Thursday, August 28, 2008
Dear Pillow, I've missed you so...
The fair wrapped up almost a couple weeks ago, but Monday I had a dream that scared the thunder out of me. I worked the early morning shift so I could leave that afternoon and head north to the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa. The alarm went off just after 5am and I reach over like I always do to hit snooze. Suddenly it occurs to me that I have an hour drive from Sedalia to get back to the office and can't believe I didn't think of that when I set the alarm Sunday night. Aghhhh!!! I leap out of bed in a rush to throw on my clothes when I realize I'm in my own bed, in my house and not camping in a trailer in Sedalia. Whew!!! What a startling way to start a Monday...
Monday, August 11, 2008
Snap, Crackle and aghhhhhh!
The day is winding down and we survived a Monday but I will tell you it seems the start to this day was days ago. This morning, around 6am, when Nathan and I arrived at the Red Radio our signal was terrible!! Popping, static, and cracks. Those sounds don't work so well in the radio business. So we pulled out a new piece of equipment for backup. It didn't want to work. Finally after a lot of struggles and dropped reports we had a solid signal. The first two hours of the day were very frustrating but we survived and I'm sure we are all the wiser for it.
This afternoon, also very frustrating.. The Super Farmer Contest was today. My partner and I have been very competitive in the last couple years. We took 2nd the first year (though we still believe we earned first). We got 3rd the second year (what we deserved). The upside this year, the emergency crew was not needed. As for the contest, we got a 2nd place in only one event! Not even close enough to see a glimmer of the prize or smell a blue ribbon. Speaking of smell, after carrying hay bales, climbing through pipes, hanging gates, post hole digging and crawling through dirt, stink has reached so many levels!
This afternoon, also very frustrating.. The Super Farmer Contest was today. My partner and I have been very competitive in the last couple years. We took 2nd the first year (though we still believe we earned first). We got 3rd the second year (what we deserved). The upside this year, the emergency crew was not needed. As for the contest, we got a 2nd place in only one event! Not even close enough to see a glimmer of the prize or smell a blue ribbon. Speaking of smell, after carrying hay bales, climbing through pipes, hanging gates, post hole digging and crawling through dirt, stink has reached so many levels!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Day 4!
It's the first Sunday of the fair and I don't remember any year when the weather has been more perfect. Yesterday there was some cloud cover which cooled things off but this is great!!
One big change this year, they have a new midway. You wouldn't believe some of the rides they've got. The midway is also very clean too, not something you usually notice at a state fair, but its really worth mentioning.
All the troubles from day 1have started to iron themselves out for the time. We are still having a few computer issues but the golf cart is working again and people seem to be enjoying themselves. The only golf cart trouble is the fact, everywhere we go we are in a hurry. On the grounds you can't get in a hurry because someone is going to get in trouble. I've seen the golf cart Nazi this year. He still looks like he's in a bad mood.
One big change this year, they have a new midway. You wouldn't believe some of the rides they've got. The midway is also very clean too, not something you usually notice at a state fair, but its really worth mentioning.
All the troubles from day 1have started to iron themselves out for the time. We are still having a few computer issues but the golf cart is working again and people seem to be enjoying themselves. The only golf cart trouble is the fact, everywhere we go we are in a hurry. On the grounds you can't get in a hurry because someone is going to get in trouble. I've seen the golf cart Nazi this year. He still looks like he's in a bad mood.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Need rank, file and SS# and your first born
It's the Missouri State Fair!! One of the busiest times of year for the radio station and a lot of other people through central Missouri. Yesterday we kicked off the event from the Red Roving Radio in front of the Pepsi grandstand. That's where the radio has been for more than 20 years during August. It's a little bit rough around the edges, but with a working air conditioner there's little that I'll complain about regarding the radio.
As for the rest of the fair, we have been working out bugs in the mechanical equipment. Yesterday all the broadcast equipment worked like a dream, two hours later the phone system did not. The rest of the day was spent trying to nail down the problem. This morning the phone was working great, an hour later, not so much. It's inconvienient yes, but it's also the state fair so you know problems are going to happen. Expect, know it and fix it and move on.
What's been the bigger challenge this year are the guards at the gates. You'd almost expect them to be dressed in military uniform firing warning shots in case someone should breach security. From the red zone to the side gate, don't get any idea that things are going to be easy if you misplace, forget or drop any form of ID or verification that you are working at the fair, never mind the golf cart, the logo shirt, the beads of sweat, or the worn drained, look of mechanical frustration accounting for the fact you've been here ALL DAY LONG.
As for the rest of the fair, we have been working out bugs in the mechanical equipment. Yesterday all the broadcast equipment worked like a dream, two hours later the phone system did not. The rest of the day was spent trying to nail down the problem. This morning the phone was working great, an hour later, not so much. It's inconvienient yes, but it's also the state fair so you know problems are going to happen. Expect, know it and fix it and move on.
What's been the bigger challenge this year are the guards at the gates. You'd almost expect them to be dressed in military uniform firing warning shots in case someone should breach security. From the red zone to the side gate, don't get any idea that things are going to be easy if you misplace, forget or drop any form of ID or verification that you are working at the fair, never mind the golf cart, the logo shirt, the beads of sweat, or the worn drained, look of mechanical frustration accounting for the fact you've been here ALL DAY LONG.
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