat... (or maybe even a little downhill) but it felt great. Then the hills. I'm very fast.... downhill. I've come to the conclusion that I have a bike designed for the downhills. It's not very fast going up the other side though.

As we took one more of those right turns we were back at Bethabara Park. We had only gone about 20 miles so we should have had another 11. We stopped to look at the map to see where we needed to go and as soon as we got back on the bike to start I heard a BANG!. I looked back at Jeff and his face showed it all. He blew out his front tire. On what, we don't know. But that ended our day. Lucky for us we were just a few yards from the car. If you're going to have a flat.. that's where to have it.

Flat!!!!

Overall... A very good Tour De Cure. I will do it again next year. And then I'll challenge myself to the 100-k. Especially if it's flat. I mean the course.

Blog Article

2005-04-22T23:39:00.000-04:00

Get your hands around the blogosphere!!!

Thanks for the Ride

2005-04-22T21:55:00.001-04:00

Stains of the fires are still fresh on Franklin Street. Vocal chords haven't healed. Duke, State, Wake fans are still cussing under their breath.

Tick.. Tick... Tick... 1:30 pm. Friday, April 22nd.

The Carolina Blue haze, Tarheel fans have been living in, is breaking up. The cursing of opposing fans turned to cheers as three more of the Heels announced they will parlay their title to riches in the NBA.

To Felton, May, Williams, (previously announced McCants and graduating Williams, Scott, Manuel and others) Thanks for the ride!

Objects in Mirror...

2005-04-20T22:06:00.000-04:00

Want to touch a nerve? Tell someone they're to blame for high gas prices. But get ready to hit the ground running like you're peddling away in your Flintstones car. The 'blamed' is sure to chase you down and..... (sorry... trying to stay away from the graphic)

On the serious side, who (or what) is truly to blame for the elevation? Gas companies? Foreign governments? Our government?
Ask 50 people and you'll probably get 50 answers.

But let's analyze it this way. When the price topped a milestone, say $1.00 a gallon (if you can remember this far back) what did you do? When it reached $1.50 a gallon? Most Americans complained-- and then went on with life. They mowed their lawns, they drove to the grocery store, drove back and forth to work, ran the errand to pick up the item we forgot at Lowes, and took the family on vacation. When they didn't drive- they flew. Maybe they talked about how much they were paying for gas, but that's all they did: talk (and pay).

How do I know this? Now prices have topped $2.00 a gallon and we're still buying it. And we're still buying the much-maligned, "gas-guzzling," demonized, SUVs. "SUV Popularity Falling" paints a picture that no one wants to buy the hugh vehicles anymore. But if you read the article closely you find it supports the concept that people are still buying the big vehicles. It judges popularity by the time SUVs spend on dealers' lots. Since the time has increased, the article surmises, the popularity has decreased. But, earlier in the article industry insiders said SUV sales are up, again, by 7% while demand for cars is up less than 3%. We want our SUVs and we're willing to pay to fill them up.

Don't be too quick to say: "But I have to get to work. But I have to buy food for the family. But my family deserves a vacation." I'm not arguing that you don't. But have you explored an alternative? For example, my wife makes a trip to Costco every few days. We buy the staples: milk, eggs, some fruits and veggies, and meat. A friend heard she was making a trip and asked if she could go along. Two people, shopping with separate lists, IN THE SAME VEHICLE. Can you believe it?

There's outrage over higher prices, but have the outraged jumped on mass transit? Considering Amtrak has never been self-sufficient, I don't think so. And don't tell me you would if Amtrak went where you want to go. Been to Raleigh? Charlotte? Did you consider hopping a rail? On the local level, when was the last time you were on a city bus? When was the last time we tried to organize a car-pool?

We can continue to complain and search for those to blame. But in our quest let's look for (1) who is buying it, (2) who is using it.

What do we see?

OBJECTS IN MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR!

Oops

2005-04-18T11:53:00.000-04:00

To those 3 cars stopped at the red light at Scalesville Road and Highway 220 in Summerfield: No, I didn't just take up cycling. Yes, I do know how to stand up when waiting for a light. And no, it didn't hurt when I fell over.

I really thought I was beating the odds. It's been about 3 weeks since I took off my cage-pedals and clipped into cleats. Everyone told me to expect a few falls-even after getting used to them. But I had been through several intersections in those three weeks. Always the same: snap out... wait at the light.... clip back in; snap out... wait at the light... clip back in. So today, on Scalesville Road, riding to Highway 220, I popped my left foot out... slowed for the light... put my left foot down to balance while stopped... and... oops... I didn't lean enough to the left. With my right foot "caught" in the other pedal, and no time to snap out, I went over. Unceremonously falling on the pavement and gravel. My bike, still attached, tumbling on top of me. My first instinct was to look at the drivers waiting at the light. I didn't see them but I'm sure there were some smiles, smirks, maybe even some chuckles. I deserved them! How funny. Someone dressed like they know what they're doing... falling over like a child experiencing the first ride without training wheels.

The first is over. If that's as bad as it's going to get... I'm not too worried. A little embarassment does a body good. At least it helps mask the sting of a scrapped up knee!

Too Busy Communicating to Stay in Touch

2005-04-18T00:12:00.000-04:00

"I'll call you." "Blackberry me!" "Send me a text." "Check your e-mail, I sent you such a funny joke." "I was IM'ing"

Think back 10, 15, 20 years. If that pre-schools or pre-wombs you-- show this to your parents. Seriously, what did we do before we had a mobile, a pager, a portable, and means for each to communicate if one was down?
Reach out and touch someone? Heck, we can reach out and grab, hold, slap around, kiss, coddle, console, and hug someone whenever we want.

"I remember back in the day" I say in my 80-year-old man voice "when we only had one phone in the house. And it was connected to the wall with, now, kids- you may not believe this, but it was connected to the wall with, a CORD!" "Did you see Napoleon Dynamite? Yup, that's what it was like. A phone on the wall and that "jump-rope" looking cord holding you from getting too far away. We didn't even own the phone. It was on lone to us from Ma Bell!" "Heck, I still remember my home phone number. 654-1007! "What? You need a "1" before it? Oh, only if you're dialing from outside Heber Valley. Now who would want to call from "outside" the valley?" Area code? Well, it's "801" if you must ask. But I can't imagine anyone from another state ever wanting to call here. That's long distance don't you know?" Ring. Ring. "Hello" "Hello Kent, this is your brother calling from Michigan." "WHAT? I CAN BARELY HEAR YOU". "I SAID, THIS IS YOUR BROTHER CALLING FROM MICHIGAN." "OH, MY GOSH (We weren't much for the abusive language) LET ME GET EVERYONE." "HEY, MOM, DAD, KITTY, LARRY, ARLO, SHELLIE, LOY, BOYD, GARY, KYLE, CHRIS, (some brothers, sisters, mostly neighbors) "IT'S ROY ON THE PHONE. HE'S CALLING FROM MICHIGAN." "HELLO, ROY? CAN YOU HEAR ME?"

Now that was an event! Yes, it was special when Grandma and Grandpa would use that "1" in front of the number to call from Kamas (16 miles by road, about 10 as the crow flies) or cousins would call from Provo (27 miles down the canyon) or from the "city"-- Salt Lake (44 miles). But it was really a community event when someone would ring from exotic places that required the area code.

Phone calls were exciting! It was like Christmas morning! Never knowning what you were going to unwrap. Anticipating! Wondering who wanted to talk to you so badly they put their finger in the rotary dial: spinning the "6"... waiting as it clicked back. ti... ti...ti... ti... ti... ti... Then the "5"... ti... ti... ti... ti... ti.... "4"... ti... ti....ti...ti... ti.... "1"... ti... "0"... ti... ti...ti....ti...ti...ti...ti...ti....ti...ti.... "0"... ti...ti...ti...ti...ti...ti...ti...ti...ti....ti...ti... "7"... ti...ti...ti...ti... ti... ti... It was adventure to call... even more to be on the receiving end! Well, except when you had that feeling that your mom was talking to your teacher. "Oh, hi Mr. Cowley, (Mrs. Allred, Mrs. Meacham, Mrs. Furner, Mrs. Wright.) Sure, I have a few moments. No, I wasn't aware of what happened in school today. He did what? To who? And what did he tell you? No, I can guarantee you he doesn't do that around here. No, I was unaware that a tetherball could lift someone off their feet. I'm sure he didn't mean.... Yes, that would qualify as outrageous behavior. I know the school is three stories. He did what? Oh, I'll bet that made a big mess. I'm sure the stains will come out their dresses. I'll talk to their parents. No, I don't think it was funny either. But he said that? Oh, don't worry, I think we can eliminate that from his vocabulary tonight. No, I don't think he'll sit on your desk again. In fact, I don't think he'll want to sit DOWN again for a week. Yes, I will take care of this right now. Thank you for letting me know. Remember, you can call me anytime if anything else happens. What? One more thing? His homework? I didn't think he had any. Oh, really? A report on Early Utah Settlers? No, I wasn't aware of it. Yes, he did have to work at the bakery but he had plenty of time afterward to play baseball. No, he wouldn't have had to go to the library, we have encyclopedias right here at the house. Yes, There may be a communication gap. But don't worry- I'm about to close that gap right now! Thank you for calling" click "Ah, Kent, could you come here for a moment?"

Of, course, the above example is just hypothetical. That's what it would have sounded like in someone's home if that someone had had some of the elementary teachers at North Elementary in Heber, Utah. Not that it ever happened to me.

Anyway, the point is: When the phone was an exotic means of communications: usually reserved for the in-town rings or the special, once-a-year call from family, we had an excuse for not keeping in touch.
But what's my excuse now?
Sunday night I rang my mom's house and my brother-in-law picked up. This is the brother-in-law who was a good friend long before he started dating my sister. The brother-in-law I worked with for a couple years before I got married. The brother-in-law I confided in when I had questions about my own relationships. We were close. In fact, his second child is named after me. He was the friend who worked out with me, hung out with me. We chatted in rooms before there were "chat rooms." But now, distance has driven distance between us. We never talk. Never e-mail. Never message. Never "chat." I have a cell phone, he has a cell phone, I have a computer, he has a computer, I have a couple e-mail addresses, so does he, and yet it was the equivalent of a wrong number, happen-chance, that we even spoke.

I love him to death. But I'm apparently too busy communicating to stay in touch.

Frustration

2005-04-16T15:02:00.000-04:00

Overnight campout! I better not say more!

April 14: MLK Day!!

2005-04-14T15:34:00.000-04:00

Ah... A day off... for working MLK day in January!

Illegal Diplomas

2005-04-12T22:38:00.000-04:00

What?

There is a bill in the NC Legislature that, if passed, would grant "status" to illegal immigrants in NC. Lawmakers proposed letting illegal immigrants go to universities in the UNC system as "in-state" students. They would have to spend 4-years in a NC high school before getting the status, but then they would be considered "in-state" for entrance consideration and tuition at the 16 universities in the system.

Supporters went on record saying "They're here, why not?" Then, we found out that the supporter we quoted in our story felt this proposal doesn't go far enough. She went on to complain that the state would let them graduate but then what? They wouldn't be able to work professionally, as a doctor- etc, because they need documentation. The implication was that the state, and nation, needs to grant documentation to these immigrants so they can take full advantage of the system. Haven't they been taking advantage of the system?

There is a legal way to do everything. Immigration included. Anyone who wants to come to America, get an education, get a job, and have a life, can follow the time-honored steps in the law that our ancestors followed. However, as the government fails to control the flow, refuses to address those who are here, and proposes ways to grant more privledges, we are throwing "law" out the window.

The Mission Statement for the UNC system states "The University of North Carolina is a public, multi-campus university dedicated to the service of North Carolina and its people." This move would legitimize and legalize this immigration.

"Gas-Barrel" Projects

2005-04-11T23:19:00.000-04:00

Remember complaining about gas topping $1.50/gallon? Now we would settle for $2.00. Heck, we would settle, if the prices would "settle off!"

Has the higher price altered your activity? We did a webpoll on WFMY News.com recently that showed a vast majority of people plan to alter their activities during Memorial day weekend because of the higher gas prices. The increase has altered mine life. I'm finding I'm willing to make changes because there's less change in my pocket.

But are our elected leaders?
Alamance County is one local government that's considering a property tax increase in the upcoming year. The county manager told us one of the reasons for a hike is gas prices. Counties (and city, state, federal governments) have numerous vehicles they must pay for. We want the Law enforcement officers, the firefighters, the health inspectors to do their jobs. We know there are positions that must use vehicles in order to make our lives better. We know the higher price for gas will hit these departments just like it hits our 'back pocket' department.

However. I'm paying my bills. I'm altering my lifestyle and eliminating frivolous trips in order to keep my bills under control. Since I can't go to my boss and demand a 5-percent raise because gas prices are going up I have to sacrifice in other areas of my personal budget. I have to look at pet activities, like eating out, or driving around to map new bike routes. I have to justify these activities over the trip home for dinner to see the kids. You know what I've found? There are areas I can cut. And, amazingly, they don't cause much pain.

Are elected leaders are looking as hard. Or are those pork-barrel projects so important that they must ask their boss for a raise?

There's got to be give and take.... Not just TAKE.

Look Dad, Dogwood!

2005-04-11T12:23:00.000-04:00

Driving down Bryan Blvd back in the mid 90's... with a child of 3 or 4 in the back seat... I would hear over and over again... "Look Dad, Dogwood."

We had taught Kent, my oldest son, what the Dogwood looked like. He looked for the white flowers draped over yards and that stood alone in a grove of yet-to-bloom wild trees.

I didn't grow up in the south. But now I can't imagine a spring without these beautiful blossoms.
After months of colorless winter the blossoms seem to glow. It's as if there are bright lights shining from within.

My father loved flowers. Our backyard was fenced with Lilacs. We planted Petunias, Marigolds, and other perennials around the house. Heber City, Utah wasn't most lush (compared to the south) but spring was a very special time for my father. I know he traveled to the south before he passed away several years ago but I don't know if he got to see the wonder that is Dogwood Season.

So, to the man who always had a shining light inside. I say.... Look Dad.. Dogwood.

The Hall of Popes

2005-04-08T20:53:00.000-04:00

Don't you love sportscasters. Aren't they great!

They describe action on television to pump us up about something we're already watching. My favorite is when, during a great play, the 'caster says something like.. "OH BOY, THAT WAS A THROW THAT COULD BE MADE ONLY BY A FUTURE HALL OF FAMER!" "GET A LOOK AT THAT MAN, SO YOU'LL RECOGNIZE HIS BUST IN CANTON."

Pick a sport, the announcers vaunt players to lofty honors after ordinary (and expected) plays. How many of these players actually make it to the sacrosanct halls where they're prematurely declared to reside?

There is a reason a sport has a waiting period for Hall of Fame voting. Players, whose names you know, spend several years playing baseball, football, basketball, etc. We, as fans, grow to love them when they bring home victories, division and conference titles, and league championships. When the end of a season comes, and one of these players decides his career has too, who wouldn't like to bestow an honor?

Fortunately, Halls of Fame don't work that way. For example, in the NFL an open committee nominates players who have been out of the league for at least five years. If someone receives 80 percent positive votes from the committee they're nominated for enshrinment.

Does the name Fritz Pollard ring a bell? He led his Akron Pros to an undefeated season to win the NFL's first title. He was described as a "most feared, elusive runner." He was one of the first two African Americans in the NFL and the first African American head coach in the NFL. Pollard played and coached in the 20's and 30's. Time judged his impact. Time judged his career. Pollard is one of the members of this year's 4-man class of inductees to the NFL Hall of Fame. He joins Benny Friedman, Dan Marino, and my personal, all-time favorite: Steve Young.

Pollard, Friedman, Marino and Young proved that time does not diminish accomplishments. Feats performed by truly great players stand up when time erodes emotional memories of the "big game." Those who do not survive the criteria are filtered out as the Hall honors those the honorable.

Let History Judge

More than a billion Catholics just lost their religious leader. No, I am not a Catholic. Nor did I grow up Catholic. However, you don't have to be Catholic to have admired the Pope's life and leadership. During the 26 years Pope John Paul II led Catholics through societal changes that have left world political figures in the wake. I don't need to list the events that marked his life. Non-stop media coverage has barraged us with his history during the past week. The Pope was admired for his decisions and how he led the church. Those who loved him- loved how he refused to waiver.

We are now hearing calls for Pope John Paul's immediate elevation to "Great" status. Pope John Paul the Great! Calls to ignore historical tradition that time judge a Pope's Legacy by pronouncing upon him an informal honorific that has only twice been used. Calls to make history see him as one of the "Greatest" of all time. Really? And to what does he owe this comparison? By no means am I diminishing the accomplishments of the late Pontiff, or the feeling of sanctity followers of Catholocism feel. A former personal assistant to Pope John Paul says calls for the honorific are coming from "people of all walks of life, the voice of the people."

Calls for instant Greatness are a reflection on society more than John Paul's legacy. Calls for instant Greatness show societal demands for instant gratification. Calls for instant Greatness expose callers as wanting the greatness for themselves.... a source of pride to have lived in the era as "The Great."

It will be up to the next Pope to decide if tradition will be tossed for such an honor. However, I hope society's eagerness to see one of their own elevated to such a status will not take away from what society admires of John Paul's legacy: an unwillingness to change in the face of public pressure.

Let's wait for "time" to vote on inductees.

"Play Ball" at the "Mat"

2005-04-06T22:00:00.000-04:00

For the past week The Arch reached out from the banks of the Mississippi River touching everyone who loves college basketball. The 630 foot tall steel arch may have been built to commemorate the western movement of the early days of this country but it's become a frame on, and the source of recognition of, an individual city: St. Louis.

Other cities have similar identifiers. New York: The Empire State Building and the concrete jungle, Chicago: Sears Tower on the banks of Lake Michigan, Seattle: The Space Needle, D.C: The Washington Monument.

I don't consider myself a widely traveled man but I have had the opportunity to visit many cities for work or pleasure. Flying in or driving by, the first impression of a city is made by its skyline. Think of San Francisco. What's the first image that pops into your mind. Chances are it's the Golden Gate Bridge and/or the triangular building (TransAmerica Tower). When you fly into Love Field in Dallas its fun to try to see-through the "Keyhole" in the JP Morgan Chase Tower. Driving by Memphis I search until I see the Pyramid. In Boston, The Pru, Hancock Tower and Trinity Church. These skylines and landmarks are the identifiers for these cities. They are what we see when we step on the front porch to visit or pass by.

No one could, or should, argue that the skyline of Greensboro is nearly as notable as those listed above. No one would expect it to be. We have the JP Building (which has history and character) but it's not very tall. However, we don't need height to make an impression. We have redevelopment and beautification projects in downtown, the Carolina theater, the Cultural Arts Center, and the Historic Museum. All signs have been pointing to growth, progress, advancement, etc. Now we have one more. One I think perfectly frames where the city is going. FIRST HORIZON PARK. Want a visual? Next time you're driving on Wendover Avenue near Battleground look toward downtown. Catch it at dusk, when the lights are on, you'll see the city framed with the new ballpark. It is a beautiful stadium, but it is an even more beautiful identifier of Greensboro.

So, Let us enjoy the games.

Let's celebrate the words "play ball" at Greensboro's new Welcome Mat.

I'm Blue

2005-04-05T21:30:00.000-04:00

The final buzzer didn't end it!

Sure, when the clocked ticked to 0:00 the game was over, but I hadn't had enough.
We had covered Carolina Basketball for days building up to this game. (Just as we would have covered Duke, Wake, or State had they made it this far) We had a crew in St. Louis, we had done stories in Chapel Hill, and we had done stories here in the Triad.
But this was the game. Because of the outcome I didn't want to see it once and let go. I wanted to watch it over and over again. OK, maybe not the whole game. But I wanted to see the highlights, I wanted to hear from the players, I wanted to hear from Coach Williams, I wanted to hear from the analysts, I wanted to hear from the losing team, I wanted to keep that feeling of pride (as a fan of the team or just of the ACC) I wanted to see more of the excitement from Franklin Street. I wanted more. More. MORE.

After we got off the air this morning (12:35 am) I went home and turned on those sports shows. I kept flipping around to the various channels. I had watched the game but I wanted to see what others said about what I saw. I finally tore myself away from the TV and went to bed. But this morning, at the Y, with my headphones on, I was back at it.. listening to SportsCenter to hear what other pundits had to say. Then at work. We carried the Tarheels' return live going into our 5pm show. Tarheel stories were in each newscast. Tarheel pride was alive in the newsroom. Carolina Blue was everywhere. Tarheel hate was alive in some fans of other local teams. Everyone agreed the game was exciting. Even Duke fans admitted it was exciting (because it may mean more Carolina players will go pro) The talk was alive... but the game was over.
It will be months before there's another tip-off. It will be months before the Carolina Blue fights the Duke Blue.
I may not be a native to the Carolinas... but the lack of college basketball is already making me BLUE.

2005-04-04T20:51:00.000-04:00

I heard a comedian once who summed up a great place: Next in line.
Picture this: You're at the bank, waiting to be helped, you're 10th in line, then 9th. You're getting closer. You're watching to see which teller is the quickest. Then 8th, 7th, 6th. There's a little pause as each teller has more than a simple deposit or check cashing. Finally the logjam eases, 5th, 4th, now they're going fast. Then 3rd... 2nd... and then... the most coveted spot in line: NEXT. You're in control now. You're the one at the front of the line. You are in the position coveted by everyone. You know this because for the past 30 minutes you've been watching, wishing, waiting to be Next. Now you are! It's such a great feeling! When the teller finally calls- you almost don't want to give up your spot. Getting help at the window is not nearly as rewarding as being the "next in line."

Anticipation. It's all about anticipation. For children, what's the best part of a birthday? Of Christmas? Anticipation!

Fans, What's the best part of the season? The anticipation of the big game. The build-up, the trash-talking, the analysis, the predictions. During the game it's the anticipation of the outcome. It's what has kept Cubs fans cheering for nearly 100 years. It's what Red Sox fans held as a badge. The possibility of winning it all. Now that they have the victory will this season mean as much as last? No. Now that the curse is off, the Red Sox are just another team that's the reigning champion. The feeling the fans and players had just as they were about to win does not last. It can not be duplicated. It is fleeting. It is the crux of anticipation.

It is what fans in Carolina have. Anticipation. Roy Williams, the man they coveted when the Dean of basketball retired is finally here. Your team has the most talented players. They have the record. The team has given you the taste of victory, with a salting of defeat. The team has marched its way through the tournament in anticipation of the final game. And you've been with them from the beginning. Anticipating this game.

Now it's here!

Tension is high. Since the outcome is unsure everyone can dream. Dream of what it will be like to win. Dream of the high one gets after cheering for a team and the team wins.

Anticipation...

Anticipation...

Tarheel Fans... You're next in line.

Savor the feeling.. You don't know what the teller has in store for you

See anchor run. See anchor - Run!

2005-04-04T00:27:00.000-04:00

The Pope is Dead.
The 26-year Papacy of the very conservative Pope has come to an end.
I didn't have to listen to the reports, or even read the newspaper. All I had to do was see from where the anchors at the major networks were reporting. Remember last week, when major media players were dispatched to Florida for the death-watch of... oh, who was that woman? (See previous blog) They hardly had time to style their hair before they had to fly to Vatican City for the next death-watch. Remember at the end of last year-- Right after reports of the Tsunami started coming in? There was a race to see which anchor could be on the ground the quickest. It's not a new trend. From the time Murrow reported from the roof in London as the bombs dropped, there's been an effort to be "at the scene" of major tragadies.

However, it makes me believe, If you see a major anchor, from a major network in your neighborhood-- Run.

Chances are they're not there to do a feature story on the neighbor's 3-legged dog.

Forget "Spot". See anchor run. See anchor - Run!

Monkey Butt

2005-03-31T17:55:00.000-05:00

Oh, to be a kid again.
Remember what it was like to jump on a bike and just "ride around?" I used my bike for everything. To get to my friend's house as quickly as possible... as a get-away after 'borrowing' some apples off the tree in the back yard of a home a few doors down... (I always thought I got away without being noticed. I now believe the owners just didn't care if I ate their worm filled, sour apples)... as a tool to mimic Evel Knivel's daring jumps. I set up cinderblocks with a piece of plywood and then launched myself as far as a "few" feet. But during those precious milliseconds I would dream of flying over 15 buses, or 20 cars, or the Snake River Canyon. When I didn't land on two wheels I had visions of Knivel's body bouncing down the landing ramp and across the asphalt in front of Cesear's Palace in Las Vegas. I rolled along, moaning and groaning, flailing my arms- acting out the part. Unlike the subject of the mimicking, I got up, took another run at it and flew across those precious feet again and again. When I was a kid my bike was my life.

Maybe that's why I never felt like I had "Monkey butt."
Do you know what I'm talking about? That's the feeling adults, who don't live on their bikes, get after a few minutes on a narrow, solid seat. If kids experienced monkey butt I'm sure they would take a few extra minutes getting to their friend's, they wouldn't worry about the quick get-a-way after lifting a few apples, and they wouldn't dream of the rare-air flying off a flimsy piece of plywood. But it seems everywhere you go you see adults who are cranking on the pedals, tucking to break the wind, drafting off the rider suffering with them, and praying for the end when feeling comes back.

I have to admit I'm one of those gluttons. Sports Director Greg Kerr took up cycling again to rehab his knee after surgery. I talked to him about it on a regular basis... amazed by the mileage he would put in. I finally decided to try it out again. Greg helped me find a good used bike so I didn't have to break the bank getting started. I got a helmut and the proper clothing. I try to get out at least once a week, usually on my own, to pedal for an hour or two. I'm not up to the distance Greg goes, but I like to ride for 25-40 miles. Greg has also talked me into riding the Tour De Cure in Winston Salem in April. I'm not going to go the 100-k distance like him. I'm up for the 50-k though.

WFMY News 2 Cyclers: Rachel Peterson, Kent, Greg Kerr

I'm not the speediest cycliest on the road. And I know I never will be. I'm perfectly happy with the 16-17 mph range. I don't plan on setting any records for time or distance. I'm just happy getting the "workout" monkey off my back... even though it sometimes means it's on my butt.
Oh, my sore butt!!!

He Was a Good Man

2005-03-30T23:30:00.000-05:00

I heard the news about Johnnie Cochran yesterday but it wasn't until I was on the tredmill at the Y this morning watching ESPN that I really listened to any of it. Being on vacation, I try to detatch myself from as much of the normal routine as possible. But this morning, while watching ESPN SportsCenter I listened to, what we call it, the "hits, runs, and errors." The details of the story. It was also during this story that I thought back to many of the stories we do in the news.

Let me say right here, right now... THIS IS NOT A COMMENT ON JOHNNIE COCHRAN. HE WAS AN OUTSTANDING LAWYER WHO MADE AN INTERNATIONALLY-KNOWN NAME FOR HIMSELF DEFENDING HIGH PROFILE INDIVIDUALS. NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT! HIS DEATH? ANYTIME SOMEONE'S LIFE IS CUT SHORT IN SUCH MANNER IT'S A LOSS. I FEEL SAD FOR THE INDIVIDUAL, SAD FOR THE FAMILY, AND SAD FOR FRIENDS. MY HEART GOES OUT TO THEM.

However, This business has really soured my outlook on many issues- and death is one of them. Not the actual dying part, but the reaction of people after someone dies. I'm sure you've seen the soundbytes after someone's "life is cut tradgically short." There's the neighbor saying, "I can't believe something like this would happen to him/her." There's the mother saying "I know he/she had his/her problems, but he/she was such a good boy/girl."
I know it's not proper to kick the dead, but isn't "news" "something that doesn't happen all the time." If that's a fair definition of news then I'm wondering when we're going to hear the soundbyte from the neighbor "He had it coming"... "couldn't have happened to a more deserving person"... "it's about time"... That would be NEWS!!!!!

Johnnie Cochran? A great lawyer. I would have wanted him defending me if ever the need arose! His passing? NEWS!!! Reaction to the passing? It's reached another level when a non-sports figure has sports anchors on ESPN lauding "He Was A Good Man" as part of their sportscast. That makes his death even more NEWS Worthy!

Let's Make A Movie

2005-03-29T10:45:00.000-05:00

Ever since I've been in this business I've been in front of the camera. There were times when I would have to play photographer and reporter but it's been years. When I first got in the business one-man-bands were the position of choice for small markets. And since I started in one of the smallest, when I had a story to do I typically had to shoot it myself. I did a series on Yellowstone, showing how the lack of funding was causing a deterioration in the infrastructure. One segement was on the terrible road conditions and I wanted to show what it was like to bounce through all the potholes. I put the big camera on my shoulder, the record pack in the passenger seat and drove through the view-finder. It's a little unsettling looking through the viewfinder at a corner and thinking it's time to turn. There were many near misses during that shooting experience.

It is with that background that I willingly got behind the camera, or more precisely- behind the people behind the camera, as my son and two of his friends worked on the Cinematography Merit Badge. They had to come up with a concept, write a script, draw storyboards, shoot, and edit a little movie. We had done a couple little features in the family a couple weeks ago and that lit a small fire under him to work on one of his own. The three kids had an idea, a rough outline and script and some simplistic storyboards. I really had to force them to think about individual shots, the motion of the characters, etc. I held their hands during the first scene-taking about 2 hours to shoot- and then left them on their own to shoot scene 2. Scene 2 was to take place in our garage. I tried to stay out of the way but as the bickering grew louder and louder I knew I had to step in. The three of them continued to say they knew what they were doing yet when the camera was rolling they all looked at either in wonderment. At one point the boy behind the camera continued to say "what am I supposed to be shooting?" when another said.. "just do it like we talked about" as he was walking off. The most humorus part was the cameraman didn't know where the aim the camera when the other kid yelled action. My only problem was figuring out which was Mo, which was Larry, and which was Curly! I think they all hated me when I put a stop to their fighting by telling them that it was caused by their lack of preparation and we wouldn't proceed until all three worked up new storyboards with a clear understanding of what they needed to shoot and from what angle. It was a painful process but the shooting went smooth afterward. I have to admit, the finished product was a lot of fun. Three boys, three minutes of finished product, three years added to my life!!!!!

Vacation

2005-03-28T23:06:00.000-05:00

I can't get enough of the news. I'm on vacation but what do I do at 11pm? I'm watching Sandra! I usually try to get out of town when I'm on vacation but this year we decided to take time off and spend it at home doing "projects." And that means ending my day as I do when I'm at work: with Sandra, reading (or listening to) the day's news.

It's been a productive spring break so far. I had been putting off a medical procedure for a year. I had a spot on the end of my nose that needed to be removed. The doctor told me I wouldn't be able to put make-up on the spot for a week after removal so I had to schedule it for a time when I would be off. So, this morning I spent 3 minutes "under the knife." I swear that's all it took. I then spent the rest of the day, running errands, taking the kids for haircuts, shopping, and painting a room with a little white band-aid on the end of my nose. One man at home depot made a comment that it wasn't a very good disguise if I was trying to go incognito. Fortunatly the band-aid comes off on Tuesday.

As for the day in news. I'm amazed at the Terry Schivo case. I know the doctors say she is close to death, and I waffle when it comes to what I believe should happen. The only thing I know is that I feel that once she dies it will be like the end of "The Truman Show" when Truman walks out of his "world" and the creator pulls the plug. The show that had gripped the world was off the air. And the reaction? "What else is on?" We are a fickle society. What we call "news" today is "history" tomorrow!

til then....