P-Town

I'm a little late in posting this but better late than never. I headed to Portland last weekend. It was a somewhat spur of the moment trip to see some friends. I've been informed by some that the "cool kids" refer to it as PDX. I'm sticking with P-town. It's a nice city. Depending on what I decide I want out of the news business, Portland looks to be an ideal spot for me. It would be hard to get there but it's a decent possibility.

The drive was annoying (especially the 9 hour, snow-laden trip back) but I had an awesome time. Stupidly, I didn't take any pictures. But I dug through all my old photos to come up with a reconstructed narrative. Enjoy.

My main motive for going was to see Katie.
We met more than 5 years ago in Glacier National Park. Here we are in 2003 at Charlie's in Babb, Montana. Katie has come to visit me many times in Bozeman and Boise so I thought it was time to return the favor. Despite a disasterous trip up to Mt. Hood...it was a good time.

Two more Glacier buddies also live in Portland.

This is Jason and Shelly, also known as Shelson (and occasionally referred to by their lesser known portmanteau Jelly). They met in Glacier, fell in love, and got married. Cute isn't it? We had dinner and drinks and reminisced the night away. However, we're all getting on in years and most of us were in bed by midnight. Still...good times.

Also living Portland...my good friend Chris.

I met Chris in 2004 when I worked at Big Sky Resort. Here he is getting a workout in Monument Valley. Chris works for the National Park Service in Denali National Park. He's basically stationed on Mt. McKinley all summer long. He's hard core. I met his lovely girlfriend Amanda too. They're a disgustingly cute couple.

I expected to see one more person.

This would be Josh. He's Chris' good friend and also worked in Big Sky. Unfortunately, Josh got called into work (he works with an outdoor wilderness school for troubled youth) and couldn't hang out for the weekend. Maybe next time.

There's a certain moment in life that I cherish. It feels the same every time it happens yet it never gets old. I'm in the midst of a group of people I love (whether it be friends or family) and I take stock for a brief second. It's almost like I'm watching the scene out of a movie. The scene where everyone is laughing and talking and smiling. Conversations of all sorts fly by and sometimes mix with each other. I watch this and I simply smile. I'm part of this group of happy, fun-loving individuals and we are having a good time. It's hard not to revel in such simplistic joy. I had one of those moments this past weekend.

Thanks Portland.

Blah

For the past several nights I've sat down to write something...anything...on this blog. I've got writer's block. I have nothing meaningful to say.

I'm leaving for Portland. I'll be back Sunday. Perhaps I'll have something to say then.

Have a good weekend.

Underrated

Allow me to talk news for a moment.

I just have to say that I don't understand why Katie Couric gets so much disrespect. While I've always been an NBC News loyalist, I find myself watching her CBS Evening News more and more these days. She's good. She's really good. She made me laugh on The Today Show. But she impresses me with journalistic chops in her current gig. What is it about her that some people don't like? Or is it that they simply like Brian Williams and Charles Gibson more? I have no idea. I just know that I've slowly come to realize that she is at the helm of a solid newscast. I think she deserves more credit.

On a somewhat related note, I still regret not saying something to Ms. Couric when I saw her on Main Street in Bozeman. I don't think I ever told that story on this blog. That's probably because I feel stupid for the missed opportunity. I walked out of a store with my friend Whitney. We looked to the left and as I made the recognition, Whitney grabbed my arm and said, "It's Katie Couric, it's Katie Couric, it's Katie Couric." I simply watched her walk by. There I was, a news anchor at an NBC affiliate and I didn't say anything to one of the biggest names on NBC News. (She was still there back then). I don't know why. I'm lame like that I guess. But I regret it and I'm not going to make the same mistake if a similar situation presents itself in the future.

And to finish with this newsy post, I've got to mention another favorite of mine. World News Now is the overnight newscast on ABC. It airs in the wee hours of the morning. It's long been a cult favorite for news junkies. It's irreverent, unusual, fun, and entertaining....and since I'm up every morning at around 2:30...I get to watch it regularly. Anchors come and go on a regular basis (Jeremy Hubbard and Vinita Nair man the desk now) but they always seem to find a team that works well together. I wouldn't mind getting to that desk in my career. If you're ever up late one night, check it out.

Walkin' in a.......

It's always funny when someone who has never been snowshoeing asks how to do it? My usual response is, "You know how to walk, right?"

It has been a long time since I went snowshoeing. This latest trip was particularly awesome. A group of 14 of us headed out into the central Idaho backcountry for an overnight trip. It wasn't exactly hard core. Our yurt was only about a mile and a half off the main road. Still, it was a good time. Katie was good enough to fly in from Portland to join me.

I've complained about winter before. But truth be told, I love it. I don't know how anyone could hate winter. Whether you are skiing, snowboarding, sledding or snowshoeing...you just have to find a way to enjoy it. It's better than whining your way through a few months a year.

Antarctic Mormons in Chewed Up Cat Boxes

This here post is a rambler.

Okay. Which one of my Mormon friends did it? Who sent the visiting teachers to my apartment? It had to be someone. The Church isn't THAT good...is it? I haven't been trying to evade them or anything. But after ZERO contact over four years in Glacier, two years in Bozeman, nearly a year in Boise, and close to a dozen address changes...how is it that they were able to track me down...and knock on my door? I'm not upset. I was greeted by two very nice elderly guys. I told them the truth and said I was about to go to bed but that they could come back another time. I'm sure they will. My relationship with Mormonism is complex and I suppose I'll be honest and tell them that. But seriously...how did they find me?

I think I sent my first online instant message in...let me think...1997 perhaps? I'm not completely sure. The point is that instant communication via computers has been around for a while. Despite that, I still had a moment of disbelief tonight as I chatted online with an old friend from Glacier. She's in Antarctica right now. That's pretty damn cool.

I went to the dentist today. It's always fun when a new dental office employee takes a look at my teeth. I sit there in anticipation as the horror of my condition becomes evident to them. If you have no idea what I'm talking about follow the thread of posts about my teeth here. The woman giving me my cleaning was awe-struck. I'm glad I could provide her with entertainment. The good news is that my teeth haven't changed all that much in the last six months. I can wait a while before I absolutely NEED a set of crowns. More time to save up some money.

And finally, I've bought a few cat toys for Merlin. He likes them well enough. But nothing can compete with a good old cardboard box. It's like heaven on earth for him. No more cat toys. I'm sticking with boxes and paper grocery bags.

Low Tide

I had about a dozen people tell me Utah was going to be slaughtered by Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Most of those people were bitter Boise State fans...upset by the Broncos' Poinsettia Bowl loss and the fact it was Utah's higher ranking that kept BSU out of a BCS bowl game. (Note: I consider myself a Bronco fan. I live in Boise and I'd like to see them do well. But I'm a Utah grad and that loyalty comes first). Whenever I heard the naysayers, I just smiled and nodded.

Victory is sweet...pun intended.

That is all I'll say about Utah's win. What I really need to talk about is a serious transgression on my part. In my euphoria over the outcome of Friday's game, I violated one of my own cardinal rules. It's still eating me up inside.

I sent out a mass text message proclaiming my excitement.

I strongly dislike mass text messages. It's the holiday ones that really irritate me.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Merry Christmas!

Happy New Year!

I'd say it's the thought that counts but let's be real here people...very little thought goes into it. And don't think I'm falling for the text that says "Happy Holidays! Your friendship means a lot to me!" I know every other friend on your contact list got the exact same thing.

I can't explain why these little greetings bother me so much. Some of them are even okay. Got a birth announcement to make? Go ahead...send out a mass text. Letting everyone know of a new phone number? Mass texting is cool with me. Just engaged and want to share the news? Fine...let everyone know at once. But don't pass off a generic "Happy Fill-in-the-Blank" greeting as something with a personal touch.

Sorry for the little rant. I hope it doesn't stop a few friends out there from communicating with me.

Old Lang Sign

Yeah, I know it's Auld Lang Syne. But when I was little, that's how I thought the words were spelled. I still have no idea what the song means.

For many, many people...2008 sucked. I'm sorry for that. I truly am. But speaking personally, I don't know how to classify this year. I guess I'll call it the Year of Boise. Although I moved here in February, I knew I'd be relocating in the beginning of January. From that moment on...Boise (and everything about my life here) has been the center of my world.

As for how it went....eh. It's been okay. Nothing earth-shattering. Nothing spectacular. Nothing maddening. Nothing ridiculous. Nothing heart-breaking. Nothing euphoric.

I've learned a lot. That's always good.

As for 2009...well...maybe I'll write about that tomorrow.

Since I'll be asleep when the new year rolls in...Happy New Year everyone.

Options

A few questions for you to ponder.

Would you rather be beaten to death with Tinker Toys or killed in an avalanche of dice?

Would you rather live in a world where it it rained bouncy balls or where people had Mr. Potato Head-style facial features that could be removed and exchanged?

Would you rather lie down naked on a Benihana table or have your mouth stretched around the part of a lawnmower where the grass spits out while it mows high grass?

Would you rather be able to fight and kill masterfully with Yo-Yo's or with Frisbees?

Would you rather be machine gunned to death with Lite-Brite pegs or assassinated by cabbage patch dolls?

Would rather have your cell phone ring function set to airhorn or Taser?

We are Also Family

Here we are...15 (I'm behind the camera again) members of the McKee clan on Christmas Day. This is mom's side of the family, and for the most part, we're all here. My brother, his wife, and their kids were not...but that's an entirely different story. It's a dysfunctional family but we love each other.

Although I was only home for about 30 hours, it was a good trip home. Perhaps it was the perfect amount of time. Enough hours to catch up...but not enough time to get annoyed with everyone. I jest, I jest....sort of.

One highlight of this Christmas: a LONG-overdue present.

Yeah, that's a Teddy Ruxpin. Remember him? I do. I wanted him when I was 5 years old. I really wanted him...a lot. But for some reason, Santa decided I didn't deserve him. I'm not sure why. I got everything else I wanted. What was the big problem with Teddy Ruxpin? Over the next 20 or so years I never let my parents...uh...I mean Santa...forget the fact that I never got a Teddy Ruxpin. Well, at the age of 28, the issue has been rectified. I opened up a Teddy Ruxpin on Christmas morning.

The entire trip would have been great had a storm not blown into Salt Lake the night I was supposed to leave. As soon as I got to the airport, the snow started to fly. The plane that I was supposed to ride on back to Boise wasn't allowed to land in the blizzard and was diverted to, of all places, Boise. I didn't get home until 1 am. But compared to other travel delays across the country this past week, I'm sure I got off easy.

Merry Christmas (by the way...I'm sick of people saying Happy Christmas. When did that get started? It's Merry Christmas people)

Bits & Pieces

I apparently spoke too soon when I wrote this post about Boise not getting much snow in the winter months. While it's true I haven't seen much snow outside my apartment door, other parts of the Treasure Valley have gotten slammed. More snow is on the way too. Besides the freeway and some major main roads, I've been driving on snowpacked roads for the past week or so. All I need to do now is make it up to the slopes.

There are people who call the station and ask to talk to the weather guy. When someone calls, one of two things will happen. They will either criticize you for the inaccurate forecast you gave that day. Or they're calling for a personalized forecast. Believe it or not, it's the latter that I find most annoying. Instead of listening during the news, they want you to tell them personally what the weather is going to do. I'm sorry people. I'm not your personal butler. On top of that, I'm not even a trained meteorologist. I just play one on TV.

When I was in middle school we had the opportunity to fly the friendly skies for free. Our school had a partnership with a now defunct airline in which free tickets were given to hundreds of students a year. The point was to give them the opportunity to ride in an airplane. A few of those flights were all-day trips. I went on one to Seattle. We left early in the morning...toured the city for the day...then flew back that night. But most of the trips were "turnaround flights." We'd fly to the airport...wait a little bit...and then fly back. They were short and pointless...but kind of fun. I only bring this up because I'm about to take a very quick trip back home to SLC. I'm flying out tomorrow and flying back Christmas day. Good story huh?

I was in Barnes & Noble a few weeks ago saw a book display set up titled "World Affairs." EVERY SINGLE book was about Barack Obama. I'm happy he won but there has be more going on in the world than his election.

Merlin has gotten quite big since I got him this fall. He really is a damn cool cat. The best word to describe him: Chill.

Finally, I stumbled upon a Christmas song that is apparently a classic. I heard it on the radio today and thought it might be some sort of a joke. Then I looked online and learned "Dominick the Italian Christmas Donkey" has been around for decades. Have a listen...if you haven't heard it already.


Merry Christmas

We are Family

Here we are...31 (I'm taking the picture) members of the Graves clan. Frankly, this was a dismal showing at our annual family Christmas party. There were quite a few who didn't even show up. Some had good reasons for not being there. Others did not. Either way, it was good to see everyone. Still, being with the family reminded me of how much things have changed. My young cousins, the ones I used to chase around the house at family get-togethers, are now in their teens. I was floored when I heard that one of my cousins was "with her boyfriend." Boyfriend? Isn't she too young for that? Actually, no...she's not. I can see their faces changing...as they get get older. They look like adults now. I'm sure people saw those same changes in me as I grew up. It's strange to see them myself. I was also reminded of how this big family has never really been the same since its matriarch died. Grandma Rosie was the glue. She'd be 86 if she were alive today. But it's been 15 years since she's been gone. I was 13 when she died. Her little, non-descript, blue house on Salt Lake City's west side was the epicenter of our family. I have so many memories from that house...not the least of which surround holiday family gatherings. Things have definitely changed since she's been gone. We've all pulled back a little. There's not as much closeness as there once was. It's sad. It's also inevitable in many ways. As a big family grows larger, more and more members move to the periphery. It certainly doesn't help when some people move away (myself obviously included).

But we're all still smiling in the picture above. I think we're all genuinely happy to see each other. It's not like we hate each other (most of the time). Things have just changed a little. That's okay though. We all know we're family and there is genuine warmth in the hugs we give each other.

The moral of the story: savor all your family time. Things will change before you know it.

Goodbye Utah, Adios Montana

I got pulled over this week for not making a complete stop at a red light while exiting the freeway. An ISP trooper just happened to be in the right spot to catch me. It happened on the way to work. I guess a car speeding off the freeway at 3 in the morning arouses suspicion. Whatever.

I wasn't worried about getting a ticket for it. I was worried at what the trooper would say to the facts that I didn't have an Idaho driver's license and my registration was expired. Overall, she was pretty cool. She gave me a ticket for the registration because it was the cheapest. She let the other two things slide...as long as I promised to make a complete stop next time, and get a new license.

That's what I did today. I surrendered my Montana license and my Utah plates are no more. It's kind of sad. I was attached to my Montana license and I liked the simplicity of the Ski Utah plates. Now I have plates that say "Famous Potatoes." Kind of lame. In fact...I found some guy's random blog entry which makes the case for a new Idaho plate.

Incidentally, Idaho makes you take the written driver's exam if you're coming in from out of state. I was a little nervous but I passed. I passed the motorcycle test as well so I could keep my motorcycle endorsement. On top of all that, I still have a CDL. I'm all set if I need to head back to Glacier and drive the Reds.

Substitute

I was all set to sit down and blog about my trip home. I wanted to analyze the strange behavior of the Graves family which I saw at our annual family Christmas party. Alas, I left my camera at work and I feel any recollection would be subpar without a couple photos I took. So I'll leave that post for later.

For now...how about some of my favorite entertainment courtesy of YouTube.

This made me cry...seriously.


I think this is the stupidest, most ridiculous thing anyone could ever buy. And frankly, it creeps me out a little.


This is by far one of the best news bloopers I've ever come across on the internet.


The Soup is an obsession of mine. This is one of the better clips of late.


And finally...this is pure magic. These are the lyrics some English-speaking dude hears when he sees this Indian music video. This crap belongs on MTV.

Snowbound No Longer

Winter 02/03 - Winter Park, Colorado and The Canyons, Park City, Utah
Winter 04/05 - Big Sky, Montana
Winter 05/06 - Bozeman, Montana
Winter 06/07 - Bozeman, Montana
Winter 07/08 - Bozeman, Montana

A winter storm is scheduled to move through my neck of the woods this weekend. In my opinion, it's long overdue. For the past 5 out of 6 winters, I have been blissfully snowbound. (The winter of 03/04 doesn't count because I was in the southern hemisphere. Summer ruled the day). I've been in a place where the snow flies all the time...and it sticks around well into the spring. I've complained about winter several times on this blog. But I truly am a 4 season kind of guy and I need my fill of wintry weather. Boise just doesn't deliver in that regard. It's very much like Salt Lake. Sometimes it snows in the valley. I remember some big snowstorms when I was little. But when it does snow, it doesn't stick around for very long.

Then I left Salt Lake and experienced winter in cooler climates. I got used to it. But now I'm back in a Salt Lake-like climate. The snow sometimes flies in the Treasure Valley. But when it does, it doesn't stick around for long. I so miss Bozeman in that respect. By springtime, the snow is irritating. But in the dead of winter there, you expect the snow. You like the snow. You embrace the snow.

Here I am ready to embrace it again. But I don't think it's coming.

I'm still fortunate. I can head into the mountains for my wintry fix. I guess that's better than nothing.

On a sidenote, check out this beautiful description of winter by Dainon. It strikes a chord.

99

I don't typically participate in these. But this was a good one. I borrowed from Amanda.

The ones I've done are in red.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo - only if I count my disasterous A'cappella audition
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Italy
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run - does an infield home run count?
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Received flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Whoa....How you doin?

So Shania's back. I guess she came back about a month ago at the CMA's but I hadn't heard. All I have to say is....damn, she looks good.

I never really listened to much music growing up. I did, however, go through a country phase in my teenage years that lasted until I was about 21. That is, of course, when Shania Twain burst onto the scene. I immediately became infatuated with her. Ask some of my friends about the Shania Shrine in my high school journalism class. Better yet, ask Kathryn about it. I'm sure she has a story to share.


My Shania obsession has faded quite a bit over time. Still, it's good to see her again. And for those who don't know, here's a little tidbit of information. I sang onstage with her at a concert in Salt Lake.


True story.

Doom & Gloom

It was a bad day at work.

Our general manager made the rounds and informed a handful of people that their jobs were being eliminated.

We've gone through several months of empty positions not being filled but these are the first layoffs. Now everyone is wondering if more are on the way.

It is not a good time to be in the news business.

Although I feel very secure in my position (though I know anything could happen) the trickle down effect is hard. Quality suffers. Morale suffers. We're being asked to do much more with much less. It's difficult to keep your head up.

I know I'm not alone in this. Every other business out there is suffering. But I'm starting to personally feel the effects of this economic meltdown. It's no fun.

Cliche

This is where and when I write about what I'm thankful for...right?

I'm definitely the kind of person to focus on what I don't have rather than what I do have. But there are those times when I realize I'm so much better off than the majority of people in this world. I've got my issues but when it comes down to it, none of them are life-threatening. That's important.

I could mention the myriad of things I'm thankful for. But I won't. I'll name one thing. Something that's especially timely considering the crap this country is knee-deep in right now.

I'm thankful for my job.

This has nothing to do with following my childhood dreams and becoming a news anchor. It simply has to do with getting a decent paycheck. I personally know about a dozen people who are unemployed right now and certainly don't want to be. It's scary and I feel for them. Necessity would force me to adapt but I'm still not sure what I'd do if I were in their shoes right now. I have a good job in very bad times.

I'm very thankful for that.

Bullets in My Bed

It's not the best story I've ever done. It's not very visually compelling. But it is my first, official sweeps story I've put together in Boise.


In other news, Thanksgiving is tomorrow. It doesn't feel like it. Some news buddies and I will be getting together for a gourmet meal at Marie Callender's. Jealous? I thought so.

Random Happenings

I was at dinner last night and witnessed something very telling and eye-opening. I noticed two guys having an apparent conversation. One of them was doing most of the talking. I looked at the one listening and saw the unmistakable look of boredom and disinterest on his face. He wasn't absorbing any of what the other guy was saying. I chuckled a little at how obvious it was. Then I realized how often that bored look spreads across my face. If it's so easy to spot it in him, then I'm not as good at faking interest in boring conversations and stories as I thought.

My co-anchor finally had her baby. I've been filling in on weather for a full week now.

Don't I look meteorological?

I look at this as a learning experience. That's it. I'm not that interested in weather. I certainly didn't realize how much we talk about it on the morning show. Frankly, it bores me. But I'd like to get halfway decent in presenting it. I think it will be good for me in the long run.

A couple days before Halloween, I went into a costume shop to look for some fake blood. This was one of those temporary shops that spring up every October. You know what kind I'm talking about right? They open up in some vacant building and disappear after the holiday. The employees are all temporary. Sometimes, they're not the brightest nor most well-groomed individuals. I went after work. I was wearing a shirt and tie. As I was walking around with a gallon jug of fake blood in my hand (seriously) when some woman came up to me and said, "you work here right?" I said no. She said, "Oh...you look like you work here." Then she walked away. Not 30 minutes later, I was in Walmart, wearing the same clothes, standing behind my shopping cart looking at cheese. A woman came up and said, "do you work here?" I said no. She said, "oh...you look like you work here." Lame.

Has anyone seen the History Channel show called "The States?" I guess it's a mini-series of sorts. There are 10 one hour episodes. There are five state profiles in each episode. It's fascinating....and strangely addictive. The entire series was on today. I almost watched all of it. I thought they did a good job of presenting Utah. The segment on Montana sucked. They didn't capture the spirit of the state at all. I didn't get to see Idaho. I really liked the one on Colorado too.

There are changes coming to work. My boss is leaving for a job in Omaha. I have mixed feelings about this. I won't get into it here. Let's just say there's a lot of uncertainty ahead.

The Utes won yesterday. Woohoo! I sat in a sports bar for 6 hours watching the Boise State game and then the Utah/BYU game. It was strange. Boise State fans were hoping Utah would lose so BSU would have a better chance of making it to a BCS bowl game. Every time Utah would score, me and 4 other people in the entire place were cheering like crazy. The BSU fans wanted to strangle me. But I don't care.

Is it weird that I like fog? I don't like driving in it of course, but in any other circumstance I find it intriguing. I walked home last night from downtown Boise. It's about a 20 minute walk. The fog was thick and heavy. I found it strangely refreshing. There was an eeriness to it but it was a comforting eeriness. Does that make any sense?

I'm a little obsessed with this blog. Its authors, my friends Ron & Jessie, are livin' it up "The Shining" style in Glacier National Park. They're winter caretakers...

....at the 90+ year old Many Glacier Hotel. The winter caretaker job was always a source of curiosity for me and other former Glacier employees. Now, someone I know, is actually doing it...and they're doing a damn fine job of documenting the whole thing too. It's fascinating...to me anyway. You should check it out.

Is it really almost December? Is 2008 only a month away from being over? Where did all the time go? Seriously.

A New Horizon

I added a picture to the banner at the top of this blog. I truly can't explain my deep fondness for this image. It's the background on my MySpace spage. It's my desktop image at work. Now it sits at the top of this blog...I think the most fitting place for it. It speaks to me. I can look at it and see a myriad of different meanings, each one just as profound as the others. What exactly is he doing? The answer depends on my mood. Frankly, I wouldn't have it any other way. How many times can you find a picture, an image, a passage, a quote, a proverb that speaks to you in a different way every time you take it in? I realize we all find meaning in such things. But multiple meanings? I suppose it may happen all the time and I've just been left out of such revelations until now. If that's true...I don't care much. All I care about is that I found this picture. To me, it's the most thought-provoking image I've ever come across.

Inspired

I should have written this yesterday. But I'm only now getting a break from the rigors of the news business around Election Day.

I wrote the previous post before I voted on Tuesday. I meant everything I said. But I feel like my words discredit what I witnessed Tuesday night. I fully expected Barack Obama to win the election. But I was caught off guard by the enormity of the event. When the networks called the race at 9:00, I quickly shuffled between all of them, catching glimpses of how they chose to cover it. Every outlet was focused on Grant Park in Chicago. I settled on CNN and sat there transfixed. The crowd was jubilant. People were crying. I've never seen anything like it. Then they showed what was going on across the world. Celebrations in Kenya, Australia, and parts of Europe. It was incredibly moving. "This is big," I said aloud to myself. "This is an awe-inspiring and defining moment." In an instant, I felt guilty that my initial support for this man was tinged with a hint of apathy. I was witnessing a rare event. Millions, probably billions, of people across the world were having the most meaningful group hug seen in a generation...and I was just barely walking into the party. An hour or so later, Barack Obama walked out on stage. He seemed different. He seemed presidential. I watched his victory speech with a grin across my face. Up until that point, I had never fully comprehended what an Obama victory would mean to this country given its racially charged past. Now, I suddenly understood. But that was only part of my quickly vanishing apathy. What truly blew me away was Barack Obama's ability to unite. Even McCain loyalists couldn't see what was happening and not be moved somewhat. It doesn't matter that millions of people chose not to support Obama this week. What I saw on Tuesday night was a grandiose show of unity. Not just in America...but across the world. It's good to see that again.

For a while I was paddling my own little boat alongside the big ocean liner. Sure, we were going in the same direction, but I kept a distance. That's over now. I've jumped on board. Let's not look back.

Apathy

I'm apathetic about today's election.

I will vote.

But deep down, I'm a little bummed.

You wanna know why?

Because I'd rather be voting the first female president into office.

Sorry Hillary. I really am sorry.

(sigh)

To Mr. McCain: I'm sorry for you too. I think you're a good guy. You probably would have made an okay president. I have my reservations about you but that's beside the point. I know you wanted it so bad you could taste it. Sorry buddy...your time has come and gone.

To Mr. Obama: Okay. You got what you wanted. While I'm cautiously optimistic, I know actions speak louder than words. Please, please don't disappoint us.

To everyone else: Go vote. It's your civic duty.

Halloween '08

So here's the deal. I haven't had an original costume in years. I've either been a Mormon missionary or a bear attack victim. Being a missionary would have been the easiest thing to do this year. But the novelty and humor doesn't have the same effect when you're in a place with a significant Mormon population. There weren't many church members in Montana...where I first donned the costume. There are plenty of Mormons in Idaho. Thus, I decided to go for the bear attack victim. It was my third go-around...and by far the best one. It was a lot bloodier. My back patio is covered in fake blood. It looks like I dismembered someone out there. Hopefully the rain will wash it away soon.

Halloween was fun...if underwhelming. It was cool to go out and see what people come up with in terms of their costumes. But it was still a night out on the town...bar hopping. We all know how much I love that. I went home before everyone else, washed the blood off, and went to bed. I'm lame...I know. But I still had fun.

Cat

I don't get why some people hate cats. I don't get why I always have to defend the fact I like them. I don't get why there's a stigma on single men who live with a cat. You know why I don't get all of that? Because Merlin is f***ing awesome. That's all I'm gonna say.

I'm not going to be one of those people who blab on endlessly about their adorable pet. But I had to post a few more pictures. He's not the perfect pet. But he's pretty damn close. So shut up about my cat. I think he's cool.

"And now...Lincoln Graves...with your Precision Forecast"

In the fall of 2006, my old colleague, Andrew Capasso, did a story on whether people on the street would recognize political candidates. He hit the streets of Bozeman with pictures of celebrities and those running for office to see who would recognize who. Just for fun, he threw a picture of me in the mix. One lady did recognize me. As Andrew laughed in the background, she said, "That's the guy that does the local weather. I forgot his name...but he does the weather."

Andrew, if you're reading this, I'm sure you'll be delighted to know that I'm about to become a weatherman.

I've been learning how to do weather for the past two weeks. My co-anchor, Mellisa, is about ready to pop...meaning she's very pregnant. The woman who was tapped to fill in for Mellisa just got a job in San Francisco. So, starting sometime in November, and going until sometime in January, I'll be delivering the forecast.

I'm okay with it....I guess. I'm not going to be very good in the beginning. The computer system is daunting. Delivering the weather and understanding it are two completely different things. But I'm excited to learn. I think it will be a good skill to have if I stay in this business for a while. I just wish the learning curve phase was already over. I hate looking stupid on-air.

Aged 3 Years

A fine wine gets better with age.

I don't.

Tonight, I was sitting on my couch, computer in my lap, talking to Beth on the phone. My screen saver rotates through all of the photos I have on my laptop. At some point, I stopped paying attention to what Beth was saying and started focusing on the photos. The ones I noticed were about three to four years old. They were eye-opening. For the first time in my life, I noticed a younger version of myself. Looking back at photos of when you're a child doesn't apply in this situation. I'm talking about an adult version of yourself looking at a different adult version. I've aged in the past three years. I really have. I only need look at the photos to realize it.

From this brief moment, I've developed a theory: the key to looking and feeling young is a care-free lifestyle.

My immersion into the news business hasn't been particularly wrenching. I don't feel as though I've struggled. In fact, I look back on where I've been and I smile at the good times I've had. But there has been stress. How could there not be? It's been a whirlwind three years and I feel like I just barely took the time to notice how disheveled that twister has left me. Real life puts you through the wringer....even if the highs outweigh the lows. I'm not writing all this with a wistful tone. I'm not saying it's a bad thing. It just...is.

Three years ago I was carrying luggage for a living and hiking all day. Now I'm into my third year of trying to be a responsible adult. It's worn me down a little...and I'm just now noticing. I don't know what this means for the future. I can't go back to the way things were. I don't even want to. But now I see my four years spent as a wanderer weren't just good for my spirit. They were good for my health. I'll have to figure out how get a little closer to that point. For now, I suppose I'll just try to have a little more fun in my life.

Merlin

I don't know how it happened. I wasn't planning on it. If anything, I was thinking about sharing my apartment with a creature of the canine variety. But now I have Merlin. You know what he's saying in the above photo right? "Ha ha! I conned you into adopting me! I own you sucker!" Little bastard. Cute little bastard...but a bastard nonetheless.

Wow...it's short.

I got a haircut on Friday. It's short. Have a look.

Whaddya think? Be honest. I can take it. I think I'm okay with it. It may take some getting used to but my hair's been pissing me off lately and it was time for something different. I'm sure it will morph a little but I think I'm set on keeping it short. Besides, when you have thinning hair (and I've done my research on that) a short style is better. It masks it a little more.

So my computer's been running slow lately. I was going through some of my computer files over the weekend, doing a little weeding, when I came across something I'd forgotten about. It was a goodbye project from Brandon, my old technical director in Bozeman. I teased him a lot. He teased me a lot. We mercilessly mocked each other. But deep down, I know he believed in my talent and I believed in his. Although we never told each other, I think we had a lot of respect for each other. As I was getting ready to leave Bozeman, I had an idea he was working on something for me. But before long, I was gone, and I'd forgotten about it. In reality, he just didn't finish it in time. A few weeks later, I got a package in the mail with the following gem of a video. He doesn't hold back. Some might consider it mildly inappropriate but I've decided to post it anyway. There's many inside jokes but still...it's funny. The concept? Someone's watching satellite TV and they do a programming search under my name. I guess this is what they'd find. Thanks Brandon. This definitely made me laugh.

That is all. I apologize for this completely narcissistic post.

Winding Down

Ever since I worked in Glacier National Park, I see the coming of fall and winter as a form of closure. I'm pretty sure it was a late September evening in 2003 when I traveled up to Logan Pass with a few friends. Glacier had just received it's first snowfall of the season. It comes early up there. It didn't snow a lot, but the newly charred forest was noticeably dusted.

The most vivid thing I remember about that night is how quiet it was. Going-to-the-Road is a hotbed of activity in the park. There's always an endless stream of cars coming up and down the road. But on that night we seemed liked the only ones around. We sat on the edge of a rock wall and looked out over the valley. I turned to Hardy and said, "I think the mountains are letting out a huge sigh of relief." While summer belongs to the tourists, winter belongs to the park. The hotels are closed. The roads aren't plowed. The people stay away. If the mountains were people I imagined them saying to themselves, "Finally. It's over. Now it's time to rest." A time of closure, albeit temporary, for the park itself. A time to recuperate, reflect, and recharge.

I've been thinking about this as summer comes to an end. Although life doesn't stop in the next few months, I still see fall and winter as the time to wind down, settle in, and rest up. On some levels it is sad. No matter how much I might crave the snow I never like to see warm weather disappear. While the colorful leaves are nice to look at, I hate to see the tree branches turn stark and bare. A winter sunrise may seem icy, refreshing, and exhilarating but it's no fun when the sun sets in the late afternoon hours.

Good and bad. Either way, I'm ready. I distinctly remember last summer lackadaisically meandering by. I wanted it that way. I knew it was my last summer in Montana and I savored every minute of it. This summer simply flew by. I don't think there was any other way for it to go. It was a time of adjustment, growth, bewilderment, and simple observance. I had to get used to things. Each new day was a baptism by fire of sorts. Such an indoctrination is bound to happen at breakneck speed.

Now I'm settling in. I'm reflecting on what I've learned so far to make the next summertime go-around more memorable and productive. Instead of the mountains breathing a sigh of relief, it's me. The whirlwind is over. Now it's time to breathe.

Fire, the Sawtooths, & Bunny Feet

Finally...FINALLY!...I got into the Idaho backcountry this past weekend. The Sawtooth Mountains are breathtaking. I went with my co-anchor Michelle and two of her friends from San Francisco. We hiked up to Sawtooth Lake. Gorgeous...as you can see. Although I'm excited for snowboarding, this hike made me a little weepy. Summer is coming to an end quickly. I don't necessarily like that. Hopefully, I can get one more Sawtooth hike in this Fall before the snow starts to fly.
Staying in the mountains of Idaho...I've been doing a lot of zip lining lately. A while back I did a story on a new zip line tour company that opened just outside of Boise. I've become pretty good friends with the owner and thus, have been able to take a few trips. Zip Idaho has the longest zip line in Idaho...at 1800 feet. Here's a shaky video I took going down.


Work's been pretty good lately. I wrote in the previous post how I felt a little inadequate delivering some breaking news. I finally went back and watched my 9 minutes of rambling. I figured I'd give myself a few days to let it all sink in...so I wouldn't be so hard on myself. I don't think it was that bad. It definitely could have been better...but I may have over-reacted. The story I was talking about in that breaking news has dominated local headlines here for over a week now. A fire broke out at the bottom of a hillside on the southeast side of town. High winds pushed it out of control and it ended up destroying 10 homes and damaging 9 others. I went to the scene for the first time today for a story on two cops that evacuated residents. I was stunned. Here are some pictures.
And here's the story I did on it today.

There's no easy transition from devastating fire to dead bunnies...so let's just get right to it. The property around the station is infested with rabbits. I pull into the parking lot early in the morning and they scatter. No one really minds them. We even like them. But I wasn't prepared for what happened one morning last week. I was walking out to my car to go home and saw this on the ground below the driver's door.

Two little bunny feet. No body. No blood. Just feet. It was creepy and I can't explain it. Maybe a coyote got a hold of it and decided he didn't like the feet. I don't know. But there you have it. I don't know what else to say.

Inadequacy

I still have much to learn in the news business.

Today I filled 9 minutes of airtime while waiting for a live press conference to begin. Nine minutes of ad-libbing with just notes in front of me. A friend tells me I did a great job. I don't agree. It's all sort of a blur. I mumbled on and on about certain things and I'm not even sure of what I said. I just know I don't feel good about it. I wouldn't say I bombed. But I know it could have been a lot smoother. All day long I've been disappointed in myself and wondering if I'm cut out for that kind of stuff. I'm supposed to be the person who gets it. I'm supposed to be the one who's a natural when it comes to this stuff. The reality is...I have much to learn. There is no replacement for genuine experience. I guess I'll just chalk this one up to just that...a learning experience. I did learn a lot and hopefully I'll be better next time.

What Is This Crap?

I guess this is old news but I just barely found out about it. The latest "Harry Potter" movie is being pushed back to a July 2009 release. I was unpleasantly surprised when I found out. I'm a huge "Harry Potter" fan/dork. This sucks. Some fans are calling for a boycott. Sounds like a good idea in theory...but I know that once the movie actually came out, I wouldn't be able to avoid seeing it.

Merritt Mayhem

I have some battle scars but I (along with good buddy Ron) made it up my fourth 10,000 foot peak in Glacier National Park. Only two more to go. They're the two hardest mountains to get to but I won't think about that right now.

Merritt wasn't exactly easy. But let's start with the good news. My knees were fine! Ron and I, along with another friend, Andy, summited Mt. Cleveland a year ago. It was sheer hell. My knees were dying. I thought I had done some permanent damage by running the Bridger Ridge Run a few weeks earlier. On top of that...they hurt through winter, spring, and most of this summer. I wasn't too optimistic about how things would go with this climb. But they held out...and it was a grueling trek. We hiked in 13 miles and camped for the night. We were on the trail the next morning by 8:30. The actual climb seemed more tiring than other mountains I've tackled. I kept looking up and seeing more mountain. In the end it was worth it. The views from atop Merritt are said to be the best from any mountain in the park. I'd have to agree. We had gorgeous weather and a crystal clear day. It just took a lot longer than we thought. We were planning on summiting, coming down, AND hiking out by 10:00 p.m. at the latest. We didn't even get off the mountain until 8:00. People were expecting us back that night so we had no choice but to grin and bear the 13 mile hike out in the dark. It wasn't all bad. We had some spectacular moonlight to light our way. We got to the car around 1:45 in the morning. Here's a shot looking back up at the summit after we'd gotten down. I look like Hell.


My battle scars consist of numerous blisters (as usual) and a bunch of cuts and scrapes from sharp rocks and bush-whacking. It could have been much worse. Twice during the climb Ron and I saw huge boulders about the size of refrigerators fall from the upper reaches of the summit. They were close enough to make me think, "whoa." The only other scary moment was during the hike out. We heard a low, guttural growl not far off the trail at one point. We spent the next 30 minutes shining our lights behind us to make sure nothing was following. Here's another nice shot from close to the summit.

The rest of the trip was just as good. I saw plenty of old friends and had lots of good times. Danny took me kayaking on Apgar Creek. I had dinner with Amanda, Nicole, Dave, Ron, and Jessie. I had a quick cup of coffee with Audrey and Chad. I shook hands and caught up with a dozen others. It made me miss Glacier quite a bit. I thought a lot about where I'm headed in life and whether I'll end up back in Montana. But that's for another post. Besides...I'm always babbling about that.

Finally, I was driving part of the way home last night thinking about all the fun times I'd just had and I saw this road sign.

Cheesy, I know. But I couldn't resist making the connection.

Random Thoughts

The economy sucks right now. I now personally know about a dozen people who've been affected by the downturn in one seriously negative way or another. I have a feeling I'm secure but you just never know. I hope things turn around soon.

The ABC show Wipeout is...awesome. I thought it would get tired real quick but I seem to laugh out loud every time I see it.

I was genuinely saddened to hear that Wall Arch in Arches National Park had collapsed. Arches is my 2nd favorite national park. (Can you guess what's 1st?) I've spent some highly charged emotional (good & bad) moments there. Wall Arch wasn't what you'd call a "favorite" but I've stood atop it a few times. I'm sad that it's gone.

Zip Lining is damn cool.

I've developed a mini-addiction to Cappucino Blasts from Baskin Robbins. It's gotten so bad that employees at two different Boise stores now know me by name.

There's still plenty of summer left but being one of those people who can't stop thinking about the future...all I can focus on is that summer's on the seasonal downturn.

Blueberry Morning cereal from Post is tasty.

I've sort of fallen into a split sleep schedule. Wake up at 2:30. Sleep after work. Wake up in the late afternoon. Sleep again around 10 pm. Repeat cycle. Doesn't always work but it's the only consistency I've been able to find.

I'm very bad with responding to emails and Facebook or Myspace messages.

The Soup...on E....is briliant.

Gas prices are going down again. I don't think we reached the point where serious changes in how we power are cars will HAVE to be made. Perhaps next year.

I'm leaving for Glacier tomorrow. Woohoo! Be back in a week.

Six Months

It's been 6 months to the day since I arrived in Boise. Time flies. I won't get too reflective. Don't you save that kind of thing for the one year mark?

I will say things are going good. Much better, in fact, than just a couple months ago. I've really taken some aggressive steps in "getting myself out there." I'm making a concerted effort to meet people and get involved. I think it's paying off. I'm getting an appreciation for this town (and state) that I didn't have before. I was driving home from my high school reunion (more on that later) this past weekend and was a little surprised at what I felt when I saw Boise's skyline again. I was actually happy to be back. That, more than anything, tells me this city has its charms.

Work is going well too. Still adjusting. Still getting used to things. Still getting used to people. That's all I'll say about that.

Sometimes I still question if coming here was the right choice. But I notice things every day that make me think it was. For example this:

This is a picture of Shoshone Falls near Twin Falls, Idaho. I stopped by to see it on the way home last weekend. Very cool. I had no idea it was so big. I guess they call it the Niagra of the West. I recommend it.

One brief note on my high school reunion. I'm happy I went. The turnout was dismal and I didn't get to see certain people I really wanted to...but overall, it was good. There were a few choice people I got to catch up with. I had a genuinely good time. A few rum and Diet Cokes helped with that.

Homeward Bound

It's almost time. In just a couple days I get to see all my old friends from high school. Ah, who am I kidding? I didn't have many friends in high school. On top of that, most of my friends were in the grade below me. And...anyone I care to have kept in touch with, I already do. But still, it should be interesting.

Hopefully, I'll also be picking up my new phone. I must admit I've been leaning towards the
Casio G'zOne Boulder over the Blackberry Pearl. But Brandon says I should stay away from the Boulder. Any reason why Brando? I need the details.

I finally got to put together an outdoors story at work. If I could do this kind of stuff every day, I'd be a happy, happy man. Not that I'm unhappy now. I just wish I could have everything I want. Don't we all?

I gave it an environmental angle to fit the criteria I've been assigned. It's about natural hot springs in Idaho. Take a look.



And lastly, I played in my first softball game tonight. I joined a local non-professional (obviously) league made up of young professionals around the area. I didn't humiliate myself. I did well even. But we lost. We'll get 'em next time.

Upgrade

I was pleasantly surprised this week to learn I'm eligible for a phone upgrade. I didn't think I could get a new one until December or so. Therefore, I'll be getting a new one this weekend. I'm notoriously indecisive when I shop. It took me weeks to decide on the Krzr last time...and that was after I had picked up another model and took it back after a few days. Because of that, I'm going into this purchase prepared. I've decided it's between two different phones: the Blackberry Pearl or the Casio G'zOne Boulder. I have a feeling most of you know what the Pearl looks like. As for the Boulder, check it out here. My secret desire to be more organized has me leaning towards the Pearl. My romantic notion of myself as a rugged outdoorsman (true or not) has me leaning towards the Boulder. We'll see what happens.

In other news...I'm starting to realize what I like when it comes to TV broadcasting. I feel like I'm always gravitating towards feature stories. I like the cool, unusual, eclectic, heart-warming, awe-inspiring stories that spring up because of the simple fact humanity is filled with chance and variety. Unfortunately, feature reporters are going the way of the Dodo in TV news. It's all about sex offenders and car crashes these days. Therefore, it's a treat to get assigned to a good feature story. I did one yesterday on a dog named Rosie. She was lost in the Idaho wilderness for a week...and survived. I'm not sure how long that link will be up so check it out if you get a chance.

Musings

Mom & Dad came to visit this weekend. They came into the studio for part of the show and we bummed around Boise for a couple days. We also drove up to McCall for part of the day on Friday. I'd never been up there before and I wanted to see it. We also saw "The Dark Knight" on Thursday. It was my second time seeing it. Every bit as good as the first time. It was a nice visit and I'm glad they got to see my Boise digs.

I will be seeing them again in one week's time as I head back to Salt Lake for my 10 year high school reunion. Should be interesting. Just days ago, I posted a blog entry about an old friend from elementary school who basically disowned me in high school. Read it here for background. A day after I posted that, they wrote me again and apologized. They owned up to what they did. I thought that was pretty cool. I accepted the apology and consider the whole thing water under the bridge. It was high school after all. We all do stupid things in high school. I look forward to catching up with them at the reunion.

I just joined a softball team. I know, I know...you're thinking what sort of athletic prowess I could possibly have. Frankly, so am I? But I went to my first practice tonight and actually had a lot of fun. I didn't suck either. It's pretty much a non-competitive team made up of a bunch of younger people in Boise. I figure it's a good way to meet some people, get a little exercise, and have a little fun. Our first game is Thursday. I'll let you know how it goes.

Mr. Legs is gone. I wrote about him a week ago. I don't know where he went or why he decided to leave. I didn't find his carcass so I don't think he died...at least not in his web. I noticed it when I put an earwig into his web and saw nothing happen. If he did leave, I hope he found his way outside. I'm not so keen letting him live out his life in a more prominent location in my apartment. In reality, I hate spiders. But I felt okay with having him in the window sill. If I see him anywhere else...I'm killing him....with no hesitation.

I have an action-packed August ahead. I won't be home for a single weekend the whole month. I'm going to Salt Lake for the reunion next week. I'm headed to Grand Teton to see Katie the week after that. The following week, I'm headed to Glacier as part of my 6-day vacation. After that, I'm headed to one of two places...Portland or eastern Idaho to climb Borah Peak...Idaho's highest mountain. Whichever place I don't go, I'm saving for the next weekend. Should be a good time.