Johngy Wins Globility Award

I have been writing a blog for Global Traveler magazine for over two years. I shamelessly promote the blog and I usually get a handful of comments (always more than my Publisher Fran Gallagher gets...not that I keep track).
I have told my Rick Monday-David Stein story before, but I will recap it briefly for any new readers.
For my July 4th (2008) piece, I decided to write a piece on Monday saving the US flag during a game in 1976. Coincidentally, I was attending a game in Los Angeles (where Monday was now a broadcaster) in June. I managed to get an interview with Monday in the clubhouse (thanks to advice from Laurie).
The piece, An Act of Patriotism, appeared on GT's site as planned. That night, I was shocked to hear David Stein of Sporting News Radio reading my blog over the air nationwide.
Of course, I had to tell (brag to) Fran. After taking his barbs about the usual content of my pieces, I had to rub it in a bit. He was ecstatic at the exposure and thanked me in a company-wide email.
Fast forward to January 21, 2010. I was in NY at the newly opened Andaz for GT's annual awards event. As Fran was starting to present the many awards (to airlines, hotels, etc), I went to the restroom. Unfortunately, I did not exit unscathed as my suit pants zipper broke. Fortunately, my room was in the hotel, so I went upstairs to attempt to fix the zipper. After a few futile moments, I threw on my jeans, figuring nobody would even notice, as I wasn't the main focus (or even a secondary focus).
As I reentered the event, I heard Fran talking about a blog. Then I heard a recording of Stein reading my piece on Monday. Kim Krol summoned me to the stage area, just as Fran announced that I was the winner of this year's Globility award. (The Globility award is given for the quality of being open to a world of cultures and experiences.)
Then I tripped as I went to the stage and Terrence Howard (actor and awards-presenter) saved me from tumbling off. I have met a lot of celebs, but this was one of the most memorable!
It was a huge surprise and a great experience. I guess I can now say I am an award-winning blogger! I also have to say I owe you, Laurie!

Terrence Howard and me (and my jeans) in New York, NY-January 2010.

Rick Monday, David Stein and Johngy

As has been well-documented here, I contribute a weekly online piece for Global Traveler magazine. Last July 2, I wrote a piece which made GT history.
In keeping with a patriotic theme, I wrote about former Cubs outfielder Rick Monday saving the United States flag from being burned by 2 protesters during a game at Dodger Stadium in 1976. I had recently interviewed Monday at Dodger Stadium about the event.
That night, I got home from work very late (actually very early the next morning) and checked email to relax before heading to bed. A couple minutes later, I was shocked to hear David Stein of Sporting News Radio start to read my piece on nationwide radio.
To say I was shocked is a bit of an understatement. I have been previously published in national and local publications and online, but to have something I wrote being read on nationally syndicated radio was just really wild.
Of course, my massive ego demanded that I shoot a quick email to Fran Gallagher, big cheese at GT. Gallagher had regularly ribbed me about writing bubblegum pieces. I was now vindicated and would have some ammunition for the future. Seriously though, it was a big moment for me and for GT. Somebody was reading us!
It's funny, because I vividly remember Monday saving the flag. Of course, I had no idea back then that 32 years later, that event would play a part in a big moment in my life, too.

Rick Monday and me at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA-June 2008.

Interviews:2008

Here is the complete listing and linkage for all of my 2008 interviews.

I interviewed Rick Monday right outside the Dodgers' clubhouse at Dodger Stadium in June of 2008. We talked mostly about when he saved the U.S. flag from being burned. I wrote a piece about that for Global Traveler magazine's website. That GT piece was read by David Stein on Sporting News Radio.To hear the Rick Monday interview click hereTo hear David Stein read my piece click here


For another piece on GT's website, I interviewed wrestling personalities Al Snow, Terri Runnels and Scott Taylor separately at Wizard World in Rosemont, IL in August of 2008. We talked about travel, their current life and their future plans.To hear the Al Snow interview click hereTo hear the Terri Runnels interview click hereTo hear the Scott Taylor interview click here


I interviewed Mike Easler and Larry Bowa together during batting practice at Dodger Stadium in June of 2008. Easler talked about his favorite city, while Bowa wasn't quite as decisive about his. I also helped Bowa with fielding practice, although that is not part of the interview.To hear the Easler and Bowa interview click here


I interviewed Hall of Fame broadcaster Peter Gammons of ESPN on the field at Dodger Stadium in June of 2008. It was long before the game started and there were only a handful of people even there. We discussed his favorite cities.To hear the Peter Gammons interview click here


The last interview I got at Dodger Stadium in June of 2008 was with Ryan Dempster. Dempster had an unbelievable season after converting back to a starting pitcher after being a reliever for several years. Dempster was very loose and seemed happy to talk for a bit.
To hear the Ryan Dempster interview click here


I interviewed ESPN broadcaster Jon Miller at Dodger Stadium in June of 2008. Miller gave me over 3 minutes of his time, which is quite a lot for an unscheduled interview. He talked freely about a number of his favorite cities.To hear the Jon Miller interview click here


I interviewed Hall of Famer Joe Morgan right as he headed into the dugout moments before the game at Dodger Stadium in June of 2008. Morgan only had about 30 seconds, but I logged in another Hall of Famer!To hear the Joe Morgan interview click here

Doing some research for another GT website piece, I attended a couple of TNA wrestling events in the Chicago area. At the fanfest, i was able to interview Christy Hemme, Lance Rock and Jimmy Rave (collectively known as the Rock N Roll Infection). We talked about travel and the expansion of TNA.To hear the Christy Hemme, Rock and Rave interview click here


At the Walk for Hope 2008, in Glenview, IL, I interviewed actress Andrea Evans for a GT online piece. Evans discussed her return to tv's One Life to Live, her commitment to Walk for Hope, her partnership with Lather and her future plans.To hear the Andrea Evans interview click here

Johngy Goes National!

Besides Johngy's Beat, I also write a weekly blog for Global Traveler magazine's website. On July 2, my regular Wednesday piece was about former major league baseball player Rick Monday. Rick Monday was an excellent player ... well, maybe it would be better to let David Stein of Sporting News Radio tell the whole story...

Johngy's blog, as read by David Stein of Sporting News Radio-7/3/08.