WEDnesday: My Favorite Things

This edition of Wedding Wednesday is to get Weather Kim to back off my bustle!
She's convinced readers want to know what things I've come to love throughout this whole planning process. I'm no Oprah... but here goes... a look at Angie's

"Favorite Things"

HIRE: a wedding planner/designer

I heard the money would be worth it- and I found it it was!This personalized service can cost you anywhere from $300 to $5000... depending on your demands. It sounds like a lot but trust me- get someone who knows his/her stuff... it will not only save you boatloads of valuable time (avg wedding takes 300 hours to plan)...down the road a great planner can save you money. Here are examples of how the very fabulous Marcell and her ladies at Bella Vista Bridal in Columbia SC have pulled through. I got my gown MADE the way I envisioned it at the fraction of the cost I was expecting ot pay. I got 20% off high-end invitations. Marcell's mother is an amazing pastry chef- got dream cake at cost. Marcell did the tedious job of scouting and lining up venues that met my reception numbers for my review. Not to mention the more than 350 party favors (silk sak, chocolated, note, personalized chopstix) assembled by her crew. When I said we must have transportation for our out of town guests... the girls were on it... scoping out rides and shooting pix my way (you can guess the bus I picked). The biggie: Struck a deal with the caterer on a superb & diverse menu for a very reasonable price(btw: this is where all your money goes). The list goes on. Anything I need she's there- most importantly she's the first to put her foot down when we attempt to go over budget! How do you find a Marcell? Fellow broadcasters... it's kinda like looking for an agent. You want someone you can work intimately with and be upfront about your expectations. In the end you want to know how they'll be able to maximize your dream wedding without blowing your budget. You gotta do your homework. Set up a consultation and let them know you're shopping for the best service out there to serve your personal and financial needs.

Personalize: Your bridal party proposal

As a journalist I found these newsprint cookies simply adorable. Each had my friend's name on it along with will you be my bridesmaid. I had a yellow bow- an accent color of my wedding. They come in a cute box and are safe to mail out. All of my girls had to do a double take to realize what I was asking them- the element of surprise was awesome! Note: Keep out of reach of dog. Atticus ate Jennifer C's. I called and got another one within two weeks. http://www.weddingish.com/

DESIGN: Celebrity Inspired Bridesmaid Gowns

http://www.cocomyles.com/ recreate red carpet glitz that is AFFORDABLE! I think I might make a natalie portman one shoulder knock-off for fun! There has to be somewhere I can wear it to! I just made a dress for $152!

OWN: Vera Wang on Weddings

A must have. Everything about this book is breathtaking. Not only are the images captivating, the stories intriguing but the information is easy to understand and helpful on a variety of topics. From looking at sketches of different necklines and sleeves for dresses to things like the bride and groom's ceremony departure - this book elegantly puts it all on the table. I was lucky... and received it as a gift from my wedding photographer Brad Allen, but a quick internet search revealed you can get the $68 hardcover for $40 bucks at amazon.

CREATE: http://www.mywedding.com/

This site makes creating your own website is easy, FREE and SO much fun! Post your story, your bridal party, albums, and all the details of the big day. I didn't want to stuff my formal invitation with directions and accomodation info so this is where the website was key. I sent my save-the-dates out with an accomodation card that plugged our website. This way people could log on for more on wedding related events, transportation, hotel rates and our registry. A perk: there's an RSVP tool you can use to keep track of those who plan to come!

GO LIVE: http://www.eastcoastentertainment.com/

There's just something about live music that puts people in the mood to party! A good live band averages around $2500. My fiance' and I splurged on the music because it was one of our top priorities for the reception. At the website above we picked our genre and reviewed many compilation videos before choosing our band! It was a simple process. Lesson learned: Most bands request their "own" room to get ready in along with a hot meal and stocked beverages. After we picked a venue and a band we learned to rent out an extra room to accomodate talent would be $600 more.

DISCOVER: http://www.vistaprint.com/

I found this postcard making site very helpful. I have bridesmaids from L.A., the midwest, VA, GA, SC, TX- all over! At vistaprint I created these glossy postcards that the company mails out for you. I personalized it and had them sent a month and half before the wedding. The card listed all the events they'd need to be in town for and attire. More importantly it serves as a reminder to book a flight..or get a start on arrangements- and it worked! Girls told me they "got the card" and soon after got their hotel! If you're a new user like me there are amazing discounts. I sent out 14 cards for less than 12 bucks! Then I sent more "manly" ones with a mini itinerary and tux info to the groomsmen.

ADD TO FAVORITES: http://www.bluefly.com/

Girlfriend, your wedding dress ain't the only one you gotta buy! Soon you're good friends will be throwing you engagement partys, mixers..brunches.. etc! People will expect you to look your best- and you should. Afterall, this kinda thing doesn't come by often. I have bought 3/5 of my wedding related dresses from this site. I've sent a few back too- just use their shipping label. What's so great is that you can search by color or your fav designer to see what pops up! Because the selection is so sporadic- most likely you'll show up in something no one has seen before! Note: Go in with a mindset of the look you're trying to achieve. i.e. for my second engagement party I knew I wanted to be vintage 50's- I scored a L.A.M.B. dress for 1/2 price (see pic in January blog). For my rehearsal dinner- I knew I wanted a plunging back- FOUND with a quick search! Ebay is good too if you know your fit for a particular label. I got this (right) Nanette Lepore plume dress for $150. In the store it would have cost $330.

YOUTUBE: wedding music

Or you can buy those cheesy wedding CDs- Target has a variety. The internet is free. Depending on the size of your wedding party will determine the number of songs you need. Maybe 2 for the mother of the bride and groom and party... 1 for the bride... and 2-3 for the recessional.

Quick Favs:

Flower Girl/Junior Bridesmaids Dresses: http://www.little-flowers.com/
Bridesmaid Dresses

http://www.siriinc.com/ (what my gals are wearing!)

http://www.threaddesign.com/

/www.cocomyles.com/

Wedding Resources: http://www.weddingwire.com/

Party Shoes, search by color, heal height and shippins is fast!: http://www.zappos.com/

Bridesmaid Flip-Flops (I got cute leopard print ones- for $6 a pair!): http://www.target.com/

Wedding shoes, High End shoes you can dye!: http://www.myglassslipper.com/

Honeymoon- look for "a best kept secret" we found: http://www.peterisland.com/

Getting Fit: Body by Bernard read about our personal trainer on Kim's Blog!

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Everything I should've known I just learned from the New Kids on the Block

BEFORE I GET STARTED: Remember NKOTB as a Cartoon? Awesome.

In 1988 balladeer Joey McIntyre first belted "Please Don't Go Girl".
20 Years Later... I'm still saying "I'm here, Joey, Do you see me?!" This month its expected the most incredible poster boy band (yeah I said it!) in music history will announce plans to reunite. Word that The New Kids on the Block may be making a comeback immediately fired off a string of uncontrollable memories.
*flash*rolled short-sleeve tees and sweater vests - so hot!

*flash*I hate Tiffany- what does Jonathan see in her?

*flash*Does Jordan hear my prayers at night while he's taped to the ceiling?

*flash*Dad!! This 5.5" button of Donnie Wahlberg is NOT big enough!!!

*flash* (looking in the mirror) Why am I Korean?? I want red hair like Tiffany!

*SPLASH* Snap out of it Goff! .... I try... I can't.

Miley Cyrus fanatics for the FIRST TIME I can feel your passion for performance. I've realized NKOTB was the last group I ever felt this way about. However, I can't tell you why now as a grown woman I still care. Was it their style... their bad-boston-boy-good-looks... or was it perhaps the music that pushed me over the moon? As I think harder about it... I realize it might be something we all can relate to: I want what I can't have.

You see, I had a frugal upbringing- not by choice but by circumstance. As a young child, I still remember my father working by day as an enlisted officer in the ARMY... and then pulling the nightshift flippin' burgers with a scary clown who owned a restaurant.

As I got older, memories of dad's second jobs were more prominent because I was part of them. Living in Texas I remember long nights at the movie theater on base- my dad managed it on the side as he climbed the ranks in the military. It was kinda cool... I got to see movies for free. I think I was the only one at age 9 who could review Hellraiser and Rattle and Hum. Oh after the fun.. my job got dirty: I was left pickin' up the remnants of a good or bad show row by row. It's perhaps the reason I've never left behind uneaten popcorn or a coke at the theater.
Back then I never knew my father worked two jobs so he could give my mom and sisters the basics... and then some. I never knew because I remember it was never enough.

These thoughts run strong with the NKOTB craze in the 80's and early 90's. I remember the only shirt I had in their honor.. my parents got from a local flea market. It was the color of Crest cool mint gel toothpaste. It had a really bad screen print of the band that only got worse with each wash. By cycle #6 I had given the teens their very first face lift. I still wore it...wishing one day I'd own one of those white "real" New Kids Tees- the kind all the preps who also wore authentic Keds had.
As an ARMY brat I divided my younger years between the US and Korea. I left Texas for the far east right after 5th grade. I was saying goodbye to my country and more sadly my band of boyfriends without ever having a chance to see them- Concerts were way too expensive. Two years would pass before I would get my chance again.
It was 1992... Bush and Yeltsin proclaimed a formal end to the Cold War... Clinton was later elected President and my fam actually went to lunch with Hillary (sorry 'bout pic Jen), that year the Redskins beat the Bills for the Superbowl title... and the one event that triumphed everything... NKOTB would rock the R-O-K.
I remember listening for hours to the one American radio station we had to try to win tickets to the show. I remember swallowing my jealousy and almost choking on spit when my friend Sharon Green told me on the school bus her older sister Susan was the lucky caller. But say I had won... I knew deep down I wouldn't be able to go. While my parents continued to pinch pennies... I knew they were more then generous with overprotection. Going to a show off military grounds...where mass hysteria was expected was not safe in their eyes, even under supervision. Like many things I've come to learn over time- my folks were right.
The Kid's show was cut short just after three songs after an overcrowded stadium proved deadly. Fans stormed the stage and trampled a South Korean high school student. The 18 year old girl fell into a coma and later died. Reports said at least 50 others were hurt in the chaos.
It was shortly after this tragedy that the New Kid craze really started to fade out. I joined the trend that turned on them too. Afterall, I was in middle school... years of new found independence. On the "Grow up" checklist... I finally marked putting the boys behind once and for all.
Lipstick glossed posters curling at the end were scraped off the wall, stacks of 2-page spreads torn from BOP magazine- tossed out...those jumbo buttons were salvaged somewhere along with tapes I thought could be worth something again someday... you know kinda like my dad's one record by the Beatles.
After letting go... I never really looked back. Until now.
Reunion talk brought back memories in an instance but finding my stash of New Kids stuff was a timely task. The first item to turn up: found in my piano bench- sheet music for "This One's for the Children".
"There are some people living in this world They have no food to eat They have no place to go."
In '89 it was just another Christmas hit. Almost two decades later I can still hear the chorus with a message that now at an older age has an entirely different effect on me.
It dawns on me so what if I had such a pop infatuation?... I know it was definitely more than bubblegum dreams. If it wasn't I wouldn't be so moved today by word of a possible comeback.
It's news that for the first time in a long time forced me to take a good look at my past. Only to find that beyond poster boys were idol parents- relentlessly providing and protecting a daughter who just couldn't see how rich in "love" she really was.

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WEDnesday: Wedding Band Debacle

45 Days to Go.

I am feeling the crunch.

I still don't have an approved wedding ceremony.

Don't know what song I'm walking down to.

My dress is still being made.

AND OH NO!!!

I have totally NOT thought about getting my future husband a wedding band.

I know.

slap my wrist.
Bad Bad Bride-to-Be!

I can't tell you why this minor detail of the ceremony managed to slip from the top of my wedding "to do" list. I can actually only guess. I admit I've been a bit bogged down with all the commercial details in planning the big day. I swore I wouldn't get wrapped up in all of that- but you have to pick out invitations, you have to find the party favor that reflects "you two", you have to have special flutes for the toast, you have to have a song for your first dance, oh and all the songs you want played at the reception, what about the welcome gifts for out-of-town guests, 3 or 5 tiers on the wedding cake, and the flowers. Do I have to have flowers I ask? Jaw to the floor- Marcell Steely-Judice my fabulous wedding designer, takes a deep breath."Angie, yes, you HAVE to have flowers!" .... and I thoutht I was sooo content with getting cheap stalks of bamboo.

Do you follow? This is only the small stuff. There's so much more. Bottomline you can see how its easy for one to drop the ball when it comes to the band. I know there's no excuse- basically because we don't have time for that now. We are on a make-up mission. These next valuable seconds, minutes, weeks, the final month must be spent looking for the bling to last for a lifetime!

So where do I start? Has he gotten mine? Do our rings have to match? How much do I spend? To Aspiring brides: having a bridesmaid who's been through all this will save you. After I wrote the opening line to this entry- I signed off, left work, got in my car and called my friend Jennifer Wilson (left). Afterall, she had been through this not so long ago. She too married a nice southern boy in South Carolina. (Alan rocks- he recently went to see RAMBO with me!) Back to Jen: She's not only one of my dear bridesmaids she's a great journalist and wonderful person who's opinion I trust and value.

Jennifer immediately put my mind at ease. Telling me a lot of people buy their bands towards the end. She also says because of this and the fact the bride and groom are practially broke by the big day- some jewelers will cut ya a deal. The cloud of guilt was lifting. She then recommended a good jeweler to start with and was able to give me a ball park idea of what I could expect to pay. I was shocked! Well aware of the engagement rock range, I assumed it was gonna cost me at least a couple grand. Nope- I found out you can get 'em starting at $100 ... but $200- $500 was more the norm. Titanium and tungsten bands I learned are real strong, the latter can be resized. Palladium is like the "new thing" it's completely white...more rare than gold (the one pictured goes for $179)! And of course there's platinum which is what you'll pay the most for.

Opting not to go the Pitt-Aniston route (we saw how that turned out)- I ruled out matching bands (brad designed these himself). I called the store suggested to me and lined up an appointment for the fiance' to stop by and get sized up. Soon the hours of panic... was followed with a calming request for my patience.

The jeweler said he would call.

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Don't Fear the Dog Park

Partly Sunny, Highs in the 60s, for pet owners this kind of weather calls for a day in the park! I have to be honest. I was always leery of going to the dog park alone- worried my canine-loving character would somehow come off like a desperate and looking Diane Lane (Must Love Dogs, 2005). Maybe, I've seen too many movies, heard too many stories about the "guy who walks the dog to get the girl". I just never felt comfortable enough to go. Maybe it was the fear of uninvited interest or just the idea of having to make the dog small talk (your dog's cute, no your dog's cute... no really..your dog...). Then there's the no leash laws: While I fully support letting my pup run free- the thought of walking into an enclosed area where other animals are doing it always gave me an unsettling sense of vulnerability. Whatever the reason, I have chosen to avoid the public playground for years.

After Today, I am looking back and regretting it.

His name is Atticus. Age 2, Yellow, Lab, Handsome and Rescued from a shelter in South Carolina. He wags a crooked tail but shares a perfect heart. Taking advantage of Summer-for-a-day-February, I couldn't help but cave-you can do it Ang- put him in the car-take him to the park .It was nothing like I had imagined. Upon arrival outside the gates at Chandon Park in Herndon a chorus line of friendly yelps and barks stormed the fence. A loving dog-owner yells "Don't worry it's just the greeting committee!"2 glossy black labs, a huskey, a sprite pair of jack russells mouthing a red rubber ball were among the group to shower Atticus with ceremonial sniffs. It wasn't long before the AngCAM captured this: A canine a-courtin. Her name is Bella and she was hot on Atticus' crooked tail. To Bella's dismay, the young lab dismissed her advances. She persisted. Our cameras kept rolling as she worked that smooth white coat, hair so fine... like her strut on all four legs-- oh those legs...

The Bella encounter was one of many bonds made this day. Atticus wasn't the only one to make new friends. I found the grounds to be filled with park pros, Bella's owner had her own cooler for the pups from which Atticus rudely helped himself. Sidney's parents were a nice young couple who just moved here from Boston. Soon, I realized the "small talk" between us was relevant and something I could relate to. We shared the feeling of guilt for not doing this thing more often- getting out with our pups more- getting out FOR our pups more. More importantly, I got opinions on other places to take him along with the word on local groomers.

As for the dog- I wish he had got the girl.

but as the story goes, a run around a whole new world followed with some quality naptime turned out to be more than just enough!

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My Secret to Watching What You Eat

AngCAM: On the road to FIGHTING FAT, Angie & sister Jenny discover a gizmo that can help anyone "watch what they eat".
It's Presidents Day.. the one day set aside for us Americans to tip our hats to good ole' GW. Subsequently, it's also the time when his dome awkardly starts popping up to sell cars and furniture. Hey, it can be obnoxious but truly if I can get a good deal on a ride in his honor- I'm game. Consider it a perk of a patriot I have deeper reasons to admire:

I give him props because he was the only one of the Founding Father's to free his slaves. More props for making his second inaugural address the shortest one ever delivered at 135 words. I'm also a big fan because George wrote EVERYTHING down. His papers collection at the Library of Congress is said to run 65-thousand documents deep. We're talking letters, childhood diaries, journals.. military records- nearly 6 decades of colonial America captured by the General's quill pen.

In this high-tech, fast paced world we live in I find it almost impossible to even write down a To-Do list. Even when I do- I often forget where I've put it. This brings me to the AngCAM up top. My new discovery. My new buddy, the third wheel in my and WX Kim's plight to Get Fit! (read Kim's Blog for Fitness Fridays & some humiliating pics)

The Calorie Counter is my new favorite gadget. Not only is a great way to track my weight and calorie intake for the day- it allows you to log your exercise too. The palm-pilotesque device also has a library of 35, 000 foods including your favs from more than 250 restaurants. It makes writing it down so easy- because you're just punchin' it in. Throughout the day you can check your calorie intake- to see as I did in the video how much I have eaten...and how much I can afford to put down based on my goal.

It was like having "Accountability" right before my eyes. Calorie Counters run about $80 but I found mine on sale for $50. It was very simple to program and use. At the end of the day I got my "Food Report". I admit it... I was over by 17 calories. This is NOT BAD because it was enough to make me reconsider finishing a jumbo M&M Cookie. (sniff..)

After taking a step back, I realized...I'm really not all that hungry afterall. Being able to have instant access to a snapshot of my menu for the day was great and showed me I had an overall healthy day. Another neat feature you can transfer the data to your PC in seconds.

Breakfast: Hot Cereal

Snack: Peanut Butter Bar

Lunch: Salad, FF Dressing, Turkey Burger

Snack: 1 Medium Apple

Dinner: Turkey with gravy and Green Beans

Snack: Pretzel Bites

Extras: Medium Coffee w/Non Fat milk, 1/2 Jumbo M&M Cookie

Total Daily Calories: 1217

I believe it was Miss Piggy who once said "Never eat more than you can lift." I hear you chuckling out there... I am too. But at the same time for many of us women.. watching our weight is no laughing matter. It's something a lot of us have to work at, work on and work out. Which is why I wanted to introduce you to things I stumble upon on my trip to getting fit. Afterall, I'm a firm believer any little help we can offer each other along the way will only get us to where we want to be faster!

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ps: I would love to hear diet tips that work for you???
pss: did you know kim martucci has an odd crush on Washington- yeah it really weirds Mike and Andrea out. Anyone out there with secret President Crushes- do tell!

Check out AngCAM, enjoy a cup 'o' Friday Lite and get ready to DAnCe!

AngCAM: Catches me enjoying some coffee in between traffic reports friday morning!

After a week mixed with romance,chocolate hangovers, inclement weather, horocious traffic on icey roads... a las the weekend is here!
(note: horocious = horrible + atrocious, a word invented by mi amiga Jenn Caugh)

Are you feelin' the Friday Lite? Traffic is generally better this day of the week- a lot more peeps beat the rush by hittin' the road early- to get that "one more day" over with. I think the thought of freedom being so close naturally puts us in a better mood. This had me thinking of starting "DaNcE PaRty Fridays" on the am show. WX Kim is all over this! KIM, Howard, Jeff Napdhin, Me and Miss Trenice show you how it works:
At the end of the show during my last traffic hit... we tag out with a jam out. Pump up the music and whoever is "in the broadcast houz" steps in at the green wall and shows us their moves.

Not only does this promote a healthy heart www.goredforwomen.org I think more importantly it's a great boost to the spirit.

So where do we go now? Kim and I looked into the matter only to have our buzz temporarily killed. There's a bunch of music licensing stuff to get through before you can shake it "like a polaroid picture!".

thought bubble: we could dance-off to 9 News Now music)
afterthought bubble: breakin' it down to a "breaking news" animation- not so hot.

I think I'll check-in with Steve Houk. He not only heads our station's marketing dept... he's also a very talented musician. The man knows music and who knows...his promo library might just have something that can get us moving!

In the meantime, I'm calling on all D-P-F supporters out there to Speak Up. The viewer's voice does matter.

Tell 9 News Now you want a revolution.
Tell 9 News Now you want to DANCE!

Speaking of Dances- we're still weeks away from the big one but I can smell March Madness around the corner. Saturday... expect traffic to inflate around the Patriot Center at my beloved alma mater of Final Four fame...George Mason. Homecoming is here. Yes, our celebration centers around Basketball. For those less informed- the patriots don't play with pigskin. It will be the first game I've been to since leaving more than half a decade ago.
I'm psyched!I get to return to the days of my yesteryear- reuniting with my sisters from AOII... spending the day before looking for some smokingly-spirited gameday gear- c'mon admit it girls I'm not the only one who does it! Plus, nothing says GAME ON like a shirt from Robert Rodriguez! Knot note: "ding ding ding"we've got a WINNER! The Tiffany patent platforms from my previous post will officially be part of my "aisle style" in April.

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Wedding Wednesday: Bride-Olitics

There is probably not a time in your life that you will exercise "decision making" more than during the days of planning your wedding. Between choosing flowers, a cake flavor, bridesmaids dresses and creating a program the last thing you're probably thinking about is: who I'm gonna vote for.
But put down your fifth copy of InStyle Weddings (there's nothing that new in it anyway), log-off ...theknot.com and check out http://bridesdecide.com/ a website set aside for that bride taking a trip to the altar... and polls!

Greeted with a patriotic bouquet... the site says its your front-row ticket to the 2008 presidential election. You can check out the candidates' real wedding stories and PHOTOS!! Who knew "Billary" was made official in the couple's living room in '75! (photo courtesy: Hillary Clinton for President)
More importantly you can share your thoughts with other brides-to-be on message boards about the candidates and on issues like the war.
As for fashion ideas... stick to your mags ladies... Huckabee couture circa '74 just ain't gonna cut it.
On another note, my blue shoe search continues! I think I'm gonna get funky and try these just for kicks! So far I've been 0-3 out of shoes ordered since my last entry!
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Angie AM Alert: Icy Streets & Hazardous Roadways WED AM

G'morning Drivers,
Check out this YouTube video that captures drivers on ice. It shows good reason to watch your speed this morning.



We've got some slippery conditions to contend with out there. They have already proven hazardous.. shutting down RT 210 to get to 295 Tuesday afternoon. Watch Dave Statter's Report: http://www.wusa9.com/video/player.aspx?aid=56076

Remember, the distance it takes you to stop on ICE is TWICE as long as it is during normal conditions. Three car distances away is good space between you and the vehicle in front of you.

It's 7:30 pm on Tuesday in Fairfax County Virginia. I just stepped outside to walk Atticus. He unexpectedly went ice-skating. The driveway already layered with a thin sheet of ice you can't see.

NEVER BRAKE while driving on ice. Brake during the approach. Also watch your speed on bridges and overpasses. They freeze first. During weather like this... this is where I see the most accidents happen.

If you have any travel advice in treacherous conditions... let me know about them!
Til then.. safe travels and don't forget your good (and fashionable) footwear!

Below are some tips from DDOT:
*Please take Metro as an alternative to driving
*If you must drive, please drive carefully as road conditions could be icy
*Remember that driving on ice is significantly different than driving on snow
*Remember even a 4-wheel drive SUV does not perform well in ice and additional safety measures should be followed
*Be aware of road conditions, particularly black ice which can be deceptive in its appearance giving the driver a false sense of security on the road.
*Drivers should use extreme caution and maintain safe speeds and distances from other vehicles.
*Remember to keep a safe distance from emergency and snow vehicles during any major winter weather event. Stay behind plow vehicles at least 25 feet and do not attempt to pass the vehicles

Pimp My Drive

... in a matter of minutes find out how this could be YOU!

When I first took this traffic job my friends and family in the area asked?

Do you really want to come back to DC... do you really want to do this? The Traffic is just

"ABOMINABLE!!!"

They were right but I realized... the morning shift would mean driving in very very early.. and leaving work early again. In a day, I'd beat the drive twice so many dread... what were the others thinking... this gig sounds GREAT!

As you would guess..it wasn't MY commute they were concerned about. They were more worried about me becoming the local person to ruin YOUR morning, every morning.

Angie GoffLocal Traffic LadyGrim Reaper of GridlockBringer of Bad Traffic Tidings

You could think of a lot of things to call me but I admit so far I haven't heard 'em. Afterall, I'm giving you stuff you wanna know right? Accidents and ways around them, the extra time you'll need in the car, lanes closed..ramps reopened ... the list goes on.

On TV I only have a matter of seconds to share with you my up-to-the-minute reports. I do my best to cover every road and every tie-up... but we all know in broadcasting it's impossible everytime to SQUEEZE it all in!

ENTER: 9TRAFFIC NOW

I'm surprised to find so many people unaware of this incredible tool. It's so simple. You'll see by simply clickin' on the link to the traffic page to the right.

Once there you can custom build your very own traffic report. Smartly tailored to the streets you take to work everday. C'mon give me 5, I'll map it out.

1. Click 9 TRAFFIC NOW

2. sign up for a free account- I timed it, it took 23 seconds!

3. plug in the roads you use

4. name the route, i.e. "To Work. Ugh!"

5. choose what time you want to be alerted and how: we can email, txt or call ya!

What is an alert?
Every day we'll e-mail you a summary of the roads with the worst traffic. If the alert lists something along your route click through to see details. Then decide to leave later or take an alternate route.

Also a reason to add my traffic link as a "Favorite". You can instantly check out the JAM FACTOR on the site before leaving your pad.

On windy days when our traffic cameras are a-shakin' you'll often hear me refer to the shot courtesy our "earthquake cam". Well the Jam Factor is really like the "Richter Scale" for traffic. We use digital sensors in addition to detailed accident, construction and congestion info to get the one number that matters to you!

Here's how it works:
The Jam Factor is measured on a scale of 0-10, with 10 representing the worst traffic conditions. This numerical scale also provides color coding to give you a quick, at-a-glance picture of your road.

You can also see 3 vitals between point A and point B: delay length, travel time and the avg speed drivers are going.

So what do you say? You ready to "Pimp Your Drive"????

We got all the goods you need to Customize a Report to put you on the Right Road at the Right Time. It doesn't get more personal than that, my friend.

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