RETAIL BREAKDOWN

It's no surprise the economy is a mess and retail outlets are suffering. I, personally, spent more this holiday season than any other I do believe. I didn't exactly keep track but I spent more on my nieces and nephew this year because they're getting older and the stuff they're into costs more. My husband and I also make more than we did last year at this time, so it seemed to make sense. But the same is not true for most people. I did notice a lot of people walking the mall, but not many people were checking out. Lines were not long, things were not crazy. I have to say Christmas shopping was not stressful and I actually enjoyed it. The future of this country, though, scares me. The fear for most people is the worst part because everyone will pull in the reigns just in case they end up on the chopping block or get laid off. It's the smart thing to do but it won't help the economy any. We've backed ourselves into quite a corner, or "they" have or whomever. Regardless, I have a feeling we are all about to see some things that will make us very uncomfortable. We'll no longer be on top, seem so untouchable, or live beyond our means. A large reality check is in store for us all. Working in news, I obviously have fears of my own. My news company has seen layoffs and there is a sort of cloud looming over us wondering if there will be more and if it will affect the news department. This is a bad time for news right now. Not only are we struggling with the internet, and people changing the way they get news, but newspapers are struggling. Most stations own newspapers, so cuts must be made across the board to make up for those losses. Right now, my husband and I are thankful to have a job, any place, anywhere. Here's to hoping for all of you as well!

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

I tried to see some holiday lights in South Carolina during our first Christmas away from Illinois. I must say everything you see here is small potatoes compared to the Festival of Lights in East Peoria. You really can't get much better than what they do. The lights we went to see were made to be a pretty big deal, but it was a lot of blow up decorations and I really felt like I was driving through Creve Coeur. Most of the decorations could have come from a local store... And although there were a ton of lights, it was nothing special, a lot of trees lit up, etc. It made me really miss home. Be thankful if you are in the Peoria area this holiday season! Although I can't complain about the 68-degree weather we had Christmas Day : )

HANDICAPPED PARKING

It's always been a pet peeve of mine when people park in handicapped spots and they're not handicapped. It seems to happen more around the holidays. Parking is a nightmare, so people think they are somehow better than everyone else and deserve to take these spots. Especially when crazy holiday shopping is happening, should these spots stay open for those who really need them. Then there are the people who have the little handicapped tag because they often transport a family member who can't walk far. Those people are not with them, but they use the spot anyway. They bother me too. Don't take advantage of your loved ones' disabilities. Is it so horrible to walk a little? I don't think so. I think I should become one of those citizens who is able to write tickets to people like that. I would go crazy & spend a lot of my time busting these people... LOOK OUT!

ELDERLY ATTACKED

Today we covered a story about a home invasion where a 19-year-old was accused of breaking into the home of an elderly couple. The 80-year-old man jumped up to defend his wife and was beaten for his wallet. It breaks my heart to see an elderly couple, still best friends of course, be treated this way. It seems more elderly people are being targeted for robberies lately because they are most vulnerable. It's a despicable truth that makes you sick to your stomach. I don't know how anyone, especially the teenagers who are usually doing things like this, can find it in themselves to hurt someone who would never be violent back. They often steal the wallet and then beat them.... When they could steal it and just run away. It's bizarre and sad and I feel like they should maybe be punished more harshly for attacking someone who is unlikely to defend themselves.

JAMAICA MON!

I just returned from Jamaica with the most wonderful husband on this planet. It was a wild experience on so many levels. First, the excitement of going on a honeymoon... Then the warm beach, the ocean view, the hammocks, and an all-inclusive resort. It was so strange to walk in to nice restaurants, order from a menu, be waited on hand and foot, and then not pay. We all know we really did pay of course because the trip wasn't cheap. But still...
I was a big fan of the big green flag they give you to stick in the sand when you need something. We stayed at Couples Swept Away... A 10-acre property with just about everything you can imagine. We didn't feel the need to take any day trips because everything was right there... Parasailing, snorkeling, a cruise, glass bottom boat tour, sailing, etc. I was perfectly happy laying on a raft in the ocean, although I was a fan of the hobie cats... Little mini sails for two only. They were a little tricky to get the hang of but pretty fun. When we wandered off the property even just a foot, people of course were offering us all sorts of illegal activities. But at least they don't hound you when you say no. They kept telling us they would show us "the real sunshine." Whatever that means... Lol.
Can't wait to go back!

MARRIAGE IN THE 21ST CENTURY

I was recently married and throughout the planning process came across the road blocks, and speed bumps many brides do. The real struggle is whether or not you will turn those bumps into bridezilla moments. Most of them are small, and if you are a sensible bride you recognize them as such and move on. A few of them make you angry and you decide they are important enough to make a fuss about. But throughout the blood, sweat and tears, I was lucky enough to remember how special the day is for my groom and myself. Every second of it is about the bride and groom... So straying from tradition was not so scary for us. First, was the battle with the church. The Vatican is pushing for more strict rules in the Catholic Church and this includes outlawing the unity candle. Every ceremony I've ever been to has one so I didn't see what the fuss was about. We ended up having one, we just had to call it a "remembrance candle."
Then was the issue of taking pictures before the wedding. It was an evening ceremony so daylight pictures after the ceremony were not possible. Should we see each other before the wedding and break tradition? We decided to go for it because we didn't want to feel rushed getting to the reception. To make it special, the groom started off with a blindfold (someone's sock because we forgot the real one) and we took pictures of "the unveiling." We're so glad we did this, and for any brides who battle with the decision, it did not in any way take away from the moment when I walked down the aisle. As my mom told me, it's about the whole scene, the people, the church, the lighting, the music, and everyone standing for the entrance. The whole setting creates the feeling where you know you are about to marry your best friend. Seeing each other for some pictures before that can't touch that feeling with a ten foot pole.
We set the tone for our wedding from the very beginning. Our invitations were a little unique:
__ Will attend with bells on
__ Will attend, free of bells
__ Will attend, undecided on bells
__ Will not attend; have heard there will be people wearing bells
__ Will not attend, regardless of bell controversy
The end result -- our families and friends surprised us with bells they started ringing as my father and I walked down the aisle. What a great way to break the nerves! It seems everyone already knew what kind of event it would be.
The ceremony was incredible. Our priest was fun, sprinkling more water on the best man's face than the rings during the blessing, and pointing out to the congregation that he was thoroughly enjoying it. He ranked our kiss a six and said last week's couple was an 8 and dared us to beat them.... We did! People laughed and cried and the catholic mass really didn't seem as long as it was.
Our reception entrance was different as well. Our wedding party pretended to run slow motion in to chariots of fire... .Then the bass kicked in for the bride and groom, walking in to the hip hop song "swing" by Savage Garden. After our wedding video, which had surprises even for us (we taped some things ahead of time that neither one of us watched), we surprised our guests. After tears throughout from our last video/slideshow song.... My groom stated there was one more thing about me... He shouted baby got back and the music began! That was our first dance. Everything else was pretty traditional, the cake, the father/daughter, mother/son dances, the boquet and garter toss, etc. But what was so important was setting that tone. We had so many people tell us they had more fun at our wedding than any other. And I think it's because we broke the ice right from the beginning. I certainly don't want to take away from the importance of a marriage celebration, but your guests should know they are free to be themselves. I think showing them we were relaxed about the whole day encouraged them to kick back and really enjoy themselves.
My wedding was not like any wedding I have been to either, but I think it's close to where more brides and grooms are headed. We may have some very fun times ahead because marriage in the 21st century is a blast.

WHY?

Why do stores/manufacturers put sticky labels on the part of a product that will show? Why not put it on plastic wrapping or cardboard packaging or something you remove anyway? Of all the things we have invented in this world, you would think such a simple thing would be doable. I am tired of peeling away at those stickers to get them off my decoration/new plate/picture frame!

Responsible Journalism

Today, I was forced to run a story I thought had no business being in the newscast... and certainly not off the top of the show as a "news alert." It made me think about responsible journalism. I always tell myself... You do not have permission to waste a viewer's time. Those are words from the very wise Al Tompkins. Al says a million brilliant things a day but this one rings true to me. It's true, we... in media... do not have permission to waste someone's time. They turn on the news expecting to get relevant, important information. But I wonder how often this actually happens. I'm going to do an experiment. I'm going to watch a few news programs and count how many stories I felt were a waste of my time. I encourage you to do the same. If you do, write a post or email me and tell me how many there where and what they were. I'm worried too many people are obsessed with what is "new" even if it's not relevant, close in proximity, or important to any of our viewers. In fact, I don't think anyone would have known where the story was taking place or what it meant, but someone "Just now" said it, so we get to add bells and whistles and call it an alert. Too much show... not enough relevance = waste of time. Call me old school but I think people would rather hear about something that had happened locally that is important to them... even if it a whole hour ago.

Catholics & Their Rules

I think Catholic churches may have a rule to make it hard for people to get married in them. Marriage is a sacrament, of course, so there is a certain standard of sacred the ceremony itself should be held to. But since when does the Vatican decide you can't have a unity candle... and the soloist must be trained as a cantor by the Catholic Church?? All things I've recently learned in my quest to get married.... seems to me the Vatican should have more important things to worry about than whether or not I'm allowed to have a unity candle at the ceremony. Being the journalist that I am or was (that's really a loaded question)... but anyway.. I started researching the unity candle and just what is the problem with it. Most of what I found assumes people look at candles in church as "pretty lights" that are there for the look of the church... when in fact each candle in church symbolizes Christ. I say to those people, "Thank you for assuming our ignorance." I have never looked at a candle in church as if it were a "pretty light." And I certainly don't think that's what a unity candle is... and just because you blow out a candle, it does not mean you are signifying death. I think this is a perfect example of people reading too far into things and that's something that can drive people away from the church. There are people who have dedicated blogs to this topic... and people's "pretty lights." Below is one I found infuriating. Here is the link , but part of it is pasted below:

"You may see a few more candles about that have not been mentioned in this series. Some are simply not prescribed (but not necessarily banned) by the Church and there may actually be a few more that I have missed. (If you think of any, please let me know save for vigil candles which will round out this series next week.) But you will have marked that in each case they candles represent Christ. That is our symbolic language and unlike some of our symbolic language, these symbols are coded. This is why so many priests frown upon the unity candle. These candles do not represent Christ or His consuming of Himself on our behalf, but pretty lights that represent two people. The snuffing out as part of the ceremony comes terribly close to signifying death or the loss of Christ – or at least the loss of the idea of “a flame divided but undimmed.” It certainly is dimmed. Two people have just been obliterated. Then when the final candle is lit, it too does not represent Christ as does every single other candle in the sanctuary. It represents the new couple but to what end?It is possible to make up all kinds of symbolism for this ceremony and decent symbolism at that, but it will always be in competition with what is happening liturgically. Of course, even after coming to an understanding of all of this there will be people who still want to add this to their wedding though occasionally some will move it to the reception where it is most fitting. In the end the Catholic Church will not be destroyed by the Unity Candle but we should have a very clear understanding of what it is we are doing when we do use it in order to avoid falling into the error that all of the candles used in Church are just pretty lights to do with as we wish."

The Never-Ending Beat

You know what's annoying... when radio stations take a popular song that's either slow or medium speed, and decide to put the same techno-style beat behind it. They do it to everything these days, and it's kind of a slap in the face to the original version. I get so excited to hear the song coming on, and then i hear it "club-style." Does it work for some songs?... sure. But let's keep it under control. I'm tired of hearing every song there is put to the same exact beat and then played for the 20-in-a-row party theme on friday nights.
I'm just sayin...

A New Career?

It's been way too long. I'd love to say I moved away, got swept up in all the happiness and excitement of a new life in a new state.. But that's not the case.
Moving is traumatizing if you don't enjoy where you are. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of great things. But what happens when you hit a wall... The inevitable decision wall, where you're not sure if you want to continue down your current career-path, despite all the satisfaction you've gotten from it. If you're still young enough to choose something entirely different without affecting a family and changing all their lives... Do you do it? And how do you find those answers. Just a few things on my mind lately... And now that things have calmed down I hope to return back to my blog on a regular basis.

VERY BRAVE GIRL

If you have a moment, take a look at a very powerful message written by a young lady who's family was recently in the media. Here's the background: a stepfather was charged with animal cruelty. Police say he came home drunk and mad that his kids didn't take care of the family's pets. That's when police tell the media he came outside and shot the family's dogs in front of his children. Because tv stations and newspapers have websites now where everyone can give their two cents... This young lady saw a glimpse inside the souls of some of her neighbors.
Well, she fired back. And what she had to say made me think about a lot of things. We all have something to say about things like this, but none of us know every detail that surrounds a situation. However, even if we did... It's times like these that today's world of feedback causes a lot of pain for people. And how about the media... Should a story like this even run in the news? I'll keep my opinion to myself but I'd like to hear what others have to say.
What a very courageous girl for defending her father. I think she's mature beyond her years.
Read the article and her response.. here. You'll have to scroll down to the post from "one of them."

THE DISTURBING "CHOKING GAME"

As if parents didn't have enough to worry about...
Don't let the title fool you... This is no game. It is very serious and it's deadly. Kids around the world are choking themselves or their friends to get a high from passing out. The high actually comes when the blood rushes back to someone's head after they've been choked. Unfortunately, young naïve minds end up dead from this so-called "game."
We just ran a story where a mother found her 13-year-old daughter dead in her closet, and had accidentally hanged herself while trying to get high. Parents are often naïve in these situations as well. Experts tell parents to watch out for the slang terms that can mean their kids plan to do this...
Blackout
Passout
Space Monkey
Flatliner
California High
Airplaining
Tingling
Parents should also look for warning signs their kids are doing this. They include: bloodshot eyes, burn marks around the neck, severe headaches, and bungee cords, ropes or neckties found in odd places.

CHANGES IN THE SOUTH

As many of you know, I recently moved to South Carolina. Here are a few differences I've noticed since arriving.

-- You have to pay different prices depending on *how* you pay for gasoline. On the signs, they say X price for cash, X for debit, X for credit card. They are passing the fee to run a card on to the customer... Per gallon! However, South Carolina has a much lower gas tax than most states, so even if you pay with your card every time, you're probably still getting cheaper gas.
-- You can't buy beer on Sundays... I expected that in the bible belt.
-- There are no speed limits on the highways... it is a free for all on most interstates and you better fly or you will make people very angry.
-- The state used to have no rules on who could put property where, and there are a lot of newly developed neighborhoods. So you may travel into a neighborhood with a $300,000 home, and a trailer on the next lot... Continuing that way throughout the whole neighborhood. That has made our home search very interesting. They now have a rule in place, however.

Here is where news is headed... CNN already uses giant touch screens for their newscasts, but this demonstration is incredible to watch. Just imagine the urgency of this program... You have instant access of a view of anywhere! That probably sounds scary to most people, but being in news it excites me. During a natural disaster, your local news could show you exactly what homes were damaged and what ones are safe, where to go for shelter or to look for a loved one...
But let me put myself into the average person's shoes for a moment... What happens when these programs get into the wrong hands? Would it help someone plan an attack? Keep in mind this program is pre-mapped, it's not live picture so you can't spy on anyone's home, but you sure could navigate streets, avoid roadblocks etc if you wanted to plan something serious.... Watch this and let me know what you think. I have a feeling it could be very controversial... Even if news geeks are excited about the resource. Please click on the link above, the video is 3 minutes or so, but you'll get the picture before then. It's worth your time.

Entertainment News

When is entertainment news? I had a conversation with my fiance the other day (still getting used to that word by the way!)... About all the britney stories we see these days and whether or not we feel weird running britney stories in a newscast. I think it depends... There is certainly a line between news and entertainment and you have to stay on the right side of it. When Anna Nicole died, Heath Ledger was found dead... Definitely news. It's unexpected, people will be talking about it for sure, and if you don't have something, most of your viewers will flip until they find someone who does. Do people go overboard? Yes. I don't think there needs to be a britney update every day in local newscasts, that's what E and the Insider are for. But when something breaks, like having her committed into a facility, sure, I think it warrants a mention. This also brings up an age-old debate for me because there's a thin line between producers and newsrooms choosing what's news, and simply following what ratings and viewers respond to as news. Like it or not, people love some Britney from time to time.

WELCOME TO THE DIRTY SOUTH!

I apologize it's been so long since I've posted. I promise I am saving up many tales to share, but this move has been long, hard, and hectic! I am now in the great state of South Carolina and have completed my first two days at my new job. News is so interesting in different parts of the country. What is crazy is... the underlying importance is still the same. Your viewers are always hard-working people who want to be heard and feel like someone is on their side. It's incredible the comfort a news organization can give to someone... you really do have the power to change people's lives. It sounds so cliche and over-dramatic, but I swear it's true. I will talk to you all soon! My internet doesn't get hooked up until this Saturday, so things will pick up then!

THE POLAR POP STORY

Iceman made reference to "the polar pop story" in his comment on the BIG MOVE. It's one of my many tales that happens to be his favorite, so I thought I would share it with all of you. I love me some polar pops.... you know, the big gas station fountain sodas... "stays cooler longer." At work we would often go on polar pop runs to the gas station to buy a round for the newsroom. I was on one of those runs when I had an interesting experience. Those of you who know me well know I do not appreciate rude people, and often have a way of putting them in their place publicly before I leave the scene of the crime. Here's what happened: I pulled into the gas station parking lot and there are more people there than I've ever seen. There's nowhere to park, every pump is full and I'm pulling through the lot and see one spot.... when the guy behind me whips around from the left and takes it! I had to slam on my breaks to avoid hitting him. So I'm cussing him in my car and then I thought oh whatever, I'll wait for a spot, maybe park next door, whatever. When I finally go inside, I recognize the man who cut me off and he is stocking gum and candy at the gas station, so in one way or another, he worked there! Now if he was some everyday Joe in a hurry, having a bad day, I wouldn't have said anything. But he was an employee who cut off a customer and was sitting on a stool eating a beef stick when I walked in. I was furious... so I asked him did you not see my car in front of you or are you just that much of an ***hole? He said excuse me? So I repeated the question... did you not see my car in front of you or are you just that much of an ***hole? He said I don't know how to answer that. (At this point everyone in the gas station had stopped what they were doing and watched us.) I said... let me make it easier for you... did you see my vehicle in front of yours driving into the gas station? He said yes, I said okay then, I guess you're just a huge ***hole. Then I proceeded to the polar pop counter, filled up the 3 beverages I needed, walked up to the counter to pay... then I thought twice, smiled kindly at the clerk and I said these are on him! Have a great weekend : ) I winked at him on the way out.

I also once bought a rose for a McDonald's drive-thru woman who literally threw ketchup packets through the window of my car. One hit me in the face. I promise you I did nothing to provoke it but she had a manager who was screaming at her in the most demeaning way and she was in tears. I think she took some of her frustration out on me. I figured I could scream or get her fired and make her day worse.... or buy her a rose and give it to her in front of her manager saying how hard it must be to work with a jerk like that. She feels better, he feels guilty, and I feel nice that I just made someone's day better. Everyone wins! I strongly suggest the "rose"tactic as well.

THE BIG MOVE

Well I wrote in my profile I wouldn't be around here forever because of my career. In the news business, if you want to do it long-term, I think it's very important to get experience in a big market, whether you want to stay in a big market or not. Having said that, I am continuing my news producing career in Greenville/Spartanburg, South Carolina. It's a huge market... Covers 30 counties in both North & South Carolina. It's market 36 (for those of you who don't know about news markets...every city is numbered....New York 1, LA 2, Chicago, 3, etc. Peoria is 117, so this station is a big jump!) My boyfriend, who is also a producer, is making the move as well. We are excited, scared, anxious, nervous... And everything else you can think of. I consider myself very lucky to have started out in Peoria. Not only is this market wonderful to work in, but I work for a station with respectable integrity, morales, and the ability to judge what is newsworthy and what is not... Despite what the other stations do. I couldn't have found a better place to lay a foundation for this business. But now is the time to move, before I have kids and solid attachments here, I need to spread my wings and get that experience and then decide what I want to do with it. Maybe I'll end up back home as a news director someday, who knows? But don't worry, no matter what some people say:

YOU *CAN* HAVE ROOTS AND WINGS.

And Now Is My Time To Fly....!

- Thank you Scott Janz for your post about me leaving HOI. You have been a great friend and business colleague. Scott has helped with a lot of my interactive brainstorming at HOI and I learned a lot from him. Please take some time to read what he wrote on www.scottjanz.com.

- Thanks also to several other local bloggers who were involved with Connected and helped me get a handle on the segment. You guys and gals are all great!

THE DREADED SMOKING BAN

So... January 1st is here... and the state of Illinois is officially smoke-free in public places. There is so much hype about this. I have never heard so many cranky people screaming in a bar before in my life. And just let me say this...there ARE two sides to the story. Although we all lay on one side...let's open our minds and think about it. Smokers say it's our right to smoke, it goes hand and hand with drinking...we're not forcing other people to smoke, it's our freedom and the state has no right to take that away. Non-smokers say it's our right to breathe clean air in a bar. Sure we choose to be in the bar, but we don't choose to breathe in second-hand smoke, which the surgeon general has declared very hazardous to our health. More people are dying every day of second-hand smoke. Well both sides have a point and they're sticking to it. What makes me mad is this: I am hearing a lot of complaining about the loss of freedom from a smoker's point of view. It may be true, but the argument tends to lead toward a more intense ending to which people proclaim things like: "we may as well live in another country because we have no rights here." "We'd be better off being a member of al qaida, where we actually have a say in what's going on." Yes....I heard that directly from someone's mouth last night, and several mouths in one way or another. Well let me tell you something, you may not be able to smoke while you're wasted in a bar running your mouth, complaining as you put your coat on to go outside and smoke in this God-forsaken controlling country, but:
-- If you were living in China, you wouldn't be complaining about lack of freedom. You wouldn't speak your mind at all, because you could be incarcerated or assassinated.
-- Go ahead, and join Al Qaida if you think you have more freedom, a lack of health care in the countries the group operates in would probably kill you before smoking ever could.
-- If America is so bad, why do people risk their lives to get here?
-- Only in the U.S. can someone burn a flag, and it's considered a right of free speech.
-- And by the way... the other "free" countries also have smoking bans. America is the latest rider on that train.
So bitch on smokers, bitch on...but don't play the freedom card...please.