web_producer_whitney's Blog

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A few weekends ago I visited one of the coolest places in America - Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. I'm a huge museum fan, so this one was a real treat. If you ever get the chance - GO!

Below are some of the best pictures I took while there. You can't use a flash, so some of them are a bit dark. Unfortunately my camera battery died just before the dolphin show :o(

Click on the thumbnails to see the bigger images!

Tree Frog
This is an itty bitty tree frog. He was REALLY hard to spot in his habitat. My camera is zoomed in almost all the way!

He had a couple of itty bitty friends with him. They basically liked to eat and hang out on their tree trunks.

 

 

Goldfish
This fish was sitting so still I had to photograph it - because I knew the picture would not be blurry!

The goldfish was in the fresh water habitat. They were curious about the humans looking into their homes.

 
 

 

Sting Rays
These guys lived under a glass floor, so you could walk over them while they swam around under your feet.

I am still mad at sting rays for killing the Crocodile Hunter, but they were beautiful creatures.

 
 

Lung Fish
These are BIG fish.. and they look like lungs.

I couldn't learn much about these fish, because there were little children stomping all over me while I was trying to read the information.

 

 
 

Cleaner Shrimp
I should get one of these guys for my bedroom, because they keep their tanks SPOTLESS.

This one lived with an anemone and a couple of other shrimps. This guy was my favorite b/c he is wearing a cool outfit.

 

 

 

Sea Anemone
So cool! They sway with the current and are many different colors and sizes!

I want to touch one someday - unless they are spikey or bite.

 

 

 

River Turtle
A cool river turtle relaxing under his log. The turtles in the fresh water habitats were amazing!

I love turtles because their faces look wise and calm, but they have to admit when they're afraid when they retreat into their shells.

 

 

 

The Shedd is an amazing place - but if you can't make it to Chicago go to our own Kansas City Zoo.

Their koalas are almost as cute as sea otters. Almost.

Though we take our jobs seriously, all work and no play isn't the motto
for FOX 4 employees. As a reward for an outstanding May sweeps period,
the bosses took most of the day-side crew on a surprise field trip to
AMF Pro Bowl Lanes for some bowling, mini-golf and go-kart racing! FOX
4's Randy Kaminski had his camera handy, and took pictures of us trying
to look cool at 10 a.m. on a Wednesday morning. Click the image to the
right to check out the gallery!

My sister went through with it and walked down the (figurative) aisle in Bilbao, Spain on Friday, June 8, 2007 and married Suso Perez-Mora. Click the thumbnails to view bigger images!

The ceremony was at the Bilbao courthouse, and lasted about two minutes. The reception was six hours long, so that means the party was about 180 x longer than the ceremony. Well played, I say.

Jessie wore a custom-made red satin number and carried a bouquet of peonies and a black and white Spanish fan. Suso had a custom-made dark gray suit and green vest with a green and white tie.

The reception was picturesque. Justice can't be done with pictures or words, so you'll just have to believe me when I say... I'm pretty glad I get to visit this place once or twice a year.

At the reception, there were people from Spain, America, Russia, Scotland and France. About 80 people converged on the Basque town of Bakio on the Spanish coast, where we ate a six-course meal that included prawns, white asparagus, monk fish, steak, three different desserts and local wine. I was full.

Aside from a strong breeze, it was the perfect day for a wedding. Suso said he "had a talk" with God, and ordered sunshine for his wedding day. 

We spent a total of six days in Bilbao, which is on the Bay of Biscay in the northwest part of Spain. The city is about the size of KC population-wise, but it's very dense and surrounded by mountains. It is a part of the Basque region, which has its own language (characterized by a lot of  x's and k's) and very strong local traditions. The towns surrounding Bilbao are largely untouched by tourism, which can make it very great or very difficult (depending on your sense of adventure and appreciation of foreign culture).

The shopping rules.

I inherited two new brothers with my Spanish familia, and met all of their crazy friends. We spent a few nights on the town and I probably got lung cancer from all of the second-hand smoke at the bars.

The night-life is comparable to Westport, but less flashy and more conversation-based. Dinner starts around 9:30 or 10 p.m. and can last up to three hours. If you don't like seafood, ham or wine... don't go to Bilbao. If you do like those things, it will be the best food of your life. You basically start at one place for a drink, then stop at another place for a drink, then you get to eat. By the end of the meal, your belly and your mind are happy.

Another major feature of Bilbao is the Guggenheim Museum. This is probably the biggest building in the city, and is constructed of glass and metal. It was inspired by the scales of a fish, and designed by Frank Gehry. As you come over the hill on the highway, the building stands out like a giant calling card, and welcomes you to the heart of the city.

We saw an exhibit by Anselm Keifer, whose work is extremely depressing. He uses different materials (like plants, wood, clothing, rust, lead and even blood) to make large-scale, almost architectural, installations. The building itself was cool enough that I didn't leave feeling suicidal, though. The only flat surfaces in the building are the floors, so you actually feel sea-sick while you visit the galleries inside the building. There are a few large-scale permanent installations that are pretty sweet, too.

If you ever go to Spain, you should definitely visit the Basque country. It is full of life, tradition and food that will blow your mind.

I think what made the trip so wonderful was the fact that my sister is truly in love, and is marrying a fantastic man. She didn't settle for anyone and waited for her prince to find her (even if she had to travel across the Atlantic Ocean to meet him). Congratulations to mi hermana y Suso!

 

If anyone can figure out how to play this stupid Harry Potter game... then tell me, because it's driving me nuts!

Oh bloggers - you guys are great about catching our mistakes. You'll be pleased to know that mistakes on the Web don't just come from myfoxkc.com, but they reach as far as People Magazine!

This was their top story as I was perusing my regular Web stops on my lunch hour on Friday. Find something wrong with the top headline? (click the image for the large version)

Now this next one is a bit fuzzy (because we all make mistakes... and I had resizing problems) but the pre-write article was publish on the site for at least 5 minutes. You can kind of see the mistakes in the thumbnail, but click the large image for the fuzzy picture.

"And thus ended the shortest summer internship in the history of People.com." ~ John Wise, FIM National Editor

The point? Everyone makes mistakes. Even the best.

I can't believe my sister is getting married in ONE MONTH. The big day is on June 8 in Bilbao, Spain!

I haven't traveled abroad in a few years (Italy in 2004), but I know things have changed a lot when it comes to customs, etc.

Does anyone have any travel tips for me as a get all my junk together for the journey? I know the stupid plastic bag rule for carry-ons... but share your air travel tips with me now, so I don't lose it with air port security when they try to throw away my iPod or something!

 

I have a confession to make - I'm not a huge American Idol fan. I spend my Wednesday evenings waiting for South Park to air on Comedy Central.

Season after season this show continues to crack me up. I think it's because there will always be self-important public figures who deserve to be put in check - in case you can't tell, I'm a huge fan of satire.

Last night's episode was hilarious (as usual).

I will always remember Tom Cruise in the closet, the Michael Jackson episode and the first time Cartman sported the aviators and said what was to be one of the biggest pop culture catch phrases on TV - Respect my authori-tay!

For the fans - what is your favorite South Park moment?

The time has come for me to invest in an iPod. I've been on the .Mac bandwagon for years, but haven't really been into .mp3 players until recently.

Also - I have this 20-hour trip to take in two months, and what if my in-flight movies are bad (Like my brother said "What if your movie ISN'T 'Snakes on a Plane?'") 

The choice comes down to the 8G Nano vs. the 30G Video. They're both the same price and I have the music library to support either one.

This is a big purchase, and chances are I'll be stuck with this iPod until it's archaic or I break it. So, I'm calling on all you iPod owners out there (which is pretty much the entire planet by now) what version do you have? Why do you like it? Why DON'T you like it?

Leave me your experiences so I don't screw this one up!

 

Go to Google.com and click on "Maps."

Then, click on "Get Directions."

Type in New York, NY --> Paris, France.

Scroll down and read step 23.

 

I think I've reached that age where all my friends start to marry off like we're in a production of 'Fiddler on the Roof.'

What I can't believe is how expensive it is to have friends who are tying the knot. You have to buy a bridal shower gift, then a couples shower, bachelor/bachelorette party goodies, then a wedding gift and possibly fork over cash to travel to the ceremony or reception. Geez. I better get married someday, just for the presents alone!

My friend Lizzie and I talked about the whole thing, and we realized a big chunk of our spending cash will go toward weddings this summer.

Of course we're happy for our friends, but let's be realistic... having married friends is pricey! I'm reminded of the 'Sex and the City' episode where Carrie registers herself at Manolo Blahnik after her married friend disses her single-girl lifestyle (and loses her $400 shoes!)

I suppose the price is higher this summer, because I'm traveling overseas for my sister's wedding. That trip is booked and paid for - but I still have to find a gift! Argh!

What's the most you've ever spent on a wedding gift?

Getting a tax refund? Me, too! And like you, I'm antsy and I want my ca$h NOW!

Because I lack that "patience" virtue, I went to the IRS Web site looking for answers and found something great.

You can track your tax refund online! All you need is your SSN and the exact amount of your refund (on your tax return). This is for federal income taxes only, but it's still helpful!

Click here to track your refund online! 

At least now I won't be checking the mailbox everyday like Ralphie in "A Christmas Story" when he's waiting for his Little Orphan Annie decoder thing.

Shauntay's timing was impecable. 

We heard rumors of her being in custody around 8:30 p.m. Seeing as we go on the air at 9 p.m., things became a little frantic trying to track down the facts - but that's breaking news for you.

Sharita Hutton and Judy Brown were on the phones with our sources to get confirmation. Executive Producer Jeff Mulligan was calling the shots.

Some dedicated employees offered help from home. One of our photographers even went to the jail straight from his house.

We had only one reporter that night, Megan Cloherty, who has been battling a monster sinus infection. Like a trooper she and a photographer (Rachel) raced to the scene, gathered information and prepared for her live shots. They both did a great job!

I sat ready with the information typed up and waiting to post for you guys to see. As soon as we got the all-clear I hit the publish button.

Long story short, things got crazy for a minute. But our team pulled together and brought you guys the information online and on the air.

After that intense end to my work shift, I needed some serious sleep. But, I was happy with our coverage and thankful that I work with such a polished group of professionals.

 

 

Since basketball is pretty much over, and baseball in Kansas City brings even more depression, I've started focusing on other sports to pass the time.

As I type, America is pretty much destroying everyone at the US World Swimming Championships in Australia.

I was a swimmer for years as a kid and even ventured into year-round competition for awhile, so it's one of my favorite sports (and I think one of the most exciting to watch).

Yesterday I opted to watch FSN's coverage of the swimming championships, and was lucky enough to catch Michael Phelps swimming the 200 IM. I've been following his progress at work, but hadn't watched him swim yet in this meet.

This guy is unreal. As of this morning, he has set FOUR WORLD RECORDS IN FOUR DAYS! He has eight Olympic medals (from the 2004 Athens games alone!) and has countless other medals from world and US chamionships... and he's younger than me. Geez.

I would encourage everyone to try and catch the coverage of the Worlds while they last. Phelps is going to be a legend, and possibly one of America's greatest athletes of all time. Look for him in the Beijing games next year as one of our best competitors.

Not to mention he's easy on the eyes, ladies! Nice!

Oh God, I'm so depressed.

As much as I love March Madness, I do not love having to peel myself out of bed the day after a Kansas loss. It's like a bad breakup... I'm not hungry, my mind is blank and everday life seems like a chore.

On the bright side,  the Jayhawks had an solid tournament run. We broke the 'B' jinx, and showed that our program has grown in talent and tenacity. If some of our boys don't come back next year, I'll understand. Who can turn down millions of dollars?

Now we have a new jinx - the Elite Eight! Can Bill ever make it past the octect? His fourth time wasn't the charm. 

UCLA had better win the national title, because I hate losing to the loser.

Now - who wants to drown their sorrows with me in some Ben & Jerry's?