Ben & Christina shortly before a NewsWatch 16 broadcast. Christina has influenced my life -- in essence, she's been able to take the stresses in life and deflect them through her knack for putting things in their proper perspective. March 22, 2001.

These two graduated a year ahead of me, and came by the show for old-time's sake. I've known these guys since my freshman year. I worked with them both at WICB Radio and Darryl and I even anchored an ElectionCenter special together. (L-R): Matt, Ben, Darryl. March 22, 2001

Eric and Kristina helping to finish off a birthday cake for one of our friends. The chemistry in the room with the three of us is always a blast. Eric and I have been friends since Orientation at college, long before even our first day on campus. He has been the most steady and loyal friend to me over the past four years and I am always indebted to him for all he has done for me over the years. Kristina is a trustee now at Ithaca College, and I can't think of a better person for the position. She epitomizes the fun, creative-thinking and fair-minded person that needs to be in that position, and she has always offered up a good time. I think this picture is circa April, 1999.

Matt, in my experience thus far (over three years now) is loyal to the core. I've steadily built a solid friendship with him. He is the most even-tempered, non-judgmental person I've ever come across, and I will always strive to be more like him ... he is genuinely a good person ... the type that are hard to find.

The Man with a Maiden Name, Chris Clarke-O'Leary gets his own area in the "Friends" section! Between Clarke! cereal, and C.O.L.O.L., he always keeps life entertaining. He is shown here bragging about his home state on a tour of the Rhode Island coast in May.

Dave is someone I got to know a lot better after my return from Los Angeles! This kid is hysterical -- and also quite talented. You can check out Dave's World for a far more comprehensive explanation of him than I can offer in this space

After a sting of bowling in Natick, MA. This is the bowling alley that WCVB-TV used to broadcast its candlepin bowling show from. Please note the conference table through the window in the background; it's in the shape of a bowling pin. Nevertheless, meet Mike (L), roommate and very close friend. He's been there in a pinch for me over the past two years. He has an uncanny story-telling ability (just think Jonah!). He can make the most mundane day and find ways to light a spark during it. Just call him Chris Allinger ;) Circa March, 2001.

Mike and Jason on the set of NewsWatch 16. We had just installed the new set, and the pillar was not secured before the show and it fell during a 3-shot. Jason may be one of the most creative people on this planet right now. Never say "never" when he's around. He is also a fellow Bay-Stater (a member of the fine Commonwealth of Massachusetts) which gives him that much more character. Circa February-March 2000.

Matt, Kate (the bunny!), Matt. I really got to know these three during my sophomore year. When it's time to put studying and work aside and party, these are definitely the people to turn to. March 24, 2001. Another wild college party--

Ben and Amanda in Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park. She works for CNN, but used to direct my show on NewsWatch 16. Amanda is one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet, and it's a shame at the CNN Center has to be so far away. This park is really nice -- the fountains in the background are choreographed to music and perform every couple of hours for bystanders. It is one of the few things left to remind visitors that the 1996 Olympics were held here.

Ben and Rob on the set of NewsWatch 16, March 22, 2001. I have only known Rob on a more personal level for about 8 months at the time of this writing, but he already has the making of a lifetime friend. We are both heavily involved in the media (he works extensively on the print side of news) and have discovered quite a lot in common. He joined the NewsWatch team on January, 2001 and not a moment too soon. Blue Man!!!

This is Evan -- fellow intern during Summer, 1999. He's not in New England right now, but we still manage to keep in touch. During the summer we interned, I was busy cranking out packages, and he was Kevin Shea's (see Starwatch) right-hand-man, shooting and editing sports all summer long.

Here is the "other-other" Ben -- filling in for weathercaster Jen Gilbert. I'm very pleased with how well this picture turned out. I have known Ben since his freshman year and I suspect that I'll be posting him under my "stars to watch" section in the very near future. When he gets out of Ithaca, expect him to rise very quickly. Ben is a riot ... and the official Mr. Philadelphia of that city. March 22, 2001.

This anchor duo has been described as the "Dream Team." I met Jeff during the first semester of his freshman year. I got to know him even better when we undertook the task of revamping NewsWatch 16 ... I worked on the set, and he is solely responsible for the graphics which rival those in a top-10 media market.

J Meritt is another amazing person. I took this picture just before he headed off for his semester in Los Angeles. I gave him PediaLyte figuring that if he drank it while at the bars, it would hydrate him and prevent hang-overs. I never followed up on whether it was effective or not. Irregardless, anyone who has met J and not been able to get past his loud and brazen style is missing out on another great person to know. J is at once tactless and impressively compassionate. He is another person I can turn to in a pinch and has always had his heart in the right place.

It's Kathy! This is the level-headed, hilarious, oft-insightful, most chill friend ever. I've known her since Sophomore year, and we discovered that we live just one town away from one another in Massachusetts (oddly enough, we ran into each other in the parking lot of Showcase in Worcester and that finally solidified the link) -- so that meant frequent trips to coffee & dinner in the Bay State, and a couple drives to and from Ithaca. Anyway, Kathy has never let me down and I hope I've been there for her, too.

This is Matt, the one who was the first person to take a gamble on me and bring me on to NewsWatch 16 (or, as it was in 1997, NewsWatch 54). Anyway, the things he has taught me are innumerable, and range from shooting and editing to reporting to news directing to just about every fundamental I know about this business. So kudos for picking me out.

Cayle ... Redd. Here are my picks for the best the class of 2004 has to offer. Both are enormously talented and very gifted. What's more, in the last six weeks that I really got to know them, a real friendship formed. Of course, this is complicated by the fact that I am graduating as I write this, and they just started their respective college careers. However, they have given me good reason to come back up to visit. Just remember to stay "Active and Involved," guys ;) And thank you.