Shhhh! Airplane phone etiquette

    Mrs. X hasn’t talked to her friend Jane in months but she is so excited to hear from her and she hopes that she can come and visit soon.  After quickly consulting her calender she is hoping to get Jane to visit next month and stay over either on the Thursday and leave Sunday or fly out Monday and stay over Sunday.  She hopes she gets to see the new house and the kids.  The kids always have busy weekends but she is hoping they can clear the schedule for the visit.  “Wow”, Mrs. X exclaims, “I can’t believe how long it has been since we have talked”. 

    If you have not talked to Jane in “so long”, why then Mrs. X can’t you wait 20 more minutes until our plane has taxied to the gate to talk to her?   I do not know you, I do not know Jane, and I assume the 15 other people in our cabin who paid to upgrade their tickets do not care about the visit. 

   No, I am not usually a cranky traveler.  I simply can not tolerate loud talkers who answer their phones and talk loudly in a small confined area.  In full disclosure, my mother is the worst offender!  I believe phone usage on planes should be limited to the basic, “Hi, I landed, meet me at baggage”  or “I landed and will be home soon”.  Even these courtesy calls to colleagues or loved ones should be had in a hushed voice. 

     I encountered Mrs. X on a plane from Orlando to Atlanta last night.  I also had a 4-year-old singing her ABC’s at a volume meant for a vacant playground.  (I think children that age can be taught to use library voice on a plane.  And how about a coloring book instead of a song recital?)

    As technology becomes more abundant.  I worry that the lines between our offices, our homes, and public spaces are blurred. 

 SHHHHH.  What happened to public etiquette?

SCAD SCORE

This week I attended the opening of SCAD’s (Savannah College of Art and Design) Digital Media Center near the Ansley neighborhood.    All I can say is “WOW”.

    The school renovated the old WXIA Channel 11 TV studios into a building that looks like an art gallery meets NYC lounge meets hip, uptown loft.  I wanted to move in, kick back a cocktail, and sign up for class.  

  I have been in television news for more than 13 years and have never seen a facility quite like this.  They have a TV studio, control room, green room, animation class rooms and more. 

      My boss, Steve Schwaid, was overheard saying, “I’ve worked at the Today Show and have never seen a facility like this.” 

     I am certain that the facility will move the school to the top of any student’s list for design school. 

    SCAD digital media center…. Glad to have you in the “hood”.

Powdered Cheese and Pageants= Organic, naturally

    I was digging through the kitchen for a snack a few nights ago when I noticed my sister left a box of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese in the pantry the last time she visited from West Palm  with my two nephews.

     Oh, the nostalgia!  When Julie and I were kids we would dive into noodles, sticky with that unmistakable glowing orange powdered cheese stuff that never quite dissolves.  My mother was not a cook so we often ate the boxed noodles and powdered cheese and even remember the company teaming up with Velveeta to create the more fancy, squeeze cheese, version in the foil packet. 

       But wait, look closely at the box.  Yup, it’s “organic”.  Seriously?  Organic, powdered, mac & cheese?!?  Am I to assume they did not grow the glowing powdered cheese in tainted soil?    I’m not sure.  But I think it is safe to assume this is a corporate marketing push to keep us eating the boxed goods in a new, health conscious society.  But don’t you think this is pushing it?

    It got me thinking about the standard for the “organic” stamp.  There is a clear difference between ”USDA certified organic” and just your basic “organic”.  But that is not clear to the general public.  So we pay the inflated prices in hopes we are feeding our family something healthy.  I guess I find it odd that we have to mark food and pay more for food that does not have dangerous chemicals.  Why can’t the general standard be that we are not allowed to sell the public something that contains dangerous chemicals?

    I can rant but I am the worst offender.  I belong to an organic farm co-op and I often pay the higher price for the “organic” food stuffs.  I even ate the box of macaroni in exhibit “A”.  It was delicious and went perfectly with the Learning Channel documentary I was watching on ” Pageant Moms and their Beauty Queen Daughters”.     Now that is “organic”.

FAB’RIK for ROCKSTARS

Exactly two weeks ago I was having a birthday cocktail with my dear friend and neighbor, Dana.  ( Dana owns Fab’rik, a chain of clothing stores in metro Atlanta and franchised around the country)http://www.fabrikstyle.com/

   We talked about cleaning out our closets and giving the clothes to girls in need to start the school year. 

    Two weeks later, we are two days away from one of the greatest opportunities I have ever experienced.  The first ever, Kim Fettig/Dana Spinola (CBS ATLANTA)  “Fab’rik for Rockstars”. 

    What started as a conversation with a girlfriend has grown into an event to help hundreds of girls who are in need this school year.  I am touched by all the people who have shared their stories of hardship in this economy.  We can’t wait to share a special morning with  these families on Saturday.  I am overwhelmed by the companies like William Rast Jeans and Joes Jeans and the hundreds of people who heard our cry for clothes in the past few days and have inundated us with beautiful things for these girls. 

     After 13 years in the news business, not to much surprises me.  The outpouring of generosity from donors and gratitude from the families we will help has brought me to tears many times over the past few days. 

      With the backing of my company, CBS ATLANTA,  and the backing our patient and giving husbands… Dana and I hope to make this an annual event for kids of all ages. 

    Stay tuned for pictures and fabulous stories on Saturday. 

Check us out in Daily Candy! 

http://www.dailycandy.com/atlanta/article/71770/Dont+Shop+Till+You+Give+Enough

Peanut Butter VS. Prada

    

 My friends call it the “Peanut Butter Panic”.  The mode I snap into every time there is a news crisis.  Katrina, September 11th, you name it… I return from covering the story and decide it’s time to purchase a vat of the crunchy at my local Sam’s Club, hunker down and wait for the worst.

   So after covering the Wall Street/ Banking Crisis last week;  you can only imagine my urge to make a run on the peanut butter aisle at the local Publix.  

   Simply put, in a market like this, peanut butter offers you the best return on your investment.  It’s cheap, packs a protein power punch, and a shelf full won’t even expire during the next presidential administration (should things not turn around).  Besides, it’s a comfort food.

     HOWEVER, I think I live in a vacuum.  In the midst of my peanut butter panic is a whole group of people unmoved by the said crisis. 

    In just the past week… I have received an invitation to the opening of the Bally shoe store, a fashion show at St. John Suits, and a coupon for Prada’s fall line!  Titled “don’t be caught in last year’s dull colors… Prada Pink for fall!”    

       Seriously?  The nation is in the Red this fall, not Prada pink.   

     As I ponder this, my husband is on a flight back from a high end resort in the Colorado Rockies for a “business retreat”.

      Yep,  there are two classes of people.  The Peanut Butter and the Prada.  They can even live under one roof. 

    But perhaps it’s not so bad.  There are those of us who must keep spending to keep the economy moving and those of us who must panic and stock the shelves for the future. 

    I just dream of a time in the near future where the third class rises again.  The class that can spring for jelly with the peanut butter… the class that can buy their Prada knock offs at the Target.  All without concern about their next paycheck.

Bitter Bloggers

Why are you yelling at us?  That is what I wanted to ask during a “blog summit” hosted by my boss, Steve Schwaid, and CBS Atlanta on Monday. 

     My first introduction to bloggers was during the Democratic National Convention in Boston.  Nice folks.   But an administration and a half  later… and it seems a few of you have grown bitter.

     I enjoyed the gentleman sitting next to me.   Aman  www.myurbanreport.com   He let me look over his shoulder for an hour and from what I can tell, this guy knows his stuff!  He easily navigates the digital media world, editing and posting news as it is happening and at the same time engaging in conversation with a room full of people.  A-man, you are poised to succeed in this changing world of information!  I was impressed. 

    I even enjoyed the woman who did blogs on day trips.  She was sitting in front of me and I hope to link up and share some ideas for our money saving reports. 

     I was really proud to be  Steve Schwaid’s employee.   Before he even arrived at CBS Atlanta he sent me an email that said, “we’re going to have a blast”.  And obviously he is trying new things, playing and toying with new ways to do what we do, and most of the time we are having a blast!  (at a time when so many people are miserable and fearful in a horrible time for tv news)

    But what was with the “angry girls”?  Spacey G and Tessa Horehled… really,  why were you yelling at us?  Spacey G started yelling some bit about ”us not doing our homework”   WHAT?  I was there to learn.  Do you know how to do my job?  I was there to learn about yours!  And she had no idea that I was linked to an awesome group of mommy bloggers about town!    And Tessa, relax girlfriend!  You are way too young to be so keyed up! 

    The rest of you… thanks for coming.  Doug, it was great to see you!

Best Birthday Gift!

     So an addition to my previous blog today– When I got off the set from the 4pm show, my amazing co-anchor and friend, Stephany Fisher, had a brand new “desk” fridge waiting with  a bow.   This helps with my birthday resolutions (see previous blog)!   

THANKS STEPH!  (and Rick and Lucy!  Her wonderful husband and daughter!)   Mini-Fridge, Maxi-Thoughtfulness! 

       Don’t I have a great job?  Getting to do the news everyday alongside such a great friend!  Just another reason to embrace another year with open arms!

Happy Birthday to Me! Older, Wiser, and Loving It!

Tomorrow I turn 35!   I love my birthday.  Not because of the presents, attention, or even honor of having my name on the work bulletin board.  But rather because I simply love getting older. 

I am exhausted by people who avoid their birthdays, lie about their age and panic at the simple thought of adding a digit to there annual numerical measurement.  I don’t get it.  Did they peak in their youth (like the star quarterback who still lingers at the stadium 2 decades later)?  Luckily, I have yet to peak!  My life keeps getting better and better!     At 35, I would NEVER wish to go back 10 years.  My 20’s were a lot of fun but I  dated all the wrong people, didn’t take care of myself, was concerned with all the wrong things, and could barely pay the bills.   So why would I forsake aging?  It’s the very process that makes my life better!

    I think I  am in the minority.  I believe I mentioned in a previous blog that my 90 year old grandmother fills her bathroom with wrinkle creams and age-defying serums.  WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU DEFYING AT 90?  She is coming to Atlanta tomorrow and I plan to sit down and have a martini with her (her favorite drink) and tell her to throw in the towel and join me in my quest to get old!      I should also mention that I treat birthdays like New Year’s Day (in July).  So brace yourself for my series of money savings blogs to turn to “cleaning your financial house” and a series of other resolution-esque blah, blah, blah. 

    Happy Birthday to me!!! 

** note: that is not a picture of said grandmother.

SAVE 100% ON YOUR NEXT SHOPPING TRIP

   I have featured a lot of deals on our air over the last year and  I have finally found the true secret to saving. 

     Last night I stopped at Ikea to pick up an extra curtain rod.   If you ever visit the massive, Disney World-esque, discount, did I mention massive? furniture store in midtown…  then you understand why traipsing through it in high heals and a  skirt is nearly impossible.  Yet somehow they make you walk the 10 football fields worth or merchandise before you can get to the register.   So natually, I hit the register with not just a curtain rod but more than $100 dollars worth of bad throw pillows and useless juice tumblers.

       After holding up the line by  fumbling through the self scanning check out with my basket of things I don’t need… I realized I left my wallet in the car.     “VOID ORDER ON AISLE FIVE!”     Angry, angry people behind me!  Yikes folks, if you don’t have spare time… DON’T go to the Ikea! 

        On second thought… they should be angry… they spent hundreds and I saved 100% by realizing on the embarassing walk back to my car that I don’t need any of that stuff.   

   Sadly, I had made the same discovery days earlier when I went to the mall to pick up a suit for my husband.  The suit was already paid for but I found lots of “must haves” on the sale rack while I waited for the alterations lady to go to the back. 

    Right in the middle of Neiman Marcus, I made the same Ikea mistake… forgot my wallet.   I put the items on hold and vowed to return.  I mean, they were such deals, I just had to have them! 

   I have not returned to either Neimans or Ikea today to fetch my “must haves”.  I have saved a bundle and realize those ”must haves” hardly live up to their name.   

   SAVINGS TIP: THE NEXT TIME YOU SHOP… LEAVE YOUR WALLET AT HOME AND GIVE IT 24 HOURS! 

pS.. I gave you a tip… so no following me to the mall to steal my wallet that out of my car where it obviously gets left quite often. 

BUY ME SOME PEANUTS AND CRACKERJACKS

Me and My Boys at the Game

CHIPPER JONES UP TO BATME AND MY BOYS AT THE GAME!

    Each year my husband and I attend a Braves game or two but a few months ago he came to me and said it’s time to get behind the local boys and start a tradition that we can keep for years to come.  So we bought season tickets. 

    Last night I was reminded of how great it is to be at the ball field on a beautiful pre-summer night.  The game, the music, the crowd, the food, the food, the food.    Peanuts, pizza, corn dog pups, fries, nachos, and cold beer.  Yup.. I had some of each… (I am not kidding)   I only regret  that there were not enough innings to get to the brownie sundae.  (stay tuned for my next blog this week on free fitness in Piedmont Park– I’m gonna need it)

      So I over indulged… so I spent a little too much.  But I was reminded after swiping the ol Amex with the food vendor for the 20th time that hanging with the Braves this summer doesn’t have to break the bank (or the belt)  it  can be  one of the cheapest, coolest deals in town! 

      Seats go for as little as a dollar!  I saw a bunch of ads on the jumbo tron for BOGO seats!  (i also saw a lot of cute kids and cute kisses on the tron)  and for a couple of bucks you can get the fam to the game on the MARTA. 

      I am a big believer in using and embracing my city!  Not sure what took us so long to get season tix but I am thrilled about our new family tradition!  Our busy schedule may prevent going to a lot of the games but I am happy to share our seats with friends and family… any way you look at it… a great deal.