Brilliant....Ode to the Completely Useless Cubs

30 Before I'm 30...Things to attempt for the first time, or do all over again .....

PART ONE:

1 - Spot an Actual Funnel Cloud
2 - Make Wine
3 - White Water Raft
4 - Drive a Classic Sports Car
5 - Compete in another Half Marathon
6 - Buy a Bike
7 - Ride a Horse ( Last 3 tries = 6 black eyes)
8 - Dance on a Bar
9 - Put together a Lego Village and make it look like the package
10 - Take Part in a Live Performance
11 - Sing Kareokee
12 - Ghost Hunt
13 - Go to an NFL Game
14 - Rescue Another Animal
15 - Get in touch with Oprah Winfrey - Hey, I interviewed Barbara Bush at Age 12 - surely I've got a shot -- right? Though, something tells me this could be tougher.

Lime Pickle Recommendation: Scream More

That's me in the back row of the Pirate Ship ride at the National Cherry Festival in Michigan. Few things make me squeal with such genuine delight.

Lime Pickle Pic of Interest

Yes, this is a child on a leash at the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Michigan. Things that make ya go hmmm....??? Good Idea? Bad Idea?

Potter...My Prince

This is my darling dog, Potter. Potter-bear, as he is commonly called, dug this flower bed himself. He worked until he reached the 'cool dirt' of the appropriate temperature. His eyes are closed, poor guy, because he hates the flash.

Happy Half-Birthday to Me

Hello - Today I am 29 1/2.

As a result I am coming up with a plan to make the last six months of my time as a 20 Something as entertaining as possible. That being said: I need some ideas.

First - Six Goals -- These are deep important life goals to be completed one for every six months.

Second - 30 things to do while I am still a 20 Something. These can be anything like: eat eel, drive a corvette, shake hands with a member of an 80's Rock Band...you get the idea.

Give me your ideas -- I will update accordingly with pictures and stories.

News Flash...

We begin with a very important news update regarding yours truly ... No, I'm not married, with child, or moving to Madagascar. I'm back in the country....the U.S.A. Currently, I am temporarily enjoying choose your own adventure reporting trips in Mid-Missouri. Check me out at http://www.komu.com/ as I deliver coverage you can count on for the NBC station in Columbia.


Now, I want to discuss something very important: Lime Pickle. Do you know the wonders of Lime Pickle? For those of you that do not, technically, is a form of Indian pickle....which consist of many kinds of pickled fruits and vegetables that are marinated in oil or lemon juice and various Indian spices. These can be mango, lemon, carrot, tomato, pumpkins, lotus, rose, gosseberry, or partridge in a pear tree -- I'm kidding. There are many many different kinds of Indian pickles...I prefer the Lime.

So, what does one do with Lime Pickle? Well, it's a condiment...kinda like ketchup or mustard to the world of curry. It's divine on Indian breads....but my favorite is Patak's....and that particular brand encourages diners to 'use their imagination.'

I discovered this condiment of many colors during my stint as a nanny, journalist, and bar maid in London.

While, it's lovely to eat ( and I enjoy it right from the jar ) it's become more of a metaphor for life. Why? Well, during one trip with my British best friend, Kristin to meet a friend of ours....we found it necessary to stop at the local Spar convience store and buy several jars of Lime Pickle...for no apparent reason.

When the cashier, Raj ( a lovely man who sold me many a Brisith Lotto Ticket ) looked at us wondering why so much Lime Pickle -- in manner of Dirty Dancing's 'I carried a watermelon' line - I said: "Sometime's you just need some Lime Pickle."

Kristin and I agreed, that this was indeed a brilliant ephiphany. See -- Lime Pickle can be so many things that add zest to your life -- I mean, what if I had never discovered Lime Pickle -- this wonderous combination of flavors that never in my life before it was placed before me at Kristin's dinner table had I ever even imaged existed?

Therefore, I define Lime Pickle as: Anything unexpectedly fabulous that one could not have fathomed imaginable unless having actually encountered the element. Thus, realizing their life is indeed enhanced by this discovery, and will never be the same again.

It could be a dress from a new designer, the latest model of your favorite car, an amazing drink crafted by a new bar tender, or the guy or girl you meet on the night you swore you weren't going out.

If you have a Lime Pickle example -- I'd be delighted to hear about it: hbrantley18@hotmail.com

Meanwhile -- I am studying the Lime Pickle Ephiphany. This is the belief that amazing things will happen to you even when all hope seems lost -- it's the belief that something good will happen to make life a little easier...zestier...spicier. And when it happens - the Universe will be so beautifully revealed to you.

It's an experience like finding serendipty in the bermuda triangle of fate... It's a discovery made by complete accident -- by chance -- as you travel down an unplanned path. And, what's more -- you are certain "it" was meant to be a part of your life - you may not even be able to put it into words why you need it, or love it, you just do.

As Kristin would say: "I LOOVE Lime Pickle."

Maybe I am just an eternal optimist. Maybe. But, hey can you define love? Can you define happiness? Some things are just a fantastic and complicated compilation of sweet and sour. If you asked me to describe the taste of Lime Pickle...ya know... that's a whole other post.... and I'm not sure I could.

I'm a writer -- and I never know where I'm going to find inspiration -- In London, I found it in a jar of Indian spices. Sometimes you just need some Lime Pickle.

Jamie Oliver Cooking School: Recipease

A Pictures Says.....

Update from London...

So many things to tell ... and questions to ask...

First of all, girls: Where is (the heck) ZULU? 

Second: Did hell freeze over? I leave the country, and Mizzou starts winning. How long can it last? 

Well, I assume you all are up on the headlines from the U.K. Will we get bombed during the G20 next week? Will you buy the latest documentary on Jade Goody's life? 

I admit -- I had to google Jade Goody to figure out who she was. Duh. She's the former Big Brother contestant who recently passed away from Cervical Cancer. It was pretty sad, the collector magazine editions were on news stands before she actually died. I caught myself watching her 2 hour wedding special one night about a week ago. I followed it up with Paris Hilton's British Best Friend. What have I become? (Actually - Paris's BBF is pretty good - the best part is when Paris says: "Oh, I hate this!" Then she cries....real tears. The magic of television. 

Oh well. 

On the other hand, I'm on the straight and narrow when it comes to building my empire: The first money I made here, was actually due to horse racing. I bet on Kauto Star - the favorite to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Now, I didn't really want to go with the favorite -- however, after consulting my friend and horse racing expert -- Ryan Tate -- I decided that since Denman had some health issues -- Kauto Star was the best one to go with. If only I'd gone with my pick of the top three: Kauto Star, Denman, and Exotic Dancer -- I might have a fortune to rival Paris. Exotic Dancer was a long shot -- and I was made fun of for suggesting that pick. But, the horse danced it's way into the third spot.  Next time I will stick with my instincts. 

Okay so, my new friend Dip, took me to bet on the races -- my first bookie experience. (I had no idea it was so easy!)

 Afterwards, we talked sports and he explained, that just like in the U.S. much of the hoopla has as much to do with the characters involved -- almost more so than which team actually ends up winning. 

I thought I would be a fan of the soccer/football team: Manchester United. Until, Dip described to me that rooting for Manchester United was the equivalent of cheering on the Yankees or the Boston Red Sox -- upon which I decided I'd rather go to hell -- so I don't know who I will cheer for. Chelsea perhaps? 

I don't know. Quite frankly -- it's all very confusing to me still -- but I'm learning. I just buy up all the papers and spread them out and compare articles. 

I recently joined the local Rotary chapter in London. It's quite a bit different than Cape West Rotary that I belonged to at home. It's me, and about twenty of the nicest established British men you'd ever want to meet. Anyway, last week they asked me to explain the rules of baseball. To my delight -- I aced this test. 

They also asked me to explain American Football. To that, I simply said just watch for who clobbers who -- or who dances a jig at one end of the field. Basically, the team with the most dancing, and least amount of players being carried out on stretchers will win. Very simple sport, it is. 

Other than that, my life includes an entire new cast of characters. Look for more stories about them -- the cross-walk lady with the nose ring that must be in her 70's that does little dances for the kids when they cross is one of my favorites. 

The dog walker from Canada is another -- yesterday I saw him in the Common (that's code for the park) with about 12 dogs at once! They all get along! Even the Brits dogs are very civilized. 

Oh! I almost forgot -- last week we went to Jamie Oliver's Recipease store nearby. It's awesome! My friend, Chad Fryman, would LOVE this. You get to go in, select recipes, prepare them at the store, and then you take them home to cook them! We made salmon, pork en croute, desserts, curry...it was amazing and a ton of fun. Apparently, Jamie's been in several times. The store - which is painted pink - is on my way home from the bus -- and so I stick my head almost everyday (sometimes more than once) and do a sweep just to see if Jamie is there! I have yet to see him -- but if I do, I will add him to my celebrity sightings: Clive Owen, and Alan Rickman, to date. (I still think it's odd that I saw my most famous Brit, Paul McCartney in Santa Fe last August, and not in London. )

Oh well -- that's about it for now -- I have to go scratch off my lotto tickets -- 70,000 pounds at stake tonight -- 

Then, I watch my favorite BBC program: Come Dine With Me. I highly recommend googling that show. 

I'll let you know what happens. 

I generally refer to it as the happiest place on earth....

I'm talking about Target. They have it all, really. Where else can you enjoy Starbucks, designer knock-offs at 75% off, and the dollar spot. Generally on Fridays, my mother and Aunt Laura get off work early -- and we meet at Target around noon. I enjoy a coffee, and if my family is feeling generous (despite the fact I am a 29 year old professional) I usually walk away with some little treat....a new shirt, shampoo, tooth paste....it doesn't matter, gifts are always welcome. To some, it's just a trip for discount shopping -- but to my family Target = Quality Time. 

As I chatted with my mother online yesterday, she suggested I think about all the things I miss, or  wish I could implant in the United Kingdom. Because, there will be no Target trip for me today. About the time they are looking at the clearance racks and Easter stuff that's surely already out - I will be out getting a lesson how to bet on the Cheltenham Horse Races. 

To begin, obviously I miss Target. We do not have Target. But, we do have TK Maxx with Cafe Nero right next door -- it comes close, but there's no Momma Joyce and Aunt Laura (and usually Nurse Carmen from their office) so, it can not compare. 

Other Elements -- well, I miss Elements. Elements is my salon. That being said to my stylist of many years, Linda: I miss you greatly. My hair looks like crud. While there are many fabulous salons, a poor journalist can not afford the pricey treatments. However, I still have my beloved Bumble and Bumble products - which they do sell here (Praise God). But this is the issue -- my Chi Iron doesn't work here. It's set up for a U.S. outlet -- and even with an adapter the voltage is too high, the iron would get too hot -- thus, melting my hair, possibly causing and explosion, and inevitably causing a blaze that could burn down the flat and cause my death or deportation from Europe. 

But that's not all -- outlets are not allowed in bathrooms here due to the fear of electric shock. So, picture this -- me trying to blow dry my hair in the kitchen with foreign objects. Thus, ending up looking like I was electrocuted anyway. 

Now, thankfully the standards of 'done' for hair in England are a bit different. The more natural look is 'in'. And, that's good because by the time I walk two miles to where ever I'm going after my attempts at straightening my curly hair -- it looks like a big fuzz ball anyway (that's with or without the London Rain.) 

Further, I miss my gym. I miss Health Point and mostly it's the staff I miss. I miss Body Step with Laura on Thursday at noon. I miss being greeted by Rachel, and April when I walk in. I miss talks on the stepper with Nan and Jess. I miss Psycho Cycle class on Friday mornings with Amy and Lori. I miss Alicia, and Lane, and everybody there that I became very close to. 

That being said, my new gym, Wandsworth Common, the nearby park is nice. There, neighborhood dogs have taken the place of trainers -- I know the dogs names but I'm not sure of some of the people yet. 

While I do not miss my car (which is a lovely 05 Escape and still for sale), I do miss my books on Cd. 

I miss Barnes and Noble and the staff there that had my Hot Cinnamon Tea ready before I got in the door practically. Naturally, there is no shortage of tea in England -- however, there's no Suzanne, and all the other girls who used to make my tea, and my day. 

Ah, and it happens every spring. I realize right now, I am missing March Madness -- and more importantly -- all the talk of early baseball season. I am seriously counting on some good updates from home.  As always, I remain loyal to the St. Louis Cardinals, despite how many games they win or lose. (Or, as in previous seasons -- have blown for them by some closer who is over paid, over hyped, and consistently under delivers.) 

However, I am getting and education in Sports of Europe -- Football (Soccer), Cricket, Rugby, and Horse Racing. 

And of course, there's a certain Heartland Hospitality that does not exist anywhere else - where a handshake can feel more like a warm hug -- instead of like a salute. 

I adore Europe. I am usually right at home no matter where I go -- but there's some things you just can't duplicate. 

So mom and Laura and Carmen, enjoy Target today. Buy me a shirt and an early Easter surprise. I'll be looking for the package to arrive in the mail in a few days! 

Choose Your Own Adventure: Public Transportation

Any photographer I worked with at KFVS would probably say I am bad at directions. To that, I say they never had to take down many instructions from the lovely people of the Heartland when directing us to their location. Usually they went something like this:

 "Okay, do you know where Main Street is in East Twiddle Doo? Okay, well there won't be a sign anyway. So, just head on down the interstate and get off at the first exit there -- you coming down 60? 55? County Road 418? Well, it doesn't matter. Just take the main drag there and you'll come to a drug store on the corner. Not the one with the red sign, the one with the yellow one. Right, next to the unmarked post office, and the police station that still has the fire station sign hanging on it. Right. Make a left there and take that road until it feels like you're making a right. Good. Right. Correct. Right. Okay. Now, you're going to see a barn on the left side of the road, opposite a big orange shed that sorta looks red. Take a right there at at the third cow pasture...the one with the milk cows....right, correct ... oh wait, I've lost the connection....." 

You get the idea. Well -- I may not be good with directions but I sure know how to follow the Underground Map. I've always had this thing for number, color, and word association. Little did I know that would come in very handy during my adventures in London. 

Last week, I figured the only way I was going to get this down was to just get out there and do it. For the purposes of this exploration my game: Choose your Own Adventure: Public Transportation London was put into motion. 

So, armed with my Oyster Card for easy access - I just sat out picking places I wanted to go to and figuring out how to get there....Hyde Park, Notting Hill, Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, The Imperial War Museum, Tate Modern....and more. 

If I got on the wrong train, I hopped off and turned around until I had it down. (All the while carrying my little book with the map in it -- carefully concealing it as to not be waving a red flag that I had no real idea what I was doing -- I highly recommend this strategy.)  I am now proud to say I almost have the map pretty well memorized. I can trouble shoot with the best of them. 

I even gave up my seat to a fellow American last week who were just delighted to be here visiting Europe for their anniversary. One note, I love to watch tourists on the tube. Many of them remind me of my parents -- carefully studying the map, appearing terrified, and looking to their husbands for help. In some cases, I could tell their husbands didn't have a clue where the train was going -- however, they did not dare as for help, as no self-respecting American man (or any photographer I've ever worked with as a reporters) would. 

And, to my credit -- I can even stand up when the train takes off without falling over. My wonderful photographer Rochelle would remember a few incidents when I feel out of the live truck or off a make-shift levee and thus, would find this hard to believe. (This could be possibly due to the fact I've been wearing my flat boots here, as opposed to my four inch heels.) 

Now, that brings me to the double-decker buses, where yesterday, I almost fell down the stairs as we came to a stop. No matter, I was able to save myself before plunging into a young child, and an elderly woman carrying shopping bags in front of me.

Buses, are a little more confusing because you have to pin down the number to the location they are going and there usually is no handy dandy map involved. That whole opposite side of the street to drive on gets me sometimes too. 

Cabs -- are the best yet -- I like to flag them down with my hot pink passport cover --- they are most helpful, however much more expensive.

Thus, if you ever find yourself in a large city with no clue how to get around - I highly recommend one of my favorite games: Choose Your Own Adventure - Public Transportation. 

Unlike navigating the Heartland -- if you get lost you truly have no one to blame but yourself. 

(** Note: My thanks to the wonderful local people of Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois, and Western Kentucky who tried for years to direct me to their neck of the woods. I can neither confirm nor deny whether we were late or lost solely due to my sense of direction -- or so it would seem, lack there of. :-) ) 

A Few of My Favorite Things....

I thought I would post a few of my favorite things about London in the morning. 

1. The fact that since I don't work late, I actually see the morning. 

2. The children in their school uniforms (on their scooters of course.) And, on a side note, the lunch being cooked at the school up the street smells exactly like the cafeteria at my elementary school in Cape Girardeau - Charles C. Clippard -- and every other one in the U.S. for that matter!

3. Lots of dogs in the park -- and rarely a bark to be heard. Interesting. 

4. Cafe Americano

5. Watching the planes fly in to Heathrow ... they look like they will land on your head...I try to guess where they are coming from. 

6. All of the fresh markets of flowers, meats, and veggies on the streets! It's amazing --  like something out of the past. 

7. Trying to guess the weather pattern of the day .... sun, clouds, wind, rain, downpour, sprinkles, sun, light snow, sun, microburst. 

8. Forgetting that it's the middle of the night back home and resisting the urge to call and wake someone up anyway. 

9. The morning headlines -- currently football, the Cheltenham Festival, and the shootings in Ireland. Also sadly, the shootings in Germany. And, more interesting -- cardboard police officers in the U.K. I recommend checking that out. Pretty cool - and not much different from the random empty cop cars back home. 

10. Riding the big red bus on my 'choose your own adventure public transportation trip to the place of my choosing.' 

Stay tuned for my next blog on the science of getting around.... I knew my affinity number and color memorization would come in handy. The good old "Holly Brantley File" never ceases to amaze me!

Greetings from London....

Tonight, I have a few observations I'd like to share. 

First, I have a Solar Theory about what everyone here calls "Gloomy Old London." 

Now, it's often rainy and foggy. Which, I think has a certain charm. But, I've actually only watched it rain twice. And, not once have I actually been caught in the rain. In fact, I've seen the Bloody Sun almost every single day. 

Which, has lead me to come up with this theory: It started last week when I was running. It was a bit chilly, but if I could find a patch of sunlight -- it was very pleasant. So, I decided I'd just run towards the sun. (A bit of an analogy for life, perhaps.) Anyway, I couldn't get the sun to linger for more than a block -- even though there was not a cloud in the sky. 

Okay, to get to my point -- it seems to me the ancient monarchs, and architects of this brilliant city must have designed it in such a way that it only appears to be gloomy 90% of the time. This, I believe, they have managed through carefully constructing the blocks to shield the light -- and cast shadows in an attempt to keep others ( like myself ) from being drawn towards London's real charm. 

Now, observation number two: I call this the "Scooter Phenomenon." I am in an area with LOTS of moms and children. It's not unusual to see a pack of moms and kids about every twenty feet in the mornings. Along with the chorus of "mummy!" -- there's also the sound of squeaky wheels. Every kid (and some adults) has a scooter! And I'm not talking about kids that are nine or ten years old -- some of them, I'm pretty sure aren't even able to walk yet -- but there they go, racing after moms, dads, brothers, and sisters alike on their little scooters!! This is extremely entertaining. 

Observation number three....the secret to happiness??: Many pubs allow dogs ( and babies, for that matter.) It is my thought that if this was the case in the U.S., most people (and pets) would be in a much jollier mood 90% of the time. Make the pub an experience the whole family can enjoy -- and everything seems a little brighter! 

Do You Believe in Signs?

For two months before arriving in London - I woke up every morning and looked upon a unique painting. It is black and white, and shows Big Ben's clock tower on the right side -- On the left, a couple walks in the rain. The only color: a red phone booth. 

A very close friend bought that painting during his own London adventure -- created by a random man working along the Thames one afternoon. 

He knew what London meant to me, and allowed me to have it for inspiration. When my mom and I packed up my room last week -- it was put in a special place and I told my mother that it needed to be in the first care package overseas -- so that I could hang it on my own wall for continued inspiration. 

Well, Saturday morning I arrived safely in London. A nice bonus of relocating - my best friend lives here. When I walked into her flat -- what do I see? The exact same painting -- also done for her by a random man sitting by the Thames one afternoon -- little did I know it was channeling it's power between my dearest friends -- providing forces to get me across the big blue ocean. 

That being said, the streets of London are errily so familiar to me. And the weather, is awfully close to Missouri -- In fact I saw sunshine, clouds, rain, ridiculous wind, and an extreme drop in temperature all in one afternoon this Tuesday. 

Back to the airport, not only did my best friend pick me up -- she was accompanied by a wonderful British driver, Howard. Howard is employed by several neighborhood families. He was just fabulous! He even impressed me with some creative driving when the guy driving the van next to us was quite interested in the women in the back seat of his black European Sedan. I will have pictures up as soon as I can so that you all will get a better idea of why I feel Howard is more like a body guard than a driver! 

I already have several running paths down -- the best is to Chelsea Bridge and back -- which is beautiful at night. 

I have not had the same sort of tea twice. And, it is not unusual for moms to walk to the pub for an afternoon chat with their friends ... along with their babies and the family dog. (Fantastic country.) 

 I've got the whole 'looking left' thing down pretty well -- although, I did try to get into the wrong side of the car. 

Otherwise, television is a bit different -- everyone worships Bono -- though American Idol is still an event. 

Gosh, I could write forever...

Mostly -- I want to say thank you for everyone that signed my hideous purple blazer from hell - -- now it looks like a graffiti-ed easter egg --  thank you P.E..... you know who you are!! 

ZULU - The Traveling Toy and Proud Member of the Good News Club

When I was a little girl, I remember telling my mom one Christmas that I would never stop putting toys on my Christmas and birthday list. I remember saying I would never want to do things like a grown up because grown ups didn't have any fun. (I also remember in the same conversation telling her I would never move out of her house -- which I admit, at some times she probably thought I wouldn't -- but I think we're both glad I've literally moved beyond that vow.)



Well, I am pleased to report that while the forms have changed and I'm now a grown woman -- I'm still asking for and playing with toys -- but, indeed I was wrong about the fun part. Thanks to new 'toys' adults have lots of fun! And, sometimes, the things we come up with to amuse ourselves with those toys aren't much different than they were when we were juveniles -- in fact, we just get more clever and witty as we go!



Now, as a member of the media, I sometimes feel I work with a bunch of over-grown kids (in a good way of course) and maybe that's why our latest scheme for self entertainment so far has pleasingly proven to bring just as much delight as a bunch of tweens on a scavenger hunt.



Yesterday, Laura Wibbenmeyer, Stephanie Byars, Rochelle Steffen, and our dear friend Sarah Spence took a little shopping trip to Pastime Antiques on Broadway in Cape Girardeau.

Recently, Laura and I watched Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and we were inspired by the concept. That, even though you may be far away from your best friends, there are things that keep you connected -- things that symbolize the bonds between you -- things that say it all when there are no words.



So, since I'm moving to London - and there's no telling where we'll all eventually end up. We decided to go find some 'traveling pants' of our own. In the movie, the girls take turns sending the pants to each other no mater where they may be -- including a letter about what happened during the time the pants were with that sister.



Instead of pants, we decided to go to a local antique store and search for something special.

So, we went to Pastimes, and considered many different options...A plastic Native American baby, several big sequined hats, gaudy jewelry, brightly colored scarves, a piggy bank labeled: beer money, a book titled: An idiots guide to Healthy Relationships -- a wide variety of items made the short list. But, that was before -- before, we spotted Zulu.



Zulu resembles a voodoo doll. She (he, it?) is a black, cloth, figure with ratty straw-like hair. But what makes she (he, it?) so interesting - happens to be the array of pendants, pins, and patches on the front of -- her (him, it?). We selected a pin that said: Good News Club (appropriately) to be the first new addition to the back of Zulu, conveniently left completely blank for us to complete.

No telling what journey brought Zulu to Pastimes. If only, the little doll could tell us of her adventures. Well, little does she know she's in for many more. Right now, Zulu is with Wibbs, on their way to an adventure in Chicago.

Stay tuned for more on Zulu's adventure -- newest companion of the Good News Club. Our constant connection through travels in the Heartland and beyond.

4 Days and 13 Hours Until....

.....The first Spring Training game. In my last post, I forgot to mention my deeply rooted passion for the St. Louis Cardinals. This is going to be tough being away from my beloved baseball -- this, in a year when St. Louis will get the all-star game. (I hope to God the biggest eyesore in the world -- a.k.a the huge crater near the park -- has been taken care of by then.) However, I can't complain too much -- I've been spoiled. I saw every home World Series game in 2006 (including sitting through the famous rain out), and enjoyed the playoffs in 2004, and 2005 -- as well as the perks that go along with being a baseball worshiping news reporter covering the game. I was there for Opening Day at New Busch, and I went along to interview Wainwright post 06 win. (An event, Chad Fryman and our former weekend anchor, Ryan Tate describe as an Anchorman-esque "I love lamp." episode.)

It's a well known fact, I can just about recite Bull Durham from beginning to end -- Annie Savoy pretty much sums it up for me: "I believe in the church of baseball. I've tried all the major religions and most of the minor ones. ....... I've tried them all, I really have. And, the only church that feeds the soul, day in, day out, is the church of baseball."

Bull Durham and The Natural are my favorites -- Although dad and I fight it out over top three best baseball movies among those two, Major League, and of course Field of Dreams. The Sandlot, The Rookie, and 61* are also notable.

Normally, this time of year, I'm pouring over the schedule - coming up with strategies regarding when I can go to games - figuring out how to get tickets to see The Cardinals play against the Cubs - hitting up my friends in Chicago (Love ya Gretch) to try and be in town to see the Cards and Cubs play at Wrigley - And, thinking of new reasons why I hate the Astros. I'm faithful when it comes to my Cardinals - I don't care how much they suck, or do not suck, I love them just the same. Ever since Willie McGee, and Lee Smith, and Ozzie, and others my grandpa loved were still in uniform. If the Cards played on the west coast, grandpa would go to bed with the radio on so he could still listen to the game. Grandma always said he could sleep through a hurricane, but he never failed to wake up if Jack Buck called a homerun.

Instead of obsessing over early baseball headlines, over the past couple of weeks, I've had to focus on other things - like selling my car (please buy it) and dumming my life down to three suitcases so that I can pick up selected pieces of my 'world' and move it to Europe.

So, while I am in England, I ask for your help at home. I need you all to keep me updated - Did Tony smile? How many homeruns does Albert have? How's my boy Ankiel?

This is all very important information. A simple request really. Todd Richards has promised to do his best, and dad, and Aunt Laura I know I can count on you.

That being said -- I have one more request. If you all would subscribe to follow this blog that would be lovely -- in return I will try to be as entertaining as possible.

one more thing -- Thanks to everyone who came out to our last minute little send off party last night -- I had a fantastic time!

Live Local Late Breaking for the Last Time

And so it begins...

Tonight I walked out of the newsroom for the last time as a reporter. In less than two weeks I begin my journey as a journalist and nanny in London, England. I like to think of it as Mary Poppins meets Bridget Jones.

If you know me well and you're familiar with those characters you'd probabaly agree that's a pretty good description. Practically perfect, and poised for disaster. It's organized chaos at it's best really.

Why London? That's a questions I've been asked many times since I decided to follow my heart, take a chance, and move across the pond.

Gertrude Stein once said: "America is my country, and Paris is my hometown."
Well, that quote is true for me if you take out Paris and insert London. I had dreams about that city even before I went there at sixteen. The only way I can describe the pull of that city for me would be to say it's as if I lived there in a past life. To me London was pure bliss, even with my incredibly vivid imagination and high expectations, the pictures in my head did not do it justice. However, London's just a start at this point. I told my mom: "Maybe next year I'll want to live in Brazil." She said: "Okay, can we focus on London again?! They speak English there -- I'm more comfortable with that"

Now, let me say this decision did not come without an incredible amount of soul searching. In fact, Cape Girardeau and KFVS are so much a part of my soul, even on my last day it in no way feels like I was "Live Local and Late Breaking" for the last time.

It probably won't until I am in London....learning about rugby and cricket instead of baseball, searching for Harry Potter landmarks (There as no Harry Potter the last time I was in town), and telling my aunt about my visits to Harrods (that's gonna kill her).

Oh I will miss the Heartland so much -- I'll miss my momma and daddy -- I'll miss grandma and my aunts and uncles -- I'll miss my amazing wonder dog Potter (yes, after Harry) and I will miss all the viewers and contacts I've made that entertained me right down to the last stop at the gas station tonight. (Rochelle, you know what I'm talking about.) I'll miss Splenda, I'll miss Barnes and Noble (no worries though, the tea I am addicted to is sold all over England), I'll miss the gym terribly, and occasionally I'll glance at my watch about 8 p.m. London time and think about how I'm missing the 2 o'clock news meeting.

But I could not be more sure or more excited about my next adventure. The way I see it, I only fail if I don't try. Meanwhile, on hollybrantley.com I'll do my best to entertain you with my antics, flubs, traumas, and observations about the world.

I still have several days until I fly out though -- no telling what I can get myself into between now and then.

But, I have faith. I pray a lot and I truly believe in that. As Rochelle - my photographer extraordinaire - witnessed tonight - I was scratching off lottery tickets and I won a dollar.

I looked up and told God: "One dollar is nice, but this chick could really use more than a dollar."

I scratched off the next line - and won another dollar.

The way I see it -- I doubled my money -- that's enough of a sign for me. If that's the way it works, I'll keep praying and it looks like the odds are in my favor.