Friday, April 17, 2009

Friday's View Emails

I promised you some viewer emails today. It seems like once I "fix" one aspect of myself, some viewers find something else to critique.

This email is from a viewer complaining about my forecast on the WLBT WeatherLine (our phone line). There is a short period of time to give the forecast in detail. The time runs out in 45 seconds, similar to a voice mail. In trying to give all of the pertinent weather information before the recorder cuts me off, this viewer says I need to slow down and resign.

"I just wanted to let you know when you are on the weather line, you talk WAY too fast. Sometimes I have to call twice so that I can take everything in. When Eric and Paul are on there, they talk fast also but I can understand what they say very clear. However you talk extremely fast. Please slow it down because I've noticed that I will try to listen to the current day and the next day and if I miss a beat you will already be on the 2nd day away. I mean it in the nicest way possible, but yeah you've got to slow it down. I would much rather hear one of the guys on the weather line than you. They have you beat any way you look at it. They should be the chief meteorologist! You sound as bad as Miley Cyrus rambling on. And again I'm not being mean its just the truth. Have a nice day! Signed, Ashlee Bell"

Have you ever been told not to smile? This viewer suggested just that. No, I don't jump for joy when I mention the possibility of severe weather, but I'm a smiler and have always been. Why have a downtrodden face when there is already so much negativity in the world? My joy comes not from the weather, but from the One who controls the weather. But this viewer wants it to stop.

"I have been a WLBT fan. One thing I would suggest is that when the camera pans on you for a preview of the weather or to suggest the weather is next...while although a face with a smile is a nice thing...I would rather see a frown when the corresponding message about the weather will not be a nice one. In that it rains way too much in Miss. during the winter and spring and sometimes during the summer and in that it rains for days on end with a small break in between...I personally get soooo tired of the weather that I would rather see a frown with empathy on the face of the meteorologist. Thanks, Andre Buteau"

I've never heard of a "frown of empathy", have you?

Yes, I have alot of hair. But I've never had anyone think I was wearing anything else on my head other than my own hair. There was no way I could get my feelings hurt over this email. I actually thought it was funny.

"Hello, I see you more than anyone else on channel 3, and I was wondering, where do you get your wigs from? My girlfriend really likes your hair and wants to get one just like it, so could you tell me where you bought it and how much it cost? Thanks alot, Sam Shivers"

"Tuesday at my ladies prayer group meeting- you were the "center" of attention...we all were commenting on how lovely you always look & we CAN tell you are on a diet. Looks like it is working...keep up the good work. None of us really like the short hair cut you have- but we all think the longer hair makes you appear younger. Signed, Kay Creston"

If I ever decide to change careers and follow in my mother's footsteps and go into politics, I will be used to being accused of not being empathetic to my constituents, being talked about at prayer group meetings, and told I'm not doing a good enough job and need to resign!

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

You can't please all the people all the time. Everybody has an opinion, no matter how retarded it sounds! Don't let these people drag you down! I wish I had your hair, you look lovely, all the time, and you are very well spoken. Take it with a grain of salt and go on. by the way, you have a lovely family, you are truly blessed!

Mandy said...

Barbie,
I have never commented before, but have read your blog for a long time and I love it. I have watched WLBT forever and I really enjoy your forecast. Please don't let these people and their comments distract you. It's only their opinions and definitely not very good ones! Think maybe they're jealous???

Wilson said...

As hard it is, don't let the comments get you down. Don't let Satan win.

Heather said...

This always makes me wonder what kind of people could say these things...I wonder what would happen if they included a picture of themselves when telling you how to look or included a voice clip of them trying to give the weather in 45 seconds...I can bet the verse about removing a splinter from your btothers eye would apply...well except for the lady that doesn't want you to smil...I am guessing she doesn't smile very often herself...misery loves company right?

Anonymous said...

Isn't it interesting that you're being criticized at the ladies prayer group? Why, if they would concentrate on why they are gathered there (to pray for themselves, others, and to grow spiritually), then you wouldn't be a topic of conversation! If ALL of these people who send you emails would work on themselves spiritually, they would be so busy allowing God to point out the things THEY need to change that they wouldn't have the time to worry about your voice speed, your hair, your smile, or insert next week's criticism here.

Anonymous said...

Barbie, I don't know how you withstand all the criticism. Maybe a "positive viewer email only" Friday post is in order. It would help you focus on how great you really are.

John said...

Everyone is stealing my thunder. Really pretty sad about how petty so many people can be. Like Heather said "Misery loves company". If I wanted doom and gloom and talking mannequins I would turn to the national news. Being criticized at a prayer group? They should be thankfull I wan't there.
Barbie, you can't fix what is not broken...

xxxxxxxx said...

Some folk need to realize that when they point at others they have at least three fingers pointing back at them.

Be your self and let your light so shine before men...

Heather said...

oh girl...bless you! it's really not funny..but you just have to laugh!! The Clarks think you're awesome!

Jana Bell said...

Barbie, to touch on 8:18, there is one thing he/she left out. You write beautifully. This is the first time I have seen your blog and I am very impressed! Have a great weekend.

Pat said...

Ok, you just have to laugh...too much smiling? meeting for PRAYER and talking about someone's appearance? We just finished the Beth Moore study on "Esther-It's tough being a woman" and I highly recommend it to everyone! The Bible has SO much to say about judging people by their appearance. Hang in there, Barbie, you glow with the light of Christ and we love you!

Judy M. said...

Barbie,

LOL....I guess it's an automatic condition that comes with being in the public eye. All well-known people in the public eye have the different type of critics which sadly include: "the-ridiculous", "the-jealous", and "the-bored-with-my-life-so-I-will-try-to-see-how-miserable-I-can-make-other- people", people. My son found this out really quick after starting out as a reporter for a well-known paper in Miss. which lets the public post their comments at the end of his articles. =o)

He is finally after a couple of years (unless the comments are truly helpful and considerate) learning how to take the stupid comments: .....In one proverbial ear and out the other......

We love watching the WLBT news and weather crew and never miss an evening's broadcast. Barbie, you are a very special and lovely lady.