Hello and Happy Monday, gang!
I have that Bangles song, "Manic Monday" stuck in my head. Today hasn't been particularly manic for me, but the part of the chorus "I wish it was Sunday, 'cause that's my fun day, my I don't have to run day..." is ringing true for me. It's just so gorgeous outside right now and I would love to be soaking up some sun, reading a good book or reading mindless magazines. While we're on the topic of mindless ... here are random thoughts that have been rolling around in my head lately:
* "Ellen" is now on from 4-5pm, right before Sonya and I hit the air. Yay!
* In two weeks, "Leno" takes over the 9-10pm spot right before John and I hit the air. Yay!
* "America's Got Talent" is mindless, and fun to watch.
* Have you ever noticed that most soap opera stars never change? I often see the beginning of "Days of Our Lives" since it comes on right after the Channel 13 News at Noon and it's frightening how Bo and Hope and the rest of the gang look just like they did when I watched the show in college. That is some crazy plastic surgery.
* When I'm standing in line at the grocery store do I really need to see celebrity cellulite? Why has this become such an obsession? Is it supposed to make me feel better about the pint of ice cream in my cart?
* Do you say "donut holes" or "donut balls"?
* I love peanut butter.
* Shopping at Victoria's Secret is so entertaining, on so many different levels.
* I'm seeing 80s styles in a lot of magazines and catalogues these days, and I am horrified. I already pegged my jeans, wore slouchy sweaters and leggings, ratted my hair, purchased neon clothing, and owned jackets with huge shoulder pads. Not ... doing ... it. No. Way.
* I refuse to wear the 80s styles again, but I still love the music. I usually can't remember what I did yesterday but I can still sing all of the lyrics to anything sung by Madonna, Joan Jett, Prince, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, INXS, Duran Duran, Journey ... you get the idea.
* My latest ear worm is "Party In The U.S.A." by Miley Cyrus. God help me.
* I've always wanted red hair. Should I go for it?
* The first Football Friday was great. I love this time of year.
* My birthday is four weeks from tomorrow and I can't figure out how I got this old.
* It's 4:07pm and I can't figure out how it got so late!!!
Have a great week!
Erin
Erin.Kiernan@whotv.com
Monday, August 31, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Nerves ... "Hell Yes!" ... Final Fair Fun
Hello and Happy Monday, gang!
I'm feeling nervous about something on my calendar this week. I feel silly for feeling nervous, but I can't help it. I'm going back to teaching at the Y. I've been on a hiatus for about six months and starting Wednesday I'll be teaching a Step Interval class. This should fall into the "It's just like riding a bike" category but for some reason I'm all nerved up about it! Have you ever felt that way about something you've done for a long time, taken a break from, and then returned to doing? I'm sure I'll be fine after the first day jitters, but it's weird.
Teaching aerobics is something I really love doing, but just got a bit burned out on earlier this year. It was very hard for me to tell my boss at the Y that I just needed a break. As I've mentioned before, it's very hard for me to say "no" to things. For that reason, Murph loaned me a great little book entitled "Hell Yes!" I have to admit, I put off reading it for some time. I kept thinking, "The last thing I need is another self help book. Ugh." I finally read it last week, and I'm so glad I did. It's formatted like a children's book with simple, declarative sentences on each page and the message is simple ... if you're asked to do something and your reaction isn't "Hell Yes!" then your reply to the request should be "Hell No!" OK, realistically your reply will be a polite "No, thank you." but you get the idea. I am really, truly, sincerely going to try this approach to life. I get so bogged down doing things for others because I feel obligated to and then often I'm running ragged and doing a poor job of maintaining my own life. You can find out more about the book, its author and how to buy it here www.hellyesbook.com.
Finally, I got to spend last Friday at the fair and it was so much fun. From our "Cast Your Kernel" booth to the Pork Producers tent and stomping grapes, I had a wonderful time. I met fun people, learned a new way to grill pork chops and discovered that I am really bad at grape stomping. It was a ball. Thanks to everyone who treated me and Ed like family at the pork tent (and that includes feeding us) and to the folks at Grandfather's Barn who didn't laugh too hard at the tv and radio gals getting their feet dirty.
Have a fantastic week!
EEK
Erin.Kiernan@whotv.com
I'm feeling nervous about something on my calendar this week. I feel silly for feeling nervous, but I can't help it. I'm going back to teaching at the Y. I've been on a hiatus for about six months and starting Wednesday I'll be teaching a Step Interval class. This should fall into the "It's just like riding a bike" category but for some reason I'm all nerved up about it! Have you ever felt that way about something you've done for a long time, taken a break from, and then returned to doing? I'm sure I'll be fine after the first day jitters, but it's weird.
Teaching aerobics is something I really love doing, but just got a bit burned out on earlier this year. It was very hard for me to tell my boss at the Y that I just needed a break. As I've mentioned before, it's very hard for me to say "no" to things. For that reason, Murph loaned me a great little book entitled "Hell Yes!" I have to admit, I put off reading it for some time. I kept thinking, "The last thing I need is another self help book. Ugh." I finally read it last week, and I'm so glad I did. It's formatted like a children's book with simple, declarative sentences on each page and the message is simple ... if you're asked to do something and your reaction isn't "Hell Yes!" then your reply to the request should be "Hell No!" OK, realistically your reply will be a polite "No, thank you." but you get the idea. I am really, truly, sincerely going to try this approach to life. I get so bogged down doing things for others because I feel obligated to and then often I'm running ragged and doing a poor job of maintaining my own life. You can find out more about the book, its author and how to buy it here www.hellyesbook.com.
Finally, I got to spend last Friday at the fair and it was so much fun. From our "Cast Your Kernel" booth to the Pork Producers tent and stomping grapes, I had a wonderful time. I met fun people, learned a new way to grill pork chops and discovered that I am really bad at grape stomping. It was a ball. Thanks to everyone who treated me and Ed like family at the pork tent (and that includes feeding us) and to the folks at Grandfather's Barn who didn't laugh too hard at the tv and radio gals getting their feet dirty.
Have a fantastic week!
EEK
Erin.Kiernan@whotv.com
Monday, August 17, 2009
Fair ... Grammar ... Blood ... Saying Goodbye
Hello and Happy Monday, gang!
Fair
Who loves the fair? There is something wrong with you if you can't find something to enjoy. From the food (duh!)and entertainment, to the butter sculpture and the animals, there truly is something for everyone. Fair time always makes me think of my years in 4-H. Sonya and I were reminiscing about 4-H adventures last weekend and got to laughing so hard we were crying. It turns out we both HATED the sewing projects we were forced to do. And we both managed to find ways to get someone else to do some of the work. Sonya says she was such a bad seamstress her mother would just get exasperated and take over the project. My mom always forced me to do my own sewing, but she was also gone a lot in the summer earning her Master's Degree and teaching summer school. So, I would take my sewing projects down the street to my Grandma Susan's house. My grandma was a professional seamstress and she would've eaten broken glass for me so you can see where this story is headed. For as much as I like cooking and baking now, I was not a fan of time spent in the kitchen for 4-H. In fact, there is a picture in my record book of me holding a platter of something and my face is all swollen and tear stained. Oye. My mother an I had some fierce battles when it came to baking and sewing. If I can dig up that photo I will post it - pretty funny stuff. If you have classic 4-H or fair memories, share them here or drop me an email.
Grammar
Speaking of emails, I have received some priceless ones with various grammar rules. Here are a few:
Blood
I learned something new last week. John Bachman cannot stand the sight of blood. I cut myself moments before a 10 o'clock show while trying to move a small table behind the news set. The wound didn't seem that bad, but it would not stop bleeding. John's face turned eight shades of white. Thankfully, Ed had band-aids handy. It's a good thing John's wife was a nurse, otherwise his kids would've been bandaging their own skinned knees!
Saying Goodbye
I watched something that really moved me last week so I'd like to share it with you. It's Maria Shriver eulogizing her mother. Eunice Kennedy Shriver was an amazing woman and all week all sorts of important people were saying wonderful things about her, but her only daughter's speech is beautiful, heartfelt, funny and inspiring. It made me think about how important parents are in our lives, and how important it is to give back in some way. You can find the video here http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/32420927#32420927 or just search for it online.
Enough babbling out of me ... have a great week!
EEK
Erin.Kiernan@whotv.com
Fair
Who loves the fair? There is something wrong with you if you can't find something to enjoy. From the food (duh!)and entertainment, to the butter sculpture and the animals, there truly is something for everyone. Fair time always makes me think of my years in 4-H. Sonya and I were reminiscing about 4-H adventures last weekend and got to laughing so hard we were crying. It turns out we both HATED the sewing projects we were forced to do. And we both managed to find ways to get someone else to do some of the work. Sonya says she was such a bad seamstress her mother would just get exasperated and take over the project. My mom always forced me to do my own sewing, but she was also gone a lot in the summer earning her Master's Degree and teaching summer school. So, I would take my sewing projects down the street to my Grandma Susan's house. My grandma was a professional seamstress and she would've eaten broken glass for me so you can see where this story is headed. For as much as I like cooking and baking now, I was not a fan of time spent in the kitchen for 4-H. In fact, there is a picture in my record book of me holding a platter of something and my face is all swollen and tear stained. Oye. My mother an I had some fierce battles when it came to baking and sewing. If I can dig up that photo I will post it - pretty funny stuff. If you have classic 4-H or fair memories, share them here or drop me an email.
Grammar
Speaking of emails, I have received some priceless ones with various grammar rules. Here are a few:
"My grammar is not close to perfect, but here is something I do remember from my high school English teacher. You cannot center something around another object, only center on. My speech does not center around a subject, it centers on the subject. I hear that phrase in my head when I listen to other people speak. I guess Mrs. Elling wasn't so weird after all.
"Done and finished are two words that are misused, cake is done and job is finished."
"One that I hear often is "set or setting" used when it should be "sit or sitting". My 6th grade teacher pointed out that hens set, the rest of us sit! Written communication gets even more fun - everyday is one word when used as an adjective, like my "everyday" wine. However if you're writing about something you do on a daily basis, then it should be "every day" - two words! Why do I know some of these things, and who cares?"
Blood
I learned something new last week. John Bachman cannot stand the sight of blood. I cut myself moments before a 10 o'clock show while trying to move a small table behind the news set. The wound didn't seem that bad, but it would not stop bleeding. John's face turned eight shades of white. Thankfully, Ed had band-aids handy. It's a good thing John's wife was a nurse, otherwise his kids would've been bandaging their own skinned knees!
Saying Goodbye
I watched something that really moved me last week so I'd like to share it with you. It's Maria Shriver eulogizing her mother. Eunice Kennedy Shriver was an amazing woman and all week all sorts of important people were saying wonderful things about her, but her only daughter's speech is beautiful, heartfelt, funny and inspiring. It made me think about how important parents are in our lives, and how important it is to give back in some way. You can find the video here http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/32420927#32420927 or just search for it online.
Enough babbling out of me ... have a great week!
EEK
Erin.Kiernan@whotv.com
Monday, August 10, 2009
Baby Jack... God Bless Andy Fales ... Grammar
Hello and Happy Monday, gang!
Baby Jack
First things first ... a pic of the newest member of the Channel 13 family ....
Welcome to the world, Jack! Jack is Lynn Melling's little one and he made his entrance August 2nd (only one day late, much to mom's relief). Congratulations to Lynn and hubby Ian!
God Bless Andy Fales
Tomatoes, tomatoes and more tomatoes. Did you know Andy Fales is a gardener? Those of us in the newsroom who love garden fresh tomatoes are loving his green thumb. One of my favorite summertime eats is a huge bowl of tomatoes and cucumbers drizzled with olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. What's yours? No fair submitting "sweet corn" ... duh. We enjoyed Andy's tomatoes last night with Sonya and Steve, Jon Cahill and our friend Heidi Bartelt. Michael smoked a huge pork loin and a bunch of chicken breasts and we enjoyed our feast on our front porch during the thunderstorms. A perfect Iowa night.
Grammar
Finally, I just have to share a funny email with you. I received it last week after one of our newscasts:
I think I've written on this block that I am a stickler for correct grammar, so this note cracked me up. I've replaced my colleague's name with ___ to protect his/her identity. The use of the phrase "I wish it was ..." is very common and many people don't know they should say "I wish it WERE ..." Other options include "I wish it had been ..." or "I wish it could be ..." Thanks to J.D. for the reminder. One of my pet peeves is incorrect use of "it" and "they". As in "The City Council says they will vote on the matter tonight." Grrrrrr. It also bothers me when a person says, "The building was completely destroyed." As one of my former bosses once said to me after I used that phrase on the air, "Erin, something is either destroyed or it isn't. It's kind of like being pregnant, you either are or you aren't." I've never forgotten that speech, and I've never said "completely destroyed" since. Are there things you hear coming out of people's mouths that make you nuts? Share your grammar pet peeves here.
That's it for now, have a great week!
EEK
Erin.Kiernan@whotv.com
Baby Jack
First things first ... a pic of the newest member of the Channel 13 family ....
Welcome to the world, Jack! Jack is Lynn Melling's little one and he made his entrance August 2nd (only one day late, much to mom's relief). Congratulations to Lynn and hubby Ian!God Bless Andy Fales
Tomatoes, tomatoes and more tomatoes. Did you know Andy Fales is a gardener? Those of us in the newsroom who love garden fresh tomatoes are loving his green thumb. One of my favorite summertime eats is a huge bowl of tomatoes and cucumbers drizzled with olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. What's yours? No fair submitting "sweet corn" ... duh. We enjoyed Andy's tomatoes last night with Sonya and Steve, Jon Cahill and our friend Heidi Bartelt. Michael smoked a huge pork loin and a bunch of chicken breasts and we enjoyed our feast on our front porch during the thunderstorms. A perfect Iowa night.
Grammar
Finally, I just have to share a funny email with you. I received it last week after one of our newscasts:
Dear Grammar Nazi, Vas is Lohs?
____ just said, "I wish it was..." Get on him/her and teach him/her
what the Imperative is.
Yours truly, "Deputy Furher."
I spell gooder in the mornings.
J.D. Marcum
I think I've written on this block that I am a stickler for correct grammar, so this note cracked me up. I've replaced my colleague's name with ___ to protect his/her identity. The use of the phrase "I wish it was ..." is very common and many people don't know they should say "I wish it WERE ..." Other options include "I wish it had been ..." or "I wish it could be ..." Thanks to J.D. for the reminder. One of my pet peeves is incorrect use of "it" and "they". As in "The City Council says they will vote on the matter tonight." Grrrrrr. It also bothers me when a person says, "The building was completely destroyed." As one of my former bosses once said to me after I used that phrase on the air, "Erin, something is either destroyed or it isn't. It's kind of like being pregnant, you either are or you aren't." I've never forgotten that speech, and I've never said "completely destroyed" since. Are there things you hear coming out of people's mouths that make you nuts? Share your grammar pet peeves here.
That's it for now, have a great week!
EEK
Erin.Kiernan@whotv.com
Monday, August 03, 2009
How is it possible ....
Hello and Happy Monday, gang!
I am feeling exceptionally scatter-brained today, so it's a random thoughts edition of "How is it possible .... "
* To eat fried chicken twice in one week and still be craving it?
* To have a three day weekend and still feel not ready to be back at work?
* For the weather in Iowa to be so amazing during the end of July and beginning of August?
* That it's the beginning of August?!?
* To clean the kitchen floor multiple times in a weekend and still have it be dirty today?
* To love an animal so much you cry just thinking about it dying.
* For a bunch of errands to take an entire afternoon?
* For some people to be so mean?
* And others be so kind?
* To sleep eight hours and still be exhausted?
I can't hold a thought ... ugh.
I hope you all have a fabulous week.
As always, thanks for stopping by and for dropping comments and emails.
EEK
Erin.Kiernan@whotv.com
I am feeling exceptionally scatter-brained today, so it's a random thoughts edition of "How is it possible .... "
* To eat fried chicken twice in one week and still be craving it?
* To have a three day weekend and still feel not ready to be back at work?
* For the weather in Iowa to be so amazing during the end of July and beginning of August?
* That it's the beginning of August?!?
* To clean the kitchen floor multiple times in a weekend and still have it be dirty today?
* To love an animal so much you cry just thinking about it dying.
* For a bunch of errands to take an entire afternoon?
* For some people to be so mean?
* And others be so kind?
* To sleep eight hours and still be exhausted?
I can't hold a thought ... ugh.
I hope you all have a fabulous week.
As always, thanks for stopping by and for dropping comments and emails.
EEK
Erin.Kiernan@whotv.com
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