HERE. There. And everywhere.
I reckon I’ve spent more hours in the driver’s seat of my car, than I have asleep in my bed.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Sally – my car – but I do love my sleep just as much, but work experience has taken priority this week.
Spring has sprung after what felt like the longest winter ever, and the British sporting season is opening its crusty eyes and exhaling it’s morning breathe to those ready to take it on.
That was a resemblance of myself after many early morning alarms were set this week.
I’m not a morning person. Well, I say that, but at the moment I seem to always be up. Maybe I am but I just deny it to cover up my mood.
I did sleep well last Sunday mind, back in my bed at home in Salisbury.
I was up early that day as our video module group – FWC Squared – filmed the ‘Oxford 5 Marathon’ at Blenheim Palace, a lovely estate by the way if you ever fancy a walk in Oxford.
Here is the link to the full VT package we made of the marathon:
We filmed the race, interviewed those competing and I couldn’t help myself but to commentate on the runners on the final stretch…
I was ten minutes late to my 9am lecture on Monday morning because I was too invested in working out the logistics of this Masters trip I’m going on, regardless, my dad and I managed to figure out the flights and car rental on this invaluable experience ahead.
I still can’t believe I am going to the Masters by the way – I pinch myself every day – you should see people’s faces when I tell them about it, it’s brilliant, the combination of gladness – “really happy for you”, envy – “always been a dream of mine“ and shock – “fuck off” or “no way”, all mixed into one.
Monday evening was the SJA Sports Journalism Awards in London, the meeting place where the nations best writers, photographers, broadcasters and more, win awards for their work.
We went to a similar one back in December last year, and I organised us Solent Uni students to go again.
I took the role of ‘Dad’, as our course leader couldn’t attend this time, and as I’m the closest thing to ‘course leader’, apparently, I led the pack to London.
Being the ‘cool’ Dad I am, I did a vague head count on the train, passed around the crossword I bought earlier at the station and then had a nap.
We rocked up in Waterloo, suited and booted, and walked into The Wellington pub for those to get that initial alcohol-induced confidence boost before they meet the famous journalists.
We downed a pint and then mingled at the reception with our complimentary glass of champagne, with every sip we’d scout the horizon of suits and dresses among us and try to put names to faces.
We were then ushered to our seats, obviously we were sat at the back – we will be aiming to be sat at the front in the future – and looked forward to the awards.
Moments before the awards started, I got a tap on the shoulder by a waitor asking me to shove along the round table to fit two more people in… i did.
I was eyeing these people up previously – a middle aged male with curly grey hair, and a young blonde lady in her mid twenties – they were standing behind us looking somewhat lost but at the same time like they’ve been here before.
I recognised the face of the guy but not a name, but I could’ve said the same for everyone there.
The waiters set the table for them and they sat down, I immediately said “Hi” and shook their hands.
We clicked.
Non-stop chatting, laughing, bantering, gossiping, all through the night.
This was because this guy was a professional cricket photographer, obviously we’d get along !
Half way through the night, just after the slow cooked beef main course, I passed him my business card – I got these made by some friends in the industry – and of course got the piss taken out of by him.
Sarcastically, I asked him “Do you have Instagram?” , to which he jokingly took offence and replied “I may look old but, c’mon now.”
I opened up my Instagram and searched his account as he was spelling it to me – “D,U,D,L,E..”
I stopped typing as an account came up as suggested, I realised who the account was, turnt up from my phone to look at his face, double took again and said “shut up.”
I somehow was sat next to Phillip Brown, aka Dudley Platypus on social media, to which his daughter sat next to him blushed slightly, I’m sure this is not the first time this has happened to her.
The fact I was having the best interaction at these formal awards with such a talented photographer ,who I’ve been following since I can remember, was honestly the highlight of year so far.
In reflection, it proves that my people person skills are good enough to engage with professionals, to which I’m proud about.
Or maybe it was the fact that Phil is just a brilliant character.
We shook hands at the end of the night, and I said “you better follow me back on Instagram now.”
5AM. That was the time I had to wake up Wednesday morning.
I was driving to Donington Race Circuit ahead of the first day of being part of Team PB Racing’s social media team.
Team PB Racing races an Audi R8 GT3 in the British Endurance Championship.
This is a university work experience gig that came up, but as soon as I heard ‘Audi R8’, I applied immediately, the R8 has always been my dream car !
Fortunately, my social media and organisational skills came in clutch – I have no motorsport experience despite being a huge ‘petrol head’ – and I was given the job.
Wednesday was test day, for the car on track, and for us gathering content.
The inner young boy came out of me when I first laid eyes on the car.
The awesome orange and black livery, the race spec, the exhausts !
Just listen to it…
As a sports journalist, it was my role to gather video and photo content via my phone, as well as conduct interviews with drivers, and write post race reports to develop the team’s social media.
The loud engines, the howling wind and the six hour round trip knocked me for six, pardon the pun, as I got home, went to bed and woke up the next day ready for the Hampshire County Cricket Club media day on Thursday.
I went from a new environment, to one I felt very comfortable in, the newly sponsored Utilita Bowl (the Rose Bowl for the elder generation) invited students to their media day to get involved.
Just like the previous six months, it was raining and cold, “not cricket weather” my Grandad would say, anyways, the photoshoots and interviews went ahead inside.
Briefly being part of the Hampshire Academy when I was 16 years old, I know my way around the ground, so I implemented the ‘act like you are meant to be there’ attitude when I was setting up cameras and speaking to players.
I had a blast, as you can see…
The more I do these things, the more I try and ‘be myself’, because I feel that it’s the best way forwards and the most comfortable.
Day done. Back to bed ready for another 5am wake up, but this time it was race day !
The three hour drive from Southampton to Donnington felt like 10 minutes after a McDonald’s McMuffin for breakfast.
Sally – my car – was flying through the empty motorway on Good Friday and we reached the race circuit bright and early.
It certainly was a ‘Good Friday’ for Team PB Racing as they got pole position in the morning qualifying and maintained first place all through the two hour race to be stood on the top step of the podium.
It was a great feeling to be part of a winning team so early into a work experience placement, hopefully it will look good on my CV !
Remember how I said how much I like my sleep ?
Well after I got out of Sally late Friday night, my bum was numb from driving so long, I walked to the local pizza place, collected my order, bought a beer, walked home, jumped straight into bed, ate three-quarters of my pizza, finished my beer and got some well deserved sleep.
“BING BING BING” , my alarm goes yet again, waking me up ready to work all weekend…
I’m pretty certain the only peace and quiet will be when I’m on the aeroplane flying to the Masters.
Come back next week to see if I do get any sleep.
Read last weeks blog –
