What a time to be "computer-less"

Yes, my friends.

I was in FLA for 5 days and the big story revolved around Cleveland and Florida!

It appears that news follows me wherever I go.

As I was leaving and at Hopkins International Airport, all the stations had LeBron on and what 'may happen?'

However, here was my predicament.

I was off for 5 days. I made a vow that I was going to lay low out of town, to the extent no phone and no computer.

The no computer situation solved itself because I don't yet have a fancy phone that gets the Internet AND the place I was staying did not really have a great Internet connection ....so I WAS pretty much locked out of my provider, Facebook and Twitter.

What a time to be locked out? I so wanted to hop on and fire back at LeBron James at what he did to the city of Cleveland, Dan Gilbert, all the little kids who so look up to him, and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

I did make my friend tivo LeBron so we could watch it after the Indians-Rays game. Loved seeing the Cleveland reaction, though it was distressing and I did burst into tears yet again. The 1st time being at the Indians-Rays game getting text messages as to what happened and just erupting into tears in the middle of Tropicana Field.

I did not even know the 1/2 of the story being 2000 miles away and computer-less.

Holy smokes. When I got back and I saw 'the letter' as a response to 'the decision,' I said --you go Dan Gilbert!

The whole time in FLA, wherever we were--whether eating or poolside --there was something on tv regarding the 3 new Miami Heat. I could not get away from it.

The phone angle --I must admit, I told a few folks to text me 'the decision' since I was not near a tv at that time. I also texted a few folks back. But for the most part, I did stay away from the phone.

And yet, the news still followed me around!

I'm told I was on tv --during the 2nd game of the Indians & Tampa Bay Rays game! Still have to take a look at that footage to make sure I looked 'presentable.'

I ran into a very old friend of mine who used to be the OPS Manager and one of my former photogs at WKYC --Kim Fatica. What a joy to see him, if only for a fleeting moment.

AND, to top it off, he had to cover this huge sinkhole ....so of course, emails his former assignment editor a picture of his assignment while he was on scene. We still have that bond! It WAS a great picture! I felt like I was in the know on top of the news happening in TPA.

I also hooked up with one of my former co-workers and pretty much my best friend who used to be an editor extraordinaire at WKYC --Craig Schuck.

It does someone a world of good not to be tethered to their computer....but again, what a time to be computer-less when the biggest story to hit the sports world and Cleveland is unfolding before our eyes and I feel helpless and paralyzed!

Lesson to be learned --upgrade my phone OR wean myself off of the computer and Facebook so I can actually live a normal life every once in a blue moon!

Big TALL Ships, basketball players, & decisions

We have a lot of 'big-ness' revolving around Cleveland over the next 24 hours.

Last night the Tall Ships entered the Port of Cleveland with wkyc's own Betsy Kling, Barry Wolf, and Steve Pullen on board.

Take a gander over to wkyc.com to view the stories and excitement revolving around the Tall Ships. Betsy and her crews sailed in after being on board from Pennsylvania. What an experience! She shared her experience during a 7pm Tall Ships special where she went in depth on each ship, their voyage, what it's like living on them, and so much more!

Then, we have big, tall basketball players who can begin talking about their free-agency choices ......rumors all over the internet at this hour say our very own LeBron James is making his way to Miami.

Not sure what to believe.

However, I am on my way to Tampa, FLA and have put out the calls to my pals to call me and text me when he makes his announcement during an hour long broadcast on ESPN -- 'The Decision.'

I've tivo'd the show. My best friend Craig has tivo'd the show and we will watch it after we get home from the Indians-Tampa Ray baseball game.

Out of my hands. Out of all of our hands.

But, you can be sure--this will be a HUGE day in Cleveland with LeBron's BIG Decision, Tall Ships, and dealing with follow-up with LeBron, whatever his decision may be!

I'm out! Heading to Tampa and may cross paths with LBJ during my travels, who knows!

Weekly Feature: Hidden Gems

Today's Hidden Gem: Indians sweep Tampa Bay Rays

Ok, I am using today's Hidden Gem as a personal tribute to my Tribe! I know we also have another team in town who is holding their own. We'll get to them at a later date!

I'd like us all to bask in the warmth of the Cleveland Indians sweeping the ALCS Champion Tampa Bay Rays in a 4-game series. I knew they could do it.

You are only as good as your last game (or your last newscast) and we have the New York Yankees blowing into town for yet another 4-game series.

Honestly, I thought they would do it 2 weekends ago.

I was on furlough a few weeks ago and decided to hop on a flight to see my best friend for a few days. True, the magnetic force really pulling me toward Tampa was the fact that the Indians were playing the Rays. Sorry buddy! The Indians blew the Rays away in game #1 back on May 14 and then they imploded.

They were in every game, got a number of awful calls by the umpires (2 of which MLB and the Umpiring crew came out and said they made the WRONG calls) but could not close the deal.

I saw the fire in their eyes. There was bad blood brewing between this new rivalry. I knew they'd both come out fighting when back in Cleveland. And they proved me right.

What is so great about this most recent 4-game sweep is two-fold. The Indians came back from a 10-0 deficit on May 25. They also came back from a 5-0 deficit on May 27. Plus, the Cleveland Indians did the VERY SAME act one year ago. Back on July 10-13, 2008 our Cleveland Indians swept the Tampa Bay Rays in another 4-game series.

I, being very superstitious, take some credit for that sweep. I went to the Cleveland Metropark Zoo and touched the Sting Rays at their cool exhibit. I tried touching every ray and wished the Tribe would beat the Rays. Well they did.

I guess it just works for the home team.

When I was in Tampa a few weeks ago, I did the same. I touched the rays in their petting pool and whamo, the Rays beat us.

Now I know.

I don't mean to seem like I am taking this entry lightly or fawning too much over my Indians. But, I am. Life is too short, and in today's times, life happenings can be so horrendous/serious/and oftentimes grisly.

We all have to learn to enjoy the little things in life. Savor every sweet moment. Try to make a new memory every single day.

2 weeks ago when I was in Tampa, I saw the Indians lose. Tropicana Field is definitely NO Progressive Field. If you travel as much as we do to other ballparks, you will learn that we are blessed and lucky here in Cleveland with Progressive Field, The Q, and Cleveland Browns Stadium. So many others (not all, I LOVE Fenway) are dumpy and plain.

But even though the Tribe lost a few weeks ago, those 48 hours were tremendous. I was with my dearest friend in 92 degree temps, watching MY Tribe (win or lose), savoring every special moment, making new memories, seeing the positive in every instance.

We can learn a lot from our sports gurus and their cliches:

• play every game as if it's your last
• play hard
• win or go home
• play in the moment
• stay focused
• focus on today
• every at bat counts
• run hard, run it out
• press on
• never give up
• total team effort
• battle out there, battle back
• you got to be ready to hit the curve

We have to learn to grab life by the horns and ride it 'til you fall off! And then, heck, get right back up there and press forward and onward!

Bring on the Yankees!

Go Tribe! (Go Cavs!)