Be careful about your thoughts

I woke up this morning, and started to get ready for work. It was 'casual' day, which means I put on jeans and a Tommy shirt. When I glanced in the mirror, after applying my makeup and putting my hair in a pony tail, I shrugged at how awful I looked.

I'm well overdue for a hair cut and colour (I've been planning one for weeks, but haven't been able to get away), and I even noticed a new grey hair! Yipes. My hair was kinda kinky, but the pony tail helped tame it a bit.

All I could think, as I saw myself in the mirror was, "Thank goodness, I don't have to do an on-camera interview today."

Famous last words, right?

My work day was quite hectic, as always, and while I was on the phone, THE call came through. "Hi, I'm [well-known and respected TV guy], and we were wondering if we could interview you for a story that we're picking up nationally. We'd like to send a camera crew to interview you."

Fine... My jaw dropped to the floor.

As I've said before... I've got the face for radio, and the voice for print.

I talk to the media all the time - in fact, when TV Guy left me the voicemail message, a Corporate VIP called to give his kudos on a story that printed in a major paper in his province. But if I'm on TV, I usually have a bit of a head's up, so I don't look like something the cat dragged it. And, to be on national TV... I had to do something... and quick. Between media calls and chairing our weekly national teleconference, I had to dash home and change.

I started frantically calling my family - to give them a heads up (they get mad at me if I don't) - as I quickly took a shower and tore apart my closet looking for something to wear. Of course, like all women, I decided that I own no clothes... I finally decided on a white lacy top and a black skirt and jacket, accented with a vintage silver pin. Professional. Simple. And, a hint of flare...

Time was ticking... I applied my makeup and cringed at my ignored hair. When I got to the office, I convinced my ever so talented Administrative Assistant to style my hair... I'm so grateful to her. She put it into a french braid, and made me look polished.

The TV crew arrived, and the interview went well. The cameraman and interviewer were laid back, and despite the frantic pre-interview moments, I was relaxed and enjoyed doing the on and off camera discussions.

Unfortunately, I was told that the story got bumped from the national broadcast, as there were others that had greater priority, but I did make the local news.

I was at work when the story aired, but my Mom, sister, brother, sister-in-law and Gabby all watched the news and cheered me on at my Mom's house.

By the time I got home, my Mom had left a message - first complimenting my hair, then indicating that she was proud of me for doing a good job. I called home, and she gushed praise like all Moms do. I needed a P.R. perspective, so I spoke with my sister-in-law, who also manages a Communications Department, and my ever charming brother, who works for a national TV affiliate (different from the one I was to appear on), and they both were impressed.

Whew! All in a days work.