General Discussion

Only 40 degrees in Omaha right now. 50s will return for Friday, but I think our days of 60s and 70s have come to an end until spring.

Got my seasonal flu shot today at school, but I don't plan on getting an H1N1 vaccine. Seemed like the nurse got the needle stuck in my arm or something, so she gave it a good yank and out it came. I'll probably be pretty sore by later this afternoon, not to mention scarred for life.

I'll be visiting one of our local TV stations this evening with the Creighton atmospheric sciences club. Naturally, this is the most bargain-basement station Omaha has, so I don't expect the tour to be particularly impressive.

Willy: Watch 'em all and how they do it. Not all outfits com silver-plated. Some have to struggle and get really creative to compete. Sometimes they survive and thrive while others wonder what went wrong. NEVER rest on your last project.

rainy day here in Nw ohio.matt will be coming home from school soon.Willy good luck on your tour.MC is right.sometimes you find the best stuff in the small places.Cw thanks for supper.

stay safe

joe

Willy - you might be surprised at how many TV stations aren't what you picture them to be.  All you can see is what is in front of the camera, when what may be behind the camera might be the sets for the "Morning Show" (or whatever it's called) and "Saturday at the Movies" and the only thing different between the noon, evening, and night-time news sets involves changing the backdrop behind the "window" and the plants on the windowsill.

Remember, too, that many of the folks you see on national TV now got their start at such stations.

Remember when weathermen (or women) in the early 60's had nothing more than maps with magnets, or at best a chalk board?

Murray, I'm only 57, and I can remember the maps w/magnets and only having a chalk board.  I even remember Diane Sawyer when she was the 'weather girl' on WLKY Channel 32 here.   Now look where she is:  on Good Morning America, and getting ready in January to take over for Charlie Gibson on World News Tonight!

Got another round everything off the grill and on the warmer bar.  Sides have been refreshed, too.  Help youselves and have a good evening and take care.

Evening all...

Have stayed home the last two days recovering from what I think was the flu, feeling better now, should be headed out tomorrow.  Took a walk outside today and was feeling much better afterward.

Will take a to-go plate, and stay out of here till I'm feeling better, see everyone later.... 

cherokee woman:

I even remember Diane Sawyer when she was the 'weather girl' on WLKY

Paula:   Jane Pauley started out as a news reporter on WISH TV in Indianapolis and Dave Letterman was a weather man on a local Indy TV station during the same {general}, time frame.  And yes, he was nutty back then....Nothing was serious.

cherokee woman:

I even remember Diane Sawyer when she was the 'weather girl' on WLKY

Paula:   Jane Pauley started out as a news reporter on WISH TV in Indianapolis and Dave Letterman was a weather man on a local Indy TV station {and gratuated from BSU here in Muncie}, during the same {general}, time frame.  And yes, he was nutty back then....Nothing was serious.

Re: Chalk boards and magnets in the weather...

When I was a kid, Sonny Eliot did the weather on a Detroit TV station.  He was one of the first broadcast weathermen - although he himself says that somebody preceded him.

His trademark was (and still is) his humor - be it a joke or a crazy word made up of parts of the forecast - windy and drizzly might become "wizzly".  Here's a video of an interview with him that includes clips from several of his forecasts.

He also did something else during his forecasts - he taught geography by pointing out the temperature or conditions in little know places around the state.  One of his almost daily schticks was pulling down the Keweenau Peninsula (which stuck up above top of the chalkboard) to point out a locale there.

At the other end of the TV weatherman spectrum is/was the meteorologist (he had a doctorate, as I recall) on an LA TV station whose forecast presentations were very scientific.  In fact, you almost had to watch him daily so  you'd know what he was talking about...

Television weather reports? Is that as far back as you can remember? For many years, I would hear the five minute news and weather report presented at 7:55 in the morning by ESSO, before leaving for school. Yes, I'm an old fogey.  

....Yes, sorry to say, ESSO disappeared quite a while back.   My family built and operated one for 45 years.

The tour was very nice. The station was indeed pretty bargain-basement. I've toured one other TV station in Omaha and it was pretty snazzy compared to this one. However, I do believe that this station we toured tonight does a good job with the news and weather. And speaking of news, they only have one newscast per day, which is at 9:00 PM central time. The meteorologist that gave us the tour was also obviously very devoted to his profession and to serving the public to the best of his ability. The weather-center actually appeared to be the most technologically advanced part of the station, which was nice to see. Overall, it was a good experience.

Good morning. Cafe is open and the eats are on the buffet. Enjoy. 63 degrees and fog in Carolina this morning, headed for 74 and rain. Yes Quentin, ESSO was a great company. Remember the EXTRA KICK with hta? Also gone, Gulf, Pure, Sinclair, Cities Service, Phillips 66, Union 76, along with a host of others and full service and free dishes. We are the less for their passings. Everybody take care

Good Thursday morning, everyone.  Tom, thank you so very much for taking care of breakfast this morning.  Everything looks quite nice on the warmer bar.  You do a very good job!    I managed to sleep in this morning.  Believe me, that doesn't happen very often, especially since we brought in Trapper the Cat.  He will get up on my pillow, and start nibbling or chewing on my hair, to wake me up!  

Randy, glad to know you're feeling better.  Take care of yourself!

Yeah, Quentin, Johnny and others, I also can remember Esso, Phillips 66, Union 76, all the free dish and drinking glasses give-aways with a fill up.  As the old song goes, Those were the days, my friend, I thought they'd never end".  Unfortunately, they did end.  

Everyone have a good morning ,and I'll see you all later.