Life of a Meteorologist

2006-06-26T22:41:00.000-05:00

I have recently been thinking about where I'd like to retire to...you know your favorite places in the world. Well I'd LOVE to move to Spanish Fort or Fairhope, Alabama. Why? Just look at this sunset picture I took over Mobile Bay a couple of weeks ago. It is one of the most beautiful places with huge Live Oak trees and Spanish Moss hanging from the branches...houses with nice porches where you can watch the sun go down. It really doesn't get any better than that....

Nap Time

2006-06-23T11:57:00.000-05:00

Why is it when you FINALLY get the little one down for a nap and it is time to relax yourself the phone ALWAYS rings and it is ALWAYS someone you don't want to talk to???? Two days in a row for me...

Summertime

2006-06-21T19:17:00.000-05:00

Growing up I spent a lot of time at the pool because my grandparents watched me and my brother and they had a pool...my best friend Jason and his brother Jarrod and my brother Brad all spent hours upon hours playing wiffle ball and swimming every summer. Pools are a LOT of work...and to be honest as I got older I didn't really have the urge to swim all that much (unless I'm at the beach and then I could stay in the ocean all day long). Well now that we live in a neighborhood that has a pool the boys just LOVE to go and we have spent pretty much every afternoon at the pool. I've found myself becoming a pool lover again...now I just have to figure out how to get my HDTV out there so I can watch the College World Series while I'm swimming!

Miss Alabama visits Fox6!

2006-06-15T18:38:00.001-05:00

Melinda Toole was crowned Miss Alabama on Saturday night and first thing Sunday morning she stopped by for a nice visit with us on our morning show. Suprise! She gets to do the weather with me (ok yeah it was my idea but you'd do the same thing too if you had the chance!!)...so here are a few pictures from her visit.

2006-06-15T18:38:00.000-05:00

The first time I've ever had a guest while doing the weather live on TV!

2006-06-15T18:37:00.000-05:00

She was pretty good at it for the first time on a key wall!!

2006-06-15T18:36:00.001-05:00

Melanie, Melinda and Me!

2006-06-15T18:36:00.000-05:00

Melanie interviewing Melinda

2006-06-15T18:35:00.000-05:00

Jon and Melinda

Tropical Season!

2006-06-10T22:25:00.000-05:00

Looks like the tropics are getting a head start this year...the season officially started last week but T.D. 1 has already formed just south of Cuba...it may make landfall as Tropical Storm Alberto on Monday evening somewhere north of Tampa. I think it will be a long and active season...

My grandfather's birthday was yesterday...so Happy Birthday!!! I'm going to write about his amazing military career in the next week...be sure to come back for that!

Lawrence County Alabama Sheriff

2006-06-04T21:18:00.000-05:00

If you live in Lawrence County Alabama or know someone who does please read on..

I have never used my blog for a personal endorsement for anyone running for a political office (and I know quite a few...) but with the elections coming up this Tuesday I wanted to take a minute to inform people about a candidate for the Lawrence County Alabama Sheriff's office...Gene Mitchell is running for that position and I'll give you a few reasons why he is the best choice for the job. First of all he is WAY over qualified for the position...he won't tell people that but his background is simply INCREDIBLE when it comes to Law Enforcement. He is a former director of the Alabama Department of Public Safety...in the state it doesn't get any higher than that when it comes to Law Enforcement. He was also the sheriff of Talladega County several years ago. But most of all he is a man with an incredible sense of helping people...and he would do an OUTSTANDING job as the sheriff there. He is now retired but he just can't stay away from helping others and I hope that the people of Lawrence County elect someone I can say I'm truly honored to know.

Wendys EXPOSED!

2006-05-21T17:34:00.000-05:00

Ok I love Wendys...and on my way home from work today I stopped in to get a spicy chicken combo. While standing there waiting on my fries I happened to really look at the menu for the first time ever I believe. They always ask you: would you like to "biggie size" your combo? For only 49 cents you can have a biggie order of fries and a biggie drink. I always say "no thank you"...for one thing the drink won't fit in the cup holder in my car. Well you get a medium order of fries and a medium drink with a combo. I'll break down the numbers for you here:

Medium Fries: $1.29
Medium Drink: $1.29

Biggie Fries: $1.39
Biggie Drink: $1.39

So the difference in the fries and drinks are only a DIME...TWENTY cents would upgrade you to the "biggie" fries and drink..yet they charge you 49 cents when you "biggie size" your combo!!!! Seems like they are ripping people off...if you order seperately it will cost you 20 cents but if you get the "deal" it costs 49 cents! Sounds like a great deal to me (if you are Wendys!)

Vipers Game

2006-05-21T08:33:00.000-05:00

Last night I got to take my oldest son to his first Vipers game...we had a great time! I got to see lots of old friends in the media business along with the season ticket holders at the games.

I have a few Butterfinger Ice Cream bars with my name all over them waiting for me at the house!

Butterfinger Ice Cream Bars

2006-05-18T17:06:00.000-05:00

Ok I love them, I can't help it, I know I'll be tipping the scales at 300 pounds soon but I can't help it. I could eat a box a day. I wake up in the morning thinking about them, I go to bed thinking about them. I dream about them and sometimes get up in the middle of the night just to enjoy one (or two or three) of them. I can't stop thinking about them...........

2006-05-07T14:22:00.000-05:00

Alan Baker and the Hummer after our morning live shots next to Victory Lane. Alan had the pleasure (or so he says it was pleasure) of doing my first live shot at Fox6 during Hurricane Katrina on my first night there...

2006-05-07T14:20:00.000-05:00

One of the highlights of the weekend, Mike Hampton of the Braves walked out of the drivers meeting with his lovely wife...Mike has been one of my favorite pitchers for a long time...dating back to his days with the Colorado Rockies. His wife took a picture for me...

2006-05-07T14:19:00.001-05:00

Victory Lane

2006-05-07T14:19:00.000-05:00

Pit Row

2006-05-07T14:18:00.001-05:00

My spot next to Tony Stewart's team

2006-05-07T14:18:00.000-05:00

My spot during the race

2006-05-07T14:17:00.000-05:00

The rain begins

2006-05-07T14:16:00.000-05:00

Will Farrell talking about the fine wood panneling in the media area

2006-05-05T15:59:00.000-05:00

Do you really need a caption here? I need a smiley face with drool all over it....

2006-05-03T17:32:00.000-05:00

Looking at the severe storm coming into Madison today, taken from my front porch...nice gust front out ahead of the heavy rain

Terrible news

2006-05-03T15:58:00.000-05:00

I've worked with Scott on numerous occasions, and truly one of the nicest guys you can ever meet. This is from his blog:

I last saw my son, Clay on Wednesday morning, April 26th at around 11 A.M. Tanya and I had met at the Chick Fil A in Alabaster, AL for me to drop Clay off to her. That is the halfway point for us...130 miles each way. Clay was sitting in my lap right before she got there. He was acting like he was driving my car. (Say car with a Boston accent and you'll be close to how Clay pronounced it.) One of them is pictured above. We ate lunch, and they were on their way home. I had to get back to Huntsville....although I had taken off from EMA, I had to be at work on patrol for my part time police job that afternoon.Well, on Friday morning at 9:35ish, our secretary ran into the room where me, Chris, my boss, and 2 other guys were having a meeting. She grabbed my boss by the shoulder and said "you've got to come now!" My father in law had just told her what had happened. My boss stepped back into the room and called me out. I wondered if there was some big emergency or something terrible that had just happened. He took me into the hallway and told me there had been an accident and that my son had died and Tanya was hurt. I then got on the phone with my father in law and he told me the rest of the story.Appartently, Tanya had wanted to walk to lose weight. She took Clay with her and they went walking. Clay was in a stroller being pushed by Tanya. (Clay was only 21 months old as of Friday). They were just a little ways down the road from her house when a speeding pickup truck (troopers estimate 82 MPH, we're told) came upon them around a curve and the driver left the road....he went onto the shoulder of the road (possibly fishtailing a little)....he struck them both. Tanya was thrown quite a good distance (127 feet), landed and bounce before landing face down. Clay was still in the stroller and landed face down after being ran over by the truck. His little head took the visible majority of the impact.The pickup continued on skidding and went across the road and slammed into a small tree (possibly overturning once). The driver is under arrest for murder and assault 1st.Just to let you know what's goingon with me right now.

Being a dad I just couldn't imagine what he is going through right now. Scott...we are all thinking about you

Hump Day

2006-04-26T18:53:00.000-05:00

Nice and cool outside right now...north breeze...overcast...still a little drizzle as of 6 PM...

Busy weekend ahead, my wife's brother is getting married, I'll be in Talladega this weekend broadcasting for our morning show on Sunday...be sure to tune in as I'm planning a few cool things (I don't think the "take the Hummer around the track at 120 mph" idea passed though) but it will be entertaining even without me driving. I'm going to hit up Jr. for a lap in his car...wonder if he'll go for it?

2006-04-24T11:10:00.000-05:00

This was taken at 6:30 PM Friday (April 21). This was taken from our porch (they signed their names here), which is about 8 miles North of Noccalula Falls.

Sunday Thoughts

2006-04-23T07:49:00.000-05:00

Lots of severe storms during the last week...I have some good pictures I'll post here that were sent in from viewers...

Saturday was a great day...beautiful outside...perfect day for baseball!!

Speaking of baseball...right now we are ranked # 14 in the nation...we have two big series left in the season then off to the playoffs in Dothan.

I will soon be marketing the "Karen Church Collection"...my morning co-anchor is "cleaning out her jewelry" and there are some great items that she will be selling. She has lots of very very very nice stuff...

My wife has entered the world of Mary Kay as a part time venture...help us feed the kids and place an order from her! (Personally I think she is doing it so she can spend more time with all of her friends!!)

Today is our baby's first birthday party....he actually turned 1 a couple of weeks ago but with Easter and all we decided to wait until today to have his party. Should be a fun afternoon!

I hope your Sunday is awesome!

Great Website

2006-04-20T10:08:00.000-05:00

Check this out...

http://www.litteronastick.com/

One of my fellow talkweather forum members has put together a great campaign against illegal placement of political signs on Alabama roadways. And for those of you who read the forum you will know that he and I have had epidemic battles in the past over different issues because of our different views on things but I'm with him 110% on this one! Check it out and help out!

Astrometeorology

2006-04-19T21:45:00.000-05:00

Yesterday and today someone came on Talkweather (www.talkweather.com) and posted about how the government has wasted billions of dollars on meteorology over the years and he can forecast better using some $25 piece of equipment that astrometeorologists use (I've never heard of it) and "keen observations". Not only did he say he could forecast better than the SPC, NWS and private and TV meteorologists, he said that he could better warn the public during severe weather...giving greater lead times for tornadoes and landfalling tropical systems. Hey I'm all for this if he could have provided just one ouce of proof to this claim along with some past analysis of his forecasts versus what the other professionals did during certain events. He didn't give one reply to many questions posted by many members of the board and when I asked him to predict today if and where any tornadoes would form this is the reply I got from him:

Well, that just ends that, doesn't it? It isn't possible? Who do you think you are? I never said any of that. You just make things up. Hey, are you like, off your meds or something? I don't think I want to communicate with you at all. Here are my reasons ~Find some better manners. You appear to be under some stress, and for some reason, if astrometeorology is laughable, then why are you so hostile, and demanding? Just be on your way, laugh at it all, and leave it at that. No one is making you read my forecast. Its a free country. Just walk on by... and goodbye.

We all got a kick out of this...his forecast consisted of this:

- August 16 to August 21 - Moon at MAX. N - Hurricane transits- September 13 to Sept. 18 - Moon at MAX. N - Hurricane transitsMark the dates above as key dates for hurricane and tropical storm watches. Planetary conditions see Mars transiting tropical Cancer and Leo from mid-April to mid-July conjoining Saturn relative to the Tropic of Cancer on the Earth.

Anyone and I mean anyone can predict that there will be a tropical system somewhere in the world during those dates expecially since that is the height of Hurricane Season!!! hahahaha He just said there will be a tropical system somewhere...didn't say where...couldn't pinpoint it within a thousand miles if his life depended upon it.

The more I think of it...the more I like this kind of forecasting...you are always right!

Update on Bevill State - Sumiton Catcher

2006-04-19T07:36:00.000-05:00

After talking yesterday with the trainer that went to the hospital with him yesterday afternoon it is likely that he is done playing baseball for his career. Without going into details his injury was very similar to that of Joe Theisman if you remember that Monday night game against the Giants and the famous hit by Lawrence Taylor. I know I speak for the entire Calhoun Community College program when I wish him the best of luck.

2006-04-16T17:56:00.000-05:00

Today I gave Brad the jersey he wore during his one and only game as a AA baseball player! We celebrated birthdays today along with Easter at my grandparent's house.

2006-04-16T17:54:00.001-05:00

Before the game...I was coaching at UAH at the time

2006-04-16T17:54:00.000-05:00

Last off the field

2006-04-16T17:53:00.000-05:00

Brad (#10) after a win

Very Bad Injury

2006-04-15T08:23:00.000-05:00

During our game against Bevill State - Sumiton on Thursday their starting catcher broke his arm (compound fracture) while attempting to score early in the game. I've been around baseball most of my life and this was the ugliest injury I've seen...he had two titanium rods put into his arm later that afternoon at Decatur General Hospital. Please keep him and his family in your prayers for a speedy and complete recovery.

Sorry its been so long

2006-04-13T08:34:00.000-05:00

Had a pretty rough week last week and then we had to go to the beach for Jason's wedding.

Yesterday was our baby's FIRST birthday!! We took him to lunch at Shogun...he ate fried rice and filet mignon...and they even came out to sing to him! It was pretty funny...but after all of that food the "suprises" he gave us later were NOT fun!

Today is my oldest brother's birthday. My grandmother and one cousin all have April birthdays as well...we do a group birthday party for everyone and I guess the baby will get thrown into that mix when he gets older as well. Right now though he gets a separate one for his friends. I got my brother the coolest present this year...he reads this so I'm not going to give it away just yet but I'll post a picture next week after the party this weekend.

Calhoun moved up to # 15 in the nation this week...right now we are 31-5 on the season...we have about 3 weeks of the regular season left and then the playoffs. I'd love to add another big ring to my collection. We play today at 1 PM at home.

I hope everyone is having a great week so far!

Alligator attack

2006-04-03T20:35:00.000-05:00

Oh yeah I forgot something did happen to me that was exciting last night...I almost got eaten by an alligator...he was lurking...waiting for the chance to get a little snack...but I got away before he could eat me!

Rough Weekend

2006-04-03T12:11:00.000-05:00

Well it started out fine, I'm heading to work Saturday morning and all of a sudded IT hits me...for those of you who watched know exactly what I'm talking about! Nothing like spending commercial breaks trying to NOT throw up! It was awful...

Storms last night were "a rockin"...woke me up around 3 I guess it was...

Well not too much to write about...can't wait for Jason's wedding this weekend!!

# 22 in the first NJCAA poll of the year

2006-03-29T22:37:00.000-06:00

The first NJCAA Division 1 baseball poll came out today and Calhoun was ranked # 22 in the nation! I'm very excited about being a part of this team...we play tomorrow against Snead State in Boaz

Pretty Sunday...

2006-03-26T14:37:00.000-06:00

And what have I done? WORK...that's about it! I had a broadcast student originally from Cullman County that goes to UAB come in and "shadow" me this morning...so a special thanks to Justin for making the morning go by really fast!

Yesterday I had an "issue" with one of the tires on my car...so I took it today to a Bridgestone place off of 280 and I wanted them to look at it...well they were busy so I couldn't leave it...so on to a gas station to put air in it...well that proved to be a tough assignment. The first station had no air pressure....it was just letting what little air I had in my tire out. So on to # 2....some dumb $%^%$%^%$& was parked in front of the water/air thing and he/she was nowhere to be found. Great...on to # 3...it had a nice little air/water/vacuum thing....well guess what??!!?? someone was using the vacuum and the air thing wouldn't reach...so on to # 4...well # 4 didn't even have an air thing...I searched the place out...no luck (it was probably stolen!)...so # 5 finally had what I needed...and after all of that I needed TWO quarters and guess who didn't have any quarters in his car?? Oh yeah, I was REAL happy having to walk in to get change for a stinking dollar. So Happy Sunday to everyone out there! I hope your day was better than mine!!

Winter's not done yet...

2006-03-23T15:37:00.000-06:00

Yes it may be Spring but boy Winter won't give up just yet...not fun for all of the spring breaker's out there! Looks like the 30s for lows won't go away anytime soon...

I've been thinking...

2006-03-22T12:19:00.000-06:00

And some would say that is "NEVER" a good thing! haha But in all seriousness...think about your special someone and ask these questions:

Why do I love him/her?
Why do I fight with him/her?
What lessons have I learned from him/her?
How does this person make me a better person?

When you think about these things...you will feel better inside I promise...

OUCH

2006-03-19T07:11:00.000-06:00

Ouch...I do NOT want to be here this morning..........

Cold Game!

2006-03-18T07:36:00.000-06:00

Little cold yesterday as we went to 19-3 on the season! Drew Owens threw a gem in the second game...glad he worked quickly because that north wind was really whipping it up out there. We are off this weekend but pick back up on Tuesday with a home date against Cumberland University. Game one starts at Noon.

2006-03-15T11:40:00.000-06:00

I just accepted a coaching position with Calhoun Community College...I'm very excited and honored to be with a new program and coaching staff! Right now we are 15-3 on the season and I'm looking forward to working with the kids for the rest of the season!!

2006-03-14T17:17:00.000-06:00

Today I received my 2005 Butler High School 5A State Champions basketball ring. The front of the ring has "State Champions" around it along with 2005.

2006-03-14T17:16:00.000-06:00

The side of the ring with my name...

2006-03-14T17:15:00.000-06:00

side of the ring "Butler" then the image of Alabama with the number "1" and a banner over it saying "Alabama"

Lots to talk about!

2006-03-11T08:46:00.000-06:00

First of all...big props to my grandparents for coming over yesterday to watch the boys while I had to teach a class...thanks!

Boy did Bama look bad yesterday?? Well they did the last 5 minutes of the game...Kentucky scored on their last 9 posessions (I think) and Bama didn't score at all...result...Bama heads home.

On the way into work this morning (trying to dodge a million cars with Illinois and Missouri plates) I started flipping through some of the less frequented channels on my Sirius radio and let me tell you there are some weird channels on there...well I came across a Devo song (yes Devo...whip it good!)...they did a remake of the Stone's "Satisfaction"....I'm actually glad I didn't wreck my car it was so awful. Nothing like taking a classic and ripping it to shreds. On a more positive note...have you heard the new Buckcherry song? OUTSTANDING! Love it!!

And how about Barry "the hgh/steroid science class experiment" Bonds? I know if someone wrote a book about me with over 200 anonymous sources saying that I not only used but abused steroids and it jeopardized every stat I had put up over 20 years in Major League Baseball I'd fight it to the very end if it wasn't true...his response "I'm not going to read it"...well Barry...your head has grown (literally because of the steroid and hgh abuse) but it seems that your brain hasn't followed suit...and I'll admit I went to see him last year play in Atlanta...and he hit a bomb to left field...and I can tell my grandkids that I saw the greatest player ever to play the game in person...too bad it was mostly artificial.

Promo Heaven

2006-03-09T22:17:00.000-06:00

Let me tell you...one of the biggest things in TV are promos...yes it is a pat yourself on the back kind of thing...and it lets people see what they may have missed if they were at work...school...kid events...ect...and it shows the committment of a station to the viewers in their market. I have never seen a station get a promo on the air as quickly as we do! Today we had a line of severe storms...we had damage reports...I did a live shot outside of our studio at 6 right as the winds were coming in around 50 mph...and within an hour and a half (yes an hour and a half) we had a promo on the air highlighting our coverage from earlier including my stuff that I did live at 6. It is quite a change being in a top 40 market...

Risk for severe storms Thursday

2006-03-08T12:15:00.000-06:00

A very strong upper level system and cold front will move into the SE on Thursday. A very strong low pressure center will be well north of the area on Thursday giving most of Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee very strong winds...even outside of the storms winds could top 50 mph and sustained winds could easily top 35 mph most of the day. Any storms that develop ahead of the main system during the afternoon hours could contain tornadoes...so please stay weather alert on Thursday. Once the cold front moves through late in the evening the severe threat will come to an end. The front will stall out across southern Alabama and along the Gulf Coast and will continue to give us a chance for storms through the weekend. I mentioned Sunday morning on the air that Thursday could be active so all signs continue to point toward a pretty large event around here.

South Alabama 2006 Sun Belt Champions

2006-03-08T09:58:00.000-06:00

Got to watch South on ESPN 2 last night...they put a beat down on Western Kentucky 95-70 and they will be in the NCAA tournament for the first time since I graduated in 1998! If they played like they did last night we could see an upset in the first round...I hope we get a 12 seed because there are always 12 seeds upsetting 5 seeds every year. Go Jags!

It's been several days...

2006-03-04T19:25:00.000-06:00

Sorry it has taken so long to update...I've had a pretty busy week! One thing I have done is clean up my new home office and my garage...moving everything has been awful and I didn't realize how much crap we really had until we moved! I'm ready for the warmer temps that come along with Spring!!

2006-02-26T03:54:00.000-06:00

My new best friend Heather

2006-02-25T21:29:00.000-06:00

Jason and Kristin's party to celebrate their upcoming wedding!

2006-02-25T21:28:00.000-06:00

This was the gift that the hosts of the party gave them...of course we paid for the party too!

2006-02-25T21:26:00.002-06:00

I didn't get too many pictures of Jason's sister...Ashley...she is on the left mostly covered up by one of Peyton Manning's cousins...and that is Brooke on the right...she is a sweetie!

2006-02-25T21:26:00.001-06:00

A touching family moment between Jason and Jarrod

2006-02-25T21:26:00.000-06:00

Jason's brother Jarrod and his girlfriend...I remember kicking his butt in whiffle ball when we were kids...

2006-02-25T21:24:00.000-06:00

Arab people always find each other at a party....

2006-02-25T21:18:00.000-06:00

Guarding the food

2006-02-21T01:34:00.000-06:00

Can anyone help me identify this football helmet?

C O L D C O L D C O L D

2006-02-19T07:33:00.000-06:00

I hate mornings like this...got up...walked outside and it was 22! Not fun...especially when my commute to work was only about 5 minutes...not even time enough for the car to get warm. I'm looking forward to my beach trip in April....

Winter Weather again this weekend??

2006-02-17T15:36:00.000-06:00

Well after looking at lots of data and putting my years and years and years of education and experience together...(haha!)...I think Memphis and most of Western Tennessee and NW Mississippi will see a significant winter weather event...but for us here in Alabama get ready for rain...I don't think we'll see any frozen stuff falling from the sky and I think the only travel problems would be from water freezing on the roads Saturday and Sunday nights...

Selling the Jeep

2006-02-13T21:10:00.000-06:00

Anyone in the market for a sharp 1997 Jeep Wrangler? After only putting 9,000 miles on it in 4+ years I've decided to sell it...

Snow

2006-02-12T07:33:00.000-06:00

Well some areas finally got some snow...mainly light amounts here in Alabama but our neighbors to the west in Memphis got lots! I wonder if Jason Miles got out and did a little sliding on the snow?? We got some snow showers yesterday afternoon and some areas saw some accumulations...pretty indeed!

2006-02-07T08:12:00.000-06:00

My baby started walking this weekend!

2006-02-06T15:06:00.000-06:00

Super Dave during a commercial break Sunday morning...I'm sure he was happy last night!

National Weather Person's Day

2006-02-05T15:35:00.000-06:00

Yes today is our holiday...Feb 5th was set aside to let your favorite meteorologist that you appreciate what he or she does for you...and yet I didn't get one present today... :(

2006-02-03T20:41:00.000-06:00

Fred Hunter

2006-02-03T20:40:00.000-06:00

Town Hall Meeting in Sumiton

2006-02-03T20:39:00.000-06:00

Mickey Ferguson

Been a few days...

2006-02-03T09:36:00.000-06:00

Well life is as busy as ever...seems like no matter what you do to make things easier something always comes up! I have some pictures from the Town Hall meeting from Wednesday night I'm going to post hopefully sometime today...we had a great crowd...and there is nothing like free BBQ with a bunch of co-workers that you didn't really know before the night began and you find out they are pretty cool! Got to get going...more later!

2006-01-31T21:24:00.000-06:00

Kid Rock and his brother at the Predators-Red Wings game...the picture was taken from our seats...one section over

Super Bowl Halftime Show??

2006-01-29T15:58:00.000-06:00

Ok have you seen that the Rolling Stones are playing during halftime at the Super Bowl?? Ok fine and dandy but let's think about this for a minute...the Super Bowl is in DETROIT this year...you know MOTOWN...couldn't they have come up with something a little better and go with the theme of the town hosting this year? I mean next year is in Tempe, Arizona...they could have let the Stones play next year if they wanted them that bad...but then again there are no guarantees they will be around next year...way to go NFL...I guess they are catering to the executives and big money that will be at the game instead of what *most* people would like to see...a tribute to a great city with a great tradition.

National Sex Offender Registry Website

2006-01-28T21:59:00.000-06:00

This was posted on the talkweather board that I frequent...and I know a lot of people read this that don't read the talkweather board so I wanted to share this here. If you click on the little boxes where the sex offenders live you will see a picture of them and a description of their crime. Please take a look...I had one within a half of a mile from my old house and I had no idea.

http://www12.familywatchdog.us/

Thanks Carson!

2006-01-27T09:07:00.000-06:00

Last night we had the third of our four Town Hall meetings...at the First Baptist Church in Sylacauga. We had a blast but the highlight of the night came around 6:45...about 15 minutes into the program my phone started playing music...so I answered it...and Carson gave me a bit of news that kept a smile on my face the rest of the night! James-Paul emailed me this morning too...awesome guys...

2006-01-25T21:40:00.000-06:00

I made caramel apples tonight...they didn't turn out too well :(

Super Bowl

2006-01-22T22:50:00.000-06:00

Well it is set...the Steelers and Seahawks...actually this is the matchup I was rooting for...I think Bettis is a great person and running back...and of course I'm rooting for Shaun Alexander...can't wait!!!!

Championship Sunday

2006-01-22T13:38:00.000-06:00

Oh yeah...Championship Sunday in HD...please don't email or call me! :)

2006-01-18T17:04:00.000-06:00

Don't slip...this was the scene on my deck around 9:30 last night..actually got a burst of moderate snow mixed with sleet...stuck to the deck and then melted within 15 minutes.

2006-01-18T17:02:00.001-06:00

Flizzle of 2006

2006-01-18T17:02:00.000-06:00

Look at it coming down!

Super Bowl in HD??

2006-01-17T22:59:00.000-06:00

I know that 31 doesn't have HD but my cable system carries ABC in HD for their prime time shows...so does that mean I get the Super Bowl in HD as well? I know Carson said I wouldn't...and I really don't know. All I do know is that I'm watching ESPN SportsCenter inHD right now and I feel like I'm at the UK-Georgia game from earlier tonight!

Anchors that don't know what they are talking about...

2006-01-16T11:42:00.000-06:00

Thank goodness I don't have to work with any like this but I did recently see an example on another station...

Meteorologist: Temperatures will rise by the weekend...
Anchor: Yeah this weather has been crazy
Meteorologist: Actually this month so far has been very mild...
Anchor: I'm ready for some cold weather
Meteorologist: I don't see any cold weather coming up anytime soon
Anchor: Well for all we know it will be in the teens next week...you don't know what is going to happen..

I'm SO glad I have anchros that either respect me enough not to say things like that on the air or just stick to news instead of commenting on things that they really don't know about...I wish the Met I was watching would have told this anchor to just shut up and try to read the news!

Cold Fingers!

2006-01-14T18:00:00.000-06:00

As I sit here and type this everyone I know including myself are in a "save cost" mode...so I'm at Jason's house right now wearing a sweat shirt and sweat pants...bundled up and my fingers are freezing. My utility bill last month was over $100 more than the highest I've ever had...fuel costs are outrageous. One thing I can't stand is looking at the profits posted by oil companies (hundreds of billions) and I'm having to sit here bundled up because of the outrageous costs of heating.

First Town Hall Meeting of 2006

2006-01-13T12:11:00.000-06:00

We had our first Fox 6 Storm Warn Team "Town Hall Meeting" last night...great turnout at the Fairfield Civic Center...we had some great questions from the audience and gave away some great door prizes (some that I wanted to win!)...we have three more coming up so please come out to see us! Here is a list of the locations...all of them start at 6:30 PM....

Thursday, January 19th @ 6:30 PM
BESSEMER - LOVELESS PARK BAPTIST CHURCH
6200 Lou George Loop
Bessemer, AL 35022

Thursday, January 26th @ 6:30 PM
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH - SYLACAUGA
10 South Broadway Avenue
Sylacauga, AL 35150

Wednesday, February 1st @ 6:30 PM
BEVILL STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - SUMITON CAMPUS
101 State Street
Sumiton, AL 35148

Finally back online at home

2006-01-09T19:59:00.000-06:00

After nearly a week I finally have internet access at home again....although I did get a lot done since I wasn't on this thing all day long!

Long time no see...

2006-01-08T07:37:00.000-06:00

Well I haven't had internet access at home since Tuesday morning...NOT happy about that situation...but I did get my new 52 inch JVC HDTV set up yesterday...can't wait to watch the NFL playoffs in HD later today! Not much to talk about...busy moving...trying to get the old house ready to sell. My dad and three brothers went to see the Nashville Predators play the Detroit Red Wings this past Friday night...Kid Rock was sitting in the section next to us...when I get the pictures from my dad I'll post on here...

Roll Tide!

2006-01-02T14:04:00.000-06:00

I wasn't pretty...but 13-10 sure does look good! 10-2 season and a top 10 finish on the horizon...not bad!

Busted

2006-01-02T12:27:00.000-06:00

Well like I said last night was one of the nights we'll talk about for years...or at least I will. Moderate risk of severe weather...every parameter was there...just no storms. I worked 20 hours...got home at 6 this morning...and I really shouldn't have driven home...I was SO sleepy. So I'll be talking about it for quite some time to come...everyone was wrong...and I'm glad we were because it looked like it was going to get very bad.

2006 starts with a bang...

2006-01-01T15:17:00.000-06:00

Later today and tonight will be one of the weather events we talk about for years to come...I hope that everyone keeps up with the situation tonight and Monday. More thoughts on the new year to come...time to get to work!

Local Media Reunion

2005-12-30T13:32:00.000-06:00

Ok for the last few days while out buying things for the new house I've seen several of my former co-workers and a few from other stations as well. While my wife and I were out buying a new refridgerator we say Kym Richardson in Lowes...and we saw T.W Starr and a few others from WAAY. I saw Harold Bugg on one of the big flat screens in the mall too. I haven't seen Kevin out anywhere...thought he might sell me a new TV or something for my new house......

2005-12-27T19:54:00.000-06:00

Here is my grandfather looking extremely happy about getting a genuine Fox 6 hat from my two boys!

2005 Year in Review

2005-12-26T09:35:00.000-06:00

Well it is amazing how this year has flown by...and how many changes can come in 365 days. I experienced an incredible high, my second son born in April, and a few extreme lows including the loss of my grandmother earlier this year. I changed jobs this year which I never imagined that I would...but all things work out for a reason and I'm glad I took that jump. I lost a few friends...but I know they are in a better place now. We bought a house in the last week...something that we have needed for a while. We also got out of debt...Dave Ramsey's system works. Personally I knew I needed to work on a few things...and I truly believe I have. Here is to 2006...lets hope it is a great year for everyone.

Merry Christmas!

2005-12-24T21:05:00.000-06:00

I hope that everyone that reads this blog has a very Merry Christmas!

Remembering "Bull"

2005-12-23T09:22:00.000-06:00

Last night I received one of those emails that you dread...someone you know has passed away. Shawn "Bull" Bulman passed away Dec. 20th after suffering injuries in a car accident. I don't have details on the wreck...I'll try to find out later. If you ever attended a Huntsville Stars game from about 1992-2002 you saw him there...he went to Butler but was a couple of years ahead of me. He worked for the Stars doing a variety of things...marketing...sales...you name it and he did it. He left the Stars to pursue another love of his, golf...he worked for a few courses including The Ledges. Bull was one of the most "likeable" guys you will ever meet...and my former co-anchor Lori Johnston's cousin. Bull and I really developed a great friendship after I started at WHNT...that is why I was up until after 3 am this morning just thinking about all of the things we shared and did together. Although we weren't close as far as our families go (when I tried to explain who he was to my wife she still couldn't really recall and I only met his wife a couple of times) he didn't come across one person that really didn't like him...and that is something special. I know that Rob Peery (our former sports director) and a few others including Lynn Hayes are probably feeling a million times worse than me because they were truly his best friends. Bull is survived by his wife and two adorable little boys...please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers through this very difficult time.

2005-12-22T22:23:00.000-06:00

Jay, Carson and myself...shortly before Jay and I were both gone! haha

2005-12-21T19:35:00.000-06:00

Sheldon Haygood, Scott Richards, Devin Walsh, and me last Tuesday night...I love the Christmas decorations!