Predictions for June 12, 2010

After a 16.5 hour day yesterday... I don't have a lot to say, not just yet. But a quick note for todays predictions....
South Korea beats Greece
Argentina beats Nigeria
and in a repeat of the 1950 miracle.... the United States wins over England 3-2

More to follow later in the day! Plus pictures....

Game 2 France vs. Uruguay

Just to keep my predictions on the record, I will pick France to win this game.
Fernando doesn't care, Zach is going Uruguay, and Scott's with me picking the home of Le Tour.

Low Pressure Weather on a High Pressure Day

Let the games begin!! We've been waiting for this day, some for four years, me for a year and a half. The weather is crisp, dare I say, slightly chilly and overcast. It will now be nice to go into the second phase of the job, having three games a day for the next ten days after the first two kickoff this afternoon. 

A regular routine is welcomed. 

Last night after the concert, it took us about forty-five minutes to get back to the hotel. Transportation as the late crew is always a challenge. 

On the sports side, we have Mexico going against host South Africa, France against Uruguay. The tape guys have picked Mexico 3-1 or 2-1, I'm going with the upset and picking South Africa. What I know that they don't is that the referee is calling his first international match at this level. The pressure should have him call the game in favor of the 92,000 fan from home.

Nevertheless, Viva la Mexico!!!!

Wait! You're Telling Me It's Winter

Good afternoon from Johannesburg! What had been a week of sunshine and warm temperatures changed overnight to cooler weather with a little wind.
We completed a week in the country and are left with five to go. I think it's going to be easier to count down weeks instead of days.
Tonight is concert night and then the games begin. It will be nice to get into a routine that will be fairly full each day.
Starting tomorrow morning, there will also be within the blog, a section which has our predictions on the upcoming games. If you aren't interested, don't waste your time reading but I'll title the entries so you know which ones those are.

I leave you today with the downtown skyline of Johannesburg taken from the bus. Notice the Nike "Write The Future" ad on the whole side of the building.

Tape Guys Are Nice People...Sometimes

We are tribal in nature, television people. Moving from city to city and job to job, we go where we are needed. It's currently day seven already!
The tape room here at the IBC is nice, has a bit of room to move around, and the crack team of Zach, Scott, and Fernando to keep things in check.
When I need a little pick me up, I head to the tape room. A new joke, an old horror story, all can be found in the tape room.
We are still in rehearsals, but the games start in just a few days. I will try to provide analysis as the tournament progresses.
This photo above was taken from the crew bus on the way to the IBC. Because of a traffic jam, we actually got to ride around the outskirts of Soweto. It is a third world city and you can see a very small tent city on the way to work everyday. We will find out very shortly what traffic will be like when there is a game at Soccer City. I have the feeling we will not be pleased.

Another Beautiful Day in Johannesburg

Greetings from the bottom of the world... well close enough. It's amazing what a full night of sleep will do for you. Yesterday I made my first visit to the IBC and it's amazing. A lot of media is represented in a compressed space...don't worry, there will be more about that in the next few days.
I got my credentials, went to an extended safety meeting, and then began working setting up two switchers along with Mike, the other technical director. One Kayak and one Kalypso for those of you in the biz.
Rehearsals and blocking start today so things are moving slowly but surely.
A short update but I'm writing right before the bus leaves so I best be on my way. Pictures tomorrow I promise.
By the way... the USA won a friendly match yesterday against Australia 2 - 1. That makes my morning brighter!!

Welcome Home, Well at least for 42 Days

Hello from South Africa! After a very long flight through London, I landed last night at 9:00 PM and got to the hotel around midnight.

I’ve got a schedule for the first week and it looks like we will be very busy with rehearsals and technical sessions including a practice game. More on that to follow in the upcoming days.

The maxi-shower lived up to it’s billing and I may spend long sessions in a hot shower. Also, my first Skype went through to Sean. I will be glad that we can talk on a daily basis as I didn’t get everything taken care of before I left.

So it’s off to the IBC (International Broadcast Center) which is right next to Soccer City, the stadium hosting the first and final games of the 2010 World Cup.

There will be a more entertaining and coherent post this evening after I get a little more sleep!