High Heels Hurt!
Society often leads many women to believe that when a female dresses up, heels are a "must". But, when guys are in a suit and tie, most people don't expect them to wear heels (although, I've heard some male dress shoes aren't always comfortable either).
I happen to have a shoe fetish, don't get me wrong...but, I've officially decided when I'm at work, out and about and on my feet all day, I bring a pair of flats or flip flops. I've learned the hard way that toting around a camera and tripod in stilettos isn't fun. Some of my coworkers make it look effortless doing the same things I do in heels, but my feet are so much happier with me at the end of each day if I wear flip flops instead. I'll admit sometimes I look silly with a full suit and flip flops...but really who's looking at your feet anyways?
Forget about, "beauty is pain"...I'm all about being comfortable!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Being a Big Sister
Being an only child definitely had and still has it's pros and cons. When I was little and my parents were still together, I had "only child syndrome" where I was spoiled and somewhat bratty...and not wanting to share my toys, along with wanting to be my parents, "one and only".
Luckily, it was just a phase and I realized playing Monopoly and playing Barbies was not as fun solo.
Of course, it wasn't until my parents divorced that I thought it would be cool to have a little brother or a little sister...so by then it was basically too late. Growing up, I didn't have close friends that were only children like me, so I lived vicariously through them. Whether it was the older brother who bullied them around or the big sister that dressed them up like a live-Barbie doll. I was jealous as much as my friends complained and said they were jealous of me. It's funny how we always seem to want what we can't have.
Now that Abilene is home and I am settled into my career, I decided to join Big Brothers/Big Sister's in Abilene. In addition, to getting the sister I never had...it's been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. I'd always considered helping out a girl in a program but was traveling and moving around quite a bit, which I thought wouldn't be fair to a potential little sis.
So, it's been about six months that I've spent time with my little sister. We've done lots of unique things together and it's amazing how much a 10-year-old and I have in common. She is so much fun to be around. It's very rewarding to know that I have such an impact on her and can really serve as her role model. For anyone that has thought about becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister...I highly encourage you to sign up. There's nothing to lose and only something to gain.
Luckily, it was just a phase and I realized playing Monopoly and playing Barbies was not as fun solo.
Of course, it wasn't until my parents divorced that I thought it would be cool to have a little brother or a little sister...so by then it was basically too late. Growing up, I didn't have close friends that were only children like me, so I lived vicariously through them. Whether it was the older brother who bullied them around or the big sister that dressed them up like a live-Barbie doll. I was jealous as much as my friends complained and said they were jealous of me. It's funny how we always seem to want what we can't have.
Now that Abilene is home and I am settled into my career, I decided to join Big Brothers/Big Sister's in Abilene. In addition, to getting the sister I never had...it's been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. I'd always considered helping out a girl in a program but was traveling and moving around quite a bit, which I thought wouldn't be fair to a potential little sis.
So, it's been about six months that I've spent time with my little sister. We've done lots of unique things together and it's amazing how much a 10-year-old and I have in common. She is so much fun to be around. It's very rewarding to know that I have such an impact on her and can really serve as her role model. For anyone that has thought about becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister...I highly encourage you to sign up. There's nothing to lose and only something to gain.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Rabid Reporting
So when I signed up to be a reporter...I knew risk-taking would be involved. I've seen plenty of YouTube videos and heard stories of reporter's getting into different types of trouble.
And I guess you could say I got into some trouble of my own yesterday. Here, I am out on assignment, trying to put together a story about a bobcat found in an Abilene neighborhood that had rabies. Animal Services picked up the wild cat after resident's found it in their very own backyard...after testing it, sure enough the bobcat had rabies.
So a rabid bobcat in Abilene...clearly instills some fear in pet owner's and resident's. Many dogs are kept outside on a leash through the day and even night, quite possibly being exposed to the rabid bobcat just there.
So, here I am in this neighborhood, where the bobcat just was...knocking door to door...hoping to talk to some resident's about how they feel knowing about a bobcat with rabies in their backyard. The first house that I go to...I have to go through a gate to get to their front door. I think as a natural reaction, I look for a Beware of Dog sign...didn't see one. So, as I am opening the gate to the front yard of this person's house, I notice that in the front door there is an opening (homemade doggy door) but didn't really understand how it would open through the material of the door. So, I knock on the door and not even a few moments later, two dogs about the size of me come charging out and barking very loudly.
The next few moments were kind of a blur to me...The two dogs came at me. I backed away and guarded my face. And a few minutes into the "escape"...I felt something sharp in the back of my thigh. I don't think it really hurt as much as I was scared out of my mind. It felt like it took the owner forever to come out and get a hold of the dogs. He called the dogs off and I felt the dog's tooth ease away from my leg. My heart was going a mile a minute.
But being the dedicated reporter I am, I decided to stay in the front yard behind the fence to talk to the owner about my story. Sure enough, he wasn't into being on TV so I walked (racing heart beat and all) away to the next door. On my walk, my leg started to hurt a little bit...so I checked and sure enough such an open pinhole-sized marking in the back of my thigh.
Now don't get me wrong, anyone that knows me knows that I am not a hypochondriac...but when I saw I had an open cut and that I was doing a story on rabies, I wasn't messing around...nonetheless didn't quite feel like taking any chances.
So, I called Animal Services to ask what to do...and they routinely have to take any dog that bites a human into custody to be quarantined and tested for rabies. I felt awful because I didn't tell the owner that his dog bit me because truthfully, I didn't know until I had already left his home. I was too afraid to knock back on his door because I knew the dogs were not leashed. So, I felt like I was being deceptive by carrying on a conversation with the dog owner, after having his dog's tooth in the back of my leg (basically playing it off as if nothing had happened) then leaving and shortly after, having Animal Services come to pick his dog up and take him away.
I had to go back to the neighborhood after being checked out by Animal Services...to finish out the story. I saw the Animal Services truck there and the owner did not look happy at all.
So I was a big newsroom joke, (KRBC's Rabid Reporter) out on a story about rabies and then myself having a rabies scare.
The worst part of the whole experience was just the racing heart and anticipating the worst from the two dogs that were likely just protecting their owner and their home...However, it all brings me to the importance of pet owner's having a: Beware of Dog sign. I think that should be a law. Had I seen a sign like that...it definitely would have made me think twice about entering the yard. The scenario might not have been any different at all but I think it's the owner's duty to be responsible for their pets.
In the end, I don't think I'll be going through any more fences just to get to a front door. And I've got to say despite having a traumatizing set-back in the day, I still took it like a champ...putting together my story for the 6 o'clock news. Rabies or not...that shows dedication in my book!
And I guess you could say I got into some trouble of my own yesterday. Here, I am out on assignment, trying to put together a story about a bobcat found in an Abilene neighborhood that had rabies. Animal Services picked up the wild cat after resident's found it in their very own backyard...after testing it, sure enough the bobcat had rabies.
So a rabid bobcat in Abilene...clearly instills some fear in pet owner's and resident's. Many dogs are kept outside on a leash through the day and even night, quite possibly being exposed to the rabid bobcat just there.
So, here I am in this neighborhood, where the bobcat just was...knocking door to door...hoping to talk to some resident's about how they feel knowing about a bobcat with rabies in their backyard. The first house that I go to...I have to go through a gate to get to their front door. I think as a natural reaction, I look for a Beware of Dog sign...didn't see one. So, as I am opening the gate to the front yard of this person's house, I notice that in the front door there is an opening (homemade doggy door) but didn't really understand how it would open through the material of the door. So, I knock on the door and not even a few moments later, two dogs about the size of me come charging out and barking very loudly.
The next few moments were kind of a blur to me...The two dogs came at me. I backed away and guarded my face. And a few minutes into the "escape"...I felt something sharp in the back of my thigh. I don't think it really hurt as much as I was scared out of my mind. It felt like it took the owner forever to come out and get a hold of the dogs. He called the dogs off and I felt the dog's tooth ease away from my leg. My heart was going a mile a minute.
But being the dedicated reporter I am, I decided to stay in the front yard behind the fence to talk to the owner about my story. Sure enough, he wasn't into being on TV so I walked (racing heart beat and all) away to the next door. On my walk, my leg started to hurt a little bit...so I checked and sure enough such an open pinhole-sized marking in the back of my thigh.
Now don't get me wrong, anyone that knows me knows that I am not a hypochondriac...but when I saw I had an open cut and that I was doing a story on rabies, I wasn't messing around...nonetheless didn't quite feel like taking any chances.
So, I called Animal Services to ask what to do...and they routinely have to take any dog that bites a human into custody to be quarantined and tested for rabies. I felt awful because I didn't tell the owner that his dog bit me because truthfully, I didn't know until I had already left his home. I was too afraid to knock back on his door because I knew the dogs were not leashed. So, I felt like I was being deceptive by carrying on a conversation with the dog owner, after having his dog's tooth in the back of my leg (basically playing it off as if nothing had happened) then leaving and shortly after, having Animal Services come to pick his dog up and take him away.
I had to go back to the neighborhood after being checked out by Animal Services...to finish out the story. I saw the Animal Services truck there and the owner did not look happy at all.
So I was a big newsroom joke, (KRBC's Rabid Reporter) out on a story about rabies and then myself having a rabies scare.
The worst part of the whole experience was just the racing heart and anticipating the worst from the two dogs that were likely just protecting their owner and their home...However, it all brings me to the importance of pet owner's having a: Beware of Dog sign. I think that should be a law. Had I seen a sign like that...it definitely would have made me think twice about entering the yard. The scenario might not have been any different at all but I think it's the owner's duty to be responsible for their pets.
In the end, I don't think I'll be going through any more fences just to get to a front door. And I've got to say despite having a traumatizing set-back in the day, I still took it like a champ...putting together my story for the 6 o'clock news. Rabies or not...that shows dedication in my book!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Pet Peeves
Pet Peeves...everyone has them...and many people like to complain about them.
So in an effort to let people vent about things that bug them...I thought I'd share some of my personal pet peeves.
Now don't get me wrong, there are much worse things in life then the things that I'm about to list but sometimes it just feels good to get it all out.
I started writing this blog on a raining day, and with the bad weather...I was taken away from my blogging time...so what prompted me to even begin writing this blog was my soggy, wet pant legs. No matter how many times I plan ahead, it never fails...the bottom of my pants get soaked from the rain and puddles. I learned my lesson at the beginning of this business to always come prepared...and yes, I do own a pair of rain boots now...but I always second guess the weather and think I won't need to take them with me, since I anticipate coming right back. But it never fails, I'll roll my pant legs up to try to prevent them from getting wet but they never seem to stay up! And then of course, they get soaked. Now wet pant legs are one thing but the wost is that it takes forever for them to dry and then you're stuck the rest of the day with wet pant legs which ultimately keeps you cold...and you just feel soggy.
In addition to wet pant legs, the smell of wet dog! Now, don't get me wrong, I am totally an animal lover and can't wait until I have a dog of my own (once I have more time and space to devote to one). On this same rainy day I referred to above, I did a story out at the Abilene Animal Shelter. Whether the dogs were wet or had all just been given a bath, they didn't give off the best aroma. Now I know they're dogs and they can't help it...but the worst part of it all was when I left, I smelled like a wet dog. I was driving back to the station and it was all I could smell so I knew that that meant it was me! And comical to some, my co-workers in the newsroom continued asking what the heck that smell was and if there was a wet dog in the building. No wet dog in the building just me! I laugh about it now but I can remember that afternoon wanting noting more than to get out of work to change and take a shower. I had enough of wet pants and wet dog.
Now these are really minor pet peeves of mine. Surely, I have more...But, for the most part I try not to let little things bug me. My grandmother always told me, "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" and that everything in life is small...and I totally think this is great advice but again, as I stated in the beginning, sometimes venting is the best thing to do to help you get over things.
Please feel free to share some of your pet peeves with me and how you handle them. Instead of getting mad about something, vent to me by posting to my blog!
So in an effort to let people vent about things that bug them...I thought I'd share some of my personal pet peeves.
Now don't get me wrong, there are much worse things in life then the things that I'm about to list but sometimes it just feels good to get it all out.
I started writing this blog on a raining day, and with the bad weather...I was taken away from my blogging time...so what prompted me to even begin writing this blog was my soggy, wet pant legs. No matter how many times I plan ahead, it never fails...the bottom of my pants get soaked from the rain and puddles. I learned my lesson at the beginning of this business to always come prepared...and yes, I do own a pair of rain boots now...but I always second guess the weather and think I won't need to take them with me, since I anticipate coming right back. But it never fails, I'll roll my pant legs up to try to prevent them from getting wet but they never seem to stay up! And then of course, they get soaked. Now wet pant legs are one thing but the wost is that it takes forever for them to dry and then you're stuck the rest of the day with wet pant legs which ultimately keeps you cold...and you just feel soggy.
In addition to wet pant legs, the smell of wet dog! Now, don't get me wrong, I am totally an animal lover and can't wait until I have a dog of my own (once I have more time and space to devote to one). On this same rainy day I referred to above, I did a story out at the Abilene Animal Shelter. Whether the dogs were wet or had all just been given a bath, they didn't give off the best aroma. Now I know they're dogs and they can't help it...but the worst part of it all was when I left, I smelled like a wet dog. I was driving back to the station and it was all I could smell so I knew that that meant it was me! And comical to some, my co-workers in the newsroom continued asking what the heck that smell was and if there was a wet dog in the building. No wet dog in the building just me! I laugh about it now but I can remember that afternoon wanting noting more than to get out of work to change and take a shower. I had enough of wet pants and wet dog.
Now these are really minor pet peeves of mine. Surely, I have more...But, for the most part I try not to let little things bug me. My grandmother always told me, "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" and that everything in life is small...and I totally think this is great advice but again, as I stated in the beginning, sometimes venting is the best thing to do to help you get over things.
Please feel free to share some of your pet peeves with me and how you handle them. Instead of getting mad about something, vent to me by posting to my blog!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Goodbye Ice House
So, I know that I am not alone on feeling sad that there will be no more Ice House. I can remember just moving here last September...and finding out in October about an outdoor ice skating rink. I couldn't believe in West Texas that they'd have such a thing. I was ecstatic to check it out. And luckily, I ended up getting to do the LIVE shot on the opening night of the Ice House this past season. I did the LIVE shot in ice skates on the ice (almost fell on LIVE television; but luckily didn't quite make a fool of myself). After the LIVE shot you can bet that I hung around for awhile after and skated with friends.
I loved that you could get away with just jeans and a light jacket, and how for most of the time it was warm while you were skating on ice. I have been ice skating indoors and outdoors, but any time outdoors, it was in the Northeast and it was very cold. I thought it was so neat for a community like Abilene to be able to have something like the Ice House available.
I went several times after that LIVE shot with friends, and co-workers. I have included some pictures of the KRBC and KTAB crew on ice skates.
Next winter definitely won't be the same without the Ice House. It's unfortunate that Habitat for Humanity and the Dyess We Care team weren't able to raise much money for projects...both groups work extremely hard to help others in the community.
While, I know that the electricity bill alone was ridiculous to put on the Ice House (somewhere near $15,000)...I have to wonder, that maybe if the Ice House rink was not open for so many months, that it could cut the costs and even get more skaters to visit in a shorter amount of time. With the Ice House being open from October all the way through February...that's a long time to keep the place up and running. Maybe if the Ice House were to only be open for a month, more people would come...knowing that the opportunity to ice skate was limited to a certain amount of time...and they could maybe raise money and cover the costs of the rink. Of course, this is me living in a "perfect world" mentality...
Nevertheless, I am glad that I was able to lace up some ice skates a few times at the Ice House and to have that unique outdoor ice skating experience in a West Texas City.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Parting Ways
Some people name their cars and others use it as a storage place. I admit, I've done both. Up until a week ago, I had a little, cute, convertible...that got me all the way to Abilene from Miami. While it was the perfect car to tote around in to the beach, I don't think it was meant to drive across country. But, nevertheless Cabiria (as she was sometimes known) made it all the way and for the most part in one piece to my new home, here in Abilene. But, as I got into Tyler, TX...my AC did die...and luckily, it wasn't too hot, so it was survivable. The AC was put on the to-do list when I saved up some money to pay for it. But, then it seemed like it was one thing after another for good 'ole, Cabiria. The torkenconverter needed to be replaced, among some other parts. $$$$$$
Then of course the weather started to heat up, and not only did I not have AC but my convertible roof top was out-of-commission. Apparently, because of humidity (likely from FL wear-n-tear) made it shrink up, causing the back, glass window to fall out of the car. It didn't shatter or anything but clearly their was a wide-open hole in my roof...
And then came the rain...of course, we'd go months without any rain drops and then when I had a hole in my roof...it decided to pour. Luckily, my BFF, Timothy (who you know as Tim Johnston) temporarily donated an old tarp for me to cover up my car every time it rained. Now while the tarp was relatively effective, if it was raining...I couldn't really drive the car, or if I did...it would get wet because I couldn't keep the tarp on a drive.
Then the worst of the worst happened. My seat somehow popped out of the bolts...and it got to the point that the seat would not stay locked in any position, but instead slide back and forth. I had to hold onto the steering wheel to keep myself secure. Talk about dangerous.
So...I knew it was time to say goodbye. I started car shopping all over town. I'm sure many of you can relate how stressful that is. What I had the hardest time dealing with was the trade-in value car dealers were willing, or I should say not willing to give me. It was hard for me to hear numbers thrown out, that didn't even amount to half of what I paid for it...and just to think it could be worth so little.
Finally, I found the perfect replacement for me...a newer car, with low miles, mint condition, and at a reasonable price. Plus, they offered the most for Cabiria. Problem was, I didn't actually plan on selling my baby to the dealership that day...but that's what happened...which brings me to even write this blog.
Saying goodbye to a car is an emotional experience. Many of times, I took my car for granted. And while it failed me on many occasions, I was so sad to hand over the keys. It was like losing an old friend...driving off the lot in the shiny new ride and seeing my old convertible missing it's window. It's amazing how so many memories pop into your head, when looking at your car.
But now that I've gotten comfortable in my new set of wheels, I am excited for all the adventures I'll have with it. She/He hasn't been named just yet. Any suggestions? P.S. anybody else name their cars? Or have similar separation anxiety from a car?
Then of course the weather started to heat up, and not only did I not have AC but my convertible roof top was out-of-commission. Apparently, because of humidity (likely from FL wear-n-tear) made it shrink up, causing the back, glass window to fall out of the car. It didn't shatter or anything but clearly their was a wide-open hole in my roof...
And then came the rain...of course, we'd go months without any rain drops and then when I had a hole in my roof...it decided to pour. Luckily, my BFF, Timothy (who you know as Tim Johnston) temporarily donated an old tarp for me to cover up my car every time it rained. Now while the tarp was relatively effective, if it was raining...I couldn't really drive the car, or if I did...it would get wet because I couldn't keep the tarp on a drive.
Then the worst of the worst happened. My seat somehow popped out of the bolts...and it got to the point that the seat would not stay locked in any position, but instead slide back and forth. I had to hold onto the steering wheel to keep myself secure. Talk about dangerous.
So...I knew it was time to say goodbye. I started car shopping all over town. I'm sure many of you can relate how stressful that is. What I had the hardest time dealing with was the trade-in value car dealers were willing, or I should say not willing to give me. It was hard for me to hear numbers thrown out, that didn't even amount to half of what I paid for it...and just to think it could be worth so little.
Finally, I found the perfect replacement for me...a newer car, with low miles, mint condition, and at a reasonable price. Plus, they offered the most for Cabiria. Problem was, I didn't actually plan on selling my baby to the dealership that day...but that's what happened...which brings me to even write this blog.
Saying goodbye to a car is an emotional experience. Many of times, I took my car for granted. And while it failed me on many occasions, I was so sad to hand over the keys. It was like losing an old friend...driving off the lot in the shiny new ride and seeing my old convertible missing it's window. It's amazing how so many memories pop into your head, when looking at your car.
But now that I've gotten comfortable in my new set of wheels, I am excited for all the adventures I'll have with it. She/He hasn't been named just yet. Any suggestions? P.S. anybody else name their cars? Or have similar separation anxiety from a car?
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
When Bad Weather Strikes
Talk about an adrenaline rush...covering severe weather. My day started out with two stories, one having to do with the recent school break-in's and another having to do with Cooper High School's Recycling team, that is being recognized by not only Keep Abilene Beautiful, but by Keep Texas beautiful as well. Then it got to be around 4 o'clock and the severe weather threat's started to come in. So, I quickly got my things finished and headed out to chase the storms. On my way out, heading into Clyde I ran into that 18-wheeler that had rolled over along I-20. The driver of the truck was very lucky. He walked away from the accident with no injuries. On my way back, things started to get bad in Abilene and I helped out by being just outside of the station, telling viewers about the weather conditions.
After all of the hard work and team effort put on by our sister stations, KRBC and KTAB and or course, after the weather had cleared up. KTAB's Priscilla Luong and I decided to have a little fun after being soaked from the rain. Here's a video of our puddle fun. This video really gives you a little glimpse of Priscilla and I's personality's. While we are both pretty "girlie" in nature, she by far takes the cake on this one. She might've even been fixing her hair right before this video take...and while I am also a girlie-girl, I am pretty competitive in nature...and you can see that even before we start the little race, I tried to get a head start. Hope you enjoy. Good times, Priscilla! ; )
After all of the hard work and team effort put on by our sister stations, KRBC and KTAB and or course, after the weather had cleared up. KTAB's Priscilla Luong and I decided to have a little fun after being soaked from the rain. Here's a video of our puddle fun. This video really gives you a little glimpse of Priscilla and I's personality's. While we are both pretty "girlie" in nature, she by far takes the cake on this one. She might've even been fixing her hair right before this video take...and while I am also a girlie-girl, I am pretty competitive in nature...and you can see that even before we start the little race, I tried to get a head start. Hope you enjoy. Good times, Priscilla! ; )
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