Just got out through Sean to Knoxville, which retransmits to Scripps. Usually, it's no later than COB Wednesday, but I was in Philly and DC all this week on Enterra stuff, just getting home late last night.
Big week for us. Monday was board meeting in Philly where we have to explain all the contracts coming in. That's a challenging discussion but the right one to be having right now. We got past the "you can never do that" and the "there is no market for that" and the "you'll never sell that on your own" so that we're right into the "you'll never be able to execute on all those contracts!"
Of course, Steve and I have been hustling to just such ends for the past two plus years, lining up a host of strategic alliances that now get put into action.
To that end, lotsa high-level meets Tuesday and Wednesday in DC.
All somewhat intimidating because we're now long past the back-slapping, "what a great idea" stage and holding very sober discussions about exactly what happens now. Of course, the excitement level remains high (everyone's biz development guys and gals are salivating at the prospects), but it's clearly the roll-up-your sleeves moment on execution. It's like we've just run into the huddle and realize we need a touchdown on this drive or else!
But again, we've been planning and scheming for this moment for several years. This is exactly where we want to be.
It also reminds me of the third mile in the one marathon I ran back in 1991. It was about that time that I got very cold and ruthless in thinking about what was coming next, ditching equipment on the side of the road that I simply decided I wasn't going to lug the next 23 miles because--by God--I was finishing this race!
Very heart-pounding stuff but simultaneously a lot of fun. I mean, if it ain't going to be hard and ambitious, then why bother going through it?
BTW, the column was on Putin.
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