I Lost A Dear Friend

I received shocking and sad news at work Thursday. My beloved friend, Chris Rogers passed away earlier that day.

He was only 51. A father and a friend. I was in shock and so were many of my co-workers.

I met Chris when I started working at WAPT in 2002 and we quickly became friends, especially since my friend Omari had told me how great it was to work with Chris when he was in Jackson.

Chris was one of the greatest photojournalists I've worked with in my career. Chris made work fun, knew everyone in Jackson and knew a lot about our business. Many of the people Chris worked with here in Mississippi and in Tennessee are now in larger markets and on national news, like Robin Roberts on Good Morning America.

But aside from the professional stuff, Chris loved to cook, party and entertain. The parties Chris and his brother, Christoff, threw are legendary for their FUN FACTOR! They were usually twice a year and anyone in the TV biz and anyone of their friends made a point to be there for the food, music and the chance to kick it with Chris Rogers!

Chris and I also loved to club it too. I'm pretty sure the picture of us you see above was taken in a club. Probably Crystal's Lounge.

Chris and I shared a love for TV shows too: LOST and Nip/Tuck. I wondered if Chris was looking forward to the LOST season finale like I was.

Chris and his family embraced me too. I've had Thanksgiving meals with his parents and visited their church. My heart goes out to his parents, his brothers and most of all his daughters, Christie and Tina.

For the last two years Chris has been in and out of the hospital for complications from his diabetes and last year he had a defibrillator implanted in his chest to regulate his heart. Chris' oldest daughter, Christie, told me it appears the device did not work or function well Wednesday afternoon when Chris started feeling weak and collapsed at his home.

I could go one for awhile about Chris. My biggest regret was that he was on my mind earlier this week and I didn't get around to calling him. That's my fault and a reminder to reach out to folks when they're on your mind.

You never know what tomorrow brings.

But I know Chris loved me. And I loved him.

Memorial Day Weekend

It's Tuesday morning so I'm a little late posting what happened over the weekend. Forgive me. But I worked Memorial Day. My weekend actually started the Friday before Memorial Day when I headed down to New Orleans.

While a lot of folks stayed home for the holiday weekend I decided to take a brief trip three hours south of Jackson. This time I stayed in the Central Business District at Hotel Le Cirque which had some advantages and disadvantages. It is a longer walk to the French Quarter but it's also a little closer to the Garden District and come cool shops on Magazine Street. So I split my time between both areas over the two days. For the first time in my many visits to N.O. I also enjoyed the Audobon Aquarium.

The Audobon aquarium is right along the Mississippi River where ferry rides are available.

The Seadragons were the most interesting thing I saw!

These are Barking Tree Frogs. As a child, I loved frogs and often caught them in my backyard!

The penguins were not very playful and the glass case around them wasn't very clean so I apologize for the blurry photos.

Other photos:

Can't we all just get along.....like this?????

Saw a different version of this story on CNN this morning and it reminded me of the infamous question posed by LAPD beating victim, Rodney King: "Can't we all just get along?"
We all have disputes and squabbles. Times get tense - especially at work!
If you are not getting along with someone because of your "differences" in opinions, perspectives or anything else, think about this story:

Teen Summit 2008

Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of moderating Teen Summit 2008 at Word and Worship church in Jackson.

Members of the churches youth groups, Goodfellas and Sweethearts, got to discuss sex and STDs, drugs and alcohol, self-image and self-esteem, and relationships with an expert panel.

Youth at Word and Worship

Parents weighed in too and talked about their concerns about some of the dangerous and risky decisions kids take. One mom, Leigh-ann, was very vocal about how her decisions as a teenager led to her unplanned pregnancy.

Concerned parent and church member, Leigh-ann

Among the panelists were teenagers at the church and my gynecologist, Dr. Lisa Gibson-McKee.

She was especially insightful when discussing STDs like HPV and HIV, even the physical and emotional toll abortion can have on women.

Gibson-McKee was also very vocal on how a lot of parents don't know their children are sexually active, but it's imperative parents have those frank discussions even thought it can be weird and uncomfortable.

But clearly with the alarming statistics the CDC released about 1 in 4 American girls having an STD, it indicates teenagers ARE sexually active.

A member of the Sweethearts ministry and Dr. Lisa Gibson-McKee

The most insightful aspect for me was teenagers' perspectives on "dating." Actually, they're not dating like their grandparents did in the 30's, 40's and 50's. They ARE getting into relationships with defined "boyfriends" and "girlfriends," but are not limiting their options. One girl said she could have a boyfriend AND keep other male friends and guys she would talk to so that she wouldn't "get her heart broken."

I can remember from my early teenage years how painful breakups could be, so her argument made some sense.

Other members of the panel

But I was most concerned about how this outlook on relationships would affect their thoughts on marriage. Several kids said they plan to get married or "swept off their feet." Others admitted they hadn't seen many "happy marriages" in their families so they're sure if marriage is for them.
Overall, Teen Summit 2008 was very lively and insightful. Word and Worship plans to upload some video portions on its website in the future.

Weekend Cooking

I have to admit I haven't been very faithful to my South Beach Diet plan. Actually, I've put it off now until June when I can really focus on diet and exercise. May has been too busy and I haven't been as devoted as I should.

JB's lasagna

But this weekend I attempted to eat "healthier" by making whole wheat veggie lasagna with spinach and broccoli. This was made without a recipe, I just flew by the seat of my pants and wanted to share what it looked like. The reviews were "good" and "delicious." I'll try it again soon but focus a little more on seasoning.

JB's lasagna again

Girls' Deadly Decisions

Monday night my special report on HPV and cervical cancer aired on 16 WAPT, "Mississippi Crisis: Girls' Deadly Decisions."

It was an interesting and controversial topic to cover considering gardasil vaccine is being "promoted" and recommended as protection for young women BEFORE they're sexually active. I didn't realize until I did the story that the three shot series costs as much as $360! Mississippi lawmakers considered making the shot mandatory before girls enter the sixth grade, but some opponents didn't think it was fair to force parents to get the shots without addressing the cost. Next legislative session, they may consider the state picking up more of the cost. But with such tight budgets, it will be interesting to see if that will really happen.

Watch my story here: http://www.wapt.com/video/16247224/

Here's a gardasil commercial:

It's also important to point out most women/girls don't realize they have HPV until they get an abnormal pap test, meaning there are questionable or pre-cancerous cells on their cervix. For more info go here: www.theHPVtest.com

Stay healthy ladies!

My Morning as a *Celebrity Server*

Jackson CEO Robert Walker, Me, Marcus Max and Don Wayne of Jack FM

as celebrity servers

This morning I helped the Jackson Convention and Vistor's Bureau (visitjackson.com) celebrate the 25th Anniversary of National Tourism week by serving biscuits and coffee at the MS Museum of Art (msmuseumart.org).

Jackson CAO Robert Walker

Gina Aswell of the CVB

Senator Hillman Frazier

Councilman Marshand Crisler and John Sullivan
Ben Allen of Downtown Jackson Partners chats with Don and Marcus from Jack FM

Picture of My Parents

As I was digging through the "junk drawer" in my kitchen this weekend, I came upon this jewel:

Elaine and John Brewer in the late 60's

What's funny is I was on the phone with my Mom when I found it, told her what she was wearing in the picture and she remembered it clearly.

Told her I could tell from the decor that this was taken in my Mom's best friend, Florene Cheeks' kitchen in Westbury, NY.

Mom didn't remember the exact date but we assume it's in the late 60's-early 70's.

Mom wasn't too keen on me posting a picture of her with rollers in her hair, but I thought this picture was too cute not to share.

I love to see picture of my parents when they were "younger," especially because I see so much of myself in my Mom's face.

A couple of years ago, I remember going through family photos - most had been taken before I was born. I stumbled across a picture that for about two seconds I thought - WAS ME!

But it was my Mom is her 30's wearing a red sweater just like one I have now!

Very weird, but very welcome to know I'll be beautiful just like her when I get older: (http://joycebrewer.blogspot.com/2008/04/my-dad-broke-both-of-his-hips.html)

My Dad, Diet and Decisions

I talked to my Dad Saturday and he was proud to tell me he walked 300 feet!
For those of you who don't know, he had two bad falls in April:
http://joycebrewer.blogspot.com/2008/04/my-dad-broke-both-of-his-hips.html
So this is great progress for him.
Thanks to many of you who have asked how he's doing and how well my Mom is holding up since she's also recovering from a "botched" knee replacement surgery. (I'm sure I'll discuss this in a future post, but it's a really long story!)

The first few days of the South Beach diet Phase I were a trip.
My sister, Veronica, is doing it too and we talked about it quite a bit Saturday afternoon.
There are a lot of things you can't eat, like fruit and REAL SUGAR, basically BAD CARBS!
Veronica just called to inform me that she briefly broke the diet at church because she had communion his morning - wafer (BAD CARBS) and grape juice (BAD CARBS)!
And after several days without real sugar she enjoyed communion - more than usual.
But it makes me wonder what diabetics do on communion Sunday. They probably bend the rules too. Or it creates a market for sugar free communion wafers and juice!

Also wanted to start something this week so folks can ask me about any of my career decisions in TV. Then I'll post the answer on my blog. So feel free to e-mail me: joycebrewertv@aol.com.
Look forward to your questions!

Going back to the South Beach Diet

Today is day one one of the South Beach Diet for me - AGAIN.

This time my sister Veronica is doing it with me.

When I first tried South Beach in 2006, I lost 8 lbs in two weeks. When I stayed on track I was able to take off a total of 20 lbs and keep it off for more than a year.

It's pretty intense because phase one of the South Beach diet (the first two weeks) doesn't allow you to eat any "bad" carbs - like bread, sugar, alcohol or even fruit. Your diet is low fat and low carb. Salads and green veggies are a staple along with lean meats and cheese.

Phase two is when you start in incorporating whole wheat bread and some fruits back in.

I'm not a dietician or nutritionist, so if you'd like to explore the diet, I'd suggest you read the book:

http://www.amazon.com/South-Beach-Diet-Delicious-Doctor-Designed/dp/1579546463

and watch this video by the creator, Dr. Arthur Agatston:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m3CE2ZKWRZHAR7:m3BMFGRT5F4E6C