Around the Horn
Five weeks. That’s about as long a time span as I’ve spent in one place since moving to Storybookland (aka Santa Monica) four years ago. And it’s exactly how much time I spent in the SBL after returning home from the Olympics in August. It was so nice to catch up with my friends, enjoy this amazing city and take advantage of a summer that just won’t quit.
We walked over the Brooklyn Bridge and had brunch near the “beach” at Bubby’s. Not a bad NYC morning.
But as usual, once I jump back on the travel train, it’s typically the high-speed variety.
Two weeks ago, I flew to NYC to spend time with my east coast friends and attend a charity event chaired by my friend Lisa Pavin for a wonderful organization called http://love146.org/. This was the 10th anniversary fundraising gala for Love 146, which works to end child sex trafficking and child slavery around the world, as well as rehabilitate kids who are rescued by the organization.
Vince Gill performed. Bill Clinton made a guest appearance, straight from giving a speech at the UN, to speak about the work Love 146 is doing, and we filled a table with wonderful, giving friends who are always looking for new ways to make a difference. It was a great night.
From NYC, I flew to Seattle for Monday Night football to work on a story for the next issue of the mag. (Check out my piece on the evolution of the slot receiver in the early October issue!) I got way more than I expected for the price of admission. The Green Bay post-game, post-call-heard-round-the-league locker room was one of the stranger situations I’ve witnessed. But all in all, it was a good, if not quick, trip and it was nice to get back to football for a week.
My newest job: Pit reporting. “Check your ego at the door and put on this fanny pack, please.”
After Seattle, I flew home for a few days and then was off to Vegas for the fifth stop of the Global RallyCross series. Among other things, I’m adding “pit reporter” to my job description and this was my first experience in the new role. The days were long, it was 100 degrees in Vegas and I’m still not at home in front of a camera, but it was a good experience and I enjoyed the crew I worked with. I’m still not used to the fact that people can see me while I’m working — “Hey! Saw your interview with Topi yesterday.” Huh? How?! Oh … right. — but I’m getting more and more used to working in front of a camera and I’m really enjoying the learning process. I love how collaborative television is, and that’s something I didn’t expect. So far, so fun.
I met up with SX racer Mike Alessi at Dodger Stadium, where he threw out the first pitch in the third-to-last game of the season — and then told Tommy LaSorda “I threw a strike!” (Dodgers win! Way to set the pace, MS.)
And now I’m home for a couple weeks. Monday night, I went out to Dodger Stadium for the third-to-last game of the season. Supercross racer Mike Alessi was tossing out the first pitch, so I went early to catch up with him and write up a piece for ESPN.com. It was a gorgeous night for baseball — it actually cooled down a bit! — and the Dodgers won. Not a bad way to start the week!
I have a busy fall of travel ahead. There are a few usual suspects on the travel list and a handful of places I never dreamed my job will take me. It’s going to be an exciting few months. And I’m happy I can take you all along with me!