April 2007 - Posts
April 28, 2007
It's 8:44pm, and I just now am catching my breath.
Whoa. This day just hit me like a buzzsaw. The last couple hours especially, were something straight out of a sitcom.
Things started off calmly enough, but they just kept ramping up faster and faster to the point of ridiculousness.
First, I co-anchored the Saturday morning show, and that was swell. Then I bolted out the door to get to Waconia.
They are celebrating their sesquicentennial this year, and at City Square Park they held their big Cook-Off.
I served as one of the judges for the contest. This involved sampling about 8 hot dishes, a dozen jello dishes, and another dozen dessert bar recipes.
I ate so much, I literally had to loosen my belt. The folks were delightful, and it was a real beautiful slice of Minnesota. But then, it was time to really put my nose to the grindstone.
Off to Winter Park for the NFL Draft. The Vikings select Oklahoma star running back Adrian Peterson, this week's Sports Illustrated cover boy.
Later, I got a call from a friend of mine. For the sake of the story, we'll just call him "Woody". He tells me he is in Laguardia, and Adrian Peterson is on his flight! He tells me the flight gets into Minnesota at 9:02pm. I arrange to get a photographer to MSP International at that time for our 10pm news.
I did the 5pm and 6pm shows live from Winter Park, and then hurried back to the station, where a Cub Scout troop and their families were waiting for me to give them a tour of the station.
I showed them the ins and outs of this wonderful building, and then got another call from my buddy at about 7:20pm.
"Hey Perk, it's Woody! You know how I said we are getting in at 9:02? Well that was Eastern time. It's actually 8:02! Except it's not 8:02, we've already landed. We're on the tarmac now!
I raced to the airport with photojournalist Matt Passolt. I mean raced. As I whipped by Highway 77 on 62, a trooper with a radar gun somehow didn't come after me. We kept driving, all the while getting the cellphone play by play on Peterson's whereabouts by my friend Woody.
"He's going into the restroom now... he's at the Baggage Claim right now... Meet me at door #6!"
I did. Matt raced out of our vehicle, and began shooting video of Peterson. I too raced in after Woody's wife Kristina jumped in our car, so it wouldn't be just sitting there, unoccupied.
We got our interview, and literally seconds later, he was whisked away in a Suburban by Vikings officials.
Matt and I took one collective sigh, and thanked Woody profusely. Cell phones rule.
Glad I ate all that food at the Waconia Cook-Off because there was no time to eat the rest of this crazy day.
perkout
April 22, 2007
I was talking to an elder today, and he dropped the word "Billfold" on me when referring to his wallet. I began thinking to myself...how come I've never used the word "Billfold". That is so retro cool I can't even stand it.
There's something about words like those, that transports me back to the day my Grandparents were still around. They would constantly employ words like that. I always remember my Pa called his pants, "Trousers", and I thought it was so sophisticated sounding.
So, to pay tribute to the old school, here are some other oldies but goodies I think we should re-introduce to the American lexicon.
-BRITCHES- Much like trousers, my Pa used this one a lot too.
-KEEN- When's the last time we said that?
-DANDY- Can be used in the same spirit as keen.
-SAM HILL - As in, What in the Sam Hill! Who is Sam Hill, and why is his name derogatory?
-SHUCKS- A great one to say real loud.
-JIMINY CRICKETS!- Another virtual expletive.
-GALOSHES- I don't own any, but I might buy some, just so I can say it.
-GRAND- As in, aint life...
OK, perkout.... or to keep the theme going.... "Toodle-oo!"
April 17, 2007
Sorry about the lag in blogs. I was on vacation though.
Went to my folks house in Sarasota. I'll be back up to speed again soon, now that I'm back in the other Sota.
perkout
April 7, 2007
There's something about life bursting through the frozen earth of this place that is really awesome. Ice thaws, flowers bloom, birds sing, and I don't have to use my seat warmers every time I sit in my car.
Spring's all right. The start of baseball season is a welcome joy. Watching Alex Rodriguez hit walk-off grand slams. I love the crack of the bat.
There is one part of spring I could totally do without though. Spring Break!
Oh sure, students, teachers and faculty need their much deserved time off, but my goodness it gets crowded at some spots. Especially when the wind chills are in the single digits and everybody flocks to the few indoor refuges the Twin Cities have to offer.
I went to the Park at the Mall of America earlier this week, and then the Children's Museum (one of my favorites)yesterday. I talked with my Saturday morning co-hort Belinda who went to the Zoo this week too. In each instance, there were so many people, it felt like human bumper cars.
Don't get me wrong, I'd much rather spend spring break on the Merry Go Round with a bunch of kids than on a beach at South Padre Island doing jello shots. But come on already, lets get some warm weather so we can flock to our 10,000 Lakes instead, and then I can have my elbow room back at the Museum.
perkout
April 1, 2007
Every year, I get sucked into an NCAA Tournament Pool. Actually, for me, it's one step worse. I am the one who steps up and organizes the thing.
Let it be known, that as a general rule, sportscasters are notoriously bad at pools like this.
In most instances, we tend to overthink the tourney matchups, and pay the price for trying to be too clever.
Every once in a while, you hit one like Virginia Commonwealth beating Duke, but in most cases, you get burned by picking Memphis to get to the finals.
This year, at last check, I'm in 20th place out of 30 or so entries. Fine. Whatever. I'll take my medicine.
I must say though, what truly burns me, is the way I get beaten.
Currently, much of the top 5 in the standings are gals that in no way work in sports, which is great! Kudos to them all for kicking our butts! But upon picking their brains further, I developed some resentment.
"So, what made you pick Georgetown in the Final Four?" "I love that nickname, Hoyas. How cool is that?"
And then another person... I inquired about their nearly impeccable bracket. "Why Florida?" "Well, I heard they were pretty good." "Yeah, they are. The Gators won it all last year, ya know." "No I didn't know that...is Florida the Gators?"
OK, I am bitter. Years of toiling at this, contemplating venue sites, and records against top 25 teams, etc, has gotten me nowhere.
From here on out, if I like the fact U.C.L.A. has baby blue and gold jerseys, I'm going with it. In the meantime, bring on baseball!
perkout