Well, hello there!
Just look at me, starting a whole new chapter of my life, right here on the internet! Who would ever think that this old dog would be launching into some new trick like this?
First, I owe it to you to explain briefly how I got here — and where I hope to be in the next few weeks and months. (Revisiting this should be enlightening….)
I started working in radio as a DJ in 1977. I can honestly tell you that it’s a lot like catching some deadly virus; once you get the bug, it’s in your system forever. I loved it! Spinning records my listeners had requested, allowing them to get to know a little about myself — slowly, I was becoming a bit of a local celebrity. Talk about an ego boost!
From there, it was on to the Newsroom, where I spent my days chatting with the real movers and shakers: mayors, governors, senators — I even landed an exclusive interview with the Vice President of the United States! Of course, I also witnessed life’s uglier side, as I sat through murder and rape trials, walked through the debris left behind by fires and floods, and looked on in disgust and dismay as corruption brought down some of those same politicians I had known for many years. Working in radio news is the perfect job for people like me who appreciate never having two days alike — and who feed off the adrenline rush of constant deadlines and protecting off-the-record sources.
Oh, I’ve done other things in my lifetime — teaching college English for about a dozen years, for example, but the siren song of the airwaves kept calling me back every time I got out of radio, even for a little while.
About three years ago, I returned to the radio station in my hometown where I first started, and less than a year later, I found myself doing two things I had never done before: Working mornings (I HATE mornings!), and hosting a talk show. All of a sudden, the news reporter for whom revealing opinions was taboo was expected — no, REQUIRED — to not only have opinions, but to tell the listeners in no uncertain terms what they were!
Then, last Wednesday, my life changed again when I was released. It wasn’t the first time; just about everyone who has been in the business as long as I have has been let go from one radio station or another. But this time, it was different: I actually found myself asking where on earth to go from here. I mean, I’ll be 49 years old in a couple of weeks, and I’m running out of radio stations to work for without pulling up stakes. That’s really not an option at this stage in my life, so I guess it’s time for a career change.
So here I am, starting this new chapter in my life, and I have to admit, I’m scared half to death. I thank you for checking out this first post, and I invite you to check back in as often as you would like. I promise that I’ll try not to bore you, and if you would like to say hello or offer any feedback or advice, I would be grateful. I hope to have a lot of fun sharing here with you.
Welcome to the wondeful world of blogging.
You’re going to be a star!
Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging!! I bet you’re going to do great!
PS - Marisa sent me
You are such a sweetie! Thanks for EVERYTHING!
Hi, I’m Jules, nice to meet you! I am one of Marisa’s blogging buddies, and I am thrilled to have you on the internet as another blogger. I can already tell I am going to enjoy reading your stories. Keep them coming!
Hi there! Welcome to blogging! I’m also one of Marisa’s friends. This is a great first entry- I’m looking forward to reading more!
Welcome to the wide world of blogging
I hope you enjoy getting started and I already subscribed via google reader!
Wow…spinning records…showing your age there!
Welcome to blogging… it looks all nice and shiny in here!
Hi! It’s nice to meet you. I’m a friend of Marisa’s and wanted to welcome you to the blog world. It’s addicting at times, but you meet a lot of great people. I look forward to keeping up with you as you share your thoughts and such. Good luck with the new blog.
Best, Deb
Hi, I’m Marcus. Welcome to blogging. I am also a friend of Marisa’s but I’m alot newer to this than everyone else. I’ve only been blogging for about 6 months so feel free to email me if I can ever help you out.
Hello you ole fart (I’m right behind you). Can’t believe you’ve always ate such crap and don’t weigh 300 pounds.
GOOD LUCK TAMMIE. YOU ARE ONE OF THE NICEST MEDIA PEOPLE OUT THERE. I AM SO SORRY ABOUT YOUR LAYOFF BUT WITH EACH DOOR CLOSED, ANOTHER ONE OPENS! TURN LEMONS
INTO LEMONADE!!!
Great to meet you
Welcome to the blogosphere. You are awesome. I, too, am Marisa’s pal. We are the Queens of Rock 
Glad to have you around. Can’t wait to see what you do here 
Welcome! I’m excited for you. Some of the time life’s blessings come in the strangest ways. Perhaps getting booted from the radio station was one of those ways.
Hello! great idea of color of this siyte!
Interesting path… And I also saw that you’ll soon be hitting the big 5-0… woohoo!
It’ll soon be my first anniversary as a blogger, and I love it! Thanks so much to all of you who still stop by and visit.
And yes, Stinky, the Big 5-0 is right around the corner. If you’re thinking about a gift, SEND CASH!!!