Reporting in Two Time Zones
Tbilisi, Georgia — Perhaps one the hardest things to come to personal grips with on assignments of this length is the toll of working hours in two time zones, and then having to work them twice or more in a day.
Time zones are probably my greatest enemy in many respects. Here in Tbilisi, we are eight hours ahead of Fox News Headquarters in New York. The effects of this after 12 days on assignment probably really hit home last night, or afternoon, depending on where you are reading this.
The day seems to begin the night before. We have to do a live shot for “Fox Report”, which means we are still working at 3 a.m. So as far as New York is aware, we have finished just after 7 p.m. … but by the I got to bed, it can be 4:30 local … and then to get up and gather the news for the day, I have to be awake again no later than 9 a.m., to get the kit ready from satellite gear to computers, power, cameras, first aid kit checks and the body armor.
Out of the hotel around 10 a.m. (which, remember, is in fact according to New York 2 a.m., and the day has begun.)
We head up the road to the frontline, film for a few hours, then head back to Tbilisi. I try to feed some of the material we have shot on the road so that the channel has material for us to run during the day, and this is before we start our rostered shift of live shots. Our block of lives yesterday was from 3 p.m. to the 7 p.m. shows, New York time, which meant we were going locally from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Then figure on getting up again and doing it again, sometimes the live shift good fall in your favor and we can wrap up by midnight. But you know that all things end, and at some stage life will be back to normal.
As far as what has happened here today, the reality is nothing, but my conspiracy theory for the future has no silver lining.
Mal James is a FOX News Channel international cameraman, based out of London. He most recently reported on the Russia-Georgia conflict with FNC reporter Steve Harrigan. In the past, Mal has traveled across the globe to cover the war in Iraq; to North Korea to visit the N.Y. Philharmonic during its historic trip; and Jerusalem to visit the purported King Herod's tomb. 
Good grief, Mr. James. It was a great blog, and very clear I’m sure, but after reading it I am not sure what time it is here where I am…In fact I am not even sure what day it is. Just doing what you do to keep straight what you are supposed to do and when is enough to wear you out. Time zones suck okay. I think we should just have one time zone all over the world. Wouldn’t that make it easier? The photo was great. Looks like siesta time in Mexico. Your conspiracy theory is as good as the next guys and you seem to know more about what is going on than the world leaders do….which is sort of scary when you think about it, Mr. James. You men are doing a wonderful job over there. Thanks.
It sounds like the “twilight zone” over there to me. Looks like a pretty hard pillow you are resting your head on. To tell you the truth we have more confidence in the reports you, Steve Harrigan and Greg Palkot are getting out to us than in what the world leaders are saying…which may explain (world leaders) why we have all let the Russians get us over this barrel again. It seems that not much of the world can be reasoned with….as some keep telling us it can. And Compromise is a deceiver. Thank you so much. Your blog says much, Mr. James.
We will all be looking forward to you live shot tonight. hope you all are staying safe!
Time Zones…..I think….I got it! No…not really sure…. Don’t know how you guys do it. I look forward to your live reports. Great work as always!
And No silver lining! That is a sure thing right now, over that way! Stay safe! hum….I need to check on the time. Do you have the the time….by the way?
I have been on the other end of those ‘Time Zones’… and yes there can be tough.. but you always manage to get the story out… Fantastic job Mr James and Co… Watching your stories with keen interest from downunder..
We have just finished watching, on DVD, the old TV series Winds of War and War and Rememberance by Herman Wouk. His novels were so supurbly researched and the series was well done. As we watch the unfolding of the Russians land grab of Georgia, and you can take it to the bank, the Ukraine is next unless NATO or the EU gets real active in stopping these thugs. Moral equivalency and fear is at work here in order to not confront Russia but this could be the beginning of the really bit one. Proving, the USA has got to become self-sufficient once again. Drill now!!!and Drill everywhere!!! Good work… you are probably in a career making opportunity!!!
Go back to your job at Wal*Mart if you don’t like it.
woe is you! are you telling me that you have to sleep for 4 1/2 hours . . . in a HOTEL? that you have to load some COMPUTER equipment in a truck? that you carry body armor . . . when you’re not even being shot at? what ever will you do?
you, sir, are assured of seeing your home soil again. in fact, you will be coming home soon. i bet that you get as much food as you want, and a nice fat per diem. what’s the weather like . . . very sandy? how are the natives . . . hostile to you? you’re in the pristine, untouched, Western georgian capital city of Tbilisi. hope you have fun on your vacation. now enough with your melodrama.
I’d make sure that you put in for overtime and that Fox pays you! I’d think that Fox maybe breaking some employment laws.
You know Mal, having followed your work for many years and knowing that you have filmed Military vehicles being blown up right in front of you and you have seen plenty of sand and that you have gone with nothing but crap to eat and laid in sleeping bags beside the Marines and filmed rockets landing next to you and that you have provided us with great film and photos for all those years….I have nothing but contempt for these people like Mark Tanner and Charles. They are speaking through their asses. Ignorance must be bliss for them. Not to mention you have had bullets shot past your head this trip. I know, you don’t need defending because you are a bigger man than to pay any attention to those speaking without any knowledge of the situation and you could no doubt whip their rears. I don’t say what I say so much for you but because fools now days have free rein to spout off and have a platform as if they are legitimate. Lies are never called much any more. The cowards hide behind Freedom of Speech. We know what you and others on your crew have sacrificed to do your job….and you do it well. And you are appreciated by those of us who want the truth out here. And if the truth were known these jerks don’t know anything about what is going on in the world either. If I needed someone to cover my back it sure a heck wouldn’t be these bozos….it would be a real man …such as you or your correspondent over there. Thanks Mal, Harrigan and crew. You have our respect.
I just couldn’t grasp the meaning of this column. I have to agree with Mark anner. Come home and get a job.
I just couldn’t grasp the meaning of this column. I have to agree with Mark Tanner. Come home and get a job.
legitimate stay at home employment…
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