Now that I'm adjusted to the time change, I am ready for Spring!
We've heard that Spring is a time for new beginnings. It is a time for renewal.
Just as in nature, it is our time to 'bloom' physically and mentally through activity...and funny how a little sunshine makes this so easy!
Some of the Spring activities I'm planning are visiting the MetroPark Systems in my community, lunch dates with friends at any cafe we can find with patio seating and planting live greenery for the first time in my life--with the hope that my little green friends will survive my gardening skills or lack thereof!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Stuck
To put it bluntly...feeling stuck sucks!
As another year in my life passed this week, I sat with a friend at my birthday breakfast of pancakes, cold coffee and hash browns. Not having much of an appetite, I began to think, "Where did the time go?" Wasn't I just flipping out over pimples and prom a little while ago?" Well maybe not a little while ago, but I'm just saying...
Anyway, after a little meditation and reflection, I recognize the difference between feeling stuck and actually being stuck. I concluded that I was not stuck, I just felt that way. I guess it's normal as you reflect on what hasn't been checked off of the THINGS I WANT TO DO list.
I have so much to be grateful for--my health, good friends, family and a nice home--I'm sure you know the foreclosure rate in these days!
Taking a few quite moments to think about the next steps to feeling 'unstuck' is all I needed to realize that there are opportunities-a-plenty for those who want to grab it!
Cheers!
As another year in my life passed this week, I sat with a friend at my birthday breakfast of pancakes, cold coffee and hash browns. Not having much of an appetite, I began to think, "Where did the time go?" Wasn't I just flipping out over pimples and prom a little while ago?" Well maybe not a little while ago, but I'm just saying...
Anyway, after a little meditation and reflection, I recognize the difference between feeling stuck and actually being stuck. I concluded that I was not stuck, I just felt that way. I guess it's normal as you reflect on what hasn't been checked off of the THINGS I WANT TO DO list.
I have so much to be grateful for--my health, good friends, family and a nice home--I'm sure you know the foreclosure rate in these days!
Taking a few quite moments to think about the next steps to feeling 'unstuck' is all I needed to realize that there are opportunities-a-plenty for those who want to grab it!
Cheers!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Keep Hope Alive!
Despite our flakey economy where local and national news media organizations are cutting costs by eliminating jobs, I decided to jump into a somewhat ambitious news project to assist me in my budding journalism career. However, my experience shooting my first 'news package' with a crew in Tampa is part humorous, part humbling...nothing they taught us about in school!
Anxiously, I swiveled my chair around toward the mirror and gasped, “Whoa, is that me?” I leaned closer to take a look at the glamorous face staring back at me--my movie starlet look compliments of a well-known Canadian make-up artist. It was so worth sitting still with limited blinking for the 20 minutes it took to apply my 2-inch false lashes individually.
With glossed lips, shiny hair and curled lashes, I looked every bit the part of a broadcast journalist as I jumped out of the chair and smoothed the skirt of my Ann Taylor suit. But was I ready to take my cues and look lively during my ‘look lives’?
As a journalism graduate, former campus Op-Ed writer and now online video host, I couldn’t pass up the chance to spend a day in the media big leagues reporting real news stories with the assistance of a well-known Florida news personality and camera crew.
“3, 2, 1…go, go, go before the bus goes by!” I was coached by the camera operator his hands flailing. After quickly swallowing the lump in my throat, I tossed my intro line to the camera, not squinting even with the flood of blinding light that lit our report location shining in my face. Screeching to a stop next to our set up, the air brakes of the bus drowns out my voice along with the hoots and whistles from a group of inebriated men leaving a nearby sports bar at the busy downtown intersection.
“Look, Hon, let’s take it again but you gotta keep it moving no matter what’s going on around us,” I was again advised, “but you look great on camera,” the camera man continued. This feedback sparked a little energy into my presentation.
The next take wasn’t much better. “Just start walking toward the camera and start your first line,” I was instructed. As soon as I opened my mouth, a sudden gust of wind flung a stand of my hair into my mouth along with some unidentifiable bug. The south seemed to have an endless variety of winged-insects I’d never seen before and I wasn’t really enjoying this discovery. However, not wanting to further irritate the already weary crew by screwing up take number, I don’t know, two-gillion and three, I ignored my gag reflection after swallowing the bug and smiled on cue.
For the next ten hours we continued traveling to various locations, setting up and recording news. Along the way, camera lights blew out, the battery died in our SUV and my coiffed hair began to go limp under the weight of the moist southern air.
Five cups of coffee and seven outfit changes in the back of a car later, did I still have that glamorous feeling I had earlier? Well, not so much. This was really hard work and all I could think of was taking off my control top pantyhose! I developed a new appreciation for the hundreds of field reporters around the globe who dig down to get news, write copy and present it in a compelling way to all of television-dom.
At 2:00 a.m. when the crew finally dropped me off in front of the cheap motel I was staying at off the highway, I practically sprinted to my room to jump into bed—well, on top of the bed with strategically placed bath towels—I was a little afraid to slip under the blankets of this place.
The next day I was relieved to board my plane to get back home.
Although I plan to still pursue my journalist endeavors, I came to a few conclusions regarding my news reporting experience. The first is the news never takes a day off. Secondly, it definitely takes more that white teeth and good hair to be a success in the news business. Now back to you!
To see clips of my ‘official’ unofficial news segment, go to the link @ http://tinyurl.com/5qlfau
Almost Famous: My Crash Course as a Television News Reporter
“I have one great passion that...that lives deep within my loins, like
a...like a flaming golden hawk: To one daybecome a network anchor” – Ron Burgundy, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.
Anxiously, I swiveled my chair around toward the mirror and gasped, “Whoa, is that me?” I leaned closer to take a look at the glamorous face staring back at me--my movie starlet look compliments of a well-known Canadian make-up artist. It was so worth sitting still with limited blinking for the 20 minutes it took to apply my 2-inch false lashes individually.
With glossed lips, shiny hair and curled lashes, I looked every bit the part of a broadcast journalist as I jumped out of the chair and smoothed the skirt of my Ann Taylor suit. But was I ready to take my cues and look lively during my ‘look lives’?
As a journalism graduate, former campus Op-Ed writer and now online video host, I couldn’t pass up the chance to spend a day in the media big leagues reporting real news stories with the assistance of a well-known Florida news personality and camera crew.
“3, 2, 1…go, go, go before the bus goes by!” I was coached by the camera operator his hands flailing. After quickly swallowing the lump in my throat, I tossed my intro line to the camera, not squinting even with the flood of blinding light that lit our report location shining in my face. Screeching to a stop next to our set up, the air brakes of the bus drowns out my voice along with the hoots and whistles from a group of inebriated men leaving a nearby sports bar at the busy downtown intersection.
“Look, Hon, let’s take it again but you gotta keep it moving no matter what’s going on around us,” I was again advised, “but you look great on camera,” the camera man continued. This feedback sparked a little energy into my presentation.
The next take wasn’t much better. “Just start walking toward the camera and start your first line,” I was instructed. As soon as I opened my mouth, a sudden gust of wind flung a stand of my hair into my mouth along with some unidentifiable bug. The south seemed to have an endless variety of winged-insects I’d never seen before and I wasn’t really enjoying this discovery. However, not wanting to further irritate the already weary crew by screwing up take number, I don’t know, two-gillion and three, I ignored my gag reflection after swallowing the bug and smiled on cue.
For the next ten hours we continued traveling to various locations, setting up and recording news. Along the way, camera lights blew out, the battery died in our SUV and my coiffed hair began to go limp under the weight of the moist southern air.
Five cups of coffee and seven outfit changes in the back of a car later, did I still have that glamorous feeling I had earlier? Well, not so much. This was really hard work and all I could think of was taking off my control top pantyhose! I developed a new appreciation for the hundreds of field reporters around the globe who dig down to get news, write copy and present it in a compelling way to all of television-dom.
At 2:00 a.m. when the crew finally dropped me off in front of the cheap motel I was staying at off the highway, I practically sprinted to my room to jump into bed—well, on top of the bed with strategically placed bath towels—I was a little afraid to slip under the blankets of this place.
The next day I was relieved to board my plane to get back home.
Although I plan to still pursue my journalist endeavors, I came to a few conclusions regarding my news reporting experience. The first is the news never takes a day off. Secondly, it definitely takes more that white teeth and good hair to be a success in the news business. Now back to you!
To see clips of my ‘official’ unofficial news segment, go to the link @ http://tinyurl.com/5qlfau
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
A NEW DAY
Today's thought: What can each of us do to better our selves and community in this era of a new America?
~In the midst of challenge, with hope and virtue...let us venture on!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Early Spring Cleaning
I seem to function better in an organized setting--in the house, the car or at my desk. It makes it so much easier to not only find things, it also helps me to make the most of my brain power. Instead of trying to remember where I left a business file, I can spend time thinking of how to make the business grow! I just read from an article which said cleaning is like:
...cleaning the debris from your (subconscious) mind...opening it to a new flow of increased energy and ideas...
I can use all the energy and ideas I can get! Why not start your 'spring cleaning' in January?
...cleaning the debris from your (subconscious) mind...opening it to a new flow of increased energy and ideas...
I can use all the energy and ideas I can get! Why not start your 'spring cleaning' in January?
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Let's Go
Are you still on track for the new YOU in this fine 2009? I am, come on...are you coming or what?!
Check out this great site at http://www.selfgrowth.com/
Check out this great site at http://www.selfgrowth.com/
When what we are is what we want to be--that's happiness.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Reminder
Inspiration comes from everywhere. But one place we often don't look for it is within ourselves.
I certainly didn't think I'd get that reminder from a DVD! However, as I watched, completely engrossed in the movie, The Great Debaters, I was reminded of a lesson of where inspiration can be found.
The story is drawn from the experiences of an elite team of black college students set in the segregated 1930's. The brave young people engage in debates of words and feeling in unprecedented challenges against white colleges. With the history making win against Harvard University, the students tap into their own strengths born out of both fear and hope in the challenging times in which they lived.
Great story. Great reminder.
Have a wonderful start to your week!
“Whether you think you can or think you can't -- you are right.” Henry Ford
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