New month new changes

There are certain things you never get used to in our business. One is saying goodbye. It's hard to say goodbye to viewers when you leave a station and move on. It's hard to say goodbye to colleagues too when they move on. This morning was one of those mornings. We said goodbye to Nicole who is moving on. Tears began to well up as she said so long. The station has signed on with a new company to provide our traffic reports. Nicole will continue to work for her company Metro traffic.

It's sad to see her go, but everyone is excited with the prospect of our new traffic reports. Jay Mishkin our Executive Producer showed me recently how the traffic reports look in Tampa. You'll be impressed.

Now on to another subject: The morning routine. I'm like you I have a normal morning routine. The alarm sounds at 2:25 a.m.. I go downstairs and start the coffee, have my bowl of cereal and a DanActive. Then it's back to the den to take a look at a few websites. I'll check my work e-mail from the night before. By now the coffee is ready, I pour that first cup and head upstairs to jump in the shower and get ready for the day.

I know that my morning routine is likely to set the table for your morning routine. It's funny sometimes thinking that thousands of people add me to their morning routine. I'm right there with the alarm clock and the coffee, and needless to say I'm honored.

I love running into viewers out in public. Last night I was wrapping up dinner and heading out the door of one of my favorite establishments, Fat Tuesdays, when I heard the familiar call. "Hey Mike!". It was Phil, a longtime viewer who I had run into before at Fat Tuesday's. He's a committed viewer. He informed me, "I watch you every morning in my boxers!" I told him one day I'll have to do the news in my boxers as a sign of solidarity. Just kidding of course. But it's another reminder of why I like the fact that you can see me, and I can't see you!