Or trotting around the globe for that matter.
But they did show me the way to work yesterday for what turned out to be the equivalent of a court-side seat at the most entertaining basketball game of all time.
That's right, the legendary Buckets Blakes bounced by the TV-6 studios to promote the Harlem Globetrotter's "4 Times the Fun" tour that's shooting into East Lansing's Breslin Center on campus. Complete with his red, white and blue uniform and matching basketball, Buckets literally and figuratively took a spin through the station, dropping jaws and openings eyes with his talented tricks of the b-ball entertainment trade.
"People love basketball here... MSU is a sports town and Coach Izzo is a great coach," he told me during an interview while rolling his basketball around his shoulders, neck and head (talk about hand-eye-camera coordination). "But I'm not gonna give any of his players my tips or tricks if they come see us play. I don't need Buckets being blamed if they try them in a game."
A sense of humor can go a long way in life, but it also works wonders on the hardwood against anybody wearing a Washington Generals jersey (the ill-fated, oft-defeated opponents of the Globetrotters). I found out in a shot-clock's time that I'd be better off wearing the former, as opposed to the latter, namely for my lack of coordination when Buckets tried to teach me how to spin the ball on my finger and later dribble through my legs (I knocked over our coffee set-up in the kitchen during the ball spinning and proceeded to dribble into the conference room door during lesson two...the ball kept moving, I didn't).
"Practice, practice, practice, my man," Buckets told me smiling.
And that's what I'll need to do big-time to be ready for half-time of the Globetrotters game next weekend. I'm playing in a special 2-on-2 challenge between halves with a colleague, as we take on the personalities from a local rock station. TV vs. Radio in an epic battle of basketball ineptness on the court of the Breslin Center. First there was Magic Johnson, then Scot Skiles, most recently Draymond Green and now Evan Pinsonnault. Yes, my name will forever live on with the basketball greats who played on that famed parquet.
"But only if you make the 4-point shot," Buckets reminded me. "None of those guys ever hit the 4-pointer. You could be the first, Ev."
Now that would be a shot heard round the worl...scratch that. Globe!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
...James Bond Will Return.
00Evan in is 007 heaven today.
FINALLY...the 23rd film in my favorite movie series of all time is coming to the big screen (Dear MGM: thanks for taking so long to get out of bankruptcy. Please contact President Obama first next time to get your debt paid off quicker).
The Broccoli bunch announced James Bond 23 (or as the title will soon be, give or take an adjective/verb/word, "Serving For Her Majesty with a Golden Gun Makes Dying Tomorrow More Livable Today...Octopussy 2) will open up at a theatre near you in November of 2012.
Note: my British spelling of "theatre"... I'm trying to shake things up a bit, as opposed to stirring them :-D
While I'd prefer the movie to open a lot sooner, just the fact that things are now moving forward is enough to excite The Living Daylights out of me. Daniel Craig is back. Dame Judy Dench is back. Oscar winner Sam Mendes is on board to direct. And David Arnold says he's set to score Bond one more time. This is good news. This is two thumbs up, as well as one Goldfinger. This is what 007 fans have been wanting to hear since the credits rolled on the forgettable Quantum of Solace experiment.
So, if Bond really is "back" as the producers say... here's hoping he'll have his familiar cohorts surrounding him for the first time since the early aughts: namely Q and Moneypenny. Enough of the "origins" plot-line. We saw Bond develop ala Christopher's Nolan's Batman in the previous two films, now we want to see him kick some double-0 behind. We want to see him shooting up the bad guy during the famous gun barrel sequence at the beginning of the movie. We want to see him stealing some awesome vehicle and blowing up some huge villainous lair all while "his" theme is blasting loudly in the background. In other words, we want to see Craig as classic Bond now that we know and trust him as a modern-day 007.
"You must be joking!?"
I never joke about my work.
FINALLY...the 23rd film in my favorite movie series of all time is coming to the big screen (Dear MGM: thanks for taking so long to get out of bankruptcy. Please contact President Obama first next time to get your debt paid off quicker).
The Broccoli bunch announced James Bond 23 (or as the title will soon be, give or take an adjective/verb/word, "Serving For Her Majesty with a Golden Gun Makes Dying Tomorrow More Livable Today...Octopussy 2) will open up at a theatre near you in November of 2012.
Note: my British spelling of "theatre"... I'm trying to shake things up a bit, as opposed to stirring them :-D
While I'd prefer the movie to open a lot sooner, just the fact that things are now moving forward is enough to excite The Living Daylights out of me. Daniel Craig is back. Dame Judy Dench is back. Oscar winner Sam Mendes is on board to direct. And David Arnold says he's set to score Bond one more time. This is good news. This is two thumbs up, as well as one Goldfinger. This is what 007 fans have been wanting to hear since the credits rolled on the forgettable Quantum of Solace experiment.
So, if Bond really is "back" as the producers say... here's hoping he'll have his familiar cohorts surrounding him for the first time since the early aughts: namely Q and Moneypenny. Enough of the "origins" plot-line. We saw Bond develop ala Christopher's Nolan's Batman in the previous two films, now we want to see him kick some double-0 behind. We want to see him shooting up the bad guy during the famous gun barrel sequence at the beginning of the movie. We want to see him stealing some awesome vehicle and blowing up some huge villainous lair all while "his" theme is blasting loudly in the background. In other words, we want to see Craig as classic Bond now that we know and trust him as a modern-day 007.
"You must be joking!?"
I never joke about my work.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
...When it comes to entertainment, I "Spare" no expense.
It certainly wasn't a split decision last night.
The TV-6 bowling team "The Big Erns" (named in tribute after Bill Murray's hilarious character in Kingpin) hit the hardwood at Marvel Lanes for three strings of epic MNB--Monday Night Bowling--and came away with a striking victory.
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME TENPIN! I can almost hear the jingle...
Yes, I'm a member of the team, dare I say the "Anchorman", and a proud Michigan league bowler for the second year in a row. Every now again on the approach, I hearken back to my days growing up in the Berkshires as a candlepin bowler (think rolling a softball three times at a triangle of broomsticks--bank shots and caroms allowed) and later tournament tenpin tapper. I'm pretty sure I'll always enjoy bowling.
But the bowling crowd in this current league is one for the ages: you've got lefty leaners, shoe sliders, ball droppers, rabid high-fivers, split sulkers, strike smilers, loose lobbers, wrist whippers, high hookers, soft curlers, gutter chuckers... the descriptive list goes on and on and on! And everybody claims they "got lucky" when they throw two turkeys and a clean game (see: Bowling with my Dicktionary by Richard Webber for more on the aforementioned terminology). Talk about wanting to hit the reset button---but all worth a laugh, at least.
Yet, perhaps the most entertaining aspect of our weekly ball-rolling, pin-knocking excursion has to be our team's crosstalk. From catching up on work to observing the tendencies of the "athletes" bowling about us, there's never a dull convo or sharing of words. Just like good alley advice, we hit our mark when it comes to comical chit chat. And that, in this would-be PBAer's opinion, always gives us--no matter what we throw--a "perfect game."*
*I wasn't named Evan PINSonnault for nothing ;-)!
The TV-6 bowling team "The Big Erns" (named in tribute after Bill Murray's hilarious character in Kingpin) hit the hardwood at Marvel Lanes for three strings of epic MNB--Monday Night Bowling--and came away with a striking victory.
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME TENPIN! I can almost hear the jingle...
Yes, I'm a member of the team, dare I say the "Anchorman", and a proud Michigan league bowler for the second year in a row. Every now again on the approach, I hearken back to my days growing up in the Berkshires as a candlepin bowler (think rolling a softball three times at a triangle of broomsticks--bank shots and caroms allowed) and later tournament tenpin tapper. I'm pretty sure I'll always enjoy bowling.
But the bowling crowd in this current league is one for the ages: you've got lefty leaners, shoe sliders, ball droppers, rabid high-fivers, split sulkers, strike smilers, loose lobbers, wrist whippers, high hookers, soft curlers, gutter chuckers... the descriptive list goes on and on and on! And everybody claims they "got lucky" when they throw two turkeys and a clean game (see: Bowling with my Dicktionary by Richard Webber for more on the aforementioned terminology). Talk about wanting to hit the reset button---but all worth a laugh, at least.
Yet, perhaps the most entertaining aspect of our weekly ball-rolling, pin-knocking excursion has to be our team's crosstalk. From catching up on work to observing the tendencies of the "athletes" bowling about us, there's never a dull convo or sharing of words. Just like good alley advice, we hit our mark when it comes to comical chit chat. And that, in this would-be PBAer's opinion, always gives us--no matter what we throw--a "perfect game."*
*I wasn't named Evan PINSonnault for nothing ;-)!
Monday, January 10, 2011
...I can "Cook Up" quite a storm in the kitchen, I discovered!
Chicken Piri Piri became Chicken Pinsonnault Pinsonnault last night.
That's right, this "never-have-time-to-cook" newsguy found time to cook. And even though I had to borrow (or as my favorite lawyer would tease(ly) me... "burrough... that's what it sounds like it when you say it.") some ingredients and utensils, the end product measured up to my expectations and more.
It's a simple enough recipe: mince up a jalapeno and throw it into a marinade of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, crushed red pepper and garlic, and salt. Then dip your chicken breasts in so both sides get covered and grill it for about 10 minutes. Or as I prefer the verb to be: Foreman it. Place the cooked and marinaded and seasoned chicken on a bed of asparagus (or other grilled vegetables), pair with a side of wild African rice, drizzle some of the remaining peppery mixture on and voila! You've got a restaurant-style meal for your consumption.
The only thing spicier was perhaps the Folie a Deux Napa Valley 2006 Cabernet I paired it with. A perfect blend of flavors, with hints of berry, that accentuated the zest of the meal. Throw in a dash of amazing company, and you could say it was a dinner I didn't want done for days, no doubt ;-)!
I'm now immensely looking forward to what's next on Chef Pinsonnault's, or as a friend suggested Chef Pinch-of-Salt's, menu. And for the first time in a long time, it won't be limited to cereal, mac n' cheese and pizza (though my recipes are top notch).
Bon Appetit!
That's right, this "never-have-time-to-cook" newsguy found time to cook. And even though I had to borrow (or as my favorite lawyer would tease(ly) me... "burrough... that's what it sounds like it when you say it.") some ingredients and utensils, the end product measured up to my expectations and more.
It's a simple enough recipe: mince up a jalapeno and throw it into a marinade of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, crushed red pepper and garlic, and salt. Then dip your chicken breasts in so both sides get covered and grill it for about 10 minutes. Or as I prefer the verb to be: Foreman it. Place the cooked and marinaded and seasoned chicken on a bed of asparagus (or other grilled vegetables), pair with a side of wild African rice, drizzle some of the remaining peppery mixture on and voila! You've got a restaurant-style meal for your consumption.
The only thing spicier was perhaps the Folie a Deux Napa Valley 2006 Cabernet I paired it with. A perfect blend of flavors, with hints of berry, that accentuated the zest of the meal. Throw in a dash of amazing company, and you could say it was a dinner I didn't want done for days, no doubt ;-)!
I'm now immensely looking forward to what's next on Chef Pinsonnault's, or as a friend suggested Chef Pinch-of-Salt's, menu. And for the first time in a long time, it won't be limited to cereal, mac n' cheese and pizza (though my recipes are top notch).
Bon Appetit!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
...Sleeping in for extra slumber isn't just "Pillow Talk."
More Z's = better R&R. Especially if you subtract the 7&7's from the night previous. ;-)
Yes, only two days a week getting 8 hours or more of sleep is rather ridiculous, but many people say the same about the life of a morning anchor: up at 2am M-F, work 'til 1:00pm--sometimes much longer, maybe a nap in the afternoon squeezed between workouts (see my previous blog post for more on this exhaustively exercisic topic), then either a community appearance or a theatrical production at night.
Note: the former and the latter in the sentence above are not mandatory by any means, but rather necessary in my opinion so that I can have an actual "life" outside of work--in fact, I think this may be a topic for a future blog~!
And in order to keep up with the demanding schedule I just mentioned, sleep gets cut short unfortunately. Oh, I've heard the criticisms. Been given the requisite amount of advice. Seen the looks of disapproval and sometimes insanity on the faces of those to whom I impart the knowledge of my non-stop lifestyle.
But for a guy in his late 20's who's about to get into the best shape he's been in since his ill-fated high school swimming days (I retired my Speedo sophomore year after nearly drowning in a meet when I dove in crooked and got tangled coming up in the lane divider--oh, the joys of the pool), I'm managing just fine on the 3-4 hours I go to dreamland each weekday, and then the 10-12+ make-up hours I stay lazily in bed for on Saturdays and Sundays.
In fact, I'm writing this post after just waking up!
But, I may need a nap soon :-D
Yes, only two days a week getting 8 hours or more of sleep is rather ridiculous, but many people say the same about the life of a morning anchor: up at 2am M-F, work 'til 1:00pm--sometimes much longer, maybe a nap in the afternoon squeezed between workouts (see my previous blog post for more on this exhaustively exercisic topic), then either a community appearance or a theatrical production at night.
Note: the former and the latter in the sentence above are not mandatory by any means, but rather necessary in my opinion so that I can have an actual "life" outside of work--in fact, I think this may be a topic for a future blog~!
And in order to keep up with the demanding schedule I just mentioned, sleep gets cut short unfortunately. Oh, I've heard the criticisms. Been given the requisite amount of advice. Seen the looks of disapproval and sometimes insanity on the faces of those to whom I impart the knowledge of my non-stop lifestyle.
But for a guy in his late 20's who's about to get into the best shape he's been in since his ill-fated high school swimming days (I retired my Speedo sophomore year after nearly drowning in a meet when I dove in crooked and got tangled coming up in the lane divider--oh, the joys of the pool), I'm managing just fine on the 3-4 hours I go to dreamland each weekday, and then the 10-12+ make-up hours I stay lazily in bed for on Saturdays and Sundays.
In fact, I'm writing this post after just waking up!
But, I may need a nap soon :-D
Friday, January 7, 2011
...Working out how to work out is a workout.
My New Year's resolution this year was to resolve last year's resolution which had no resolution since I wasn't resolute enough to stick with going to the gym--i.e. I'm now working out 5-6 times a week, with plenty of cardio. Not that I'm not in shape. I just prefer to be more "shapely," if you will ("I WILL NOT," as my friend Mr. Tuckman would retort back).
So, I arrive at the downtown Y raring to go, complete with my brand new sneakers, socks and running pants. I at least looked the part of frequent gym-goer guy, even if I couldn't pull it off while on the equipment. Speaking of which, you know you're a bit lacking in the physically fit department when it's a struggle to adjust the equipment, let alone use it. As a result, my favorite machine was, and will remain, the water fountain. Though I may have jammed my thumb on it in a hurried attempt at imbibing it's wonderfully cool and comforting contents. No hitch-hiking for this newsman anytime soon.
My plan, or routine, as it were ("AS IT WERE NOT!"): 30 minutes every other day on the good ole mill o' treads and exercise excite bike (I've got no chance at ever being a master of "the stairs" or illustriously elliptical), coupled with a weakishly manageable strength-training routine that consists of the bench press---scratch that, bar press; the leg cramp--I mean, leg press; and the ab-bench aka I'm benched. If nothing else, my feeble attempts at consistency with this make for outstanding eavesdrop humor for all other worker outers.
But then again, laughter is considered a great way to stay in shape :-D
So, I arrive at the downtown Y raring to go, complete with my brand new sneakers, socks and running pants. I at least looked the part of frequent gym-goer guy, even if I couldn't pull it off while on the equipment. Speaking of which, you know you're a bit lacking in the physically fit department when it's a struggle to adjust the equipment, let alone use it. As a result, my favorite machine was, and will remain, the water fountain. Though I may have jammed my thumb on it in a hurried attempt at imbibing it's wonderfully cool and comforting contents. No hitch-hiking for this newsman anytime soon.
My plan, or routine, as it were ("AS IT WERE NOT!"): 30 minutes every other day on the good ole mill o' treads and exercise excite bike (I've got no chance at ever being a master of "the stairs" or illustriously elliptical), coupled with a weakishly manageable strength-training routine that consists of the bench press---scratch that, bar press; the leg cramp--I mean, leg press; and the ab-bench aka I'm benched. If nothing else, my feeble attempts at consistency with this make for outstanding eavesdrop humor for all other worker outers.
But then again, laughter is considered a great way to stay in shape :-D
Thursday, January 6, 2011
...I'm starting a blog.
Catchy, isn't it? A TV journalist borrowing a popular breaking news mantra for his Believable and Laughable Online Gesticulations (BLOG...see what I did there, hehe).
Grammatical tomfoolery aside, I'm starting this blog because I enjoy writing and hope my observations of news, sports, entertainment and life in general might help put a smile (and in turn produce a chuckle, dare I say a guffaw, how 'bout even a snicker) on the faces of any and all who stumble upon it, or to whom I plead and annoy to check it daily and weekly!
So, "stay tuned" for my first official entry and of course, subsequent blog postings. Or, as a colleague of mine suggested I call them, the frequent ramblings and ruminations of a creatively eccentric anchorman. No matter what the name though, I think you'll enjoy each read. And if not, you can take solace in the fact that at least I will :-)
Grammatical tomfoolery aside, I'm starting this blog because I enjoy writing and hope my observations of news, sports, entertainment and life in general might help put a smile (and in turn produce a chuckle, dare I say a guffaw, how 'bout even a snicker) on the faces of any and all who stumble upon it, or to whom I plead and annoy to check it daily and weekly!
So, "stay tuned" for my first official entry and of course, subsequent blog postings. Or, as a colleague of mine suggested I call them, the frequent ramblings and ruminations of a creatively eccentric anchorman. No matter what the name though, I think you'll enjoy each read. And if not, you can take solace in the fact that at least I will :-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)