You Hung Up On Who?!?!?!

Can you imagine what is going on in the mind of the person who scored the BIGGEST interview in the recent history of the show. What they had to do get one of the most influential people in television to do an early morning interview? And all you had to do was keep the line clear. I don't know who thought it would be a good idea to order breakfast take out but thankfully they got Oprah back on the line.

GREAT TO BE BACK!

January 6th?!?! Man it really has been awhile since I last posted something.

But then again when you get knocked into reality because of you health then you have to make priorities. The job, the blog, the social life all take a back seat to your health. Being out for three months will make you realize that. Seeing time pass by you, not knowing if you are going to be back to your normal self because the ticker inside isn't performing properly. The only thing you have is your faith and patience, you have no idea how much I needed them both.

But I am happy to say with lifestyle changes, some meds, and a whole lot of prayers that I return to the streets of the Big Raggedy and the halls of the Asylum healthy and hungrier than ever. I'm know I'm late in saying this but from the bottom of my heart...

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I promise to take better care of myself because there is so much to do and I'm going to do it with some wonderful people I am blessed to call my family and friends.

That being said...

It's great to be back, did you know?

Gig Em Live Shot

In the TV biz going live from a location one of our many ways to bring the viewers there. People live through us to experience things that they can't make it to. But just like some acts in the Circus it's done without a net. The reset button on the gaming system is nowhere to be found. Thus you will find people who feel the need to cross over into the "No Fly Zone" to try to garner what little 15 minutes they. So instances turn a little violent, my buddy Lenslinger keeps great tabs on those you should check out his blog. Others, like this one right before the Cotton Bowl can be very entertaining. Maybe they're just loyal fans of Texas A&M. Maybe just they had one to many adult beverages during the tailgate. But one thing is for sure, they know Johnny "Football". With a name like that he must be good, just ask the peeps from Alabama.

Should Old Acquaintances Be Forgotten...

The Ball in Times Square, NY. The Fleur Dis Lis over Jackson Square in NOLA. The Big Music Note in Music City. All iconic staples to help ring in the new year for millions of people wanting to count the seconds down to a fresh start. Another staple are the number of television productions put on for those who can't make it to the big event.

We all know of the craziness that well respected journalist Anderson Cooper and comedienne Kathy Griffin will bring to CNN. Her stripping down to her undies, he with a constant case of the giggles, and she trying to kiss a "sardine" while on the platform. Not to mention the sudden blood feud they have with Ryan Seacrest, and for the record I have no problem with Seacrest being punched in the face.

However nothing the duo did in New York comes close to what independent station KDOC put on the air for the big night. The constant struggle of a host and production crew led to on air F-Bombs, camera flubs, singers who can't tell time, and an all out steel cage battle royal. Alright I mad the last one up but with a telecast this bad it would have been a welcomed sight.



So as the song says should old acquaintances be forgotten, in this case yes. I'm willing to bet the Station Manager is still recovering from that hangover.

1UP 2012 In 2013

"I move forward the only direction can't be scared to fail, search and perfection..." -- Jay Z

There is no question that 2012 overall was a good year. Yeah there were the usual roller coaster moments where thing didn't go in your favor. But there were more good moments during the last 365 that I could not imagine. From being able to run with some Beautiful Bulls, to seeing a lot of my "kids" get jobs in the business, and finally getting those little statues in the mail. We hung out with the Homecoming Queen, dealt with another unwanted natural disaster, and got nominated in the process.

Now the as the calender turns to 2013 it is a new beginning. A blank canvas to be drawn on if you like. This year will present new challenges and we'll take them on like we always do. As for me my New Year's Resolution is the same as it always is, "just be a better person."

That means professionally and personally, especially the latter. I really need to find more time for myself. Eventually lay back and try to find the First Lady. I know she's out there.

That being said, I want to wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year. May we all continue to find success and joy in 2013. Take care and enjoy me and my peeps in action from the past year.

Best of The Worst

It's no secret that I love a good laugh. Since I'm in the the news business I get to see a lot of funny things and my peers are some of the funniest. Whether it's a slip of the tongue or a miss punch to the wrong video here are moments that warm our hearts, bring a smile to our face, and leave us with a ton of laughter.

Days Of Future Past

The year was 1984. Gas was a $1.10 gallon. Tina Turner & Stevie Wonder were a couple of the big names in the Music World. You wanted to watch The Terminator at the movie theatre but got Ghostbusters instead, not a bad consolation prize. And why former WAFB'er Grey Hammett, photographer on the right, was making sure Ronald Dalton Dunnagan is in sight of his lens for the local news.

What is the the latter you ask?

It turns out the Dunnagan, middle of the picture, was implicated in a crime that caught a family off guard and leaving them with an infinite number of questions and no answers. It was late November in '84. Gary Keargan was leaving a local club with an associate thinking all was right in the world. Suddenly unforeseen events lead him to just vanish into the night sky. No one had seen or heard from Gary since. Time passes, the Police conduct their investigation which leads them Dunnagan and a female companion but things come to an impasse. The motive is there but the link is not. All of this had the making of the perfect crime novel.

Nearly three decades later, a family still has questions while a certain pair thought they had gotten away with their deeds. However, good old fashion police work with new technology said otherwise. What did you expect? After all it the had the makings of the perfect crime novel.

Editor's Note: Yeah I know the title of this entry is the name of a X Men comic book and could be turned into movie later. Believe me if that happens I can't wait to see it, did you know?

The MAD Hat Rant

There isn't any question that majority of football fans will get riled up before, during, and after the game. Seeing their team give everything they have withing the white boundary lines. However there are moments after the game that will leave some guessing. Leave some wonder what just happen. That moment is usually the Post Game Press Conference with the head coach. Down here there isn't a shortage of sound bites ready to roll. Down here we have LSU's Les Miles aka "The MAD Hatter".

The coach who has garnered a reputation of calling a Fake FG against South Carolina. Going 5 for 5 on 4th Down vs Florida. Doing a another Fake FG against hated Alabama. Alright the one against BAMA didn't work but you get the idea. There are unique thoughts that flow under the White Hat of Miles. You can only wonder what will he do or say next. But whatever you do don't question the effort of any of his players. Last Saturday was the result and it gave the college football one of the greatest rants since the famous, "Have A Great Day" speech.

Hey when you win 10 games a year on average, you can say whatever you want. Just be careful with the FCC.

Shadow In Time

Monday. The start to another week of roaming for stories that would somehow make the cut to fill slots in another newscast. Yeah the ideas look good on paper, most everything does. But when things don't go as plan what do you do?

Call the desk? Tell them that we may need to go to plan B. Just one problem, plan B is falling by the waist side. (sigh)

Do we just sit and wait at this one? Maybe, just maybe things will fall our way. Someone will come out and give us something totally unexpected. Something that will catch everyone's attention leaving the producers salivating in the afternoon meeting that they will start a UFC Battle Royal to see who will have it in their show first. Sadly that's usually not the case.

Sometimes you just have to roll with the punches and let the cards fall where they may. It's a nice day, not too warm perfect for this time of year in South LA. Why else would photojournalist extraordinaire Chris Sasser snap this cool picture. That plus it's also a short a week. Just pass the time somehow, did you know?

She's Our Queen

As the calender turns to October, the crisp cool fall air begins to settle in all over. A nice change from the usual humidity I might add. It is also time for the annual homecoming festivities. The yearly tradition where alumni from all over return to place they once spent time at while advancing their educational opportunities. They return to share the memories that were forged in the past while creating new ones for the generations to come.

This year I missed Homecoming at my Alma Mata, comes with the territory never know where my next assignment is on Friday night. However I got a pretty good consolation prize. Word got back to us at the Big Raggedy, that a bunch kids were going to give a young lady the chance to live out the school year on cloud nine. Turns out the kids were going to campaign heavily in favor of not the most popular girl but rather the most deserving one.

SAY WHAT?!?!

A day and age where looks, popularity, and who you know give way to kids being unselfish? Pretty cool isn't it. Always good to tell some good news, did you know?

Deja Vu H2O

Senator's Log: August 29th, 2012. Down here in the Boot there is always the possibility of having to deal with another with a natural disaster of monumental proportions from June through November. That's just how it is, that's a way of life in the Sportsman's Paradise. Think about it seven years ago the mother of all storms came knocking on the door then eventually kicked it in with leaving everyone's jaw dropped and a great amount of devastation from wind and eventually water.

Fast forward to present day. A new storm decided to make it's way to SE LA. Only listed as a Category 1 but still had the potential to do leave it's mark on the area. A giant wet mark to be exact. With that said, the asylum pushed the alarm and we were in wall to wall coverage. For those not in the TV News Biz, crews were dispatched to affected areas and their only mission was to bring back what they can to fill what seemed like an infinite amount of time on the air. What made this one different wasn't just the wind but the constant bombardment of rain, rain, and more rain. It's seems like we would never dry out. 72 hours and a ton of wet clothes later, Isaac finally move on and the rising flood waters took it's place. From Plaquemines Parish to Livingston, water was Isaac's unwanted gift to us. It may have been a Cat 1 but the same sentiment of everyone was "We've never seen this much water before." Isaac certainly won't be forgotten and surely won't be missed.

Guess that the new wrinkle that we have to get ready for when the next one comes knocking. For now time to find a tailor. Never know when the next soaking is going to come.

El Encierro of Nueva Orleans

Senator's Log: July 14th. 8AM. New Orleans. A place rich in diverse culture. A gumbo of international flavor that gives the city it's ambiance. Known for Mardi Gras during carnival but today it was time to pay homage to the tradition in Pamplona, Spain. It was time for El Encierro (bull run).

Thousands of people would converge on the Big Easy to test their strength and endurance while avoiding the ferocity of the bulls running rampant across the streets. It is run at your own risk. Throw in the added party atmosphere and you have a powder keg of humanity ready to explode at any moment. With the that much intense emotion no ordinary photographer could handle this sitution.

An assignment so dangerous, so deadly that only one man could pull this off. That man is Senator Roberto Del Rio. Known to many as El guapo fotógrafo Insane or The Insane Handsome Photographer. There is not much information on this mysterious individual. Those close to him tell me that he is a solid photojournalist, a fan of Licha Libre Wrestling in Mexico, and an admirer of Roller Derby. Guess he has a thing for beautiful women who deliver hip checks while wearing fishnets on roller skates. This will truly be a test of his skills. This is what he brought back and I'm sure he'll want to be a part of this tradition for years to come.

This Never Happens Here

Alright every photographer has had to run courthouse duty from time to time. Depending on the case things can be business as usual or something straight out of the UFC will break out. First you hope it's option B and second you hope that you are there to capture it. The only thing that was missing was Drowning Pool's classic single of mass chaos. This is probably why they don't allow camera anywhere near the courtrooms in the Boot. But I sure wish they would reconsider it.

Thank You George

There are those in our business that will be a fad. A fly by night image. A simple blip on the radar. Here one minute, gone the next second. None of those apply to the one known as George Sells. An iconic figure in the Television industry for over 50 years with roots firmly planted in the Red Stick for the past 25. You name the place, he's probably been there. Houston, Philly, Detroit, Nashville to name a few. He's had a run with the locals as well as with the "Big Boys" bringing an unique style of delivering the daily news to the masses all over the country.

The year was 1988. Baton Rouge was the next stop. Sells had arrive to a station that was sagging in the rating to the competition. Little did they the tide was about to change. The iconic figure and hard hitting journalist brought a that style & swagger and turned the little station on Government Street into well oiled machine. The rati ngs came, the quality of the product rose, the legacy continued. The ladies of South LA were forever grateful.

I remember the time I met George. A young photographer still in school. No idea what I was doing. Not very confident thoughts of do I belong here. Then there was one night scanner started blowing up. News time was closing in. Time to roll out. George knew in mind how he wanted to preset the story before I even shot it. I get to the scene, shoot some pictures, then head home. Once I'm back at the station, George just starts to debrief me on every little thing possible. I get most of everything but it was that one little detail that he had in mind that I didn't get. Naturally he upset at first but it's show time. Afterwards he tell me to just soak it all in. Get the essential but look beyond the obvious of the situation. Did a little deeper on what's going on and who it affects. After that I started to get the entire story and how to bring it back. That was the way Sells liked it. What was the one thing that no one but us was going to get. And if you heard that distinctive voice saying, "THAT'S GREAT!!!" coming from his desk you know you had his seal of approval.

Now the present where nothing is forever. Time had come to step aside and enjoy what path you left for those who follow. Thank you George, thank you for all that you have done. You were more than a hard hitting journalist. More than the anchor who manned the desk. You were our leader. Always ready to bring us aside to tell us how to get better. To live up to that standard that you set so high. The newsroom won't be the same with out the news hound getting every little detail in to a script with one ear on the scanner and a bag of M&M's with a Dr. Pepper within arm's reach. It's been said before and we'll keep saying it...

Thank you George. Thank you for everything you done for all of us. Best wishes in retirement my friend.

Remember The Sacrifice

It is the final Monday in May. It will bring an extra day off to many in this country. It is considered the “unofficial” start to summer. Kids will have finished the school year. Families will be taking that vacation planned for months.

It’s Memorial Day. The day where we show thanks, respect, and honor to the men and women of the Armed Forces who had the courage to put on the uniform and pay the ultimate price to allow rest of us to have the freedom & liberties of the greatest country on the planet. This day is not about going to the next sale, or sleeping in late, or wondering what is playing on the big screen. It is about showing gratitude to those who couldn’t make it home and to the ones that they left behind.

So before you hit the snooze button, or go to lie on the beach, or fire up the grill just for a moment stop, think, and remember.

Remember Lt. Christopher Barnett of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Remember Army Spec. David Hickman of McLeansville, North Carolina. Remember Cpl. Brian L. Chevalier of Athens, Georgia. Remember all of those men and women. Keep them and their families in your hearts and prayers.

Laura Youngblood visits her husbands grave, Petty Officer Travis L. Youngblood, at Arlington National Cemetery

After all Memorial Day is everyday for some.

Country From Above

It’s been said countless times that there is no place like Death Valley at night. Of course they mean that during the fall as the Purple & Gold wage fierce competition on the gridiron. Well it’s obvious this isn’t the fall, even though the temps can reach into the 90’s, and there’s no football being played. Which can only mean that it’s year three of the biggest outdoor country extravaganza know to man,  Bayou Country Superfest.

The BCS has once again brought some of the biggest names in country music to a legion of fans in the Red Stick. The glitz, the glamour, the sweat, the humidity, and the long hike up to the 400 section to get that beauty shot pictured above, trust me it was worth getting. And if you think it was all controlled crazy inside…

Outside provide the fans a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet their favorite artists. Guess you better have something ready to be autographed.

Yeah it’s year three and I’ll have to ask yet again…

Can the Senator please get some tickets to next year’s show?

The Times No More

It is the one of the Big Easy's Big Icons. It is synonymous with a bowl of hot Gumbo & cold oyster. It goes with the morning cup of coffee and a plate of beignets from Cafe Du Monde. It is the newspaper known as the Times Picayune. It has brought the news of the region and the world to the fingertips of everyone in South Louisiana. It's 154 year heritage has delivered and endless number of timeless headlines. It survived the storm "Katrina" and helped reinforced the levees by holding those responsible for not maintain them. It could live on forever.

Sadly, just not in the form that it has endured for well over a century. Fine journalism is giving way to overhead. The presses are being slowed because of the bottom line. Circulation of one the finest newspapers in the country is being curtailed because of budget cuts. I knew the media industry was facing tough times but never did I think an institution like the TP would be affected. Gone are the daily editions in the fall of 2012. And with it a line of quality people being shown the door.

I hope that this is just a bad dream and we all will awake from it. But in my heart, this has the feeling of a great entity coming to an end. To all of my friends and peer with the TP, we are competitors but we are journalists first. We stand by your side in this dark time and hope that the light will shine through.

Madness Comes Knocking

Front Lobby of WIBW

I can't explain the sudden rash of instantaneous violence that has suddenly plagued my peers in the TV News World. First it was the shooting that unfolded in near the live truck in Louisville, KY. Now this...

Topeka, KS. What was suppose to be another day in the community turned into a lock down of one of the television stations. A guy, who isn't playing with a full deck, decides to turn himself into a one man invasion force and put the peeps of WIBW in serious danger. It's bad enough when we have to deal with unstable elements while on the street gathering news but it's another level when all kinds of insane comes knocking on the front door.

Just grateful that no one was seriously hurt. Be careful out there everyone.

Birthday At Arkham

Ah yes. Another 365 days around the sun has come again. Another year older, another year wiser, and another Birthday that has to spent in the padded wall of the asylum. Yeah you would like the day off to celebrate the coming of you existence but not the case when your birthday happen in one of the three sweeps months. It's alright someone has to save the newsworld. Just be thankful those you are blessed to call friends remember your special day.

Thanks for everything everyone. Now back to work, the newsworld ain't saving itself.

Caught In The Cross Fire

Courtesy: WAVE 3's James Thomas

In the business of the around the clock news cycle you are eventually going to get sent to whatever form of spot news that is blowing up the scanner that's within ear shot of your assignment editor. Soon you are going to get sent to a shooting in one of the hot spots of town where it's not a matter of if but when it happens. Your goal as always get the scene of flashing lights and blooming yellow crime tape then get out, nothing fancy. Never do you think that once you get there and start doing your job that you are going to be part of the story let alone become a potential victim.

May 17th. Louisville, KY. The Westside area of the city. An early afternoon shooting occurs and WAVE 3's team of Jamie Weiss & James Thomas were sent to the scene of the city's latest homicide. It was going to be the usual for covering spot news. Get law enforcement doing their thing, get the on lookers, get the crime tape, put it on the evening news then go home. Little did they know that would be caught in an episode of The First 48, ironically they have done shows in that city before.

One family discovers that one of their members has been killed. An argument ensues. No sooner than Detectives start their investigation, another shooting breaks out just feet away from the first crime scene. Weiss & James are forced into the cover of their live truck waiting for all hell around them to calm down before setting foot on the streets again. Who would thought that there would be BREAKING NEWS developing from BREAKING NEWS that got there in the first place. The emotions were off the charts. The video is unreal.  It was the start of a really long day for everyone.

Got a feeling the folks from A&E Network will be making another trip to the Ville soon.