Billy's Olympic Odyssey

P.S.

2006-03-01T14:47:00.000-08:00

Arrieviderci!

2006-02-28T18:45:00.000-08:00

Spent last dinner at Pasquale's, a local place run by ample Italian mother and lovely daughter. Great home-style cooking. Lit by harsh flourescent light, like police central booking. (Not that I'd know.)
Today started at 3am NY time. Breakfast followed by ride to Turin airport, 8+ hr. charter to JFK w/ 2 meals enroute. Arrived 3:30 NY time, followed by mega laundry session and takeout Chinese w/ Amy. Now 10pm, 4am Torino time. 24 straight hrs before I'm done, at least.
A fitting finish to this marathon. I've learned a tiny bit of what it feels like to be Italian. Being in a culture thousands of years old lets you obseve people who've learned how to live. Yesterday while on a city bus I watched a mother shower her 3 year old daughter with kisses about the face. It summed up what I saw in the people here. It's been a pleasure to live in this place long enough to really get a sense of it.

Thanks to all who joined me on this journey, both at work and at home. Hope I've been able to capture what this felt like.
Viva Italia!
Love,
Billy.

I Bleed Orange

2006-02-27T08:53:00.000-08:00

You really won't believe this one... Took a train ride about an hour outside Torino to a village called Ivrea to experience their Carnivale. Imagine thousands throwing millions of oranges at one another and you get the idea.
Click on the video link and you might see me get clocked in the head. Also, lunch with our new best pals and other looks shown. Unbelievable. I'm proud to tell you I'm now an honorary Scorpion. Google Historic Carnival of Ivrea and click on "The orange battles". On the right is a video link.

WE DID IT!

2006-02-26T16:10:00.000-08:00

Walking out of the IBC tonight for the last time, I felt like the guy in the movie who's released from prison, and emerges blinking into the sunlight, unsure of where to go. Strange to think that not only will I never see this place again, It won't even exist. A few photos of closin' time. Note the sign outside the NY Times office, and the one of me, Gary and Jon. (Curly, Larry, and Moe.) Got to see the closing ceremony, which was great 'till Ricky Martin. Flight home Tues. pm, out to see the countryside tomorrow.
Wonder where the Olympics goes?
Into the crate shown.
As Ted Brown used to say: "Put the coffee on, Mama, I'm comin' home."

Last Day of School

2006-02-26T15:44:00.000-08:00

Started today searching for the Russian sweat shirts Scott Hamilton said I could find for sale "On Via Roma past the statues of naked ladies." Never did find them, but a cool flea market was going on...Bought a Sestriere poster though.

Now I can catch a cold!

2006-02-25T18:20:00.000-08:00

Last day approaches...shown is my autographed poster which should bring big bucks on Ebay! Also, my mushroom cloud drawing. Since these walls are about to be torn down, we can write on them.

The envelope, please!

2006-02-25T04:25:00.000-08:00

It's the third windy, rainy day in a row in Torino. Snowing in the Alps, though. Hope it clears for the closing ceremony. Should have brought my Fenway poncho.

Time for round one of....Billy's Olympee Awards! And the winners are:
Best Guy Who Hired Me- Mark Levy
Most Unexpectedly Sweet Too Skinny Talent- Melissa Stark
Most Often Repeated Outfit- Josh Kafka for "Orange Vest".
Best Croccodile Hunter Impersonation- Peter Steep for: "Crikey, Mate!"
Best Writer- Jim Thompson...extra credit for growing up in Osterville, MA (!)
Best Exclamation Of Rage By Mixer- (tie) Gary Rotta for "It's coming apart in my hands!" and: "Turn off the Fu@#*in' automation!"
Best ad lib- Mason Seay for: "His entire family was murdered by a voice-over guy."
Best Euphemism For Breasts- Jon Connolly for " She's got guns"
Best peformance by announcer flooding Men's Room- ME!
Stay tuned for:
Wreched Ego Biathlon
Biggest Pant Load Director
Best Excessive Make-Up On Today Show Host
Brown Noser of the Games
Most Weight Gained in Commissary
Most Memorable Meaningless Copy Change I Was Called Back For At 3am
and Best Performance Hiding From Dick Ebersol
...When Billy's Olympee Awards...CONTINUE.

2 More Days!

2006-02-24T17:10:00.000-08:00

Well, we might just make it. Just tomorrow's coverage, the closing ceremony Sunday, then Monday off and madcap party Monday night. I predict a quiet flight home Tuesday on the "Slave Ship", as I heard it so aptly described. But then again, maybe not so quiet as free drinks will be provided. I hope to start a Jack Daniel's IV drip upon boarding. Lots of people will stay in Europe to recuperate , many going direct to Amsterdam followed by rehab. After this, a weekend off will feel like a week's vacation. (Except for all that laundry...I'll have it all cleaned and burned.) Don't worry Family, I bought a duffle bag for your swag. Cash or Visa accepted.

2006-02-23T03:06:00.000-08:00

Visited the Olympic Village again to get some OV souvenirs. They are much desired because few of us have credentials to get in. Happened upon the mascots and couldn't resist. On the right- ice. The left- snow. Note that contrary to Disney regulations, both their hands aren't visible. They'll hear from my lawyer!
The althletes can get just about anything they need here. Food, shopping, and blood doping tests.

Go Team!

2006-02-22T16:50:00.000-08:00

I'm really proud to be a member of this team. The writers, editors, producers and tech people are truly the best at what they do. I think we're really getting the hang of this...by next week we'll really have it down. Too bad closing ceremonies are Sunday. They assembled us in the studio tonite for a team photo. Here are a few more studio photos, including a good one of a camera with prompter visible. And you thought the people on TV just made this prose up! Also me warming my hands by the fake fire.

Two thirds life size

2006-02-22T04:13:00.000-08:00

Until seeing them up close, I never realized how tiny figure skaters are. Sasha Cohen weighs about 80 lbs. Jamie Sale was next to me at breakfast today and was like a perfect miniature. Tanith
Belbin was the closest to normal human size of the three I've seen in person, but I think they could all squeeze into Barbie clothes. Yesterday I learned from writer Jim Thompson how much punishment their bodies endure. Landing from a jump can exert a force ten times their weight upon their frame. There's no cushioning in the skate, so the impact can damage their ankles, feet, knees, and hip. And it often does. I was shocked to hear of all the surgery and hip replacements performed. That's why Tara Lipinski only competed in one Olympics. Heck, she was just a young teenager. I'll never watch the competition the same way again. Think I'll also cease performing my triple toe loop triple lutz combo. But I think I'll retain my Hamill Camel.

Vroom!

2006-02-21T17:20:00.000-08:00

Bob Long, you'd love this place...picked up an Italian gift for you here. My all time dream car shown: A Ferrari Daytona Spyder. Also note the one off Alfa Romeo with wood body, the Mini whose body has been tiled, and the rocks painted as vehicles. Click any pic to enlarge.

2006-02-21T04:14:00.000-08:00

Fascinating fact of the day presented without comment:
An estimated 3 million Chinese people begin each day by drinking their own urine.
Thank You.

Pay no attention to the man behind the console

2006-02-21T03:07:00.000-08:00

Mixing 101:
Here's what happens in our little corner of the world: In this scene Peter Steep, who plays the producer, is pointing out something obvious to Gary Rotta, who's pretending to be the mixer. By the way, Gary isn't blurred due to the shutter speed, he's just always blurred. On the screens are the TV picture the audio is locked to, and the audio mix (the funny squiggly lines shown.) Each line is a "stem" or part of the mix: from top to bottom, announce track, former drunken annouce track, on-screen voice, music, sound effects, etc. Keeping the elements separate eliminates the need to re-mix the whole piece when say, a stupid announcer mispronounces the name of a female bobsledder for the tenth time. Cool, huh? Most of the the dials, etc. on the console aren't connected to anything, just there to enthrall executives who may wander in.

Bring me 3 dozen eggs

2006-02-20T04:08:00.000-08:00

Wish I'd had my camera at breakfast. At the only other occupied table was Jerome Bettis and family. His chow intake made me feel less guilty about eating 2 eggs. But spread over our 2 different sized frames, I probably still come out aheaed. I think I could take him.

Almost kind of near the home stretch

2006-02-19T17:14:00.000-08:00

Realized I have enough clean clothes to last 'till I get home. Prevailing mood among the troops: Only a week to go if we survive. Today it finally snowed in Torino! As Bob Costas was leaving the audio room today he gave me a pat on the back. I said "Bob, don't ever touch me again." Audible winces from writers, producers, etc. in room. Costas turns and says: "Sorry, I don't know what came over me." Listen tomorrow and see if I'm still here.

Se Hablo Italiano

2006-02-18T17:43:00.000-08:00

I've been here so long, I'm learning to speak the language. Guess what I found out. They don't make up new words for stuff..they just take our words and reassign them. Know what the word for floor is? piano! The word for bedroom? Get this: CAMERA! I'm not kidding. Hey, I think I'll lie on the piano of my camera for a while.
Tomorrow, lesson due.

Olympic Village

2006-02-18T17:32:00.000-08:00

Visited the Olympic Village where the athletes live. The security screening is even tighter there. How tight? I won't need another physical for a while.

Get in the care, we're going to the male

2006-02-18T17:23:00.000-08:00

Went shopping today in the former FIAT factory, which has been converted into a giant shopping mall. The former vehicle ramp has been retained for pedestrian use. Even the locals are amazed to see the palm trees.

HUH?

2006-02-17T18:19:00.000-08:00

902 days to Beijing??? What are you, sick?

So Italian...my hotel room is on the second floor. To get there, you push the "1" button on the elevator. "0"..."-1"(?!) In our constant bleary-eyed state, it takes a while to wrap your brain around it. They might as well have buttons that say "%" or "$"

Who You Gonna Call?

2006-02-16T18:44:00.000-08:00

2006-02-16T18:30:00.000-08:00

I've picked out my Torino apt. The one with the balcony shown. p/w, wbfp, great light, no board approval. Love the detail in this building. Especially the lovely ladies holding up the roof. Pre-war? We may be talking pre -Revolutionary war.
Also picked out my new car. It just says Italian to me. A real Italian parking job too, huh? "I'm-a here, deal with it." Also...an example of fine Torino dining.

Groundhog Day

2006-02-16T18:19:00.000-08:00

Walking home last night, I thought: I know I got here Sunday, but was it this Sunday, or a week ago Sunday? I wasn't sure. Every day's the same...eat, read out loud, sleep, repeat. Told Peter the Aussie, who acts like the expediter in a restaurant kitchen and keeps our output up at crunch time. He summed it up perfectly: "Groundhog Day, mate!"
Here he is in a rare quiet moment next to my pile of reading material. We have one of the few couches in the facility, so lots of folks bring their posteriors around.

You heard it here first

2006-02-15T17:57:00.000-08:00

We had many laughs today with the continuing Cheney story. I believe the guy he shot is already dead, but they are breaking it to us gently. It reminds me of the old joke about the guy who's watching his sister's cat while she's away. She calls and asks him "How's the cat?" He says: "The cat's dead." She says: "The cat's DEAD?!" "What happened?" "Well, the cat climbed on the roof and fell off. It's dead." She says: "You could have broken it to me more gently than that. You could have said: "Well the cat's on the roof." Then when I called back you could have said: "The cat fell off the roof and I took it to the Vet." Then when I called back you could have said: "The Vet did all he could, but it didn't make it."He says, "Okay." She asks: "How's Mom?" He says: "Well, she's on the roof...."

2006-02-15T17:39:00.000-08:00

As part of my seemingly endless series of "rooms with lots of TV's" photos, here's the international television control room. Being European, it has more style than NBC's.

Hey Chris Gesue- As requested, a picture of your brother Joe, who writes a lot of the stuff I read.

He didn't really want to hold the sign, as he hadn't written it.

These are WINTER Olympics, right?

2006-02-15T03:44:00.000-08:00

Check this out, I'm walking down the street, and there's a palm tree. Surf's up!
Want something different for breakfast? Tastes a lot like....snail. I'm a tentacle man myself.

Come warm yourself by the "fire".

2006-02-14T18:00:00.000-08:00

In case you were wondering where they grow those things......

Hate to shatter your TV illusions, but the "fire" you see behind Costas on the set is aTV picture.
Next door in Graphics, it's on a monitor. Got any fake marshmallows?

The NBC feed is now in our hotel! Gotta go bask in my own glow for a while.
'Nite.

I've become a Po boy

2006-02-14T05:35:00.000-08:00

Like I said yesterday...seems like half the signs here are backwards. Talked to Scott Hamilton today at breakfast. I must get a picture with him. Standing next to him and Costas, I'd look like Gulliver.
How to know you're in the Winter Olympic host city :
There's a bobsled in the supermercato parking lot.
I was thinking- I'll bet not many people in Torino name their kids Hannibal.
Hey Amy, here a chance to practice your translation.

SWAK!

2006-02-14T03:01:00.000-08:00

I'm sad this morning for 2 reasons:
-I can't be with people I love on Valentine's day
-And I'm missing all the Cheney jokes
Although I did hear one from pal Gary in the audio foxhole:
"He might have survived, Mr Cheney, if you hadn't gutted and field dressed him."

2006-02-13T17:59:00.000-08:00

Found out today that weekdays are easier because there are fewer on-air hours for us to cover. Plus we're getting used to the grind. Proves you can adjust to almost anything. Even so, The big boss sent us this memo to thank us.

No Blizzard Here!

2006-02-13T05:04:00.000-08:00

Dear snowed in loved ones,
Random observations from a morning stroll:
Although they seem like they would, Italians don't jaywalk. At least not in Turin.
I'm not calling them stupid, but they seem to put half their signs up backwards.
The haze here is smog. Because we're in a valley. Great place to assemble the world's best athletes.
Walked along the Po. This sun is now racing across the Atlantic to you, C.O.D. So warm I had to take off my jacket. The speed skating oval is slushy.

Another Long Day (Surprise!)

2006-02-12T18:15:00.000-08:00

3am again...This proves you can get used to anything. But today I saw Apolo Ohno skate and met Sarah Hughes, so that was pretty cool. Almost make giving up your life worthwhile.
Was talking with Mason, the guy who produces all the billboards. They're those things where I plug the sponsors and the logos fly on the screen. He's been working an average of NINETEEN hours a day, and looks it. He said he's ready to perform a bodily function into the audio console, set the room on fire, and then resign. He has no sympathy for me or my situation. "12 hour days...poor baby." Just the same, we're keeping the matches away from him. Here's a look at tonite's dinner menu...not bad .
Look what I've got...Gonna put this puppy on Ebay! Bid early and often.
Good night or morning or whatever the hell it is.

2006-02-12T05:13:00.000-08:00

Well, Michelle Kwan had to drop out, which will mean loads of revisions for us. Thanks a LOT, Michelle! Also just heard that bird flu has arrived in Italy. This could be my ticket home. Look, there's a bird- I'm going outside now.
Heard you guys are getting a blizzard. Ironic since here in the valley it's almost 50 degrees. But being snowed in and watching the Winter Olympics seems appropriate.
Hey sis, think they owe you royalties on this soap in the hotel...they changed your hair color to prevent a lawsuit.
It's almost 3pm- time to make the donuts!
Bye for now

Midnight Snack at 3:30 am

2006-02-11T18:30:00.000-08:00

Oh, man this beer tastes good! Also the salami and the pear...A 14 hour day.

I had an hour to wander around this afternoon and thought, "You know, I have a passport and a credit card...I COULD just hail a cab, go to the airport, and fly to New York." Obviously, I didn't, or I wouldn't be eating this pear and salami now. But a taste of freedom is heady. I'll never complain about my normal 5 day work week again! Above is the building next to the IBC, the former Fiat factory. It's huge. When built it was the largest concrete building in Europe. So big, it even has a test track on the
roof! Well, time to pass out now... how many days left?

I'll Kill You!

2006-02-11T02:09:00.000-08:00

I've never been in the military, but I'm getting an idea what it must be like. Take a bunch of people away from their loved ones, supply them with uniforms, deprive them of sleep and heap pressure on them and some will start to crack. Yesterday the deadline of the first broadcast made for some interesting moments. When I get home, I'll have some stories to share that I can't print here. I was not personally involved with any threats of bodily harm, however. On the plus side, when you spend virtually every waking hour with a group of people, some strong bonds are forged. And the Generals are smart enough to have tons of good food around for us. As in combat, you take comfort where you can find it. It should get somewhat easier for our group, but with 25 plus hours of coverage daily on NBC, CNBC, MSNBC, and the pre-game Olympic Zone show plus promos , a strangling or two is inevitable. But I can't complain. I'm in the same hotel with Costas- The tech people are bunking in a former military hospital. Maybe that explains it. Gotta go...reveille.

Showtime at the Apolo Anton Ohno

2006-02-10T03:15:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we worked from 1:45pm to 3:15 am. Opening Ceremony just 8 hours away now...so why am I sitting here typing!?

Hope to check in tonight with more. Just tune in NBC at 8and listen for those trumpets. Hopefully we'll be finished with our part by then.
Otherwise they can put up a slide or something.
As they say in Russian Show biz:
"I am hoping for to be breaking my leg!"

2006-02-09T03:12:00.000-08:00

Lunch time in Torino.
Wandered down to the local marketplace- like Union Sq. greenmarket in NY except you can also buy almost anything else...including elderly women's underwear. Picked up a few pair...you never know.

Morning Becomes Carmen Electra

2006-02-09T01:11:00.000-08:00

My first morning post should tell you something -Grazie, Stilnox! We're one day 'till the opening ceremony and everybody is working 12 hour shifts now. Before my 2pm-2am tour of duty I'll be out seeking local color. Look for some brilliant photos later. Time for breakfast. Bone Jurrrknow.
P.S.
Noticed the time stamps on my postings are L.A. time...9 hrs earlier if that helps .

Yes, I'm psychotic!

2006-02-08T12:48:00.000-08:00

Bob Costas begs me for fashion tips.....

The bad news...Very little sleep last nite. The good news...if sleep loss becomes an olympic event, I'm in! The better news...a real olympic doctor gave me a real olympic prescription for 10 of the Italian ambien, and at the Farmacia, they gave me 30. Unfortunately, the directions are in Italian, so this might be the last Blog entry. But before I take a fistful, today's pictures-

I'll sleep tonight or become psychotic!

2006-02-07T10:18:00.000-08:00

MY OFFICE------------------------------------

I was explaining to Ben the Brit that Disney World characters must have their hands visible in all photos, lest they be accused of groping kids. No lawsuits for me!

So I lay my head on the pillow at midnight, and waited, and waited. Luckily my workday didn't start until 1pm. Finally fell asleep at 5:30 or 6 and caught a couple hours. Staggered into the IBC at 12:30 and had manicotti for breakfast. There's food served at the NBC commissary almost around the clock now. I've discovered it's possible to eat prosciutto with every meal.

Here are some random photos from today. Remember, click on any to enlarge.
Buon appetito!

Funghi for a Fun Guy

2006-02-06T13:00:00.000-08:00

Here's a plate of tagliatelle with fresh white truffles. It's tartufo season around here. These nutty Eyetalians dig 'em up and scarf them down . Quite a good dinner, until all these NBC figure skating commentators came in and got rowdy. Dick Button was much better behaved at breakfast today.
Goodnight!

2006-02-06T08:21:00.000-08:00

Here's a Smart car I'll be smuggling home to Mary in my carry on. You can't go anywhere in this city without being reminded of the Olympics. Last night I was in the supermercata and everybody there was wearing some sort of team jacket. I followed 5 guys from Belarus as they groped fresh fruit for 10 minutes. Back to the booth to read more stuff, then Gary and I
Are going to a local dive for dinner. Here's a good tip from Gary...In Italian the word for menu is- "menu".
Booona notay.

Need Wires?

2006-02-06T05:33:00.000-08:00

Four days 'till opening ceremony. Everybody's workload is starting to ramp up at the IBC. It's amazing how much stuff NBC has to move here, assemble and maintain to broadcast the games for 16 days. Then they just throw it all away. Here's part of videotape control. the left clock is Torino time, right NY time. Each wire below contains the feed from an Avid video editor.

2006-02-05T07:06:00.000-08:00

Everybody in Torino seems to have a balcony. Here's my new home. It's HUGE, and filled with press from around the world. There are even restaurants and stores just for us. It should make things easier.
I'm now credentialed so I can get in everywhere. Big Super Bowl party tonite...kickoff's at 12:30 am.

Viva Italia!

2006-02-05T03:39:00.000-08:00

Well, it was a loooong night, a looong flight, but we made it! Here's the scene a the big pre- boarding soiree. Just happened to be near Scott Hamilton and speed skating legend Dan Jansen, who's staying at our hotel.

The flight featured my first ever aborted takeoff...after being number 30 in line at JFK. So much for a quiet Sat. nite. And a spirited (no pun intended) vodka drinking contest took place behind us, so very little sleep. Sat next to Mike, who'll be the floor manager on the set w/ Bob Costas. He's normally floor mgr. for Conan O' Brien, so maybe have an in for tickets now.
Good view of Alps at top.

Good news...we have the day off! ZZZZZZZZ

Night before departure

2006-02-03T17:16:00.000-08:00

To do my job, you must be AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL. Not just anyone can be AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL... you need to undergo...authorization. And in some cases...personnelization.

Why do they need all these TV's?
They're only on one channel. I guess it's just in case one burns out. I'd ask the personnel, but I'm not authorized.

It was my last visit to NBC/NY today. Peter said early reports from the front indicate rations are plentiful. Can't wait to try pemmican.

Went to Josie's with Amy for the last supper. To try and help me cope, Amy had an apple martini.

Time to start packing and sack out early tonight.
By the way, you can click on any photo to enlarge. Cool, huh?

Bode's TrainingTable

2006-02-02T19:17:00.000-08:00

It's night one of my pre- departure bender. Had a nice dinner at Da Ciro with Amy and Anne. Small place with an open wood fired oven. Good simple food, nice Barbera d'Alba. Figured it might be a while until I can get some good Italian again. We visited Buttercup Bakery afterward for banana pudding, cake and cupcake. I'm sure the serious athletes are following a similar nutritional discipline.
Now I must stay up late the next 2 nights to help set my body clock forward. No wait, I need to set my body clock BACK. I should have gone to sleep hours ago. DOH!
Clean socks are like money in the bank. final packing awaits.
Good news..I can still speak and have no rash or fever.
Only 26 days till I come home.
That's the spirit!

2006-02-01T19:17:00.000-08:00

In response to many requests:

Yes, it will be possible for you to send fresh baked goods overnight via a FEDEX Box, and raise the spirits of "Your Boys in Torino".

Your brownies just might keep a cameraman alive.

Thanks, America!

Fedex address to follow.

What if I lose my voice?

2006-02-01T18:53:00.000-08:00

I feel like an astronaut. I CAN'T catch a cold. I'm about to embark on a mission requiring sleep deprivation and no days off. Can I stand up to this kind of pressure? I doubt it. But I'll be practically living at the IBC...International Broadcast Center. It's darn roomy...and NBC's using 65,000 sq. feet. Catered chow 24 hrs. All the world's media. Al-Jazeera? I'm going to be hanging with those cats. And they change the sheets at the hotel every damn day. If freakin' Martha can do 5 months, I'll ace this baby.

2006-01-31T18:52:00.000-08:00

The sad inevitability of my mission looms large. Now I know how those brave boys felt as they prepared to storm the beach at St. Tropez. I'm suffering privation as they did...Forced to travel "Business Premium" - whatever THAT is. And only three catered meals a day.

As I gird my loins for Olympic battle, I'm reminded of something Groucho Marx said:

"Hello, I must be going".

The clock is ticking...what have I done?

2006-01-31T15:48:00.000-08:00

The paperwork is flyin' now...and still days 'till departure for Italia. They've even provided us with a laminated package of phonetic Italian phrases , like "Sorry I puked on your daughter, Madam."

Dorothy, we're not in Kansas anymore.