Last to make the Cut; First to tee off. . .

. . .was exactly the scenario that faced Omar Uresti Saturday morning. Most people attending the US Open at famed Pinehurst No. 2 were there to see the likes of Tiger, Phil, Sergio, and Retief. Myself and reporter John Bachman were there to see Omar.

Uresti, a far from famed golfer from Austin, Texas, was the last player to make the cut on Friday evening. After the cut was made, 83 players still remained for the weekend. For rounds 3 and 4, the players play in pairs. However you can't get even pairs with an odd number like 83. So Omar had the distinct pleasure (and to me the honor) of having Donald Ross's masterpiece to himself. At exactly 8:10am, Omar took his first shot at the first tee - BY HIMSELF.

Omar had the option to have a local club pro as a playing partner, but decided against it. Says his brother Rusty, "Omar wanted to play at his pace, so he opted for the solo round." The only reason Rusty (who is a professional caddie) was in the gallery rooting for O-man (his nickname on tour) was because his partner on the Tour, Robert Gamez, missed the cut at No. 2.

We picked up O-man's round at #11. He had just carded a birdie on the par-5 10th hole. I sized up Omar in my viewfinder as he nailed his tee shot down the middle of the fairway. As he and his caddie walked past, he gave me a glance and a little wave. I'm pretty sure he was surpised that a TV camera was following his round. All the NBC network cameras were stilled covered in their raingear when Uresti was playing. The stands were pretty bare as Omar made his way through the tough and very demanding Pinehurst No. 2. Some spectators came up to me and asked who were we following and why. I told them "this guy deserves some time on the tube. He's the ultimate underdog." They kinda chuckled and resumed their cigar and beer.

Uresti never carded a birdie while we walked with him from #11 to #18. He finished his round at 5-over par, leaving him at +13 for the championship. While he putted out on #18, his wife Anita came up to me and John and asked if we were doing a story on Omar. "Thank you so much, that is so neat," she said with excitement and joy. She told us thank you repeatedly and then said it was off to meet Omar and to get their child out of the daycare.

The ultimate underdog just added another fan to his fanbase.

For now. . .
Bull City PJ

From School Board to the Head Doctor. . .

. . .was what awaited me and my partner in crime today.

"Can you go shoot real estate video of this pharmaceutical place in RTP?," said the voice on the other end of my company cellphone. Nothing like starting out your day trying to find a huge building in an even huger (is that a word) piece of land. Shot that and headed to downtown Bull City.

Along the way, I hear on my two-way radio "You're gonna need to take the van over to tech a noon live shot in Durham." Well since I am the only Durham photographer, I'm 100% sure that it will involve me. Sure enough, we have to cover a school board presser which was slated to start at 11am. Remember noon live shot. The presser begins promptly at 11:15am. Remember noon live shot. We bust out of the joint at 11:40am. Remember noon live shot. Cut a 58 second Emmy-award winner for the noon show. Remember noon live shot. At 6 after noon, we are cleared by the producer. Success, we made it through that one.

On to story #2 - Hydraulic Fluid and Surgery. Remember in my last blog I spoke about how some 4000 people had surgeries at Duke-affiliated hospitals with tools that were washed in hydraulic fluid, not detergent. Today the CEO of the health system wanted to talk about what they were doing behind closed doors. But first, we had to high-tail it to North Raleigh to interview a lady who had rotator-cuff surgery with the tainted tools. She said she still experiences some discomfort and physical therapy some seven months after her surgery. We bang off a few quick shots of her rehabing at home, then it's off to see the head doctor.

He says that they will be releasing more information in the next couple of weeks. Finish with him @ 4:05pm. Back in the bureau @ 4:15pm. We are the lead @ 6pm. Get partial script @ 5:15pm. Remember lead @ 6pm. Start editing @ 5:16pm. Remember lead @ 6pm. Finish editing 2:15 pkg @ 5:55pm. Remember lead @ 6pm. Finish feeding tape to Raleigh @ 5:57pm. Remember lead @ 6pm. Hit live shot @ 5:59pm. Cleared by producer @ 6:03pm. Done.

At church by 6:50pm to lead our youth in weekly Bible study. Finish @ 7:50pm. Head to mexican restaurant (did I say that I am bacheloring it 'til Saturday). Finished eating @ 8:50pm. Finished blogging this post @ 9:33pm.

Yyyyyyyaaaaaaawwwwwwwnnnnnnnnn. . . I'm pooped! Heading to bed @ 10pm.

For now. . .
Bull City PJ

Hydraulic Fluid and Surgery. . .

. . .are two items that just don't mix. Like oil and vinegar; salt and pepper, the two are complete opposites. Yet late last year the two came together in a very awkward way.

Some 4000 patients at two of Duke University Health System's hospitals had surgery performed with surgical tools that were cleaned in detergent. . .at least that's what hospital staff thought. Turns out the so called "detergent" was actually hydraulic fluid - that's right hydraulic fluid like you would find in a hydraulic lift. Duke says that there was no need to panic because the tools were sterilized.

What I find odd is that fact that surgical personnel noted that the tools "felt more slippery than usual." This went on for approximately 2 months or roughly 4000 surgeries.

Now Duke has "clamped" down and refuses to talk to the media about any of these. Frankly, they won't even tell the affected patients anything about what was in the hydraulic fluid or give them samples so they can take it to be tested and shown to their own doctors.

We talked to a PR guy today (unrelated to Duke) who says that Duke will bounce back and will make it through this slippery mess.

Word is tomorrow a patient who had the hydraulic-soaked tools used on her will talk about the experience pre- and post-op. If it happens, I'll let you know what she says.

For now. . .
Bull City PJ

Confessed and Set Free. . .

. . .is exactly what happened to Andrew Dalzell today. He allegedly confessed to killing a Carrboro woman back in 1997. My partner here in the Bull City, Julia Lewis, and I have covered this story since Dalzell's attorney brought to light the fact that his client was "tricked" into confessing to murder.Everything played out in Orange County Superior Court this morning in Hillsborough. District Attorney Jim Woodall called a press conference to announce he was dismissing the 2nd degree murder charge on Mr. Dalzell. It came as no real surprise to me (there was no legal way that the confession would hold up in court). A judge back in January ruled that the Carrboro Police Department had overstepped their authority and had crossed the line when obtaining the confession from Dalzell. I find it hard to believe that a confessed murderer, tricked or not, can just walk out of jail a free man. There's really only three people that know exactly what happened back in 1997: Dalzell, Ms. Key, and God. Have a great weekend everyone!! For Now. . . BullCity PJ

Opposite Ends of the Spectrum. . .

. . .is where my day took me this afternoon in the Bull City. I started my day with hearing sadness and tragedy; and ended it with happiness and joy.

This morning I made my way to historic Hillsborough, NC (Orange County). My duties were summoned to Criminal District Court for a bond hearing for a 17 year old accused of murdering his own parents.

Myself, along with a lone still photographer waited patiently in the juicy, 90+ degree weather to get a picture of Adam Sapikowski as he walked into the courthouse. When he arrived and my viewfinder was filled with his image, I couldn't help but wonder why? Why does something like this happen in the first place? What possibly could have driven this teenager, who should be enjoying entering his senior year of high school, to commit such a brutal act?

Adam Sapikowski was seeking to become a free man (sort of) and escape the lonliness of the Orange County Jail. He has already confessed to taking the lives of both his mother and father; shooting them both with a 410 shotgun. What's even more disturbing is the fact that prosecutors and investigators believe after he took their lives, he let them sit in the very house that he shared with his parents for up to two weeks. Needless to say when investigators found the bodies, they had already begun to decompose.

During the hearing, the district attorney wanted a $5 million bond set; while the public defender wanted Adam to be released on just $300,000 bond. Needless to say the judge denied bond all together.

While editing the two packages for our later newscasts, I'm still wondering what is actually going on in Adam's mind. He seems so innocent in person; but I know that looks can be deceiving.

"Thanks guys, you're clear," the 6pm producer said in my ear, ending one end of the spectrum. I knew now it was time to go to the complete opposite end of the spectrum.

45 minutes later I was helping my wife create "Skyscraper Travel Games" for our kids at Vacation Bible School. It's a totally different atmosphere there at Olive Branch Baptist Church. No murderers, just happy kids; lots of happy kids. My wife and I (both of us are the youth ministers) are in charge of crafts for VBS 2005. The kids are traveling across the country visiting a different city each night. Tonight they were in Chicago. That "Skyscraper Travel Game" was supposed to resemble the Sears Tower.

One of our youth helped tonight. I couldn't help but look at him and be reminded about what I had witnessed about 5 hours earlier. Complete opposite ends of the spectrum.

For now. . .
BullCity PJ

Bull City Gangs. . .

. . ..today in the local newspaper, the issue of gangs in the Bull City once again reared its ugly head. My partner for the day, Ken Smith, and I were assigned to take a look at the number of gang members in and around the Bull City. A number that jumped out at me while covering the story: Durham has an estimated "gang population" of 5,000. Charlotte (a city that is way bigger than Durham) has an estimated "gang population" of 1,000. Raleigh (a city comparable but still a little bigger than Durham) has an estimated "gang population" of just 500. We interviewed a law enforcement officer, as well as a district court judge on the problems associated with gangs and possible solutions to those particular problems. Their answer was simple: need more parent involvement and more activities for the youth of Durham. The story airs tonight @ 5pm on the big 5. Runs a buck 19. Have a great weekend everyone!! For now. . . Bull City PJ

In the beginning. . .

. . .Bull City PJ took the reins of a new adventure; the adventure of blogging. A couple of people he knows said he should try his hand at blogging. Well people, here goes.In the very near future, you will hopefully find out a little more about what I do and what my day consists of. I work in the Bull City (Durham, NC) for the fine CBS & FOX affiliate in our area. I basically cover four counties (Durham, Orange, Chatham, and Person). If something major or minor happens in these counties, you can go ALL IN that I am the one covering the event. Not only am I a news photographer, I am also a youth minister at my church here in Durham. My wife and I accepted the calling from the Lord almost 2 years ago. We have been blessed ever since. I will try my best to keep you updated somewhat as to what is going on here in the Bull City. For now. . . Bull City PJ