Good Morning!
No Answers
Our News starts up at the Statehouse yesterday. Maxine Kilcrease, the former head of the Iowa Association of School Boards appeared before the Legislative oversight committee after being compelled by a subpeona to do so. She didn't answer a lot of questions. Lawmakers can't make her answer so we're not going to learn what's going on until the investigation gets a little furthar along.
Leak
In the Gulf of Mexico, things are going from bad to worse. Consider that they are burning some of the oil slicks from that damaged well leaking thousands of gallons of crude into the gulf every day. If burning oil is the solution, you know things are bad. Is this the price we pay for more energy independence? There are hundreds of these drilling platforms off the gulf, and this is the first time I've heard of an accident like this and a leak this big. Still, the environmental community is tuning up it's chorus of "I Told You So". I understand, someone screwed up and caused a leak the size of the state of Rhode Island. There are risks to this method of gathering resources for energy. There are also hundreds of rigs operating off the US Coast safely. Until someone comes up with a viable long term energy solution, this still may be the best way to do business.
Farmer's Market
It's the weekend I look forward to all Spring. Farmers Market begins tomorrow morning and the Dix Family is planing on being there. We're going to get there early so we can have enough time before the boys have to take a nap. Breakfast burrito, strawberry smoothie and maybe some of the asparagus Megan Reuther was talking about this morning. What are your weekly favorites at Downtown Farmer's Market.
End of an Era
I would be remiss if I didn't mention a significant family event today. My Dad is retiring.
He's been working in our family's Aluminum Foundry in some capacity since he was in High School but today will be his last day. He says he's ready to move on.
He learned his trade and how to run a business from his father and saw that business through a lot of economic ups and downs. He is truly craftsman.
I think about him all the time when people say I have a difficult schedule. If I can get up and attack every early wake-up call without complaint, it's because I had a great example to follow in my Dad.
I think about him when I have a decision to make about putting extra effort in or taking pride in my work. He taught me that if you're going to put your name on something it should be done right..every time.
More than anything he taught me that steady wins the race. His longevity and success in an industry that's been taken over by bigger companies, automation and innovation is a testament to his even keeled demeanor, and ability to see the big picture. It hasn't always been his youngest son's strong suit, but I admire that trait in my Dad and hope I can pass it along to my kids.
I love you Dad, and I am very proud to be your son!
Thanks for allowing me the personal aside, I hope you all have a good weekend.
PWD
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Hearing, Badges? and Tough Comeback
Good Morning
I hope you'll all join me in welcoming back out Morning producer Lisa Felton. Lisa was on Maternity leave for the past couple of months. She and he husband Jeff (also a WHO employee) had their first child (a girl named Cassidy).
We are happy to see her back at work but the Gremlins gave her a less desirable welcome back gift. Our server went down. Now I don't know what that means, but I know it's bad. Basically all of our video runs out of a computer, and the computer is busted. So we did it the old fashioned way this morning, actually rolling tapes from a player, rather than video from a computer server. If you were up early you saw the festivities. If you got up after six, I think we righted the ship a little. Hopefully it's fixed some time soon.
Hearing
The former head of the IASB is supposed to go see a panel of lawmakers today to answer questions about spending and her salary at the Association. Since this is, in part, a taxpayer funded organization her actions fall under the purview of the Legislative oversight committee. It will be interesting to see what questions she answers and which ones she takes the fifth on.
Badges?
The Boy Scouts of America are offering some sort of award or Merit Badge for playing video games. I was only in the Boy Scouts for a year or so but as I remember, the activities are largely outdoors right?
I get the point. The scouts know video games are here to stay so they're trying to promote "healthy use" of the games.
I still think Scouting should be about the outdoors. What do you think?
I
The story about the Scouts reminds me of my short-lived life in Scouting. Most of the meetings were over at my friend Mike Mooney's House. His Dad, sainted man that he is, agreed to be our Scout Leader. The one meeting I actually remember is the one where we were supposed to do the experiment proving Bernoulli's Principal. Somehow we couldn't make it work. Our 12 year-old minds thought we'd actually disproved Bernoulli. We proceeded to write "We beat Bernoulli" and "Bernoulli is a boob" in our scout books. I'm sure Mr Mooney had his head in his hands wonder why he'd agreed to supervise us.
Speaking of Parenthood
If you've missed the New NBC series Parenthood, I recommend it (again). This week's episode left me wondering what the heck I'm going to do to answer some of the questions my kids will have for me. A particular scene where one of the characters tries to teach his nephew how to dance was FUNNY. The guy's nickname in high school was "Fever".
All I could see was my friend Dan Cox teaching his kid how to dance when he gets to middle school. Dan was the closest thing we had to "Fever" at my School. My boys will be handicapped by their Father's inability to keep his feet going to a beat.
Hope you have a great day!
PWD
I hoep you
I hope you'll all join me in welcoming back out Morning producer Lisa Felton. Lisa was on Maternity leave for the past couple of months. She and he husband Jeff (also a WHO employee) had their first child (a girl named Cassidy).
We are happy to see her back at work but the Gremlins gave her a less desirable welcome back gift. Our server went down. Now I don't know what that means, but I know it's bad. Basically all of our video runs out of a computer, and the computer is busted. So we did it the old fashioned way this morning, actually rolling tapes from a player, rather than video from a computer server. If you were up early you saw the festivities. If you got up after six, I think we righted the ship a little. Hopefully it's fixed some time soon.
Hearing
The former head of the IASB is supposed to go see a panel of lawmakers today to answer questions about spending and her salary at the Association. Since this is, in part, a taxpayer funded organization her actions fall under the purview of the Legislative oversight committee. It will be interesting to see what questions she answers and which ones she takes the fifth on.
Badges?
The Boy Scouts of America are offering some sort of award or Merit Badge for playing video games. I was only in the Boy Scouts for a year or so but as I remember, the activities are largely outdoors right?
I get the point. The scouts know video games are here to stay so they're trying to promote "healthy use" of the games.
I still think Scouting should be about the outdoors. What do you think?
I
The story about the Scouts reminds me of my short-lived life in Scouting. Most of the meetings were over at my friend Mike Mooney's House. His Dad, sainted man that he is, agreed to be our Scout Leader. The one meeting I actually remember is the one where we were supposed to do the experiment proving Bernoulli's Principal. Somehow we couldn't make it work. Our 12 year-old minds thought we'd actually disproved Bernoulli. We proceeded to write "We beat Bernoulli" and "Bernoulli is a boob" in our scout books. I'm sure Mr Mooney had his head in his hands wonder why he'd agreed to supervise us.
Speaking of Parenthood
If you've missed the New NBC series Parenthood, I recommend it (again). This week's episode left me wondering what the heck I'm going to do to answer some of the questions my kids will have for me. A particular scene where one of the characters tries to teach his nephew how to dance was FUNNY. The guy's nickname in high school was "Fever".
All I could see was my friend Dan Cox teaching his kid how to dance when he gets to middle school. Dan was the closest thing we had to "Fever" at my School. My boys will be handicapped by their Father's inability to keep his feet going to a beat.
Hope you have a great day!
PWD
I hoep you
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
First Impressions
Good Afternoon!
It's going to be a jam packed newscast tonight...just a preview
The President left this morning but not before sitting down for a cup of coffee at Java Joe's. That wasn't on the public schedule. Hard to sneak around when you've got a Secret Service Detail. Hopefully we can show you more of that and the Prez's departure on our evening newscasts.
If you missed the re-introduction of Fred Hoiberg, you have to see it on WHOTV.COM. The thing I kept thinking? Only in Iowa. I've never had the pleasure of meeting The Mayor, but everyone who has worked with him in the past says he is a class act, super competitive and that he LOVES Ames and Iowa State. I can't imagine anyone walking away from that news conference thinking any of that was untrue. I will be among the people rooting for Hoiberg and the Cyclones when they aren't playing my Missouri Tigers. I like seeing one of the Good Guys win.
If you've missed the story unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico...it's bad. They can't cap that Oil Well where the rig exploded and burned. That means about 43,000 gallons of crude is leaking into the Gulf a day. Shrimping, Clamming and Vacationing are all in real danger this summer on the Gulf Coast. That's millions of dollars an Hundreds if not thousands of jobs. Just what the Doctor ordered in a bad economy.
We hear there could be some more details by this evening about the murder of a Drake Student overnight Monday into Tuesday. Look for that tonight.
Hope you have a good day.
PWD
It's going to be a jam packed newscast tonight...just a preview
The President left this morning but not before sitting down for a cup of coffee at Java Joe's. That wasn't on the public schedule. Hard to sneak around when you've got a Secret Service Detail. Hopefully we can show you more of that and the Prez's departure on our evening newscasts.
If you missed the re-introduction of Fred Hoiberg, you have to see it on WHOTV.COM. The thing I kept thinking? Only in Iowa. I've never had the pleasure of meeting The Mayor, but everyone who has worked with him in the past says he is a class act, super competitive and that he LOVES Ames and Iowa State. I can't imagine anyone walking away from that news conference thinking any of that was untrue. I will be among the people rooting for Hoiberg and the Cyclones when they aren't playing my Missouri Tigers. I like seeing one of the Good Guys win.
If you've missed the story unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico...it's bad. They can't cap that Oil Well where the rig exploded and burned. That means about 43,000 gallons of crude is leaking into the Gulf a day. Shrimping, Clamming and Vacationing are all in real danger this summer on the Gulf Coast. That's millions of dollars an Hundreds if not thousands of jobs. Just what the Doctor ordered in a bad economy.
We hear there could be some more details by this evening about the murder of a Drake Student overnight Monday into Tuesday. Look for that tonight.
Hope you have a good day.
PWD
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Visit, Exit and Idiot (and one more thing)
Good Morning...I'll get to why I am an idiot in a minute...first the News
Visit
Anytime The President comes to town it's a fun day around the newsroom. We'll cover the speech and the events, but the focus this will bring to southeast Iowa can't be a bad thing. You never know who's watching nationally and what it might bring to one of these towns.
I thought the Republican Party did a smart thing by planning it's "protest" the night before the President's visit. For one, if it was the same day we wouldn't be able to get over to the area they planned the rally. The second reason is more classy than smart. The Republicans who organized the rally wanted to hold the event the night before the Prez Visit out of respect for the office of President of the United States. Agree or disagree with the politics the office is to be respected.
Exit
We will cover Greg McDermott's exit from Ames by way of Omaha this morning. I ran into our crew headed over to Creighton for the official news conference. Maybe we'll hear from them at Noon.
That Horse is Tiny!
Did you catch my Anchorman reference this morning. I hope it was no secret that I think the story about the mini-horse, while cute, wasn't actual news. Poking a little fun at yourself is a good thing.
Of course, this was the only thing we got an email about all morning long. Some guy wanted a web link to the story and video so he could show his wife. I know there's a silent majority of our audience that wants to see the news and not more stories about miniature animals but it reinforces the urge to put "cute" stories in our shows when that's the only feedback we get. It's why I like hearing from you all.
It's 3AM
Do you know who's at Wal-Mart? Nobody is the answer! It's the best time to go to Wal-Mart. This morning mine was a trip of necessity. I needed breakfast bars and oatmeal.
Idiot
Or...no god deed goes unpunished. So I was driving dinner over to a friend's house last night. She just lost her Dad this past weekend and Sally made her family some food to make the transition back to normal life a little easier. I was on the phone with our friend getting directions because I'd chosen to use a different route to their house...I made a wrong turn and chose to make a u-turn, which is not illegal...but apparently I didn't pay close enough attention tot he light. The State Trooper that pulled me over said the light was red.
I tried to explain where I was going and what I was doing but he wasn't having any of it. $100 later, I was still feeling good about bringing dinner to our friend, but feeling stupid about making a wrong turn.
Now, before all of you fire off you emails scolding me...telling me that I was the one who broke the law...I'll tell you what I told the Trooper. I don't disagree about the light, I may have made the u-turn against the light. That said It wasn't because I was late or because I was trying to get around waiting for the light. I was just trying to point my car in the right direction to make a delivery. I was wrong, but I was trying to do the right thing. That doesn't always translate into other people doing the compassionate thing.
Visit
Anytime The President comes to town it's a fun day around the newsroom. We'll cover the speech and the events, but the focus this will bring to southeast Iowa can't be a bad thing. You never know who's watching nationally and what it might bring to one of these towns.
I thought the Republican Party did a smart thing by planning it's "protest" the night before the President's visit. For one, if it was the same day we wouldn't be able to get over to the area they planned the rally. The second reason is more classy than smart. The Republicans who organized the rally wanted to hold the event the night before the Prez Visit out of respect for the office of President of the United States. Agree or disagree with the politics the office is to be respected.
Exit
We will cover Greg McDermott's exit from Ames by way of Omaha this morning. I ran into our crew headed over to Creighton for the official news conference. Maybe we'll hear from them at Noon.
That Horse is Tiny!
Did you catch my Anchorman reference this morning. I hope it was no secret that I think the story about the mini-horse, while cute, wasn't actual news. Poking a little fun at yourself is a good thing.
Of course, this was the only thing we got an email about all morning long. Some guy wanted a web link to the story and video so he could show his wife. I know there's a silent majority of our audience that wants to see the news and not more stories about miniature animals but it reinforces the urge to put "cute" stories in our shows when that's the only feedback we get. It's why I like hearing from you all.
It's 3AM
Do you know who's at Wal-Mart? Nobody is the answer! It's the best time to go to Wal-Mart. This morning mine was a trip of necessity. I needed breakfast bars and oatmeal.
Idiot
Or...no god deed goes unpunished. So I was driving dinner over to a friend's house last night. She just lost her Dad this past weekend and Sally made her family some food to make the transition back to normal life a little easier. I was on the phone with our friend getting directions because I'd chosen to use a different route to their house...I made a wrong turn and chose to make a u-turn, which is not illegal...but apparently I didn't pay close enough attention tot he light. The State Trooper that pulled me over said the light was red.
I tried to explain where I was going and what I was doing but he wasn't having any of it. $100 later, I was still feeling good about bringing dinner to our friend, but feeling stupid about making a wrong turn.
Now, before all of you fire off you emails scolding me...telling me that I was the one who broke the law...I'll tell you what I told the Trooper. I don't disagree about the light, I may have made the u-turn against the light. That said It wasn't because I was late or because I was trying to get around waiting for the light. I was just trying to point my car in the right direction to make a delivery. I was wrong, but I was trying to do the right thing. That doesn't always translate into other people doing the compassionate thing.
Visit (take2)
I didn't know if they'd get the email out but we got some pictures of our visit from the Pella Tulip Court yesterday for the Noon News.
They are always one of our favorite guest appearances of the year and not just because they bring a big plate of Dutch treats along with them.
Hope you have a good day.
PWD
PWD
Monday, April 26, 2010
Exit? Visit and Housework
Good Morning
Quick blog this morning...
Exit?
Is Greg McDermott leaving Ames. There are a lot of people thinking this moves makes some sense. I think there will be a few people that actually ARE sad to see him go. He seems like a really good guy and a smart coach. Maybe he just wasn't ready for the egos and expectations of a major college basketball program. If any of this is true, you have to ask yourself...what's next for Iowa State? Is that why they brought Nick Nurse in as Associate Head Coach?
Visit
The President is going to be in Iowa tomorrow and we got his schedule a little fouled up. I guess he's landing in Eastern Iowa before his day of activities then come over to Des Moines for the night.
Call in the Guard?
So an Iowan gets stabbed in Chicago and one of their State Lawmakers wants to call up the State's National Guard to patrol the streets? I'm sure he's just making a point about the Police budget but really? I was in Chicago a few weeks ago and I felt pretty safe on the streets downtown at night.
Housework
A new study shows marriages that split the housework are more successful. In related news, the sky is blue, 2+2=4 and eating helps you feel less hungry.
Speaking of housework, I was reminded of why I usually hire people to do work around my house...it's because I can't do the things a trained Chimp can usually accomplish with minimal instruction.
We bought a new gate for the hallway outside the boys room. It's got a gate the automatically shuts. So installation of a gate held up by pressure shouldn't be that hard right? Wrong. I made my first mistake about 10 second after the thing was out of the box. I cut off a zip tie that held the gate in place...
Now, about four instructions into the directions...it says...DON'T CUT ZIP TIE BEFORE INSTALLING THE GATE.
OK, You might want to put that first, not fourth on the instructions.
So I'm trying to install this thing and the gate is swinging open each time I try to screw in the pressure pads that hold it in the doorway...bang...it hits me in the head. Did I mention it's a metal gate? I'm too stupid to continue my existence here on Earth.
Fun times.
So I'm going to try it again today...wish me luck.
PWD
Quick blog this morning...
Exit?
Is Greg McDermott leaving Ames. There are a lot of people thinking this moves makes some sense. I think there will be a few people that actually ARE sad to see him go. He seems like a really good guy and a smart coach. Maybe he just wasn't ready for the egos and expectations of a major college basketball program. If any of this is true, you have to ask yourself...what's next for Iowa State? Is that why they brought Nick Nurse in as Associate Head Coach?
Visit
The President is going to be in Iowa tomorrow and we got his schedule a little fouled up. I guess he's landing in Eastern Iowa before his day of activities then come over to Des Moines for the night.
Call in the Guard?
So an Iowan gets stabbed in Chicago and one of their State Lawmakers wants to call up the State's National Guard to patrol the streets? I'm sure he's just making a point about the Police budget but really? I was in Chicago a few weeks ago and I felt pretty safe on the streets downtown at night.
Housework
A new study shows marriages that split the housework are more successful. In related news, the sky is blue, 2+2=4 and eating helps you feel less hungry.
Speaking of housework, I was reminded of why I usually hire people to do work around my house...it's because I can't do the things a trained Chimp can usually accomplish with minimal instruction.
We bought a new gate for the hallway outside the boys room. It's got a gate the automatically shuts. So installation of a gate held up by pressure shouldn't be that hard right? Wrong. I made my first mistake about 10 second after the thing was out of the box. I cut off a zip tie that held the gate in place...
Now, about four instructions into the directions...it says...DON'T CUT ZIP TIE BEFORE INSTALLING THE GATE.
OK, You might want to put that first, not fourth on the instructions.
So I'm trying to install this thing and the gate is swinging open each time I try to screw in the pressure pads that hold it in the doorway...bang...it hits me in the head. Did I mention it's a metal gate? I'm too stupid to continue my existence here on Earth.
Fun times.
So I'm going to try it again today...wish me luck.
PWD
Friday, April 23, 2010
Hot Topic, Jeriann's Birthday and Turning the Tables
Good Morning,
I'm going to get a lot of flack for saying this from the women who are nice enough to read this blog but I thought it was interesting.
I brought the boys out with me to the Mall to run an errand and then took them to the gym with me. As I was going in and out of doors at the Mall, had a double stroller, a backpack and no pockets for my keys or phone.
Needless to say, it's tough to get a stroller through, especially if you're not smart enough to just press the handicapped door button. So I'm stretch out like I'm trying out to replace the Amazing Yen in the next Ocean's movie (we've got a grease man!) and I look up to see four women standing there waiting for me to go through the door. They looked like very pleasant people and smiled at my children, but they never even thought about opening the door!
I'm just saying, as a guy who opens doors for women, and has heard several complaints about other men who do not open doors for women, I found it a little odd that a guy carrying enough childcare crap to scale Everest while pushing a double stroller didn't get any help from the ladies.
Next time I'll just push the button.
Hot Topic
So we did this story about a theory a couple of the professors at Iowa State University are throwing around. Basically it says if global climates change as some people theorize they will over the next 30 years, we can expect more violent crime.
We've already gotten a few responses via email that weren't too happy with the story...one from a guy who says he's switching to Fox (boy is he going to be confused when he sees the same news team!).
I can see where some people would object. We don't know enough about how the climate of the earth is going to change over the next thirty years to know how it will effect society. I think the point was, if temperatures change, the shift in all sorts of small societal norms may be enough to shift patters of things like crime and violence. I don't think the professors think we're all going to be rioting if we get up to an average of 92 in the summer here in Iowa. That said a shift in temperatures could theoretically effect crop production, water supplies, and therefore job growth and patterns of movement from one state to another or one city to another. It's not the most ridiculous thing to think about.
Teachers
I guess I'm a glutton for punishment today because I am also going to comment on the stories everyone seems to be doing about school district cuts. I say again, a restructuring of School District staff salary and benefits could go a long way toward solving some of the budget problems. It might not solve everything but it would probable keep a few more teachers in the classrooom. Parents are getting mad at the District Administration and School Boards, maybe they should be asking teachers about restructuring (not giving up money) contract deals.
Jeriann's Birthday
Jeriann is celebrating the fifth anniversary of her 29th birthday today. Happy Birthday JR!
I Lied
Well not really, I just spoke too soon. A comment on the blog the other day asked what other changes go into our conversion to full HD this spring. I was going to walk around with a flip camera and show you but when I asked the boss he told me why that might not be a good idea. I guess there's some proprietary technology here. Our company is coming up with innovative ways to make this conversion so I guess they want to keep that close to the vest. Not that I would know or be able to explain what I was looking at anyway.
Bottom line, we're excited about the changes. It's going to be a lot of work but they've made a significant investment around here and I think it's going to pay off for you.
Maybe I'll give you a tour of the boy's playroom instead...
Have a good Day!
PWD
I'm going to get a lot of flack for saying this from the women who are nice enough to read this blog but I thought it was interesting.
I brought the boys out with me to the Mall to run an errand and then took them to the gym with me. As I was going in and out of doors at the Mall, had a double stroller, a backpack and no pockets for my keys or phone.
Needless to say, it's tough to get a stroller through, especially if you're not smart enough to just press the handicapped door button. So I'm stretch out like I'm trying out to replace the Amazing Yen in the next Ocean's movie (we've got a grease man!) and I look up to see four women standing there waiting for me to go through the door. They looked like very pleasant people and smiled at my children, but they never even thought about opening the door!
I'm just saying, as a guy who opens doors for women, and has heard several complaints about other men who do not open doors for women, I found it a little odd that a guy carrying enough childcare crap to scale Everest while pushing a double stroller didn't get any help from the ladies.
Next time I'll just push the button.
Hot Topic
So we did this story about a theory a couple of the professors at Iowa State University are throwing around. Basically it says if global climates change as some people theorize they will over the next 30 years, we can expect more violent crime.
We've already gotten a few responses via email that weren't too happy with the story...one from a guy who says he's switching to Fox (boy is he going to be confused when he sees the same news team!).
I can see where some people would object. We don't know enough about how the climate of the earth is going to change over the next thirty years to know how it will effect society. I think the point was, if temperatures change, the shift in all sorts of small societal norms may be enough to shift patters of things like crime and violence. I don't think the professors think we're all going to be rioting if we get up to an average of 92 in the summer here in Iowa. That said a shift in temperatures could theoretically effect crop production, water supplies, and therefore job growth and patterns of movement from one state to another or one city to another. It's not the most ridiculous thing to think about.
Teachers
I guess I'm a glutton for punishment today because I am also going to comment on the stories everyone seems to be doing about school district cuts. I say again, a restructuring of School District staff salary and benefits could go a long way toward solving some of the budget problems. It might not solve everything but it would probable keep a few more teachers in the classrooom. Parents are getting mad at the District Administration and School Boards, maybe they should be asking teachers about restructuring (not giving up money) contract deals.
Jeriann's Birthday
Jeriann is celebrating the fifth anniversary of her 29th birthday today. Happy Birthday JR!
I Lied
Well not really, I just spoke too soon. A comment on the blog the other day asked what other changes go into our conversion to full HD this spring. I was going to walk around with a flip camera and show you but when I asked the boss he told me why that might not be a good idea. I guess there's some proprietary technology here. Our company is coming up with innovative ways to make this conversion so I guess they want to keep that close to the vest. Not that I would know or be able to explain what I was looking at anyway.
Bottom line, we're excited about the changes. It's going to be a lot of work but they've made a significant investment around here and I think it's going to pay off for you.
Maybe I'll give you a tour of the boy's playroom instead...
Have a good Day!
PWD
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Blog on hold
Good Morning...I have to put the blog plans on hold this morning. We have an 8:30 am House showing...who wants to see a house at 8:30 AM??
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
RIce Sale, Break-in, and Navy Week Take 2
Good Morning!
Anytime your morning starts out by meeting Navy Special Forces, it's a good day. Two guys from the Navy's Leapfrog team joined us at the studio this morning. they're in for Navy week. The team is doing demonstrations at schools, they'll be playing water polo against the Des Moines Water Polo Club at Vally HS, They're at In-Play downtown Friday night to meet folks and answer questions about the Navy. They're supposed to be jumping into Drake Stadium Friday night but I think that one is getting rained out...but Saturday you can see them Jump into Principal Park at the I-Cubs game.
Anyone who gives up their younger years in service of their country is pretty cool in my book, but these guys are simply the best. They wouldn't and I don't they can talk very much about the work they do in their regular jobs but they did say the Leapfrog team is a little smaller than it normally is these days because so many of the Special Forces Units are in the field right now.
To the other news
Rice Sale
Des Moines School District voted to sell Rice Field again last night. the price was less than a lot of people here in the Metro pay for a house...and was about four hundred thousand less than a deal the District could have had a few years ago. I got a little context on that this morning by phone. Apparently there is an issue with the sewer system on the property that needs to be fixed to the tune of $360,000. Add that to the sale price and you get the fair market value...but the District was never going to sell the property without either lowering the price, or doing the work itself.
Break-in
Did you see Andy Fales story about the 89 year-old Grandma who shot at a would be burglar the other day? Watch it...priceless.
Airborne
Europe is moving again on a limited basis. I'm hoping they're making the right decision. Everyone agrees there's still ash in the air, but there's disagreement on how much damage it would really do to a plane.
I know everyone is impatient but safety has to be first.
Balloon Payment
The family in the balloon boy hoax agreed to pay about $36,000 in restitution to authorities who responded to the incident.
Now that's good news if you ask me.
What's in a Name
Now usually I'm pretty in favor of separation of Church and State. I don't think anyone's religious beliefs should be a measure of fitness for public office, or a test for participation in government. We're a nation of many religions and I believe in protecting the minority rights. You never know when you are going to be the one in the minority.
That said I can't agree with the students who are upset at their University. Here's the story from the Washington Times.
So let me get this straight...there's are about a thousand schools named after Joe Shmoe who has no ties to any organized religion...and you chose one named Trinity. Then you are shocked when, after spending four years there, you find out they have a reference to Christianity on the Diploma?
First, shame on you. Second, you aren't being asked to swear an oath. This isn't a document with a public proclamation on it...and finally, it's a private school!
This is the kind of fight that takes credibility away from actual infringement of religious freedom.
So that's what I've got this morning.
Feel free as always to comment on these or any other story you saw in our show...and to ask anything you'd like to know about.
Have a good one
PWD
Anytime your morning starts out by meeting Navy Special Forces, it's a good day. Two guys from the Navy's Leapfrog team joined us at the studio this morning. they're in for Navy week. The team is doing demonstrations at schools, they'll be playing water polo against the Des Moines Water Polo Club at Vally HS, They're at In-Play downtown Friday night to meet folks and answer questions about the Navy. They're supposed to be jumping into Drake Stadium Friday night but I think that one is getting rained out...but Saturday you can see them Jump into Principal Park at the I-Cubs game.
Anyone who gives up their younger years in service of their country is pretty cool in my book, but these guys are simply the best. They wouldn't and I don't they can talk very much about the work they do in their regular jobs but they did say the Leapfrog team is a little smaller than it normally is these days because so many of the Special Forces Units are in the field right now.
To the other news
Rice Sale
Des Moines School District voted to sell Rice Field again last night. the price was less than a lot of people here in the Metro pay for a house...and was about four hundred thousand less than a deal the District could have had a few years ago. I got a little context on that this morning by phone. Apparently there is an issue with the sewer system on the property that needs to be fixed to the tune of $360,000. Add that to the sale price and you get the fair market value...but the District was never going to sell the property without either lowering the price, or doing the work itself.
Break-in
Did you see Andy Fales story about the 89 year-old Grandma who shot at a would be burglar the other day? Watch it...priceless.
Airborne
Europe is moving again on a limited basis. I'm hoping they're making the right decision. Everyone agrees there's still ash in the air, but there's disagreement on how much damage it would really do to a plane.
I know everyone is impatient but safety has to be first.
Balloon Payment
The family in the balloon boy hoax agreed to pay about $36,000 in restitution to authorities who responded to the incident.
Now that's good news if you ask me.
What's in a Name
Now usually I'm pretty in favor of separation of Church and State. I don't think anyone's religious beliefs should be a measure of fitness for public office, or a test for participation in government. We're a nation of many religions and I believe in protecting the minority rights. You never know when you are going to be the one in the minority.
That said I can't agree with the students who are upset at their University. Here's the story from the Washington Times.
Students at a Texas college are demanding that their diplomas not be dated
"in the year of Our Lord," prompting school officials to consider removing
that
phrase while leaving what others consider another obvious reference to
Christendom — the school's name, Trinity University.
So let me get this straight...there's are about a thousand schools named after Joe Shmoe who has no ties to any organized religion...and you chose one named Trinity. Then you are shocked when, after spending four years there, you find out they have a reference to Christianity on the Diploma?
First, shame on you. Second, you aren't being asked to swear an oath. This isn't a document with a public proclamation on it...and finally, it's a private school!
This is the kind of fight that takes credibility away from actual infringement of religious freedom.
So that's what I've got this morning.
Feel free as always to comment on these or any other story you saw in our show...and to ask anything you'd like to know about.
Have a good one
PWD
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Make-up, Walking and Answers
Good afternoon!
I had a couple meetings this morning so it's a Noon blog. I'll keep it a bit off topic from the news cause there are a couple other things going on.
First and foremost I'll answer (again) the question a few of you are asking. Where's Brad?
A woman actually left a message on my voicemail this morning, she actually said, "The public deserves answers!" before she accused me of a cover up on the scale of Watergate. I assure you...it's not that big of a deal
If you look a couple days ago here on the blog, I answered someone's question about Brad. I thought that people would see it and have the answer they needed. As I said then, he's taking some time off. Brad is still a member of our team and we expect him back soon.
I haven't made a big deal about his absence because...well, frankly there wasn't any reason to. So I hope that answers your question.
The morning went by quickly, and that was good, the bad news was I had a couple of things to do here at the station.
We are switching over to full HD broadcasts soon and that means a change in makeup. Because you'll be able to see the picture more clearly than you ever have before, we need to wear make-up that makes us look like we're not wearing make-up. Anyone who watched today's Noon broadcast knows this is a work in progress. I feel like a mannequin, or as my friend Mara put it...I look like Dick Clark. Plastic and...timeless.
Today was actually the first time I've ever had someone else put on my make-up for a show. This may be more information than you all want but the make-up that's best for HD is actually spray on. I'm still going to have to put my own make-up on in the future, but the woman training us to use the machine was here today. I thought I'd keep her handiwork on and see how it looked. We'll make it work.
Finally this afternoon, it was a big day in the Dix household. Will took his first real steps this morning. When I say "real" steps, I mean...steps that he took, without us trying to bribe him. He's still a little wobbly, but I think he's got it. The event was even more significant because Sally was home. She's been back at work a week now and like a lot of working parents she worries about missing some of these milestones.
I'll try to post a bit of video of the little man's journey across the playroom.
Have a good one...I'm gonna read more of the Nooner and figure out who's got the Lindbergh baby...
PWD
I had a couple meetings this morning so it's a Noon blog. I'll keep it a bit off topic from the news cause there are a couple other things going on.
First and foremost I'll answer (again) the question a few of you are asking. Where's Brad?
A woman actually left a message on my voicemail this morning, she actually said, "The public deserves answers!" before she accused me of a cover up on the scale of Watergate. I assure you...it's not that big of a deal
If you look a couple days ago here on the blog, I answered someone's question about Brad. I thought that people would see it and have the answer they needed. As I said then, he's taking some time off. Brad is still a member of our team and we expect him back soon.
I haven't made a big deal about his absence because...well, frankly there wasn't any reason to. So I hope that answers your question.
The morning went by quickly, and that was good, the bad news was I had a couple of things to do here at the station.
We are switching over to full HD broadcasts soon and that means a change in makeup. Because you'll be able to see the picture more clearly than you ever have before, we need to wear make-up that makes us look like we're not wearing make-up. Anyone who watched today's Noon broadcast knows this is a work in progress. I feel like a mannequin, or as my friend Mara put it...I look like Dick Clark. Plastic and...timeless.
Today was actually the first time I've ever had someone else put on my make-up for a show. This may be more information than you all want but the make-up that's best for HD is actually spray on. I'm still going to have to put my own make-up on in the future, but the woman training us to use the machine was here today. I thought I'd keep her handiwork on and see how it looked. We'll make it work.
Finally this afternoon, it was a big day in the Dix household. Will took his first real steps this morning. When I say "real" steps, I mean...steps that he took, without us trying to bribe him. He's still a little wobbly, but I think he's got it. The event was even more significant because Sally was home. She's been back at work a week now and like a lot of working parents she worries about missing some of these milestones.
I'll try to post a bit of video of the little man's journey across the playroom.
Have a good one...I'm gonna read more of the Nooner and figure out who's got the Lindbergh baby...
PWD
Monday, April 19, 2010
Kick Ash, Navy Week and Honesty
Good Morning!
Quiet weekend at the Dix household with NO showings for our house. I'll be honest we're getting a little desperate. I made pancakes and maple flavored bacon for breakfast yesterday. The house still smells like bacon. We have a showing this afternoon...if bacon can't help sell our house...I give up.
The News
License
DOT changing the Way DMV hands out the DL
Did you get that? In short, if you go get your license...it's not gonna show up for a couple weeks while the state checks to make sure you are who you say you are. Sooner or later the computers are going to get fast enough that this face recognition software is just going to be able to do the check right there...but for now...you wait.
Kick Ash
So most of western Europe is shut down...Not cool.
If I'm one of the thousands of people waiting to get back to the US, I wait patiently. NATO officials reported this morning the "several" F-16 fighters were damaged flying through the ash cloud from that erupting volcano. I wouldn't want to risk getting over the Atlantic only to find out you were on a plane that had a damaged engine.
Navy Week
If you missed it we kicked off Navy week this morning with a visit from one of the Navy's culinary specialists. He made us Potato Salad. It was VERY good. Really, I'm not a potato salad guy and I thought it was good. Also, when Brooke says it's good, I listen.
This was the first of three interviews we're going to have on the show this week.
If you're snickering under your breath about Navy week in IOWA? You're not alone. I got a couple comments from people when I told them what we were doing. The Navy week is one of 20 that go on around the country during the year. This one coincides with Drake Relays. The Navy brought personnel here to Des Moines to highlight Navy life. We'll have some other cool guests on Wednesday and again on Friday.
Honesty
Brian Davis is a PGA Tour Golfer that you should point at and tell your kids...that's an athlete to emulate. Golfblogger.com described it this way:
Have a good day,
PWD
Quiet weekend at the Dix household with NO showings for our house. I'll be honest we're getting a little desperate. I made pancakes and maple flavored bacon for breakfast yesterday. The house still smells like bacon. We have a showing this afternoon...if bacon can't help sell our house...I give up.
The News
License
DOT changing the Way DMV hands out the DL
Did you get that? In short, if you go get your license...it's not gonna show up for a couple weeks while the state checks to make sure you are who you say you are. Sooner or later the computers are going to get fast enough that this face recognition software is just going to be able to do the check right there...but for now...you wait.
Kick Ash
So most of western Europe is shut down...Not cool.
If I'm one of the thousands of people waiting to get back to the US, I wait patiently. NATO officials reported this morning the "several" F-16 fighters were damaged flying through the ash cloud from that erupting volcano. I wouldn't want to risk getting over the Atlantic only to find out you were on a plane that had a damaged engine.
Navy Week
If you missed it we kicked off Navy week this morning with a visit from one of the Navy's culinary specialists. He made us Potato Salad. It was VERY good. Really, I'm not a potato salad guy and I thought it was good. Also, when Brooke says it's good, I listen.
This was the first of three interviews we're going to have on the show this week.
If you're snickering under your breath about Navy week in IOWA? You're not alone. I got a couple comments from people when I told them what we were doing. The Navy week is one of 20 that go on around the country during the year. This one coincides with Drake Relays. The Navy brought personnel here to Des Moines to highlight Navy life. We'll have some other cool guests on Wednesday and again on Friday.
Honesty
Brian Davis is a PGA Tour Golfer that you should point at and tell your kids...that's an athlete to emulate. Golfblogger.com described it this way:
On the first playoff hole of the Verizon Heritage, Brian Davis hit his secondKudos to the golfer that knows the rules, and has the discipline to call the penalty on himself even though he knew it would cost him the win. A lot of people actually think he'll gain in the long run.
shot the left side of the 18th green, off the rocks and onto the beach. Jim
Furyk then hit the ball over the green, leaving himself with a long putt from
just off the green. Furyk putted, but overshot the hole by a significant
distance.
Davis then had a choice. He could try to get on the green with his
third shot from the beach, or drop where he crossed over and, lying four, chip
in. He chose to play it like a bunker. The shot cleared the seawall and went
long.
But then Brian Davis called over the PGA Tour official and called a
penalty on himself. After much discussion, the upshot was this: on the
backswing, he had brushed a loose reed with his club. That’s a violation of rule
13-4c.
Have a good day,
PWD
Friday, April 16, 2010
Friday = Starbucks
Good morning. Pat went to get us coffee from Starbucks so I told him I would do the blog. Jeriann said she wanted some "good" coffee which means she wanted one of those drinks that has so much sugar, syrup and chocolate in it, you might not even know there's coffee. I am usually a simple person when it comes to my caffeine. I like it without any sugar and cream, but every once in a while I like one of those "frou-frou" drinks and today was one of those days. I got the cinnamon latte and it is delicious!
I think the other reason why I wanted one of those drinks is due to the fact that I am taking a break from dieting. Or maybe a better way of saying it is I am going to stop depriving myself for a while. I started working out and watching what I eat two years ago when I finally got fed up with my post-baby body. I did pretty good... but never lost the last few pounds. And seriously, I have been trying to get to my final goal for a year and half. I mean, how hard is it to lose a couple pounds? Well, apparently it's too much for me. I'll do good for a few weeks, then have a bad weekend of eating too much pizza and gummy bears. So, I decided I was done with the dieting for a while. Hopefully I won't blow up.
The Well
Wells Fargo Arena is a busy place this weekend. Elton John, AC/DC and Iowa Energy. And have you noticed all the people in town for the FFA convention. They are so cute in their corduroy blue jackets.
Hope you all have a great weekend. It's going to be beautiful!
Brooke
I think the other reason why I wanted one of those drinks is due to the fact that I am taking a break from dieting. Or maybe a better way of saying it is I am going to stop depriving myself for a while. I started working out and watching what I eat two years ago when I finally got fed up with my post-baby body. I did pretty good... but never lost the last few pounds. And seriously, I have been trying to get to my final goal for a year and half. I mean, how hard is it to lose a couple pounds? Well, apparently it's too much for me. I'll do good for a few weeks, then have a bad weekend of eating too much pizza and gummy bears. So, I decided I was done with the dieting for a while. Hopefully I won't blow up.
The Well
Wells Fargo Arena is a busy place this weekend. Elton John, AC/DC and Iowa Energy. And have you noticed all the people in town for the FFA convention. They are so cute in their corduroy blue jackets.
Hope you all have a great weekend. It's going to be beautiful!
Brooke
Thursday, April 15, 2010
The Light, Closure and The Best
Good Morning...
What a morning...it's not every day you wake up to a text from Brad Hook saying he saw a big light when he was out checkin cattle last night. I swear there are things that could only be composed via text right here in Ioway...
The Light
Turns out Brad should not be fit for his tinfoil hat just yet. He and about a thousand other people in six states saw a big streak of light and a flash. The video from the dash cam of the sheriff's deputy's car was the best view we had. The scientists say the thing probably broke up before it hit the ground. Good Show while it lasted.
Closure
Iowa state University sent out a news release this morning at about 1:30am. It said a University Police officer found a body on campus last night about 8:30. No one knows the identity of the body yet, but of course, everyone's mind went to the student who's been missing for months.
Closure2
I can't imagine the kind of anger, and pain and loss the family of Ed Thomas still feels a year after their loss. I also can't imagine getting up in front of his killer and telling him the kind of pain he inflicted on your life helped a lot either. When it's over the loss is still there. There's nothing but tragedy here. I think I agree with The Thomas boys who said that Mark Becker is not a victim in this case.
The Best
Congrats! Des Moines topped a list of best places to do business. Forbes came up with the list. I'm surprised, but then, I guess I'm note...here's why. If you listen to Republicans they'll tell you this is a horrible place to start a business with the state's high tax rates. On the other hand if you live here for any amount of time you start to understand what brings people to Iowa and what draws them to stay for a very long time. My wife and I have had some chances to move closer to family and that's a huge draw, but when we look at the bigger picture of moving to a lot of other cities, they just don't have the advantages of living here in the Metro.
Finally, I may be the worst speller on the planet.
Surely I am the worst speller among people who do nothing but write all day. I actually think Brooke is going to haul off and clock me one of these days. I go into the computer and change scripts to rewrite them and sometimes my mis-spelling makes the reading interesting...Stay tuned, next time my fat fingers screw up one of her reads...She's going to hit me, I know she is.
What a morning...it's not every day you wake up to a text from Brad Hook saying he saw a big light when he was out checkin cattle last night. I swear there are things that could only be composed via text right here in Ioway...
The Light
Turns out Brad should not be fit for his tinfoil hat just yet. He and about a thousand other people in six states saw a big streak of light and a flash. The video from the dash cam of the sheriff's deputy's car was the best view we had. The scientists say the thing probably broke up before it hit the ground. Good Show while it lasted.
Closure
Iowa state University sent out a news release this morning at about 1:30am. It said a University Police officer found a body on campus last night about 8:30. No one knows the identity of the body yet, but of course, everyone's mind went to the student who's been missing for months.
Closure2
I can't imagine the kind of anger, and pain and loss the family of Ed Thomas still feels a year after their loss. I also can't imagine getting up in front of his killer and telling him the kind of pain he inflicted on your life helped a lot either. When it's over the loss is still there. There's nothing but tragedy here. I think I agree with The Thomas boys who said that Mark Becker is not a victim in this case.
The Best
Congrats! Des Moines topped a list of best places to do business. Forbes came up with the list. I'm surprised, but then, I guess I'm note...here's why. If you listen to Republicans they'll tell you this is a horrible place to start a business with the state's high tax rates. On the other hand if you live here for any amount of time you start to understand what brings people to Iowa and what draws them to stay for a very long time. My wife and I have had some chances to move closer to family and that's a huge draw, but when we look at the bigger picture of moving to a lot of other cities, they just don't have the advantages of living here in the Metro.
Finally, I may be the worst speller on the planet.
Surely I am the worst speller among people who do nothing but write all day. I actually think Brooke is going to haul off and clock me one of these days. I go into the computer and change scripts to rewrite them and sometimes my mis-spelling makes the reading interesting...Stay tuned, next time my fat fingers screw up one of her reads...She's going to hit me, I know she is.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Glee and Fifty Dates in Fifty States
There isn't a lot we talked about this morning on the show that we didn't talk about yesterday on the blog so here are a couple other topics.
Glee
The darling show of last season returns after a long absence this spring. I'm watching the first episode of the season now. The snarky dialogue I liked at the beginning of the season is back Glee is getting rave reviews...You can catch the episode on Hulu if you missed it.
SNL-
I also caught the Tina Fey SNL episode. Wow. It's a sad reminder of why the show isn't as funny without her.
So I'm blogging about a blog this morning.
I noticed a Facebook post from a High School Friend asking for some help. Her friend is going on a cross country adventure. She is trying to go on fifty dates in fifty states. I started reading and found out...she actually from Iowa. It's a pretty interesting read. So we started talking about it and already have some ideas if she wants some help here in Iowa.
What do you think? What is the best 1st Date Des Moines has to offer?
PS
I still haven't touched my golf clubs this year. That's going to be a problem if my friend gets us a tee time this Saturday morning. I'm trying to work out when I would go hit some balls to see how bad things are with my swing...yep...still not finding the time.
Hope you have a great day!
PWD
Glee
The darling show of last season returns after a long absence this spring. I'm watching the first episode of the season now. The snarky dialogue I liked at the beginning of the season is back Glee is getting rave reviews...You can catch the episode on Hulu if you missed it.
SNL-
I also caught the Tina Fey SNL episode. Wow. It's a sad reminder of why the show isn't as funny without her.
So I'm blogging about a blog this morning.
I noticed a Facebook post from a High School Friend asking for some help. Her friend is going on a cross country adventure. She is trying to go on fifty dates in fifty states. I started reading and found out...she actually from Iowa. It's a pretty interesting read. So we started talking about it and already have some ideas if she wants some help here in Iowa.
What do you think? What is the best 1st Date Des Moines has to offer?
PS
I still haven't touched my golf clubs this year. That's going to be a problem if my friend gets us a tee time this Saturday morning. I'm trying to work out when I would go hit some balls to see how bad things are with my swing...yep...still not finding the time.
Hope you have a great day!
PWD
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
DHS, Teachers and Taxes, and Spills
Good Morning
We talk about morning routine here quite a bit, so, most of you already know I do the same thing every morning getting ready. I have it timed out so that I arrive at work about the same time every morning.
So, Why were you late this morning Pat?
Turns out I am also clumsy at three in the morning. I was getting my coffee ready and hit the carafe on the counter. The hot coffee spilled all over my shirt. Good Times.
The worst part about it is that I have to go back upstairs and get a new shirt. No problem for most of you, but when I walk up the stairs I wake Sally up AGAIN.
You know what it's like, you are just asleep and are startled awake by a sound you don't expect...she's never sure if it's me or someone breaking into the house.
To the news
DHS
So some of the DHS's county offices will go part-time. The problem is that The State is asking its employees to retire early to save money. As you might expect the state's largest agency has the most retirements.
I understand people's concern that their local office won't be there five days a week. The problem is, Iowa doesn't need 99 county offices...we don't need 99 counties, but that's another conversation. Just my opinion, but I think when budget gets tight pairing down the amount of government in this state ought to be a bigger priority.
Teachers and taxes
Same subject different venue. Should it surprise anyone that School Districts are short on money? In Ankeny taxes are going up...big time. I have to smile thinking of the people who said they'd never buy a home in Des Moines because the taxes are SO HIGH. Well here come the higher taxes in the suburbs. I doubt this is the end of it.
Speaking of...
The Senate Majority leader is accusing the Des Moines School District leaders of scare tactics? As someone who lives in the Des Moines District I am glad my District leaders laid out the worst case scenario. They always painted the picture as worst case. It was up to the legislature to decide how much money schools get.
So here's a question for the Majority leader: If you were so sure you were going to restore funding to the levels the Governor asked for, why didn't you come out and say that in every news conference you had so you were on the record?
Was the District playing politics by announcing what the cuts would be? Sure. I'm OK with that. If Education really wasn't up for debate, then why not pass the funding first bill out of the gate?
Church under Fire
A priest in western Massachusetts says the Pope needs to resign. Good luck with that, but the mere fact that a priest is calling for Church Leadership to admit they now only knew what was going on, they covered it up, is amazing. If you really think about it, if you really look at all fo the facts, it's hard to come to any other conclusion than Church leadership knew about pervasive abuse among priests and didn't do anything about it. An active effort to cover it up is debatable, but it's getting less and less debatable each week.
One can only hope for change on a MASSIVE scale in the Catholic Church.
Other news of Note:
-I loved the Masters. I loved the outcome. I can't imagine anyone who isn't rooting for Phil and Amy Mickelson.
-The Governor's re-election campaign has a new manager. Any business, or organization that has had that much turnover in that short a time raises an eyebrow. Combine that with the stories that just about anyone can tell you about working with the current Gov and the word dis functional comes to mind.
-If Kate Gosselen is so upset at the characterization of her as an absentee Mom in the Media, why is she spending time in New York City to defend herself? The Today show has satellite technology, they can come to her if she really believes being with her children is important. And can we stop interviewing her and her husband? What a train wreck.
-I'd love to go see the USS Iowa in person. I hope there is enough support to preserve this National Treasure.
I also hope you have a good day. Enjoy the weather.
We talk about morning routine here quite a bit, so, most of you already know I do the same thing every morning getting ready. I have it timed out so that I arrive at work about the same time every morning.
So, Why were you late this morning Pat?
Turns out I am also clumsy at three in the morning. I was getting my coffee ready and hit the carafe on the counter. The hot coffee spilled all over my shirt. Good Times.
The worst part about it is that I have to go back upstairs and get a new shirt. No problem for most of you, but when I walk up the stairs I wake Sally up AGAIN.
You know what it's like, you are just asleep and are startled awake by a sound you don't expect...she's never sure if it's me or someone breaking into the house.
To the news
DHS
So some of the DHS's county offices will go part-time. The problem is that The State is asking its employees to retire early to save money. As you might expect the state's largest agency has the most retirements.
I understand people's concern that their local office won't be there five days a week. The problem is, Iowa doesn't need 99 county offices...we don't need 99 counties, but that's another conversation. Just my opinion, but I think when budget gets tight pairing down the amount of government in this state ought to be a bigger priority.
Teachers and taxes
Same subject different venue. Should it surprise anyone that School Districts are short on money? In Ankeny taxes are going up...big time. I have to smile thinking of the people who said they'd never buy a home in Des Moines because the taxes are SO HIGH. Well here come the higher taxes in the suburbs. I doubt this is the end of it.
Speaking of...
The Senate Majority leader is accusing the Des Moines School District leaders of scare tactics? As someone who lives in the Des Moines District I am glad my District leaders laid out the worst case scenario. They always painted the picture as worst case. It was up to the legislature to decide how much money schools get.
So here's a question for the Majority leader: If you were so sure you were going to restore funding to the levels the Governor asked for, why didn't you come out and say that in every news conference you had so you were on the record?
Was the District playing politics by announcing what the cuts would be? Sure. I'm OK with that. If Education really wasn't up for debate, then why not pass the funding first bill out of the gate?
Church under Fire
A priest in western Massachusetts says the Pope needs to resign. Good luck with that, but the mere fact that a priest is calling for Church Leadership to admit they now only knew what was going on, they covered it up, is amazing. If you really think about it, if you really look at all fo the facts, it's hard to come to any other conclusion than Church leadership knew about pervasive abuse among priests and didn't do anything about it. An active effort to cover it up is debatable, but it's getting less and less debatable each week.
One can only hope for change on a MASSIVE scale in the Catholic Church.
Other news of Note:
-I loved the Masters. I loved the outcome. I can't imagine anyone who isn't rooting for Phil and Amy Mickelson.
-The Governor's re-election campaign has a new manager. Any business, or organization that has had that much turnover in that short a time raises an eyebrow. Combine that with the stories that just about anyone can tell you about working with the current Gov and the word dis functional comes to mind.
-If Kate Gosselen is so upset at the characterization of her as an absentee Mom in the Media, why is she spending time in New York City to defend herself? The Today show has satellite technology, they can come to her if she really believes being with her children is important. And can we stop interviewing her and her husband? What a train wreck.
-I'd love to go see the USS Iowa in person. I hope there is enough support to preserve this National Treasure.
I also hope you have a good day. Enjoy the weather.
Friday, April 09, 2010
Failed Rescue, Tiger's Return, and Cookies
A quick Noon blog. I meant to get to this during the show but we had some unexpected twists and turns this morning...I'll explain...
To the news:
Failed Rescue
Rescue teams couldn't make it down to the area of the West Virginia coal mine where they think four people could be trapped. This was one of the things that kept changing as we were on the air this morning...
It's coming up on 96 hours now, the amount of oxygen reserve in emergency shelters inside the mine. Sally said it best this morning; I'm sure the families are holding out some hope, even if they know it's false hope, but I'm sure they just want an answer...one way or another.
Stevens
After we finished the show word came from Washington DC that Justice John Paul Stevens is, in fact, stepping down. Let the games begin. We talked to Sen Chuck Grassley in our newsroom this morning. he says he hopes the President will nominate someone with centrist leanings...
I hope the President Nominates someone who can look at the arguments made before the court and make a reasoned decision based on the Constitution and prescient.
Tiger
Ninth hole, left rough, 25 mph wind and NO shot. Of course he pulled it off.
That's why I like watching Tiger. I like to watch him play golf...That's it.
I will be rooting for a great back 9 Sunday that includes Tiger, Phil, Zach, and Freddy.
Cookie
So we had a guest show up for an interview I never confirmed this morning. It wasn't Anita VanGundy's fault. She's a finalist for the Pillsbury Bakeoff in Orlando. Pillsbury called about a 
month ago to set this interview up. We didn't know when Anita was going to leave for Florida so I told the lady that called to just get back to me and we'd set it up. I heard from her again a couple weeks ago and we still didn't have an answer. So I guess they told her to show up. It wasn't a problem, and she brought us cookies...there's a good chance you're going to get into the building if you bring food. Here's her recipe for the 2010 bakeoff. Good Luck Anita!
month ago to set this interview up. We didn't know when Anita was going to leave for Florida so I told the lady that called to just get back to me and we'd set it up. I heard from her again a couple weeks ago and we still didn't have an answer. So I guess they told her to show up. It wasn't a problem, and she brought us cookies...there's a good chance you're going to get into the building if you bring food. Here's her recipe for the 2010 bakeoff. Good Luck Anita!Sally's Dad is on his way to see the boys. Should be a fun weekend. I hope we spend a lot of it outdoors.
Hope you do too.
PWD
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Debate, Dumb and Random
Good Morning...I've got a lot of little random things to talk about this morning. We'll get to it after a little News....
Debate
The three candidates for Governor debated last night. I didn't hear the substance of a lot of their comments, I have just a superficial comment about their performance....
I've interviewed the former governor Terry Branstad a lot, and he's always seemed very comfortable on camera. That's why I was so surprised to see see him looking so uncomfortable last night. Too many BAD consultants.
Bob VanderPlatts attacked the former Gov saying he wouldn't need three four or five terms to get the job done... I guess no one should point out that he's basically been unsuccessfully running for Governor for three terms now.
Rep Rod Roberts looked composed and natural.
Dumb
How stupid do you have to be to make a joke about a shoe bomb on a US commercial flight?
A Quatari diplomat apparently couldn't do without a cigarette for a minute longer. He went into the bathroom, had a smoke and came back out. When a flight attendant confronted him, he make some sort of flip remark about lighting his shoe on fire...
I don't think anyone was going to think this was a joke. I saw the interview with a passenger in 1st class on the flight. He said if you weren't right there you didn't even know there was a problem.
Dumber
So the City Fathers in Fort Dodge are OK with saying City employees can go make Rah Rah for a proposed casino on the taxpayers dime...but if you wanted to go oppose the casino? You'll need to take vacation time.
This is why private entities should be involved in this Casino business but not local elected officials. I have a few words for what I think of this but the FCC frowns on using them on-air. What's next? "You are welcome at the Mayor's reelection rally...we'll pay you to be there and taking attendance." To say this isn't about an election referendum is ignoring the fact that the people of a county have to vote to accept gambling, and that the vote comes up every few years. This is absolutely an election issue.
Bottom line, even if it's "legal" it mismanagement of taxpayer dollars to get City employees to go cheerlead for the City's economic development initiatives.
Commercial
Ad Advertising expert called Nike's new commercial featuring Tiger Woods "brilliant". I have to agree. If the face of your brand is as damaged as Tiger is...why not hit it head on? It never says anything about golf or the equipment that Nike sells. To me the message is, this guy is imperfect, he's just like everyone else...just like you. I was left with this weird sense that I respected the brand even more. If you missed it here's the commercial:
Brush with Greatness
In 15 years of doing this job I've met some famous people, some of my own idols, and some celebrities that would intimidate a lot of people. On the job, I'm usually OK. I feel like I should be there, like I have something to say to a really famous person. In private, I am a GOOBER. I do not handle meeting celebrity very well at all. This was what ran through my mind when I noticed my favorite Cub player of all time behind me in the line at Chic-fil-a Wednesday afternoon.
Some background:
I am a Cub fan. Not a baseball fan, a Cub fan.
I love the Cubs. I grew up in a couple miles form the last "El" stop North of Wrigley Field. I learned how to take the train, and was allowed to go down to Wrigley at a ridiculously young age. I am genuinely disappointed
when they struggle through one of their characteristically futile Summer campaigns. I died a little when they missed going to the World Series a few years ago, and while I used to think I would see my Cubbies in the World Series before I die, I'm getting older, and the boys at Wrigley aren't getting any better.
I tell you all this so you can appreciate the increased heart rate and crushing pressure I felt when I realized Ryne Sandberg was behind me in line.
To me there's only one 23 in Chicago Sports and it's "Ryno".
He's the reason I wanted to be a second basemen more than anything when I started my ill-fated and short lived Little League Career.
He is still an example every young athlete should look to when seeking out a role model for sportsmanship and conduct on the field; and yesterday, he's was getting lunch behind me!
It took me a minute to compose myself. I did a little self-talk "OK...be cool...don't sound like an idiot..don't call too much attention to him..breathe!!!!!!."
I turned around and as calmly as I could I introduced myself. I wished him good luck with the ICubs and told him that I'd grown up watching him play. I told him he'd be welcome at the studios anytime to talk about the season and was on my way. I don't know if any of that came out sounding like I'd intended.
Mr Sandberg probably has a restraining order in process at the Polk County Courthouse.
I hope you have a good day!
PWD
Debate
The three candidates for Governor debated last night. I didn't hear the substance of a lot of their comments, I have just a superficial comment about their performance....
I've interviewed the former governor Terry Branstad a lot, and he's always seemed very comfortable on camera. That's why I was so surprised to see see him looking so uncomfortable last night. Too many BAD consultants.
Bob VanderPlatts attacked the former Gov saying he wouldn't need three four or five terms to get the job done... I guess no one should point out that he's basically been unsuccessfully running for Governor for three terms now.
Rep Rod Roberts looked composed and natural.
Dumb
How stupid do you have to be to make a joke about a shoe bomb on a US commercial flight?
A Quatari diplomat apparently couldn't do without a cigarette for a minute longer. He went into the bathroom, had a smoke and came back out. When a flight attendant confronted him, he make some sort of flip remark about lighting his shoe on fire...
I don't think anyone was going to think this was a joke. I saw the interview with a passenger in 1st class on the flight. He said if you weren't right there you didn't even know there was a problem.
Dumber
So the City Fathers in Fort Dodge are OK with saying City employees can go make Rah Rah for a proposed casino on the taxpayers dime...but if you wanted to go oppose the casino? You'll need to take vacation time.
This is why private entities should be involved in this Casino business but not local elected officials. I have a few words for what I think of this but the FCC frowns on using them on-air. What's next? "You are welcome at the Mayor's reelection rally...we'll pay you to be there and taking attendance." To say this isn't about an election referendum is ignoring the fact that the people of a county have to vote to accept gambling, and that the vote comes up every few years. This is absolutely an election issue.
Bottom line, even if it's "legal" it mismanagement of taxpayer dollars to get City employees to go cheerlead for the City's economic development initiatives.
Commercial
Ad Advertising expert called Nike's new commercial featuring Tiger Woods "brilliant". I have to agree. If the face of your brand is as damaged as Tiger is...why not hit it head on? It never says anything about golf or the equipment that Nike sells. To me the message is, this guy is imperfect, he's just like everyone else...just like you. I was left with this weird sense that I respected the brand even more. If you missed it here's the commercial:
Brush with Greatness
In 15 years of doing this job I've met some famous people, some of my own idols, and some celebrities that would intimidate a lot of people. On the job, I'm usually OK. I feel like I should be there, like I have something to say to a really famous person. In private, I am a GOOBER. I do not handle meeting celebrity very well at all. This was what ran through my mind when I noticed my favorite Cub player of all time behind me in the line at Chic-fil-a Wednesday afternoon.
Some background:
I am a Cub fan. Not a baseball fan, a Cub fan.
I love the Cubs. I grew up in a couple miles form the last "El" stop North of Wrigley Field. I learned how to take the train, and was allowed to go down to Wrigley at a ridiculously young age. I am genuinely disappointed
when they struggle through one of their characteristically futile Summer campaigns. I died a little when they missed going to the World Series a few years ago, and while I used to think I would see my Cubbies in the World Series before I die, I'm getting older, and the boys at Wrigley aren't getting any better.I tell you all this so you can appreciate the increased heart rate and crushing pressure I felt when I realized Ryne Sandberg was behind me in line.
To me there's only one 23 in Chicago Sports and it's "Ryno".
He's the reason I wanted to be a second basemen more than anything when I started my ill-fated and short lived Little League Career.
He is still an example every young athlete should look to when seeking out a role model for sportsmanship and conduct on the field; and yesterday, he's was getting lunch behind me!
It took me a minute to compose myself. I did a little self-talk "OK...be cool...don't sound like an idiot..don't call too much attention to him..breathe!!!!!!."
I turned around and as calmly as I could I introduced myself. I wished him good luck with the ICubs and told him that I'd grown up watching him play. I told him he'd be welcome at the studios anytime to talk about the season and was on my way. I don't know if any of that came out sounding like I'd intended.
Mr Sandberg probably has a restraining order in process at the Polk County Courthouse.
I hope you have a good day!
PWD
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Hail, Amazing, and Moments
Good Morning
Not a lot to talk about that we haven't already talked about in the news. So this morning My mind is on some other things... You'll see.
The News:
Hail
The Metro area was spared the Hail and the worst of the winds yesterday. Couldn't believe some of the pictures we saw. Broken windows, damaged siding, trees down, power lines snapped. It was not a nice day. By the time we were off the air most of the people who'd lost power had it back. So begins my least favorite time of the year. I hate Spring severe weather season.
Amazing
Have you seen the video of the Vanderbilt University pitcher hurt during a play this week? The ball comes of the bat and hits him IN THE KNEECAP!
Ouch!
Not a lot to talk about that we haven't already talked about in the news. So this morning My mind is on some other things... You'll see.
The News:
Hail
The Metro area was spared the Hail and the worst of the winds yesterday. Couldn't believe some of the pictures we saw. Broken windows, damaged siding, trees down, power lines snapped. It was not a nice day. By the time we were off the air most of the people who'd lost power had it back. So begins my least favorite time of the year. I hate Spring severe weather season.
Amazing
Have you seen the video of the Vanderbilt University pitcher hurt during a play this week? The ball comes of the bat and hits him IN THE KNEECAP!
Ouch!
The most amazing part of that is that he finished the play!
Here's the x-ray of his knee. Now you can finish breakfast
Moments
So it looks like Will is starting to figure out that he can walk if he wants to. He taking some clumsy steps right now and will probably be walking here pretty soon. It brought up two questions for the first time Dad. 1. How do you know what his "1st" steps really are? I mean he took a few steps then fell into my arms last night but I if the State Patrol won't count that as walking, I think we shouldn't either.
2. I found myself asking...should I go get the camera? Should I be documenting this moment? No responses for this comment the other day have left me to think about it more. What have the parents who read this blog done? Do you live in the moment and take pictures later or do you take hours of video of their failed first steps in order to get the "first"?
Ponder that as you enjoy your Wednesday.
Sally and I have some logistical things to work out before she heads back to work so the Boss has been gracious enough to let me forgo my Noon duties.
See ya tomorrow
PWD
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Stormy Weather, Mine Accident, and Don't Hate Duke
Good Morning!
I woke up at around two as usual with storms still a ways away, thought I could see and hear them. I thought it was going to be bad, and it was...for about thirty seconds. Thank You, Mother Nature, for easing us into spring storms.
To the News
Murder
What is so bad in your life? What could it take to make someone kill their spouse in front of their children. Some people have problems I can't comprehend. That said, this is one I can't ever fathom, and can't ever excuse. it's bad enough these kids will live without their Mother. Now they have to live with the memory of her being killed.
Mine Accident
We talked about leading our newscast with this story this morning. It's certainly a tragedy and because it's been so long since an accident like this has happened it is a shock. that said these men and women are part of a dangerous business. We have taken steps to ensure safety in mines like this one, but in the end, you are working underground in a highly combustible situation. These are the people I think of when I think of hard work.
Tiger
I watched the news conference and didn't learn a lot. I still don't believe Tiger is all that different a guy than he was before. I thought Mitch Albom said it best in the Detroit Free Press this morning
Don't Hate Duke
I don't. They won, They have won in the past. They win! What's wrong with a program that graduates all of it's players? What's wrong with a coach that is, by every expert account, a brilliant basketball mind? What's wrong with a little swagger? I don't mind it. I would have preferred Butler won last night, especially if they did it by sinking a half court shot; but in the absence of that, I'll take a school that puts a college education before it's sports success any day. Even if it comes with some idiots who are a little arrogant.
I will not, however excuse CBS for what it did to one of the best annual sports moments. One Shining Moment is a totally contrived emotional crescendo to the three week tournament. That said, I am near tears every year when I am reminded of some of the small schools who succeed against the odds, and I feel good watching these kids...yes kids...go through all of the emotions the tournament offers annually.
Jennifer Hudson's version of the song wasn't bad...she's a talented singer. We do not need any pictures of her singing. We need more pictures of the boys who make this tournament what it is.
Bad move CBS.
YA ruined it...and you probably spend a lot of money doing it.
What did you think?
I will see you tomorrow. Hoping Brooke is back! I think she is.
PWD
I woke up at around two as usual with storms still a ways away, thought I could see and hear them. I thought it was going to be bad, and it was...for about thirty seconds. Thank You, Mother Nature, for easing us into spring storms.
To the News
Murder
What is so bad in your life? What could it take to make someone kill their spouse in front of their children. Some people have problems I can't comprehend. That said, this is one I can't ever fathom, and can't ever excuse. it's bad enough these kids will live without their Mother. Now they have to live with the memory of her being killed.
Mine Accident
We talked about leading our newscast with this story this morning. It's certainly a tragedy and because it's been so long since an accident like this has happened it is a shock. that said these men and women are part of a dangerous business. We have taken steps to ensure safety in mines like this one, but in the end, you are working underground in a highly combustible situation. These are the people I think of when I think of hard work.
Tiger
I watched the news conference and didn't learn a lot. I still don't believe Tiger is all that different a guy than he was before. I thought Mitch Albom said it best in the Detroit Free Press this morning
Woods never should have been at the epicenter of such ridiculous attention, any
more than he should have become the human symbol for everything excellent, be it
financial consulting, telephones or shaving razors. Why? He plays golf. That's
it. Admire him for his golf. Ignore him for everything else.
Could people
actually do this, Woods never would have to endure a circus like Monday, and
neither would we.
And we'd both be better for it.
Don't Hate Duke
I don't. They won, They have won in the past. They win! What's wrong with a program that graduates all of it's players? What's wrong with a coach that is, by every expert account, a brilliant basketball mind? What's wrong with a little swagger? I don't mind it. I would have preferred Butler won last night, especially if they did it by sinking a half court shot; but in the absence of that, I'll take a school that puts a college education before it's sports success any day. Even if it comes with some idiots who are a little arrogant.
I will not, however excuse CBS for what it did to one of the best annual sports moments. One Shining Moment is a totally contrived emotional crescendo to the three week tournament. That said, I am near tears every year when I am reminded of some of the small schools who succeed against the odds, and I feel good watching these kids...yes kids...go through all of the emotions the tournament offers annually.
Jennifer Hudson's version of the song wasn't bad...she's a talented singer. We do not need any pictures of her singing. We need more pictures of the boys who make this tournament what it is.
Bad move CBS.
YA ruined it...and you probably spend a lot of money doing it.
What did you think?
I will see you tomorrow. Hoping Brooke is back! I think she is.
PWD
Monday, April 05, 2010
Quake, Liftoff and No Voice
Good Morning...
If you didn't notice...I lost my voice.
I didn't think it was going to be as bad as it was. Turns out, I had a hard time at 5am. Our floor crew sprang into action and kept delivering cups of warm saltwater for me to gargle. I still didn't sound very good. It's doubly frustrating because I don't FEEL bad. Little bit of stuff stuck in my throat, but other than that...
Anyway, we'll keep gargling through the Nooner.
To the news:
Quake
There was an big earthquake on the US/Mexican border. It registered at our about 7 on the Richter Scale. If you missed it, the seismologist we had an interview with said she expects aftershocks in the range of 6 over the next few days.
Lift-Off
The Shuttle Discovery lifted off from Kennedy Space Center this morning in Florida. Aboard the shuttle is Iowa State University graduate Clayton Anderson. Anderson is responsible for three spacewalks while he's at the International Space Station. We will keep you up to date on his (and Discovery's) progress.
Unemployment
I know the point Republicans are trying to make by holding up unemployment benefit extensions...Democrats are spending too much. That's fine but who actually thinks this is going the endear Republicans to voters? It's one more reason people think the GOP is file with bitter old guys who are out of touch with average Americans. I don't think that generalization applies to all Republicans but the party as a whole still isn't making a good argument about why they should be the ones in power. We spend less and will give more control to big business ain't the best argument these days even for conservative leaning people. The values argument isn't working either...it hasn't for a while.
Tiger
He's back at Augusta today...actually he surprised people and showed up yesterday. Smart move. We'll see if he's changed at all when he gets off script a bit in front of reporters. They are sure to press him on details of his infidelity, the state of his marriage and his game. The private stuff IS, in fact private, but a lot of people are making a compelling case that Tiger's public persona (the one we bought with all that Gatorade and Nike apparel) was based on the idea that he was a family man...a good guy. He didn't have to put that impression out to the public. I'll be interested to see how it goes.
Replacement
Justice John Paul Stevens is close to retirement...a lot of people have been saying that. this weekend he told the New York Times it was time to fish or cut bait...whatever that means. Anytime a Supreme opens his/her mouth outside the context of the Court's proceedings it's big news...even bigger because President Obama could have a chance to put a second justice on the court...in fact, he likely will. I saw a little of the discussion of who might replace Justice Stevens. Look for the nominee to be a women.
Weekend
Aside from feeling a little crummy I had a great weekend. It started with an invitation tot he Barnstormers game at 4PM Friday. I went to the game with our good friend Dan Kramer and his boys. We had a good time. I haven't ever been to an AFL game. It keeps your interest. Now if the Barnstormers could just keep from coughing up the football every series.
I also met a very nice viewer. We started to talk after a cheer of, "Gimme a K...Gimme a C...Gimme a C..." You get the idea. Anyway, she told me she was the lone Channel 13 viewer in her group. Turned out the women's professional football team was the group. All's fair I guess, they don't watch me, and I had no idea we had a Women's football team.
Hope you all have a great day.
PWD
If you didn't notice...I lost my voice.
I didn't think it was going to be as bad as it was. Turns out, I had a hard time at 5am. Our floor crew sprang into action and kept delivering cups of warm saltwater for me to gargle. I still didn't sound very good. It's doubly frustrating because I don't FEEL bad. Little bit of stuff stuck in my throat, but other than that...
Anyway, we'll keep gargling through the Nooner.
To the news:
Quake
There was an big earthquake on the US/Mexican border. It registered at our about 7 on the Richter Scale. If you missed it, the seismologist we had an interview with said she expects aftershocks in the range of 6 over the next few days.
Lift-Off
The Shuttle Discovery lifted off from Kennedy Space Center this morning in Florida. Aboard the shuttle is Iowa State University graduate Clayton Anderson. Anderson is responsible for three spacewalks while he's at the International Space Station. We will keep you up to date on his (and Discovery's) progress.
Unemployment
I know the point Republicans are trying to make by holding up unemployment benefit extensions...Democrats are spending too much. That's fine but who actually thinks this is going the endear Republicans to voters? It's one more reason people think the GOP is file with bitter old guys who are out of touch with average Americans. I don't think that generalization applies to all Republicans but the party as a whole still isn't making a good argument about why they should be the ones in power. We spend less and will give more control to big business ain't the best argument these days even for conservative leaning people. The values argument isn't working either...it hasn't for a while.
Tiger
He's back at Augusta today...actually he surprised people and showed up yesterday. Smart move. We'll see if he's changed at all when he gets off script a bit in front of reporters. They are sure to press him on details of his infidelity, the state of his marriage and his game. The private stuff IS, in fact private, but a lot of people are making a compelling case that Tiger's public persona (the one we bought with all that Gatorade and Nike apparel) was based on the idea that he was a family man...a good guy. He didn't have to put that impression out to the public. I'll be interested to see how it goes.
Replacement
Justice John Paul Stevens is close to retirement...a lot of people have been saying that. this weekend he told the New York Times it was time to fish or cut bait...whatever that means. Anytime a Supreme opens his/her mouth outside the context of the Court's proceedings it's big news...even bigger because President Obama could have a chance to put a second justice on the court...in fact, he likely will. I saw a little of the discussion of who might replace Justice Stevens. Look for the nominee to be a women.
Weekend
Aside from feeling a little crummy I had a great weekend. It started with an invitation tot he Barnstormers game at 4PM Friday. I went to the game with our good friend Dan Kramer and his boys. We had a good time. I haven't ever been to an AFL game. It keeps your interest. Now if the Barnstormers could just keep from coughing up the football every series.
I also met a very nice viewer. We started to talk after a cheer of, "Gimme a K...Gimme a C...Gimme a C..." You get the idea. Anyway, she told me she was the lone Channel 13 viewer in her group. Turned out the women's professional football team was the group. All's fair I guess, they don't watch me, and I had no idea we had a Women's football team.
Hope you all have a great day.
PWD
Friday, April 02, 2010
Jobs, Threats and Decisions
Good Morning!
I am blogging f
rom home this morning...enjoying my two young boys as they eat breakfast. They really are one of the best parts of my day.
rom home this morning...enjoying my two young boys as they eat breakfast. They really are one of the best parts of my day. I got a few 
pictures my sister snapped over her weekend visit to Iowa.
pictures my sister snapped over her weekend visit to Iowa. I thought I'd share.
Enough of that...here's the news....
Jobs
There's a new report out this morning that we should have an update on today at Noon. The experts are predicting 190,000 jobs added this last month. Unemployment claims are staying steady or going down and there are some people who are saying this is the beginning of a long end to this recession.
As a family who's sending a second person back to work after a long job search, I think that's the way we're feeling too. It's great to have more income but I think we feel like it's going to be a long haul still to get back to "normal".
Threats
So some group wrote letters and asked a bunch of governor's (including Gov Culver) to resign. They apparently don't recognize the government's right to force them to obey any laws...just asking but what makes them think anyone in Government is going to resign just because they asked?
Attack
Hitting a woman is bad enough...brutally beating a pregnant woman makes me want to argue for a reinstatement of the death penalty in Iowa. Only the lowest kind of coward would try to harm a woman carrying his own baby(any baby really). I am glad the woman involved and her baby are OK.
Like Shooting Pirates...
How did they think this one
was going to end?
was going to end?Decisions
There are times when life seems to throw a lot of decisions at you all at once. I seem to be going through that kind of time right now. The details aren't important. anytime you make a long term decision about housing, jobs, or health; the decision can seem like it could potentially make or break the rest of your life.
Of course that's almost never the way it works.
Sally and I have done this before and we will make the best decisions we can with the information we have. That said, it seems like a lot.
Good thing the weekend is here. We will take some time to relax (I hope) this weekend.
I hope you can do the same!
PWD
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Census, Stabbing and Topeka'ed
Good Morning and Happy April Fool's Day.
I won't try to come up with some creative story to make you believe I'm having triplets or that I'm leaving TV to join the Priesthood...we'll leave the lame April Fool's Jokes to your co-workers. I am, however, interested in hearing about the best pranks you've played or the best joke someone played on you.
This is the boys first time in a swing and they loved it. Sally was lamenting the fact that she'd forgotten the camera and we wouldn't catch the boy's first time on the swings. It got me thinking, Are we going to have to catch everything these boys do for the first time? The big stuff like first words and first steps are going to be hard enough! What's more they come without warning. it's not as if either of them are going to give us some signal they're about to speak. I wonder, how much is really worth catching? It would be fun to look back on all of this twenty years from now. More to the point, it will help us remember how much fun we had doing all of it.
I won't try to come up with some creative story to make you believe I'm having triplets or that I'm leaving TV to join the Priesthood...we'll leave the lame April Fool's Jokes to your co-workers. I am, however, interested in hearing about the best pranks you've played or the best joke someone played on you.
To the news:
Census
If you're like me, you have to go home and fill out the Census before the mailman gets to your house. I don't know why I haven't filled out the 10 question survey yet, but I'd rather avoid a visitor to my door at a random timer and date...so mine will be in the mail today.
Stabbing
Our overnight photographer is getting a workout lately. there seems to be a lot of news happening overnight. There was a stabbing on the southeast side of the city early this morning. sounds like a bit of confusion in the early part of the investigation but Police caught up with a suspect eventually.
Foul!
Did you see the video of the Minnesota Twins player who fouled a ball off into the stands and hit someone. Turns out that someone was his MOTHER!
Apparently she's still mad at him.
Paid Vacation
I'm all for on the job perks. A lot of jobs have em, mine certainly does. This is going a little overboard though. The Des Moines Register continued it's excellent reporting on the mismanagement of the Iowa Association of School Boards. Why, again, do we need this organization?
Topeka'ed
So if you logged on to Google this morning you found it's had been Topeka'ed. This was the search engine's stab at an April Fool's joke. You might remember, as a way to distinguish itself and maybe even win Google's contest to get it's new super high speed broadband, The city of Topeka decided to rename itself Goolge, KS. No joke. So Google responded in kind and this morning the home page takes you to Topeka, instead of Google. Click on the explanation under the search box, it's pretty funny. Great PR and exposure for Topeka and for Google. We are told this will, in no way effect the search engine's decision on which community will be chosen to test out the new high speed system.
Early Spring
As promised in my late post yesterday here are a couple pictures of the boys out on the swings at the park Tuesday. We are fortunate to have a trail nearby that leads right to a great Windsor Heights Park. I am excited to use it this summer. Not only is the playground great, the walk should 
tire the boys out sufficiently for good nights of sleep!
tire the boys out sufficiently for good nights of sleep!
This is the boys first time in a swing and they loved it. Sally was lamenting the fact that she'd forgotten the camera and we wouldn't catch the boy's first time on the swings. It got me thinking, Are we going to have to catch everything these boys do for the first time? The big stuff like first words and first steps are going to be hard enough! What's more they come without warning. it's not as if either of them are going to give us some signal they're about to speak. I wonder, how much is really worth catching? It would be fun to look back on all of this twenty years from now. More to the point, it will help us remember how much fun we had doing all of it. It's just a lot of pressure to catch the moment while still trying to live in it and appreciate it.
I hope you all enjoy the weather...looks like the warm dry weather comes to an end tomorrow!
Have a good one
PWD
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