Well, it's been an interesting day - spending it on the mezzanine overlooking the broadcast studio of a major news network. I'm in MSNBC's studios today with several other "analysts", and we've yet to be really utilized today.

And that's a good thing. I didn't think I'd ever be happy being bored out of my skull, following basically the same thing that you are, on the internet and on TV. But I couldn't be happier, to this point.

As I write this, it's 5PM Eastern time in the U.S., and I'm getting prepared to make a few overseas phone calls. The information that I've been getting has been mostly very positive, and believe me, I'm in the middle of a news pipeline that simply couldn't be any better.

My plans right now are to post updates hourly for the next 6 or 7. I think the next big thing will be GMT rollover, in a little under two hours. That's the one we'll be watching closely.

To this point, things are playing out much as I anticipated, but don't forget that this is a "long haul" issue. However, I don't think there's any question that if we get through the evening unscathed, it's a good omen for the future.

-- Anonymous, December 31, 1999

Answers

Yep, things are looking good so far. Thanks for the update, Rick.

-- Anonymous, December 31, 1999

Ok, it's about 7:30 PM - made it through GMT - looking good. I think the greatest concern for GMT was telecommunications, and I just made a phone call to South Africa (gee, I'm glad it's their phone bill, not mine!).

Nothing much new to report. Will be on MSNBC between 10 and 10:30.

-- Anonymous, December 31, 1999

Rick,

I *think* GMT is [was] also the switchover time for air traffic control systems.

It is also the key for me to get ready to head out to my party :)

-- Anonymous, December 31, 1999

Drew, enjoy yourself - Happy New Year! I'll save the millenium wishes for next year.

-- Anonymous, December 31, 1999

Rick, You wrote: "Well, it's been an interesting day - spending it on the mezzanine overlooking the broadcast studio of a major news network. I'm in MSNBC's studios today with several other "analysts", and we've yet to be really utilized today." My response: (Rick, with all good will, especially considering that I am a VERY happy camper today, here goes:) Painful ain't it? Hey, I bet you AT LEAST had access to a table filled with refreshments in the "green room." Pardon me for a bit of "gallows humor" here, but I think what you went through was a tad better than the time my news helicopter had to land beneath power lines at a phosphate plant in Florida, and I had to spend the night with sheriff's deputies/divers who were trying to rescue a maintenance worker who was trapped in several miles of pipe while the deputies were armed with rifles to shoot alligators while all reporters on the scene were being eaten alive by tiny gnats called "no-see-ums," in addition to mosquitoes and God knows what else. I will always remember that night as the night I put all of my clothing in a sealed garbage bag when I finally arrived home, despite the fact that I was wearing a very expensive suit. :) You wrote: "And that's a good thing. I didn't think I'd ever be happy being bored out of my skull, following basically the same thing that you are, on the internet and on TV. But I couldn't be happier, to this point." My response: Yes! Rock and roll! First hurdle behind us? You wrote: "I think the next big thing will be GMT rollover." My response: That's why those celebrating the arrival of the year 2000 at MY home lifted our glasses to toast the New Year. (Of course the kids had plastic--and sparkling grape juice.) We counted it down, at 7 p.m. in the Eastern time zone which was midnight Greenwich Meantime. Well. . . to be honest, that wasn't the ONLY reason. MSNBC had a young lady stationed at Peterson Field, Colorado Springs, Colorado, just outside NORAD, (38 miles from where I grew up--and also the location of my first job as a reporter) who seemed quite inexperienced to me. I was--quite frankly--shocked by some of the things she reported. I've taken note of her potential mistakes, and you may read about them at a later date. As a general aside, her words had something to do with GMT and early warning systems. I don't want to elaborate more than that at this time. Having said all of that, Well--Heck! You survived! At least you survived the STUDIO EXPERIENCE! Har! I would be most interested in your input on the following thread:

One Journalist's reflection on the rollover so far

Having rambled on, anyone who knows me will recognize that I always close with the following:

Peace.

and

:)

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2000

I apologize for the formatting of the above thread.

I just don't have the time or the energy to reformat.

Perhaps you might be able to "read between the lines."

Blessings, as always.

:)

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2000

On the other hand, I may be labeled "obsessive," or just a perfectionist about my writing.

Of course, I prefer the latter. This trait makes for good journalists, and/or revenue sources in mental hospitals. Har!

At any rate, here we go again:

Rick, You wrote:

"Well, it's been an interesting day - spending it on the mezzanine overlooking the broadcast studio of a major news network. I'm in MSNBC's studios today with several other "analysts", and we've yet to be really utilized today."

My response:

(Rick, with all good will, especially considering that I am a VERY happy camper today, here goes:)

Painful ain't it? :)

Hey, I bet you AT LEAST had access to a table filled with refreshments in the "green room." Pardon me for a bit of "gallows humor" here, but I think what you went through was a tad better than the time my news helicopter had to land beneath power lines at a phosphate plant in Florida, and I had to spend the night with sheriff's deputies/divers who were trying to rescue a maintenance worker who was trapped in several miles of pipe while the deputies were armed with rifles to shoot alligators while all reporters on the scene were being eaten alive by tiny gnats called "no-see-ums," in addition to mosquitoes and God knows what else. I will always remember that night as the night I put all of my clothing in a sealed garbage bag when I finally arrived home, despite the fact that I was wearing a very expensive suit. :)

You wrote: "And that's a good thing. I didn't think I'd ever be happy being bored out of my skull, following basically the same thing that you are, on the internet and on TV. But I couldn't be happier, to this point."

My response: Yes! Rock and roll! First hurdle behind us?

You wrote: "I think the next big thing will be GMT rollover."

My response: That's why those celebrating the arrival of the year 2000 at MY home lifted our glasses to toast the New Year. (Of course the kids had plastic--and sparkling grape juice.) We counted it down, at 7 p.m. in the Eastern time zone which was midnight Greenwich Meantime. Well. . . to be honest, that wasn't the ONLY reason. MSNBC had a young lady stationed at Peterson Field, Colorado Springs, Colorado, just outside NORAD, (38 miles from where I grew up--and also the location of my first job as a reporter) who seemed quite inexperienced to me. I was--quite frankly--shocked by some of the things she reported. I've taken note of her potential mistakes, and you may read about them at a later date. As a general aside, her words had something to do with GMT and early warning systems. I don't want to elaborate more than that at this time.

Having said all of that, Well--Heck! You survived! At least you survived the STUDIO EXPERIENCE! Har!

I would be most interested in your input on the following thread:

One Journalist's reflection on the rollover so far

Having rambled on, anyone who knows me will recognize that I always close with the following:

Peace.

and

:)

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2000