iVillage - Meredith Todaytag:meredithtoday.ivillage.com,2007-11-30:/entertainment//172008-05-09T16:06:52ZMovable Type Publishing Platform 4.01Friday Q&A: Accessoriestag:meredithtoday.ivillage.com,2008:/entertainment//17.130972008-05-09T15:57:52Z2008-05-09T16:06:52ZMay 9, 2008 Meredith tackles more of your questions! Ask yours today, and check back next Friday for the answer. Maybe she'll choose yours! MC said: Meredith, I LOVE the shoes Matt got for you. I am very jealous. They...iVillage.com
May 9, 2008
Meredith tackles more of your questions! Ask yours today, and check back next Friday for the answer. Maybe she'll choose yours!
MC said: Meredith, I LOVE the shoes Matt got for you. I am very jealous. They are beautiful. I'm also a size 10 shoe and only 16 years old. Can you tango?
I love the shoes, too, MC. They are gold with black polka dots and I’m told they are "the real deal" from Argentina. They were purchased in a store that only sells tango shoes. I plan to wear them on the show …but don’t expect a dance to go with them, as I’ve yet to learn the tango.
Susan said: Meredith, You look great wearing glasses. As a 60 year old, plus a few, I'm always looking for stylish frames, having worn glasses since third grade. Will you please share your frame information with your viewers? Today, Friday, April 25th, they are especially cool.
Thanks, Susan. The red pair of glasses I’ve worn is made by a company in France called JF Rey. I’ve also worn a brown and blue pair, made by a company called Paul Smith. Just for the record, I didn’t pick them out—my optometrist did. She had me try on different frames and asked my opinion, but my eyes are so bad I couldn’t tell what I looked like in them. So I trusted her judgment, and when they came back with lenses, I liked what I saw.
Feel free to post a question of your own for next time! ]]>
Friday Q&A: Freudian slip, superstitions and million-dollar checkstag:meredithtoday.ivillage.com,2008:/entertainment//17.129882008-05-02T14:40:43Z2008-05-02T14:47:13ZMay 2, 2008 Meredith tackles more of your questions! Ask yours today, and check back next Friday for the answer. Maybe she'll choose yours! Sue said: What was it like for Ann to call you Katie? Was that the first...iVillage.com
May 2, 2008
Meredith tackles more of your questions! Ask yours today, and check back next Friday for the answer. Maybe she'll choose yours!
Sue said: What was it like for Ann to call you Katie? Was that the first time that has happened on the air? Was it truly an accident or was it a Freudian Slip (where someone subconsciously has a belief that comes out as a supposed accident in their speech but in reality that is what they believe)???
Better she called me Katie than Matt or Al…I know it was an accident and did not take any offense. Last week Howard Dean called me Andrea (as in Andrea Mitchell, our Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent). The only time I really took offense is when a politician (and I have blocked his name from my memory banks, apparently) condescendingly called me “sweetie” as he proceeded to dismiss the question I had asked.
Jamie said: Mere- Love ya! Thanks for making my mornings better! Here is my question for this week... Do you have any superstitions or traditions that you do every morning before the show? Do you and Matt have a secret handshake or something? I always imagine you two performing some elaborate handshake right before 7am.
Sorry, Jamie, but I don’t have any entertaining superstitions or rituals before the show that I can share. But I am a little like Neil Diamond who said today on the show that he gets nervous every time he goes out and performs. I have those same butterflies, but I think that’s a good thing—it keeps me on my toes.
Stephanie said: Hello Meredith; I only get to watch Millionaire sporadically, but I've never seen anyone walk away with the $1 million check. Does it happen often, or have I just missed every one of those episodes?
We’ve given away two 1 million dollar checks since I started doing the syndicated version of the show. I hope we have many more winners in the upcoming season. By the way, we’re planning some fun changes in the game play—it’ll still be Millionaire only we hope more exciting. Stay tuned…
Feel free to post a question of your own for next time! ]]>
What in the world...tag:meredithtoday.ivillage.com,2008:/entertainment//17.129772008-05-01T19:25:28Z2008-05-01T19:34:58ZI haven’t blogged since I showed you my Zoobie (aka, the monkey on my back). Who knew my fuzzy friend would elicit such a response. It’s been a crazy week back at this zoo. I must say that without Matt...iVillage.com
It’s been a crazy week back at this zoo. I must say that without Matt here (the other monkey on my back), it’s a little lonely for the rest of us. But we are loving "Where In The World Is Matt Lauer" —he always does a terrific job, along with all the producers, reporters and crew members who take the journey with him.
I didn’t realize how much I had invested in guessing correctly every one of Matt’s locations until last night, when I came home late from Indiana and my interview with the Obamas.
Richard was waiting up for me in the kitchen and instead of spending some time with him, I sort of gave him the brush off and rushed upstairs to get on the computer - determined to work on that "clue" Matt had given us. After all, I had successfully guessed Buenos Aires, Amsterdam, and Laos…there was no stopping me now.
I stared into the glow of the computer screen, scrutinizing every word in the clue for today’s location:
So the prime rate you guessed, the red lights you saw through. The anagram even proved easy to chew. In this place you can rock and there's one heck of a mall. With a turn of the head, different continents call.
I figured Matt would continue heading towards the U.S. from Laos, and decided he probably was going to New Zealand, because I know he’s never been there before. So I Googled "New Zealand, rock, mall" and up pops a website called "Mall New Zealand" and a reference to all the rock music you can buy. Of course I thought I’d hit the jackpot! I triumphantly logged off the computer and emerged with a smirk on my face, proudly announcing to Richard, “I got it!”
Turns out I got plenty o’ nothin'. Al was the one who burst my bubble at 5:30 this morning when he walked into my dressing room and said, “Did you figure it out?” I’d barely gotten the words "New Zeal—" out of my mouth, when Al cut me off.
“It’s Istanbul,” he declared, and proceeded to explain why. I knew he was right, and my "winning streak" was officially over. I had learned a valuable lesson in humility…and I’ll be putting that lesson to practice, starting next week. But for now, I’ve decided:
"Heck, four out of five wouldn’t be bad…"—which is where you, my loyal (and may I add, very smart) blog friends come in.
I’m stumped on the clue for tomorrow’s location:
“Many come here to see the natural wonders, but the national symbol is for your eyes only.”
Any ideas?
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Monkey Madnesstag:meredithtoday.ivillage.com,2008:/entertainment//17.128552008-04-24T15:14:42Z2008-04-24T15:41:41ZI bet you didn’t believe me when I told you yesterday that I have a monkey on my back, but here’s the proof. He was actually a gift, from someone who showed up at the plaza to see the show...iVillage.com
He was actually a gift, from someone who showed up at the plaza to see the show a few months ago.
As much as I appreciated the gesture, I stuck the monkey in my office on the window sill thinking I’d probably give it away to some child. Turns out the child was me. Every time I’d look at that monkey he was looking back with that simian smile of his. Upon further investigation, I realized there was more to this monkey than meets the eye.
He’s called a Zoobie Pet and he converts from a pillow to a blanket hidden in a zippered pocket. I decided to take him home, figuring my daughter, even though she is a teenager, might get a kick out of him. When I got in the car, I wrapped my Zoobie around me to stay warm (this was back in January). I immediately fell into a wonderful sleep (and I never nap) and didn’t wake up until the car service pulled up to my house.
Well, that did it. I was smitten. Forget about Lily, this was my monkey now. And every day since that car ride I have taken Zoob with me back and forth to work. Even our security guard Joe has gotten to know Zoob, my security blanket.
And before you say I’ve totally lost it, how about this: Natalie Morales happened to spot the monkey in my office and fell in love with him, too. Of course she wanted one for her four-year-old son Josh (at least that’s the story she’s going with). As a surprise, I ordered a Zoobie Pet for Natalie’s son (he’s a giraffe guy, not a monkey man, so that’s what I got him), as well as one for my assistant Amanda’s baby girl Sophia.
And in case it looks as if Lily was left out in the cold without a blanket, she wasn’t. When it comes to this monkey business, Lily thinks I’m bananas.
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Monkey seetag:meredithtoday.ivillage.com,2008:/entertainment//17.128302008-04-23T15:17:50Z2008-04-23T15:22:54ZI have a monkey on my back. And I even have the pictures to prove it. I'll tell you about it tomorrow…...iVillage.com
I have a monkey on my back. And I even have the pictures to prove it. I'll tell you about it tomorrow…
Taking the Wheeltag:meredithtoday.ivillage.com,2008:/entertainment//17.128112008-04-22T15:53:04Z2008-04-22T16:03:53ZThere’s been another rite of passage at the Cohen/Vieira home. Our middle son Gabriel aced his road test, which may be why I feel so sick to my stomach this morning. Let me explain. After leaving the show yesterday I...iVillage.com
After leaving the show yesterday I met up with Gabe back home because he wanted to practice driving before the test. On his first attempt to parallel park, he bumped the curb just slightly, but it was enough to put a real dent in his confidence, even after an hour’s worth of mostly successful maneuvers.
By the time we got to the test site, I was beginning to feel nervous for him. I wasn’t even sure if I should wish him luck because I was afraid that might psyche him out. To make matters worse, we had to wait in a long line of cars for our turn, each one of them filled with another anxious driver-to-be.
Finally it was Gabe’s turn. I got out of the car, handed him the keys, and stood by the side of the road as he drove off with the guy conducting the road test. I called Richard to say Gabe was in the driver’s seat. And then I waited for what seemed like an eternity (actually it was closer to 10 minutes).
As Gabe pulled up (without bumping any curbs, I might add), I wanted to run up to the car and make sure everything was okay, but what if it wasn’t? So I decided to hang back rather than embarrass him. Either way, having his mommy hovering wouldn’t have been cool.
I could see that the test administrator was talking to Gabe but I didn’t have a clear view of Gabe’s face to know if there was a smile or a frown emerging. And then both of them opened up their car doors. As Gabe got out, he glanced at me and smiled.
For a fleeting second my stomach ache went away, only to be replaced by another one. I was so anxious for him to pass the test that I’d forgotten about the anxiety that comes once your child does. Gabe is the second kid in this family to have the keys to the car and now there’s a whole new set of worries. Every parent knows the feeling.
As we got in the car, I assumed he would want to drive home. But I think he’d had enough driving for one day. His only request was that we stop at Cold Stone Creamery for some ice cream. “No problem,” I said. At least for one more afternoon, the new King of the Road was still my little boy.
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Passovertag:meredithtoday.ivillage.com,2008:/entertainment//17.127662008-04-18T16:27:52Z2008-04-21T14:43:21ZThis is the first chance all week that I've had to blog and wanted to post this today…I'll answer your questions next Friday. Have a great weekend. We’re hosting Passover this Saturday and I’m feeling a little sad. I had...iVillage.com
This is the first chance all week that I've had to blog and wanted to post this today…I'll answer your questions next Friday. Have a great weekend.
We’re hosting Passover this Saturday and I’m feeling a little sad. I had never been to a seder until I met my husband Richard, and I have nothing but fond memories of celebrating the holiday at his parents’ home every year. This will be the first seder without Richard’s Dad, Ben, who passed away in February.
Ben always led the readings and no matter how large our family gathering became--as more and more grandchildren joined the fold--he always made sure that Richard read the role of the "simple son" (it was a family joke, of course).
I never knew how much I could enjoy brisket and a glass (or two) of that wonderfully cheap Manishevitz wine, not to mention watching the kids search high and low for the Afikomen (hiding of the matzoh).
Richard’s mom, Mimi, is driving to our house this afternoon with a car full of Passover treats. I’ve already ordered the gefilte fish and matzoh ball soup from the specialty store Barney Greengrass in New York City. [I’ve mentioned before that I make a mean chicken, but when it comes to gefilte fish, I leave that to the experts.]
Tomorrow evening as we gather around the table, there will come the time when tradition dictates that we open the door for the prophet Elijiah—the belief is that his coming will usher in the Messiah. A glass of wine is set out on the table in anticipation.
This year I’m sure we will put out a second glass of wine in hopes that Ben drops by as well.
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Friday Q&A: Millionaire, NBC's internship program, springtimetag:meredithtoday.ivillage.com,2008:/entertainment//17.126552008-04-11T16:28:07Z2008-04-11T16:35:05ZApril 11, 2008 Meredith tackles more of your questions! Ask yours today, and check back next Friday for the answer. Maybe she'll choose yours! Jan said: When does your new taping schedule for Millionaire begin? When will the new viewing...iVillage.com
April 11, 2008
Meredith tackles more of your questions! Ask yours today, and check back next Friday for the answer. Maybe she'll choose yours!
Jan said:When does your new taping schedule for Millionaire begin? When will the new viewing season begin? I enjoy that show as much as Today because I only get to watch about the first 30 minutes of Today.
We begin taping the new season of Millionaire on July 21st. We tape the last two weeks in July, then take August off, mostly because I’ll be in China with the Olympics. Then we continue taping in September, October, and finish up in the first week of November. All together we shoot some 200 shows of which I do about 175. I’ve often said when I look ahead at the schedule, I start to whimper—it seems so overwhelming. But in the doing it is an absolute blast. As for when you can watch the new season on TV, I believe it is some time in September, so check your local listings. And if any of you are in the New York City area, come see the show.
Jason Li said: Hey Meredith, I'm 20 from Singapore and have been watching TODAY on my ipod ever since i got it. It's a great show! I've always wanted to be a journalist so I try to listen/watch/read news from all over - for both the stories and how news is broadcast from country to country. And I love the familiar, informal feel to TODAY! Wonder if it'd be possible for a foreign person like me to do an internship with NBC? I've done one with Channel NewsAsia, the local news network, but it'd be great to do one overseas!
According to our Program Manager Ada Famulari, we don’t get involved in all the legalities entailed in bringing over international students to this country for internships; neither do we sponsor nor house interns. But if you come here on a student visa, and you are eligible to do internships in the United States, then you are more than welcome to apply to our NBC internship program. For more information, log on to nbcuni.com and read all about our internship program.
Tracey said: Hi Meredith, So I was just rejoicing that it was the first official day of spring (even though it's still cold as all get out) but it still got me thinking about warmer days! What are some of your favorite springtime activities?
As the weather heats up I like to go running, and then lay down on the stone patio in my backyard. I know that sounds crazy, but the warmth of the rocks makes me feel as if I’m in a spa. I also love to plant flowers.
Feel free to post a question of your own for next time!]]>
Have A Nice Daytag:meredithtoday.ivillage.com,2008:/entertainment//17.126412008-04-10T16:49:21Z2008-04-10T20:53:12ZIf you really listened to today's show, you are probably wrapped in the fetal position right now. The first story out of the box was the terrible weather in the midwest--from tornadoes to snow storms. Snowstorms? It's the middle of...iVillage.com
The first story out of the box was the terrible weather in the midwest--from tornadoes to snow storms. Snowstorms? It's the middle of April...
And speaking of abuse, I won’t soon forget the image of high school students in Baltimore beating up their teacher, all of it captured by some student's cell phone camera. And if that wasn't enough, we learned that seniors in nursing homes are at risk of being sexually attacked by other residents with criminal records.
By now if you think that the world has gone to the dogs, well, they're not doing so well either. It turns out there has been an uptick in dog-napping, particularly pure breeds that are sold on the black market.
When the broadcast was over it was all I could do to drag myself out of there. I thought, "At least it's a beautiful day here in New York, maybe I'll go for a run and clear my head." But as I went to fill my plastic water bottle, I suddenly remembered yet another news item of the day—how plastic bottles can leech dangerous chemicals.
Talk about wanting to run…as far away from this day as I could.
Well, TGI-almost-F.]]>
Achy Breaky Voicetag:meredithtoday.ivillage.com,2008:/entertainment//17.125652008-04-07T16:21:10Z2008-04-07T16:26:51ZToday was Kathie Lee Gifford’s first day on Today, and I think she and Hoda Kotb make a great team. I actually laughed out loud, and for me that is usually a good sign of things to come. So congratulations,...iVillage.com
Today, and I think she and Hoda Kotb make a great team. I actually laughed out loud, and for me that is usually a good sign of things to come. So congratulations, gals—keep up the good work.
We all know Kathie Lee likes to sing. Well, I thought I did too, until I heard myself sing "Achy Breaky Heart".
I had gone to a fundraiser on Saturday for "Love Our Children", a non-profit organization whose mission is to break the cycle of child abuse by working closely with families. It’s a wonderful group and I agreed to sing karaoke with all the little kids.
I just assumed I’d be singing in a booth, not on a stage with an audience. Maybe the name of the venue should have been my first clue since it’s called Spotlight New York . The fact that I had been there before with Ann Curry and had done a whole segment on us singing karaoke should have been the second clue. But somehow I never put two and two together until it was too late.
So there I was on the stage, singing this song I didn’t know with some of the staff who work at Spotlight New York—it’s their job to make you look good. And they kept smiling at me so I actually thought it was going well. Wrong.
Of course, the footage surfaced on the internet and the folks at Today couldn’t wait to air it this morning. So in case you missed it ...
The good news is that I got to give a shout out to the "Love Our Children" organization. If you want to learn more about them, go to www.loveourchildrenusa.org
I’d sing their praises, but I think I’ve done enough singing for a while.
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Friday Q&As: Today alumni, handling bad days, career advicetag:meredithtoday.ivillage.com,2008:/entertainment//17.125262008-04-04T14:44:02Z2008-04-04T14:52:59ZApril 4, 2008 Meredith tackles more of your questions! Ask yours today, and check back next Friday for the answer. Maybe she'll choose yours! Keith said: Hi Meredith, I know you have worked with Hugh Downs and Barbara Walters at...Meredith Vieira
April 4, 2008
Meredith tackles more of your questions! Ask yours today, and check back next Friday for the answer. Maybe she'll choose yours!
Keith said:Hi Meredith, I know you have worked with Hugh Downs and Barbara Walters at ABC, but is there anyone of the "Today" alumni that you would have liked to have worked with ?
I actually never worked with Hugh Downs although I would have loved to, along with Dave Garroway, Joe Garagiola, and that monkey J. Fred Muggs.
Mary said:Hi Meredith, I often wonder how you (and others in your industry) seem happy, content, and pleasant every single morning on television. Don't you have bad days sometimes (you've had an argument with your husband, something is on your mind, you didn't sleep well etc.) when you just don't feel like talking or being in front of such a huge audience? If so, how do you handle this so that no one has any idea you aren't in a "tip top" mood? Thanks for answering! You are great!
It’s the performance part of what I do. Even when I’m not feeling my best as soon as the red light on the camera goes on I kick into gear. In the doing, it’s always exciting. Plus the folks who do hair, makeup, and wardrobe always make you look good even when you don’t feel the part..
Meghan C. said:Hi Meredith! I was just at Today for my 18th birthday and I hope to pursue a career in communications after college so it was a wonderful experience to meet you when you came around to everyone and were amazingly genuine. What do you believe is the most essential personality characteristic for a journalist to possess? Thank you.
A natural curiosity and the ability to listen. So often reporters are so busy looking down at the next question on their pad that they don’t hear what the person they are interviewing is saying. I found the best interviews are the ones that take on a life of their own.
Feel free to post a question of your own for next time!]]>
Getting Home Alonetag:meredithtoday.ivillage.com,2008:/entertainment//17.125082008-04-03T16:13:18Z2008-04-03T16:17:44ZToday we had a mother and son on the show and their story has sparked a huge debate. Lenore Skenazy, a writer living in New York City, allowed her 9-year-old son Izzy to find his way home alone using public...Meredith Vieira
Today we had a mother and son on the show and their story has sparked a huge debate.
Lenore Skenazy, a writer living in New York City, allowed her 9-year-old son Izzy to find his way home alone using public transportation. Izzy had been hounding his mom for months to give him a little independence, and so she did.
She took him to Bloomindale’s in midtown and left him armed with a subway map, a metrocard and a 20 dollar bill. Izzy successfully made the journey safely home to his apartment in the city.
But was this good parenting? My initial reaction was "no"—9 years old is way too young to be let loose on the streets of Manhattan. And then I thought about my own situation with my kids. We moved out to the suburbs when Ben was only two years old and we let our kids walk the quarter mile into town with friends when they were younger than 9.
When you live in a small town there’s a sense of "security" but it might be a false sense. Think of how many stories you’ve heard about children being abducted while walking home on a quiet lane or riding their bikes on a country road. So who am I to judge either Lenore or Izzy just because they live in a big city that people assume is more dangerous?
I’d love your thoughts on this story.
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April Fools – Day 2tag:meredithtoday.ivillage.com,2008:/entertainment//17.124862008-04-02T16:00:34Z2008-04-02T16:08:23ZSo I guess I tricked some of you with my April Fool’s blog yesterday when I wrote that today would be my "final" entry. Even my security guy Joe asked this morning if I was really going to quit the...Meredith Vieira
Well, not yet, though there was truth to the fact that I may not be able to keep this going on a daily basis given the crazy schedule that’s coming up—from Millionaire, to the Olympics, to the Conventions, and then, of course, the November Election. But I appreciate all your kind messages and will try my best to blog when I can.
[And by the way, for those who thought I really had inadvertently left out the last line of yesterday’s blog—then, ha ha--you were fooled twice—as that was all part of the joke. Thanks for being such good sports.]
Speaking of fooling around…I finally pulled one over on Matt Lauer this morning. But not until after he got me first. When I arrived at my dressing room at 5am, the door to the room was closed. I said to Joe, “That’s odd. Donna [our wardrobe mistress] always opens up the room for me.” So I walked in, and suddenly Matt jumped out of the bathroom and lunged at me while screaming. He really scared me silly. By that point he was laughing hysterically as he left for his dressing room, which is next door to mine.
Well, the gauntlet had been thrown down. I called Donna and said ‘Do you have any Vaseline?’ She didn’t, so I went into the kitchen in our satellite studio and grabbed a bottle of olive oil and some paper towels. At this point Matt was behind closed doors in his dressing room. I crept up to the door and drenched the outside knob with the oil. Then I slinked back to my dressing room. And waited.
It didn’t take long. I heard Matt’s door open, and he emerged to retrieve something from the printer which sits outside our dressing rooms. He poked his head into my room just long enough to gloat over surprising me earlier. And then he walked back to his room and reached for the knob…
By then I was standing in my doorway so I could soak in the moment. As his hand hit the oil, he shuddered in confusion and then immediately recoiled. At that point I burst out laughing, and then quickly tried to lock my door as he lunged at me with that greasy paw. I had to wedge my foot against the door to keep him out.
All I can say is I had a great laugh. And now I’m scared. Really scared. ]]>
Update:tag:meredithtoday.ivillage.com,2008:/entertainment//17.124672008-04-01T20:54:19Z2008-04-01T21:08:05ZThe last line of Meredith’s last blog-post was inadvertently deleted. It should have ended with: Oh, by the way: April Fool’s....Meredith Vieira
Meredith’s last blog-post was inadvertently deleted. It should have ended with:
Oh, by the way: April Fool’s.
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Spring Fevertag:meredithtoday.ivillage.com,2008:/entertainment//17.124622008-04-01T16:51:06Z2008-04-01T17:24:18ZIt was so great to have REM perform on the plaza today—it made all of us feel like Spring is finally here. Once the outdoor concerts begin, everybody seems to smile a lot more. Given that it’s April 1st, the...Meredith Vieira
REM perform on the plaza today—it made all of us feel like Spring is finally here. Once the outdoor concerts begin, everybody seems to smile a lot more.
Given that it’s April 1st, the producers and I brainstormed all morning before the show to come up with some sort of prank to get Matt—everything from a phony story about how Purell doesn’t really work (since he’s a self-proclaimed germaphobe), to my pretending to spill coffee all over him (I know it sounds juvenile, but it was 5:30am…). In the end we realized there’s nothing we could do to trick the guy, because he is the king of practical jokes.
But enough about Matt. I need to focus on George Clooney--he's coming on the show Thursday to promote his new football movie Leatherheads. I don’t know if I've got a case of Spring Fever but if George would like to re-create that tackle scene in the mud…oh, boy, here I go again—I guess it’s time to take off my false eyelashes and shut down this computer before I really get into trouble.
But before I go, I do have an announcement that I’ve been putting off—tomorrow will be the last day that I write this blog. Although it has been a great forum for me to express some thoughts and stories and a way for me to connect with so many of you, my schedule has really made it difficult to blog on a regular basis. I have read your posts, and have seen many of you express your disappointment that my blogging has been so inconsistent—I don’t want to complain about my schedule because I have a great job, but now that Millionaire will be starting up again, I don’t see how I can ‘do it all’ as they say.
So…unfortunately, the blog has to go. Thank you for hanging out here. I’ll be back tomorrow with some final thoughts.
