Well, we’re about to end another week without our director, Betsy.  Betsy had knee replacement surgery several weeks ago.  I’m happy to report that the surgery went well and Betsy is meeting with a physical therapist to get some more range of motion in her knee.  I’m so happy that Betsy will soon walk without a limp and without so much pain.   A person as sweet as Betsy deserves to be pain-free.  We miss you, Betsy.  We’ll have the best pitch-in ever when you return to work next month.

Our current director, EJ, is doing a great job filling in for Betsy.  It isn’t easy, either.  EJ arrives at the station around 1:30 a.m. and she’s often here until 10 or 10:30.  Like Betsy, EJ is also one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet.  She’s always so pleasant when she gives us instructions in our earpieces.  Even when things are going haywire, she maintains a sense of calm.  This morning, she just let a little of her frustration come through and she spent the rest of the morning apologizing for it.  Believe me, EJ, you’re one of the nicest people I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with.  No apology was necessary.

Television news can be a tense work enviroment, especially when technical problems start to over-shadow all of the hard work you’ve done to prepare for a show.  But working with professionals like Betsy and EJ make the mornings a lot easier.