Business Owners: The Problem Isn’t Gen X or Gen Y—The Problem Is You!

Business owners and supervisors who fall in the Baby Boomer (born 1946-1964) age group scratch their heads, throw up their hands and bang their heads against the wall trying to understand why their “young” workforce isn’t doing their job.

Instead of looking at Gen X (born 1965-1982) and Gen Y (born 1983-2000) as the problem with your workforce did you ever think the problem might be you?

Pac-Man Is Gone Forever so Deal with It

The “youngsters” as you call them who don’t conform, want flex time or beg for telecommuting aren’t being defiant—this is what their generation expects—and deserves. Think about this for a moment Baby Boomers.

The Traditionalists who raised us never spoke up to a superior, completed any task without question and almost never asked the boss for a raise. Enter their kids—you the Baby Boomer. As a Baby Boomer you dropped out in the 1960s and 1970s, wanted to express yourself freely and were enticed when bulky PCs became the norm to make your work easier.

Baby Boomers challenged authority, demanded better pay and they got it. Why? Their Traditionalist bosses understood change is inevitable. They dealt with it and instead of stopping what they thought of as an uprising, they embraced it.

Become a Game of Thrones Leader

Time marches on and once again what you call an uncooperative workforce is really what you used to be. Remember your parents? They hated your clothes, your music and chastised you for missing a day of work because you were hung over after a Led Zeppelin concert.

Enter Gen Y and Gen X. Their music is different and so are their work habits. They demand technology and like you once were, aren’t afraid to speak up. They purposely seek a quicker way to get things done because awaiting them after work, depending on where they fall in age is their wife, partner and kids—these are the things important to them.

It’s not that they don’t want to do their job, they just don’t work the way you used to. Many of them are also healthier than you because they grew up knowing smoking was bad and exercise was good for them. They want to skateboard, bike, hike, attend webinars and sure, be a little wild but is their wildness really different from what you did?

How to Change

Once you accept the problem is not Gen X or Gen and the problem is you, what can you do about it? A while back I wrote an article for Bright Hub, Types of Communication Styles: Bridging the Generation Gap and if you’re a Baby Boomer boss you need to read it.

Here are some tips to understanding the young workforce:

• Give them the technology they want and if they send you a text, so what, they are still communicating.
• They expect a pat on the back for a job well done so why not give it to them?
• They will ask you for more money, flex time or some other benefit you may think is ridiculous but before you say no, think about. You won’t have to think long, however, because Gen X and Gen Y are prepared to “show and tell” you why their request makes sound sense.
• These generations hate being uniformed and out of the loop so keep them in it.
• Stop the long and boring meetings and instead have short and to the point gatherings and give them a task or purpose to jump on, not just a “think about what we can do and we’ll discuss it in our next meeting.” They want to do something now, not a month from now.
• Their ideas conform to the 21^st century so listen to them, don’t shoot them down.
• Communicate with lots of visuals, they relate better to these. It’s not that they don’t want to read, it’s more of, these visuals reveal what I need to do quickly, not that long and boring novella HR created in the dark ages.
• They are creative and proud of it, so let them be innovative.
• You’re never going to get those smartphones out of their hands but did you ever think they’re doing something with them to enhance job performance?
• They really do think you’re a dinosaur so prove them wrong.

If change is inevitable, you need to learn how to embrace it like your parents did. You also need to utilize employee engagement techniques. Engaging your employees is the new buzz in creating a motivated and reliable workforce—it’s not just a trend that will go away.

Engaged employees are happier at their jobs and even you, the dinosaur can surely agree loving your job is a good thing.

To business owners everywhere who are in the dark ages of Baby Boomerness—the problem is not Gen X or Gen Y, the problem is you so learn to embrace and change and be open. And, never feel like you’re being attacked—these youngsters as you call them will also have to deal with a new generation when their children grow and enter the workforce and that’s when you can sit back and give them a little advice.

New Rules and Regulations for Gun Control in the U.S.

The question about gun control in the U.S. is on the minds of all people today. We had too many shootings last year and the last—Sandy Hook Elementary, outraged America.

I don’t think we need stronger laws on gun control we just need to change some of the requirements to get a gun.

New York City’s Mayor Bloomberg brought up a great point on the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary shootings by saying 90 percent of the gun crimes in his city were committed using illegal guns and I suspect that statistic is true in almost every major city.

Criminals will get the guns they need—this is something no one can stop no matter how hard they try but in all of the shootings we saw in 2012, the person responsible did have some mental health issues and I think reform has to start and end with mental health and some other stipulations.

New Rules

My recommendations for reforming gun control in America requires only two changes to the current rules for obtaining a gun—two rules folks—how hard is that? And, responsible gun owners, the NRA and other gun advocate groups, I think, would agree these are fair rules.

Rule #1 for Gun Control - Initial Certification

Instead of authorized gun dealers doing a simple background check that only takes like 30 minutes in most states, the initial certification should include:

• Faxing your family doctor for his/her opinion on whether you can own a gun
• Contacting your health insurance carrier to see if you take any psychiatric medications
• If yes to the above, faxing your mental health care provider to see if it’s okay for you to own a gun
• The ability to search a database of the guns you own
• The ability to search a database on anyone who lives with you to see if they own a gun
• Fingerprint submission
• Any criminal charge – minor or major and no gun for you
• Check to see if you are on registered sex offender list
• Check driving record and if you have many violations or parking tickets, no gun for you
• Provide a list of the guns you own including serial number, model and state purchased
• Submit proof that you have taken a gun safety course from an “authorized” instructor
• If you shoot an intruder in your home, you must go to rule #2 and recertify – heck cops have to get investigated for shooting another person so why not the average American?

I realize this seems lengthy but for gun enthusiasts and hunters especially, just plan ahead because you may have to wait some time. If you are gun competitor or professional shooter or instructor planning ahead is not a hard thing to do.

Rule #2 for Gun Control - Recertification

Many licenses require renewals or recertification—teachers, realtors and doctors have to obtain continuing education for license renewal, so why not gun owners? Many states offer driver’s licenses with expirations dates 10 or more years from date of issue so recertification is important for gun control.

Recertification would require the same rules as in Rule #1 and folks must recertify every two to three years.

New Rules Would Take Planning and Organization

Before all you gun enthusiasts “shoot” me here, if you have nothing to hide, why should you care? I realize many of you will look at my two rules for gun control as an invasion of privacy but how many more children need to be killed by a gun to convince you something needs to be done?

Remind yourself of just how much we need to change something by viewing these photos of the victims at Sandy Hook Elementary.

My husband and I do own guns and while they are collector guns, it doesn’t mean we couldn’t kill someone with one of them if we were bonkers or a felon right?

And, I think we should let a SWAT team or First Responder team set up my new rules. Why these groups? They seem to be very capable of handling problems in an instant so they are my choice—not the U.S Government, not the FBI or the CIA—not even the NRA! With their help, we could have an organized and usable plan by the end of 2013.

I don’t want to take away the rights of Americans to own a gun—any legal gun. Something must be done to regulate gun control in the U.S. and to me; this seems like a good start.

Any comments, supportive or negative are welcome! Help me improve my plan for gun control!

This Is My Country—Say Both Democrats and Republicans—But It’s Really Ours!

America the Beautiful—Home of the Free and the Brave! We’re star-spangled and can pledge our allegiance but what is up with Washington? I can’t honestly say I’m not happy about how 2012 turned out as far as elections go—we still pretty much have the same problems with the same people trying to solve them. 

Not that I think Mitt Romney could have really made any changes because folks—that’s up to the House and the Senate and the Republicans and Democrats and so far, they don’t seem to want to play nice.

The American people have given up on their government leaders in Washington and instead simply don’t care anymore. We aren’t stupid folk—but we do know how stupid and ineffective those in power do look. 

And, what’s to do? Nada, people, not one little thing will change the mindless and “don’t mess with my pension” leaders in D.C. to change.

Oh Joe “let’s be nice” Biden can try. I must say President Obama looks more determined and confident in his second term but even he can’t stop this mess—no one person can—that’s why it’s called a “government.”

What can a country do when its leaders refuse to govern? We tried Occupy Any Street. We dropped our banks and screamed at Wall Street—all to no avail.

I heard a reporter on CNN say today in about 60-90 days or so, our “we don’t like each other leaders” will face some of those tough problems they couldn’t decide upon—all over again. The one I like best is a total government shutdown. That might wake them up.

But unfortunately, those affected will be the lowly, the dire, the mail carrier, the secretary or administrative assistant. The Mint moneymakers and the janitors, the employed responsible for sending out the social security checks—this will be our government shutting down but you can bet the farm the commissary and coffee cafes will be alive and well because our leaders can’t go without nutrition right?

But what if the shutdown had a twist?

Keep the Lowly Folks to Run It!

I’m just throwing this out there but what if we did allow the government to shut down and let all the leaders go back to their mansions, farms, countryside villas and elaborate cabins and instead, allow the lowly to take a stab at getting things back to normal—whatever normal is.

Our leaders would be fine because they have illegal aliens working as housemaids, chauffeurs, estate managers and cooks—they’d been “taken” care of and have no money worries.

Send them back from whence they came and lock them in I say—not that it would be a tough house arrest but at least we’d be rid of them for a while.

Next, we’d need our second-in-line lowly staff who work hard daily for peanuts to get in there and come up with some real goals and hold realistic votes. They could create budgets that made sense without the oh-so-powerful.

Our new leaders would be comprised of a true representation of the average American so we would give the money to Super Storm Sandy victims, take away fancy offices and the too-many assistants for those that used to be in power and above all—no filibustering and definitely no vacations—well at least not until a full year on the job like most Americans and yes, they could build up personal and sick days.

Their first task (if I may suggest) is to change the salaries and pensions of all of our leaders. That means once you retire, you better have a fallback plan just like the rest of us who now have no cash left in our retirement accounts—and that will be tough to do when you will now be living from paycheck to paycheck.

Make money off the guest speaking you’ll do and the books you’ll write. Oh, here’s an idea—why not deliver some pizza on the side—take another job if you will so you have enough money to keep your cook. I mean jeers to them—they suggest we do take that second or even third job!

We would have the non-rich, the average and the low-income figuring things out at the top and if a revolt was deemed necessary well, heck—why not?

I am so sick of “I don’t like you looks” and “I don’t like you either looks” on the faces of all of our leaders that I trust none of them. I feel like those Doomsday people on that TV show might have a good idea after all.

And, if I see one more reporter standing outside the White House with an update on—well nothing, I may shoot my TV and put it on YouTube! This is what these updates really sound like to me:

Newsroom: “Can you give us an update Hank?”

TV Reporter Hank: “Well things are looking glim. We don’t have a resolution to so and so and such and such and tomorrow, the President vowed he’d step in.”

Newsroom: “Really Hank, what are the President’s plans?”

TV Reporter Hank: “Right now, according to his closest advisors it appears he thinks a game of pick-up basketball and a cigarette with Speaker Boehner might help.”

Newsroom: “Great Hank. We’ll look forward to your update tomorrow.”

The problem here folks is nothing ever changes “tomorrow.” But maybe, just maybe if we had some real representation of what’s wrong with America game changers in Washington, at least we’d have a fighting chance.

Right now all we have is fighting and it’s embarrassing.

Hostess Says No More Twinkies, What’s Next Flavor-Aid?

I doubt Hostess can honestly say there will be no more Twinkies. Eventually, some other baking / food conglomerate will buy the “secret” recipe and we shall see Twinkies again. For now, however, I can’t tell you how many people were reduced to tears and sadness on Facebook and Twitter today when they heard this could-survive-an-apocalypse snack will never again be placed in little plastic bags in the near future.

Cries, outrage and “I want my Twinkies” was heard around the world, near and far, north and south, east and west and I for one really can’t remember what a Twinkie tastes like because it’s been so long since I had one—I was probably a kid. The so-called “Twinkies” my Mom gave us were probably Little Debbie imitation Twinkies so I may have never tasted a Twinkie!

I do have an urge to run out and buy at least a Twinkie two-pack before they are gone from store shelves everywhere. Unfortunately, this is Formula 1 Racing weekend in Austin and even getting out of your driveway is difficult, so I hope there will be some left on Monday. If not, I’m sure there will be black market Twinkie sales down in the seedy alleys of Sixth Street of Austin.

“Wanna Twinkie?” A little figure wearing a dark hood would ask.

“OMG Yes!” I’d reply so enthusiastically.

“You can buy one for $100 or the twin-pack to $175,” he’d say as he shifted his eyes back and forth.

“A bargain,” I’d say and hand over $175 going for the whole kit and caboodle.

Oh the travesty of it all! Embarrassed and ashamed I’d be albeit a little happier!

Soon Flavor-Aid Will Be Gone

Now, on to the drink mix Flavor-Aid—is this product the next to go? When I lived in New Mexico there wasn’t one store where I could find Flavor-Aid. Why not just get Kool-Aid you ask? My husband doesn’t like the “taste” of Kool-Aid—says it has a funny aftertaste. He drinks a lot of Flavor-Aid (cherry flavor only) and since I couldn’t buy it in New Mexico, my telephone calls to the makers of Flavor-Aid (Jel Sert) went something like this:

“Jel Sert, how may I help you today?” A woman always answered.

“I’d like to order a carton of Cherry Flavor-Aid,” I’d say.

“A carton oh my! And you want all Cherry?” She’d ask in fear.

I have to stop here a second to explain to those who don’t know that Jim Jones killed all those folks way back when with not Kool-Aid as many think, but Cherry Flavor-Aid!

“Yes all Cherry,” I’d reply.

“Well we make lots of flavors, like Lemon and Orange and Grape and….” She had to be cut off.

“I just want the Cherry ma’am,” staying firm.

“Okay, well hold on a sec,” every woman who answered the phone would put me on hold. I fear they were probably checking some huge database to ensure my name was on it and that yes indeed I had ordered Cherry Flavor-Aid before and so far my name was not newsworthy meaning I hadn’t killed a large group of people; not one soul as a matter of fact.

With the transaction completed and my husband happy, I knew in a week or so, my Flavor-Aid would be at my door and all would be right with the world—at least my world.

Stop Taking Our Stuff!

I don’t know who makes the decision to stop making a favorite product. Well I do as far as Hostess is concerned and as far as other discontinued products, I’m sure I could find out why they were discontinued but most of us move on, find another brand or snack and keep on living.

As far as Twinkies, it is a sad day for America and if they stop making Flavor-Aid, it may as well be the apocalypse because there will be hell in my house!

On a final note, a few years back when I had to get my gallbladder removed, the anesthesiologist walked into the pre-op room and said, “Hi, my name is Jim Jones,” and offered me a glass of something red. Obviously not the real Jim Jones but he makes fun of the name. Also, I used to have a dentist who was once a prison dentist and worked on Jeffrey Dahmer’s teeth, but that’s another story.

I’m feeling adventurous now—time to figure out my six degrees of separation connection to Kevin Bacon!

When Political and Celebrity Affairs Used to Be Private

If you haven’t heard about the affair between CIA director David Petraeus, (also a four-star general) and biographer Paula Broadwell, you’ve been living under a rock but does anyone remember when political and celebrity affairs used to be private?

In the days of John Edward and his bad choice, Jesse James and Tiger Woods cheating on their respective spouses and Anthony Weiner sending nude photos of himself you’d think Mr. Petraeus should have known his affair would come out badly—and in the media—a scandal for the ages!

Gone are the days when affairs were avoided by the press even though they were discussed—they were never put into print until years after these love trysts were long over and folks were deceased.

John F. Kennedy had multiple affairs including one with actress Marilyn Monroe but mum was the word—always. Actors Hepburn and Tracy are now thought of as one of Hollywood’s greatest couples but back in the day, Tracy was married and the affair was hush-hush in the press. No one talked about Loretta Young and Clark Gable and how their affair produced a daughter until the daughter was grown and greedy publishers sought her out for the “true” story.

These days, however, if you’re a celebrity or in politics, having an affair is just stupid because you will get caught—the media hounds are everywhere and they will print all the news that’s fit to print!

The Los Angeles Times has taken advantage of the Petraeus/Broadwell affair by posting photos of top political figures caught in scandalous affairs. And why not? People are drawn to this type of drama and the media knows it.

Does It Make a Difference?

I used to work for a large national construction firm which I will not name. The owners of the firm were all manly men who prided themselves on under-the-sheets maneuvers. Still, they were fair employers, knew what they were doing in the industry and were extremely successful. I got along with all of them but I never slept with any of them. I made it known upfront that was a no-no for me and if they had a problem with that they could speak to my husband.

Did their behaviors make me want to stop working for this group? Absolutely not! I loved my job, enjoyed the challenges and the pay was extremely fair—above what most firms were paying. They were nice enough to me and I didn’t have to sleep my way to the top but for those who chose too and then sue, you knew what you were doing so stop whining already.

I also liked Bill Clinton and if I would have been on his staff, I may have been disappointed about Monica Lewinsky (oh my spell check allows Lewinsky), but I would have still been excited to work with and for him. As my sister would say, what’s done in the bedroom doesn’t affect how politicians politick.

Tired of It All

Actually, I really don’t care who is having an affair or who gets caught. What does surprise me is that it continues to happen over and over again to those in high power or those in the celebrity arena. Do they really think affairs will go unnoticed? Do they think they are the only ones who know and all hotel concierges and bell hops are discreet? Do they think all those unmarked vans racing around them are just folks driving by and not news vans? Give me a break!

As I write this, we are minutes away from President Obama’s first news conference since his reelection and all CNN can talk about is the Petraeus/Broadwell affair. Will Obama talk about it? No people he won’t and why should he?

I hope our President is smart enough (and I think he is) to talk about real problems and issues we face, not who is sleeping with whom. Call it an “on-going investigation” or something similar. In fact I’m sure that’s what he’ll do because after all, he’s probably as tired of all these affairs as we are and I bet he often turns to Michelle and says, “What on Earth was he or she thinking?” Exactly!

Can we move on now?

Tired of Election Facebook Slams, Dunks and Those Bordering on Illegal

Most of us have a Facebook Page and check it every day. Our friends and friends of friends share links, photos and articles but now that the presidential election is over and President Barack Obama (yay Word finally accepts his name in spell check), has won, can we cut down a bit on the trash talking?

I grew up in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, a blue state for sure. I have lived in Arizona—a red state, New Mexico, another blue state and now live in Austin Texas. Texas is generally a red state but most Austinites like to Keep Austin Weird so we’re blue, independent and liberal here—anything goes and anything it appears is okay to post and say on Facebook. Or is it just me?

Am I an Old Fart?

I fear, however, my age has turned me into an old fart. Pre-election night my Facebook friends inundated me with lots of great vote for Obama posts but Romney supporters are really mean spirited. I have one Facebook friend that I fear unfriending because he and his wife’s posts (at least to me) border on illegal slams and bangs against Obama, his family and his religion (no my friend is not Donald Trump, although I wouldn’t mind if he was my rich uncle).

(A weird side note here—Facebook seems to be running extremely slow this morning so is this a sign from above that I should skip this blog post?)

In any event, the real nasty posts started after Clint Eastwood’s empty chair speech at the Republican National Convention (which I found a little embarrassing for Clint). Oh and by the by Facebook, can you please take down the click here if you want Romney to be our next president ad?

Well on to these frightening posts and whether I should unfriend these Facebook friends!

Legal, Illegal or Stupid

These “friends” I will only refer to as “F” and “A” are a hubby-wife team that focused on alarming posts and I for one, wonder if some of them were illegal, but in reality, I guess they were simply stupid posts. They posted these items for example which I have not edited for clarity:

“Michele Obama is a man.”

“Where is Lee Harvey Oswald when we really need him?”

“This election's BIG winners: Planned Parenthood, feminazis, illegal aliens, welfare leeches, terrorists, the Muslim Brotherhood, MSNBC, regressive journalists, the Congressional Black Caucus, public unions, Hollywood, the porn industry, potheads, gay radicals, Marxist churches, the United Nations, Vladimir Putin, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Russia, China.... hypocrisy, and filth. The losers? Those who fought and died for this thing we call freedom, and the American people. All the blood shed (shaking my head).”

“Anyone that wants to post obama shit don't do it on my page. i don't want to look at him nor do i want to here you all whine about him. You all had your chance to vote him out and didn't now its tuff shit.”

“America you reap what you have sow ,You wanted this socialist bastard for another 4 years, so now enjoy what he and his friends are about to do. As for me I fully intend to fight for Texas and its right to leave the union and become what america just gave up. Remember the Alamo.”

“You now have witness the most corrupt elections the world has ever known.”

“I just called my employment up and told them to take me off a 6 day work week starting Jan 1. Fk it i'm not giving the government any more tax money then I got to and besides they will just take what i got and give it to someone sitting on their ass loving socialism I'll just cancel the house maid service and do it myself and keep the $. I'm beyond fed up”

“Next time I fill out a form asking about my race, I'm just gonna respond 1st place.”

Pictures Too!

During the months prior to the election, both “F” and “A” also posted images of all sorts of guns and how they should use them and on whom with lots of references to democrats and the head democrat! They posted empty lawn chairs, hanging lawn chairs, altered Obama images with frightening text and much of these pictures offended me—again old fart or are “F” and “A” crazy?

Still Not Done

After the election was over, I was sure “F” and “A” would get back to normal and continue to post photos of their dogs and cats (I love animals) and that’s one of two reasons I friended them on Facebook in the first place. The other reason? Both “F” and “A” are customers where my husband works so to keep them as customers, I skipped leaving comments like “shut up already you sound like a moron” or “do you even have a brain” I simply ignored their posts (except the animal ones).

But no, “F” and “A” continue the pity party of how horrible (at least in their eyes) the next four years in America will be.

You know what “F” and “A”? I’ve said my peace hear and you know what; I’m glad you are both animal lovers but most of all, I’m really glad there is the “unfriend…” option on Facebook. As they say in the airline industry: “Bye-bye!”

On a final note, here’s a link for the text of Obama’s acceptance speech; perhaps my favorite part:

“America, I believe we can build on the progress we’ve made and continue to fight for new jobs and new opportunity and new security for the middle class. I believe we can keep the promise of our founders, the idea that if you’re willing to work hard, it doesn’t matter who  you are or where you come from or what you look like or where you love. It doesn’t matter whether you’re black or white or Hispanic or Asian or Native American or young or old or rich or poor, able or disabled, gay or straight, you can make it here in America if you’re willing to try.” Nicely said President Obama.

As a Republican, many of my friends may wonder why I’m so supportive of Barack Obama. I’m supportive of America and proud my grandfather from Italy was able to enter it via Ellis Island and start anew. And, it’s not necessarily the president we should all support, it’s the flag, our beliefs, our freedoms and as far as our economic challenges, you can’t blame that on one person, nor can you expect one person to fix it. Cheers President Obama and now that  you’ve won another four years, you can really dig in, forget about stupid reelection campaigns and get the work done you wanted to do in your first term! Let’s join together America!

Austin TV Network Affiliates Shun Hurricane Sandy Sufferers

I’ve only lived in Austin Texas for a little over a year now but frankly, I’m a little pissed off when it comes to the websites of the ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX affiliates here in Austin and their failure to prominently offer ways Austinites can help Hurricane Sandy sufferers on their websites and on their news broadcasts.

I remember when Haiti was in need after the devastation there and even the small town I lived in at the time, (Taos New Mexico), had a very prominent link (clickable box) where folks could donate to those in Haiti. Apparently, Austin doesn’t seem to care about anything but Texas and Austin events.

Biggest stories? A plethora of election updates and the non-newsworthy in this time of need about director Ron Howard coming to the Austin Formula 1 racetrack and a kid being bounced from school for wearing a zombie costume—really? Oh yeah, one station had a top story about women sex enhancing nose sprays. All of these online stories appear on what Internet experts call “above the fold”—you don’t have to scroll down to read them—top headlines if you will. Come on a women sex enhancing nose spray vs. Hurricane Sandy donations? Gimme a break!

Thank Goodness for the Taylor Daily Press

I did a Google search (see screenshot above) on “Where can I donate money for Hurricane Sandy in Austin Texas” and only one news medium—The Taylor Daily Press appeared in the search so shame on the NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX affiliates here in Austin.

I want a clickable box that links to a form that assures me my donation will go to the Red Cross or other national charity intent on helping victims of this horrible storm. Actually, I demand it!

Austinites turn to our trusted news stations which now appear not so trustworthy or informational when it comes to aiding our fellow Americans.

Sure there are stories about some of our local Military heading to NYC and other areas to help but in Texas, the Military is big news—why not a story about how our local troops are heading to help and then a venue link where “you can help here?”

Shame on Austin news stations. As a person who hails from the East, I guess in Texas, this news story is simply not BIG enough in a land where everything is big. Well Texans, apparently, we’re not so BIG in Austin about helping those who are suffering from Hurricane Sandy—we are, however, ready to report on the BIG, BIG story about women sex enhancing nose spray. Bummer!

Since I am an Austinite (at least for now), here are some links:

Red Cross Hurricane Sandy

Salvation Army Hurricane Sandy

Any news reporters or news stations willing to take on the challenge?