Media buffer and Ironman...

I had the best security gig (and one of the easiest) last week. I got a call at 9:30am on Friday (I didn't get to bed until 7am from working 12 hours overnight so I didn't appreciate it) asking me if I could work an emergency gig at 1pm that afternoon. I mumbled okay and fell back asleep until 11 when I got the second call telling me to go to ASU and see this guy and only talk to that guy... (and wear jeans and golf shirt--undercover man!). So as I'm on the road to ASU one of the bigs in our company calls and says to report to Packard Stadium (baseball facility at ASU) and report to Lynn who runs sports activities for the school. So I arrive at Packard Stadium (still not knowing what's going on) and Lynn briefs me that the the head baseball coach has resigned after 16 years and that I am to man the main gate and only allow players and coaches and anyone on the list she gives me into the facility. Everyone else is to remain outside. I am the only security at the stadium.

I tell everyone else showing up that the field is closed and practice cancelled and that its a players only meeting and "I don't know" whyn they closed the stadium. About an hour in Channel 12 and Channel 3 pull up with a news truck and cameras and begin setting up outside my gate. A print media guy is asking me what's going on and I give him the "I don't know... I am just working the gate". The cameras start rolling... (I'm sure I ended up on the cutting room floor after pleading ignorance) but it was pretty cool keeping the wolves at bay outside the gate. After the meeting a group of players and officials came out for interviews at the gate so again I might be in some footage... (I'll have to check channel 12 archives). The whole time I did my best military "at ease" stance complete with shades and "don't even try" expression. (lol) After all the players and officials left the reporter says, "okay. How about the truth. Is Coach Murphy still in the building?" "I don't know, sir " was all he got. The truth was that Murphy left the building even before I was posted but I wasn't going to be a "source at the scene". So I left around 5:30 with Channel 12 still hanging around looking to interview the coach... (Nice look for the reporter, by the way... Suit jacket, dress shirt and tie over shorts and sneakers).

Sunday I volunteered at the Ironman Arizona event... I was a Run/Aid station 1 handing out warm, flat cola to the runners... (first time I ever saw soda used but I guess the sugar and caffeine help). Over 2500 participants swam 2.4 miles, biked 112 miles and ran a full marathon (26.2 miles) in nearly perfect (it is Arizona after all) conditions. All I can say is that these athletes are awesome and every one of them deserves much praise for competing. It was inspiring to see them out there and be part of helping them achieve their goals. What a great experience. I am inspired to dust off the running shoes and get back on the road. Don't worry. I will take it as far as this cranky old body will let me. Baby steps are the key, but I did go for a run last night...(if you can call it that). Got back in one piece a-huffin' and a-puffin'. Felt great (not at first but long after...lol). I will bring running gear to Aruba (you knew I had to bring it up) and maybe go for a jog in Central Park for old time's sake.

Tee minus 3 days and counting... Playing golf tomorrow and Wednesday to tune up for the Aruba Open with the boys. The pink ball will be in attendance guys so bring your "A" game...