Can someone answer this T-Ball Question?

Brett was telling me a funny little story yesterday about how he lost his hat during a T-ball game when he was living in Illinois. But, that's not the point right now...

The point is...

Why is there a pitcher's position in T-Ball if you're using tees?

Isn't that sort of redundant? Can someone shed some light on this for me? Maybe it's that I was never on a T-Ball team as a kid (y'know, I went straight into slow-pitch softball...)

Dumbledore's Secret

In case you've been living in a cave for the past week, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling outed one of her most beloved characters last week at an event at Carnegie Hall.

To the surprise and applause of many of her fans, she announced to a packed house that Albus Dumbledore -- the former head of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry -- is gay.

Ok...

Did anyone else see this coming?

Now, I'm probably one of the biggest Harry Potter fans out there. I've read all the books at least twice (I'm in the process of my second time with #7 right now) and I don't think Dumbledore's sexuality ever came into question for me. Perhaps, Voldemort's sexuality, but not Dumbledore.

I had always thought that secretly Albus had lost a love from long ago and that's why he had always told Harry about how important it is to love. I guess in a way I was right. I just never thought that it would have been with Gellert Grindelwald -- the wizard who was kicked out of Durmstrang for his use of underage Dark Arts.

Since I've started reading "Deathly Hallows" again I have noticed a few tidbits that Jo has thrown in there to hint at this long-lost love affair that took place when the two talented wizards were 17. But beyond that I think mostly that she has just announced that she is working on a prequel that will focus on the life and lies of Albus Dumbledore (yes, it will probably be named just like Rita Skeeter's seething biography from Book 7).

In other HP news, filming has begun for "Half-Blood Prince." If you search online you can see pictures of the outside facades of the house that will be used for Horace Slughorn's home in the beginning of the film. Reports from the set have announced that this week, Dan Radcliffe and Ralph Fiennes are filming a few of their scenes.

Also, a few new actors have been linked to Film 6. Most notably, (and this has not been confirmed by the studios or the actors themselves) Naomi Watts's name has surfaced as a fore-runner to play Narcissa Malfoy (wife of Lucius - played by Jason Isaacs, sister of Bellatrix Lestrange -- played by Helena Bonham Carter, and mother of Draco Malfoy -- played by Tom Felton, who has to be like 30).

Jim Broadbent has been named as the actor portraying Horace Slughorn. Most recently he was in "Hot Fuzz".

Also being linked to the film, are Bill Nighy. I have heard that he could play either Fenrir Greyback (the werewolf known to have a blood thirst for children and Weasleys) or as the new Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour. There have also been reports that "Pirates of the Caribbean" and BBC star Jack Davenport (Admiral Norrington) has been offered an unspecified role.

It seems that the only Brits who haven't signed on to the Harry Potter series are Judi Dench, Patrick Stewart, Orlando Bloom, Geoffrey Rush, and Joseph Fiennes...

Err...Actually, Joseph Fiennes (Voldy's younger brother who's famous for the Oscar-worthy "Shakespeare in Love") has also been linked to an unnamed role.

I guess with all those death eaters roles to fill, they need to keep it in the family. My hope is that Johnny Depp will take the role as Sirius Black's brother and Voldemort follow, Regulus A. Black.

This Took Me Back...

I was uploading some music to use as bumper's for Sunday's shows and I found this one video from back in high school.

I used to bop to it. I hate to admit that I actually liked it. I remember going to see the movie with a group of friends and during the credits I got up and started doing the dance from the video. So embarrassing!

What is this little ditty?

Oh, check the link to find out...

The Rumpledoodle

Last night, Brett and I watched one of our favorite movies...ever!

"Pooh's Heffalump Movie"

I know. I know. You're probably laughing at us right now. What? No drama? No adventure? Your favorite movie is an animated Disney feature?

I didn't say it was, like, our favorite movie of all time. But, it has a soft-spot in our heart. Back at our days when we stayed at "The Chester," we first watched this cute little heart-warming story in the middle of the hottest and longest summer ever in 2005.

I still remember coming home from work one afternoon to find Lindsay and Kristin sitting on the futon mattress in the living room (we couldn't find a frame, but that's another blog completely) crying their eyes out yelling at me, "We hate you Relacion!"

Anyways, the movie still holds a sentimental place in our hearts and we had nothing better to watch last night, so we popped it in the DVD player and grabbed the two kids (Huggles and Lumpy -- our pseudo-children -- again, another blog completely).

About an hour later, Brett's t-shirt was completely soaked in both my tears and my snot. (Note: He did change his shirt) It's just such a freakin' cute movie and I'm not afraid to admit that I get choked up in it like a little school child who just had their dog run over by a semi-truck.

Well, on the DVD features there's a recipe to make "Rumpledoodles," a little biscuit-like cookie that are a heffalump's favorite. So, I decided to make a batch today for the Lumpster. And...lemme say they're not half bad. I'm going to have to tweak the recipe just a tad because they're a bit oily but for the most part they're a sweet, crispy cookie made with oatmeal, coconut, raisins and molasses.

I guess if anyone wants a rumpledoodle you know where to find me!

Wow, its been a while...

I haven't had the chance to post on this in such a long time. Maybe I'll try to post on here more or link it somehow to my MySpace blog that already has a bunch of loyal readers...

I'll have more shortly...

Sausage Audio

So, here's some props from WTMJ host Jessica McBride at my horrible attempt at being a sausage. Click Here:

Why I Went to J-School

I've spent more than half my life wanting to become a journalist. I think anyone who knows me well can attest that it has been my passion to aspire to be a top-notch writer or reporter or producer or director. As a kid, I would sit in front of the bathroom mirror pretending I was a news reporter on the scene of some breaking news story. When I got older in high school, I would sit on the sidelines of the basketball games with a little tape recorder and do play-by-plays.

Then, I went off to college. I spent four years of my life working at the Journal Sentinel. I took some time to intern at 'KTI and 'TMJ radio in their promotions departments. Then, I went off to Boston. In search of that Master's Degree in Broadcast Journalism. Now, I'm three years out of having my BA from UWM and I still really don't have the "Dream Job" that I would have hoped for. I'm still a semester away from having my Master's. But it would seem that something is holding me back...

I went to journalism school for a reason. But why? I guess deep down I really feel that talented people (and I'll throw some shout-outs here in a minute...) that I have come in contact with after my seven years in two different journalism schools...I think those people really can make a difference if they don't get stuck amid all the crap and muck that's out there.

I know it's hard to make a difference when ratings are always on your back, news directors are hounding you, and what-not. But, I feel that the business can change. There needs to be a dramatic shift in the dynamic. I felt this for awhile and news is going somewhere that it shouldn't, and I don't feel as if I'm the only one who gets this feeling. Case in point: Why else would my extremely talented boyfriend be working as a bank teller instead of sending out tapes? And I'm not just saying that he's talented because he's my boyfriend.

I guess what it all comes down to is passion. Why did the reporters, anchors, writers, photographers, editors, news directors, et. al get into the business to begin with? Why are they still here? Have they lost that passion that brought them into the journalism field? Sometimes I feel that people stay too long in one field and that's why they get bored. They stop loving what they do. They pretend that they love it and fool themselves, but all the while they don't give 100% of themselves.

When I heard yesterday that Mike Gousha was leaving TMJ4 after 25 years there I was shocked. (To read more on his announcement: http://www.todaystmj4.com/_content/tmj4/goushaannounce.asp ) Mike Gousha is a legend in Milwaukee. He's the face of WTMJ. I have spent the past 25 years of my life watching that station because of him. I respect him as a journalist and growing up tried to emulate his success.

His departure of WTMJ is monumental. While they are still keeping Carole Meekins in the other chair and adding Mike Jacobs (another longtime Milwaukee veteran and well-respected journalist), there will be such a dynamic change at the station. I can't help but think what a loss it is.

I can't begin to imagine what his thought-process is or why he's making this life altering decision. Maybe he's lost the passion? Maybe he needs new challenges? Maybe he wants more of a family life? Who knows...

The recent changes at WTMJ have been sudden -- gone are Kevin Hunt, Kimberly Kane, Scott Friedman, Jim Ott...so many talented newsmakers that I grew up with. Just talking with people around town, they're not happy with the changes. The more flashy "Breaking News Now" and "Extreme Slam Jam Alerts" haven't taken off as successfully as I think was perceived.

I just hope that the scene changes, soon and for the better. There are so many talented journalists out there that I have come into contact with -- many who I hope share the same passion for news as I once did and who went to J School for the same reason I did -- to make a difference.

So to Katie, Amber, Amy, Imaeyen, Angela, Rachel, Brett, Melissa, Anthony, Jake, Evan, Alicia, Todd, Tony, Stephanie, Iris, Chuck, George, Will, Jessy, Lindsay, Dave, Dan, Nathan, Mary, Rose, Ryan, Doug, and everyone else with a passion for change in j-schools like UWM, Marquette and Emerson...I hope you guys keep on with your dream to make an impact.

And the reason why I'm still working on this degree, even though it seems that I have lost my passion... I want to go into teaching. I found my passion lies now in teaching young people with dreams of being in journalism about theory and methods. Without good teachers, the future of journalism has nothing to look forward to.

It's that time again...

...for reunions and weddings!

I have a little under eight weeks (June 24th to be exact) before the Panther Vision Reunion is being held at Miller Park. I wanted to try and lose some weight for this shindig, but in all realism, I think that wish went running out the door (the window, the fire escape, the mouse holes, and maybe even is starting to dig its way out with forks) a long time ago.

Still, I haven't seen a lot of these people from my PVTV class in almost three years. That isn't a long time, I know. But you know how reunions are -- you have to try and be all happy to see people, bring along your significant other, talk about that great job you have, blah blah blah.

Unfortunately, in the back of my head it's more like -- I look fat, I still don't have my Master's Degree, I look fat, I have a great boyfriend but its being overpowered by the fact that I look fat, blah blah blah.

I know, I know. I should just...instead of typing on this stupid thing go run or exercise, start a diet and feel better about myself because I have the eight weeks to lose the weight. I'm sure I will start to do that in the next week or so anyways...It's just you have to kinda go through the grumbling of the whole ordeal anyways because it's a reunion and that's what you do, right?

My other comment...why aren't any of my friends getting married yet? I'm 25 now. This is the time people start to have weddings to go to every weekend of the summer. I haven't been invited to a wedding in five years!! It's not like my friends aren't in great relationships, but why aren't they getting married? (I suppose you could say the same for me, too...)

It's not like we're not planning anything, because we have talked about it. Side note: try and keep like 2010 openish for a fun time in Disney world.

Sorry, just a little rant...Now, I have to go track down some more brunch stuff....Grr!

The Homeless Man by the Freeway

I've been meaning to write about this for awhile...There's this man who stands off of the 68th/70th St. offramp and I-94 Eastbound. He's usually holding one of those signs that says "Will work for food." I'm not going to make some snide comment about the guys sign.

But one day when I was coming home from work and was stopped at the stoplight, there was a minivan stopped in front of me. It was a kinda crappy day out, sorta rainy and gross. The kind of day where I wouldn't stand outside with a sign even if I were poor because you'd probably end up with pneumonia. Anyways, I digress...

So, the van driver opens the window up and hands the man something. It took me a minute to focus on what it was. But do you know what it was???

A milk chug of Nestle Quik...and the strawberry kind! I'm not saying that in a good way, either. That stuff is nasty. Now, if you're trying to be nice to the guy...fine, that's one thing. But, Strawberry Quik? C'mon now...didn't you have some tiny goldfish crackers or a granola bar or something in your car?? I almost wanted to hand the guy the cake I had in my backseat to make up for the Quik, I felt so bad for him.

I remember once when I was in Boston, Imaeyen and myself were waiting for the T and a homeless man came up to us asking for food. We both carried our lunches or snacks with us to school and work. So, she gave him some cereal and I gave him some grapes.

I bet he was glad he didn't get Strawberry Quik!

Fire alarms at 6 a.m.

Normally, I don't mind funny little quirks that enter your day. But at 6 a.m. when a loud horn starts blaring outside your apartment door...That's a completely different monster.

My problems didn't just start at 6 a.m. At 1:45 I got up to go potty, and the water was turned off. My brother and dad, both perplexed by the fact that we had no water, were also trying to use the facilities. When I was going to go check the laundry room, a sleepy boyfriend chimes in, "There's a sign above the mailboxes that says the city is doing some work," and falls back to sleep.

Thank you for telling us, honey.

So, I go upstairs in my pajamas and slippers to read the note. Yes, in fact the city turned off the water at 10:30 last night and it won't return until "sometime in the morning."

Well, sometime in the morning turned out to be about 6 a.m. When the city turned on the electricity to the water portion of the building, a power surge ensued causing the box that contains the fire alarm to overheat and go off. Thus, leaving us with aforementioned blaring horn noise.

To make matters worse, we couldn't get a hold of the landlord, so we had to call the fire department to get them to come and turn it off.

Meanwhile, during this whole fiasco, I haven't been able to sleep a wink. Very close right before the alarm, but no. Mostly, I was freaking out about my upcoming summer and trying to finish my Master's Project (more on that later).

Finally, I got some sleep once that voodoo-cursed alarm was shut off (THANK YOU FIRE DEPARTMENT!) only to be woken up my editor's phone call at 10 a.m.

And so my day begins......