The Way to a Television Heart...

... well, what did you think? We work for a non-profit. We fundraise to stay in business. A couple of times a year, radio side (NPR) does an on-air fund drive. Or membership drive, or pledge drive.... whatever we're calling it this year, the goal is the same - to raise money to pay for the programming that so many people love. That money does not pay salaries or for the building or the utility bill. It pays for the programs you hear.

And the troops can't stay in the trenches with growling bellies. There are several food vendors around town who DONATE food for the talent and volunteers who work the pledge drives. They are VERY generous.

I confess that I visit from the TV side (PBS) to see how we're doing and snag a donut if there are any left around 11am....

They are just too good to pass up. Unfortunately, that kind of thinking got me into the shape I'm in today. I'm glad the drive ends on Monday. I hope we make our goal, but I also hope I will no longer be tempted by Krispy Kremes.

On the TV side, we are trying to keep up with the times. We've done the digital switch and air programming from Net in HD whenever possible. We also create a few programs of our own and the camera companies know that stations are beginning to shop around for HD equipment. Cameras. Editing equipment. And they send their salesmen out to do demonstrations. So far, we've had two hour long presentations, followed by LUNCH. The first company brought in Famous Dave's Barbecue, which was delicious. The second company had its presentation on Thursday and brought food from a local eatery.

After their presentation, I went and snagged some lunch. Grilled chicken in pasta, white rice with sausage, shrimp jambalya, salad and some kind of cheesy sauce with shrimp in it. I think New Orleans-style cooking was the theme. Whatever it was, it was delicious!

Diane wasn't sure if she'd be able to eat presentation food, so she went over to radio to get some leftover beans and rice and a little salad.

When she got back, she saw my lunch. I told her there was plenty, so she went and got her own plate of food.

I don't know what it is... if it's because we're not paid much, or we somehow still have the starving student/artist mentality, but anytime there is food in the building, the staff swoops down like a horde of locusts. Whatever's left goes in the fridge... and disappears soon after.

It's not just in TV/Radio stations either. If the crew is lucky enough to be fed on-site when doing a sporting event or some other remote production, the reaction is the same. Everyone is STARVING!