Dreams come true, a look back at 2012

Today marks the end of 2012, and marks the first full year that I have lived in Atlanta and didn’t work for CNN. It was a journey that I couldn’t have gotten through without my friends, family, and some of my former CNN colleagues. I started 2012 freelancing as an editor for The Weather Channel. I started my first full shift over there on January 17th, the day after my birthday. In the beginning of the year, work was scarce. I would have 0 or 1 shift to work on any given week. Sometimes if I was lucky, I would have at least three shifts in any given week. One thing I was surprised about was that I didn't lose my touch on editing when it came to using Final Cut Pro. Even though I didn't touch a non-linear editing machine for two months, I was able to edit VOs, SOTs, and packages for The Weather Channel after using it for more than a year at CNN. Along the way, looked for other jobs and continued my quest for full-time employment. I applied for and interviewed for an editing position at WSB-TV and for an Associate Producer position for Fox Sports South/SportSouth. I felt that the interviews went pretty well and I got a tour of both facilities along the way. I felt like I had hope for either one of those positions. Unfortunately, both of those positions were put on hold. I never got an answer on whether or not I would have been offered one of those positions. All I could do was press on and find a new place to work again. I also applied for a full-time position for one of the six video producer jobs at The Weather Channel. I did not waste time and I got to work on my application for it in January. After a month of waiting in February, I did not hear anything. Half of March went by, nothing again. I waited, waited, and waited some more to see if I was going to get an interview. Unfortunately, all six positions got filled and I didn’t even get an interview. At the time that was discouraging news to me. I didn't know what to think. All I could do was keep working hard at The Weather Channel and hope that someone would see how good I was. Looking back, I might not have been the right fit for that position in the long run. I think my lack of producer experience hurt me in applying for the position. I was still a freelancer at The Weather Channel going into late March. I moved from an edit bay to the newsroom where I edited and produced some videos and averaged at least three shifts a week. Most of the time, I provided some editing support for shows. Occasionally, I would tap in to iWitness from weather.com and produce and edit videos from that user generated website. I wrote my own scripts and offered those segments for air on any show that wanted them. I edited Packages, VOs, SOTs, SOT/VOs, stillstrings, all the usual things I used to edit for CNN. In July, I interviewed for the temporary video editor position here at WGCL and got it. I was a temp for a month before I earned full-time status here. I thank my former CNN colleague Katharine Dorsett for e-mailing me the link to apply for the temp position to get me where I’m at today. Before I accepted my temporary position here at WGCL, I interviewed for the AP position for HLN’s Weekend Express. I interviewed on the same day the Colorado movie theatre shooting happened. I interviewed with Executive Producer Valerie Butler and it felt very comfortable. I felt like we were having a conversation the whole time I was interviewing for a job. Needless to say, I lost out on the position to an internal candidate, but I am happy with where I am here at WGCL. Had I got an offer to work for HLN, it would have marked the first time in my life that I successfully returned to a place that I left behind or moved away from. My regrets are few, but here they are. I regret that I didn’t get a chance to show enough people at CNN that I have changed. I didn’t get a chance to show people that I could become a better, more creative editor. I didn’t get a chance to show the right people that I improved my communication with co-workers and that I was able to work with them better than I did in 2010. I felt that I had left CNN without finishing the job that I started. The dream of full-time employment is realized with CBS Atlanta News/WGCL-TV. I hope to continue on the good things I have done here at the station and for the work that I did for The Weather Channel. Happy new year to all of you and I will be back for more media fun in 2013.

Dreaming of Orlando

As I was sleeping this morning, I was listening to WSB-TV's Bulldog's Gameday. It sounded like the show was previewing the Capital One Bowl matchup versus Nebraska on New Year's Day. In my dream, I was in an Orlando hotel room getting ready to go to the Capital One Bowl and watch Georgia play at night. I ran into a few surfer dues along the way. An old style radio alarm clock woke me up and helped get me ready for the big game. In reality: I'm not going to Orlando on New Year's Day. I'll be here in Atlanta working and trying to catch a glimpse of the Capital One Bowl on ABC.

12.27.2012 Zachary J. Irwin sports update demo B

Zachary J. Irwin 12.27.2012 sports update demo A.

Zachary J. Irwin 12.23.2012 Sports Update Demo A

Zachary J. Irwin 12.17.2012 Sports Update Demo A

Zachary J. Irwin 12.13.2012 Sports Update Demo C

Zachary J. Irwin 12.13.2012 Sports Update Demo B

Zachary J. Irwin 12.13.2012 sports update demo A

I love this headline: Dave Hart Addresses Tennessee Football Future

Zachary J. Irwin 11.18.2012 Sports Update Demo B

Zachary J. Irwin 11.18.2012 Sports Update Demo A

Zachary J. Irwin 11.13.2012 sports update demo b

Zachary J. Irwin 11.13.2011 sports update demo a

Zachary J. Irwin 11.9.2012 Sports Update Demo

Zachary J. Irwin 11/5/2012 Sports Update Demo A

Dreaming of San Diego again

This morning, I had a dream where I was a single guy working and living in San Diego again. In this dream, I was working the Assignment Desk at KNSD-TV/NBC 7 in San Diego. I was alongside a former colleague of mine from CNN and I was doing research on my computer and in my local newspaper. At the end of my dream shift, I was walking home to my condo a few blocks away from work. Heck, I was even contemplating going over to Petco Park and walking up to get a ticket for a game with my San Diego Padres. It felt awesome that I could live, work, and play, all in the same place near downtown San Diego. I was loving life. In the dream, I was excited about living in San Diego again. In reality, I woke up this morning and I am still living in my home in Acworth, Georgia. Luckily, I am living with my beautiful wife Kelly and our two cats. I'm happy living here in the Atlanta Area and doing better here at work at WGCL-TV and living life in general. There is still so much more to see here in Georgia that I haven't been to yet. Also in reality, I haven't lived in the San Diego Area since 1987. I don't have any more plans on living there in my life again. I will go back to visit there again in the next several years. This next time, I'm taking my wife there for an extended visit.

Bad dream of getting a ticket

I was dreaming that I was in Louisiana on a road trip with my friend Gary Long. In the dream, I was driving at night. I was getting followed by a police officer inside the RV I was driving in. In the dream, I tried to slow down, but my right foot could not get to the brakes in time, so I got pinched. I got pulled over, and the next thing I know, night dissolved into daylight. In the daylight part of my dream, I saw an abandoned California style freeway sign in the median while I was driving on a New Orleans freeway. It was so weird. In reality, I have not driven through Louisiana in more than a decade. I have not been to California in more than 4 years. Finally, I have not seen my friend Gary since my wedding on April 2, 2011. I hope to rectify the last two out of the three sometime soon. Going back to California for a visit, now that's my dream. What's yours?

work dreams

I keep dreaming that I returned to work for CNN again.  Please help me!!!

Gotta share a Paul Davis classic just because

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Zachary J. Irwin 10.28.2012 sports update demo B

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Zach Irwin sports update 10.28.2012 a

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Zachary J. Irwin 10.22.2012 Sports Update Demo A

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Zachary J. Irwin 10.22.2012 Sports Update Demo B

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Zachary J. Irwin 10.11.12 Sports Update Demo E

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Zachary J. Irwin 10.11.12 sports Update demo D

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Zachary J. Irwin 10.11.12 Sports Update Demo C

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Zachary J. Irwin 10.11.12 Sports Update Demo B

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Zachary J. Irwin 10.11.12 Sports Update Demo A

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Dreaming of going back to school and playing board games

In the last couple of days, I have had dreams of going to college and looking for a dorm to reside in in Seattle and playing Settlers of Catan.

In my college dream, I was a college freshman getting out of an economics lecture class while trying to ask my professor how can I get to live in one of the residence halls.  My professor had no answers that I wanted to hear.  He told me to get my financial aid together in order to secure my place in the dorms.  In my dream, I really wanted to live in the dorms.

In my Settlers of Catan dream, I was doing al lot of mathematical calculations in my head and building roads with the white blocks to nowhere.  I wasn't even building any settlements and I was not getting any resources while playing the game.

In reality, I played Settlers of Catan for only the 2nd time in my life and I predictably lost.  In my 4.5 years of school at Arizona State University, I stayed in the dorms only ONCE due to an automotive emergency that prevented me from driving home one night.  I don't know if I would want to live in a dorm now because I live in a house that my wife and I own. 

Zachary J. Irwin writing samples for October 6, 2012

UGA/SOUTH CAROLINA

SOUTH CAROLINA DESTROYS GEORGIA

                The sixth-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks routed the fifth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs 35-7.  The Gamecocks dominated the Bulldogs in the battle of top-10 teams in S-E-C play.

                Georgia Quarterback Aaron Murray threw for only 109 yards on 11 of 30 passing with no touchdowns and an interception.  South Carolina held the Georgia’s freshman duo of Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall to a combined 76 yards on the ground.

                South Carolina Quarterback Connor Shaw fared much better with 162 yards passing on six of ten attempts and two touchdowns.  Shaw ran for 78 yards and a touchdown as well.

                South Carolina improves to 6-0, 4-0 in S-E-C play while the Bulldogs suffer their first loss of the season (5-1, 3-1 in the SEC).  South Carolina has a huge one game lead in the S-E-C East and a leg up in competition to play in the S-E-C Championship game in Atlanta on December 2^nd.

                Georgia will have a bye next week before they battling Kentucky (1-5, 0-3 SEC) in Lexington while South Carolina has to rest up quickly and take on fourth-ranked L-S-U (4-1, 1-1 S-E-C) in Baton Rouge next week.

GEORGIA TECH/CLEMSON

CLEMSON BEATS TECH BY AIR AND LAND

                15^th-ranked Clemson had a monster day on offense while Georgia Tech’s defense was just plain offensive.  The Tigers rolled up 601 yards as they beat the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 47-31.

                Accounting for nearly 75 percent of the Tiger offense, Quarterback Tajh Boyd passed for  397 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for 63 yards and a touchdown.  Boyd’s two touchdown passes on the day helped him set a new school record for 51career touchdown passes, breaking Charlie Whitehurst’s old mark of 49.

Georgia Tech (2-4, 1-3 ACC) has lost three in a row and needs four more wins just to become bowl eligible.

Clemson (5-1, 2-1 ACC) has won their last two games and it will have next week off before facing Virginia Tech at home on October 20^th.  Georgia Tech will also have next week off before it hosts Boston College at Bobby Dodd Stadium on October 20^th.

               

Zachary J. Irwin 10.1.2012 sports update demo 1

Dreaming of new TV shows and sharing my own dreams

Early Sunday morning, I had a dream where I was watching a brand new show on CNN starring Nick Valencia.  I had two working titles in my dream:  "Mexico Beat" and "Eye on Mexico."  In reality, I think those shows would be perfect for him.  He has done great work writing and reporting on what has been going on inside Mexico.

This morning, I had a dream where I was watching TV in Tulsa and at the same time I was watching a scale model of a freeway system materialize like a chemistry experiment, and it scared me.  Thankfully, I woke up.

Finally, I dream of having a beautiful career.  I realized that when Chipper Jones plays his final game as an Atlanta Brave, he will be remembered as a great baseball player.  Everybody has showered him with gifts and tributes this past weekend.  I even edited some video of him boarding a Delta charter flight with a big red "10" on the side of the plane.

In my dream of having a beautiful career, I hope that I will have done great things so that I can enjoy a tribute a tenth of what Chipper has enjoyed.  Then again, I'm just a video editor right now.  In the role of a video editor, I will do the work that is assigned to me and I will learn all the tricks and effects that AVID has to offer.

One more dream that I have is this:  I would love to travel on a charter flight for work.  I almost typed charger flight.  The San Diego Chargers are my favorite NFL team and my Chargers won yesterday.

Zachary J. Irwin 9.1.2012 Sports Update Demo

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Zachary J. Irwin 8.27.2012 Sports Update Demo LITE

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Zachary J. Irwin 8.27.2012 Sports Update Demo LONG

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Had a dream about an old friend and some yummy wings

A few weeks ago, I had a dream where I saw one of my friends from way back in my Arizona State University days.  He was a good friend of mine in my Walter Cronkite School of Journalism classes and from my days as a fund raiser for the ASU Sundial Fund.  We talked, hung out, and had a few good laughs.

Later in the night, I had a different dream where I saw a lot of fried chicken wings with some golden-brown honey mustard sauce dripping down on them.  They looked so good I could almost taste them.  I was getting hungry for them.

In reality, I just found my friend Keith Bogart on Facebook and we've linked up as friends on the social networking site.  I would root for the Philadephia Eagles with him as long as they get rid of Michael Vick.  Second, I almost got chicken wings in my two appearances over at Taco Mac in Kennesaw, Georgia.  On Thursday, I got chips, tortillas, and queso.  On Friday, I got a grilled chicken burrito with queso and french fries. 

I'm going to score me some wings again one day.  I might go for the wings with honey mustard on them and some sweet barbecue sauce on them too.

My dream for the future of newspapers

This is one of those dreams that I didn't have when I was sleeping.  My dream for the future of newspapers is that they never go away. 

In recent years, I've seen a few troubling developments of their demise.  The Rocky Mountain News ceased publication in 2010.  It was sad for me because it was the only paper I bought in Denver when I was in my layover at Denver International Airport eight years ago.  The Seattle Post-Intelligencer ceased print publication that same year and exists now only as a website.  The Tucson Citizen also saw its demise that year in print and now lives on only as a website.

Luckily, those three cities were two newspaper towns and can still have one daily newspaper serve those communities and metro areas.  What about other cities that are one-paper towns?  What do they do if their cities' newspapers are in trouble in their print operations?  Cities like New Orleans, Birmingham, and Portland, Oregon are facing such questions that I never imagined just a decade ago.

 The New Orleans Times-Picayune is going to a 3-day a week publishing schedule this fall.  The paper is also going to publish a special Monday edition for New Orleans Saints coverage this season.  The Birmingham News is also moving to a 3-day a week publishing time frame.   In Portland, Oregon, The Oregonian is facing a future of not publishing a paper every single day. 

These three newspapers are all owned by Advance Publications, and they are the most notable papers that are moving towards a more web-based, digital content model.  The company owns many other newspapers including The Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Newark Star-Ledger. 


I admit I am part of the problem.  As of this writing, I do not have a print subscription to any newspaper.  I buy my newspapers only on Sundays for the coupons (and the news content), at the airport for having something to read, and at a city that I am visiting on vacation or business.

I too have embraced digital delivery of my news content on many levels.  I slowly adapted from just being a print reader to being able to get the news more electronically.  Here's my digital diet and it varies day by day.  I go online to some of my favorite news websites, turn on my smartphone and go to some of my favorite apps, or just simply watch TV or listen to the radio for my news and information.



Print publications have to take their products to the streets and market them to young people.  They are the future and they have gotten more tech-savvy in recent years.  Newspaper companies need to sell young people on the value of being able to hold a piece of paper in their hand and not worry about damaging the product if something gets spilled on it.  Newspapers need to add value inside their products by having a reader special for some discounts on restaurants or tickets to sporting events.



Print companies have to work with other electronic media and new media companies to partner on content and costs of production.


The latest example I have found of new partnerships is between my hometown paper, a TV station, and a sports Network.  The East Valley Tribune has entered into a partnership with KNXV-TV for news coverage and is already partnered with Fox Sports Arizona for additional sports coverage.  Partnerships like these will help preserve the newspapers in all of the major cities across the United States and keep people employed in their respective fields.


On a personal note, I grew up with the East Valley Tribune.  It morphed from the Mesa Tribune (along with the Tempe Daily News and Chandler Arizonan) to become the East Valley Tribune in 1999.  In 2009, the newspaper stopped being a paid daily publication and became a free three-day a week newspaper in Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, and Queen Creek, Arizona.


I hope I'm wrong on this prediction:  The increasing costs of print publication and the irreversable downward revenues will eventually leave many cities without their daily print edition of the newspaper.


Here's my solution:  Newspapers need to partner up with one major television station, one major radio station, a regional cable channel, and a new start-up internet website/news outlet to keep their papers relevant in their cities.  Costs will go down, subscriptions and day of newspaper sales will stabilize, and newspapers will continue to exist in the form that we know them in.


My dream for the newspapers:  They stay around forever.

Dreaming of Mafia Wars

Late last night or early this morning, I had a dream where I was playing Mafia Wars.  In the dream, all I had to do was hold the "attack" button, and my 'enemy' would be defeated much faster and my 'jobs' would be completed much, much faster.  That step would eliminate my need for constantly clicking on the mouse.

In reality:  I played some more Mafia Wars this morning.  I haven't played in more than two days, so I was due for some gaming.  I have advanced to level 2094 and I'm about a month away from completing construction of my '5-star restaurant' in Las Vegas.  I've already completed my '5-star bank vault'. 

In the game, I'm a 'trillionaire.'  In real life, I guess I'm a thousand-aire. 

Here's hoping for more social gaming in the future and that I will be the best gamer I can be.

Dreaming of newspapers

Late this morning, I had a dream where I was coming home for work late last night.  In this dream, I saw a big SUV filled with a bunch of local newspapers in the back.  Two of them that I remember was the "Cherokee Tribune" and the fictional RED ANGEL in red letters.

I met this man and I asked him if I could buy one of his newspapers, and he said yes.  Not only that, he gave me a big hug for wanting to buy one of his papers.  In the dream, the newspaper would have been enough.  The hug really wasn't necessary.

I was so happy to get my Cherokee Tribune and I was going to start reading it.  When I got ready to read the paper, I woke up.

In reality, I may still have a neighbor that delivers newspapers on the side.  I read at least four print editions of the following newspapers:  The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Marietta Daily Journal, the Cherokee Tribune, and the Cartersville Daily-Tribune News. 

I love newspapers and I hope they never go away in their print version.

Heat to stay for a while

I edited and posted this Eric Fisher package for The Weather Channel and weather.com.

Been dreaming of Las Vegas again

Earlier this week, I had a dream late in my sleep where I was in line for a breakfast buffet at one of the hotels in Las Vegas.  As part of the breakfast menu in my dream, I was in line for some grilled fish and baked potatoes among the goodies being offered at this unnamed hotel.

Still in the dream, before you know it, I was scrambling for some other breakfast like eggs, has browns, and some beef.  and just like that, I woke up.

In reality:  I may have to push my Vegas trip ideas back even more.  I will learn to find good buffets in my town or wherever I travel with my wife.

As a matter of fact, I'm daydreaming of some Sal Grosso endless meat in Atlanta, Georgia right now.  I can taste the cuts of beef, chicken, and fish right now.  In due time, my wife and I will enjoy our culinary surprises there again.

Zachary J. Irwin 6.26.2012 sports update demo

Zachary J. Irwin 6.25.2012 Sports Update Demo A

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Zachary J. Irwin 6.18.2012 sports update demo

Zachary J. Irwin 6.12.2012 sports update demo a

Love in the Wild

I edited this for air on The Weather Channel.

Zach Irwin 5.31.2012 sports update demo 1

I have been having weird dreams lately

First, I've been dreaming that I have been trying to get back to work at McDonald's.  I've encountered two of my former CNN colleagues working there.  One of them was an editor and the other was one of my former bosses.  In the dream, I was in the grill area and I was thinking about working there and trying to find another job, balancing two or more jobs at the same time.

Next, I was dreaming that I was with my father somewhere.  In the dream, it seemed like I was at some sort of vacation setting at night.  In the dream, I was wondering how he got there again.  It was like he came back from the dead and I had to come up with an explanation why things were no longer there and why I was living my life the way I was.

Also, I had a dream where I was moving to Los Angeles to get a job.  In the dream, I was staying at an unknown fancy hotel waiting to get settled there.   I never learned what the job was in the dream.  I stayed 'stuck' at the hotel just waiting to wake up in reality.

Back to reality now, I am wondering if 'I can go home again.'  I don't see myself returning to my hometown of Mesa, Arizona to live.  I may see myself returning to CNN/Turner Broadcasting for full-time employment.  In my past, I never permanently returned to places that I have left.  I have visited places like San Marcos, CA, Mesa, AZ, Arizona State University, and the CNN Center in Downtown Atlanta.  I have only returned to those places as a visitor.

I really want to stay with The Weather Channel, but I don't see anything opening up that I can realistically do that is being posted.  I have to re-apply for some jobs with Turner Broadcasting so that I can support my family and regain some PTO that I sorely miss.

In recent times, I have eaten at McDonald's for some breakfast and some lunch.  Having some coupons handy for BoGo or buy something get something else free hasn't hurt me either.

Joplin High School's Graduation to Remember

I produced and Edited this piece for The Weather Channel and Weather.com.

Joplin Recovering, one year later

This is what I edited for The Weather Channel and Weather.com.

Tuscaloosa: 2011 and 2012

What a difference a year makes. This is a before and after montage of what the tornado did to Tuscaloosa and what it looks like at each spot the tornado hit one year later. Matt Saffer and I from the Weather Channel produced and edited the piece.

Prepare for tornado strikes

This is what I edited and published for The Weather Channel and weather.com.

Staying it safe in car during Tornado

Here's what I edited and published for The Weather Channel and Weather.com

I edited First 2012 Billion Dollar Disaster for The Weather Channel and Weather.com.

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No More Tornado Sirens?

I edited and posted this for The Weather Channel

Tornado Survival Stories

I edited and posted this for weather.com

Record Heat: An Understatement

I edited and posted this on weather.com

Zachary J. Irwin 3.15.2012 sports update demo c

Zachary J. Irwin 3.15.2012 sports update demo b

Zachary J. Irwin 3.15.2012 sports update demo a

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Writing Samples for Thursday, March 15, 2012

Knicks Coaching Change
     New York Knicks Head Coach Mike D'Antoni resigned after over three seasons on the job.  D'antoni took the Knicks to the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons in 2011 before the Boston Celtics swept them in the first round of the playoffs.
     Former Atlanta Hawks Head Coach Mike Woodson takes over as head coach on an interim basis.  On Wednesday Night, the Knicks hammered the Portland Trailblazers 121-79 in Woodson's Knicks coaching debut, snapping a six-game losing streak.


Lions/Johnson
     Megatron gets a new mega-deal.  The Detroit Lions sign Calvin Johnson to an eight-year 132 million dollar contract extension, 60 million dollars of that is guaranteed.  Johnson had a monster year in 2011 with 96 catches, 1,681 yards, and 16 touchdowns.  The former Georgia Tech star helped the Lions get inthe playoffs for the first time in 12 years last season.


NCAA 1st round games
     In a battle of 16-seeds, Vermont beat Lamar 71-59.  In a game of 12-seeds, South Florida 'bears' down on California 65-54.  Both of those game were played in Dayton, Ohio.


NCAA tournament
     Today marks the beginning of second round action in the N-C-Double-A tournament.  In the East region, Top seeded Syracuse battles 16th seeded UNC Asheville just after 3:20 P.M. Eastern time from Pittsburgh.  Syracuse will be without Center Fab Melo who was declared inelligible for the N-C-Double-A torunament by the school due to an academic related issue.
     In the South region, top seed Kentucky takes on 16-seed Western Kentucky from Louisville.  Tip off is set for 6:50 p.m. Eastern Time on T-B-S.

Dreaming of Newspapers and Magazines

Early this morning, I had a dream where I was in New York (or was it Long Island).  I was looking for an Atlanta Journal Constitution and a Creative Loafing to read.  At the same time in the dream, I met up with an old friend of mine, Eric Bordin.  He was just looking at me when I was rummaging through the stacks for something to read.

In reality:  I haven't been to New York since 2009.  I've never been to Long Island (unless JFK or Citi Field count).   I haven't had a hard copy of Newsday since 2009.  I read the Atlanta Journal Constitution and Creative Loafing here in Atlanta when I'm here most of the year.

Zachary J. Irwin 3.8.2012 sports update demo

Zachary J. Irwin 3.6.2012 Sports Update Demo b

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Zachary J. Irwin 3.6.2012 sports update demo a

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Getting ready for my next job

First to recap, I was laid off by CNN on November 11th, 2011.  Today would have been my 12 year anniversary with the company.  Late last year, I was hired by the Weather Channel as a Freelance Editor.  On January 17th, I started my first full day of freelance work as an editor.  Practicing my craft as an editor on Final Cut Pro has kept my skills sharp while I search for my next job.  In addition to keeping my editing skills up to date, I have practiced my on-air delivery with my custom made sports updates.

I applied for a Video Producer position with the Weather Channel in January.  I am still hoping to hear from TWC about getting an interview for that job.  I would even settle for freelance work in that role until something opened up on a full-time basis.  What I should do next time I am scheduled to work as a freelancer is to sit in with the producers and other personnel inside the newsroom and see how they all work.  That would give me a leg up on everyone else applying for that same job.

The easiest thing for me to do to get ready for a job is to be a news junkie.  I will read anything I can get my hands on.  I will pick up a newspaper at the local library or the nearby convenience store.  I'll read anything online or something that is sent into my e-mail.  I'll watch the local, national, and international news shows on television.  I will watch the Weather Channel to see what they air and how packages are edited.  Those things will give me inspiration to continue on my job search.

Finally, I pledge to do more research on companies that I will apply to or that I have applied to.  I will look at all the good things each company has done and I will see where I can help and bring my expertise into each position.  I will look at LinkedIn, company websites, Twitter, and Facebook for all my company information.  All of those ideas came from all of the classes I have taken since I was let go on November 11th.

I know that good things will happen for me and good times are just around the corner.  I have faith that good things will work out in the end.

Zachary J. Irwin 2.29.2012 Sports Update Demo A

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Zachary J. Irwin 2.22.2012 Sports Update Demo A

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Dreaming of being on the air

I had a dream on Monday Morning where I was in the CNN Radio Newsroom.  My mentor, Ninette Sosa, gave me some good advice.  She told me to "Not" read my scripts while I'm reporting live on the air.  She told me to glance at my script and deliver it just like I was talking to someone.


In reality, I have tried to deliver my sports updates in a new way this afternoon.  After writing my scripts and submitting them to my other blog on tumblr.com, I try to come up with something conversational and witty when I'm speaking into my android phone.


In reality, I'm sending my sports updates out on social media and my blogs.  I hope to land a freelance position with a radio station based on my work on my sports update delivery.

Dreaming of being on-air

I had a dream on Monday Morning where I was in the CNN Radio Newsroom.  My mentor, Ninette Sosa, gave me some good advice.  She told me to "Not" read my scripts while I'm reporting live on the air.  She told me to glance at my script and deliver it just like I was talking to someone.

In reality, I have tried to deliver my sports updates in a new way this afternoon.  After writing my scripts and submitting them to my other blog on tumblr.com, I try to come up with something conversational and witty when I'm speaking into my android phone.

In reality, I'm sending my sports updates out on social media and my blogs.  I hope to land a freelance position with a radio station based on my work on my sports update delivery.

Zachary J. Irwin 2.20.2012 Sports Update Demo A

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Combining two dreams in the last week

Late last week, I dreamed that I was walking around my old hometown of San Marcos, California.  I was walking down the street I lived on at my real-life age of 36.  At one point, I found that one of the streets was named "Normal Street." 

Earlier this week:  I dreamed that I was traveling to Las Vegas and I was leaving Vegas and heading onto I-5.   At one point in the dream, the sign on I-5 said "Georgia".  Before I left Vegas, I was looking for a great place for a buffet.

In reality:  I haven't been to San Marcos, California since 2007, and I don't think there is such a street called Normal Street.  I-5 does NOT go through Georgia.  Finally, I haven't been to Vegas since 2007 and I hope to go back there once again.

Dreaming of ASU Sports Talk Radio

I had an awesome dream on Sunday Morning where I found myself listening to a sports talk radio station from Phoenix.  That radio station catered to fans of ASU Sports.  It was basically a college sports talk show modeled after the Paul Finebaum Radio Network out of Birmingham, Alabama.

In reality, I thought of doing a PAC-12/ASU based talk show while I was driving around in my car this afternoon.  Later this afternoon, I listened to the Paul Finebaum Radio Network online this afternoon before coming into work.

Zachary J. Irwin 1.30.2012 Sports Update Demo 2

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Zachary J. Irwin 1.30.2012 Sports Update Demo 1

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A mix of dreams

I had dreams where I was hanging out with Former San Diego Chargers Running Back LaDainian Tomlinson, getting ready to go to a boxing match with my family in Las Vegas, and I was playing a bunch of board games in my big house with my wife, family, and friends. In Reality: I hope to travel to Las Vegas one of these days, LaDainian Tomlinson is my favorite Charger of all time, and the 2004 Chargers were one of my all time favorite teams in the NFL, and Kelly and I have played video games here at home several times in the last week.

Interesting dreams of sports and training

I had a dream this morning where I was at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. I was watching practice and later, a game. I was watching this with a local radio sports talk show host and we were discussing the pros and cons of the Sun Devil Football Team. Later on in the dream, I was traveling down I-10 into Texas. Before I knew it, I was getting ready for some basic training and physical conditioning for the armed forces. I had a military suit underneath a dress suit. In the dream I had to quickly get out of my dress clothes and have just my military gear on. I was told that I had to go through 10 intensive days of physical training. In reality: I've never been in the Army. I have visited a recruiting station in Arizona when I was applying for an ROTC scholarship and applying for admission into the Air Force Academy. I have been to Sun Devil Stadium many times in my life, but the last time I was there for a game was in 2007 for homecoming.

Zachary J. Irwin 1.13.2012 sports update demo 2

Reviewing previous dreams

Over the years, I've had a dream where I would one day decide to leave CNN to move back to Arizona, move on to a better job, or to strike out on my own. These "dreams" were dreams I had in my sleep. I never thought of these things on my own over the 11 years I was privileged to work for CNN. In these dreams, I am later thinking "What have I done?" Suddenly, these moves didn't seem like such a good idea anymore. In my dreams, I hoped that I could reverse what I did and make my return to CNN. Fast forward to today. It has been two months since I was laid off and I haven't as bad or low as I do right now. It has been admittedly difficult keeping positive and upbeat for everyone else over these last few weeks. Suddenly, these "dreams" don't sound so good to me anymore. Nevertheless, I continue to search for jobs, network with friends and former colleagues, and to start looking for groups to join. One thing that is keeping me busy and hopeful is that I work on my sports updates. I have one more to work on for today. I will resume my updates on Tuesday, January 17th at the earliest. By the time that happens, I will be 36 years old. Thanks for reading and I hope you all have a happy weekend.

Zachary J. Irwin 1.13.2012 Sports Update Demo 1

Getting ready to want to work again

After less than two months after being laid off, I have done some soul searching. I did some great things, and I have done some things that were not so great. I'm proud of the fact that I spent 11 years with CNN. At the same time, I'm ready to work again and move on to a new challenge. I've been on the job search since day one after I got laid off. I've had three interviews since that time. With a resume like mine and with CNN on there, I could have sworn that I would have gotten more interviews. The biggest lesson that I learned along the way is that there is no guaranteed job for life anymore and that the competition for a new job is more fierce than ever. I caught a break with The Weather Channel as a freelance editor and I will be on the job there again soon. Once I get started with the weather channel, I plan to work hard right away. I plan to take on as much of the editing of VOs and SOTs so that I get comfortable with the workflow. After a short time of cutting SOTs and VOs, I will ask to cut some of the more creative assignments like packages, things with after effects and motion, and then I will cross-train on other roles like Producing, Writing, and Associate Producing. I want to make myself more valuable and more versatile so that I am protected in the future. I promise to never take my job for granted again. I'm going to go in with a positive attitude and be a problem solver for all clients and business partners.

Dreaming of travel and Prime Rib

Last Night/Early This Morning, I had a mishmash of dreams. I dreamed that I was on a cruise and I was in line for dinner. I was getting a steak in one line and a fire roasted prime rib in another line. In the dream, my steak was good and my prime rib was O.K. In reality, I have been craving prime rib just before the start of 2012. I saw a story about it on the news (Set in the Lawry's beef bowl before the Rose Bowl) and I've been craving it like crazy ever since. I think that the last time I ate prime rib was on my wedding cruise with my wife and our friends. I'm ready for some Prime Rib right now. Until then, I'll settle for some chicken and potatoes for dinner tonight.

Zachary James Irwin CNN Editing Demo Reel

No dreams to speak of

Each time that I have gone to sleep, I haven't had many dreams to speak of in the last couple of weeks or so. I haven't had any good dreams to start the new year off with. In reality, I dream of starting up working with The Weather Channel again really soon. I need this job so that I can feel good about myself and to get to where I need to be in life. I've learned over these last two months that as long as I don't dwell on the fact that I am unemployed and focus on having fun, I will be happy. I won't feel miserable or down on myself like I have been on and off in recent days. I need to get through this weekend with some fun and some positive energy. I look forward to seeing our friends Kat and Brandon on Saturday Night; then on Sunday, I look forward to watching the Atlanta Falcons' playoff game with Steve at his house. Also on Monday, I look forward to hanging out with Steve to watch the BCS National Championship game featuring his Alabama Crimson Tide. Roll Tide. RMFTR!!!!! I'm going to work on my sportscasting dreams by doing my updates as much as I can. I've done two of them so far today.

Zachary J. Irwin 1.6.2012 sports update demo 2

Zachary J. Irwin 1.6.2012 sports update demo 1