Over The Edge

Grief and good times on the road

I’ve been lucky enough to have worked on a number of crews that travel together. I say lucky because despite the time lost at home with family, for the most part the folks I have shared the road with have been great, and it’s been a grand time.

This can generally go two ways. Work stresses can create tensions that don’t allow a bond to form, or it sort of becomes like a bunch of kids at summer camp. The wanderings of the Bass Edge crew of 2008 definitely fall into the latter category. On the last shoot, Aaron’s 5-year-old daughter, Maya (the world’s cutest kid,) staked a pretty good claim on being the most mature member of the party. Now that of course doesn’t count Diana, her mother. It was their first time on the road with us this year, and I couldn’t help imagining Diana, upon hearing some of our banter, wondering, “What in the world goes on out here?”

Of course a big part of this banter involves us giving each other … let’s say grief. Every opportunity is seized upon to administer such tough love. For example: I was visiting with the good folks at the Best Western Horseshoe Inn in Alexander, City, who were kind enough to host us during our shoot on Lake Martin, Ala., about a signed picture of Aaron that was being newly displayed. “Ain’t he purty,” some female fan in the lobby commented. Now as those who know me might suspect, this armed me for several days of grief for Aaron. That was good. I had about exhausted the comment from a trusted colleague of mine as she expressed her opinion about the season’s first show and its host: “He does sort of have a man-candy thing going on.” I guess that will never totally go away.

Don’t misunderstand, he loves it … not the “purty” part, but the kidding from colleagues. And don’t think he doesn’t return fire. Since this is my column, I don’t have to reveal to you the slander he as volleyed my way; it suffices to say that it has been along the lines of me sinking the boat, having a face for radio and some very politically-incorrect comments about my advanced age. And he finds great enjoyment in asking me several times each day on the water if I remembered to put the plug in the boat. This of course serves as great motivation for remembering the plug. When, if I ever forget, there will be much … well, grief.

The last trip was a memorable trip for many reasons beyond “the grief.” Having Diana and Maya along was such a joy. Maya seemed to fall in love with the crew members as much as they did with her. When she was telling us all goodbye, it was like that scene in “The Wizard of Oz” when Dorothy was bidding farewell to her traveling companions. I figured I was the Tin Man because, despite what anybody on the crew might say, I didn’t want to be the guy without the brain. And of course I wasn’t willing to accept the role of the cowardly lion. I will say though, it was clear that I had a heart as strings pulled at it while I watched her say goodbye to camera men Kurt Warner and Jeremy Drowne.

Now as much as I love Maya, I must be candid with you about one issue; secret-keeping is not one of her strengths. As Diana (not so forcefully) scolded her daughter about telling secrets, Maya was whispering in my ear that a birthday celebration was in the works. This was significant to me because mine was just two days away. Perhaps Maya was concerned about the effects of a surprise on the ticker of a man my age.

For the record, I was 54, and I know many of you will recognize that as middle age, especially the baby boomers out there. It’s just that everybody else in the crew is so young. From 30-something, 54 looks pretty old, and at 5 it just seems impossible.

I was so touched by the dinner we had on my birthday. Aaron, Maya and Diana bought a cake and presents, which I now cherish (except for the one that I have already consumed. But I will have memories because my wife is saving the bottle for some clever kitchen use.) I will say that for a second there I was putting Diana’s gift-giving in the same category with her daughter’s secret-keeping. Those who know me know I am a huge Alabama football fan, and Alexander City was just a short distance from its rival, Auburn. Well, I was stunned to find an “Auburn” drinking cup in one of the decorative bags I was handed. But I soon realized that Diana was simply catching on to the grief thing.

It’s weird; when you are out on the road you can’t wait to get home, but when you are home you miss it. Now that we have another season in the can, my thoughts oscillate between nostalgia and excitement about next year. We have a couple of months at home now, and planning for the 2009 season is well under way. There are a ton of great places and people being considered. It’s hard at this point to really say how all of that will turn out, but one thing is certain: behind the cameras we will all be having a good time, and we will be giving each other plenty of grief.