Plinky Post: Ceiling fans

Let me say that chores, while bothersome, are the most therapeutic thing I force myself to do.

Ceiling Fan
Dusting ceiling fans is something I hate doing. You have to do it first before cleaning the entire room because dust goes everywhere. On the bed, on the floor, flying across the bookshelf. I just wish fans were self-cleaning, you know, like ovens.

The Master List

"Collect and organize all my online logins and passwords."

One of my goals is to collect and record all of my online identities and passwords in one location. I've had a few people ask my why I would want all of that information in one place? The answer is a morbid one. I remember reading a few articles about a year ago about what happens to our "online presence" after we die. The article dealt with a few specifics like what family members could do with your Facebook account, etc.

The one thing that stood out was how difficult it was for families to gain access to those accounts. We don't always share our passwords with anyone, much less our parents or significant others. The process to get control of many online accounts is arduous to say the least. The article recommended making a master list of  your accounts so that, in the event you can no longer access them, some one can take the appropriate action.

It's not a list that will be laying around on my desk. It's going with all other important documents in a very special place. That way, no matter what happens, someone can update this blog...

I'm marking this off, even though it will continue to be updated.

My Conversation with Bill Flores

One of the added perks to my job is getting to meet some pretty important people. A few weeks back I had the chance to sit down, one-on-one, with my Congressman. Bill Flores was elected a year ago on a landslide vote defeating an incumbent 20-year Democrat. His election was seen as a 'changing of the guard' throughout the district.

One year in office and he told me he's disappointed. He's not where he thought he would be after a year. Not much has been accomplished in Congress. He contends the House is trying to move things forward, but the Democratically-controlled Senate and White House are dragging their feet.

No matter what your political inclinations, I believe that Bill Flores spoke honestly with me about the frustration that he feels. A frustration that we all feel.

Scratching another goal off the list - Interview an elected official. 

P.S. I rushed over to the Congressman's office after having just produced a show with breaking news of a plane crash South of Brazos County. I should have tightened my tie, I know, but the Congressman understood. 

KBTX Post: Making the 'High Definition' Change

If you told me when I graduated high school that by 24 I would have a job at a station close to home, anchor the morning show and be there when that station switched to HD, I would have said you were crazy.
The last ten months have been a whirlwind of change. Some people said goodbye. Some people we've welcomed into the KBTX family. Each change has moved the station toward one goal; being the best we can. It's a goal we try to fulfill every day. I'm not out to waste your time or mislead you. Neither is anyone else who works for KBTX.
The biggest change is our High Definition transition. If you've watched in the last 48 hours, I hope you've noticed the change. You are seeing KBTX in a way that it has never been see before. HD is the last big hurdle (for now, anyway) for most television stations.
It means that we're getting a new newsroom and studio. Those projects are currently underway now, and will be progressing quickly over the next few months. Everyone is excited about the new digs. So, please mind our dust if you have to come by the station or if you see some construction in the background during a newscast.
It also means I have to be more particular about what I wear each morning. Never imagined that, at 24, I'd have a hard time picking out what to wear! It's a jungle out there. Does this tie match this shirt? Is this tie too "busy" for the camera? Is this pattern too small? Will these colors run?
The questions abound.
Not to mention, my new best friend is a lint roller! We have a lot of animals come onto the set each week. As an animal-lover, I'm having a hard time to restrain from petting the animals and picking them up. I know the second I do, I'll be covered in fur. Thankfully, we have lint rollers just about everywhere, just in case.

So stay with us as we grow to better serve you and the entire Brazos Valley. As our General Manager Mike Wright says,"You'll never be at a station making this type of bold change ever again!" We hope you guys are just as excited as we are.
Feel free to get in touch with me!
Twitter: @TVsMichaelOder
Facebook: Michael Oder
Google+: +Michael Oder
Email: oder@kbtx.com
Phone: 979-574-7653
Carrier Pigeon: 4141 E. 29th Street, Bryan, TX 77802
(okay, so the last one is a joke. But if you have trained carrier pigeons, that's awesome!)

I work for KBTX-TV in Bryan/College Station. I blog for the station, but like to include that content on my personal blog as well. I have disabled comments here in hopes that you will visit KBTX.com. The original blog post is here.

Waiting on a Blue Box

Texas World Speedway, near turn 3.

Most of my friends know my passion for Science Fiction. Good or bad, it doesn't really matter; I love it. 

I was working a camera at Texas World Speedway in September. I was in the middle of the track and this blue bow was the only thing around me. It reminded me of the TARDIS from Dr. Who. 

If you've ever seen the show, the Doctor travels through time and space in a blue police call box. It's roughly the size of a port-a-potty, but it's larger on the inside than it's shape lets on.

I spent the whole day thinking that at any moment the Doctor would bound out of the port-a-potty, bewildered at what happened to his TARDIS and why it smelt so awful on the inside.

Meeting Mr. Rather

My job affords me some great luxuries. Usually it's a pass or ticket to some big event, but every now and then I get the chance to meet someone. I'm a graduate of Sam Houston State University's Mass Communications program. The program is housed in the Dan Rather Communications Building. Rather is a graduate of SHSU as well. I spent four years learning about my one, true passion in a building with his name on it. Two weeks ago, I got to meet Dan Rather. 

Me. Dan Rather. My friend (and current SHSU student) Josh. 

It was a small moment, but it had a very big impact. Mr. Rather is a huge professional role model to me. Regardless of your personal opinion of him, Mr. Rather has done so much for journalism and, especially, for Sam Houston State University. 

He was on campus for a full day and spent most of it talking directly to students. He was extremely gracious with his time answering everyone's questions. The impact that Sam Houston State had on him while he was as student here is still fresh in his mind. The faculty believed in him and wanted him to succeed. They saw the potential in Mr. Rather when he didn't see it in himself. We need more teachers like that.