Random thoughts

It was really hot at the fair, and I was there during one of the coolest days. What do we expect, right? It's August, it's Iowa and it's the State Fair! Thanks to everyone who stopped by both our photo signing booth, and the "Cast Your Kernal" booth. More than 35,000 of you plunked down a kernal for your favorite presidential candidates!

I'm am back on the workout bandwagon and IT HURTS! It is so unfair that it takes so long to get in shape, and mere days to turn into a slug. I'm forcing myself into types of exercise that I typically don't do, like running and Pilates. Do you guys have favorite workout regimes, or things you do to shake things up? I have to admit that changing the routine is keeping me motivated, I just wish it wasn't so painful!

Sunday night Michael and I were in the backyard grilling when we heard our front doorbell ring. Both of us were instantly annoyed. Sunday is the one day of the week we attempt to reserve for ourselves and I did NOT want to deal with whomever was there. So, I wasn't going to answer the door. But the doorbell rang, again. I answered, and quickly went from annoyed to sympathetic. A high school kid was standing there, looking like he wanted to be anyplace but our porch. His mother was behind him, at the bottom of our front steps. He was selling gift cards, trying to raise money for the Roosevelt band to buy new instruments. He seemed absolutely miserable and I felt so bad for him. I have vivid memories of doing the same sort of door-to-door fundraisers as a kid, for everything from Girl Scouts to swing choir and volleyball and I hated it. So, if a nice young person comes to your door begging for a donation and you think it's legit ... give him or her a few bucks, please.

Finally, I got this email a few weeks ago from Brian Vande Lune:
"Erin, Maybe you've done this, or something like it... but I think it would be interesting to walk through a log of a "day-in-the-life" of a news anchor. I'm sure that many would be interested in things like when do you have to show up for work...what goes on in between 6 and 10...do you write the copy or at least get to pre-read the news copy...do you get to pick what events you want to attend (state fair parade) or are you assigned..............Thanks, Brian"

I wrote a post about this about a year ago, so I won't bore you with the minute-by-minute details of my work day. Instead, I thought I'd just address some of Brian's specific questions that have less to do with schedule and more to do with content. Our night shifts begin at 1:30, and we're usually out of here right after the 10 o'clock show. Of course that can change if there is breaking news, or we stay late or come in early to work on a project. I don't think any of our anchors fall into the "talking head" sterotype. All of us write copy, and re-write copy for every show. Sometimes, there is no script at all. If it's breaking news or a developing story, we have to adlib. When it comes to public appearances and volunteer work, it's pretty much up to us. We are "strongly encouraged" to sign up for things like the fair booth and parade, the Arts Festival and Kids Fest but sometimes people are out of town or just unable to do those things due to their schedules and/or personal lives. Volunteering for other events and organizations is something that most of us do because we want to. I know that I choose to be a part of a lot of those activities because the particular cause is something I care about, or think is important.

Right now, it's time for me to get my rear in gear for the 10pm newscast!

A big move

Hello everyone!
Thanks for the State Fair feedback. It seems as if food ranks #1 with a lot of you, followed closely by animals, reunions and people watching. I'm with you on the food. Yum!
This week's blog topic is a bit belated, because I've been waiting on pictures from my mom. I understand the delay, it's not as if emailing pictures is a priority when you've been in the midst of moving more than 1200 miles from Nebraska to Arizona!

My folks officially hit the road on August 1st. They hadn't planned on leaving Nebraska until October, but their house sold much faster than expected so they got to move during the hottest part of the summer! This is my Uncle Carl, who helped my dad with the truck loading.

The U Haul

My pops in the truck, taking a break.

I should let you know how rare this picture is. My parents helped me move a number of times in between high school and the early part of my career, so I know how they operate in these situations. My dad is a maniac. He will not stop loading or unloading until the entire task is complete. It's crazy. It doesn't matter if it's twenty degrees and everyone is shivering, or ninety degrees and you're sweating to death ... he will NOT STOP! According to my mother, not much has changed so this must be one of very few breaks my dad took during the day.

Mom & Dad arrived in Arizona safe and sound ... here's my mom in their new backyard.

And Dad posing in the new house!

I have such mixed emotions about my folks leaving my home town. On the one hand, I'm so excited for them. They can finally enjoy retirement after years of hard work (although both of them are already talking about part time jobs). On the other hand, I'm feeling so nostalgic and sad about it ... the house my parents built and moved into when I was just one year old is no longer our house. It belongs to someone else now. It's just so strange. I know that probably sounds extraordinarily weird to those of you who moved several times when you were kids, but I've never known any other home. I'm consoling myself with the fact that there is now a nice warm climate to visit when the snow and wind chill descend on Iowa, and I know that my parents' new home will be just that for them . . . HOME.

Our State Fair is a GREAT State Fair!

Hello everyone!
Thanks so much for the recent posts and emails. Some of you have let me know that I've fallen behind (again) after doing so well at posting weekly. I'm sorry! I really had nothing to report, which is kind of nice once in awhile.
But, now we are heading into a great time of year . . . it's fair time!
Some of us took part in the Iowa State Fair Parade Wednesday night, so here are some highlights.

First, some United States Submarine Veterans.

These gentlemen had some great stories to tell while we waited in line for the the parade to start moving gown Grand Avenue. I learned that a submarine is much more spacious than I'd ever imagined, and that the food is much better than on ships or airplanes, but I still don't think I'd fare very well under water for days or weeks on end!

You've probably seen newspaper and television stories about this gang . . . it's the Hot Pink Grannies! They're ladies most of us would NOT want to tangle with on the basketball court, but they're big fun off of it!

What would a parade be without Elvis?!? He is, afterall . . . The King.

Then there are these goofy people. . .

The crowd, in between rain showers

Anchors in the rain

And if you're wondering, we did not get to keep those red umbrellas.

Hopefully you can buy them soon ... we haven't been able to keep up with demand!

The Channel 13 satellite truck

Mark Hoffman, one of our engineers who drives that huge truck

And finally, the soggy parade participants.

If you can't tell from this photo, we had been through some very soggy conditions, but it was great fun! Thanks to everyone who braved the elements to come to the parade. We hope you have a great time at the fair. Please share your favorite fair memories, or things you look forward to every year. From food on a stick and baby animals to fun rides and reunions, we want to hear about it!

Enjoy!

EEK

Erin.Kiernan@whotv.com