DTV: The story behind the story
I don't normally do this on Midnight Sun -- especially if it's not directly nightlife related -- but I want to share the story behind today's piece* about the digital TV conversion.
Just before lunchtime, my editor Tim Swift (of Swift Picks fame) came over to my desk.
"Sessa!," he growled, "We need people with bunny ears, and pronto!"
"But it's not Easter yet, sir," I said.
"Not bunny ears like the costume, you dimwit, bunny ears like on TV sets," he said.**
Then Mr. Swift had a stroke of baldness ... I mean ... brilliance ...
He told me to go to this apartment high rise building in Mount Vernon and look for sources.
When I got there, I talked to people in the lobby, people in the lounge and people in the laundromat. No luck.
Disheartened, I was about to leave when I ran into the gentleman in the top photo. His name is Steve Finckel, and he said he thought he and his wife Janice Stephenson still had regular old TV.
I sat down and interviewed them, and Stephenson became the intro to today's piece.
Part of the reason why I wanted to tell you this story is that we took their picture, but didn't have room for it in the paper. Since they don't have cable, I seriously doubt that they have the Internet.
But I wanted to post it here, in the hopes that somehow, someone would recognize them and show it to them.
Thanks again for all your help, Mr. Finckel and Ms. Stephenson. You saved my day.
*The piece ran on the front page, if I may say so myself. In short, BOOYAH!
**This exchange has been modified from its original version. It has been formatted to fit your screen ... and highly embellished for your reading pleasure.
(Top photo by Sun photographer Barbara Haddock Taylor. I'm not sure where this graphic comes from, but it ran on our front page.)
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
Swift: Parker! And another thing, once you get me those rabbit ears, get me a good picture of Spider-man!
Sam Sessa: (in a pimply, broken voice) Yes sir! Right away, sir! Would you like another Chai Latte sir?
Swift: PAR-KER!
Sam Sessa: It's Sessa, sir.
Posted by: Belissimo! | February 17, 2009 6:51 PM
Is this Tim Swift the guy who didnt like my writing? Is he the loser who helped give me the boot? I think Mr.Swift made a un-swift move! Once o stop commenting on here, the site will be like a funeral parlor!
Posted by: Tim Lumber | February 19, 2009 4:34 AM
Funeral parlors are underrated.
Posted by: CantonKate | February 19, 2009 9:18 AM
How will we know until you stop commenting?
See ya, sucker.
Posted by: JD | February 19, 2009 9:28 AM
tim - you have a lot in common with funeral parlors, your writing occasionally rises to being life like but not anywhere as often, and then is taken out and burned or buried.
Posted by: karlosi | February 19, 2009 10:48 AM
So many jealous people in this loser room..see.JD..I mean J Dork, and ugly duckling karlosi! 2 drunkin fools who had me fired..am I lying Sam? I like how Sam gets all quiet when I comment! Yes you 2 helped get me fired,I honestly think you 2 dorks need to grow up and get a life! You got me fired, show some class,put the beer down, sober up,clean out your ears with some Q-Tips! Brush your teeth(bad breath) comb your hair! Quit being 2 losers JD and karlosi...yes please brush your teeth!
Posted by: Tim Lumber | February 20, 2009 12:36 AM
Tim, git real, stop the magical thinking! No comments by any 1 or 2 ppl would get you fired. You should be looking in a mirror the next time you spit at some one about growing up and getting a life.
btw, gotta love it, you fed karlosi a line and he returned with a clever comeback, better than anything you have written. If you can get passed being pissed you could learn something.
Posted by: Stebbin | February 20, 2009 10:32 AM
class isn't tim lumber's post
Posted by: macopin | February 20, 2009 11:08 AM