Happiness

Katie is the inspiration for this post. And because I had a minor pity party for myself tonight (details not important) I figured I should suck it up and think of happier things. So here goes.

Things that make me happy:

The fact that summer is not too far away.
The latest episode of "Lost." All I can say is "Whoa. Didn't see that coming."
The weekend is finally here.
My two new, cool oversize wall maps I just got. (I'm a geek...I know).
My job (most of the time).
Glacier National Park.
An Irish Cream latte from Rockford Coffee.
Cats & Dogs.
Floating the Madison River.
Driving home after a long absence and seeing the Salt Lake City skyline.
Seeing old Glacier buddies for the first time in a long time.
Giving someone a gift or a compliment they didn't expect.
Powder days at Big Sky.
Hiking to Delicate Arch in the middle of the night and waiting for the sun to rise.
Any and all kinds of breaking news (more of an adrenaline rush than happiness but whatever).
Chocolate chip cookies.
Doing a good job at work on a specific story.
The Olive Garden (and by default Chocolate Lasagna...weep, weep...R.I.P my favorite dessert).
My friends (even though I see them rarely).
The Park Cafe in St. Mary, Montana.
Swinging on a swingset at any park on a hot, summer night.
Fireworks.
Hiking.
Seeing any and all wildlife while hiking (especially moose and bears).
Sleeping in (especially on a dreary, rainy day).
Reminiscing on the old playground slang of yester-year. Thanks hjustin.
Game Show Network, The Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, The Travel Channel, and Food Network.
Mom & Dad.

Dirt

Anyone else a fan of the FX show "Dirt?" The critics have sort of panned it but I've watched from episode 1, and I'm a fan. The season finale was tonight. Good, good stuff. I'm a little obsessed with Courtney Cox.

I haven't talked about "Lost" in a while. Again, the critics have been harsh on this season but, whoa...last week's episode was goooooooood. I'm forbidden from talking about it at work because some of my colleagues haven't seen the latest episodes. Very frustrating. Anyway, I love that show as well.

Um....that is all.

Numb from Novocaine

Sarah's post from today dovetails nicely with a story of my own. I went to the dentist this morning. My eroded teeth are being filled with tooth-colored fillings. It's sort of a patch job until I can afford to get permanent crowns for my teeth. Anyway, I was lying back in the dentist's chair with a strange device (it keeps my mouth open for me) lying on my chin. I was fairly vulnerable and could only grunt to communicate.

Really...could there be a better time for my cell phone (complete with The Legend of Zelda ringtone) to go crazy on the window sill next to me? It was slightly embarassing. Especially when it rang two times in 2 minutes. The dentist just laughed and continued torturing me.

Celebrated my my 27th birthday yesterday. Okay, I didn't really celebrate. It was just like any other day. I woke up. I went to work. Nothing special. No big deal. I would have gone out to dinner but the night shift prevents that. Thanks to everyone who called or sent me messages. I appreciate it.

Back in the Saddle

Spring is in the air.

I went on my first official hike of the season yesterday. Hiked up Storm Castle Mountain in Gallatin Canyon. Not too hard, not too easy. Just right. It was beautiful up there. That's me admiring the view. I think we may get some snow this week but that's okay. As far as I'm concerned...summer is here.

I've seen it before but every time I do, I shake my head in disbelief. Someone smoking a cigarette on the trail. What a huge oxymoron. I just don't get it.

I'm still sick. But I'm getting better. I've received lots of advice on my problematic sinuses. I appreciate it all. Like I said, I'm feeling better but I won't declare myself cured until I go a couple weeks without getting sick again.

Two notes of interest: I'm going golfing today. Woohoo! I love golf...even though I suck at it. Also, Giada De Laurentis of Food Network is amazing. I love her.

Relief

They say working in TV news (or other various professions) can desensitize you to the trials and tribulations of the world. You become so used to death, misery, and destruction that you're not fazed by human suffering. Basically...your heart dies.

I'm relieved because I'm pretty sure my heart isn't dead.

In the past day or so I've seen an adversary of mine (and I use the term loosely) brought down several pegs. It's been hard for them and I'm seeing real, genuine angst and sadness.

I hate it.

I don't like seeing them like this and I offered my support. No matter what anyone does to me, I don't want to see them sad or depressed. I take no comfort in it. It does me no good. So despite past (and very possibly...future) differences, I wish them happiness and all the best.

In other news....

I completed that dreaded sinus irrigation. It was not so bad. There is a fleeting sensation of drowning (everyone's felt it when water gets sucked up the nose) but it passes quickly. There's nothing particularly enjoyable about it but I'm not scared of it anymore.

I'm a map geek. I love maps. I just got a really cool one in the mail yesterday. It's a huge, topographical map of Montana. I'm in love with it. I have another one coming soon. Don't judge me.

Thank you to Liz for pointing the following video out to everyone on her blog. I thought I'd post it on mine as well. Very amusing.

Sinus Irrigation

Has anyone ever had to irrigate their sinuses with a saline solution?

I went to the doctor today and she told me I should do that...then gave me instructions. Frankly, I was terrified. Then Beth told me it was possible for me to drown with just one tablespoon of water. I have no idea if that's true or not but the info didn't ease my fears. So if anyone out there has had to do this...a little advice is appreciated.

I suspected I had sinusits. The doctor says I don't. She says I've developed seasonal allergies which are contributing to chronic, mild sinus infections. I hope she's right. I hope her plan for a cure really works. I'm now supposed to take Alavert every morning along with a spray of Flonase in each nostril....plus the irrigation to start things out. Blech.

I had an embarassing moment on the news tonight. It was the end of the show. Jenny read a story about the new Skywalk at the Grand Canyon. We talked about it at the end of the show and Andrew and I were apparently reading each other's minds. Him and I have had other embarassing moments together...worse than this. But here, we were like a married couple finishing each others sentences...or saying them at the same time.

Grrr....

Getting sick again.
Going to the doctor.
Might have sinusitis.
Pretty pissed off.
That's all.

The Greatest Post...EVER

In the past few days I have experienced countless moments of giddy euphoria....all from re-living long forgotten moments of my childhood. It started when I was writing the previous post on this blog. In it, I mentioned that I really wanted to see some TV shows from my youth...specifically "Zoobilee Zoo" and "You Can't Do That On Television." As I wrote that, a thought occurred to me. In this age of web use and YouTube, I'm sure I could find something online to satisfy my thirst for nostalgia.

I had no idea.

The past few days have been filled with glee. Sub-conscious memories that had disappeared long ago, suddenly broke to the surface. I was astounded. I've always been the type of person to suffer from a black & white memory. But in reviewing some of my favorite childhood TV shows (the vast majority on Nickelodeon) I'm remembering songs, plotlines, and episodes I didn't know I had ever seen. It's been remarkable. I even shared some of these memories with people at work. They were just as excited as I was. It's obviously a matter of timing as to whether someone is familiar with these shows. Most, but not all, aired on Nickelodeon during the 80's and early 90's.

Those were the days.

You can find complete episodes of certain shows online. But for me, nothing brings a smile to my face more than the theme songs and program intros I used to see daily.

"You Can't Do That On Television" - In my mind, the ultimate Nickelodeon classic. It's my all-time favorite.


"Hey, Dude" - A close second to "You Can't Do That On Television." I was obsessed with this show and I had a huge crush on Melody (who later went on to play Marcia Brady and then marry Ben Stiller).


"Heathcliff" - One of the most memorable theme songs...besides "Hey Dude."


"Salute Your Shorts" - There were two versions of this intro. This is the newer one.


"Clarissa Explains It All" - Again, two versions of this intro. This is also a newer one.


"Picture Pages" - I don't remember anything about this show (or was it a segment) other than the song.


"Today's Special" - I don't ever remember being a fan of this show but I know my older sister was.


"Pinwheel" - Again, don't remember anything but the song.


"Inspector Gadget" - I had a crush on Penny


"Fraggle Rock" - I don't think this was on Nickelodeon...but whatever.

"He-Man" - I loved the show and I had the toys...although my cousin always had more and I remember being very jealous.


"Smurfs" - What a freakin' classic.


"Zoobilee Zoo" - I don't remember anyone else ever watching this show. But I know I loved it as a little kid...so I'm including it.


I'm probably forgetting some. But for now, this is enough to keep me happy for a while.

The Post of Revelations

I'm feeling self-revealing. Here goes.

I don't like little dogs. (with the exception of my sister's Yorkshire Terrier).
I watch The View and Desperate Housewives....what of it?
I hated this girl in the 6th grade so I screwed her over by taking her assignments out of the "IN" basket and throwing them away...thus preventing her from going on the biggest field trip of the year. She was a horrible girl so I don't feel that bad...but I swear I wouldn't do something like that again.
I can't fathom the idea of someone NOT liking the outdoors...and sometimes get angry at the fact.
I really don't like Jay Leno.
I eat Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Slim-Fast Meal Bars. No..I'm not trying to lose weight. I'm actually sort of a pig. But I had one once when I was hiking and it was DELICIOUS. So now I buy them all the time. Frankly, it's a little embarassing in the check-out line but...ultimately, it's worth it.
There are two shows I watched as a child that I wish I could see again; Zoobilee Zoo and You Can't Do That on Television.
I have a crush. I'm not saying who it is because they sometimes read this blog.
I have no interest in traveling to Asia....or Mexico.
One of the meanest "bad boyfriend" things I've ever done was cringe in disgust when my ex-girlfriend showed up with a new haircut. I grew to love it but in the beginning...bad news.
It's not that I'm scared of dying. It's just that I have a lot planned in life and I want to accomplish it all.
The one talent I want more than any other...and one that I will never have...is singing.
There are Disney songs and a few tunes from Britney Spears on my iPod. What of it?
I have two favorite alcoholic drinks. 1.) Mohito 2.) White Russian
It's very difficult for me to eat pizza without ranch dressing.
I've always been overly concerned with what other people think of me. It's a habit I need to break.
My love affair/obsession with Shania Twain has faded dramatically. (For those who know me well, that probably comes as a shock to you.)
Sandra Bullock is the sexiest actress in Hollywood.
I haven't been to bed before 2 a.m. in the past two weeks. That needs to change.

That's all. What can you reveal about yourself?

Losing the War

I, like everyone else, have a problem with junk email. Up until now I had a tedious, yet effective way of ridding myself of it. I would open each and every item and follow the "unsubscribe" instructions. For the most part it worked. As the days went by and I kept up the annoying task, the amount of junk emails would dwindle down to nothing. It would stay like that for a while...that is until my internet surfing habits caught up with me...and new, unwanted items would show up in my inbox. It's been the same cycle for years...until now.

I've recently noticed more and more crap coming to me through email. A few weeks ago I started my diligent "unsubscribing" process. I had no reason to think it wouldn't work. But it didn't. I'm getting more and more emails and I can't seem to stop them. It's pissing me off. My old battle plan isn't working anymore and I don't know what to do. Maybe it's time for a new address.

And finally, THIS is a prime example of why we should all be a little more neighborly. Just a thought.

Gossip

I did some gossiping this weekend. And now I wonder if I should feel guilty. A 'Google' search on gossip provided some insight but it hasn't helped me in examining my moral compass. I'm not a mean-spirited person. I know this about myself. However, any fly on the wall this weekend may feel differently.

There were moments when I simply "wanted to know" something about someone. I'm not sure why. Why do I care who is sleeping with who(or is it whom)? What's the point of knowing mindless, banal information? I don't know. I just know I wanted to know it.

In other circumstances I was "gossiping" (if that's what you want to call it) to make sense of the world around me. A little over 5 years ago I was at the center of some relentless and juicy gossip within my circle of friends. I didn't know I was being talked about and when I found out...I was livid. I lashed out and said some hurtful (if not somewhat truthful) things to a few people. A friend sympathized with me but made no apologies for "talking" with others. She wrote in an email, "We share our feelings, our emotions, and our lives with one another because that is how we cope, that is how we understand and come to terms with events and issues that we have a hard time interpreting on our own. It's about support and love and trust." I was still angry...but her words have resonated with me ever since. But is she justifying gossip?

This post has a serious tone that I didn't intend to convey. My weekend was fun-filled and not at all dramatic. I was just wondering what everyone else thought of "gossip." Is it bad? Good? Neither? What does the word even mean?

Farewell Friend

An anchor team no more

It was Steve's last night tonight. I went through a similar goodbye when my former co-anchor Melissa left last year. It doesn't get any easier. We all work at a small-market television station. It's not like big city TV. We make lots of mistakes. We screw up a lot. We're even a little immature. But we also laugh a lot....and we're bonded in ways that most people don't get to experience.

More than any "TV person" I know, Steve is himself on camera. Some of us can convincingly "fake being natural" when we're on screen. Steve never had to. He's completely himself and it's always been a breath of fresh air. He's crazy. He's blunt. He's natural. He's likeable. He's Steve.

Steve, buddy....good luck in whatever you do. It's been a pleasure working with you. I, and everyone else in the newsroom, will miss those random outbursts from the edit bay. We'll miss the way you keep us grounded in what can sometimes be an alternate universe. Simply put, we'll miss you. Take care my friend.

My Own Private Montana

A few things:
I really, really like Ellen Degeneres. I think she's hilarious.
It should approach 60 degrees tomorrow in Bozeman. YES!!!
I've been having trouble sleeping lately.
Scooter Libby: Guilty....one of the few big news stories I have no interest in.
It's Steve's (our sports anchor) last day tomorrow. I dislike change.
I need more vacation time.
That's all.

There are some days when I'm head over heels in love with my job. Today was one of those days. I spent the day at a small Montana ski resort talking to an animated group of New Yorkers. They had won a contest where they got an entire Montana ski area all to themselves for a couple days...the first contest of its kind in the nation. It wasn't a real meaty, news-worthy story but it was one helluva good time. I got paid to snowboard and hang out with cool people. Here's the story for mom...and anyone else who's interested. (There's a "cheesy reporter" moment in here. Don't hold it against me).



I really want to be some sort of outdoor reporter. Maybe work for The Discovery Channel or National Geographic. I need to combine my love of the outdoors with my love of broadcasting. Hopefully someday.

High School Demons

Let's flash back to the mid-90's. I was in the middle of a 4-year stint at West High School. If I had to pick a word to describe my high school experience, I'd pick "fine." It was fine. It wasn't horrible. It wasn't stellar. It was fine.

I wasn't teased or bullied. I was also NOT popular. I existed...and even though that "existence" was generally "fine," I was very insecure. No self-esteem whatsoever. (You might be thinking, "oh shut up, it was high school...everyone was put through hell.") You're right. I'm not whining or even complaining. I'm simply providing a frame of reference. I was an insecure high school boy with little or no confidence.

For the most part, I'm over that. I got over it years ago. People who I looked at in high school with envy have looked at me the same way in recent years. But every once in a while, something will happen that makes me feel insecure and hurt...like the high schooler I once was.

The details aren't important. Suffice it to say recent events have left me feeling a little blue. Ten years I go I would have been sufficiently angry at the people (whether intentionally or not) who brought on my sour mood. These days I'm more angry at MYSELF for even caring. I try not to. But it happens. Which is why I ask, "does high school (and adolescence in general) haunt us forever?

The complexities of blogging

This is Sarah.

This is her blog.

She recently had a post in which she explained that management officials within her workplace had requested she "stop blogging." They found her blog and apparently didn't like what they saw.


You can visit her blog to find out why. From what I've read, she did nothing that would invite the wrath of management. Support her if you can.

I generally like my job and the place where I work. I've had disagreements with management but hey...who hasn't? My only predicament when wanting to blog about those disagreements....I'm fairly certain my contract expressly forbids me from such disclosures.

As for you Sarah...keep it up. You have a following in Utah as well as many places out of the Beehive State.

(Disclaimer: I have no permission to use Sarah's photo or even write about her. Sarah, if you mind, just let me know and I will gladly remove)

In Like a Lion...

I did a Google image search for "March" and found this. Not exactly sure what it means, but I like it.

I love the month of March. In my opinion, the year begins in March. Spring isn't too far away. Mild temperatures are first experienced in March. There's still enough snow to have fun for all the winter enthusiasts. My birthday is in March (along with several other friends and family members). Easter sometimes falls in March (although not this year) and I like Easter. St. Patrick's Day is in March. I also like St. Patrick's Day. I just like March. And when you factor in my sickness for the ENTIRE month of February this year, March is like a new beginning. I'm feeling good and I'm rarin' to go!

Sweeps is over in the TV business. This was quite possibly the worst sweeps period we've had at our station. The general mood this February was gloomy. Another reason I'm looking forward to March.

I got my Montana state tax refund in the mail tonight. Woohoo! Not much but when you consider how much I make...a little goes a long way. I can't wait for the federal refund...which should be much bigger.

Now, I shall settle in and watch the latest episode of "Lost" on abc.com. Goodnight.

Women Troubles

I'm having cramps.

Or at least that's what I'm comparing them to. One side effect of the antibiotics I'm taking is abdominal pain. Intense, painful cramping in my gut. It sucks. I imagined today that "this must feel what it's like to be a woman."

I thought I might get a little sympathy from my female co-workers when I said this. I was empathizing with them after all. Instead, I got this: (said in a mean, nasty voice).

"Now you know what it feels like. Now you know what I'm experiencing when I come in here once a month acting like a bitch."

My response: "What's your excuse every other time?"

I love you Beth. :)

Another rambler

At long last, I am starting to feel better. I've been sick since January 30. I would have called in sick on Friday but I had an interview scheduled. Only when I lapsed into an embarassing and violent coughing fit in front of that interview subject, did I think "okay...time to go to the doctor." I finished the interview, left work early (not that my dying voice would let me anchor anyway) and went to the doctor. I have some sort of infection. They put me on Z-pack or azithromycin...also known by it's complete, accurate chemical name:

2R,3S,4R,5R,8R,10R,11R,12S,13S,14R)-13- [(2,6-dideoxy-3-C-methyl-3-O-methyl -α-L-ribo-hexopyranosyl)oxy]-2-ethyl- 3,4,10-trihydroxy-3,5,6,8,10,12,14-heptamethyl -11-[[3,4,6-trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino) -β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]]oxy]-1-oxa- 6-azacyclopentadecan-15-one

Chemistry is ridiculous.

I'm watching the Oscars. Jennifer Hudson just won. Good for her...I guess. I haven't paid much attention this year. I did rent The Departed and Babel today. Haven't watched Babel yet. The Departed was really good. Talk about a movie where EVERYONE dies.

I'm doing some seriously random internet surfing tonight. I'm on my couch and on the wall above me is a map of the world. I've been picking out remote, unknown islands and looking them up on Wikipedia. The most interesting place so far: Campbell Island; a remote, sub-Antarctic island of New Zealand. Here's a picture:

Beautiful eh? Apparently there are feral cats and rabbits tearing the place up. They were introduced by stupid people along with rats. The rats were eradicated. As for people, it's uninhabited. There's a weather station there and the only human visitors are those on periodic research or conservation expeditions. I'm fascinated with far-off, remote places. I'd like to go there for no other reason than to say I've been there. There's something adventurous about walking where few others ever have. Someday.

"An Incovenient Truth" just won for Best Documentary. Duh. A shoe-in if I ever saw one.

It's still winter. There are more freezing nights and snowfall in Bozeman's future but for the first time today, I sensed Spring in the air. It was warm, sunny, and refreshing. I can't wait. I'm not going to waste a day this summer. Golfing, floating, hiking, playing in the park. I will make the most of what's potentially my last Montana summer.

Sick & Twisted

Warning: This post contains graphic, violent material. Reader discretion is advised.

So I had a nightmare last night...a nightmare probably inspired by the movie "The Devil's Rejects." I'm a fan of horror/slasher flicks and a co-worker recommended I see it. So I did. I'm not bothered by such movies and they don't really "scare" me. I can go to sleep just fine afterwards. But every once in a while, one of them sinks into my sub-conscious and causes me to have a nightmare.

The scenario was as follows: I, and a group of several other people were being held hostage by some nameless and faceless madman. People around us were killed and us survivors began to develop some sort of Stockholm Syndrome. We started to identify with this guy and befriend him. Sort of. Escape was still on our mind...on my mind. I guess he knew this or he just didn't trust me. I asked to go to the bathroom and he followed me in there. I was washing my face in the sink when he grabbed my hair, lifted my head up and cut my throat. Sick, I know. It was a dream so it didn't hurt. And apparently the wound was superficial because I played dead, waited for him to leave and saved the rest of the group by surprising him and ambushing him. That's all I remember. It was disturbing. Not scary, but definitely disturbing. The last dream I had that truly frightened me was a few years ago. That was inspired by "The Grudge." Didn't think much of the movie but it certainly worked its way into my psyche.

Another disturbing incident today: I was driving home from work tonight when I had to pull over for a fire truck racing down the road. A few moments later the truck pulled onto a side road and stopped...lights still flashing but siren off. There was nothing around so I wondered why the truck was stopped. I drove past, looked inside the windows and my mouth dropped. I clearly saw 3 firemen looking over a large piece of paper. The obvious assumption: it was a map and they were wondering where the hell to go from there. I could be wrong, but I don't think I was. Makes me feel very safe. :)

One last note: Just heard this little gem on Conan. "Britney Spears will reveal that she shaved her head to reduce aerodynamic drag as she plummets from fame."

Up and at 'em

It's about 6 a.m. and I'm wide awake. Not sure why. I've always been fascinated with being a morning person. There's something about it that seems so appealing. But I just can't shake my nocturnal habits. (My current work schedule doesn't help) I've tried though. It's a little easier in the summertime when daybreak comes early.

I just deleted a blog entry I wrote late last night. It was very long, rambling, and cryptic. When I started this blog I didn't realize how cathartic it would sometimes turn out to be. That was my goal in writing last night. My mind was swirling and I needed to empty it a little. I'm pretty conscious of what I should and shouldn't be writing about in the public arena. I was conscious of it last night. Still, I awoke this morning with a little hesitation and decided to err on the side of caution. Just know that it was work-related. I mentioned drama in a previous post and that's really what it was all about. But things are on the up and up and I should probably focus on that rather than complaining.

I'm heading into Yellowstone National Park this weekend for a story. Beth and I are working on a two part series about snowmobiling in the park. You'd have to have been hiding under a rock for the past 10 years not to hear about the Yellowstone snowmobiling controversy. We're being taken in on a snowcoach to Old Faithful to interview snowmobilers. I went in on a snowmobile for the first time 2 years ago and it changed my perspective a little bit. I was always anti-snowmobiling until I got on one for the first time. Now, I'm torn. Maybe this trip will clear things up a bit.

All right, I'm thinking about trying to go back to sleep. Otherwise I'll be very tired today. Good Thursday everyone.