Weather... or Not August 2012 Entries

Posted:

8/31/12

We'll see you next year, August. This year you were a little warmer than usual and a little dryer than usual. But we respect the fact that towards the end you tried your best to wet things up a bit! And we won't talk about how you made me another year older!

Welcome September! You are certainly going to start out getting us wetter around here and we thank you for that! Let's keep that trend going, huh?!?!

Looks like most of us should expect for between 2 to 4 inches of rain through the weekend. But we need to be prepared in ANY GIVEN SPOT to get more than that. Rain totals are still a tough call at this point. But I think if we expect 2 to 4 and are prepared for more we will be in good shape.

"Feedback Friday"

From Nannette (8/30/12):

Well DR. T, Got to admit your analogy of the weather medical team seem to be a good prognosis. The good thing about it is that it need's no cure. Thanks to all of the medical weather team we are kept up to date on all the days procedure. GOOD JOB GUYS! And DR. T thanks for keeping our minds alert.

Heh. You're welcome, Nannette. If nothing else I try to get people to think once in a while!

From Cody (8/30/12):

So Lee's a country doctor? Well, I don't care what you guys say, I'm not letting him stick a finger in me! END OF STORY!
Also, tell Mark and Sam I said hello.
Cody the web guy.

Great googly moogly! That may be the most disturbing image we've ever had here on the blog. Thanks for that, Cody…

Well…that seems to be a good place to end. Good luck this weekend with all of the rain. I spent the past two days "Isaac-proofing" our house, so I think we are ready. The gutters are clean…the sump pump is ready to go, including the emergency backup…and the gutter extensions will go on today. Bring it!

8/30/12

While mowing my lawn yesterday and making preparations for the remnants of Isaac it occurred to me that our weather team at StormCenter 17 is like a medical service. Here is what I mean… (This is meant to be playful so I hope no one I work with is offended…) (When you have to preamble like that isn't it a sign that you shouldn't be voicing your thoughts??)

Kevin Chierek is the kid of the group. He's a couple of years into the business and still learning a lot. He's already a fine meteorologist that knows his stuff. But he's learning the "how" part of what we do. So he is in his medical residency with as much talent as everyone else…but hasn't quite gotten enough time under his belt to get the keys to the store. (Yeah…I just mixed metaphors there…) Sometimes we make him work 6 shifts in a row. And sometimes he gets to do some "real medicine". Good kid with a bright future.

I am like your family doctor. I am proficient in a wide array of areas, but not really a stone-cold specialist in any. I'm the guy that you want to see on a daily basis because when I am around you know things aren't too crazy out of control. Plus…you laugh and have a good time when I am around and I can entertain your kids for hours.

JC Fultz is the ER Chief. When things are hitting the fan and the sirens are blaring you want this guy operating. There is no one better under pressure when your spleen is popping and the tornado of bad health is knocking on your door. However…when things are calm you remember that he is a Cubs fan and named his poor dog Wrigley, for crying out loud.

Lee Davis is the seasoned country doc that doesn't get overly blown up over every little health event. He's been around the block enough to know who needs to be where in his department, and when. The need to "run and gun" doesn't appeal to his ego any longer. He is content being the mentor that helps along his younger team. He also might just know more about hurricanes than anyone else not living on a coastline, oddly enough.

Tomorrow is "Feedback Friday". If you have something to say and you want it on the blog get it in now!

8/29/12

We are starting to get a clearer picture on the weekend. As it stands most of the area could be looking at a few inches of rain starting Friday afternoon through possibly part of Sunday. It's very good that it will be stretched out over the course of a couple of days. If that kind of rain comes down in a day we are going to have some serious flooding issues. But with it being stretched out a bit there is a much better chance that the rain will be able to soak in fairly well.

Like I've said all this week even with that kind of rain we will still be in a drought. We have been so incredibly dry that it would take two or three more of these tropical storm systems in a short amount of time to even start getting us caught up to normal/average. Having said that…getting four or five inches of rain this weekend will certainly help our situation. Sadly, though, my guess is that Decatur and surrounding areas will still be under water restrictions regardless of how much rain we get this weekend.

8/28/12

Still looking like a decent chance for us to get some remnants of Tropical Storm Isaac into the weekend. A few things have to come together for this to happen…and we don't want to get people's hopes up too much. But as it stands right now Friday late afternoon through at least Saturday night looks like a decent chance for scattered showers with maybe a storm or two.

First…Isaac needs to keep the current track through the Gulf of Mexico. Sometime in the next 24 hours I think we are expecting landfall. Then Isaac has to continue inland and push this far north. If the current track is kept the remnants will at least hit southern Illinois…and possibly here in Central Illinois. If that happens then the remnants have to hold enough moisture to punch through the dry air we will have in place here after a few days of sunny and hot. If the remnants can punch through the dry air here it looks good for a decent rainfall spread out over a couple of days.

What we don't want to happen is to get a few inches in a short amount of time. That would just lead to run off and flooding. But if the same amount of rain was spread out over a couple of days there would be a much better chance for the rain to soak in and do some real good. And just to keep things in perspective…we are so far behind normals at this point that even if Isaac were to bring us 6 inches of rain over 2 or 3 days it would take two more tropical storms within a week or two just to get us caught up to where we usually are this time of the year. BONE DRY is what we are.

8/27/12

This week our attention will be placed on Tropical Storm/Hurricane Isaac. Right now the outlook is for Isaac to make landfall around New Orleans tomorrow, possibly as a category 2 hurricane. That will mean sustained winds of around 100 miles per hour and of course lots and lots of rain. While that will not be good for the Gulf Coast…the stronger Isaac is at landfall the better the chance mainland USA will see for some much needed rain.

We use a few different weather models to help us predict the weather. The way it looks right now some of the models have the remnants of Isaac actually holding together and making it up this way. IF…and it is a big if right now…this holds true and we get Isaac this weekend there is potential for a few inches of rain. Keep your fingers crossed…and we'll keep our eyes on it. Obviously we can't say for sure if this will happen this morning…but right now it looks like it is a possibility.

What we do not need is 3 inches of rain all at once. If that happens the water will just run off and we could have flash floods. But if the remnants of Isaac were to come up this way and give us a few inches of rain over a day or two it would give the water time to soak into the ground…and that would be the ideal situation.

And for those that would ask the obvious question…we would need 4 or 5 "Isaacs" in a row for us to get back on track, moisture-wise. But if things come together this weekend it will certainly be a jump in the right direction.

8/24/12

So this morning I brought in "Better Than Sex" cake. Of course tomorrow is my birthday…so Faye made the cake last night. Early this morning she got up when I did to put the finishing touches on the thing. She Went above and beyond…and the people at work are digging. So thanks, Faye!

I always thought that the person that named that cake wasn't doing something right…

"Feedback Friday"!!!

From Jim (8/23/12):

I listen to Scott and Scott on most mornings and agree with you that they are fun, nice guys. They seem to keep up with current events, and stay very well informed on local issues. Bob Murray is still my all time favorite local weatherman, other than Viet Nam veteran Pat Sajack, who was my "local" when I lived in southern California. He would say "Today it will be 80 degrees, and it will stay that way for many months, so can I just go home now? This is a very boring job." A young Tom Brokaw was our local news anchor back then, who I met and respected enormously after he spoke eloquently at our library. He's a true American patriot who hadn't written any books back then, but I always knew that he would. I bought and read them all with pleasure.

I understand that you and Bob Murray had some misgivings toward each other years ago, but when WAND failed to sign a new contract with him, it was a monumental mistake by the "suits". Bob was back then constantly showing up in all towns, and being WAND's best ever, and only ambassador. He seemed to run non-stop, and when his wonderful friend the obese Mr. England died, (I forget his first name at this moment, maybe Russ?) Bob slimmed down for a while. He sent me an email long ago to invite me to his radio show, and say that he had no hard feelings toward WAND. He said something like: "I've always loved radio more than TV, and I'm looking forward to this change. Thank you for your support Jim."

I can understand that, since you can do "radio" unshaven in your underwear, instead of wearing a foolish red hat above your necktie. <grin> Years ago on ABC Tom Schneider was the anchor, and their "news" became so silly that their ratings went in the tank. After they fired him… he had a very successful late night talk show, and I usually watched him interviewing rare people like the actor /author Sterling Hayden, which was totally fascinating.

The weather here is 80 or so, but I am certain that it will soon change. Can I go home now?

Griz England is the radio legend of whom you speak, Jim. I was thinking about Bob's impact on this area on my way to work this morning. Obviously when he was here at the station he was larger than life. Like you said, Jim, no one was in the community more than Bob.

I wouldn't say that Bob and I had misgivings with each other, per se. When I've commented here on Bob in the past what I have tried to convey is my respect for him. It was his job to pass along feedback from The Suits at the time…and I was young and immature and rarely took the criticism well. At the time I resented it a bit. But in time as I grew up and learned how things work my respect for Bob grew. Good or bad…with Bob Murray you knew where you stood. And after doing this gig for close to 15 years now that is something that is rare. There are people that will tell you that you are doing well to your face. And then you hear from other people that the same person told them they didn't like a lot of what you were doing. But if Bob had an issue he was respectful enough to be honest.

He and I have talked about this recently when we're doing the radio stuff. It was good to clear the air and it gave me the chance to tell him what a large impact he's had on my career.

I just want to make sure that comes across on this blog. Sometimes my tone and dry sense of humor doesn't come across very well!

That's it for this week! Thanks for hitting the blog. Hopefully when I type the blog for Monday it will be raining…

8/23/12

I just read that Cromwell Radio in Decatur is bringing in WCIA to help them with their weather coverage. For those that don't know Cromwell owns 106.7 The Fox, Talk 101, WEJT, and some kind of party station. Obviously having a group of radio stations in our "home town" use some of our competition for their weather stings a bit. However when these deals are made there is a lot behind the scenes that happens…and I have no idea what kind of arrangement they made with each other.

The part that interests me is that we've done a lot over the years with Cromwell Radio. I've talked about Scott and Scott from Talk 101 quite a bit. When I lived in Champaign I commuted for a while with Scott Lithgow, who lived in Urbana at the time. We didn't know one another before the commute started. But I felt like we became friends. We still occasionally keep in touch, although he lives in Mount Zion and I live in Mattoon now. And of course anyone that has met Scott Busboom in person has to be an immediate fan of his. They are both good dudes.

While I am happy for them to be working with a TV station, part of me is sad that I won't be the one doing weather with them in the morning. As you might also know we have been doing weather for WTAX over in Springfield for a while. I go on twice with Bob Murray every morning and it has been a bit of a career highlight for me. My guess is that is part of the reason we can't do weather for other radio stations. I mean…we can't very well talk to two different radio stations at the same time. But I really would have dug working with Scott and Scott.

8/22/12

The next couple of days will be getting a little bit hotter. Now…I am not talking about 108 degree heat. But tomorrow and Friday we could see the lower to middle 90's with a little more humidity. And that is a little bit warmer than it has been around here for at least a few days. Coming out of the weekend it's really starting to look like a decent chance for more rain. Sunday night into Monday we should see some scattered storms. And hopefully they will produce nice rainfall totals around the area.

See…you can always tell when there isn't much on my mind when I do the blog. I can always fall back on the weather! (You may have read…some people prefer that we only talk about weather on these blogs…)

8/21/12

I know last week one person that sampled this blog expressed displeasure at the fact that I was discussing politics on this blog. Well last week someone sent me a link to a video that was interesting. Well…maybe interesting is the wrong word. It wasn't interesting. It was kind of boring. But it is very informative, if it is factually correct. It is a guy's breakdown of our federal budget. Again…I don't know how factual it is, and the guy doesn't have an enthralling delivery. But I watched the thing and it contains a lot of information. So as I often do I will pass this link along so you may check it out if you like!

Here is the link.

8/20/12

This week is the start of my birthday week celebration! Those of you that have read this blog long, or know me outside of my job, are probably laughing at that first sentence. I'm not really into birthdays or holidays. But once in a while I like to have fun with the birthday bit. Last year I even got in trouble at work for putting fireworks graphics on the 7 day forecast. This time around my birthday is on a Saturday so I won't likely make a huge deal about it like I "tried" to do last year.

We had a pretty fine weekend. As I recall I don't think we did anything out of the ordinary on Friday. We got some couch time. We've been rewatching "The Sopranos" on HBO Go and we are coming down to the final 3 or 4 episodes. This is the 3^rd or 4^th time I have seen these episodes now. It is still number 2 on my all time TV shows list. MASH takes the first spot, for those of you keeping track.

Saturday night Mark Rivera, his girlfriend, and our morning editor Andrew came over for a smallish-sized cookout. I have to say it was a very good time! Mark is a good dude. But if you tell him I said that I will lie through my teeth. We wouldn't want him to get a big head…

8/17/12

Well I'm glad those storms are over! Many of us through the area got some much needed rain yesterday. Unfortunately some of us also got damaging wind, too. The weekend is clearing out, though. So if there is a positive you will feel it this weekend!

Lots of thoughts to get through from yesterday's blog…

"Feedback Friday"

From Jessica (off of Facebook) (8/16/12):

I think first off, one should understand that the blog is not required reading in order to get the news/weather. If the idea of a blog is not attractive to someone they simply do not need to read it. Also if the views expressed in said blog...

do not coincide with the reader's again, they do not have to read it. It is the fact that we can all have different views and still live with each other peacefully that makes a community strong. We are living in a digital age. Darn near everyone has a blog, vlog, or some other media through which they express their views, silly rankings, or whatever is on their mind. It seems that the reason for WAND providing us access to these blogs is to give us an inside look at people we may see each day, but don't know much about. It gives those individuals on the news a chance to connect with the people out there. One viewer may feel the words of a meteorologist are of no import while another is curious to see what he thinks. It is there for those who want to read it. As for your take on the blogger/meteorologist's personality. Well, someone may be the most perfect wonderful apple in the world but there will always be someone out there who just hates apples. Networking is no longer an in-person or door-to-door act as much as its online now. From a marketing point, a viewer is more likely to be loyal to a brand with which he or she can connect. What better way to connect than through a form of interaction, sharing experiences, opinion, or ideas. And about the "professional" aspect of the blog. While your opinion is understandable, I feel sometimes professionalism and "stuffy with no sense of humor" share a boundary which is all too frequently blurred. The people we see on tv delivering us the news have multiple aspects to their personalities. For some, it is nice to see it.

Many of my exact same thoughts, Jessica…

From David (8/13/12):

I'll miss Stephanie. She seemed to have a great sense of humor. She was always smiling. Best of luck in her future ventures.

Agreed, David. She was a lot of fun to work with every morning.

From Nannette (8/14/12):

Greg .. your dry sarcastic humor is what make's you, you! I see you as a Abbot and Costello, Martin and Lewis type, you set it up and wait to see what happens. That's why there is a lot of morning viewers, not only do we get NEW'S & WEATHER but we get to watch a great broadcast with levity to start the day . It work's just keep doing what you do. BTW Congrats to you and Mark on the WIN !!!!

Oh no worries, Nannette! I gotta be me… (Thanks for the kind words…)

From Karen (8/15/12):

Good Morning Greg..I pay very little attention to the bashing etc. between the candidates and ads. Obviously,I hear and see some and I agree with you. I told my husband the other day that right now I don't want to vote for either one at this time. I want to focus on the issues at hand and what can be done about getting America right again. It's very sad indeed when both sides drive a person away..

Since the day we blogged about this I think the campaign has gotten even more negative. Sad state of affairs.

From Phil (8/15/12):

Greg, I agree with your "little kids" comments regarding the campaign strategy (or lack thereof) going on from all four candidates. Reminds me of 4 kindergarteners fighting over a crayon...and it's QUITE disgusting and disturbing.

Well said, Cissna Park!

From Scott (8/16/12):

I was under the impression that you were a robot sent from outer space to talk about high pressure systems. Is this not true?

Not true, Scott. You're thinking of JC Fultz. Heyyyy-oooooooo

From Karen (8/16/12):
Good morning Greg..Sounds like you ruffled someone's feathers that didn't agree with you..First of all,the blog is only received if a person signs up for it and not just sent randomly..I firmly believe that the blog says you're interested in intereacting with your viewers and I think the blog is great..I don't always agree with you on issues but everyone is entitled to their own opinions and I respect that..I'm just really shocked that someone willingly read the blog and then wrote your boss..I sure hope you keep the blog going for all of us that enjoy reading it each morning..I also look forward to the Fri. feedback where we can see what others think..There's nothing unprofessional about it at all in my mind..

Hmmm…maybe we should look into making this blog mandatory reading! That would really help my numbers…

From A Gregorian (8/16/12):

Hi Greg, For your unsatisfied viewer.

Dear Unsatisfied, It's hard to please every customer, or viewer when you provide a service to a community. We hope your other choice gives you what you need in TV viewing.

Please fill free to return to Wand TV Weather so you are up to date during threatening weather here in Illinois.

Yours truly, Weather Bug Greg

From Angie (8/16/12):

First, strapping a dog to the roof of a car is not trivial. A person's character is shown in how they treat the most vulnerable in their lives; if it did happen, he's cruel and sadistic. That's not who I want as a leader. Now, I truly enjoy the WAND morning show. It's serious when it needs to be and fun when it can. Why would you do a blog? I could give reasons like it generates dialogue, gets people thinking, etc. But in the end, the question isn't why do one it's why not? It's your right and people read it. Some people just like to be rude and nasty. And can I just tell you how irritated I get with people who have these big, strong opinions but are afraid to attach their name to it?? Ignore it; person's a putz!

So even if the dog/car incident happened 25 years ago it still concerns you? We've all done stupid things at one time or another. If we wait for a candidate that has never made a mistake we will be waiting forever. I am much more concerned with how they intend to steer our country.

Completely agree about signing your name to opinions.

From Karolyn (8/16/12):

I, for one, look forward every morning to reading what you have to say. I like knowing that the people giving us our news and weather are every day people too. So, Greg, keep doing what you do. I believe there are lot of people out there that do enjoy hearing what you have to say. And to those that don't, I would say "don't read it if you don't like it".

Nice mantra!

From Kim (8/16/12):

Yet they're taking the time, precious time since it has been so "wasted" by you and your shenanigans, to send yet another hate message. Seems like some one is a bit jealous and wants some air time? Don't give them anymore!

Another great question…if you don't like something that is completely voluntary why take the time to send an email?

From Terry (8/16/12):

First of all it confuses me as to why this person takes the time to read your blog if it does not interest them. Second we have a choice what we want to read on the internet as well as what channel we chose to watch. We are not forced to read this blog nor watch your weather casts each day. I read the blog because it is at times funny and although I may not always agree with your opinion it is well taken. Many people love your style and humor and I am glad that I know somewhat first hand so to speak "how you roll". It is one of my routine first stops every morning as I begin the day. It is with that I say "keep up the good work my friend, you are not any of the personalities that the person said you were." And oh by the way we agree on our choice of favorite baseball team. I do check the other blogs but not just for the latest news but to read a more personal side of that person. I hope the blogs continue

Thanks, Terry. And let me just add…you are a terrific bowler!

From Jim (8/16/12):

Trumbold,

Where does this unnamed coward get the idea that being a weatherman deletes your First Amendment rights? A blog is like a TV show: If you don't like it, then shut up and DON'T watch it! Personally, I don't have to agree with everything I read or see on-line, and in fact I rather enjoy the errant, naive opinions of "big government liberals". <grin> Sometimes I actually learn something from them, but to be honest… it hasn't happened lately. It's not been my experience that you are too political, too egotistical, or too subjective in your comments. Being a bit weird isn't yet a crime as far as I know. I prefer WAND news mainly because you have more robust weather systems and local reporting than your competitors.

Although it was an unsigned email, can I assume that you can use the "reply button" if you wish? I would ostensibly send them a friendly response, and thank them for caring enough to waste his or her time while away from their beloved professionals at WICS. I would wish them well, and all the happiness in the world.

Then again… ignoring them would likely be the best revenge, but you've already given them some notoriety by including their email excerpts on your blog.

Hey, Jim. Giving them attention is an issue to which I've given much thought over the years. Fact is…if the person had given us the courtesy of a name I would have replied. That is what I do when sent an email with a name attached. At the very least the person deserves a response, whether they like me or not. As a matter of fact…I am now "online friends" with a few people that initially sent me unhappy emails (stop me if this sounds familiar, Jim!!). But someone that doesn't attach a name doesn't deserve much, in my opinion. So I don't usually respond, and I have yet to respond to this person. However…I will use his/her email to "pop" my blog numbers…

From Jill (8/16/12):

Wow, its a blog... plain and simple. When you open a person's blog whether they're a politician, weatherman, teacher, philanthropist, hooker, whatever- you're expecting a personal opinion, no?! So if you don't want to read someone's personal thoughts/opinions...then don't read a blog. They made themselves look stupid, good job. Also, when have you ever been arrogant?

Good question, Jill. Generally I feel too poorly about myself to be arrogant! But I thought the same thing…blogs are not mandatory!

From Lee Ann (8/16/12):

Why am I interested in Greg's blog? Well, let's see. Anyone with a sense of humor would know that Greg is a funny guy on TV, his blog, and on Facebook. Who wouldn't want a good laugh once in awhile? Besides that though, it's always good to hear what other people, regardless of their occupation, have to say about today's issues. To think that your views and opinions are the only way, and not listen to others, seems egotistical to me. There's your answer. Now here's some questions for the writer of the email. If you are not even interested, and don't like Greg, why do you even pose the questions you did? And why would you think you even deserve an answer? Who's egotistical? What do you care what Greg does, if you aren't going to read his blog, or watch him on TV? There is no reason for tearing someone down or questioning what they do, just because you don't like them. And to Greg, keep being you and doing what you do. Ignore the negative and embrace the positive. You're one of the good guys.

No worries, Lee Ann. I don't take these emails/comments to heart. Sometimes complaint emails really are well written and constructive. When those come in you try to learn what you can from them. But something that isn't constructive…or even logical…does not have a lingering impact on my life. I just posted it to provide some entertainment for the Gregorians!

From Danny (8/16/12):
Just because some classless individual thinks your blog should just be about the weather doesn't mean others don't like your blog. Probably the competition. Anyway I like your blog if all i wanted was the weather I could just watch it on tv or the website.

Now I am not suggesting that because someone doesn't happen to like what I do it means they work for the competition. But that thought did occur to me with this particular piece of feedback.

From Jo (8/16/12):

Hi Greg,

Unlike your non-fan who wrote to your bosses about the WAND meteorologists' blogs, I do read them on a regular basis. I do prefer the "weather" over the "not", so I like JC's blog better. No offense intended, just personal preference. I still read your blog. Even when I disagree strongly with what you say, I still read it.

I found it interesting how you handled your two latest instances of critical feedback. You obviously caught some flak about your description of what an interim anchor would have to do to lose the job. I laughed at that when I first read it, but I cringed, too -- I knew you'd hear about your choice of phrasing! But you explained it in your next blog posting, and you didn't really take issue with being criticized.

The letter to your boss seems to have provoked a different kind of reaction from you. Maybe because "The Suits" are giving you more heat for it. Personally, I think the letter-writer is welcome to go watch WICS -- their weather coverage isn't very good, IMHO. But I'm sure "The Suits" don't feel that way. And maybe that's why you're asking for feedback from your audience of readers, rather than just saying to the writer OK, that's your opinion and you're welcome to it (as you have done in the past).

Here's how I see it. You've always made it clear that your blog will cover a variety of topics. And, for the most part, you haven't gotten into _too_ much trouble (at least not enough to get the blog taken down). But that blog lives on the WAND servers, under the WAND brand, so ultimately what goes on there reflects on WAND, all disclaimers aside. Your bosses would be within their rights to say go put this stuff up somewhere else, and don't mention your connection with WAND anywhere on that page. If they get a sufficient number of complaints fom viewers, they may very well do that.

I think you're living on the edge a little, especially in central Illinois, and we need folks like that. There are times when I want to fire off a "Greg, are your mouth and your brain not connected today?" email, but I don't do it. And I keep reading. Even when I'm offended. Even when I think you're really wrong.

Whether or not that kind of content belongs on the WAND servers is not for me to say. But if it moves, I will follow it. I don't do social networking of any kind, but I also follow as much of your writing on Facebook and Twitter as I can without creating an account. I'm hoping that I can continue to read what you write in the future. I can be tolerant. If I can forgive the blatantly pro-Cubs slant of many of the blogs at WAND (which is difficult for a long-time Cardinal fan), I can put up with (what I sometimes see as) wacky politics, conspiracy theories, and assorted ramblings. What you write is often very interesting and certainly never dull!

This probably isn't the kind of endorsement you were asking for, but there's my feedback, for what it's worth. I am a late-middle-aged moderate female reader/WAND viewer who still believes you have a right to your opinions. If the powers that be at WAND don't want you to exercise that right under their umbrella, I feel sure you'll find another way.

No offense taken, Jo! I appreciate your opinion. JC does a great, meaty weather blog.

Actually…this email hasn't caused me any flak at all. It was sent to me so I could be aware of it. "The Suits" here have loads of experience and know how to react to any criticism or compliment. Like I mentioned above…some people are just venting and some people actually have good, solid, valid points to make. One of the many ways we are lucky at this TV station is that we have bosses that get the difference. That hasn't always been the case at this station. We had a boss recently that would overreact to any piece of feedback that came into the joint. That was a real pain in the butt!

From Ole Dave (8/16/12):

Hey Greg, this is Ole Dave here. I felt it was my duty to defend my buddy at WAND. Your blog is the main reason that I log in to the WAND site every weekday. The stuff you write about is funny, but also very informative. I also check out the blogs of some of the other persons, but not the weather people. Kevin is okay, but Lee is boring and JC talks way too fast. I am at a loss as to why that complainer finds the WICS weather team so talented. Marianne Manko is great. but the rest of WAND reporting team far outshines WICS, especially weather. I find the blogs to be an inside view of the people whom I watch on screen. It lets me know what kind of people I am watching and I can form a better opinion of them as real people and not just talking heads. Keep up the good work.

Dave! Glad you chimed in on this one…

From Nannette (8/16/12):

OK you self centered egoistical unprofessional, we just can't stand to see you upset anyone any more. You must blog twice a day go on FB more often, get the hum drum days out of our lives and KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK YOU DO and the Fun you put into the morning broadcast , and as for the ONE viewer that likes the BORING news station they can go and we'll stay in our HAPPY PLACE. G O GET'EM GREG !!!

Heh. It's all about ME, Nannette!!!

From David (8/16/12):

WHY , you ask, would we want to hear your opinions on anything but the weather? WELL, maybe because there's alot more to a person than the job. It adds a personality to the face on TV. If this person wants to hear about nothing but weather , don't read the blog. Simple enough? No offence Greg, but there's a lot more to life than weather.

How dare you suggest something like that, David!!

Thank you all for the feedback this week. Again…don't worry about the email I posted yesterday. It isn't jeopardizing my job, this blog, or the harmony in the world as a whole. I posted it to give you a look at some of the stuff we get here at work. A little behind the scenes peek at one of the nastier aspects of our jobs here. This email was actually fairly mild. You should see some of the stuff the women around here get! (And for the record…if you happen to think you like one of our female anchors you will get NO WHERE with them by emailing them asking for a date. Take yourself out of the situation you're in and you will realize how creepy that is. No offense intended…)

That's it for this week! Enjoy the weekend…

8/16/12

Tomorrow is "Feedback Friday" here on the blog. Most of the time when I receive feedback it will be posted on the blog on Friday. But this morning I want to share something with you that I received yesterday. It was sent to my boss yesterday morning and then passed down the chain to me. I am posting it because I need your help answering the questions that were posed in the email. From my point of view I don't think I am able to properly answer but I think you can. I won't show you the entire email and, sadly, I can't tell you who sent it…because there wasn't a name attached to the email. Here is an excerpt:

I cannot begin to comprehend why your meteorologists have their own blogs. Whose idea was it, and why would anyone consider anything any of them had to say that's non-weather related of any possible interest?? My main issue is with Greg Trumbold, whom I cannot stand in any capacity. I have wasted a few minutes of my time perusing his blog, which is nothing but an arrogant, self-important, opinionated ego-fest. Why should we care about his latest pontifications and views about politics, social issues, etc.?? Just one more reason I choose to watch WICS on a regular basis. Their staff is extremely professional, and would never waste their time on such meaningless, egocentric crap.

So…anyone want to take a stab at why anyone is interested in reading what we have to say on our blogs? Send me your thoughts by hitting the feedback section below and I will post them tomorrow for "Feedback Friday"…

8/15/12

I haven't gotten political on this blog in quite a while. And I won't get too deep into it here this morning. But I just wanted to mention that I am a little bit disgusted that the Presidential campaign is already getting cheap and ugly. Some of the things these four candidates are starting to say about one another do not belong in a Presidential campaign, in my opinion. For four people trying to become the two most powerful people in the world I think it should be beneath them to get so low-rent with their comments towards one another.

It is embarrassing to me to hear the President talking about his opponent strapping his dog to the top of his car. My guess is if he has to stoop to talking about something so trivial that his platform must be pretty week. And for the other side to insinuate that the President is trying to make our country weaker on purpose is ludicrous. Come on, Gentlemen. Why don't you spend less time being little kids and more time telling us what you actually have in mind for our country.

It really makes me want to throw out my vote on a third party candidate in protest…because right now I don't want to vote for any of these guys.

8/14/12

Did you read this blog yesterday? It was the big announcement of what is happening to some of our people in the morning. Any time you are discussing personnel matters there is only so much you can say. If you aren't careful you can end up on the expensive end of a lawsuit. So when I mention anything happening with who is working where and who is moving on I am always VERY careful how I word things. And yesterday was no exception.

Of course…some people still get nervous when I blog about this stuff. I did get some "constructive feedback" about yesterday's blog. I was questioned about a couple of things…which I have no issue with what-so-ever. But the part of yesterday's blog that got the most attention was how I phrased something regarding "interim anchors". So I thought I would clarify a couple of points here this morning.

First…I never said that Samantha had the job permanently. What I typed was that HISTORICALLY when someone is named "interim" the job is his/her's unless they "take a dump on the anchor desk". I even went on to say that I have no idea what "The Suits" are thinking in terms of Stephanie's permanent replacement. That last quotation is the other part of yesterday's blog that got some attention.

Some people were offended by my choice of words. If you've read this blog for long you'll know that I believe being offended is a personal choice. I choose to not be offended by much of anything. And some people seem to choose to be offended by everything. So if you tell me that something offends you I consider that to be more of a "you problem" most of the time.

Furthermore…the phrase I used was not meant literally. I did not mean that someone would actually drop trou standing on the anchor desk and do the deed. It was a metaphor, if you will, for not doing a good job. So what I am saying is…try not to take it so seriously! I wasn't disrespecting Samantha Singer by using the phrase in close proximity to her name. As a matter of fact she made a joke about it and told me it made her laugh.

8/13/12

Many of you have been asking what has happened to Stephanie Summers. Frankly it is a personnel matter so there isn't much at all I can say about it. But you deserve to at least know where things stand. Stephanie has been on leave for a few weeks now and it is obvious that she hasn't been here. Well Friday it was announced to us that Stephanie has made the decision to move on. I don't have the details and I don't think I would be allowed to tell you if I did.

I loved working with Stephanie. She is good at her job. She has a great personality. And it was fun working with her day in and day out. Personally I will miss working with her. I have not spoken to her in a while…but I hope on some level we stay in touch.

Meanwhile we have had Samantha Singer filling in for Stephanie during her absence. From what I understand Samantha is now the "interim anchor". Historically that has meant that this is a trial run and unless she takes a dump on the anchor desk she will become permanent, although in no way would I presume to have any idea what direction "The Suits" will take this or what they are thinking.

I just wanted to give you a heads up that Stephanie has moved on and at least for the time being Samantha will continue with us in the morning.

8/10/12

Running behind with the blog this morning! Sorry…I had a "project" I was trying to wrap up this morning.

"Feedback Friday"!!

From David (8/7/12):

Scientifically, to think that in the vastness of space, we are the only living beings is completely egotistical. There is just no way that Earth is that unique. Religion changes that opinion, of course, but realistically, there has to be life out there, somewhere. Weather it's on Mars or not, is still up for grabs. Other than Marvin, of course. LOL

I'm glad you said "scientifically", Dave! Of course religiously, depending on the religion, it is quite clear that we are the only life in the universe. It will be interesting to see how the Mars rover turns out, and if something is found how that information will be disseminated.

From Tammy (8/8/12):

Greg, Happy Birthday to your Mom! I have noticed some changes in the morning crew. I was just curious, what happened to Stephanie? We haven't seen her for a while and I was just wondering. Keep up the great work on the morning show! Tammy

Stephanie has been on leave, Tammy. That's about all I can say about that.

From Dave (8/8/12):

HAPPY BIRTHDAY , GREG'S MOM !!

That would be cool if we could get a live feed. Why not? What are they hiding from us? LOL

I'm also not sure why we don't get that live feed from the Mars rover! It would be awesome if we did. And the fact that we don't just leads people to believe that there is something going on that we don't know about.

That's it for this week! Have a great weekend…

8/9/12

This morning I had to walk to my car in the rain! It was fantastic. The storms last night actually woke me up a few times and I don't mind at all. Not all of us got decent rain last night but closer to Interstate 70, even as far north as Mattoon, had some good, soaking rains last night. I am looking forward to getting home later today to see if it makes any difference with the grass.

We do have a chance for more rain later on this afternoon. We could still catch some spotty showers this morning. But most of our action today should be this afternoon into this evening. Basically if we get decent sunshine between now and when the storms kick off there will be a chance for some severe storms, too. The biggest issue could be damaging wind…and of course we will be here to let you know what the storms are doing and where they are headed, as necessary. Bare in mind that the Olympics are still happening, though…so we likely won't cut into programming unless it gets pretty hairy!

8/8/12

--Today is my Mom's birthday. Happy birthday, Mom! Love you…

--Maybe someone can clue me in to this…but do we have the technology that would allow us to stream live video from the Curiosity Mars Rover? Any teenager with a cell phone can stream any video from anywhere on this planet. But can we send a live feed from a rover unit on Mars to stream live here on Earth? If we can…why aren't we? Why aren't we allowed to see what the Rover is seeing live? We paid for this mission. It comes from tax dollars. That means it is ours. We stream live video from cages in zoos so we can watch animals go to the bathroom. Why can't we watch what is happening LIVE with the Mars rover?

Doesn't that make you wonder?

8/7/12

Yesterday I mentioned the Mars rover that just landed on Mars and how I thought there would be some HUGE announcement just in time for the Presidential election in November. As it turns out I have time to talk more about it this morning. This won't be some crazy conspiracy theory. It is just my opinion of how this thing is going to go down.

It is entirely feasible that there has been life of some kind on another planet in our infinite universe. When we talk about life on another planet you have to keep in mind that we are not necessarily speaking about humanoid life. The life could be microbial. That means a single-celled organism or something even smaller. And it also doesn't mean that whatever has been out there living has to be alive now. We could find evidence that something was once alive. And this is what I think the Mars rover will find on Mars.

If the rover hasn't already found some evidence of life on Mars I think it soon will. But of course the announcement will be put off until we get closer to the election. Now maybe this does get a little conspiratorial…but this is how things like this are done. The very expensive Mars rover project actually bears fruit that could very well shake the foundation of our beliefs about the universe up to now. The information is "analyzed" thoroughly for a couple of months. And then just before we head to the polls we are told that thanks to President Obama's vision of what our space program should be we now know that there is life on other planets. Think about it.

Thoughts on this? Hit the feedback section below. Your thoughts will be posted on "Feedback Friday". (I'm secretly hoping someone tries to argue the hardcore "religious" side to this argument because I don't believe finding life on another planet flies in the face of modern religious beliefs…)

8/6/12

A rover landed on Mars early this morning! Something tells me there will be a HUGE announcement about our universe by the time we vote for the next president. I don't have a lot of time on the blog this morning because of other issues this morning. Maybe I can expound on this subject tomorrow morning if everything goes the way it is supposed to with my morning routine. But my guess is that our government already knows much more than they are telling us...and I think because of the election year there will be something HUGE announced sometime in October. Stay tuned!

8/3/12

Finally…rain has come back…to Central Illinois…

Granted not everyone got rain…but those of us that did saw some fairly nice downpours. Springfield officially has two thirds of an inch. The airport in Mattoon officially had a little over half an inch. My house had to have had over a half inch of rain. When it started raining at my house I went out on the deck and stood in it for about five minutes. It felt GREAT!

"Feedback Friday"!!!

From Harry (7/27/12):

I have news for you, it's impossible to do anything "on accident."

The term is "by accident."

And I have news for you, Harry. Unfortunately I can't give it to you here.

From Phil (7/30/12):

Hi there Greg. we had local cable up here, but were getting a LOT of "freeze frame" issues so we cancelled that. Like you we subscribe to their internet service and we're happy with that. We tried DISH, first, and opted to go with DirecTV. DirecTV is much better, and crystal clear...even out here in the cornfields of Iroquois County. I vote DirecTV!

Yeah…I think pretty soon I will do something with DirecTV. I'm not sure what I would do without being able to consume myself with the NFL on Sundays through the Fall.

From John (7/31/12):

I'm with you Greg. Alot of times there is no reason for gas prices to jump up the way they do! They sure don't go down that quick. I hope there is someone out there that could explain this phenomena in laymans terms to the rest of us

Most stations around the area are up to around $3.95 a gallon now. They say the reason is some leak in a major gas line between the US and Canada or something.

From David (8/2/12):

TOGA !!

I don't think there is anything I can add to this feedback, David!

That's it for this week. Thanks for reading the blog. We might catch some more rain later this afternoon in a few spots. We will have a better chance for more of us to get rain tomorrow into tomorrow night!

8/2/12

--One month ago today I married the most beautiful woman in the world! (Don't worry…I won't acknowledge the date every single week on the blog…but the first month is important, no??) It was easily the best choice I've made.

--Man…I am having one of those mornings. I woke up late. The dogs were out of the routine. My coffee mug exploded…but fortunately only my hand was covered in hot coffee. I left the house for work late. In Sullivan I got stuck by the train. The computers at work have been slow this morning. And the equipment I have to use to do some radio weather with Bob Murray wasn't working this morning…again.

Ah, well. We shall survive, right?

--Around 10 this morning Mark Rivera and I will begin our "WAND Office Olympics Challenge" against Noah Newman and Matt Loveless. Honestly I have no idea how this competition is going to go. I've been looking forward to it and Faye bought me a ridiculous wardrobe for the occasion. But it has been quite a while since I have competed in an athletic event. And to top everything else off this morning…I had to go out one belt hole this morning just to be comfortable. This could be a disaster…

8/1/12

--Well July…I wish I could say you were good to us this year. You only brought us about .14" of rain and you were overly hot for most of you. Please don't do that to us again next year. Of course you'll always have a soft spot in my heart considering I got married during you this year.

--Hello August! Today is my cat's birthday…so happy birthday, Macy! (In case she happens to read this blog.) You, August, do have some work to do to correct what June and July have done to us. Just give us some rain and fewer 100 degree days and we will call you a good month this year.

--Apparently this "WAND Office Olympics Challenge" is happening tomorrow morning. The sports guys have challenged Mark Rivera and myself to a series of office-related competitions. We will compete tomorrow morning starting around 10. I'm not sure when you will be able to see it, but I would guess it will air by the middle of next week. Stay tuned!