There and back again

I went back to Bozeman this past weekend for Beth's wedding. It was awesome. The weather was perfect. The setting was gorgeous. I was among good friends. Who could ask for anything more? This first picture is my absolute favorite photo from the weekend. Congratulations Beth & Aaron.

They got married in Big Sky, Montana (about 40 miles south of Bozeman) at the Soldier's Chapel. Take a look.

It's a beautiful old church that sits along Highway 191. The mountain in the back is Lone Peak...the bulk of Big Sky Ski Resort. You walk into the chapel and the view looks like this:

I've been to several weddings and this one was right near the top in terms of how beautiful it was. The reception was just down the road at Buck's T-4 Lodge. The food was good (including my 3 pieces of wedding cake) and the company was better. Suffice it to say....I had a very good time.

While Beth was preparing for her wedding, one of my other Bozeman news buddies (and Beth's co-worker) was preparing to say goodbye. Although we worked at different stations, my friend Alyson and I started in Bozeman at about the same time. Now, she's moving on. This was Friday night in the studio as her station aired a goodbye segment for her.

And this is Alyson and I dancing the night away at the wedding reception.

Good luck Alyson. I feel a little better now knowing I'm not the only one that's moved on from Bozeman.

That, of course, brings up a good point. This was first time back in Montana since I took the new job. I'm a pretty nostalgic guy. You'll often find me reflecting on the good times in life I've already experienced. It's no secret that many of those good times took place in Montana. I was a little unsure of how I'd react....in light of the skeptical nature I still have for Boise. But it was fine.

Just over two years ago, I was in the same position. I was returning to Glacier for the first time since getting my job in Bozeman. This is what I said about that experience:

"So I was a little nervous to go back. I expected something heart-wrenching. It didn't happen. I stared out over the waters of Swiftcurrent Lake and smiled. I was happy to be back. But something was different. I felt like a bit of an outsider. Normally that would dismay me. Glacier is "my park" after all. But then my intuition spoke loud and clear. "You feel like an outsider because you don't belong here. You've moved on."


I felt the exact same thing in Bozeman. It's funny how you simply have to go back to a place you once called home...to realize it's not home anymore. This is an extremely nerdy reference but does anyone remember what Frodo Baggins said at the end of "The Lord of the Rings?" In the movie, he says, "How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on, when in your heart you begin to understand there is no going back."


That resonates with me quite a bit. How do you go on? I think the answer is to embrace where you've gone or where you're going. I took a big step in doing that this weekend. I decided to take the scenic route home. I drove from Bozeman west to Butte and then southwest to the Big Hole Valley. It's an extremely remote part of southwest Montana. Then I crossed into Idaho and headed towards Salmon, Challis, Stanley, Idaho City, and finally to Boise. I've got one word to describe the drive. Wow! Truth be told, the Boise area is not the prettiest part of Idaho. I realized that soon after I arrived. Unfortunately, I think I let it color my opinion of Idaho as a whole. Not anymore. There are so many parts of this state that are simply stunning. Now I just need to get out and explore.


It was a good weekend. I saw old friends and discovered new places. It was the best of both worlds.

"It's Not What You Think"

Um...I have egg on my face.

Remember this post? I talked about how incredulous I was when a drunk couple hopped on to the elliptical trainers next to me at the gym. I mean who goes to the gym drunk?

Fast forward to this past week. I was at the gym with a co-worker. We finished doing our cardio workout and I hopped off, grabbed my open backpack off the floor and walked away. As I did, a miniature bottle of The Glenlivet whiskey fell out and hit the floor. I know people saw it. I know they knew what it was. Obviously embarassed, I quickly walked back, picked it up and got the hell out of there.

The explanation: Remember when I wore a kilt for the morning show back in April? That was sponsored by The Glenlivet? When they sent me the kilt, they included the little bottle of whiskey. I remember putting it in my backpack and I just forgot about it. I swear. I'm not a drunk. But I'm sure people at the gym thought I was a lush.

Home Sweet Home

I'm committed.

Although I could probably find another nice apartment with a cheaper rent...I've decided to forego the hassle of moving. I signed a 13-month lease at my current place. It really is a nice home for me. It's right along Boise's highly touted Greenbelt. I'm close to downtown. It's the perfect starting off point for a bike ride along the Boise River. It's a good place...and I'm gonna be here for a while. For anyone who cares (mostly mom) here are some pictures.

The view from my backdoor patio

The Boise River

A squirrel in the parking lot; that's water he's licking up...not oil or anti-freeze

A week ago, the inaugural Boise Ironman Triathlon swung through my neighborhood. A large section of the race took place on the Greenbelt. I walked out my door and took a few pictures of the racers.

I had really good timing too. I walked outside just in time to catch this guy...a racer...on camera. He was competing in a prisoner costume. How metaphorical.

Overall, I'm liking Boise. And I think I'm ready to like it more now that I'm firmly planted in a decent dwelling...at least for a while.

Keep 'em coming

I pulled into a Chevron gas station this morning to fill up the tank. As I sat there pumping my $3.95 a gallon gas, I saw the gas station attendant walk outside with his price changing pole. I watched curiously as he begin to change the prices...wondering if I'd personally see $4 a gallon gas for the first time. My hopes were dashed. The prices went up four cents to $3.99.

Insane? I guess. But you know what? I hope the prices just keep going up.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not a rich man. Paying for gas is just as painful for me as it is everyone else in the country. I remember when it was going for 99 cents a gallon. I think I was 19 or 20 at the time. I would love to be paying those prices again. But I think it's obvious to everyone that we need to wean ourselves from oil. And I'm not just talking about foreign oil. I'm talking about all oil.

Humans are ingenious creatures. We are perfectly capable of solving problems. Unfortunately, we don't do that in many cases unless we absolutely have to. Don't sit there and tell me the internal combustion engine is the beat all/end all of automotive power. There are people out there with good ideas about how to transform our vehicles. We just need the incentive to do so on a mass scale. I think some sky high gas prices will be the catalyst. We're going to reach a point when gas starts to seriously sink the U.S. economy...much more so than it's doing now. At that point, the lights will start clicking on. People will say, "okay...this is it. It's time for change." And then it will happen. The interim will be painful. But guess what? Serious change is always kind of painful. I think we'll come out better in the end.

I can't say whatever alternatives we come up with won't present their own set of problems and challenges. (I'm sure oil companies will monopolize new forms of automotive power so they can continue making money). But I think we have to go for it...no matter what.

I don't usually tackle "issues" on this blog. But I've been thinking about this for a while. So while I, like everyone else, will continue to wince at high gas prices (I have a 25 minute commute every day)...I'm smiling deep down inside.

Feedback

I'm all in favor of feedback. So imagine how happy I was when I looked in our station's public email folder and found this little gem.

"I have been watching channel 6 morning news for the past 12years- - -cannot watch any longer! The three commentators are the gooniest, dorkiest and most immature silly bunch on TV in Boise- - --especially Ms. Paul. Hopefully you are working to upgrade your personel. Thanks."

Some 60-year-old man sent this to us. Ah well. Don't really care. In all honesty, we've received many positive emails regarding our new morning show. So shove it dude. :)

I'm addicted to crack...

...and by crack, I mean these little guys.
I have a huge sweet tooth. Everyone knows it. But I turn into a vacuum when I get around these things. I don't know what it is about them. They're stocked in the vending machine at work and everyday I throw down a dollar (yes a dollar) and buy a package of three. Dee-licious. Scrumptious. Bad for you. I don't care. If anything makes me fat in life, it's going to be Oreo Cakesters.

I can only remember one other time when I was obsessed with a new food product. Does anyone remember Suddenly Smores? They were little, pre-packaged smore cookies that you threw in the microwave so the chocolate could melt and the marshmallow could puff up? They came out when I was a kid. I loved them. They disappeared off store shelves not long after they debuted.

Good stuff.

Comfy

My new couch arrived this past weekend. Take a look.

It's very, very comfortable. I even slept on it Saturday night. Me gusta mucho. And best of all, I destroyed that crappy $150 futon from Walmart...and threw it in the dumpster. It gave me a lot of satisfaction. So now I have a real couch. Maybe one day I'll grow up and graduate to a real bed and a real dresser. We'll see. By the way...any thoughts on the rug? I was unsure about it at first but it was cheap and thought "why the hell not?" Either way I'm done with furnishing my apartment. It's too expensive and too much of a hassle.

By the way, have you ever cut yourself with a piece of string? I was trying to tear some loose string off one of the pillows on my couch. I grabbed it, wrapped it around my finger, and pulled. That's some tough string. It sliced right into my finger. Hurt like hell.

One last thing: It was 94 degrees this weekend. I liked it. A lot.

Tough Times

When did I become such an adult?

In the past three months, I've paid more attention to my financial future than I ever have before. Let's face it. The economy sucks right now. Every day I read yet another story on the news about home foreclosures, high gas prices, the rising cost of groceries, companies going out of business, etc. It's made me think about where I am in this economic downturn. Never have I thought about that before. I was having too much fun in Glacier or New Zealand to worry about my finances. After that I was below the poverty line in Bozeman...what's the point of planning when you're making so little money? Now...things are different. I'm making a decent living but I feel unsure about my future.

I've now become a little obsessed with saving money. I finally enrolled in my company's 401(k) plan. I'm making huge payments each month to pay down my credit card debt. (not a lot...but enough to worry me given my newfound financial outlook). I'm thinking of moving to find a lower monthly rent. I've given up on the idea of having real furniture in my apartment. (Except for that couch I bought...but I'm okay with that purchase). I'm monitoring my bills and bank accounts more than I ever have. I'm taking responsibility for myself.

I'm okay with all of the above. But I'm worried about the next steps. I'm worried about what's in store. A new car is likely in my future. I'm eventually going to have to get a permanent fix for my worn down teeth. (Refer to this post for background). I need to start investing my money (once I pay down my debt and save some more) but I'm unbelievably intimidated by the prospect. Basically I need to balance saving money with spending money....and leaving some room for fun.

That's not the only thing I'm worried about though. Although my job situation is pretty secure, this is a tough time to be in the TV news business. I see co-workers around me struggling with pay raises, contract negotiations, and general work problems. It's discouraging. And it affects me. There have been industry layoffs across the country. Obviously, this is happening across the board...in all lines of work.

I'm just really thinking like an adult now. Thank God I only have myself to support and not a family. I can't even imagine that.

Polygamist

My roots are catching up with me. I'd like to introduce you to my 4th TV wife.

Now getting divorced and then re-married is nothing new. I went through two divorces in Bozeman. However, now I'm officially a polygamist. I have two TV wives...at the same time. We're a three person anchor team. I introduced the other one back in February.

So far, so good. We started our new, revamped morning show and I'm liking it. Getting lots of positive feedback too.

And best of all...it's warming up. I'm so happy summer is on its way.

Really?

There were three times today when I got annoyed and said to myself, "seriously? Is this really happening?"

The first occurred at 3:00 this morning. (That's when I leave for work...lucky me, huh?) I walked outside and saw frost on my car. It was freezing. May 1st...and it's freezing. "Yeah but it was the middle of the night," you say. I don't care. It's May and it should be warmer than that. I'm really ready for summer.

The second occurred when I logged on to CNN.com and saw this:

Notice the "Live Developing Story" banner. Really? A stuck pelican? Worthy of a such a news alert? I'm an animal lover but come on. I'm even okay with a local news station covering a stranded kitten in a tree. But this is a national news site...breathlessly announcing a....STUCK....PELICAN. Whatever.

The third happened at the gym. I hopped on the eliptical trainer for a little warm-up. A man and woman soon got on the machines next to me. BAM!!! I was almost knocked over by the overwhelming stench of liquor. The guy next to me was hammered. REALLY? Going to the gym drunk? I don't get it. He only lasted on the machine for about 2 minutes before he gave up...laughing as he dismounted. Idiot.

The world never ceases to amaze me.

Car Quirks

For those of us with older vehicles, the quirks are many. I drive a 1996 Toyota Camry and just wanted to give you a brief rundown of how my car behaves.

1. The radio antenna is broken. It's an automatic one that's supposed to rise and fall when the car's turned on and off. For some reason it won't rise. That doesn't mean it won't try. Because of that I'm treated to a very loud grinding noise every time the car is turned on. It lasts for about 30 seconds. The best part is seeing the reaction of people who get in my car for the first time.

2. The electrical lock system works...for the most part. Something happened with the driver side...meaning I can't unlock the doors from my door. But on the bright side, the passenger side lock button still works.

3. My odometer is malfunctioning. Instead of a mile turning forward on the zero...it does it on the six.

4. Perhaps 7 times out of 10, when I turn on the car, a thick, blue smoke puffs out of the exhaust pipe for about 30 seconds. Yes...my car burns oil...and lots of it. Great for the environment. I'm adding oil every month.

5. I have no right, front turn signal thanks to a car accident in Bozeman back in December. (Special thanks to the idiot who decided to run a stop sign causing me to run into him. On the bright side...you should have seen his car).

I guess that's it. Theoretically, I guess I could afford a new car. But when you have one that works fairly well, why spend the money. At this point, a Prius seems like the only good option because of the high cost of gas. However, I'm soon gonna need new brakes and tires. Come this fall, I'm going to have get the turn signal fixed so I can pass inspection. So should I put all that money into a 12-year old car that has 150,000 miles on it? I don't know. We'll see. For now, I'll keep driving the gold beast...waiting for the latest quirk to pop up.

Trouble in Dodge

Dodge being Bozeman...and boy am I happy I got the hell outta there.

Don't get me wrong. I love all things Montana. Overall my old station was very good to me. But there is some serious drama going on at my old stomping grounds. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a little gratifying to know things went to hell after I left. But I'd be delusional if I thought the drama was really caused by my exit. Things were set in motion long before that.

In the time I've been gone, my former co-anchor abruptly left and a reporter was fired...(unjustifiably I might add). Then they bring in a "big name" anchor from Billings to save the day. Turns out she was a diva who wasn't up to dealing with the realities of super small market television. So now she's gone.

Just two on-air people are left...the two sports guys. They're both good guys and I'm sorry they have to deal with all the crap there.

It really does make me sad. I had a lot of pride for that station and it's depressing to see how much trouble they've had recently.

Alas, it's not my problem anymore...and I'm just glad I got the hell outta dodge.

Food

For as much cooking as I do (extremely little), I can't understand why I'm so fixated on the Food Network. You know how we all have our favorite channels? The ones we check first when we turn on the TV to see if something good is on? Food Network is right near the top of my list. I love it. But I don't get it. Sometimes I think about making something I see, but I'm usually satisfied just watching.

My favorite shows:

Paula's Home Cooking - I wish she were my grandma (no offense to my current grandmother).
Everyday Italian - I have a serious crush on Giada de Laurentis.
30 Minute Meals - Some love her, some hate her...I happen to like Rachel Ray.
Tyler's Ultimate - Has anyone noticed how much weight Tyler Florence has gained?
Barefoot Contessa - Another woman I was was a relative of mine.
Nigella's Bites - I like watching her cook with "liters" and "grams."

One complaint of mine though...Rachel Ray is nuts if she thinks the rest of us can cook the meals she makes in 30 minutes. What takes her a half hour would take me an hour and a half. Don't deny it.

So while I may never make something I see on the Food Network, I will keep watching. I'm addicted.

Settling In

I have to admit something.

Over the past few weeks as I've woken up around 2:30 in the morning to get ready for work, I've thought, "why did I do this to myself?"

Of course, the ungodly hour has played a big part in my...oh, let's call it uneasiness. But there have been other little things as well. A lack of self-confidence at work, the annoyance of not really knowing anyone here, not knowing my way around, dealing with new and difficult personalities at work...it's all tiresome and frustrating.

BUT...things are getting better. I had a great day at work today. I've gotten some good viewer feedback. My boss handed out some decent compliments (something I don't get the sense he does all that often). We solved the glare problem with my glasses. The "new & improved" morning show starts in two weeks. Starting next week, I won't be alone anymore on the anchor desk. I'm getting into a groove. Hitting my stride my take a while...but I see progress. Oh...and I've done some cool interviews. Last Friday it was Ty Pennington.


Things are slowly getting better on the homefront as well. I finally bought a real couch. I didn't mind living sparingly when I was working seasonally. But now that I'm living permanently in a big city, I'd like some nice furniture. My crappy Walmart futon just isn't cutting it anymore. Here's a picture (sort of) of what I bought. It's the same style but my sofa is a little longer and a nice green color. (Unfortunatley, I have to wait about 4 weeks to get it delivered. It took me forever to find one I liked so I don't mind the wait).

I'm still on a mattress and box spring with no bed frame. My clothes are still being kept in milk crates stacked on top of each other. But hey, a new couch is a start...right?

And last, but not least...a dog.

I don't have one yet...but I feel like that purchase is coming soon. Although winter is stubbornly holding on here in the Treasure Valley (very irritating), warm temperatures (when they occur) are bringing lots of people out and about. I'm seeing all the people outside with their dogs. I really, really want one. I think it's gonna happen soon. Still, it's a big commitment, and I'm a little nervous about it. I don't necessarily need a big dog, but I want one that can play in the mountains with me.

Of course, you can expect pictures of said dog when he or she joins my single household.

80's style

I borrowed this from several people. I encourage you to participate.


1. How old were you in 1980? I was born in March of that year.
2. How old were you in 1989? 9
3. Were you a Toys R Us kid? Yeah, but we went to Kaybee's too.
4. Did you watch Transformers? No.
5. Did you see E.T. on the big screen? No
6. Did you own a Lite Bright? I can't remember if I had my own or if I just played with my sister's.
7. When someone says ' Who you gonna call? ' You think? Duh...Ghostbusters.
8. What was your favorite toy? Hmm. This is a hard one. Probably my Micro Machines.
9. Did you have a Pogo Ball? Yup. I think it was yellow and orange.
10. Did you listen to New Kids on the Block? No.
11. Which New Kid did you have a crush on? None of them.
12. Did you play M.A.S.H? Yep. Many times.
13. Did you watch The Care Bears? No...but I had one when I was little.
14. Did you have Jelly bracelets? No.
15. Did you have a charm necklace and/or bracelet? No.
16. Did you own a glo-worm? No.
17. Did you ever own a slap bracelet? Yep.
18. The Breakfast Club or Sixteen Candles? Sixteen Candles.
19. Did you have a crazy hair style? No.
20. What was your first bike? A yellow and black Huffy.
21. Name one thing you still own from your childhood? Nothing with me currently, but several items (including my Micro Machines) in storage in Utah.
22. Did you have a Cabbage Patch Kid? No...but my sister did.
23. Did you dress like Madonna? I hope not.
24. Did you watch Miami Vice? I remember one episode where one of the main character's wife or girlfriend died in an explosion.
25. Did you own a pair of Jelly Shoes? No...why are these questions geared towards girls?
27. Did you own a Trapper Keeper? Oh yeah...it was awesome.
28. Atari or Nintendo? Both...but mostly Nintendo.
29. Did you play Pac-Man? Yeah.
30. He-Man or She-Ra? Both.
31. What movie scared you the most? A Nightmare on Elm Street...I had many bad dreams involving Freddy Krueger.
32. Did you try to dance like Michael Jackson? I hope not.
33. What Is The First Thing That Comes To Mind When You Hear 'flux copassitor? I have no idea what that is.
34. What other colors did Pepsi come in? Crystal Pepsi of course. I really liked it...I don't know why it didn't catch on.
35. Roger Rabbit Or Howard The Duck? Howard the Duck...but only because I had a crush on Lea Thompson.
36. Did you ever beg your parents to have your school picture taken with the LASER background? No.
37. Do you know what the Ninja Rap is? No idea.
38. Favorite slang word(s)? i still (over)use? Dude, totally, and awesome.
39. Can you name the family members from National Lampoons Vacation movies? Hmm...I think the kids were Audrey and Rusty. I don't remember the parents names.
40. Did you have pump sneakers? No.
41. Did you own HYPER COLOR shirts? No.
42. Did you watch Smurfs? All the time. I wish it was still on.
43. What is the most annoying 80s style? Really high bangs.

Vexing Vision

I have never had such a problem with eyeglasses.

It started when I got to Boise, and my news director didn't like the glasses I had. I was okay with that. New glasses on the company? Why not? Unfortunately, they haven't worked out. They attract an enormous amount of glare in the studio...even with the anti-reflective coating that was put on them. Take a look.

I was immediately confused. I didn't have a problem with glare in Bozeman...and my old glasses seemed to avoid it in the Boise studio. Thus, I have become very good friends with the people inside Eyemart...a Boise eyeglass shop similar to Lenscrafters or Eyemasters. For the past three weeks, a woman named Shelly has diligently worked on the problem for me. She has watched every morning to study the problem. She's ordered 4 different sets of lenses...all with different types of anti-reflective coating...all to no avail. We just couldn't get rid of the glare. So we tried something new...different frames. Because my off-air glasses didn't have a glare problem, we figured the size of the frames (thus the size of the lenses) was the problem. I found some half-rim frames that were the same size as my off-air glasses. With much anticipation, Shelly put some lenses in those and we thought we'd be good to go. I wore them this morning. Still a lot of glare. Take a look.

We're trying one more thing tomorrow. Shelly adjusted the angle of the frames slightly. Seems like a minor adjustment, but I'm hopeful that will do the trick. If it doesn't, the next step is to adjust the lighting in the studio. That's sort of a problem because if they adjust it for me, there's a chance it could negatively affect the other anchors. We'll see.

If that's a no-go...I think contacts might be the solution. I hate contacts. I don't want to wear them. I like the way I look in glasses. But it may be the only option.

Stay tuned.

Now THAT'S a morning show

I took this job in Boise based in large part on the fact it was morning TV. Yes, there's some cheesy crap that goes on in the mornings. But it's free-wheeling and you learn quickly (that's my hope anyway) to be fun-loving, quick on your toes, and ready for anything. I'm still working on all that but at least I know the ingredients are there for the job environment I wanted.

This morning's show was packed. I've been anchoring alone for the past week or so due to the fact my co-anchor is ill. That said, it would have been nice to have some help but...it kept me moving.

First, an interview with two people on the dangers of online social networking websites and what parents can do to be more informed.

Then, I donned a kilt for "Wear a Kilt to Work Day." The Glenlivet Whiskey Company donated a thousand bucks to Direct Relief International for every on-air personality across the country who wore a kilt. I thought, "why not?" That's our main weather guy doing the bit with me.

And then...the best part of the morning: ice cream for breakfast. John Harrison, the main taster for Dreyer's Ice Cream was in Boise and he stopped by the show. This guy's a big deal. He's the man who invented the Cookies 'n Cream flavor...and dozens of other flavors over the years. His taste buds are apparently insured for a million dollars.

You can see the whole interview with him here.

It was a good morning. I'm still getting the hang of this thing but I'm happy with the progress made.

Oh...and tomorrow...we're bringing a live bull into the studio. Should be fun.

Idaho

I've had the following question asked of me countless times since I left Bozeman:

"How are you liking Boise?"

I'm always fairly reserved when I answer. This weekend, I realized why. I have no romantic notion of Boise...or the state of Idaho.

Utah...is Utah. The Wasatch Mountains are spectacular. Arches, Canyonlands, Zion...it's all enough to take your breath away. It's also home...which doesn't hurt.

Montana...is Montana. Glacier National Park is of course the cream of the crop. Missoula is awesome. Bozeman holds a special place in my heart. Just the name..."Montana"...stirs something inside.

Idaho....is what exactly? I never gave much thought to Idaho. When I was a kid, it was where we drove to buy lottery tickets. As an adult, it's the place I had to drive through to get to Montana. It was just always there. Now I live here. It's strange because every other place I've lived has held some special meaning for me. Not so for Idaho.

Don't mis-interpret me. I don't dislike it here. Boise is a cool, unique town that I'm looking forward to getting to know. On top of that, I grin at the prospect of exploring the backroads and mountains of Idaho this summer. I still have a good vibe about where I've chosen to plant myself for the time being.

But this is all a new experience. I'm learning to embrace a place...I never wanted to be. That looks bad when I write it out. It's not supposed to be.

"How are you liking Boise?"

It's fine. Give me time, and I think I'll like it a whole lot more.

28

At least I'm still in my 20's...right?
........................................................................
My weekend was very good. It started Friday morning when I got to cuddle with this little guy:

There are several advantages to being a morning news anchor...one of which is cute little animals in the studio. Was a bear cub the inspiration for teddy bears?

After that, I headed to SLC for the weekend. Boise is closer to home than Bozeman was...by about an hour and a half. My visit was supposed to be about friends and family...but upon arrival I immediately got sucked into this:

I was last home near the end of last summer. I sort of got sucked into the first season of Dexter when I found it in the On Demand section of my parents cable service. Damn good show. This time around, the second season was there waiting for me. Still a damn good show. It's clever. I like the characters. It's funny. It's dark. On top of all that, it's nice to see Michael C. Hall in another hit cable series. Great actor.

While I spent a lot of time watching 12 episodes of Dexter, I was able to catch up with friends. Kathryn and I took part in our irregular Olive Garden tradition. It was more introspective and thought-provoking than previous outings. Instead of talking trash about people (there was of course a little of that) we discussed how we were both getting older and how "serious" adulthood is. Blech. Good talk though...with a good friend. But the icing on the cake (literally) is what the waitress did for me.

Remember this?

It was a little under two years ago when I lamented the loss of Chocolate Lasagna at the Olive Garden. This past weekend I asked our waitress about my long-lost dessert friend. She had started working there right after they took it off the menu. Then she said, "but it's still here." My heart skipped a beat. "I mean we don't advertise it," she said. "But technically we still have it. We just use it as a birthday cake now." She explained that the little cake they give to people on their birthday is essentially the same recipe as chocolate lasagna. Seeing as how my birthday was just a few days away...I got a cake. It's certainly no chocolate lasagna. There's fewer layers of sweetened lard (ahh...the good stuff in life) and the texture of the cake is different. But I feel like it was similar. Perhaps I just convinced myself it was good because I miss chocolate lasagna so much. I savored every bite. Welcome back you dumbed-down version of chocolate lasagna. I missed you. Although I wouldn't mind if the real dessert made a real return.

Kathryn and I then spent some quality reminiscence time. We looked back at old hand-written notes that we had sent each other in high school. I looked through long-forgotten emails that we'd written. I'm glad that kind of stuff was saved. I didn't expect it but by reading through all that stuff...I gained some much needed clarity about where I am in life at this moment. It's hard to explain. But I think looking back at such detailed recollections helps you to place yourself more firmly in the present.

Sunday was all about family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, and everyone else. It was good to see everyone. My family is crazy. I think most families are. But still...I enjoyed spending time with them.

All in all...a great weekend. Monday sucked...but hey, Mondays always do. Tuesday was good. We did a mock run through of our new and improved morning show...set to launch in April. I'm a little nervous. It's much more personality-driven than the current show. I'm wondering if I have enough of a personality, or even a likeable one at that, to pull it off. We'll see.

Blah

Sometimes I see this blog as a chore.

It weighs on my mind when I haven't written anything. I start to feel guilty as the days go by without a new post. I look at other blogs and marvel at the ability of some people to post something every day. I just don't have the motivation. Hell, my life's not interesting enough for a daily entry.

As of late, I'm just not in the mood to write.
Oh well.
It's really not that big of a deal and I need to feel less guilty about it.

That is all...I'm going to bed.

Musings

It's been a while.

Hair Scare:
So I had two haircuts in three days recently. I went to one woman who had some "different" ideas for me. With me being the non-confrontational person that I am...I sat there and smiled weakly as she explained why the poofy, 70's-style haircut she'd just given me looked good. Luckily, she didn't cut much off. Therefore, I was able to schedule another appointment at a different place. I'm now happy...for the most part. I've pretty much always hated my hair but I'm content with where it's at now. The next big challenge: what will happen as my hair continues to thin. Aging sucks.

A Night Out:
I know getting out of your comfort zone is a good thing in many regards. However, I think it's important to admit there are simply things you "just don't like." I don't like bars. I went out the other night thinking I would "try something new." In reality, it wasn't new. I have the same thought every single time I go out for a night on the town...thinking, "maybe tonight, I'll have fun." I didn't. I don't. I'm perfectly okay with having drinks with friends. "Going out" and all it entails...just doesn't appeal to me.

Time Warp:
I normally welcome the change to daylight saving time. But it's different when you're supposed to go to bed at 7 p.m. I find darkness really helps...and darkness will be in short supply over the next several months.

Lifestyle:
I like working in TV. I really do. But the more I think about it, the more my ideal lifestyle seems to take me in a different direction. I want to play outside, with friends, and not be poor. Does anyone have any idea how I can accomplish that? Let me know.

Target

I figured this would happen eventually.

Every one of us has sat at home and made some wise-ass remark about the people we see on TV. I know I've done it. Hell, I still do it. "Spit it out," I'll say when some other news anchor is having trouble with their words. Never mind the fact that I've had to "spit it out" myself many times. Or you look at a news anchor's clothes and wonder what the hell they were thinking when they got out of bed in the morning and got dressed. For whatever reason, we like to throw little barbs at the people we see every day. In terms of what I was aware of...I avoided the criticism in Bozeman. I'm sure people said things about me while in the privacy of their own home. But it never got back to me.

My free ride, however....is over.

There is a local bar in Boise with a website. On that website are message boards. Within those message boards, the "regulars" love to crucify those on the local news. I read through quite a few of them this weekend and it can get brutal. I received my first scathing remarks shortly after my first day on the morning show.

I am certainly not the only target. People say some nasty things about a lot of people here...on every station. And for the most part, it's not actual criticism. Instead, they throw out mindless insults intended for shock value. In a world where I did something else for a living, I probably wouldn't give much thought to this crap. On occasion, I might even join in. But when you're the person it's directed towards...things are a little different.

Still, I'm not that bothered by it. In all honesty, my first reaction was to smile when I saw it.

I just hope no one sees me on the street and throws food at me...like they did to Nicholas Cage in "The Weatherman."

Rare Opportunity

I have nothing important to say. But honestly, how often do I get the chance to post something on February 29?

A question:
Is today leap day?

I know this year is a leap year. But do we call the actual extra day "leap day?" That just sounds funny to me.

Whatever. Happy Leap Day.

That's all I have to say.

Day 1

It's good to have the first day jitters behind me. Things went pretty well this morning. There were a few hiccups and I did have one "duh" moment, but overall...my debut on the anchor desk went pretty well. I apologize for the pictures above. They're a little blurry. My camera was being stupid and wouldn't focus. But it gives you an idea of what the studio looks like.

The basics:
There's a lot more ad-libbing than I'm used to. That's a good thing. It's always been something I need to get better at. But it's a little challenging now.

My glasses, since so many people were interested, aren't that different than my old ones. I'll probably just use them for TV, and keep wearing my old ones.

I'm excited about this job. There's a lot of potential here...and I can't wait to really take the show in my own direction.

So, if you're ever in southwest Idaho, and you're up between 5 and 7 a.m., tune in...I'll be there.

Early Riser

I'm not really a big fan of this whole "morning" thing. It would be one thing if I had to get up at 7, 6, or even 5 o'clock in the morning. But 2 am? Come on. It's not easy. I know I need at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep. The problem is actually going to bed early enough the night before. Going to bed at 10 is early for me. But if I did that, I'd get 4 hours of sleep. So I should go to bed at 7, right? In theory, that's a good idea. But in practice, it doesn't work. I can't do it...no matter how tired I really am. I figured I would wake up early one day, suffer through an extremely tiring work day, fall asleep early and thus...reset my sleep cycle. It didn't work. Maybe I need some pharmaceutical assistance. Perhaps some Ambien or something. Can I just walk into a doctor's office and get that stuff? I have no idea.

In other news....

...I officially start the morning show tomorrow. I was supposed to start it today but my news director didn't like my glasses. He said they "closed off my eyes" too much. I have no idea what that means. Regardless, we went shopping for new glasses and found some I really like. They'll be ready today. So I should be good to go. I'm slightly nervous. Definitely excited. A little unsure of myself. But here goes nothin'.

And one last note....I'm finally getting DVR. I've sat back in envy as friends have maximized their TV viewing with DVR or Tivo. Now I'm joining the ranks. I'm pretty excited. There's a possibility it could turn me into an even bigger couch potato than I already am...but it's worth the risk.

Observations

Some things I've noticed about myself and my surroundings...as I get used to my new environment:

I'm back in school again.
I feel inexperienced, ill-prepared, and sometimes clueless. I never claimed to be a know-it-all. But I got used to not being questioned at my job in Bozeman. People looked to me for answers, advice, and clarification. My, how the tables have turned. My work is now under scrutiny. I'm being challenged. I'm being questioned. I'm being criticized. Deep down, I know this isn't a bad thing. It's helping me learn. It's helping me become better at what I do. But it's certainly humbling.

Politics are everywhere.
It doesn't matter where you go. It doesn't matter what you do for a living. Workplace politics are everywhere. Conflicts abound. People have strong personalities. No place is perfect. A couple short weeks in the newsroom, and I seem to have seen it all.

Traffic sucks.
I used to think traffic in Bozeman was bad. Now I know I had it easy. Although Boise isn't the biggest city out there, the traffic can be a nightmare. I'm just not used to urban commuting. I'm finding myself getting frustrated very easily.

Sugar beets stink.
There's a sugar beet factory not far from the station. I know nothing about the way sugar beets are processed. All I know is that it fills the air with a sickening sweet stench. It's a smell hard to describe. Just know that it's awful.

Weather changes fast....EVERYWHERE.
Have you ever been somewhere where the weather changes quickly and someone says, "That's _____ for you." They'll insert the place where they live and somehow they think the phenomenon of rapid weather change is unique to them. Guess what? It's not. I've seen it everywhere I've been. Quit claiming it as a unique badge of honor.

Despite the tone of this post, I'm not complaining. Overall, I'm pleased with how things are going at work. I'm excited about the next two years and what I can accomplish. I get a good vibe from Boise and I'm looking forward to getting to know the place. I just tend to dwell on my frustrations more than anything else. It's a bad habit.

Digging in

The first week is over.

I'm happy about that. I hate those first few days at a new job. You feel useless and under-utilized at the same time. You pester everyone with questions. You have opinions...but you're not confidant enough in your new setting to back them up.

For the most part, that's all over. I made it through the first week and I think I proved myself. There's much more work to be done, but I know everyone was holding their breath...waiting to see how I'd perform under pressure. I was thrown to the wolves on Thursday. For those who've been at the station for a while, it wasn't anything extraordinary. For me...the pace was challenging. This is all TV talk, but I did three stories in one day. I never had to do that in Bozeman. Yes, I have a photographer now. (no more shooting my own stories). Yes, I have an editor now. (no more putting them together myself). Still, it was a little overwhelming.

I'm solely a reporter for the next two weeks. After that, I start the morning show. I can't wait. I'm really excited for it.

Besides work, there's not much else going on. I've been busy getting things settled in my apartment. Overall, I get a pretty good vibe from Boise. I'm still nervous about planting myself here. But it seems like a good place. It's clean. It's beautiful. (although the mountains here just can't compare with those in Montana and Salt Lake). The people are friendly. I'm realizing early on that the only thing that would stop me from enjoying this place...is myself. I'll try not to let that happen.

One last thing...completely unrelated to life in Boise. Does anyone know if the following video is real?

Odds & Ends

Four full days in Boise.

Actually, that's not true. I've spent most of the past 4 days in Nampa...a suburb about 20 miles west of Boise. I'm not sure what to think of Nampa. My natural distaste of suburbia is probably the biggest factor in my view of the town. However, my hotel is here, my work is here, and like it or not...I'll be spending a significant amount of time here.

I have been to Boise several times. I found an apartment on Thursday. I move in Wednesday evening. It's pricier than what I had envisioned, but it was also love at first sight. It's a nice complex, newly renovated, right on the Boise river. It's also close to downtown and Boise State University. I'm excited about it. I'll post some pictures when I move in and get settled.

I did a little exploring...walked around downtown, drove up to Bogus Basin, searched for the big box stores and fast food restaurants I'm bound to visit in my time here. Now all that's left is to start working. That's tomorrow. I won't start the morning show for a couple weeks. Other than that, I have no idea what's in store for me. I'm excited though. I really need to start working. I'm getting antsy. It's amazing what effect a little downtime can have on your self-confidence. The more I dwell on what it's going to be like, the more I think about the possible mistakes I'm going to make.

Goodnight, Montana

I drove out of Montana in September 2005 not expecting to return. My 4th and final season in Glacier National Park had come to an end. Though thoroughly saddened by the fact my “seasonal life” was over, I knew it was time to let go. I knew there were other things waiting for me. I understood I had to close one chapter before I could begin a new one. Still…that drive wasn’t easy. For 5 hours, as I moved north to south, I reflected on what the previous 4 summers had meant to me and how they had changed me. It was an emotional ride. The final outburst came as I crossed the border into Idaho. “Goodnight, Montana,” I said aloud. “I know I’ll be back…but our relationship will have changed.”

I arrived home in Salt Lake feeling overwhelmed. I knew I was headed in a brand new direction. But there were no specifics. Instead I had to feel around a little, take a few missteps, and find my own way. In retrospect, it didn’t take long. Within a month and a half of coming home, I was back in my car, driving on the highway to, of all places, Montana.

Good fortune, divine intervention, luck, “meant-to-be”….I don’t care what you call it. I was just incredibly happy to begin my “new” life in my “old” place. It’s funny how you can look back and view a time in your life as being much better than it actually was. Overall, I had a great time in Bozeman. But I’d be lying if I said it was easy. In the beginning, I would often focus on how much time was left on my contract. One month down. Two months down….and so on. I just wanted my two years to be finished. It’s somewhat difficult to explain why. Bozeman was the first place I had ever lived where a social structure wasn’t built in. It’s not easy to make friends in an unfamiliar place…at least not for me. Frankly, I was uncomfortable and lonely in the beginning…and I didn’t know how to deal with it. I guess that’s why I wanted it to just be over. To be clear, it wasn’t a matter of wanting out of the situation. It was a matter of wanting to have made it through…without the necessary effort.

Things slowly got better. Again, I won’t lie and say my social life here is amazing. But I did meet people. I made friends. I got comfortable. Dare I say…Bozeman even started to feel a little like home. I can look back on this process of adjusting to a new place…and call it a learning experience. I can take what I learned here and try not to make the same mistakes in Boise. I think I’ll be okay.

While I muddled my way through the new challenges in my personal life, I feel like I thrived professionally. I’m the little kid who wanted to be a news anchor. I knew it at 5 years old. For some reason, it was something I was always drawn to. To see that dream realized was surreal. To actually do the work was validating. I remember how I felt the very first night I anchored the news. When I look back at it now…I’m a little embarrassed. I was nervous. I was very green. I was stiff. It shows. But still, I knew I did well for the level I was playing on. I called my parents after the show. My mom said, “Well? How’d it go?” With a big grin on my face, I said, “I was born for this.” I know it’s cheesy. I know it’s corny. I know I’m a dork. But I was really, really happy. I felt validated. That validation only grew. I made an impact here. I impressed people. I did good work. I made myself proud. A first job in this business is supposed to be your proving ground. I proved myself. I’m not blind to the fact that there is much, much more to learn. But I think I built a very sturdy foundation in Bozeman.

My next drive out of Montana will be today. I’ll probably cry like a little girl. I’m not sure if I show it or not…but I suspect I’m much more emotional and sentimental than most people think. It’s hard not to be. Over and over and over again…I’ve waxed poetic about Montana. I can’t help it. Everything I’ve found here has been good. It healed me emotionally. It nourished me physically. It helped me socially. It grew me professionally.

The only thing left to do is say thank you. Thank you to the people I met here. Thank you to God for putting me here. Now it really is time to move on. Not because I want to. Not because I even have to. But simply because the time is right.

As far as Montana is concerned, David Walburn said it best in song.
“…you can never say goodbye to her, you can never say goodbye….just good night”

So that’s what I’ll say. Goodnight, Montana. Goodnight.

Flattered

And it's over.

I had my last day at work yesterday. I'm completely flattered and overwhelmed with the fond farewell I received...not only from my co-workers, but my competitors at the other station in town.

Below is a video clip of what both stations did for me. A quick note of explanation: my friend Beth used to work with me at my station. She left last fall to work for the other guys. As a result, she's contractually restricted from appearing on TV for a period of 6 months. Nonetheless, they came up with a clever idea to allow her to say goodbye to me. Profiling me on their station was a flattering and kind thing to do. Thanks guys. It means a lot.

As for my station, they sent me off in style. Thanks to them for that. I'm gonna miss everyone. I'll write a final Montana post tomorrow as I head out of town. Now I gotta pack like a madman.

Enough is enough

I wrote this a couple months ago.

I'm taking it all back. Facebook is not better than MySpace.

Don't get me wrong. My relationship with Facebook started out promising. But my how it has fizzled. What went wrong? Consider this comparison. You start dating someone new. In the beginning it's hot, it's exciting, it's all you ever wanted. But as time wears on, the excitment wears off. Soon you discover the little annoyances you failed to see at first. Before you know it, you're completely irritated...and the relationship is over.

So goes my relationship with Facebook. I was excited about it when I first signed up. But now, I'm just irritated. I'm sick of all the "applications." I don't want someone to test my movie knowledge. I don't want to join a game of Scrabulous. I don't care how sexy my name is. Those are just a small portion of the applications I've been asked to add. For the record, I've only allowed two: Oregon Trail (because seriously, how could you not like Oregon Trail) and Skiers vs. Snowboarders. But do I really need 4,500 (that's how many Facebook applications actually exist) to choose from?

I did a little research and found that I'm not alone in this. One blog out there called all the applicatons a "cornucopia of uselessness." Ditto.

I'm not ridding myself of Facebook. I've found people on there I never would have been able to track down. But the love affair is over.

I'm rekindling the romance with my original flame...MySpace.

Happy Birthday

Today was my dad's birthday. I didn't call him. Sorry, Dad.

I really didn't forget. I thought about it several times today. It's just that whenever I did remember it, I was on some sort of deadline for work. And whenever I experienced a lull...I forgot about it.

So Happy Birthday. Thanks for all the help (financial and otherwise) over my past 28 years. Just because I'm getting a new job and I'll be making more money...doesn't mean that has to stop. :)

GBH

I've written before of my complicated relationship with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Refer to that post for details and background.

With that mentioned, I was genuinely saddened to hear that Gordon B. Hinckley had died. Despite my criticisms of the church, I saw in him a little of what I've always found hard to see in Mormonism; compassion without judgement. I always got the sense that he walked a bit of a tightrope...upholding church doctrine while legitimizing and recognizing different viewpoints.

Perhaps others didn't see him that way. I did...and my gut always told me he was "good guy." I'm sorry to see him gone.

Powder, birds, & guts

I've snowboarded many times. I worked two full ski seasons at three different resorts in three different states. I've had my fair share of powder days. But nothing I've experienced so far compared to this past Saturday.

This is what it looked like in Big Sky. That's a car under there. Bad news for that car's owner. Good news for me. The riding was unbelievable. At least 2 feet of fresh, dry powder for the taking. The best part? Big Sky isn't like many other resorts. Even on a Saturday powder day...the slopes are crowd free; one advantage of being in a remote part of Montana. It was one of the best riding days I've ever had. It came at just the right time, too. Severe winter weather blew in today. It's supposed to -10 tonight with a wind chill approaching -25. The front steps of my apartment have disappeared...replaced by a four foot high snowdrift.

Speaking of just outside my apartment, check out this photo:


I walked out of my building a couple weeks ago, looked up, and stopped dead in my tracks. Ravens, ravens everywhere. I felt like I was in "The Birds." I counted 40 altogether. And finally, speaking of animals, don't you just love seeing a gutted, split-open elk on the back of a pickup in front of you on the freeway?

I was trailing this guy for a while wondering what the hell I was looking at. I finally got close enough to identify the rib cage. A freshly killed, freshly gutted elk.

I'm gonna miss Montana.

"...and all the rest of dear old West..."

Aging sucks.

I'm nearly 28. By the time my contract ends in Boise, I'll be nearly 30. I think of those numbers and while my face wrinkles into a frown...it's still hard to wrap my mind around them.

Mention my 10-year high school reunion...and it's a different ballgame.

I was on the phone with a friend yesterday when she said, "you're going to our reunion right?"
"What reunion," I said.
"Our high school reunion. Our 10-year high school reunion."
"What!? But that's not 'til 200-." That's when I gasped. "Oh my God. It's 2008. I graduated 10 years ago?"
"Yeah you did."
"Oh my God, I'm old."

There you have it. My 10-year high school reunion is this year. I'm only turned off by the fact that it's been 10 years. Unlike many, I'm okay with actually going. I haven't gotten fat. I'm not bald. I have a respectable/unique/interesting job. I've done fairly cool things in the time I've been out of high school. I like seeing old friends. I think it'll be interesting.

But damn....I'm getting old.

Gramically?

I'm sorry Beth. I must blog about you and your quote today. Please forgive me.

So Beth and I were chatting on the phone. We were talking about someone who has a hard time reading and writing coherently. In all seriousness, Beth pulls out this zinger:

"Nothing they write is gramically correct."

Ahh...good times.

In other news....

....my reign of terror officially ends tomorrow. I am no longer interim news director at my station. Woohoo! The new news director starts tomorrow. Granted, he'll have an adjustment period and yes I'm leaving soon anyway but oh man...it still feels good not to have intolerable levels of responsibility.

My last day is three weeks from yesterday. It hasn't sunk in yet.

A Dog's Life

I am a big baby.

I've teared up before while watching a sad movie, hearing a sad song, or reading a sad book. But never have I cried so much as I did when I finished "Merle's Door."

I had never even heard of the book. I was browsing the shelves in Borders and happened to see it. I read the inside jacket and thought, "I should buy this." So I did.

Wow. I can't believe how much if affected me given the fact that I've never owned a dog. If you get a chance, read it. And if you're making fun of me for crying...you'll be singing a different tune when you finish it. I promise.

New Adventures

Boise it is. Here goes nothin'.

I don't know that I've ever had such a tough time making a decision. Of course, I never had to make one as seemingly important as this one. In retrospect, it was Boise all along. I could see that. It was just a cloudy view. I had to suffer through the haze until things cleared up.

Still, even if I did know what I wanted deep down, it was not an easy decision. How do you casually decide to leave something that isn't necessarily bad? How do you know when to walk away from something good? Those are always the hardest steps to take. You know it's right...but you know following through is going to hurt. It's a tough pill to swallow.

I know I'm constantly fawning over Montana. Some don't understand it. Others are sick of it. Still others just think I'm crazy. But you have to see it like I see it. I came here as a broken 22-year-old. Montana, and everything I found here, healed me. How can I not have deep, unwavering affection for such an all-encompassing salve?

Still...it's time to go. You can expect me to wax poetic over the next month. I'll probably drive out of this state sobbing like a baby....but I suppose tears of nostalgic reflection are the best kind of tears to cry.

p.s. thanks to everyone who cares

Decision Time

Wow. I haven't posted in a while. I'm sorry. I actually do feel bad when I slack off. The guilt was eating away at me. But, as stupid as it sounds, I didn't want to write anything until there was some certainty as to what I would write about. That certainty has arrived. Now it's time to choose.

vs.

I got a nice present on Christmas Eve. The news director in Boise called and offered me the job. I was genuinely excited...yet still conflicted. For days, I'd been wondering about a specific job with my current company....in Missoula. Although it wasn't actually open, the timing and circumstances were such...that the possibility was there. I was terrified of accepting the Boise job...and finding out days or weeks later that the Missoula job could have been mine if I'd stuck around. I finally just said to my bosses, "Hey. I want this. If I can't have it...that's cool. Just let me know so I can accept something else without hesitation." They let me know. The job wasn't available. I was relieved....

...until they brought up the prospect of something else.

The possibility had been presented to me before. I wasn't terribly excited about it, but I never firmly discounted it either. When it was presented to me again, I said, "Okay. I am, at the least, interested. But I need to make a decision soon. Let's talk." We talked today. In all honesty, I was curious about a salary. The figure they quoted.....was surprising. It was higher than I had imagined. And now I'm left with this question: Should I stay or should I go?

Either way, I'm leaving Bozeman...probably by the end of this month. But should I go to Boise or Missoula? From a purely career standpoint, Boise is the better move. From a lifestyle standpoint, Missoula trumps Boise. However, neither perspective outweighs the other to the point of my choice being easy and clear.

I put together a rough pros and cons list earlier tonight. Didn't help much. Both choices had many pros. Both had few cons. Both jobs offer new adventures. Both offer new challenges. Both jobs offer growth. But in comparing Boise and Missoula...it's all a matter of degree. EVERYTHING about Boise is new. In Missoula, I can experience new things as well, but with a certain degree of familiarity.

I have a lot of thinking to do.

'Tis the season

Geez. Long time, no post. Sorry about that. (as if anyone cares).

The past week and a half has flown by. Work, as usual, has been a rollercoaster ride of exhaustion, exhiliaration, soul-sucking annoyance, and success.

There's no serious movement in the job hunt. I'm waiting to hear back from Boise. It could be any day now.

In the meantime, I've tried to get into the Christmas spirit. I won't be going home this year. :( That's sad. I do, however, have a Christmas tree that I cut down myself. It took a while to get it decorated but here it is.
Those are Glacier National Park ornaments. (I know...I'm a dork). I figured a bear tree topper would be ideal.

I also went to a Christmas party this past weekend. Some photos:

The Jewish sports guys and their Manischewitz wine

The "CBS Girls." Right women...wrong station

Jerrita & I. She brings some southern flavor to Montana

Saboe and I...I forget she's a traitor when she wears a big bow

One Christmas tradition I have not delved into...Christmas shopping. I'm sorry folks. I'm not buying presents for anyone. I'm poor. I have no time. Don't waste your money on me.

I'm going to bed now. And I'm sleeping in tomorrow...for the first time in a long time.

Bozeman to Boise?

I went.
I saw.
I'm intrigued.

There's the summary for my Boise trip. I don't really know what else to say.

There were no moments of "Wow!!! This job is perfect for me!" At the same time there were no thoughts of "hmmm....I'm not so sure about this." Simply put, I don't know what to think.

The Pros:
The people at the station were amazing. Everyone was friendly, welcoming, and genuinely interested in talking with me. The station, obviously, is a big step up from where I am now. More toys, more people, more money. The job I interviewed for is a great opportunity. Good position to jump to. Decent pay. Well-balanced workload. The station "looks" great. Vibrant, professional, fast-paced way of delivering the news. Graphics are beautiful. They recently won an Emmy for best newscast in their region.

The Cons:
A jump from where I am now...but within their own TV market (competing against 3 other stations), they face lots of challenges. Boise is very big and unfamiliar. I know this is to be expected but still, it discouraged me a little. The station faces some financial hurdles.

....you know what? This is stupid. As I write this I'm realizing it really is a great opportunity. Simply writing down the pros and cons has cleared things up a lot. Who knew I'd have some sort of epiphany while writing this post. I'm convinced my biggest reservation is fear of the unknown.

Granted, I have not been offered a job. They have other candidates to interview as well. But if things go my way, there's a very good chance I'll be in Boise within a couple months. Time will tell.

Sicky Sickerton

I'm sick.

I called in sick to work on Monday. I went to work Tuesday. Anchoring for just 10 minutes at 6 o'clock really did a number on my throat and voice. By the 10 o'clock show...it was worse. Before the show started there was a nagging voice in the back of my head saying, "you shouldn't be doing this." I did it anyway. It wasn't good. I kept it together for the most part but I was talking very quietly, my voice was shaky, and I was swallowing in the middle of sentences.

I woke up this morning and called in sick again. I sat home, pretty much all day, doing nothing. It's been okay...if not extremely boring. I've been doing a lot of thinking today....not all of it productive.

I leave for Boise this Sunday. I'm excited. A little nervous too. What if I hate it? What if I like it? What if I hate it and they desperately want me. What if I like it and want them to desperately want me? What if I'm indifferent?

Another strange opportunity popped up this week. A job in Topeka, Kansas. A good job...with a good salary. I know what you're thinking. I'm thinking the same thing. Kansas? Still, something about it made me think, "don't rule this out just yet." We'll see where that goes.

I'm solidly addicted to 4 reality TV shows. A Shot at Love with Tela Tequila, Keeping up with the Kardashians, I Love New York 2, and The Girls Next Door. Frankly, I'm falling in love with Tela myself.

I hate the fact they took pseudoephedrine out of over the counter cold medicines. Screw the meth heads...it's the only thing that works for me. I know I can still get it from the pharmacy, but they weren't open at 10 o'clock the other night.

Christmas is coming? It might as well be January. It's a shock that I actually have a Christmas tree in my apartment. I'm just not feeling the Christmas spirit this year. It's not that I'm being a grinch and Christmas is pissing me off. I simply haven't noticed it. I haven't given a single thought to presents, decorating, Christmas shopping...nothing.

I'm sort of missing Utah. I think it's because I was watching the Dick Nourse and Michelle King farewells online. They reminded me of growing up in Utah and Salt Lake. It made me a little sad. God knows I love Montana...but I miss Utah.

O Tannenbaum

For the first time ever, I cut down my own Christmas tree yesterday. I'm sure cutting your own tree is not a "uniquely Montana" tradition. However, I had never heard of doing that until I moved here. I should have done it two years ago when I first moved here but hey....better late than never. Joining me were Jeff & Rob, the two Bozeman sports guys. (Jeff is Jewish and was cutting down a tree for a friend). Here we are below with the trees we chose. Mine isn't the biggest, but it's definitely the best.

It was a good winter weekend in Montana. I went snowboarding on Saturday and then romped through the Gallatin National Forest on Sunday. On top of that one of my best friends and I got even closer. That was good too.

My TV Crush

My desire to be a news anchor is inextricably linked with Michelle King.

It all began on January 28, 1986. I've blogged about it before. What I didn't mention in that post of nearly 2 years ago...was the face staring back at me that night. It was the face of Michelle King.

I was entranced by her. I'm not sure why. Why do any of us develop the crushes we do? There was just something about her. She was, and still is, my favorite news anchor.

I've met her a few times, though I'm not sure she'd remember me. I was an intern at KUED in Salt Lake. I worked on a weekly public affairs program called Civic Dialogue. It was a weekly show where notable community members would sit down for a half-hour interview. I floated the idea of having "local TV news anchor Michelle King" sit down for a personal chat. My bosses liked the idea and told me to book her. I was pretty nervous. "Do I just call KUTV and ask for Michelle King," I asked myself. That's what I did. I got her voicemail. She called back the next day and graciously agreed to do the interview. I finally met her in person on interview day.

A year or so later, I scored an internship at KUTV. I had been working there a few days before I saw her. She remembered me as the one who asked her to do the KUED interview. I thought that was pretty cool. For a while I didn't get a whole lot out of that internship. I was too busy staring around the newsroom...in awe of the people (Michelle King front and center) I had grown up watching. Gradually, that faded and I was able to see everyone as down to earth people.

I don't live in Utah anymore, so I don't get to watch Michelle King every night. Still, it was a little disheartening to hear that she had chosen to retire. Tonight is her last broadcast...after 29 years at KUTV. (It's also Dick Nourse's last show at KSL...after 43 years. Cool...but I just never was a huge Dick Nourse fan).

I'm such a news dork.

This is your life

I was going to devote this post to the topic of football. Yes, football. What in the hell does Lincoln, of all people, have to say about football? Tune in at a later date to find out.

As I was reaching into the memory bank (my journal) for this football entry, I came upon something that has completely perplexed me and thrown me for a loop.

At the end of my first year in Glacier National Park, I bought a journal. For the next 4 years, I wrote in that journal. I obviously didn't do it a lot...otherwise I would have filled the thing up long ago. But I wrote as regularly as could be expected of me.

My last entry was on September 17, 2006. Here's what it said:
"I know what I need to do. Yet the thought terrifies me. Or does it? I suppose the act of "doing" will be terrifying but right now I only feel slight apprehension. I'm wanting more right now. Just something else. Soon, Lincoln. Soon."

Here's the issue: I have absolutely no idea what I was talking about. Seriously. I can't remember. What was I terrified of doing? I looked back in my blog archives to see if my September '06 ramblings would clue me in. No dice. I'm completely, utterly dumbfounded.

I thought journals were supposed to help you re-live memories. Mine has only confused me.

Boise Bound

Finally...some actual movement.

I'm officially headed to Boise for a job interview. It's been on the radar for some time now but now...I actually have a plane ticket.

I've never had a burning desire to move to Boise. I'm not sure how I feel about the prospect. But when I weigh the pros and cons...I realize the cons are simply unknowns. I just don't know much about the city...or even Idaho for that matter. As for the possible job, it's a great opportunity with a seemingly great TV station. So for now, I'm simply excited to see what it's all about. I leave December 9th and I'm stoked.

There are still other possibilities out there....other angles to work. But perhaps this whole "looking for a new job" thing is finally (albeit slowly) coming to a head.

Rivalry

vs.

For the longest time, I was a myspace loyalist. Katie tried for months to convince me that facebook was where it's at. I didn't believe her. I made a feeble attempt to join facebook but it didn't go anywhere. My profile languished, incomplete and lacking substance, for months. Then...someone I had been thinking about for a while...someone I hadn't seen since high school...found that wispy little profile and contacted me. So, in order to communicate with this person, dived head first into the world of facebook.

Wow.

I didn't realize what I was missing. facebook is so much better than myspace. I feel like a 15-year-old girl when I say that but it's true. And there's one simple little reason for the truthfulness:

People.....Are.....Lazy

I don't care how easy the internet makes it to stay connected. It can still be a chore to wade through everyone's profiles on myspace, leave comments, write messages, whatever. It's hard to keep track of it all. facebook does ALL of that for you. It puts in the extra effort for you. You don't have to go searching around to see what people are saying to each other. facebook simply tells you. Everything's automatic. When someone's profile changes...you are notified no matter what. I love it. Yes that's lame. Whatever.

I feel bad for myspace. I really do. I'm usually such a loyalist. But in this case...it just ain't gonna happen.

What the hell happened?

Not too long ago...life was good.

It was summer. I was eating right. I was active. I liked my job. The future looked bright. I was relatively happy.

All of a sudden...life sorta sucks.

It's cold outside. I'm stressed. I don't exercise anymore. Work is blech. I'm nervous about the future. I'm in a rut.

What the hell happened?

Seriously...how does life change so fast without me realizing it?

That's all. I need to get up at 5:30 so I should go to bed. Even though I can't sleep.

Crown & Coke

It's 5:30 p.m. on a Saturday night in Bozeman. I'm home alone, drinking a Crown & Diet Coke. Judge me. I don't care.

It's been an eventful couple of months. I never imagined I'd be where I am right now...dealing with what I'm dealing with. It's enlightening, frustrating, humbling, and exhausting...all at the same time. Here's a rundown of what I've learned recently.

1.) Management is not for me.

I've known that for a long time. Now I'm validated in that belief. Managing is basically babysitting....and I hate it. It's especially hard when you have to babysit the people you've been working with (on an equal level) for the past two years.

2.) People are greedy.

I don't care who you are...when it comes down to it...you're greedy. You're looking out for your own best interests. I'm not excluded in this. But in taking a "management" role at my station, I have a different perspective. Whether it's malicious or not, people are looking out for themselves...at all times...whether they realize it or not.

3.) If there's an open door...people walk through it.

This sort of goes with #2, but it's slightly different. People will take advantage of whatever new situation arises. They're looking out for numero uno...and when new cirumstances make that easier...they seize the opportunity.

4.) Competition can be ugly.

Maybe I don't know how to handle competition because I was never really into sports. But when two friends are suddenly put into the position of competing each other...things deteriorate quickly. It's no fun.

5.) Strong feelings can't be bottled up.

It's okay to fight. People do it all the time. I'd even say it's healthy. But after the cooldown period...you've got to talk things over. It makes for much healthier relationships...even with people you wouldn't consider close friends.

6.) It's easy to get burned out.

I've never been in this situation before. I used to think people who were "burned out" were just whining. Now I know better. Too much of anything can force your body to simply shut down.

7.) We all have an ego.

I don't care how shy or outgoing you are. Your ego is always wanting a little more attention or validation.

8.) Stress can change you.

I'm sure this is obvious to everyone. Personalities change when under stress...especially for those people who don't normally deal with a lot of stress.

9.) Accurate examination of self...is vital.

You've gotta be honest with yourself. You have to look at yourself truthfully. Much of the time, you won't like what you see. But if you can see what other see...you're more apt to change yourself for the better.

10.) Bodies need rest.

I guess science has known this for a while. I'm just beginning to realize it.

Sometimes I wish people I knew didn't read this blog...so I could be a little less vague and more open with my feelings. Then again, my ego would take a hit if I knew people weren't reading. Go figure.

Adjusting to my new reality

Here's the deal.

I work....a lot.

On most days, I'm in the office by 10 in the morning. I leave around 11 at night. There are some days when I literally do not leave the building the whole time. It sucks...to put it mildly. But there is no other choice. I'm news director, producer, anchor, reporter, light bulb changer, car washer, mediator, and any other job title that happens to find me.

It's not going to last forever...but it could last a while. I'm actively looking for a new job. It isn't easy. I'm not sure what I expected when I started the job hunt. I guess I was thinking good fortune and luck would simply come my way. That hasn't happened...yet. And while I've been discouraged for a while now...it's getting a lot better. Reality is setting in...and I'm adjusting to it. Bozeman is not a bad place. Work is terribly difficult right now, but I don't want to leave here...just to leave. When I do go, I want it to be to a place that I'm excited about...a place that's right for me...a place that speaks to me...a place that fits. I'm understanding now that it's going to take some time. I'm okay with that. I have to look on the bright side. I'm raking in the overtime. I'm getting managerial experience (even though I hate it and never wanted it in the first place). I'm still in a great place with good people. I'm being allowed to hunt for a job while I have job security.

So there you go. We'll see what happens.

Remember when...

...you could go trick or treating without having to worry about sex offenders?
...you had to carve a pumpkin WITHOUT those fancy/schmancy pumpkin carving kits with intricate designs and teeny weensy saws?

I was thinking about those two things today. I've seen all kinds of news stories across the country on how to keep your kids from trick or treating at the homes of sex offenders. Really? I guess it's something to be concerned about but...it didn't used to be like that.

And then...I carved a pumpkin last night without using those kits. It was interesting. It turned out well though. I can't remember the last time I did it.

All in all...a good Halloween. I was busy, of course...but still good.

I had way too many mini Twix bars today.