Posted by: Executive Producer, Julie Fike

I was reminded recently that technology is NOT always a good thing. Take for instance, the loss of my truck keys. Before you ask, yes I re-traced my steps where I lost them. I think someone picked them up and they haven't made it back to me.

Anyway, I have a Ford Explorer. Now with the keyless entry, I can get in my truck but I couldn't start it obviously. For various reasons, I only had that one key. I was stuck.

I was downtown with no friends available to take me home so I took a cab. The next day I called around to a locksmith. It turns out, my key has a computer chip in it.

My truck had to be towed to the dealership and reprogrammed with a computer to get a new key! I couldn't believe it. So on top of a very expensive key, there was a very expensive towing bill. Let's just say, hard lesson learned.

Later Monday I found out my story was nothing compared to another friend of mine. She had her car totalled by an alleged drunk driver. Okay, so two days of my errands to get keys was nothing compared to that. Thank God she wasn't it it at the time.

Executive Producer: Julie Fike

Our thoughts and prayers right now are with our Chief Meteorologist and friend, Rick Mitchell. His mother died early Monday morning. I can tell you the mood swiftly changed in the newsroom when word spread. We went from "the case of the Mondays" to empathy for our colleague.

On this blog, we've often times written and mentioned our moms. For most of us, our mother respresents the heart of the family. When God takes her, the heart is gone and it's our hearts that our broken.

Rick wrote on his blog, "Someday, if I work at it, I might have one tenth the faith that she had. She truly was a faithful servant of the Lord. " In my family we often relate or quote movies to express ourselves. I can't help but think of the scene at the end of "Big Fish." It's when Billy Crudup is carrying Albert Finney back to the water and he sees all the characters he's encountered in his life.

It gets to me every time.

That's how I imagine it'll be. If we are lucky enough, we'll see everyone who went before us and they'll greet us with open arms. It's something small to make me feel better about losing a loved one, at least I know, hopefully, they'll be waiting for me.

We love you and your family Rick.

Posted by: John Flick



I'm sure it was an honest mistake, but one that has offended many. Shrek star Cameron Diaz causing shrieks with a bag she carried on a trip to the Inca Ruins in Peru. Translated from Chinese, it reads "Serve The People." It's a nice message but, put in context, it doesn't sit well with many Peruvians. It's a famous political slogan by Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong, who brought chaos to Peru in the 1980s and early 1990s with a campaign of massacres, assassinations and bombings, when nearly 70,000 were killed.
Diaz has apologized and says she bought the bag not knowing the significance.
This story jumped out at me because I just saw "Blood Diamond" and was horrified with the deadly violence that surrounds diamond mining in parts of Africa. Americans are criticized globally for not being up on world history... or the history of our own country for that matter. Unfortunately, Cameron Diaz's bag adds to the backlash.

Posted by: John Flick

I spent a week in the California desert. Palm Springs is a great vacation spot. I was rested and relaxed... until it was time to head home.
First off, the flight was oversold. We were supposed to leave at 6:30am and finally got a flight at 3 that afternoon- which actually turned out to be 3:45 because of "mechanical problems." We got into Denver and raced to our conneting flight. We boarded in time, but then waited on the tarmac for an hour because of more "mechanical problems." Flying over Kansas we saw an amazing lightning storm in the clouds. Neat to look at from a distance, but we couldn't fly through it, so we were diverted to Kansas City. We were dropped off at the terminal with no mention of what would happen. Finally, about an hour later, the desk agent said a bus was on the way- yes, a bus! - to take us to Oklahoma City. It was close to 1 am, as our weary group boarded. Six hours later we were quite a site arriving at Will Rogers World airport... on a bus.
The two airlines I flew were kind enough to compensate me for the flight troubles - a bag of chips, bottled water and ironically free tickets to fly. Can I just get cash?

Posted by Tierney Cook
Video Courtesy of You-Tube


Hello.
I am so behind on blogging.
I have been swamped at work and even at home.
So I apologize for my absence on the blog.

Funny story--

John Flick has been on vacation since last Monday pretty much.
So for the past week and a half you have watched me "solo" the morning show.
It's my job, but it is a daunting task when you do it all alone for 7 days.

During the 1 woman show as I call it, I will read more than 200 scripts in the morning.
Today it was 232.

So on mornings like today, I often think back to a scene from a popular movie "Beetlejuice."
Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis' characters are trying to stop the wedding between Beetlejuice and Winona Ryder.

So Beetlejuice turns them into old people and when Alec tries to talk...his jaw drops from his face.

On script number 197 I thought that would be the scene on Eyewitness News in the Morning.
My mouth would fall off my face.

My executive producer helped find the link to scene on you-tube.
I hope you get a laugh out of it...check it out!



By the way that would be Julie helping put my jaw back on!
She's always there to lend a helping hand!

Have A Great Wednesday!!!!

Posted By Tierney Cook


After four days of living at the beck and call of Vick's Vapor Rub, Kleenex, Afrin Nasal Spray and Tylenol Severe Cold -- I am back to my old self.


Last week I came down with a sinus infection.
I couldn't breathe had really bad sinus pressure headaches.

I missed two days of work last week because of the germs floating around in my head, so I am glad to be back to normal.

I started feeling better just in time for my speaking engagement at the "You Grow Girl Conference."

I spoke to 100 girls ages 13 to 18 about how to stay out of situations that can lead to bad choices.

My dad always told me about "Guilt by Association."
It can get you in trouble if you don't pick the right friends.
I hope I had a positive affect on the girls, I tried to keep it interactive, short, informative and fun.


Tierney

Posted by: Executive Producer, Julie Fike

It's been reported this week that according to an Expedia.com survey, 35%, or an estimated 51.2 million Americans, will not use all of their vacation days this year. Stress and job security are two issues that prevent us from taking a vacation. Other things many of those asked why they don't take a break say, things are worse when they come back.

Who hasn't come back from vacation to hundreds of emails and catching up to do?

Many of those polled say all they take is a long weekend, at the most. Does this constitute a break in your mind?

The big wigs at 1-800-GOT-JUNK don't seem to think so. Employees there get 5 weeks of vacation after 2 years there and to get it they must take two consecutive weeks off.

Here's to all those who need a vacation out there. By the way, that's where Rusty is this week!

Posted by: John Flick


The entire exercise was intended to pressure the government into reforming its organ donation laws and raise public awareness of the need for organs.