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