6/23/12

13 Me? A News Anchor?


A couple of weeks ago, I received an invitation to join the KSL news team and a group of Utah bloggers for a meet and greet.


As a blogger, I try to take every opportunity to step away from my computer and interact with real live people.  It is always fun to meet other bloggers in person and socialize.  It also helps me step outside of my comfort zone.

When I read the "fine print" at the bottom of the invitation stating that all bloggers will get a video of them anchoring the news, my heart skipped a beat.

Maybe my heart stopped, I don't know.  You see, getting a video of me is nearly impossible.  I don't like being in front of a camera.  I'd rather be behind the camera, taking photos.

Should I accept?


Should I delete the email?

I waffled back and forth, torn between meeting a fabulous group of bloggers, getting the meet the KSL news team in person, and ... gulp ... doing a newscast??

I read the invitation several times.

Then I saw that not only would we get an opportunity in front of the camera, but we would be on the radio talk show.... LIVE.

My mouth went dry.  Gulp.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and dove in.

In other words, I opened up an email, accepted the invitation and clicked, "Send."

Spots were limited.  Maybe I wouldn't get in.

A couple of days later, I got an email confirming my spot.

Yikes!

Sometimes, we need to step outside our comfort zones and jump in both feet first.  Me, I have an itty, bitty, small, comfort zone, and I'll tell you why.

I can't hear very well.

I was born with a severe (not profound) hearing loss in both ears and was fitted with hearing aids at a young age.  You can read my story on my other blog, Hard of Hearing Mom.

Needless to say, living my life is always a challenge and it is easier to stay away from people, conversations, and speaking in public.  I wear one hearing aid as the other ear is pretty much deaf.  I have learned that I need to take the initiative when it comes to conversations, introduce myself to others as someone that doesn't hear very well, which is a difficult thing for me to admit.

I try to slide this fact into the conversation naturally and most people take it in stride.  As long as I am looking at you, I am a fabulous lipreader and can understand most everything you say.

Unless you have an English accent.  That takes practice.

Here, Kevin Eubank gives us some tips while watching the first pair of bloggers.

Yes, we were the second group ~ I really, really wanted to do this and get it over with.

Isabelle, Jackie, Kevin, and I


 Before I knew it, it was time to step up and put on a mic.  My partner was Jackie, who was beautiful and poised the entire time.

Me?  I look a little worried .... a deer caught in the headlights ?   Augghhhh.....



No practice, no second chances,  here we goooooooooo......



Imagine the big sigh of relief when we were done!!  

It really is a lot harder than you think folks.   I don't know how they do it day in and day out ... LIVE!  I guess you have to roll with the punches and be very aware of your surroundings at all times.

Oh, and pay attention to the gal with the headphones in front of you, pointing and gesturing to LOOK AT THIS CAMERA!!

Oh. 

Yeah. 

I think my face turned the same color as my shirt.

Can I just duck under the desk and hide?

Too late.  It's done.

Time to eat cheesecake, courtesy of Le Croissant Catering!  That's right ....  I'm all about the food!


Whoops.  I'm not done yet.  Jackie said, "Let's go over and do the radio show!"

Gulp.

Dive in.  Keep on swimming.  You can do it.

Here, Jackie and I pose with Alex Kirry, a really funny guy on The Nightside Project 1160 AM, 7-10 PM.  He knows how to keep the show rolling....and his audience rolling.  Alex's radio partner, Ethan Millard, jumps right in and keeps the conversation going.  They are a great team!


The radio spot was short, brief and fun. I made it a point to introduce myself to Alex and Ethan BEFORE the show started, saying that I'm hearing impaired, but "as long as you are looking at me, I am a fabulous lipreader."  They took it in stride and included me in the conversation.  This was a lot easier than being in front of a camera!  We introduced ourselves and the names of our blogs.

Other bloggers made it more fun to join in the conversation.  All we needed to remember was to hold the big fuzzy microphone very, very close to our mouth while speaking.  Basically, you need to be kissing it.


All in all, I'm glad I did it.  It was a confidence builder for me and I had a great time!  I got to see behind the scenes of KSL News and Radio ...


... and get star struck meeting the KSL news team!  I even chatted briefly with Nadine Wimmer, a gorgeous, petite and professional working mom of two young kids. 


Special thanks to everyone who made this event so fun!

Me?  A news anchor?  I'd rather be in my playground, the kitchen, baking up some bread or cookies.

How about you?  What is something that you have always wanted to do, but were afraid to do?

Come on, take a giant step outside of your comfort zone and tell us!




These pictures were gratefully taken by the KSL studio photographer.  In my rush to get to the studio on time, I remembered my camera, but forgot my memory card.  Thank you!

13 comments:

  1. I think you looked beautiful on camera Freida. I admire you for doing something that is difficult. You should be proud. I'm glad you had such a good time.

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  2. AnonymousJune 23, 2012

    Oh my gosh congrats!!! how exciting! you did a great job! and looked beautiful:)

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  3. I'm with you Freida. While I wasn't petrified, I feel uncomfortable and it shows. I think it's because I don't remember things easily and tend to wander, esp. when I'm tired. This doesn't go over well. I'd much rather write and save the camera and mic for the people I know who just love it. Or for my clients. Still I feel obligated to improve because of what I do. So I try.
    My favorite of these is public speaking only because you have direct feedback from the audience.
    Great to see and talk to you! You did so well. I never wouldn't known about your hearing loss had you not told me.
    Blog on
    Janet

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Janet, you didn't look uncomfortable at all ~ I'm with you; I'd rather be in front of an audience that I can have a dialogue. That's one reason I enjoy teaching bread classes so much.

      I'm so glad we met! I'm impressed by what you do ~ we all have our talents and the ability to develop new ones as we stretch ourselves.

      Delete
  4. AnonymousJune 23, 2012

    You looked great!!!! Good thing someone took pictures for you .... no fun to forget memory card for your camera!! I laughted sohard after reading it... sorry... what a neat adventure for you to experience on how its done. Hard for hearing impaired and deaf people but we can do it tho ....
    Holly

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    Replies
    1. Holly, your comment means so much to me! Yes, we hearing impaired and deaf people can do anything!

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  5. Wow Frieda! You did great!!! You looked amazing on camera...I would not have known you were nervous! Way to go.

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  6. Way to go Frieda! I'm proud of you! Way to do something scary that you know will stretch you - you did fabulous, (and you look as young as you ever did, Beautiful.) Can't wait to see you in August!

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  7. Frieda, honestly, you looked like the real deal! They should hire you pronto!

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  8. Wow! Really?! *gulp*
    I'm glad you did it because it encourages all of us to step out and try something.

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  9. Hey! You are such a gem! You did great and I am honored to be the one sitting next to you. You were fabulous! It was so nice to meet you!

    I have some more lovely pictures of Frieda over here! You are stunning, Frieda!

    http://sarager.blogspot.com/2012/06/im-on-news.html

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  10. Terrific! What a fun & "envigorating" opportunity!

    Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete

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