By
Scary Barry Rodriguez
January 25, 2013
J.W. Marriott Ihilani Spa and Resort , Hawaii - Once again the intrepid
Hawaii Five O media group consisting of Super Bowl Wayne , Scary Barry
and Justin headed out on H1 for the AFC/NFC practice and photo day.
Yesterday was almost a washout now today it is already hot at 8:00 am.
Originally today's practice was scheduled to be held at the Kapolei High
School but that was changed. These changes are a fact of life in the
media world.
We arrive and the AFC team photo session is already in progress. Another
camera man Wayne is not present as scheduled so we are already behind. I
encourage young Justin to start taking pictures of everything. Our
other scheduled camera man Daniel is also not present. This day might
turn out to be a bust ! The Scary one has his picture taken with a
couple of very large football players. Everything is a bit confusing at
this point. Finally Daniel our other camera man arrives on site just as
the AFC squad is starting to practice. But there is another problem. The
camera he brought is not working . This most likely due to the heavy
rain at yesterday's practice.
Superbowl Wayne is busy handing out aloha gifts and running interference
. Daniel advises the Scary one that Dean is on the way with a
replacement camera. Things are very tense for awhile as the crew waits
for the camera to arrive . Justin goes out and starts getting audio
interviews of everyone he can. Fortunately the replacement camera
arrives before the end of the practice so we can do on field interviews.
I greet the other media folks who survived yesterdays near rain out.
Daniel is set up and filming the practice. Me and Justin go over who we
are going to try and interview. After the practice ends the players
will first sign autographs and have their pictures taken with the " Make
a Wish " foundation children. Everyone is wilting under the hot humid
sun ! With only one camera on site Superbowl Wayne and I will have to
share ,while Justin takes pictures and conducts audio interviews.
The practice ends the kids go on the field and the media is held at bay
until the autographs and pictures are done. Then its a confused rush
onto the field for all the press ! I start out just grabbing who is
available. Later we can sort things out. Everyone else is in the same
boat. Some players are doing phone interviews . Others have arranged
interviews for ESPN or the NFL.Network. You just don't know until you
are on the field . So nothing goes exactly as planned !
NFC players start arriving while the on field interviews with the AFC
squad is still on the field doing interviews. So Justin starts doing
audio interviews with them and taking pictures. Today all the players
are suited up in pads because it is photo day. Friends and family
members are present taking pictures and socializing. The NFC practice
starts and the whole process begins anew. By this time the Hawaii Five O
crew is beat ! Not too soon the practice ends and the Scary one rushes
out onto the field with Daniel close behind with his camera . One
interview after another. Eli Manning consents to an interview before the
area is cleared by security. Eli is a most polite and accommodating
player despite his fame. The same cannot be said for his brother Payton.
Justin gets his picture taken with some of his favorite players such as
Julius Peppers and Larry Fitzgerald. Larry is another one of those
especially accommodating players and is heavily involved in his
charitable foundation. Most of the players present do good works but the
bad apples get the publicity ! These practices are their way of
entertaining the fans who can't make it to the Pro Bowl.
The practices are over and the crew eats lunch on site at the Ihilani
Resort and Spa. Its an expensive place but everyone is hungry and
thirsty. Our server at the restaurant Grace, is top notch and the Scary
One tips her well. We all hit the road. Later at Super Bowl Wayne's pad I
help him pack. Super Bowl is heading out again for New Orleans and the
Super Bowl . They don't call him Super Bowl Wayne for nothing ! I
eventually drop him off at the Honolulu airport. 
After a Mexican dinner and a hot shower I finally start to relax.
Saturday is O' Hana day and the practice is being held at the Aloha
stadium . All the fans will be there . Hopefully there won't be
equipment failures or camera men missing in action ! Not until next week
will the Scary One get his full measure of sleep. For the next two days
I'll be ramrodding the crew so there be little time for day dreaming.
Later.............Scary Barry AKA " Rogue Charisma "
.........................Peace and love for all !
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