Unfavorable

We were warned about it years ago. If you go into this industry, be prepared for a long layover of nothing. Then once you get there, be prepared to make nothing.

I'm pretty much making close to nothing to broadcast games already. I love what I do, though. I do it for the people that do listen or watch, even if it's for just one person. A hockey game I did last weekend had only eight viewers. Not only do I improve as a broadcaster by doing it, but I learn that nothing worth doing comes easily.

You find yourself against a situation where you just wouldn't want to do it. Your team is getting smacked down, losing by 60 points in 30 degree weather, wind blowing in your face for four hours while you attempt and describe how the fans are furious, how the coaches sitting next to you are furious, and how the team looks listless. All positive things, certainly.

You find yourself looking at the viewer count of an online hockey game staying at eight. You want it to be 30. 30 is a good, average day. But it stays at eight. You wonder, what in the world else can I do? But you keep going. You do it for those eight people, because they care. You do it for the undeserved recognition from the people that care.

There are times you just have people around you that think you're somehow the best at what you do. Overwhelmingly so. In fact, at the latest game, a new group of parents pulled me aside to tell me they don't know what they would do without me. I bring them in, make them laugh, and hopefully lead them to victory. It's something I've never heard before then.

I sometimes wish they had perspective, though. I've said it before...I'm waiting for someone to say that I suck at what I do to my face. Not over Twitter, not over social networking, not through competition judging sheets, but to my face. You are a horrible broadcaster. Then I would have something to fight for. Fighting for "you're great" has almost made me take my foot off of the gas.

Sparse opportunity exists out there to change things. I'm looking for that next challenge. Faster hockey, something really professional, larger viewership or listenership, fans that want to know things...a place where I can be an authority on a team or a situation. Somewhere I'm the go-to. Somewhere that I'm the man.

I'm the farthest thing from egotistical, and the last person that will tell you I'm great at what I do. I feel like I'm constantly trying to improve. I look to my peers to figure out new ways to do things. I'm new to this whole thing in a way. Most times I just take the opinions gracefully with a thank you, and remind myself there is work to be done.

I'm hoping that the next wave of applications I sent out will lead to something. If not, it could be a while until I'm in that position. Honestly, it has been a trying wait. I check every day, only to find nothing new, or nothing obtainable. It's frustrating.

I have to be grateful for what I have, and work off of that. It's an unfavorable path in an unfavorable business. It was my choice, and I intend to do something with it.