I'm Coming Home June 5, 2015
This is, without question, one of the most bittersweet moments of my life.
Nearly eight years after moving away from home, I’m finally headed back to the west side. I have accepted a producer position at my dream company: ROOT SPORTS NW.
I know I should be thrilled. And I am. Since I started studying broadcasting in college, my sights have always been set on getting back to Seattle to cover the Seattle Mariners. They’re the team I most care about. They’re the team that turned me into an obsessive sports fan.
But what makes it bittersweet is what I leave behind in Spokane. And what I leave behind is Spokane is everything.
First and foremost, the thought of leaving my friends in the Lilac City is heartbreaking. These are the friends that taught me it’s okay to be myself. I don’t have to conform to groupthink or societal norms, but rather live with my own opinions and beliefs. And perhaps most importantly, these are the friends that taught me to have confidence in myself. A lack of self-confidence has always been one of my biggest flaws, but the “family” I have in Spokane helped me see life differently.
I’ve found love in Spokane. For years, I’ve been looking for my “someone special.” After 25 years of failure in that regard, I had pretty much given up any hope of finding her any time soon. But as God’s timing would have it, that’s exactly when a beautiful (in every possible way) young woman entered my life. Our relationship is still in its relative infancy, and I have several close friendships that have proven long-distance relationships work, but it won’t make it any easier to leave her in Spokane. Still, though, I know this is God testing us to prove that it can be a lasting, life-long commitment to each other.
Beyond my friendships, it’s going to be so hard to leave my job and coworkers at KHQ/SWX. We have such a superbly talented collection of journalists at our station who make you want to strive to improve and produce the best possible product. My bosses at SWX are as supportive and understanding as you could ever hope for in management; they truly care about each of our goals and lives, and do everything they can to help us achieve our dreams. As for my other coworkers at SWX, they make coming to work so enjoyable every day.
There are plenty of other things I’m going to miss about Spokane: the sun, the easy commute, the lack of traffic, the cost of living, Waddell’s, Patio Life, my gym and my incredible church. There are also a few things I won’t miss so much: the winters, the streets, the lack of major pro sports teams and the whiny high school parents.
With all that said, it feels so good to finally be heading home. The problem with broadcasting is you really don’t get to choose where you want to live. You go where the jobs are and hopefully someday you’ll find yourself someplace you want to be long-term. It’s awfully rare for someone in this industry to find their dream job before they turn 27, but that’s exactly what I’ve done thanks to ROOT SPORTS taking a chance on me.
I’ve only been producing for two and a half years now, and while I’m confident in my skills, I know that when looking on a resume, that doesn’t seem like much. And, in fact, it wasn’t quite enough for the job I originally applied for at ROOT. But the wonderful people there saw enough potential in me to create a brand new position, designed with the intention of developing my craft while on the job. That’s a blessing I can’t even begin to describe.
I moved from San Francisco to Spokane in 2012 because I knew I wanted to eventually wind up in Seattle and I thought Spokane gave me the best chance to achieve that goal the quickest. SWX took a chance on a kid with almost no producing experience and little more than a vast knowledge of northwest sports, and I’ll always be indebted to them for that. I like to believe I’m leaving a positive legacy on a station that I think will develop into something truly special within the next decade.
But I’ve grown accustomed to living within my comfort zone in life. When we don’t challenge ourselves, we don’t grow. And that’s why this job at ROOT SPORTS is such a remarkable opportunity. I’m going to go in next month and once again be the low guy on the totem pole. I’m going to have to fight, claw and scratch to earn the respect and trust of my coworkers. I’m going to have to keep an open mind to discovering new ways to tell a story. And I’m going to have to prove that all those who vouched for me within the station knew what they were talking about.
Simply put, I’m going to have to challenge myself like never before. But if I’m ever going to reach my potential, continual challenges are what I need.
This is an exciting new chapter in what has been storybook life, as bittersweet as it may feel right now.
Nearly eight years after moving away from home, I’m finally headed back to the west side. I have accepted a producer position at my dream company: ROOT SPORTS NW.
I know I should be thrilled. And I am. Since I started studying broadcasting in college, my sights have always been set on getting back to Seattle to cover the Seattle Mariners. They’re the team I most care about. They’re the team that turned me into an obsessive sports fan.
But what makes it bittersweet is what I leave behind in Spokane. And what I leave behind is Spokane is everything.
First and foremost, the thought of leaving my friends in the Lilac City is heartbreaking. These are the friends that taught me it’s okay to be myself. I don’t have to conform to groupthink or societal norms, but rather live with my own opinions and beliefs. And perhaps most importantly, these are the friends that taught me to have confidence in myself. A lack of self-confidence has always been one of my biggest flaws, but the “family” I have in Spokane helped me see life differently.
I’ve found love in Spokane. For years, I’ve been looking for my “someone special.” After 25 years of failure in that regard, I had pretty much given up any hope of finding her any time soon. But as God’s timing would have it, that’s exactly when a beautiful (in every possible way) young woman entered my life. Our relationship is still in its relative infancy, and I have several close friendships that have proven long-distance relationships work, but it won’t make it any easier to leave her in Spokane. Still, though, I know this is God testing us to prove that it can be a lasting, life-long commitment to each other.
Beyond my friendships, it’s going to be so hard to leave my job and coworkers at KHQ/SWX. We have such a superbly talented collection of journalists at our station who make you want to strive to improve and produce the best possible product. My bosses at SWX are as supportive and understanding as you could ever hope for in management; they truly care about each of our goals and lives, and do everything they can to help us achieve our dreams. As for my other coworkers at SWX, they make coming to work so enjoyable every day.
There are plenty of other things I’m going to miss about Spokane: the sun, the easy commute, the lack of traffic, the cost of living, Waddell’s, Patio Life, my gym and my incredible church. There are also a few things I won’t miss so much: the winters, the streets, the lack of major pro sports teams and the whiny high school parents.
With all that said, it feels so good to finally be heading home. The problem with broadcasting is you really don’t get to choose where you want to live. You go where the jobs are and hopefully someday you’ll find yourself someplace you want to be long-term. It’s awfully rare for someone in this industry to find their dream job before they turn 27, but that’s exactly what I’ve done thanks to ROOT SPORTS taking a chance on me.
I’ve only been producing for two and a half years now, and while I’m confident in my skills, I know that when looking on a resume, that doesn’t seem like much. And, in fact, it wasn’t quite enough for the job I originally applied for at ROOT. But the wonderful people there saw enough potential in me to create a brand new position, designed with the intention of developing my craft while on the job. That’s a blessing I can’t even begin to describe.
I moved from San Francisco to Spokane in 2012 because I knew I wanted to eventually wind up in Seattle and I thought Spokane gave me the best chance to achieve that goal the quickest. SWX took a chance on a kid with almost no producing experience and little more than a vast knowledge of northwest sports, and I’ll always be indebted to them for that. I like to believe I’m leaving a positive legacy on a station that I think will develop into something truly special within the next decade.
But I’ve grown accustomed to living within my comfort zone in life. When we don’t challenge ourselves, we don’t grow. And that’s why this job at ROOT SPORTS is such a remarkable opportunity. I’m going to go in next month and once again be the low guy on the totem pole. I’m going to have to fight, claw and scratch to earn the respect and trust of my coworkers. I’m going to have to keep an open mind to discovering new ways to tell a story. And I’m going to have to prove that all those who vouched for me within the station knew what they were talking about.
Simply put, I’m going to have to challenge myself like never before. But if I’m ever going to reach my potential, continual challenges are what I need.
This is an exciting new chapter in what has been storybook life, as bittersweet as it may feel right now.
The Hurdles of Life Feb. 25, 2013
Life really is bizarre.
If it were a movie, life would probably be scoffed at and characterized as a work of impossible fiction. With all of its implausible twists and preposterous turns, it often makes the Harry Potter world seem like a more believable storyline.
But here we are anyways: writing, erasing and then rewriting our stories with every passing day.
Ever since I was five years old, my career dream focused on being a sports broadcaster – never fading, never wavering. The amount of hours I’ve spent washing away in front of a TV or at a stadium watching baseball and other sports could make a lazy cat blush.
But no matter how badly I want to succeed in my quest, I continue to face one monumental threat to achieving that dream: my voice. All of those hours spent “studying” sports could not do a thing towards giving my a “broadcaster’s voice.” I’ve been mocked, judged and written off for years in all areas of life strictly on account of my voice.
Is it fair? Absolutely not. After all, recreating one’s voice isn’t as simple as changing one’s appearance. I don’t sound the same to myself as I sound to others and that makes it challenging to produce the same pitch and tone for which I would otherwise aim. But fairness aside, it is a reality. And in the shallow broadcasting industry, it is probably enough to eliminate me from contention for countless future jobs.
And yet, I sit here typing this today having just had my first taste of broadcasting success. For the first time in my career, I had an on-air presence at a regional network. The ironic part: my “presence” was solely my voice.
It’s a start – who knows, it may just be an isolated occasion – but even though I was not overly pleased with the sound that covered up a story about Whitworth basketball, I overcame one of life’s many obstacles.
And for me, that was critical.
Life will always throw us for loops. Some of those will be good and plenty of others will be bad, but it isn’t about to straighten out anytime soon. It is how we respond to those loops that define our level of happiness. As a man of faith, I believe the truth in the Biblical teaching that God will never give us more than we are capable of handling. He will challenge us, no doubt, but He will never abandon us nor make us travel alone.
So despite all of life’s quirks, no challenge is beyond our potential. If the kid with the annoying voice can produce even just one made-for-TV package, then who is to say other challenges are insurmountable?
Life is just crazy enough to make anything possible.
If it were a movie, life would probably be scoffed at and characterized as a work of impossible fiction. With all of its implausible twists and preposterous turns, it often makes the Harry Potter world seem like a more believable storyline.
But here we are anyways: writing, erasing and then rewriting our stories with every passing day.
Ever since I was five years old, my career dream focused on being a sports broadcaster – never fading, never wavering. The amount of hours I’ve spent washing away in front of a TV or at a stadium watching baseball and other sports could make a lazy cat blush.
But no matter how badly I want to succeed in my quest, I continue to face one monumental threat to achieving that dream: my voice. All of those hours spent “studying” sports could not do a thing towards giving my a “broadcaster’s voice.” I’ve been mocked, judged and written off for years in all areas of life strictly on account of my voice.
Is it fair? Absolutely not. After all, recreating one’s voice isn’t as simple as changing one’s appearance. I don’t sound the same to myself as I sound to others and that makes it challenging to produce the same pitch and tone for which I would otherwise aim. But fairness aside, it is a reality. And in the shallow broadcasting industry, it is probably enough to eliminate me from contention for countless future jobs.
And yet, I sit here typing this today having just had my first taste of broadcasting success. For the first time in my career, I had an on-air presence at a regional network. The ironic part: my “presence” was solely my voice.
It’s a start – who knows, it may just be an isolated occasion – but even though I was not overly pleased with the sound that covered up a story about Whitworth basketball, I overcame one of life’s many obstacles.
And for me, that was critical.
Life will always throw us for loops. Some of those will be good and plenty of others will be bad, but it isn’t about to straighten out anytime soon. It is how we respond to those loops that define our level of happiness. As a man of faith, I believe the truth in the Biblical teaching that God will never give us more than we are capable of handling. He will challenge us, no doubt, but He will never abandon us nor make us travel alone.
So despite all of life’s quirks, no challenge is beyond our potential. If the kid with the annoying voice can produce even just one made-for-TV package, then who is to say other challenges are insurmountable?
Life is just crazy enough to make anything possible.
Why I'm leaving the Pac-12 Networks Sept. 17, 2012
I never thought the turnaround would be so quick.
Two months ago, I agonized over the decision whether or not to take a job with the Pac-12 Networks. I loved the idea of the company, but the thought of moving to San Francisco weighed heavily on me. From a job standpoint, it felt right, but from a personal standpoint I just sensed that it wasn’t.
Flash ahead to today and I have no doubt I made the right choice in moving down here. Yet, it also became clear the Bay Area isn’t a place I envision myself long-term. The people here are first rate, but it’s quite simply not my kind of city. It’s unfathomably expensive, not pedestrian friendly in a lot of areas and constantly noisy. I know you’ll think the same can be said for most cities, and you’re right. But that’s just the thing. Somewhere along the line the past few years I transitioned from being a city boy to a smaller-town kind of guy. That’s not to say I want to live in a Pullman-sized town the rest of my life or that I never want to wind up back near a city. But it meant looking for opportunities that permitted me to live in a market with a smaller-town feel.
Enter Spokane.
Without further delay, I want to announce I am taking a producer job with SWX in Spokane. Now, before you judge me and my decision, please let me explain.
There were a lot of factors that played into my conclusion to take the job. Professionally, the most important aspect of this decision is that this job will allow me to do much more in areas I want to work. Whereas at the Pac-12 Networks, my main role was to upload videos to the website and write headlines, at SWX I have the opportunity to produce their nightly sports show. In addition, I am tasked with the responsibility of shooting games, editing, writing and even filling in on-air as needed. Quite honestly, those are the reasons I got into broadcasting in the first place. To work in an area in which I never really cared to spend much time was a great learning experience, but the potential for career growth was limited at best. For someone who wants to get on-air, there is a more than realistic possibility that opportunity never would have presented itself had I stayed down at the Networks.
But there’s also more to this decision than the professional side of it—a lot more. While some people think I should make do for the time being, the truth of the matter is I’m going broke living here. I currently spend 75 percent or more of my paychecks on rent, parking and utilities. 75 percent! That means for food, gas, dry cleaning, laundry, new work clothes and anything else I want to do or buy, I’m pulling money out of savings to make ends meet. That’s simply not a sustainable lifestyle. I don’t want to have to take out a loan just to afford to live.
Beyond that, the family aspect of living in San Francisco was much more difficult than I ever could have imagined. After my dad’s heart attack back in 2001, I’ve always been on edge about being too far away from my parents. My family means everything to me, and the thought of not being close-by when the need arises pains me to no end. Sure, San Francisco is just a short flight away from Seattle, but it’s much more of a process- and a much more expensive endeavor- to visit. My family doesn’t have the (realistic) option of hopping in the car and driving over for a weekend like they do when I live in Washington.
And then there’s my brother. Weston has always been my role model, my positive influence, my best friend. While our relationship has forever been stronger than any other brother-brother relationship I’ve come across, it’s only strengthened over the past two years. He literally means the world to me. Now, I know he wants me to do what’s best for me. He always has. He strongly encouraged me to take this job with the Pac-12 Networks, knowing it was the right choice to make at the time. Yet, I know it’s only a matter of time before Weston leaves this country to go make the world a better place. It’s his calling, and I think we all know that. So, while he still lives nearby, I owe it to myself to spend as much time with him and his amazing fiancé Allison as possible.
My career is important, but nothing professionally will ever surpass the importance of spending time with the people you love. Rest assured, though, accepting this job is not a result of homesickness. The fact that this role with SWX both advances my career AND allows me to be close to family and friends makes it a no-brainer.
I always imagined I would go anywhere for work after college. But having done it, I’ve realized that’s not the case. My goal is to stay in the Northwest as long as my circumstances allow it. I don’t maintain the career goals I once had. My goals have switched from hoping to make it big-time on a national network to making it on-air and having a nice career, but in a Northwest market where I can cover the teams I care about and raise a family in a desirable location. Make no mistake, I’m not trying to sell myself short. I just don’t believe one’s goal has to be to make it to the highest level your abilities allow, but rather to make it to the highest level one’s abilities allow while still keeping sight of the other areas in life you’re passionate about. The Northwest, that’s me. Those teams are what turned me into a sports addict. Yeah, they make my heart ache on a near-daily basis, but that wouldn’t be the case if I was dispassionate. They’re what I love.
Now here’s the best part: After talking with my boss at the Pac-12 Networks and getting his encouragement that I was making the right decision, I volunteered to stay on and help out the digital team as best I can from afar. Obviously my new job with SWX comes first, but my new bosses informed me my hours will be mostly Monday through Friday. That allows me to continue doing much of the same work I’ve been doing for the Pac-12 Networks on the weekends. That means I will remain part-time employed by the Pac-12 Networks while gaining invaluable producing and on-air experience in a market I am passionate about. I’d say that’s a big win.
Still, if you don’t agree with my decision—and I’ve had MANY friends tell me they don’t—that’s your prerogative. What I ask, though, is that you respect it. It may not be what you would do with your life or what you want for mine, but it’s what I want. This position gives me the opportunity to do what I am most passionate about professionally, and that’s telling stories. Believe me, I didn’t arrive at this conclusion lightly. I’ve gathered input from people I trust and care about, and it was, to be sure, a mixed bag of responses. But all of the negative responses came from friends who want to see me make it big nationally, whereas every person I talked to in the industry believes this is a terrific opportunity for me compared to what I am currently doing. I will always value the input of my friends, but there are a lot of facets of this industry most people do not understand. This may be a step back market-wise (though, to me, that’s actually a positive of the job), but it is without a doubt a big leap forward for my career.
Two months ago, I agonized over the decision whether or not to take a job with the Pac-12 Networks. I loved the idea of the company, but the thought of moving to San Francisco weighed heavily on me. From a job standpoint, it felt right, but from a personal standpoint I just sensed that it wasn’t.
Flash ahead to today and I have no doubt I made the right choice in moving down here. Yet, it also became clear the Bay Area isn’t a place I envision myself long-term. The people here are first rate, but it’s quite simply not my kind of city. It’s unfathomably expensive, not pedestrian friendly in a lot of areas and constantly noisy. I know you’ll think the same can be said for most cities, and you’re right. But that’s just the thing. Somewhere along the line the past few years I transitioned from being a city boy to a smaller-town kind of guy. That’s not to say I want to live in a Pullman-sized town the rest of my life or that I never want to wind up back near a city. But it meant looking for opportunities that permitted me to live in a market with a smaller-town feel.
Enter Spokane.
Without further delay, I want to announce I am taking a producer job with SWX in Spokane. Now, before you judge me and my decision, please let me explain.
There were a lot of factors that played into my conclusion to take the job. Professionally, the most important aspect of this decision is that this job will allow me to do much more in areas I want to work. Whereas at the Pac-12 Networks, my main role was to upload videos to the website and write headlines, at SWX I have the opportunity to produce their nightly sports show. In addition, I am tasked with the responsibility of shooting games, editing, writing and even filling in on-air as needed. Quite honestly, those are the reasons I got into broadcasting in the first place. To work in an area in which I never really cared to spend much time was a great learning experience, but the potential for career growth was limited at best. For someone who wants to get on-air, there is a more than realistic possibility that opportunity never would have presented itself had I stayed down at the Networks.
But there’s also more to this decision than the professional side of it—a lot more. While some people think I should make do for the time being, the truth of the matter is I’m going broke living here. I currently spend 75 percent or more of my paychecks on rent, parking and utilities. 75 percent! That means for food, gas, dry cleaning, laundry, new work clothes and anything else I want to do or buy, I’m pulling money out of savings to make ends meet. That’s simply not a sustainable lifestyle. I don’t want to have to take out a loan just to afford to live.
Beyond that, the family aspect of living in San Francisco was much more difficult than I ever could have imagined. After my dad’s heart attack back in 2001, I’ve always been on edge about being too far away from my parents. My family means everything to me, and the thought of not being close-by when the need arises pains me to no end. Sure, San Francisco is just a short flight away from Seattle, but it’s much more of a process- and a much more expensive endeavor- to visit. My family doesn’t have the (realistic) option of hopping in the car and driving over for a weekend like they do when I live in Washington.
And then there’s my brother. Weston has always been my role model, my positive influence, my best friend. While our relationship has forever been stronger than any other brother-brother relationship I’ve come across, it’s only strengthened over the past two years. He literally means the world to me. Now, I know he wants me to do what’s best for me. He always has. He strongly encouraged me to take this job with the Pac-12 Networks, knowing it was the right choice to make at the time. Yet, I know it’s only a matter of time before Weston leaves this country to go make the world a better place. It’s his calling, and I think we all know that. So, while he still lives nearby, I owe it to myself to spend as much time with him and his amazing fiancé Allison as possible.
My career is important, but nothing professionally will ever surpass the importance of spending time with the people you love. Rest assured, though, accepting this job is not a result of homesickness. The fact that this role with SWX both advances my career AND allows me to be close to family and friends makes it a no-brainer.
I always imagined I would go anywhere for work after college. But having done it, I’ve realized that’s not the case. My goal is to stay in the Northwest as long as my circumstances allow it. I don’t maintain the career goals I once had. My goals have switched from hoping to make it big-time on a national network to making it on-air and having a nice career, but in a Northwest market where I can cover the teams I care about and raise a family in a desirable location. Make no mistake, I’m not trying to sell myself short. I just don’t believe one’s goal has to be to make it to the highest level your abilities allow, but rather to make it to the highest level one’s abilities allow while still keeping sight of the other areas in life you’re passionate about. The Northwest, that’s me. Those teams are what turned me into a sports addict. Yeah, they make my heart ache on a near-daily basis, but that wouldn’t be the case if I was dispassionate. They’re what I love.
Now here’s the best part: After talking with my boss at the Pac-12 Networks and getting his encouragement that I was making the right decision, I volunteered to stay on and help out the digital team as best I can from afar. Obviously my new job with SWX comes first, but my new bosses informed me my hours will be mostly Monday through Friday. That allows me to continue doing much of the same work I’ve been doing for the Pac-12 Networks on the weekends. That means I will remain part-time employed by the Pac-12 Networks while gaining invaluable producing and on-air experience in a market I am passionate about. I’d say that’s a big win.
Still, if you don’t agree with my decision—and I’ve had MANY friends tell me they don’t—that’s your prerogative. What I ask, though, is that you respect it. It may not be what you would do with your life or what you want for mine, but it’s what I want. This position gives me the opportunity to do what I am most passionate about professionally, and that’s telling stories. Believe me, I didn’t arrive at this conclusion lightly. I’ve gathered input from people I trust and care about, and it was, to be sure, a mixed bag of responses. But all of the negative responses came from friends who want to see me make it big nationally, whereas every person I talked to in the industry believes this is a terrific opportunity for me compared to what I am currently doing. I will always value the input of my friends, but there are a lot of facets of this industry most people do not understand. This may be a step back market-wise (though, to me, that’s actually a positive of the job), but it is without a doubt a big leap forward for my career.
Ordinarily Extraordinary July 4, 2012
Spending the 4th with some of my longtime best friends
The Fourth of July has always been a special day for me. Growing up, I demanded my family always stay home for the Fourth because there was truly no better place to be than SE 45th St. Our annual street block party was one of the highlights of my year; from the BBQ to wiffle ball and from the water balloon toss to the general camaraderie amongst neighbors who legitimately like each other, the Fourth was a day to put all else aside and enjoy some time with friends.
But as the years have gone by and all of us kids have grown up, the days of getting everyone together have waned. While a good portion of the old crew shows up every year, there is always a few who are noticeably absent. Two years ago, that was me. That's because I have, in recent years, jumped at the opportunity to spend time with my friend, Charlie, at Crescent Bar over the holiday weekend. After fireworks got banned in our neighborhood, much of the luster from the Fourth seemed lost.
But today reminded me that simply isn't the case. For the first time in a few years, almost everybody was back. My brother, Weston, was unable to make the trek back from Pullman, but aside from him and my "fake sister" Jillian, pretty much everyone I grew up with from our street was present. And because of that, so much of the magic returned. Today reminded me why it was that the Fourth was always one of my two favorite days of the year. A day full of activities with some of my best childhood friends was refreshing-- and very much needed.
With my future still unclear but the possibility of a move in the next month fairly probable, today helped alleviate some of the nostalgia I've felt. In one way, it probably intensified that nostalgia. But on the other hand, it proved to me that no matter how far away I go, I'll always have a lifetime full of incredible memories to fall back on.
I'm excited for the upcoming steps in my personal and professional lives. Sometimes it just takes a day like today to make everything feel like it's going to be ok.
But as the years have gone by and all of us kids have grown up, the days of getting everyone together have waned. While a good portion of the old crew shows up every year, there is always a few who are noticeably absent. Two years ago, that was me. That's because I have, in recent years, jumped at the opportunity to spend time with my friend, Charlie, at Crescent Bar over the holiday weekend. After fireworks got banned in our neighborhood, much of the luster from the Fourth seemed lost.
But today reminded me that simply isn't the case. For the first time in a few years, almost everybody was back. My brother, Weston, was unable to make the trek back from Pullman, but aside from him and my "fake sister" Jillian, pretty much everyone I grew up with from our street was present. And because of that, so much of the magic returned. Today reminded me why it was that the Fourth was always one of my two favorite days of the year. A day full of activities with some of my best childhood friends was refreshing-- and very much needed.
With my future still unclear but the possibility of a move in the next month fairly probable, today helped alleviate some of the nostalgia I've felt. In one way, it probably intensified that nostalgia. But on the other hand, it proved to me that no matter how far away I go, I'll always have a lifetime full of incredible memories to fall back on.
I'm excited for the upcoming steps in my personal and professional lives. Sometimes it just takes a day like today to make everything feel like it's going to be ok.
Mariners Care Cystic Fibrosis Golf Tournament June 10, 2012
Just a quick update... ROOT Sports has asked me to go collect interviews at tomorrow's Mariners Care Cystic Fibrosis Golf Tournament. I'm so grateful for the opportunity as it truly gives me a chance to show them what I can do. But, more than that, it's a chance to further improve my interviewing skills so when a station finally does come calling my name, I'll be even more prepared to succeed. This will be my third time interviewing Mariners players, the previous two coming last year when I interviewed David Pauley in the dugout before a game and Casper Wells in the clubhouse following a late-summer win.
My Most Prevalent "Thought" June 2, 2012
Since this is my "Thoughts" section and all, I just thought I would remind everybody that I am, in fact, still available to be hired! So, please, by all means, call me up and offer me that job you are looking to fill.
Impatiently Patient May 15, 2012
Well, here I am. A place I never thought I would end up. But, two weeks after graduation, here I am sitting at my home in Issaquah, currently "unemployed." I put "unemployed" in quotation marks because I guess technically that's not true. ROOT Sports apparently liked me enough to, in a sense, create a part-time role for me as a sort-of production assistant. I still consider myself unemployed, though, because I always expected by the time I graduated college I would have a clear path of where I was going; I was going to have a job lined up long before I received my diploma. I mean, that's why I worked so hard in school. A reasonably level-headed, hardworking and passionate kid with a strong resume was bound to be employed when he left school, right?
Apparently not.
And that's not an easy concept to accept. While I still believe I have a bright future ahead of me, it's tough to be patient. But I know I have to be. Pieces of my life will start to fall into place soon, I'm sure. But it's tough not even having a grasp on potential starting points or locations. That uncertainty makes it so I can't make plans. I can't travel the country or world. I can't make future plans to visit my college friends. I can't even RSVP to a friend's wedding. Uncertainty is really tough.
But it's also exciting. At 23 years old, there's probably never going to be a better time for me to experience new things. Because of that, I am completely open to going anywhere in the country for my first "big kid job." The fact that I don't know where I'll be living in a month, while ridiculously frightening, is actually quite thrilling. It's the newest adventure in a life already full of them. The start of a journey that could span a lifetime. Who knows what I'll find wherever I end up? Maybe (hopefully) a job I love? Maybe a place where I can continue to expand my faith? Heck, maybe even my future wife (ok, yeah I know, that might be a long shot)? Whatever it is, I couldn't be more excited. And I think that's why I'm so impatient.
In some ways it seems like I'm putting the start of a new journey on hold until I start my new life. But, in reality, the journey has already started. It's time to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.
Apparently not.
And that's not an easy concept to accept. While I still believe I have a bright future ahead of me, it's tough to be patient. But I know I have to be. Pieces of my life will start to fall into place soon, I'm sure. But it's tough not even having a grasp on potential starting points or locations. That uncertainty makes it so I can't make plans. I can't travel the country or world. I can't make future plans to visit my college friends. I can't even RSVP to a friend's wedding. Uncertainty is really tough.
But it's also exciting. At 23 years old, there's probably never going to be a better time for me to experience new things. Because of that, I am completely open to going anywhere in the country for my first "big kid job." The fact that I don't know where I'll be living in a month, while ridiculously frightening, is actually quite thrilling. It's the newest adventure in a life already full of them. The start of a journey that could span a lifetime. Who knows what I'll find wherever I end up? Maybe (hopefully) a job I love? Maybe a place where I can continue to expand my faith? Heck, maybe even my future wife (ok, yeah I know, that might be a long shot)? Whatever it is, I couldn't be more excited. And I think that's why I'm so impatient.
In some ways it seems like I'm putting the start of a new journey on hold until I start my new life. But, in reality, the journey has already started. It's time to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.
The World Still Spins, Even When Yours Seems to Pause April 10, 2012
Do you ever get that feeling when your world seems to pause momentarily and you feel like the rest of the world should be doing the same? No? Well I do. That is where I am at today. I'm sitting here in my living room just three hours away from presenting my Honors College Thesis. If I pass my presentation then I will be done with school forever. It's a crazy realization to know I could be a mere four hours away from no longer being a college student. Enough so that, for the time being, my world has seemingly stopped. It's like everything has just paused until these next four hours are up, and then I'll hit the play button on life.
The thing is, everyone else's world is still spinning at the normal rate. It's the strangest of feelings. Not to sound egocentric, but it's a somewhat unsettling feeling that everything can stand still for me, and yet nobody else feels the same way. That's not to say I expect people to put their lives on hold just because I do. I am not that self-centered. But today is such a monumental day in my life, yet so relatively average to the world.
So here we go. As everyone else gets ahead of the game, I'm looking forward to resuming this seemingly DVR'd version of my life.*
*Note: I wrote the last several sentences of this while completely distracted, so don't hold it against me too much. I was rushing to go eat (and we all know food is the priority).
The thing is, everyone else's world is still spinning at the normal rate. It's the strangest of feelings. Not to sound egocentric, but it's a somewhat unsettling feeling that everything can stand still for me, and yet nobody else feels the same way. That's not to say I expect people to put their lives on hold just because I do. I am not that self-centered. But today is such a monumental day in my life, yet so relatively average to the world.
So here we go. As everyone else gets ahead of the game, I'm looking forward to resuming this seemingly DVR'd version of my life.*
*Note: I wrote the last several sentences of this while completely distracted, so don't hold it against me too much. I was rushing to go eat (and we all know food is the priority).
A Little More Clarification February 22, 2012
With the sudden increase in readers- as in, it went from just my parents to a whole bunch of other people- I think it is necessary to explain just a little about this blog. Anything I write on here is nothing more than my opinion. My views shared here in no way reflect those of any organization for which I work. Furthermore, my opinions, like everyone else's, change over time (see my "Hypocrisy at its Finest" post below about getting the Sonics back). Much of what I write stems from a single moment in time during which I had the topic on my mind. I hope you find what I write to be insightful while still sensitive to all situations. Enjoy.
Back to school, back to writing August 23, 2011
As my final semester of classes commences, my passion for writing is coming back to me like a boomerang in the Outback. As such, I've begun contributing to the Pac-12 website as a member of its freelance student writing program- as if I needed one more thing on my plate right now. However, it's something I am very excited about because it gives substance to my writing. I finally have a reason to write, and a deadline to write by. Those two things are crucial; without a reason, I begin rambling (as my blog's title suggests), and without a deadline my endeavors to write generally end with the faintest of whispers as my motivation leaks out of me faster than the Mariners' season in the midst of a 17-game losing streak.
So with that, I say "welcome back" to myself. My blog is very under-publicized, with family the only people I generally share my writing with. But for anyone out there who gets even the slightest bit of entertainment from my inexplicable writing pleasure -- I mean, really, who LIKES to write? That has to be the equivalent of liking to take tests or going to the dentist -- I welcome you back, as well. It's been far too long. I hope you're well. Now read on. My first article for the website is posted under the 'Articles' section of the blog. Take a gander at my feature on Ganzer, if you so please!
So with that, I say "welcome back" to myself. My blog is very under-publicized, with family the only people I generally share my writing with. But for anyone out there who gets even the slightest bit of entertainment from my inexplicable writing pleasure -- I mean, really, who LIKES to write? That has to be the equivalent of liking to take tests or going to the dentist -- I welcome you back, as well. It's been far too long. I hope you're well. Now read on. My first article for the website is posted under the 'Articles' section of the blog. Take a gander at my feature on Ganzer, if you so please!
Gerrit Cole, Adam Conley duel in Pullman April 25, 2011
As part of our RePACkaged Pac-12 blog for class, I put together this video package together. It features UCLA ace Gerrit Cole and WSU ace Adam Conley. The editing is a little rough, as is it was put together in a rush during our last class today. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO2Mar3mbZk
Jen Mueller Testimonial Feb. 22, 2011
FSN's Jen Mueller spoke to our class last week and then held a workshop later that night. I attended both and following the night Jen asked me to write a testimonial on her speaking abilities for her website talksportytome.com. Here's what I wrote:
Jen Mueller labels herself as an “expert talker.” Hey, if the slipper fits, wear it. Jen recently spoke to two different groups at Washington State University about sports and the media and her personal business, “Talk Sporty to Me.” In my 17 years of schooling, I have never seen a group of students so dialed in, so captivated by a guest speaker. But Jen is no ordinary guest speaker. Rather, her well-rounded knowledge stemming from years of experience gives her validity as an “expert talker.” But validity alone cannot enthrall college students the way Jen captivates her audience. To do that, Jen uses a seemingly perfect mixture of personal anecdotes, testimonials of the people with whom she has worked and audience engagement. Traditional and stereotypical guest speakers have the tendency to simply talk at you- a method leading to unbearable monotony. But Jen is the exception to the rule. The interactions with her listeners make her seminars a two-way street, where dialogue trumps monologue. In all, for anyone unsure of what constitutes an “expert talker,” mere seconds of listening to Jen gives the phrase definition.
Jen Mueller labels herself as an “expert talker.” Hey, if the slipper fits, wear it. Jen recently spoke to two different groups at Washington State University about sports and the media and her personal business, “Talk Sporty to Me.” In my 17 years of schooling, I have never seen a group of students so dialed in, so captivated by a guest speaker. But Jen is no ordinary guest speaker. Rather, her well-rounded knowledge stemming from years of experience gives her validity as an “expert talker.” But validity alone cannot enthrall college students the way Jen captivates her audience. To do that, Jen uses a seemingly perfect mixture of personal anecdotes, testimonials of the people with whom she has worked and audience engagement. Traditional and stereotypical guest speakers have the tendency to simply talk at you- a method leading to unbearable monotony. But Jen is the exception to the rule. The interactions with her listeners make her seminars a two-way street, where dialogue trumps monologue. In all, for anyone unsure of what constitutes an “expert talker,” mere seconds of listening to Jen gives the phrase definition.
Life Feb. 7, 2011
I received tragic news today that one of the girls I went to high school with committed suicide yesterday. So, with that on my mind, I felt a blog post was necessary.
First off, I don't intend this to be at all insensitive to my classmate or her family. That said, I don't get it.
As Americans, we live blessed lives. We have all the luxuries we could ever want, even if sometimes we are too materialistic to understand reality. Sometimes things do not go well. Sometimes we feel like the whole world is up against us. Sometimes we just feel like it's too much.
But here is the reality: it's not. We have it good. No matter how many times we fail in life, we are always provided an opportunity to succeed. No matter how bad we think everything is going, there is plenty more going right. No matter how often we feel we've hit a low, in the roller coaster of life you will just as soon transcend new heights. We just have to give it time.
For me personally, taking your life means you have given up. Given up on yourself, your family, your friends and everyone else around you. And it's selfish. You may not realize it at the time, but you have had a tremendous impact on the lives of others. For every positive impact you've had on someone else, that alone makes your life worth living. For when you take your own life, you are simultaneously taking away the opportunity to change someone else's.
I know not everyone is as blessed as I am. I have the most tremendous, loving family and friends imaginable. Out of all of them, there is not one person I would not take a bullet for. My faith, family and friends are what keep me going. Everyday I'm alive is another chance to repay them for all the good they have created in my life. Why would I want to dispose of the opportunity to reciprocate that?
Ironically, just hours after hearing about my classmate's final, fateful decision, my brother Weston sent out his monthly newsletter. In it he talks about the day he made the decision to follow Christ completely. Weston says it came down to a realization of his answers to the following questions: "If you were to face death tonight, would you be able to say, like Jesus, 'it is finished'? Have you lived for something? Could you leave tonight, or would you leave with regrets?" What hit home the most when reading this part of his newsletter is that upon hearing the news earlier in the day, these are the same questions I began pondering.
I may not talk as openly about my faith in the same way my amazing brother does. However, through God I have truly come to understand the importance of living a good life. Am I perfect? Absolutely not. Do I make decisions not everyone would agree with? Yeah, most definitely. But I do keep my morals intact. I do live life as the person I want to be. So "have I lived for something?" Yes, in my opinion I have. I have lived to treat people well; to make people understand there is beauty within, no matter what they feel to the contrary. "Could I leave tonight" without regrets? If God set aside tonight as my time, I would leave this physical world with peace, knowing of His promise of eternal life. Sure, there may be small moments in my past where if I had it to do over again, I probably would, but I don't consider those major regrets. Each and every moment of my past has led me to where I am today. And I wouldn't want to change any part of that.
The point I am making is this: God has given us a life worth living. It's worth living not just for your own good, but for those around you. Do not be so narrow‐minded as to think that when tough times stare you in the face you'll never be able to overcome them. You will. You just have to have faith and determination. But please, do not ever view suicide as a viable option.
You only live once. Take advantage of it. Live it to the fullest. If you live life in fear of making regrets, that will be your greatest regret of all come the time you pass.
First off, I don't intend this to be at all insensitive to my classmate or her family. That said, I don't get it.
As Americans, we live blessed lives. We have all the luxuries we could ever want, even if sometimes we are too materialistic to understand reality. Sometimes things do not go well. Sometimes we feel like the whole world is up against us. Sometimes we just feel like it's too much.
But here is the reality: it's not. We have it good. No matter how many times we fail in life, we are always provided an opportunity to succeed. No matter how bad we think everything is going, there is plenty more going right. No matter how often we feel we've hit a low, in the roller coaster of life you will just as soon transcend new heights. We just have to give it time.
For me personally, taking your life means you have given up. Given up on yourself, your family, your friends and everyone else around you. And it's selfish. You may not realize it at the time, but you have had a tremendous impact on the lives of others. For every positive impact you've had on someone else, that alone makes your life worth living. For when you take your own life, you are simultaneously taking away the opportunity to change someone else's.
I know not everyone is as blessed as I am. I have the most tremendous, loving family and friends imaginable. Out of all of them, there is not one person I would not take a bullet for. My faith, family and friends are what keep me going. Everyday I'm alive is another chance to repay them for all the good they have created in my life. Why would I want to dispose of the opportunity to reciprocate that?
Ironically, just hours after hearing about my classmate's final, fateful decision, my brother Weston sent out his monthly newsletter. In it he talks about the day he made the decision to follow Christ completely. Weston says it came down to a realization of his answers to the following questions: "If you were to face death tonight, would you be able to say, like Jesus, 'it is finished'? Have you lived for something? Could you leave tonight, or would you leave with regrets?" What hit home the most when reading this part of his newsletter is that upon hearing the news earlier in the day, these are the same questions I began pondering.
I may not talk as openly about my faith in the same way my amazing brother does. However, through God I have truly come to understand the importance of living a good life. Am I perfect? Absolutely not. Do I make decisions not everyone would agree with? Yeah, most definitely. But I do keep my morals intact. I do live life as the person I want to be. So "have I lived for something?" Yes, in my opinion I have. I have lived to treat people well; to make people understand there is beauty within, no matter what they feel to the contrary. "Could I leave tonight" without regrets? If God set aside tonight as my time, I would leave this physical world with peace, knowing of His promise of eternal life. Sure, there may be small moments in my past where if I had it to do over again, I probably would, but I don't consider those major regrets. Each and every moment of my past has led me to where I am today. And I wouldn't want to change any part of that.
The point I am making is this: God has given us a life worth living. It's worth living not just for your own good, but for those around you. Do not be so narrow‐minded as to think that when tough times stare you in the face you'll never be able to overcome them. You will. You just have to have faith and determination. But please, do not ever view suicide as a viable option.
You only live once. Take advantage of it. Live it to the fullest. If you live life in fear of making regrets, that will be your greatest regret of all come the time you pass.
A new blog! Jan. 21, 2011
Just a brief note to say that I have a new blog I'm contributing to. As part of my journalism seminar class, we are required to run a blog with a group of contributors. Our blog, known as RePACkaged, is dedicated to all things Pac-12 (yes, 12) sports. So, if you're interested, check us out at http://repackaged12.blogspot.com/.
Wait, you want to interview me?! Jan. 7, 2011
So, I was sitting at practice today going about my business just like every other day for the past four years when our SID Jessica Schmick tells me "Neil, you're going to freak out." I really had no idea if that was a good thing or a bad thing, so my enthusiasm was obviously rather tempered. But, as Jessica handed me her phone I saw the text message from Jen Mueller: "Can I interview Neil today about some of the weird habits/funny stories about the guys?" Needless to say, a flood of emotions poured through my mind and out of my mouth. Excitement, confusion, and, most notably, ANXIETY are just a few of them. "Why would she want to interview me," I thought. "I'm just a manager who nobody has ever heard of. What could I possibly add to a Cougars All Access feature?" That was my initial thought. That thought was soon wiped from my mind though as I began to get excited about getting real-life experience in an area I hope to one day work. And then, of course, came the fear. Fear of sounding stupid. Fear of saying something I shouldn't. Fear of not having even the slightest clue what I was going to say. You see, I've experienced so many great moments in my life that I have a hard time looking back on the spot and recalling the best stories. I know that I have novels worth of funny memories from my job that I could have talked about. Not all are completely appropriate for on-air interviews, but enough of them should have been. The problem is I had a major brain freeze. Seriously, it was frozen more than the inside of my car on a typical winter day in Pullman- and that's saying something.
Fortunately, memories eventually began to trickle into my mind. The nerves began settling. After all, I had talked to Jen several times and this was only different because of the camera and bright light shining on me. Yet as a broadcasting major that's something I had to get over quickly. And thankfully I believe I did. Sure, I may have sounded a bit nervous. I probably didn't come across as eloquently as I would have liked. But it was my first time doing an on-camera interview without a script. We'll see how it turns out when the show airs, but in the meantime I'm so grateful to Jen for allowing me this opportunity. I would be hard-pressed to find a professional in the broadcasting industry who has had a greater influence on me lately than her. She always cheerfully answers any questions I have and gives me words of advice on how to succeed in the field. So for that I say: thanks Jen, for allowing me such a priceless opportunity.
Fortunately, memories eventually began to trickle into my mind. The nerves began settling. After all, I had talked to Jen several times and this was only different because of the camera and bright light shining on me. Yet as a broadcasting major that's something I had to get over quickly. And thankfully I believe I did. Sure, I may have sounded a bit nervous. I probably didn't come across as eloquently as I would have liked. But it was my first time doing an on-camera interview without a script. We'll see how it turns out when the show airs, but in the meantime I'm so grateful to Jen for allowing me this opportunity. I would be hard-pressed to find a professional in the broadcasting industry who has had a greater influence on me lately than her. She always cheerfully answers any questions I have and gives me words of advice on how to succeed in the field. So for that I say: thanks Jen, for allowing me such a priceless opportunity.
The "Traveling to Paradise" Fallacy Jan. 4, 2011
Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay
Everything was going so well. We started off in Santa Clara and, although we did not play well at all, we fought back and picked up the overtime win. The next day it was off to Paradise. The sun, the beaches, shopping centers, and, most importantly, the wins came subsequently. Mississippi State was first, and after a sluggish first off, we turned it on and dominated the second half: a 26-point victory. Feeling good about ourselves, we marched in the next day and handled 15th-ranked Baylor. Paradise literally couldn't get any better. We had Christmas Eve off, leaving us on a high as we went through a spirited practice and then ventured to Hanauma Bay for an unforgettable snorkeling experience. But perhaps the most important aspect of our trip thus far, Cougar fans were excited about us. After suffering through awful football seasons and mediocre basketball seasons in recent years, they looked at our team with a sense of renewed excitement. And with good reason. We are a good team.
But Christmas day we ran into a buzz saw. Butler went on a run to start the second half and we never recovered. And while disappointed, we knew we were a good team and we weren't overly worried about the loss. Leaving Hawaii, we took the five hour flight to Los Angeles, where we wouldn't play again until Wednesday (four days later). More than a week into our road trip and we were all starting to get the desire just to return home. Unfortunately we had almost a full week left on the road. A second half collapse led to some second guessing amongst the Cougar fan base.
But then it all unraveled after our game against USC. A close loss against a very good Southern Cal team put a bitter taste in the mouth of many Cougar fans. And that's the purpose of this post. Upon finally returning home- at 2:30am on New Year's Day- all I read about on Cougar message boards was how disappointing we were. A few Coug fans- several of whom were actually attending the road games- understood the physical and mental exhaustion we felt from being gone for so long. But far more called that "excuse" "weak minded" and without merit. They claimed if that was our excuse then we clearly were a mentally-weak team who would more than likely finish in last place. "That's not an excuse," they screamed. "They got to go to Hawaii and Los Angeles and stay in upper-class hotels. I hardly feel bad for them."
The problem is, those fans were completely missing the point. We WERE exhausted. I don't even play, but I was beyond ready to be home with almost a week left in our trip. How do you think the players felt trying to go out and play against teams that hadn't played a game in a week? And it's not like we were sitting on the beach every day in Hawaii. We weren't going on leisurely trips to Disneyland. No. Instead we were practicing, playing games and/or traveling every day. Those "luxury hotels" we were staying at? Yeah, they were nice, but it's nothing compared to sleeping in your own bed, in your own room.
But perhaps the most infuriating thing I read about our team? A commenter on Vince Grippi's (outstanding) Cougar blog for The Spokesman Review wrote, "these are 19-20 year old young men getting to spend the holidays in Hawaii and L.A. It's not like they have families or anything to get back to." Um, what? We're 19-20 year old kids, we still have our parents to get back to! Most of us have never spent Christmas away from our families. Words can't really describe the feeling of realizing it's Christmas morning and for the first time you're not with the people who've spoiled you on that day for the first two decades of your life. Excuse me, if you want to question our team's toughness because we got tired at the end of a two week long road trip that is longer than professional teams take, that's your problem. But don't you dare try to say we don't have families to get back to. Because in doing so you've painted yourself as an ignorant and heartless scrooge.
My point is, don't get caught up in this fallacy that just because we went to Hawaii and Los Angeles we should be spirited and refreshed at the end of two weeks living out of a suitcase with the same people every hour of every day. Sure, Hawaii was great. But just because we went to Paradise doesn't mean it doesn't take a lot out of you. If you have an informed opinion to express, I'll listen. But when you make blanket assumptions without any first-hand knowledge of the situation, don't go blowing off the reasoning as an unworthy and unfounded excuse. Sometimes excuses are legitimate reasons. In this case, it is.
But Christmas day we ran into a buzz saw. Butler went on a run to start the second half and we never recovered. And while disappointed, we knew we were a good team and we weren't overly worried about the loss. Leaving Hawaii, we took the five hour flight to Los Angeles, where we wouldn't play again until Wednesday (four days later). More than a week into our road trip and we were all starting to get the desire just to return home. Unfortunately we had almost a full week left on the road. A second half collapse led to some second guessing amongst the Cougar fan base.
But then it all unraveled after our game against USC. A close loss against a very good Southern Cal team put a bitter taste in the mouth of many Cougar fans. And that's the purpose of this post. Upon finally returning home- at 2:30am on New Year's Day- all I read about on Cougar message boards was how disappointing we were. A few Coug fans- several of whom were actually attending the road games- understood the physical and mental exhaustion we felt from being gone for so long. But far more called that "excuse" "weak minded" and without merit. They claimed if that was our excuse then we clearly were a mentally-weak team who would more than likely finish in last place. "That's not an excuse," they screamed. "They got to go to Hawaii and Los Angeles and stay in upper-class hotels. I hardly feel bad for them."
The problem is, those fans were completely missing the point. We WERE exhausted. I don't even play, but I was beyond ready to be home with almost a week left in our trip. How do you think the players felt trying to go out and play against teams that hadn't played a game in a week? And it's not like we were sitting on the beach every day in Hawaii. We weren't going on leisurely trips to Disneyland. No. Instead we were practicing, playing games and/or traveling every day. Those "luxury hotels" we were staying at? Yeah, they were nice, but it's nothing compared to sleeping in your own bed, in your own room.
But perhaps the most infuriating thing I read about our team? A commenter on Vince Grippi's (outstanding) Cougar blog for The Spokesman Review wrote, "these are 19-20 year old young men getting to spend the holidays in Hawaii and L.A. It's not like they have families or anything to get back to." Um, what? We're 19-20 year old kids, we still have our parents to get back to! Most of us have never spent Christmas away from our families. Words can't really describe the feeling of realizing it's Christmas morning and for the first time you're not with the people who've spoiled you on that day for the first two decades of your life. Excuse me, if you want to question our team's toughness because we got tired at the end of a two week long road trip that is longer than professional teams take, that's your problem. But don't you dare try to say we don't have families to get back to. Because in doing so you've painted yourself as an ignorant and heartless scrooge.
My point is, don't get caught up in this fallacy that just because we went to Hawaii and Los Angeles we should be spirited and refreshed at the end of two weeks living out of a suitcase with the same people every hour of every day. Sure, Hawaii was great. But just because we went to Paradise doesn't mean it doesn't take a lot out of you. If you have an informed opinion to express, I'll listen. But when you make blanket assumptions without any first-hand knowledge of the situation, don't go blowing off the reasoning as an unworthy and unfounded excuse. Sometimes excuses are legitimate reasons. In this case, it is.
New Year's Resolutions Jan. 1, 2011
Standing in Sea-Tac airport yesterday awaiting a connecting flight from Los Angeles to Spokane, our SID Jessica and my good friend on the team, Charlie, greeted me with "come on, Neil. You need in on this too." They then explained to me they were making a New Year's resolution to be more selfish this coming year. On the surface that seems like a really self-centered and inappropriate resolution. But it digs deeper than that. For so long we've been putting everyone else first and ourselves second (and sometimes third, fourth or later). Whether it's fulfilling media obligations on other people's time as opposed to Jessica's, Charlie always letting other people have their way, or myself bypassing a social life and free time for the wishes of a player or coach, by not making yourself a priority, you are consequently cheating yourself out of precious hours of your life. At some point you have to do what's best for you. Sure, there's a time and place for taking a backseat to help others. After all, that's part of the job description. But it doesn't always have to be that way. Once in a while it's appropriate, and even necessary, to ensure you are taking action for your own best interests. That's why I say "Welcome, 2011." May Jessica, Charlie and I have ourselves a selfish year, while not neglecting the servanthood and passion for helping people that makes us who we are.
Hypocrisy at its finest Dec. 10, 2010
Here's the brief synopsis of my thoughts on the New Orleans Hornets potentially moving to Seattle...
I just can't get behind this idea. Not after what happened to us just a few years ago.
The thought of moving the New Orleans Hornets to Seattle frustrates me. Sure, I get the situation is a little bit different than what Seattle went through when it lost the Sonics, but not enough so as to make us not hypocritical by wanting to steal a team from another city. Especially THAT city. With everything New Orleans has gone through recently, the thought of hijacking their team seems heartless. How can a city that experienced such pain, anger, frustration and sadness so quickly forget how devastated we all were when Clay Bennett carpetbagged our team out from under us under the cover of darkness? And now we want to turn around and do the same thing to the city of New Orleans? No thank you.
Look, I understand New Orleans doesn't have the rich basketball tradition and history that Seattle has. I realize the attendance numbers are low and the interest dwindling. I even get there aren't hundreds of potential owners coming out of the woodwork to save the team. And, as of now, there aren't the boisterous "Save Our Hornets" groups that helped bring to the forefront the passion the city of Seattle still felt about its team. That said, I'm just not ok with it. Those of us who were fans of the Sonics underwent a seemingly unfair amount of pain in losing our team. How hypocritical are we to turn around and inflict that same pain on another fan base?
The NBA had it's chance in Seattle. It thrived here with the exception of just a few seasons that ultimately doomed the future of such a promising franchise. And it DESERVES another team. But that team needs to be an expansion team or the OKC Thunder. Knowing that the NBA is looking at contraction, that's just not likely right now. Until the NBA is under new and competent leadership- David Stern is quickly destroying the league. His lying, cheating, deceitful nature will ultimately be the league's undoing if he is allowed to continue in his power-hungry position- then Seattle shouldn't give in to hypocrisy. This city needs professional basketball. But it doesn't need to sacrifice its integrity, ethicality and morality to obtain one.
I just can't get behind this idea. Not after what happened to us just a few years ago.
The thought of moving the New Orleans Hornets to Seattle frustrates me. Sure, I get the situation is a little bit different than what Seattle went through when it lost the Sonics, but not enough so as to make us not hypocritical by wanting to steal a team from another city. Especially THAT city. With everything New Orleans has gone through recently, the thought of hijacking their team seems heartless. How can a city that experienced such pain, anger, frustration and sadness so quickly forget how devastated we all were when Clay Bennett carpetbagged our team out from under us under the cover of darkness? And now we want to turn around and do the same thing to the city of New Orleans? No thank you.
Look, I understand New Orleans doesn't have the rich basketball tradition and history that Seattle has. I realize the attendance numbers are low and the interest dwindling. I even get there aren't hundreds of potential owners coming out of the woodwork to save the team. And, as of now, there aren't the boisterous "Save Our Hornets" groups that helped bring to the forefront the passion the city of Seattle still felt about its team. That said, I'm just not ok with it. Those of us who were fans of the Sonics underwent a seemingly unfair amount of pain in losing our team. How hypocritical are we to turn around and inflict that same pain on another fan base?
The NBA had it's chance in Seattle. It thrived here with the exception of just a few seasons that ultimately doomed the future of such a promising franchise. And it DESERVES another team. But that team needs to be an expansion team or the OKC Thunder. Knowing that the NBA is looking at contraction, that's just not likely right now. Until the NBA is under new and competent leadership- David Stern is quickly destroying the league. His lying, cheating, deceitful nature will ultimately be the league's undoing if he is allowed to continue in his power-hungry position- then Seattle shouldn't give in to hypocrisy. This city needs professional basketball. But it doesn't need to sacrifice its integrity, ethicality and morality to obtain one.
And so it ends... Oct. 3, 2010
Sports are a funny thing. When you are as emotionally tied up in them as I am, it eventually becomes clear just how much they mean to you. Today is a perfect example of that. Six months ago I sat down on my couch next to my roommate, full of hope. This was the year. The Mariners had put together one of the more remarkable offseasons in recent memory coming off an 85-win season. This was the year. The Mariners were finally going to break through their eight year playoff slump and recapture the magic of '95 or '01. This was the year.
Except, it wasn't. Opening Day started off great. Chone Figgins got on base and served as the ignitor we all knew he was going to be. Casey Kotchman came through in the clutch, inspiring thoughts that he was finally about to make good on that all-star potential that made him a top prospect for the Angels. And the Mariners won. But, in the grand scheme of things that was just the first of what would be many wins during a six month joy-ride back to baseball relevance. But this wasn't the year. It soon became painfully evident the offense had a phobia of touching home. The defense that, in theory, should have been one of the best in baseball history, fizzled. And the bullpen, thought to be a strength of the team coming into the season, finished it with a plethora of journeymen never-beens just trying to prolong their mediocre baseball careers as long as there was a team out there willing to allow them the opportunity. Clearly, this wasn't the year.
From Eric Byrnes laying down- or more precisely, pulling back- perhaps the most futile suicide squeeze attempt ever, to Sleepgate, to the Figgins-Wak dustup, to losing on a walk off STRIKEOUT, this year served as one of the most disappointing sports seasons I've witnessed. Yet, everyday I planted myself in front of the TV waiting to see what that day's game had in store. The frustration never went away. At times the Mariners showed glimpses of the team they could have been- the team they should have been. But that was almost always followed the next time with a performance to remind us of the team they actually were. Even as the season wore on into the dog days of August the Mariners even failed at failing. At that point, the season was long-decided a lost cause. At that point all I had to look forward to was the potential of "earning" the number one overall pick. But thanks to Pittsburgh's incredible ineptitude, not even that plan went right.
But here we are, the Mariners closing out their season earlier this afternoon with a 4-3 loss to the A's. And despite all the frustration this team caused me this year, I'm sad. I'm sad it's over. That's what's so funny about sports. The emotional connection you feel, no matter how bad the season goes, is so strong that even in the midst of their worst seasons you still love having them there. There's nothing quite like coming home every night knowing you have a Mariners game to keep you occupied and entertained. It's almost as if they're your entertainment security blanket. For six months out of the year, they're there for you night in and night out.
People always say "it's just a game." To certain people (like me), it's more than that though. Everyone has their own interests into which they inject their passion. For me that's sports. So to me it's more than a game. And while when the season ends most people can turn off the TV and consequently turn off that portion of their lives for six months, it doesn't work that way for some of us. Instead, for us, that final out of each season takes away a part of who we are, if only for half a year. Sure it sounds hyperbolic, but in reality it's the truth. Every "last out" since I became a Mariners fan nearly two decades ago has put me in a bit of a funk. Of course, as you get older, you tend to open other doors and boxes into which you can throw some extent of your passion, but none of them captivate me in the same way as baseball and the Mariners. That's why, even in a season full of frustrating losses and embarrassment, I find myself tonight in a slightly depressed state of mind.
This wasn't the year. But maybe next year will be.
Except, it wasn't. Opening Day started off great. Chone Figgins got on base and served as the ignitor we all knew he was going to be. Casey Kotchman came through in the clutch, inspiring thoughts that he was finally about to make good on that all-star potential that made him a top prospect for the Angels. And the Mariners won. But, in the grand scheme of things that was just the first of what would be many wins during a six month joy-ride back to baseball relevance. But this wasn't the year. It soon became painfully evident the offense had a phobia of touching home. The defense that, in theory, should have been one of the best in baseball history, fizzled. And the bullpen, thought to be a strength of the team coming into the season, finished it with a plethora of journeymen never-beens just trying to prolong their mediocre baseball careers as long as there was a team out there willing to allow them the opportunity. Clearly, this wasn't the year.
From Eric Byrnes laying down- or more precisely, pulling back- perhaps the most futile suicide squeeze attempt ever, to Sleepgate, to the Figgins-Wak dustup, to losing on a walk off STRIKEOUT, this year served as one of the most disappointing sports seasons I've witnessed. Yet, everyday I planted myself in front of the TV waiting to see what that day's game had in store. The frustration never went away. At times the Mariners showed glimpses of the team they could have been- the team they should have been. But that was almost always followed the next time with a performance to remind us of the team they actually were. Even as the season wore on into the dog days of August the Mariners even failed at failing. At that point, the season was long-decided a lost cause. At that point all I had to look forward to was the potential of "earning" the number one overall pick. But thanks to Pittsburgh's incredible ineptitude, not even that plan went right.
But here we are, the Mariners closing out their season earlier this afternoon with a 4-3 loss to the A's. And despite all the frustration this team caused me this year, I'm sad. I'm sad it's over. That's what's so funny about sports. The emotional connection you feel, no matter how bad the season goes, is so strong that even in the midst of their worst seasons you still love having them there. There's nothing quite like coming home every night knowing you have a Mariners game to keep you occupied and entertained. It's almost as if they're your entertainment security blanket. For six months out of the year, they're there for you night in and night out.
People always say "it's just a game." To certain people (like me), it's more than that though. Everyone has their own interests into which they inject their passion. For me that's sports. So to me it's more than a game. And while when the season ends most people can turn off the TV and consequently turn off that portion of their lives for six months, it doesn't work that way for some of us. Instead, for us, that final out of each season takes away a part of who we are, if only for half a year. Sure it sounds hyperbolic, but in reality it's the truth. Every "last out" since I became a Mariners fan nearly two decades ago has put me in a bit of a funk. Of course, as you get older, you tend to open other doors and boxes into which you can throw some extent of your passion, but none of them captivate me in the same way as baseball and the Mariners. That's why, even in a season full of frustrating losses and embarrassment, I find myself tonight in a slightly depressed state of mind.
This wasn't the year. But maybe next year will be.
Progress? Sept. 18, 2010
After today's 35-21 loss to SMU I was left feeling confused about this Cougar team. Two weeks ago they got blown out at OSU and I came away feeling frustrated, disappointed and, for the most part, hopeless. A week later, a one-point win over Montana State did little to squelch those emotions. But then, today, the Cougs showed what appeared to be some of the indicators of progress we all expected to see this year. They headed to the locker room at the half in unfamiliar territory- tied up. And in reality, if not for an untimely false start and a botched field goal, the Cougs should have hit halftime in even stranger unfamiliar territory- leading. I found myself feeling hope for one of the first times in three years in regards to Cougar football. And then the third quarter happened. What a letdown that was after the way the team fought through the first half. Yet, this year the Cougs have gone from a full game of bad football, to a half of bad football, and now to a quarter of bad football. Granted the quality of the opponents is not on par with what the Cougs will face during Pac-10 play, but I can't help but feel like perhaps they slowly are making progress. I guess next weekend's game against USC will help show if that progress was real or merely fools gold, but if this team can continue to improve week to week, I will slowly regain my faith in the direction of the program. And I hope that's the case. I'm tired of watching bad football.
A first for everything
This is the blog portion of, well, my blog. I'll be posting all of my random thoughts here that don't make it into a full-on newspaper-like article (in the "articles" link... see how clever I am?). One caveat: don't expect any continuity between one post and the next. My mind doesn't work like that! It strings me all over the place, and you get to be the strange, bored(?) person who is spending your life interested in my ramblings. I hope I won't disappoint all of those high expectations you must have if you're one of the few spending your rare free time here!
*I suppose I should put this disclaimer: all views expressed here are purely my own and are in no way affiliated with any of my employers.
*I suppose I should put this disclaimer: all views expressed here are purely my own and are in no way affiliated with any of my employers.