Jason... from Georgia.

Had an interesting encounter at the gym today.

One of the things that I really took away from my travel across the country was the idea that things are so very different, yet the same. The entire time driving and stopping across various locations, I could never quite put my finger on what seemed different to me. I couldn't tell if it was the idea of being a large distance away from home, or if it was the nature of the surrounding area... but something always felt different to me. It didn't feel wrong, and I was never uncomfortable, but the entire time I was always slightly out of my element.

I think a large part of that was the fact that I kept expecting to see something so radically different from what I was used to that it would change my life forever. And really, I never saw anything life-changing. I saw many historical landmarks and icons - (Sears Tower, St Louis Arch, Rockies, Vegas) - but what most intrigued me was the character of people that I met across the way.

Many of the people I met were radically different in political or social views, yet I was constantly aware of the idea that we were all American. And almost all of those people were enormously jealous that I was getting the chance to travel across the country. The majority of people I spoke with in Ohio had never been as far as Los Angeles, or Boston, or New York, or even Chicago. Just as I had been my entire life until now, they had been sheltered in their surroundings as well. And their surrounding was home to them. As Boston and New England were home to me.

The entire time I've spent in Los Angeles has been wonderful, for the most part. I really can't complain. Still, I find myself missing my family and friends and girlfriend constantly. It's not that I don't have friends out here - many of my good friends from school traveled out this semester. And it's not really even the fact that I haven't seen my family.

The reality of the situation is that the entire time I was in Boston, I probably saw them just as much as I do now... and communicated far less. Yet I think the literal physical distance is what I can't escape from in the back of my head. I know that New England is home, and I know that New England is far away. Ultimately, I will return there. In fact, ideally, I'll live there again in the immediate and forseeable future. The job market may dictate something different, but not if I have my choice.

Anywho, so I've had all these things in mind, and today I met somebody new at the Oakwoods while I was at the gym. His name is also Jason, and he is from Southern Georgia. He is what you would stereotype someone from Georgia to be... very pale, heavy accent, enormously friendly and talkative. I asked him about his home, and he described it as this: "there's maybe three stop lights in the whole town," meaning, I'm sure, that it's a very small area.

He told me how he disliked his home considerably. Though his family and friends were back in Georgia, he didn't want to grow old there. And for some reason that resonated strangely with me, because more and more I'm finding that I do want to grow old back where I come from.

The irony, I think is that he shared my name, as well. He mentioned how much he loved L.A., all the things he was doing.

"The girls out here are real pretty. I love going to the clubs, it's all a new experience to me. They don't have this in Georgia."

And I thought, 'they don't have this in Massachusetts either, but it really doesn't appeal to me.'

I've already mentioned once or twice my fondness for home and how lucky I am to have a family who loves and cares so much for me, and vice-versa. The longer I stay away from them, the less time I spend with them throughout my life. And though I'm cherishing this experience, I really can't wait to get back.

Finally.

Some of the fellow interns I've talked to, prior to getting to travel out into the field, get a phone call from my boss (Armen) prior to getting the chance.

I liken it to something like being called up from the minor leagues in baseball.

Armen: "Here's your chance, kid... go get 'em."

Me: "Thanks, skip."

Up until now, I have received no phone calls.

I got into work the other day expecting to do nothing. There were no baseball games, no basketball games, no nothing.

So of course, I got in, and started doing what every intern is told to do when there's nothing in particular to do: surf the internet.

I was almost immediately greeted by Armen, who told me I was headed out into the field.

YES!

I was to go interview a high school player by the name of Patrick Hall and his coach, Tom Therrian, who were up in Ventura, California. They played for St. Bonaventure and were going to face CalState Poly that weekend, the number 1 ranked team in the country. Patrick Hall was a senior, three years younger than me. He has a full scholarship to play football for USC and will probably start at running back quickly after he gets there.

The experience I had this day made all the other days of nothingness or near nothingness worth it in every way.

My afternoon started off meeting Glenn, who has been a cameraman for CBS for 20 plus years. He drove us both out to the field, which took about an hour to get to. The entire time we talked about what I wanted to be doing, and what he had done. From resume tapes to his sports experiences to how I should break into the business, I soaked everything up like a sponge.

We got to the field and my first impression was that everybody around us was impressed and wanted to get on camera. I thought this to be funny... as I, too, want to get on camera eventually.

Glenn let me do a number of stand-ups and I was admittedly nervous. He could tell, but he was patient and helpful. It was almost my first real interview with a player and a coach.

The whole thing really reinforced that this is truly what I want to do. Glenn reinforced it too. He kept saying, "I have nothing to complain about. I have the dream job." The only thing that gave me pause was when he started talking about his family... and mentioned how he had missed much of his little girl's upbringing.

It was a lot to digest and I hope to write more soon. I hope to go out with Glenn again soon, also. This was definitely a turning point in my experience, and I hope it continues for the better.

Little Email, Big Results

I've been a bit frustrated thus far at the lack of, well, doing anything so far at the internship.

Coupled with this is the fact that other interns, a select few, (out of maybe twenty-seven), have gone out into the field to Lakers' practice... or to the Dodgers locker room... all the while, I sit around and log games and do the job they've asked me to do.

It's not that I'm jealous... but, well, I was jealous. I felt as if I was wasting my time while others were thoroughly enjoying theirs.

I was going to talk to my boss directly on Tuesday, (and was a bit nervous about overstepping my boundaries and talking to him directly), when he decided to skip out of the office early. Conveniently for me, this allowed me to email him instead. Enough was enough.

I sent the following email on (9/30):

{{{Hey Armen -

Was gonna catch you this afternoon but you seemed to be in a hurry to get out of here. I haven't asked you yet, because I don't want to overstep my boundaries, but I was wondering if there's a bit more I can be doing for you around here. My next step from here is to get on the job market and see what kinds of openings I can find, and I was hoping to get a bit more experience here than what I've received so far.

I certainly don't mind logging tapes and logging games, I understand that is all a necessary part of the job for interns. Still, I'd really like to be doing more. My capabilities stretch way beyond that, and I'm a fast learner. Is it at all possible for me to start going out into the field with your reporters and cameramen? These types of experiences would be so valuable for me and I would relish it. In addition, the chance at maybe sneaking in a stand-up for my demo would be spectacular as well. Again none of these things are expected. I just feel like I'm being underused.

Let me know how you feel. Don't know if you're in tomorrow, hopefully I'll catch you then. If not, you know how to reach me.

Best,

Jason}}}

...needless to say, I was a bit nervous. The fate of my internship future was on the line.

Wednesday afternoon rolled around and my boss came right up to me. He had read my email. And he apologized to me. He had been very busy and planned to get me out in the field soon. And furthermore, could I go to Lakers practice on Thursday?

I didn't take a second to reply 'yes,' before I remembered that I had two classes on Thursday and had to decline. Still, it felt good to get asked, and I know there will be more chances in the future. I've been there almost a month already, with merely two months left to go. Time is flying, as expected. Hopefully I can make the most out of the rest of the opportunities given to me there.