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So, I got a new job. Or make that two new jobs... well... actually three. Okay, I'm not making sense. Scratch that. I have three new job titles. Yeah, that's better. You're probably already aware of one: morning reporter. Yup. I now work from 3am to 11:30am. Enough about that...
It's actually the other new jobs titles that I'm most proud of... and I don't even get a paycheck for them! 
First, I'm now the official publicist for Shayla Stephens Productions, LLC. Yes, that would be my cousin's new theater production company. I'm so proud of her. She's always been "the little sister I never had", and now at 25-years-old, she's literally running the show!
Shayla, in fact, inspired me to start another project that would lead to my third job: editor of the Stephens Family Network. It's a networking web site I started for my family not long after my cousin started her company. It took four months, two different web designers (don't even get me started on that) and countless hours of stress... but it's finally done. You can Google both The Stephens Family Network and Shayla Stephens Productions if you're interested in learning more.
Yes, I know what you're thinking. "This blog is just a shameless plug for her family!"
You are absolutely right. But, hey, if you don't sing your family's praises, who will? Besides, it was either talk about my family or Clinton vs. Obama. 
See? I made the right call. And I think it came at 3am...
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Political Side Note: Gas prices are a hot mess! I will seriously vote for any candidate who promises to bring them down to reality -- including you, Mr. Ralph Nader!
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Let me ask you this: If you had a child who made straight As her entire senior year of high school, but she wasn't named class valedictorian, would you think she's a failure? Of course not. Yet, some doh-doh sports analysts (on ESPN) actually had the nerve to call the New England Patriots' 2007 football season a "FAILURE" because they didn't win the Superbowl!! Are you kidding me? I guess that means Tom Cruise is a failure, too. He's a box office darling, but he's never won an Oscar. What a loser! Yet, that Adrien Brody (the guy who kissed Halle Berry on stage) won one... and hey, he's just banging them out left and right! Yeah, right.
I mean, not to take anything away from the New York Giants... I love the fact that they proved everyone wrong (including myself, who as a Cleveland sports fan should know better)! 
The point is, winning titles are GREAT, but just because you fail to win one (this season) doesn't make you a failure. Anyone who disagrees... that's fine.
I'm just glad I'm not your child.
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Sideline Note: I must figure out a way to become a member of the Manning family. 'Cause it must be real, real nice. 
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Remember that Ice Cube song, "It was a Good Day"? Well, that's how I felt Sunday. My Brownies just won (inching closer to the playoffs) and a coat I had been eyeing for the past few weeks finally went on sale! Oh yes, it was a GOOD day.
That is until around 5:30pm... when...SKEEUUUMP (that's the sound of the needle off the record)... the POWER WENT OUT!
AARRGGHH! "Not again!" I said. This just happened to me Thursday night! And the worst part? I was just about to watch my show, "The Game"!
Not to fret, though. Thursday's outage only lasted a couple hours. So, I waited. And waited. And waited. Three and a half hours later, I had to go. I drove to the station to kill some time (and charge my cell phone), only to return home another hour or so later to find my neighborhood still in the dark!
I mean, I report on power outages all the time, but I've never actually experienced an EXTENDED one on my own! It wasn't fun. 
Still, I somehow found "the light" in all of this. Even with no heat, I still managed to have a warm, snuggly night's rest, and my hot water was still working (which is weird b/c my electricity heats my water). Even better? My lights were back on by 9:30 this Monday morning.
Funny. We didn't have church on Sunday because the power went out, yet, I still got my sermon through the outage: Even in your darkest hour (or hours), God is still there.
So... Mr. Deejay (in my head)... play that new one by Kanye West!
It's not just a good day... it's a "Good Life"!
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Yes, I was one of the 2,000 some-odd folks who checked out the highly-anticipated grand opening of Wegman's. But, let it be known... I was NOT there to check out the big section of cheese... or the cafe. I was there for one item and one item only: ALAGA syrup.
Most folks haven't heard of ALAGA syrup, but it's a family favorite for the Stephens clan. According to my father (so who knows how accurate this is), it stands for "Alabama/Georgia" -- because it's based in the south. I'm telling you, it's so good, I used to have my relatives ship it to me when I lived in Idaho. Awww, I miss Idaho. Okay, I digress.
Anyhoo, I went to Wegman's hoping (even praying) they'd have my syrup -- since none of the other grocery stores around here does (BOOOOO!). Lucky for me, they did. And no lie, I almost had a baby! I didn't even bother to check out the rest of the store. My plan was to go back, though. My thought: "If they have my syrup, what other awesome stuff do they have???"
Yeah, that excitement died real quick. 
I went back today for a real shopping experience, and left highly disappointed. Either they didn't carry what I was looking for -- or it was sold out. I actually waited in "Candyland" for like 10 minutes while someone checked in the back for walnuts! Walnuts, people, c'mon! The bins were so tiny, too... no wonder they ran out! Plus, there was just way too much going on in there. Folks "dining" in the middle of a grocery store is just a little ridiculous to me. It's a grocery store!
Sorry. I just wasn't impressed w/old Dubya (Wegman's...not Bush in Lancaster County).
Then again....
They did have my beloved syrup.... so I guess they still earn my vote (again Wegman's... not Bush).
Side Note: My sister's wedding was BEAUTIFUL! I would share pics, but we're still waiting on the photog to finish them!! Another one who deserves a "BOOOOOO"!
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Lately, I just haven't been myself. I'm tired, distracted, moody... Wait a minute. That is my usual self. Well, let's just say I'm worse than normal. I totally blame it on "wedding jitters," you know. No, not my own! My sister's wedding.
SIDE NOTE: This would explain my recent experimental hairstyles (Hey, it's my sister -- and in the words of the great Missy Elliott, I gotta look Supadupafly)
She's actually getting married in... let's see...less than THREE weeks!!! And boy, is she AND this wedding driving me nuts! 
In the beginning it was so much fun, too. Shopping for the dress...tasting cakes...checking out photographers (my personal favorite). Now it's like: "Let's just get this over with." I knew the thrill was really gone when I started planning the bridal shower last month. I was peeved at everybody. Including that huffy puffy florist who didn't seem to "get it" when I said I just need enough rose petals to decorate three tables!
AAARGGH!
I know. You're probably wondering why I'm so stressed when it's not even my wedding??? Well, the answer is simple. She's my big sister. Heck, she's my only sister -- who I love very much. I guess I just want this day to be as perfect as perfect can be, knowing it will make her happy (Ooh, I better save some of this for the toast).
Hopefully, these next few weeks will fly by. Then, I can put all of this stress behind me and CELEBRATE doing the Electric Slide!
WEDDING FUNNY OF THE DAY: Tom Donovan shared this one in the newsroom the other day: "They say you never know what happiness is until you get married... and by then, it's too late." HAHAHAHAHA! I needed a good laugh.
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Forgive me, but I'm about to make yet another reference to the t.v. series, "Sex and the City" in a blog (hey, I didn't have HBO, so I'm just catching on to this phenomenon through re-runs). The recent case of Jessie Davis, the murdered pregnant woman in Ohio, actually made me think about an episode on the show that explored the ugliness of infidelity. It's the one where Carrie's affair with "Mr. Big" comes to a screeching hault when the wife catches Carrie in the couple's home, and consequently falls down a flight of stairs and breaks her tooth.
My thought: If only that "love affair" in Ohio could have ended that way.
Perhaps, I'll get slammed for highlighting this part of the case, but I can't get over the fact that Davis' alleged killer/boyfriend was married! Yes, he may be a psychopathic monster, but that psychopathic monster was somebody else's problem.
I don't know. Call me crazy, but I'm one of those people who still believes marriage is sacred. You don't go messing around with other people, and other people shouldn't be messing around with you. Yet, folks don't seem to care about that anymore. Nearly half of all marriages in this country fail, and I'm sure infidelity ranks high on the list of reasons why.
And you know in the end someone always gets hurt (sadly in this case, killed). But, who always ends up hurting the most? The children. That innocent two-year-old is now left with no mom, and a dad behind bars (who could die, too, if he's convicted and gets the death penalty). And let's not forget about the unborn girl who never even had a chance.
So sad.
If only this could have ended with just a broken tooth!?!
I know. This ain't t.v.
Just another bad episode of real life.
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"C-A-V-A....L-I-E-R-S. Flying first class... into The Finals. Wearing champagne, blue, red and white..." That's my Cavs remix of Fergie's "Glamourous". C'mon, you knew it was coming. What a game Saturday night! We made history! Of course, it would have been great to celebrate in C-town, but, hey, I was in the next best place: DEEEEETROIT!
Yessssssirrrr. 
I had already planned a trip this weekend to "The D" for a quick get-a-way, but, I surely didn't expect to be celebrating at THE PALACE OF AUBURN HILLS.**
Since my cousin doesn't have cable, we figured we'd watch the game at some bar or something, until we heard The Palace was showing it on the big screen. We just had to be there.
And if you think I let a few thousand Pistons fans deter me from cheering on my boys, think again. I reacted to every basket the same way I would if I were on my couch at home: loud and obnoxious. Some kid even had the nerve to shout, "Shut-up! Go back to Cleveland!" I just laughed and kept clapping. To add insult to injury, we were interviewed after the game by one of the local news stations. The reporter asked us, "So, you really had the gall to come to The Palace?" I said something like, "Yup. And I talked a lot of trash too!" Gee, I wonder if that made the air?
Please forgive me for my cockiness, but I'm proud of my team. Especially since all the critics counted us out before the series even began! And honestly, I couldn't care less what happens with San Antonio. In my mind, we've already won... the respect (or at least the attention) of all those non-believers.
Let's face it. WE ARE ALL WITNESSES... to King James, "Boobie," and the rest of the "C-A-V-A... L-I-E-R-S. The Cavaliers. The Cavaliers, Cavaliers. The Cavaliers. The flossy, flossaaaaayyy..."
**Once I figure out how to upload my pictures, I'll show you the proof!
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Get it? Myranda...random...? Okay, moving on. You know, every now and then I get these moments of pure random thoughts. Well, this is one of those moments. I'll start with R.Kelly:
I hear the R&B star is now working on a song about the Virginia Tech tragedy. The proceeds will benefit the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund.
My Thought: "Yes, Virginia. A man really can sing his way out of jail."
Rachael Ray
The perky chef/host has reportedly teamed up with Bill Clinton to fight childhood obesity.
My Thought: That's great. But, should she really be doing commercials for Dunkin Donuts?
Southwest Airlines
The slogan goes, "You are now free to move around the country."
My Thought: Perhaps they should change it to "You are now free to act like a 10-year-old and try to be the first in line." Love the fares, hate the seating.
I Love New York II
The former "Flavor of Love" contestant is on the hunt for love...again.
My Thought: It's amazing how much success a single network can have off a 50-something year-old rapper who still wears a clock around his neck. Ahh, the beauty of American pop culture.
Go, Cavs, Go!
LeBron and his boys now lead the Nets, 2-1. (UPDATE: 3-2. Uh oh.)
My Thought: The last time I went to a Cavs game, Brad Daughtery was the man and the thought of competing in the playoffs was just that. My, my...how things have changed.
**Well, this now concludes MyRandom Thoughts. (Still don't think it's cute? Okay.) Feel free to add your own...**
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We were just coming back from a story in Gettysburg, when I caught the tail-end of the broadcast: 22 dead...something, something...campus. "Oh my goodness! Where was that?" I said. We kept listening and within minutes heard the story again. This time: 22 dead...VIRGINIA TECH CAMPUS.
It hit me right in the gut. Like someone literally punched me in the gut. Not Virginia Tech. No, no, no, no, no. Not the school I used to cover? Not the school where I was a graduate student? Not Virginia Tech.
But, it was. Burruss Hall, the Drillfield, even that Burger King I used to go to -- all right there on TV! And now the headline read: 33 dead.
After that, I was in a daze. My head was in a fog. I'm still in a daze. And if I'm feeling this way hundreds of miles away, I can only imagine how the people directly affected by this tragedy must feel. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of them. From the students, to the victims' families, even to my former colleagues at WDBJ-TV covering this awful event.
Man.
They say it's "selfish" to take your own life.
But, what do you call this?
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I really didn't want to blog about Don Imus. Lord knows, I'm not trying to become the "Al Sharpton of CBS 21." But, with all of this talk about double standards, I just couldn't resist.
The question I hear over and over again is, "Why is it okay for rappers to get away with insulting black women, but not Don Imus?" Well, first of all, degradation by any means is not okay. But, let's be honest, the source of the degradation can make a difference.
One commentator said it best: Snoop Dogg doesn't have a respected radio show simulcast on MSNBC. Don Imus does. Does it make it right? Of course not. But, that's just the way it is. It's like the other day when I did a story on the Holocaust, and questioned whether I should refer to Jewish people as "Jews." I heard the Governor say "us Jews," so it's okay, right? But after a quick poll in the newsroom, I decided coming from me (or any other non-Jewish person) may be insulting.
And don't try to pretend you wouldn't throw a fit if someone insulted your mother on the street -- yet, just the other day you called her some not-so-nice names, yourself (you didn't mean it, of course). The point is, double standards do exist. What one person can "get away with" simply won't fly for another. No, it's not fair. But, if we're talking about fairness in life, this would be a book, not a blog. Shoot, a big book.
Don't worry, Imus fans. He'll be fine. He'll follow in the footsteps of Howard Stern [the radio show host, not the "fake baby daddy" (sorry)] and go on to insult another day on satellite radio.
And he won't have to worry about double standards...
Plenty of people pay good money to listen to programs with no standards at all.
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I opened the mailbox... and there it was: a big, yellow envelope addressed to yours truly from the Perry County Courthouse. Disturbed? Oh, no. In fact, I smiled. That's because I knew exactly what was inside.
Let me take you back to a week ago when I was covering this big case at the courthouse. The hearing had just ended, and I had to hustle to get interviews. But, in the midst of all the excitement, I totally didn't realize I dropped my beloved blue hat.
(It's the one I sometimes wear with my green coat. Yes, I deserve a ticket from the fashion police, but let's stay focused.)
Anyway, it wasn't until the next day when I realized my hat was gone! I traced my steps, and finally figured out I must have left it at the courthouse -- all the way in New Bloomfield!Thankfully, those kind, lovely ladies at the courthouse found it and sent it back to me via USPS!
I must admit, though, this isn't the first time someone mailed me my blue hat. I once left it in NY while visiting my grandma. It was my kind, lovely AUNT who paid the postage that time.
If you're wondering why I'm so attached to that daggone hat, your guess is as good as mine! No one gave it to me... In fact, I bought it out of desperation during a terrible snowstorm one year in VA. Thanks, Wal-Mart.
So, enter my Carrie Bradshaw moment (Sex and the City):
Perhaps my blue hat really represents love. It brings me comfort and warmth, and when I lose it -- I feel cold and incomplete.
(Long pause)
Or? I really just like my blue hat.
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I believe it was Arsenio Hall who coined the phrase many, many years ago. But, this fellow Cleveland native is bringing it back!
-- Let's start with REHAB. Is it just me, or has it become the new hot spot for celebs? Britney, Keith, Lindsay... even that guy from "Anatomy". Hmmm...
-- The Pussycat Dolls are coming out with a new show to search for a new member. With the exception of the lead singer, can anyone name the current members? Hmmm...
-- I saw a commercial the other day for a microwavable hot dog that comes with the bun. Are Americans that busy we can't prepare them separately? Or are we just that lazy? Hmmm....
-- Speaking of commercials, is it not a little gross that in that Verizon commerical, singer Akon shoves a stranger's earplugs in his own ears? That deserves an "Ewww..."
-- Star Jones left "The View" how many months/years ago? Yet, they continue to recruit every black woman on TV as their sit-in guest. What's taking so long to replace her? And where's my phone call?  Hmmm...
-- Speaking of "The View" -- Rosie O'Donnell seems to enjoy starting fights. Has she officially given up the "Queen of Nice" throne? Hmmm....
Okay, okay...that's enough. Clearly, I had nothing to blog about. I'm sure my next blog will have a more serious tone... then again, maybe it won't.
Hmmm...
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There's this episode from "Friends" where Ross goes nuts after discovering a co-worker violated the "office refrigerator code" and stole his special turkey sandwich. Adding insult to injury, the co-worker only took a bite out of the sandwich, before throwing the rest in the trash. Ross later confronts the man, exclaiming: "YOU THREW...MY SANDWICH...AWAY??!!??" It was the heartache and devastation he felt over a sandwich that made the scene so funny. Well, guess what? Something similar happened to me... and I was not laughing.
Note to co-workers who've heard this story a million times: Yes, this happened over a month ago, and no, I'm not over it. Besides, I needed something to blog about.
Back to the story...
I was working one Sunday, when like most days, I placed my lunch in the office fridge (sp?). It was good, too... glazed ham, cheesy, au gratin potatoes and a seasoned broccoli and cauliflower mix. (I'm dressing it up a bit, but, hey.)
A few hours later, I was ready to sink my teeth in my almost-homemade meal, when I discovered not only was my food gone, but EVERYTHING was gone! I rushed back to the newsroom, and asked in an announcer voice: "Does anyone know what happened to the food in the fridge?"
That's when they told me the cleaning lady was in -- and that she may still be around in another department. Before they could finish, I was off to Creative Services!
I found the lady. I found the trash can. I also found the plastic container that held my food in the trash can...EMPTY!
WHAAAAAAAAAAT??? 
Dazed and confused, I asked the woman: "Did you actually DUMP my food in the trash?"
She explained to me that while clearing out the fridge, she dropped the container (that was carefully enclosed in a plastic grocery bag) -- and had to throw my food away. To add insult to injury -- SUNDAY isn't even "clear-out-the-fridge day." It's FRIDAY. But for whatever reason, she just didn't clean it out that day.
Well...you know I almost had a Ross moment. Instead, I just stormed off in disgust. Messing with my food is like messing with my emotions! I was hurt! And not in the mood for take-out.
I know what you're thinking..."Why cry over spilled milk?"
But, cheesy, au gratin potatoes?
That deserves a few tears.
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That may be what some of you have said lately after watching my reports. Did she change her makeup? No... Lose weight? Heck, no. So, what is it? Well, I changed my hair. Actually, I added some hair. That's right. Weave, extensions, whatever you want to call it. You see, my best friend of 20 plus years got married last Saturday in Punta Cana. As in, the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. 
The fact that I was the maid of honor already meant I had to be "fly". But, then it's on an island, too? Oh, yeah... time to get superfly.
I was quite happy with the outcome, but man, was it painful!! First, they braided my own hair, then sewed the fake stuff into that. Can you say "OUCH"??? My hairstylist had to tell the girl braiding the hair to be careful -- "she's a newbie." But, four hours later... I was tossing my tresses like Beyonce'!!!
I like the style so much, I've decided to keep it a little while longer!
But, don't worry. I won't let my luscious locks go to my head. The old "medium-length haired-Myranda" will be back in about a month.
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Earlier this week, myself, and two of my competitors were all reporting on an arson in Harrisburg, when some neighborhood kids apparently thought it would be "cute" to try to be seen on ALL three of the news stations. I didn't realize this until after one reporter (who was apparently the top story) made her "hit."
After successfully sabotaging that report, the two young girls laughed hysterically as they danced across the street ready for their next victim (the other competition), until I stopped them in their tracks. (Keep in mind, I'm still waiting for my own "hit" at this point)
I gave the girls a stern look and said, "NOW, YA'LL KNOW BETTER."
While I'm nobody's mother, the "mama" side of me came out that day. And apparently, it worked. The girls changed direction and made their way to a porch instead. Later on, one of them even approached me with questions about my hair and how she could one day become a reporter too.
Surprised by their sudden humbleness, my photographer confessed he never tried to talk to kids like that because he figured it would just be a waste of time. The sad part is, that's probably how most people feel.
Perhaps, if we change our approach to these "problematic kids", maybe they'll change their behavior too.
The truth is, most of them really do "know better."
Sometimes they just need a reminder.
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