For Kelsey

I’m always amazed how a community of everyday people can come together and do extraordinary things. Yesterday was no different.
It was December 9th 2009. A young high school student named Kelsey Leiux was injured in a traffic accident. A month later she’s still recovering with medical expenses continuing to mount. So with one seeming insurmountable obstacle facing them a family, a school, and a community untied as one to help their angel. Everyone knew that the road to recovery was going to be a long one but they weren’t going to let Kelsey travel it by herself. They organized car washes and dinners in an effort to raise money for her the expenses that were laid out in front of her.

So as I drive up to the school I start to think that this could be more than a check presentation. There was a chance to show a young lady how much care and compassion one community was willing to give to her. I knew I had to stay late in order to put this one together since stories like this are few and far between and they deserve a place on the rundown. After the final edit was made it was worth it.

Kelsey, I want to wish you a full and speedy recovery. You have touched the lives of a lot of people, including mine. Take care and God Bless.

Deep Freeze 2010

With this next blast of cold air getting about to cover the area I start to worry about my peeps at the Raggedy. So far so good, everyone has been taking care of themselves battling the Arctic waves of air while putting images on the tube. However, lets be honest were are not used to the frigid temps down here in the Bayou state. When it's 80 and a little humidity we won't break a sweat but let it dip below 60 and you would think Armageddon was about to rain down upon us. and the those along the east coast who have to really pull out every weather trick in the book. As I peruse the pages of cyberspace I stumble upon this...

The resourceful gentlemen pictured is Jamie Munden, photojournalist of WRAL. And you thought we had it bad. After he and his reporter, Stacy Davis, finished up another live shot for the news who knew that their adventure that morning was just beginning. Frozen temps and and extended mast into the night sky will do that do you. I never thought that a trusty light kit would do more than add a nice glow to the talent. Then I do some more searching to see what my peeps Lenslinger and Weaver have been up to. They have been dealing with the below freezing temps longer than me and they find ways to make freezing weather events very interesting. Not just the usual shutdowns and closures but the good it seems to bring out in people. It you get a chance go check out their blogs and the Ocho's website they wont disappoint.

As for me I'm going find some hand warmers, did you know?

Recess & Reflection

It is somewhat hard to believe that we are in the infancy of the year 2010. Fortunately, I was afforded a chance to take some time away from the asylum, not a bad way to start things off. However, it also gives me a chance to look back on the time formally known as 2009. A year where there were some highs and lows. There were some days that would not end as well as days you look forward to.

I had the pleasure of seeing unique people during the past year. From the state’s First Lady to a pair of "new workers" in the newsroom. There was the madness on the streets and in the House that Huey erected. There are my peers gathering video behind the lines and those who protect us on the frontline. Life and art intermingled while I added another tool my bag of tricks.

I remembered how it all got started and the people that helped me along the way. There were times I said hello to some great stories and farewell to some great people. I watched one of my kids grow up in front of the camera while a couple grew closer down the aisle.

There was the opportunity to step in the ring and the chance to do something that would stay with me for a lifetime.

2009 had a lot things go down during its tenure with 2010 only bringing the unknown.

No matter, I have a feeling that it’s going to be a good year, did you know?