Please, Don't Shoot the Messenger

As a reporter you work with the best and worst of the public. Understandably there are certain times where a member of the media is the very last person you want to see or hear from. If you have just lost a loved one, recently been notified you're getting laid off, or some other personal piece of information that's just been made extremely public.

I've seen and heard the portrayals of reporters in the field on movies and TV shows, and while sometimes it could be accurate of some, we're not all like that. We're people too. Just like telemarketers, and census workers, and surveyors who may catch you when you're tired or stressed. We all have bad days, but please try and keep something in mind, your local news folks are not "out to get ya," odds are, we're feeling just as bad about approaching you about this "sticky" or personal situation.

Merry Christmas and here's to a New Year of Peace. I hope all of you are able to enjoy a wonderful holiday with your friends and family. I wish you safe travels if you are venturing out of the Big Country, see you all in 2011!

What's Bugging YOU, Abilene?

Okay people.

Let take a moment and really be honest. On a daily basis are there are a ton of things that can frustrate you. It may be while you're running errands, an issue you find while driving, or perhaps the fact that you and many of your friends have gotten the same cold.

Most of us have friends, family, loved ones, a dog, that we vent these frustrations to...but guess what? You've got one more outlet to unload all your problems. I run a weekly segment that runs on Wednesdays called "What's Bugging You?!?!" which airs on KTAB News at 6 p.m.

An annoying problem you keep seeing or something you feel should be addressed could actually get some attention paid to it, if you let the right person know. Step in your local TV news. We're here to help you find possible solutions to many of your problems. Once we air your story, you never know, several more people could share those same frustrations and you could get more support towards your cause.

Now, this doesn't mean we can do anything about your boyfriend bugging you, or your little sister, or your mom. I sympathize with your woes and hope those things work out.



"What's Bugging You?!?!" is a place where a trashed part of town or a dangerous intersection can be your story! Be bold! Be proactive! Do yourself a favor and stop shaking your help or sighing about something and shoot me a quick e-mail at BuggingYou@ktab.tv or call me at the station (325) 691-2272.

So come on Abilene, let's try and make life a little easier for everyone :)

ON the Record: Power to Pink

Like many of you, I enjoyed this past Sunday watching football with close friends, in an intimate little place called Buffalo Wild Wings in Abilene.

The moment all those screens came up, I noticed that most if not all the teams were sporting pink receiving gloves, pink shoes, sweat bands, etc.
Even the coaches had pink stripes on their team's hat. I thought it was great that all the NFL teams were sporting pink to raise awareness for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I also think it's great when guys wear pink, let alone a whole team of them.

The other remarkable thing was when I pointed this out to the group, a couple guys said," Yeah, that's awesome," and things of that nature.
Whether it be a trendy thing to now sport Breast Awareness pink, or just the actual cause is gaining momentum, I think it's a great change for our culture.

It's pretty much impossible for anyone to NOT know someone who's either survived or known someone who's had cancer. So, cheers to all you Breast Cancer Awareness supporters, you know who you are, salute!

Thank You for Being You?

Recognition is a funny thing.

When you work in TV, you're bound to be recognized here and there. Sometimes people are nice and say friendly things, other times, they are mistaking you for someone else, or have possibly mixed your name with another person's.
Either way when you put yourself in the public spot light, it's bound to happen.
(It still feels weird though, especially when I'm walking through the grocery store in my gym clothes.)

When you're enlisted military, getting recognition is a completely different thing.
I've had friends who are members of the Navy or Marines, and they've told me how strangers treat them when they're in uniform. However dating a Dyess Airman has opened my eyes to what it's like to be approached in public.

My boyfriend is a handsome fella, at least I think so, so when he's in his civilian clothes, life is pretty normal.
When he's dressed in his fatigues however, everyone from servers to little old ladies in Walmart smile and thank him for his service to our country. He always smiles back and acts polite, but a few of his friends that are also stationed at Dyess have differing opinions.

Some of them have said they don't like it, others say it's very patriotic, while most of them say it just makes them feel a little weird.
This type of interaction doesn't happen all the time of course, just every now and then. This being a very military town, I wondered how other people, TV, military, or others feel about getting recognized for the work they do?

Hold Up! TMI Big Country

As the saying goes, "No news is good news."

However the exact opposite is true for those working in the News Business. We want to hear to all, too much info beats a slow news day-hands down.
Reporters and photographers, we get to know our interviews very well and some days the people we meet often like to share their political views, opinion on so-and-so's new haircut, to things we have absolutely no control over, like breaking weather.
Here are just some of my favorite TMI (too much information) statements lately, of course these are all anonymous, but pretty entertaining all the same:

"You should get your boss to fly a crew out to the White House, do a story on that Obama dude...here I could write down some questions for him to answer-think ya could do that for me?" (Sure, no prob!)

"Do we really have to wear these? White is really not my color-it makes me look so albino..." (One of the new Texas Tech Pharmacy Grads at White Coat Ceremony)

"I run red lights all the time...no, I don't really care if it's dangerous since it saves me so much time and makes me feel like a bada**..." (Random Pedestrian asking me why I was shooting Traffic Lights for "Stop on Red" week)

"Oh yes, I was very pleased with the estimated value of my grandmother's _____, especially since I think she stole it from her ex-husband..." (Hahaha.)

"No, I don't think the local economy's gone down much...but my credit card bills are sky high. That's bad, right? Or is that helping the economy since I'm buying stuff?" (Yikes, someone get this woman some financing advice-fast.)

So, as you can see, in any given week people say the most random things both on and off camera. They range from the harmless and entertaining to far TOO MUCH INFO...but keep those comments rolling because we love to hear 'em!

Hair the Size of Texas!

There are a few things about the news industry that one learns in the early years:

1.) Always carry gloves, quarters, and a snack with you since you never know when you may need one or all of those things.
2.) Having a "job on TV" isn't nearly as glamorous as you thought it would be...like when you're knee-deep in rain water on the side of the road doing a stand up while freezing rain hits your face at what feels like is 40 mph.
3.) The turn-over rate is constant and always feels too fast when you make friends in the newsroom.

As Angela Taylor moves on from our Big Country family, it's a wonderful career move for her and her family...but the KTAB newsroom will be minus one of its spunkiest members.

While I didn't work with Angela for most of her time at the station, the past several months have shown me a strong leader in the newsroom who stands up for what she believes in and is clearly passionate about her work.
I think passion and strong convictions are hard things to portray in any profession, but when you have blonde hair as big as Texas and are a woman, it's even harder to hold on to. I will miss Angela's straight to the point way of telling you something should be changed...and within the same breath, tell you "your dress is cuuute!" (And ya know she means it, both the piece of advice and the compliment.)

I wasn't able to see Angela pregnant with Turner but boy have I heard enough stories, shown lots of pictures and of course seen the end result-a beautiful baby girl who is literally the sweetest little thing to ever wear a bow and strappy sandals in our station. As a single female working in news, I've often discussed the topic of balancing a career and family with other fellow single ladies of news. Take one look at Angela and you can see it's tough work, but it's very do-able. Phew!

So with this, ON the record, Angela we will miss seeing your smiling face bounce through these halls and hope that you and your fam come back and visit real soon, ya hear?

XO,
Michelle

That's What I Like About Texas!

My favorite part of this job is that it's not 9-5 behind a desk.
I get sent out on glorious 75* days and get to meet wonderful people and have them tell me their stories.
However, reporters also get sent out in 15* severe weather and at times interview some not-so-wonderful people.
With the good comes the bad and I think I may have underestimated just how great of a state Texas is.

Sure it's big. It's the biggest one in the U.S. but when I decided to take a job in the Big Country, I had no idea was I was in for.
The first night I arrived, I was called by some of the most friendly, welcoming people at my station.
I was also much relieved to see a bright green Starbucks sign and Target logo, as those are staples to any 20 something lifestyle.

Beyond the familiar chains that glitter all over Abilene, I'm continuously amazed and surprised at the small towns I go to.

"Michelle, we need you to drive out to Robert Lee and get a story on the convict that escaped..."
Robert E Lee? Where/what is that?

"Take this camera and go to Brownwood, make contacts, go."
I now love Brownwood.

"Drive out to Katy and see what they're doing about the state playoffs"
Katy? Is she related to Robert Lee? Ohhhhh, I see. Hello Houston!

If it weren't for GPS and Google Maps, my News Director would have a missing reporter about every week.
Cisco, Sweetwater, Clyde, Merkel, Bangs, Santa Ana, Glen Rose, Grapevine, Anson, Albany...just to name a few.

Having gotten a chance to discover San Angelo yesterday, I realized there are great things to do and see in just about every town in Texas. From the great music, shopping, food, sports, and museums to be had in cities like Austin and Dallas; to the quite and humble friendliness of small towns like Robert Lee, I think I'm falling in love with the Lone Star State.

Yes, ladies and gents, this East coast gal has been bitten by the travel bug of Texas...and as we all know...EVERYTHING (including the bugs) are bigger in Texas.

That

Mase in the Face!

To begin with...being single brings it's perks.

You can make spontaneous plans without answering to anyone. You can serve cereal for dinner and no one complains. Plus, the covers are all your own so there's no waking up cold!

I also love being in relationships for numerous reasons, but the one thing about being single and female in a new town is safety. I've lived in several different places, small towns, large cities, and have rarely felt unsafe in my own home. There is always the moment one feels when you're coming out of a store, it's dark, you can hear your own foot steps. They sound louder than ever. Then you start breathing a little faster. Maybe you hold your breath. I've whipped out my cell phone to dial a trusty friend to talk to me until I'm locked and safe in my car or home. Which, by the way, I've heard you're NOT SUPPOSED to do. Talking on a cell distracts your attention from your surroundings...but it does make you feel a little better.

I just did a story on a woman who was recently attacked while buying diapers late-night from a Kroger store in Brownwood. Luckily, she was able to fight off her attacker but this man is still on the loose.

Not a very comforting thought at all.

My roommate and I have experienced a few rather odd cases of strange men approaching us late at night and so that compiled with stories about women being attacked in the Big Country, took us on an errand this weekend. Off to the local sporting goods store to buy Mase for the first time. They had about 5 or 6 different choices, but all of them costing less than 10 bucks.

Can't put a price on safety. Especially when it's so affordable to do.

While there is no way to stop attacks from happening, it is possible to arm yourself with whatever protective gear you can.

What do you think? To mase or not to mase?

"Hey, aren't you that tonka girl?"

An interesting thing happened to me while out in the field recently. I was shooting some footage for a story when I was approached by two men, and the conversation went along the lines of this:

Man 1: Heyyy, don't I know you from somewhere?
Me: Hm, well maybe I-
Man 2: Ya, I know, you're that Tonka girl...
(slightly awkward pause)
Me: Um, I'm sorry who?
Man 2: You're that Tonka girl, right?
(Tonka trucks? What?)
Man 1: No, it's Tayla, she's that Tayla girl.
(Oh wow.)
Me: (inward sigh)...Tila? You mean Tila?
Man 1: Yes! That Tila Tequila chick, you're a lot bigger in person and you have darker hair.
(At a loss for words)
Me: No, I'm not Tila Tequila.
Man 1: Really? Are you sure you're not that Tila chick?
Me:) Yes, I'm pretty sure I'm not her.
Man 2: Well, you should get a job pretending to be that chick.
(brilliant)
Man 1: What do you do then?
Me: I'm a reporter for-
Man 2: See! I told you I'd seen her on TV.
Man 1: Shoot, you're still wrong though. I like that Tila girl, do you know her?

Now, where do I begin in describing the many many thoughts that ran through my mind during the course of this rather strange conversation. At first I thought these two guys were kidding. I quickly realized they were not.

First time being mistaken for a VH1 reality TV show host. Not the first time I've been asked if I know other Asians (ie Michelle Kwan) I do wish I knew her but alas, real life doesn't quite work that way. While these 2 guys were seriously meant these questions, they were asked harmlessly...I guess. Who can keep up with the current style of Tila's hair and who can say if she wasn't spending an evening in Central Texas?

Signing off, Tonka Tequila.

Car Keys Won't Come Out!

Who: One soaking wet reporter on the side of the highway.
What: Busy covering a story but couldn't seem to get the car keys out of the company car.
When: Wednesday morning in all the rain.
Why: I'm waiting for a car ninja to help me with that one.
How: At first I thought it was some silly "user error" that would be fixed in a matter of seconds...then minutes went by...and those keys were not budging.

I was able to be resourceful and make things work while out in the field, but I had a hard time continuing to just sit in the car fidgeting with the keys while people for the evening shows started walking by. Needing to focus on less ridiculous matters, I called upon other reporters and anchors to give it a go. Unfortunately several people (including strong, able-bodied males who I figure to be pretty car savvy) were unable to pry the stubborn key out.

Here's the video Brittany Pelletz and I shot, conveying this odd issue at our station. I must say, this is a first for me. Just one of those days it seems. Before you make a face similar to the one my News Director gave me before saying ,"Really?"
"Yes."
"You really can't get them out?"
"Yup. I did try turning the wheel. Yes, the gear shift was in park...Yes, I tried everything..."

If you have any pointers, let me know and I will set the keys free.

Missing Her Big Sister...

Let me introduce you to 11-year-old Katrina Brown. I met her while covering a story about BUST (Buckle Up and Stop Texting). A program her parents began after losing their oldest daughter, Alex, in a car accident last November. Alex was texting while driving and wasn't wearing a seatbelt when her car lost control. The Brown Family has since traveled all over the Big Country to spread their message of BUST. It's a simple message that many parents have probably given to their own kids, "Pay more attention when you're driving." I'm sure we've all been guilty of distracted driving at some point or another. Most of the time, it's harmless and doesn't end in disaster. But not for Katrina's big sis. I've posted this video to show how articulate and mature this girl was. Any reporter will tell you that the best and hardest sound to get-is from a child. Katrina was fantastic, not only did she answer my questions, but she was honest and genuine. She was talking about her sister's death with such insight and strength, that I wish all interviews went as smoothly as hers. Of course, reporters will also tell you that it's almost impossible to control your environment-especially if it happens to be in a school gym. I had Katrina all set up, the interview was going great, but then someone started doing sound checks, then all the roaring students filed in. Of course this all happened during the BEST parts of interview. Sometimes it's just what happens, so you just roll with the punches. Katrina had the normal reaction, tried to ignore it until she got distracted, but then went right back into it, not skipping a beat.