Address Change

My new blogs up. Check it out by clicking here.

New Blog Coming..(kind of, sort of)

So we're in the middle of sweeps (when it's determined how many folks watch us; AKA ratings) and I'm hella busy. Plus, I've now moved in with some roommates. Yeah, I know I promised updates. Then moving to Alaska happened, and I got sort of kind of very, very busy. But now things are sort of, kind of calming down (sort of, kind of). As my good friend Robin reminded me I need to update this blog. I could not agree more. Just allow me a little time. But the cool news is I'm in the process of redesigning and posting a brand new blog page- complete with all sorts of pictures, including those I promised along time ago from my drive up here. So stay tuned. The new blog's coming. PS- My blog situation kind of, sort of reminds me of Birmingham's WIAT-TV way back in the 90's when they changed call letters. They fired everyone and put a big clock up on TV for a whole month counting down to their new "it's about time" newscast. Now ratings are better then ever. Hummmmm?

Yes I made it....

Yes - I am in Alaska. Loving working for KTVA-TV. And loving Alaska. Updates will come (I promise).

Financing Nightmare

Before I leave for B'ham I have to talk about my car. I love my 2004 Gray Acura TSX. I want to keep this car until it dies. For a while it looked like I would have to give up on this dream. My car was the only real material thing I was set on taking with me to Anchorage. So on Tuesday, I called my now former car financing company, American Honda Finance, just to let 'em know I was moving to Alaska. Well after a few moments of talking to folks Kelly informed me Honda Finance was not going to let me take my car to Alaska unless I got it refinance. So after first trying to involve an Alaska bank in this process, and that bank moving way too slow, I moved over to my good friends at Bank of America. By the end of Wednesday it all looked good. Then the bomb shell. I was told they were running into the same problem Honda Finance was- there's some Alaska law that does not allow you to bring a finaced car in from the lower 48. So an Alaskan bank would have to refinance me. This was turning into a financing nightmare; but it came to an end on Thursday. My Bank of America Wichita Loan Officer Denise Shuck pushed for me. And the whole "law" thing turned out to be BS. So I had an awesome voice mail waiting for me at work telling me I had been OKed to be refinanced. I thought the hard part was over with. Well when I went to sign my documents Friday there was some technical problem that would not allow her to print. 20 mins of waiting turned into one hour. That turned into two hours. Finally at about 6:00 Friday my car had been refinanced!!!! The pay off of all of this is I do not have to make a payment this month and my monthly payments went down. But I have to tell you I came home, crashed and took a two hour nap. So, yes I am now for sure keeping the car I love until it dies; (hopefully not for a very long time!)

Headed Home

So it's about 2 o'clock, and I'm about to leave to say goodbye to all my Birmingham folks. I'm surprisingly packed on time for once in my life...and ready for some sweet tea and grits. I'm basically on a three week vacation, and this whole change thing is starting to feel real. I started packing up my place, having sold pretty much every material thing I own to my now former coworkers, and discovered I still have so much junk. I guess that's because the move to Wichita from Montgomery was so incredibly fast I just had to shove stuff in boxes and leave. So I spent Friday shredding lots and lots and lots of old papers and receipts. I discovered that I'm a closet pack rat, but not for this move. I actually have time. So lots of stuff will be going to charities, and I should be well organized for the Alaska move. I discovered another thing about myself, I seem to keep every greeting card I have ever received in my life. I think I might organize those into a scrap book once I get up to Anchorage. By the way, I'm now driving up there vs. flying, all 64 glorious hours. But my logic is I'm going to take 2 weeks to do it, see parts of the country I will never see again in my life, and just really experience this move first hand. Plus I just got a great new digital camera, satellite radio, and I'll get to see several friends along the way, and stay in some pretty cool hotels I suspect. But first back to Birmingham. YAY, SWEET HOME ALABAMA HERE I COME!

Alaska Pt. 1

Dear blog,
I know I have not written for a while, but I have some awesome news, I'm moving to Alaska. Now I know what you're saying...ALASKA! Let me stop you there, Alaska is absolutely right for me. It all started a couple weeks ago...well I should say all this started in July when I was job hunting. Remember the ad I had talked about in my job hunting blog...the KTVA-TV one...well I'm headed there. In case you forgot this ad here it is:
"Why did you get in to television news? To tell compelling stories, to make a difference in your community, to report on the issues that really matter? Can you honestly say you are able to do those things in your current job? Is life really better in a bigger market? If you’ve reached that point in your career where you’re ready to find balance in your life, why not think about moving to a smaller market? I did it about a year ago and can honestly say life is better. I have some unique opportunities for the right people. I’m looking for reporters, photographers, producers and newsroom managers to help beef up my current newsroom. We don’t use consultants and we aren’t metered so instead of focusing on gimmicks, we can focus on our jobs. We tell compelling stories that do make a difference to our viewers. But wait, I haven’t mentioned the best part. We do our jobs in the most beautiful place on earth, ALASKA. If you love the outdoors, fresh air and friendly people, this just might be the place for you. If you think Alaska is all about cold weather, tons of snow and 24 hours of darkness, you need to think again. Check out Alaska.com to get the real story on the last frontier. If this ad seems like it was written just for you - pick up the phone and give me a call. I’d love to talk to you."
A week ago Monday, September 19 I accepted a job there - and [gulp] I start October 24. The job offer was one I simply could not turn down. I will be the senior nightside reporter for the station, fill in anchor, as well as covering the cop/fire beat for them. It's a Monday-Friday gig, so finally after six years of working weekends, I'm done. The first hour every day is mine to make phone calls, get story ideas and get settled in. I will only do one story a day here. And they are going to pay me well. All the coworkers I met are people I will really like working with. So when you say, Alaska, what the hell are you thinking- it's because this place and job are truly right for me. And over the next several days I will tell you about my Alaskan journey. But for now know I'm back.

In Memoriam

In Memoriam: New York City, 9/11/01 premiered on HBO May 26, 2002. I had not actually seen it until this morning, 9/11/05, while I was getting ready for work. It stopped me in my tracks. There is just something about letting people tell their own stories. I'll paraphrase, and borrow part of Deroy Murdock's National Review article. The documentary relies on Rudy Giuliani and his staff telling that tragic day's story with the aid of audio, video, and still images from 16 news agencies and 118 regular New Yorkers. "The result is an intense, gripping, and emotionally draining reprise of the colossal tragedy. Its scope, detail, and power qualify it as an historical document worthy of repeated screenings for generations to come." I could not agree more.

Mystic River

Saturday, when I was working out, I wanted something decent to watch. Since I couldn't find anything decent on TV I looked through my movies. Way back when I bought "Mystic River" as one of those "12.99 On Sale" Blockbuster specials. I had never watched this Clint Eastwood movie before, staring Sean Penn, Tim Robbins and Kevin Bacon. It's about these three childhood friends that drift apart, only to be reunited as adults, after Sean Penn's character's daughter is murdered. Kevin Bacon's cop character must investigate Tim Robbins for the murder. If you ever need a really good movie, check this one out. Twist and turns all the time, with an unpredictable ending.

PS- Football weekend II: Mizzou loses to New Mexico 35-45, Alabama beats S. Miss 30-21, AUBURN AND KU WON BLAHHHHHHH!!!!

Vacation Time, Part II

Remember how my fortune said I was "going to take a vacation?" Well today I got my wish... two full weeks! Don't exactly know what it will involve yet, but I made my homecoming hotel reservation tonight. That took me AN HOUR AND A HALF. I didn't realize how popular homecoming was, until there were basically two Columbia hotels left. One was where hour hookers went to do the deed back when I was in school. (For those of you who know CoMO, think the shady place next to Country Kitchen.) Nope, don't want to stay there ;). So I'll be staying at the Days Inn. My vacation will also include a long overdue trip home to Sweet Home Alabama! For some Milos Sweet Tea. And Grits :). And I'm also LONG overdue to personally check in on Mom and Marissa, who will be 21 by the time I visit, (YIKES!) Now it's time to look for plane fares. (DOUBLE YIKES!)