It’s 10:56 am as I write this. I’m sitting inside Raleigh’s Stonewolf Coffee (my coffee shop of choice nowadays). My friend Ryan suggested I start a bit of writing documenting my photography trip through the NCAA Tournament. That’s what I’m doing. Thanks for the suggestion Ryan.
I actually started shooting the tournament two rounds ago. I’m working still with WRAL.com, shooting UNC games. The first two rounds took place in my town of Raleigh at the RBC Center, so travel was obviously a cinch. UNC beat both Mount St. Mary’s and Arkansas easily. Really really easily. Scarily easily.
I relished working in the even more high-pressure, high-profile environment of the NCAA Tournament. The press rooms were abuzz with media chatter. Photographers, writers, videographers, bloggers, etc. all drifted about with a “this-is-important” demeanor that made the whole situation quite exciting. I brushed shoulders with Jim Nantz, Billy Packer, John Thompson, Eric Montross, Woody Durham, Patrick Ewing, and Roy Williams all in one day. Though I’m not usually one to gawk at celebrity, there was a part of me that really took pleasure in this.
Today at 7:27, UNC tips off against Washington State. If they win, they’ll play the winner of Tennessee vs Louisville (can’t wait for that game). I’m trying so hard not to get my hopes up, but every ounce of me wants so badly to fly to San Antonio for the big event. I need UNC to win two games. Just two.
For now, after I finish my coffee (got two hours of sleep last night) I’m going to hop in my dark green 1997 Toyota 4Runner with my 20D and 40D, my 12 inch G4 Powerbook, and my newly shaved head to drive to Charlotte, North Carolina where at the Bobcats arena, I’ll be silently - while remaining outwardly impartial - pulling hard for the Heels to beat Washington State. More to come.
I loved reading this. Best of luck, friend.
Perfect. Just, perfect. Once in a while I actually have a decent idea
P.S. para 2 - I think you mean “cinch”