August 2006 - Posts
August 30, 2006
Tomorrow, I will buy my fifth pair of sunglasses in the month of August. Every single pair have been for me.
I'm not a connoisseur of shades by any means. Every pair I've bought has been a replacement for another pair. I am not exaggerating at all either.
The first pair was Ray Bans. I finally sat on them one too many times.
Pair two was a quick fix that I bought from Snyder Pharmacy, and 2 hours later, I dropped them, and then stepped on them accidentally trying to find them in the dark. The lenses were so badly scratched that I then had to buy my 3rd pair!
For those, I also went to Snyder, thankful the salesperson wasn't the same as the day before. I shot a story at the Fairgrounds. I had to be on camera, so I took off the sunglasses and set them on the news vehicle by the windshield wiper. Later that night, my photographer, coming back from a Minnesota Thunder game, called to ask me if those were my sunglasses that flew off the car somewhere in the neighborhood of West Saint Paul.
Finally, I decided to revert to the trunk of my car. There I found a junky pair of sunglasses from my golf bag. I lost those a week later I believe at the Subway in Golden Valley, but I'm not sure. I just don't have the energy to care anymore.
perkout
August 28, 2006
It's State Fair time. I have fully embraced it, and have a few random thoughts regarding it.
-Belinda Jensen taught me the ultimate short cut in getting to the Fairgrounds this year. It's awesome! But I don't want to publish it here. E mail me if you want it.
-The autograph sessions are great. The schedule is on KARE11.com. I've met people from Elysian, Glencoe and Shafer, Minnesota, even Osceola, Wisconsin and elsewhere. The Sharpie's been smokin' but the reward of meeting our viewers rules.
-Sweet Martha's Cookies are phenomenal, but still don't beat the Mom-Made cookies my weekend producer's mother cooks for us.
-The Circus Sideshow is back this year after a 17 year absence from the fair. We had a sword swallower on our Saturday show. She had a really deep voice. I don't know if the swords in the throat and the pitch of the voice have a correlation.
-Saw a kid who won a four foot stuffed gorilla. He carried it around all day. What a great effort.
-Sven Sungaard our weekend weather anchor is cracking me up with his faithful fans. Before the show the other day in the back by the trailer, he gave me the secret to his spiky hair. Like Belinda's shortcut, I ain't giving up any info.
perkout
August 24, 2006
Opening Day of the State Fair! For me, that meant a trip to the Education Building, where I took part in a Knowledge Bowl moderated by our Governor Tim Pawlenty.
When I was first invited to take part in this, I thought to myself, cool, I'm a pretty bright guy, I keep up on current events, pop culture and have good retention for trivial facts.
After I accepted the challenge, I received a confirmation e mail that specified that this was a Science/Technology/Engineering/Mathematics Knowledge Bowl. None of which are in my bank of expertise. I'm the other side of the brain.
So, it was a team of 5 High School Knowledge Bowl All-Stars against our panel of 5 media personalities. Governor Pawlenty did his best Regis and guided us through the questions, but I was truly lost. The more questions that came down the pipe, the more idiotic I felt.
Turbines, Photosynthesis, Enzymes, Square Roots, I never stood a chance. I just stared blankly at my buzzer as my team got waxed. Thank goodness we had a meteorologist on our team (Channel 5's Dave Dahl) or we would've been blanked altogether.
It was a humbling experience, but good to know our future's in excellent hands with these smart kids. I'm goin' back to the books.
perkout
August 22, 2006
Just popped 3 ibuprophen. I am so sore it's not even funny.
Shot a Fitness segment with Belinda yesterday for KARE-11 News Saturday, and it was so grueling.
The class taught by Chris Freytag at Lifetime Fitness in Chanhassen, was some crazy, circuit, pliometric, aerobic form of torture that lasted an hour and never let up.
I literally can hardly walk my hamstring hurts so bad.
So to answer the question I actually get quite often: Yes, I do get hurt shooting these stories sometimes. Following is a list of my top 5 Perk at Play injuries:
5- Skateboarding- Hairline Fracture Wrist. Dropped into a bowl. Never stood a chance.
4- Platform Diving- Sore Feet and the groin region. Jumped off the 10 meter Platform at the Aquatic Center, and landed flatfooted. Think of a bellyflop on your feet. Forgot to cover up the other region with my hands as I was instructed by the coach.
3- Bike Jump off Boat Ramp- Bruised Patella. For a Red Bull Flugtag story, I rode a bike off a jump on a boat ramp going into a lake. I landed in the water, but the concrete ramp extended under the water farther than I anticipated.
2- Figure Skating- Bone Chips in Elbow. Pretty simple really. Tried to break off a double axle and broke off something else.
1- Snowcross Racing- Dislocated Jaw. Tried to make it over a double jump. Got over one and went slamming into the ramp of the second. The top of the windshield slammed my jawbone which the helmet wasn't covering.
As a side note, I did break my arm last year on a trampoline, but it wasn't during work.
Perkout
August 20, 2006
I would phone home — if I had a phone!
Do you know how hard it is to survive without a cell phone? OK, maybe it's not the end-all be-all of crisis, but it is a hassle.
That's what happens though when you leave your phone on the top of your car, then drive off and forget about it. That is, until you see it sliding off the back window of your car, and then watching it bounce in the middle of Highway 394. Where the story gets dicey is when I decided I needed to try to retrieve the phone.
By the time I could safely u-turn, 5 minutes had passed. I eventually pulled over on the shoulder, and saw the phone in about 5 pieces, shattered.
But then I thought that in order to get it replaced, I would need the evidence. Otherwise, the phone folks might have thought I just lost my phone altogether.
Remember the video game, Frogger? Where the frog has to run across the road without getting hit by the cars? That's how I felt as I timed my sprints to the middle of the highway, scooping up Verizon remnants as I went.
In hindsight, it was ill advised and stupid, but a life with a broken cell phone is better than a life with no phone. Right? No, actually it's worse. Now I'm reminded daily when I see the phone in smithereens, how painful it is to not have a phone! Thank goodness for e mail!
perkout
August 17, 2006
Guilty Pleasure= Something I enjoy despite the fact I could get seriously made fun of for doing so.
TV- Survivor, Project Runway, Food 911 with Tyler Florence, and One Life to Live
Movies- Cabin Boy, Grease 2, Weird Science, Back to the Future
Music- New Kids on the Block, New Edition, Bobby Darin, Andy Gibb
Food- Swedish Fish, Fun Dip, Foie Gras
Miscellaneous- Hair Products, Ironing, Malls, Singing at the Top of My Lungs
perkout
August 14, 2006
Before I ever even set foot in KARE-11, I had an appointed nickname. It's the way this sports office works. Naturally, coming to Minnesota from Tupelo, Mississippi, via Memphis, Tennessee, I was nicknamed Elvis. It helped also that I have the same initials as the King of Rock n Roll also. Later, I earned the nickname Perk, which most folks call me, although many around the station here still call me Elvis.
Over time, everybody that works in this office eventually gets dubbed with a nickname. Sometimes, the nicknames are obvious. Calling Shaver "Shave" for example. Then there's more involved nicknames. Pat Sidoti is "Flave." Jesse Thompson is "Rabbit", Charles Gonzalez is "Googs" because of his unbelievably quick proficiency with the search engine, Google. Interns aren't immune. Currently, Tilly roams the sports office. I think her real name is Krista.
Throughout the years, "Big Wheel", "Dingbat", "Reno", "Casper", "Thess", "Spitfire", "Loafers", and of course "Bulldog" have graced us. I think the most bizarre nickname is that of our weekend sports producer Patrick O'Shaughnessy. We call him "Yen". O'Shaughnessy sounds like Ocean. He works at KARE-11. Ocean's 11 is a movie with a character named Yen in it, who jumps all around, like our producer "Yen." Weird, I know, but what are you gonna do?
elvis out
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August 12, 2006
It was remarkable really. The crowd of KARE-11 viewers just kept flowing through the doors, and it just didn't let up.
They got a first hand look at the studios. I'm frankly glad they didn't get a glimpse of my messy desk in the sports office. That could've been ugly.
I met folks from Cottage Grove, Western Wisconsin, Hutchinson, even Hibbing! They waited so patiently for a chance to see the new HD studio, meet us and chat with us.
It needs to be noted how sweet everyone was. Even the kid who said my hair was a mess. Some of them waited as long as two hours in line, yet they remained incredibly engaged and kind.
My Sharpie was getting down to the nub. The autographs and pictures reminded me of the State Fair. One woman even said, all we were missing was something on a stick. I obliged by grabbing a stick from a tree in the backyard weather set, and piercing it through the autographed glossy. She was appreciative, if not a bit weirded out.
Best part of the job though, this tangible one on one with the viewers.
Nothing beats it.
perkout |
August 9, 2006
Sometimes I feel like Clark Kent. I always am changing outfits to meet the chameleon demands of my job. One moment I'm speaking at a luncheon, the next I'm running off to the YWCA for a Springboard Diving episode of Perk at Play, then it's back to the station to anchor the shows.
There have been times, literally where I've brought 3 even 4 different sets of clothes to wear throughout the day. Not to mention hair products.
It's just weird to show up to a rodeo in Cole Haans, and equally weird to anchor the news in shorts. That's always been a running joke when people ask us about anchoring the news. "We only see your torso on up, you could be wearing anything underneath."
I suppose this is true, and there have been occasions where I've worn shorts while anchoring. Tennis shoes too. But I assure you, I don't like to.
First of all, I feel a lot more professional when I'm dressed appropriately in studio. It makes me more confident and polished. The other reason I do, is because every so often, they swing that camera around to the side of us on a wide shot, and you can get a glimpse of our legs/shoes.
That can be pretty embarrassing.
So when you see me crunched up to the desk on that wide shot, I'm probably trying to hide my shorts. That is, if Clark Kent forgot his change of clothes.
Maybe I should try some red tights and a Big "S" next time. Then again, maybe not.
perkout
August 6, 2006
My latest Perk Poll (http://www.kare11.com/sports/perkatplay/perkpoll.aspx) wrapped up tonight. The question was, "Who Seems Nicer?" The options were Kevin Garnett (Wolves), Brad Johnson (Vikings), Torii Hunter (Twins) and Brian Rolston (Wild).
In a very close vote, Hunter edged Johnson. It's interesting to me who comes across as nice on TV. To be honest, there really wasn't a wrong answer with this one. I selected all four of those guys, because when I was thinking of the four nicest pro athletes in town, those were the ones that jumped to the forefront.
There are some other extremely nice players too. Joe Mauer, Matt Birk, Mark Madsen, etc. It's so refreshing when high priced athletes remain genuine, treating those around them with respect and decency. There are many that don't.
As part of the media whose job it is to interview these players, I'll admit, at times we can be annoying and intrusive. But many of these athletes realize that we're just doing our job, and treat us nicely despite it. Others don't. If you want me to name names, it's not going to happen. But I will say, that there are a few athletes over the years that come across as nice people on TV, but in person, are and were dreadful to cover.
So kudos to the nice guys! Sometimes they do finish first.
perkout
August 5, 2006
I haven't been blown away by movies lately. The last truly great film I saw was Batman Begins.
I had heard from a couple trusted sources that it blew away all previous Caped Crusader flicks, and completely agree. Christian Bale brought a harsh hero to brilliant light and Director Chris Nolan turned a franchise farce into a fantasy feast.
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OK, so I read in USA Today the other day that Heath Ledger has signed on to play The Joker in Nolan's latest version of Batman. The fellow I was with immediately scoffed, and we got into a bit of a debate on Ledger's acting ability. I'm not necessarily a Ledger fan, but I do think he's a pretty good actor.
Anybody nominated for an Oscar for Lead Actor has to have chops of some sort. Along with Brokeback Mountain, I also thought he was solid in The Patriot with Mel Gibson.
Speaking of Gibson, don't get me started.
Tonight at work, I turned the channel from the Twins game since they're up 10-0, and I saw that Comedy Central is airing Ten Things I Hate About You, starring none other than Mr. Ledger. I suddenly feel I'm on shakier ground in my support of Heath.
But I sure do like Heath Bars if that counts for anything. Almond Roca also. Toffee in general rules. Now that's a debate I'll go to the mat over. Now, I'm going back to the Twins game.
perkout |
August 3, 2006
I Went in to work for a photo shoot today. A still photographer was there to snap shots of us for the pictures that will be handed out to the folks that come visit the KARE 11 set up at the Fair this year.
Can you believe it's almost time? I can smell the Sweet Martha's from here. There are plenty of exciting changes in store this year when it comes to the fair. The most notable will be our new site. We are moving kitty corner to where we were for years.
By the way, where I grew up in Los Angeles, we always said caddy corner. When I moved here though, I learned that the Midwestern way is kitty corner. Funny regional discrepancy. And is it kitty corner or is it kiddy corner? A big difference between a kitty and a kiddy. Forgive the digression. A pretty common theme with me.
Anyway, check us out this year at the Fairgrounds. Normally, I don't love crowds, but the fair is totally different. The people watching is top notch. And it's so much fun to greet and hang out with those folks that watch us, that we never get to see up close. They should make it to where I can see out of the TV screen and into your living
rooms. Now that would be even better than Hi-Def!
perkout