I don’t have much to say this week. I’m sort of blurry because the WCNC 6NEWS Road-Trip started last night and I’m already behind on work!

I seem to work better when there’s too much to do anyway. Maybe I subconsciously set it up that way. I’m great on deadline. I thrive under pressure. Not so good when there’s plenty-O-time. I need to think, “Wow! I’m going to have to really push to make this all happen.”

Of course it helps that my job is slightly easier than a professional bowler’s. And I mean no offense to you bowling pros. Just be honest. Pick up a ball… throw a ball… pump your fist... sit down and comb your mustache. This isn’t complicated stuff.

I talk to people and try to tell their stories in the most simple, honest way. No sweat.

Okay, so where was I? No idea. In that case, let me just remind you I’m on a Road Trip for the entire month of November and I think the first few days of December. Our locations are announced each day on the main WCNC web page. Tune us in at 4:30 PM every night or come by and meet the gang in person some evening.

Last night was hilarious. We were live on TV from my neighborhood, Baxter Village. (I know it’s actually called “The Village at Baxter,” but that’s just too many words. Everyone here simply calls it Baxter.) I’ve tried to explain a Baxter Halloween to my co-workers… hundreds and hundreds of kids swarming the streets… all the parents strolling the sidewalks, yucking it up with one another. It warms your heart. The littlest ones just staring at you as their dad whispers a prompt from behind, “Say Trick-or-treat!” Speechless, the kid just continues to stare… and drools. Love it.

I’m serious when I say the kids start showing up at 5:30 PM and don’t stop until 8:30ish… and it’s pretty much nonstop. I went through 39 bags of candy. 39! I took out a second mortgage just to pay for Halloween. In fact I ran out of candy and was giving away ice cream sandwiches by the end of the night.

Baxter is a special place even for kids my age. It’s fun here… save for the lazy p@*&k who lets his dog dump in my side yard. I’LL CATCH YOU SOMEDAY! And when I do I’ll, I’ll, I’ll… well… maybe I’ll let my inner child pee on your shoes!

You know, that’s probably a crime of some sort so scratch that. Just know I’ll be thinking really unhappy thoughts about you! So there.

Tonight we’re in Concord, Wednesday… I can’t remember, Thursday in Matthews and Friday in Hickory. It’s worth coming out just to see our Road-Trip crew magically set up and run a live four-camera shoot in a new location every night. Unlike me, they do actual work.

Oh, before I go I want to give a shout out to all my Clemson Tiger friends! Lotta love in those people. Mmm mmm, sweet to the core!

In case you’re wondering, Clemson Nation officially wants me dead. I made a joke about Clemson in my last show and they responded with good natured hate-mail and threats. I was kidding about the “good natured” part. So if I turn up missing the next few weeks, blame it on my sorry sense of humor.

Be well, everyone. Don’t forget to stop and smell the people.
Mike