I Did A Happy Dance Today

There's really nothing better than getting a pat on the back from your employer and co-workers. Last night was my first NEWS live shot at the station. Sure I can stick a ruler in the snow with the best of 'em during weather coverage. But covering a serious news story at the top of the show scares me! My body shakes and my brain runs through every nightmare scenario (what if my package doesn't run, what if I forget my lines, what if I sneeze, what if I say incorrect information, what if a half naked man starts dancing around me?). But when it's showtime, you take a breath and do the best you can.

I got so many nice complements from the higher ups at the station, I ended up doing a little happy dance when I got home today (I'll have to show you that some time). Then I started thinking (never good)...I just hope I can live up to the high expectations my station has now. What did I get myself into? I'm already nervous about my next assignment and I don't even have it yet! Worrying is my disease. I got it from someone in my family, I will not say any names (DAD).

Swine Flu Claims 3rd Victim

I asked the doctor word for word "is the media blowing swine flu out of proportion?" and he looked me in the eye and said "no, it's is a big deal, this flu will go down in history." Every year when the seasonal flu comes around, our bodies develop anti-bodies to protect us. But since this is a "novel" or new virus, our bodies have no experience on fighting it. Also, there may be many more cases of swine flu that we don't even know about. Many people get better on their own, without seeing a doctor or without getting specifically tested for the swine flu.

New Cloud Type Discovered?

Could this be a new cloud type?? Check out this article to learn more!

Ever Stop To Smell The Roses?

Store bought roses are losing their scent...find out why! This story is really interesting!

Pollen Levels High This Year

My nose itches just thinking about this story! Apparently some 60 degree days in February were the culprit for a bad allergy season...very interesting since temperatures have been below average the past few months.

Check out the video...Elizabeth Park seems to have bloomed overnight! I was there a few weeks ago and it looked barren. Now it's lush and beautiful. How lucky are we to have such beautiful public parks in West Hartford? The roses you buy in a store are genetically bred for longevity...not for scent. So it's a treat to smell REAL roses. Every kind is unique (some even smell like lemons, weird)! I think I was driving my photographer crazy today smelling every rose I could get my nose on! On a side-note...do you think my hair is getting too long?

You Tube FUN!

This has nothing to do with weather OR reporting. If I post these links on my blog and that makes me unprofessional, so be it! But I need to show you these clips because they're HILARIOUS!

Ever play minesweeper on your PC? Yeah, I'm talking about the weird game with all the squares...Well this is a brief movie based off the game. Love it.

Are you sick of hearing the "Blame It" song by Jaime Foxx? I know I am! Well here's the President's version...Blame it on the E-e-e-e-ecomomy! Catchy & clever! Let me know what you think!

I actually saw both clips for the first time on the FOX61 Morning News. Every morning there's a new section called "viral video".

Reaction To Farmington Manhunt Tuesday

One of the craziest days of my life. It's always great when your assignment editor tells you to watch out for a crazy man on the loose with a gun...

2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season...IS HERE!

June 1st marked the beginning of the 2009 Atlantic Hurricane season. It's not like flicking a switch, tropical storms will not pop up overnight. But activity will be increasing throughout the next several weeks and months before peaking in September.

Every year forecasters put out predictions about the number of storms. Here's one predicting above average activity. And another one calling for a normal season of activity. I ALWAYS take these numbers with a grain of salt. At times us weather-folk have been known to make a mistake on the 7 day forecast...So how can you expect forecasters to predict the number of tropical storms in a whole season?

I do not, nor do I claim to do long-term forecasting (or hurricane forecasting). In fact, any meteorologist on TV who posts hurricane predictions is stealing them from someone else. (An insider secret) I myself am uncomfortable posting someone else's work. Wouldn't you be?

Here are the names this year: Ana, Bill, Claudette, Danny, Erika, Fred, Grace, Henri, Ida, Joaquin, Kate, Larry, Mindy, Nicholas, Odette, Peter, Rose, Sam, Teresa, Victor, Wanda.

There are six lists of names that continue to rotate. The lists only change when a storm is so devastating, the name is retired and another name replaces it. Sorry to all the Katrinas out there...no more storms named after you!

Any questions, ask!

Hey Man Nice Shot!

Thanks to Eric from Bristol for this gorgeous pic taken Saturday night! Send me your weather pics and I'll post for everyone to enjoy.

Bride Rescues Family From Burning Home: Fact Or Fiction?

A Bridgeport story has been catching national attention. News outlets have been reporting that a bride rescued a family from a burning home while still in a wedding dress. But after visiting the family myself, I found out that this story was more FICTION. In fact, the bride on the scene is embarrassed about all the hype this story is getting. She doesn't want to be portrayed as a hero over something she didn't do!