Worthless Day Off

Normally, I wouldn't be upset about taking a day off. We were supposed to go to Six Flags today (my first time in 17 years), and as you can imagine, it all fell through.

Our daughter refuses to take a bottle. We were going to leave her at my mother-in-law's house, but she would not eat unless Amy nursed her. The result? No going to Six Flags.

On top of that, we spent the whole day doing nothing in Georgia. Not a blasted thing. I'm busy reworking our guest room, and it needs a lot of it. Instead of being productive at home, I wasted an entire day.

Today was my last day off for the year (if you don't count Christmas), and it's gone. No park, no productivity. You can say I'm whining if you like, but... Well, I'm going to be nice and not say anything back.

Word!

Rollin' with Bob Saget

Click above. That's all that needs to be said. :-)

I hang my head and cry

Alas, my poor computer's DVD burner has passed away. You were a good friend, but now you're nothing more than junk. I shall replace you and think of you no more.

:-P

A week's worth of personal events

First of all, Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there. I'm very blessed and happy to be among your ranks now. Today has been outstanding.

After we got out of church this morning, Amy and Alyssa treated me to steak. Then, they gave me cards and my Father's Day gift. It's a cordless hedge trimmer I've been asking for. It's charging up right now, then I may give it a quick test. I don't believe in working in the yard on Sunday, but I figure one little hedge won't hurt. :-)

I really wish I didn't have to work tomorrow, either. It's our anniversary. Seven wonderful years with my beautiful wife! I didn't think I could ever be this happy with one person, but Amy is my entire world outside of God.

Speaking of anniversaries, Wednesday marks two years for me at WTVM. I still need to get down to Columbus and sign my new contract, but that's a little detail. :-)

I'll admit I've been pretty darn happy over here in the bureau. While I don't get to see everyone often, I don't really have anyone looking over my shoulder, either. Sure, I talk to them on the phone, but they trust me to go out and do my job. Given the raise I'll receive, I believe they're pretty happy with me, too.

They don't have to babysit me, and that's a great feeling. They ask me to get this and that, and I usually do. I work my tail off most days because I one-man-band it all, but it gives me a greater satisfaction about my work. It also helps when I have days like Friday, and two different people in different places compliment me.

Yeah, it's a mid-market, but life here is pretty darn good. I just thought I'd share some reflections since this week is a big one for me. I hope it's a good one for you, too. :-)

Physical Therapy

I had my first session of physical therapy this morning. I've never gone through this before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I kind of liked it.

I did some stretches, arm and back exercises, got my cracked (which hurt like rip, but was glorious afterward) and had an electroshock treatment that made all my back muscles twitch. I've got to do it five more times on Mondays and Wednesdays, but it feels so much better and relaxed right now. I've got to keep up my exercises at home, which won't be a problem.

On top of a great day yesterday, I'm off today because I offered to fill in on Saturday. Heck, it's the first time in two years, so it's no problem. It'll give my buddies Sean and Amanda a chance to have some time together. :-)

Now that's a day!

I should really be asleep considering I start physical therapy in about seven hours for a bulging disc in my back. However, I'll give you a quick recap before I catch a few winks. Today was something to witness!

I spent the day down in Montgomery at Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley's headquarters for the Alabama primary elections. Let me get this out of the way: I was assigned to be there, so this is NOT my endorsement. I'm a reporter, so I have to be unbiased in my professional realm. :-)

You want to see comprehensive coverage, teamwork and overall excellence in covering state elections? You should have seen the job we all pulled off behind the cameras today.

Liz was at Gov. Riley's camp, I was at Baxley's HQ, we had a crew up in Birmingham for "The Don," and in Gadsden for Roy Moore. Here's where the magic happened: We had three different stations represented from across Alabama. All were doing live shots in every show we had on, plus a wall-to-wall election special on one of them for several hours.

It was us (WTVM), WSFA in Montgomery and WAFF out of Huntsville. We're all one big happy Raycom Media family, and this was our first time working in this type of situation. WSFA supplied the live truck, field producer and live camera operator at my site. WAFF provided a camera man to run around and get footage for everyone, and we all had reporters there (a special hello to Jeanie Powell again from WAFF! I got to work with her again for the first time in two years since UA).

It was absolutely incredible to watch all the prep and planning unfold into almost flawless coverage from all three stations. I didn't see the end result on my station, but the way everything clicked between us all at Baxley's HQ was awesome.

I know people harbor different feelings about their companies, but I knew I wanted to work at Raycom. I'm very proud I do, and tonight proved it. Buying WSFA was one of the smartest decisions the company made because they proved their skills tonight juggling the three stations.

On top of making all this work tonight, I finally got word on my contract. Color me happy! With that, I'm off to bed. Tonight proved again why I've been 90 percent happy with my job over the last two years.

Here's to at least two more!

Playing on the floor

Now you've made the reporter mad...

I just got back from talking to the District 13 state senate candidates. An aide for Gerald Dial, the incumbent, shoved an emery board into my shirt pocket.

Normally, this wouldn't be a problem. However, I keep my glasses in that pocket. Now they're are scratched beyond belief. I can barely see through my right lens.

Arrgghh! I'm a man! What in blazes do I need with an emery board? I can now file my fingernails, but I can't see to do it!