Character to Watch: Captain Hook

We already know how much I like Once Upon a Time, and to say I was excited to learn the show would be introducing Captain Hook this season would be an understatement. But now that Hook has been introduced, I find myself in a love-hate relationship.

And it's all because of this scene:

I wanted so badly to add you to my list of favorite characters, Hook. But you had to go and mess with Rumpelstiltskin, and just be a jerk in general to boot.

Yes, I know that Rumpelstiltskin is bad. Some may even call him evil, but even though you spend most of the episode trying to figure out what he's doing, there's never a question as to why Rumpel is the way he is.

And now I've found out that Hook played a part in creating the path Rumpelstiltskin is now walking.

So I'll love to hate you, Hook... so long as you don't mess with Rumpel again, although I fear that will ultimately happen.

The Other Side of the Story

A few weeks ago I posted a video of a news anchor standing up and calling out a viewer who sent her an email that attacked her weight. Since then that video has gone viral. The anchor has even appeared on CBS News This Morning promoting her anti-bullying standpoint.

But there's another side to this story. There are those out there who would call this anchor the bully, or at the very least question her journalistic ethics.

When first confronted by the possibility that this anchor may in fact have turned into a bully over one email, I scoffed. I told myself, these people just don't understand what it's like to get countless emails and calls criticizing everything you do or say. But the possibility made me think.

As a producer, would I have given one of my anchors more than 4 minutes to chastise one viewer over an email they received? Not likely.

I think so many journalists reposted and liked this video because in all honesty it's what we wish we could do, and given the chance we all would do it without hesitation. But that doesn't change the fact that journalistically, what this anchor did was not ethical.

I find myself asking how a producer justified giving up four minutes of their show over hurt feelings. Sure, they preface the tirade by saying it's bullying prevention month, but the segment only devotes 30 or so seconds to actual bullying. Instead, this anchor talks about how hurt she was by this one email.

So why this email? I have a hard time believing it's the first mean viewer feedback she's gotten, and I'm sure someone has referenced her weight before now. If not, she should consider herself lucky. My anchors, reporters and even producers get a constant stream of rude emails, phone calls and actual snail mail. You read it, choose whether you want to respond to it, and then you move on. End of story. Never would it cross my mind -- seriously, anyway -- to call out our viewers on the air.

Do I believe this anchor should be upset over the email she received? Absolutely.

Do I think she handled the situation correctly? Not exactly.

Do I still wish I could have four minutes to give our mean viewers the what for? Without a doubt.

Would I ever do that? Definitely not.

When we give in to our critics, those people who only contact us to cast stones, we become no better than them, sacrificing our journalistic integrity in the process. And if you lose that integrity, you lose all credibility, and without credibility a journalist is worthless.

We should never let our critics determine our worth.

Pin Tested, Ashton Approved

I'm always on the lookout for hair tutorials. Having naturally curly hair that doesn't like to cooperate, especially when I decide to wear it curly, I am always on the hunt for the next big thing when it comes to hair tips.

And let me tell you, this one right here WORKS.



I did do a couple of things differently - mainly because I do have naturally curly hair and have already developed a few tricks of my own.

First off, you'll notice that she didn't separate her hair into sections. I always have to separate my hair into at least two sections- even when I'm just straightening it.

Secondly, not all of my curled sections were an inch wide. Anyone with naturally curly hair knows that curls are not uniform. Some are big, others are small.

Also, I used the 1/2 inch iron instead of the one inch. The curls were a little tighter and lasted longer, whereas with the one inch the definition just wasn't there for me. I ended up with waves instead.

Here's my finished product!

Perspective

There are many things in life you don't want to experience. There are so many situations you don't even consider, thinking "That could never happen to me." But then it does, and you're forced to change your way of seeing.

I've never given much thought to suicide, other than to think it a cowardly, selfish way out. But I've never actually been personally affected by someone's decision to end it all, and I've learned that changes everything.

This week, one of my family members tried to kill themselves. They were unsuccessful, but that doesn't change the impact.

Suicide, whether it's successful or just an attempt, is incomprehensible to me. How can life be so bad, so negative that you feel like there's no place for you in it? When does death become the only option? What causes that dark place you can't escape from?

Maybe I've just been lucky. All my life I've been surrounded by caring, loving, supportive people who've done nothing but lift me up. But I don't think luck has too much to do with it. You see, I choose to only invite those types of people into my life. Sure I have to deal with negativity and pessimistic, doom-and-gloom people, but they aren't the people I choose to be with. In fact, I only deal with them on an as-needed basis.

And try though I might, I cannot bring myself to feel pity or sympathy for someone who commits or attempts to commit suicide. I'm saddened by the situation in that someone reaches the point where they feel they have no other choice. Furthermore, I hurt for the family and friends who have no idea what they should say or do or where to go from here.

But mostly I am disturbed, and I don't know that I will ever truly get over it. Out of the many life-changing experiences I've gone through, this has been the most thought-provoking and reality checking of them all.

It's that phone call you never expect, that text message that causes your jaw to literally drop in disbelief. You spend hours just contemplating why. And you're never satisfied with the answers you come up with. There is no rationalization that makes the situation better, and if you're like me and can't wrap your head around the concept that things can be so dark or so terrible that suicide is even considered in the first place, you end up feeling slightly guilty about the way you feel.

In the end, all you can do is hope for brighter days. For the victim, for their families, for their friends.


If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts or displaying suicidal behavior, there is help out there. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is open 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. Don't wait until it's too late. Call today. 1-800-273-8255

Ode to Newsroom Callers

I know there are perfectly normal, intelligent and nice people who watch our news.

However, they are not the people who call our newsroom.

Instead, we get the crazy, mentally ill and downright mean...

Those viewers who feel entitled in criticizing how we dress, what stories we choose to report on and even our wrong weather forecasts...

Those residents who want nothing more than someone to yell at, or who don't know how to use a phone book or Google...

The viewers who are unable to distinguish between a newscast and a commercial break...

The creepy sports stalker...

Please stop calling.

No, really.

We don't like you.

Taking a Stand

Watch this and remember it.

Bullying comes in many forms, including letters/emails/phone calls to television stations. Us newsies are people, too.

Bravo, Jennifer. I hope this message goes viral and helps raise awareness of this growing problem.