I was returning from Texas a couple of weeks ago with my family.  Since our daugher is only four, we pack everyting imagineable to keep her entertained while we fly.  She even has her own bag… a very, very pink Hello Kitty bag. It has DVD’s, coloring books, crayons, magazines, stuffed animals, crackers, juice, and I’m sure a few other things I’ve forgotten. 

At any rate, it was beginning to get heavy so I told my wife that I would carry it.  So, I happily strapped it across my shoulder as we walked through the airport.  As we waited for our flight, I decided to go to the restroom.  No big deal.  I just told my family I’d be back in a couple of minutes.  But as I was preparing to walk out, I kept noticing how several guys were giving me this weird look.  I thought “What the heck is wrong with them?”  I shrugged my shoulders and tried to ignore them.. that is.. until I looked in the mirror.  And there I saw it.  That very, very pink Hello Kitty bag across my shoulder.  Three words came to mind.   Oh! My! Gosh! 

I probably would have given the same kind of look, too. 

Daddy with pink Hello Kitty bag and daughter?  Cute.

Daddy with pink Hello Kitty bag WITHOUT daughter?  Let’s just say it was probably a topic of conversation at many dinner tables and bars.  

Quite honestly, I’ve carried that bag so often I never think twice about it.  I guess a daddy does just about anything for his daughter. .. even if it does raise more than a few eyebrows.

  I was covering the Black Expo two weeks ago.  It was exciting, fun and educational.  I had so much material to put in my story but I was still looking for that “exclamation point” to make it memorable.  Then my photographer, Joe Lynch, comes over to me and says “Hey, remember Thelma from Good Times?”  I said “You bet I do!!!”  And he replied “Well she’s right over there.”  “Aw shucks” I thought.  “Thelma, Thelma, Thelma.”  (That’s actually from an episode)  Anyway, I uh, quickly (but calmly, of course) made my way over to meet her.  She was signing autographs from her new book.. looking as good as ever!!!  I told her we had met before, when I worked in Mississippi years ago (she says she remembers.  I CHOOSE to believe her!)  And then she autographed one of her new books, For Men Only, just for me.  Hah!!!  I tried to stay cool.  Honest!  But I just about lost my composure.   I mean.  This is THELMA. All my my buddies and I had a huge crush on her when the show was on in the 70’s.  It was like a flashback,  and I was getting personal attention from the star of the show.

But what was also really nice was that I was able to call my brother and let him talk to the one and only Ralph Carter.  He played Thelma’s little brother, Michael, on the show.  It was refreshing to know how approachable and down-to earth they were.  It seemed they were as happy to meet their fans as the fans were to meet them.  And, they were the perfect explanation point for my story - a true surprise for anyone who loved Good Times. 

Their older brother, J.J. used to say DYNOMITE!!!  This night truly was.

  I had to go back to Maryland a couple of weeks ago to settle some issues regarding my mother’s estate.  It was not necessarily a trip I was looking forward too but my mood quickly changed when I bumped into my favorite coach.  That’s right, Tony dungy!!! He was also traveling to Maryland so we flew on the same plane. 

  He was so unassuming, humble and friendly.  I meet a lot of people as a tv journalist, but I have to admit I was a little starstruck.  We talked about our respective trips, family and, of course, the Colts. All I’ll say is he’s feeling good about this year’s team. 

  After we spoke and posed for a picture (Look at my daughter.  It looks like she’s a fan too) I began to think about why he is so successful and is able to connect with his players.  He has a gentle but commanding way about him.  It’s not that you think he’ll yell. If I were on his team, the last thing I would want to do is disappoint coach Dungy.  That would be far worse than any shouting match.

  We have a great team in Indianapolis.  But I have to say it’s the coach who is truly first class!

I debated whether I should share this story.  But so many people think it’s so hilarious, I decided to let everyone else know about the night I will never forget.

It was Tuesday night, June 17, and the Boston Celtics had just defeated the LA Lakers for the NBA championship.  Because the game was televised on RTV 6,  our 11pm newscast actually went on well after midnight.  By the time I left the station, I was tired and eager to get home.

Now since I call myself “Openwheel Wallace” you can assume I like speed.  And on this night, when my bed was calling my name, I, uh, perhaps, maybe, was going just a little too fast.   I saw a police car, in the dark, under an overpass on 465.  I slowed down just a bit but figured there was no way I would get pulled over.  I wasn’t going THAT fast.  WRONG!!!!  I was almost in the far right lane and had managed to slow down to a cool 75 mph but it was too late.  That officer caught up to me in less than 10 seconds and  pulled me over.

He asked where I was coming from and I told him I had just left work.  He said “Work?”  I said “I know it’s late, but I work at RTV 6 and we went on late because of the game.”  He says “Oh yeah.  I just finished watching you.  And great game!”  Yeah right.  I’m happy he enjoyed it.  I must say that he was very friendly and what made him even nicer is that he only gave me a warning.  Whew.

So I continue on my way but because I was pulled over I missed my exit.   I went to another exit, turned around, and drove so slow you could run next to me.  I even thought “I’d better get in the far right lane, the slow lane, just to be extra safe.”  So I did.  Suddenly, out of nowhere, a car comes roaring up behind me, again.  By the time the lights started to flash I said to myself “You’ve got to be kidding?!?!?!  Not again.”  I pull over and wait for another officer.  I rolled down the window and I heard him laughing.   He approaches the window and asks “Did you just get pulled over? Ha Ha Ha.”  “Ah, yes officer, I did.  How did you know?”  He said because the trooper that had pulled me over a few minutes before had gotten on his radio to let his colleagues know he had just stopped Todd Wallace from RTV 6.”  This second officer told me he laughed because he recognized me as he approached.  The first officer had not shared what kind of vehicle I drive.

The second officer said he pulled me over because I didn’t put on my signal light when I went into the right lane.  Picky picky. He also told me that at that hour, they’ll pull just about anyone over because they’re looking for drunk drivers.  We had a laugh and he sent me on my way.

What a night.  Listen, I support our police officers and I’m happy they work to keep our roads and neighborhoods safe.  I just wish they’d “spread the love.”  I had enough for one night! 

Trisha and I met plenty of celebrities on the Red Carpet, including Dancing with the Stars champions Kristi Yamaguchi and Julianne Hough, contestants Sabrina Bryan of the Cheetah girls and Academy Award winning actress Marlee Matlin, Slash from Guns and Roses, and Hall of Fame football player Marcus Allen.  

It was all very thrilling.   But nothing compared to the national anthem, sung beautifully by Julianne Hough, the fly over by F-22 Raptor Jets and that famous announcement “Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines.”  Seconds later, the cars were zipping around the track faster than I have ever seen anything move without taking off.

I even had a couple of “commentators” tell me what to watch for during the race. Edward and Nancy Fisher are pictured above and this was the 50^th year they’ve come to see The Indy 500.  This is how serous they are about their racing.  They both live in Florida, and Edward was released from the hospital at 3:00 Saturday morning.  One hour later, they were on the road to come to Indy.  Now that’s what I call commitment!

Trisha and I also loved the fans.  There is nothing like seeing over 300 thousand people passionate about the same thing.

Scott Dixon may have won the race.  But Trisha and I feel like we’re the real winners!!! We can’t wait ’till next year.