Picked Up My Hardware

 

   It was a very quick trip to Toronto last weekend to attend the RTDNA National Award Dinner to receive my Lifetime Achievement Award. How quick? We left home last Saturday morning at 8:00 eastern time, picked up our flight about 10:30, landed in Toronto and had less than 45 minutes to check in to our hotel, change and go to the President's Social. Then, it was down for the dinner about 6:00 p.m eastern. Back to our room about 10:00, and tried to sleep.

   Didn't have much luck, and woke up about 3:30 a.m eastern. We decided to simply jump in a cab and head back to the airport for the flight home, since we'd heard horror stories of people waiting to get through security for up to 6 hours. We pre-checked in when we left Regina, and I'm glad we did, since there were line-ups at all the check in counters for our airline.

   There were maybe 10 people in line at security (it was about 4:30 by then), and we made it through quickly. By the time we actually boarded, the line stretched right down the concourse. Got back to Regina about noon eastern, went for a bite to eat, and were back home by 4:00, eastern.

   Was it a quick, hectic experience? Yes. Would I do it again? Yes. But I'd take an extra day to simply avoid rushing around. And maybe get to see Canada's largest city.

TTFN

I'm Being Honoured

 

   The group, of which I was the Prairie Regional Director for Radio a few years back has bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award on me, recognizing my nearly 45 years in the broadcast industry. To say I'm honoured is a huge understatement. The award is given annually to people who have worked in radio, T.V and digital news for at least 30 years.

   In my case, I've now been in the broadcast industry in 6 different decades, the 70's, 80's, 90's, 00's 10's and 20's. My very first job was in 1976 doing radio and T.V news in Red Deer, Alberta. And while I didn't last long, the bug bit hard, and I was back in the game in 1979.

   I've lived and worked in 6 different markets in 4 provinces, but have spent 28 years of my career in Saskatchewan.

   I'll not bore you with a highlight reel of the past 40+ years, but I will say the time has flown, and technology has changed the business in a mostly positive way.

   Am I thinking about hanging up the headphones? Not yet. I feel I still have  a few years of productivity left, and I do enjoy my job. But there will come a time when the mic will be clicked "off" for good.

   I will be receiving a nice plaque from the association commemorating the LAA, and we'll be heading to Toronto June 11th for the awards banquet.

   Once again, I'm honoured and humbled to get this prestigious award.

TTFN