Dooley's Blog

Okay, it's been a while since my last Blog entry, but its time to start Blogging again, and I will start with a story from today…

I came down to
Escondido for an audition. I was auditioning to be the host of a new TV
show coming out this fall, "All Access Karaoke"

So,
as I usually do when I'm traveling, I pull up Geocache Navigator on my
blackberry, and as I go in for my audition, I notice there's a cache
1/10 of a mile away. Cool, I'll get this after the audition.

So,
during the interview, before I did my lines, the producers asked me
about myself, so I mention my hobbies, including Geocaching. And of
course, the inevitable "What is that?" Well, I go into an explanation,
and they are fascinated about it. I told them that there's even one
right near their production office, less than 600 feet away.

So,
on with the audition (I was nervous, and it showed, so we'll see how it
pans out, but I had fun doing it. Maybe I'm being too critical, and it
wasn't bad.. We'll see if I get a callback)

And,
since I was the last audition of the night, they asked me if I was
going to look for that cache, and I told them of course! So, they asked
if they could tag along and tape it.

So,
off we go! I pop the coords into my Garmin (I much prefer to use the
navigation on the Garmin if I have it, rather than the blackberry) and
off we go…. The producers, cameraman and PA… And now I'm in *MY*
natural environment, talking up a storm about geocaching…. I show
them the lamppost we pass on the way, and show them that many caches
are under the "lamp skirt" and show them how it lifts….. Then I read
the difficulty and see it's a D-3, and it's at night no less!!! How
embarrassing would it be if I don't find this cache????? And to top it
off, the last cacher logged a DNF…. Let's look at more logs… Phew!
It was found just over a week ago.

So,
the flashlight going, and more eyes looking, I notice something that
was, to put it best, something that should be there, but maybe not.
Without spoiling the cache for the rest, let's just suffice it to say
that BINGO! I found the cache. "Got it!!"

I
unrolled the log (which by the way needs a new plastic baggie – it's
all ripped but the log is in good shape) and I showed it to the
cameraman, who Wow'ed at how many people signed it….. Then I flipped
it over to show the REST of the signatures.

I added my own, and also signed "The All Access Karaoke Crew"

Now the cameras were off, and we walked back to the production office, and I left.

One thing for sure…. They will NOT forget my audition!

Thanks for a fun cache, a VERY unique hide, and a great story to go home with.

This is what Geocaching is all about.

Oh, and here's what the show is all about if you're interested: All Access Karaoke

And here's a link to the Cache page:  Tower of Power

Today promises to be a quieter day on set.

Yesterday’s media forum was a frenzy, but today the crews are moving equipment and tables, and we are routing out new network connections. On Sunday, this will be the Press room, and the photographers will be taking pictures of the celebrities that come off stage 16, and come into stage 11, in the photgrapher’s pit, with the VMA backdrop. It’s usually a mad frenzy of photographers shouting out for the celbrity to look their way (So they get a direct picture of the celebrity facing them, rather than looking to one side or another) and the media cards being brought back to the photo techs who are using the network connections we set up, to upload their pictures to their photo agencies for publication.

Another section set up for bloggers, so they can get their stories out. We are settnig up their network connections as well.

Today is relatively slow, and I expect to leave early today. Tomorrow may be a bit more frenzied, as we get ready for the day of the show.

All in all, working on a production is a lot of hard work and long days. But in the end, it’s worth it, as it is a completly different atmosphere from the day to day grind at the office. Change is good. Just ask Barak Obama. He likes change. So do I.

Thanks for reading my ‘blog.

-Dooley-