Day 165 of Firsts: A Cooking Show?

Stressed spelled backwards is desserts. Coincidence? I think not! ~Author Unknown

I'm a little banged up and bruised from that fabulous Mud Run adventure yesterday, so I decided to keep my First adventure in the kitchen today.
(And my husband will tell you anything I do in the kitchen is an adventure. Usually a messy one. )

The Mud Run benefited the M.S. Society and I wanted to give a little special thank you gift to everyone in the newsroom who helped me raise money for it.

Little do they know they are getting something homemade from me.  I've never made almond brittle (or any kind of brittle before) but the recipe in Susan Branch's Sweets to the Sweet looked doable.   Here goes......you can watch me make it.  Welcome to my  Haphazard Cooking Show.  (Hey, it's not easy cooking, stirring, and holding a camera. Trust me.)



It came out great!  Really lovely. No chocolate chip cookies then. 

Do you think they'd ever let someone who really knows nothing about cooking have a cooking show?  Instead of perfect dishes coming out, you could see all the screw ups. That'd be a First! Food network, I'm ready.

Day 164 of Firsts: Mud Run with Kathe's Krusaders

Friends are kisses blown to us by angels. ~Author Unknown

If you're fantasy is seeing a bunch of women run and crawl through the mud, you've come to the right place. Me? I've always wanted to roll around in the mud.  That made today perfect.

What a grueling, exhilarating experience.  I had no idea what I was in for when I signed up for the 10K adventure MUD RUN for M.S. in Newtown Square.

I was prepared to do it alone until I started talking to a wonderful group of young women from South Jersey.  Jenna Stevens called her team Kathe's Krusaders in honor of  her mother who died from Multiple Sclerosis.

Jenna, Stephanie, Melanie, Rebecca, and Colleen took me in like I was one of their own (even though I was absolutely the slowest runner) and we had the best time going through the crazy, challenging obstacles.

Just watch this video and see how we went from nice and clean to a grimey, dirty, united, awesome team. 

 

(If you didn't figure it out, I'm the one in the baseball cap.)

The run  was tough and as you see I had one awful crawl over the log. I probably won't be able to move tomorrow,  but I would do this again in a heartbeat.

I don't know much about Jenna's mom but I was thinking how proud she would be of her daughter and friends today. What a wonderful spirit they brought to the race and I'm so thankful they shared it with me. I feel somehow it was fate that we met and were united by the experience.

I also wanted to thank my genersous co-workers in the NBC 10 newsroom who helped me raise $100.00 for M.S. one day before the race.

Kathe's Krusaders rock!!! WHOOOOAAA!  A fabulous first!

Day 163 of Firsts: Roller Hockey with Third Graders

Don't go through life without goals. ~Hockey Saying

I think I've seen where hockey dreams are born.  In the playground rinks where 8 year olds skate and learn to get past the goalie. Pure joy. 

Tonight my friend and coworker Steve McCauley (he's in the pink shirt with the number 9 on it ) invited me to put on some skates and join his class at the Houston Park in Roxborough.  

You gotta love third grade boys. They were very tolerant of me tentatively skating around them. Head Coach Frank Petka does one heck of a job keeping the kids moving. 



What was really fun to see tonight was Steve, outside of our NBC 10 news room where he is key to the smooth daily operation, and find out how great he is with kids and so happy to be on skates.  You learn a lot about people when they share their passions with you.  I think that's really one of the best things I've leared about doing "Firsts" this year.  

Day 162 of Firsts: Give Out Hugs to Flyer Fans

A hug is like a boomerang - you get it back right away. ~Bil Keane, "Family Circus"

It was a sad day in the land of Philly. Something had to be done. Folks dragged into work today feeling pretty blue.  I decided I needed to do something for all the faithful Flyers Fans around me.

I put out an email at the station advertising Free Hugs.  Here's what happened.



Chief Photographer Jim Friedman was the first to come in for a hug. (He's a good hugger!) Then one of our new interns, Jen. (Sorry Jen. Didn't get your last name.) I offered the 10 show audience hugs and had many sweet, warm, takers. Photographer Bob Ertel is always a hugger.  Sports Anchor Vai Sikahema came into the office looking for a hug and I wasn't there so I went and found him later in the studio. (What a love.) Renee Chenault Fattah came up for a hug too.

But the most important hug went to intern Will O'Donnell, my professor of hockeyology. For the past two weeks he's tutored me in the Flyers song and hockey game rules.  He was inconsolable about the loss of the Stanley Cup to Chicago and didn't want a hug.  Finally, I had to give him one before he went home.

Ahhh.   I'll tell you what.  If you're having a bad day, just try hugging a few people.  Yes, they will think you're weird.  But I gaurantee you, you and everyone you hug will feel a little better.

I think this is one of the best Firsts I've done.  I highly recommend this one.  

Day 161 of Firsts: Eat at John's Doggie Shop

Hot dogs always seem better out than at home; so do French-fried potatoes; so do your children. ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook

One of the fans of this blog read that I tried the In-'N-Out Burger out West.  She challenged me to try John's Doggie Shop Hot Dog "with everything" back East. By now you know I love food and any excuse to work it into a "First" works for me.

I happened to be near Chester, Pa. on assignment (home of the Doggie Shop) and decided a some crazy loaded up hot dogs might brighten an otherwise rainy dismal day.

Intern extraordinaire Will O'Donnell was game. Sam Dunne, our photog. du jour, said her palate was too sophisticated to dine on dogs.

 

Both Will and I ate two dogs a piece.  I fully expected to pay the price with some indigestion later...but nothing. My sensitive stomach did not make the slightest peep over this gastronomic indescretion.

John's Doggie Shop has been on 7th street in Chester since 1948. And I say "long live the Doggie Shop."   

Day 160 of Firsts: Go to "Hockey School"

Ice hockey players can walk on water. ~Author Unknown

I've watched more hockey in the last two weeks than I've watched in my entire life. Still, I don't know much about the game. Regardless, I live in Philly so I'm swept up in Flyers Fever.  I need to know.

You might remember a couple weeks ago NBC 10 intern Will O' Donnell taught me that classic Flyers song. (ooh,ooh oh, oh,oh,oh,oh,oh.... Who could forget those lyrics?)

Anyway, I asked him to teach "Hockey School" today . I think he explains the game pretty well. So if you too don't know the rules or you need to educate some other new fans  feel free to share this video.



This is a shortened version of the entire Hockey lecture by Hockeyologist O'Donnell.  If you would like to share other Hockey rules I should know, feel free to send them along.  Looking forward to a new appreciation of the game tomorrow night.

Go Flyers!

Day 159 of Firsts: The Truth and nothing but....

Truth is after all a moving target
Hairs to split, And pieces that don't fit
How can anybody be enlightened?
Truth is after all so poorly lit.
~Neil Peart, Turn the Page

When I started this journey of One Year of Firsts  "10 Show!" executive  producer Mina Sabet challenged me to a day of complete truthfulness. She told me she taught a Sunday School class to eight year olds that made her think about truthfulness in her own life.

I was inspired and took the challenge to the extreme.  Nothing but the truth today about anything and everything. (True opinions, no white lies.) But somehow the only test of truthfulness came when I admitted to photographer Brad Berner I'm not a fan of the Kelly Drive. (not much of a test) That confession digressed into the inane discussion  you'll see.



So that was silly, but  I think I'm like most people. I want the truth. I tell the truth unless it's a white lie to spare someone's feelings, (That haircut isn't so bad) , or I don't want to admit to something I should or shouldn't have done, (It was on sale. It wasn't expensive at all).

As a reporter I'm constantly seeking the truth. I'm never quite happy with a story until I feel I know the truth in it.  Sometimes I know I only get pieces of the truth.

In the end I think Mina is right.  Truthfulness in your personal life is often a tougher but  noble goal. (Okay, I still sometimes talk on my hand held cell phone.  I'm trying to quit!)  

Yep. I feel better already just having confessed.  That's the truth.
 

Day 158 of Firsts: Fly with Wifi

Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach that person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks. ~Author Unknown

Wifi on a plane is awesome! Today was the first time I've flown on an airline (US Airways) that offered it.

 So fabulous to have it on the long flight from LA to Philly which usually has me either fidgeting nervously by hour number three or white knuckling my armrests at the first sign of turbulence.

I emailed. I did some reading for my online Masters course. I beat my husband at Scrabble.   I didn't go nuts when the air got choppy because I was completely engrossed and distracted.  

I know I'm gushing with enthusiasm here, but I usually hate that cross country flight.  Wifi made the time "fly" by.  (Forgive me. I'm exhausted.)

Here I am online in flight, plus an ebay and henna tattoo update.


 
Go Flyers!

Day 157 of Firsts: Design a Necklace

Not on one strand are all life's jewels strung. ~William Morris

Just for the record, Alexa and Phil were not too happy about my First today. They think one "art project" a week is enough.

I , however, realize there are theme weeks and this week seems to be arty, kooky. Going with the California flow I found myself in a place called Beadniks in Santa Monica.

You can design your own jewelry.  I have never designed anything that I can remember. ( okay, that's not true. I designed a bathroom once.) The plethora of beads in this place is overwhelming.  Jake McCollough helped me get it all together.  



I think it turned out pretty well for a First.  I'm wearing it tonight.
Back to Philly tomorrow just in time to cheer on the Flyers in game 5!

Day 156 of Firsts: "Art Therapy"

Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures. ~Henry Ward Beecher

I was kind of looking around for a unique family activity today and found Paint Lab. It's the coolest thing. For 20 bucks and the price of your canvas you can just walk in off the street and paint all day at this Santa Monica studio.

I think Alexa, Phil and I were all a little intimidated at first by the blank canvas. Then we all dipped into the paint.

Check out the masterpieces we created!



I'm sure a therapist would probably have some interesting things to say about Phil's abstract "Figure of a Woman", Alexa's "Eye" and my "Passionate Ocean". 

Meanwhile, despite our LA days, our minds and hearts are in Philly tonight as we watch the Flyers!  Whoa. Just watched the second goal scored.

Day 155 of Firsts: Eat "In-N-Out " Burger

We think fast food is equivalent to pornography, nutritionally speaking. ~Steve Elbert

I try to stay away from fast food. I do.  But on occasion I get a craving and we kept  passing In 'n Out Burger places here in LA.

My daughter tried to keep me away, but finally gave in, admitting she loves it.

These guys walk down the line of cars to take your order to speed things up.  Nice. (And I really can't explain the guy at the window, but it was fun.)





I don't know about how "healthy" it is since the "special spread" is something akin to thousand island dressing (which I love).

Let's just say my craving was completely satisfied and worth the little wait. Too bad the calories aren't "in 'n out". (Don't even want to know!)


.

Day 154 of Firsts: Go to the Getty

How fair is a garden amid the trials and passions of existence. ~Benjamin Disraeli

After joining a drum circle and getting a henna tattoo I thought maybe a little culture was in order.

The Getty Center in Los Angeles is beautiful. The architecture of this art museum is magnificent but I was partial to the gardens. Here you go. Take a look.

Day 151 of Firsts: Join the Venice Beach Drum Circle

Natives who beat drums to drive off evil spirits are objects of scorn to smart Americans who blow horns to break up traffic jams. ~Mary Ellen Kelly

There may be other drum circles in the world, but I doubt you'll find a more bohemian, tribal gathering on the planet than the one that gathers every Sunday afternoon on Venice Beach, California.

It's a trip watching, but who wants to just watch??? Get me a drum, man!



That's my daughter in the big sunglasses and feather earrings beating the drum. Nice. 

I don't know about "awakening the soul to ascend" but there was something very primal and spiritual about this experience.

At first I was self conscious just hitting the drum, but after awhile I forgot myself and just found a beat.  I did feel transported for a bit. (No I didn't inhale anything.) 

I walked away feeling stress free, relaxed, smiling.  It turns out there's something about a drum circle that soothes the soul.  You don't need to know what you're doing, you just need to join the circle.

 I get it now.

Day 150 of Firsts: Facing Fear of Green Monster

A fruit is a vegetable with looks and money. Plus, if you let fruit rot, it turns into wine, something Brussels sprouts never do. ~P.J. O'Rourke

We're in LA visiting our daughter and my husband Phil is going nuts watching the Flyers.  I can't show you most of what he is saying and doing, but I had to give you a little snippit of video. (I don't know what that little dance is.)

Meanwhile my daughter, Alexa, told me for my "first" today she wanted to make me a "green monster".   I'm bleary eyed from no sleep and the long flight. She says this will make me feel better.

Oh Lord.....it's pea green spinach stuff !



Flyers lost but the Phillies look good and what I thought was going to be horrible tasting was quite wonderful. I'm even getting a second wind from the green smoothie thing. Not bad. 

Day 149 of Firsts: Learn the Flyers Song

Hockey is figure skating in a war zone. ~Author Unknown

Look, I don't know a lot about hockey. In fact, I hardly know anything about hockey. What I do know is that the Flyers are in the Stanley Cup Finals and this city is proud.

So I figured it's time to learn the Flyers Song.   I asked big time Flyers fan and NBC 10 intern Will O'Donnell to help me with this.  Jillian Mele came in with some tips too.




So from what I can tell the words are: OOOOH, OOOH, OOOH,  OOOOOH, OOOOH, OOOH, OOOH, OOOOOH...(repeat)

I've been practicing all day and I think I've got it, (though our executive producer told me it sounded like I was in labor.) 

Let's Go Flyers!

Day 148 of Firsts: Use a Hands Free Cell Phone

If The Phone Doesn't Ring, It's Me. ~Song title by Jimmy Buffet

I did a story the other day about people getting tickets for driving while on their hand held cell phones.

It's HORRIBLE that people drive while on their cell phones. IT IS.  And I do it. I admit it. I am one of those terrible drivers.

 It's distracting. It's ridiculous. I've covered tragedies caused by cell phone distraction and yet I couldn't stop...until today. I hope.



I'm trying to get used to this thing in my ear. I keep reaching for the phone when it rings and then forget it's going to the blue tooth that I've taken off and put somewhere in my purse.

I've got to do this though.  I know it's dangerous and I know I could hurt myself or others if I don't give up cell phone driving.

So that's it. I'm telling you and I'm promising myself I will not pick up my hand held phone while I drive.

Feel free to fess up if you drive with your cell phone, break the habit and do something about it.

Day 147 of Firsts: Co-Host the 10 Show

Television is a circus, a carnival, a traveling troupe of acrobats, storytellers, dancers, singers, jugglers, sideshow freaks, lion tamers and football players. We're in the boredom killing business. ~Paddy Chayevsky

I've been on NBC10's "The 10 Show" as a guest, but today I had the awesome treat of getting to co-host the show with Bill Henley.

Bill is absolutely the best to work with and executive producer Mina Sabet and the staff made it easy to take off my investigative reporter hat, let my hair down and have fun.

Here's the part when Bill and I talk about this blog: oneyearof firsts.com



Now you know (if you didn't get this already), I have a little "Lucille Ball" kind of goofball thing going on.

Ah well. Had a great time. Hope I get to do it again.

Day 146 of Firsts: Say Goodbye to My Work Partner

Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things. ~Author Unknown

The fact that I'm writing this blog tonight seems completely surreal. How do you say goodbye to someone you've worked side by side with for 18 years?

No words seem eloquent enough or adequate enough. Dave Bentley's job title has been NBC 10 news photographer. But to me he's been the guy who never missed the shot, went in undercover in situations where no one else would, pushed for the story, the interview, covered my back side, thought of things I didn't, and was honest enough to tell me when I was about to do something stupid.

I was a good reporter before I started working with Dave, but when I worked with him I was the best I could be.  Together we won a national emmy for investigative reporting in 2005. It's not the prize that means so much, but the partnership that made it possible to do such wonderful work.

Here's NBC 10 Anchor Tim Lake making a toast to Dave tonight.



You can get a real sense of what it was like working with Dave every day from this video. He appeared in a number of my First videos. This one though, paying the bridge toll for the car behind us, I think, is a classic Dave and
Lu Ann moment, (and worth repeating.)



Dave and his family, wife Connie Colla (former anchor of CN8 and NBC 10), daughter Sophia, son David, are all moving to Scottsdale, Arizona. Over the years our families have shared holidays, birthdays, raising kids, good times and bad.

I'm happy for my friends. They've worked toward this dream and now it's a reality. 


But saying "I'll miss you"...just doesn't even cover it.

Be well Dave. Be happy. Enjoy this new adventure. Okay, maybe I won't say goodbye.  It's just "so long for now..."

Day of 142 of Firsts: Walk to Work

Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time. ~Steven Wright

I only live a couple miles from work but I've never walked it.  It was so beautiful this morning and a Friday, I thought why not today.

I packed a dress and a jacket in a bag and took off at twenty 'til nine (despite what I said in the video.)



You know it was such a different view from the sidewalk.  I saw beautiful houses, I never noticed before.  I stopped to look at interesting flowers.  I said "hi, good morning" to other people walking.  I heard birds chirping. (Yes, I know. Who do I think I am?  Snow White with all the little forest creatures?)

I'm just saying it was a new perspective on the same old road I take every day.

I don't know about you, but sometimes I get completely stuck on a problem and just keep staring at it from the same direction.  I forget sometimes to step back and look at it from a completely different angle.

That's what I thought about on my walk today.  And I thought, I don't know why I was so nervous about doing it.  I'll definitely do it again.

Day 141 of Firsts: Eat Pretzel Cheesesteak

We think fast food is equivalent to pornography, nutritionally speaking. ~Steve Elbert

Sometimes when two things come together, (chocolate and peanut butter), it's a great thing.

So of course we were curious about bringing two great Philly foods coming together for the first time: Soft Pretzels and Cheesesteaks. (cheesesteak in a pretzel)

Off to the Pretzel Factory we went for lunch.




I have to admit I'm not a big cheesesteak fan. But I love knishes and something about this tastes like my grandmother's KNISHES!  Kind of.   Hmmm. We ate our pretzel cheesesteak lunch in the car today. Photographer Brian Grugg and intern Ashley Peskoe help me do the taste test.



Once you get inside it, it gets better. Needs some sauce or cheese on the side.  More calories please! 

Could be another Philly food tradition.