I wonder how many names I'll butcher
tomorrow?
That's a thought that always pops into
my head anytime Finish-Line Announcer Jim makes an appearance, as he
will tomorrow at the Ore-to-Shore. I mean,
there are people coming across the line all the time, usually in
groups of three or four. Their names pop up on a computer screen and
then are replaced by names from new people coming across the line.
So that only gives me a second or two look at the name, decide how
I'm gonna pronounce it, and then spit it out.
So to whomever gets their name
mispronounced tomorrow, I apologize in advance. I really do!
Actually, after almost 20 years of
finish line announcing at both the Noque and the O2S, I feel fairly
confident that I'll get many more names correct than I'll screw up.
Practice, after all, does help, and I've had p[plenty of practice
over the years. But I think I've also had good training in the
matter in another way. After all, I used to host a telethon on TV, a
telethon where I'd have to read pledges from people throughout the
U.P. And if you can correctly read names from throughout the U.P.,
I'm guessing you can read names from anywhere in the world.
So wish me luck!
If you have the chance, you should make
sure you get to one of the mass starts for the race tomorrow in
Negaunee. They're like nothing you've ever seen; each has over 1,000
riders getting their race underway at the sound of a gun and a
trumpet. It takes over five minutes for all of them to go by, and
it's just an amazing sight. The Soft Race race (with, ahem, a dork
announcing the start) begins at 9 at Lakeview School, while the Hard
Rock gets underway at 945 in downtown Negaunee.
Trust me—you won't be disappointed!
And with that, I have to head to work
to put together a couple of CDs of music to play during the
festivities. Have yourself a great weekend, and like I said, if you
have the chance, check out part of the race!
(jim@wmqt.com),
who still has no idea what he's doing on Monday, if you're curious.
I suppose I should figure it out soon, right?
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