Live from Cleveland, Ohio

It’s the Big Dance. Finally. I’ve been waiting a while for this since I knew Mason would be a lock to make it in. This comes right after the baseball playoffs in my mind.

But I, like Cody Norman, the Sports Editor at Broadside, have never had a front-row seat to the action. I felt involved. Getting paid to do what I love: I love it.

Before I begin, let me remind you that none of my family is from Ohio. I am not a Cleveland sports fan and I’m not a big fan of the city of Cleveland. Make all the jokes you want to about LeBron James, I know I have.

Wednesday

We found out around 1 p.m. that instead of leaving in the morning, we would be leaving in a few hours. We left Fredericksburg, Va. at around 6 p.m. We got McDonalds in West Virginia. I flagged down a cop somewhere in Ohio for him to escort me to a gas station. As we got gas, I called him “buddy” before he drove away. Cody didn’t like that. Nine hours after we left, I got to the hotel. Long night. I may have gotten to bed before 4 a.m. I don’t really know.

10:17 a.m.

Cody rolled out of bed. I did not

10:30 a.m.

I hit the snooze button for the first of seven times before I woke up.

10:58 a.m.

I finally got my lazy self up. Yes, at 11:00. I did not get to the hotel until 3 a.m. after nine hours of driving. Give me a break.

11:55 a.m.

We walked to the Quicken Loans Arena, home of the Cleveland Cavaliers, to pick up media credentials. But first I overshot a street and we had to cut through a pretty sketch alley and cross through a parking garage. My bad. 

Then I got to pay the inordinate sum of $--- (I don’t know if I’m allowed to disclose financial information here. Sorry.) for Internet access. At least it was fast in the photography workroom. Oh well.

12:50 p.m.

Ryan, Cam and Ike came for interviews. Cody nearly fainted when Cam pointed at him. I didn’t notice. If you want to know what they said, see my story from earlier on in the day, or just go see Cody’s rundown of the days events.

1:05 p.m.

Jim came out. He seemed happy. He got very excited when he saw a reporter he knew. He fielded a question about whistling.

1:30 p.m.

Doc Nix and the Green Machine came to the arena for open practice. I snagged some pictures that entertained me. Alex Guichet put them up on the NCAA Central component of Connect2Mason.com.

1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Cody was gone and I was scared to go outside alone around all the drunk people and the St. Patty’s Day festivities in Cleveland. Apparently those festivities included gang violence, police on horseback, high school sophomore girls throwing up and getting arrested and general entertainment. I just went through pictures and worked on stories. You will see everything I’ve been working on in the next day or two. Aren’t you so excited?

4:30 p.m.

Cody got back. He went to the Ohio State interview while I was still working. He sat next to Mr. Bob Ryan, columnist for the Boston Globe and fill-in member of Pardon the Interruption, who he later pointed out to me. I plan on saying hello to him tomorrow. I want him to say “hi” back.

5:10 p.m.

After the press conferences were over, Cody acted like a little kid in a candy store. He ran back and forth, from baseline to baseline, snapping pictures of Jared Sullinger and William Buford. I can’t say I didn’t do the same thing though. If you want my pictures of Sully, just ask me. He seemed like a nice kid. Like a big cuddly bear. With no muscle definition.

5:50 and beyond

Cody reeled from seeing his Buckeyes. He picked up dress shoes. I rambled about camera parts with Mr. Steven Klien. He’s using film. Wow. Then we had pastries. I avoided certain street corners on the way back to the hotel. I ordered more towels and soap. And room service. Then I went to sleep to the beautiful voice of Craig Ferguson.

Pay attention to me tomorrow. I think I’ll be live tweeting from the floor from @NOVAsOwnJP. Look for me on the floor under the basket. I’m wearing a blue dress shirt. And maybe a wool coat.