Pink Stinks

I know Mother always said if you don’t have anything nice to say, “Keep Your Trap SHUT!”  I just can’t.  Over the weekend in Las Vegas, I ate, or should say, I picked at the worst hot dog known to mankind. Oh, it looked good, in fact look at the pictures, almost mouthwatering aren’t they?? The bad thing is one bite of these Hot Pink pigs and the only water in your mouth will be that spray from the inside of your cheeks,  that sure sign you’re seconds away from vomiting and better get to a toilet, STAT.

Why, you might ask did I venture to the land of  ground up grossness?  Well, like a virgin, I fell for the celebrity of the thing.  Yep some big names had put a seal of approval on Hot Pinks.  Holly Madison, Hugh Hefner’s old girlfriend, one of the Kardashian’s….does it really matter which one, and Miss America were all shown at the opening wrapping their mouths around a Hot Pink one.  Now I shudder to think, did they enjoy it?  Maybe they did.  Celebrities are a different breed and maybe this stuff -which I’m sure isn’t on any of their normal diets- is so forbidden it tasted like fruit to them.  (I’m  sure it couldn’t have tasted like meat.)   There’s a slim chance they sincerely believe this is good stuff and thus put their name on a dog.  I, however, am going to believe each and everyone was handsomely reimbursed for their endorsement.

The even scarier thing is I look up Hot Pink’s online and the Hollywood version has every famous face on earth lapping up the dogs, and they’ve been in business 70 years!    I pray that something went very wrong in Las Vegas because my Kansas tastebuds can’t be that wrong!

Well, here’s where Momma would be proud, I do have one good thing to say, I learned a valuable lesson in marketing.  Yep, endorsements do work!  But here’s the thing Hot Pink’s, and all you Hot Women they paid to coax us in there, it only works once!   If you’re venturing to Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas soon, and see Hot Pink’s Hot Dogs, peek inside to see if any celebrities are there then ………..RRRRUUUUNNNNNNNN the other way.

I’m Learning So Much My Brain Hurts

I thought the easiest way to make a woman feel stupid was to let her give birth after the age of 30.   Oh, that worked for me, too….but now, at age 45, I find going back to college as an INSTRUCTOR is really making me feel uneducated!

It’s not that I don’t know what I’m doing when it comes to Video Storytelling or Broadcast News Writing, the two classes I’m teaching at Wichita State University this semester.  I was, after-all, a News Anchor for 20 years.  In my time I did it all, from writing to shooting to editing to messing up names LIVE on the air, I thought that made me smart.  What it made me was good at one thing.  Now that I’ve left the security of the anchor desk, I’m wallowing in things I don’t know, EVERYWHERE I look.

Those of you who follow me on Facebook have watched me try new things.  On-line radio was a hoot, and I loved taping the episodes in my jammies in the basement, but the pay wasn’t worth getting up for.  Free-lance talent has been fun, but it’s performance-based stuff that reminded me a lot of my news days (just less acting….you guess which one!!)  Retail turned out to be something I love, no big shock to anyone who knows me.  Even then, I remember my first days at The First Place coming home complaining that I knew NOTHING.  Didn’t know the jewelry designers, the crystal lines, the houseware top-sellers….I did pick up rather quickly  how to run the credit cards through the machine (probably picked that up by watching my own credit card be swiped a million jillion times.) Now that I’m in the academic world, it’s more of the unknown.  The computer systems are foreign.   The video editing equipment isn’t close to what we used back when I actually did my own editing.  The real kicker there are so many computer log-ins I’m calling myself names I never thought appropriate.

All that aside, and admitting, that I’m getting tired of learning new things again…..I’m also realizing I’m even SMARTER than I was before.  I actually feel sorry for lifers, like me, who get really good and comfortable and start thinking they know it all.  Sure, I knew it all,  within the walls of my cubicle, but back out in the real world I’m hard at work learning all the things I thought someone ELSE needed to know.  

Best Coupon EVER

Just yesterday when I was watching Oprah eating Bon-bons (okay there were no bon-bons!), I watched a woman win $25,000.  I was totally phsyched for her because it had DEEP meaning watch it over on Oprah, that’s a whole other story.  I was more jealous of all the audience members who went home with $5o0!!  Each and every one.  Yes, I’ve tried to get Oprah tickets before and never could, so not only do I not get to see her in person, I’ve got ZERO chance of any goodies, until now.

I missed todays episode but luckily I follow several blogs (Momswhosave.com) and they passed along the good news that Oprah and Payless Shoe Source were teaming up for a HEFTY coupon. I printed it so fast your head may have spun, I know mine did.  It’s the kind where you get 50 percent off EVERYTHING you buy.  Not one item, not buy one full price get one half off this was full-fledged, BREAKING NEWS I’M BROKE, certified GOOD news.

We just got back from Payless, and we were not alone.  Thank you Oprah for giving ALL of us a break and Payless, I’ll never forget you giving us a break either.  Good Coupons lead to Good Customers. (insert your best Terminator Voice here) Rest Assured Payless,  I’LL BE BACK.  And might I add, the girls at the New Market Square Payless store in Wichita, KS were absolutely AWESOME.  As busy as they were they couldn’t have been nicer.  When I said, I’m gonna go home and facebook and blog about it, they answered, “Please do.   This is a great deal!!”    Wish I had gotten their names, but Mr. Manager or Ms. Manager please let them know, they done GOOD.

Oprah Has Hers, I Have Mine

So what if Oprah Winfrey’s favorites are on everyone’s Christmas lists each year, I have a feeling the things on my favorite list are more attainable, and for sure are more affordable than the ones you’ll find on Oprah’s.  Besides all that, my favorites are most likely available at every Walmart, Target, Dillons and Walgreens in America so your drive to stock up won’t be a long one, and if you play your cards right you’ll likely find a coupon for them too.

Let’s start in the dryer. I couldn’t resist the Bounce Dryer bar.  You stick it to the wall of the dryer and don’t have to bother with dryer sheets, according to the package for like four months!  I haven’t had mine more than a couple weeks but so far so good.  Even if it only lasts three months I have to say I didn’t realize how annoying those dryer sheets were till I didn’t have to mess with them anymore.  The clothes look and smell good, this one is a go.  (Yes they are kind of pricey but I had a coupon, OF COURSE! and remember you only need three of them per YEAR!)  As you see in the picture, it looks like a Twinkie on your dryer wall, but I bet not quite as tasty!

Every year for my Dad & Carla’s wedding anniversary I get them a cake from Cheri’s Bakery.  This year, because I try to get a different flavor every time, I chose lemon because I thought all the other ones I had picked before.  Let me just explain, I don’t like to buy stuff I don’t like.  I don’t like lemon food.  I love lemon in my tea, water and lemon drops. That’s where the lemon love ends.  In the interest of being a loving daughter I bought it anyway and figured oh well, I’ll just save myself the temptation of all those calories and the rest of the family can enjoy.  WRONG.  That cake has my mouth watering weeks later.  It was sooooo moist and luscious.  Let’s just say, if you ever go to Cheri’s and aren’t sure what to buy, pick the Lemon Cake.

And finally this go around, I’m waiting anxiously for my friends from Beau Monde spa in Wichita to call me to tell me my new powder is in.  I am sooooo NOOOOOTTTTTT a fan of mineral powder.  I’ve tried it all, and frankly, that crap is invisible on me.   Invisible is not a good thing for me and makeup, I want the high-powered stuff to cover up every imperfection or what’s the point.  Anyway, one of the girls out  at Beau Monde West sent me home with a sample of the new Matte version of the Bare Escentuals foundation.  I tried it just for grins and giggles and I GLOWED.  Not in a freaky way, but in that blushing-bride, WOW-I-Look-Better-Than-I-Did-Seconds-Ago way!  So, I ran back to Beau Monde to get me some.  NOT.  Allegedly I’m not the only one who loves it, the company didn’t make enough in my color.  So I’m waiting patiently to get my Matte Minerals and I’m being nice to let you in on it now, so you can wait with me.  Misery loves company.  Later dudes, and dudettes.

What The Hell-o Am I Doing?

It’s the question I most want to vomit over whenever I am asked these days, and that would be often.  Even without makeup, typically with three day old hair and glasses…. if I open my mouth to speak, someone will recognize the voice and then peg me as “Anita Cochran”……the NEWS LADY!   “So what ARE you doing now?”  is the question that inevitably follows.  The answer is easy yet complicated.  To-the-point yet evasive.  Honest yet not really truthful.    That answer is, “Whatever I want.”

My good friends have heard me speak about all the changes that would be coming into my life for more than a year now.  It happened in Paris in April 2008, when my entire life seemed to make sense, but not in its current form.  I’ll never forget the moment I heard the answer that really described the life I wanted.  I was at the Louvre with my first true friend, Pamela when low and behold the woman in line in front of us mentioned she used to live in Derby.  Yes, Derby, Kansas.  She had moved to Paris for her husband’s job and when I asked what she did, she answered, “Whatever I want.”

She had already raised her children and she said now it’s my turn.  She visited the Louve almost every day and was taking French, she was living a dream.  While my dream isn’t shaping up quite like hers it’s starting to form.  Remember, I am after all firmly planted in Wichita.  Yes, Wichita, Kansas. (Then again, NOTHING is forever.)

My two kids aren’t grown, so this is OUR time.  Much of what I do these days has to do with what they need/want me to do with them.   For the first time ever, I’m helping in Tanza’s classroom. I helped Lexy’s teachers back when she was in Kindergarten, yet never did the same for Tanza.  Truth-be-told I never had the “classroom” helper itch.  I remember why now.  I felt really out of place teaching kids about weights and grams and paper clips and Hershey kisses last week, but you know what?  I did it, and they all got the lesson they were supposed to receive!    The strange thing is now that I’m a “teacher” it makes me wonder what else I can do.

Some of you know I’m working on a tv project.  My New Life, could be a really entertaining locally produced show but there’s a lot still to be done to get it into production.  For now we’re doing webcasts/talk shows online and that takes up some time.  (Mostly in the drive time….. I now HATE driving downtown or across town.  Amazing when I was in TV, I made the trip at least four times a day, now I pout when I have to make one!)

I’m thinking about a part-time retail gig for the Holidays.  A good friend has asked me to work with her and since I toy with the idea of opening a shop someday I think I may see if I’m cut out for that.  That’s what’s really surprising about My Own New Life.  I sort of want to try everything.  I’m finding  however, I have the attention span of a three-year-old!  I have discovered I am very easily bored, so at this stage in my life I’m also cutting my losses.    The daily online radio spots were fun, but frankly, too demanding for the money.  I’m volunteering at Center Of  Hope.  I serve as a Board Member there, and while I LOVE trying to prevent homelessness, I’m not sure I’m meant to volunteer on the frontlines either.  (I’ll let you know after I get the okay to answer phones on my own later this month.)   While that is some of what I am doing, mostly what I do when I get up each morning, is whatever my family needs, whatever I HAVE to do for the commitments I’ve made, and then with whatever time is left, “WHATEVER I WANT.”    It is the BEST answer I’ve ever heard, and so far it’s the best way of life I have ever lived.

Lazy days of Fall

Just gonna step in to the confessional and say, Sorry, but I’ve been LAZY.   Few of you have really noticed that I’ve neglected the ole anitacochran.tv blog stuff, and I thought well, if no one misses me, maybe I’ll just continue my silence.  However, thinking how much crap I need to fill you in on just wanted to warn you, tomorrow, I plan to sit with a big ole cup of chai, and just chat.  See ya then. XXOO

Woof Woof Woofstock

I’m sort of stunned how much fun events can be when you just go to ATTEND.  After 20 years of emceeing and judging and what-have-you, I’m no longer on the “A-list” of  ”Let’s Get Her To Attend”, which means I go to whatever I WANT to.  Woofstock was a FOR SURE.

The pictures tell the story.  Melissa and I took our girls, some of their friends, and our three dogs.  Hershey couldn’t stand it, at McDonald’s on the way, he was barking at every dog he would soon run into.  We saw everything from Pink Painted Pooches to those dressed to the nines to Melissa’s favorite the Crested something or other that’s shaved almost bald with just a little patch on it’s head.  We have since learned those puppies are HIGH MAINTENANCE and have skin problems, she no longer wants one.  I’m still in the “Wish I had a Shitzu” mode but I’m also leaning toward a cocker spaniel type.  Granted Kent said NO MORE DOGS, but I’m gonna have a back-up plan just in case he changes his mind!

Another Goodbye

She did it.  After years of cutting, curling and coloring at Headlines, Melissa Quandt (the Evil Twin as I like to refer to her), took the sign down and walked away last night.  She takes her clients with her to a new salon in Wichita, one that’s closer to her new lovely home and right on the way from her house to Starbucks, so the commute will be, let’s call it PERFECT.

When I started My New Life, Melissa was there, so I was pretty much expecting to be the one that would be there for her.  I was and you know what she did??  The little hussy made me clean out the crappy color cabinet.    Actually,

it’s a huge compliment.  You only allow those you love the most to help you with the crap you hate the most.  So I bitched about it, then grinned because I knew she couldn’t live without me, or better yet….wouldn’t want to.

As for her New Life, I’m not sure any of us get why she was crying cleaning out her shampoo bowl, she is after all, still a hairdresser.  All her customers are following her to Salon Images (over there near 21st & Tyler by Emperor’s Grill-which has awesome fried rice!) and she will stay in touch with the girls she worked with at Headlines, I can hear  ”I have lunch today with Shelly ” already in my head!   So telling her that she should be happy to have a change of scenery seemed almost unnecessary, but it was.  Her heart was broken, just like any of ours would when you walk away from a life you know, to one that at this point, ,only seems good on paper.

Most of Melissa’s clients will show up on Thursday and comment on the new place, the new location, the new stuff and most will really like it.  I know I can’t wait to be the first one in for a color job (even though it’s merely for accent, I wanted the place of honor, I am so a TV Diva, amazing I didn’t make it in the business past the 20 year mark!)  What we won’t see or remember is all the years it took to get her to this new place.  She once owned Headlines (she hated that part of the business), she has had clients who’ve married, divorced, moved, and God Bless Them, passed away, yet she was always there, ready to make them beautiful and listen to all those stories.     For most of us, it’s just a new setting, for Melissa, it’s “Her New Life” just beginning.  Congratulations Melissa, if I’ve learned anything while I was starting over….it’s just that sometimes we stay too long. A wise woman once said (in a teaser for her new TV project, “Sometimes change is GOOD.”    An even wiser one (which means not ME) said, “Often the only thing standing in the way of a great life, is a good one.”  Well, DUDES, get of our way, we’re on the fast track to Heaven on earth, but I promise, we’ll make plenty of pit stops at Starbucks along the way.

Even I’m Not THAT Broke

Just got back from the grocery store.  It was a total success.  I mean how many times do you go to buy something, have a coupon, and that particular item happens to also be on sale??  Yep, it happened to me.  Thanks to All detergent and Dillons.  Funny though, I didn’t realize how valuable SOAP has gotten.

Check out the picture of my 12.99 bottle of laundry detergent.  Yes, that is an ALARM tied to it.  The lady behind me in line said, I’ve never seen that.  I said, “That’s what I said!”

Here’s the scoop.  The cashier at Dillon’s tells us it’s response to a big theft ring, yes, involving detergent.  I thought man are they making some new drug out of All?  Turns out, the cashier was told, the theives only want it to sell it on the black market.  No, I didn’t realize there was an underground run on soap, so I feel pretty lucky that I have my own bottle and its  completely paid for.  Then again, Breaking News Dudes, I am still broke, so maybe I’ll just check out a dark corner next time my ratty clothes need to smell better, I mean maybe I could be buying it on the low-down for just 5 bucks.     Well, that’s what’s happening at my grocery store, I’ll be sure to keep you updated on the next item to be put on lock down, my money is on the fresh flowers, have you seen the price of those babies??

My New Office

I am loving my new life, including working out of my new Barbie home office.  I say Barbie house, because this house is cute and stylish, but perfectly proportioned (I mean it’s not the kind of house you say, “Can I give you a TOUR?”  I’m learning though, I like things small, and not just my BUTT.

Mostly these days besides shooting webisodes for “My New Life” and trying to get that into production to air on TV, I’m busy blogging or supposed to be busy blogging.  It’s a little hard to get motivated when there is laundry to do, and dinner to make, and Kent to play with (when he’s working at home too) and Starbucks to be had (Melissa and I went twice the last few days.)  You get my drift.  More than anything I just want to enjoy my time, and for the first time in my life, I’m so at peace, so if something doesn’t get done, what are you gonna do??  Not pay me.  Exactly, so if I’m not getting paid, I’m taking care of my family and everything else can take care of itself.

Thought I’d share some pix of the new office, here’s what I see when I’m writing at my desk….yep,I’m looking out the window, like that won’t be a DISTRACTION!   Worse yet, I’m at the end of the street that the model homes are on, so I watch people come and go all day.   Plus I spy on Trent, the guy who helped us design our house and who has become a good friend.  I always hope he comes down and plays the piano and sings for me, but he’s usually working (in case his boss ever reads this!!)

On my right, is Kent’s work station.  It closes all up and looks almost neat except for all the crap I’m storing on the top.  That nice comfy couch is where Hershey naps, and I sometimes sit and write because it beats sitting up like a working stiff in a big girl chair.

My work station is also an armoire that closes up, but it’s almost always down because I’m just that kind of girl.  I took a funky picture of me sitting in front of it, and used my MacBook Pro and photobooth to make it really weird looking.  Thought that might be best so that I don’t reveal any company secrets.  Oh wait, I don’t work for a company.  Too late.  The funky effect stays.

I have yet to get this room accessorized.  I just haven’t felt the need to

put a lot of “stuff” around.  I’m waiting for inspiration to doll it all up.  By that time, the Barbie House really will be picture perfect.  I’ll let you know if I ever get there.