Morningguyed.com

Happy New Years! 

For my first post of 2009, I thought I would share one of my resolutions.  I need to shed  some weight.  If I could lose 15 to 20 pounds I would be happy.  I’ve started off on the right foot.  I’ve been to the gym every day since January 2nd.  Couldn’t go on the 1st because my gym was closed.  I’m also keeping a food diary, so I can see what I eat every day and find a way to curb the bad.

To keep with this health kick, I bought a scale.  In the 20+ years that I’ve lived on my own, I’ve never owned one.  So while I was at the store on Saturday I bought one.  I was surprised at how cheap it was, less than $9.  That should have been my first clue!  When I got it home I figured I would test it.  That was mistake #1.  It seems the scale mysteriously added 15lbs to my weight..  I know this because I was weighed at the gym the day before by a professional.  A friend of mine then got on the scale, and low and behold there was an additional 15lbs added to his weight.

Needless to say, the diet and exericse program will stay.  The scale, however, is going back to the store!

2008 is quickly becoming a memory and 2009 will soon be a reality.

As we end this year, it’s time to reflect on the good and the bad in our lives.  And at the same time look to improve ourselves in the coming year.

Do I have a lot to work on?  You bet!  It will be tough with the challenges that life brings to us each and every day but that is just one of the obstacles we must face in this life.

I wish everyone a very happy 2009!  My hopes are that at the end of the year we can all sit back, take a deep breath and say, that was a good year!

The strangest thing has happened to me.  Not once, but twice. 

Sunday morning I got a text from a friend of mine in Texarkana.  He asked if I was ok.  I replied back I was fine.  He said he had to check on me after a dream he had that night.  I asked what the dream was about, but he wouldn’t tell me.  Finally he said, if you come across a man with a gun, don’t act stupid!  Me act stupid?  Never!

Then today, I was at work and our executive producer announced to the newsroom that he had a dream last night.  He said that in the dream, six people were laid off from the newsroom.  He could only remember two of them that were let go.  Yup, one was me!  He said there was a very emotional goodbye, probably like one of those reality shows where people either get booted out of mansions or off islands.

So here’s the question.  After two people have had these strange dreams involving me, should I be worried?

This weekend, I had a lot of time to watch television.  And you’ll never guess what I found.  The two things that frightened me most as a child and to this day have left an indelible mark on me.

The first is The Wizard of Oz.  Not the entire movie, just one particular scene.  It’s where Dorothy is locked in the witches lair and time is running out before the witch plans to kill her.  And she sees Aunti Em in the witch’s crystal ball.  As Dorothy is listening to her aunt call out her name, the image goes fuzzy and the witch’s face appears.  I always remember burying my head in the couch cushions.

The second is the Winter Warlock from Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.  There is a scene where this animated character is staring at you and threatening Kris Kringle.  Talk about frightening.

I am happy to report I was able to watch both programs without having all the lights on in my house or burying my head in the cushions of my couch. 

I love these small triumphants!

P.S.:  My third grade teacher was good friends with Margaret Hamilton who played the Wicked Witch of the West! 

I went to the Boardwalk today to finish up my Christmas shopping.  Although it wasn’t a bad day, the sun was shining, it was cold out there. 

Like an idiot, I left my coat in the car, because I didn’t want to drag it around with me.  I at least had a sweater on. 

But what really surprised me was the number of people wearing flip flops.  Come on.. it’s winter and you’re wearing flip flops.  Put them in the closet until next spring.

As we close the books on another year, we in the news business like to look back at the big stories of the previous year.

What do you think were the big stories in 2008?  The election of the first african american U.S. president?

The recession?

Let me know.

If you don’t have tickets to see the Radio City Rockettes at the Centurytel, get them.  Saw the show last night and it is incredible.  This show is comparable to the Las Vegas style shows. 

It has something for everyone, from Santa Claus to fireworks. 

Check it out!

Have you ever found yourself  on an elevator with a bunch of strangers?

I was recently waiting for an elevator when I noticed a few funny things.

First, there is the confusion about who should get on the elevator first.  Normally, it’s woman and children first.  But, if there is a group of men waiting for an elevator, it can make another run up  and down, before the group decides who gets on first.

Secondly, floor selection.  You have some who are willing to ask the person standing next to the control panel to punch their floor.  Others will pull a twister move to hit their floor.

Thirdly,  where do you  look.  Some people will stare at the door, others the climbing numbers.  I myself tend to focus on my shoes.  And there are others who will just look straight ahead with a blank look in their eyes.  And let’s not forget talking.  Do you speak to your friend(s) while on the elevator?  And if you’re on opposite sides, do you scream or talk over others?

Fourthly, who gets off the elevator first?  Once again, women and children first.  But if there’s just a group of men, you have the same problem as my first point.

 Just some of my observations.

Last night, I was at one of the local casinos where I had dinner with some friends.  Yes, I did play a little blackjack.  That’s not important.  As I was leaving a man came up to us and asked if we lived in the area.  When we told him yes, he asked if we could help him out.  Even before he finished his sentence my buddy told him he had no money on him and the guy just walked off.  I was shocked that someone was actually begging in a casino.

Then today, I come across a story of someone who really needs help.  Sargeant Robert Ellis has spent the last 18 years with the Shreveport Police Department.  He’s currently in remission from Hodgkins.  But for the last two years, he’s been suffering from seizures.  Some are so bad, he has to go to the hospital.  Even with insurance, the family has about $30,000 in medical bills.  And it didn’t look like Christmas was gonna happen for their two young children.

 But that’s where Ellis’ colleagues stepped up to the plate.  They, along with the family’s church has raised about $6.000 to keep the family from losing their house and vehicles.  But it’s only a start.  Robert Ellis can’t work extra details so times are tough.  The police have set up an account at all Regions’ bank for the Ellis Family. 

Now that is someone who is truly in need.  Merry Christmas!

Hey everyone!  Sorry I haven’t written sooner, but there are some things going on that have been taking a lot of my time. 

But after today, I just had to write down some thoughts about the man who feel three stories inside the El Dorado casino.

Unfortunately the young man died this afternoon.  A friend of mine whose grandson was undergoing surgery at LSU Hospital was there when they told family and friends that he had died.  My friend said the screams and cries were defeaning. 

 I wonder if this young man thought about the pain he would leave behind if he wasn’t there this Christmas, this New Years, or even next Monday.  We have all done stupid things, even myself.  At the time, for whatever reason, they don’t seem so dumb.  But if you really think, it could have ended just as tragically. 

So the next time you’re contemplating something, like getting behind the wheel when you’re just a little buzzed, trying to show off by diving into the shallow end of the pool, or maybe even racing a train, think of how the people who love you will react if you’re not there.

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to that young man’s family.  For those of you who never met him, please don’t judge him by this one mistake.  We’ve all been there.