Our director Michael thinks I look like the newest bond girl Olga Kurylenko. She’s gorgeous so I’ll take the comparison, but I’m not sure how much we really look alike, especially after googling her name and seeing her in a bikini. Wooo… I’ll tell you what, I look nothing like the bond babe when it comes to swimsuit attire. Actually, I probably don’t need to tell you that. I’m sure you already assumed.
Michael had me pose yesterday for this comparison shot.
I like this comparison much more than the comparison that linked me to a teenage boy. Remember Danny Noriega from American Idol last season? So many people told me I look like him. And unfortunately, I can actually see the likeness. Sad. Oh well, when I think of the fact that I look like a teenage boy named Danny, I’ll think of Director Michael comparing me to the beautiful Olga Kurylenko. You’re so kind.
He picked me up in a tux and held the door open for me. I felt like I was going to prom… except for the fact my husband was the one sending me off instead of my dad and the kid picking me up was really my 46 year old co-worker. Ha. Nevertheless, we continued the joke with a picture prom pose style. As special as it may have been though, Peterson was just a fill-in. Robby, showed up once the event began.
What event, might you ask? Make A Wish Foundations Black and White Gala. It was a first for the foundation. They raised tens of thousands of dollars for kids with life threatening illnesses. The live auction was way fun, even though my husband wouldn’t let me bid as much as I would have liked for a house boat cruise on Lake Roosevelt. I got a kick out of the couple next to us who won the bid for a golden doodle (half golden retriever, half poodle). The wife kept bidding and the husband kept shaking his head, while all of their friends laughed. Once they won, they realized that they were going to have to keep the dog in their hotel room bathroom since that’s where they were staying for the night. Haha.
But my favorite part of the night was not my fill-in prom date or the auction of dogs with funning names. My favorite part was meeting the recipients of Make A Wish… the kids, their families. While the event was entertaining, those families brought to light why we were all there. They brought to light why what we were doing was important… giving kids a chance to be kids, giving kids a chance to forget about their sickness, giving kids a chance to enjoy the life they deserve.
People who live in L.A. love L.A. And, I think they’re among some of the only people who do. I’d feel bad talking about why I don’t like L.A. if I thought anyone from L.A. would care. However, I’m pretty sure they’re concerned with more important things, like this:
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t really think L.A. is a bad place. There are palm trees and sunshine and good people. However, there are also the L.A. stereotypes that suggest who you know, where you go, what you wear and how you look are very important. Yes, these are stereotypes. No, they are not necessarily true. But, when I saw almost 4 minutes of evening news dedicated to improving (if you want to call it that) parts of your body that most won’t even see, I have to admit I thought… only in L.A.
I love Youtube.com for many reasons. Today, I love Youtube because of this:
Wow!!! I forgot how awesome Milli Vanili was. Even though it turns out Rob and Fab didn’t even sing these songs, it doesn’t make these music videos any less impressive. The acting at the beginning is wonderful. The dance moves are also very entertaining, especially the run in place move which I think might be their favorite. I noticed it in several of the Milli Vanili videos posted on Youtube. I also like the chest bump, the jumps and toe touches. Awe-Some! The production quality of this late 80’s music video is also great. I love the slow-mo as Rob and Fab chase each other through the park. So sweet.
You can’t watch this and not smile. So, I propose deeming every Wednesday… Milli Vanilli Wednesday here on the morning show. We’d play it before the show to get pumped up. We’d listen, we’d run in place Milli Vanilli style, perhaps throw in a chest bump or toe touch. After that, you’d be ready to go. All smiles and amped for a good two hour GMNW. Girl, you know it’s true!
If you’re an avid news viewer, you know that a lot of new technology has been making it’s way into newscasts. But, does it do anything to add to the content of the show? While it might look cool, does it add to what the reporter is saying? Does it help the viewer better understand the story?
An example of fancy schmancy technology doing absolutely nothing to add to a story… is CNN’s attempt to “beam” reporter Jessica Yellin from Chicago into the studio with Wolf Blitzer on election night. I laughed when I saw that Wolf and Yellin spent more than 2 minutes talking about the technology, which means they spent more than two minutes less talking about the actual election. I also thought it was dumb (for lack of a better word, sorry) that when Wolf tossed to Jessica she explained the scene in Chicago, but we didn’t see it because they “beamed” her from Chicago into the newsroom. What’s the point of a live shot and explaining the scene when you don’t show your reporter there?
A common new tool that many networks and stations, including KXLY, are using is called Screenwriter. An anchor touches a screen and by doing so changes the graphic on that screen. Yeah, it’s cool but is it beneficial? Or is it just distracting? Saturday Night Live did a good job poking fun at the new technology, essentially suggesting that news organizations are using tools like Screenwriter and the “beaming” of reporters from one place to another, just to showoff it’s new technology, even when it doesn’t necessarily add anything to the story.
To see SNL’s skit click here and scroll about a quarter of the way in to watch Fred’s Maps.
Every six months or so our promotions department creates new promos for our show. Sometimes, they consist of the anchors standing in the studio reading some lines. This time, they got a little more creative and we hit the streets to talk to folks about how to improve our show. I liked meeting this feisty young lady. She cracked me up.
For years to come, we will all remember where we were last night, when Senator Barack Obama was declared President-elect of the United States of America. We will all remember the excitement, the pride and the joy that millions of Americans felt when they elected Barack Obama to the White House, not just because he is the first black man ever to serve as President, but also because of his promises for change and for hope for our country. Last night, we also saw journalists express that excitement, that pride and that joy. ABC’s Robin Roberts on the verge of tears in Grant Park in Chicago talking about what this means to her and her family. ABC Reporter Steve Osunsami also on the verge of crying at Morehouse College when he talked about the same thing, visibly proud and ecstatic that Obama claimed the victory. Click here to watch.
So this morning, my question is this: did they cross the line? Should they, as journalists, have remained more neutral? While millions across the country celebrated in Obama’s victory, millions of others dwelled in disappointment. The media was so careful (depending on who you ask) to remain non-bias, to remain fair… but that was not the case last night. Perhaps, because Obama had been declared Preisdent-elect. Perhaps because the race was over. Perhaps that’s why they chose to show their excitement. However, I think of a disappointed Republican watching a pumped up Steve Osunsami jump for joy on their television. It might make one wonder how neutral his coverage was before Obama was elected.
Now, there is obviously a deeper issue this morning. Both journalists I speak of are black. Because I am not, because I did not live through the civil rights movement, because I was not born to a man and woman who were suppressed because of the color of their skin, I think it is fair to say that I can not fully relate. I think only those that did can truly understand the capacity of it all. One thing I think we can all understand though… is that this is a very proud time for millions of Americans of every age, race and color.
When I backed out of my garage this morning I was looking to my left when the side rearview mirror on the right, clipped the garage and broke off. Oopsies. The thing is now hanging by a wire from the side of my van. My wonderfully helpful co-workers did tie it up so that it’s not dangling from the side of my vehicle… such good guys.
But anyway, my first thought when I did it: my husband is going to scold me. Eeeee. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a very patient man. However, I knew I was going to get a talking to… something I probably deserved but didn’t want. So I thought of a very creative way to break the news. I tried it on my co-workers before I told Robby. It went like this… “I have good news and bad news. The good news is that I’m okay”. Pretty much when I got to that point in the speech, they all just started laughing. Haha. I do think it’s kind of funny. But come on, isn’t the most important part of my little fender bender this morning? that I walked away unscathed? Stuff can be replaced. I can’t be. Haha.
Okay but really, I am sad. I just got off with the people at Honda and they told me it’s going to cost about $350 to fix. Aaaaah. I’m going to ask Robby if I can just fix it myself. Seriously. It’s nothing a little glue can’t fix. The only problem is that it won’t be able to be adjusted if we fix it my way. I don’t mind though, I’d rather save myself some dough. I’ll put the question to my husband and get back to you on what he says. I’m thinking we’ll end up having the professionals do it the right way and that I’ll be 350 bucks in the hole. Boohoo.
My daughter is weird. There’s no doubt about it, I mean look at who she’s got for a mom ;) Haha. Just kidding. My daughter is a pretty normal 15 month old who loves her momma. But what’s weird, are the times that she decides to show her love, like when she comes to visit me at the station. Her daddy brought her down to show off her Halloween costume and trick or treat last week. But once she saw me, she didn’t want to let me go.
Hence the reason she’s in this clip….
Now this is very different from what I usually experience. When I walk in to pick Leialoha up at daycare, her teacher says “Leia, look who’s here?”. Leialoha will turn around, look at me and almost always return to doing whatever it was she was doing (which is usually something very important by the way). Just the other day I asked Robby if he thought this was normal. I thought little kids were supposed to run up to their mom and squeal with excitement when they picked them up from daycare. Not my kid. She only does that when I’m at work. Oh well, I’ll take love from my baby girl anytime she wants to give it to me.
