Thinking about the future

Two days ago, I learned someone I admire will be leaving his job and trying something new.

It was a good thing I was posting updates about a cold air funnel being spotted in the area. His news blew me away.

Why?

I have come to enjoy his fellowship at work. And I found him to be a wise ass like me. That is in a good way. He uses it to make a point and get others to think.

With that in mind, I have to think about the future.

Working in the newspaper business for 25 plus years has been wonderful. There have been many ups to go with a few downs.

But big change in making its way in the industry. Much of it I have embraced. A few minor things have been hard to grasp.

A reason for that may be that I am one of those long timers in the business.

What I have seen in the last seven to 10 years is a different type of person coming into this business.

Not that you have to sell your soul or family, but it appears people really like turning off the job when they step out of the building.

The news business is a monster that doesn't allow that.

You have to be there to answer the bell sometimes.

Many different industries have 40 hour weeks that are called that in name only.

More than ever employers are doing more with less.

It is hard, but I am one for answering the bell. Sure, I get the house in order if I have to go, but the blood still flows when we have to be there to tell a story.

I guess time will tell. For that person I admire, the young, up and coming and me.

Wondering how I fit into this world

Closing in on my 49th birthday and I am still trying to find my place in this world.

I have a parent who will tell me I am being too hard on myself. A few others will say I am being irrational.

It doesn't matter.

What have I done to make things better?

I find myself asking that question a lot.

As a journalist, I have written about other people and their accomplishments.

I am not envious. I am not jealous. I am searching.

Maybe I need to be on a reality television show, or do some outlandish stunt.

Or maybe, I just need to keep on doing what I do best.

Listening. I don't have any answers.

For me, just being there for others is a big thing.

Thanks for listening. I feel better.

I'm unretired ... I think

I decided to steal some of actress Amanda Bynes' thunder.

It has been several months since I posted on my blog. It is time to unretire.

Or maybe I am more like Brett Farve. Is this my third or fourth time to end a retirement?

In actuality, I just got caught up with work, my cat Smokey's blog and was a little lazy.

Whatever these stars want to do, go ahead.

I've got enough baggage and crazy stuff to keep me busy. Especially the whacked out Russian Blue cat, Smokey.

I cannot believe how much I talk and yell at him.

OK. He's a cat.

But some how he has me wrapped around his paw.

I wish i had time to discuss this more, but I need to post on his Twitter page (smokeybonty). He came out of retirement earlier Monday.

Hmm. Maybe that is how Ms. Bynes came up with the idea.

So long to transparency

Sorry for the long dry spell on the blog.

Let's talk about transparency.

The word was banned by the Lake Superior State University's Word Banishment Committee along with "shovel-ready," "czar" and eight other words. Check out the 2010 list.

Thank you to the committee members.

Transparency is a crock, or better yet a gimmick.

Politicians should be honest and forthright. Same goes for companies and people.

When the 2008 election was going strong, transparency was the catch word. Then when it came time to talk health care reform, it became just another promise tossed to the side of the road on the way to governing.

Meetings were held behind closed doors. They told you what they wanted us to hear.

It would be nice in 2010 and beyond to be there for the constituents instead of the lobbyists and other hangers-on.

At least that is what I believe.

Life's journey

If it was easy, life would be just another thing we take for granted.

Instead, we find ourselves climbing mountains or out of dark holes. Holding on to the last ounce of hope. Unsure of what the next turn in the road brings.

All this brings us back to faith. Trusting God.

Why do we sometimes make it so hard?

It is a simple thing, but ...

Giving you some thanks

Ten things to like about Thanksgiving Day:

10) Most meals feature turkey, but we eat like pigs.

9) Hearing the same stories over again from Uncle Ted.

8) Whip cream, not just for pie.

7) Football

6) Letting your dad sit in your recliner.

5) Parades on TV, best seat in the house.

4) Watching as the women plot their Black Friday strategies.

3) Naps, a must.

2) Loosening of belts is allowed at the table.

1) Family and friends.

Celebrities do become our best friends

The latest fall out from Oprah Winfrey's announcement last Friday she would be ending her show in 2011 has to do with the family factor.

Fans find her to be the next door neighbor, an aunt, cousin, and even the best friend forever (BFF).

OK, laugh if you want. This BFF is amazingly true.

How many of us get connected with a character or characters on a favorite television show or an actor? Maybe even a few meteorologists.

I am not a BFF with Oprah, although I have watched her show.

I admit I am BFF with some of the meteorologists on The Weather Channel.

Before they moved the dynamic duo of Mike Bettes and Stephanie Abrams to mornings, I did not miss many of their night-time shows.

I could pick out the change in hairstyle or color, even if they had been tanning.

They come into our homes and we treat them like family.

Pull up a chair and talk about your dreams and hopes. Would you like a piece of pie or some iced tea?

Just as they look into a camera and are not sure if anyone is picking up the signal, we, the viewer, only know it is us on the receiving end.

Sure, we may talk to friends and family about the show or people involved. But it is that one-on-one time we have with them. They are so down to earth.

Just like fans of Oprah are forgiving her for calling it quits, I was able to allow Bettes and Abrams to go to mornings. They are young and rising stars.

I watch them still form time to time, but mornings is my time to workout, get ready for work and to get plugged into the work day via the laptop.

I hope they will forgive me.