Things I Don't Want to Forget: Nice Legs

Just some random stories from the newsroom...part one.

One day, while I was floor directing for the noon show (before I became a producer), our interview guest was a transvestite. I had never seen one up close and personal; in fact the only others I'd ever seen had been hanging out on the darkly lit dance floor of the Neon Cactus (and in the ladies' bathroom of the Neon Cactus...how does that work, by the way?). But I'd never talked to one before.

He was physically, medically a guy. He hadn't had any operations, and he didn't even speak in a feminine voice; actually he had a very nice baritone voice. But he preferred to be called "she" and went by a girl's first name.

The whole point of this interview was to promote a forum that night for transsexual issues, and this guy--excuse me, girl--was a panelist. So of course, all of us were trying to act very open-minded and 21st-century about it all, not to be pegged as one of those biggots against which this guy--girl!--was constantly defending himself. Herself. And her way of life.

Well, it was my job to explain to her where to sit and how to put on the lapel mic. She was wearing a powder-blue skirt suit, the jacket of which had blue sequin trim on the collar and lapels. She was also wearing black stilleto heels.

And way too much perfume.

She had peroxide-blonde hair (obviously not her natural color), blue eyeshadow (circa 1984) and about as much blush as we used to wear in the Purduettes. And lipstick.

Our senior-most anchorman did a smash-up job at the interview, and ventured to ask some rather personal questions, which she seemed to be comfortable answering. She talked about discrimination, and how she'd been called a faggot (at which our director said, "I don't think we can say that on the air"). And at one point, among the very un-21st-century comments of the guys back in the control room who didn't have to worry about being open-minded because they were one room away, the producer said, "Well, I have to hand it to her...she does have nice legs."

It was very educational, to say the least, but when she finished the interview and walked off the set, she left behind, along with that strong scent of whatever perfume she was wearing, even more questions than we'd had when she had arrived.

One of the anchor women and I discussed that we had many more questions to ask this person, although we probably would've been way too embarrassed to ask them.

Here are the questions I would ask in my (imaginary, editorial, and totally inappropriate) interview.

1. You said you relate more with female qualities and behavior than male qualities and behavior. So why don't you feel more inclined to talk like a woman?

2. Why do you wear so much makeup and perfume? Are you trying to compensate for your masculine features?

3. Normally a woman of this decade would be considered cheap, flashy, or out-of-date if she wore her makeup like you wear yours. Do you think you look classy and professional as a woman? Who or what motivated you to do your makeup like that?

4. Most women would be considered cheap, flashy, or out of date in a sequined suit like that. Do you feel like you'll be taken seriously as a woman by wearing this outfit?

5. You are dating a woman (she was). So are you gay because you consider yourself a woman and are attracted to a woman, bisexual, or straight but you just like to dress like a woman?

6. More interestingly, is your partner gay because she's attracted to someone who passes himself off as a woman, or is she straight and attracted to a man who just likes to dress as a woman but still has all the male working parts? Or is she bisexual?

7. Would you and your partner be legally allowed to be married since you are technically a man and a woman?


8. When I helped you put on your mic for the interview, I accidently brushed your chest. You said you have had no operations, so I'd like to know, what are your boobs made out of? How did you decide what size you wanted them to be?

9. Do you ever read fashion magazines? Where do you turn for fashion inspiration and information?

10. Is that your real hair? Why did you decide to go with blonde? Is it because you feel that blonde is the ultimate in femininity?

11. Isn't it interesting how easy it is for me to be catty and critical of your looks? I guess in that sense I think of you as a woman. Do you find this true with other women?

I'm not trying to be mean or narrow-minded by asking these quesions. They are just questions generated by meeting her. And they're questions I'll probably never get answered.

The last thing I'll say about this experience is that, as soon as we went off the air for the afternoon, the phones started ringing off the hook. People could not believe we'd have someone like that on the news! Someone said he lost his appetite while he was eating lunch and watching our show on his TV.

All I can say is, boy am I lucky I saw it live!

That is one thing I don't want to forget.

Where Are You, Christmas (Show)?

It's mid-October. It's starting to get cold. And the normal American is getting ready for Halloween.

I'm ready for Christmas.

For the past 4 years I have spent this time of year putting in serious time learning various arrangements of Christmas songs and carols for the Purdue Christmas Show. And before those 4 years, I was at least starting to learn a Christmas song or two for one choir concert or other. This year, I'm not doing that, and it's weird. There is definitely a void.

So today I had to give in to the urge and pop in an old Christmas Show rehearsal CD on my way home from work. I almost cried; I am really going to miss being in that show.

Don't get me wrong; it's fantastic not to have the stress and anxiety connected with preparing for a show of that magnitude. But Christmas Show was my favorite part of Purduettes, PMO, and Purdue. I spent all year getting excited about it, and I never got tired of rehearsing for it. When the curtain finally rose in front of a live audience, I was in my element. Nothing else will ever be like performing on that stage, and it's a little sad not to look forward to having that thrill this year.

On the other hand, I am building up anticipation to being in the audience for the first time since I was in high school. I will definitely have a different kind of appreciation for it now that I've been a part of it. And maybe I'll get to sing with the alumni onstage during the carol sing.

P.S. -- I finished training for the producer job today. I did the whole show by myself, pretty much, and it went well! I am excited about flying solo come Sunday night. I really need to watch "Anchorman" again...so many references come to mind now that I'm writing what goes in the teleprompter and dealing more directly with the anchors, but they don't come to mind as readily as they should. I've forgotten a lot from that movie. Time to brush up!

Well, it's past my bedtime. Merry Christmas and a Happy Halloween!

Good Night! How Are You?

I am a little nervous; tonight I begin training for the new producer position I'm starting. I go in at eleven tonight and stay till seven in the morning, so I'm getting ready to go to bed now in order to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for a long night...day...of learning! I get the feeling that working this shift is going to feel like pulling consecutive all-nighters to get projects done in college. What a nightmare! The good thing is, if I get good enough at it, by December I could be working evenings again, unless I decide I like this shift too much to move. Only time will tell! Usually I'd be helping Ryan with his youth group this evening, but I figure I might as well start off on the right foot and get some sleep, and Ryan encouraged me to do just that.

Here's something I just realized today about my new hours: I don't work Fridays! I mean, I end my Friday workday at 7 a.m. and then I don't have to work all weekend until Sunday night! The only problem is, what do I do on Sundays? Sleep in the morning, or in the evening? That will take some figuring out.

I just hope I can do this. I know I need to have confidence in myself because that is the only thing that will keep me from feeling like a complete failure. I have lots of ideas for improving the show, but I will have to get the basics down first!

OK, time for bed, I guess. Weird. Gotta love working in television!

Mary Tyler Moore

I know, I know...what happened to September? Let's just say it was a blur. I adjusted to working this time of the year, not going to school, and balanced my three jobs. Then at the end of September, I got promoted to a full time job at the station as a production assistant in the mornings! I love the morning people, so I was elated, not to mention eager to get a bigger paycheck. I have just completed my second week as a full-timer, and I just accepted a new job.

I know, I know...what??? How does that happen?

It happened because our morning producer got an offer from his hometown station and decided he wanted to go back. He has been working here for not even as long as I have, and he's already moving on! Well, about the same time he decided to leave, we got two new production assistants on part-time. One came in for the mornings to get the experience of a 4:30 am - 1:00 pm work day, and as we were waiting on the floor to do the noon news show, the anchors asked the new guy what he wanted to do as far as a career path.

"I want to do engineering for television," he said. And believe me, we need more of those. One of the anchors then turned to me and said, "What about you, Lisa?"

"What about me?"

"What do you want to do eventually?" he asked. I said I thought I might like to produce.

"Well, don't you know we have a morning producer position open now?" he said. "You should apply for it." I told him I didn't think I had the training or experience needed.

"Oh, we train people all the time," said the other anchor. "You could do it."

"You should talk to the news director," said the first anchor. "In fact, I'll make a note to say something to her myself."

And that's how it all started. Word gets around in a small, small station, and before I knew it, my old buddy the evening weather guy was leaving notes for the morning crew: "Lisa should take that producing job."

Well, I did talk to the news director, and she was interested in looking into this possibility. So I have spent the last few days shadowing a couple of the producers to find out more about the job and what it entails. And today, I went to the news director to talk, and our conversation ended with her giving me the job. I guess it's not official yet; I still have to sign the contract and work out details with the production manager, but I start training Sunday night.

I have to sign a contract. Is this a real job or what?

I called my mom and told her, and we both stuttered excitedly on the phone, speaking mostly in incomplete sentences that trailed off to "...wow." I then hung up, put my paycheck in the bank, and started to drive home.

As I crossed the bridge over the Wabash, I started to cry.

I'm so stunned. I can't believe it's true. After I walked out of the office, I thought, "Did that just happen?" But it did. And I'm going to be a producer.

I haven't told Ryan yet, and I can't wait to! He's going to call soon, and then I'm going shopping!

I don't know if you've ever seen the Mary Tyler Moore show, but it's about a girl who's out of college, single, and living alone for the first time. She gets a job as associate producer at a local news station in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I bought the first season of this show on DVD, and I love it. It's very relatable to my life. Well, while I was on the phone with my mom, she said, "You're gonna have to watch another episode of Mary Tyler Moore!" And I said, "I know, that show IS pretty much my life!" Especially now. I know it's corny, but I just love that theme song..."You're gonna make it after all."

Everything's looking up. I've been decorating my apartment, and I finally have it to the point where I want it....it looks really good! My next goal is to budget for a pet. Today our "Pet of the Week" on the noon show was a pair of sweet, mellow cats, and playing with them made me really want a cat. I want a dog, too, but cats are a lot easier to take care of, as well as easier to find. If I got a dog, I would want a specific breed, and if I want a cat, I just want a sweet personality. We'll see. Oh! I also finally have internet in my apartment. I feel like I've officially moved in!

More later, and more often!
Lis ;)