Padd Solutions

Wow. It's here. My last day in Corpus.

What a weird torrent of emotions. I'm so sad to leave everyone and what I have here... yet I'm extremely excited to see my friends and family!

You know, looking back over these last couple months, I have grown so much in so many ways. I realized a few things as well. Here's my top 10 list:

#10: I can live on my own and make it work, even though it's not always easy
#9: Taking a moment to enjoy where you're at, to really look around and take it all in, can make a world of difference in your outlook on things
#8: If you let yourself be open to things, it's amazing what you can learn
#7: Criticism, even if it's harsh, makes you better at what you do
#6: Even seemingly untrainable dogs can be trained (this is regarding Sugar, Susan's puppy who I am going to miss dearly!)
#5: Even an oddly matched pair of people can become really great friends (this one's for Natalia, my intern buddy who I will also miss SO much!... Donna and Eric! hahah)
#4: A simple act of kindness or thoughtfulness can mean more than you ever imagined possible (Susan, my roommate, is the one I will miss the very very most)
#3: Growing thick skin takes living through a few frustrations, some stress, and maybe even a couple tears
#2: In a world full of terrible terrible things, just breathe. Find the positive stories that bring a smile to your face and hold them dear to your heart... they will get you by.
#1: No matter where you are, God has a plan. He always, always has a plan.

Goodbye to everyone here who I hold so dear to my heart. I will miss you all so much and I promise to come back and visit.

My next post will be from home! Amarillo by morning...

The geek from within.

I made the Scholastic Honor Roll list for Sping '09. Woot! hahah 12 hours or more with at least a 3.6 GPA. Yay! http://www.actx.edu/collegerelations/index.php?module=article&id=276

That won't be happening this semester though, because I'm only taking 6 hours. Don't let my small school schedule fool you. I'll be ridiculously busy starting Monday.

I'm the Arbor Academy Freshmen and JV coach this year (yay!) and our two-a-days start Monday morning. From then until the end of October/beginning of November will be nothing but volleyball volleyball and more volleyball... WOOHOO! I'm so excited! I've missed it so much!

I'll also, of course, be in the newsroom working for the Ranger. So anyone reading this - READ OUR PAPER. =]

So here's something crazy. Just when you thought all fruits are good for you... BAM! Check this out: http://www.caller.com/news/2009/jul/29/know-fruits-before-you-eat-them/ It's not that fruits are bad for you it's just, well, read the story. haha

I can't believe tomorrow is my last day at work! It has gone by so fast! I know I've said that a million times but seriously, I still can't believe it. I'm super SUper SUPer SUPEr SUPER excited to see my friends and family!
Alright well that's all my interesting mumbojumbo for today. :)

This probably hasn't escaped many people's eyes and ears, but in case it has, click here to read the story I am going to talk about (please note that the story is highly disturbing, which is an understatement but the best warning I can give): http://www.caller.com/news/2009/jul/27/police-woman-accused-killing-newborn-ate-brain/

I don't understand. I just don't. How can something like that happen? How can a mother do something like that to her child? It's beyond sick. It's beyond words. It's beyond comprehension really.

As I stood there watching this on the news I instantly thought I was going to vomit. My gag-reflex didn't take more than a second to respond once the news seeped its way into my brain. I hate to even spread this story around, as it is so vile and repulsive and disturbing and twisted... but talking about it out loud, well, it hasn't even been discussed in the newsroom if that tells you anything. There's just no way to say, "Hey, you hear about that lady who killed her baby and ate his body parts?"

See, it makes you cringe just reading the words. Maybe even makes you puke a little in your mouth. So saying it aloud... well, let's just say I'm beyond glad this was in San Antonio and not in Corpus Christi. There would be no way I could make it through interviews and writing that story without getting so upset I couldn't function.

It's one of those situations where you like, can't cry. It's a horrible sad awful terrible ridiculously gut-wrenching situation but you just, can't cry. It's almost as if my emotions go on lock down. I think if I really mulled over the case, over the details of the entire gruesome story, I would fall to pieces. My tears would flow so hard and so fast... I don't know that I'd ever be able to put myself back together again. So I keep a safe distance to some extent, almost subconsciously. I keep the switch off. I only acknowledge the story to the extent my mind will allow me. I just can't stomach it. No one can.

Terribly sorry to write about this topic, truly, I am. I just had to get those feelings out.

If I write more I think I'm going to break down my "can't cry" wall and fall to pieces. So I'm going to drop it.

Please, with all your heart pray for everyone involved.

The only comforting fact I can think of is that little one is up in heaven with our Father... safe, protected, loved more than any of us can possibly even fathom...
and in the arms of angels...

Sorry, don't have pix ready yet. I will post 'em when I get them.

In the meantime, I'll tell y'all about the second part of my trip to the Cowboys stadium. Brad Fralick, KAMR-TV Sports Director, needed to put together the story packages and get them sent back to the station in time for the evening newscasts. The problem was finding a reliable internet connection.

The solution was about a quarter of a mile away from Cowboys Stadium: Rangers Ballpark. Why not, Brad said, take in the Rangers/Red Sox game while putting the stories together? After the game, we can do player interviews and make a story out of that also?

So, we got our media credentials at the gate (my first media credential--how cool is that!?!?) and headed up to the pressbox.

In a day of a lot of firsts, this is one I will really remember. I've never been in a pressbox before. I didn't really know what to expect. I kinda thought it would be full of cigarette smoke and loud, with the sportswriters chattering with each other.

Brad was the first to burst my bubble. He's an outgoing and friendly guy, but before we got there, he pulled me aside, got really serious, and explained the etiquette of a pressbox. The main message: no cheering or rooting for a team. First and foremost, the pressbox is a workplace, so no "homers" allowed.

When we got up to the pressbox, I saw how right Brad was--the place was as quiet as a tomb! There were broadcast and print journalists from all over the place, both from Dallas and Boston. Nearly everyone was hunched over a laptop, and a lot of them had earpieces to listen to the broadcast. Next door were the TV and radio broadcastt booths. What little conversation existed was in hushed tones, almost a whisper.

The press room itself was very wide, with three levels. The room itself was pretty sterile, almost like a corporate conference room. Each level had long tables like the one you might find in a university lecture room. You pick out a place with a chair, hook up your laptop, and start typing!

Behind the pressroom was a small cafeteria. The choice was grilled chicken, hamburgers, or a salad bar. I had the chicken--it was pretty dry. Sodas were free, but you pay for the food. Oh, one other assumption that was wrong--no smoking, and absolutely no alcohol! If you wanted beer, you have to go outside to the concessions and drink it there.

The pressbox sits above and to the right of home plate, so we had a really good view of the action. Basically, we were right on top of the players! This game, Rangers vs Red Sox, was very important--this was the third of a three game series, and the Rangers had won the first two. ESPN was there to broadcast the game nationally, and as an additional treat, my future wife, Erin Andrews, was there--she just doesn't know we're engaged yet haha! ;) Guys, take my word for it, she's even more gorgeous in person than she is on TV!

Meanwhile, Brad is putting together his stories on his laptop. The really neat thing is that once he was done, he can forward the packages on an in-house website directly to the station back home in time for the newscasts. KAMR uses Avid, which we AC Mass Comm students are familiar with! So, people back home didn't have to wait--we can show them the footage we shot that day. How cool is that?

After the game, Brad and I went down to the basement of the stadium where the Press Conference room is. The Rangers manager, Ron Washington, gave a statement and answered some questions. The neat thing about this was there was only one microphone in the room. Nowadays, a camera is attached to a wireless mic, with the receiver on the camera and the transmitter on the base of the mic. Instead of sticking a whole slew of mics in someone's face, the mic transmitter is plugged into this big box at the back of the room, which is then hooked up to the microphone at the front. So, whatever Washington said was transmitted directly to the receiver attached to Brad's camera. A heck of a lot more efficient than a room full of wired mics!

After the press conference, Brad and I went into the clubhouse for player interviews. Brad operated the camera while I held the mic up to the player. Again, another first--I'd never been in a major league clubhouse before! The process is haphazard--pick a player, walk up to him, shove a camera and mic in his face and ask questions! Sometimes there's a horde of journalists around one player, sometimes only one. Hip Hop music was blasting, and players were in various states of undress, relaxing after the game. Since the Rangers won, the players were in a good mood and willing to talk.

Finally, our day was over! Brad and I packed the camera into the KAMR vehicle and spent the night at his mom's house in McKinney. Next morning, about 8 o'clock (we decided to sleep in, Thank God!), we hit the road and got into town about 1:30. Rest for a few hours, then time to go to work. It was a very long day, but well worth it. I had to skip class Wednesday and Thursday to do this, but as Brad told me, I learned more on this trip than I ever would have sitting in a classroom. It was my first real introduction into sports journalism, and enjoyed every second of it!

The sea turtles this morning were ADORABLE! There were 115 total, if I remember correctly, that made their way, inch by slow inch, across the sand to the water. It was so cute! When we called the hotline to verify the release was still on it said no cameras allowed so I didn't take mine. Once we got there they said they were allowed but no flash! So that was a major bummer. But we did have a Caller-Times photographer there so check out the cute little guys here: http://www.caller.com/photos/galleries/2009/jul/24/sea-turtles-released/23165/

So my friend Natalia, also an intern at the Caller, sent me these hilarious links today! If you're a journalist or know a journalist, check them out... they're so true!
Interns: http://www.stuffjournalistslike.com/page/25/
Lunch Break? Hardly.: http://www.stuffjournalistslike.com/page/5/

Today I met a 20-year-old artist. He has Down Syndrome. His art is gorgeous! Very abstract, colorful and different... which I love. I think I'm going to try to buy one of his pieces. If I do, I will post a picture of the one I get on here! He was a top 12 finalist in a national art competition for upcoming artists with disabilities. His piece will be showed in the Smithsonian! Very cool. I'm writing a story about it, I'll post the link to it once it's finished.

Anyway, I am so ready for my government class to be OVER. Have I said that already? Probably, but it needs to be said again. I'm almost there! Except for the fact that I'm at that point in the class where I'm wholly UNmotivated to finish up. hahah I have 3 chapters, 1 discussion question, 4 practice quizzes and a final to go! Hallelujah!

Tomorrow I am going to a dinner with some people from the Caller. It's a "dinner with the interns" dinner. hahah Word got around that we're hungry I guess. ;) So that should be fun! I'm also going to the beach for the last time! So sad! Looking forward to a fun day tomorrow... then I work Sunday-Friday. Somewhere in there I need to do ALL my laundry and pack up ALL of my stuff... my car will be loaded down! Phew, it'll be a long week!

Got back today from my trip to Arlington to tour the new Cowboys stadium with Brad Fralick, Sports Director for KAMR-TV. The picture above gives some idea of how massive this stadium is, but you have no idea until you're actually inside! I'll have some pix for y'all in a day or so.

Basically, my job was to shoot Brad's stand-ups. In a TV news story, a "stand-up" is where the reporter appears on camera. Brad shot the vast majority of the footage, but he needed someone to shoot footage of him. Brad put together a few different packages--here's one that is on myhighplains.com...http://myhighplains.com/content/video/?cid=68371

This was my first time shooting footage for real with a camera off-the-shoulder. I think I did a good job for a beginner.

There were about fifty media types there for the tour. They were sports reporters from the region--Amarillo, Lubbock, Wichita Falls, Oklahoma City, Waco, etc. We got to see areas of the stadium never before seen. For example: the players' locker room. Very spacious! Ironically, the showers were high school gym type--I would have thought they'd have individual stalls with their own attendants haha! We got to see the luxury suites and clubs. The club on the field level, where the players will enter the field, is SUPER nice! The clubs on the main concourse level were disappointing--the first level looked like a luxury hotel lobby, and the second level looked like the concourse at an airport, where the bars looked like aiport gates!

We then got on the field itself. Here's where you fully appreciate the massiveness of this stadium! The retractable roof is overhead, also the 80 yard long scoreboard, suspended by cables. In fact, our tour guide says Cowboys stadium is the largest enclosed structure without any columns, and it's true.

An added bonus: I was shooting a stand-up for Brad on the field when one of the PR ladies tapped us on the shoulder and pointed to the owner's box. There was Jerry Jones followed by...ROGER STAUBACH!!! OMG!!! Seriously, I almost fainted! Never in a million years would I have thought I could see one of my childhood heroes up close and in person!

After this, we left so Brad could put together his stories. We decided to do this at Rangers Ballpark across the street. That was the second half of our day, watching the Rangers play the Red Sox! I'll blog about that tomorrow...

So tomorrow morning at 6:30 a.m. Susan and I are going to watch the sea turtle release! Those little guys are so adorable, I'm so excited!

Today my feature was in the paper! It's a total feel-good story. It's about this 80-year-old man who just found his family... pretty crazy stuff. Check it out: http://www.caller.com/news/2009/jul/22/reunited-across-years/

Honestly, that's probably my favorite story I've written so far!

Anyway, I'm really enjoying the stories I'm getting these days. Lots of features, which I love. I really like those feel-good and put-a-smile-on-your-face kind of stories.
...Much more than the stories about stabbings and shootings and people blowing up people.
I can't wait to bring all of my experience to the newsroom at AC! I'm so excited! I obviously still have alot to learn, as I've only been here 2 months, but still, I couldn't have asked for more hands-on experience. And such a wide variety of it at that!

Funny thing is, I used to think having only a week to write a story was a short deadline. Well, not anymore! That feature up there was done in 2 days. There have been some days where I've written multiple stories in one day.
So a week long deadline? Pssshhh. hahah

I think I'm going to go make myself some dinner and read my government homework. HALLELUJAH that class is almost over! 4 more chapters, 4 more practice quizzes, 1 more discussion question and a final in between now and Tuesday and I'm DONE. Yippeee!

(I'll try to take some pictures of the turtle release tomorrow and post them on here... I'm so excited!)

When I first went to work at KAMR-TV, one of the first things someone said to me was "if you're here long enough, you'll get to do a little of everything." For about the hundredth time, I found out today that's true!

Brad Fralick, Channel 4's Sports Director, decided on the spur of the moment to go to Arlington tomorrow to shoot some video of the new Cowboys stadium, which will air on Thursday evening's newscasts.

The problem was he needs a photographer to go with him to shoot his stand-ups. His friend was going to go, but that fell through. After the 10 o'clock newscast, he was in quite a bind and was talking to the news anchors, Andy Justus and Faith Miller, about what to do, when guess-who just happened to walk through the newsroom on the way out the door to go home?

Yup! You know the old saying "Johnny-on-the-spot?" I overhear Brad saying he wishes someone would go with him, and I jokingly said hey, what about me? Never in a million years did I expect him to say yes, but that's exactly what happened!

So, at 5:45am tomorrow morning (yeesh!), Brad and I are on the road to Arlington. We'll take a tour of the stadium, shoot some video, stay the night at his parents' house, then back home early Thursday. I'm bringing my camera, so I'll have some great pix to show!

This will be my second visit to Cowboys stadium. I got to go in April for the Texas Intercollegiate Press Associate convention. Several AC Journalism and Broadcast students went to Dallas, and I entered the TV Sportswriting contest. I got to tour the stadium, then write a story about it. I placed third, which I'm very happy about! This time, the stadium should be more complete, so hopefully I'll get to see more of it. I was astounded the first time, and I can't wait to see it again!

I'll blog again Thursday night or Friday morning. cya! :)

Today I feel it's time to give a little peek into who I am... here are 25 random things about Madelyn. :)
NOTE: These are in no particular order

1) I was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
2) I have 2 dogs, 2 cats, and 2 birds, but my baby is my cat, Marco
3) I'm Italian (those who know me know this by my temper...hah)
4) I have been dating my boyfriend, Chris, for 6 years and still find myself falling deeper in love with him everyday
5) I love Jesus
6) Try as I might to change, deep inside I'm terribly unorganized
7) I have to write things down so I don't forget them... birthdays, special dates, things I need to do... you name it, I'll forget it if it's not on paper
8) I'm not so great at paying attention... it takes a lot of effort... maybe a little ADD? Who knows
9) I'm a volleyball coach. It's my passion, I love it
10) I have one sibling; a younger brother (almost 18) named Thomas
11) My all-time FAVORITE TV show ever is Friends. I have every season on DVD and watch it regularly... and yes, I still laugh hysterically even though I can quote many of the episodes
12) My major is journalism and I'm currently working at the Corpus Christi Caller-Times as an intern after winning the Journalist of the Year award
13) I love food... seriously, looove food
14) I can't cook to save my life. Ironic considering my love for food..
15) I really love to curl up with a good book and read for hours
16) I'm the editor of the AC newspaper, The Ranger
17) My favorite season is fall... it's just so peaceful and beautiful
18) I don't believe in soul mates. I believe that love is a process, and you have to work at it everyday
19) I am extremely goal-oriented. If I set one, I have to make. That's just the way it is
20) I played volleyball super competitively for almost 9 years. Lived it, breathed it. Miss it sometimes, most days I don't (the playing part of it anyway... I love coaching)
21) I am ridiculously scared of tornados, spiders, and the newly added pests to my list, cockroaches
22) I think anyone who abuses children, women, or animals deserves a punishment so severe I will not put it in this blog
23) My parents are still together after more than 20 years... oh and my family means the world to me and I love spending time with them
24) I like to snuggle up on the couch with my boyfriend and watch TV (House and Lost are two of our shows)
25) I love big rings, earrings, and bracelets

So there you have it. Not that that covers even 1/100th of me but, well, it gives you a pretty good picture. =]

(CAUTION! Movie spoiler!) So Harry Potter was great, but I believe I think that more or less because I love the books. Truly, I would probably give it 3 out of 5 stars. Compared to the books there were waaaay too many important things skipped. Like Dumbledore's relationship with Harry. In the 6th book they develop an even closer bond than they've ever had before. Dumbledore tells Harry things and shows him things that strengthen their bond beyond mentor, head master, or even a father. Dumbledore and Harry really become friends who depend on one another. I think it would have served the book far better for the movie to have been split in two. Then more of the relational aspects in the book could've been covered. At the end of that movie everyone SHOULD have been bawling their eyes out when Dumbledore was killed. When I read that book (and when my bestfriend finished it) we both cried like babies when he was gone. It left this large hole in the entire series that no character could fill like he did. But with the movie, that relationship wasn't portrayed. It almost seemed like Dumbledore was this distant figure, instead of close to Harry and the other students at Hogwarts. Aside from that, the movie was very enjoyable. Lots of action and a fair share of laughs. The on-screen chemistry between those actors is undeniable. You can tell they have spent a lot of time together and work very well together in the scenes. Yet again, Snape, Professor McGonnagal (sp?), Malfoy, Hagrid, Harry, Ron, Hermione and many many of the other characters were portrayed in perfect alignment with the book. I'm amazed that they found actors who so precisely fit the bills! A definite thumbs up for this one and well worth the money to see it, but it would have done the book more justice to split the movie into two parts. Then the audience could've had an accurate feel for the strong relationships between the characters.

In other news... I just got back from dropping Chris off at the airport and I'm feeling really down. The upside is that I will see him in 13 days when I get home. The downside is... well, I'm lonely. I already miss his laugh, and even though I won't admit it to him, I already miss his teasing and picking at me... (driving me crazy is one of his many strengths and I do believe he thoroughly enjoys it hahah)

I had the most amazing time with Bekah and Chris while they were here. I'm very sad that they're gone. It was great to reconnect with my bestfriends. Particularly Bekah. This was most likely our last just-the-two-of-us girl time before she becomes Mrs. Rebekah Cates. Crazy.

You don't realize how much you miss the old days until you reminisce about them you know? Bekah and I stayed up late and giggled like when we were little. We talked about everything from weddings to love to school to our futures. And we watched stupid TV shows and made fun of the people on them... like The Millionaire Matchmaker (I mean seriously, what kind of guy refers to himself in the third person CONSTANTLY calling himself, "Jimmy D" LOL). It was so much fun. Memories I will hold onto forever, especially because I know how fast the times are changing. Luckily for me, I know I have a forever bestfriend in Bekah. Someone who will stand by me no matter what. Something tells me we'll be little old ladies making mischief and causing havoc wherever we go.... still together, still bestfriends. :)

As for me and Chris, we had a blast! It was so great to get to cuddle and talk. It's amazing how easily we fall back into rythm with one another... as if we were never apart. Thursday, after an extremely stressful day at work, we ordered pizza and watched TV. Friday we went to the beach... we left after he got stung by a man o' war jellyfish. hahah Chris and beaches just don't mix. We went to the lifeguard who said he was the second man o' war sting that day. She put some stuff on it, said there's nothing more you can do other than that, and off we went. We swam in the pool at my apartment after that and then got ready for our date! We went to Aka Sushi and it was delicious! Then we went to see The Proposal. Very cute movie! Saturday flew by in a blur. We hung out, swam, went and got dinner and then watched my all-time FAVORITE TV show EVER, Friends. Today came much too fast. We went and ate breakfast, spent a little time together, and off we went to the airport. I miss him already.
Six years and I am still head over heels in love with him...

Anyway, I've tried to stay as distant from the real world as possible these last few days. I just didn't want to focus on anything but my time with my bestfriends.

Tomorrow I won't have a choice though. Awwell. Only two more weeks of work... crazy.

I'm fairly homesick at this point. I really miss my family, my friends, my cat... 13 days and counting! :)

I had a supremely horrible awful no good very bad day yesterday.

But I don't want to talk about that because today will be better. I'll make sure of it.

Bekah and I are going to go to the beach when I get off work for one last time while she's here. Yay! I love the beach. I could lay on the sand and listen to the waves for hours and hours. I also love the sun. It makes me happy.

You know what else makes me happy? My boyfriend will be here TOMORROW. WOOOOHOOOO!!!!

So, I just read a story about Obama's proposed $12 million budget for community colleges (http://www.caller.com/news/2009/jul/14/obama-wants-12-billion-2-year-colleges/). This might possibly be the first thing he's done that I've agreed with. The importance of education is far greater in an economy like ours right now. Many people who have lost their jobs or received a drastic cut in pay are going back to school to learn another craft. And who can afford education at state universities these days? Community college is definitely more practical on the financial side after losing your job.
I really wish I could just get my entire education at AC. Although if that were the case, alot would be different anyway so I might not like it as much!

At this rate, I'll be at AC forever so I might get to enjoy Obama's proposed plans. haha
Not really. I was planning on having my associate's by this December, but that plan fell through. So I'll have it in the spring. I definitely can't wait to have that milestone come and go, but I have no idea what my next move will be.

Being a student is an interesting position. On one hand, you have the entire world at your fingertips. But on the other, you're quickly sliding into the "real world" and need to make a decision about where to take your future. Oh dilemmas dilemmas.

Mmmmmm, chocolate cake!

My best friend is finally here... YAY! We're eating chocolate cake and watching a Harry Potter marathon on TV. We're going to see the newest one on Wednesday when Chris gets here. Woohoooooo!!!!

I love the Harry Potter movies (and books, of course!). I practically grew up with Harry. :) I read the first book when I was like 11 or something.

Although, I think I'm more excited for the New Moon movie to come out in November. I seriously seriously seriously can't wait for that one! I absolutely love the Twilight books. In fact, they're the only books I have ever read twice (yes, I read the entire series twice). Loooove them!

This weekend has been a BLAST! Friday night Bekah and I went to this sushi bar called the D'Lounge. It was super yummy. Then Saturday we went to the spa! It was both of our first times and it was sooo relaxing. That's going to have to be a regular trip for me. hahah Today we went to the beach. And I'm sunburned. I look like a tomato. hahah

Anyway, tomorrow it's back to the grind. :( I'm totally not wanting to go to work. I really wish Bekah and I could have another beach day! Except for the sunburn part. hah

I will see Chris in 3 days... YIPPEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Sorry, no deep, philosphical discussions this time. It's the weekend, and I've shut my brain down.

HEY! No comments from the peanut gallery! I do too have a brain, and I even use it on occasion haha! :D

Just wanted to remind everyone that Fall Registration is going on. You can register online or go to the Registrar's office at any of AC's campuses.

Also, for students new to AC, there are two more Badger Boot camps you can register for. New freshmen are required to attend one of these. It's a great way to introduce you to Amarillo College and let you know what to expect. The next Badger Boot camp is July 22nd, you must be registered by July 17th.

For these and other things going on at AC, please link to http://prod.campuscruiser.com/q?pg=home_welcome&cp=291.

Have a great weekend! :)

Seriously, I think the official weapon of choice for criminals in Corpus Christi is a knife.

We are constantly hearing about stabbings. Shootings? Not as much. But stabbings? All the time!
This week a father stabbed his 5-month-old son. In the chest.

Go ahead and swallow that one. There are some seriously twisted people in this world. I will never understand it.
(story I wrote on it: http://www.caller.com/news/2009/jul/06/5-month-old-baby-stabbed/ )
Luckily, the baby has been released from the hospital. There is a court date set but I'm not sure when it is.

Sometimes, when I sit back and really let the things we report on absorb in my mind, my stomach gets sick and all tied in knots. The most unexpected things hit the most unsuspecting people. Like the house explosion. It has now been determined that the owner of the home died of stab wounds prior to the explosion, and the blast was done on purpose via natural gas and gasoline. And the huge car accident that my roommate, Susan, covered not too long ago with the drunk 18-year-old driver. He hit a car that killed a guy in his 20's and put the other one in the hospital with severe injuries. The guy in the hospital is still unconscious and has been moved to a facility in Virginia.

It's all very disheartening.

It's a daily mission to find bright spots among the mess. They can be found, even if some digging must be done.

For example, I wrote a story that made front page Monday. Check it out, here's the link: http://www.caller.com/news/2009/jul/05/ive-seen-taiwan-ive-seen-france-n-sister-city/. Those kids were so awesome. They are really headed somewhere in their lives... they were extremely respectful, and they have their heads on straight! They desire a future, and are reaching out to get it. I really loved writing that story. The whole experience was great. The kids were fun, and everyone was very helpful. After it ran I got a phone call from the lady I spoke with who is a chairwoman on the Sister City board. They are trying to eliminate the funds supporting the program (as you read in the story) and she poured thank you's out to me! She said the story had perfect timing as they were meeting with the board that night to state their case about keeping the program. She just thanked me over and over and over. It was obvious she was genuinely happy and excited about the story. It made me feel really good. It wasn't even a huge deal for me, but her gratitude put it in perspective. I hope that story makes a difference in their case. I really pray that the funds aren't taken from their program and it's able to offer many more children such wonderful opportunities.

Anyway, there's a little of what's been on my mind lately.

My last day of work is exactly 3 weeks from today. Amazing how fast time goes by!
My bestfriend Bekah is currently here visiting me, and my boyfriend Chris will be here in 5 days. Good times!!!

TGIF! :)

Well, it finally happened. I did something last night that I thought I was too smart to do, and always laughed at others when they did it.

I locked my keys in my truck.

And the timing couldn't have been worse. I was stuck at the Channel 4 studios until well past midnight due to severe weather. I made my poor mom come and get me in the middle of the night to take me back to my house, grab my spare set of keys, and back to the studio to retrieve my truck. No offense to anyone out there, but I have the best Mom in the whole world! :D Yeah, I'll be shellin' out for dinner this weekend!

So, it was after 2am that I finally got to bed, and up early to go to class. I'm tired and have a splitting headache, so I think I'll go take a nap before I have to go back to the dungeon, er, I mean, work.

Cosmic retribution at its finest. Those whom the gods would destroy, they first make proud!

Open mouth - insert foot.

Seriously, why? Why do I speak before I think? Aren't you supposed to have that down by the time you're in your 20s? I mean come on!

Have you ever said something and the instant the words left your lips you wished you could grab them from the air and shove them back down your throat - preferably choking yourself in the process? That's me tonight. Yep, me. What's the deal? Do I have a potato for a brain or something?!
*arrrrgggghhhhhh*

I realize that if you're reading this right now, you're only still reading because you want to know what I said. Because for whatever twisted reason, when we hear about someone else's dumb mistake or idiotic move or horrible experience, we feel soooo much better about our situation (be it past or present). Why are we like that anyway? You can't deny it... when you hear about your friend's horror story of how she clogged her date's toilet and it overflowed, flooding the bathroom in his apartment, it makes you feel better about your embarassing situations. As soon as you hear it you're thinking, "Phew! So I burped in his mouth during our first kiss? Not so bad compared to Mrs. Poopypants!"

Okay seriously... both of those situations are extremely horrifying and if that has happened to anyone reading this I feel really really bad for you. Seriously.
(But let me say... just thinking about those mishaps makes me feel way better about my big fat mouth! My trauma - nowhere near that bad!
.... See, I told you.)

Back to the subject. What malfunctioning part of my brain has decided to turn against me NOW? The fact that I didn't intend it to be taken the way it was makes it so much worse. In fact, I didn't even intend it in the CONTEXT in which it was taken!
Excuse me a moment while I mentally groan for the millionth time this hour.

See, I know many of you are feeling better just reading this post. You're thinking, "Better her than me!" Don't go gettin' all self-righteous. Oh yes, your time will come! Your pea-sized brain will connect with your oversized mouth at some point making you wish you had a mute button for your vocal chords.

Wait is it chords or cords?

Lordy I'm easily distracted.

Would anyone like to eat MY pea-sized brain for dinner? Because obviously I'm NO LONGER USING IT.
________________________________________________________________________
Note: No throats, potatos, apartment bathrooms, first dates, pea-sized brains, oversized mouths, or vocal c(h)ords were harmed during the typing of this post.

I did a double take a few days ago when Sarah Palin announced she is resigning as Governor of Alaska after only 2 1/2 years on the job. Her main reasons are she doesn't want to be a lame-duck, and she doesn't want to spend tax dollars defending herself on ethics charges. See this ariticle from CNN about Republicans' reaction: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/07/05/palin.reaction/index.html

I don't know what to make of this. Although politically I'm an independent, I'm moderately conservative on most things, and I was one of millions who were energized when Palin was named to John McCain's ticket in '08. Although the media portrayed her as naive and a novice, I though it was a breath of fresh air. Here seemed to be a woman who was more like me than the professional politicians who normally inhabit Washington. In retrospect, the nation was tired of George Bush, so I think the Democrats could have run Mickey Mouse and won the Presidency, let alone the telegenic and charismatic Barak Obama.

Although the media focused on her inexperience with foreign affairs, I've always though Palin's biggest weakness is thin skin. She totally lost her cool when Charlie Gibson pushed her buttons, and the Katie Couric interview was a total set-up. However, if you want to play in the big leagues, you better be prepared to take some shots. Palin has certainly drew more than her fair share of negative media attention. She is a conservative woman; therefore, the liberal media view her as a traitor and have come after her with a vengeance. In my opinion, she hasn't handled it well. My gut tells me Palin is pulling a Nixon: in '62, after losing the California governor's race, Nixon famously told reporters, "You don't have Nixon to kick around anymore!" I wonder if this isn't something similar.

Palin still remains one of the favorites to win the Republican nomination for 2012. Maybe by resigning in Alaska she wants a more national profile. I don't know. I'm going to reserve judgement on this. But if she really does want to be President, she'd better thicken her skin.

I just read that an Amarillo man burned down his girlfriend's mobile home... with her 3 dogs inside!!!
http://www.amarillo.com/stories/070209/new_animal.shtml

That is so horrific I can't even swallow it. I mean seriously, be mad at the girlfriend if you want, but what the heck did the dogs do? Nothing. Those poor puppies were burned alive because of his supreme stupidity. I hope the throw everything in the book at him. Jerk. >:(

On to other news... today is a company holiday here at The Caller... but not for 2 of us interns. haha That's okay, I'm holding down the fort for the night shift. If any drunk people do crazy things like shoot someone or try to go for a swim and drown, I'm on it. Something tells me I'm going to have some interesting stories to tell after tonight, but we'll see what happens.

Tomorrow is going to be very relaxing for me, but somewhat sad at the same time. Every 4th of July I go to a family reunion in Colorado. I only get to see them a couple times a year so I'm pretty bummed that I won't see everyone tomorrow. I am excited for lots of sunshine in the swimming pool and watching the fireworks/laser display tomorrow night though!

Everyone have a fun and safe 4th!

Alright, I wasn't going to blog about this, but I just can't help myself.

Gov. Sanford is ridiculous.

I mean, let's get real here. It is one thing to admitt to having an affair... but why would you continue to vomit details about it to the media left and right? "It was love, she's my soul mate.." blah blah freakin' blah. Honestly, if he was truly trying to reconcile with his wife, I don't think he would be spewing that crap all over the place. Talk about driving the knife deeper into his wife's back. It has to hurt enough just feeling betrayed... but to hear your husband say things about loving his mistress and how he will have to "die knowing (he) met (his) soulmate" WOW. Seriously, Sanford?

I'm all for saving marriages and I pray that they pull things together and make it work. But it takes two. Where is his sincerity? He is either legitimately trying to fall back in love with his wife OR he is holding on to his feelings for his mistress. There's no fuzzy area there, it's one or the other! Can he still have very strong feelings for Maria while trying to fall back in love with his wife? Yes. However, if he is truly trying then he wouldn't be holding on to them... he would be trying to let the feelings go. Yes it might take time, years maybe, who knows! But he is publicly holding on to her saying things out of one side of his face... and then publicly claiming he's going to work things out with his wife out of the other side of his face.

What a huge mess.

I heard on the radio the other day that affairs are ranked above money as the #1 cause of divorce these days. That is so sad.