BCS Championship Game - Travel Day - Well, at Least I Didn't Have Kids
Posted January 3rd, 2007 by George Thomas
Yes, I'm out in Phoenix working a dream assignment. Pity I had to travel. I hate travel. I'd rather…I'd rather…I'd rather root for Michigan than travel, especially by airplane.
No, I'm not a wuss, but ever since coming to the Akron Beacon Journal I've always believed I'd cheated death. As some of you know (and many of you don't care), I used to write about movies for the paper and on a blog. At the ABJ, I travel occasionally. Prior to getting here? Oh, try 35 to 40 weekends a year for four years covering movies. The trips to New York City I never minded. New Yorkers are close to Midwestern folks. But those five hour flights to Los Angeles to deal with Los Angelenos, many of whom are as sincere as a politician up for re-election, got to be a bit much. I always expected the plane to tumble out of the sky. Yes, I know, what a pleasant thought.
But, intrepid individual I am, I ventured forth. It's the FREAKIN' NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. How could I not be up for it. Well there's the packing for one. Some out there think that this is an extremely glamorous job. You try carrying around a backpack that weighs 50 lbs because it's filled with every electronic gadget essential to doing your job.
Considering this is the first time I'm covering such an event, I had little idea what to pack for day work and night work, so I packed like a woman, taking half my wardrobe. Yes, I felt ridiculous because no it isn't exactly manly to trek through major airports with more than one suitcase and a carry-on. I refuse to say, however, what I did have.
For Bucks fans out there, I flew on the same plane as Anthony "Gonzo" Gonzalez's uncle. It was easy to pick him out because Anthony has that distinguished nose and so does his uncle. That was a give away…along with the No. 11 jersey and the name "Gonzalez" embroidered on the back.
Check-in went surprisingly well and I made up for sleep I lost packing and organizing stuff for while I was gone. Passed on the Continental Airlines Cheerios breakfast. The plane went through some turbulence, an always enjoyable experience that's right up there with changing a poopie diaper.
It didn't help that I popped in my copy of We Are Marshall (for those of you looking for an easy score with reward money from the FBI for video piracy, forget about it- it's a legit copy). Here's a tip for those who actually think about what they watch on a plane - movies about plane crashes don't make you feel better when going through turbulence. Big surprise, huh?
But here. I'm safe and I'd always heard how beautiful the southwest is. Now I see why. I'll be blogging, writing and doing whatever strikes my fancy to cover this event. Hope those of you who read, enjoy.
