This was written a day after Carly and her boyfriend were robbed by gun-toting fools near the University of Memphis campus.
we've changed our locks
One day after my child was robbed at gunpoint, we've changed our locks. And in spite of my dip into crime stats last night, what happened to us is not a story. Here's what we found out when we questioned crime patterns around the U of M:According to Michael Keidingfield, president of the the Shelby County Crime Commission...a study of all of the crime in the neighborhoods AROUND the U of M found that most common crimes were property related... And that crimes against persons were rare.
More importantly, he says any recent incidents are "not part of continuing significant issue around campus."
So...my bad for stating that I wish the U of M neighborhood was safer.
The bad guy got her license (with our home address), her checkbook (also with our home address), her bank card, her keys and the aforementioned New Kids tape. He also messed with OUR sense of security once we realized Carly's house key was stolen. The strangest thing is that her bank card was used three times in the short hour between the crime and her conversation with First Tennessee. Small amounts, probably gas, at three different convenience stores. Shows that the perps were professionals, not newbies, at bank card theft.
Whatever. It's a diversion, not a life changing experience, right?
We'll see.
The Griz are in the playoffs! I was distracted by the robbery last night and although I waited up until the Jazz lost, it was too late for the blog. Wahoo! May I gently remind you that I used the p-word way back on January 5? I'm just saying, is all.That said, tonight's game with Atlanta was get-the-lipstick-for-the-pig ugly. I know the Grizzlies HAVE NEVER won in Hotlanta but jeez, haven't they beat every other Eastern Conference team? Two overtimes, it took. My favorite Griz continues to be James Posey. Mike Miller is from the home state but he gets hurt too much. And I hope Pau Gasol suffered only a minor injury tonight.
Let's go to Cleveland! I was there to look at editing systems and newsroom layout. We have spacial (not special) questions about our floor plan. But I also have basketball needs..
Bill Applegate, my former boss and mentor, treated me to courtside seats for last Saturday's Cleveland/Jersey game. My first opportunity to see LeBron in person. (His newsworthy website is worth a quick visit) LBJ did not disappoint. In fact, I'm convinced he's truly The Real Deal. He scored a career high 41 points and had the intensity and passion that was amazing to see. I was in awe. Still am. I tried to verbalize it but could not. Nor can I, in writing. There are plenty of places where you can read more about LBJ...you don't need to find that here.
Cleveland...reminds me of a poor Chicago in many ways. There are too many panhandlers downtown. I gave a way a lot of money because that's just my nature but it made my walks uncomfortable. I like the architecture. All the buildings have character, all the houses look different. I had fun though because I got to spend time with my former GSM Lynda Nichols and my former GM, Bill Applegate.
I miss them sometimes. Their questions made me better.
Seriously. Today I had one of the Best. Birthdays. Ever.
I can live with being 55. Double nickles. The speed limit.
Birthdays that end in 0 or 5 are more momentous than the rest.. When I turned 50, I was unemployed. OMG!
I was fresh off of an eight-year-plus stint at WMC-TV in Memphis. Legacy station. Long time number one. Ratings leader.
Some background. I was hired in at WMC in 1998 by Bill Applegate, one of the most brilliant minds in the business. He moved on to Cleveland and was replaced by Howard Meagle.
Howard and I had a difficult beginning, to say the least. We learned to appreciate each other.
I was invited to leave (fired) after the November book in 2006. Not that it was a surprise. Howard was dispatched in July, 2006 and when the new I-want-my-own-puppet GM arrived, I knew my days were numbered. I lasted four months before hearing the words..."we need/want to make a change....blah blah blah."
Two weeks after a great 50th birthday celebration (January, 2007) in SD I traded in my beloved Mustang convertible for a Ford 500 (I am still driving the white Beast) and headed to Syracuse for a job at WSTM. Fifteen months later John and I moved slightly south to the Scripps station in Baltimore, WMAR. Forty-nine weeks later...west to Kansas City and KSHB.
I have now been at NBC Action News for two years, eight months. Learned some things. Hard things. Survived another general manager change. Learned to appreciate my strengths and to fix some of my weaknesses.
I let go of Memphis. I began to appreciate Kansas City. We bought a house here.
Most of all, though, I recognize the competitive spirit of the folks at 4720 Oak. Today, I saw evidence of a high-functioning newsroom. There have been glimpses before. Today, I saw it clearly.
