SallyMac's Blog

For months I've been operating a cracked Blackberry.  It's purely an aesthetic problem that's always seemed to bother others much more than it has me.   I've watched photographers squint at it and people I interview say, 'Nice phone.'    

I was able to handle the mockery until a few weeks ago.  That's when the "crackberry" made the 9 o' clock news.  I immediately received a string of text messages from my husband and friends.  They went like this... 'I know it wasn't your idea to show that mess of a phone on my big screen TV!'   So I finally cracked and ordered a new screen.  Actually, my husband did that for me.  He couldn't get to the computer fast enough.  

After and before....what do you think?  Much better, right?

In an effort to put more pep in its business, Starbucks outlined some new ideas Wednesday.  I was excited to read the line, "It will start rewarding people who use the company's purchase card."

I'm thinking, 'yea!'  Free cup of joe with every 10 purchases, the chance to win a trip to Seattle, a cool new mug? 

Oh no...the big reward is free SYRUP in my flavored latte...

I can, however, offer up my ideas on Starbucks' new social networking site.  That's right...mystarbucksidea.com will be sure to rival myspace and facebook. 

Sally Mac

The rodeo is my favorite time of year in Houston. My husband and I try our best to make Reliant our second home in March.

Here are a few of our favorite rodeo moments....

So strap yer boots on and share yours!

I haven't seen the movie yet but am intrigued by its premise, plus Jack Nicholson is my all time favorite actor. Two terminally ill guys leave a cancer ward and set out to do the things they have yet to do or accomplish here on earth.

My bucket list (short version):

have children, become fluent in Spanish, have lunch with Larry David (my favorite writer/comedian) and go to Italy

What's on your "to do before you die" list?

I was hoping to write this blog a few days BEFORE Christmas...but....it didn't happen.  So for those of you experiencing post holiday blues, this one is for YOU! 

Before moving to Houston, my husband and I worked in Beaumont.  He was a photographer, I was a reporter.  At the beginning of each December, we'd go to Billy Wiese's house to report on his holiday light display.  Here's Billy and my husband. 

Billy Wiese has the best holiday light display I've seen in Southeast Texas.  He builds almost all of his decorations and starts the set up well before trick or treaters even show up on Halloween.  The pictures don't do it justice. 

This year we visited Billy's house again.  My husband wanted to get a few tips because his goal at age 64 is to have OUR house looking like the Wiese's.  This is what scares me:

Happy Holidays!!!!

Sally Mac

When you order at a drive thru, do you like the man/woman behind the mic to deliver a speech before he asks you what you want???

I'm sitting inside a Starbucks.  For the past couple hours I've heard the barista say, 'Hellllloooo and welcome to Starbucks...where it's cold outside but warm inside our hearts.  Can I get you a pumpkin spice latte tonight or how about a delicious pastry?'  I giggle inside each time he does this.   

I'm a fairly bubbly gal, and if I worked at Starbucks I'd probably come up with a few cheesey lines to say to customers. 

But I'm also a fairly impatient person.  I just want to order when I get to the drive thru!!!!! 

Sally Mac

I was thrilled to get to see our very own Ruben Dominguez perform at the Axiom 20th Anniversary party.  For two nights only...bands who played the original club reunited at Fitzgeralds in the Heights. 

Ruben had so many admirers demanding his attention, I had to claw my way through the crowd just to snap this picture.

Afterward, I tried to talk to him but he was too busy signing autographs and taking pictures with fans. 

I finally managed to score a seat beside him, but I still couldn't get his attention!

Who knew we had such a rock star at Fox 26?  Way to go, Ruben!!!!

I've never really been style or fashion savvy. 

My biggest challenge:  hair  (You can call me Sanjaya, I've tried so many styles.)

Unfortunately, the superficial matters in television.  C'mon, how many of you scream at the tv when you see an anchor or reporter with ghastly hair, way too much eye liner and dressed in a hideous outfit?

So I've worked diligently on my appearance the last several years.  One thing I still struggle with is my hair!  I have very thin, dry hair.  Sounds lovely, huh?  Lately, I've been cutting back on the number of times I wash it which seems to be giving it a bit more life.  But now it's turning red!!!! 

Give me your hair care tips...what's worked for you?  Guys, you know I love hearing from you, too. 

Did you watch the new Fox Reality/Comedy show?  It stars former swimsuit model and WWE diva, Lauren Jones.  She joins a start up station in Tyler, TX to try and boost the ratings.

I have not yet seen the show but plan to wind down by watching it when I get home from work.  But tell me, what did you think?  We've all heard the jokes about anchors/reporters....too much hairspray, silly banter, mispronunciations, etc..  Does the show break any new ground?  Do you think it's a good idea to put actual news people in a comedy show?  The industry has been getting slammed for years for choosing entertainment over information. 

I grew up in a family that spent Fridays circling the garage sales to hit on Saturday mornings.  Then along the way TO that garage sale, we might stop to pick up something someone had dumped on the side of the road.  From trash to treasure.....

My husband has a hard time understanding why ANYONE would want someone's TRASH.

Case in point:

On a recent walk with my husband and dog, I discovered a bright red door with an antique doorknob leaning against the trash can along the curb.  I thought, 'What a treasure!'  As I began to examine it and mumble ideas to myself, I turned around to look for support from my husband.  He was gone. 

No big deal...

I hurried home with a kick in my step and whistle in my heart, hopped in the truck, drove a block and loaded up the door in the bed.  Note:  my husband reluctantly helped

At first I made him bring the door inside the house.  That did not go over so well.  We finally came to an agreement that my bright red door could be a part of our backyard.

What do you guys think?  A keeper?  Have you ever taken someone else's trash?  If so, what was your treasure? 

Have a happy week,

Sally Mac     

Be honest, would you have a little fun with this? 

A UCLA student has Paris Hilton's old cell phone number. 

With the number comes the mistaken calls and weird text messages. 

The student has resisted the urge to pose as Hilton, but she did text some supporters, "thanks so much."

What are your little luxuries?  A nap?  A glass of wine?  A good book? 

Sometimes for reporters and photographers an everyday luxury is just getting to go to the bathroom.

Recently I was reporting in the Spring Branch area.  There was about an hour to go before my 9PM live shot, and I really had to use the restroom!  Here's one of the FOX 26 live trucks.  (Definitely no restroom in here)

So I looked around me.....We were parked in front of a business that had already closed for the evening.  Darn it!

Now, I don't have a problem with roughing it.  I love to spend days camping in the middle of nowhere.  

But, I wasn't exactly in the woods. 

I kept looking, and whatdayaknow... just a hop, skip and a jump away, I spotted several cars in the parking lot of "Tanya's Beauty Salon."  Perfect, right?!?

Well, I cross the street...bubbly, confident and RELIEVED ....Before I could push the door all the way open I blurted out, "May I please use your restroom?"  I expected my eyes to focus on a bunch of sweet ladies dressed in curlers and sitting under those big dryers talking about Paris Hilton.  Instead, I heard "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.."  I had stormed into a church service!!!!! 

I'm not into cars, but I was reading automotiveblogger.net.

Hey, as a reporter I have to know a little about a lot, right?

Well, it suggests that if you drive one of the following cars, you drive a "girl" car.

5.) Mazda Miata

4.) Toyota RAV4

3.) Volkswagen Beetle (newer model)

2.) Mustang convertible (especially four and six cylinder)

and number one....drum roll....

1.) Volkswagen Rabbit/Golf Cabriolet

Do you agree?  Any more that should be added to the list? 

Have you see Spiderman 3 yet?  My husband already has the new game and has been playing it non stop.  Here are the responses I've been getting a lot the last few days,

 "I can't hunny, I'm fighting crime." 

"Manhattan needs me, can't you wait?"

And my favorite, "If I could have any superpower it would be to have a web come out of my hand."

So, my question is this:  If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

I'm one of those people who never seems to get it right the first time.  My homelife is like one long episode of "I Love Lucy."  I always wind up in a mess. Case in point, my latest house project.  It was a cold and dreary Easter eve, my husband was working....so I decided to surprise him by painting the kitchen a very bold red!!!!!  What do you think? I promise it does not look as bad as these pictures detail.  My husband only took close ups!

Needless to say I will be spending my Easter night repainting the trim and ceiling of our kitchen.  This isn't the first project I've messed up, which brings me to my question.  What are your "I Love Lucy" moments?