Just Laugh

 

Life is too short.

If this holiday season has shown me anything, it's that. But, then again, I'm acutely aware of it.

I've watched loved ones hurting this season, missing others at this time of year. It's served as a reminder that we need to be good to each other and not take life for granted.

For me, it's always laughter that helps.

I find it sad when people get so dumb about things that they drop you or block you on social media. Or, worse, eliminate you from real life.

Some "friends," right?

The reason? Well, for one, I'm honest. I'm real. I don't like BS, to be blunt.

I don't handle arrogance and know-it-alls well. And, eventually, I'll call it out.

Admittedly, I didn't handle some of it well and I regret that. But calling people "lazy" because you ride on a high horse doesn't sit well.

The thing is, as I said, life is too short. So let's have it out like gentlemen and move on, you know? I mean, it doesn't have to be a screaming match, but people can exchange ideas and agree to disagree. That's what should have happened.

Instead, I watched as one person literally deleted every exchange they'd ever had with me -- including removing a recommendation he wrote about me (and one I wrote about him). 

Trying to have fun with it, I posted something snarky. My attempt to use humor failed as that led to a blockathon in which this soul blocked me on every account possible.

It was stunning and sad.

And a few other things.

In another case, I was removed during a person's "cleaning." Why? They didn't get the attention they were seeking from me.

I've told you before I detest enablers. So, in an attempt to diffuse that, I muted this person so that I could still occasionally check on them but not see everything. 

I figured it was easier for my blood pressure.

But, as a result, they didn't get the likes and interactions they needed.

So they dropped me.

It's just not how I am.

It's also not the first time.

I'm loyal. Always. In the case of each person, I defended them for one thing or another over the years but, as always, I remained honest.

And then? I hit the wall. I reached my limit.

There was a third situation and, in this case, I decided to politely confront. Sometimes, defending oneself is necessary. So, I did.

It's silly but so it goes.

It's too bad because, generally, I'm not one to remove people from my life. I tend to let life just happen. Sometimes people just drop out for one reason or another. In these two cases, that was not the case.

So I look at both of these situations with mixed emotions.

But I'll say this: I know who I am, regardless of what they might think of me.

And thus, I laugh.

I laugh to relieve stress and, often, hide the pain.

And I laugh because I like to laugh.

It's when I don't laugh that one should worry.

And so I had some fun at my own expense today, using the Funko Pop vinyl figures to do so.

Utilizing AI, a user can enter a bunch of parameters and a Pop figure can be created.

So, I did that, saying that I wanted short hair, a navy suit and tie, black shoes, and a sports broadcaster headset. I didn't say anything about glasses or anything else.

The result was humorous.

I know how to laugh at myself, and when I posted it on social media, I did just that thing. I noted the hair and, frankly, the weight of the figure. 

This dude is too chiseled. 

Many laughed and that was the point.

I didn't post the other one I made. In this case, you could go to Funko's website and build your own. They didn't have a headset but they did have a microphone.

Oh, and this one could also have a buddy.

So, without further ado...

He's probably still too skinny (I'm not proud of that) but the addition of the black cat had me roaring.

And so, with that, we keep moving forward and laugh our way to another day.

You've Got Some Explaining To Do

 

Behind the scenes of The Honeymooners

Lists. I'm a sucker for them.

Best baseball players (Babe Ruth, of course). Best bands (The Beatles, of course). Best football players (Jim Brown, of course).

Whatever it is, I'll likely immerse myself in it.

Tonight, I got a look at Variety's 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.

As is always the case, I didn't agree. Yet it's not the worst list I've ever seen.

I'll go ahead and cheat for you by listing the top 10 here.

10) Roots

9) The Mary Tyler Moore Show

8) Seinfeld

7) The Wire

6) Sex in the City

5) Breaking Bad

4) The Simpsons

3) The Sopranos

2) Mad Men

1) I Love Lucy

Generally speaking, this is a critic's dream list. These are all critical sweethearts.

The 100 shows on the list are a collection of other critical darlings and, overall, I don't mind what they picked. Admittedly there are a bunch of shows that I've never watched so it's not fair for me to comment on.

As always, I and others will say "What about (insert show here)?" 

Two shows that admittedly spring to mind for me are The Odd Couple and, especially, The Honeymooners (or any Jackie Gleason show).

But what show do you pull?

I figure -- if I may speak bluntly -- The Honeymooners isn't appropriate for 2023 and that hurts it. However, with as much bluster as Ralph Kramden may have uttered, it's quite fair to say that his seemingly-beleaguered wife Alice was the one who truly ruled the apartment inside 328 Chauncey Street in Brooklyn.

"Bang! Zoom!" was an empty threat. It was a comic trademark that doesn't fit today. 

Ralph was a caricature and his outbursts were necessary for the show, which usually resulted in Alice setting things straight.

So, once we get beyond that, the laughs accumulated in the classic 39 episodes between 1955-1956 are among the hardest I've ever chortled. Watching  Ed Norton "address" the golf ball, seeing Ralph play a version of "Name that Tune" (incorrectly), or viewing Noton watch "Captain Video" are among the funniest things TV has ever seen, Lucille Ball included.

Ralph and Norton dancing "The Huckelbuck?" Hysterical.

As much as I revere I Love Lucy, number one is too high for me. Oh, I realize it's important and part of the reason for that was the savvy that Ball and Desi Arnaz had, including the smarts to make sure there was an archive of their show by filming it. They revolutionized TV beginning in 1951.

It's an iconic show.

For me, The Sopranos is number one. The depth of storytelling exhibited in the show, combined with fascinating characters and legendary acting placed it in a different stratosphere for me. We had simply scratched the surface of James Gandolfini's brilliance and we're truly blessed to have those shows to watch for years to come.

And while I mean no offense -- honestly, I loved the show, especially in the early years -- there's zero chance I'd leave The Simpsons in the top 10, especially over shows like Seinfeld, All in the Family, and M*A*S*H. What The Simpsons does have is longevity but does that mean the writing still holds up?

By the way, All in the Family at 16 is a crime. Oh, and The Golden Girls at 18 made me laugh out loud. Then again, let's not delve into Sex in the City at 6. At that point, we will start nitpicking the whole thing but, isn't that the fun of it all?

I realize I'm likely forgetting shows that I'll scratch my head at for it not being on this list but, overall, this list isn't that bad.

But no Doctor Who or Monty Python's Flying Circus or Frasier or Better Call Saul? I'm honestly trying to not pull any shows off this list...but yeah, I'd pull some for sure.

However, Variety didn't ask for MY top 100.

It's just a list I agree with and, honestly, I can't tell you a single list I'll ever agree with.

It's part of the game, I guess.

Anyway, discuss.

Lacking Bandwidth and Digressing

 

Probably not what I had in mind but it will have to do
(Graphic: Lifewire)

As a writer, I wrestle with topics all the time.

There are things I want to write about but I don't have the energy.

Or the "bandwidth."

I suppose they're almost one and the same but either way, I lack both tonight.

As the year gets ready to expire it's the time in which everything begins to get reviewed and broken down.

Best this and top ten that and so on.

In general, I usually lack that bandwidth because I don't have the energy or recall to grab the top 10 favorite posts or anything like that. 

In fact, I just glanced at the most read, and, from what I think I can tell, the most read post written in 2023 is the one to announce the schedule for the New England baseball tournament that took place in Rhode Island back in July.

No doubt that's a big part of my story of 2023, I'll say that. From Trumbull to North Providence to Providence back to Connecticut before heading off to Virginia, the ride of the Trumbull Babe Ruth team was a special journey.

I treasured that a lot and miss it. I've glanced to see if there will be any local tournaments in 2024 and, so far, the answer is no. I'll keep my options open of course and we never know what will happen.

That is also part of why I will call more games this year than any other one since I first began calling games in 1999.

The thing of course is the constant struggle between wanting as many games as I can get versus as many quality broadcasts as I can get. I see others bragging about the number they've called and I just shake my head.

It serves as a reminder of the lean years of games when WGCH really let me (and the audience) down by eliminating basically everything except football. This was before HAN Radio/Network or LocalLive or Robcasting.

So I only did a small handful of games and put everything I had into them. At worst, I could hold my head high despite the paltry number.

I'm hoping I can feel the same way after I finish the year next week. I've picked up four more basketball games with a holiday tournament in Norwalk and I'm really hoping to snag a few others.

If not, we'll be ready and hit the ground running in January with Brunswick.

Even when I can't put everything into a broadcast in terms of preparation and so on, I put all I have into the description and details while wrangling other items on the fly. That chaos works best for me and keeps the broadcast from feeling scripted.

That's why I'm so proud of the ability to accept a request to do a game with minimal time. I've discovered there are those who would turn that work down for whatever reason. My feeling is "thank you" because I'll take it and run with it.

And that, I suppose, is at the heart of the topic I wanted to get into tonight but I still feel I lack the dexterity to discuss it.

Or I just wanted to use the word "dexterity."

But I think back to those days in Trumbull and North Providence as we danced around any fear of rain and thunder while calling up to four games a day. While I'm sure quality dipped at moments during those days I absolutely treasured that challenge of seeing if I could pick myself up even when I struggled. 

More than anything, I treasured knowing there was an audience and that they cared. On the day when Trumbull wasn't playing and all of the families were listening to my call from the beach. I mean, how cool is that?

When you do something and it actually matters? That's special.

Or when all of the families asked if I would do one of the World Series games from Virginia, so I set it up where I could do it via my phone and AirPods while sitting in a high-back chair down the left field line? It was so much fun, despite the result for Trumbull and their fans.

These are the experiences that I love. Whether it's Brunswick, Greenwich High, Trumbull, Norwalk, Waterford (can't forget about them!) or anywhere else, there's a kind worldwide audience that wants to hear their games get covered.

Huh. You mean people are interested? Sponsors might want to contribute to getting those on the air?

Who knew?

That's bandwidth for another time.

I'll find a way to discuss that other topic when the time is right.

School is in Session

 

Minnesota Vikings announcer Paul Allen is known for his, 
let's say, effervescent style

It probably comes as no surprise that I get a lot of play-by-play samples sent to me.

Some come from broadcasters who want their work critiqued.

Some come from friends wanting my opinion of another broadcaster's call.

The latter happened today (and happens more frequently).

Let's face it, I'm a tough judge, but so long as you can report the basics, the worst I will say is "meh."

So I had one sent to me and I've decided I won't share it here.

It was a lot of yelling.

The thing about an exciting moment -- no matter how exciting -- is you still have to deliver the details.

Yelling a bunch of words doesn't serve your audience. 

Worse, both announcers yelling doesn't serve anyone.

So I was sent a Twitter/X link to the call in question and, shockingly, I wasn't a fan. But, ever the teacher, I felt that I could talk to the broadcasters and coach them.

For the record, I didn't reach out to them and, to be honest, I sense it would have been a waste of time.

Another broadcaster did chime in and they were firm. Of course, that was met with defensiveness.

The person calling the play was a high schooler. The problem here -- hiding under the guise of "they're just kids" -- is they don't get better with that approach.

The critiquing broadcaster was nonplussed. They reminded the high schooler that they would have received harsh criticism at the same age and that if they wanted to get better, they better learn to handle it.

Whether they'll heed the words or not is to be determined.

Sadly, we live in a world where we just want -- and even expect -- praise. You know, the "everybody gets a trophy" thing.

It's long been my contention that many young broadcasters aren't getting the training and assessment necessary to improve. They're simply walking into broadcasts and just going. I'm certainly in jumping into the deep end but I'd rather see the opportunity to learn first.

If you join us at WGCH, you're not likely not jumping on play-by-play to start. You're being guided along somehow. Plus, anyone joining us steps into an established booth if it's Chris Erway next to me.

Look, I didn't like the calls that the high schooler posted. Both were just yelling and words were unintelligible. 

That doesn't mean they can't improve. There's so much that goes into calling a game -- cadence, story-telling, understanding of the big moment, etc -- that it's not as easy as many think.

In truth, anyone can call the highlights, once they learn to control the moment.

That's what it's all about. For me, I call it, give the excitement deserved, and get out of the way.

Shawn Sailer will always point to my KC Cunningham call in the state hockey semifinals when Greenwich beat Glastonbury. In my opinion, I was probably too loud and perhaps I should have gotten out of the call quicker but some people love it so I guess it's fine.

But brevity is always the soul of radio and so I'm always pursuing making the call, letting the crowd take over, and then recapping the play.

The Ryan Preisano buzzer beater in basketball is another example. That was a video (and radio) call so it was important to describe quickly.

Again, the winning moment was loud and I added the "It's insanity in here!" line before getting out of the way.

They used the call on ESPN so I guess I can't complain, right?

If the high school broadcaster really does care about this, he'll learn from it.

Take the criticism, assess it, and use it as motivation.

I'll be rooting for that.

No Waffling Here

 

No, it's not perfect. It didn't have to be.

This madness began in 2020.

Well, actually it began in stages in 1968 but that's for a psychiatrist.

So, for our purposes, let's jump ahead to 2020, OK?

Ah yes, the summer of our discontent (aka, "COVID").

Everyone was trying to make the best of things. We had another "new normal" on our hands.

In fact, in an attempt to enjoy our beloved Waffle House, Mom had me drive her and Sean out to Allentown, PA for Father's Day in which we ate breakfast while sitting in her car.

It was Father's Day and it was for me but, believe me, it was also for her. We spent the day just driving around and really not going into too many places since not a lot was open. 

She got out of the car once -- to step into a Wawa. That was it. I needed no further signs that her health was very bad.

I digress.

Later, I noticed that Waffle House was pushing their food mixes on their website. You could order a waffle mix, hashbrowns, grits, and even syrup and coffee to make at home.

For whatever reason (likely money) we never ordered it.

As we hit the fast-forward button I knew I'd check their website occasionally to see if the mixes were still there and they were.

Not too long ago, Sean asked about it and it reminded me to check again.

Move to Black Friday, Cardinal Stadium, in the time before the GYFL Graduation Bowl kicked off.

I was back on the Waffle House website after a reminder that they were holding a Black Friday sale.

And there, available for purchase, on sale, was the bundle of joy.

- Two boxes of waffle mix.

- Two containers of hash browns.

- One bag of grits.

- One bottle of syrup.

Consider whatever deity you choose but I reached for the credit card. The purchase -- a quick strike early Christmas present for both Sean and me -- was on the way.

There was just one thing needed: a waffle iron!

I had one -- a long ago Belgian waffle maker, given to me by Sean's mother. We tried it several months ago with some store-bought waffle mix and the results were lackluster. The iron was done. 

Plus I've always preferred what is actually known as "American" style waffles anyway. That is the fluffier, thinner style served at Waffle Heaven On Earth.

That's what led me to Waffle House in the first place, back in the 70's.

I found an iron on Amazon (just search "Waffle House waffle iron") and it pops right up.

The iron showed up quickly and it waited for waffles. The Waffle House bundle was delayed to the point that I began to wonder what was going on. 

Supply chain issues?

Rampant theft of the heavenly goodies?

Were Rudolph and Santa absconding with our box of deliciousness?

The dry email I received said the order had been delayed but would be forthcoming.

Finally, some three weeks after it had been ordered, the box arrived! There was much rejoicing!

Ah, but we needed supplies. A quick trip to the grocery store and we were ready to go.

It felt like Christmas Day this morning, except I chose jazz for the music and not the caterwauling of some American diva.

Or Maroon 5.

Nothing would deter us ... except me, who can screw up a scrambled egg.

Oh yeah, that's the first thing I had to do. I had to add an egg to get the mix started.

Dutifully, I grabbed an egg and the other supplies, following along with the directions on each box.

The waffle iron warmed up as I mixed it all up.

I carefully did as I was told for the waffles and hash browns. The grits would have to wait. Mom loved her grits so we'll have them in honor of her eventually.

Sean passed through the kitchen and chatted with the cat while Miles Davis sounded out. There is something just perfect about jazz while making a Sunday morning breakfast.

I took a deep breath and began to put the waffle batter on the iron.

Things seemed like they were ... dare I say? ... OK.

The key for us was to keep the iron set to the lightest cooking. We wanted the floppier quality more likely to be found in Hellertown, PA or Fayetteville, NC or Wesley Chapel, FL. 

Or whatever Waffle House location we might be in. Shockingly, I've never listed them all.

I pulled the first waffle off the iron. It looked OK. It even smelled OK.

I made more (there would be leftovers). 

I turned to the hash browns.

I stepped -- briefly -- into Sean's room and called out.

"POUR TWO SCATTERED, COVERED..."

He knew I was imitating the language and cadence of a Waffle House employee, relaying instructions to those doing the cooking.

Soon it was done.

I'll spare you the tension. Shockingly, an order of Waffle House, delivered to us for us to create at home, was about as good as it could possibly be. 

I can't stress enough that I fully expected it to be disappointing. No, not because of them but because of me. I'd mix something wrong or burn something or it would just not be right.

But it all worked just fine. Sean was happy and, honestly, so was I.

It didn't have to match. Honestly, that wouldn't be ideal because going to the restaurant is part of the experience.

Nobody gets in fights or throws chairs at the hours when we visit. So Sean didn't need to hit me in the head.

It's a peaceful, almost friendly vibe when I go.

And this was a nice home edition of the Waffle House game.

Let's consider this store #0055. The first location in New England. (No, not really)

Next time, we need to create the full All-Star Special by adding ham or bacon or sausage, some scrambled eggs and toast.

But for today, I couldn't possibly be happier.

Powerless

Mason and Lewis Streets, Greenwich, 2012
after Superstorm Sandy

 

We're supposed to have a pretty big storm before mid-day Monday.

Rain, wind, mass hysteria, and so on.

There's at least a chance that power will be lost.

We've been fortunate that we have not lost power in the Presidential Suite since we moved in. I think there might have been a brief loss of power once when I wasn't here but Sean said it came back on quickly. So to be more accurate we haven't lost power for any long amount of time.

In fact, I think the last power outage we experienced was from tropical Storm Isaias in the summer of 2020. We were still living in Mahopac at the time and we lost power in the early afternoon. I was ready to not host my show when Bob Small at WGCH asked me to do whatever I could do to make the show happen. The station thought it would be good to have a live voice who could serve as a "local" show, despite my being 30 miles away.

So I drove to the nearby McDonalds because I thought I'd be able to ping off their wifi to get online. Cell phone towers took a big hit in the area. 

However, service wasn't possible from the parking lot, and going inside wasn't an option due to COVID regulations at the time.

Instead, I got just enough cell service to stay on the air from the parking lot via phone.

So, I hosted the show from my car. In fact, it's in my archive here. Bob thought, at worst, I could report from my perspective and pivot if news broke. At best, the show was some comfort food for listeners.

We got power back a few hours later, which tended to happen at my mom's house. If we lost power for any length of time then it was likely bad. The location of her house wasn't far from a power substation and that apparently worked in our favor.

When many were out for days or weeks following Superstorm Sandy, we were out roughly 24 hours.

Even the great power outage of 2003 wasn't too bad, despite the insane heat that night. We got power back later that night and were able to fire up air conditioning.

Things weren't quite the same when I lived in Carmel. I watched as my neighborhood stayed dark and other areas got their power back.

So far, I've seen the part of Greenwich I live in be an area that either doesn't lose power or doesn't lose it for long.

That is optimal, to say the least.

I've often said that an occasional power outage can be healthy. It's sometimes a necessary evil. It forces us to get creative. It makes us -- dare I say -- put the devices down (gotta conserve the battery) and talk to each other.

It also makes us lean on the radio since it can run via battery!

But, let's face it, nobody wants a power outage, and I'm certainly not rooting for one.

Are we ready if necessary? I think we are though you just never know.

We have food and drinks. We have batteries and flashlights and so on.

I have my Paul McCartney book and other things to occupy me.

Our cars have gas.

We have supplies for the cat and, if for some reason we'd have to leave, we'd be set as best as possible.

Of course, this is all conjecture, but one can never be too certain.

Whatever this storm is, stay safe and dry.

Monitoring the Holiday Blues

 

WSNO Radio is lighting up the holiday tunes

I realize I've written about the feeling of a holiday malaise previously but I think it's time to check back on that as we're 10 days from Christmas.

For some, it is an acute issue where they are struggling with even putting a happy face on for the sake of their kids and other family members.

For me? Meh. I'm mostly trying to avoid the form of loneliness that I encounter each season. Now, before you say "but you're with Sean" or any other companionship, it's just not that simple. Also, Sean will go to his mother's on Christmas morning.

We spend Christmas Even together and will once again do dinner and some movies. It's one of our traditions and we both like that.

As far as I know, I have plans and I believe I'm heading to brunch with family on Christmas Day. Don't misunderstand me on this. I very much enjoy the group that I'll spend the time with and family remains so important to me. However, as it tends to be brunch, I'll be back home sometime in the afternoon.

Even decorating for us is minimal. Sean doesn't mind and we just think our place is a bit small to do too much. So we don't do a tree for instance though perhaps we'll reconsider that in the future if we find something appropriate.

But that's my thing. I'll get through it as I usually do and then hold on until January when it feels like the shackles come off.

To many, this is sadly their first holiday season without a loved one. Those loved ones often counted Christmas as their favorite holiday and that only adds to the sadness of the season.

In such a case, anything can trigger the sorrow. All it takes is a favorite holiday song or a movie or some other memory. It's a difficult roller coaster of emotions.

No matter what, there's an empty plate at the dinner table, be it physically or not.

In reality, there is almost no avoiding this month so it's just important to survive by simply going day by day.

Minute by minute (thanks, Doobie Brothers) if that's best.

Yes, some can avoid it by going to a remote island or some location where the holidays aren't acknowledged but my guess is that simply wouldn't be financially possible. At least not for me.

So, again, go easy on those who might appear to demonstrate Grinch-like moods. Most of us can make the best of it. We can muster a smile and just play along without letting on what the feeling is underneath.

Others might not be able to.

Just be patient.

January is almost here.

Sending Love Through Sadness

 

(Photo: Michelle McLoughlin/Reuters)

There are days you just don't want to remember. 

Oh, it's important to never forget history, however painful, but you still don't want to remember those moments.

Dec 14 is one of those days. Around Connecticut, it will always be a reminder of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

I have no words about it. I mean, I guess I have a few but everything just comes off the wrong way.

My memories have been written before. 

From a distance -- and I was fortunate enough to be quite a distance from it that morning -- I can still remember getting that first message about something going on near Danbury.

Newtown, to be exact.

My day carried me up to Kingston, NY for shopping. That still feels so callous to me but I can only say I didn't know any better. I leaned on a rack of clothes in a Marshall's and became glued to Twitter that day, following the sources that I could remotely trust.

While all I could do was hurt for the families and those impacted.

And think of Sean.

Sean, thankfully, was also miles from Connecticut, in his own school. Any concern for him, of course, was radional but when you're a parent rationality tends to go out the window.

I knew he was safe and, as I learned, a few years older than the victims. Still, like them, he was still an elementary student and your mind can't help but drift to "what if?"

So I know he was safe. Still, I'm his father and I couldn't be with him.

I drove back to Mahopac later that day and passed the exit I would use to see him. I just wanted to hug him.

That's an example of single fatherhood being awful.

Being helpless is not a strong suit of mine.

We'll always ache over that day.

Given where I lived then -- and live now -- the story will always hit close to home.

I've covered Newtown sports and have broadcast from there.

Nobody -- no town -- ever deserves that spotlight.

We, of course, are frankly no better today, are we? 

School shootings continue at a disgusting rate. 

And no politician has done a damn thing to stop it and keep our children safe.

I've probably written too often that schools are supposed to be a safe place for the students but we know they're not. We know the drill. If it's not the bullying or the pressures of being a kid it can be violence.

Sadly, that's all we do. We all just keep repeating ourselves.

Nothing changes.

Today, we remember those 26 lives lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

We also think of those who are suffered in some way as a result. The trickle-down affected many.

And we remain horrified and outraged.

And sad.

Hello, Winter

 

I got the first basketball call done today, as Brunswick fell to Avon Old Farms.

While I have called Boomslang games since then, it had been several months since I had called high school hoops.

I expected a little bit of rust but it wasn't too bad. 

As usual, I was ready. I'd done my prep. At least I thought I had.

I had talked with Brunswick head coach Steve Juricek and assistant coach Zach Dobbs.

I felt good and had everything pulled together before seeing my Hunt Scanlon colleagues for a nice holiday luncheon at a nearby restaurant.

A restaurant that Sean and I walked to.

The concept is still so foreign that it is wonderful.

So was lunch.

I was in the Dann Gym on King Street roughly an hour before game time because, when covering Brunswick, setup is so easy. I established a table using two chairs, and set up my mixer, computer, headset, and crowd mic, before running my audio to the LocalLive input on the wall behind me.

Everything was set. I was able to catch up with several familiar faces before chatting with head football coach Wayne McGillicuddy. We were walking about the Avon Old Farms team when he glanced at my roster.

"That's all wrong," he said.

Those weren't the names I had

I still don't know what happened but the roster indeed was not right. The good news is, when covering basketball, there's an official scorebook that I can go to, especially since I stand right behind the scorer's table at Brunswick.

So I took a picture of the book from the Avon Old Farms scorekeeper and assessed the situation.

I began to write the correct names in as the seconds ticked down to the opening tip.

Panic achieves nothing. I'd done my due diligence and had been burned. Now it was time to do what I could to mitigate the situation and get on the air.

I'll spare you another rant about rosters for tonight.

Once the broadcast began there were moments when I definitely felt good. The description felt sharp and the stories were being told. But I had moments where I stumbled.

Nothing fatal. Just like Brunswick, it's best to simply move on to the next game.

While that's currently scheduled for January, I'm going to try to get a few more broadcasts in before the end of 2023.

Games in the Attic

 

Notes, meet folder.

There's always one last thing to do when one season ends and another begins: file the notes.

This is for those who think we don't put a lot of thought and work into what we do.

I've got them all.

Want to see that first scorecard from 1999? I've got it.

The first Renegades broadcast I worked (2001)? Got it.

The first Greenwich football broadcast I did play-by-play on? You'll find it.

Oh, you'll also find rosters, programs, and other notes.

It's organized in folders by season and there are now over 25 years strong.

Why keep it all? 

Well, before you put me in the category of being a "hoarder," hear me out. It's a completely logical explanation in that you never know. 

Do you know how many people I meet -- even all these years later -- and wonder if I have a roster with them?

John Sullivan. Chris Erway. John Marinelli. Anthony Morello. Anthony Volpe.

Others.

All of those names are in the archive. 

If I want to look back at the Greenwich/Wilton game in 2001, I have the scoresheet to do so.

These archives are important to the history of these teams as well as to my own ... GASP! ... preparation.

History matters in my opinion. A lot.

I considered what I would have to do with the archive when we moved out of Mahopac in 2022. I never intended to get rid of it and kept my fingers crossed that I could keep it. Fortunately, it's in my attic and I have no plan to dispose of it.

The walk-off winners, no-hitters, game-winning scores, and more are reflected in this collection of papers.

That doesn't mean there aren't a few missed games over the years. Indeed, bad weather destroyed a few and a couple of others simply don't exist.

But of the nearly 1800 game broadcasts, I'm willing to guess the percentage I don't have is very low.

I'm proud of that.

I'm willing to bet most of my brethren have a similar archive. Yet, honestly, I can't concern myself with that.

This is my archive.

My thing.

And part of how I prepare.

Not so lazy, huh?

Oh, and a new folder begins tomorrow with Brunswick basketball hosting Avon Old Farms. 

Game time is 4:30 and will be carried on LocalLive and Robcasting.

A Very Bad Night

 

This troublemaker did not help things

The topic of sleep, or lack thereof, is frequently discussed on these hallowed pages.

Wait. Did I just call this place "hallowed?" Clearly, I'm not feeling well.

And that's exactly the point. Sean wasn't feeling well last week and, well, it happens. It's my turn.

I'm fine in that I functioned today. I left the apartment and got some much-needed fresh air.

After going for a good walk to do some shopping yesterday, I came home to watch football and I disintegrated into whatever this is.

By the way, our Target in Port Chester has started this thing where certain items are now inside locked cabinets. Do you need underwear? Ask for help. Razors and shaving cream? Same. Socks? Yup.

That was enough to make me just walk out. That, and hearing Mariah Carey caterwauling on the PA system. There are other Targets around the area.

Look, I don't dislike all Christmas music. I definitely do not. But I like what I like. It's that simple.

So, Target aside, I strolled into the new Burlington store in the same shopping center. I didn't have high hopes...until I walked out with a brand-new Van Huesen suit jacket for $19.99.

Nope. I couldn't pass that one up.

While standing in line at Burlington, I got to listen to what I called "The Philosophy of Peanuts" in which the two scholars behind me broke down Charlie Brown and how he was bullied. And, also, "how we don't talk about that enough."

Eventually, the conversation turned to who was who in that Peanuts gang.

Riveting stuff.

With jacket in hand, I went back to my car before walking around DSW for shoes (I didn't really know what I was looking for) and Kohl's (same).

By the time I got home, Sean had returned from spending a night at his mother's after attending the Army-Navy Game on Saturday.

He enjoyed the experience, just as I figured he would.

We grabbed lunch and settled down to watch the last of the new Doctor Who episodes with the dynamite team of David Tennant and Catherine Tate. They are among the very best Doctor/companion combos ever and Sean seemed to think they finished their brief run on a good note.

That's what I want to hear. Sean was really disappointed in the writing of the recent episodes so I'm glad to hear him reclaiming his "Whovian" status.

Then I put on the NFL and Sean retreated to his room.

And my head filled up. I took the proper medication and did everything I could to survive but by 9:30 last night, I felt like I was ready to sleep.

I took another dose of the meds and even popped a sleep aid.

Beddy bye time, right?

Wrong. So, so, so, so wrong.

I got, basically, zero sleep.

I tossed and turned.

I tried the couch. Nope. I tossed and turned there also.

I kept waiting for the sleep aid to kick in and it never did. Was it a dud? Who knows?

Oh, and Mr. Rascal Squeaky Beast Cat did not help things at all. He decided that it was time for him to jump on my desk, scratch at my cabinet, chase phantom shadows, and whatever else occupied his mind.

So I tried to combat that with my AirPods. It just wasn't my night.

But, as I said, I was out in the world today, driving to and fro and recognizing my limits. Despite my brain being perhaps a bit weak, I still did "Doubleheader" and I don't think I said anything I shouldn't have said.

Refreshing.

I'm writing to you from the top of my bed. I'll settle down to watch football or whatever else I feel like or read my Paul McCartney book.

But sleep is the goal. 

With that, we turn to tomorrow.

The Wartburg Wow

 

Walston-Hoover Stadium (Google Maps)

If you've been around these parts long enough, you know we all have stories.

You know that broadcast setups can be dicey.

I've shown you the setup with the Connecticut Roughriders from the scorer's booth. I once did an ice-level call from a corner for a playoff game.

I've looked through a window from 20 feet away to get a partial view of the football field in Harrison, NY. Chris Erway had to help out with play-by-play for the final 20 yards to my left. Sean Kilkelly, my analyst, had to sit near a window probably 50 feet away from where I worked.

Another time we worked from a classroom in the same school. The view was worse.

There have been scissor lifts and rooftop views and parking lots and outdoor setups in the rain.

There have also been the myriad calls while standing literally right next to another broadcast team.

There are more stories but those are just a few.

While I've told you the stories, I've tried to tell them with a hint of laughter and intuitiveness to get the job done. That's the bottom line, right?

Take note of the dorm building across the way

We now take you to Waverly, IA. The Wartburg Knights were hosting the North Central College at Walston-Hoover Stadium.

The game -- a Division III national football semifinal -- ended in a 34-27 NCC win. They head to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl next weekend in Salem, VA.

But it was the broadcast that wound up being part of the story. You know how I feel about that.

It appears there wasn't much room in the pressbox for the visiting NCC broadcast team.

OK, I've been in a spot like that. It makes me grumpy as the visiting broadcast crew, but there's not a lot one can do. You can only hope you're appropriately accommodated. 

Sometimes that means we're in the stands or on a concourse at the top of the stands. Sometimes you're in with coaches. No matter what, you make the best of it.

I'm not going to tell you I've never grumbled. Chris and I have each grumbled to each other in some circumstances. How many times have we frozen with bad connectivity at one stadium in particular?

Yet, again, maintaining composure and a sense of humor is everything. I've posted many a picture of curious setups for the viewer to form their own opinion.

And so I've buried the lead deeply. NCC's broadcast team was not pleased about where they were placed for the semifinal: in a dorm room.

No, I kid you not.

Wartburg brought a riser in with a table and a couple of chairs for the broadcasters to work out of. Apparently, they didn't have a full view of the field from the dorm inside Clinton Hall. But they did have power and connectivity. That's so important.

Broadcaster Andy Jachim put Wartburg on blast in a now-deleted tweet/post on Twitter/X.

We get to Wartburg for the National Semifinal game and this is the set up we are presented with. This is absolutely disgraceful and disrespectful beyond belief. @WartburgKnights you should be ashamed of yourself for treating opposing media this way.

Whoa. Obviously, deleting the post was a prudent decision. An apology to explain that you overreacted would likely be smart as well. There was -- as of yesterday -- a follow-up post to say he knows how lucky he is to even be broadcasting the game. To my knowledge, that tweet is also gone. 

I can't say shaming a school is a smart thing to do and Wartburg could deny NCC the right to broadcast from there in the future is such a need arises.

I'm not here to dunk on Andy Jachim. He let his temper overflow and he has taken quite a bit of heat from social media. He has also had some defend him and call out Wartburg for the circumstances.

He looks bad. Yes. No question. 

But I think we need much more information to tell this story completely.

What were the circumstances in the press box at Walston-Hoover Stadium? Who else was in there?

Walston-Hoover press box from outside (Google Maps)

We know the deal. Two sets of coaches, a clock operator, a scoreboard operator, a public address announcer, perhaps a spotter, and at least one broadcast team are likely in there.

There probably should have been room for another broadcast team but, again, what don't we know? What is the space like?

And I'd be concerned if it was my dorm but I digress.

Entitlement, ego, and attitude are a big part of the business. I don't mean that in a good way. I heard stories of that very thing from yesterday's CIAC championship broadcasts in New Britain and East Hartford yesterday. That's been a thing for some time.

Indeed, I'm reading tweets today about Darien and New Canaan fans who complained about having to travel the 90 minutes or so to Rentschler Field. I recall the same when Greenwich played Darien in 2017 and New Canaan in 2018. In each case, fans wanted to move the game to Boyle Stadium in Stamford. I don't deny I was comfortable with those games being moved because it was a shorter trip for me. It was also a stadium that I was familiar with.

But to the rest of the state, it becomes "'Gold Coast' fans are entitled whiners who think they're above the rest of the state."

I'm happy to not be involved in any of that and I would have happily gone to New Britain to work the game if Greenwich had played.

But back to Iowa. I get they were mad. For a national semifinal, the North Central College broadcast team expected a better position. I remember first getting into broadcasting and quickly discovering that everything is not served on a red carpet regardless of circumstances.

Heck, I called minor league baseball as the home broadcaster from a breezeway. You deal with it and adjust.

Many schools have done everything to make us comfortable and, honestly, the dorm was an intriguing idea.

So when I saw Jachim's tweet, I felt pangs of "back in my day," which is frankly still today. In my day, I worked in all kinds of bizarre circumstances.

Welcome to the club. You're clearly just getting started.

Hopefully, the noise will die down and Jachim will come off sounding less entitled and more humorous.

In the long run, I've learned to deal with it, laugh at it, and appreciate the achievement of adapting when it's all over.

Then put those stories in the bank and pass them along.

Or start writing a blog.

This whole thing reminds me of a guy who was asked to do a college football game at Fenway Park in 1949. 

Boston University vs. Maryland.

Thinking he'd have a warm booth, he left his overcoat in his hotel room.

Then he was ushered to the roof of Fenway. In freezing cold November weather.

The young broadcaster said nothing on or off the air.

Officials from the game apologized to the young broadcaster's boss the next day. 

The boss had no idea and was impressed with the 21-year-old play-by-play announcer.

The broadcaster's name was Vin Scully.

He had a pretty good career.

Keep that in mind.

*****

I posted this picture on Facebook this morning. It's my father holding me in a picture that I think is dated Jan, 1970.

My dad was born on this day in 1929.

The picture is so him. He's home from work, sitting in his trusty recliner, smiling at the baby that carries his name.

Yet it's not entirely him. His smile is charming and silly but, trust me, that's not my dad's real smile. Yet I still like it.

I don't know that I need to tell you too much more about him as I've written so much over the years. Probably too much. Yet I'd happily tell you more.

The hurt of his loss is still profound. 

His laughter, voice, sense of diplomacy, charm, and wisdom still ring in my ears. In the 20 years I had with him, I learned so much.

I miss him.

That's all I want you to know tonight.

The Connecticut Broadcasting Blues

(CIAC Sports)

 

I should have set an over/under.

Certain traditions never die and among those today are:

1) Questions about the Connecticut state football championship broadcasts and...

2) Complaints about the Connecticut state football championship broadcasts.

For the record, the first question arrived around 8:30 this morning. The first complaint was literally at 10:30, as the first game kicked off.

Also for the record, I have no control over any of it.

Furthermore, I lean towards not listening to any of them. The first reason is simple: as I cover high school sports sort of, you know, for a living, I don't like to pay to watch or attend games. So I resist that.

The other reason should be obvious: I don't want to hear the other broadcasters. Yet, due to my own curiosity, I checked with one outlet to see if they were covering any games today.

They were.

Trying to be fair, I listened. Briefly. I then sent the link of said broadcast to the first person who asked me about coverage today and turned the game off.

Then I went grocery shopping as my phone continued to vibrate. At that point, I can't help but think I should be on a board of FCIAC and Connecticut state sports broadcasters or something.

I wish every team well. Every athlete. Every coach. Every fan -- especially those passionate and, yes, well-behaved ones.

I thank every reporter who is tweeting/X'ing their hearts away using the #cthsfb hashtag.

I wish the announcers well.

I also wish Chris Erway and I had gone but we're going to watch Army/Navy instead.

Oh, and a pro tip: when calling football on the radio, details matter. While you might think people are tuning in for a show, they're tuning in for the game first and foremost. You are a conduit and not the star. The athletes are the stars. Your job is to set the scene and report it. Then inform and explain.

THEN you can entertain. But until you do everything else, no. At least not in my school.

The best (Vin, Doc Emrick, Dick Enberg, etc) know how to blend that perfectly.

Hell, even Phil Rizzuto knew how to do that.

The biggest thing today is to get the names right and, for the love of Scully, get the SCHOOL NAMES right.

You laugh, but I heard about the butchering of Carmel last week in the New York championship broadcasts. 

For the record it's CAR-mull. Not Car-MEL or some other pronunciation. It's also certainly NOT Care-uh-mel.

Calling these games isn't rocket science. It does require a certain level of training and understanding though.

Set the play: "first and ten at the Greenwich 25." If it's on the radio, then more details are needed, such as the hash mark and some of the formation.

"First and ten at the Greenwich 25, ball on the far (or left/right) hash. Two receivers nearside left: Gennarelli and Stefanowicz. Auguste is out to the right. Kim in the backfield to Grillo's right. Grillo takes the shotgun snap and flips it right on a screen to Auguste, who grabs it at the 27, dances around a defender, and is knocked out of bounds at the 29. It's a gain of four as linebacker Joe Jones made the stop."

Then the analyst can break it all down. A great one like Chris Erway or Tom Faggione out in Orange County makes it sound flawless.

Perhaps there's a moment for a mention of "Mom's spaghetti" or whatever other references can be made. But the game -- the athletes! -- is the star. Not you. Or me.

For those wondering, I'm enjoying the day. As I alluded to, I'm going to watch Army/Navy later and hopefully get updates from Sean, who is at the game.

As I wrote last night, I'll be back in action with basketball in a few days. We'll see what else the road has in store.

Some days, the grind gets to be too much and I think about pulling the bus into the station.

But then I start thinking about next year.

So, for now, I'll focus on today.

Congratulations to the players. 

You're the ones who matter.

Transitioning

 

Packed and ready for the next game

Football season is very much over.

"The Clubhouse" season ended on Wednesday night as well.

There were no last-minute phone calls to get to New Briain or Hartford for the football championships, despite the few kind souls who asked if I would be there.

I'll be in my living room watching the Army-Navy Game tomorrow.

To that end, I brought some of the game broadcast equipment inside to clean up, clean out, and reorganize.

Sadly, I won't need a second headset for some time, for instance. That will get moved to another bag to keep with me in case I do get a partner.

So the case has been whittled down to mostly the basics of a mixer, one headset, an extension cord, and assorted audio cables.

It is time for hockey and basketball and...wrestling.

Winter sports have arrived.

Of course, I've already dabbled in hockey a few times as well as getting in a Boomslang basketball game. I've talked to them and we'll get that going again soon.

The setup changes from sport to sport and is based on location as well. If I'm just doing a game on Robcasting or WGCH, I need my computer, the headset, and mixer, and the necessary cables. Then I log in and we go from there.

For LocalLive I need to run an audio cable out of the mixer to connect to an audio jack or a camera. One setup requires a mini headphone connection while the other requires a microphone cable.

The point is I have to always be ready.

So now begins the different scorecards, terminology, and everything associated with the sports.

The schedule has been assembled for now. Brunswick and I have confirmed what we have in mind between now and early March.

Once again, I'll work the home games for hockey and basketball with a couple of wrinkles. Unfortunately, there are days when both teams are in action. In a few spots, the games start either at the same time or within 30 minutes of each other. I can only pick one of those.

However, there are a couple of days in which the two teams begin 90 minutes apart. I can pull that off. I might not get the full broadcast in of both games but we'll play that by ear.

I like the challenge.

Oh, and the other wrinkle: wrestling.

I didn't expect that to happen but I'm into the idea. Thanks to the wrestling I've covered over the past few years -- especially working with Chris Erway -- I've reached a certain point of comfort.

Yes, it's still a big challenge for me but I think I have enough knowledge to make it work. The key in the case of wrestling is that it's on video and thus the picture tells most of the story. That's a huge advantage to me.

Chris and I went to a wrestling meet in New Jersey a few years ago and, in one instance, we were separated. We each had to call the action on an individual mat. While one of the towns in question wasn't thrilled with my work (they have a couple of people who are "The Voice" of their high school wrestling team) I was satisfied with my ability to tell a story.

With that said, I see no reason that I can't make this work.

I'm not as good as Chris when it comes to wrestling, and the product would be better with him working with me, but I've learned enough there I appreciate the challenge to improve.

The Connecticut Roughriders are supposed to also be back on the calendar and I'm sure they will be but we'll see.

There are a couple of other games that are in the works but I'll announce that when it's confirmed.

Plus there was another team that was interested but, again, I have to wait to announce anything.

Lastly, there is the very frustrating circumstance with Greenwich High and WGCH. GHS would be happy to have me call games for them this winter but without sponsors or some kind of financial support, it wouldn't be paid.

Thus, we wait on that topic.

The balance of December might be thin but we'll hope it's not. 

The first game is next Wednesday when Brunswick basketball plays its first home game.

Take the High Road ... Again

 

The High Road to Taos
(Photo: New Mexico Tourism Department)

Today was a day to get back under the headset.

The Connecticut Roughriders were hosting the Providence Hockey Club in a matinee contest in Norwalk.

As I've mentioned about the Roughriders, their setup is interesting. To plug into their video stream, I have to go inside the combined penalty box/scorers booth area, and they don't ask you to be there too early. That goes against my belief but I compromise on it.

So I walked into the SONO Ice House and looped around the rink before gently stepping onto the ice with my backpack, a headset, and a cup of coffee in my hands.

I settled in as they were setting up the stream. I went about my very minimal setup, plugging my Zoom PodTrak P4 mixer into the computer and running a headphone feed off of that to their stream audio input. Then I added a headset and, technically, I was ready.

I began to note the Providence starters before seeing ... that ... they ... didn't ... match ... the ... roster.

OK, I've done my homework. I'm ready. I can do this.

With the clock ticking, I began to write the roster before my contact with the Railriders came into the booth.

He said the stream was ready, except...

"I screwed up," he said.

I figured this had something to do with the stream. No. It had something to do with the broadcasters.

The Roughriders have two broadcasters and he explained that one had left this game (and tomorrow) as questionable. So, he reached out to me to see if I wanted to jump in.

Except...

The other broadcaster who, by definition, has the seniority, was in the rink.

Today.

Having driven up from Long Island to spend the night and do both games.

Now, given I was already set up (though still fixing the roster fiasco, which I simply don't understand) I was given the option of staying today.

I looked up, clear-eyed and maintaining a dignified look on my face.

"Give him both games," I said. "He drove here from Long Island. No need to have him just watch."

I packed up, said hello to the other broadcaster, who thanked me, and I left.

In truth, I really wanted to do the games. I was really bummed when I left.

But what good does being a jerk do in this case? 

I elected to pack up, tail (and headset) between my legs.

I just wouldn't have felt right by staying, even if I was in the right. I thought about suggesting that I'd go up into the stands and put the game on Robcasting, but it's OK. 

I left.

To the credit of the Roughriders, they're still going to pay me for both games, and that's kind of them. 

It's hardly the first time this kind of thing has happened. I was immediately reminded of the lacrosse game that was being played at Brunswick between two neutral teams. Brunswick was fine with me calling the game and one of the schools actually hired me to call it.

Then I got there and discovered that LocalLive for some reason booked another broadcaster.

I was stunned and not thrilled but, ultimately, I went home.

These things happen. That doesn't mean it's right or fun or acceptable.

But so it goes. It does serve as a reminder that I wish I had a home base.

I have one Brunswick game next week and, barring any changes (hello? WGCH?), my 2023 game year might come to a sad end.

(Hint: I'm available)

Norman Lear

 

Norman Lear (center) and the All in the Family cast.

Normal Lear, the screenwriter and producer, has died at the age of 101.

He left and absolutely indelible mark on American television. That is not hyperbole in any form. He was involved in the production, writing, and developing of over 100 shows.

Now, not everything was a hit, but let's focus on a couple of icons.

In my house, All in the Family was a staple. First runs were appointment TV and reruns were constant. In fact, on weeknights from 7-8, my father settled into his recliner after dinner for M*A*S*H and All in the Family.

He even watched Archie Bunker's Place though not with the same zest. Admittedly the writing was nowhere near as sharp and the cast, frankly, simply couldn't live up to the amazing group that was assembled from 1971-1978.

While so many of us say "That could never be made today," Lear and Jimmy Kimmel assembled two All in the Family scripts for their Live in Front of a Studio Audience series in 2019 and 2020.

But those were essentially one-offs and, again, you simply can't touch a masterpiece like the original. 

For me, the summit will always be the episode featuring Sammy Davis Jr, when the legendary entertainer, playing himself, sidles up to the always clueless Archie for a picture. As the camera flashes, Davis plants a kiss of Archie's cheek.

The screaming laughter roars on decades later.

Lear was unafraid to tackle major topics during his career. Things that seemed untouchable, especially on an American sitcom, fell to him with ease. Homophobia, racism, sexism, economic disparity, inner-city struggles, rape, death, and so many other topics were presented in a way that somehow could also produce laughter.

That's where a character like Archie Bunker came in because his general bigotry and cluelessness could be used to the advantage of humor while still driving the point home.

In my house, the politics of it all weren't considered. They were characters -- ones who made us laugh and think while still providing entertainment.

In the process, All in the Family produced spinoffs, including most notably, Maude, The Jeffersons, and Good Times.

Good Times, about a family in inner-city Chicago, presented things that a kid in Mahopac, NY growing up in the mid-1970s had never seen. It was funny -- and what kid didn't love Jimmie Walker's euphoric "Dynmite!" -- but it also showed series topics as well, especially following the firing of co-star John Amos at the end of season three. The show had Amos's character die in a car accident and it followed the process of the family's mourning, culminating in the stoic Florida Evans finally expressing her emotions at the death of her husband.

These were groundbreaking things in the 70s.

Then there was Sanford and Son, the brilliant sitcom mined from England that showcased the hilarity of comedian Redd Foxx. Foxx's Fred G. Sanford was a schemer and cantankerous bigot who, like Archie Bunker, had a way with words and outrageous behavior.

There are scholars much brighter than I am who can break all of this down, and I'd be remiss if I didn't at least note One Day at a Time, another Lear-developed show that was on all the time in the Adams house during that era.

I'd leave the analysis to those people. 

I'll lean on the fact that these shows produced the great sound of my father's laugh. They also produced much laughter from me.

In some ways, there were a lot of lessons to draw to help mold behavior as well.

Thanks for the entertainment.

Oh, and one more thing.

Rob Reiner has always been a Meathead.

Quick Post, Long Day

 

Empty classroom at the end of the day

I just got home from teaching two classes.

I walked in just after 9 a.m.

I left just after 10 p.m.

The first class ran from 9:30-1:00 and the second from 6:30-10:00. In between, I went and got lunch before coming back to the school to host "Doubleheader."

Even my throat -- and my voice -- feels a little tender because every part of me is tired.

If you know basically anything about teaching then you know the drill.

You explain. Then explain again. Then explain it once more.

No matter how many times you tell the class to save the reports that they've written there is inevitably someone who just won't.

The morning group was goofy. Laughing. Enough that I had to reel them in a few times.

The night class was more chill but that just led to more explaining.

There's plenty of talent to go around and the goal is to harness that. To make them understand that there is some tweaking to be done.

For the students who really want to work in sports, there's much nitpicking to be done but, at the end of the day, I'm still their cheerleader.

Just don't take my job.

Admittedly, by 8:30 I could feel whatever patience I had left fading.

I had a bed I wanted to get home to.

I'm glad to be here.

Fortunately, overall, people like my class. I try to exude passion while being honest and help them understand they can make it in this crazy business.

Like anything else, today was a challenge. It also had challenges within the day itself.

But, as always, I feel accomplished now that it's over.

A job well done, I suppose.

Time to get some sleep.

A Busy Week Ahead

 

"There's no rest for the weary."

A quick Google search indicates that the saying is of unknown origin. Supposedly it dates back to the dawn of the 20th century.

Regardless, there is not a lot of rest for me. That, of course, is a good thing.

I was supposed to teach tomorrow night in Stratford and I'm still doing so.

However, CSB had asked me to change my schedule for another class and we changed it to Thursday.

Then I looked at my calendar and saw I was committed to the Connecticut Roughriders hockey team at the same time.

So, for the first time, I'm teaching twice tomorrow.

First, the morning class.

Then I'll have roughly five hours to cool my heels, including doing "Doubleheader" before teaching the night class.

Coffee and patience - lots of both -- will be necessary.

On Wednesday, I'm co-hosting the two-hour edition of "The Clubhouse" in Mount Kisco.

Thursday and Friday are both hockey games in the morning with the Roughriders.

We'll work in some "Doubleheader" episodes during the week as well.

So, in truth, I'm exaggerating in that there will be some rest in there as well.

The thing is this is a good week, although tomorrow sort of worries me with all of the teaching and associated stress that goes with it.

I'm also grateful to put the headset back on for hockey later in the week. Like anything else, you simply move forward by getting back on the horse or bicycle of whatever tired metaphor you'd prefer to use.

In my case, it's putting the headset back on and going into my happy place by broadcasting a game.

I'd like to just move forward.

As I've mentioned before, the Roughriders setup is unique but that's a fun challenge and, once I'm settled in, it's a challenge I can handle.

In cutting myself a break, I allow myself to recognize that not everyone can handle such a thing. That's not to say I'm anything great. There are plenty of others who can adjust to circumstances like this.

But I like that I can do it. I'll be ready come Thursday.

Anyway, I'm just babbling. We move onto tomorrow.

The Limit

 

Greenwich lost to West Haven today, 26-13. The Cardinals' season has come to a close.

Thanks to the Cardinals players, coaches, and families.

But.

Something happened late in the game that I have to address.

Nobody likes to lose. I realize that.

Fans get passionate.

They also lose focus and rationality.

As I've mentioned before, Chris Erway and I get confused for being the public address announcer and other things.

We're just the broadcasters.

Nick Fesko, who does a wonderful job handling public address duties, was asked to make an announcement about fans staying off the field at the end of the game.

Apparently, to one fan, it was seen as announcing that all hope for the game was gone.

She began to yell about the game not being over.

She began to curse at the booth. Specifically, at me. 

I smiled and tried to play it off but she wouldn't stop.

That's what I've done for years. Smile and let it go. Scream at me to playing music too loud? Smile and say that it's not me doing it. Ask me to announce about the 50/50 or play the cheerleading music. I smile and say that's not me.

Finally, after years of being yelled at for things out of my control, I felt this was a line that shouldn't be crossed. Nick shouldn't be yelled at. Nor should literally anyone else up there who is doing their job.

So, I opened the window and, in a moment out of a movie, basically asked her "who you talkin' to?"

She proceeded to say she was talking to me and that I was an a**hole, and "f**k you" with a two-finger salute.

The crowd, to its immense credit, immediately backed Chris and me up. 

Never has a situation reached this point but, frankly, it was abusive. I mean, she was cursing us out for something that we didn't do. 

We can laugh at "Then Time Our Touchdown" and other things but this was out of control. 

And it all happened on the air. I have the audio.

Fans in the crowd apologized to us. After speaking with Greenwich High School officials, they also apologized.

So did the coaches on the field.

Viewers and listeners also sent us notes of support.

None of that is necessary.

While I feel embarrassed to ever be a part of the story, I appreciate the kindness of the support from everyone.

I'm there to document the game. I've made so many friends over the years with fans and I'm proud of that. I love the back-and-forth that goes on between us and the audience.

I've dealt with critics. I've dealt with a lot of nonsense.

But this was too far and I had to step in. It shouldn't go on at a high school event. In fact, it shouldn't go on at any event.

But it did and here we are.

There's a part of me that wishes I hadn't done so but everyone keeps telling me I needed to defend myself.

I'm generally horrified by the whole thing.

So I guess my thing is that, if this fan ever approaches us and apologizes, I'll laugh it off. 

I will. I know me. We move forward. Always.

I can't speak for Chris but that's how I'd feel about just moving on. Chris and I have been invited to the banquet in roughly 10 days and I just want to quietly sit and move on.

I get passion. I get being irrational.

But I wish it hadn't happened.

Best of luck to the winners. Staples and West Haven will battle for the title. Thank you, again, to the players, coaches, fans, and support for allowing us to document Greenwich football.

But this was such a sad way for the season -- my 25th -- to come to a close.

It's Not Always About the Money

 

In the sports broadcasting world -- heck, in the world -- one of the most exhausting topics is money.

I called a hockey game today for a group I've never worked for today. I was brought in by a New Jersey-based company that I connected with on Facebook. I couldn't call the first games they had in mind but we said we'd keep in touch.

They reached out earlier in the week and I thought it might be fun to do. I agreed to do today's game in Bridgewater, NJ between the Rockets Hockey Club and the Elmira Impact. It was a premier-level game with players trying to make their name in college hockey.

I was told up front that the money wasn't great. To be honest, no, it was not. It was below what I normally get.

At that point, it became up to me. Did I want to make the 90-minute drive into New Jersey? 

I decided to have fun with it and go.

Many in the business would be horrified. "Know your worth!" they would scowl.

Mass disdain would be the order of the day.

But they do not get the final say. I do.

Sean went with me because, as I wrote earlier in the week, he wanted Wawa and I did not disappoint him.

So we hit the road, grabbed our Wawa lunch, and were in Bridgewater long before we needed to be. Classic me. I wanted to see the rink and get a sense of the setup. 

Oh, I should also mention (for those obsessed with preparation) that I was armed with over 30 pages of notes, especially since the league prepares a media kit with stats and rosters.

The only concern was where we set up. I knew this would be similar to the Connecticut Roughriders in that it would be carried on FloHockey so I suspected technology would be the same. But what about the booth?

I was told I didn't need any equipment, but the car was still packed. I'm always prepared.

With the Roughriders, my "booth" is the penalty box and scorers booth area.

Upon arrival in Bridgewater, Sean and I walked in and went up to the grandstand. There, I saw a computer and a camera overhead. I knew we were in the right place. It wasn't at ice level.

We cooled our heels back in the car for a bit, allowing me time to look over notes, before walking back in to meet Dave, the man who hired me

As we approached him, I noticed he had set up a mixer and headset on the top of a garbage can.

I smiled. You make the best of all circumstances.

Sean went back to the car to get the folding snack table that I carry. Have I mentioned I'm prepared?

Completely set up, I knew I had a great view of the ice and we were almost ready. Except, there was a roster snafu.

The Elmira roster -- at least what we thought was entered on the scoresheet -- was different from what I had.

I began to scramble. Would I have to work off my phone? Off a website on my computer?

This went against my beliefs. I could find no indication that Elmira had added new players but I steadied myself and took a deep breath as the game prepared to start. I listed to the public address announcer introduce the names of Elmira's starters and they were ... the names I had on the original roster.

I exhaled, laughed, considered the circumstances, and settled in. Everything was fine.

It took me the first period to get my rhythm back but I don't think anyone noticed. I set up my notes the way I liked them in the first intermission and carried on.

It was 1-0 after one period with the Rockets on top. It stayed that way through two periods.

Elmira scored in the third to tie the score. Overtime was coming up.

With 55 seconds left in the extra session, the Rockets converted to win the game 2-1. On the air, I said something about "the Rockets red glare." Cheesy, yes, but effective I suppose.

Game over. I packed my stuff, left Dave's stuff there per his instruction, and left.

We had Wawa for dinner and came home.

So, yeah, factoring in gas, tolls, lunch, and dinner, I probably broke even or made a couple of bucks.

I do plenty of games and jobs that make me money.

This was about creating a new contact and a new opportunity. I have no idea where it will lead me but Dave watched the broadcast and was pleased. He said he'll reach out with more games.

This was also about Sean and I having some fun as we ate the food we liked and laughed and shared the experience.

This was sort of about life being too short.

Not everything has to make one rich or pay the bills. Don't get me wrong, I love doing that also.

There's also something to be said for spreading my name and my, gulp, brand.

You simply never know with this business.

Today's broadcast might have made someone happy. Perhaps the audience enjoyed it.

It made me happy. That also counts.

I know my worth. More importantly, I know my worth mentally.

Sometimes, things are priceless.

A Night to Do Good Things

 

(Designed by Jonathan Rios)

I'll keep it simple tonight.

"The Clubhouse" season-ending show is coming up on Dec 6.

It's our Christmas/Holiday Special show, with the spirit of giving being the star.

So we'd like listeners to come out and fill The Hub at Hotel MTK (One Pat Reilly Way, Mt Kisco, NY 10549) for the live broadcast and afterparty beginning at 6 p.m.

For those unfamiliar, Hotel MTK was the Mount Kisco Holiday Inn for many years. In fact, what is now The Hub was once known as Teddy's, which was well-known in the happy hour world for many gatherings.

The hotel is now in the process of joining the Hilton family and the restaurant/bar -- The Hub -- has hosted "The Clubhouse" on-site for a couple of years.

The Hub will have drink specials along with a full menu for a fun night.

Mark Jeffers, Dave Torromeo, Bob Small, and I will host the show, originally envisioned as a "Doubleheader" and "Clubhouse" combo.

But, let me not kid you. It's a two-hour edition of "The Clubhouse."

What's in a name?

The bottom line is that it will be a show full of guests both in-person or via phone as well as any special hellos that we can work in. I don't want to give away any of the special guests who will be in the house. The producers are busy little elves pulling everything together.

It will be a night of interviews, laughs, and conversation.

There might be a TV theme song singalong. Just warning you. Also, Mark will likely don his famous Syracuse University sweater.

For the record, I do not have an ugly sweater, unless a hockey sweater counts. Then again, "ugly" is in the eye of the beholder.

We ask that you bring a donation for the Community Center of Northern Westchester's Food Pantry. This is something that we all support on the show, especially Mark who has a wonderful benevolence about him through his work for various charities, including the Hudson Valley Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, the Community Center of Northern Westchester, and others.

Specifically, we're asking for dried and canned beans, peanut butter, hot and cold cereal, tuna and canned meat, cans of soup, beef stew and chili, pasta, rice and spaghetti sauce, canned fruits, diapers (size 5 and 6), and baby wipes.

Additionally, you can donate money via this link.

It's a small thing that can be so good for everyone.

You donate an item, grab a beverage (take care of Mike behind the bar -- big New York Rangers fan), order some food, and settle in to listen to us on the radio.

Come on out. Let's fill the place.

It will be a night that will be great for all.

Alternatively, you can listen to the show on WGCH, Robcasting, and Facebook Live.

But, come on out and join us next Wednesday in Mount Kisco.