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WICHITA, Kan. – I'm glad I don't work for TV.

I'm glad I don't work for TV because I didn't have to spend 17 hours outside a home in Southwest Wichita yesterday and today. I only had to spend five, including a break for a drink.

I'm glad I don't work for TV because I don't have to do live updates all the time. I also don't have to send video back to the office, or learn how to operate a large truck. Or sometimes shoot my own video and begin editing it.

I'm glad I don't work for TV because I don't have to look good every day. When you start early, you tend to dress right before you head out the door. But in TV land, that means you could be on the air in 30 minutes. Or you might need to go live 12 hours after arriving at the office. You need to get the story, and also look good doing it. Judging back the quick shot of me on camera this afternoon, I'm ready for neither.

I'm glad I don't work for TV because I don't have to look for visuals to accompany my story. A quick photograph is enough. I don't have to worry about getting enough still shots, background images, on-camera interviews and action to fill a three minute segment.

I'm glad I don't work for TV because I can do my job anywhere. All I need is a notebook (which fits nicely in my back pocket) and a pen (two pens actually, in case the first runs dry). I don't have a "crew" or need to plug in here or there.

Television is so complicated. I'm glad I don't work there.

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