Loving Your Job

Anytime you wake up and love going into work you know you're in the right profession. Now I don't like getting up to begin with because I'm the type of person that loves to sleep the day away. Just ask Jake I showed up ten minutes before our show started today. I hadn't written the whole show for the most part...besides our leading segment oops. None the less that was written and got in before the show started. 

The thing that gets me is how much fun Jake and I are having with our Sports Show the Chute. We really enjoy it because it's always new and we love talking sports. We forget all together that there are people listening and just are talking to each other about sports. Our opening segment was over twenty minutes today because we just started talking sports losing track of time and it's crazy how that works out. We've only been doing this show for going on three weeks and it feels like we've been doing it forever. We have sort of a routine that we do. I produce the show for the most part. I pick the stories that we cover and try to come up with a new segment or game that we can play. 

Like today we did something new called "PROPS". All we did was each gave props to five different teams or people for an accomplishment or something they did that we thought was awesome. I thought it was a really good idea when I thought of it yesterday. I actually stole it from a thing that our fraternity does as a group. It turned out pretty well and I think we might make it a weekly thing. Every Tuesday we give PROPS to the weekenders.

It really has been great last Friday we are joined by the Sports Editor of the Vista Mr. Bradley Jayroe and it was a really fun show because it was a group of guys that were just talking sports with one another. The only thing that was missing was big screen to watch a game and some brews, but since the show is at one we'll settle for our computer screens and water. I got so caught up in the sports talk today that I forgot to press record and record our sound check. The boss probably is not going to be happy about that one. It's alright though because I'll be sure to press the button Thursday, but more importantly I can't wait to wake up Thursday morning knowing that I get to go talk some sports today.

EXPLORING ROCKY TOP (PART FOUR SUNDAY)

Sunday is that day of week you love because it's a day of rest or it should be that's what the good Lord attended it to be. You need that rest after a crazy Saturday too. I didn't get that rest though on Sunday. Instead I had a long day when I should of spent it at the airport thinking about what I'm going to have from Zio's when I land in OKC. That wasn't the case though because nothing about this trip was easy. The hike was difficult, the night on the town was fun, but having to take care of older people presents its challenges, the game was suspenseful but the right team came out on top. So why should Sunday be any different? It wasn't because I made a mistake. I didn't know that I had made a mistake but I did. Little did I know while I was sitting in Neyland Stadium that my return flight was heading home.

I've never claimed to be a genius but, I'd like to think that I have enough common sense to make sure I picked the right return date for our flight. So instead of leaving Knoxville at 4pm Sunday the plane left at 4pm Saturday.  So instead of my Dad and I leaving at 4pm via American Airlines, we left at 10 am via a Rav4. Due to high airlines prices we were not able to find a plane home for under a thousand bucks a seat which is unreal. After my dad spent hours on the phone with the airlines people we saw that our options were limited. By limited there was only one choice and that was to drive the over 12 hour drive back to OKC. So my peaceful day of relaxation now involves me in a car having to drive every two hours. I don't care what you say, but driving is exhausting and takes it out of you. Especially when you're doing it all day long. The worst part about that drive is just get out of the state of Tennessee. That takes forever. Just to Memphis alone it's almost six hours by car.

The whole time on the car ride back I kept thinking how much this car ride would have sucked if we had lost yesterday. Lucky for me I got to relish in the fact that we pulled out a double overtime thriller...for over 12 whole hours. we finally made it back to OKC before midnight and dropped the rental car off at the airport. I was home in my own bed by 1am.

In the end I loved the trip and it gave me lots of lasting memories. I'm so happy that I got to experience them with my dad and share them with you. That continues my trip of Exploring Rocky Top.

EXPLORING ROCKY TOP (PART THREE SATURDAY)

So it's Game-Day and I can't even wait. I wake up ready to go and the games not even till six. I go have breakfast with my Dad seeing a bunch of red everywhere I look continues to give me hope. I just have a feeling that today is going to be a special day. After breakfast I go back to be for a little bit and watch gamely in the room. Earlier that morning I'd seen OU Athletic Director Joe Castiglione heading out the door. I thought to myself I wonder if Joe is feeling as optimistic as me today? I mean he has to tell people that he believes that we'll do well and pull out a victory, but does he really believe it? I mean for all I know his stomach could be turning circles right now like all Sooner fans. 

We get to time to leave for the game and we call Uber to come pick us up and David our driver was a good guy he took care of us. Even when my dad and his friends wanted him to make extra stops so they could get beer, ice, and cups. We finally make it down to Knoxville and David drops us off at Callahan's on the River. The place is packed and people are tailgating and having a good time. Vol fans take tailgating to the next level though with their "sailgating". Imagine all these boats tied together and people just walking from boat to boat in community singing Rocky Top. It was an truly an awesome sight to see. One of the boats was not a boat though it was a ship! It was huge and someone told me that it has two captains and a chef on it. Can you say impressive? None the less the beer has been drank and now it's time to head to the stadium.

As I walked up the ramped to my seats I'm pumped I can't wait for the game to begin. I'm standing in my seat as the Tennessee band forms that iconic T and the players come running out.

The game doesn't go well for the Sooners for three quarters, but something happens in fourth and it starts clicking. The Sooners offense gets a rolling and from there. They score two touchdowns in the fourth and go on to win the game in double overtime. 31-24

As Zack Sanchez picks off the pass to win the game imagine a hundred and five thousand screaming fans go to straight silence besides for the few thousand people in red. I can't believe what I've just witnessed and I pick my dad up and am jumping around we did it. We came all the way to Tennessee and conquered a checkered Neyland Stadium with one hundred and five thousand fans. It was an amazing sight.

After the game we go back to Callahan's on the River which is totally packed. We jump the fence sneak in have some beer and food. It's a great night to be Sooner as I stare out on the the beautiful Tennessee River.

The one thing I didn't know though at that time would lead to a long night and an even longer trip home Sunday. To be continued...

EXPLORING ROCKY TOP (PART TWO FRIDAY)

After a wild and wacky day of exploring yesterday we slept in. Not caring about the complimentary breakfast and only worried about what the inside of our eye lids looked like. By the time we did awake it was only the matter of time till my dad's fraternity brother and his biological brother join us in Tennessee for more adventure. I started noticing a lot of red while we were there knowing that it was getting closer to kick-off. 

We went to the Square Market and had lunch at the Stock and Barrel. The hamburgers there were delicious wish I would have tried their Elk burger that could have been interesting. We then did a little shopping then headed over to our new hotel for the next couple nights the Hilton which was attached to the Knoxville Airport. The Sooner football team ended up staying there as well so that was cool to see them. However I wasn't really big on getting the elevator with the whole starting offensive line. That was a little worrisome, but all good it didn't crash. 

Once we got checked in and met up with the guys it was off. We went out doing what men want to do DRINK. We searched out for a local brewery. We found a good one called SAWWORKS it was a cool place and I enjoyed learning about the beer making process. So after touring the place that just happened to have a cigar stand inside it(Lucky us) we sat out from had some Rocky Hop IPA and shot the breeze. The cigar stand owner came out talked to us told some great stories. One where he didn't imitate a police officer but didn't correct the guy who thought he was chief of police there in Knoxville. After that we got some more suggestions on where to have dinner and continued on our way. The people in Tennessee were so nice and gracious to us while we were there. I can't think of any nicer people that I've met before.

 We went back to the Square Market to another brewery my dad and I had the other day the Downtown Grill and Brewery. The place was packed it was Friday in downtown Knoxville the people were going out to celebrate. Orange and Red shirts having a good time every where you looked. We went out back on the patio the boys lit up a few cigars ordered around of IPAs and the let the good times roll. Met a local DJ on talk radio station while out there nicest guy and the man had a voice for radio(was really jealous). After dinner the guys still wanted to keep going continuing on this night life experience in downtown Knoxville. These guys are around sixty years old and still going strong I'm personally impressed figured past eleven o'clock they'd be ready to head back to the hotel. No I had Dan my dad's fraternity brother constantly asking, "Hey you want another beer?" or "You look like you need another beer." It was as adventurous as Thursday being lost in the mountains, but it's hard to complain about drinking the night away in Downton Knoxville

EXPLORING ROCKY TOP (PART ONE THURSDAY)

The Radio Clown found himself on a bit of an adventure last week. I went with my dad to Knoxville, Tennessee to watch the Sooners battle it out against the Vols. It was a trip I'll never forget for sure. The game was spectacular, but moments away from the football stadium are the ones that stick out the most. 

Going hiking in the Smokey Mountains with my dad was a daring adventure with his herniated disk and the fact we took no water. We hiked two and half miles to Abrams Falls taking about two hours to get there. Stopped to take some photos then headed back. We started back and the trip was harder for my dad going back. It didn't help that we were losing sunlight before we got half way I was having to use my phone for light to see the way. We got to the halfway point a place that I called Mark's Rock(Mark is my dad). We stop to rest as my dad sits on his rock, not yet sure if we'd make it back the rest of way for now it is officially pitch dark. I can't see a foot in any direction without the cell phone light. As we continue back my dad trips I'm there to catch him, but he thinks he heard his knee pop and give out. By the grace off God it did not and we continued on. 

The whole time we're in the dark I can't stop thinking about this bear sign I saw at entrance about how it attacked someone on this path. Finally we come to a bridge and I know we've made it back to the beginning. We're only about a hundred and fifty yards from the rental car. We hopped in the car and were off heading back to Knoxville. 

When we get to the park entrance and the gate is locked. At this point I'm thirsty, hungry, and tired not necessarily in that order. So it looks like we're sleeping in the car tonight till an park ranger comes opens up the gate for us and ask if we knew the park closed at dark. I was too happy to be heading home for a snappy remark. So now we just have to head back towards our hotel. Wait that would be too easy for us to do. The roads aren't marked well and we end up in North Carolina. So I don't know how but we eventually find our way back to Knoxville and the Waffle House. I've never been so happy for below average breakfast food in my life. That all happened on a Thursday. So you know the rest of the week got crazy as well. So Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to be continued.

UCO vs Fort Hays State (running blog)

It's football time in Oklahoma. Been waiting to hear those words for months now. UCO comes in to todays contest looking to open up the 2015 campaign with a bang. As the Bronchos try to improve on last season's eight and three record. Broncos win the toss and defer to the second half. Hooves Up Broncho fans let's play some football.

7:15) The Tigers aren't able to do much besides picking up one first down and then punt on their first drive. Bronchos take over at their own thirty-four and march down to the goal line till a Jake Gandara fumble gives the ball back to FHSU

7:29) TOUCHDOWN BRONCHOS! UCO goes fifty-four yards on eleven plays. Chas Stallard finds Josh Crockett on a four yard out route to get the Bronchos on the board with less than six minutes remaining in the first. Seth Hiddink adds on the PAT which is his fifty straight extra point a new UCO record.
UCO 7 - FHSU 0 (5:12)

7:34) Deontay Wilson hits Tiger QB Treveon Albert who fumbles the ball recovered by UCO's La'Teze Clayton. Giving the Bronchos the ball at the 26 yard line. Broncho drive twenty six yards in three plays capped of by two yard Clay McKenzie run. Extra point blocked.
UCO 13 - FHSU 0 (1st 3:28)

7:51) END OF THE FIRST QUARTER: Fort Hays makes it pass the fifty yard line for the first time, but can't doing anything with and punts the ball back to the Bronchos.
UCO 13 - FHSU 0

8:00) A Clay McKenzie 25 yard gain helps the Bronchos move the ball all the way down to the goal line, but yet another Broncho turnover gives the ball back to the Tigers. Fumble by Chas Stallard recovered by Romello Burke at the one. Tigers ball on their own one yard line. Bronchos have looked extremely sloppy early in this one.


8:10) TOUCHDOWN BRONCHOS! A seven play drive by the Bronchos ends on a 21 yard pass from Stallard to Caden Locke on a crossing route makes it a 19-0 Broncho lead. Hiddink makes the PAT. That's the first touchdown reception of Locke's career.
UCO 20 - FHSU 0 (2nd 5:33)

8:19) Touchdown Tigers. Fort Hays State goes seven plays for 85 yards all capped off with nine yard strike from Treveon Albert to Andrew Flory. That puts the Tigers on the board for the first time this season. PAT is good
UCO 20 - FHSU 7 (2nd 3:44)

8:23) Bronchos are forced to punt for the first time tonight after going three and out. Fort Hays State ball with 1:52 remaining at their own 37 yard line.

8:29) 1:02 remaining and Fort Hays State uses it's final timeout. Under thrown ball works out for the Tigers as a pass interference on LeVonte Douglas gives the Tigers a first down. Next play busted coverage lead to a touchdown pass from Albert to Shaquile Cooper. Extra point is good and the Tigers go sixty-three yards on five plays to make it 14 to 20. UCO is now looking sloppy on both sides of the football.
UCO 20 - FHSU 14 (2nd 0:50)

8:40) HALFTIME: Bronchos lead 20-14 but have looked extremely sloppy turning over the ball twice at the door of the end zone. Did a great job moving the ball for over three hundred total yards in the first half however only have 20 points to show. The Broncho defense looked strong early, but then gave up two straight scores late giving Fort Hays State the momentum going into half only trailing now by a single score.

Halftime Stats

UCO - FHSU
Score: 20 - 14
Plays: 47 - 35
First Downs: 15 - 11
Rushing Yards: 131 - 130
Passing Yards: 176 - 89
Turnovers: 2 - 1
Possession Time: 18:17 - 11:43
Third Down Conversions: 8 of 9 - 2 of 7
Red-Zone Score Chances: 2 for 4 - 1 for 1

8:58) Halftime comes to an end and UCO elects to receive to start the second half. Bronchos looking to come out early and steal the momentum that the Tigers had going into halftime after scoring fourteen unanswered points.

9:11) Bronchos open up the second half strong driving the ball all way down to the two, but have to settle for an eighteen yard field goal. Hiddink puts it right down the middle and puts UCO up by nine.
UCO 23 - FHSU 14 (8:12)

9:16) Tigers Shaqulie Cooper hits the whole hard and isn't touched as he is goes for 79 yards for the score. That's Cooper's second TD of the game and eclipses the hundred yard rushing mark on the day after that run. O'Brien knocks down the PAT.
UCO 23 - FHSU 21 (3rd 7:27)

9:19) Jake Gandara is helped off the field after being tackled on the kick-off return. No word on the possibility of return yet.

9:28) McKenzie is hit by Sie Doe of Fort Hays State causing fumble recovered by DeAndre James. The third Bronchos fumble of the day. Next play big 34 yard pass from Albert to Flory gets it down to the two yard line. Albert would eventaully find Cooper for a six yard TD reception. Cooper's 2nd TD catch and third total touchdown.
UCO 23 - FHSU 27


9:29) Crockett fumbles the kickoff and Fort Hays' kicker recovers the ball at the Bronchos 35. The Tigers can't do anything with it and give the ball back to the Bronchos on downs. That's the Bronchos fourth fumble of the day. According to SID only five fumbles all last season.
*Injury Note: Gandara still being looked at on the sideline.

9:40) END OF THE THIRD QUARTER: Costly turnovers cost the Bronchos as they now find themselves trailing 23-27. Four fumbles by four different Bronchos could lead to their first lost of the season. Fort Hays State has the ball to start the fourth at their own thirty-five yard line.

9:44) Bronchos get the ball at their own twenty-nine trailing by four with plenty of time in the fourth.

9:51) Third and long for the Bronchos, Stallard rolls out and can't hit his receiver. Bronchus go for it on fourth down hits Crocket for a first down and gains sixteen yards. Two plays later Stallard finds Connor Pulley for the nineteen yard TD.  It caps off a ten play seventy one yard drive and gives the Bronchos back the lead. Hiddink misses the PAT as it boinks off the goal post. Costly miss as a field goal could win it for the Tigers.
UCO 29 - FHSU 27 (4th 9:30)

10:01) Tigers go three and out and give the ball back to the Bronchos. They'll take over at their own twenty-nine yard line. Over eight minutes remaining in the game.

10:04) 3rd and 5 from the UCO forty-eight. Stallard runs to midfield and comes up short. Bronchos give the ball back to Tigers who'll takeover at their own thirteen with 5:01 remaining in the game.

10:09) A holding penalty on FHSU pushes the ball back to their own seven yard for 1st and 16 with 4:43 remaining in the game. Timeout Tigers only one remaining. 

10:12) Tigers have made it past midfield with less than four minutes remaining in the game. Still trailing by two.

10:13) Tigers down to the twelve yard line. Bronchos need to force a turnover as the Tigers are well in field goal range.
Under 2 mins remaining.

10:15) Tigers taking their time try score with no time left 3rd and three from the seven yard line. Cooper picks up the first down to the three yard line. Three seconds remaining in the game and Fort Hays State to attempt a Three for the win.

10:19) 19 yard field goal by O'Brien is good and Fort Hays State wins 30-29.

10:20) FINAL: UCO 29 - Fort Hays State 30

10:21) UCO blows a twenty point lead with the help of four turnovers to start off the season with a loss.

The Night Before College Football

I laid in bed last night feeling like a little kid on Christmas Eve having the hardest time of falling asleep. Instead of visions of sugarplums dancing in my head I saw big hits and new tricks forming from my bed. Finally when my eyes were closed they were all too soon opened but ready to go. With the thought of this evening on my mind I couldn't help but start counting down to five. With Spurrier on one end and Fedora on the other it'll be a contest of who can out smart one another. Then at six we will all watch to see if Gundy and his boys are ready to play on TV. I'll be here at Wantland to watch it all as my Bronchos can't be stopped from running the ball. At seven thirty you''ll head out to the west where Michigan plans to give it's best. Next at eight TCU is looking for a fight as they try to blow Minnesota right out of sight. Then at nine Arizona will be the final wrap as they try to avoid that Alamo trap. So to all a good day do enjoy it but remember its only the beginning of September. 

Problems of Starting a Radio Show

Starting a new project is rarely ever easy. Especially when you're starting from scratch or have no idea what you're doing. There's always going to be complications and that's why you have practices or run throughs so you can workout all the bugs. The Chute had it's second run through of the show today and it was rough to say the least. The problems aren't totally because of Jake or myself some of them are, but not all of them all. We simply don't know what buttons we're suppose to push on the audio board. We've had very little instruction too and have kind of been thrown into all of this. Which we're excited about the opportunity because it's new, exciting and different from anything we've ever done before. So imagine you have this great idea for a radio show and you can't even figure out how to turn on the mic to broadcast it out for people to listen. It's extremely overwhelming because I'm looking at the board pressing the buttons I think I should be pressing and it's doing nothing. When I'm looking at the audio board I feel like a kid in the cockpit of the plane looking at all the buttons wondering what each one does, but has no idea. The show could begin any week now and I don't know if when we go live for the first time if people are going here Jake and I or just static from there being nothing on air. It's not like there's a big red button to push that says on-air. I wish there was even though we might find a way to mess that up as well.

We also just have a lot of other work that needs to get done. You got have a social media page via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram if not all three and we haven't even started on those. What we really need is a logo to use for our show. So if you know of a good cheap(preferably someone who works for free) graphic designer comment with their information below. We need one ASAP. We also have to put sounds together for various situations so if we need that sound press a button and the audience here's that sound over the radio(also I don't know what button that would be either). Also need a cool intro that plays in and we have a pretty clever idea just finding the time to execute it is the problem. It's alright though because college football is back this week. Jake and I can't wait we'll be possibly hosting a pregame show before the UCO game out in front of Wantland Stadium. Which will be awesome because what better way to kick-off a show then going live from a remote that'll be rocking. I still need to go pick up the press passes today or tomorrow because we get to kick it up in the press box for the game. BOOYAH! Can't wait for Thursday. Football season is here and I'm so thankful for that