It was probably a little over 7 years ago, as my daughter was approaching her third birthday. 

I'm always appreciative when somebody tells me they've been inspired or somehow uplifted by what I do on TV. 

This is personal, about my kids, but you're certainly welcome to read it. 

The economy is in deep trouble, and there's oh so much to worry about. 

This quiz might be easy for some of you, while others will find it quite tricky. 

Just like my birthdays, Thanksgiving seems to come around a lot more often than it used to.

You've no doubt seen that new list of the most irritating phrases and words in the English language.

Researchers at Oxford University released it last week, and I've seen it turn up seemingly everywhere.... in every blog, in every newspaper, and on most newscasts. 

Sometimes I think news folks are a bit too eager to label stories "Bulletin" or "News Alert" or "Breaking News" or "Flash" etc.

Wanna know what prevents me from maintaining the slim, trim figure that I had 25 years ago? 

Perhaps the vending machine pictured here plays a small part.

Listening to different satellite radio channels over a span of several days, an awareness settled in. 
I was hearing lots of songs about dancing. 
They're always there. 
It's a common theme. 

When I posted the previous essay, OCTOBER LOVE STORY, I had no idea of the volume of reader response it would generate.

If I was asked once, I was asked 500 times in recent weeks, through emails and on the street, "Where's Demetria?" I understand everyone's curiosity, since she's been away from the newscasts for most of the last month-and-a-half. But there's a good reason -- perhaps I should say bittersweet reasons -- for her absence.

Contrary to all logic, not everybody really wants victory for their presidential candidate-of-choice.

Read this, and it might just save you from having to fly to England.

So that's that... the presidential debates are history, and now we move on to November.

The accompanying photo shows a couple of old phone books, which happen to be two of myfavorite possessions. 

Here are five more pictures that clearly illustrate the glamour of covering a presidential debate.