TV's Michael Oder

Plinky Post: Ceiling fans

2012-01-31T13:43:00.001-08:00

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

2011-11-30T16:01:00.001-08:00

"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

2011-11-25T19:10:00.001-08:00

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

2011-10-13T16:05:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-10T18:24:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-09T18:03:00.000-07:00

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.

I'd Like to Thank the Academy...

2011-09-02T12:00:00.000-07:00

I accomplished these goals before the list went active. So I'm going to check them off now!

Submit something I have worked on for an Emmy.
     I'm lucky enough to work with extremely talented people at KBTX. Every football season, for the last eight or so years, the station airs a Texas A&M Preview show before every home game called Aggie Gameday. I was honored to produce it last year. We made some changes, brought the show into the social media century and produce quality television.
     This year we submitted one show and one segment from the end of the 2010 season to the Lonestar Chapter of the Emmy's. We should find out this month who is nominated. After that, it's in the hands of the voters.
     I'm extremely nervous. Every time I think that I've forgotten about the nominations coming up, I think about the nominations coming up. It's a dirty, vicious cycle. I think we stand a good chance to be nominated, but we do have some great competition. So we'll see!

Become an Emmy member.
     This was a nice by-product of helping out the Lonestar Emmy's last year. If you help judge entries, they let you be a member. For free. All I had to do was watch about three dozen DVD entries and score them. Piece of cake! Plus, it helped me get some great ideas for Aggie Gameday.
     Sadly, they don't hand out membership cards or anything, so I can't say that I'm a card carrying member. Maybe one day they'll have cards. Who knows. But I'm proud to be a member and hopefully can submit work that others will find just as fascinating as I do.

Two down; 99 to go!

Round Two Begins

2011-09-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

Here we go! This is my second list, my second try at being goal-oriented. I took a few off the first list, but not many. My hope is that these goals will be more attainable. I will have exactly 1,001 days to complete these goals.

Begin date: September 1, 2011

End date: May 29, 2014

Financial
Put $25 into savings from each pay check.
Track my expenses for 1 week.
Pay $500 of my credit card.
Pay $1,000 of my credit card.
Pay $1,500 of my credit card.

Pay off my credit card.
Pay $3,000 off my car.
Pay $5,000 off my car.
Pay $8,000 off my car.
Pay $10,000 off my car.

Pay off my car.

Donate money back to the Mass Communications department at SHSU.
Invest money in the stock market.
Pay for the person behind me in line at the drive-thru.

Buy two new suits.

Buy a new computer.

Health
Drop 10 pounds.
Drop 20 pounds.
Have a 32 inch waist again (if possible).
Get my blood pressure back to normal.

Get a physical every year.

No beer or alcohol for 31 days.

Own a bicycle.

Get my cholesterol back below normal.

Go to the dentist each year.

Career
Attend a workshop to better myself in my career.
Build a resume tape.
Own a copy of every story I've done that has aired (script and video/no vosots).
Submit something I have worked on for an Emmy.
Submit a story to the Texas Associated Press awards.
Submit a reporter tape to the Texas Associated Press awards.
Submit a story to the Lonestar Press Awards.
Submit a story for the Governor's Barbara Jordan award.
Become an Emmy member.
Buy a professional grade video camera.
Submit a reporter tape for the Lonestar Emmys.
Create two Aggie Gameday promos.

Make a list of "Rules" from things I've learned on the job (20 "rules").

Apply for a job in another city.

Interview a celebrity.
Interview an elected official.

Look into hiring an agent.

Blog for my personal website once a month.

Purchase www.michaeloder.com.
Design a website for self-promotion.
Write, shoot, edit five (5) videos for my blog.

Write and get published an Op/Ed piece on a topic I feel strongly about.

Blog for the station once a month.

Increase my personal gear collection by 2 pieces a year.

Create a "One-Man-Band" bag (mics, cables, connectors, IFB, etc.)

Personal
Get my concealed handgun license.
Get a massage.
Create a 5 year plan.
Visit my uncle's grave.

Get CPR and first aid certified.

Cooking
Go a week without eating out.
Bake 3 pies from scratch.
Brew my own beer.
Cook my way through an entire cookbook.

Travel
Go to the Caldwell Kolache Festival.
Go to Fair on the Square in Hunstville.
Attend a SHSU Homecoming event hosted by my major.
Visit the San Jacinto Monument.
Visit the Battleship Texas.
Visit the USS Lexington in Corpus Christie.
Visit all Presidential Libraries in Texas (0/3).

Go to Good Oil Days in Humble.

Go to a concert.

Take a road trip to another state.

Attend a Sci-Fi convention.

Go to RenFest in period dress.

Go camping once.

Attend the midnight showing of the next Star Trek movie.

Go on a date.

Other Projects

Finish an entire coloring book.
Start and finish a "365 pictures" project.

Learn to tie a bow tie.
Collect 25 quotes that inspire/give me strength.
Complete the collection of state quarters that my grandfather gave me.
Take a MENSA test just for the hell of it.
Memorize two limericks.

Donate 1,000 grains of rice at www.freerice.com.

Complete one 26 Things project.
Post 10 videos to my YouTube account.
Record one project for www.librivox.org.
Score a bowling game by hand.
Score a college baseball game.
Build my own jib/crane cam.
Create a "go" bag for emergencies.
Vote in every election I am eligible for (municipal, state, federal).
Find a creative use for my growing collection of fortune cookie fortunes.

Build a Home Theater PC and fill it with my DVDs, CDs, TV shows.
Take the Jeopardy Online Contestant Challenge.
Collect and organize all my online logins and passwords.
Learn one song on the guitar.
Learn one song on the piano.

Practice my trumpet once a month.
Audition for the Brazos Valley Symphony, or similar organization.
Learn to play the guitar.
Learn to play the piano.

Do Unto Others

2011-08-31T09:30:00.000-07:00

I remember exactly what the sunrise looked like on the morning of September 11, 2001. As a high school freshman, I never noticed the sunrise. That morning the sun came up through the clouds making a perfect shilohette of the football stadium. I got out of my mom's car and stepped into a puddle from rain the night before. That's when I noticed.

It's a day that I know many people will not forget. In the year's since 2001 I've always looked for ways that I can remember that day and the feeling of unity that flowed out across the United States in the months after.

Texas business owner, EnviroMedia co-founder Kevin Tuerff, was stranded in Newfoundland on 9/11. The small Canadian town of Gander took him and about 7,000 other stranded passengers in for a few days. Moved by the kindness of complete strangers, Tuerff started Pay It Forward 9/11.

He's asking all of us to do one act of kindness on or before the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Then tweet it. Simple enough. For every tweet tagged with #PIFFoundation, Tuerff will donate $1 up to $10,000.

He shares his story in this video:

I think this is a great way to pay respect to the lives lost that day, and after. Pay it forward. Let's bring back the sense of unity, pride and respect that was felt after 9/11, even if it's just for a day.

You can find the Pay It Forward Foundation online here.

Follow the foundation on Twitter @PIFFoundation

I blog for the station I work for, KBTX-TV, in Bryan, TX. I've disabled comments for this story here and ask that you leave them at the station's website. Click here for a link to this blog post at KBTX.com.

The End of the First Round

2011-08-25T14:00:00.000-07:00

The last 1,001 days have been the most challenging of my life. In just under three years I've graduated from college, started a career and lived on my own. With a few exceptions, it's been a positive experience.

For background on what a 101 in 1,001 list is, click here.

One of the biggest issues I've had to deal with is making the time for things that are important, or that I find important. People laugh when I say I'm married to my job. My career occupies more of my time than anything else right now. Will it be that way forever? I certainly hope not.

These 101 goals I've listed were an attempt by me to expand my life outside of my career. There are some job-oriented goals on the list, but most of them have absolutely nothing to do with television.

Out of 101 goals, I accomplish 20.

The remaining 81 goals weren't too difficult or impossible. I think they were just too idealistic. Granted, it shouldn't take me over two years to learn the guitar. I just didn't make the time to practice every day.

All good things must come to an end. This first list wasn't perfect, but it was a solid first attempt. I've already created another 101 goals. My starting date will be September 1st.

I'm going to try it again. I'll be posting the list soon, if your interested.

Barbecue and Stuffed Animals

2011-07-03T07:42:00.000-07:00

It's hot.

That's an understatement. It's incredibly, paint-peeling, baking cookies in the car, asphalt melting hot.
It's also July and, for me, that brings back a lot of memories. July 4th has always been a big day, not only for the country, but for my family as well. My grandmother was born on the 4th (Happy Birthday Memaw!).

Recently, I've been working Independence Day. My DJ side-job usually takes me to big fireworks shows or neighborhood gatherings that require background music and corny announcements.
There was one July 4th I spent on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean. Despite some of my friend's insistence, there were no outward fireworks in Greece. The fireworks were inside my head. Seeing that part of that world, in person, was an amazing thing.

Growing up, though, the best memories are from the giant block parties. Our neighbors down the street would invite everyone over. Barbecue and hot dogs to eat, a pool to swim in, then at dark-thirty (that magic hour) would begin our own firework show.

The fireworks were always bought the day before or that day. We all saved, or begged our parents for money. The important thing was to bargain shop. You had to buy enough to set off on the 4th and enough left over to get you to New Year's.

Before we got too big and everyone moved off, those parties were the biggest night of the summer. As kids, we would try and stay out trouble. One year, we decided that pulling each behind our bikes while wearing roller blades would be fun. I have scars to prove it was. Another we decided to play field surgeon with our old, torn stuffed animals.

Those stuffed animals not deemed fit to donate, were kept for a special mission. To be loaded with fireworks and destroyed in spectacular fashion. Parent supervision was present. After all, how do you think we got the string and needle to sew the toys back together?

Much like Sid from Toy Story, a few toys were tortured at the expense of childhood curiosity. We thanked each of them for their time and service, then lit the fuse and took cover.

The sight of stuffing raining down on the street meant a successful job. A few years later everyone was in high school or moving off to college, so the street party dwindled, but not my memory. Every Fourth of July I can remember Barbecue and stuffed animals.

I'm blogging for my job at KBTX.com. This article is posted there. I would ask that if you have any comments, you please leave them there. Thanks!

The Next 101

2011-05-14T12:07:00.000-07:00

Since I've got about three months left on my first 101 Goals list, I've been working on the next 101. I might not have accomplished many goals on the first list, but I decided to continue with these lists because I like being goal driven. Regardless of what gets crossed off, or not, you still have a destination. Strangely, the fun comes from trying to reach that destination and not the actual goal.

I've learned a lot about myself over the last two and three-quarters years. I learned what goals are doable and which goals are beyond difficult. I've learned that I need serious work on my personal motivation. My work ethic when it pertains to my career is unparalleled. Transferring that over to my personal life is something I hope these new goals can help me with.

At 73, I'm stalled. I keep finding a few other things to put on the list. Ideally, I'd like to have over 101 goals so I can prune and weed out the less important ones.

These are in no particular order other than when I had the idea and wrote it down. I'm asking for suggestions or ideas. The new list starts August 26, 2011. (list after the jump)

New 101
Attend a workshop to better myself in my career.
Build a resume tape.
Own a copy of every story I've done that has aired (script and video/no vosots).
Get CPR and first aid certified.
Go a week without eating out.
Bake 3 pies from scratch.
Brew my own beer.
Cook my way through an entire cookbook.
Finish an entire coloring book.
Track my expenses for 1 week.
Start and finish a "365 pictures" project.
Purchase www.michaeloder.com.
Design a website for self-promotion.
Write, shoot, edit five (5) videos for my blog.
Put $25 into savings from each pay check.
Pay off my car.
Pay off my credit card.
Learn to tie a bow tie.
No beer or alcohol for 31 days.
Collect 25 quotes that inspire/give me strength.
Complete the collection of state quarters that my grandfather gave me.
Attend the midnight showing of the next Star Trek movie.
Take a MENSA test just for the hell of it.
Memorize two limericks.
Donate money back to the Mass Communications department at SHSU.
Get a physical every year.
Go on a date.
Drop 10 pounds.
Drop 20 pounds.
Have a 32 inch waist again (if possible).
Donate 1,000 grains of rice at www.freerice.com.
Complete one 26 Things project.
Post 10 videos to my YouTube account.
Write and get published an Op/Ed piece on a topic I feel strongly about.
Record one project for www.librivox.org.
Go to RenFest in period dress.
Make a list of "Rules" from things I've learned on the job (20 "rules").
Score a bowling game by hand.
Score a college baseball game.
Submit something I have worked on for an Emmy.
Submit a story to the Texas Associated Press awards.
Submit a reporter tape to the Texas Associated Press awards.
Submit a story to the Lonestar Press Awards.
Submit a story for the Governor's Barbara Jordan award.
Become an Emmy member.
Buy a professional grade video camera.
Increase my personal gear collection by 2 pieces a year.
Create a "One-Man-Band" bag (mics, cables, connectors, IFB, etc.)
Build my own jib/crane cam.
Create a "go" bag for emergencies.
Own a bicycle.
Vote in every election I am eligible for (municipal, state & federal).
Go camping once.
Find a creative use for my growing collection of fortune cookie fortunes.
55. Apply for a job in another city.
Visit the San Jacinto Monument.
Visit the Battleship Texas.
Visit the USS Lexington in Corpus Christie.
Visit all Presidential Libraries in Texas (0/3).
Attend a Sci-Fi convention.
Build a Home Theater PC and fill it with my DVDs, CDs, TV shows.
Take the Jeopardy Online Contestant Challenge.
Look into hiring an agent.
Go to the Caldwell Kolache Festival.
Go to Fair on the Square in Hunstville.
Attend a SHSU Homecoming event hosted by my major.
Go to Good Oil Days in Humble.
Interview a celebrity.
Interview an elected official.
Collect and organize all my online logins and passwords.
71. Get my blood pressure back to normal.
Learn one song on the guitar.
Learn one song on the piano.

Plinky Post: Sunsets. Say goodbye to the day.

2011-03-20T09:15:00.000-07:00

Just another Tequila Sunset...

The top level of the parking garage at Sam Houston State University is the best place I've been to watch a sunset.

A big storm had just moved through Huntsville, so the clouds were clearing. It was cooler than it had been the whole week. I drug my friend Mindi along. Seeing a sunset from the parking garage was on my list of 101 things to do in 1,001 days.

It was beautiful. Peaceful. One of those moments when the world goes quiet and you just soak it all in.

Plinky Post: Hangin' with the Older Kids

2011-03-13T08:55:00.000-07:00

Don't rush to be grown-up. It's extremely overrated.

I've always felt older than I actually am. I spent most of my youth wishing I was older. Now that I'm 24 (I know, not exactly ancient) I wish I had spent more time goofing around.

I've got a real job, trying to start a career, benefits and bills. I still want to play hide-and-seek!

Plinky Post: Never Let Me Be Unsocial

2011-02-27T08:31:00.000-08:00

Nice to meet you!

Conversation
I never want to lose my ability to make connections with other people. As a journalist, you need that ability to do your job. It's more important than that though. As a human you need that ability to remain grounded in society and civilization.

I enjoy meeting new people, plain as that! To walk into a situation and be personable and open is something that would kill me if I lost.

So if you see me, say hello! Because if I see you first, you can bet that's what I'll do.

Picture Books. My Favorite!

2011-02-22T18:44:00.000-08:00

If you're a history buff like me (it was minor in college) then this might interest you.

IMAGES OF AMERICA: COLLEGE STATION BOOK SIGNINGS THIS WEEKEND

Glenn D. Davis to sign books at Barnes and Noble and Hastings on Saturday College Station, Texas (February 22, 2011) – Local author, Glenn D. Davis will be at two book stores this Saturday, Feb. 26, to sign his new pictorial history book College Station. The new colorful history of College Station and Texas A&M has been released from Arcadia Publishing, in its “Images of America” series. Using over 200 archived, historical photos and extended captions, this new book takes a fresh look at local history through a unique lens.

Saturday, February 26, 2011, from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Barnes and Noble, 711 Texas Avenue South in College Station, 979.764.8955.

Saturday, February 26, 2011, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Hastings Books in Culpepper Plaza on Texas Avenue South in College Station, 979.693.2619.

Available locally at Barnes & Noble, Hastings, Walgreen’s, and the College Station Conference Center. College Station may also be ordered from online distributors such as Amazon.com.

And a little about the author...
GLENN D. DAVIS was born in Bryan, but grew up in Wellborn and Somerville. After spending a career abroad as a foreign correspondent, he returned to his hometown in 2007 to teach International Studies at Texas A&M and an introductory course in journalism at Blinn College.

Thanks to Anne Boykin with the City of College Station!

Plinky Post: Reading Rainbow

2011-02-20T08:25:00.000-08:00

Take a look, it's in a book.

Man with book sitting in chair
My friend Joshua bought me "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. If you haven't read it, I'd encourage you to. It opened me up to what the Universe has planned for me. It also brought me closer to my faith than I imagined it would. Its not all science-y and junk, but it requires you to have faith in that which cannot be seen.

Everyone has a personal destiny. "The Alchemist" helped me begin to understand what impact my decisions have on my personal legend, or destiny.

I'll gladly loan you my copy.

Plinky Post: The Shat and First Responders

2011-02-13T08:13:00.000-08:00

"This program contains true stories of rescues. All of the 9-1-1 calls you will hear are real. Whenever possible, the actual people involved have helped us reconstruct the events as they happened."

William Shatner
Strangely, I don't think this will come as a shock to anyone. I used to (and still do) idolize William Shatner.

When I was a kid, it was his work on Rescue 9-1-1. My dad was a paramedic and firefighter so I thought that the re-enactments were exactly what my dad did every day he was at work.

I would drag the other kids on the playground into re-enacting all the scenarios I'd seen on TV. House fires, car crashes, unfortunate mishaps with lawn equipment, you name it, we covered it.

I would do my best Shatner impression, walking down the steps of the jungle gym, setting up the gruesome catastrophe.

I know, hard to picture, but I remember it like it was yesterday.

Plinky Post: My Fitness Routine, or Lack Thereof.

2011-02-06T08:30:00.000-08:00

Seriously, I need to get to a gym.

Army Reserve 2010 Best Warrior Competition Army Physical Fitness Test
Fitness routine? Hahahaha

I routinely think that I should get into better shape. I'm not unhealthy (except for the way I eat sometimes). I just want to look better naked. My problem is I don't have the ethic, yet. I say yet because, as my mother is so apt at pointing out, if I want something bad enough I'll work for it.

I wanted a career in TV and worked hard to get where I am. When I want to drop 15 pounds and have actual, you know, defined abs I'll get my butt to a gym.

Until then, I run on a treadmill about twice a week. No change in that depending on the season.

Velvet Boxer

2011-02-03T19:34:00.000-08:00

Quite possibly one of the coolest pictures of a Boxer I've seen in a while!

Long Lost Relative

2011-02-02T19:09:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the power of Google and their awesome alerts (see here) I have the great opportunity of knowing when my first or last name appears on the Internet.

What an age we live in!

So, imagine my surprise when I got a e-mail saying that someone with the last name "Oder" was starting on the soccer team at Cornell.

Meet Aaron Oder.

He's a freshman mid-fielder for the Cornell Big Red.

He and his family are from Pfafftown, North Carolina.

He's going to Cornell to be an engineer. I was really hoping for like a doctor or lawyer because (I'm being honest) it couldn't hurt to have one or two in the family.

Guess I have to be a fan of collegiate soccer now...

Welcome to the family, Aaron!

Plinky Post: Always Grab One on the Way Out

2011-01-30T19:56:00.000-08:00

For whatever reason, I have a hard time making sure I have batteries with me when I leave the television station.

200707221253_CameramanGetsPapped
Television runs on power. Your TV set needs to be plugged in to operate. Stations must have back-up generators to keep a signal transmitting. My camera, microphone and light all run off batteries.

You don't know how important they are until they run out or you forget to grab them in your hurry to get out the door. Ashamedly, I have left the station without a battery for my camera. When you miss an interview or get to a rapidly changing scene late because you had to turn around and go back, you learn real quick.

Also, it made me look like an idiot to the reporters I work with when I forget the most essential part of my kit.

It's a lesson I'm still learning.

Crossing Off the List

2011-01-13T19:17:00.000-08:00

Since January is a good time to get a fresh start I went ahead and looked over my 101 list. Turns out, I have a few more things to cross off!

#11 - Graduate from college with a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications.

This took a lot longer than I should have allowed it to. Technically I graduated from Sam Houston State University in August 7, 2010, a full year and a half after leaving the university. My fault completely for taking so long. I am now an official college graduate.

#21 - Sing more often.

As anyone who works with me can attest to, I sing nearly everything. Pop music, classic rock, oldies, songs about what I'm doing in the style of popular songs, songs about stories I'm working on. I sing. A lot. I think it drives my co-workers crazy sometimes, but it makes me happy.

#43 - Talk to my brother once a week.

I live with him. Problem solved.

#59 - Take a vested interest in my local, state, and federal government's decisions.

Working for a small(ish) town television station is the best way, I think, to stay plugged in to local politics. I've ready, listened, and written more about small town government than any other time in my life. And it's just as annoying as reading about it in the newspaper, hearing it on the radio or watching it on TV.

#81 - Hold a conversation with a friend or family member over Skype.

I've had a few conversations over Skype. Not nearly as many as I think the year 2010 (or 2011) should require me to. It's the future, people! Get with video chat!

#93 - Make the switch to boxer-briefs.

Pretty self explanatory. If you need further information, buy me dinner?

I'm going to start looking at my next set of 101 goals. I feel like I have things left to accomplish. Not only from this list, but things off the list as well. I still have 7 or so months left to work on this list before the clock runs out.

Plinky Post - A Boot, Royalty and the Land Down Under

2010-12-26T08:30:00.000-08:00

These are just three of the many places I'd like to visit in my life.

(PS- Doesn't it look like this Koala Bear is saying," Whoa! Nearly Fell!" OR "AH!! RUSSELL CROWE!)

Koala Portrait
I'd love to visit Italy again. It's a beautiful country, both geographically and population-wise.

I want to visit Great Britain. Tour London, see the palaces and visit a legit pub.

Finally, I'd like to visit Australia. I want to see the Great Barrier Reef and hold a Koala. I'm a man of simple pleasures.

Work Thoughts: A Surprise in Madisonville

2010-12-22T20:41:00.000-08:00

This was the story I covered on Monday, December 20th. It was an honor to be a part of something so special for a family in Madisonville. In television news, we sometimes miss the small things that have the biggest impact on people.

At the heart of most journalists, in my opinion, is the ability to see the people through the story. I can get caught up on the smallest, insignificant detail sometimes and miss the heart of a story. My goal is to try and see the forest and the trees.

(The following is the article I wrote. I've disabled comments on the blog. If you want to leave your thoughts, I would ask that you visit this story at KBTX.com and leave your comments there.)

Madisonville Family Receives Christmas Surprise
by Michael Oder
(If you would like to watch the video, click here.)

They say it's the season for giving and we've certainly seen it in action this month.

But when one mother in Madisonville received a life changing diagnosis, her family stood by her side. Now the entire community of Madisonville is standing with them.

If you would like to help out the Roundtree family, please visit this site setup for them.

When 31 year-old Roxanne Russell Roundtree and her family arrived at the Kimbro center Madisonville, they knew it was a special day.

They didn't know how special.

"We work with our local branches to identify a family or organization that may not be as blessed as we are," says Steven Boyd, CEO of Guardian Healthcare.

"This is a way for us to give back to that local community."

Roxanne worked as a nurse for Guardian Healthcare for about a year. In 2008, she was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS. The caregiver was now in need of care.

"Now, to have the tables turned it's hard," says Don Roundtree, Roxanne's husband.

"We were together when she was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease and it was a hard process," remembers Sara Hudson. She worked with Roxanne.

"You have to admit your mortality. And Don has had to quit his job and he his a full time caregiver. He goes above and beyond 24-7."

Each year, around the holidays, Guardian Healthcare adopts one family. The employees at Guardian went with one they've shared the struggles with.

"It has been overwhelming the pouring out of support from the community," says Crystal Callaham, the Madisonville Branch Manager of Guardian Healthcare.

During the ceremony, Boyd explained that the Madisonville community raised over $14,000. Guardian Healthcare matched that, dollar-for-dollar.

Roxanne Roundtree's life is different now, as she battles ALS, but what she might not know is, so is everyone else's.

"She's full of energy," says Callaham.

Just for the chance to meet a woman who cares deeply and gives everything she can.

"I had some patients call her an angel," says Don.

Her community is happy they can give something back.

The amount of money they raised surprised everyone. Friends say the support for Roxanne, Don and her three young sons spread like wildfire over social networks like Facebook.

Christmas Songs

2010-12-12T14:28:00.000-08:00

Gotta hand it to Target for bringing the techno to Christmas.

Plinky Post

2010-12-12T08:48:00.000-08:00

(Bringing this back. Will try to post at least one each week.)

202/365 - Laugh
It might not be the wackiest, but this piece of advice has stuck with me.

Laugh.

Out loud. In the car. In class. At the gym. At work. Everywhere. Find the joy in life.

The corrolary as well; cry.

Don't be ashamed to cry. It's healthy and you feel better.

Saying goodbye...

2010-11-29T19:17:00.000-08:00

I turned 24 years old this month. I never once had a doubt I would reach this age. I'm hoping to, at least, triple it in my lifetime. What I didn't expect and what I learned in my 20s is the lesson in saying goodbye. I was 20 years old when I made the choice to say goodbye to some of the nicest people in the world. Life had thrown us a curve ball and, for my sanity and theirs, I said goodbye. To this day it was the hardest decision I have ever had to make. Almost four years later, I reached out. I made a phone call that wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. That phone call lead to another almost a week later. This time my friend on the other end had terrible news; news that I never believed I would hear from his mouth. His father died. His father, who had been my mentor in high school, and I hadn't spoken in years and ended things on a very negative note.

Sitting in a pew in a chapel during the funeral I let go of all my negativity toward my friend, his father and family. They, after all, had been so kind to me in the past. I wept uncontrollably over the fear of loosing my father, the sadness of my friend not being able to simply talk to his and the raw emotion that was suppressed from my walking away.

This is not something I wish to talk about with very many people, but the experience is still hanging around me. I feel changed, though I'm not sure how.

You can say goodbye to those you love and you feel like you're dying on the inside. Time has a funny way of knowing whether or not the 'goodbye' is permanent. In my case, it was not. While I felt like I was walking away from my family and best friend, I was actually saving myself and (in my opinion) them. Through saying goodbye I was able to say hello, again.

Since I've entered my 20s, more tears have been shed than in the two decades previous. Something about growing up makes my heart feel more emotion. I've spoken with more authority on how I feel. I've spoken truth to power. In many ways, I still have a great distance to go. There are things I need to understand. Believing in oneself is not easy. You can fake it, but you can't convince yourself all the time.

Producing...

2010-09-01T22:06:00.000-07:00

Over the last few days I've come to understand that title a little better.

I was asked to be the producer for Aggie Gameday, so I've been knee deep in trying to bring my "A Game" to the first show. It airs, by the by, on Saturday Sept. 4th @ 4pm on the CW Texas and streaming live at KBTX.com.

I've also picked a new schedule at work that has me producing the Noon and 6pm shows three days a week. There are days when the shows put themselves together and there are days when it's battle until air. I've had my fair share of good and bad shows and I know I'll have more.

There are a ton of things that producers do that I didn't think they did when I first started. They have to be writers, editors, reporters, news directors and graphic artists. Being able to determine what's a lead story and what can appropriately go after the first commercial break can be difficult. There are days when you think all your stories should go after the first break. There are days when you fight for more time in the first segment and cram as much news as you can in.

But most importantly, being a producer means being able to work with just about anyone. You help reporters see how their story fits into your show. You work with anchors on how a show should flow. You discuss how the show will look on-air with directors and production staff.

When your producing a specialty program like Gameday, the amount of meetings and discussions doubles. You need to talk to the Web Director about updating the webpage. Work with the creative services gurus on how your special season open montage fits into the pre-produced show open and promos. Attend a station wide meeting on how the sales and sponsored elements fit into the whole show experience on-air and at the Fan Zone at Kyle Field. I could continue, but suffice to say it's a balancing act.

I love every minute of it though. The anxiety about making sure all your elements are in place before deadline Friday is overwhelming. The excitement about the new ideas we're trying out this season is overwhelming. So is the support I'm getting from everyone.

So I'm hanging on with both hands and hoping I get pulled through until December...

Aggie Gameday? AGGIE GAMEDAY!

2010-08-31T21:14:00.000-07:00

Wow... boy have I walked away from this blog for a while...

Sorry about that.

I started a new adventure this month; producer of Aggie Gameday. It's been crazy. Not only has the show been around for almost ten years, but it's award winning. Someone gave it an award. Nationally.

Big shoes to fill.

The first show is Saturday August 4th. Live from Kyle Field and the Aggie Fan Zone.

I've set some big goals this year. The Sports department brought me in to bring some creativity to show.

The very first thing you see this weekend will knock your socks off. I'll make sure it gets online soon!

Check the website: www.kbtx.com/aggiegameday
Twtter: @AggieGameday

Work Thoughts: Animals Seized in Grimes County

2010-07-21T18:38:00.000-07:00

Worked an interesting story today over in Carlos (Grimes County, TX).

A woman there breeds and sells miniature horses and dogs on her small ranch. Things got overwhelming for her, and she ended up with over 200 animals. Wednesday morning, Grimes County Sheriff's Officers and the Houston SPCA entered the property and took 105 horses and 40 dogs. They left her with 20 horses and 40 dogs. 30 horses were given to neighbors.

It was a voluntary surrender, so she's not facing any charges right now. That could change. The animals that were taken are undergoing a full medical check up. When the Sheriff's and SPCA finish they're investigation, it will be the District Attorney's decision whether or not to charge her with animal cruelty.

I've never understood animal cruelty. While this case is simply a woman living beyond her means, I still do not get it. Perhaps she tried every mean she could to sell or give away the animals, but couldn't. At some point she had to realize that she couldn't support all the animals. Here's the clincher: it was an anonymous tip that sent Sheriff's officers to the ranch to begin with. That's how this all started.

What if that person hadn't called in? I imagine this story would have been much more tragic and my day a lot longer than it was.

Animals cannot cry out for help or food when they are kept in a pen. I learned an interesting fact from the SPCA investigator today. Horses, unlike other animals, do not loose body mass quickly. If a horse, miniature or not, has ribs showing, that's because it's malnourished. And that takes a long, long time to happen.

Here's the link to the story on the KBTX-TV website.

I've disabled comments on this post and ask that you leave them on under the article on the KBTX.com website.

So This Happened This Week...

2010-06-18T19:38:00.000-07:00

So I guess this means I'm official, right?

www.kbtx.com/newsteam

Let's Get Physical

2010-06-06T21:18:00.000-07:00

I've finally decided to stop pretending I'm getting in shape. How, you ask? Public humiliation. I'm going to post my weight twice a day; once in the morning and evening, on my Twitter.

I'm going to attempt the Insanity cardio program. It's a 60 day program and if I can't make it through that, I'll resort to running, biking, swimming and some push ups.

Please feel free to encourage me to keep up the work.

Let's see how things turn out at the end of two months.

Bark in the Park 2010

2010-06-06T09:54:00.000-07:00

My very talented and extremely hard-working friend Krystle asked me to help out this year with Bark in the Park. She works for the Brazos Animal Shelter and this event helps to raise awareness of some important issues in the Brazos Valley pet community.

All animals up for adoption.

There was an absolute fantastic turn out! As a dog guy, I had a blast. Some many awesome animals and owners showed up.

So many well-behaved dogs.

My job was to make announcements, something Krystle knew I was good at. She and I have worked together on events like this since our days at Sam Houston State. The demonstrations were cool. There was an agility course, Bryan PD showed up with their dogs, and the Search Dog Network impressed us with their volunteers.

Bryan PD officer and Kahn.

Please look around my awesome photo taking skills.

The Brazos Valley is home to some amazing organizations that help each other. I'm glad I was able to help out in my own small way.

Bookshelves, both analog and digital.

2010-04-17T17:41:00.000-07:00

Here's a question that came to Friday. I've been considering buying an iPad. Before you judge me completely, my laptop is dying a slow, public death and I'm going to buy an iMac, so I need something basically to sit on the couch with. I've handled one, seen that applications and read nearly every article and blog for and against. Friday I had one of those moments some consider an epiphany.

The iPad makes for a great e-book. But if you purchased a book digitally, would you buy a hardcopy to sit on a bookshelf?

I like having books on a shelf being displayed to the world. It's a sense of pride and accomplishment. I know many of my friends love reading books (I'm looking at your Jessica and Chet). The iPad can carry thousands of books, but none of them can go on a physical bookshelf.

I pose the question to anyone who reads this: would you buy a physical copy of a book you have read digitally?

Bagpipes and a Slow Ride Home

2010-04-11T15:12:00.000-07:00

I stood in the sunshine on a cloudless day outside a church in College Station. There was a twelve foot Texas flag hanging in the air behind me. The flag was either new or had been in storage for a while because the static electricity could be felt as you walked underneath it. It hung between two ladder trucks; one from the city of College Station and one Bryan. Fire engines line the driveway. Pat Barrett was getting a proper memorial.

Barrett taught and trained thousands of firefighters during his 18 years with the Texas Engineering Extension Service. It seems as though all of them showed up to pay their respects. He was the Fire Chief for Spur FD. A single fire engine from that central Texas town followed behind him on the start of his journey home.

Here's the link to the story I did about that day.

I was raised in a firehouse. My dad worked two 24-hour shifts at two different fire departments. I've ridden on countless fire engines, been strapped to an endless number of backboards and played in the spray of a fire hydrant on a hot summer day. Not all of these things are unique to being a fireman's son. In fact, my cousins and friends were almost always right there with my younger brother and I. They are unique to a firefighter's family, though.

My dad called home every night at 10pm. He would talk to my mom about his day and hers. Never being old enough to stay up that late, I suspect that's also where my mom filled dad in on what exactly I had done wrong that day. I will freely admit I was a problem child, and for being home only every third day, my dad sure knew what I did when he wasn't home. If the phone rang past 10pm, it meant something was happening. I didn't realize until I was in college how that impacted me.

You always know, whether you say it out loud or not, that it's a dangerous job. There are stories every day about the perils of fighting fire, responding to an emergency or helping those in need. The very first time my cellphone rang past 10pm, I panicked. Immediately I answered and asked what was wrong. A very startled friend from class was wondering if I wanted to get a late-night snack at Kaldis. I couldn't quite explain to her the fear I felt. I called my dad the next morning before school just to hear his voice.

Funerals are a difficult time. Your heart is full with grief.
When it's another firefighter who's lost, the grief doubles.
The nature of the profession creates tight-nit groups among strangers.
"When one group experiences a loss, we all experience a loss."

One Stop Creeper Shop

2010-03-29T21:16:00.000-07:00

The story I worked on today was about the website Spokeo.com. It searches the web and social media websites (like this one) and gathers that information into a profile. You can see some information for free, but the "good" stuff costs money.

I also did a live shot from a coffee shop around the block for the newscast via Skype. It was awesome! My first on-air appearance at KBTX was at a cool coffee shop! My story follows, but I've disabled comments and ask that you leave them at KBTX.com.

Private Information For The Public To See All On One Web Site
By Michael Oder

In the Internet age, most of our private information is out there on one website or another. Getting to those sites and obtaining that information isn't always easy until now.

We've uncovered a site that we wanted you to know about, so you'll know what to do if you think what's out there for all to see...is just too much.
"Okay that's intense," says Texas A&M student Jason Reynolds.

"That is my grandfather. Male, 70s...man that's right."

These A&M students at a local shop are shocked. They've discovered the personal information for themselves and family members gathered together on one website.

"It has my address on there, that's creepy," says Texas A&M student Rebecca McDavid.

Spokeo.com is a search engine that gathers information about your personality and interests, along with pictures of your home, phone number, your religious beliefs, even the type of vehicle you drive. It also gives your address and phone number.

"I don't know why you would need to know like a lot of this stuff, unless you're a creeper," says Reynolds.

The website searches public information and over 40 social media websites to give you everything from political interests to religion. For three to five dollars a month, or about the price of a coffee, you can know everything about anyone. But it's not always accurate.

"This says I make $321,000 a year," laughed McDavid.

Most people we showed this site to were fascinated, intrigued but disturbed. But as disturbing as it might be, it's legal.

If you want to remove yourself from this site, there is a link at the end of the article at KBTX.com.

I Can't, There's an NCIS Marathon Today

2010-03-21T19:45:00.000-07:00

Hello blog that I have neglected. Time for this week's Plinky Post.

What TV shows will you watch in rerun no matter how many times you've seen it?

I can watch NCIS reruns all day long. I have on many occasions actually done this. Even if I have seen the episode, I will watch it. There is something about that show that I love. It's a combination of JAG and CSI, both shows I like. Mark Harmon and the cast are a great ensemble. Part dysfunctional family, part crime-fighting team.

Another show I will watch in reruns is House. Hugh Laurie is awesome. Even though I hardly ever watch the show in it's prime time slot. I will almost always, make time to watch it in reruns or a marathon on USA. I like watching how long it take him to actually get the right diagnosis. The side stories are entertaining as well, providing background on who each doctor is.

A few other shows I will always watch in rerun as well:
Star Trek (any series)
West Wing
Always Sunny
Seinfeld
Two and a Half Men

What shows will you watch in rerun, no matter how many times you've seen it? Share in the comments, won't you?

The Kettle and The Pot...

2010-03-08T14:54:00.000-08:00

Got an interesting email into our newsroom. Most of these we scan over and look for something local to connect with. New documents reveal that PETA kills nearly all of the animals it takes in. I included the webistes and a direct link to the documents at the bottom of this post. Extremely interesting to those who care about animals. I don't neccessarily agree with their tactics, but this makes me sick. What do you think?

PETA Killed 97 Percent of Adoptable Pets in its Care During 2009
Hypocritical Animal Rights Group’s 2009 Disclosures Bring Pet Death Toll To 23,640

Washington, DC — Today the Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) published documents online showing that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) killed 97 percent of the adoptable pets in its care during 2009. Despite years of public outrage over its euthanasia program, the notorious animal rights group has actually increased the number of adoptable animals it kills at its Norfolk, VA headquarters, to an average of 44 pets every week.

According to public records from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, PETA killed 2,301 cats and dogs last year while only placing eight in adoptive homes. That means PETA found a home for only 1 out of every 300 animals at its headquarters. Since 1998, a total of 23,640 pets have died at the hands of PETA workers.

“PETA hasn’t slowed down its hypocritical killing machine one bit, but it keeps browbeating the rest of society with a phony ‘animal rights’ message,” said David Martosko, CCF’s Director of Research. “PETA is more concerned about funding its advertising and media antics than finding

Here is the website the Center for Consumer Freedom connects with for those documents:
PETA Kills Animals
Here is a direct link to the documents themselves (in PDF format):
PETA documents

Lightening Bolts? More like Lightening Dolts...

2010-02-21T09:38:00.000-08:00

Lightening. For eons it has been the same shape and color. I'm sure back in Zeus' day, the lightening bolt was the bee's knees. Now, still terrifying, it's getting aa bit old. We know what to expect. Zig-zags, straight bolts to the ground or the creepy "vein-y" looking lightening bolts are so "4th Century." My recommendation is bigger and better bolts. Perhaps corporations could sponsor storms. Also, let's get some new and exciting colors. Imagine how terrified you'd be of Red Lightening brought to you by Coke-a-Cola.

As a follow up, this amazing commercial from my friend Jen!

Plinky Post

2010-02-07T19:11:00.000-08:00

Where have you seen great art?

I've had the luck in life that by 23 I've seen some amazing art. When the Met had to recently close down, some of the artwork was moved to the Museum of Modern Art in Houston. It's the only time artwork from the Met as been moved and Houston was the only place it went. Interesting side story: the current curator of the Met began his career in Houston at the museum. That's why Houston was chosen. It was a small wing in the Museum, but some of the art work was breathtaking. I also visited the Menil gallery in Houston when I was in high school.

Outside of Houston, I've been equally as lucky. In high school I took a trip to Rome with my friend Josh and his family. Artwork is in every building and church in Rome. We toured the Vatican and the museum. One of the largest collections I've ever seen. You get lost in the maze of gigantic rooms with wall sized tapestries. Rooms filled with statues and sculptures depicting saints, scholars and leaders will tower above you like marble forest. Then, of course, you get to the Sistine Chapel.Words cannot describe the atmosphere in that room.

It's more art and history than you can shake a stick at. I saw most of it in a three year period. There are many more places I want to go and much more art and history to discover.

Gettin' Hitched

2010-01-28T20:10:00.000-08:00

In the next four months I have three weddings to attend. One wedding for my cousin, and two for friends. I have been asked to DJ all three. That is a huge honor for me. It also got me thinking. This summer will mark my 10 year anniversary with Roy & TMAC Sound. It also marks 10 years in the wedding industry.

Nothing makes me more happy than to be trusted with the responsibilty of making sure the reception for someone's special day goes smoothly. That being said... I do know what I'm doing. There have been some brides I've dealt with that make me want to fire a gun.

Some tips (from my decade of experience):
-DO NOT plan out every song that has to play from the beginning of the reception to the end. It will not work.
-DO NOT expect events to be on time. Things will run late and it's okay.
-DO NOT invite people to your wedding that feel they are a better DJ than the guy you hired. If that were true, you would have hired them.
-DO NOT invite a person you still have feelings for to your wedding. Alcohol+Great Music will make you want to grind on that person and make bad decisions. Yes, I'm talking about you Ms. Got Married at the Downtown Double Tree. You broke a toilet in a men's bathroom with some guy who wasn't your newly minted husband. That is a bad thing. How you managed to make it back out to the dancefloor and continue dancing while your soon-to-be ex-husband destroyed the bridal suite is a REMARKABLE feat. Kudos. (completely true story)
-DO NOT let your slightly drunk Uncle/Brother/Father who thinks he can impersonate Elvis have my very expensive wireless microphone. He will drop it and you will be billed.
-DO NOT think that we can read your mind.
-DO communicate your evey want with a DJ. We need to know what your thinking.
-Understand that we work for two people: the bride and the person signing our check. It's a tug-of-war on who wins out.
-Keg stands are awesome. Brides look especially lovely when the groom and his groomsmen are holding her legs up in the air.
-If you have a wedding coordinator, please make sure they understand that the DJ will be making the announcements. I don't care how "professional" you "think" you sound.
-DO NOT have your wedding outside if you have an elderly member of your family attending. They will succomb to the heat. The one time you don't have EMS on standby will be the one time Grandpaw has a heart attack. It's really difficult to make everyone go inside, then back outside, once everyone has seen him go past the large windows of the reception hall on a stretcher.
-DO NOT assume that we every song that has ever been released.
-DO NOT play "stump the DJ" all night long. Odds are, at nearly 60,000 songs we have it.
-DO NOT think we can just simply download music off Limewire AT THE RECEPTION. 1) it's illegal and 2) NO!
-DO NOT assume that because you're reception is out in the middle of NO WHERE, we bring our own generator. (I'm still pulling grass out of cases)
-DO NOT ask for karaoke or extra lights at your reception if you did not pre-book them. We do not carry around the entire wharehouse just in case. (the bride asked me for more lights as we pulled away from dock on a party boat)

These were only a handful of the hundreds of weddings that I've worked over the last 10 years. They make for great stories and wonderful memories, even though I wanted to pull my hair out at the time. I look forward to another 10 years celebrating the happiest day of people's life.

Checking things off

2010-01-27T21:01:00.000-08:00

I crossed a few more items off the list. Nothing big or life-changing. Since I have an iPhone, I went ahead and scratched get a new iPod off the list, things like that. I'm almost running out of time. The end for this first list comes in August of 2011. Some of my goals take a year so I need to get cracking.

I'm about to embark on a very tough journey. I've decided that I will complete the P90X program. Not try, attempt or do; complete. I need to desparately get back in shape and most importantly, look better naked. That's what it's really about, I think. Plus, it would take care of a few of my goals. 90 days of hell. Sounds like a blast.

I need to start the 365 picture project. There are some questions I have, though, before I begin. Do you plan out a picture a day or take pictures all day and pick one at the end?

Plinky Post

2010-01-24T16:14:00.000-08:00

What are your favorite pairs of shoes?

Adidas Tennis Shoes
I wear tennis shoes everyday of the week. I am the most comfortable when I wear them. I've never been a boots guy. My tennis shoes reflect me the best; dependable, reliable.

TOMS
My friend Jessica turned me on to these cool shoes. Very simple design and for every pair you buy, they donate one pair to a child in need. Extremely comfortable, they are like "walking on air" (right Jessica?)

I'm With CoCo

2010-01-12T15:08:00.001-08:00

Never should the American people have to pick sides in such a trivial matter, but the National Broadcasting Company is being run by buffoons. You want to see how a last place network plummets into oblivion? See how they actually handle the "Leno-Conan" debacle.

I am saying it now on the Internet, where everything is "real," that I am on Conan's side.

Conan has worshiped the Tonight Show spot and treated it with as much respect, in my opinion. Many people agree with me. He's no Johnny Carson (no one is or can be) and he's not Letterman or Leno. Conan O'Brien is himself. I think it's refreshing.

Conan stood his ground and released this statement. (link goes to Huffington Post)

How NBC is treating him and the Tonight Show legacy is shameful. For that, I feel like I should boycott. My problem is three-fold; Community, The Office and 30 Rock.

You need to take a page from a great SNL skit NBC and "FIX... IT!"

Thanks to Sir Mike of Mitchell for the image.

Many Hats, None That Fit Right

2010-01-11T18:57:00.000-08:00

I wear many hats at the TV station right now. Photojournalist, editor, producer to name a few. As much as it stresses me out sometimes (and my neck can attest to the stress) I haven't hated it. In fact, it's been kind of fun. I've seen how the television news system works from start to finish. It also makes me aware of the many sides of a story.

For example, the most popular and commented story on KBTX.com (Always On!) is about a College Station girl who crashed the borrowed Maserati head-on into a CS police officer who was responded to the reckless driving call. The officer was flown to Temple and is listed in Fair condition.

Alex Ford, 21, was a mystery to many until this morning. We knew she was driving and we knew she was at College Station Medical Center (the Med). I was not prepared for the face staring back at me when we researched for some pictures.

She's gorgeous!

That's probably an understatement. She's smokin' hot. The very last thing that crossed my mind was her involvement in a head-on collision. The day's investigation unraveled a convoluted story that took place between College Station and Houston.

Only the coming days can actually reveal what exactly happened Saturday morning on Eagle Avenue. Police suspect alcohol was involved and a warrant has been issued for Ford, who is in Fair condition at the Med, charging her with Intoxicated Assault causing Serious Bodily Injury to a Peace Officer.

Click here to read more at KBTX.com and comment on the story.

There were three other people in the Maserati with Ford. One of them returned to the scene of the accident later Saturday afternoon.

Should be a good story to watch here unfold here in the Brazos Valley.

On another note: I survived "2010 Arctic Blast." Stay tuned for more comprehensive weather coverage as the mercury rises.

I've blocked comments on this post. Any comments on the Alex Ford case I would ask you to leave them at KBTX.com.

Be Prepared

2010-01-06T18:49:00.000-08:00

Because sometimes my job is a never-ending carousel of idiots, I thought I would share this comment left on our web channel. We're preparing for some particularly cold weather to come our way and are pulling out all the stops to get the right information out. This guy, however, is not very helpful.

Posted by: k
Location: Bryan
on Jan 6, 2010 at 12:03 PM

Okay Brazos Valley listen up. This is a serious threat
to our humanity as we know it and I must share the keys to getting through
the next (3) days alive. Please obtain the following immediately:
1.2,500 D batteries
2. 5,000 AA batteries
3. 750 gallons of kerosene
4. 12 cords of wood, use your furniture as back up
5. 113 cases of drinking water
6. 15 heavy duty Snuggies
7. 1 pack of cards
8. 1 UNO game
9. 3 coolers
10. 4 casess of por-n-beans
Without the implements you will be at serious risk of
survival....go now and do not hesitate. It's coming....consider yourself
warned.

I, for one, already feel safer.

p.s.- Do you think they have heavy duty Snuggies?

Two Dollars in the Plate

2009-12-27T21:39:00.000-08:00

PROMPT: What's the nicest thing a stranger has done for you?

When I was in college I took a history class on Black Civil Rights. The teacher was insane, inspirational and manic. She attended Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, and once a year they have "Friends & Family" service, where members of the congregation bring people from work or school or life to church.

The professor said it would be extra credit if you went to the service and when it was time to shake hands and meet the people around you, you went and said hello to her.

My friend Angie and I went to service that Sunday, all dressed up. We sat through the first bit and at the appropriate time went and said hello to our professor (Angie was in the class with me).

After saying hi, we went back to our seats and shook hands with everyone else. A short time later they start to pass the plate around. It's donation time and both myself and Angie have $0.

A very nice older woman from behind us leans forward and taps us. She had seen us search our pockets and come back empty handed. She hands us each a dollar.

"The Lord knows you're trying hard in school and knows you made the effort to come to church this morning. Keep working hard and He'll watch over you," the lady said.

Angie and I were speechless. We thanked her abundantly and when the plate passed we added our small donation.

It's been the nicest thing a stranger has done for me.

So they bet trees?

2009-12-17T19:38:00.001-08:00

The mayors of Austin and College Station make a friendly bet before each Thanksgiving Day game between UT and Texas A&M. The Aggies didn't win the game, but I am quick to say they didn't loose. It was a hard fought game. The following is the letter College Station Mayor Ben White sent to the mayor of Austin:

December 18, 2009
The Honorable Mayor Lee Leffingwell
301 W. 2nd Street, 2nd Floor
Austin, Texas 78701
Dear Mayor Leffingwell:
Howdy and a hearty congratulations from Aggieland! On Thanksgiving Day, our Fightin' Texas Aggies gave your still-undefeated Texas Longhorns their greatest challenge of the season. Clearly, Quarterback Colt McCoy was looking very tired and vulnerable; unfortunately for the Aggies, time simply ran out before they could stage a complete comeback.

To settle our pre-game wager, the City of College Station proudly presents the City of Austin with 12 beautiful crape myrtles that not only represent the most-popular ornamental tree of our community, but also Texas A&M University's 12th Man tradition that symbolizes readiness for service and to help those in need. It's our hope that these crape myrtles help beautify what is otherwise a relatively flat and treeless city.

In closing, we look forward to the opportunity of repeating this wager in 2010 so Texas A&M and College Station may begin planting what certainly will become an urban forest consisting of sturdy oaks, courtesy of the City of Austin.

Our very best regards,
Ben White
Mayor - College Station, Texas

That's one hell of a well-written letter in my book.

"The Charge of the Light Brigade"

2009-12-13T16:27:00.000-08:00

I went with some friends to see "The Blind Side." It was one of the best movies I've seen in a while. There was a poem that was read in it that I hadn't heard before. Written by Alfred Lord Tennyson, The Charge of the Light Brigade was a narrative about the battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War in 1854. I wanted to share it here:

Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward, the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns' he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.

'Forward, the Light Brigade!'
Was there a man dismay'd?
Not tho' the soldiers knew
Some one had blunder'd:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.

Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.

Flash'd all their sabres bare,
Flash'd as they turned in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army while
All the world wonder'd:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right thro' the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reel'd from the sabre-stroke
Shatter'd and sunder'd.
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.

Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came thro' the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.

When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wonder'd.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!

—Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Inside my alternate universe...

2009-12-11T20:28:00.001-08:00

I'm doing my best to keep this blog up-to-date. I realized this morning that I haven't posted since Sunday. That's almost a week! It's been pretty crazy at the station. Wednesday was Food For Families 2009. Spent the day in Navasota with Shane and Shannon doing live cut-ins and taping promos as they helped take donations for the Brazos Valley Food Bank.

If you notice the changes ascetically, it's because I'm trying to tweak it to the image in my head of what I want it to look like. It could be a while unless I can get some help. (nudge, nudge to all you web friendly folks!)

Also, I am contemplating starting my 365 pictures project. My digital camera has been siting dormant for far to long.

Plinky Post

2009-12-06T14:59:00.001-08:00

A few months ago I stumbled upon a website called Plinky. I was looking for something online to help me write and this website gives you prompts to answer. After registering for free, I ran through a few of the prompts. Sure enough, I moved past my writer's block and finished what the paper I was working on. They send a prompt out by email each week and in an effort to improve my writting once more I will begin to answer them here on the blog.

Normally, the Plinky website allows you to answer and then post directly to your blog, twitter, facebook, but since I am at a computer that doesn't have an updated browser I will just copy the prompt.

Plinky Prompt:
"What's the happiest life change you've had so far?"

By far the biggest, happiest change in my life has been getting my first full-time job. I am lucky enough for it to be in my degree field and what I want to make a career out of. The expreiences so far have been enlightening. I've met people who have inspired me with the stories of their lives. The people I work with have a passion for their jobs that makes me do my best work. Yes, it's difficult some days. Yes, it can get repetitive. I know I won't have this job forever, but I want to look back at my time here and have the proof that I made an impact or did something worthwhile. I have also been living on my own for the first time. I see this as a challenge to my personal strength and to the strength of my friends and family. I miss them both a lot.

If you want to, answer the prompt in the comments section and let's share stories on our biggest changes.

2009-12-03T19:14:00.000-08:00

I don't know why it is I chose journalism as a major. I suppose it has something to do with my personality. I'm outgoing, funny, relate easily with others. When I'm not self-inflating my ego though, I think it's primarily my desire to know things. Case in point, today I observed and taped brain surgery. Brain. Surgery. The feeling of looking into another human being's brain is strangely impersonal, but extremely intrusive. I was literally seeing this patients brain pulse with their heartbeat.
Most people are going to get grossed out by imagining a brain moving and bleeding everywhere. Strangely, not a lot of blood, but I think that's because the surgeon was talented. The circumstances that collided to bring me and my camera to an operating room at St. Joe's aren't the best. This patient had a tumor and a prognosis that was not super. I say had a tumor because over the course of 3+ hours I watched this surgeon expertly remove it. There were some deep conversations that took place in that OR.

The surgeon told a story of a man who had a tumor removed a few years ago, but the doctor removed too much of the surrounding brain matter. This man lost his short term memory. He had no recollection of what happened 15 minutes ago, but had all of his long term memories. The surgeon tells us this as he's cutting down on his patients brain matter. He then goes on to explain exactly how he chose his entry point and what the areas next to his scalpel control. Things like ability to understand language and one quarter of vision. Scary stuff.

Believe it or not, I never felt sick or light-headed. Not even once. I spent most of my time looking down a viewfinder and through a lens, but I did get a chance toward the end to sit and watch. Much like a photographer, surgeon's need to have steady hands.

The Road We Travel...

2009-11-18T19:22:00.000-08:00

Last night I finished reading Cormac McCarthy's The Road. There are no chapters. Punctuation is sparse. The dialogue is not separated by quotes. It's one of the hardest books to read right from the start. You have to do a little backtracking until you understand how the dialogue works. Beyond that, it was one of the best books I have read in a long time. Haunting, scary, and beautiful. There are scenes in The Road that will resonate in your dreams (not in a good way).

Today I spent most of the afternoon on "Trial Stand-by." We were waiting on a jury to reach a verdict in the Munyon case here in Brazos County. Karla, our reporter, had been down there for most of a week, watching the trial and reporting. She spent the last two days waiting. I've learned a lot about humanity waiting in the hall outside the 272nd District Courtroom. People don't really understand the media and our responsibility to provide coverage of court cases. The judge banned cameras from the courtroom. That didn't help us. Tonight the 12 person jury reached a verdict about an hour after we left for the day. Go figure. Not guilty was the unanimous ruling.

In the middle of the case, Bryan and College Station were gearing up for the 10th anniversary of the collapse of the Bonfire. Events of the past several days have had somber moods. I've heard heartbreaking stories of parents who lost children, family members who carry a torch out of respect for the fallen, and first responders who can still vividly recall driving up on a scene of utter chaos. Bonfire wasn't just a stack of logs, one on top of another. It was the physical manifestation of the burning spirit of the Aggies. It was as if the heart and soul of every Aggie and former student (there are no former Aggies) burst open and poured out onto the 60 foot plus stack. That, and their burning desire to Beat The Hell Outta t.u. The Aggie spirit and resolve was in full force that morning. The stories and pictures have just as much impact a decade out that they did the day after. There were a few nights I spent in a editing bay trying to hold the tears back. Everyone who has worked on these stories experiences them differently, but tears are common. To borrow a phrase: Tears that fall less often, but tears that still fall.

KBTX Bonfire Remembrance - the collection of stories we did for the 10 year anniversary.

Life's Little Lessons

2009-10-27T10:13:00.000-07:00

Living on your own has it's advantages. Not having to wear pants all the time, eating what I want, basically complete freedom.

But when your car gets towed because your apartment complex didn't give you a parking permit, you begin to realize just how much you need at least one other person in you life. They aren't charging me for the tow (though he tried). I have to go pick it up though. How do I do that with no car? Luckily my baby brother goes to school here, so he's coming to the rescue and taking me to the wrecker yard.

Lessons learned? One, always ask if you need a permit. Two, get to know other people in your town. You'll never know when you might need them to take you to get your car. Three, close the shades if you decide not to wear pants.

Could this finally be it?

2009-09-30T20:55:00.000-07:00

Some exciting news might come tomorrow.

That might be housing related.

I might become College Station's newest resident.

O_O

^
[Does anyone else see Princess Leia when you see that?]

Sidebar: Empire State of Mind by Jay Z ft. Alicia Keys is a great song. Reminds me of the brave friends I have making it happen in big (and small) cities. I have a few projects I'd like to pick up and start, but, until I can live closer to work, can't. 2 hour commutes EACH WAY are killer.

A Short Time Coming...

2009-09-17T20:02:00.001-07:00

I thought I would post it here, for posterity.
12th Street Sports Bar has been canceled due to funding problems. It takes money to run a show, and with a recession on...

Anywho, all of us from the bar are moving on and back to our lives. Jason at the University, Cody and Anna Megan at their respective newspapers, Kevin is at the Southland Office in Frisco and I'm at KBTX.

The good thing is that none of us our out of a job! It was a great run and I can take it with me. Not every 22 year old can say he hosted a national sports show.

Now, on to bigger and better things!

Why yes, that is my future hanging above me.

2009-07-16T21:06:00.000-07:00

Had a nice, relaxing evening tonight. Took a little trip back home to return my Mom's Jag. She let me borrow it while my car was being fixed. Turns out I didn't need it that long. It was still nice to cruise around in. You wouldn't believe the looks you get when you pull out of an apartment complex in a college town in a Jaguar. Granted it's a 1992 Jag, but still in great shape.

Kev and Jess followed behind me in my car. Trusty, old, reliable Taurus. She's running fine now that she's fixed. If my alternator goes out in October then we have bigger issues, but that's a few months away. My folks took us out to dinner which was incredibly nice of them. We went to Pappasito's. It's like a second home for my family. My younger brother Scott dang near ran the one in Humble. Kev and Jess had never been to one. I would say they were sufficiently impressed. It was nice to get out of town, have a good meal and talk with my parents.

It's strangely reassuring just listening to them. Earlier today I felt stressed and worked up about having to decide where I'm going to live, how can I stay involved in 12th Street and about a dozen other things. But after just listening to what they had to say about it all I felt that regardless of what happens over the next few months it will all work out. I can only think so many steps ahead in life. Really I can only think as far as next week that's how up in the air things are.

So here's to hoping that all of the stuff hanging in the air right now falls into place rather than comes crashing down.

I got some new shoes on...

2009-06-19T09:32:00.000-07:00

I bought a pair of new tennis shoes before my freshman year at college. Four years later and after graduation I bought a new pair. I didn't realize just how worn down my old pair of shoes were.

Yes, that's ketchup.

Yes, that's a hole.The new ones are on the inside.

Yeah, it's sad how I don't take care of my feet since I'm on them all the time at work. I didn't realize just how bad my body hurt from having terrible shoes. I'm starting to level back out and everything.

The other thing I want to update about it a gift that was bought for me when I went to visit my good friend Jen in Waco a while back. He has been in a box since I brought him home, but yesterday as I was cleaning I decided to unpack him. I'm very glad I did because he's probably my favorite Disney character so far.

He sits on the nightstand, guarding the books I'm apparently reading. Both are about half way read. I need to finish them both quick.

I have my first workshop at the station tomorrow. I'm nervous because I don't really have anything to show them that's entirely my own. We'll see how it goes.

When I cook, I'm the only Chef in the Kitchen...

2009-06-11T18:01:00.000-07:00

...mostly because no one wants to be around when something blows up.

I've never had anything blow up, but given my track record it's a possibility. Tonight my mission was to cook an edible dinner. Here's what I was cooking:
Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin w/ Raspberry Chipotle sauce
Au gratin potatoes
Steamed broccoli
Butter croissant dinner rolls
For dessert, Dutch Apple Pie.

The potatoes were from a box; not that difficult to make if you follow the instructions.
Jessica made the broccoli; very delicious and also easy to make.
Rolls were Pillsbury.

The tenderloin itself was not hard to prepare, season or wrap with bacon. It's an interesting tactile experience, but you get over the gross out phase pretty quickly. The only thing you don't want to do is over cook it.

I was going to take pictures to document this momentous occasion, but the battery in my camera is DEAD. It wouldn't even turn on. So you'll have to take my word for it.

I'm going to cross #39. off the list, because I have learned that it's not like you can accrue all the knowledge of a chef and then cook. You have to learn and cook as you go. Tonight proved that I can learn and progress on my cooking journey. I will definitely be cooking again!

View From Behind the Bar 6-4

2009-06-04T19:34:00.000-07:00

This is my blog post from the National Sports Show that I host called "12th Street Sports Bar" I'm posting it here as well. If you woud like to comment, I kindly ask that you visit the post on the 12th Street website and leave them there. Thanks to enjoy!

This week we wrapped up the Regional round of the NCAA Baseball Tournament. There were a couple very impressive games to talk about. We start with the marathon that was the Texas vs Boston College game. They played an unbelievable 25 innings. After that we touch on the Florida State game that saw them scoring 37 points to their opponents 6. Like we've said at the Bar all year long, for whatever reason this season has seen some amazing feats.

Taking a look at the how the teams in the Lone Star State, many of them made it past the first game of their respective Regional. It was the second game that everyone had the hang up. Texas State and Sam Houston State University played two games and were eliminated. Kevin is concerned that because both of the teams from the Southland Conference were "two and through" that they might not be looked upon with as much respect next year. It's an interesting situation to consider, I think.

We wrap up the show with what is beginning to feel like part 12 of an infinite part series "What is NCAA investigating now?" Our story this week is between Memphis and the NCAA. Allegations about a certain player that may or may not have taken the SAT in high school. It's important to note that is player is now out of college. Where does the NCAA draw the line on investigating allegations? They are threatening to take away all 38 wins from the Memphis season; a season that saw them go to the NCAA Tournament. Like always, it's treading in deep water with the NCAA, but the level headed minds at the Bar seem to have all the answers!

Side Order:

Special thanks to our fans that have sent in a some of their jerseys for us to display in the Bar. They look great! Keep'em coming! If you want to send us a jersey, shoot us an e-mail at: tvshow@12thstreetsportsbar.com with the subject "I want my Jersey in the Bar"

HTPC dilemma

2009-06-01T18:29:00.000-07:00

I have this dilemma. My mom gave me a PC she wasn't using. I don't know what to do with it. I want to turn into a Home Theater PC, to replace the TiVo. Not that TiVo is outrageously expensive, but it's limited in it's options. With the advent of Hulu and media players of all kinds, you can watch a show any time at all!

There are a couple of options when making your HTPC. You can go the Windows route with Media Center. There is the free and very user friendly XBMC which is open source. I just don't like Windows. It's not a very user friendly OS. So I'll be waying the options.

I've always wanted to build my own home theater PC. I think it would be cool to be able to pull up any DVD or TV Show and watch it on demand. Now to figure out how big of a hard drive I need to buy.

A Kind Gesture and One in Return

2009-05-28T19:35:00.000-07:00

Did a story today about a Blinn student that started a website that allows you to send messages of inspiration and encouragement to cancer patients, survivors and their families; soldier, veterans and their families; and those going through any kind of rehabilitation.

The website is called PennyTray.org and it works like the "Leave a penny, take a penny" tray at any convenient store. The creator, Ryan Jurgensen, said he was inspired to make this site after seeing a similar site that allowed you to send pictures randomly to other people. Jurgensen thought that his site could help those who might need a little boost or lift in their spirits.

Here is the link to the story I did for KBTX

Here is a link to the site

It's an interesting concept; not just sending a message, but getting one back almost instantly. Take some time and send a message to someone.

Bearkats Win! We get to sleep in!

2009-05-21T18:21:00.000-07:00

I meant to post this with the update, but I do have a job after graduation. I have two, actually.
So, another one off the list.

1. Get a job after graduation

Something I've noticed about my list and the lists of others... It helps to have quantifiable goal in mind. Things like "Go see this..." and "Buy a this..." are great goals because you can easily quantify and see the progress happen. Also, organizing stuff is a good goal idea as well. My list has a lot of unquantifiable things or goals that are over quantified like "Run twice a week." Really Michael? You think you'll be THAT motivated?

I know better next time. Still, I have some pretty good goals that I look forward to working on pretty soon.

The List; an update

2009-05-04T10:33:00.000-07:00

Let's see what I can update on.

47. Finish my Spanish courses by March 2009 - FAILED

Yeah, I didn't stick to this. I just never find the time to do even one lesson a day. So I will not have all of my requirements in BEFORE graduation. I will walk but I will have to finish up my lessons and take my tests.

66. See the midnight showing of the new Star Trek movie

Oh yes, and I was in a uniform. EPIC! There will be a full post with pictures coming soon.

55. Continue my participation in Relay for Life in whatever city I live in.

I'm still in Huntsville and spent Friday night into Saturday morning broadcasting SOLO for the SHSU Relay for Life. That's how I participate; the rest of the crew was actually out at the event, walking and getting interviews.

83. Go see a movie at least twice a month.

Well I saw Star Trek twice in one day. I plan on seeing Angels & Demons when it comes out. I need to go back and see what other movies I've seen. In April, I saw Observe and Report with Mindie and Scott. I don't think I saw another movie that month.

15. Donate blood as often as I can

To help me in endeavor to give back to my community and fellow citizens, I am now a registered bone marrow donor. So if you ever need a transplant... and we're compatible... look me up.

78. Watch the sunset from the top of the Sam Houston Parking garage

Mindie and I went a few weeks back before going to eat with Scott Packard. Pics coming soon.

Recycling and Museums

2009-04-07T18:31:00.000-07:00

I took the recycling this afternoon, after letting it pile up for about a month. I took two bags, one plastic, one aluminum cans. I got .32 cents for that trip. Since then we've had a few shindigs at the apartment and amassed a lot of aluminum cans. This month I took two bags of plastic, four bags of aluminum cans, and a box of paper. Jessica uses one of her drawers in her desk as a recycling bin. I brought home....(drum roll)... $1.87!!! Oh yeah! That's like almost 6 times what I normally bring in! I was excited. Jessica said, "All that and you only got $1.87?" It's not a lot, but it's it brings the total to over two dollars.

Jessica's Mom was in town last week for the Ring Ceremony and Jess was taking her all over Huntsville, showing her all the cool stuff. They were going to the Prison Museum one afternoon, and invited me along! It's a fascinating place. Not very big, but stuffed full of handmade weapons, pictures and articles about every aspect of prison life. I feel more connected to the history that surrounds this city that has been my home for the last 4 years. Very cool.

Another goal off the list! #71. Go to the Prison Museum before I graduate.

Any Dream Will Do

2009-03-29T21:38:00.000-07:00

I need to blog because I haven't in a while.

"What is your dream?"

Right now, my dream is to be on Television. I'm trained to be a journalist and I'm getting some great experience at KBTX. They've even given me a part time job. So I've got that going and I've got a national sports show that I host. Is it possible to have two things that you want going so well? I always assumed that I would be a journalist, since that's what I went to school for. I've been lucky enough to have opportunities come my way, like the sports show. Two paths to my dream are before me. It's more fun that you could imagine!

DO. WANT.

2009-03-18T12:13:00.000-07:00

I have to say a big "thank you" and a VERY BIG "why would you do this to me" to my friend Natalie.

She was the one who showed me this.
I need $2,800 as quickly as humanly possible.

This would SERIOUSLY be the best gift to get me in the entire world of things to get me.
I would sit in this thing way more than you should sit in a chair.
I have dreamed of having a chair like this since I first started watching Star Trek.

History Found

2009-03-16T18:58:00.000-07:00

I was walking to the Dan Rather building one day a few weeks ago when I stumbled across a pamphlet laying on the ground. When I park on campus I walk up the hill where Old Main used to live. It was a building, but from what I've heard and read it was just as much a living breathing member of Sam Houston Normal Institute. As it stands today Old Main is no more. Austin Hall and the Peabody Library are all that remain of the historic triumvirate. This pamphlet was on the sidewalk just outside the Peabody Library. It was upside down and remarkably not damaged at all. It was damp on the sidewalk from what I assume was the morning lawn sprinkler assault. It was as though it was just dropped.

I picked it up and flipped through it thinking to myself, "This is cool. I'll read it later." Well I read it. The pamphlet is a short history on the Peabody Library and Sam Houston State University. Only 9 pages long, it showcases a small window into the early, developmental years of my University.

Brief summary:
George Foster Peabody was a wealthy New England banker and merchant. He established a fund dedicated "to the development and improvement of public educational systems and to the training of teachers in the southern and southwest states with had made up the Southern Confederacy."

After a few years of helping small local school systems, Peabody put pressure on then Governor Oran Milo Roberts to create a "normal institute" for the exclusive training of teachers. Gov. Roberts presented his case to the sixteenth legislature of the state of Texas (we are now in the 108th) on Feb. 10, 1879. Two weeks later bills were introduced into the House and Senate calling for the creation of a normal institute to be based in Huntsville.

Peabody contributed greatly in the early years to the budget of the fledgling institute. When Old Main was constructed in 1890, a room was designated the Peabody Library room. Quickly they outgrew a room designed for 2,500 volumes by stuffing 6,000 in to it. The State Board realized they needed a separate building to be solely used as a library. They met, decided and approved the idea. The Peabody Library, as it stands now, was completed in 1902.

It had only one office, that of the President of the University. At that time it was Henry Carr Pritchett. Over the years it has been used for storage and faculty offices. It also served the radio/tv/film department as studio space and the home for 90.5 FM KSHU.

When Old Main burned, it severely damaged Austin Hall, but Peabody escaped unharmed. The building lived in the shadow of two of the oldest structures to be used for higher education. Today, it is only one of two on a campus where history is around every corner.

I find the last paragraph in the Author's Note to be the most revealing of the honor and pride that Sam Houston State University is known for:

"Old Main is no more. Whether or not a replacement will be constructed on that site is a decision not yet made. It does appear that the Austin College Building can be salvaged and restored. And Peabody, which was for decades little more than the junior partner in the historic triumvirate which dominated Capitol Hill, may now emerge as the crown jewel, an indomitable vestige of an age which enriched not only the community of Huntsville but the young State of Texas also."

So I realize that wasn't so brief, haha. I love my University and reading the history of a small building that I have walked past for four years has given me fresh eyes. Nothing is insignificant. Everything is important.

If It' Free...

2009-03-12T16:23:00.000-07:00

My friend Jen had this on her blog.

a good build is doing a restaurant.com gift certificate give away! check it out.

In this economy... take the time out and DO THIS!

My Day Up...

2009-03-05T09:01:00.000-08:00

Back to the grind at KBTX. Tuesday was my day up. It was a pretty quiet morning. We had the Noon show wrapped early, not that we had a whole lot to do. Waco fronts most of the show and we cut in locally for the weather and a community guest interview. They tape the interviews the previous week, all on one day. We just edit them down and add them to the list.

I ran some errands at lunch and called my Dad. I foolishly told him how quiet things had been and that I expected something big to happen right before air around 4:45. I get back from lunch and sit through the 2 o'clock meeting, go get an interview for another reporter, post some stories online, and walk the only intern to come in that day through the process of everything. Then my Executive Producer tells me I'm headed to the courthouse. There was a capital punishment trial closing up that day. The closing arguments were that morning. I was told go and hold a mic and ask questions to those leaving the courtroom. That's when the anxiety hit. KBTX had a reporter down there all week through this trial and now that the jury was going to decide whether the defendant gets death or life in prison I have to go ask questions? Luckily I had been following the live blog that Steve Fullheart (the reporter) had been doing the whole week so I was at least familiar with the trial. There was a good chance I could have gotten there and waited all night. I stood in the back of the courtroom as the jury came back. I stood in the back of the courtroom as the judgement was read. I stood in the back of the courtroom and watched a man be sentenced to death. I could hardly breathe. The small, circular room was rife with emotion, from both families. It was my first trial as a journalist. I took a moment and let it settle, then focused on what I had to do; run tape back to the truck and then help Jordan (the photographer) with anything he or Steve needed. It was a hectic few minutes right after the trial was dismissed but we got all of our interviews.

Something I found interesting was the relationship that developed between Steve and the victim's family. He knew them all and they knew him by first name. He had been the only link to the courtroom for many of the relatives and friends who couldn't come for the trial. He had been the only link for most of the world for that matter. I can't imagine what toll it takes on your psyche sitting in a murder trial and seeing all of the evidence and photos and then having to keep your composure to relay the important stuff.

Overall, a busy end to a long day. I watched Steve's live shot from the courthouse and headed back to the station. I ended up talking to my Dad about it the whole way back to Huntsville.

The sunset that evening at the station.

What? It's nearly the middle of the semester

2009-02-26T13:26:00.002-08:00

Well I got back into my internship this week after taking two weeks off. I needed some time to get some work in back at school. The newsroom carried on without me while I was gone. Everyone was glad to see me come back. I finally met some of the other interns on Tuesday. Two girls who go to A&M and a guy in high school. I spent the afternoon writing a story, editing video for the 6pm show and teaching them how to edit. They're getting the hang of it. My producer Destaney gives me a hard time all day long, but I think it's her job to do that. I get along with dang near everyone in the newsroom, so here's hoping they like me enough to hire me soon! hahaha.

A while back I got an email from BEA saying I had won an award. To be honest, I didn't remember submitting anything to the BEA contest. Then it all came back to me that Dr. Balas made a mad dash to get as much stuff in the mail for this thing before the end of the semester. I won 1st place TV Hard News. I'm stoked about even now! I worked really hard on that story and, remarkably enough, produced it all in a few hours. I tried to make it as close to the industry as possible, giving myself a deadline and everything.

I'm hosting the Sammy's, which are like the Grammy's. Well, not really. They are the University's official award show. It's a pretty big deal to make it past the audition and be asked to host. We've been practicing for about a month now. I had to go have professional headshots done, so you can bet those will up on here soon. The script has to be completely memorized and it's broken up into four quarters. We've got the first quarter memorized and we have to have the second quarter by Monday. Thursday night, we had to rewrite the second quarter and now it's mostly me for the entire thing, haha. But practice is cool and Daniel and Shawna are awesome co-hosts, so we usually end up goofing off.

That's all for now. I was going to include some pictures and stuff, but it's late and I've just worked 10 hours of Baseball with another 1, 4546t0984 million more tomorrow. So you just get the words for now.

Trip to Austin

2009-02-26T13:26:00.001-08:00

Boy this is late... by a whole week no less.

Last week several student leader from Sam Houston and myself went to Austin to see the governmental process and essentially be used as a lobbying tool. It was a two day trip, leaving Tuesday night, staying in a very lovely La Quinta, and spending Wednesday on the hill. It was a great trip and the other 15 students I went with were awesome. I'm glad I got to meet some of the most ambitious and responsible students on campus. Two of the students are the other two Sammy's hosts, so we pretty much cut up the entire time.

Daniel, one of the other hosts, and I played catch in a hallway on the ground floor of the Capitol. Two DPS officers watched us rather closely. We were behaving, but Brandon, our University leader, was pretty annoyed. hahaha.

Overall, it was a great little break from school. I got to know the other hosts better, which will help when we host the show. Plus, they're great people so, ya know... new friends there haha.

Keane's Spiraling is on loop in my brain.

2009-02-15T17:15:00.000-08:00

Going back to a post from last week, I still have a LiveJournal account. After doing the infamous "25 things..." list like everyone else, I got curious and wondered over to research my long-forgotten journal. It does exist and, although I won't give out my user name, I will say it was quite hard to read. You don't realize, or I didn't until just now, that words even removed several years, can still bite. I updated my LJ through high school; a rambunctious time for everyone, no doubt. One thing that bothered me was just how depressing it was! I didn't come from a bad family, or a bad part of town, and for that I'm lucky, but holy milking cow Batman! this thing was a major downer! I read all the way back to the beginning, noticing 1)several grammatical errors I wish I had corrected and 2)that I was kind of an asshole.

Immature, restless, self centered. Of course, I was also in high school. My life has had many great things happen since that time and I think I've matured more. Writing on here feels very much like when I would write in my LJ. I read over things now before I post them (always a good idea) and try and communicate better. I'm writing here because it helps keep my friends and family updated on my life, but also because it's almost therapeutic. I keep a real live journal for all the stuff I don't want on here. And no... you can't see it.

It was helpful that I had an empty weekend (for the most part) to ruminate on what things were like in back then. A very quiet Friday at home with Cash. We had Bagel Bites and Lonestar beer and watched the West Wing. He's getting sick, just like me, and so we were both laid up on the couch. Saturday, Valentine's Day, we got up and went for a run around the neighborhood. I probably talked to him more than what could be considered normal, but he's a good listener. The folks were in Louisiana with friends, so I had the house to myself.

The lesson I learned from rummaging through my high school years is that most things are temporary. The anger you feel toward someone or something, the disappointment, the loneliness; all of these things are temporary. Also, I take myself way to serious. So those are things I will work on, along with the goals I seem to never accomplish. I'm gonna keep chipping away...

The proof is in the pudding...

2009-02-11T14:13:00.000-08:00

I don't have any pudding, but I do have a picture. This is the first in a long line of evidence that I am a part of a national sports talk show.

I don't know what fame feels like, but I imagined it being a little more... I don't know... famous? I'm no where near fame, but the little show I'm lucky to be a part of is on the program guide at my parents house. If that's not a little famous, then I just don't know...

UPDATE: My mom called me when the show started. I guess it's real now. hahaha

P.S. My mom took the picture because we don't get the channel at the apartment. (love you Mom!)

Enough Softball to last a lifetime...

2009-02-08T17:13:00.000-08:00

My view all weekend long.

This weekend I worked for the SHSU Athletic department as a PA for the 2009 Domino's Pizza SHSU Classic.

My workspace.

It's a softball tournament between Sam Houston, Houston Baptist, and Texas Southern. There were three games on Saturday and three on Sunday. You would think that sitting in a press box, reading names, and making announcements wouldn't be a tiring job, but it wares you out.
My performance on Saturday was not great. Sunday I improved and was used to the flow of the game. Also, I had most of the names right. Just a thought to anyone wanting to name your kids, make them as simple and easy to say as possible.
My roommates Kev and Jess work for the AD and they were scoring the game. They had the hardest job, actually having to pay attention.

As you can darn well see, by the end of the last day we were worn out. The bearkats did an excellent job and there were some amazing plays made. Lots of very good potential from some young players. The Bearkats won all of their games, run ruling three of the four.

The girls played some hacky sack before each game. It was awesome and made me want to play the game again.

25 things that you blah blah blah

2009-02-07T22:12:00.000-08:00

Rules:
Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end,[editor's note: I'm not tagging anyone because you all have been tagged at one point in the last however many weeks] choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

1. I'm extremely insecure about myself. I put on a good front sometime, but I desperately try to get it right then first time and not screw up.

2. I hate asking for help.

3. My first car was a 1964 Chevy S.S. El Camino that I desperately wish I had kept.

4. I talk to myself way more than any one normal person should.

5. I act out situations I might encounter in the coming day/week/month/year. So really nothing I do is as spontaneous as I would like it to be.

6. The only journalist I truly look up to and want to be like is Peter Jennings.

7. I have a hard time opening up to people.

8. I will wear tennis shoes until they are so old and ragged that it's almost embarrassing. (see the shoes I have now)

9. I think my smile is lop-sided.

10. I've never had braces.

11. I want to be President of the United States because I think it is the highest form of Civic service.

12. I have cut people out of my life because they were a negative influence and I had to do what was right for me, instead of what may have been seen as the right thing to do for them.

13. I'm extremely gullible.

14. I enjoy giving speeches on subjects I feel passionately about. I enjoy almost any kind of public speaking.

15. My parents have embarrassing tapes of me from when I was a baby that I swear they hide in a place that I cannot find, but is so accessible when my friends come over.

16. I conducted my high school band senior year and was nearly moved to tears by the experience. There is nothing as singularly humbling than having the honor of leading your peers.

17. If the writing is good on a show, I'm hooked instantly. (see West Wing, and sadly Torchwood and Doctor Who haha)

18. I do in fact, own a Star Trek uniform.

19. I have run twice for President of the Student Body and lost the elections by tremendous numbers but I do not feel like they were failures.

20. I love dogs. Any dog, even if it's not mine.

21. I voted for Barack Obama.

22. I think I still have a LiveJournal account. Weird.

23. I play the Trumpet, an instrument I consider to be the best.

24. Because of a habit my boss has, I compulsively skip to the next song whenever I'm listening to my iPod/a CD/or XM radio.

25. I have a folder on my desk titled "Ideas" where I keep most, if not all, of the stuff I doodle, write, script out for any number of shows, movies, books, sitcoms, etc. that I think of.

There you go.

Inaugural Class...

2009-02-07T18:03:00.000-08:00

Let it be known that the last week in January and the first week in February of 2009, that 9 personalities were commissioned into the CubeeCraft Wall of Honor. It really is too much fun...

Obviously this is a small first class and we are taking applications on new candidates. If you would like to nominate one to go on the Wall of Honor, visit CubeeCraft.com

I stumbled across this site just reading a blog and all I could think about was making one. My roommate Jessica wasn't feeling to good one night, so I made her a Cu-Barack Obama. I think she felt better immediately after seeing him. They are awesome and we plan to put as many as possible on the wall. Please go and see and tell us what you'd like to see on the wall! I'll even make a plaque if you'd like to dedicate it to someone or something!
Dr. Zoidberg was especially nervous since he was the first of his species to be added to the wall and that he was in the first class with the 44th President of the United States Barack Obama and Dr. Manhattan.

Progress for the sake of...

2009-02-02T07:11:00.001-08:00

I'm making a little headway on one of my goals:

#4. Read one book a month (1/34)

I finished my book for January, Affluenza. Now before you go asking me why I read a book on the Flu (Kevin), that's Influenza. This book was about the virus that is overspending and waste. Creatively tackled like a spreading pandemic, Affluenza motivates the reader to get up and "get better."

I recommend you read it, even if you think you're not a big waster. It has certainly motivated me to start taking a look at my life and ask, "Am I living beyond my means?" The answer is yes. Affluenza is not something you can correct overnight, but in time, over a few months, you can make some good headway. It lead me to start another goal of mine:

#30. Recycle more paper, plastic and metal

I took the first of many loads to the recycling place week before last. One bag of plastic bottles and one bag of soda cans. I got 16 cents. I know it's not a lot, and I was a little shocked, but I felt good about it. Plus, that is 16 cents we didn't have before. I may have to try and go once a month so I can build up just a little bit more. If I can make a dollar by the end of the year, then I'm a dollar richer than last year!

The Countdown has begun...

2009-02-01T09:08:00.000-08:00

Just so you know, I have begun the countdown to the new Star Trek movie coming out in May. It will be located on the sidebar for all to see. Please join me in my eager-nerdiness as we count the days until I can get my true Star Trek fix.

If you would like to know more about the Star Trek movie, here are a few helpful links:
Star Trek.com - The Official Star Trek website
Star Trek - 2009 - the IMDB page
Star Trek Movie Website

<---------- COUNTDOWN CLOCK

It's been a week...

2009-01-31T11:57:00.000-08:00

That phrase can mean so many things. I've had a pretty long week. My internship days were productive, and I'm starting to fill out my own roles in the newsroom. I answer phones, edit "The Produce Man" and anything that needs to be edited. I'm writing better which is a good thing. My writing has always been weak. Product of my education, I suppose.

My good friend Lianne started her internship on Thursday. She's having more fun than me I can tell. I'm happy for her though. It's with the Bobby Bones Show on Kiss FM in Austin. They pulled her on the air and played some stuff from our show in college and played our intro. That was pretty awesome. It even made it into the show recap:
I've never been more proud to be "her other host" or for her to be back in radio. I could her it in her voice, she's excited.

Today will be pretty cool as well. I get to be the red hat at the SHSU Men's Basketball game. It's a TV game, and I have to signal commercial breaks and call for replays. Could get interesting!

From the newsroom...

2009-01-27T11:09:00.001-08:00

I'm sitting at my producer's desk right now and thought I would update the blog while everyone's at lunch. Another productive morning here at KBTX. I called to update a story about a plant fire in Navasota and edited some video. They are calling me MO around here because when they assign stories on the board, they put first and last initials; MO. I've grown used to it now. Its weird not having people call me by last name. I've been so used to that.

Working on some goals this week. I'm going to put online the video blog from Decemeber 2008. It was made and never posted. My fault. Mindie did some wonderful edit work and I want to feature that. I'm also making one for January on Friday. It's more journalistic than fun, but I think you'll enjoy.

That's all from the newsroom.

Shameless Friend Promotion!

2009-01-19T11:00:00.000-08:00

My friend Jennifer and her soon-to-be husband Chad are in a contest for free stuff. That's all I needed to know. They are hoping to get free engagement photos from a cool photographer. She's got the contest on her blog and needs our votes to win! They are poor college students, like many of us, and every bit counts!

Here's the link
http://thetatteredveil.com/blog

go and comment! They are Number 5 on the list. She needs as many votes as possible.

So it begins...

2009-01-18T15:04:00.000-08:00

I started my internship just under two weeks ago at KBTX-TV in Bryan, TX. I'm over there on Tuesday's and Thursday's for... just about all day. My day starts with the drive over. It's about 50-60 miles from Huntsville to Bryan. I leave the house around 7:30 and get to the station about an hour after that. 9 a.m. is the morning news meeting. We set the stories we'll be working on all day at that meeting. Everyone is supposed to bring story ideas to the meeting, including me, so I try and come up with stuff the night before or on the drive over. The morning meeting usually last about 45 minutes then we break up and get to work.

When I started, KBTX did their own show at Noon. Shortly after me being there, KBTX combined their Noon show with KWTX in Waco. We share stories and some video for the most part, but KW fronts the news and we cut in locally for weather and an interview segment. So it makes planning the Noon show easier now. I usually edit, write, and post stories to the website.

After the show at Noon, it's lunch time. It's not uncommon for Hot Pockets to be consumed during this perioud. I have great roommates that are trying to eat healthy, and I'm of the mentality that if you can't beat'em, join'em. So I'm starting to take my lunch or find healthy choices to get food. Also, by taking my own lunch, I'm not spending money on eating out.

2 p.m. brings the afternoon news meeting. We update the stories we were working on and see what information is new, then set the stories for the evening show. Reporters go out and get interviews and such. I went out last Thursday and interviewed an attorney who is going to the Inauguration. It aired on the 6 and 10 shows that day. That was cool.

I stay at KBTX until after the 6 o'clock show then come home. It's a long day but I love it. That's a little insight into how my days go over there. More stories and hopefully pictures and videos to come.

How far I've come...

2009-01-18T13:30:00.000-08:00

I was going to write an update blog about where I stand on my goals. Unlike Jessica, Natalie, Jenny and nearly everyone else it seems, many of my goals don't seem to have tangible results. It has gotten me in a funk and really down on myself. I've looked at my goals and thought about cutting and replacing some, but everything I wrote means something to me. So I guess this post will be a re-dedication from myself to my goals. This is a very typical thing that I do, start something and then loose interest, but this project is important because the end result is a better Me. So from here on out, I will remain determined.

Running Silent

2009-01-11T12:23:00.001-08:00

You've probably wondered (or not, that's cool too) where I have been. No posts in over two weeks, no update on goals; I've just disappeared. Well there is a good reason behind it, although not as good as others. I broke my laptop right after Christmas. I got some good news on 12th Street going national and set it on the couch to tell my parents. When I got up, it slid off and broke part of the power cable off inside the power socket. Needless to say, my parents were ecstatic about the show and I was pissed about my computer. Well, two replace parts later (one that was the wrong piece entirely) I'm about half-way there to getting "Ol' Silverback"... back. Yes I call my 3 1/2 - almost 4 year old Powerbook G4 "Ol' Silverback" because well... he's silver. I should have one ordered and on the way courtesy of Ebay on Monday.

You might be asking yourself "Why hasn't he just purchased a new laptop or moved to a desktop by now." Answer: I told myself I would keep this laptop while I was in college and that ONLY.... only after I graduated and got a job, would I buy another computer. A corollary to that is if it cost more than $500 to fix. I've been really lucky that the two times my laptop has gone down, it has cost less than $100 to fix. No thanks to Apple, by the way, who have always wanted more than $500 to fix anything. I love their products to death, but Apple needs to shut the hell and lower their prices.

All that was to say, I didn't post because I was enjoying my time away from the technology world. I'm also trying to figure out a balance between the two and not be tied down by my laptop or cellphone. Since I'm back at school and thus back to reality, I will do my very best to stick to my goals and blogging once a week. I have enjoyed catching back up on all that I have missed with my friends and their goals, and look forward to a very productive 2009. On the brighter side... it's only 3 years away from the apocalypse! It's true, I heard in on the History Channel.

Watch This Now...

2008-12-26T23:20:00.001-08:00

I was just completely blown away. Not only is the information good, but as a RTV student, I'm thrilled by the design of the whole video. Enjoy...

On this the day of...

2008-12-25T23:17:00.000-08:00

I really missed my family. I didn't know it until I was surrounded by them this week, but they lift me up and give me so much encouragement. I hope everyone finds that this holiday break.

I started one of my sub-goals; to organize my music collection. A lot of it went missing since I replaced the hard drive in my laptop (Apple wanted $1300 to repair it, I did it for $99+shipping). So since one of my goals is to listen to a new album a month I wanted it to be neat and organized. Jess and Mindie went through and did this, adding album art. It makes flipping through your music more fun.

This is the gift giving season, no matter what you celebrate (unless it's a no-gift-giving tradition), and I got a ton of great clothes. Two new suits: one Michael Kors, the other some Italian designer. Several great shirts and pants. All I need now are some shoes and I'm working on that this weekend. So that helps with goal #28.

I start my internship on January 6th at KBTX-TV in Bryan. I can't wait. I told the News Director that I could start after Christmas. He laughed and told me to start in January when everyone would be back in. I plan to blog about it alot, or as much as I can. I'll be keeping a journal as well.

What I do on days like today...

2008-12-18T10:51:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting in our control room at the University, making copies of newscasts I've been in for my demo tape. This will allow me to have more material to send to potential employers. If I was a good student, I would have done this already, like the day after it aired. But... since it's the end of the semester and there is literally NO ONE in the building, it's kind of nice.

I was very happy to see that another one of my friends has joined the 101 madness. Natalie, or DJ Roxy as she is known on the HuntsVegas airwaves, started her journey. It's a great list, here's a link.

Jessica, my roommate, is making very good progress on here list. That I am proud of as well. It's encouraging to see your friends start to achieve things.

I've been watching Fringe online and Fox.com. It's a J.J. Abrams show dealing with fringe science; stuff like teleportation, and all that. I'm finding it to be incredibly interesting and many times frightening. Now I know that makes me sound like a big baby, but you try watching that show in an empty apartment at midnight and see if you don't turn every light on.

I'm looking forward to the Holiday Break. Getting to spend some time with the family and old friends. I'm also going to get as much done on my correspondence Spanish as humanly possible. I would like to finish that goal early.

One last thing. I heard from my internship coordinator at KBTX. I should have everything set up before next year. I'm trying to get my schedule over there set up so I can see how much I can work. Gotta make that money.

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-13T11:57:00.000-08:00

I just got this picture in my e-mail this morning. It made me smile. The holiday season is truly a remarkable time in the year. This is a picture with my Sam Houston family.

(That's me at the podium.)

Now I have to pay attention...

2008-12-11T08:06:00.000-08:00

In looking over my goals, I realize a lot of them are strung out over the span of 1,001 days. That's grand and all, but it leaves me feeling unsatisfied. I have to take a page out of Jessica's play book. I'm going to create a few goals that I can accomplish in short order. It's really just about feeling good about myself, but hey I can do that. Here's what I have come up with:

Organize my music
Organize my pictures
Organize receipts for taxes (yay! not)
Organize bills and important papers

As a side note, I've actually been keeping some of my long running goals up.

9. Call my mother once a week

and,

43. Talk to my brother once a week

But I haven't been running twice a week. Winter just hit Huntsville so I'll have to find the time to go to a gym. It's going to be a rough goal for me to tend to, because I can really procrastinate. Trust me, if it were an Olympic sport I'd be gold, baby.

My Tuesday night...

2008-12-10T21:27:00.000-08:00

It's Tuesday night. There's snow falling outside. Friends are sitting in my living room and we're watching Rob and Big. Tonight feels like being in college. I had a snow ball fight with my roommates and made a snowman on somebody's trunk. Then we launched it into the air. You won't believe how awesome it is to see a snowman hit the ground.

I'm working on my video blog for this month. It's going to be focused on me making my snack dish for our apartment Christmas get-together. Its called Muddy Buddy and its like a party in your mouth. You'll find out more in the video blog. I'll also have some pics and video of the snow and hijinks ensuing. My awesome friend Mindie will be running camera and editing it for me. Hope to have it up by the weekend.

What makes me happy...

2008-12-09T08:57:00.000-08:00

Today, I officially get to cross a goal off my list.

"2. Encourage someone else to do 101 in 1001. "

My friend and roommate started her list a few weeks ago. Jessica finished last night and started her blog. Here is the link. She has a ton of great goals and I couldn't be happier that she's doing 101. I'm also following her blog over there on the left hand side. I was going to do a block quote of the goal, but I couldn't figure it out for the life of me.

Also...Another one down on the "6. Blog once a week" goal.

TO SUCCESS!

What gets me through the day...

2008-12-05T09:35:00.000-08:00

First entry on the "#6 blog a week" goal. It's been a busy week. We had two newscasts; well three actually. I had a mock interview on Tuesday. It went well. The man who I talked with was from KBTX, the station I've been talking to. He reaffirmed some things I was told by the News Director.

I made some new friends on Facebook. I say new friends but I know them in real life. Our department secretary has joined up. She's in her 50s to be sure, but awesome nonetheless. We finally figured out what she was doing while she was in her office. The same thing we do during class; nothing.

My friend Travis sent me a link that he said would be right up my alley. He's right, but this isn't my first encounter with Richard Cheese. My other friend Julie was kind enough to enlighten me on this great artist about 3 years ago. So for this Saturday, I'll include one video for you all. Enjoy the weekend!

Richard Cheese - Vanilla Ice - Ice, Ice, Baby

What I'm saving for...

2008-11-29T15:05:00.000-08:00

My PowerBook G4 is 3 1/2 years old. Now I love my laptop, but I've dropped it twice and replaced the hard drive. I will say that in replacing the hard drive I spent $112.50 compared to the nearly $1000 that Apple wanted. So, ya know... take that. But I told myself that I would make this laptop last until I was out of college. I'm about 6 months away from graduating so now I begin to save for the laptop. I'm trying to convince my parents to go halfsies with me on a new one for Christmas. We'll see how well that effort goes.

In the mean time, here's a picture to tide you over.

Ohhhh... isn't it pretty?

The List...

2008-11-27T08:57:00.000-08:00

After much waiting I'm sure, The List has arrived. It took me about a week or more to get it together and I hit the wall around 40. But the more I thought about what I want to do with my life the more quality goals I came up with. Special thanks to the 101 in 1001 website and my friend Jen's 101 as well (her list is over there ---->). They are in no particular order and will be completed in no particular order. Here we go...

END DATE: August 25, 2011
BOLD= In Progress
1. Get a job after graduation
~~2. Encourage someone else to do 101 in 1001~~
3. Start and finish a "365 Pictures a day" project
4. Read one book a month (o/34)
5. Write my parents a letter after graduation
6. Blog once a week (5/154)
7. Buy a new computer
8. Run twice a week (0/308)
9. Call my mother once a week (5/154)
10. Mail a secret to PostSecret
11. Graduate from college with a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications
12. Waking up early for a week once a month (0/34)
13. Finding a work-out routine and stick to it
14. Get dressed up and go someplace nice with people I like
15. Donate blood as often as I can
16. Do an oral history with Mickey Herskowitz
17. Do an oral history of my grandparents
18. Whiten teeth
19. Skydive for graduation
20. Start playing my trumpet and find a reasonable organization to play it in
21. Sing more often
22. Learn to play the guitar
23. Give away or sell things I haven't used in a year or more
24. Collect and digitize all of my parents and grandparents pictures
25. Donate money back to my high school music program
26. Donate money back to my University's communications program
27. Invest money in the stock market
28. Buy better clothes
29. Buy a telescope and look through it regularly
30. Recycle more paper, plastic and metal
31. Travel to Washington D.C.
32. Visit the White House
33. Read every Sci Fi Nebula award winner
34. Read and own every Robert Heinlein novel or short story
35. Finish writing my short story
36. Buy local art
37. Go back to Los Angeles and do touristy things
38. Tell the story that no one else wants to or thinks is too hard to tell
39. Learn to cook on my own or for others
40. See the northern lights
41. Pay off my car
42. Help my parents pay for my brother to go to college
43. Talk to my brother once a week (5/154)
44. Take a set amount out of my paycheck for savings
45. Improve my Spanish speaking skills
46. Learn to play the piano
47. Finish my Spanish courses by March 2009
48. Be able to maintain my car at home
49. Keep a list of my accomplishments and remind myself of them
50. Take as many pictures as I can of friends and family
51. Digitize my pictures from Europe and put them in an album with what each pictures is or a memory
52. Back up my computer once a month (0/34)
53. Go to a concert
54. Go to a play
55. Continue my participation in Relay for Life in whatever city I live in
56. Organize my music collection
57. Buy a CD of a new artist at least once a month (0/34)
58. Be an informed voter in every election
59. Take a vested interest in my local, state, and federal government's decisions
60. Build something with my own hands
61. Complain less
62. Research my family name at the Library of Congress
63. Put together a video blog once a month and post it on my 101 site (0/34)
64. Send my mother flowers just because
65. Frame my diploma
66. See the midnight showing of the new Star Trek movie
67. Write a letter to 3 people that I admire
68. Make time to meditate or something like it once a week (0/154)
69. Fix my Star Trek watch
70. Volunteer at an Animal Shelter
71. Go to the Prison Museum before I graduate
72. Go to the Sam Houston Museum before I graduate
73. Pay for the person behind me in a drive-thru
74. Keep a current address book of friends and family
75. Speak my mind more often
76. Go hunting with my dad
77. Apply for job at CNN
78. Watch the sunset from the top of the Sam Houston Parking Garage
79. Buy a new iPod
80. Create a piece of furniture from the return or damaged stuff at Ikea
81. Hold a conversation with a friend or family member over Skype
82. Get a tan the old fashioned way by taking my shirt off
83. Go see a movie at least twice a month (2/68)
84. Go to SXSW and see someone perform
85. Smile more
86. Visit my uncle's grave
87. Take a nap on a beach or by a river
88. Watch all 6 Star Wars movies back to back in one day
89. Go back and re-read the books I supposedly did in high school (The Great Gatsby, etc)
90. Get a massage
91. Scan important papers into computer
92. Buy a hand tailored suit
93. Make the switch to boxer-briefs
94. Go to a beer festival
95. Visit the Shiner Brewery
96. Get my concealed handgun's license
97. Visit the Holocaust Museum in Houston
98. Learn to drive a stick-shift
99. Learn to play chess well.
100. Create a 5 year plan
101. Make another list

Let's have some fun along the way!
I also have a flat tire. Turns out you have to buy tires every now and then.

Let the fun begin!

2008-11-26T18:39:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow I begin my 101 goals in 1,001 days.

Goals to be posted in the morning.

I think Thanksgiving Day is a good day to start.