Well, about a year ago I started this blog primarily to keep my parents informed about where I was at and what I was up to. Kind of a behind the scenes of the work I do for SPEED Channel. I also planned for it to be the last year that I did that. Obviously, those plans have changed. I am back at it again this year. My parents taught me long ago that I shouldn't voluntarily leave a paying job if I don't have another one to go to...and I didn't have another one to go to. I do have a couple of show ideas in the works, but it's not a paying job yet.
I'm here in Daytona during FanFest. It used to be a time when the NASCAR drivers would have a chance to practice, but during the fall of '08, NASCAR said it was canceling the 2009 testing as a cost saving measure. I was booked to do about 18 days of testing so some cost was saved on my pay....grrrrr. But no complaints. I have been more blessed than I could imagine.
We are doing some programs dealing primarily with the changes going on...teams have merged, drivers have changed teams or numbers, some teams have condensed or folded all together.
Most people across this nation are cold right now, but it is sunny and 55 degrees here today, so I am happy.
Welcome to Ridin' Shotgun Version '09.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Just doin' the do...
I haven't posted lately...but, no worries. I'm still working...still playing. We took some time over the holidays to go back to the ranch in Texas. This time Zach was with us. We had Christmas morning along with Zach's birthday at the ranch. It's so pretty there...maybe someday.
On the work front, I have been pretty much doing the same old winter stuff...Predators hockey games, Grizzlies basketball games, oh, and I worked the PapaJohn's.com Bowl. You may not have caught that one in the mix of 34 bowl games.
I have chosen to turn down a lot of games so I could watch Zach wrestle this season. It is a tough battle...needing to work to pay bills, but needing to see my son wrestle. Zach is winning so much this season. He has the most wins on the team as a sophomore. He placed 7th out of 22 yesterday at one of the toughest tournaments he'll have all season. 4 of the boys who placed higher than him will not be at his state meet since they are from private schools, so it looks good for him to place at state. The coaches really like Zach because he never talks back, works hard all the time, and is always the last one to leave the mat. I want to make sure I don't burn him out on wrestling, but he is very gifted, so I hope his passion doesn't wane.
I do have some NASCAR work later this month. I am heading to Daytona for "Pre-Season Thunder"...I don't know what it is, since no cars will be running. I guess just recapping last year and previewing this season. But 5 days in Daytona in January can't be all bad. And February...Speed Weeks...is just around the corner!
On the work front, I have been pretty much doing the same old winter stuff...Predators hockey games, Grizzlies basketball games, oh, and I worked the PapaJohn's.com Bowl. You may not have caught that one in the mix of 34 bowl games.
I have chosen to turn down a lot of games so I could watch Zach wrestle this season. It is a tough battle...needing to work to pay bills, but needing to see my son wrestle. Zach is winning so much this season. He has the most wins on the team as a sophomore. He placed 7th out of 22 yesterday at one of the toughest tournaments he'll have all season. 4 of the boys who placed higher than him will not be at his state meet since they are from private schools, so it looks good for him to place at state. The coaches really like Zach because he never talks back, works hard all the time, and is always the last one to leave the mat. I want to make sure I don't burn him out on wrestling, but he is very gifted, so I hope his passion doesn't wane.
I do have some NASCAR work later this month. I am heading to Daytona for "Pre-Season Thunder"...I don't know what it is, since no cars will be running. I guess just recapping last year and previewing this season. But 5 days in Daytona in January can't be all bad. And February...Speed Weeks...is just around the corner!
Monday, December 8, 2008
On the way home...
Wow...what an amazing 6 days in Texas. Now I've been to Texas a few hundred times over the years...but never this Texas. I've heard the slogan "Texas...A Whole Other Country", but it's kinda true. There are so many different parts of Texas, and now I've found a part that I love. Not that I didn't love the other parts of Texas I've been to, but Central Texas, Brownwood, Santa Anna, Brady...that's remote...coyotes running past you in the dark remote, no cell or internet service remote, staring a 12 point buck in the eyes remote...I stopped counting at one million stars remote. It was so beautiful and quiet. The twins and I stayed at a "ranch"...it was really a farm. Brought back a lot of memories from my youth. We got out some 4 wheelers and had a blast for 4 days. I even got the girls up at 6:30am today to ride until we had to leave for the airport. Eight of us went to a deer blind on Saturday to hunt deer. Andy was so ready to kill a deer...unfortunately, deer don't travel much at noon, so the shooting was relegated to a dead tree about 250 yards out. Both twins, Isaac, and 4 girls took turns firing the 30/30. It was loud and fun! The girls took turns taking pictures of each other holding the gun...always a photo op for them.
The services went great...I emceed and had a blast. The kids were wonderful! The nights were freezing. The crowd loved it. Pastor Danny was great on Friday night and Rachael Lampa was fabulous on Saturday night. She is cuter than the dickens...and we all know how cute the dickens are. She stayed until the last person who wanted an autograph got one. It was neat to watch.
The service went well yesterday in Brownwood at Heartland Church. The only bad thing that happened was that Sandy hurt her foot real bad. Then danced one more dance...what is wrong with that girl? We're going for X-rays tomorrow. She may have torn some tendons in the arch of her foot...she's on crutches now as we're at the airport in Houston.
The folks in Brownwood really want us to move there...I don't see that happening soon, but maybe someday.
The services went great...I emceed and had a blast. The kids were wonderful! The nights were freezing. The crowd loved it. Pastor Danny was great on Friday night and Rachael Lampa was fabulous on Saturday night. She is cuter than the dickens...and we all know how cute the dickens are. She stayed until the last person who wanted an autograph got one. It was neat to watch.
The service went well yesterday in Brownwood at Heartland Church. The only bad thing that happened was that Sandy hurt her foot real bad. Then danced one more dance...what is wrong with that girl? We're going for X-rays tomorrow. She may have torn some tendons in the arch of her foot...she's on crutches now as we're at the airport in Houston.
The folks in Brownwood really want us to move there...I don't see that happening soon, but maybe someday.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
The stars at night...
shine so bright...deep in the heart of Texas...where I currently am. Sandy, the twins and I are in Brownwood, TX for a Christmas concert/dance that Sandy is producing. I get to emcee! Sandy's dance team from Oasis is flying in tonight. We also have our pastor, Danny Chambers, as the guest singer/speaker on Friday night. Saturday night Dove Award winner Rachael Lampa is coming in to be the guest singer. Sandy will do some solo dances and her crew has several dances, too. It should be fun. It is an event to open a satellite church for Heartland Church in Brownwood. The second church is in Santa Anna, TX. It is a very small, but incredibly loving community. We are staying at a ranch house that is also a drug rehab facility. It is so far out in the country. I have seen tons wildlife, including deer, skunks, foxes, coyotes, oh, and a bobcat! It is really cool! I was outside last night and I have never seen so many stars...makes me want to live a simpler life.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Vs.
Tonight I am working for Vs. doing a hockey game here in Nashville with the Predators taking on the St. Louis Blues. I am stealing money. There are some shows that I am on that I earn every dollar and am still owed some, but on a show like tonight...I have very low responsibility, only 2 cameras to keep track of, and have time to enjoy the game...
But my focus will be torn because I will be thinking about the mighty Ball State Cardinals going for an undefeated season on ESPN.
But even greater than that, Zach has his first wresting meet of the season...yes, I do hear "Cat's in the Cradle" playing softly in the background.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
But my focus will be torn because I will be thinking about the mighty Ball State Cardinals going for an undefeated season on ESPN.
But even greater than that, Zach has his first wresting meet of the season...yes, I do hear "Cat's in the Cradle" playing softly in the background.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Ice and Hardwood
Sandy and I flew home from Key Largo yesterday...I was home about 2 hours then had to get to a hockey game. Today I took Zach to school, then drove to Memphis to do a Grizzlies game tonight. I am kinda tired. This is what I'll be doing until the roar of the engines start again in February. I got confirmed for next NASCAR season today, so that is nice knowing that is solid.
The hockey and basketball is pretty easy. I don't do much but replays, so that is easy.
I've got Zach booked on 3 games coming up as a utility. He asked me over the summer if he could do that. The money is great for a kid...he's excited! He'll be doing it on his off weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Chip off the old block!
The hockey and basketball is pretty easy. I don't do much but replays, so that is easy.
I've got Zach booked on 3 games coming up as a utility. He asked me over the summer if he could do that. The money is great for a kid...he's excited! He'll be doing it on his off weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Chip off the old block!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
The Last Raceday of 2008!
Well, it has finally arrived...the finish line! It has been a fun year, but I am kinda glad it has wound down. This last trip has been fun since Sandy came with me and I got to dive last night.
On to the racing...I believe that Jimmie Johnson is unstoppable to win the Sprint Cup this season and tie the legend, Cale Yarborough, with 3 consecutive titles. Having said that, I believe Carl Edwards will push Jimmie pretty hard. Carl won lasts nights Nationwide race and is starting up front today. Jimmie starts mid-pack. I predict Carl Edwards will win this race today and take home a nice trophy, but not the one he really wants...Jimmie will get that one.
3). Denny Hamlin
2). Greg Biffle
1). Carl Edwards
Although this blog started as a log of my last year freelancing on the road every week, things have changed, the economy has changed and my plans have changed, therefore, it will continue...I don't know from where for the next two months, but in February, we'll be back in Daytona for another season on the road with SPEED and NASCAR.
Have a great last Raceday of 2008!
On to the racing...I believe that Jimmie Johnson is unstoppable to win the Sprint Cup this season and tie the legend, Cale Yarborough, with 3 consecutive titles. Having said that, I believe Carl Edwards will push Jimmie pretty hard. Carl won lasts nights Nationwide race and is starting up front today. Jimmie starts mid-pack. I predict Carl Edwards will win this race today and take home a nice trophy, but not the one he really wants...Jimmie will get that one.
3). Denny Hamlin
2). Greg Biffle
1). Carl Edwards
Although this blog started as a log of my last year freelancing on the road every week, things have changed, the economy has changed and my plans have changed, therefore, it will continue...I don't know from where for the next two months, but in February, we'll be back in Daytona for another season on the road with SPEED and NASCAR.
Have a great last Raceday of 2008!
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