So, as I was running errands this morning, the hamster got the wheel in my brain running and “oops, you forgot the weekly journal”. I’m still new at this weekly journal/blog thing so cut me some slack. It’s not burned into my memory yet.

My next immediate thought turned to “When can I sit down and collect my thoughts for this thing.” Well, ask and you shall receive. Karma. Yep, my name is Earl. Four simple words found me plenty of time to write. “You’ve got a flat!” So greeting from the tire store. Good Times. I’m sure I’ll be able to knock this thing out in the next four hours or so in this waiting room. It’s either that or read the Time magazine from 1984. Hey look, Michael Jackson is taking Brooke Shields to the Grammys. Thank god show business hasn’t messed Michael up.

Now I’ve said repeatedly that I love my job. But in the end, it is a job. So what do we all do with our jobs? Yes, complain a lot and take them for granted. Every day after a shoot my wife will ask, “How was the story?” My typical reply follows, “It was okay I guess.” I don’t give any details, no specifics, nothing. It drives my wife crazy. But hey it’s the end of my workday and I don’t want to bring the job home, it’s time to relax. All the time she is prying for details I’m thinking, “What’s the big deal? Why does she constantly bug me for details?”

After all, this past week hasn’t been anything special. All I’ve done is be part of a parade in Newton, NC. I think 20,000 people showed up and Carolina Traveler Mike Redding was the Grand Marshall with the Gourd Lady. Mike had a sign for me that read “My Man Andy” and people kept yelling for me all along the parade route. So?

Later on I met a man who plays a mean trumpet in Lincolnton. Only thing is he doesn’t actually have a trumpet. His mouth and hands make the music. Big deal. Right?

We went to a soccer match in Uptown Charlotte. The winners qualified for a worldwide tournament in South Africa. Oh yeah, all the players were homeless and the whole thing is an attempt to try and give some men a second chance in life. I’m sure there was a “Homeless World Cup” event in your neighborhood too.

And to top the week off CT went to one of the few remaining Drive-In Theatres for a behind the scenes look and this classic part of America. It’s the place where families actually go to spend an evening together and have some quality time. What, don’t we all have one of these down the road from the house?

Well, the thing I always manage to forget is the answer to all the above is NO!

Sure, when the final CT product is being put together I see how much fun an event is, or how beautiful a destination can be or just how inspirational a person’s story can be. But while it’s happening and I’m out doing my job, it’s easy to get caught in the “just another day at the office” trap. I just happen to forget that the Traveler “office” is everywhere fun in North and South Carolina.

Hopefully I can open my eyes a little wider and experience things as they happen. I have my chance tomorrow as Mike and I head out for another big week of shoots.

This week might not be too exciting though. We only have a few things planned like seeing the wild horses on the Shackleford Banks. We’re supposed to meet a man who happens to think he’s a real life pirate. We’ll be going up to the top of another North Carolina lighthouses. This one can only be accessed by boat. And we’re winding up the week by going inside a women’s prison.

It’s just another week in the life of the CT Crew. Ho-hum.

See you Saturday’s at 7:30pm.

Andy Benton
Carolina Traveler Sidekick