I tried out a new career last week as the co-host of a local TV show, Carolina & Co Live. It was fun and exciting, exhausting, and less glamorous than I thought it would be (there was NO hair and makeup team!)...but I feel much closer to Hoda and Kathie Lee now.
I saw a promo for a contest they were having to fill the 6 weeks the regular host was on maternity leave. I was in a "take-life-by-storm...try-anything-and-everything-that-comes-your-way" kinda mood that day....and I happened to be having a good hair day, so I sent in my video right then (before I came to my senses and chickened out.) I was one of 6 women selected out of 40 entries. I just figured they had 6 people enter the contest so it's kinda nice to know I actually WON the job.
On my first day I was nervous and not given much instruction, but I looked cute! That was my main concern, to win best dressed/most fashionable co-host, but there was no award for that. I got pointers from my brother on how to improve my performance, constructive criticism from my mom and husband, and lots of support from my friends.
Day 2 was much better, Day 3 even better than that. By Days 4 and 5 I was kind of in a "been there, done that" frame of mind. It's amazing how little I could get done in a day by having this TV gig! I actually had to take a shower AND do my hair and makeup, which only happens about every other day, so after I took my daughter to school and had some coffee while checking my fan email I had to start the beautifying process. Those people at the Today Show and The View don't know how good they've got it with their team of primpers. I left the house at 10:30, did my show, got home around 1:00, ate lunch, picked up my daughter from school and then went straight home because my kids act like the world is ending if I even have to stop at the gas station on the way home from school. There was no time for the grocery store and not much time for laundry or cleaning...besides, TV stars really shouldn't have to do those boring chores anyway, right? We ate several creative dinners towards the end of the week.
I really did have a good time and enjoyed the attention. I learned that it's hard to be a part time working/part time stay-at-home-mom. I also learned that my journalism degree was wasted on public relations when I should have been focusing on broadcasting...damn counselors! If things had been different I might be living in NYC, talking about current events at a table with a stylist and hair and makeup team.
