A Storm Is Brewing

It is not often that you get to see an adult entertainer at high noon. But then again there is only one Stormy Daniels.

Last time she made the Forum there were rumblings of a grass root effort to get her to run for Louisiana’s Senate Seat, that is up for grabs in 2010. Naturally, she was shocked and flattered that her name came up but surely one of the most downloaded women on the globe is not considering a career move to politics. Then again, maybe she will.

So, on one of her trips back to the hometown, she decided to have a listening tour to hear some of their concerns as well as give some feedback. Some topics came up, taxes, the war, her political affiliation, etc. However, one of the more surprising qualities the folks noticed is that she is very intelligent. Granted she become more aware of the political world but today she carried herself quite well.
Of course, we are still a long way from possible campaign and then the real fireworks begin. Namely, who is going to follow her quest from the set to the steps of the U.S. Capital?
I think I have an inside edge, did you know?

Finding Peter Parker

While I was out in the field other day, I got a message that the Raggedy is looking to add some décor to the station. No fancy decorators was called but out talents with the camera were needed. Turns out that we are looking to update some portraits that line the halls of the building. I’m guessing that Peter Parker was preoccupied. Who wouldn’t be when you have to chase a famous web slinger while dealing with a demanding publisher of a major newspaper?
No big deal I like taking pictures in when I’m out in the area. I wonder what they’ll think of this one.
I see The Nubian Princess and the Turdpolisher got the message also.
Wait a minute, why does Keytha K have my camera? What is she taking a picture of?
Of course, traffic. One of the biggest issues plaguing the city. The folks in charge should have built that loop 20 years ago. At least it makes for a good picture. I’ll show off the winners in a later post, did you know?

Swine Cluster

I knew it was coming.
The continued mass hysteria of Swine Flu that is plaguing Mexico and is spreading across the globe has brought back an old friend.
Yes, the dreaded Live Cluster is back with a vengeance.

As we enter Day 6 of the pig’s revenge, the leaders of the state must now encourage the people to be proactive in trying to curtail this strain of flu. The same stuff that your parents told you when you were young, wash your hands, cough and sneeze in the corner of your elbow, etc.
Unfortunately, the madness of pulling off live television has not change. Will the microphones work? Will the talent get out of the shot when it’s go time? Will the producer stop blowing up the cell during the conference? Who will get the first question in to the authorities? It’s all entertaining but the biggest question that looms.
How in the world did we pull this one off? That one is best left to ponder after you clock out and go to sleep. I hope that there won’t be any nightmares since the next cluster is right around the corner.

Pre Filed Legislation

Is it back already? Is it time for the annual get together between the lawmakers and the lobbyists? Are the shenanigans at the House of Huey upon us once again? Moreover, will the Governor partake in the festivities? Yes, the chaos that is known as the Louisiana Legislative session is back. Only time, and the endless number of amendments, will determine if it is successful or just another trip to the circus.

Like my peers in the Phallus Place, I must serve the constituents of the Government Street District and the State of Louisiana during this three month span. I will do everything in my power to provide the leadership that our people deserve and demand. On that note, here are few of the bills that the Ways and Means To Make TV Interesting Committee have pre filed for the impending session.

SB 420 – Funds/Funding: This is an act that will allow the state to charge admission and/or use of the front steps, the courtyard, and other facilities for the use rallies, demonstrations, and other large gatherings.

Think about it. People are always upset about something and will have a rally on the steps to show their displeasure. All I’m saying is let’s make a block party out of it. Listen we charge $20 head with 300 people showing up and we make 6K in a little over an hour. We always good for 10 rallies during the session alone. Not to mention that people will get thirsty during the summer months and those steps will get hot. We’ll have the bottles of water ready to go for a modest price.

SB 468 – Funds/Funding: This is act that will provide services and equipment to hold an annual video game tournament.

The gamers owe me one for this. There are a ton of flat screens lining the halls of the Palace. Once the session ends we fire up the TV’s, hook up the PS3’s, and have the state’s largest Madden NFL Tournament. Everyone plays this game. They count down the seconds until the new one is released. However, we won’t just limit it to Madden. If you want to play Rock Band we can do that also. I work with the committee members on financial implications.

SB 711 – Healthcare: This an act to provide additional healthcare coverage to members of the working media.

We’ve all been there. You put in some long hours at the station and during that you get sore. Or you’re shooting some practice or game and a plastic clad player throws their momentum into your causing you bodily harm. This bill looks at placing masseuses at the station to work out the kinks from a long day of shooting. In addition, they may be used by the reporter after someone or something is working on what little sanity is left from a stressful day.

SB 5150 – Funds/Funding: This is an act to provide members of the Ways and Means To Make TV Interesting committee to get a pay raise.

I said last session that I could not vote myself a raise unless I could find a way for my peers on the Committee to get a raise also. Those first two bills I proposed should cover that. I know what your thinking, Senator are we in a money crisis right now? Yes, but here is the argument. I don’t see the Justice Committee chasing Pookey and Ray Ray after they cause some form of mischief 15 minutes before the show starts. I don’t see the Money Committee losing sleep while chasing a Cat 4 that’s about to pound into the coast during Hurricane Season. Simply put I think we earned one.

That’s all we have for now but rest assure we aren’t done. Myself, C-Mo, Sena-turd, and the rest of the committee will come up with more legislation to better help the fine people of the Government Street District and the great state of Louisiana, did you know?

Tough Road To Travel

It's no secret I love good stories. Fiction. Non Fiction. It doesn't matter as long as it grabs my attention. So while watching the Draft this weekend I was introduced to Michael Oher, an Offensive Lineman from Ole Miss. It was expected that he going to make a ton of money playing in the NFL but his journey from the streets to playing on Sundays is what fans are going to remember.

Staying Off The DL

Lately my time has been devoted to the monster known as the OT. Believe me it is draining. The endless number of requests of an assignment sheet that will have you traveling all over the place.
From baseball in St. Amant.

To dodging softballs in Zachary. Not to mention dealing with the improbable requests from the sports desk when things don't go according to plan.

But the biggest hurdle is keeping the aches and pains away. I don't mind shooting sports but when you have to stay put for long periods of time, while lugging around your camera, and that will wear on you shoulder and back. Plus it's no secret that I'm not getting younger. In addition I can't afford being on the sideline especially with May Sweeps peeking around the corner.
For now I'll have to keep plenty of Advil in stock. And remind me to send a thank you note to the person who invented Icy Hot.

A Decade Of Legislation

Time – noun

1. the system of those sequential relations that any event has to other as past, present, or future
2. a particular period considered as distinct from other periods
3. a period with reference to personal experience of a specified kind

The year was 1999. April was in full swing. The highly anticipated Y2K fallout gained momentum. In addition, I had started working here at the Big Raggedy. I was lucky. While still in school, I was able to continue my career in television. Most people do not know is that the Big Raggedy is my second job. I actually started at the local Peacock doing studio production. I did shoot some video while running into crews from the Raggedy as well as the folks over on Highland. One of those run ins was at a rally over at Southern University. They were protesting about a chemical company not far from the campus disposing of Napalm. However, I got to talking with a reporter by the name of Meg Casper. She tells me that there is an opening over at the “ 9”. Its part time and you work weekends. The gears are rolling in my head. Instantly start weighing my options. I can go to school during the week, work the weekends, and continue building on the foundation that is my career. Opportunity knocked all I had to do was open the door.

That tip let to a resume tape. That tape led to an interview. That interview led to the hiring of some college kid who had no idea what he was getting into. However, opportunity knocked, I answered, and the rest is history.

As I look through my collection of press passes and photo albums, it is not just history but also some great memories. From shooting countless number of school board meetings to rolling on house fires in the nice part of town. GS would go wild when those came across the scanners. From chasing some of the worse criminals in town to chasing some of the worse storms in history. Its days without lunch that eventually led to sleepless nights. It is the news. Some of its good yet some of it is bad. For every ribbon cutting there was a wreck clogging up the road. For every feature story there was quality time at the courthouse. For every championship run, there was an election that would not end. In addition, of course there were the three month camp outs in the House the Huey erected. I could not resist.

However, it is not the stories that I shot or edited. It’s the people that I have met over the years. It’s the people that helped me grow not only as a professional but also as a person. It’s not just my blood family but my television family. It is Jen in Birmingham, Matt in the Mile High City, and Cyndi over in the Big Easy. It’s Julie, Victor, Marie, C-Line, Yoda, D-$$$, JV, Avery, Spike, the NP, KN, Cheryl, Meeks, and the Turdpolisher. Hell even XRAY TED played a part in all of this. The bonds we share will never be broken. Our friendships will be forged forever in time.

This is not a farewell address. Trust me I’m not going anywhere. Only God can make that call.

This is a note of gratitude. Thank you to everyone who has made me better. Thank you for the wonderful work we have done and will do. Most importantly thank you to all for simply putting up with the madness that I will sometimes bring to the table.

Moreover, if I didn’t mention you before please forgive me. It’s been ten years. There are just so many names to say but remember that I am the fortunate one. I am fortunate to be blessed with so many good people in my life.

So far, it’s been one crazy ride and I’m enjoying every second of it, did you know?