Melbourne 2006

Long as I was prepared to do the Melbourne 2006 Commomwealth Games, I didn't expect it to arrive so late - 2 days after the Games started. I was thrown into the deep end on that particular Thursday, and hence started my first major games as Line Producer.

Everything was in a big mess, I "borrowed" a trolley from the office and push all the tapes up to SOC. I was frantically trying to line the 1400hr highlights, without knowing what's going on. Everyone wants to get the show out on time, maybe not everyone. Finally I realised I have to do the lineup so that Aunty can dump the feed out from EVS and put together with the links.

Day 2 and Day 3 were fine. Then they decided to put the highlights show at 12mn. I ended up "fighting" with Uncle Jeff for Aunty. Sigh...with all due respect, I feel that he shouldn't come back and do part-time anymore. It's too stressed.

Help was not given with regards to sleague, so I had to juggle both, which was both tiring and challenging. I soon developed a bad cough, until the personel at SOC asked me to go see doctor before I spread the virus!!

I ended up not being able to attend my convocation and Mark's wedding. Well, you gain some, you lose some.

Overall, it was very good learning experience. Me, Wendy and Vivian had a good time lining up the highlights show. Not forgetting Paul Ge Ge, who had a podium set up for him on the last day by the Chinese Drama crew. And of course, Prem, for providing all the JOKES!!

Lessons to learn

10 March. Supposedly the first Live game of Sleague this season. Somehow or other, the "Live" element was cancelled, but the game was still on. It has been a mad rush of things for this new season, with the Producer nowhere to be found at times.

Despite not being able to finish my graphics, I still went to cover the game as the Producer had other work to do. To my surprise, erquan said he will go with me. At first, I didn't take him seriously. But when he turn up at the OB Van, I'm convinced.

The driver took a long, long way to CCK stadium and erquan ended up having to eat stadium food for dinner. After going through the team list, he asked me what angle would I take if I were to do a story for this game.

Both teams have got new coaches this season, and their strikers are all over the hill. These are the two obvious reasons I knew. He said there is one more and tell me go and think about it.

After some time, I gave up. He told me, this is the match where two top keepers fighting for first position between the sticks in the national squad will be featured together.

I went back to the team list, and saw that it's true. So, can someone tell me what's wrong with me? Why can't I do it??

How to Leave All these Behind

As the bus approaches Jalan Besar Stadium, I saw fans slowly making their way into the stadium. Dressed in their beloved clubs colours, the fans "painted" the stands in red and orange.

A buzz was ringing in my ears. Charged with energy, I skipped up the stairs, heading towards the grandstands. It has been a long time since I felt like this before. And this is definitely the element that has been keeping me in this line. The adrenaline flow, the crowd and the players.

To others, this might be just another football match. But I have waited for a long time for this. Deep down, I know I had to leave for greener pastures - reality is cruel. Yet, how to leave all these behind? The floodlights, pitch, fans and all?