I've been locked out of this blog due to a password situation oh, for more than four years now! I also lost access to the phone number linked to the account, so I couldn't receive the code they would send. However, something magical must have happened as I was able to get access once again.
In catching up, maybe the most difficult part is not having my side-kick Willamena by my side to capture NYC. I am also now in Albany. I mean Schenectady. Wait, it's actually Niskayuna.
For whatever reason, I was granted access back on this New Year's EVE EVE. It all started as I was looking for old pictures of ringing in "New Year's Eve" in Times Square. We would visit around 6am or so and be clear of the area before tourists were allowed to gather.
So here are a few pics of years past.
And here is to the year ahead, 2019.
13 years ago I was waking up, ready to cover the NYC democratic primary. Instead my plans changed along with the world.
However, one thing that hasn't changed about my Manhattan are my walks. Even the first song I wrote that I also wrote music on a guitar has the line, "I long for lost walks, where will I end up? Park turns into 4th Ave. Of course I knew..."
So prior to moving to NYC when I still lived in Utica, luckily I took some pictures of the World Trade Center. These don't have date stamps on the back, but according to the placement in my photo album, it was late 2000.
It was a gray day, though of course my favorite color. It was even misting a bit. The clouds were heavy, and from angles, you couldn't see WTC.
In this angle below, from the Statue of Liberty, you have to almost know where the towers are supposed to be to see them.
This is one of my favorite pictures. It's up in my walk-in-closet converted to a home office that I call "The Map Room."
The skyline has since changed. The Twin Towers might be gone, but there isn't a hole it it's place anymore. From the end of 2001 to 2010 I jogged along the Hudson from the Upper West Side and watched the progress. It wasn't necessarily a skyline view from there, just the surrounding area.
One World Trade Center is nearly completed. It stands 1,776 feet over Ground Zero. By this anniversary next year, it should be occupied.
Sometimes it does pay off to talk crazily about obsessions.
How often do you randomly speak of wanting to write historical markers for the State Education Department and go on and on and on about the State Education Building to a stranger?
Funny when it turns out that stranger works at the State Education Building and says, "the building is closed to the public, but I can give you a tour."
I might have been without words for a few seconds. But finally when I could I speak I said to her, "let's go."
Once you step inside the 36-column building, there are more columns inside on the second floor, but the murals are the eye catchers.
VERITAS, THE GODDESS OF TRUTH, fixes her eyes on the words of the Roman philosopher Marcus Aurelius, "If thou workest... with heroic truth in every word thou utterest, thou wilt live happily." In the foreground, the poppy, hourglass, and head of Medusa represent aspects of temptation and error. The Great Sphinx of Giza in Egypt looms in the background.
They're all by the same person, Will H. Low.
This one is VERITAS, THE ETERNAL.
1917. Oil on Canvas.
With all the paintings it took me quite a bit to look up.
Once you do, you see the dome and this gold light fixture.
Up a few flights you'll see that the inside columns are double.
There are too many details to mention. Here to the right you see an old elevator, no longer in service.
Look up again around the corner at the descent of a spiral staircase.
This bring us to where you would either begin or end. The Regents Room is on the first floor.
This is what a sign says in the room that is lined with oil paintings of Chancellors.
"Founded in 1784, the New York State Board of Regents is the oldest policy making educational body in the nation. The Regents is the only state board of education that has oversight of educational society of all levels, including public schools and colleges, and cultural institutions.
Officially known as the Regents Room, this is the meeting space for the Regents when they are in Albany. This room is walled with Indiana limestone and an elaborate ornamental ceiling with a carved oak cornice. Portraits of past Chancellors hang on the walls.
Seventeen Regents are elected by the Legislature for terms lasting five years."
Walking or driving through Downtown Albany, it's difficult to not stop and stare at the State Education building.
It's the 36 column building that dominates Washington Avenue across the street from the State Capitol.
It's columns are quite impressive.
Several sources say it forms the longest colonnade in the US.
According to the Albany Visitors Center, it's where crews shot the HBO Muhammad Ali movie. If you watch, the scenes shot here are labeled Washington, DC.
Click on the pictures for detail on this sculpture. I was taking angles of the boy playing what looks like to me a fiddle or guitar. You can see standing on the steps, you are facing the NY State Capitol.
It was built between 1908 and 1911 and used to be open to the public. It used to house the state library and museum. They've moved the historical marker inside.
The architect is Henry Hornbostel, who is also responsible for the Williamsburg Bridge in New York City.
I started this blog in 2006. You can read past posts of adventures of Mena and me in Manhattan if you click through the screen right column. However, prior to blogging and moving to New York City, Mena took some pretty fabulous pictures of her times upstate New York.
Our home in Corning
Since Mena passed in November of 2013, It's been too difficult to revive this blog. However, with it's history, as well as CT Press Club Award, it must continue. I've just been waiting for the right revival time. So Happy National Dog Day, Mena!
Park in Corning
We moved to Upstate New York from Dallas summer 1998. Already Dallas had hit 100 every day for three months. Upstate, specifically Elmira, was like early fall upon arrival. My station was in Horseheads, NY, we lived in Corning. Mena learned to love the local cheese.
She ate my entire purchase when I left her out with it in my convertible to go in and buy local wine and apples. She also enjoyed Buttermilk Falls park in Ithaca and hiking the gorges.
Utica
Hiking
We only lived there three months before we moved to Utica, New York where we called home for three years. Mena loved the snow and hiking the Adirondacks and Catskills. Then after nine months in Kingston, NY, we moved to the Upper West Side of Manhattan in 2001. Until 2010 Central Park and Riverside Parks were Mena's backyards.
Mena in the Catskills
Moving back upstate, this time without Mena, has brought back so many pre-NYC memories that weren't captured in this blog. Mena would have loved it here, all of the 400-year-old architecture to pose in front of, as well as the state parks and bars.
I couldn't decide whether to start yet another blog, or continue on this one. With Mena's spirit in mind, and some file photos "never seen online," watch this space.
Watching St. Patrick's Day parade from Kingston window
Daily walk around Kingston rondout
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Baby Mena when we first moved to Upstate New York. In the drive half-way across country from Dallas, Texas she learned how to climb steps up to motel rooms. She also learned she loved toilet water.
This picture is about six years later on the streets of New York City. She loved long cold walks, as well as all the smells on the sidewalk.
I am grateful to be home this Mother's Day. Too many over the past 20 years have been spent miles away from my mom.
Together with my dad, we had nice hamburger by the lake today. Then we came home and my mom made brownies.
What's better than that?
In searching for pictures I've posted on previous blog posts, I came across writing from one Mother's Day we did spend together back in 2006. Mom and dad came to visit in New York City and I took her to see Jersey Boys.
Here is a picture of the three of us in Crystal Beach before my grandmother lost her home to Hurricane Ike.
My Momo has since died. Her name was Jeanette but was lovingly referred to as "Grandma cajun" by some of my friends.
Here are four generations! (I'm the one in yellow.) Jeanette, Lucille, Heather and Wanda.
My other grandmother, whom I called Na, has also passed. Here she is with my grandfather.
Whether in New York or London, when people find out I was born in Texas, the most common response recently has been “I like Austin.”
I say, “Oh, you’ve been?”
“No. But I’ve heard.”
Up to this point I haven’t been able to properly gush about Austin like I guess they expect. I almost attended the University of Texas at Austin. I think it was the weekend we put a deposit down on my dorm I had a “meet the professors” journalism event. I broke out in hives. The doctor said I was allergic to mold. That day I received a letter from SMU offering more financial aid- so it was back to Austin to demand my deposit.
I was born in Houston, went to high school in an area basically in the back yard of Texas A&M. Texas A&M is basically the University of Texas at Austin’s biggest rival. I went to college in Dallas- began my on-air career there then moved to New York. So no great Austin stories other than the occasional visit to see my Aunt and eat at Chuy’s.
The one exception is the year 2000 when I flew into Austin to see my parents and my decided I hadn’t seen the Capital building in a while. My dad agreed to make a drive-by… good thing I had worn a suit and makeup and did my hair because live and satellite trucks lined the capital.
It was the day Al Gore conceded. I ran into my old buddies from KXAS in Dallas and since I worked at an NBC station in upstate New York, they scheduled live shots for me. One thing I didn’t have was my IFB. No problem. I borrowed Jim Schiutto’s.
And that’s not the story most people want to hear when they say what great things they’ve heard about Austin. I can tell.
But recently I’ve spent some time in the great capital city and am ready to discuss what I’ve seen. I some great pictures of all the historical markers and architecture. Really, it’s good stuff. I also attended the now famous South by Southwest Music festival (SXSW.) The music was great.
However, I stick by my statement, “The best thing about SXSW is the architecture.”
Over my more than 14 years in New York, I grew accustomed to hearing bagpipes on St. Patrick's Day.
Spending the holiday in Austin, Texas this year at the South By Southwest Music festival, I made the statement, "the difference between New York and SXSW on St. Patrick's day is the music.
NO BAGPIPES!
But then I saw a man out of the corner of my eye... (actually my cousin Tammy pointed him out.) We chased after him because we thought he was carrying bagpipes- but oops.
Look- it was a fold up chair masquerading as pipes.
Willamena is in Texas as well. For now she has traded in Central Park for Central Texas.
Here you see her looking for a four-leaf clover. She actually found some pollen and spent the night sneezing.
Back in NYC over the years, McMena sniffed out some nice Irish bars for St. Patrick's Day. Here is a look back at some of her work. There are three tours. Click below.
Actually this St. Patrick's Day, a viewer sent me a picture he took of me in the Greenwich parade three years ago! Here I am with morning Weather man Paul Piorek. We had such a good time. However, I think my favorite Greenwich parade memory is from one year riding with co-anchor David Smith. "Connecticut" was spelled wrong on the side of the car. The printers left out the middle C.
Maybe the bagpipes stole our note.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Nearly two years since I've posted to this blog.
It's a shame since "Reporter and her dog" was one of the biggest elements of my life since 2006. And haha- when I look back at the writing from 06 to 08 it's much better than my "experimental times with social media" of 09 and 10.
I'm living in London now and trying to figure out how to get back into the Swinging 06's.
Olympics are coming up- anyone need a reminder?
I'm constantly reminded of Connecticut- the games are in Stratford, you pass the Stamford tube stop on the way there- not far past Greenwich- oh and these are the easy ones just off the top of my memory.
So from here- let's see where the future Leeds.
(Ugh that was a way dumb reference to UK football that had no place here :)) sorry....
Heather
Thursday, June 24, 2010
WILLAMENA CHEERS ON USA IN THE WORLDCUP
There might have also been a piece of steak involved.
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!
Yes, it's considered an American drinking holiday. But so what?
A while back, Willamena put together a list of some of her favorite Mexican hot spots in New York City. So if you are looking for a place to have a marg- CHECK IT OUT HERE.
According to Mexonline.com, in Mexico the day is not that big of a deal, just in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla and throughout the state of Puebla. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862.
As for Mexico Independence Day? We'll have to raise a glass in September for that.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Willabeast strikes again. Actually, I think it's time to call in the big dog to spook the Philly Phillies as we head into game two of the World Series.
However, we still need to decide what Willamena will wear this Halloween! I was thinking lab- tekkie. Maybe put a white coat and give her an i-Paw. I'm holding out for something better. Send me your ideas.
But don't worry, I'm sure I'll find something with all the help retailers are sending. I think the emails starting arriving mid-September. Amazon, ebay and a company I don't remember ever ordering from, filled my in-box with titles such as "$10 Off Costumes." "Don't be left without a costume!" "The best ones are going fast."
They're said to be spooked about consumer spending this entire upcoming holiday season. A survey by the National Retail Federation says Americans plan to spend 15-percent less on Halloween this year. Even following a dismal retail report yesterday, futures are up this morning. News 12 Business Reporter Bob Plunkett says some analysts think that after everyone's "NO-spending sprees" all year, as soon as people start shopping for gifts, they WILL make the impulse buys for themselves.
After all the tricks, maybe it is time to treat yourself. In moderation.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
I love that trees in Central Park are labeled. I can stop and look at them and know who they are and where they came from. I thought it was great the other day in Connecticut when I noticed some trees near the Bruce Museum in Greenwich were labeled as well. I started telling my friend Dwight about how I love reading labels on trees when I noticed, I was labeled. We had been at a media event, and not only did I still have my name tag on, I was labeled "New 12" instead of "News 12." But this also reminded me of another time I had a label- and so here is the story of not just being labeled, but of where we put those labels.
If you watched the video, you heard about how I left a news conference with a name tag on, but how my photographer reminded me to take it off before shooting a stand-up. I'm not going to litter, so I pulled the sticker off my chest and put it on my back-side. Of course people walking by had to let me know I had something on my....
AND that story reminds me of a Halloween a few years earlier. As morning anchor, I like to have a costume, but I can't wear it all morning long, I mean, I am a serious journalist. So that year, I wore a white suit, brought along bunny ears, tail and a duster. I was a "dust bunny." Get it?
So we took some pictures for the blog. My photographer was supposed to remind me to take off the tail, but wouldn't you know it, we got called out to breaking news and I'm running around asking people what happened. I couldn't understand why they all kept telling me how much they liked my suit.
Finally I turned to 'not face' my photographer and asked, I took that tail off, right? "Umm, NO."
Good thing Halloweeen is a Saturday this year and I'm not working!
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Hey fellow Twitter fans. Whether you use the social networking site for conversation or marketing or a way to never eat dinner alone, you should be aware of local tweet-ups and opportunities to meet people with whom you share links. I'm excited to attend the upcoming #140 Conference in London, because I met so many agitators and movers and inspired thinkers at Jeff Pulver's #140 New York back in June.
As Pulver's gatherings move forward, he says #140conf is not about microblogging or the place where people share twitter “tips and techniques” but rather where we explore the effects of the real-time Internet on Business.
You can still register for #140 Los Angeles (October 27th-28th,) #140 London (November 17th,) and #140 Tel Aviv. Maybe you are wondering how to get an opportunity to speak at one of these, or future events? @jer979 (Jeremy Epstein) spoke at #140 NYC and said he read every tweet by founder Jeff Pulver. He says he know what Jeff was looking for, and was able to respond and make a pitch based on what he knew about Jeff through his tweets. He explains why following only a select few works for him in this little video I shot with him at #140 NYC.
With all that is out there on Twitter, how can one read every single tweet of someone they follow? Simple strategy according to @jer979. When he spoke at #140 in NYC, he actually "got some boos" when he told the crowd that he only follows 140 people. He says it allows him to read every tweet and post and link of the experts he follows. However, checking in with him now, he is only following 99 people!
I don't remember exactly what it was, but something @jer979 said at #140 conf influenced some interesting works from Jeff Pulver. After Epstein spoke, Pulver went on to say how twitter and blogs and your footprint on the internet are your legacies. Your words are there for future generations to read; ways to get to know you better.
With that in mind, see you at #140 London!
Monday, September 21, 2009
"Acorns keep falling on my head... " Willamena was almost nocked in the head by these little nuts that were raining from the sky in Central Park Sunday morning. The squirrels were busy in the trees above, and the acorns had a certain rythm as they fell and hit the sidewalk, bouncing up to hit a few more notes as they bounced to their resting spots.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Yes, this year will be better than the last. Willamena is enjoying the Counting Crows in Central Park.
The skyline has since changed. The Twin Towers might be gone, but there isn't a hole it it's place anymore. From the end of 2001 to 2010 I jogged along the Hudson from the Upper West Side and watched the progress. It wasn't necessarily a skyline view from there, just the surrounding area. 
With all the paintings it took me quite a bit to look up.
There are too many details to mention. Here to the right you see an old elevator, no longer in service.
This bring us to where you would either begin or end. The Regents Room is on the first floor.
"Founded in 1784, the New York State Board of Regents is the oldest policy making educational body in the nation. The Regents is the only state board of education that has oversight of educational society of all levels, including public schools and colleges, and cultural institutions.
Click on the pictures for detail on this sculpture. I was taking angles of the boy playing what looks like to me a fiddle or guitar. You can see standing on the steps, you are facing the NY State Capitol.
My other grandmother, whom I called Na, has also passed. Here she is with my grandfather.
Over my more than 14 years in New York, I grew accustomed to hearing bagpipes on St. Patrick's Day.
The Willabeast strikes again.
AND that story reminds me of a Halloween a few years earlier. As morning anchor, I like to have a costume, but I can't wear it all morning long, I mean, I am a serious journalist. So that year, I wore a white suit, brought along bunny ears, tail and a duster. I was a "dust bunny." Get it?
Hey fellow Twitter fans. 
"Acorns keep falling on my head... "
