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......

My New Job

Well, finally after all the effort of sending countless resumes, interviewing, re-interviewing, peeing into a cup, and filling out those lovely W-2s...I am now officially a producer.

What you say? You're a producer?

Yes I am.

I'm now currently working part-time (like most good producers do) for Wisconsin's news and sports leader -- AM 620 WTMJ (you can listen by clicking here). While, I'm still training for a good part of the next few weeks, when I'm finally done with the teaching phase, I will be producing a few shows a weeks (Thursdays from 6 p.m. to midnight and Sunday from 6 a.m. to noon) plus producing agency commercials for the station.

Ahh...no more Cold Stone...

But in a funny turn of events, my brother has applied for the Waukesha store's manager position and there will soon be a need for a new manager in Oak Creek. Stay tuned for more info has it happens.

Searching the World for a New Job

Why is it so difficult to find the ideal job? I've gone on like three or four interviews in the past few weeks and I still haven't found anything that I truly think I'd want to stay doing for a long time.

I guess I'm asking for too much when I want a position that allows me to travel and cook and write and still go to school and not be bored all the time. C'mon, that position has to exist somewhere. It just has to.

Yea, I dunno. Who knows if I'll ever find a job that I really will ever love. Does anyone really love their job? I'm really beginning to wonder that question. It's like sometimes you just have to take something just because you need the money. Maybe that's just where I'm at right now. I just don't want to be stuck at this point forever, y'know?

I wish the perfect job would just come flying out of the sky and say, "Pick me! You're perfect for the position!" But it hasn't yet.

Ahh...back to the job boards...

My Daniel Radcliffe Obsession

Ok, so since I've started watching these Harry Potter films...that Daniel Radcliffe kid is pretty hot.

I know. I know.

I'm 25. That's so not right to think a 14-year-old is hot. But he really is an attractive kid. I just spent twenty minutes on Daniel Radcliffe fan sites. How strange is that? Am I like a wide-eye middle schooler again?

Oh well...Just think Demi got Ashton and no one thinks that weird or nothin...

Recap of the last six months...

Well, it hasn't exactly been six months, but pretty darn close. And, because I love to use bullet points, that's what you're getting. So here goes --

• Moved back to Milwaukee with Brett in tow around Labor Day weekend
• Subsequently, moved into a teeny, tiny two bedroom apartment with Brett, my brother and my Dad
• Started working at Cold Stone where they promised me my own store sometime in January up in Menomonee Falls
• Started freelancing for MKE. See www.mkeonline.com Just search for my name and you can find a few of my articles. (The Harry Potter one is the best!)
• Brett started working for CompUSA
• My brother started working for The Discovery Channel Store
• Brett quit CompUSA
• The Discovery Channel Store let my brother go because they didn't need help after Christmas
• Brett started working at Chase Bank after New Year's
• Cold Stone says they can't open my store up because of budget concerns
• I'm looking for a new job (I interviewed for a newscaster job at AM 620, so waiting to hear back on that)
• My dad's going to the Philippines for awhile and won't be back till March
• I still want an I-Pod
• Brett applied for a few jobs here in Milwaukee doing sports at TMJ4 and Fox 6.
• Did I tell you I'm working for $8 an hour at Cold Stone and I'm not getting my store? Yea, I'm kinda dwelling on that. Because it sucks!

So, that's pretty much the last few months since we moved back here from Boston. Yes, Milwaukee is a completely different animal than Boston. But it is home for me. I really do miss the city a lot, though. It's funny. I didn't really think I would. But, I do. I guess it meant a lot more to me than I really thought it would. I just miss walking everywhere.

Hearing the noises. That really gets me. It's like Milwaukee isn't a small city by any means. But it's so quiet compared to Boston. Boston was just...there was like a hum to it and it constantly was there. You could always hear something. Be it the guy peeing under my windowsill late at night or the T running a few blocks away. There was always some sort of noise. I miss that. I don't miss the smell, though. There was that weird smell to the city sometimes.

Plus, I've gotten wicked fat out here. Not walking and driving everywhere has made me put on some serious weight. I just can't get rid of it. And I'm trying everything. It's almost impossible. Another reason why I just need to get away from Cold Stone. Damn hell hole.

So, yea. It's good. I miss the city, but at least I have Brett with me. That means a lot just to have him here with me. He's the bestest boyfriend in the world, but you know that already. I just liking saying it outloud because I'm so lucky to have him. :)