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Wow. $100,000 for 7 hospital rooms. I like plasma TV's and marble countertops. You saw a bit at 5pm Friday about it.. and I found this if you'd like to check out the whole thing:
http://video.nbc6.net/player/?id=146041
And you saw this, too... this just about floored me when I looked into it.
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/education/ny-hsalc315353259aug31,0,5200440.story
*Sigh*
On a lighter note.. Roger writes about my fused glass plate for the upcoming Candelighter's auction to benefit kids with cancer: I likes it a lot, Steph. If this being on tv thing doesn't work out, I think you've got a fall back career as a glass artist. :)
..I'm blushing. No, I'm not. PLATES FOR EVERYONE! ;-)
And Sean writes about the lousy or lovely jobs posting: I don't want to burst anybody's bubble, however, anyone who has a job these days should feel lucky. I've been out of college for 9 years and have never been able to find a job. My main problem is lack of job experience (consisting of two pharmacy technician externships while a student at Clark College).
But then, my life has been unusual. Back when most people were getting their first jobs, I was frequently a patient at Good Samaritan Hospital undergoing tests and surgery to remove scar tissue from the left side of my brain (which caused seizures). Then after I had fully recovered, I started college. After I graduated I found myself being a caregiver for my grandmother (which lasted six years). Since then, I've looked for work in all or parts of five states but since I have no work history and the job market is so bad for entry level, It's been impossible finding work.
It sounds like a depressing story, but I wanted to point out that even though people complain about how bad their jobs can be, they should feel lucky to even have one.
You know what.. it doesn't sound depressing. It sounds like you made your point perfectly!! A job is better than no job-- especially when you WANT to work!!
Jenna writes about the iPhone pay-to-play-with-it-in-India and spider posting: Ha! I love the story about the iPhone - I have one too, don't you LOVE it? Best. Toy. EVER! Perhaps I should pimp mine out for "safe touching" too ;)
The husband and I had a spider like that in our house in Lake Oswego...we were sitting on the couch one day and all of the sudden I saw movement out of the corner of my eye...and it was as big as my handspan (ok, I'm short and have wee hands, but still...)! I don't get squicked out about spiders - hey at least THEY don't fly - but that one was enough to make me scream like a girl...I unceremoniously scooped him up in a paper towel and tossed him outside.
"Squicked".
I think that's my new favorite word. I love it!!! It's like, "Hello, squeamish.. meet icked." BRILLIANT. And I wrote her back to tell her I found TWO MORE of those big ol' third-grader sized spiders in our shower. IN THE SHOWER. What is the deal?
McGorge Scott sent this really cool photo, with the GOOGLE folks and the dam in it. Nifty, as always.
Have a great weekend!!!! sstricklen@kgw.com is my email address, in case you're wondering.
Ecoli is no walk in the park.
Everyone knows that. But with this latest health alert we were chatting about a wonderful bottom line:
If you cook your meat to the proper temperature (160F) you will never, ever get ecoli from that meat (It's possible you could pick it up from some cross-contamination, but the meat itself will be good to go!)
And I know what the problem is... people just don't want a well-done hamburger. I get it. But, you know, that's a risk you take if you don't play the thermometer game.
For most of us, an Ecoli O157 infection will be a wicked way to spend a few days. For some, it will send you to the hospital. Or mess up your kidneys. Or kill you.
So, maybe that well-done burger doesn't sound so bad, afterall, eh?
And as for the salmonella spinach recall story.. head here for the details:
http://www.kgw.com/frame.jsp?sid=http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/metz08_07.html
For the "Do you hate or love your job" blog I posted, Debi left a comment and Eric emailed to say: I've been doing what I do for about 14 years now, and I'm getting bored. Problem is, I've managed to get myself trapped where we need the income and no other job I could move to will match it. It's a nasty cycle.
I used to like what I do a lot (I've never loved it, but I'm pretty good at it so I stuck with it) but the never-ending churn just gets old.
I hear that a lot actually. The job makes you just comfortable enough financially to not leave.
My fused glass plate for Candelighters is done!!
The auction is October 6th. I hope my plate fetches a lot for the fine folks at Candelighters, which benefits families and children with cancer. I made it at Aquila Art Glass studio (hi, Scott!) and now I'm hooked. Great, another hobby!! :-)
Click here to email Stephanie Stricklen.
Click here (or click comments below) to email Stephanie Stricklen about your job: lousy or lovely??
I love my job..
But if you pop over here with any regularity you already know that. What you may not know is that I've had many, many jobs over the years. I started working (with a permit because I was young) at, like, 14.. about as soon as I figured out that I needed cash if I wanted that summer pass to Wild Waves.
I've worked with forklifts and heavy boxes, landscaped, waitressed, put together bicycles at my neighborhood bike shop, even did a stint at Boeing (which was AWESOME).
One of my very first jobs was at a pet store.. One of the resident cockatoos there was aptly named Honey. Until that night she pulled the key off the wall next to her cage, let herself out, and then..... AND THEN.. proceeded to open every cage in the shop she could get open.
Think about the intelligence that takes...
I walked in the next morning and though someone had robbed us. Nope. Honey just wanted to party and thought it was unreasonable that she and her friends should have to spend the night in cages. I can't say that I disagree, but seriously, have you ever tried to catch finches??? IMPOSSIBLE!!
So.. donate some plasma and win a plasma.. TV. Actually, the rules I checked out say you don't have to donate ((it's that way with all those contests-- always a way to play)) but, not donating kind of defeats the purpose, eh??
Just head to here to donate either plasma or blood:
http://www.nwblood.redcross.org/
Here's another issue I couldn't get into because of time. The current staple of blood donors are the baby boomers.. which is great because there are a lot of them. But, no one is filling in the gaps behind them. Young people just don't think about donating blood. So, the Red Cross is shifting its marketing to try and grab that younger demographic.
Hey, lunar eclipse time.. that's one benefit about getting up at the hour I do-- checking it out for myself!! But, McGorge Scott came through for me again. He got up at 3am and used his fancy-fangled camera to get these killer pics. It's the same camera he used to get those ones of that mountain goat from so far away.
NIFTY.
And Mark (a regular reader) writes about the ambulance story: Back in 1987 and 1988, while living in ND, I had to travel by ambulance a couple of times and yeah, I agree. The first hospital was local but the second (neurosurgery specialists location) was 90 miles away... In the middle of winter (where there is FEET of snow to contend with as well as blizzards), I agree. I almost bit the big one... but, as you can see, I am still around annoying folks... Keep up the awesome work.
LOL. Mark is having some surgery today he tells me, but will check back in after he gets out of the hospital!! Good luck, my man!! Email me soon!
This is from this morning.. Tell-it-like-is Rick writes about Miss Teen South Carolina and that disjointed answer she gave that everyone is talking about: I can not count the times I screwed up in a job interview and after I thought about it, I said to my self, why did I say that.
They should leave the young lady alone!
Debi posted a comment with much the same sentiment.. but Rob writes: I am really trying to come up with something funny between laughing and gasps for air .. that is horrid .... My son and daughter talk better than that!
I still think one of the best parts of this watching Mario Lopez as he holds her mic. He totally kept it together. Poor girl!
Click here to emaile Stephanie Stricklen if you think Mario Lopez deserves an award for keeping it together.
Hey-- this is from the morning show where we talked about the Miss Teen USA South Carolina flub. It's an interesting take on the whole thing.. I pulled it from the Gazette Times in Corvallis.
http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2007/08/28/news/opinion/6edi01_0828.txt
McGorge Scott sent this little gem over. I don't know how he manages all this wildlife!!
What do you think-- are we all being too hard on Miss Teen South Carolina?
Well.. here it is: http://healthyamericans.org/reports/obesity2007/Obesity2007Report.pdf ...all 120 pages of things that aren't going so well for American's in our obesity fight.
You can check out some Oregon numbers starting on page 7.
And here is just a little bit more about the Dunkin' Donuts thing than I had time to include (note the Baskin Robbins tie-in): Reuters article
Hey-- off to Veganopolis for lunch. I'm actually not a vegan, and not even a vegetarian (although I don't eat much red meat at all) but I popped over there once and loved it. Today I'm taking someone who is relatively new to the area. I thought she might like it...
How was your weekend? Mine was uneventful and exactly what I needed after what has been an exceedingly slammin' past few weeks!!
Our Ops manager (operations manager) Randy snapped this photo with his iPhone.
Why is it that bulldogs are so photogenic in that "only a mother could love" kind of way? I LOVE them!!
Click here to email Stephanie Stricklen
That's what baby talk sounds like to me. I'm referring to the animals who baby-talk to infants like we do (that I'm mentioning in my health wrap at 5).
Now, for Nova Vision.
Here is the company website: http://www.novavision.com/
And here's a link to Casey Eye Institute: http://www.ohsucasey.com/
Hey.. blog buddy Rob's daughter Emma lost yet another one!!
I think I must be an anomaly because I can't remember how I found out the tooth fairy was really my mom. Don't most people totally remember when they learned?? Same goes for me with the Easter Bunny and Santa. I just don't remember. Must have been so tramautic I blocked it out.
Blog buddy Joe writes this funny bit about drug testing toilet water: I'm thinking that drug testing of toilets is probably a good idea. I'm hoping they start breathalyzer tests on them next...I know our toilet has had some bloodshot eyes and slurred speech lately. Oh, I found an empty tequila bottle sitting on the closed lid the other day. I'm suspecting it might be up to something. There's few things more dangerous than a tipsy loo! ;-)
Kudos to McGorge Scott's photos. They are a highlight of my visits to your blog! I'm amazed at the fauna that shows up in his backyard! I'm hoping to see a photo of a baby elephant, giraffe next. Maybe he can catch Sasquatch on film?
That's just great. Upstaged on my own d@#n blog. Good thing McGorge Scott COMPLETELY ROCKS or else I'd get my feelings hurt.
Here's one for ya, then. He wanted to note that, yes, even the little guys can squeeze in there for a meal!!
Stephanie Stricklen must now go do her noon hit because she really loves Karen the producer and totally is willing to stay late and help her out, but not without taking a potshot on her blog about it.
I'll post that bit about the toilet water at the end-- since I don't have a handy URL to clip in here.
Here is more about the prescription drug addiction/sales story:
Associated Press story
Also: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/21/AR2007082100146.html
Terry writes about the Snowbirds (in the context of my Blue Angels flight): I, too, think the Snowbirds put on an excellent show and deserve all the credit due them. The differences in aircraft make for another kind of
show that I could watch just as often as the Blues or the T-Birds. Please write what you feel. Many of your watchers, like myself, have seen the Snowbirds on several occasions.
Okay.. here's what I've decided. Even though that F18 Hornet is explicit, pure, raw, see-you-later engine and muscle, a media flight is limited because of, well, the media. So, those pilots know they own you when you're in their jet, but they're nice guys and are going to make sure you have a good time. So, because none of us are trained fighter pilots.. the flight (for them) is going to be like a walk in the park. Same applies to the Snowbirds. They may fly slower, smaller jets that more resemble a 'normal' plane.. but for me-- the average Joe Schmoe media flyer-- a g is a g is a g no matter where you pull it, you know what I'm sayin'? I've gone on at length about how stellar the flight with the Blue's was, so let me say this about the Snowbirds-- the pilot I flew with let me fly (he was clearly not aware that was a bad idea) and they fly you in formation for part of the media flight. I will tell you it was exhilarating and terrifying. I truly believed we were going to smack into the jets around us and made it my mission to keep my pilot apprised of the proximity of the planes around us. I was SUCH the annoying backseat driver. And he somehow tolerated all of this, even though he assured me we were something like, 4 whole feet away from the planes next to us (as opposed to showtime where they practically hitch onto each other). So cool. SO COOL. I remember every second of it.. even take off.. which, while it lacked a 5g vertical hurtle into space.. left me with an unforgettable feeling as we skimmed this cliff and the world just dropped away. Awesome.
I still keep a photo of the Snowbirds on my desk that the team gave me..
You know what, though, I'm not really built for either aircraft. Both helmets didn't fit. The Blue's helmet would bop all around on my head and when we'd do these rolls which start with a jerk in the opposite direction of the roll... so it would slide all askew and I couldn't fix it upside down because.. well, I was upside down. Repeatedly I'd try to look over my shoulder and my helmet would just kind of stay put. I finally gave up trying to look behind me. And the Snowbirds oxygen mask was too large and would blow a stream of air directly into my eyeballs.
What a rush..
OH YES.. drug testing your toilet water... the answer to the most commonly flushed chemical........ is caffiene!
Doesn't surprise me. You?! Here's more:
A team of researchers has developed an automated monitoring method that makes it possible to detect traces of drugs, from cocaine to caffeine, in municipal wastewater and to monitor the patterns of drug use in entire communities.
Their findings were reported today at the American Chemical Society meeting in Boston.
Oregon State University chemist Jennifer Field described methodologies that she developed with colleagues Daniel Sudakin, an OSU toxicologist, Caleb Banta-Green, a drug epidemiologist at the University of Washington, and Aurea Chiaia Hernandez, an OSU graduate student.
The method could provide a drug surveillance tool to help public health and law enforcement officials identify patterns of drug abuse across municipalities of all sizes.
The presence of both pharmaceutical and illicit drugs in municipal wastewater has been known for several years, beginning with groundbreaking studies in Europe that tracked the presence of drugs in sewage and river water. Field and her colleagues have developed new methods of chemical analysis so that detection is possible from very small samples taken automatically over a 24-hour period from wastewater as it enters a treatment plant.
“It’s like a very diluted urine sample collected from an entire community,” Field said.
Although wastewater is often tested for contaminants after it is treated as a measure of potential environmental impact, this new approach tests sewage as it enters a wastewater treatment plant, before it is treated, to get a profile of the drugs being used in the community.
“Wastewater analysis is a more powerful indicator at the community level,” Field said. “We are interested in the 'community load' of drugs, so we want to take samples as close to the urinal as possible without violating the privacy of individuals.”
Even in their preliminary study, the researchers found patterns over time of drug occurrence in wastewater, with higher concentrations of recreational drugs (such as cocaine) on weekends. They found no change in concentrations of either prescription drugs or methamphetamines in their samples over time, which suggests more consistent use of both.
Click here to email Stephanie Stricklen who actually thinks this kind of testing is cool... in a weird way.
I went to a fun wedding last night for a gal here at work so I was exhaused this morning. And no, as Mark emailed me, I did not oversleep leading to the 10 minute delay on our 4:30am newscast, lol!! We had some audio problems that we have since gotten fixed. But I do love that someone is indeed watching at that very very early hour!! :-)
Hey, allergy drops story.. so you saw the gal featured in the piece. She goes to an allergist in New York. I also found this different, but related story online, although I think if you're going to ask people to eat cat dander you might need a catchy name or slick packaging or something... this from the girl that eats ikura like it's going out of style:
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSCOL76796420070727
So you DO want to hear about the Snowbirds says Terry. I'll be delighted.. how about tomorrow.
In the meantime, kitty versus turkey... David suggests that perhaps the kitty would be table scraps for the turkey (good thing they don't eat cats, eh?) Anita thinks the kitty wins because turkeys are known for their stupidity (anyone know if the wild ones are smarter than their rumored-slow farm-raised bretheren? Rob writes: Turkey eats kitten in one gulp, news at 5! Catchy, teasy! You have a future in newswriting.
McGorge Scott sent this, too. Looks like something straight out of Hogwarts.
LATER!! I'm off for sushi. All that cat dander/ikura talk got me hungry. ;-)
Click here to email Stephanie Stricklen if ikura floats your boat.
If you saw Friday's health wrap you could probably tell I was in a very good mood, even though I'm exhausted!
It's Friday and it's payday. HELLO, weekend! I'm now that guy I used to hate. I worked weekends and just hated it when the local morning dj's would go on and on about their fun weekend plans while I knew I had to work.
Anyhoo.
I found this on the mice/stress/disease study: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/17/AR2007081700748.html
And this blog on what I lovingly called 'soap wars' (complete with press release link): http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2007/08/researchers-reg.html
McGorge Scott sends this photo for us to enjoy this weekend. Who would win.. kitty or turkey??
Click here to email Stephanie Stricklen if you think the kitty stands a chance. :-)
Did you see this?!!
http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/advisory/cough_cold.htm
Cross that off the list for little kiddos!!
And here's more on the breast cancer study:
http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20070813/new-clues-in-breast-cancer-race-gap
Allright. Look at how big this spider is that turned up in our wall where we are remodeling.. or at least try to look-- it's a little blurry as I wasn't about to waste time with my fingers hanging out next to him.
If you could just imagine me telling John to stick his finger in the shot so we would have perspective on how big he was. We settled on a pen. And his legs are sort of tucked. When he was on the move he was even BIGGER!!
Debbie writes about Bruce at K103 sending me flowers: How sweet to get flowers. You should tell him he can barf up your schedule anytime if it means getting flowers. They are beautiful!!
That's just so touching, isn't it? It's not every day you get flowers because someone barfed on your seat.
Lynne writes: BEAUTIFUL roses!!!!!! You know, it's a good thing we know home much you ADORE your husband!!! Flying with a hottie and flowers from a DJ...
Well, as you saw, yes. I confessed to John that Corky was smokin'.. and the flowers-- John's figures since there's vomit involved, it's okay. He actually thought they looked great and LOVED the card that Bruce sent with it. Bruce has a good sense of humor.
Rich writes about school lunches: I haven't been home much to follow the news, and you, of course, but hey, nice report this evening!!! The subject of school lunches has always brought a smile to me, having been a part of the school system down here (for years.....). Mystery meat, Cooks' surprise --- lots of cliches and some pretty bad stuff served up in the past; but luckily, reports like yours, and improving Gov't regs are bringing the standards and quality of food UP!
Things are so different than when I was in school. Does anyone remember the "Chalupa"? I LOVED Chalupa days, although I'm not really sure what it was. It was kind of part-pizza, part open-taco, purrrre fun.
Greg writes about my new iPhone: Congrats on the Iphone Steph. I’m filled with envy! Glad ya got one.
Hey, for $12 bucks I'll let you mess with it ((read this: http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/top/people-selling-iphone-sexy-touch-time-in-india-290039.php))
Amy wrote me a few days ago: I was just on KGW's sight and read Jack Penning's blog on his recent flight... sounds like maybe you outdid him though!!! So who is next to go flying? We are off to the Clackamas co. fair today....I haven't been in years but a girlfriend convinced me to go with her, and she is taking 2 extra boys with her. So it will be 2 moms and 6 boys all between the ages of 3 and 6. I am beginning to think flying would be much saner than what I am about to do today!!! :) Have a great day!!
6 little boys? Hello?! Amy? You alive? Did you make it!? HAS ANYONE HEARD FROM AMY?!?!!
Tuti writes: After seeing some of your pictures with the Blue Angel, I am really, really jealous, although I am sure if it was me, I would probably throw up during take-off and pass out soon after. Do you have more video clips than what
was posted or was it just too undignified to share?
I have a few questions for you. During your ride, how many high G maneuvers
did he (“Corky”) make? I can’t really tell from the video. I saw a couple
of last year’s video clips of journalists flying with Lcdr. Kevin Davis
(still makes me very sad every time I think about him). Lcdr Davis seemed
to be a lot more verbose than Major Nathan Miller during flight, but again I
can’t tell from the short clip. Well, at least it seemed like Davis talked
a lot. I can’t believe you didn’t hug Corky after you landed. I am sure I
wouldn’t be able to contain myself, assuming I could still walk by then.
Did you get a chance to chat with him or any of the other Blue Angels very
much? Just out of curiosity – how tall are they? I heard they can’t be too
tall or they wouldn’t fit very comfortably in the cockpit. I think you
should write more about your experience. The Blue Angels would hope for it,
and the rest of us would be very happy to see more.
More? It's all I've been talking about for the past week. But, I'm glad it's not old yet. So, in the order you asked: #1) I talked about the broken camera. Bummer, eh? #2)We did a BUNCH of g stuff, upside down stuff, slow speed, high speed... 45 minutes in all. #3) I dunno, I was feeling pretty 'testosterone-y' so a hug just didn't jump to mind. #4) Yeah, I talked to Corky a lot. And screamed in his ear. Poor guy. #5) When you're 5'4" on a good day everyone seems tall. Including Corky. But Bruce Murdock is WAY WAY tall... and he fit, so.....
Click here to say HI to Stephanie Stricklen
Yes I do. That lovely man, who is part of the morning show on K103 ((http://www.k103.com/main.html.. click on "Air Staff", actually took the time to send me ROSES this morning. Why?!
Well, while I didn't mention him by name-- he was the second flier. Both he and Sammy got sick. Bruce just didn't get to his bag in time. Of course, the Blue Angels are used to this, so they get things taken care of-- no problem. But, it did cause a bit of a delay and I missed my 5pm liveshot. No big deal, I thought. These things happen. But then he hears about it and goes and sends me flowers with a card that I taped to my desk that says "Sorry I barfed and wrecked your live shot.", and now.. well, I think he's fantastic!!!!! I mean, I thought he was fantastic before, but that's so very nice. And if any of you remember my Valentine's Day flower debacle you know I've come around about flowers.. so.. this is workin' for me! I just didn't mention him by name because I didn't know him very well.. but after talking to him today I realize he could care less, he has the perfect take on it!
Please note the following oddities in the photo:
a) Creepy plastic doll chucking the head of a dollar store barbie. That's a long story.
b) One Canadian Snowbirds patch. I flew with them about 10 years ago and could give you some great comparisons, but I don't know if anyone here has ever seen them perform to appreciate the differences. Interested?
c) Two Thunderbirds stickers. Easy enough to come by when you check out airshows.. of course, the irony is I actually FLEW with the Blues, yet have nary a sticker or pin or patch. I think I'll rob one from the Blue's website, print and frame it...
I wanted to mention my flight when talking about thrill seeking roller coaster junkies. Here's one article I mined from the LA Times on that roller coaster story: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-sci-rollercoaster15aug15,1,5115676.story?coll=la-headlines-nation
Click here to email Stephanie Stricklen, although she's still about 20 behind.
Okay.. you are an observant bunch, my friends. And I made the deliberate decision not to mention it immediately because, well.. I just didn't want to ruin the feng shui of this incredible moment.
The reason you have only seen that one shot of me taking off... over and over again.. and nothing else.. no 7.3g.. no "weekend ho".. no pseudo-dogfighting stuff...............
THE CAMERA IN THE PLANE BROKE IMMEDIATELY BEFORE MY FIRST MANEUVER.
So looks like you know me, and you know that it's odd that I don't have all 45 minutes on-line for you to check out, plus a music piece, plus a traditional pkg... I could have cried, but I'm still pretty amped up from flying so, whatever. It's is a little bit of a bummer because I really wanted to double check if I went 97% lights out on those hard g's or 100% lights out. I'm relying on Corky who doesn't think he saw my head flop around, but I'm pretty sure he was busy flying when all that was going on.
This is what happened as we taxied back to the hangar, before I knew my video was toast:
VIDEO:
Go Time All Gone
The airshow was great!! I saw some of you there Sunday!!! Man, how about those Blue Angels?! I'm a lucky, lucky girl.
Here's #7 Crew Chief Deo H. telling me all the things I am to keep my little mitts off of in the cockpit, which is like telling a toddler to leave that candy on the coffee table alone.
Short answer: hands off everything. Long answer: if it's yellow and black it has the potential to either explode, launch you out of the jet, or ruin your day. I was welcome to touch the motion sickness bags, but in case you haven't heard.. I DIDN'T NEED THEM.
Want the info on the school lunch report cards?? Here it is!!
http://www.pcrm.org/news/release070814.html
Oh yeah, I bought an iPhone. I love it. No, I don't just love it... I REALLY love it. Goodbye getting lost on the way home from, oh I dunno, just about everywhere! Hello Google maps! Hello wi-fi web access. Howdy, virtual voicemail. Wassup, killer predictive txt. Nice to meet you 2 megapixel camera. Greetings slick touch-interface (that has me messing around with it even when there's no reason to).
Anyway. Hopefully the novelty will wear off. This after my other phone died this undignified death last week. And, really, it didn't die outright. It just wouldn't allow me access to email or the net for like 4 hours, putting me in a tailspin. I MEAN WHAT WOULD I DO WITHOUT INTERNET OR TEXT MESSAGES? ON MY PHONE. FOR A WHOLE FOUR HOURS!??!!! But the troubleshooter gal told me I'd need to replace it. So I did.
By the way, since I still cover health stuff, someone pointed this out to me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwX8MzOKOzI
I need not say more. :-)
Click here to email Stephanie Stricklen because you are slacking off at work and reading this blog instead of working.
Um. Have you seen the video of my flight??!!
http://www.kgw.com/video/video-index.html?nvid=165377&shu=1
This was lifted from what we did right after the flight during the 6pm newscast.. I know, I know, I wasn't in the 5pm but it wasn't my fault. We had a delay while they cleaned the vomit out of the cockpit from the previous guy who flew and let me tell you that's one job I'm not about to rush.
I have a few still photos to share.. first, Major Nate "Corky" Miller. If you ever meet him. ask him to sing. Go on. I dare you.
So after I prattled on about the flight for seeimgly hours.. my husband stopped, looked me dead in the eyes and asked me:
"Was the pilot hot?"
"Very."
"Why couldn't they give you the ugly pilot?"
"Babe, I don't think there is such a thing."
And this next photo is just about "go-time" as Crew Chief Deo Harrypersaud and Corky get set below.
So, I didn't get sick. And I'm pretty sure I didn't pass out. But I was sooo close I actually had to ask Corky, "Did I pass out??!!".. he says he didn't see my head flop all around, but I'm telling you my tunnel vision was down to the size of a nickle. I can still see the metal rivet clip thingie that I told myself I wasn't going to lose sight of. It was directly in front of my line of sight and when that's all I could see I was like, "Well, night night time" and then-- just as fast as it came on it was gone. I could see everything again and Corky was telling me to stop grunting like a pig.
Well, he didn't say that, but he did inform me I was back to 3gs and was good to go. I totally sounded like someone had run over me, LOL.
That's why I had to ask if I passed out.
I figure if you DO go lights-out.. well, you're not going to know it. Because you're unconscious. AND WHY DO I FEEL MORE SORE THAN WHEN I RAN THE SEATTLE HALF? How can one 45 minute flight top the 2 plus hours of running I did in the SNOW AND RAIN?
Of course my father in law just figures Corky "took it easy on me". Hmph. I saw that g-reading on the heads up display with my own eyes!!
By the way, I am now a huge Sammy Carlson fan. He's just so nice... do you know about this kid?? ((www.powdermag.com article)) Talk about phenom! No wonder he got to take a VIP flight with the Blue's.
And thanks to Dave who took some of the photos-- YOU ROCK, my friend.
So, by my count: 16 radio, tv, and web hits later.. I've pretty much spread the love about as thin as I can. Now I'm on fumes. And it doesn't stop for me.. I have this Olympics preview party to go to tonite at 6pm with my awesome date Mariel Zagunis!! 'Member her?? She took the gold in women's sabre in Athens and had that incredible underdog story. Man, Athens was so much fun... and she's great so we'll have a killer time.
And I think Jen Iveson and I will hit the airshow Sunday. She has a friend in town and it would be great to have someone to tag along with. Maybe I'll see you there?!
http://www.oregonairshow.com
Click here because you want to tell Steph that you really, honestly, truly thought she was gonna toss her cookies all over the canopy of the jet.
I can't believe it!!! I was so completely convinced that I was going to vomit.. and then somehow I didn't!!!!! We did 7.3 g's and a bunch of 5 g's and some upside down stuff and somehow, somehow I didn't get sick and I didn't pass out. Although, I have to be honest-- I came within a millisecond of passing out on the 7g's. The world got grey in an instant!! I could only see the tinest speck in front of me ((you get tunnel vision)) and I just gave it my all to bear down and keep the blood from rushing out of my brain. We only did it for a second-- the real deal lasts for 20. But at least I can say I got there.
Much more tomorrow.. with pictures. I'm going out to celebrate (should make getting up at 3am tomorrow fun) but I can NOT sleep. I am WIRED right now...... :-)
Flyer number two just puked all over the jet.
They're cleaning it now.
I am SOOOO getting sick. :-(
Well.. Xgames slopestyle sking superstar Sammy Carlson just landed after his flight with the Blue Angels. He did get sick. Twice. The Blue's tell you to expect it.
But here's the thing.... he came inside and just flopped down on the carpet. His stomach is tossed and he's super sweaty.
Only I don't get to lie down.
I have to jump off that jet and go straight into my 5pm live shot.
Folks, this should be good tv. PLEASE let me hold it together for my live shot. PLEASE!!!
I fly at 4.
sstricklen@kgw.com
I have this rule that I follow. I don't cover FDA phase I clinical trials. Those drug trials are the very earliest stages of testing a drug in people, and more often than not the drug never even makes it to stage II. Not to mention phase I doesn't even seriously test if the drug works-- that comes later. Here's an explainer: http://www.fda.gov/cder/handbook/phase1.htm
And I just hate the thought of someone with a serious disease like MS getting all these false expectations for something that may or may not pan out.
But this testing made me break that rule. I did my best to spell out how this is a longshot, so I feel okay about that. It's just that RTL1000 is promising because of what it did for those MS carrying rodents. And I, for one, have my fingers crossed that it does the same for people.
To get involved with the clinical trial call the OHSU MS researchers at: (503) 494-7241.
Hey, have a great weekend!!!!! I'm wiped out. Gotta go nap. But let me leave you with this picture as I GET READY FOR MY FLIGHT WITH THE BLUE ANGELS!! ((http://www.blueangels.navy.mil/))
Wednesday. This coming Wednesday. It's for the upcoming Oregon International Airshow http://www.oregonairshow.com/. Will you be there??
Stephanie Stricklen is email-accesible and actually writes back everyone who emails her. Yup. It's true.
Controversy over dropping formula?! !ell, since I promised it to you-- here is the blog from the NY Times:
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/07/31/hey-moms-no-more-baby-formula-in-the-hospital-gift-bag/
I know when I cover breastfeeding stories I hear from staunch supporters as well as ticked off women who are tired of being told how to feed their babies, or who couldn't breastfeed and are fed up with feeling like second class citizens. So, when I read this I knew it would be a perfect addition to the 5pm health wrap.
One of the biggest supporters in this area is the Nursing Mothers Counsel of Oregon: http://www.nursingmotherscounsel.org/
What do you think?? Either click on comments below or email me: sstricklen@kgw.com
Hey.. did I mention I'm flying with the US Navy Blue Angels on August 8th in advance of the upcoming Oregon International Airshow? LOL, just kidding, of course I did.
Okay, I'll be in a two seater model with a nice wide berth, but COME ON, THAT'S COOL!!
Michael writes: I'm so excited for you! Airshows are so much fun. I love going to the Hillsboro Airshow. Maybe I'll see you there.
(When I saw your title, I thought it would be an announcement that you were pregnant!!!)
Yeah, the Blue's make you go to the doctor first, because pregnant women can't fly. That and they want to know if you're in good shape. I passed!!
Roy writes: Have a safe and fun flight!!! Once in a lifetime!
You're not kidding. I had an opportunity to fly in an F-15E years ago, but had to take this job here in Portland and lost the chance, so this is REALLY special for me.
Sharon writes: My Dad flew with the Blue Angels a few years ago.. He was news director for a tv station in AL and did a story on the Blue Angels. I have the video he produced and I've watched it over and over. I'd say it has to be one of the most thrilling times of his life. Of course he felt like he was going to pass out after it was all over!!
I'm sure you'll have an exciting time and can't wait to see the footage :-)
Did your dad get sick? That might cool my desire to watch my flight over and over again.
Kent writes: What a totally delightful treat to go flying with the Blue Angels. I have a pilot's license, and though for medical reasons I can't use it for right now, the very idea of flying around in an F-18 is really delightful. Have a great ride!! I understand why the nap went away!
Rob writes: TAKE YOUR CAMERA! NOT YOUR PHONE CAM BUT A REAL CAMERA AND GET PICTURES DURING THE FLIGHT!!! OMG WHAT A FREAKING BLAST!!!
WHY ARE YOU YELLING? I CAN TOTALLY HEAR YOU. Just kidding. Rob and I give each other a hard time on this blog, all in fun. He knows that, yes, my phone camera sucks. But, what if I brought a nice one and then we hit 6 g's and I drop it and we barrell roll and it flys up and conks me in the head and I pass out not from flying but because I wanted a Kodak moment.... well, I'll just leave the photography up to them. They have it covered!!
John writes: Way to go Steph! I'll be looking forward to the report.
You and me both. Should be fun to turn a story immediately after flying when the Blue's tell you to plan on doing nothing because you'll be so wiped. And you think I'm a bit of a loose cannon here.......
Lynne writes: Just wanted to add my congrats to you!! Have a WILD ride!!!
I'm so thrilled. Really. THANKS!!
Rick writes: I would recommend you do not eat anything for 24 hours prior to your flight. Other than that, have a good time.
Not true!! I do know just a little about this stuff and they tell you when you DON'T eat-- it's 10 times worse. Best to have a small, healthy breakfast. Maybe I'll have some berries and bananas.. should taste great coming back up, eh?
Click here to tell Stephanie Stricklen you're tired of her talking about vomit.
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