Tomorrow I may need to consider a switch to regular coffee. Or at least half-caf. I'm anchoring the am show (which means I wake up at 2:45am).. then the noon with Jane Smith.. then the 5:00, 6:00, and 6:30pm with Russ. I'm used to seeing Russ in the morning and I have a great time sitting next to him on the desk. We've gotten into a groove that comes when you've worked with someone for a while.

I apologize for the lack of health related updates here, but it's tough because I am essentially doing zero health stories for the next two weeks or so. All the main anchors have time off this time of year, so they bring in the backup team (I jokingly call myself JV as in Junior Varsity). Don't get me wrong; I totally enjoy doing it. As corny as this sounds it's a nice change of pace, challenges me, and helps me get back to medical reporting feeling re-energized.

Monday morning I did the news for MIX 107.5. That's the station where I fill in the most. I also have made an appearance or two on the Buckhead Show and 1190 KEX with Mark and Dave (typically on Friday's once our traffic guru Michael Convery has won the weekly trivia contest...... again). I talked to the folks at KINK way back when I was doing the Olympics along with the guys who ran a locally-produced Sports Business Radio program. I wonder if that's something I'll be doing again when I head off to Torino? Who knows!

Here's a photo from inside the MIX 107.5 studios that I took with my camera phone. The mic you see closest to you on your screen normally belongs to Carrie Owens. That's Tim Taylor in the background. Very funny guy. Notice the holiday-themed decorations. Not a bad way to spend the morning, I tell you!

Email me.. I'd love to hear from you. sstricklen@kgw.com Joe and Ryan both had questions for me (one about Nike and one about........ my hair). I'll get to those next week since I'm still anchoring. Have a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, or a Happy Kwanzaa (whatever you choose to celebrate).