“I’m sorry.  I don’t participate in Ugly Shirt Friday.”  –Gerry May 6/26/09

“Shouldn’t I get a bereavement day for Michael Jackson’s death?”  –Trish Williford 6/29/09

“I’m not touching the Bain 9000!  It’s a monsterous piece of equipment!”  –Comcast Cable Tech Glenn Stuart 6/29/09

“Vehicles do run out of gas, and we do not think they (the cops) will allow him to stop and refuel.”  –Shepherd Smith, anchoring a high speed chase 6/29/09

“I had a very interesting dream about Shepherd Smith.” –Corrie Cross 6/29/09

On the day I saw T2, I tried to buy an Optimus Prime t-shirt before the movie (weird alert), but they had only one at Target and it was a boy’s XS.  Sorry if you wanted that for your 5-year-old and I stretched it out trying to make it work.

My favorite part:  When Opt. (that’s what I call him at home) got the powers of the older and wiser former Decepticon-turned-good and became Prime Plus!  Then, butt kicking of ultimate proportions ensued!

The hottness factor of Megan Fix, I mean Fox, was enhanced technologically.  I’m not just sayin’ that cuz men find her attractive and I’m a female.  I’m sayin’ it cuz I’m a geek and I think it’s cool how they did it.  You’re old enough to Google the details.

The humor was excellent and somewhat subtle.

The mom was funny way beyond what she was in the first movie.

There was some love tension and humor.  I cried.

A really cool Palm Pre commercial ran in the previews.

I found myself sort of crushin’ on Bumble Bee, then remembered two things.  1)  In the heart of the crush world, Bee belongs to my cousin, Kristin, and my co-worker, Trish.  2)  I claimed loyalty to Opt. even before I saw him get stronger and save the world.  Now, there’s no goin’ back.

(L to R) KTBS 3 News interns Tressa Allen, Martha Tingle, Taylor Willis and Orin Smith

Our newsroom, like others around the country, is being reorganized as the industry changes.  Webcast Studio B was built in the conference room.  Meeting rooms, edit bays and other areas are being re-purposed.

This is “The Loft”.  For decades, it’s been known as the place not to go in search of an old piece of footage you need for a story. 

Most reporters would rather write around the need for old footage than venture up the creaky stairs to “The Loft”, where racks of tapes were rumored to close in on the brave soul who dared to enter.   The floor was sticky.  You heard things.  Stephen King could have garnered enough inspiration for a lifetime of thrillers in this small, dark, dusty area.  

It’s tough to imagine all that now.  These courageous interns dedicated part of their Friday to help Operations Manager Trey Lankford and other staff members reorganize the tape system in the newsroom.  20 years of tapes were boldly categorized for easier access for news purposes.

And now, a house for history doesn’t seem so haunted. 

Here’s the controversial video of what happened yesterday at the Louisiana House of Representatives.  Want the floor?

Transformers 2:  Revenge of the Fallen opens Wednesday, with the first showing at 12:01 a.m. There’s been much talk about Megan Fox being several percentage points hotter than in the first movie, more things exploding and additional FX. 

Here’s a preview.  What do you think?

“Attention everyone:  The water in the building will be cut off in about 10 minutes, so please go.”  –Station page by Nakellea Parker 6/8/09

“I don’t want to see the queen bent over working in her garden.”  –Gerry May (on air) 6/17/09

Jim Christie:  “Where is T-Ray?”  Michael Moore:  “Couldn’t tell ya.   Wait, who is T-Ray?” 6/19/09

“I drove the live truck when I was 9 months pregnant.”  –Sherri Talley 6/19/09

Remember the competitive, scrappy and sometimes violent Media Softball League?

We played on hot Sunday afternoons.  Fights on the field would ensue.  Fisticuffs.  Ejections from the park.

I had a problem with turning a double play.  To this day, I’ve never done it.  I could usually make the play at second, then my adrenalin started juicin’ and I’d overthrow first…always!!!  It became more predictable than a PETA protest.

During one game, after a particularly alarming overthrow, my son, a Little League All-Star at the time, approached the dugout and summoned me for a conversation through the chain link fence.

Casey:  “Mom, I have something to tell you.”

Me:  “Hey, Baby, need something to drink?  You doin’ okay?”

Casey:  “I’m fine, Mom.  But you’re not.  Listen to me.  You know how you’re over-throwing first?”

Me:  “Um.  Yeah.”

Casey:   ”Try rolling the ball to first.  But roll it with conviction.”

That’s when the word conviction, out of the mouth of a child, got my attention.

Conviction is cool.  To me, it evokes instances of out-of-the-ordinary passion, a confidence in a belief so strong that the courage to act on it comes easy.

I never got the courage to roll the ball to first, but now I wonder what would have happened if I did.

Before Dad died, he told me the best Father’s Day present I ever gave him was a letter I wrote, thanking him for some of the things he did for me.

In case he’s looking down and forgot some of those, here’s a reminder.

Thanks, Dad for…

Holding my hand when I was 4 and walking me to Kayla Jean Dobb’s house, even though it was just next door.  Showing me how to properly raise the U.S. flag.  Teaching me the value of a good work ethic.  Teaching me how to drive in the snow.  Spending time with my son.  All the homework help.  Teaching me how to do my own taxes.  Seeing humor in the most trying situations.  Being proud of me.  Serving our country. Making breakfast on Sunday nights.  Inspiring me.