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When I came into work today, and read my scripts, I was sad to learn that a young Phoenix police officer had died.
Yesterday morning, we told you about Officer Barry Scott.
He'd been critically injured while fighting in "Guns & Hoses" -- a charity boxing match benefiting the 100 Club of Arizona.
Ironically, that very organization provides financial support to families of police officers, who are injured or killed in the line of duty.
Of all the dangers Scott likely faced everyday on the job, this is what would end his life.
At any rate, I remember thinking to myself -- after reading yesterday's story -- that I really hoped he pulled through for his wife and newborn child.
He was only 22 and had his whole life ahead of him.
Sadly, Officer Scott didn't make it.
Not only did he serve his community as a police officer, Scott was an Iraq War veteran.
We've lost another true hero.
My thoughts are with his family and friends.
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Since we've (and by "we" I mean Becca and I) started doing traffic... I have to say I really feel for our morning commuters. Traffic is a foreign concept to us. Rather, *sitting* in traffic is foreign. It doesn't happen often... and when I find myself in a back-up, look out. My patience goes right out the window... which is usually closed because I have my a/c cranked so high. But, you know what I mean. It's just frustrating... especially when I'm used to flying (at reasonable speed) down the 10 or the 202.
Today was the busiest day I've had to contend with from a traffic anchoring perspective. Honestly, I feel like as soon as one accident happened, there was another and another... and snowball effect of crashes all around the Valley.
I guess it got me thinking... what's your beef with traffic? Do you have any - or is it just something you swallow like a lukewarm cup of coffee in your old commuter mug? What would serve you the best when it comes to getting around town? I can't make any promises. I'm just the messenger, if you will. But, it always helps to have more than enough info. Plus, who knows. Maybe we can take some of the best suggestions and implement them. Anything to help you out... because if this morning is any indication of how it goes out there... you need all the help you can get.
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Today on Daybreak, Tony Arranaga was out at the Healing
Field at Tempe Beach Park.
This, of course, being the 7th year since the 9-11
terrorist attacks.
If you haven't
been to the Healing Field - this is something I would gently, and yet strongly,
recommend. There is such beauty in what those volunteers did: setting up nearly
3,000 American flags, each one with a card attached showcasing a victim.
Walking through
the display yesterday after work, I happened to come across a card showing a man
who died. He was my age. He was a mailroom worker. He was just one of
thousands, I know, who lost their lives. Yet, I imagine... to someone... he was
everything.
Perhaps he was a dad. A brother. A best
friend.
We can be very
thankful that on this day, we've not had to report anything like we did on
September 11, 2001. I hope we never do.
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I hate text messaging -- there I got it off my chest.
Really, is there a more impersonal form of communication?
Think about all of the verbal and non-verbal cues that are lost -- voice/tone, eye contact and body language.
It's true, the same can be said about email.
But, it seems more and more people these days are conversing mainly through text messaging.
Because texting lacks so much of the essential information, derived from a normal face to face conversation, a lot can be lost in translation -- no to mention, lost in *transmission.*
I can't tell you how many texts I've sent that never reached their destination -- and vice versa.
Or, if the text does go through, it arrives hours after it was sent -- making the initial message pointless.
Obviously, I've engaged in text messaging.
I think it's okay for quick, relatively unimportant messages.
But, as far as conversing goes -- it's best to just pick up the phone and dial.
It's so much nicer to hear a voice at the other end of the line.
Just my opinion. :-)
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I had to chuckle a bit at a story we read today on Daybreak. It was all about how these women get together and have cleaning parties. At first, I was thinking, "yeah - like I would invite a bunch of my friends and acquaintances over to my messy house: hey gals! Grab a mop and let's go to town! Rebecca- really scrub on that window - the dogs have drooled all over it!" No way. How mortifying. My rule is that only I see my dirty house. Only I clean it.
Then, upon second glance, I realized these "cleaning parties" were actually a chance for women concerned for the health of their families to get together and share some natural cleaning secrets.
My mom is actually the biggest proponent of natural cleaning stuff. Baking soda and vinegar and a bucket of scalding hot water can do wonders, according to her. This particular group would agree. They even offer some cleaning recipies, if you will.
As for me, I'm still undecided - I think it's a good idea to be as health-conscious as possible. Still, nothing beats a quick spray of some harsh chemical to eat away at the dog drool in seconds. I'm a busy girl. Now, having a doggie-doo picking up party... that's a brilliant idea.
Cleaning Party Info:
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Sitting on my
couch yesterday, watching the Redskins take on the Giants (yes, for real) felt
like that moment just before you open up all your Christmas presents.
There's
so much anticipation and excitement to the start of football season. I love
it! It means fall is in the air. It means friendly banter between co-workers
(because we're all from different states, we all have our hometown faves). It
reminds me of high school. There's something so fun about high school
football. The lights, the grass, the metal bleachers that are so uncomfortable
to sit on, but it doesn't matter because you're rarely sitting anyway.
This is that
day for thousands of high schoolers across the state... when cheerleaders
rally the school, coaches rally their players, and parents rally each other by
coordinating carpools and snacks. So - to all the athletes out there... enjoy
this moment... and have a good game.
By the way, if
you want to check on a high school game in your neighborhood, click the link
below.
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A new family game show is coming to ABC on September 23rd.
You guessed it -- "Opportunity Knocks."
Tony Arranaga gave you a sneak peak at the show this morning -- live from Phoenix, where a local family prepared to be put to the test.
This block party, mobile tour around the country will feature families who are quizzed about how well they know each other.
And, they have the *opportunity* to win some great prizes.
So, how much do you know about your kin?
Curious to learn more?
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If you were up...
and watching Daybreak today, you might've noticed a story about volunteers from
Arizona going out to help victims of Gustav.
Here's a thought, on this Labor
Day: while we're all sitting at home later, eating cheeseburgers or whatever was
on your grill, pause for a moment and think that there are those who are
laboring today - and not collecting a cent.
Whether they're volunteers going to
the Gulf Coast or volunteers at a community shelter, you have to appreciate the
giving human nature of those looking to lend a hand, no matter what.
Meantime,
if you'd like to learn more, just click on this link: http://www.arizonadisasterrelief.org/
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Did you get much sleep last night?
Probably not -- and, I'm right there with you.
Those monsoon storms were something else!
I crawled into bed around 8:00 last night, and I could hear the thunder in the distance.
By 9:00, it sounded like the eye of the storm was hovering over my house.
I'm talking continuous loud claps of thunder -- for HOURS!
Plus, the continuous flashes of lightening were so bright, I could see them with my eyes closed!
I eventually drifted off with a pillow over my face -- desperate for sleep.
Funny thing -- I didn't even hear the wind or rain..which my neighborhood got a lot of.
Pulling out of my driveway in the wee hours of the morning, I saw that all of the recycle bins on my street had been tipped over.
In front of my house, several empty beer bottles.
At first, I thought -- who got drunk and played a stupid prank with the trash bins????
Then, as I continued to drive down the street, I saw all of the uprooted trees.
Ah, yes. Mother nature -- not, drunks.
By the way, as you drove around town today, did you notice that while huge trees had toppled -- most campaign signs remained firmly planted in the earth?
Just one of those things that make you go, "Hmmmmm."
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Last night, I was laying in that zone where your body is asleep but your mind is still going though its checklist of what bills you forgot to pay, what you need at the grocery store and what responsibilities you have at work when you wake up in the morning.
Then my mind wandered into blog territory.
What to blog about. What was I going to blog about? 9:15pm. The DNC? No. The water rescue? 9:18pm. Getting the equivalent of a nap for a good night's sleep? Yawn. Yikes. 9:27pm.
Don't ask me why - but at that point, I started going through the rundown of Daybreak. My mind settled on the Hollywood Minute. Just so you know (insider info - the general public doesn't know this until now) our producers will drop the Hollywood stories if we're running short on time. And you know what? I actually enjoy not reading it! Yes, it's true. To me, hearing the woes of multi-millionaires just doesn't do it for me. In fact, there's some sort of glee that comes with the words in our earpiece (IFB): "All of the Hollywood Minute is dropped." Score.
Sometimes, I get so wrapped up in the video of a story - I nearly forget I'm the one telling it. Sometimes, I wish we could spend more time on one topic or another. Sometimes, I wonder if you, our viewers, really care about what we're saying. Sometimes I think perhaps we should ask you, our viewers, if we're doing a good job in covering the things that matter to you. Well..?
I've overslept my 3 alarms and still made it into work by going a reasonable speed. That's only happened twice in 7 years. I've gotten done anchoring a show and thought that was the worst job I've ever done and beat myself up for it the rest of the day. That's happened often.
I trip over words. I make faces into the camera during commercial breaks to try and cheer up the crew who you never see...but we wouldn't be on the air without them. I've driven more pens into the palm of my hand to try and create a sense of pain to stave off hysterical laughter. That's rare... and happened earlier on in my career. But still. I'm also not the only anchor who's done that. I actually learned that tactic from a peer in Flagstaff back in 2001.
Sometimes I envision how comical this would all be if it were turned into a movie script, because I guess at the end of the day, when you're beyond delirium and desperately trying to squeeze any sleep out of a dwindling night, all you can do is laugh... and get ready to do it all over again the next day. Because in some strange way, this job is addicting, fun, frustrating and fantastic.
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Did you happen to watch our 7:22 Good Morning America cut-in Wednesday morning?
If so, you saw some incredible, live footage from Air 15 -- of flood waters sweeping away a car in Apache Junction.
If you missed it, or want to see the amazing video again, click here.
Kaley was in the middle of her weather segment -- showing a flooded road near Southern and Mountainview.
We saw one huge truck struggle to make it through the rising water.
Then, a small white car, tried to do the same thing -- but, it was washed away in deep, fast-moving flood water.
It was TERRIFYING to watch.
I was so worried that we were going to witness that car being submerged -- with the occupants inside.
Amazingly, the water carried the car right into a foot bridge, where it got stuck.
A man then ran across the bridge and dramatically pulled a small child and her mother to safety.
That man, who ever he is, is a true hero.
He risked his own life -- getting so close to the rushing water.
At any rate, mom and child are fine -- and, boy are they lucky their rescuer was in the right place at the right time.
It's a miracle the car came to a stop at the bridge.
Had it floated toward heavy brush in the area, surrounded by rising water -- the outcome may have been different.
As it was, the water came to the bottom of the car's windows.
This serves as a reminder -- DO NOT try to cross flooded roads.
It's not worth it.
Aside from getting a fine because of Arizona's Stupid Motorist Law, you're risking your life.
Be safe out there!
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In the news world, yesterday's storm is quickly becoming recent history. We also enjoy oxymoron's in the news world. Either way, I know it happened Monday afternoon... but the aftermath of what seemed to be the end of the world is still apparent in my backyard and along the streets I drive.
I set out yesterday with the goal of running errands: buying groceries for me and food for the dogs. It was raining - nothing I can't handle. It's when it started raining cats and dogs I got slightly more alert, not worried mind you, just alert. When Great Dane-sized raindrops started coming down at the speed of Usain Bolt in Beijing, I focused in on keeping more space between me and my fellow drivers. It's only when the air around me turned brown, the wind felt like it was on a mission to dismantle my car and I lost all visibility except to see that my windshield wipers, even on full strength, could not keep the pace of the rain - that's when I worried. In fact, that's when I started thinking up different scenarios in my mind as to what I should do if A) I get blown off the road, B) I get washed off the road, or C) a combination of the preceding plus hit by other cars struggling through the same tumultuous torrent.
Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest, I've driven through a lot of severe weather - ice, snow, rain, wind. Nothing came close to that moment yesterday when I seriously had to consider the fact I may just make the evening news as a subject, not because news is what I do for a living.
It's very easy, sometimes, for us to sit behind a desk and throw judgment to a motorist who drives through a wash (stupid motorist!), or a driver who caused an accident because they didn't follow procedure when pulling over because of a dust storm (duh, how many times do we have to list the steps to take?). Yes, I know there need to be a level of common sense when you get behind the wheel. However, in a moment of managed panic, it's tough to keep your wits about you when your life seems to be at stake. But, I guess that's the moment your wits matter most.
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Is it just me, or have you noticed a change in the sun's brilliance lately?
My friend Lisa and I were talking this morning, and we both agree the sun seems a bit dimmer now -- not quite as bright.
It's beginning to feel like fall -- can't wait for the temperatures to reflect that seasonal change.
After months of triple digit temps -- most of us are ready for cool, or at least, warm air.
I am really looking forward to being able to open my windows at night --- and allow fresh air to replace the stale, summer air inside my home.
You've heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder, right?
It affects folks mostly in the northwest, who endure months of rain and lack of sunshine.
People are forced to spend most of their time indoors -- making them feel depressed.
But, many folks actually suffer from Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder...or the Summertime Blues.
It's a real disorder -- click here to read more.
I bet many folks who live here in the desert start to feel that way toward the end of summer.
We've been cooped up for so long, now.
While not depressed, I definitely feel the heat starting to weigh on me.
I'm looking forward to the cooler months that add a spring to my step.
I can't wait to get outside and run and hike -- without feeling like I might overheat.
Fall can't come soon enough!
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In scanning the web for inspiration for today's blog... I came across this article in the "Daily Mail" out of the U.K. Here's the headline: "Living With Humans has Taught Dogs Morals, Scientists Say."
Morals?! Umm... okaaaayyy. Either way, read this excerpt: "They say the fact that dogs' play rarely escalates into a fight shows the animals abide by social rules. "
Obviously, these scientists must've studied dogs whose owners spend their time at tea parties. It is the U.K. after all. Don't they make afternoon tea mandatory?
Either way... have these scientists looked at society lately? People fight all the time. In fact, I bet we don't play enough. Maybe adding more play time would decrease fights. Adding more treats would also diminish hostility. Ever notice how docile your dog becomes when you whip out a chewie? I mean, how can you growl at someone, you boss for example, when they're holding a mouth-watering raise in front of you?
One more excerpt: "Dogs are not just able to 'speak' to us - they can also understand some aspects of human communication."
One of my dogs "spoke" to me the other day. It was non-verbal communication of sorts. In fact, it was, in my opinion, an offensive gesture - much like what you may get while driving the 101 and cut someone off. I'm just sayin'. I got home from work on a particularly hot day... the dogs were inside my house, enjoying the A/C. However, knowing that I'd been gone for a few hours, it was time to let them out to do their business. Two dogs went out begrudgingly. The remaining dog cocked his head, trotted over to the corner of my couch and looked over his shoulder with an evil glace. He then proceeded to lift his leg and get his business done inside, holding my bewildered gaze the whole time as if to say, "that's what I think about your idea of going out."
**post script** After typing that little story of my dog peeing inside, I realized that according to the article on dogs living with humans and picking up on their morals, you might think my dog takes after me. Not a chance, buster. That dog was adopted.
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