DPC is back on the road and covering the 2023 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction. Part five of his odyssey from Phoenix to WestWorld of Scottsdale is available here.
Sincerest apologies for not posting a diary entry yesterday. Friday and Saturday are a hurricane for reporters and media types at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction and I didn’t want to do a rush job on my favorite post to write.
It’s been a week of minimal sleep, perpetual hustle, skipping meals and subsisting on a diet with Monster energy drinks as the foundation of my food pyramid. I haven’t seen my family too much lately and I think my dog is upset with me for the long nights and early mornings. Who knew that burning the candle at both ends would upset a Siberian Husky? I don’t blame her because the last few days I’ve only been home to sleep, shower and find a change of clothes.
Covering events is fun, I love it and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I often apologize to the people I love (my pets too) during these long stretches in the press box but I have their unwavering support to chase my dreams and passion. My love for covering events and sharing the experience with you is because it took me about 17-years to get here. Let’s jump in the Wayback Machine and review my journalistic history.
I graduated from the University of Nevada (Go Wolf Pack!) in 2005 with a BA in journalism and assumed any media outlet would want me on its staff. I was completely wrong and took a claims adjuster job to pay the rent until I could find a steady writing gig to cover my bills. Nothing came to fruition, but I got steady freelance work covering the Arizona Coyotes, NASCAR, and the Barrett Jackson Scottsdale auction a few times. Years rolled by, and I kept chugging along working by day in the insurance industry and freelancing at night. My opportunity at The ClassicCars.com Journal came in 2022 and here we are now. I’m not bitter about taking a long time to make it as a writer. Quite the opposite because the sweet is never as sweet without the sour.
As I write this it’s Sunday afternoon and the last day of the auction. Even as this event winds down the crowds are here to take in one last day of a great collector car event. I figured people would be watching the NFL Playoffs this afternoon but the strong attendance here lets me know that our hobby is stronger than ever.
Even with the long nights, missing my wife and son, and a lack of sleep it’s a privilege to sit in the press box and write this for you.
