"EDITORS: We DO NOT LOOP VIDEO. President Bush got off of Air Force One twice yesterday and that is not acceptable." --a note from our VP of News, posted in August. I thought it was humorous. It's been fun at work though, namely because of the people. We have a great bunch of folks ranging in age and background. (I sound like I'm trying to rush some girls into my sorority.)

The spawn of Satan, I mean, my car, decided to break down in the middle of Dallas rush hour on Friday afternoon. It first started spewing smoke, and just as I began ATTEMPTING to get into the right lane to get off the highway, it stopped running. Just died! I managed to make it to the left shoulder and sat there as cars (that were so backed up they were traveling 10 mph anyway) slowly passed by.

Tow truck dudes named Cary and something else came to rescue me and take me to the nearest dealership. We made it by 6:55pm, and they were closing at 7:00pm. Got it in there and a rental so I could get to the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, Flower Drum Song, playing at Dallas Music Hall.

Yesterday morning, I was awoken by a call from Lenny from the car dealership. He said there were about four things wrong and it would cost $1,400. After a summer of random problems and breakdowns, I have now officially spent more fixing my car than it cost to buy it. Via phone, Dad goes, "Elise, we are going to have to talk about getting rid of your car." I said, "Can't wait."

Back Online....but terrified about posting to a blog my new coworkers at News 10 could easily get to. Last time I posted something about my coworkers (when I worked at The Taipei Times), it started an office pool over which newsroom male I had vaguely alluded to finding attractive.

Last week I bid farewell to Columbia. Thanks to friends who came to say goodbye. I miss y'all already. But I'm happy to be back in Texas. In fact, though I'm in Waco, I get to pick up Dallas TV, making me feel even more at home. EMAIL me and keep in touch. Below is a pic of my photog-no-longer, Andrew and me, trying to make "mean faces." Good thing we are journalists and not actors.

Back in Missouri but boy do I miss San Diego weather!!! It was about 80, dry, sunny, with light breezes from the Northwest the whole week Cary and I were there. We had a pretty SWELL time. I made up some new kung fu moves, appropriately called "The Blade" and "The Chicken Wing." I also did "grownup" things like go to this jour nalismconvention, where I heard some great advice and insight about my career, got my resume tape ripped apart by news directors from around the country, and overall, learned lots. Met some fun people too. We went out to tons of places in San D, saw Shamu, and ate a lot of fish tacos. Merlo met me and we went as a group down to Tijuana, aka THE DUMP, Mexico. Apparently the Coronas were good, though.