This had to be one of the most tiring, if not the most rewarding, weeks I’ve since I’ve been at WTVM. Everything hit big on Monday, and it didn’t stop until after 11 p.m. Friday.

I’m not going over too many specifics, but here’s a quick breakdown:

-Monday: Time problems from the start. I basically worked two stories, which threw everything and everyone off. I had my story, plus helped on someone else’s. To top it off, I had to go to Columbus and replace my camera’s power supply.

-Tuesday: Had to come into work early, shoot two stories and feed stuff down to our sister station, WSFA. Easy enough day, but my boss came over to take us out to dinner. Before our meal, we get filled in on some developing changes. Pretty cool stuff is happening.

-Wednesday: Get a great story with the police and state attorney general. Bad weather sets in, knocks out our feed from the bureau and I have to head back to Columbus for the third time in five days (about a 45 minute drive both ways).

-Thursday: Go up to cover a search for a missing airplane. Get great stuff up there and head back to the bureau (thankfully it’s back up and running). Do my stuff, get off work and go shopping for Amy’s Mother’s Day gifts. Less than an hour later, they find the plane. Voluntarily, I head back to the crash site, get more stuff and report live that night. A double-shift, but a great story.

-Friday: Go back to the crash site, and the sheriff lets me get close-up footage of the wreckage. Because I stayed out there all day Thursday and Friday morning, they keep everyone else away from the wreck, giving me the exclusive! Back to the bureau, getting packed to go home and a semi hits a school bus. Head out there, get a great story with a kid (You’re welcome for my interviews, WSFA! Your stuff also looked awesome, Charlie!) and report it live that night. Yep, second double-shift in a row.

I had overtime every day this week. Total hours for the week is 52.5. I think that’s the most I’ve pulled in quite a while. That’s what you have to do when it’s sweeps and you’re a one-man-band.

I pray next week is more relaxing. I am still burned out even after a full night of sleep.

In other thoughts, I did get Amy’s gifts put together today. Also, Alyssa is learning more about her hands. It was awesome watching her sitting on the couch playing with her fingers.

Pictures in the next post!

You ever just have that day where you don’t know if you’re coming or going? I’m sure you have. If you haven’t, don’t worry. You’ll get out of your teen years before long.

Today was one of those days for me. I can’t even recap what happened. That’s how muddled my mind is, but I do know I went to dinner tonight with Sean and Hayley down in Columbus. I really enjoyed that.

I don’t get to Columbus too often. I lived there for three years before we moved to Tuscaloosa, and I’ll reserve my comments on it. Let’s just say we really love Lee County.

When I do get down there, I get to see everyone at the station. I really like that a lot. It’s nice to see people instead of just talking over the computer or phone with them.

Anyhow, I have a lot of things I’d really like to talk about. Again, I’m going to reserve comments. This is my “professional” blog, and I’m not about to say things about certain topics. Not all of it is “shop talk,” but some of it is.

Before you ask, or get any ideas, none of my vents have to do with my station or the people that work there. The pain of being a nice guy sometimes is wanting to lash out at people, but you just don’t have the heart or voice.

“I’ve tried so hard and got so far, but in the end it doesn’t even matter.” –Linkin Park

– I’m very tired tonight. I’m physically and mentally drained. It’s that time of the week when I pull early-morning duty with Alyssa, and I work until near midnight. I wish more than anything I could take a day off work.

– I was watching SportsCenter at the crack of dawn yesterday, and I saw one of the best stories ever produced. It was a special on the Challenger Football League. This league is for mentally disabled and terminally ill kids.
They put them in wheelchairs while their parents push them toward the goal line, or they run the ball in themselves. I cried watching it because I had Alyssa in my arms, and I was completely moved since I’m now a dad. Kudos to ESPN for that one.

– I officially, kinda, sorta entered into contract negotiations today. I’ve only got seven weeks left until mine is up, and I want to stay. I called my boss to basically set up a time for me to go to Columbus and meet with him.
He caught me by surprise when he asked what I wanted. I’ve had a figure in my head for a while, especially since Amy and I have been talking the better part of a year about her being a stay-at-home mom. Needless to say, I wasn’t prepared to say it today. I’ll let you know how it goes.

– We’re both beyond exhaustion. Have a great night.