Breaking News – I'm Broke!
Follow along as former news anchor Anita Cochran downsizes her material life to upsize her spiritual life.
You can take me off TV, but you can't shut me up!
I ran into a friend of mine at the Gay Pride awards this weekend, and it reminded me of how two people can be so much alike, and yet so different.
Jason Dilts is so hilarious, if you’ve read his work in Naked City you know exactly what I’m talking about. Jason is the author of “Homo on the Range.” Yes, he’s gay, and he’s happy to tell us all about it. The really weird thing about Jason is he and I are in the same place right now.
Okay, what does a red-headed single gay guy have in common with a blonde former news-anchor, who’s married with two children? Turns out everything. Career-wise we are both on the back side of very demanding yet rewarding jobs. Jason was involved in politics and that’s a lot like the world of TV news. We both gave up 9 to 5, or maybe we should say 24/7 jobs to find a more scenic path.
As we caught up this weekend we both agree the only thing we miss about our old lives is the money, and at this point, neither of us is willing to give up what we’ve gained to get that back. So for now, at least, we’re planning to meet at the pool, not to discuss get rich strategies or map out our master life plan…..we’ll probably just grab some rays and talk about the path we’re on, and whether it’s leading to happiness. My guess we both will answer Yes. I’m Anita Cochran and that’s what I really wanted to say.
Oh what a night. Band Together 2009 brought three local bands to the Cotillion to raise money for the Mental Health Association (and all of US who need their help!) WE rocked the place. Okay the bands rocked the place, but we were right there with them.
My former co-worker, Sierra Scott, served as Emcee…..and posed for many pictures with me trying to get the perfect one. We finally settled for good enough! It’s been fun getting to know Sierra outside the “confines” of KSN. We have a lot in common, and even more so, now that we’re both living a new lifestyle. Most of all, once I start borrowing her clothes, I’ll never need to pay for my own again! I’ve heard about this girls closet, and since we have the same taste, I’ll just suck it in and sport her already worns. Sierra if you are reading this, I’m not kidding.
I made a brief stage appearance on behalf of one of the sponsors, “Naked City.” You may know I am a free-lance writer for the Wichita magazine and was thrilled to be able to say NAKED, over and over again. Good news. Sierra quizzed me on mental health while I was up there (not my own!) and I got all the answers right. I knew some of the answers, and when in doubt guessed “C” (it was multiple choice.) Damn, wish I would have done that well on my ACT.
My date for the night, was my FIRST real friend. My college roommate, Pamela Woodside, taught me what friendship is really all about and reminded me again why there are only a handful who will always be there. We laughed out loud when we pulled up and found we were wearing the same color and same hairstyle.
Sometimes you love in others all the things you love about yourself. When it comes to Pamela, I love all that about her, and the things I will never be that she embodies. She’s nicer than me, a better wife, more loyal and rarely waivers from her beliefs. (Yes, Sainthood is possible for HER). Besides that, she doesn’t mind dancing with a big group of girls, which is exactly what we did.
As for the music, “The Grateful (not to be) Dead” kicked things off. This group of parents of Collegiate School students are pretty darn EXCELLENT. Then, a real shocker, our long-time favorite, “Lotus” included a female lead singer that turned out to be Pamela’s assistant at ImageQuest. Carrie didn’t even tell Pamela she sang with Lotus or that she would be at the big event Pamela was attending that night. To get her back, we didn’t tell her we would post a snippet of her performance on anitacochran.tv.
The Fabulous Shirtheads rounded out the night, but by then the pre-teen was calling to be picked up.
So Girls night ended peacefully, at home, with me finishing off the box of Cero’s Creme Brulee Chocolates that they gave me as a Thank You for attending. Luckily, I had only had popcorn for dinner so I don’t think it was even considered a diet-buster. BEST GIFT EVER.
It’s been fun getting to know Sierra outside the “confines” of KSN. We have a lot in common, and even more so, now that we’re both living a new lifestyle. Most of all, once I start borrowing her clothes, I’ll never need to pay for my own again! I’ve heard about this girls closet, and since we have the same taste, I’ll just suck it in and sport her already worns. Sierra if you are reading this, I’m not kidding. 
