Week 1

Ok, so I'm going to attempt to post at least once a week to keep you up to speed on what's going on in my crazy life. I don't want to blog everyday (unless I REALLY have something to say) because the last thing I want to do is come home after 9+ hours at work...and talk about work. haha :)

One word to sum up my first week at work: OVERWHELMING

I have had more things thrown at me this week to do, learn, set up, pitch, create... holy crap.

First off, let me give you a little overview of my job as a Production Assistant at the world wide leader...
As a new PA, I will be on the highlight circuit for a good while.  Each day, I will be assigned a game (be it baseball, basketball, hockey, etc.) which I will have to research beforehand, log every play, piece of good video, replay, iso, etc. , and help the editor to cut a highlight for.  The highlight will most likely air on the 11p and 1a SportsCenter...and whatever specialty show it belongs on. For baseball that would be Baseball Tonight (BBTN).
The thing about highlights on ESPN is that they need to be memorable. My job is to tell the best story possible for my particular game--which can be blatantly obvious in an exciting game...or terribly hard in a boring game. My challenge is to make my highlight stand out and be noticed--to try something different--and hopefully make an impression on the viewer...and most importantly, my bosses! haha
All of that is my strong suit--the creative part. That's the part I'm looking forward to and can't wait to dive head first into.
I'm also scheduled to start prompting in the studios in a couple of weeks... I'm excited for this because I will be in the News studio--which are all my people!!! Hanging out with my News friends again will be nice. I'm also going to be turning in story ideas (at LEAST one per week) to my CP...possible ideas for segments, features, what have you. My goal is to turn in more than one a week... That said, if you think of anything cool...HOLLER!
What's overwhelming right now...is learning all the new programs and systems I'm not already familiar with. Then, on top of that, trying to be creative. **(Must remind myself to breathe)**
Don't get me wrong...having been an intern is proving to be a HUGE advantage in terms of my getting acclimated.  THANK GOD I KNOW MY WAY AROUND. AHHH!!

But enough venting...
I have had a TON of fun already being back at work! My first night observing in highlights was the Braves/Phillies game on Tuesday night... if you saw, you know that the game went all the way to the 9th inning Phils leading the Braves 3-0. Our highlight was going to hit early on the 10p BBTN...so Kristen (who I was shadowing) and I ran (literally RAN) to the studio to bring the anchors our shot sheet*. As we were walking back to screening, Kristen was telling me that if I can get a 1:40 highlight out of a boring game like that, I could do anything.
So, we walk back in our edit room...and sit down to watch our highlight, assuming our game was over. But no... we are greeted with a new score of 3-3 ... the thanks to Jason Heyward ...our highlight needed to be COMPLETELY changed for the 11p and 1a SportsCenters...as well as the 12a BBTN. Wow. hahahaha
Thank god for 1-play...

Another cool thing about my job...almost getting run over by Scott Van Pelt numerous times in one night--coming through doors, turning corners, etc. He's huge...but pretty much the nicest guy ever.  He also loves 5 Points, so I know we're gonna be BFF.

:)

Oh yeah...and PS:
Norwood IS a PANTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!






















*Shot sheet--a sheet of paper given to the anchor listing each shot/play used in my highlight so they know what to say/talk about. It also tells them about any graphics or special effects I've added that they should be aware of.
 

My Room!

I'm FINALLY finished unpacking and am now somewhat satisfied with the way my room is set up! I'm very happy to have all my pictures and gamecock stuff up--it makes me feel a little less antsy to have my friends and family watching over me (as creepy as THAT sounds...) hahaha.

Welcome to my humble abode! 

My little half bath...

 

Closets

 

The freaking awesome poster I snagged from the stadium...thanks Cory! :)

 

Lovely shelves :)

 

The new "king sized" bed. hahahaha

 

My little entertainment center!

 

Looking out of my room to the front door/stairs... I'm on the bottom floor. :)

Road Trip!

If any of you from down south plan to come visit me (which you'd BETTER) up here in the rolling green hills of Bristol, CT... here's your route!
Penske (driven by my wonderful Daddy) and I made the 14 hour drive up the east coast and I am finally here!

Hello neighbor to the north!

Waving to the Queen City as I pass by...

Penske just passing through Charlotte...

Welcome to Virginia, Penske...

Virginia is for lovers...and after driving through the mountains, I can see why! Burk...props to VA for a scenic drive. :)

Good morning Baltimore and Camden Yards! :)

What did Della wear??? Har har har... ;)

Gotta love the Jersey Turnpike...
Not.

LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Penske takes on the Tappen Zee Bridge...

FINALLY! ... ALMOST THERE!

Pretty buildings in Waterbury.

My new home...and the home of ESPN! WOO!

The townhouse!!!

I'm still settling into my room...and it's a mess...so pictures will be put up later. :)
It's coming along though. I'm a big fan of this place and really lucked out with the set up, location, and proximity to work! (Thanks Maddy!!!)

The past couple days have been a lovely dose of reality for me. I tried to get everything I could done while Dad was still up here to help me. We got as far as car insurance...but didn't make it through the DMV for my license and registration.

Some weird things you should know about Connecticut that I will probably rant about a good bit:

1) Grocery stores stop selling beer at 9pm every night. Convenience stores/Gas stations don't even sell beer...so if you get off work at 9 or later and want a 6 pack...sorry, you're SOL.

2) Wine can only be purchased at the liquor store. However, it IS okay for passengers to drink in your car and have open containers.

annnnnd MY real doozie...
3) Your car must pass an emissions test in order to attain a CT drivers license and register your car. Neither of which they issue to new residents on Wednesdays (go figure) and I must have proof of a Connecticut residency in the form of some mail with my name on it. Sorry, but I just moved in Tuesday...

SO Dad and I went to the "certified" emissions testing site up the street...only to find out that the check engine light (which has been on and off for like a year) would keep my car from passing.

FAIL.

Yesterday,
After dropping Dad off at the airport it was on to the Honda dealership.
The lady told me it was probably just a minor problem because anything could cause my check engine light to go on and off...but HEY, just pay us 90 bucks to check to see what the problem is!
Suuure, why not. Connecticut won't give me a license and registration with out putting you through an obstacle course apparently, so go ahead.

Thankfully Honda has a lovely car service, and was taken back to my house to wait. Two hours later: "Hi Laura, the mechanic would like to ask if you would be willing to allow him another hour to further diagnose your car. It will be another $90, btw." Sure, why not.

Finally around about 5pm it's concluded that my car as two things wrong with it.
1) Intake Manifold Runner Control Valve ... Parts and Labor $510
2) 3rd Gear Pressure Switch ... $215

Whatever that is...

You do the math.
Not a good start to my "Big Girl" life.

Thankfully I have great parents who aren't as they put it "going to let me starve or go homeless"...and who will advise me on the right decisions to make in situations where I prove to be clueless. i.e... ANYTHING to do with numbers. Hence the Journalism major... haha.
Thanks Mom and Dad. LOVE YOU! :)

Other than that little speed bump, everything else is going well. I've already seen a couple of my friends up here, and I have the weekend to finish unpacking and get myself together--before I start work with "Rookie Camp" (ESPN's Orientation) on Monday. Tours and lots of stuff I've already done and know, but hey, at least I won't be thrown into the fire until Wednesday.