timwaller.com » television

A Clockwork Waller.

Tim — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:44:45 +0000

To the youngest employees of WYFF4, my high school prom pic is a riot. But people my age who’ve seen this photo say I am a dead ringer for “Alex” in A Clockwork Orange.

Wha-?

Class of 1980.

For those familiar with the 1971 film by writer-director Stanley Kubrick, I can assure you I was not part of vicious teenage gang that committed random acts of brutality. Oh no! I just thought the get-up looked cool, especially the cane. A chick-magnet, fo sho!

Posing in mom & dad's front yard.

But this is what happens when you offer your prom pic to the TV station for its Prom ’09 campaign. My, how prom fashion has changed in 29 years!

Maybe that’s a good thing.

Ya think?

A Clockwork Orange.

Thank You For Smoking.

Tim — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:52:00 +0000

Contrary to popular belief, I do not spend all my time at work researching investigative stories. I still get out from behind the desk and cover breaking stories, like this huge fire at a garbage transfer station.

Photo by Benji Newman.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Here’s Mark Lyon and I covering a big park announcement in Greenville County.

Roadside interview.

You never know what each new day will bring.

Caught in the Act!

Tim — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:40:29 +0000

This just in!

Minutes ago, I caught friend and coworker Carol Goldsmith helping herself to my manila folders. This fast-thinking reporter, armed with a Blackberry, fired off a picture for evidence in the upcoming trial.

Busted!

Oh Carol. You could’ve just asked me for the folders.

All the Wii to Tennessee.

Tim — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 17:37:12 +0000

It’s no secret I’m a Tennessee boy. My bio on WYFF4.com says so. But it’s also understood I am not your typical southerner. I’m an Ohio-transplant who moved to the Volunteer State at the age of 7. While I don’t sound like a southerner (and don’t own a pair of camouflage pants), I’m a Tennessean for all intents and purposes.

And what do I do to relax when I go home? Just ask my Tennessee-friend of 22 years!

Videogame extraordinaire Joe Gragg.

Since the start of my career, I have stayed in close touch with my friend and former coworker, Joe Gragg. Joe is the chief photog at WCYB-TV (NBC) in Bristol, Virginia, otherwise known as the Tri-Cities market. He is the first news photographer I ever worked with, and has remained a friend for all these years. Our most common bond is video games. We are two guys in their mid-40s who love to play.

Friend Kenny joins in the fun.

This week, Joe and I have logged hundreds of hours trying to out-do each other in the virtual gaming world. From X-Box 360 to Nintendo Wii, there’s been no shortage of competition. From golf to tennis to bowling to darts to baseball to basketball to football, I’ve spent all of my down-time here with a game-controller in hand. So much time, I literally dream pictures like the one below. As always, Joe is the more skilled of the two of us. He owns the game systems and plays more than I do.

But everyone is the master of their universe in Wii world.

Don't be fooled by the seemingly straight-in put you see here.

Now my time in Tennessee has nearly come to an end. I will return to G-Vegas on MLK Day to prepare for another busy year in TV news. But no matter which stories I become immersed in, and no matter how busy I become in my husband-parent role, I know my mind will eventually drift back to the virtual “playing field” of Joe’s living room.

Darts anyone?

Taking a much-needed break from the Wii dart championships.

Addendum: On the last night of my visit, I broke one of Joe’s Wii controllers by slapping it against his living room floor while bowling. Sorry Joe!