sarah j clark

Bang-up Blog on Bad Bangs

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah J Clark) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 12:41:00 +0000

I’m currently recovering from the injustice of a terrible bang trim — and by terrible I mean super short and crooked.

A few days after my encounter with a scissor-happy stylist, a colleague, in the throws of an emotional meltdown, called me to lament about her own terrible trim. After she regained her composure, she took matters into her own hands and got hair guru Joey Figueiredo to come on FOX 4′s Morning Show to share some tips on communicating with your stylist. I’m pretty sure this was her way of coping.

As for my method of coping, I stood over my bathroom sink, scissors in hand, and started cutting. My experience with hair trimming is limited, but desperate times called for desperate measures. I won’t bore you with the details of my meticulous efforts to fix my hair, but after several attempts, I eventually managed to craft something I could live with — for the next four to six weeks.

Only now I look like I did in high school. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind looking a few years younger, but it brings back all those memories of awkwardness and teen-aged angst — you know what I’m talking about. Who wants to relive THAT?

Not me.

So while my hair is “acceptable” for now, I continue to play with different styles that don’t remind me of my high school days. Barrettes. Ponytails. Headbands.

But there’s this problem.

It’s called my forehead.

In high school, a few ornery classmates (you guys know who I’m talking about!) literally called me “forehead” because I apparently have a large one. Years later, I learned Tyra Banks says she has a “fivehead” because hers is so large.

But I digress.

Because of this inferiority complex with my forehead, I’ve come to the conclusion that, for now, I can only wear my bangs down (hello, high school!) or semi-parted like I typically prefer, but that requires more hairspray than the ozone can currently handle.

So, I’ve done what any red-blooded American girl would do.

I’ve shoved a hat on my head.

Big E: Eight-Year-Old Skateboard Phenom

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah J Clark) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 11:41:00 +0000

If you haven't heard of Big E yet, just wait. You will.

They may call Evan Doherty 'Big E,' but he's a pint-sized tike. Only eight years old. But he has amazing talent. Jaw-dropping talent.

The video below was shot and edited by my colleague, Jon Haiduk. If you want to see more, check out Big E on YouTube.

New Girl Cyber Watch Party

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah J Clark) — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 20:36:00 +0000

I rarely get excited about television shows. And never have I been so inspired by one that I've created a video (or two) about it.

Until now.

It's shameful, I know. My brother, whose motto is "Kill Your TV" would be disappointed. Luckily, he lives in the boonies and his Internet connection is dicey, so he has yet to see the following YouTube videos, which unabashedly proclaim my excitement for FOX's new show "New Girl."

Go ahead, watch:

Now if you're among those who are as excited as me about Zooey Deschanel coming to FOX and are interested in the above mentioned cyber watch party (on Google+), let me know. Preferably on my Facebook page, but leaving a comment here is fine too.

As mentioned in one of the videos, only TEN people can be in a Google+ Hangout, which is where people (with an invite) can gather for video chats and where my "New Girl" cyber watch party will take place.

So, fellow Snarkies, are you IN? If so, leave a comment on my FB page, and I'll randomly select nine other people to join me. From there, I'll send a Google+ Hangout invite and at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 20, the party is ON!

Cyber Watch Party Rules
Besides having a Google+ account, those in the watch party must abide by the following:

1.) Must wear pajamas
2.) Must not be creepy
3.) Must have a junk-food related snack

Allow me to say it again, I'M SO EXCITED!!! I'll post those randomly selected for the watch party Tuesday morning on my FB page. :)

And together we can go milk our cows ... with our buckets.

Web Cam 101 for Seniors -- YouTube Sensation

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah J Clark) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 23:43:00 +0000

Let me just say, I love these guys!

Esther and Bruce Huffman of Oregon recently bought a new computer and were trying to figure things out. Unbeknownst to them, they recorded three minutes of trial-by-fire hilarity.

When their granddaughter discovered the video, she posted it on YouTube. And it's a must-see! It's simple, but sweet. I promise you'll laugh, if not smile. :)

What's it really matter?

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah J Clark) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 03:37:00 +0000

Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, 2011

Ever wonder if your life matters?

Like, you do all this stuff day in and day out for others, but it's rarely, if ever, noticed. Your talents, hard work and loyalty to your job and/or your family are taken for granted. You're under appreciated.

So why bother?

Recently home from an amazing vacation with my husband, I found myself wishing I didn't have to return to reality. Vacations have this effect on people, I realize that. But the time spent with my husband traveling, exploring, creating new memories away from the every-day stress of the 9-to-5 was more than refreshing. It was liberating, and it gave me some perspective on what really matters.

Pensacola Beach, 2011

He matters.

My family matters.

And I matter. To them.

But I couldn't just run away with my husband and never return to work (believe me, I thought about it).

One might think having a job at a television station would be a pretty cool gig to return to, but a job's a job. And if you want a paycheck, you're obligated to return.

I've never liked obligations.

Ever.

So what if I get to be on TV? Who cares how many people have liked my Facebook page? Who cares how many people have watched my latest video or read the stories I've written for our website?

Who cares?!?

I struggled with this over the last two days.

Why am I working so hard? What am I trying to prove? Who's noticing? Who cares?

What's it REALLY matter?

And then I heard a song on the radio.

God's timing is perfect. On my way home from work with these thoughts in my head, I heard Steven Curtis Chapman's new song Do Everything, and I got my answer.

No matter what we do or where we work, so long as we are doing it for God's glory, our jobs, our days, our lives have meaning. We matter.

When we take the attention off ourselves and put it on God, everything comes into focus.

We are to live for an audience of one--God. When we do, our lives are more likely to have a positive effect on others. And why not make a positive difference?

We were all created for a reason, and even if we don't know what that reason is, we can trust that when we live to glorify God, the answer will come.

So I will continue to Facebook and create wacky videos and find stories I think are interesting and post them online. After all, it's kind of my job. And it's fun.

But it's so much more enjoyable when I do it for God's approval and not yours.

xo

Tribute to Clarkie's Snarky Army

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah J Clark) — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 01:54:00 +0000

I have a Facebook page. Some people like it. This is for them.

I asked my groupies what nickname they wanted me to call them. They came up with about 35 suggestions and ended up voting on Clarkie's Snarky Army. Some of the other suggestions I wrote into a song.

That's right, a song.

Now I may not be a musician, but I can play one online! Love it or hate it, I did it, and I'll do it again. :)

We are Americans. We are rich. Let's help.

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah J Clark) — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 16:50:00 +0000

Photo courtesy CNN.com

This morning I spent $8 at Starbucks. Before that, I spent $30 at Target for things I didn't really need.

Thirty-eight bucks spent to make my life a little more comfortable, a little more enjoyable.

Right now, across the world, 12 million people in East Africa are at risk of starving to death. Preventable diseases and malnutrition have already claimed the lives of 30,000 children in the last three months. Their graves are but shallow holes dug among wind-blown trash.

Thousands of Somalis are fleeing their native land each week, walking for days under the hot, African sun in search of food, water and shelter at refugee camps. Some are walking as far as Kenya and Ethiopia.

Because of the large number of refugees and the limited amount of resources, the United Nations has declared a famine in parts of southern Somalia and is calling for a widespread international response to end the suffering. Imagine what $38 would do for someone in dire need of food or medical attention.

Together we can make a difference.

I'm asking you to give as little, or as much as you can, to one of the many reputable organizations that are accepting donations to end this crisis. Click here to see the list of organizations you can pledge money to by simply texting or donating online.

For example, if 10 of you donated $10 each to Save the Children, that would feed one child for 100 days! Join the cause on Facebook.

I saw the poverty in East Africa first-hand in 2003. Granted, the conditions weren't as dire in Tanzania as they currently are in southern Somalia, but poverty at at level should not be tolerated. People are dying preventable deaths.

We are Americans. We are rich in comparison. Let's skip Starbucks this week and give that money to someone who really needs it.

Please.

Hey, Google. FIX THIS!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah J Clark) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 18:30:00 +0000

Apparently, after deleting a Google+ profile, ALL my blog images were deleted too.

Apparently, Google stores all Blogger images to a Picasa account, which was tied to the Google+ account I deleted. Unaware of how the accounts were linked, I subsequently lost all images ever posted to this blog prior to this week.

I'm not happy.

And?

There's no way to email Picasa about this because they don't offer an email address.

And?

A Google forum about this subject says that it's a Picasa issue that everyone hopes will be resolved in the future.

Ridiculous.

Google will be happy to know that after deleting my Google+ account, I created another using a different email address. Now I'm tempted to delete that one too, but Lord knows what else I'll lose.

UGH!

If anyone knows a way to reverse this injustice, please leave me a comment.

You know you're addicted to the Internet when...

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah J Clark) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:15:00 +0000

Addicted to the Internet?

Yeah, me too.

How many tabs do you have open right now? How many social sites have you visited in just the last hour? How many times have you visited those sites?

Don't answer that. It's a hypothetical question. (I want to spare you the embarrassment.)

What about when you leave your smartphone sitting on your kitchen counter? Do you feel short of breath? Do you start to sweat - just under the collar? Do you feel a little on edge?

You think it's manageable. You put on a good front, but inside you're shaking. Trembling. Swearing at the injustice of this horrid misfortune!

%$@!

Breathe. Just breathe.

There's help out there. On the Internet. (Ha ha.)

The website Do Nothing for 2 Minutes offers a quick and easy escape from information overload. With a pretty sunset and sounds of ocean waves, you can relax. Decompress. Chill out for once.

The goal is to sit still for two minutes, even if that means sitting on your hands. Feel the need to click on that email that just popped up? Move the mouse, and the clock starts over.

With a little self discipline, you gain more control over your environment (especially your virtual environment).

Studies have shown that people feel lonely when deprived of the Internet. Others feel isolated, confused and stressed. So what's one to do?

The trick is to separate yourself from technology. Choose to not use the Internet as a recreational activity. Instead of spending your evening on Twitter, Facebook or countless other websites, go outside. Go for a walk. Play with your dog. Feed the birds. Without your smartphone.

Just do something that's not related to the Internet. You'll become physically and emotionally more healthy.

It's true. I read it online.

Start with two minutes. Then wean yourself off for five, then 10, then 20. Once you're able to take a hike (a real hike) and enjoy the great outdoors, come back and find me on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and Tumblr - to name a few.

I felt nothing in Joplin

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah J Clark) — Thu, 26 May 2011 23:30:00 +0000

I did not cry when I was in Joplin. I thought I would. But strangely, I felt nothing.

And that made me feel guilty.

How could I be void of any and all emotion when all that’s around me looks like a war zone?

Trees, stripped bare of bark and leaves, look more like giant pieces of driftwood. Cars are crumpled beyond recognition. The smell of natural gas permeates the air. Residents wander from car to car, looking inside, pulling items out that belonged to loved ones still missing. Their eyes are red and swollen. They’ve been crying. Why haven’t I?

Their eyes pierce me when they look at me. I feel ashamed for being there; taking pictures of the tragic event that has forever changed their lives. I don’t blame them for yelling at me. I don’t blame them for hating me. I would too.

I see their heartache and yet I still feel nothing. Naturally, I am sad for them, but where is that feeling? Why don’t I feel sad?

Days go by and I see the pictures—pictures exactly like the ones I took: demolished homes, fallen trees, anguished people. I still feel nothing. I wonder if I’ve become a clichéd, cold-hearted journalist. Surely not. Right?

Then today it hits me.

Whatever force stunted my emotions ceased to have power over me when I saw pictures of Will Norton on Facebook.

Will is a 2011 Senior who's been missing since Sunday's tornado ripped through Joplin. Pictures of this smiling, good-looking kid pierced my cold heart. I sat there in the newsroom, engulfed by a sense of sadness that had eluded me for days. A young man literally ripped from the safety of his family, taken somewhere unknown by mere wind. How can this be? How terrified was he? For how long? Where is he now? Is he dead? Alive? Still suffering?

All questions his family agonizes over every minute of every day. Facebook posts from his Aunt Tracey are hopeful, yet worrisome.

And so my heart bleeds. It aches for Will's family and Lantz Hare, another teen missing since Sunday. They have become the faces of Joplin for me. And still, more than 220 others remain unaccounted for. What are their stories? Where are they now? Will they be found?

Time will tell. Time will heal. Until then, a nation will rally around the small southwestern town in Missouri that captured and broke the hearts of many. Including mine.

Update 5/28: Family of Will Norton announced his body was found in a pond near his SUV. His body was not found sooner due to the amount of debris in the pond. More info here.

Update 5/26: Lantz Hare was identified at the morgue on Thursday. His family, via Facebook, thanked the community for their help in the search and for the outpouring of support. Visit their Facebook page for Lantz here.

Osama/Obama Confusion - I'm so embarrassed

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah J Clark) — Thu, 05 May 2011 21:43:00 +0000

Earlier this week I did a segment on FOX 4's 9 a.m. show about the media mixing up President Obama's name with Osama bin Laden. Switch the b with the s and you've got Osama. It's easy to do, and a lot of television anchors and reporters made the mistake.

Well, fast forward three days and Ben Craw from The Huffington Post put together this little mashup. It's funny, well played, and totally embarrassing -- if you're me.

Fine print disclaimer: He took my sound bites out of context. (I would have too, but don't tell him that.)

Here's the original segment that was spliced and diced by Ben Craw. (-Nice job, man.)

Video: Will Ferrell Shaves Conan O'Brien's Beard - Finally!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah J Clark) — Wed, 04 May 2011 02:49:00 +0000

In case you missed it, here's the hilarious clip of Will Ferrell rescuing Conan O'Brien from his own hairy beardedness. Ke$sha will be so disappointed.

(Player takes awhile to load. Grab your patience and prepare for funniness.)

Sarah Clark Shenanigans and the Royal Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah J Clark) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:37:00 +0000

So the Royal wedding is hours away.

Yawn.

Actually, I have a single, selfish reason why I've been looking forward to it.

It gives me a legitimate reason to wear a ridiculous hat. On air!

*Golf clap - the British way*

I most definitely will be wearing my ridiculous hat tomorrow morning during our 9 a.m. show. I've been working on this thing for the past three weeks, and I can't wait to show it off. I'm not a very crafty person by nature, so this took some ingenuity. A little spray paint, a few feathers, lacy trim, and BAM! I got myself a fancy, feathered hat. And who doesn't want to wear a fancy, feathered hat at least once in their life?

The only downside is that if I wear it too long, I might get high off the paint fumes, so if you're watching tomorrow morning and I seem a little loopier than usual, you'll know why.

For now, here's a sneak peek at what's to come in the morning on FOX 4 News at 9 a.m.!

PS - I hope you like puzzles....

Treasure hunting and tree climbing on the Country Club Plaza

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah J Clark) — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 19:10:00 +0000

Tree climbing action.

It's not often I get to climb trees while on the job. Actually, it's only happened twice.

The first time I managed to splatter fly bait all over me. Read all about that misfortune here. The second time was far more pleasant, even if I did almost fall out from in between the branches.

It happened on the Country Club Plaza. Contrary to what you might think, there are trees fit for climbing in this swanky section of Kansas City. You just have to ignore the strange looks from city folk.

This is what it looks like when you shoot your own story.

I was in this swanky section shooting a story about geocaching. (It's a high-tech treasure hunting game that uses GPS navigation to guide you to hidden booty. It's awesome.)

I was searching for the geocache named "Married Love." My treasure hunting skills got me within seven feet of it, but for the life of me I couldn't locate it.

I scratched my arms searching through prickly bushes, got on my knees to look under benches, clamored up a statue and found .... nothing. But then I spotted something in a nearby tree. I couldn't see it well enough from the ground, so up I went. I'm a pretty good tree climber, if I do say so myself. Apparently, I'm a better tree climber than a treasure hunter.

After a few sprightly maneuvers, I was nose-to-nose with a fake bird. Although I knew it probably wasn't the cache I was looking for, I thought it clever of someone to perch it in a tree on the Plaza.

The bird that wasn't fake.

I laughed and reached to poke it when it MOVED! It hopped off its nest, revealing four, sleeping baby birds.

The hopping of this fake bird nearly sent me plummeting to the ground, but my tree sap-covered hands helped me keep a firm grip on the branches. I finagled my iPhone from my pocket and snapped a picture.

The mama bird never moved farther from her nest than seen in the photo. I wondered what she thought of this giant (me) looming over her nest.

Poor thing.

I scurried back to the ground and continued my search for the hidden cache, which I found with the help of a stranger named Chad Groom.

Proof the cache was located, albeit by a stranger.

I accosted him as he walked by. He probably thought he was on a hidden camera show when I said, "Please! I need your help finding a hidden treasure!"

After a little cajoling, he consented and ended up finding the cache for me. Yay for nice people.

As for the mama bird and her babies, finding her was the best treasure of all.

If you want to go treasure hunting, all you need is a smartphone! Download the free geocache application and off you go. If you get super serious, they also have a $10 app.

If you're still confused, watch my story, or visit geocaching.com.

Live Web Cam: Bald Eagle Ready to Hatch Eggs

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah J Clark) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:50:00 +0000

I have never gone bird watching. Frankly, it sounds kind of boring, however I cannot tear myself away from this gorgeous Bald Eagle who's soon to hatch a few eggs!

Free Videos by Ustream.TV

But I know Mother Nature can be cruel. One of those babies is probably going to be eaten alive or one of its siblings is going to push it out of the nest before it has learned how to fly. I hope I'm not tuned in for that!

The Bald Eagle is nested at the Decorah Fish Hatchery in Decorah, Iowa. Her eggs are expected to hatch around April 1.

Yay for baby birds! Fingers crossed they all leave the nest willingly.

Does Your Water Taste Funny?

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah J Clark) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 22:00:00 +0000

Does your water taste funny? Mine does.

I live and work in two different areas of Kansas City, Mo., and within the last three days I've noticed a change in the taste of my H2O. Whether it's from my tap at home or from the fountain at work, I'm left with a metallic aftertaste. One coworker said it was like drinking from a water hose.

I don't know about you, but I don't particularly like drinking from a water hose unless it's the middle of summer and I'm standing barefoot in my back yard. And I don't have a fancy filter on my tap, nor do I supply my home with store-bought water. But I cannot NOT drink it, right?

Water is essential.

Must. Have. Water.

So what's a gal to do? Well, this one called the water department.

Frankly, I didn't think they would take me serious, or even acknowledge the change in the water, but surprise, surprise, they did. And what's more, they even explained why Kansas City's H2O tastes so horrible right now.

Drum roll please ....

Cassandra at the Kansas City Missouri Water Department said it's the "natural thawing process" and that it happens this time every year. The taste is actually caused by snow melt that meanders into the Missouri River, and although the water is treated before it gets pumped into our faucets, there lingers an aftertaste.

Yum.

But it should only last for a couple weeks. So for the next 14 days I will be drinking milk.

As for what else runs into the Missouri River that finds its way into my water bottle, I'd rather not know.

(I think Erin Brokovich would be pleased with my little investigation. :p)

Carry on, folks. Carry on.

Today's News Day

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah J Clark) — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 18:58:00 +0000

Enough said.

Enjoy the rest of YOUR day. May it be filled with sunshine and roses and void of crazy girls screaming in the bathroom. ;)

Cheers!

Help for Hazel - a remarkable story of human compassion

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah J Clark) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 18:23:00 +0000

Hazel Reece

Chances are you've heard of the Raymore, Mo., woman who's been heating her trailer home with two space heaters and an oven. Since FOX 4 featured her story last week, 81-year-old Hazel Reece has melted the hearts of many. Including mine.

Normally, I don't blog about FOX 4 stories, but I can't shut up about this one. You see, Hazel is not just an elderly widow in need of help. She's a reminder to all of us to look past our front door.

And some who heard about her situation did. People, complete strangers, have reached out to Grace World Outreach, the church spearheading the endeavor to help Hazel.

Even though she is not a member of their church, the small congregation wanted to help. At first, they intended to buy Hazel a new furnace, but after a visit to her home they realized the condition of her trailer was beyond repair. Black mold contaminates her bathroom, the wall support in her bedroom is split and coming apart and her back door is boarded up with warped plywood.

Hazel's current trailer

So the church, although short on cash, is buying her a new trailer.

Pastor Dale Schwerzler said they have raised about 10 percent of the cost. He said one donation came from Kentucky after a woman heard the story on KLOVE. I heard it too. I was in the car and I started screaming, "OMG! That's my story!" It was the highlight of my day.

The highlight for Hazel will be moving into her new trailer. She turns 82 tomorrow and said getting a new trailer will be the best birthday present she's ever received.

On any given Sunday, Grace World Outreach has 35-50 members. It's a small church and they're actively seeking donations to help raise the funds of purchasing a new trailer for Hazel. If you would like to contribute, mail a check to:

Grace World Outreach
7005 E.102nd St.
Kansas City, MO 64134

Just be sure to mark it "Help for Hazel." You can also call the church at (816) 765-0360.

Follow FOX 4's stories on Hazel here.

Wrinkled knees and birthday sob fests

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah J Clark) — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 03:26:00 +0000

Courtesy Google Images

I recently celebrated a birthday. Don't ask which one.

Remember when birthdays weren't traumatic? When the only drama was when your best friend didn't wear the right colors to your birthday party? Or when the six-year-old neighbor boy came over in his underwear, brandishing his He-Man sword and crashed the celebration? That didn't happen to you? No? Oh.

I remember my 22nd birthday. I don't remember it per se, but I remember thinking that I never wanted to get any older.

Look at me now.

No, don't. You'll see my wrinkles.

And I have them. On my face, around my eyes, above my knees. I mean, seriously. Who gets wrinkles on their knees?

With this passing birthday, and after a distressing self-examination in the mirror, I checked myself into a psych ward.

Kidding.

I realized no matter how healthy I ate, or how much sunblock I wear, or miles I run, my knees will still wrinkle. My eyes will still have laugh lines and my rear just might embrace another dimple.

So be it.

What was more distressing was the checklist of things I have yet to accomplish. What have I been doing the last 10 years of my life?

Cue uncontrollable sob fest.

Sob fests, by the way, do wonders for those creases around the eyes.

But then guess what. I blew my nose and dried my eyes and reached for my Bible. I opened it and landed on a page that had this verse underlined:

"The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever -- do not abandon the works of your hands." ~Psalm 138:8

Talk about a hug from God. Wow.

But it made me cry again. (Crying, like laughing, aids in wrinkles, people.)

God seems to have a sense of humor sometimes. Still, it encouraged me. The years I've squandered following selfish ambitions or chasing fleeting moments of joy ... I can put it all behind me and know that God isn't finished with me yet. Wrinkles and all, God will fulfill his purpose for me. And for you.

If we let him.

All he asks is for us to let go and let him lead us.

So this time next year, my laugh lines will be carved a bit deeper, my knees ... oh, Lord, let's pray for those knees ... my knees will still be knobby and wrinkled, but they're connected to legs that are committed to following Christ.

And that's exciting. No one is promised tomorrow. But if I am granted one, I know it, and I, will be beautiful.

And so will you!!!

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Questions I Hope Will Never Be Answered

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah J Clark) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 16:23:00 +0000

Americans are sheltered. Privileged. And at times, disconnected.

Besides 9/11, I cannot think of a time when I mourned for my country or felt its security threatened. But throughout the world there are nations in crisis; the most visible currently being Egypt.

Admittedly, I know little about the African country, but my knowledge of its turmoil increases daily with reports from Tahrir Square. Hard as I try, I cannot imagine a civil uprising. Could Americans lash out against each other? Against our government? Could I?

Anything's possible. People, when pushed into a corner, can turn savage. History tells us so. But I wonder what would be America's breaking point? What would turn us against each other or our government? And how would our civil strife play out on foreign television?

Questions I hope will never be answered.

In Egypt, I see the death toll rising and the number of injured increase in what began as a peaceful protest. As time progresses, more will die. More will become injured. More will bear the battle scars for their country.

Until there is a resolution, until there is peace, prayers should be made on behalf of innocent Egyptians. If you're like me and have limited knowledge of the country, knowing exactly what to pray for is difficult if. But Ramez Atallah, who serves as general secretary of the Bible Society in Egypt, offers insight on what needs the Egyptian people are facing. Take a look.

Please join me in praying for Egypt... hoping a peaceful resolution will come soon.

Suicide Hill Leaves Me Battered and Bruised

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah J Clark) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 15:29:00 +0000

I did it. I conquered Suicide Hill, or rather, it conquered me.

The hill shows no favoritism. It doesn't matter if your sled is a piece of cardboard, a serving tray (I saw one), or a store-bought piece of plastic, you'll zip down it belly-laughing watching the tree line came at you with increasing speed.

And the bumps hurt. And the snow burns. And the thrill of it all is addicting, so addicting we went back three times. Some of our ~~wipeouts~~ adventures were recorded.

Some of the less hazardous moments were snapped in stills.

It was a bumpy ride.

Practicing Pilates on the way down.

Snow angel!

If you haven't gone, you should. Just grab your inner child, a piece of cardboard and a pair of mittens. Just be prepared to leave a little battered and bruised. You'll also have a few more laugh lines etched in your frozen face.

Why I Smell Like a Rich Florida Golfer

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah J Clark) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:36:00 +0000

Good morning from the Kansas City Hyatt Regency Hotel! Pretty swanky, at least for the likes of me. My employer put me and several others up for the night due to Ol' Man Winter. We have a 4 a.m. start time on Thursday, and I don't care what anyone says... that's early!

Although the Hyatt has amazingly comfortable beds, there are some things worthy of improvement. Shortly after arriving last night, I overheard someone say, "The soap in the shower smells like a rich, old white dude."

They were right.

I'm low maintenance, but I found myself wishing I had packed my own soap, shampoo and lotion. After my shower, I crawled into bed smelling like a retired Florida golfer. I woke up this morning (at 2:50 a.m.) still smelling like someone's rich grandpa. Luckily, I have a near-empty bottle of body spray at work. I think. If not, I'll use the sanitize dispenser in the restroom. Don't think I'm kidding.

As for my coworker, Sharita Hutton, she lucked out. She was upgraded to a suite (the perks of being on-air talent). But as far as I can tell, she smells like a rich, Florida golfer too this fine, Thursday morning.

As for Ol' Man Winter, I wish he would have dumped more snow on the metro. I have plans to go sledding! After another shower, of course.

Snow + Cold + Sled = Snot-filled Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah J Clark) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 01:08:00 +0000

I usually don't like winter weather. I greet it every year with squinted eyes and loud, obnoxious tantrums in ugly, oversized snowboots.

But.

I have been itching to go sledding ever since Kansas City's first snowfall just a couple of weeks ago. I was sent out to take pictures for work, so, of course, I headed for Suicide Hill.

And behold...

I was hoping someone would offer their sled to me, but sadly, their parents must have taught them not to talk to strangers... especially ones stalking around taking pictures. So, I'm making plans to climb into my coveralls, don my ugly, oversized snowboots and head for Suicide Hill the next time it snows. And if (and I stress if) the meteorologists are accurate in their predictions, that will be on Thursday.

BRING IT.

So that's where I'll be. Normally I don't publicize my whereabouts since some of you all could be crazy, but since I'll be under 14 layers of clothing with ear muffs, mittens and a stocking cap, you won't even recognize me. :p

And dare I admit that even though it can easily make snot run out your nose and cause your eyes to water without ceasing, a cold winter day is downright beautiful when bathed in fresh snow.

So... see you Thursday!?!

Zodiac Signs and Why It's Really Not a Big Deal

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah J Clark) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Hey, baby. What's your sign? Err, I mean, your new sign?

Minnesota astronomer Parke Kunkle has reeked havoc on the western world. He said a shift in the earth's alignment has changed zodiac dates and added a 13th zodiac sign: Ophiuchus. So if you were a Leo, chances are, you're not anymore.

Freaked out? You're not alone. People seem to be having an identity crisis. Suddenly, their horoscopes are amiss. The course of their lives have been altered. The end of the world is near!

Yawn.

Honestly, when I saw the first mention of this on Twitter yesterday I clicked on the link provided, read the headline, and clicked back off. So, the zodiac signs are changing. Big deal, right?

Wrong.

Ten minutes later our assignment desk mentions it and it's a race to get it posted on the web. And BAM. It blew up FOX 4's website within a minute of landing on our home page. The next day, it's still No. 1 on our website, generating huge numbers, which means it's generating huge numbers for everyone else too.

It's sometimes difficult to predict which stories will create a buzz. I clearly missed the mark on this one. (And they call me an Internet Producer. Pish!)

As for the whole controversy surrounding the zodiac, the astronomer responsible for the freak out has come out and clarified something that may calm everyone down. He said he never contended that Ophiuchus should to be added to the existing list of 12 signs.

So there. Everyone can go back to being less crazy than they were yesterday, trusting that the stars will align for a bright and promising future, so long as the earth doesn't spin off its axis.

One astronomer said that's actually possible... but don't tell my assignment desk.

Charity Worker Fired for Facebook Comments Regarding Tucson Shooting

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah J Clark) — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 16:24:00 +0000

Oh, boy. Glen Busch, the director of Coat for Kids for the Chicago chapter, has been fired for comments he posted on his personal Facebook page about the deadly shooting in Tucson.

I thought his comments would be barbaric, or outrageous at best, especially if it got him fired. But surprisingly, it was mild in comparison to what I've read from others, perhaps even less extreme than my own.

What got him fired

After the shooting, Busch posted this:

"This was not a political thing, it was a psychotic thing. This kid was nuts! Now lets drop the ink wars and pray for the families. Maybe apologize in public just like your accusations as well? I'm just saying."

After the suspect, Jared Loughner, was identified, Busch posted this:

"Now that we know that this kid was an extreme socialist and democrat, does that change some of the opinions? Guys look, this is not political, he's just crazy. I do not hold liberals responsible for this now that the facts are known."

But Busch's boss, Paul Darby, didn't like it. He said the comments were too radical and political.

Ironic.

Ironic because Busch said in each post it's "not political".

With the help of a lawyer, Paul Darby issued a letter to his former employee stating:

"As a public non-profit foundation, it is essential that we not become involved in public controversy, either in support or in opposition of an issue or cause. You have every right to make whatever comments that you wish as a citizen. We support that right as Americans. Unfortunately, you name is clearly associated with the Coats for Kids Foundation and the activities by the Foundation in Chicago."

Exhale.

I understand employees, in part, are ambassadors for their company, but I also understand that people have opinions and that Americans are (supposed) to be free to express them. I don't think the Busch's comments misrepresented Coats for Kids, nor do I think they libeled anyone, namely Jared Loughner.

The guy is crazy. Sane people don't walk up to a gathering of innocent people and start shooting. Crazy people do. His defense lawyers now have to figure out how best to represent a man who is clearly guilty of the crime. In such a case, defense lawyers work to prevent their client from getting the death penalty, sometimes with an insanity plea.

According to the Associate Press, his defense lawyers could argue that, if not insane, Loughner was mentally impaired, which essentially means Loughner knows his actions were wrong but lacks the guilt necessary to face the death penalty. (Also known as "diminished capacity".)

If that's how the legal system operates, every guilty criminal could admit they know right from wrong, but don't feel guilty about raping, murdering, robbing, whatever.

Ridiculous.

As for the firing of Glen Busch? That's just crazy.