Missing You; Part Three

The final part of my photographic trip down memory lane is with the people I spent my most enjoyable times with (weekends), the - eh - weekend crew.

Paris Ervin, the majorly hot reporter I teased you with yesterday, sometimes worked as a reporter, some times as a producer.

I had so much fun working with Paris. She and I had the same taste in music, so anytime we'd have to go far, far away we could jam some Ying-Yang Twins or some other music far louder than my Jeep should have been playing and cruise to whatever it was.

She always pissed me off because I'd go pick up lunch and she try and pay and I wouldn't let her. Then I'd get mad, and forget why I was mad and then go buy a Pepsi.

She and I would have a couple of go a rounds at times. I didn't like it when people got on my ass about editing and stuff like that, and I let them know. Paris, not one to take my shit, would give it right back and whip the hell out of me. It was a lot of fun!

Asides from being hot, there are tons of reasons I miss Paris. But I am happy because she's the only one who's come to visit me out here, showing me that I am, indeed, her one true love! Yay!

I'm going to die next week. Why? Because Anita Roman is going to see this picture and kill me.

Anita was our main anchor on the weekends and the one I spent most of my weekend time shooting with (when I wasn't chasing spot news or on VOSOT patrol).

She was tons of fun. I enjoyed working with her a lot. We have a good old time. I think what I liked best about her was that she never assumed I wouldn't get the video she wanted. She didn't look over my shoulder. For some reason, as a photographer, we don't like reporters saying 'shoot this!' and 'shoot that!'.

Regardless, we were both big fans of Walgreen’s, so I knew that if I needed smokes or caffeine, we could stop there and she'd be thrilled. We got along really well, which always helps, especially on the occasionally long drive.

Of course when we take two live trucks to some wacky state park that's on lockdown, just because I was afraid the older one was going to explode (and the generator on the new one didn't work), it was great having this tiny little thing handling that oversized van like a pro! I miss ya, 'Neeters!

Kirk Parker, another person who is going to kill me when he sees the picture I took, was our weekend sports guy.

Kirk, a dirty rotten Cubs fan, was a cool guy. He was like the weekend version of Steve - well, I guess he was the weekend version of Steve - but he farted more.

Kirk was one of those people who made work fun. He'd chat ya up about football, baseball, whatever. Plus when ever he could, he sent me off to shoot the Jr. Blues hockey games!

Kirk used to be a 100% GA reporter before he took over weekend sports. One of the stories that got to me the most, the story that kicked me in the head and told me 'This is not a game, these are real people' was one I did with him. While I will not tell you about that, since I think it's best kept to myself for now, I saw an amazing side of Kirk during that. He made the story personal and I really think that he helped the family of drowning victim through their ordeal because of the way he acted.

Kirk's a complicated guy, and that's one of the reasons I miss him!

Our super director, Scott Larson was my favorite smoking buddy in the whole world!

It was funny. He would walk into the room and I would appear out of no where and we'd head outside and dodge bird poopie while we killed ourselves slowly!

Scoot was cool too because he helped me learn how to time a show. I doubt I could do it anymore since the shows here are more complicated, but it was nice to learn.

He and I would chat about movies and music and occasionally I'd get a chance to go downtown and watch him and Justin (one of our floor people) jam in their band. It wasn't really my kind of music, but they did do one hell of a rendition of Snoop Dogg's Gin and Juice.

I miss Scott! No one will come and smoke with me here! Damn health nuts.

Last, but not least is Chad Mahoney.

Chad was king of the weekends. He was the producer of all our shows and anchor with Anita.

Chad demanded perfection. That's probably why he left. You weren't going to get perfection from us. But it was still fun trying. I have never met anyone who can combine serious, hard-core newsman and hilarious, fun tall dude so perfectly.

One of the things I liked about Chad the best was the fact that he put a lot of faith into me to handle what he assigned me. He would leave after the 6 for dinner with a basket full of things that needed to be edited and potentially a list of assignments that needed to be shot.

He didn't worry about it because (I assume) he had faith that I could get it done. That's important to me. That people feel like they can rely on me, and Chad did.

Chad was also a good person. I never got to know him outside of work, and that was probably on purpose. He really tried to keep work and play separate and I don't blame him. He told us about his kids, and I got to see pictures of his cool model trains, but I think if I'd have shown up at his house I would have been met with the business end of a shotgun.

Chad now works for FOX in Tulsa. I'm going to try and go there because I idolize him so much!!! Well, not really but I do miss him!

So.

You weren't included in this list? Does that mean I don't miss you? Of course not! t just means I don't have a picture! Send me a picture and I will put you on here. Be advised though, being mentioned by me could lower your credit rating. :)

XOXOXOXO!

Missing You; Part Two

Okay, as I was saying before I got distracted by a fluffy kitty cat, I was going to tell you nice folks about my happy little dysfunctional family that I left behind in the humid wastelands known as Central Illinois.

My first piece of meat that I am going to parade out is our ever so neat-o anchor Jerry Lambert.

Jerry is the one on the right, obviously. The super-hottie on the left is coming in part three.

Jerry was a lot of fun to work with. He used to be in the army and he had all sorts of stories he didn't mind telling. Even if you didn't want to hear them! But I loved to hear them. He was an avid motorcyclist, and I often wished I had a bike so I could tag along with him and one of the sales guys he went riding with. They always seemed to have a blast riding through the countryside.

The funniest thing I remember about Jerry was one I first met him. I had only seen him on the news, so I was expecting some stuffy, robot of a news-reader. However after the first time we went on a shoot together, we started conversating. I tell ya I think I almost wet myself I was laughing so hard. He was a trip. And that's why I miss Mr. Jerry Lambert.

Elizabeth Wooley, another person whose on-air professionalism totally had me unprepared for what a fun and out-going person she really was.

Eliza was one of my favorite people because she always laughed at my stupid antics and jokes. I think she only ever got mad at me once and that was when she was walking around without her shoes on and I commented on how short she was. I learned that day how much of a difference heels make. Especially when you're being kicked in the head.

Just kidding. She didn't kick me.

Eliza always helped out in getting the 10:00 show done. She sometimes handled the nutso callers who called because they wanted us to do a story on chicken livers and how the government wants them to be used to replace human livers. Eliza was just an all around great worker and friend, and that's why I miss her.

Natalie Bomke was one of my favorite reporters and not just because she was so kawii and the daughter of a state senator (Yeah, I lust for power, big deal).

I had so much fun when I went out and shot with Nat. I think you might be able to tell from that picture that she loved me too! Well, she didn't like me taking pictures of her....

She was a lot of fun, and not to take anything away from the others, but it was nice to work with a reporter a little closer to my age. I know next time I am in town I'm going to get smacked by like three people. She was a lot of fun to work with and I got to know a lot about her. She's now working at the Danville bureau of the sister station, WICD. Probably doing a kick ass job there too! She was a talented reporter and a super person and that's why I miss Natalie Bomke.

Steve Bridge, the sports director of WICS complains as much, if not more than myself.

Steve and I would get into all sorts of arguments since he was a liberal and I am a right leaning libertarian. But the nice thing was that we would argue current events, get hungry and go to La Bamba, and return and argue about the Cubs. ((As he was a Cubs fan - unsure if that is worse than being a liberal or not. I'm kidding!!!! Of course being a Cubs fan is worse! And I am a Cardinals fan.))

Steve was the king of one liners and off the cuff remarks. You'd be having a conversation 3 cubicles away, then Steve would pop his head up - similar to a wack-a-mole - and comment.

Steve would always send me to the farthest away games, which I loved, because he had faith that I could get out there, get the game shot, and get back in time for the show. I think the only thing he despised about me was the fact that I wouldn't edit anything, since I was afraid that he would get pissed at my crappy job and never let me shoot football or basketball, or my favorite, girls volleyball, again.

Steve Bridge, I almost miss you the most. If you had boobs, it probably would be the most. Damn you and your lack of boobies.

Join us tomorrow as I go through the weekend crew... The ones I spent the most of my time with and the ones I had the most fun, and did the hardest work with.

Missing You; Part One

You ever realize that no matter what you do, where you move to in life, or how much better your life has become, you feel compelled to look at the past and say, 'Shit, I miss that'?

My move from Springfield to Las Vegas was huge for my career. Not only was it a great move for me if I decide to stay a photojournalist, but it was also a good move for my future television production career. 5 hours from L.A., lots of production here.

So why am I pining for the past? Because I'm a schmuck? Probably. But there has to be more too it than that.

My last station, WICS in Springfield was a odd station with an odd bunch of characters. They are really some of the best people I have ever worked with. I bring this up because I really don't feel like I am developing that kind of relationship with the people at KLAS. It's not because there is something wrong with them, it's just that I really don't see anyone. I don't work with a reporter, we seem to be going through producers like underpants, and - asides from Coop - I really haven't gotten to 'know' anyone there.

I also don't feel as 'necessary' here. I know that probably sounds stupid, but I think it's true. Monday - Wednesday, there are three of us on overnights. If I wasn't there, then who cares. They still have Brandon and at 3:30 Jorge. On the weekends I feel more like a freelancer than I do a staff photog. I go shoot news, drop of the tapes, and collect a check. Then of course they hardly air (or stick it somewhere behind the 12 Katrina/Rita stories) anything I shoot, but whatever as long as the checks keep coming!

Though Colleen May, our weekend anchor, always gives me props which I love. She did last night and I just want to hop atop her and smooch her for it (since while my ego isn't everything I do like to hear that I've done something right once in a while), but I've learned to restrain myself since the unfortunate incident with the tiger and the state trooper.

The thing at WICS was that I DID feel necessary. If I called in during the week they would have problems getting everything shot. If I called in on the weekend, well they were just screwed. I'm not trying to think to much of myself here, but when I took a weekend off I ALWAYS got yelled at when I returned and told to never do it again! Nothing makes a guy feel more needed than total chaos occurring because of his absence! Plus my lack of a social life made me some what of a news hero. While at home at night (I have always been a night owl, get home from work be up till 5AM most nights) I'd have my scanner on and if news broke, I'd go shoot it.

Nothing makes a news director glow more than having fresh, flashing light video of an overnight murder or serious accident. Plus I went, did maybe an hour of work, and got paid for four hours. I almost felt like I was scamming them! Of course Sinclair's crappy pay equaled it out so they were still scamming me...

I've drifted off topic, and this post has gone for too long. So in part two I will start to tell y'all, and show pictures of the people that I miss the most from there, and why. I miss everyone - even the other photogs (Chris, Steve, T-Bone, Christian, Curt, Matty and Adam; props my homies!), producers (Amy, Sandy and Shandel) and our lovable assignment editor Derek. But like all families, there are just others who make a bigger impact - or at least hit me harder.

Proud Daddy #2

It's not a baby per say, but I am still proud.

My homie and co-worker Coop is launching a freelance voice over business and he chose ME to develop his website!

I was going for simple, yet funky... Quiet, yet noisey... Not much text, yet still effective.

I think I pulled it off. Your opinions are always welcome!

Vegas VoiceOvers.Com

And yes, I did do all the Flash myself!

Proud Daddy #1

Props to my man, Jeff Kaufmann of FOX in Springfield. Well, actually props to his wife Jamie. Jeff really didn't do anything. I guess he did nine months ago... Anyway, props and congrats to both of them on the birth of their beautiful baby boy, Miles.



I don't know what day he was born, or how much he weighed because everyone in Illinois has seemed to forget that I exist, but I'll deal. :)

Again Jeff & Jamie, congrats.

Please Make A Note Of It...

Hi.

I have moved my blog. After this post my blog at ewinking.blogspot.com WILL NOT update. I am not stopping my blogging, just moving it to my server. My blog is being moved to the following address:

http://otakuphotog.douglasavenue.com

Please adjust your links, as well as your bookmarks if for some reason you have me bookmarked!

I have made this adjustment because for one I want to do more personal branding of myself and 'douglasavenue.com' is kind of my marketing identity. I know you're asking why I need a marketing identity for myself. It's mostly about the show I am working on (details coming in a few months!) and things like that. I enjoy my job but if I am still doing it in a year I'm going to 420 myself.

The second reason is that I wanted to kind of put what my blog is about in the address. Otaku is a term that roughly means 'anime geek' in Japanese. It used to be derogatory, much like nerd and geek are in English, however like geek has been for computer wizards, it's been turned into a badge of honor by hard core anime fans! And of course I would hope you all know what photog means.

So my blog is going to be about anime and photoging. Occasionally I might go nuts and flame on about something political, but I'll try not to. That's what Medialine is for!

Ja ni! (See ya!)

My Hero's Blog

I don't have many heroes. But the ones I do have truly inspire me.

This link is to my friend Keith Troutman's blog. Keith lives in Houston and is quadriplegic. Yet he has continued to live his live, run a business and even chat on the internet.

Consider I would have probably given up a LONG time ago after losing the use of my arms and legs, I cannot begin to explain the amount of respect I have for this man and the strength he has.

Anyway, check out his blog From the End of a Mouthstick. Right now he's about to be on the receiving end of Miss Rita. Should be good stories!

Flash!

No, don't fear I am not going to show you my willy. What I am going to do though is ask, if you'd like, to check out my new flash intro page on the main site, www.douglasavenue.com.

It's longer and a bit bigger than the old one, and it needs some tweaking as I seemed to get three different results depending on if I used the stand alone Flash player to preview it or the browser integrated one. I had no idea there was a difference. Apparently there is.

Just check it out if you're interested. :)

Returning Soon...

Actually work related blogging!

Yeah I know that I've said that before, but this time I mean it!

Seriously I am going to discuss why I like the weekend shift, why at work I feel so damned ugly, and my favorite thing my trip to Valley of Fire State Park here in Nevada.

It was one of the most beautiful wild goose chases I have ever been on. I was sent there to try and locate a vehicle, but I never found it. Of course I might have driven by it 10 times but never saw it because I was too busy paying attention to the scenery!

Anyway, come back soon! I promise I will have more! I even updated the mug shot in my profile! See!

Woot!

BTW, Cardinals rock. Everyone else sucks. You too Red Sox! :)

Now I Understand...

Have you ever found an old picture and looked at it and said to yourself; "Shit! No wonder I couldn't ever get a girlfriend when I was in high school!"

I found that picture and for some reason I am going to show everyone. Click to enlarge it and make fun of me even more.

BTW, I'm not Barney.



The beard I now have makes me appear a little less, well, stupid. Coop saw a couple of old pictures, incuding the one on the flash animation on my main website and said that he didn't even reconize me. For that I say 'Thank god!'

For the record I am somewhere between 17 and 19 in that picture.

9/11 - Four Years Later

While the names are too many to remember every single one of them, every 11th of September you should take a moment to at least look here and learn something about a few of those people whose lives were stolen from them by the enemy of America; by the enemy of who we are, and of what we are.

Despite this, we are still here. We are still Americans and we will stand, despite the current political climate, united together against anyone who dares harm us again.

We will not bow down to those who wish to take away from us what we have built over the past 228 years. We will not allow them to take away what millions of brave men and women have died protecting. We will not succumb to cowardly tactics and attacks on innocent people.

We are the United States of America. We are one nation who refuses to surrender our principals, our morals and our existence.

You may have shocked us, but you do not scare us. Unlike you, we will not flee to caves to hide from your wrath. We will stand up and proudly state: "You may prick us, and we will bleed, but where one of us falls, another will stand and take his place because we are Americans and we do not, and will not surrender our way of life to those who hate us because we are who we are."

Please take a moment to remember those 2,948 people who died on this dark day. Continue to remember them every single day of the year. If you forget them, then you forget yourself.

A few of the people I decided to get to know...

Daniel Thomas Afflitto; 32 from Manalapan, NJ. Equities trader at the WTC. Has a very cute baby.
Robert Penniger; 63 from Poway, CA. An electrical engineer. He drove a green car. He was killed on Flight 77.
Kathy Bantis; 44 from Chicago, IL. She worked at Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc. She was very close to her cousin, Charlene in high school. She was killed at the WTC.
Capt. William F. Burke; 46 from NYC. He was a firefighter. He died trying to save people at the WTC. While everyone else was trying to flee, he was one of those who went in.
Cora Hidalgo Holland; 52 from Sudbury, MA. She worked at the Sudbury Food Pantry, helping those less fortunate than herself. She was killed on Flight 11.
Cortz Ghee; 54 from Reisterstown, MD. He was a civilian working for the US Army. He was killed at the Pentagon.
Toshiya Kuge; 20 from Nishimidoriguoska, Japan. He wasn't from here. He was a college student visiting America. He was killed on Flight 93.

There are so many more; and it is a shame that we cannot get to know every single one of them. Not just their names, but who they were. We do know that they were mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, grandparents, and cousins of someone else. Someone who had them taken from them in an act of selfish cowardice.

Please, again. Take a moment out of your day to visit the September 11th Victims Website. And get to know at least one of those who died.

Funktacular Music

Just a recommendation if anyone is interested, but I was browsing around MusicMatch and I found a great CD with some great music, IMHO.



Munk; and their 2001 debut album 'Anime Sweetheart' (no worries, no actual anime music on it, as far as I have heard!) has some awesome tracks if you are into funk and industrial hip-hop. I think if you like Linkin Park or The Gorillaz you will really like this group.

If you have an iPod or MusicMatch, you can check out some of their tracks!

I'm Back.

Hi.

Nothing else to add. More blogging coming at my standard turtle-in-a-wheelchair pace.

Peace.

In Hiding...

I'm really not, but I am... Sort of...

I currently have misplaced my internet access at home so until Thursday, I won't have it. So I won't be blogging until then, which seems like a shame considering I have so MUCH to say about Katrina and by then it will be old news.

(Regardless of the devistation, this country's lack of an attention span will move Katrina out of the spot light shortly. It's sad, but true. Remember the name of that little girl who was abducted in Idaho? Neither does anyone else.)

My main complaints are:

1) Looters. Hey, dumbfuck. What are you going to do with that computer? There's NO GOD DAMNED POWER!!!

I feel terrible for the people still there and if I was a NOLA cop and saw someone looting food, water and other essentials I'd turn the other way. But computers and televisions?! Please.

2) Federal Response. Everyone is going nuts about the lack of Federal response and National Guard troops. Hey, guess what? The National Guard is under the control of the STATE, not the feds, unless they are activated by the feds. Monday, before the storm was even past Mississippi the good governor of LA should have had those troops activated and getting ready to roll.

Your complaints about GWB are valid in most cases, but not in this one. In fact it is our endless reliance on the Federal government that causes a lot of grief. We're constantly being cuddled in this psydo-nanny state where no matter what happens that is bad, the feds will come riding in on their white horses with their shiny armor and save us.

Then when it doesn't happen like people wanted, they get all pissed off. Including the swear word using (not that swear words are bad things!) mayor of NOLA.

You know what I have to say about him? He's a jackass.

Listen, they had AT LEAST 2 days warning that this thing would probably nail NOLA. All weekend long the mets on tv went on about the massive destruction that this storm would cause. So what does he do? He waits till the eleventh hour to order an evacuation, but doesn't do ANYTHING to get the poor and crippled out of NOLA. NOTHING! He expects them to hobble on down to the Superdome to wallow in their own filth till President Bush comes riding into town and rescues them.

People are calling this guy a hero and praising him for what he's said. Personally I think he should be thrown in jail with the looting rif-raf for condemming thousands to death.

Anyway, I guess I did get to rant a little bit. Some people in the Spring Valley branch of the Clark County Library are looking at me as I have been silently cursing as I type, but that cool.

I hope everyone (looters aside) that is still stuck in what's left of NOLA gets out safely. My thoughts are with you. You can't read this, but still, good luck.