Wednesday, September 29, 2010

I might love the smell of ink but...

The interview went OK. It was certainly one of the better ones I have had...I think that is because I wasn't nervous and let myself feel comfortable for a change.
New black heels are awesome even if they do create some numbness in the toes on my right foot. But don't care because they looked gooooood!
LOL
The interview reinforced how the news industry is really changing. TV and newspapers face the same issue: They can't compete with the Web. It is sad how newspaper people and TV people each love their medium but where do we really turn for our news? Yep, online. The station manager and I both admitted that yesterday.
News outlets are constantly looking for a better way to deliver information to online readers: Longer stories, maps, graphics, photo galleries, videos.
And then you try to find ways to bring up your page counts with Facebook, Twitter, trying to get your stuff on CNN or Fark.
What is sad, and I didn't really realize this until yesterday during the interview, is that I use Facebook as a source for information. But some of my Tulsa World Facebook friends post stories that I have to go look at it (Brian Barber is an incredible city government reporter and a heck of a writer).  When Manny posts stories from the Huffington Post or CNN, I want to go check it out. And then there are the news links that I have "liked" that I get news story feeds...like the NPR stories.
And don't get me wrong, I love the feel of a newspaper between my fingers. I like the smell of wet ink that still rubs off on my fingers. I love to see how a page designer has presented the news...but there is just more online.
Speaking of which, it is 8:30 a.m. here on the Pacific Coast...I need to see what is happening in the world.
g

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Should I be nervous?

I have a job interview today.  Normally, I would be a little nervous about it.  The job interview process can make a gal crazy.  You have to worry about your appearance, what you are going to say and if you are making the best possible impression.
Today, I am not going to drive myself crazy before my interview with a local TV station manager. The job is for an interactive content producer (that position helps get news item -- stories, videos and photos -- to the station's web site. The job includes some writing)
Do I want a job? Absolutely.  I am bored and there is only so much social interaction I can get from the cats and Facebook. :)  More importantly, this type of job would allow me to round out my resume a bit, give me experience with the Web. I know that sounds strange, but online news is the way many people get their news and if you want to stay in this business you need some online skills.
So  you would think I would be uber nervous. I'm not. While I would very much like to have this job, I am not working myself into a tizzy.
My best interview suit is ready to go. Have a great pair of heals. And great hair cut that styles very nice and looks more professional then my old long locks did.  Sent the GM at the station my Food Junkie blog (it is still on the World website) and my best clips are easily accessible.
I will go in, be pleasant, professional and try to make the best possible impression. But what is the worse thing that can happen? Me not getting the job, and that is just not the end of the world.
If I keep that in mind, I will be just fine.
:)

Friday, September 24, 2010

The Danger of Coffee

I like to drink coffee. Can't start my day without it.
The crisp roasted flavor is just soothing to a mind going a mile a minute with a big things-to-do list.
It is great to have a cup-o-joe when I am pecking away at the keyboard.
Mmmm, mmm
Coffee.
Now I have a horrible habit of drinking this caffeine-laden concoction when I am tired or need to feel inspired. It gets me all peppy.
But there should probably be a limit. Drinking it all day, and drinking a pot and half by myself is not a good idea. Because today I need the coffee to stay awake since I couldn't sleep last night.
Bad coffee making Ginger stay up all night.
Now, is that second pot brewed yet?

Peaches-n-Cream and childhood memories

I was strolling through the clearance aisle at Wally World the other day. I was looking for a fan and managed to turn down the clearance aisle with all the of the toys.
The toys always make me laugh a little because they are so different from the toys of my childhood. Trendy or uber high tech. There was this cat with a motion sensor that would meow and move. It freaked me out a little until I figured out what was going on.  It is a long way from My Little Pony.

But as I pushed my cart along, I saw something that was from a simpler, more innocent time.
It was Barbie. An older Barbie. MY Barbie.
There in Walmart was a 1985 Peaches-n-Cream Barbie.
I was dumbfounded. And then I was flooded with happy memories. I remember having this Barbie in 1985. That Peaches-n-Cream Barbie was a surprise from my mom. And the 7-year-old Ginger liked it and played with that Barbie a lot. In fact, I think that Barbie was one of the first Barbies to wear the beautiful blue formal Barbie gown my dad brought back from the Philippines. That's right, my Barbies had fashions that Imelda Marcos would envy.
Sigh, such happy times.
And so long ago.
Funny what you find in the clearance aisle.

I got this photo from the Walmart website...I am a little too frugal to spend $40 on her today. Besides, I still have the original.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Hair minus four inches

This is not the best shot...I took it with my phone. But you can tell that my hair is about four inches shorter and you can see some of the layers.  When I took this photo, the wavy curls the stylist put in had faded.

Super long hair

Bun no more

For the last ten years or so, I have kept my hair fairly long and one length. On occasion, a hair cut would result in me losing more hair than I wanted, but those are few especially when I get my hair cut maybe once a year.
I like long hair. I like to wear it up in a bun or a ponytail. But lately, that just, I don't know...felt too bland. Too routine. Even worse, I didn't like the way it looked. Even when I curled it, my hair just looked like it was hanging there. It wasn't doing my face any favors. I already have a chunky round face and I have been battling dark circles for a while. My uber long and straight hair just made me more look a little fatter and a little older.
In March or April, I first attempted doing something different. I colored it for the first time ever -- at 32 I had never colored my hair before.  But I needed it then. The blond highlights were nice but they weren't the change I really needed.
I have mulled the haircut idea over since then. Not really acting on it because, well, change is scary.  And it is a big change to have long hair cut.  Yes, I have been known to cry, which is probably why I only get a haircut once a year.
But last week, I knew it was time. I needed something different.  So I had about four inches cut off. I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but it is enough to make it very hard to put my hair up in a bun.  And I had the stylist put layers in it, in an attempt to better frame my face and maybe give my hair a little umpf. Monday was the big day, and I have never been so happy to see that much hair on the floor!
Change is good.
But the hair is the only the first change.  I am trying to eat better,  maybe lose a little of that weight that makes me feel so very self-conscious. And I am going to try to exercise. I can't make any real promises, but I want to feel better and a walk around the neighborhood would be a step in the right direction. :)
It is little changes that may make the difference between feeling bland and feeling good.  Maybe it will even improve my outlook -- not so newspaper negative but maybe a little bit more positive with a touch of newsroom smarmy.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Who can stop the rain?

I have to confess. I do like a raining day, but only when it fits into my schedule.
It is great to curl up with a book about war, strategy, theory...or any other good book. The sound of the rain gently failing to the ground sometimes sets a creative mood and one can do a little writing.
Rain is even a great way to catch up on a little sleep. It is very soothing and just encourages me to snuggle up in the blankets with a hubby and kitten.
However, it is not conducive to being uber productive.  I have a long list of things to do today, one of which is to cut the blasted grass. And I can't do that when it is wet -- the little mower and big Ginger just couldn't handle that.
So, who can stop the rain?
Anyone?
No one?
Sigh.
I guess I have two choices. One, I can reevalute my things-to-do list or two, I can just grab a book and lay in be.
Hmmmm....decisions, decisions.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Trying something new

Generally, no real good comes out of me experimenting with food.  But today, I thought I would try something new.
I really like chicken-and-rice casserole.  Really like it with bacon on bottom.....mmm, bacon.  But, Mr. X is not a fan. And I understand, so I try not to fix it often...the few times I do, I add a lot of cheese (because cheese makes everything better!)
I found turkey breast tenderloins at the grocery store last week. The packaging had an enticing message:  "Be Bold."  It went on to say that the enclosed turkey can be substituted for chicken or pork loin.
"OK," I thought to myself. "What the heck, I will try it in chicken and rice. And besides, Mr. X likes turkey"
Now, I decided to make it in the crock pot. Added a little soup, some onions and herbs Provence.  Keep your fingers crossed. This can only go one of two ways, and I am hoping it goes the good way. :)

Friday, September 3, 2010

The best part of waking up

Is a nice cup of coffee and a sunny day.
It is kind of corny, but I like to get up a little earlier than everyone else, make the coffee and sit in my chair and just look outside.
On the coast, I could see a little bit of the ocean from our living room.  In Southern Oregon, I can see the mountains.  Once I get all of my lawn furniture repaired (it needs to be repainted, the sea air was not kind to my set), I may move outside with my cup-of-joe.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

I don't care what they say

Cutting the grass is not a lot of laughs.
It is 9:11 p.m. PDT. and I think I may go to bed.  Why, well I am tired, have joint pains and I am pretty sure I actually pulled a muscle in my butt. And I really didn't think I had muscles back there that could be pulled by mowing the lawn. Needless to say, I am not entirely amused with lawn mowing.
When I took over the lawn-cutting duties because my husband (known as Mr. X) is pretty busy with work, I thought it would be this way to get outside. Get a little exercise. And find the work fulfilling ... or in a strange way relaxing.
Yes, I know that sounds a little weird. But I look at my mom. She cuts a lot grass. She and my dad live on a farm in Oklahoma...and the yard around the house is pretty big. She complains, but she gets a certain amount of satisfaction from cutting the grass. For her, it is another reason to be outside and time to think.
I even have friends who talk about how they like to cut the grass. Some even talk about how it is a good way to get a little exercise. Right now, I don't see any of that.
As much as I want to, I can't give up on this little project. One, I am pretty sure the city of Medford has code enforcers that would write a high grass ticket.
And two, at some point, I have to find some benefit out of it. I just need to keep an open mind, right?
On the bright side of this pain-in-my-rump, I think it makes some of the older male neighbors uncomfortable to see a girl behind a push mower. And that makes me smile a little bit.  OK, a lot.

Cheese with that whine

Well, it happened. I have found joy in the strangest place: A Walmart Super Center.
I know how it sounds. And trust me, I know it is pathetic.  But since moving to the Medford area, I have searched for a place for decent prices on groceries that still bag the groceries for me. 
It is probably selfish of me and elitist for me not to bag my own groceries. But I have to put them in the cart, unload them to the conveyor belt, load them into my car and have to unload them that home. This makes me feel like it is OK to expect the grocery store to bag my groceries. 
OK, maybe I should stop whining before someone offers me cheese.