Made some changes...

As you can tell, I made a nice color template change. I was a little tired of the depressing black... It needed something more colorful. This seems to work for now...maybe I'll get another wild hair and change it again.

Nothing new to report on the job end. I'll be happy once everything is settled and done. At the moment, it still looks like another month or two before we'll know anything.

I've made reservations for a condo in Orange Beach. I'll be headed down there on June 18th for four days away from home and work. Since I have nobody to go with me, I've decided to treat my 15 year old nephew and 13 year old niece. Neither have ever been to the beach, so they'll be thrilled. Funny thing is I'm not telling them we're going until the day of, then I'm not going to tell them exactly where we're going. HA!

Anyway, I've decided that every time I post, I'll find an interesting website I've run across and link to it. So, here's the first installment... Here's a link to a game called Proximity. Very addictive...

I've been high all day...

...thanks to all of the painting going on at work! Geez...I had a headache mostly...but at one point, my officemate, another employee and myself were all talking in my office and we got to laughing...then couldn't really stop! I think the paint finally got to us! HA!

I have made a decision where my job is concerned. But I'm not going to tell you exactly what I've decided... I don't want it to spread too far. Let's just say I'm at peace with my decision...I'm at peace for the first time since this blasted sale mess came up...so now I'm back to being my regular self...not second guessing my next move.

I have come up with a new idea to push on the web. It stems from an old idea, but bringing it into a new and slightly different direction. It will MAKE the web scene not only in the 'ham...but all over! If I can coordinate it properly, it might just become the next big thing where media is concerned. More on this later... I should really put more thought and experimentation into it...but I assure you, it'll be cool as crap!

I'm taking suggestions on a cheap vacation...any suggestions? I'm planning on doing something in June that involves leaving my house...

This week could decide it all...

I've tried hard not to worry myself over this station sale business...though I have been a bit worried all this time. I'm not one of those at the station who have already been "fired" in their mind. I've been more cautious and tried to take plenty of time to think the situation over myself. Tuesday, the main man, where my division in the company is concerned at least, is coming to talk to me about "options." I know what the main option is going to be: Stay with the company. The second option will most likely be: Go to east Alabama or GA. Will there be more money attached? Doubtfull... Will I move? Very doubtful... I like the 'ham.

Needless to say, I have a pro/con on whether to go or stay...

So far, the list for staying put is ahead of the list for leaving...though there is one big thing I want if I do stay put...

So, on Wednesday, I'll head out for Charlotte, NC for some company training...that'll be a nice road trip. I need to get away from work.

Some good news

I'd already begun looking for other jobs outside the 'ham...seeing what was open where...

Well, today the GM at my station (who isn't exactly my boss) came into my office, shut the door and sat in the chair next to my desk and asked me if the station sale and my issue on if I should stay or go with the company gotten on my nerves yet... "Yes," I said... I don't like to think about it...but I can't help not to think about it... Well, I've been assured that if I want to hang around, I can... The GM also told me that I could wait until the buyer is announced, and take a few days even to make up my mind whether to stay or go.

That RELIEVED me. I didn't want to go because I didn't have much option...

It also goes to show how respected I am apparently with people I have been at odds with in the past. Nice to see we've figured each other out a little better... My high opinion rate around the station also came out in force today during a meeting...involving a twerp in management who just started...and has already made me mad! I didn't get too "fiesty" in our first meeting, but today I was better prepared...and ready to go for the jugular if needed...and with all of that "Nixie" support in the room, he didn't speak up about too much...didn't say "bad idea" or "looks terrible" in front of his boss! ;)

I can't deal with any more crap... I've dealt with being all worried about being somewhat helpless in the way my career seemed to be moving...I have a better handle on it now and am prepared for whatever might happen next. I think dealing with the job thing and having dealt with the new "twerp," I haven't been myself lately...just haven't felt up to fooling with anything much...might be the reason I didn't jump all over the fool to begin with. I feel better now.

More people driving me crazy

We're on the fringe of being up for sale for one full week... I'm already tired of people being more concerned about my still being at the station once the place has been bought. Frankly, I just don't care now... I'm probably more concerned about my future at the moment then anybody else...I'd rather just let it go for now. I'd rather everyone leave me alone right now...and try to get back to normal.

By the way, I love "Myth Busters" and "Dirty Jobs" on The Discovery Channel! ;)

Hmm...

Well, I'm not exactly sure what I say about this... I've been to Dublin... I was not impressed!! ;)

You Belong in Dublin

Friendly and down to earth, you want to enjoy Europe without snobbery or pretensions. You're the perfect person to go wild on a pub crawl... or enjoy a quiet bike ride through the old part of town.

What European City Do You Belong In?

People who are driving me crazy...

It's only been a few days since the announcement of the station going up for sale and a few people have already been fired...at least in their mind... All they keep thinking of is the worst case scenerio. I continue to tell them that we're in much better shape then the guys just down the road... It'll all hit them come the first of August when their judgement day (where their career at that particular station is concerned) comes up...

I feel that a good or bad company won't come in and mess with what appears to be a good thing... Revenue and ratings are both up...way up...compared to two or so years ago... I can't see why any major personel changes would occur.

I'm keeping a positive attitude about this. The nice thing is there are several people that seem to be more concerned if I'm still working there at the end of the year then they are themselves. Even one particular GM I've been at odds with doesn't want to see me leave...which makes me feel very good about my chances at staying put.

In my mind, "k serah serah," whatever will be will be...

A good sum-up of the chances of my departing my current stations is: A 90% chance remains that I'll still be in the same TV market, 98% says I'll still be at the same station, 2% says I go down the road.

Up For Sale!

Talk about having the rug pulled out from under you...

This morning an email goes out around 7am about a station meeting at 8:45. I didn't know this because I don't check my email before I leave for work. My phone begins ringing off the hook...with co-workers asking if I knew what was up... I had no idea...and became just a little concerned...

So, a corporate guy is at the meeting and officially tells us "we're selling your station." Funny thing is the station in town they're actually selling us to buy had it during their morning show...so some people, unfortunatley, found out that way (yes...I think it was unethical). During the meeting, I found out I had friends...since most know I'm a corporate employee...and some asked what was going to happen to me...

Well, with me...things get tricky...since I work for specifically for the bunch who's selling my current station... The question is, "do I really want to stay with them or try out a new, possibly better company?" If I can find out when I need to make up my mind, the decision may be go with the new company...

I've made too much progress where I'm at and am somewhat comfortable. I feel that the new station may have some real issues arise soon...and the morale will probably go down the tubes... But that's just me...

Updates later...

A Conversation...

I was playing email-tag with my bud Brock... I was complaining about something I'm annoyed about... This is how it ended up...

Me: "I think they've caught on to my "bright and cheerful" demeanor... ;)"

Brock: "They should! It's like a beam of glowing sun when you've got your anger face on. :-)"

HA! Do my friends know me or what??? ;)

Note: I'm not that pissy...only in certain circumstances...

Evacuated!

Never did I think I'd have to evacuate from the building I work in (after dealing with hurricanes). However, today, a huge brush fire made an evacuation reality! I caught word about it around 10:30, so I grab a camera and run out back to get some pics. No sooner had I walked in the door to download my pictures to my computer the fire alarm goes off...so I grab my stuff and go outside with everyone else...

At this point, the smoke is right behind the building...almost looking like the building itself is on fire!

Anyway, long story short...the fire was finally put out and we got to go back inside... We will hopefully know for sure tomorrow what happened...it occurred in a wooded area, and either someone started it or it was a freak occurrance!

Nice, quiet weekend...

...after a long-ass week! I was so happy to see my bed when I got home late Thursday night. It wasn't all bad, though...I met a few cool folks down the GA... I didn't feel all that well while I was there...my bad allergies had me down. In one of the many instance while I was training people, I'd practically lost my voice! At least the job got done, and I figured out what all I need to be working on and keeping an eye on.

It was fun hanging out with Brock on Thursday... I figured I'd stop by and say hello on my way home...ended up being about a three-hour stay in Auburn. It's always nice to see friends when I'm traveling...since it almost never happens.

Well, this week will prove rather busy again. Got a fancy, really nice new system involving how I get video on the web I need to perfect, organize and train others for. If I get this working, technically, I would never have to go in to work again! Woo hoo! That and some other crap I need to catch-up on and either complete or yell at someone about!

Road Trip

I'm headed to Columbus GA tomorrow morning...early...at like 4:30! I'll be down there till Wednesday (I hope at least). Hopefully all I have planned will get accomplished before I leave...

Now...of to bed...Peace!! ;)

I can't think of a good title...

I was trying to think of something funny and off-the-wall for my title, but alas...this dreary weather has brought me down...brought me down, baby!!! Ok...I'll stop singing. ;)

Congrats to my buddy Brock and his wife on the birth of their daughter... I just spoke with him and he's the epitimy of a proud pop!

I've been dealing with some serious "burn-out" this week. I really need a vacation... I really should start looking for a job outside of news...seriously... I'd like a nice editing job...but who knows... I should really try harder looking...

I'm tired

I'm very tired... Kind of wish I could work from home tomorrow, but I can't.

I'm pretty exhausted to say the least right now...today was a busy day. I might disappear next weekend...not too sure about it yet, though.

Anyway, off to bed.

A little surprise...

So I'm having a chat with the operations manager at my station, who I speak with every once in a while...and mention my PRODUCTION background to from time to time, asks me today if I might be interested in learning how to direct.

My reaction?? "WHAT?!?! MAY I, SIR?!?!" HA!

Apparently they're going to need a fill-in director from time to time as the new automation system is installed...and when vacations come around, they'll need someone to fill in. It will probably be on my own time, but to get to direct a newscast again, for a REAL tv station??? FREAKIN' AWESOME!!

Maybe the long road back to production just got a little shorter... There are plans to add newscasts up there... Hmm......... Maybe my ORIGINAL plan for going there is finally coming together (nearly two years late).

;) I have new-found happiness with my current employer...for the moment at least... I'm still on my track to take over all of TV in the southeast!! Now if I could just win the lottery...

Finally, some snow!

We had snow last night! ;) Around 6:30 last night, I thought I heard rain...so after seeing a snow flurry earlier, I ran to the door like a little kid and guess what?!?! It was SNOWING! HEAVILY! It was raining a bit, too...but nontheless, it was SNOWING! Too bad it wasn't sticking, but it was nice to look at. My 13 year old niece was at the house, so I made her come out in it too! She tried to make a snowball from the snow that was on the back of my car...just not enough though. I shot a little video with my crappy digital camera, but you can't see it really well...since it was quite dark by this point.

I found more property for sale...in an area I've been looking in. I might have to track this one down...and see what I can do about getting a house built... I'm prefering the house over an apartment by far...and I don't think I'll be moving off too far from this area any time soon, so it would be a good investment (pending I can afford it). So I'll be looking into that in the next few weeks...

Work will probably prove to be tiresome this week...too much crap to deal with...

I have internet again

Well, after a three-day hiatus (nearly) I have my internet connection fixed.

So for now, the short answer for why I'm not going on my trip to GA at the moment is because a week from Monday, that website will be added to my current work load. The person I was going down to train has resigned, and there's no sign someone else will be hired to replace her. Just what I needed at this point...more freakin' work! As if I had any time for myself...I'm really not going to have any! Grr!

No snow

Well crap! I go into work at 3:15 this morning for nothing! Not even a flurry...from what I saw at least. It did, however, rain like crazy atop Red Mountain...so I suppose it could have been really bad today had the temperature cooperated. I got to booth the weather updates at one point, so that was fun. I kept threatening to make the weather guy laugh by talking to him during the cut in's...but I held back! ;) I needed to make the morning a little more exciting.

So I came home after a 10-hour shift and went to bed... So I'm up now, still sleepy and about to go back to bed.

Nothing else really going on...this morning went awfully fast...fastest Monday I've been through in a while...

Snow day!

Is it really?? Could it be??

As if it really matters...I'll be missing most of the "snow" anyway. I get to be at WORK at 3AM!!! Grrr! Can we say, "Michael will be REALLY chipper tomorrow?!!?" (please note the large amount of sarcasm in that quotation! ;)

Better than what I thought I was going to have to do. I was afriad I'd be spending the night in my office on an air bed.

I believe as most of the staff attempt to come into work, I'll be hiding outside with some snowballs (or ice balls...whatever is there)! ;)

The trip I had planned to Georgia has been indefinitley delayed...

Well, it's 7pm... Off to bed! Gah!

Holding pattern

I was headed to Georgia to help out a colleague at a sister station, but that seems to be on hold at the moment. Seems there's a new threat for snow?? Yep, you heard it! Snow! Sunday night into Monday morning is the fear right now, but for those of you who know Alabama weather...you know to take that with a grain of salt.

So it looks like I'll be doing some of my training over the phone...which is fine...but I was looking forward to scaring some people! ;) I'll probably go at the end of the month...we are just starting sweeps (ratings period)...

I've felt really crappy all week...like I'm coming down with something. I think I just need more sleep...I haven't gone to be at my normal time lately...