So, I was going to post about the wonderful Subway TV entertainment, but then I looked and I'll have a starring role in the J&C blog tomorrow, so I'll save it until then.
Today was the first day of cyclists on the track. And, to be honest, it was pretty uneventful. A lot of cyclists, especially cyclists who are endurance riders (or "enduros" as Amy calls them) might not even be here yet because of the pollution and weather. It's a whole lot more beneficial to practice in the mountains of Germany or in Australia or someplace like that than it would be to just keep riding around the track a week and a half before they're races start.
So, today was kind of slow going, but I worked a little more on my story and did more research on riders and, even though it was only one or two, we got to watch some riders on the track. We also got to see the pace bike for the Keirin.
The Keirin is an event where the cyclists have to run behind a motor bike for a billion laps, jockeying for position. Then, the bike leaves and they sprint for a couple of laps, every man (or woman) for themselves. Well, we got to see the pace bike, which was pretty cool, actually.
Every day is a reminder of how awesome of a staff we have to work with. I hear stories (not necessarily horror stories, but less than pleasant stories) from people from other sports and other jobs where people just sit and do nothing all day, have no idea what they're supposed to do, etc. We have a very good balance of being prepared while being able to take time with whatever we're doing and having fun while doing it.
So, we now have about two and a half weeks (not to be confused with Two and Half Men...though, oddly enough, I could have bought every season of it from certain DVD shops) left and I feel weird. I feel like we're winding down, but ramping up. I just hope things keep going the way they're going and everything turns out well.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Isn't It An Awesome Feeling...
...when something you thought was crap turned out not to be. Let me explain.
So, now that training is over (more on that in a second) tomorrow begins the period of teams' training periods. We don't know when exactly they'll be on the track, or how many of them there will be, but now is the time to really get some writing done...well, anything more than our Flash Quote Reports and Press Conference Reports. So, pretty much from Day 1, Amy and Ernst and Krystyna have been pressing us to come up with story ideas: different angles to cover that would make interesting stories to put into the system.
So, on a whim, I tried to come up with an idea. In doing our research, I found a lot of track cyclists with road track experience, including some of the favorites in all the sport. So, I want to do a story about how they benefit from doing both. And, apparently, it's a good idea. I was expecting it to be a sort of empty gesture that, even thought it was bad, it at least showed some effort and forethought; but, it turns out to maybe be a viable story.
Soooo, training was pretty non-eventful. We went out to the BMX venue and, thankfully, even though it was humid, the smog was covering the sun, so it was about a billion times better than it could have been. The deal with BMX will be that we'll have to call in our quotes to people back at the main ONS office at the velodrome, since the walk between the two is about 10 minutes or so. We practiced that today, which was helpful for everyone. Then, they threw out a mock rain delay at the venue so they could practice putting the tarp out onto the track.
It made me long for the Cubs grounds crew. It was just really inefficient and felt kinda like a waste of time. The rest of the day was pretty normal. Mixed zones, press conferences, lunch (It was one of the worst days for lunch. Didn't sit well with me AT ALL!) and then some milling around, at which point I came up with my story idea, and then back here to the dorm. Oh, and we also learned the ICMS (Something Content Management System) which is how we'll input all of our reports.
Overall, a pretty good day. Back to begin training for the cyclists tomorrow.
So, now that training is over (more on that in a second) tomorrow begins the period of teams' training periods. We don't know when exactly they'll be on the track, or how many of them there will be, but now is the time to really get some writing done...well, anything more than our Flash Quote Reports and Press Conference Reports. So, pretty much from Day 1, Amy and Ernst and Krystyna have been pressing us to come up with story ideas: different angles to cover that would make interesting stories to put into the system.
So, on a whim, I tried to come up with an idea. In doing our research, I found a lot of track cyclists with road track experience, including some of the favorites in all the sport. So, I want to do a story about how they benefit from doing both. And, apparently, it's a good idea. I was expecting it to be a sort of empty gesture that, even thought it was bad, it at least showed some effort and forethought; but, it turns out to maybe be a viable story.
Soooo, training was pretty non-eventful. We went out to the BMX venue and, thankfully, even though it was humid, the smog was covering the sun, so it was about a billion times better than it could have been. The deal with BMX will be that we'll have to call in our quotes to people back at the main ONS office at the velodrome, since the walk between the two is about 10 minutes or so. We practiced that today, which was helpful for everyone. Then, they threw out a mock rain delay at the venue so they could practice putting the tarp out onto the track.
It made me long for the Cubs grounds crew. It was just really inefficient and felt kinda like a waste of time. The rest of the day was pretty normal. Mixed zones, press conferences, lunch (It was one of the worst days for lunch. Didn't sit well with me AT ALL!) and then some milling around, at which point I came up with my story idea, and then back here to the dorm. Oh, and we also learned the ICMS (Something Content Management System) which is how we'll input all of our reports.
Overall, a pretty good day. Back to begin training for the cyclists tomorrow.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
I've Got to Admit, It's Gettin' Better
Well, a little bit after I posted yesterday, we found out that we, in fact, did not have to be at the venue at 9 in the morning, but at 2:30 in the afternoon as we had originally thought. So, we took the opportunity to go out last night for our comrade Andrea's birthday. So, that was a good time.
So, this morning, we got up and headed on over to Laoshan Bicycle Cluster, fearing more of the same of what we got yesterday: poor planning, lack of information, unrealistic "simulations" of what we will be going through on a daily basis, and language barriers. Well, one out of four ain't bad, I guess.
We got there and found out that we were actually doing Mountain Biking as opposed to BMX as we thought, which is no biggie. So, we hiked on out to the Mountain Bike track, which is carved out of this mountain. So, we stood there for about a half hour in the sweltering heat, which was fine. Then, we found out that we would actually be interviewing cyclists!!! They were two members of the Chinese team and we got their names. Krystyna, our boss, ran and grabbed as much info on them as she could, which wasn't a lot, so we could ask informed questions.
At this point, in my head, I was reveling in the fact that we wouldn't have to deal with Chinese volunteers posing as the athletes today. I mean, I appreciated it, I guess, but they really didn't have good quotes and the Chinese volunteers that got thrown into being the translators for the "athletes" really didn't know what was going on. So, imagine my disappointment when...
...we had Chinese volunteers posing as the athletes and Chinese volunteers that got thrown into being the translators for the "athletes" really didn't know what was going on.
So, we pieced together a flash quote report. Then, we hopped on over to the press conference. The big step of improvement today was that the translation was better, which helped. It was quicker, it was more cohesive and you could tell that, most of the time, they understood what we were asking.
So, like I said, today was better than yesterday. And, hopefully, tomorrow will be better than today. Because, really, that's all you can ask for, right?
So, this morning, we got up and headed on over to Laoshan Bicycle Cluster, fearing more of the same of what we got yesterday: poor planning, lack of information, unrealistic "simulations" of what we will be going through on a daily basis, and language barriers. Well, one out of four ain't bad, I guess.
We got there and found out that we were actually doing Mountain Biking as opposed to BMX as we thought, which is no biggie. So, we hiked on out to the Mountain Bike track, which is carved out of this mountain. So, we stood there for about a half hour in the sweltering heat, which was fine. Then, we found out that we would actually be interviewing cyclists!!! They were two members of the Chinese team and we got their names. Krystyna, our boss, ran and grabbed as much info on them as she could, which wasn't a lot, so we could ask informed questions.
At this point, in my head, I was reveling in the fact that we wouldn't have to deal with Chinese volunteers posing as the athletes today. I mean, I appreciated it, I guess, but they really didn't have good quotes and the Chinese volunteers that got thrown into being the translators for the "athletes" really didn't know what was going on. So, imagine my disappointment when...
...we had Chinese volunteers posing as the athletes and Chinese volunteers that got thrown into being the translators for the "athletes" really didn't know what was going on.
So, we pieced together a flash quote report. Then, we hopped on over to the press conference. The big step of improvement today was that the translation was better, which helped. It was quicker, it was more cohesive and you could tell that, most of the time, they understood what we were asking.
So, like I said, today was better than yesterday. And, hopefully, tomorrow will be better than today. Because, really, that's all you can ask for, right?
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Really? An Hour?! or "How I Learned to Find a Shallow, Thoughtless Mystery Book"
So, after yesterday's respite, we got up early this morning for a dress rehearsal of sorts. Today was meant to be a sort of test for all of the security staff, as well as a chance to get all of the cogs of the media machine to work together. We got there, I later than everyone else since no one let me know that they left, and we weren't given any information about what "events" we would be covering and what "athletes" we would be talking to.
So, we get out to the mixed zone and wait. And wait. And wait. And then two Chinese volunteers come through. We aren't given their names or anything, but are expected to simulate a real mixed zone. So, we do the best we can, run back downstairs and type up the best Flash Quote Report we can come up with and then head off to a "press conference".
We knew walking into the mock press conference that they purposely wanted us to ask difficult questions, i.e. questions about doping, the weather, things like that. But, that directive quickly took a backseat to the fact that the translator, another Chinese volunteer, didn't understand even the germane questions we were asking. So, even though we dipped our toes into the controversial waters, it was hard to do when we just got blank stares returned to us.
And, then, we were done. We were there at 9:30 and outside looking for a place to eat by 10:30. And, before we left, we learned that while we originally thought that we would be going to do the same thing at the BMX venue tomorrow afternoon, we were told to be there at a shiny 9:30 am again. And, 9:00 the morning after that.
This is the first real test that everyone else has had here at the venue. I just hope things go a little better tomorrow...for everyone's sake.
Then, after a lunch at Sizzler, we went to this international bookstore. Lately, I've been reading a lot of philosophy: heavy stuff. So I bought a couple of just detective stories to take my mind of Aristotle and how St. Thomas' rules of just war apply to Season 3 of 24. And, no, I'm not kidding.
So, we get out to the mixed zone and wait. And wait. And wait. And then two Chinese volunteers come through. We aren't given their names or anything, but are expected to simulate a real mixed zone. So, we do the best we can, run back downstairs and type up the best Flash Quote Report we can come up with and then head off to a "press conference".
We knew walking into the mock press conference that they purposely wanted us to ask difficult questions, i.e. questions about doping, the weather, things like that. But, that directive quickly took a backseat to the fact that the translator, another Chinese volunteer, didn't understand even the germane questions we were asking. So, even though we dipped our toes into the controversial waters, it was hard to do when we just got blank stares returned to us.
And, then, we were done. We were there at 9:30 and outside looking for a place to eat by 10:30. And, before we left, we learned that while we originally thought that we would be going to do the same thing at the BMX venue tomorrow afternoon, we were told to be there at a shiny 9:30 am again. And, 9:00 the morning after that.
This is the first real test that everyone else has had here at the venue. I just hope things go a little better tomorrow...for everyone's sake.
Then, after a lunch at Sizzler, we went to this international bookstore. Lately, I've been reading a lot of philosophy: heavy stuff. So I bought a couple of just detective stories to take my mind of Aristotle and how St. Thomas' rules of just war apply to Season 3 of 24. And, no, I'm not kidding.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
LOOOOOOOOONG DAY
So, today was an intense, intense day of training. At the beginning of the day, we were told that there would be three races that would need covering today. This is very similar to the way things will be set up once the games start.
So we're told that we are covering the Men's and Women's Sprint finals and the Men's Madison, which is the race where two riders essentially fling each other around the track. Look it up. I swear it's true. So, then, we have to try to guess, to the best of our ability, who will win first, second and third (or at least who's expected to). At least in the Sprints we were given who was in the semifinals, so we could narrow it down. In the Madison, we literally had no clue until we were given the results.
So, after our lunch, we were told that person A won the gold, person B won the silver and so on. So, as we already had done our research and knew what to ask them past, "What does it feel like to win?", we hauled it up to the mixed zone and ran a fake mixed zone. Then, we all RAN downstairs (and I mean that literally) and typed out our flash quote reports. Then, after 10 minutes of this...
...we did it again. Then, we had a press conference after fake race B. We'll have to do this, cover a press conference and write up a report, which is just like a flash quote report but longer. Then we had 10 minutes to write up the report. Then...
...we did it again. Then, we watched some video of BMX from the test event they did at the track here at Beijing last year. It was interesting to watch, to see how the riders manouvre this behemoth of dirt and pavement. We saw crashes and passes and riders who literally would just run out of speed and not be able to make it over hills and would just have to...stop!
Then, we watched some of the Chinese team practice on the track. It was nothing lightning fast and nothing crazy, but it was cool to actually see some riders on the track for once.
Then, after we found out that Paul, our Chinese manager, had planned a dinner for all of us, we went with Raul, another volunteer with ONS, to this tea house that he knew about. This is a genuine tea house that brews its own tea (the manager pointed out this fact multiple times) and we were shown how to brew and pour Chinese tea, traditionally.
1. You put the leaves in this pot.
2. You take molten-hot water and pour it in with the leaves. Not too much, though. Actually a better idea, apparently, to go lighter on the water than to overfill it.
3. You put the lid on the pot for 30 seconds at the most. The longer you let it simmer, the stronger the tea will be.
4. You take the cup that you will be drinking the tea out of and clean it by...yes...pouring the tea into it and dumping it out. Let it be said that the woman demonstrating this to us was doing it on a special table that was slanted and drained so that the water could be poured onto it with no problems.
5. You fill the cup up 70%. You leave 30% because, in Chinese culture, this signifies the openness of friendship and possibilities.
It was a crazy thing to watch. Then, we went to this dinner that Paul had arranged for us. It was traditional, like the dinners I told y'all about a couple of weeks ago. We just ordered tons of food, with the help of our Chinese friends Li and Eric who both gave us reccomendations and helped us order. I rocked some steamed scallops with garlic sauce that, other than the can't miss staples of Kung Pao Chicken and Sweet and Sour Chicken, were the hit of the table.
It was an awesomely fun day that included a lot of hands-on stuff. But, I'm exhausted. Thankfully, we have tomorrow off to do...well...probably, nothing.
So we're told that we are covering the Men's and Women's Sprint finals and the Men's Madison, which is the race where two riders essentially fling each other around the track. Look it up. I swear it's true. So, then, we have to try to guess, to the best of our ability, who will win first, second and third (or at least who's expected to). At least in the Sprints we were given who was in the semifinals, so we could narrow it down. In the Madison, we literally had no clue until we were given the results.
So, after our lunch, we were told that person A won the gold, person B won the silver and so on. So, as we already had done our research and knew what to ask them past, "What does it feel like to win?", we hauled it up to the mixed zone and ran a fake mixed zone. Then, we all RAN downstairs (and I mean that literally) and typed out our flash quote reports. Then, after 10 minutes of this...
...we did it again. Then, we had a press conference after fake race B. We'll have to do this, cover a press conference and write up a report, which is just like a flash quote report but longer. Then we had 10 minutes to write up the report. Then...
...we did it again. Then, we watched some video of BMX from the test event they did at the track here at Beijing last year. It was interesting to watch, to see how the riders manouvre this behemoth of dirt and pavement. We saw crashes and passes and riders who literally would just run out of speed and not be able to make it over hills and would just have to...stop!
Then, we watched some of the Chinese team practice on the track. It was nothing lightning fast and nothing crazy, but it was cool to actually see some riders on the track for once.
Then, after we found out that Paul, our Chinese manager, had planned a dinner for all of us, we went with Raul, another volunteer with ONS, to this tea house that he knew about. This is a genuine tea house that brews its own tea (the manager pointed out this fact multiple times) and we were shown how to brew and pour Chinese tea, traditionally.
1. You put the leaves in this pot.
2. You take molten-hot water and pour it in with the leaves. Not too much, though. Actually a better idea, apparently, to go lighter on the water than to overfill it.
3. You put the lid on the pot for 30 seconds at the most. The longer you let it simmer, the stronger the tea will be.
4. You take the cup that you will be drinking the tea out of and clean it by...yes...pouring the tea into it and dumping it out. Let it be said that the woman demonstrating this to us was doing it on a special table that was slanted and drained so that the water could be poured onto it with no problems.
5. You fill the cup up 70%. You leave 30% because, in Chinese culture, this signifies the openness of friendship and possibilities.
It was a crazy thing to watch. Then, we went to this dinner that Paul had arranged for us. It was traditional, like the dinners I told y'all about a couple of weeks ago. We just ordered tons of food, with the help of our Chinese friends Li and Eric who both gave us reccomendations and helped us order. I rocked some steamed scallops with garlic sauce that, other than the can't miss staples of Kung Pao Chicken and Sweet and Sour Chicken, were the hit of the table.
It was an awesomely fun day that included a lot of hands-on stuff. But, I'm exhausted. Thankfully, we have tomorrow off to do...well...probably, nothing.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
So we've started hardcore training at our venue. In the past few days, we've met Ernst and Amy, our two other ONS reporters. They're really awesome and a wealth of information when it comes to both the job and the sport. Tomorrow, we meet our Sports Information Supervisor who is solely there to help us, as well as the journalists covering cycling, with sport and event-specific information.
Today, we got to see where we will be (as of now) living for the next couple months: the mixed zone. Just to let y'all know, if you happen to watch any cycling on TV, and the mixed zone stays where it is right now, you'll see a Purdue student. Flat out. From where we stand, waiting for athletes to come talk to journalists, we're a five yards way from the track. And not even the boring straightaway part of the track...the awesome 43 degree slant of the track. We're able to see pretty much 100% of any race.
Now, the downside is that we're also in the middle of everything: the whizzing bikes, the music and announcements in between events, medal presentations and much much more. But, as I say, we've been hearing rumors that the whole setup might change, so who knows.
Today, we got to see where we will be (as of now) living for the next couple months: the mixed zone. Just to let y'all know, if you happen to watch any cycling on TV, and the mixed zone stays where it is right now, you'll see a Purdue student. Flat out. From where we stand, waiting for athletes to come talk to journalists, we're a five yards way from the track. And not even the boring straightaway part of the track...the awesome 43 degree slant of the track. We're able to see pretty much 100% of any race.
Now, the downside is that we're also in the middle of everything: the whizzing bikes, the music and announcements in between events, medal presentations and much much more. But, as I say, we've been hearing rumors that the whole setup might change, so who knows.
Monday, July 28, 2008
If This Doesn't Scream, "Representing the United States on a Worldwide Stage," I Don't Know What Does!
No, I'm not wearing my Adidas Beijing 2008 shoes because I don't have them yet. And I'm not wearing one of my three pair of Adidas socks because you wouldn't have been able to see them because I don't have my Adidas Beijing 2008 shoes. And, you can't see my Beijing 2008 water bottle, which is clipped to my Beijing 2008 fanny pack (or, if you're Australian, bum bag).
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