Last One Out Turn Out The Lights

Closing Ceremony day.... The animal house of Control C.

Also, Max's alternate group

Read The Signs

Last night I was ushered into the inner circle of the NBC Olympic unit. Totally out of my league. I'd better not reveal who was there or what was discussed, except to say that at one point the conversation turned to the subject of the Bel Air Country Club . I had little to contribute. It was cool, though. Dan Ingram's goat joke scored.
I remarked to my boss, Mark, "This is like going drinking with the Vice-Principal!"

Also a shot of some set furniture outside the door. This is how I get home. Rumor has it this will also be the VO booth at the London Games.

Adventures of the Spawn Part 1

Hello from the sad children who wish they had not left Vancouver.

I don't even know how to describe the gloriousness that was our trip! We ate many veggie dogs, became ice dancing fanatics, re-fell in love with skating god Apolo, got screamed at by drunk Canadians on the street, outsmarted the Olympic ticketing system, and had some ridiculous celebrity encounters.

Our first day we did nothing but freak out over trying to get tickets for short track so we could see his holiness AAO in person. After many failed attempts, we managed to find a guy who had them and in a scene that looked like a drug deal, rode the skytrain way out toward the end of the line to purchase them. Then we decided to see what we could do about ice dancing tickets at the venue. Feeling like superstars after our extensive haggling experience in India, Guatemala and Tanzania, we managed to score $420 tickets for $100 each. We saved $640!! And sat third row, where we got to look at all the glitter very very close up.

Mary proudly displays our tickets!

This was for the compulsory dance, which it took us waaay too long to figure our was just them all doing the same basic tango over and over. We still had a great time though. Little did we know we would see vastly more awesome dances in a couple days.

I don't remember which pair this was but they had such a sassy pose!

We loved these Frenchies! The guy in particular was so funny.

The often-overlooked flower and teddy bear gathering little BOYS! So cute!

I think my favorite thing about Vancouver was that they had veggie dogs and what I always tend to refer to as "Mexi-Coke" (aka real sugar!) everywhere! Funny snack while watching ice dancers.

I think Muk Muk loves ice dancing! I love that nobody even noticed we were photographing this.

Belbin and Agosto, the most famous American ice dancers! And sadly the only people we recognized the first night.

Giddy after leaving ice dancing, we took a very frustrating and indirect route back to the hotel and soon became cranky. We were about to go out to dinner when we realized we had no money because I took my daily debit limit out of the ATM buying the Apolo tickets. Oops. So we ate in the hotel, which ended up being fab! We ordered the Olympic themed drinks because we are suckers. Mary actually ordered hers by saying "...and I will be performing the triple axel!"

It was pretty funny when the bill came!

Then we realized we could see the Olympic flame reflected in an office building next to our hotel. Can you spot it?

We went to bed almost too giddy to sleep. Maybe it was a sign of the VERY EXCITING EVENT that was coming the next morning. (Which has already been documented on here, but we have MANY more pictures!)

ZZZZ

Here's the stack of some of the scripts I've read. There's another multi-inch stack from promos. The image on the monitor was just coincidence.
I was wondering why I'm so tired at the end of the day. Now I understand why. That statement I made yesterday about not wanting this to end...I was clearly delirious.
Another sign I've been here too long...Al Michaels appeared in one of my dreams. I told Matt Allen about it. He said: "Was he naked riding a horse?" I said: "Did you have that dream too?"
We're all seriously burned. Running on fumes. Tapped.
I've been invited to have a drink with the big guys. I'll have a drink, but if they want me to talk, they'll have to pay me.
Time to join the NBC Algonquin Round Table now.

You can lead an announcer to a microphone, but you can't make him sync.

That was for you tech guys who are fans of Dorothy Parker.

Maybe We'll Hit The Finish Line

Yeah, it's Groundhog Day...again. Last minute 4th revision of thrice previously read, cut, edited and mixed 1:10 Continuing Coverage promo. Stuff happens out there that keeps the prime time show changing on the fly. Anytime during the big nighttime show I see Dick Ebersol coming to our end of the hall, I think: "Oh, shit!" Actually whenever I see him I think that. I believe having really important people know who you are is not advisable.
It's the bittersweet period in one's assignment here when you can't wait for it to end, but in a way don't want it to. Patty Hearst time. The smell of fear has given way to cautious optimism. Hey, we haven't screwed up big time for 14 days of The Games ...only 4 broadcast days left. And we were the top 9 shows of the week in the ratings, so maybe GE will only lose 100 million or so on this. I pray so.
Yours in L. Ron Hubbard,
Me

My New Best Email Friends

Another in a series..people who make me look wicked shrimpy.

Today...my brilliant co-worker Paul Pawlowski, also known around NBC Olympics as "Big Paul" for some reason. He's tall enought to wipe the smirk off the face of prior contestant Cris Collinsworth. This is not a trick photo.

OMG!!!
I got a special email directed to talent today...one which requested discretion on our part. As you know, discretion is my middle name so I cannot reveal it's contents. However, atop the message were the email addresses of ALL NBC talent. Including PICABO STREET...who will be receiving a special message from yours truly real soon. I plan on opening with an offer to record the outgoing message for her phone. No woman could resist an offer like that. Stay tuned, there are certain to be updates on this story.
I gave my dear daughters the homework assignment of each writing an essay: "How I spent my Winter Olympics." They will be graded on originality and promptness.
Expect something from my devoted spawn real soon.

Sign I'll Never See Again

It was a crazy long weekend day with 2 shows. Sitting outside the studio is a stuffed moose...life size, obviously. Stephen Colbert sat on it wearing a Mountie uniform and sang all of "O, Canada" he could remember to repent for referring to Canadians as "Syrup suckers" and "iceholes".
Beneath it is a sign which says: "don't sit on the moose."

Special Guest Bloggers!

Hello from your special guest bloggers! We're going to eat lunch and then try to weasel our way into ice dancing tickets, but wanted to post photographic evidence of yesterday's dreamy figure skater encounter!
(Note from editor...Olympic Gold Medal winner Evan Lysacek...photo taken by fellow Gold Medalist Scott Hamilton!)
The girls attended their 3rd Olympic event today, thus seriously neglecting their blogging responsibilities. Tonight they'll get the message from Dad..."You're grounded!"
Tomorrow, They visit the International Broadcast Center and NBC Olympic HQ.

Kinderlympics

What's cooler than working at the Olympics?
Having a dad who works at the Olympics. Amy and Mary got great seats at Ice Dancing yesterday, and will attend Short Track Speed Skating finals tonight with Kathryn. Win for them, Apolo.
Evan Lysacek was having breakfast near us today. Not only did the girls get their picture taken with him, Scott Hamilton took the picture!
I'll post Amy's pictures tonight after our marathon Saturday. On air in NY noon-midnight.
Tomorrow, we finish at 8pm local time. Let's party!

Day 11 of Infinity

Here's one of those "Now I can prove I was at the Olympics" Photos.
Also by popular demand, an obligatory control room "look at all those TV's" shot.
Amy and Mary will arrive tonight and Kathryn tomorrow. Looking forward to spending 10 quality minutes a day with my beloved children between work and passing out from exhaustion.
A favor has been granted from on high. Following extensive security screening they shall have the rare privilege of being admitted behind the walls of the IBC into the sacred confines of NBC's Vatican City. Who knows? Perhaps even an audience with Pope Bob of Costas I. He has already granted me absolution. Hanging with Shaun White? You gotta really have serious clout to pull that off.

Got a Light?

Our cell block has direct access to the Olympic cauldron. The public has to view it through a chain link fence. But in a stunning security lapse they've neglected to protect the flame from an obvious potential threat. Overworked, sleep deprived, frquently hung over, psychotic media people.
We can literally walk right up to it. See behind me to the left? that's right, a fire extinguisher.
It justs give you ideas...Olympic flame+direct access+fire extinguisher= opportunity for the prank of a LIFETIME.
I'm just. sayin'.
It was another 12 hour plus day. It is stunning to see the skills of the people I work around. Editors who pull shots off screens like seagulls feeding and build stories. The mixers who make the sound better through sweetening and mixing. And the most amazing to me are the tech guys. They know how all the complex and essential equipment here works and interfaces. They also know how to fix it. Now. The other day a worst case scenario erupted in tha audio room where I work . These guys were like an ER triage team. Despite having to get all the audio files off a busted hard drive and transferred to a new one, installing a new OS, and replacing an audio console, it was all fixed in about a half hour.
There are some jobs you can't bullshit you way through.
Which brings me to my job.
I'm getting tired of hearing my voice. I'm even getting tired of hearing those other voices in my head.
SOON, NEW VIDEOS!

When We Return.....From Vancouver.

Splash Down

I am in posession of a genuuuwine Cuban cigar. Legal in Canada, Fox News viewers. We will stand on the steps of the IBC after the closing ceremony and light them up, just like the real men in Mission Control who smoked stogies upon the safe return of astronauts. All of whom looked like Ron Howard's brother in Apollo 13 .Come to think of it, they look a lot like us. We're fabulous TV nerds, but we're the closest you get with today's NASA budget. ooops! I've gotta go! The cryo tank stir just caused a problem!
The last time I smoked a cigar, I almost puked.
Well, maybe just for the picture.
Spent this evening at an Aussie pub.. Drank Cooper's beer.. very good. heard joke about koala and lizard smoking dope... only ok. They have "Skippy" on the menu, but lucky for me the kitchen was already closed. Aussies love beer, and have a good time until you tell them they can't have any more.
Today was calmer in the TV factory. It's interesting to work where you don't know what day it is because it doesn't matter. That's what makes the experience interesting. It's not a typical month of your life.

Breakfast of Champions

Well, the Games are underway, some people are working 16 hours a day and the workload has gotten so bad, I'm seeing people pushed to the breaking point. There's often a mad dash to get pieces edited, mixed and onto the prime time show to make air. The great Izzy De Herrera said it best. He said the only thing it compares to is working in a restaurant kitchen. Yeah, a restaurant that never closes. He's done both, in addition to coddling on-air talent, and a brief stint in Washington working for the pro-termite lobby.
It's almost that "WHY did I do this again"??! time.
Which is why the Commissary has bowls of Oreos, trays of cheesecake, brownies, cakes, fresh cookies and candy heapted atop a groaning sideboard. Mangement's smart. Keep 'em on a sugar high. And keep a tank truck of Starbucks around.
I just want to eat all the time. And I do.
Long slog today
Tomorrow's Sunday...right? The day of rest. Ha ha. Ha ha ha.

Sobering Day

The title of my last post seems strangely ironic.
Yesterday I saw a young man's life end in an instant.
The head of the IOC talked about a young man who worked hard, dreamed of competing in the Ollympics, trained hard and lost his life in a tragic accident. As he said: "There are no words."

Eve of Destruction

Day before opening ceremony...
It's getting grueling. A really long day highlighted by the arrival of Dick Ebersol and David Neal in the audio room. They handed me a script and said, "We need the voice of God on this one." I explained my Catholic upbringing which would make that impossible. David Neal said, "That's how you're referred to in the control room..."The voice of God."
I was feeling a little taller 'till I ran into Cris Collingsworth. As you can see, he's at least a foot closer to God than me. Hope I can get Costas to stand back to back with me. I'm taller than Al Michaels too. Look how smug Collinsworth looks.
Jerk.
Time for reconnoitering with the Band of Brothers for unspeakable BC fun before we storm the hills of America chanting "Brought to you by..."

Goodbye Forever Again,
Groucho

Inside NBC

Just like back in Torino, it's 50 degrees here while NYC gets a blizzard. You should be hosting the Winter Olympics. Sorry.
Walked the waterfront today to Stanley Park and found the Vancouver Rowing Club. They're going to let me borrow one of their singles for a morning row. Compared to my Italy schedule, this one's a cakewalk. I'm psyched. Lucky I have my rowing shorts with me. The waterfront is amazing. Green, ocean, and a backdrop of snow capped mountains. How much do Canadians worship curling? Check out this topiary.

News flash...Lindsay Vonn is injured so tons of promos need to be re-voiced. Thanks a lot, doll. You're this year's Bode Miller. Hae Bode, maybe you can do something amazing this time and redeem yourself. Maybe you can pick up Tiger's endorsements. Last I heard, Apolo's okay.

Tomorrow, I'll try and give a look at my NBC Talent Wardrobe...It's a ton 'o swag!

More Talking Pictures

What day is it? Who cares?
I'm getting that familiar treadmill sensation just like in Torino and Beijing. It's like being transferred to the moon. "Worse hours, better co-workers." (David Was). Pleased to report we do have some sponsors. Listen for me on "Great Olympic Moments...brought to you by Sham Wow."
It is pretty drizzly here, but just as stunning as I remember it.
Also glad to know I'm still taller than Scott Hamilton. haven't seen Costas yet but I'll check.
3 Days until the restrained Canadian Ffabulousness of the Opening Ceremony. Tell everyone you know to watch. We're 250 mil in the hole not counting my servibar. Plus, deep down you know you'd secretly love to be Canadian.
Dick Ebersol shook my hand and said "Glad to have you back." He knows who I am. Now I'll really have to watch my ass around here!
Must go sell more breath...'Bye

It's The Video Future

Thanks to the generosity of Peter Steep, I have obtained the use of a Flip camera. Which means less typing for me, and more motion to mesmerize you folks who have lost the ability to absorb the written word. herewith, a few moments sure to have Ed Murrow and Jim Mc Kay rotissing in the hereafter. (I know...rotissing is not a word.)

Fill 'Er Up

Here's the most scenic, but poorly located Chevron station on the planet.

It's Sunny! Don't Drink The Toilet Water.

Spent last evening at Rodney's. It's a rollicking place (and how often can you say that?)
Great oysters, native BC wines and lots of fun. Thanks, Howard!
Loved this sign over the urinals at the IBC..."Just in case you were thinking of drinking the water from this urinal, don't." Thanks for the advice.
Here are recent views... just like Torino, they have palm trees here.

Westward, Ho!

The good news: I'm here.
The bad news: My camera spilled out of my bag in the dark onto the floor of the car service Town Car.
The good news: I'm a great tipper so the driver turned it in.
The bad news: You'll have to make do with my cellphone pictures unless I spend for a new camera while I'm here.
The good news (for me):
I'm going to watch the Super Bowl now, them I'm going to dinner at Rodney's Oyster Bar.

Night Before Depatrure

I'm packed and ready, except for the getting up at 4am part
Off for a pint of mead with cronies. Some of whom are taking the same flight.
Air Canada's hangover express.
Will report on arrival.

Yours,
Me

Cold, But Cool

Quebec City. Temperature, -17.
One week until my Olympic servitude begins. They say it's FIFTY degrees in Vancouver.
Mary and I spent the weekend at the Quebec Carnaval...which, as you may notice they have misspelled. I pointed it out to them but they just laughed.
Morons.
There was snow sculpting, an Ice Palace, rock hard frozen samples of Kraft cheese, and a ride down a snow covered hill on a river raft with total strangers who couldn't even speak American.
Not to mention having the numbness of cold penetrate you to your core as your glasses fog and your nose feels like it is on fire.
Ironic. The fire/ice thing.
It was so cold, the St. Lawrence was steaming in agony as it surrendered it's liquidity. Also,
the Chateau Frontenac was worth the trip...especially in our ancient attic room. The young woman who gave us a touur was proud to mention that previous guests included Winston Churchill, Frankin D. Roosevelt, and MS. CELINE DION!
Eat your room tempperature hearts out, mere mortals.