Helping people
July 14, 2008
“There is no experience better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.”
-John Andrew Holmer
Phones ringing
July 13, 2008
“For three days after death, hair and fingernails continue to grow but phone calls taper off.”
-Johnny Carson
One minute your here, the next minute your gone. Today, I’m off to hear Paula White, one of my favorite spiritual leaders. Life is so short, you’ve got to make sure you’re ready to go at a moment’s notice. I’m not afraid to die, never have been, I know the promise and power in proclaiming Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior.
We had a great comedy show last night. The crowd is not always with me, I must work harder to reach them. Part of live comedy is to cross the line, but you can’t do that until you have the audience on your side.
I sometimes worry I’ll lose credibility as a newscaster, I’ve worked so hard to be trusted and I uphold the highest standards in journalism. I’ve come to the conclusion doing stand-up simply allows people to get to know me a little better.
I should study people like Johnny Carson. Early in my career I signed on with his longtime agent, Conrad Shadlen. At 23, Conrad called me and encouraged me to sign with his agency. I’m certain I’d be at the network by now, if only he would have had more time with me. He passed away several years ago, but I will always be greatful for his encouraging words. For some reason he believed in me. I was just excited to have an agent, although I later learned I didn’t really need him or the other 3 agents after him at that particular point in my career. Now, TV News Agents won’t touch me, I’m too fat. I do have people in the Entertainment Industry helping me and I’m excited about that.
Walter Cronkite said in our interview in 2001, “Entertainment took top spot over News a long time ago.” And Oprah Winfrey who started in News once said, “TV News is for the birds”.
With so much competition and change in News and Entertainment, I think you have to be flexible. I love what I do and pray I can do it into my 80s. JMD
God is in control
July 12, 2008
“Life is God’s novel. Let Him write it.”
-Isaac Bashevis Singer
One thing I know for sure, I’ve always been where God wanted me, even when things didn’t make sense. JMD
When I ended up in Corpus Christi in 1999, I had no idea I’d meet my great uncle within the year. When I ended up in Lufkin, I was about 100 miles away from my aunt whom I’d never met until that great year. And now, in San Antonio I’ve met more common cousins. One thing too, love will always find you. JMD
Compassion
July 11, 2008
“Compassion for myself is the most powerful healer of the all.”
-Theodore Isaac Rubin
Enthusiasm
July 10, 2008
“A group of two hundred executives were asked what makes a person successful.
Eighty percent listed enthusiasm as the most important quality.”
-Unknown
Enthusiasm doesn’t mean you are bouncing off the walls in excitement. As a shy introverted person I don’t wear my enthusiasm on my sleeve, but look inside and I can’t wait until my next story. JMD
Be flexible
July 9, 2008
“When you learn to be flexible, amazing opportunities reveal themselves!”
Fortune Cookie
Failure
July 7, 2008
“Some goals are so worthy, it’s glorious even to fail.”
-Unknown
“If your life is free of failures, you’re not taking enough risks.”
-Dad
From the book, A Father’s Book of Wisdom
I have about 12 people waiting for my book in print. This is the last time I presell anything. My goal now is to print by the end of Summer. I’ve taken a weekend job, but it’s killing me. The economy just went south, and I’m on empty. I’ve decided to give those 12 people a second book at no cost. Yes, I feel like a failure, but I will get that book out. If you’ve ordered and are waiting, thank you for your support and patience. JMD
Kindness
July 6, 2008
“I expect to pass through life but once. If, therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.”
-William Penn
“We shall pass this way but once, any good therefore we can do, and kindness we can show to any human being. Let us do it now, let us not differ from it, nor neglect it, for we shall never pass this way again.”
-Unknown
I have held on tight to the latter quotation for years. Today, I found a similiar quote attributed to William Penn.
There’s debate as to who came up with the phrase, ‘it ain’t over, ’til the fat lady sings’. I also recently read three people are fighting for rights to the poem, Footprints in the Sand. If there’s one thing we uphold in journalism, it’s attribution.
“To pass something off as your own when it isn’t, is a lie, but more it’s to deny your own ability to think and create and be free.” JMD
My Best
July 5, 2008
“Every Man is entitled to be valued by his best moments.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
July 17th
July 4, 2008
7:30 p.m.
Shangrila Chinese Restaurant
2727 Goliad Rd.
(210) 421-1972
Rose Tenorio hosts Nick Charles, James Munoz and Suzanne Brown with special guest
Big John as Elvis.
Free
Open mike follows the show
