Everybody! Sing along!

"Mass Gas Hysteria" is over for the day. I didn't realize how many stories we did on the supposed gas shortage. I came into work with a different game plan all together, but I was told to be on "gas patrol" in Opelika.

The rumors turned into reality when at least two stations here ran dry. It's like the shepard leading the sheep. I stopped by a gas station tonight on the way home from work, and it was reasonable for all the hoopla. I paid $2.69 for regular. Not bad, but yet not satisfying.

I refuse to do a gas story tomorrow. I've already nailed down my plans, and they're not changing. It's timely on three fronts, so I'm doin' it. :-)

On another note, one of my best friends just got back from National Guard summer camp three days ago. In about six hours, he'll be heading to Biloxi to assist others.

Be safe, Jim. Hope to talk to you while you're there, or at least within a week.

Man...

I feel for the people down along the coast. I called Mom. She's fine. She wasn't directly in the path this time.

Time to get some much needed sleep. I was up all last night watching the storm. Kudos to all my fellow reporters who covered it and are doing well.

Brace Yourself

Pray for New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. That's all you can say with Hurricane Katrina.

Stop! Merger Time!

Wow... I worked late tonight at an Opelika city council meeting. Holy moly. These things are becoming a circus lately. They're trying to privatize the Public Works department. Two entities becoming one...

Speaking of that, I got back into the office tonight and read a press release from our company (Raycom Media) president. They've just bought Liberty Corporation. That gives Raycom another 15 TV stations, bringing the total up to 52.

What's funny about this is they've bought WSFA in Montgomery. We have kind of a bone to pick with them, especially the three of us over in the East Alabama bureau. There are three stations that broadcast news in Lee County: WTVM, WRBL and WSFA. Out of the three stations, WSFA dominates the ratings. They're not even in our market (technically), but more people here watch them.

I grew up watching them myself. WSFA has a heck of a coverage area. All the way up here, back down to the Florida panhandle and then out toward West Alabama. Bob Howell, one of their main anchors, and I went to the same high school. We've often talked in passing, and I do like the people there.

The difference is they're an Alabama station. We're not, so people more concerned with Alabama news watch them. To me, it's sad because they never show up here. They'll pop their heads in occasionally, but we've got a two-reporter bureau in Auburn-Opelika.

I would bet money we have twice as many stories about this area than they do per month. However, when East Alabama news is over, it's back to Georgia news. Folks here don't really care about that.

I guess if you can't beat 'em... buy 'em.

Hooray!

David and Wendy had their baby girl! Congrats! David was a photog at our station. He and Wendy recently left to pursue big city life in Nashville.

Make us proud, and raise the baby on Music Row! :-)

Hindsight is 20/20

Please note: This is not an "ego" post. Those who know me know I try to be humble about what I do for a job. Believe me, there are a lot of better reporters out there. Keep reading. You'll see the point very soon.

As noted in a previous post, I received the 2003 Alabama Associated Press Best TV Reporter award for some work I did in Tuscaloosa (I tried out for student AP awards, too. I was later told I'd been chosen for the pro award, so they passed me over). I was in my first year of television, and this honor was noticed by a couple of gentlemen in Huntsville, AL.

I was approached at the AP banquet by Kevin Osgood and... ummmm... I can't remember his name. Osgood is the news director at WHNT-19. The other guy is... ummmm... all I can remember is he interviewed me after Osgood did. It's neither here nor there.

Anyhoooo... I was invited to Huntsville. I was two months from graduation at Bama, so naturally I was testing the waters. The interview went very well. Osgood finished his interview with me, took me around the station, introduced me to the GM and even let me give input at a meeting. After all this, the other guy sat me down and grilled me. I must have made a good impression because Osgood took me back into his office and said, "I have the perfect spot for you. I have two tapes on my desk. You are one of my two finalists."

I was to be assigned to the Shoals bureau in Florence, AL. The plan was laid out from Osgood, the GM and everyone else. Everyone that met me that day said, "We'll see you in a couple of months! Welcome to 19!"

Those two months passed. Phone call after phone call, e-mail after e-mail... It was horrible. I was closing in on graduation and Osgood still hadn't given me a straight answer since my trip to Huntsville. I had two more job offers come in, so I pressured him. Still... no straight answer. Finally, the week before my interview at WTVM, Osgood calls: "We have an applicant from a sister station. I have to give him first shot."

Like that, my first chance at Huntsville was gone. No problem. Four other job offers came, and I decided WTVM was the best fit for Amy and I. I've not been disappointed since.

Why this long post on Huntsville? Read this article: WHNT report on WAFF makes interesting subject.

As I mentioned in the title... hindsight is 20/20. I'm glad I didn't go to WHNT. In my opinion, that's pretty low. It's a childish jab. There are ways to do business, and that's not one of them.

The fact WAFF is WTVM's sister station is beside the point. I have friends I worked with (both in Columbus and Tuscaloosa) at that station. They're very good people. It's just like here. I like everyone I've met from WRBL and WSFA (I used to work in production at WRBL many moons ago, too).

They try to make a living just like I do. Yeah, we compete. Doesn't every company? But, keep a good relationship with people. You never know who you'll work with down the road, or who you'll need. Most importantly, you never know who you'll call "friend."

Movie Thoughts

First of all, thank you to everyone for the kind comments on our baby. I'll be sure to keep you updated on the progress. Most of you know we had a miscarriage back in March. We seem to be out of the woods this time, but nothing is ever certain.

I'm watching the NASCAR race right now. They keep showing the commercial for "The Transporter 2." I don't know if you've seen the first one, but I really liked it. I'm kind of a sucker for movies like "The Transporter" and "The Italian Job." They're just mindless action. Sit back, relax and enjoy the movie. Forget your cares.

With that said, I'm counting down the days "Batman Begins" comes to DVD. I know it just left the theater, so I'm hoping it will be out in time for Christmas. Time to start making that wishlist. Microsoft just announced pricing plans ($299 & $399) for the new Xbox 360. Kind of pricey, but it will certainly be on that list, too.

That means I'll have to buy it for myself. :-)

Ok, now the big news!

Let's see...

Seen the doctor? Check.
Seen the picture? Check.
Heard the heartbeat? Check.
Made the appropriate notifications to the family? Check.

:-)

Yep... Brock's gonna be a proud papa around March 5, 2006!

Cast your vote!

I just found this site. If it's a parody, it's brilliant! They couldn't have picked a better man! :-)

Christopher Walken For President 2008!

Edited for those who need more cowbell!

News Blues

What's the one thing I hate about being a male reporter?

Make-up.

That is all for now. :-)

Oh! Before I forget, Eric is now on Blogger. Check out His Saltyness in the links.

Say who?

Just sitting here at work waiting for my story. I ran across this on Drudge:

S.Korean man dies after 50 hours of computer games

What really caught my eye was this line:

"Lee had recently quit his job to spend more time playing games..."

Wouldn't that be the cat's behind? :-) I just got Madden '06 and NCAA '06. I'd love to play those more than I've been able to.

Farewell, Peter

I saw the alert around 11 p.m. Sunday that Peter Jennings passed away. I have to admit, I was not a fan of his even though I work for an ABC affiliate. I didn't appreciate the political views he would throw into his reporting. You should be unbiased, but he managed to interject his personal thoughts into his broadcasts.

That being said, it is sad to see him go. Peter, thank you for the years of dedication to our industry.

See ya later

Eric came back down from Norfolk, VA, today to get his wife and things. Amy and I helped them load everything into their truck, and his mother-in-law is even spending the night with us.

He's been gone from the station for about a month now. I miss him, and it was great to spend today with him. He's one heck of a cool guy, and a great photog. I'm thankful to have him as a close and dear friend.

I've got to get to VA sometime to visit.

Perks of the Job

I covered a charity golf tournament back in May. It made me realize how much I miss working in sports.

One of my life heroes, Gene Stallings (Alabama)

Tommy Tuberville (Auburn)

Lee Corso (ESPN)

Mark Richt (Georgia)

Mike Shula (Alabama)

Rammer Jammer

You know, I've been thinking a lot about my college days lately.

I graduated from the University of Alabama as I mentioned in my Lions Club speech. Football season is right around the corner, and for the second year I'm not in Tuscaloosa. Alabama's not had a great past couple of years, but that's still my alma mater.

It's still the home of 12 National Championships. It's home to thousands of my dollars. It's still home to my heart.

The picture above is my wife, Amy, and I. It was taken at the 2003 Bama/Tennesee game. I didn't miss a single home game while I was there (Save for the 2003 Southern Miss game. I had my high school reunion.).

Tuscaloosa and Auburn are completely different. Bama's campus is prettier than Auburn's, but the towns are reveresed. I like Auburn as a town better than Tuscaloosa, but I still miss the place.

I've only been back to T-Town once since we've lived here in East Alabama. I almost cried tears of joy when I went back onto campus. Seeing the crimson and white everywhere is a stark contrast to seeing orange and blue. Bama's colors are more soothing than Auburn's. I've never liked orange to begin with. Orange and green are the two ugliest colors ever created. Tennessee's version of orange, though... Whoever thought that up should be ashamed of themselves.

It's late, so I'm going to save my Tuscaloosa stories for later. I just wanted to say how homesick I am.

Roll Tide.

Sorry for the lack...

Well, I've neglected you for the last few days, Dear Blog.

-There's really nothing going on at work that I'd care to discuss. We've got a dirtbag murderer going under the needle Thursday. He and his wife killed an Opelika police officer in 1993. She fried back in 2002.

-I'm home a little early from work. My big story for the day fell through until tomorrow. That aggravates me when I can't do what I'd like. The circumstances were out of my hands, so it's okay. Tomorrow! You shall be mine!

-I work with a lot of good people. I just want them (and you) to know that.

-That's all for tonight. I'll try to be more talkative later. :-)