Monday, December 31, 2007

2007: Done!

Crazy that today is the last day of the year.
I think I'm happy to see it go. Overall, it was a good year- but I have this feeling that 2008 will be even better!

I've been on vacation for over a week now. It's been great!
My only problem- I haven't been able to sleep in like I've wanted to. I guess that's the joy of having children- or a forgetful husband. Two days in a row now I've woken up to his alarm blarring- and he's nowhere to be found.
Yesterday he was in the shower at 5am....today sleeping in one of the kids rooms. I have no idea how to make his alarm stop...today I almost threw it against the wall.
And of course by the time I get back to sleep- Brendan is walking into my room trying to get me out of bed. The second Patrick hears his brother- he's awake asking for me as well!

Let's see...what else....
Christmas was awesome. The Cook Family had one of the best holidays ever.
We got lots of new stuff, including a new camera for me. I've been going a little picture crazy lately...but that's not a bad thing!

The boys, of course, are spoiled rotten! They got too many toys to play with. That's part of my plan for today- go through the toys and try to get rid of some older ones.

My goals for 2008:
*Keep it simple- both at home and at work
It's time to throw out some of that old stuff I was hanging onto

*Explore social opportunities
This is really more for work/networking purposes. I often avoid these situations because I don't like to talk to strangers. I have to get over this!

*Practice Patience

Friday, December 28, 2007

It's bowl time baby!!

It's not too often I get excited about Football...

But today, Michigan State is coming to town!
It's the Champs Bowl baby!
The Cook family alma mater plays against Boston College. Should be an interesting game since about three of our starts are out because of academic issues.
But- we will have a great time!
Scott and I are taking Brendan to his first football game- along with his cousin Conor. Aunt Michelle and Uncle Kevin will also be joining us!

Here's the best part about football games!!!

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas To All!

I hope everyone got what they were looking for under the tree!

Christmas is great when watching things through the eyes of children.
Our day started at 6:30am with Brendan screaming..."Mom/Dad...SANTA WAS HERE."
We jumped so high in our bed. He freaked us out!
Of course, the boys were spoiled rotten- as well as the adults.
Now tomorrow will be filled with seeing how much we can play with each toy and gadget before they get sick of them!

Random Christmas Thoughts:
*Does anyone really watch "The Christmas Story"? Is there really a need for it to be on 24 hours a day?? I've never seen it- now I'm just boycotting it.

*Why doesn't the US have "boxing day" like Canada? We need to extend the Christmas holiday to more than just one day.

*Why can't we keep a string of christmas lights working from year to year? And why can't even one string make it through the season anymore?

*It's sad that we have to have the air conditioning running on Christmas!

Monday, December 17, 2007

DVR Alert!

It's time to set those DVR's!
My prediction for the season's next biggest hit debuts tonight, "Clash of the Choirs."
It sounds like it will be great, plus it features Nick...so how can that be wrong?



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Friday, December 14, 2007

TV in 2007

This past year will be remembered as the year of reruns because of the writers strike. Right now, it shows no sign of ending soon- and that could seriously cramp by 2008!
Here are my Top 10 television shows of the year:


10. Boston Legal:
Last episode, they were playing the wii. How great is that? I love how they take all the topics in the news and make it a really appealing court room drama. Plus, it's got Candice Bergen...who I love! :)

9. Gilmore Girls:
Yes- it's not on anymore- but it did wrap up this year. I miss it. So witty, fresh, charming. I want to live in Stars Hollow.

8. Weeds:
This bizarre show just keeps on surprising me. I figured it would have gotten tired by now. Somehow, they continue to push the envelope in an entertaining why....

7.Ugly Betty:
Great cast- great story lines. To put it simply, "Ugly Betty" is a show that rarely fails to put a smile on my face.

6. How I Met Your Mother:
Neil Patrick Harris makes the show. LOVE HIM! Also has a great all-around cast and great writers who rarely disappoint.
I also enjoy how they find new ways of telling a story.

5. The Closer:
Intelligent writing, moments of humor, the whodunit factor.
This is a show I never want to miss. The season finale was great- traveling across the country in an RV with Brenda Leigh's parents, a squirming suspect and Fritz...love him!

4. Gossip Girl
I believe it's one of the most underrated shows on television. It's like reliving high school- expect I get to just watch everyone else be bitchy! Well- I guess that's what I did in high school anyway!

3. Private Practice
Started off rocky- but recently- it's becoming can't miss. I think they've finally developed the characters enough that you actually like them.

2. 30 Rock:
One of the most consistently engaging comedies on television, "30 Rock" adeptly combines a love of pop culture, undeniable smarts, surreal conceits and heaping dose of inspired silliness. It's a modern-day comedy classic.

1. Grey's Anatomy
Patrick Dempsey- need I say more?

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Globe Time...

Nominations are out for the first big award show of the year....
Here are the nominations for television...along with my personal picks...
I'm not listing the nominations for movies because, well, I never see movies.

Series, Drama:
"Big Love," HBO
"Damages," FX Networks
"Grey's Anatomy," ABC
"House," Fox
"Mad Men," AMC
"The Tudors," Showtime
Jen's pick: This one is a no-brainer....GREY'S ANATOMY!!

Actress, Drama:
Patricia Arquette, "Medium"
Glenn Close, "Damages"
Minnie Driver, "The Riches"
Edie Falco, "The Sopranos"
Sally Field, "Brothers & Sisters"
Holly Hunter, "Saving Grace"
Kyra Sedgwick, "The Closer"
Jen's pick: Hands down- Kyra Sedgwick. Brenda Lee makes you want to cringe- but be her all at the same time!

Actor, Drama:
Michael C. Hall, "Dexter"
Jon Hamm, "Mad Men"
Hugh Laurie, "House"
Jonathan Rhys Meyers, "The Tudors"
Bill Paxton, "Big Love"
Jen's Pick: Personally, I'm upset Patrick Dempsey is NOT on this list. He should be!! I've never heard of half these shows....so I'm going to go with Hugh Laurie- because he freaks me out- which means he's a good actor!

Series, Musical or Comedy:
"30 Rock," NBC
"Californication," Showtime
"Entourage," HBO
"Extras," HBO
"Pushing Daisies" ABC
Jen's pick: 30 Rock- no question

Actress, Musical or Comedy:
Christina Applegate, "Samantha Who?"
America Ferrera, "Ugly Betty"
Tina Fey, "30 Rock"
Anna Friel, "Pushing Daisies"
Mary-Louise Parker, "Weeds"
Jen's Pick: Tough category- all great actresses..this is one of those categories where it's "I'm just so proud to be considered with these fine women."
I'm going to put my money on Tina Fey...or Mary-Louise Parker.....I can't decide!



Actor, Musical or Comedy:
Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"
Steve Carell, "The Office"
David Duchovny, "Californication"
Ricky Gervais, "Extras"
Lee Pace, "Pushing Daisies"
Jen's Pick: I want to say Alec Baldwin. But, I think the voters might be a little turned off by his semi-recent controversy because of his phone call to his daughter. So I'm going to go with Steve Carell.

Miniseries or Movie:
"Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee," HBO
"The Company," TNT
"Five Days," HBO
"Longford," HBO
"The State Within" BBC America.
Jen's Pick: Never seen any of these..I'm going to go with......Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.

Actress, Miniseries or Movie:
Bryce Dallas Howard, "As You Like It"
Debra Messing, "The Starter Wife"
Queen Latifah, "Life Support"
Sissy Spacek, "Pictures of Hollis Woods"
Ruth Wilson, "Jane Eyre (Masterpiece Theatre)"
Jen's Pick: Let's go with Debra Messing. That's the only one on this list that I've seen- and I enjoyed it!

Actor, Miniseries or Movie:
Adam Beach, "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee"
Ernest Borgnine, "A Grandpa for Christmas"
Jim Broadbent, "Longford"
Jason Isaacs, "The State Within"
James Nesbitt, "Jekyll."
Jen's Pick: Again- no idea...I've never even heard of any of these actors!! Let's go with Ernest Borgnine...because I think I've heard his name before!

Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or Movie:
Rose Byrne, "Damages"
Rachel Griffiths, "Brothers & Sisters"
Katherine Heigl, "Grey's Anatomy"
Samantha Morton, "Longford"
Anna Paquin, "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee"
Jaime Pressly, "My Name Is Earl."
Jen's Pick: I really want to go with Katherine Heigl because I love Grey's. But really...is she really that great of an actress? The role doesn't really seem to be that much of a stretch. I know...shocking I'm falling off the Grey's wagon. Because of my logic- I'm going with Jamie Pressly. I think that role is quite a stretch!

Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or Movie:
Ted Danson, "Damages"
Kevin Dillon, "Entourage"
Jeremy Piven, "Entourage"
Andy Serkis, "Longford"
William Shatner, "Boston Legal"
Donald Sutherland, "Dirty Sexy Money"
Jen's Pick: I'm going with Donald Sutherland. He scares me. I think Entourage will cancel each other out. I like William Shatner- but I don't think that role is much of a stretch either. He plays a crazy old man....

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

This is some funny stuff!

Merry Christmas all...from the Cook Elf's

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1174789865

The Christmas Spirit

This should do it...click here to help get into the Christmas Spirit!
This is Candlelight Processional at EPCOT. Guest speak, Neil Patrick Harris!

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Wii Success!!

It's been a long, hard road. But I'm happy to report, mission accomplished!
Santa is bringing a Wii to the Cook family!
My obsessive compulsive behavior finally paid off.
Hopefully now I can sleep through the night without a wii-related nightmare.

Myself and 74 other lucky people spent the wee (no pun intended) hours of the morning waiting for Best Buy to open. There were more people than that- but only 75 got the magic ticket!

Check that off the big to-do list. Now, Disney shopping!
Hopefully after this weekend I'm all done with shopping- it's getting tiring...and expensive!!!

Now- I was keeping coke points to get the wii- but Coke was nice and took off the wii from their website as I was approaching the goal. That's ok though....keep those coke points coming!
Now, I'm using them to get giftcards and using the money to get games and accessories!!

In other news, Christmas is here because we've seen Candlelight Processional for the year. Not only is it a great show to get into the spirit of the season, but we got a bonus with host, Neil Patrick Harris.
I love him...LOVE HIM!
My bedroom was covered with pictures of him and Kirk Cameron growing up.
And in over a week, I'll get to see Kirk as the host!
I am going to upload my video of candlelight, to share with those who don't have a chance to see it!

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Christmas Shopping!

First- I need to change the name of this blog...I've given up Diet Coke.
It's hard...but I think was making me sick!
So- I've been about three week without the stuff...

In other news...I'm in desperate search of a Nintendo Wii.
Santa is bringing it for Christmas...with the help of mom and dad of course.
I'm now totally obsessing over it.
I waited at a Game Stop for over two hours yesterday- no Wii in the delivery.
I just called over 20 stores- all sold out.
This sucks!!!!!!!

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Gobble, Gobble

Hello fellow bloggers!
This one has been too busy dancing her feet off...and increasing her alcohol tolerance.
It's been a crazy wedding week and I'm sorry to see it end!
Scott's sister got married...and it certainly was a big event.
Coming soon, pictures and videos!

Meanwhile- you are ready for Thanksgiving?
I'm not a HUGE fan of the holiday. For me, it's the kickoff to Christmas.
The time when I can really start decorating the house without Scott killing me!
I'm finally getting in the Christmas spirit!
Although- Magic 107.7 in Orlando went all Christmas music this morning...don't think I'm ready for that!

Have a happy Turkey Day! (my mom is serving ham...now you know where I get it from!)

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Gabba!

It's beginning to look a lot like...

Christmas!
Yes...it's sad.
Normally, I'm all about Christmas. I'm ready to bring out the Christmas tree around the 4th of July.
Today- we've spent the day de-Halloween'ing our house- and preparing for christmas.
I say "preparing" because it's a big event.

There are closets to be cleaned, carpet to be vaccummed and furniture to be moved.

We have four christmas trees. Yes, 4!
They are not all huge- but there are four of them....
The biggest, a 7.5 foot tree, is in the great room when you first walk in our house. This is the family tree with all of "our" ornaments.

Then...there is the 6.5 tree set up in the living room where we all hang out. This tree is specifically the MICKEY tree. That includes all Mickey Mouse ornaments, tree shirt, tree topper and lights. Yes- it's extreme- but it's cool!

Then, there is a small tree which normally goes into Brendan's room. He can pick whichever ornaments he wants.
And then there is the really small one- with a whole bunch of miniture Star Wars ornaments- that's Scott's little tree.

That's just the trees- not to mention all the ornaments, all the wall hangings, advent calendars, candle holders...and so much more.

But for some reason- it's hard for me to get in the mood this year!
Maybe- it's just early.

Next weekend is Michelle and Kevin's wedding. I'm very excited for that- as is Brendan!
But I think that has been built up as such a big event in our lives- we haven't had much of a chance to think about anything else! So hopefully after wedding weekend we'll be in the Christmas spirit!

I'm considering doing some real Black Friday shopping for the first time....I've gone before- in Chicago- but that's more to people watch and see the cool Marshall Fields Christmas windows than to really shop.

But this year- I might actually spend some money and wait in lines. We'll see...we'll see.....
For me- I much prefer the day-after-Christmas for shopping.
I like to get deals on Christmas trees!!! :)

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Attention TV Fans!

Forget Jack Bauer. The writers' strike means there won't be a new season of "24" in January.

Instead, Fox has unveiled a new schedule for the rest of the season. And it is the most specific plan any network has offered so far. The plan suggests that Fox will be more stable than the competition in coming months. Fox, after all, will offer the Super Bowl on Feb. 3, followed by a new episode of "House" with Oscar-winner Mira Sorvino.

Biggest news: "American Idol" returns Jan. 15 and 16. The network will serve up four hours over those two nights.

Taking the "24" time slot will be "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles." This thriller will preview Sunday, Jan. 13. Then it moves to 9 p.m. Mondays, starting the next night.

The writers' strike will mean more reality programming. Which I hate!!!

"The Moment of Truth," a game show with a lie-detector test and big money, arrives Jan. 23.

"When Women Rule the World," a role-reversal show, debuts March 3.

A new season of "Hell's Kitchen" begins on April 1 -- how do you like that timing?

Fox also will offer new installments of "Cops," "America's Most Wanted," "Don't Foget the Lyrics!" and "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?"

New scripted series include:

"New Amsterdam," a drama about an immortal cop, debuting Feb. 22.

"Unhitched," a comedy from the Farrelly Brothers, starting March 2.

"The Return of Jezebel James," a comedy from "Gilmore Girls" creator Amy Sherman-Palladino, beginning March 7. The show stars Parker Posey, Lauren Ambrose and Oscar-winner Dianne Wiest.

"Canterbury's Law," a legal thriller with Julianna Marguilies, beginning April 11.

Fox added that it will offer a mix of new episodes and repeats of "House," "Back to You," "'Til Death" and "Bones."

"Prison Break" offer an episode Monday, then returns Jan. 14.

New episodes will continue to air of Fox's animated Sunday comedies.

Monday, November 5, 2007

I Want My TV!!!

I love my television.
I love witty shows.
I love being inspired, challenged, enlightened, entertained.

I HATE RERUNS!
Please, let the writers strike end soon!
For those of you who don't know...
The Writers Guild of America is on strike. I support them 100%!
At issue, the writers want a stake in the sale of their shows on DVD and the internet. It's only fair!

But what does that mean to you and me? It means reruns!
The Daily Show," "The Colbert Report," "Saturday Night Live" and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" -- will go into reruns immediately.After that, almost every scripted genre will have some episodes in the can, and the strike rules will allow, in theory, completed scripts to be filmed so long as changes aren't made.

Daytime will be affected earlier than primetime, possibly running out of episodes by the end of this calendar year. But primetime sitcoms and dramas, depending on how they're scheduled, could make it a month or two into 2008 before they run out, and a handful of shows with irregular production schedules won't run out at all.

It just stinks for everyone. Television executives already make way too much money for doing nothing! Television already is a slave to ratings and sales. It's sad it's now going to be threatened because of the ulmighty dollar.

For more information: http://blog.nj.com/alltv/2007/11/even_more_things_you_wanted_to.html

Monday, October 29, 2007

Halloween

I have a hard time with Halloween.

Yes, I enjoy the candy.

I hate haunted houses.
I hate dressing up.
I hate the weather.

I need some help with ideas for dressing up!!
It sounds like everyone is going to be Britney Spears...
Funny yes, but can't be that much fun if everyone is doing it.

I would love to be Amy Winehouse- but I don't think I could be THAT nasty!

I was thinking Katie Holmes...but I need a Tom Cruise...or a baby Suri.

I would love to be Strawberry Shortcake...or Rainbow Bright....or something fun like that...but those costumes take a lot of work!!!

I need something easy...but fun...help!

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Do you see the yellow line?

Yeah...that cool yellow line in football?
Yeah- my friend does that.

We went on a family adventure Sunday...where you may ask?
JACKSONVILLE!

Not the center of excitement- but consider all the random trips Todd has made to see us- it's the least we can do!

Todd is my former roommate from college. We worked together many, many times- and now he has a cool- but crazy job- traveling the country working for a company that does the yellow and blue lines during football games.

Right now, he's on the Monday Night Football crew- hence the Jacksonville trip.
We got a cool inside look at what it takes to set up an ESPN production.
Could they have more trucks?
Watch this for some fun!



ALSO- I counted 215 motorcycles between Sanford and Daytona Beach...
But have been a busy Biketoberfest!

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Trash and Treasures


I come from a long-line of garbage pickers.
I remember my mother going through neighbors trash...me hiding in the car, wanting to die of embarassement.
Now, I fear, I have turned into her!

Ok- I'm not that bad...but today, I picked my first piece of trash!
I'm sure it's nothing I'm supposed to be proud of...but I am!

I spent yesterday morning garage sale'ing with my mother. And I got some great deals!
$2- Fischer Price Dinosaur toy...Priced at $40 at Wal*Mart!
(this was bought for Patrick but now both play with it!)
$3- Brand New Baby Einstein Christmas Music CD
$1- Power Ranger Plug Play toy for Brendan
$1- Christmas long-sleve outfit for Patrick
$5- Some pretty plant for my yard that I'm told I can't kill!

Today, I found a big oak table my neighbors were throwing away.
No one was around- so I picked it up- using my HULK strength...and threw it into my garage. It's a nice low table- perfect for boys and their toys and markers!

I cleaned it out well- since it's from the house with all the college kids...and who knows what's left behind in the cracks!!

Yeah for someone else's garbage!

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Michigan Fun

I've been meaning to post this for awhile!
Sorry it's taken me so long!
Brodie & Christa...I hope you developed your wedding pictures from the table cameras...if not, here's a preview of what you can expect!

Friday, October 12, 2007

TGIF

Tomorrow is my dad's 60th birthday! I can't believe it!
We're celebrating tonight with a big hoe down at Hoop-De-Doo-Review!
All you can eat chicken, all you can drink beer....Hee Haw!

Tomorrow, it's drinking around the world at EPCOT...that's AFTER the big UCF/USF football game!

And Sunday- it's the church picnic...to recover form all the alcohol of the weekend!

Hopefully work will be slow next week fo I can catch up!

Oh yeah- my boyfriend poised for some new pictures that he wanted me to share with you:

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Monday, October 8, 2007

Monday...Monday

I'm at the Winter Park hospital right now...Where they don't have Diet Coke :(
I hate Pepsi....This is America...we should have the right to choose.

My visit to lovely Winter Park has nothing to do with the yummy french fries or free wi-fi that I'm currently eating/using. (Although if I randomly disappear, you may want to find me here- this is the perfect hideaway!)
Scott is having some surgery.
Today- it's MOOB REDUCTION Surgery.

We've been joking about it for some time. But really, it's not funny.
He's always had a boob- just one....it's never bothered me. It is something that has always bothered him. And before you laugh about it...consider this:
many as 40-50% of males suffer from a condition called gynecomastia, the medical term for women-like breasts.

So- while he's under the knife, I'm exploring the hospital. I've been wandering around today. I'm surprise at the apparent lack of security. Not that I'm trying to get anywhere sneaky...I'm just wandering.
I also found a nice quiet spot in the Cafe in the basement....far away from the monitor blasting News 13.
People watching is also an entertaining hobby of mine. I'm continually surprised by the amount of freaks out there.
I also can't help but think of that Seinfeld episode where Jerry says about 5% of the population is undatable...seriously- have you looked around lately?
I'm now just wasting my time online...happy, happy, joy...

Saturday, October 6, 2007

Blah...

I can't believe we lost...to NORTHWESTERN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturdays in October

It's Saturday...A Home Depot Saturday at that...
Today we made a tool box for Brendan and a fire truck crayon holder for Patrick.
They also got to meet Smokey Bear...not Smokey THE Bear- apparently he dropped the "THE" awhile back...who knew?

Brendan mistakenly smashed my fingernail with the hammer...it hurts...but that's the price you pay for free children entertainment.

One of the perks in working for the cable company- free services....today, my house is wifi...I love technology.

Now, I'm sitting on my bed- typing on my laptop, drinking a beer, watching college football.
The kids are trying to take a nap- haha...we'll see how long that lasts...

I can't believe Michigan State is losing to Northwestern...that's not going to last...seriously...we have to beat them.

I am happy to see that the University of South Florida is doing well! GO BULLS! I really want to go to the game next week against UCF- but it's just too hard with the kids- and Scott has to work...

PLUS- it's fall festival time....my favorite time of year!

Monday, October 1, 2007

Breaking Britney News

From the "We Saw It Coming" File:

TMZ has learned Britney Spears has lost physical custody of her kids.L.A. County Superior Court Judge Scott Gordon issued an order today stating that Kevin Federline, the boys' father, "is to retain physical custody of the minor children on Wednesday, October 3, 2007 at 12:00 PM until further order of the court."

Time...

For 5 years I have been waking up at 1:30am Monday through Friday.
Today, I got to wake up at 5:30am.

Right now it's 3:25pm- and I'm at work...weird, very weird.
I'm seeing people I normally don't see. It's so strange!

But so far, so good. I'm starting to dig the new gig.

The really weird thing is that I might actually be able to stay up late and watch my tv shows! But then I'd have to watch the commercials :(

Here are my thoughts:
*Gossip Girl- I think that's going to be a hit..
*Grey's seems to be bringing the spark back, which I enjoy.
*Private Practice, I liked it, for the most part...
*Bosten Legal, always a good laugh- and adding John Larroquette to the mix is a brillant move.
*Dirty, Sexy Money- still have to watch the whole thing, but enjoyed the beginning- although Donald Sutherland scares the crap out of me!
*Ugly Betty- seems to be another strong season to the show
*I'm tempted to watch Dancing with The Stars- only because my sister watches it religiously...she even votes... My other sister had her picture taken with Mark Cuban? Apparently he's on the show and wants to buy the Chicago Cubs- which seems pretty cool to me.
*I hope the CaveMan show bombs on never sees the light of day again...who thought that would be a good idea?
*I'm excited to see Pushing Daises- I hope it lives up to my expectations
*How I Met Your Mother- I LOVE Neil Patrick Harris! Seriously- he makes the show. I loved him as Doogie- and he's only funnier now!!
*Chuck- still need to check it out- looks funny
*Can't wait for 30 Rock with JERRY!!
*And really- did they need to bring back the Bionic Woman? Give me a break!
I'm still DVRing The Office and My Name Is Earl, hoping to get into them...I'm trying, I really am!

You should also check out tvbigshot.com
I'll kick your butt!

Friday, September 28, 2007

The Beginning of the End

Yes, I have a myspace….

 

I’m also on facebook…

 

I livejournal from time-to-time…only at the times I remember my password!

 

I also have Friendster, CafeMom…and who knows what else I’ve signed up for.

 

But after much browsing online- I figure this is just the easiest way to spread my thoughts.

 

I’m posting this entry from an email account.  So people think I’m actually doing work while writing an email- when in reality, I’m doing anything but!!

 

 

Back to my blog title….today is the last day of my reign as Morning Executive Producer.

Long story short- I’m moving into a new role as the Executive Producer of Special Projects.

Mainly, my area will be in Elections- but I’ll also be doing special coverage like Shuttle Launches, Hurricane specials and more….

It should be fun…I’m looking to finally not be so tightly wound…be so restricted to a crazy, non-flexible schedule and hopefully, winning some awards for my work.

I’m curious to see how it goes…

 

In the meantime, the transition is weird…and that’s all I’m going to say about that!



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Wednesday, September 26, 2007

What in the world?

In the, what will they think of next file...comes this very important next step for television ratings.
Right now, the television news your watching is most likely just about ratings. They don't care about you, but about what you buy and where you spend your money.
But that could all be changing.

Check out this article from today's Orlando Sentinel:

Hal Boedeker Sentinel Television Critic
September 26, 2007
Say goodbye to killer bras -- or whatever outrageous report you remember from sweeps month.Sweeps, as we know them, are doomed in Central Florida.Likely extinction date: February 2009.
Local People Meters will render obsolete those sweeps periods -- in February, May, July and November -- when stations hype reports to pull in viewers. The meters will go into service in Orlando, the nation's No. 19 market, in January 2009 after a preliminary start in November 2008."It is a turning point in local TV," Henry Maldonado, general manger of WKMG-Channel 6, said Tuesday. "That four-times-a-year rush you guys are kidding us about, to generate audience, will end."The Local People Meters replace the current system of household meters and diaries. Viewers fill out diaries to provide demographic information during sweeps. The stations sell advertising time based on demographics more than on household ratings.The Local People Meters make the diaries unnecessary and provide more accurate daily statistics on who's watching.The measuring shift is significant, said Bill Bauman, general manager of WESH-Channel 2. "I think advertisers are looking forward to this," he said. "They'll be able to see what they're paying for on a daily basis."The shift to Local People Meters will mean increased competition, station bosses agreed."It's going to be constant pressure every day on news organizations and promotion," said Shawn Bartelt, general manager of WFTV-Channel 9. "It's probably a good thing for viewers. The horse race will be taking place every day."Maldonado predicted that promotion will be more focused."Stations will be able to target specific groups and see the results the next day," he said. "The measuring is becoming more surgical, more narrow."The shift to Local People Meters can shake the pecking order in a market, said Tim Brooks, executive vice president of research for Lifetime."Diaries tend to favor long-established stations," Brooks said. "A change from less accurate to more accurate information can be disruptive. Diaries are out of date in today's multimedia world."In the top markets, where Local People Meters have been installed, sweeps months have changed, Brooks said."They still program for sweeps, but you don't have as many big events," he said. "That is going to spread to most of the country. There won't be the imperative to do a bizarre 11 o'clock news story."

Let's Dork It Up!

I’m finally getting in on technology!

I just got a laptop…have a new web camera, fancy editing software and even a DVD burner!

 

Now- I’m setting up an official blog to keep all my random thoughts organized in one fun place.

 

Welcome to another little piece of my internet world.

 

And it’s perfect timing!  Just as the new tv season is set to debut!!



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