You should see the looks I get when I arrive at my destination with arm floaties, kites, solar eclipse glasses, a cowboy hat, and swim goggles. On more than one occasion, I’ve had friends text me a photo of myself marching through a crowd of people at an event with my backpack, tripod, iPhone, and gimbal in tow. I look like Bigfoot in the wild. To me, it’s just another normal day in “UL Live” paradise! I suppose I never envisioned myself singing a line from Mary Poppins’ “Let’s Go Fly a Kite” on camera for the entire city of Longview to see, but here I am. My job usually calls me to stick out like a sore thumb in hopes of offering others a closer look at all of the people, small businesses, and events that make this town all that it is. It’s a high calling and something I don’t take lightly!

When I think back on all of the interviews I did this past year, there are definitely a few that stand out! I think about Longview’s free annual kite festival. I had never been before and didn’t really know what to expect. My eyes filled with tears as I walked across the soccer fields and looked up to see what seemed like a thousand kites in the sky. As bubbles hit me square in the face, I remember thinking to myself, “I’ve never seen so much joy jam-packed into one place.”  My heart felt like it was going to explode.

Then there was the time I yelled, “YEEEEE HAAAAWW” at the Longview PRCA Rodeo! With a cowboy hat on my head and a red bandana tied loosely around my neck, I stood on a corral panel and put my faith in the one sweaty palm keeping me steady so I could video the calves, bulls, and horses as they made their grand entrance. I’ll do anything for a good angle! Let’s not forget about the pumpkin pie eating contest against Shawn Hara to promote the Great Pumpkin Roll taking place downtown. I’ll stuff my face with pumpkin pie for the good of our community any day! Oh yeah, and then there’s the Longview Splash Pad feature! How could I forget!? I just knew I’d be the only one playing in the water on that bright, sunshiny Friday morning!  I definitely wasn’t. I was, however, the only one wearing swim goggles and arm floaties. “Oh! Don’t mind me!” has become my catchphrase.

Perhaps my all-favorite experience, however, was the inaugural Green Street Monster Fest. I had set my tripod up in the intersection (don’t worry, the roads were closed down…safety first!) so I could do my intro and outro. Without missing a beat, my friends and community members jumped in front of the camera, taking turns “stealing the spotlight” and I gladly let them.
After all, that is what “UL Live” is all about—highlighting the people and aspects in our community that are unique to Longview. I’m just here to
hold the microphone!

I am once again reminded why I love this city. It is rooted in community and I cannot believe I get to call it home. Longview consists of people of all ages and from all walks of life! It doesn’t matter what event you attend or what small business you walk into, it’s inevitable you’ll find a friend there. There’s a sense of togetherness and kinship that brings us all in close. Whether rolling pumpkins down the hill that gave our city its name, drinking beer at the home-grown music festival dubbed Green Street Monster Fest, or participating in summer classes at one of our many nonprofit organizations…there’s room for everyone! It truly is a wonderful place to live, work, and play…so, don’t forget to follow us for my next unique adventure!