Fashion = Patriotism?

Pictures from Flickr

It's just minutes till my one day weekend and I wanted to wish everyone a happy 4th of July. I was reporting live from the Olympic Trials today and got in a few hours of people watching.

Do you think certain people gauge patriotism by how many different flag patterns they can sport on this day of Independance? Did we lose our fashion sense when our country broke away from Great Britian? Oh well. Who am I to judge?

Celebrate your heart out with flag purses, shoes, hats, sweaters, water bottles or (my favorite) just wear a flag as a cape with cut off jean shorts and no shirt. Can't wait for the fireworks...

Weekend Shin Dig

Well, I have to work again this Sunday because of the dreaded Olympic Trials. (Ok, they've been fun. I'm adding the dreaded because it is now day 8 and we're getting tired.) But I thankfully have Saturday off and my plans are set.

Pearl Day Spa, Eugene

At 10am on Saturday, I will cash in on my birthday present from Kingsley. I'm headed to the Pearl Day Spa for 5 hours of bliss. I can't even tell you the last time I went to a spa, got a pedicure or manicure or facial. This will be fun, relaxing and it's always nice to feel pampered for your birthday.

Then on Saturday evening I have a pass to go to the Oregon Bach Festival. The Mendellson Octet is on at 7:30pm. Before I even moved to Eugene, my research included the Bach Fest. It's a major draw of tourists and travels all over the state. My nerdiness includes a love of classical music.

Wrinkle Research

I honestly can't believe I'm at the point of writing about wrinkles. Alas, my research shows over-the-counter wrinkle creams do not work. Sad. But take heart, there are some things that DO work.


Glycosamine - aids in replenishing cells with moisture which helps make skin look fresh and wrinkles are not as prominent.

Hydroxyacids - acts as a exfoliant.

Peptides - stimulates the production of collagen.

Retinol - vitamin A compound that helps rid the skin of things that cause wrinkles. Green tea - good for wrinkles and metabolism.

Another major no-no for people who don't want wrinkles: STOP SMOKING. It damages elastin in skin causing premature wrinkles and aging.

Source: Mayo Clinic
P.S. Dearest Dr. Chollet - if you have anything to add to this, please do.

Isn't This Sweet?!

This is a picture of my future nieces giving me a birthday wish. One of the best gifts ever...
Thanks gorgeous girls!

Celebrating Another Year

We met at SweetWaters on the River for drinks, champers and appetizers. I made little arrangements of roses which offered a nice touch and they were fragrant.

Nicole, Natasha, Joe, Andrew, Molly, Elissa and Evan came to SweetWaters.

Then we went downtown to meet up with John, Max and Kim. We even did a little dancing. Woo-hoo. Who says I'm getting old? (Haha - could barely keep my eyes open today as I had to work because of the Olympic Trials.) Such a fun night though.

Olympic Trials Day 2

I went to the Olympic trials by myself on Saturday and really enjoyed watching the competitions. Events included: javelin throw, long jump and men's 100m. It is amazing to see the athletes close up. They have no body fat and make use of every muscle in their bodies.





Security is tight and military teams are posted all over the roofs of the place. They have binoculars and rotate every 15 minutes.

The other bit I found interesting is the almost fanatical recycling stations at the games. Volunteers actually stand next to the bins and if someone throws something in the TRASH that should be RECYCLED they reach in, go through the items and sort it again. This is wonderful for the planet but I'm getting used to how green folks are here. (Editorial note: please begin recycling if you don't already. It's easy. Call your city department and find out when they pick up recycling. Most cities even provide you with a free bin. Start with the easy items: cans, newspapers and glass.)

Olympic Trials Opening Day

Eugene is buzzing with media, hopeful Olympic track stars, fans and average Joes who want to get in on the action. Traffic is a nightmare as Homeland Security is in town and has closed down 3 blocks near Hayward Field where this is all taking place. I had to get my lazy self to the fields without driving.

You might not believe this so I took a video:

KVAL has a mobile newsroom set up outside Hayward Field. I took a few pictures of everyone working hard.

I bought a ticket to attend the trials tomorrow so I'll let you know who qualifies to go to Beijing in the javelin throw, long jump and women's 100m.

Gas vs. Wood

One thing I miss about living in the same country as Kingsley is dinner time! He likes to cook, I like to cook and we usually fought over who controlled the kitchen.





In Cuffley, shoppers can pick up groceries from a small farm where the produce is local and chickens are free-range. We went shopping and ALMOST decided on doing a braised rabbit which was caught locally. In the end, we just weren't sure so we went for new potatoes, fresh salad and chicken. Kings has a gas grill now and is getting used to a heat source that doesn't come from wood.

The English Country Side

Kingsley moved out of London and now lives north of the city in Cuffley. We went into the city a couple of times by train and the ride was only about 25 minutes so he's not that far out but it is certainly a nice change.

The hills are green and rolling and the scenery is relaxing and calm. Village pubs are dotted all around and rather than being 'bars' as they are in the US - pubs are welcoming for the entire family. In the country pubs usually have large back yards where the kids play while the adults have a pint.

The Drama of Love

Well, we've been engaged for four days and I'm already feeling the stress. Trouble is, my man is from another continent! My family is in the U-S, his family is in South Africa and our friends are scattered all over the world. What's a gal to do?

Kingsley and I have talked about doing 2 ceremonies (one in each home country) which could be quite nice since we would have more time to celebrate with both familes.

Any creative ideas out there?? Suggestions wanted!

Throwing A Party...For Yourself

I'm doing it again. Not sure why... Might seem pathetic to some but I like to.

I'm throwing a party for myself for my 29th birthday.

Last year my darling Kings helped me put on a pretty big gig for my pals in London. We even bought and erected a tent in our back garden because the skies were unpredictable. He grilled for hours cooking for 30+ and didn't get to eat himself. It was memorable, fabulous and we even had a few overnight guests that evening.

Also had a nice party for my 26th birthday...thrown by me. My parents even rallied from Columbus to help me throw a kegger. They woke us up the next morning at my aparment around noon. Three people were still asleep on the floor! Someone said they witnessed me doing cartwheels in the lobby of my apartment building. How could that be?

This year, it will be MUCH tamer...at least that's the plan.

I've reserved a few tables at SweetWaters On The River...a lovely restaurant in town with one of the best pieces of real estate along the Willamette River. I delivered a few hand written invitations today asking friends to meet me for drinks and h'orderves on the patio. I might bring small arrangements of roses - man I'm a sucker for fresh flowers - for the tables.

I just want to watch the river, have a nice glass of wine and celebrate the fact that I'm wiser, calmer and downright happy to have another year of adventure ahead.

Have you ever thrown a party for yourself? Would you?

The Lag of the Jet

Internal dialog tonight: Hmm. I am so tired. Wow. Is it already 8:30? I am running so behind. Okay, need to log tape and write my story. Let's take a look at the video... hmm...hmm....OH MY G!!!! I look so tired in those cutaway shots. Is it okay for me to ask my photographer to omit ALL shots with me in them???... Maybe I should take a newsroom poll.... Does Botox really work?

I know some people don't believe in Jet Lag but I do. My body feels so tired but at least I like my job. The day has gone so quickly.

Interesting story tonight. I covered a protest by a group upset with a speaker brought in by the Pacifica Forum. Dr. Tomislav (Tom) Sunic. He's a former Croatia diplomat but pushes a message of anti-democracy and anti-multiculturalism. He says races shouldn't mix because integration is fruitless, assimilation is successful and that rarely happens. I interviewed Sunic and his viewpoints (while I don't agree with them) are interesting. He says there will always be strife in countries that mix tribes. He points to Africa, Israel and even London (a melting pot of races) as places with tension that will just get worse.

Man, were people fired up by this guy! Signs were everywhere calling him a white supremacist and a rabi asked one of the free speech organizers how he could ever walk into a church after booking this speaker. My job is never boring.

Back to Business

My plane from Seattle landed in Eugene at 12:45am this morning and I am knackered. The fun news is: I came back to town an engagement ring heavier.

After dating for more than a year and a half, Kingsley popped the question. We had such a romantic week in London together and on his knees with tears, Kingsley asked me to marry him. This was such a happy moment, intimate and emotionally overwhelming and I will never forget it. Kings proposed with his grandmother's ruby eternity band which is gorgeous and very special (and still needs to be sized).



We've already been shopping for diamonds and I get to design my own ring when I figure out what I want. (That's the hard part!)



Lots more to come with posts about London, the English country side and my graduation ceremony. Missed you!

To Blog or Not To Blog

My good friends Thabang and Michiel came out to Cuffley last night to hang with Kings and I before they are off to Holland for a few days with friends. Thabang is from South Africa, Michiel is Dutch and we all went to the University of Westminster together and survived the International Journalism program. So, every time we gather we usually have some heated debates and thoughtful conversations about topics ranging from politics to illegal immigrants to blogging.

Should people share their personal opinions on a blog or should a web site only be used for professional information?

Michiel has a law background and says he will never record his opinions in a blog because he knows how the world works. Quotes published on a website he authored can be used against him later in life in almost any situation - especially if he becomes a politician. Hmmm. Food for thought. He also says - in the world of free websites - does anyone really care about our personal opinions and why should they? Am I am expert in anything? Definitely, no.

Thabi and I argued that we blog as a personal outlet and to share with friends and family but in a way, he's right. My opinions, day-to-day activities and pontifications on news events are not interesting or of any value to other people. I do not blog because I think I'm special or have something to offer that others don't. I just spend meaningless hours in front of a computer.

However, if you are a journalist sometimes the industry expects you to get with the times and that means having a blog. One of our graduate professors began the first class asking those with a blog to raise their hands. Those who did not have one were to create one by the next class period.

A Few Pictures

So we went through the motions, heard a speech from the University provosts and took our pictures in a cap and gown. This was a great day and the end to my graduate degree feels much more 'official' now. The woman who helped present our certificates is Lord Mayor - Councillor Louise Hyams - (on the left in the bottom picture). She is the Queen's representative in Westminster. Who knew I would meet a bit of (by association and appointment) royalty!?

I don't have my picture editor on Kingsley's computer so I'll re-post pictures soon of the ceremony and small cocktail party I hosted at The Club Bar and Dining near Oxford Circus in the city. More than 15 of my London friends showed up to celebrate and I'm so thankful for everyone.

London Town!

Hello! The weather is lovely in London and I'm enjoying discovering the English country side with Kingsley. With his new salon in Enfield, he has moved north of the city to Cuffley which is known for its village feel and rolling country side. There are several local farms within a mile where locals sell berries, goose eggs and fresh cheese. We plan to stop by and pick up some things for a meal tomorrow. Last night we ate a yummy curry from a small authentic Indian restaurant nearby.

Tonight is my Valediction ceremony at The University of Westminster at Regent Street. I will post pictures as soon as I figure out how to do it from this computer. :)

Across the Pond

I'm leaving on a jet plane today on my way to London, England. I left March 18th to take on my new job in Eugene, Oregon (www.kval.com) and haven't seen my beau Kingsley since then. It will be a sweet reunion. He will be off work for the week I'm there and we're excited because we haven't both had vacation since we went to Rome together last October. I will be updating the blog occasionally but will be on hiatus really for a week. I'll miss you. xoxox

The Plant Lady?

Walking to my door last night after work, I noticed a small potted plant on my step. That's strange. It wasn't mine but I could tell it was well taken care of and placed in a nice little pot. I looked around for a note or for someone who might have left it behind. Nothing.

I went out to water it today and it dawned on me. University of Oregon students are moving out of Eugene for the summer and someone in my building must have left the plant behind for me. But why me? Did someone see my pansies and tomato plant and assume I would take good care of an orphan plant? They were right. I plan to give it a happy home. From now on - I guess you can call me The Plant Lady. Apparently my mostly young and hip, college-aged neighbors do.

On the Job

Eugene police sent out a press release reporting the details of a drive by shooting in the Western part of Eugene. Kelly and I were out working on a different story and we got the call to drive by the address and see what was up. We drove to the area and parked the truck on the street. As customary, Kelly got out of the truck and started recording video of the house where the shooting happened.

After a few minutes, I walked up to the front door to ask the family inside if they wanted to interview. (If a family is not comfortable interviewing, I leave. Our policy is to at least give them a chance to tell the story.) On my way up the drive way a woman says "Oh sh** it's the news again." This begins a 15 minute tirade where the owner of the home storms out, begins screaming - calls us every name in the book - and threatens violence against me and my photographer even though we are standing in the street.

Aside: In the United States, if you are standing on a sidewalk or street, that is designated as "public property." The First Amendment to our constitution allows for freedom of speech (press) in public spaces. So, we didn't have to leave the neighborhood but this woman screamed at us that "She would go to jail for punching a photographer!" I was pretty patient up until that point. I made it very clear that she would go to jail is she hit the photographer and that we would attempt to have her prosecuted to the extent of the law.

I have honestly never seen anything like it. While attempting to simply find out what happened with a drive by shooting I was called a f---ing b---- and a wh--- and threatened by a young woman who clearly knew nothing about the law or her rights. The sad thing is - a lot of this played out in front of her small kids. I guess being a television journalist is never as glamorous as it seems. At times, it gets pretty ugly.

I'm A Barbie Girl

I admit it, as a little girl I loved playing with Barbie. Matel was so clever with it's marketing, Barbie was the rage among little girls for years - and still is. Kingsley's niece Georgia has a birthday coming up and I just had to share the cake Kingsley's mother put together. Can you believe this? I can imagine Georgia's eyes will light up when she sees it!

My cousin and I had Barbie cars and the Barbie mansion. But the best part about having Barbie was her new outfits. Another one of my favorite accessories was the Barbie spa. My mom bought a pink one for us and it had a mechanism which when you pressed down, little bubbles formed in the water. Very cute.

Years later the bad press about Barbie came out: unrealistic proportions and perfect hair and makeup. How DOES she do it??

Ugly Bird, Beautiful Flight

We have a few Turkey Vultures that hang out in the gorgeous medow behind the news station. Apparently, they come back to this part of Oregon every year around this time and roost in the forest behind the property.

These things are huge and some of the ugliest birds you'll ever see. However, their flight is beautiful. Somehow they manage to use thermals to hover way up in the sky for several minutes without even flapping his wings.

They're hunting and when they find something, they drop slowly straight down and land right on their prey. Fascinating to watch. A nice distraction from the police scanners screaming about fires and medical calls.

Tasers

A group of University of Oregon students called Crazy People for Wild Places were protesting the use of pesticides a couple of weeks ago in downtown Eugene. Police claim one of the teens, 19 year old Ian Van Ornum, was blocking traffic during the protest and spraying an unknown substance on the ground (which turned out to be water). Officers say they confronted Ornum and attempted to arrest him. They say he resisted arrest so four officers fought him and tased him 3 times in order to bring him "under control."


A taser is a gun which shoots out a small wire with prongs on the end. When the prongs attach to a suspect, the officer can then sends them an electric shock which paralyzes the person being "tased."



Witnesses have a very different account of the situation and there has been an outcry in the city from citizens who say police used excessive force during the protest and got in the way of a peaceful demonstration. The auditor of the police department is investigating by interviewing witnesses.

At the Eugene city council meeting last night members of the public said tasers should not be used because they are dangerous.

Here's a look at YouTube video - put together by a Eugene activist. It shows one side of the incident.


Local activist and videographer Tim Lewis shot and edited the video - now on YouTube.

You Say Tomato - I Say Salmonella

Okay, so it's a bit of a slow news day. But, folks in Oregon and 16 other states now have to make sure their tomatoes are cooked before chowing down. 166 people have suffered from salmonella food poisoning recently nationwide and officials believe it stems from tomatoes.

Locally grown red plum, red roma and round red tomatoes are among the culprits.

Health officials recommend you stay away from raw tomatoes in salads and sandwhiches and cook them throughly for other dishes.

Salmonella symptoms can last four to seven days and include fever, stomach cramps and diarrhea. (Eeew.)

Here's a look at a KVAL-produced map that shows where the tomatoes are making people sick:

I Adore Weekends

Kim and I met up on Friday after work and found this character - he's a statue - in Jameson's. We couldn't resist a picture!



My creative side is slim but Kingsley's mother and sister both spend some time making things beautiful so I gave it a try. With the right tools, "scrapping" isn't too difficult. I might stick to blogging but I thought this page turned out okay.



Walking home from the library on Sunday, I decided to pick my first Oregon bouquet from a green space near my home. Not to worry - these were all growing wild along the road but I think they are lovely. Any ideas on what they are (besides the daises)? Eugene - FINALLY - had a little sunshine on Sunday.

Save Money on Gas

CNNMoney has a great article about how to make the money you spend on gas go as far as it can. (I've edited it down for space.)
Here's a few ways you can WASTE gas that you might not know about:

1. Racing away from green lights
When the light turns green, you don't have to take off as quickly as possible. That pedal under your right foot is called the "gas pedal" for a good reason. The more you press down on it, the more gas you're pumping into the engine.

2. Racing up to red lights
When you're driving down the street, and you see a light red light or stop sign up ahead, you should lay off the gas sooner rather than later.
Let off the pedal sooner and give your engine a rest as you coast to the stop while braking gently. As an added benefit, your brake pads will last longer, too.

3. Confusing the highway with a speedway
Even if it doesn't involve hard acceleration, speeding wastes gas. The faster you go, the more air your vehicle has to push out of the way. In tests by Consumer Reports, driving at 75 miles per hour instead of 65 miles per hour reduced fuel economy by between 3 and 5 miles per gallon, depending on the vehicle.

4. Bumper-buzzing
Every time the driver ahead taps his brakes, you have to slow down even more than he did. Then you accelerate again to get back up to speed and resume your bumper-buzzing routine.
Hang back and you'll be safer - plus you'll be able to drive more smoothly and use less fuel.

5. Driving standing still
Idling burns about a half-mile worth of gas every minute, according to the California Energy Commission. Now you don't want to shut your engine down for every little stop in your regular, non-hybrid car - it's not designed for that - but if you're waiting for someone to run in and out of a convenience store, turn off the engine. And don't go through the drive-through at fast food restaurants. You're already paying enough for the oil in those chicken nuggets.

6. Short hops
For really short trips, take advantage of the opportunity to get some exercise. If you can't hoof it, save up your errands. Go to your farthest destination first so your engine has a chance to reach its optimal operating temperature. Then make your other stops on the way back. With the engine warmed up, the car will restart easily and run efficiently all the way home.