Friday Funk and Today Show Pics

Friday did not start off as I had hoped it would, but it ended well. Hear about my day and see pictures of Chris and me with Matt Lauer, Al Roker, and Jenna Bush-Hager from the Today Show! Check out the Morning Buzz blog...

http://bigcountryhomepage.com/content/news/blog/morning_buzz

Halloween: The Pressure to Dress Scantily

Halloween approaches. I will attend one costume party this year. I enjoy Halloween festivities, so costume parties appeal to me. Mind you, It is not in my taste to dress at all revealing or particularly girlie for the occasion.

Last year, however, I got talked into dressing in a cutesy sailor outfit by some of my friends. This was my FIRST time to ever dress as such for Halloween. Needless to say, I felt awkward the whole night through. I still had fun, but I would have been much more comfortable dressed as Janis Joplin or a ghost in a white sheet.

As you might have guessed, the girls have persuaded me yet again. When I first thought about Halloween this year, I wanted to dress as Salvador Dali (pictured right). The idea for the costume party came about, and the girls immediately began talking about plans to wear costumes with short-cut dresses and sequins. You know the ones--the costumes that in no way resemble the intended character but rather are simply meant to reveal legs and cinch the waist. I am honestly being modest in my description of such outfits. There are plenty of more colorful terms I could use for them, but I will refrain.

So, after much consideration, I will be going as a "vampire vixen." Call me a conformist if you must. I will NOT in any way reveal parts of my body that should not be exposed, and the costume is actually kind of cute. What's sad is most women will. Halloween for them is an excuse to dress far more scantily than what would ever be considered appropriate. Take these two pics for example...is this what police officers and fire fighters really look like?! These are a couple of the more modest ones I found. Even little girls think it's cute to show their tummies and wear short skirts on Halloween. Whatever happened to ghouls, goblins and witches? I am not talking about skimpy ones. I think every Halloween costume should resemble that of the ones the Peanuts characters wear!

That's all.

Meg

Abilene Today, Day One

Day one on Abilene Today and Midday was a good one. Were the shows flawless? No, it was my first day, but I can tell I am really going to get the hang of it and love it!

I started the day at about 3 a.m. when the irksome tone of my alarm clock rang as calculated. Waking up on day one was not so hard, though, as nerves ran high in anticipation. As sure as my hair is strawberry-blondish with a hint of auburn, I headed straight for the coffee. Upon finishing my first cup, I was more certain that the day forthcoming was to be a fruitful one.

What else need I say? The shows went on, Chris was a joy to work with, and I finished the day absolutely exhausted (plum tuckered out for those with of a southern vernacular).

People keep asking me if it is weird "crossing over" from KTAB to KRBC, but it really is not. I thought it might be, but it has actually been exciting more than anything. I feel extremely blessed to have an opportunity like this, and I couldn't be more thrilled to be a part of a team as excellent as KRBC!

In my next blog post I will recount the experience Chris and I had meeting Matt Lauer and Al Roker. It was the worst great day I have ever had! Explanation to come.

"Monuments to where I have been. Melodies to where I am going."

Cheers,

Meg

For All The World To See

I have a habitual problem that seems to occur mainly during work--forgetting to zip my pants.

I never imagined I would blog about it, until one open barn incident not long ago. I had been on a fairly serious interview with a County Commissioner, and discovered upon returning to the station that my pants were unzipped. I told Angela about it, and she said, "You have to blog about that!" Hence, I divulge.

I have, however, scrutinized my failure to zip and figured out why it is a recurring problem. Patterns. Yes, patterns. I am typically a slacks-wearer when at work, because it's easier to get around and shoot my own video in pants, rather than skirts. It also looks a little awkward for a skirt-clad reporter to shoot her own video. If you wear dress pants much, you should know that most of them have not one, but two fastens. This is often a button, clasp combination. Most other pants, for some reason, have but ONE fasten. This usually being a button. Due to the 1-2 pattern (button, zip), I seem to leave out step 3 when wearing slacks with 3 steps (button, clasp, zip). Therefore, I subconsciously do the 1-2-out-the-door, rather than the necessary 1-2-3-out-the-door, LEAVING THE GATE WIDE OPEN FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE!

I hope it makes as much sense to you as it unfortunately does for me. This is just one of the prices I pay for a fast-paced mind.

This little celebrity montage of forgetful zippers makes me feel better. The yellow circles are a personal touch. I especially enjoy Susan Boyle wearing hers loud and proud. As you can see she's been doubly undone!

Enjoy,

Meg

Bye-Bye, Bestie!

((Roll cheesy dream sequence.))

It was my first day of college, and I was a proud Radio-Television major. I walked into my first class, "Television Announcing" with Dr. Sanders, and sitting on the front row was a quirky young lass. Upon noticing the worn Incubus t-shirt and dark-rimmed glasses she donned, I had to sit next to her.

"Sweet backpack," she told me, referring to my plastic and nylon Batman backpack.

"Thanks," I responded assuredly, "Sweet shirt."

Behold, our first conversation. We knew we were birds of a feather. A quirky, dexterous, rock-your-face-off feather! That day, an unbreakable bond was formed. We studied together, sat at the front of every class together, drank innumerable energy drinks together, and even hosted KKOM radio shows together. Not only were we compatible as companions, we had the King Midas touch anytime we partnered together!

((Skip mushy details...))

Being two young women with drive and different visions, Danielle and I never thought we would share the same workplace. After graduation, I began working at KTAB as a reporter. Months later, a photog position opened up here at KTAB/KRBC. Since Danielle excels at such things and was in need of a broadcast job, I told her about it. She is amazing, so she got the job. There's really no need to expound on her unmatchable ability to take a moment and create a video masterpiece (It seems I have just expounded.).

So, for the past nine months, we worked together. Most of my best stories came as a result of our teamwork. What can I say? We are compatible.

((Skipping many more details...))

Now, she's leaving. People keep asking me if I'm sad, but I have to say I am not. Sure, I will miss her, but I am so happy for her success, it far outweighs all melancholy. She's 22 and moving to a top 60 market, for crying out loud! I know the future holds GREAT things for her, and she and I will be a huge part of each other's lives eternally.

((Side note))

Keep an eye out for her, Danielle Reeves (soon to be Ray). Mark my words, she will reach remarkable heights in this industry. She will leave an indomitable mark on the world of creative media, and I am just thrilled to be a part of it.

((Video link))

She has comprised some of our monumental moments in a video that you ABSOLUTELY MUST WATCH. http://bigcountryhomepage.com/content/news/blog/behind_lens

"Monuments to where I have been. Melodies to where I am going." That one's for you, Dani.

Bitter sweetly yours,

Meg

Meg and Matt Plus Three

Matt and I have made a new addition to our family. Frances. She is a 5-week-old Great Dane puppy. Yes, that makes three dogs. Some people might say that's nuts, especially since we don't have kids yet. With all due respect, if you're one who thinks we're crazy, you don't understand.
There are different strokes for different folks, and my hubby and I happen to be dog lovers. We are also very good with animals.

Piper is a very small dog, and Sherman is a TINY dog. Together, they comprise one small dog.

Another thing, doggies and kitties are way overpopulated in the states. Even in Abilene (where the economy is peachy, right?), the Animal Shelter, Human Society, and Rescue the Animals are overrun with critters whose owner's could not or would not take care of. That's what makes those of us who are good with dogs/cats so integral! It's essential that we step in and give more pets a good home, where they can grow up healthily and happily.

Great Danes are also considered "gentle giants," as they are the friendliest and most gentle breed of dogs, so take that all you fans of yappy tea cup breeds! I kid, I love the tiny ones too--just look at the Sherminator.

Now for more about Frances! She is SO STINKING CUTE! I picked her up in the minute East Texas town of Poetry. Again, she is only 5 weeks old, but she is already almost as big as Piper and outweighs the Sherminator by a long shot. She has a mantle coat, which is mostly black with white markings. It's been a long couple of days for her. I got her Sunday and drove her back to Abilene Monday. I think Piper and Sherman like her, but they don't seem to understand that she's actually just a baby. She's so clumsy and precious, I wish I could put her in my pocket and keep her with me all day. She will grow very rapidly, and we are prepared for that. Matt has vowed to take her running every day. We researched every aspect of Danes and what it takes to raise them before buying one. Plus, we got a GREAT deal on her, which never hurts in the persuasive process.

I will try to get an updated picture of our complete family sometime soon. It will be fun when Frances is full grown (100-130 lbs for females; 120-200 lbs for males).

Well, that's enough about that. The spiel was long, and not as colorful as most of my others. My apologies. Hopefully it still accurately portrays both my love for dogs and my thoughts for those who scoff at our having another dog, and a MASSIVE one at that. Many scoff out of jealousy. I tell no lies.

Cheers,

Meg

Close Encounters

Things are not always what they seem. That's something we have all experienced. I love nature. Today I noticed two trees, which I often observe on my drive home from work (I should not divert my eyes from the road, I know).

One tree is embellished with gold, gleaming spherical beads. At a distant cast, I'm certain the tiny spheres have been touched by Midas himself.

The other tree is quite large and engulfed in a blanket of silver. The leaves are absolutely brilliant in the sunlight, like they could be melted down for jewelry.

Up close, however the gold beads are nothing more than tan, wrinkly, hollow, balls. They're weak, and I deplete their worth to mere irrevocable plainness. The silver leaves are but grayish-white in color, sickly and dull.

The matter of course from this little analogy can mean whatever you wish, but two illustrations have weight in me.

1) The illusion of beauty is conceivably delightful when viewed from a distant angle. The right angle. When the view is nigh, so is the sobering malady of realization.
LAYMAN'S TERMS: What seems appealing at first glance, isn't always so nice up close.

2) The facets of concrete existence, those acquiescent pillars of life we so readily ignore, can be the illustrious accessories we compulsively crave.
LAYMAN'S TERMS: If we would just stop to notice the small things in life, we might see how beautiful they are capable of being.

And, there is your daily dose of verbose, snobbish intellect. I'll be here all night.

Cheers.

Meg