JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Well, after several hiccups I finally started my job as school meteorologist.

Two Mondays ago was canceled because we had car trouble.

Last Monday was canceled because my cousin decided to elope and get married. Go figure! But finally, my job started on the 15th of October.

I walked into the tv production studio 20 minutes early at 7:30. I like to be early. Usually there is something last minute I forget to do, and this is how I make up for it. Sure enough, I rushed over to the computer and got the average October temperature. I wanted to inform the school of 1300 about our above average temperatures. Yup, that's me!

Anyways around 8 a.m., the cameraman from First Coast News (WTLV/WJXX) arrives. Skip 15 minutes, I am suiting up with my mic and sitting in the "Stanton Spotlight" chair next to my interviewer. The video mixer switches to camera 2 (the camera aimed at me!) and my interviewer cues the tech people to roll a clip of me. Not one that I would agree was my best. Not in my native territory either. Of course, that is tropical cyclones. The clip was when I was in Yellowstone National Park, WY in a snow flurry. Yes, it was 50 degrees colder there than in Jacksonville at that time. I was younger too. I think I was 11 or 12. Now, I'm 14. Then the clip ends.

I was actually laughing at the clip. I always laugh at myself once I review the clips. But, the interview proceeds. I think it was flawless actually. The biggest goof is yet to come, I promise. But the interview reminded me a lot of something that happened 3 years ago…

November 30, 2004
I sit down in the backless swivel chair. To my right, are just a few of my idols. Donna Hicken, Phil Amato, and Tim Deegan. Cool, huh? The camera tightens in on Donna who explains who I am. In my words, a crazy kid who tries to get killed. But, like the fantastic woman she is, she manages to word it in much better terms. My clip rolls. It is of a sable palm, blown down by the gusts from Frances in '04 on Cocoa Beach. Of course, as I looked to the monitor above, I was laughing. After the clip, it pans out to show Tim, Phil, Donna, and myself. I am asked questions by all of them. I was so fortunate to get that opportunity. I honestly credit Donna for most of that. She was the driving force in getting me on. Of course, that had hiccups too (all of these "hiccups" end up being me to blame lol). The hiccups were eventually resolved when I bump into Donna and her kids (Danielle and Drew) in Target of all places! But that's for another day…

October 15, 2007:
I get up at of the "Spotlight" chair and walk over to the green screen. Actually, more like a green wall. So, no real sense of parameters. I can see the monitor now perfectly. "Now here's Nick with the 5 day forecast," says the anchor and she throws it over to camera 2 again.

I now see myself on the monitor. I'm not really nervous. I've already been live on local several times. Millions vs. 1300. But, after I present Monday and move over, the monitor disappears to my sight behind camera 1. I don't know what to do! I try to present it as best as possible, but as I move over I can see the monitor again and realize I'm out of the frame. Quickly (as you can see on tape) I jump back over into frame and send it off with a shaky "Have a good day!"

So, as you can tell, it went good with only some minor setbacks that left me frazzled. Hopefully, things will go better next week.