Wednesday, May 23, 2007
GETTING PERSONAL
Time to check out for a few days and turn into a sautéed vegetable.
But before I say “see you next week”…a few (OK, more than a few) words about this blogging thing. Being new to this, I’ve been doing some homework, checking out a cross-section of other blogs, and all I can say is, “Oh my.”
It seems some bloggers want you to know everything about them. What time they get up in the morning…their health…what kind of car they drive…their kids.
Some post while they’re on vacation.
That won’t be me.
Just because you’re reading this, I like you, and I hope you like me, though I’ve learned over 33 years in this business that you can’t please everybody. But I don’t need to know everything about you, and you really don’t need to know everything about me…not that there’s that much to know.
Sometimes perception is enough. I perceive our news audience as educated and interested. How you perceive me is entirely up to you. But I figure after those 33 years, longtime viewers (and listeners from the old radio days) have drawn their conclusions. And generally, how bad could they be if I’m still gainfully employed?
I will write about travel, because, as I pointed out yesterday, I’m fortunate to be married to a flight attendant. (See, THERE’S something personal.)
But I will rarely check in from vacation because…well…that’s why they call it vacation. If there’s a discovery worth sharing afterward, I will.
I will write about health issues from time to time…but only for the greater good. (Hey, get a colonoscopy!)
Kids? Uh, no, but I’m sure your kids are very “special.”
I’d like to touch more on politics, but with my job, that’s difficult. I want the Republicans to think I’m a Democrat, the Democrats to think I’m a Libertarian, the conservatives to think I’m a liberal, and the liberals to think whatever they want. Same with religion. I want the Catholics to think I’m Jewish, and the Jews to think I’m a Hindu…and…(this is where you say, “enough already, I get it!”)
But since my puss shows up on your TV set at your discretion, I will share something personal, albeit trivial. Why I shaved my mustache.
And the reason is: because I wanted to. 35 years was enough.
And here’s my dirty little secret: the mustache had turned white, while what’s left of my hair is still dark. They didn’t match. So I touched the mustache up every work day with mascara. My wife and Joanne Nesti would give me their mascara tubes when they thought they were empty, but I could get weeks more out of them to color my mustache.
90% of the reaction has been complimentary, and most who don’t like the new look are guys who have mustaches. And you know what? I understand perfectly. I winced when John Rowland and Eddie Perez shaved theirs off…but Alex Trebek was the killer. And I don’t even watch “Jeopardy.”
I have no doubt we’ll learn more about each other as we exchange views and ideas on this blog. I want you to participate.
But stuff like “boxers or briefs?” We just don’t need to know.
Oh, sweet mystery.
Have a nice Memorial Day weekend. See you sometime next week.
But before I say “see you next week”…a few (OK, more than a few) words about this blogging thing. Being new to this, I’ve been doing some homework, checking out a cross-section of other blogs, and all I can say is, “Oh my.”
It seems some bloggers want you to know everything about them. What time they get up in the morning…their health…what kind of car they drive…their kids.
Some post while they’re on vacation.
That won’t be me.
Just because you’re reading this, I like you, and I hope you like me, though I’ve learned over 33 years in this business that you can’t please everybody. But I don’t need to know everything about you, and you really don’t need to know everything about me…not that there’s that much to know.
Sometimes perception is enough. I perceive our news audience as educated and interested. How you perceive me is entirely up to you. But I figure after those 33 years, longtime viewers (and listeners from the old radio days) have drawn their conclusions. And generally, how bad could they be if I’m still gainfully employed?
I will write about travel, because, as I pointed out yesterday, I’m fortunate to be married to a flight attendant. (See, THERE’S something personal.)
But I will rarely check in from vacation because…well…that’s why they call it vacation. If there’s a discovery worth sharing afterward, I will.
I will write about health issues from time to time…but only for the greater good. (Hey, get a colonoscopy!)
Kids? Uh, no, but I’m sure your kids are very “special.”
I’d like to touch more on politics, but with my job, that’s difficult. I want the Republicans to think I’m a Democrat, the Democrats to think I’m a Libertarian, the conservatives to think I’m a liberal, and the liberals to think whatever they want. Same with religion. I want the Catholics to think I’m Jewish, and the Jews to think I’m a Hindu…and…(this is where you say, “enough already, I get it!”)
But since my puss shows up on your TV set at your discretion, I will share something personal, albeit trivial. Why I shaved my mustache.
And the reason is: because I wanted to. 35 years was enough.
And here’s my dirty little secret: the mustache had turned white, while what’s left of my hair is still dark. They didn’t match. So I touched the mustache up every work day with mascara. My wife and Joanne Nesti would give me their mascara tubes when they thought they were empty, but I could get weeks more out of them to color my mustache.
90% of the reaction has been complimentary, and most who don’t like the new look are guys who have mustaches. And you know what? I understand perfectly. I winced when John Rowland and Eddie Perez shaved theirs off…but Alex Trebek was the killer. And I don’t even watch “Jeopardy.”
I have no doubt we’ll learn more about each other as we exchange views and ideas on this blog. I want you to participate.
But stuff like “boxers or briefs?” We just don’t need to know.
Oh, sweet mystery.
Have a nice Memorial Day weekend. See you sometime next week.
Posted at 10:00 PM by Gerry
8 Comments:
In my heart of hearts, I like to believe that you're a Democrat. It baffles me that anyone reporting the hideous daily news of the last 8 years could actually still vote Republican.
Ah, if only you could give a secret wink on camera to let me know that you want Al Gore to run...
Gerry, have a wonderful vacation....I have one question, though. You know I am usually never at a loss for words. Back in your "stash" days, and facial hair almost always turns to that wonderful shade of grey before the head hair does, did you ever have an itch and scratch your "colored temporarily" mustache while ON the air? The result being dark fingers? It was these little known oddities that made "The Brooks File" what it was, and STILL is (what WAS IT?).......we're ALL waiting for the DVD...."THE COMPLETE BROOKS FILES...FROM BEGINNING TO END." It might be a long wait? Ohhhhh......happy and happy holiday to you and your wife, and again, thank you for the mention of my Sox blog. Peter Nabocheck, in Farmington, where it might touch 95 degrees in a couple days. Brad, am I right? Bob? Still no answer...Ryan, Garrett???? Oh well. Thanks Ger. Be well!
Well, it's your face. Still, I'm gonna miss it. Very William Powell, or maybe Tyrone Power. Classic and classy.
I decided to wait until you went on vacation to say GO YANKEES!
Gerry,
Enjoy you on the tube and now at your blog. If you don't receive a lot of comments, don't think we are not out here reading and enjoying!
Gerry, don't forget to turn and baste with sunscreen......we're missin' you!
Funny stuff. Thanks to all.
Chuck, that Tyrone Power reference is really funny, because years ago I was paired up with a nice lady at a golf course in California who said she felt like she was playing golf with Tyrone Power. I guess now I look like...nobody.
M...big series this weekend for the Yanks. As Yogi said, "It ain't over til..."
And Peter, I'm just medium rare, not well done.
And you're back! That's the important thing. I hope you kept up with our Red Sox. They only lost once (Daisuke, wha' happened?) since you left. And that's a good thing. Welcome back ....Peter N.
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