Better that this it titled "Short Odds & Ends" than "Short Odd End." Actually, I think I will file that second title for use on my last bloggerania on my last broadcast day.

*Why this is so short: In addition to giving the reader what he or she wants, I have to keep this brief because today is yet another training day. Some techno-wiz is coming in from out of town to show me another new piece of equipment. It is great to have the latest gadgets and gizmos but I always come away with the strong sense that time is passing me by and, frankly, I'm not that sad to see it go if it means more clicking and dragging. I'd rather go kicking and screaming. Regardless, the person in the white coat...the technician!...will be here soon and I have to be ready to learn. If this was college that would mean a glass of milk and a large stack of Oreos followed by finding the softest page in the text-book upon which to rest my head.

*Why I'm so decrepit: I got an e-mail from a viewer who says she has watched since I started. That's very nice. She also said she happened to wake up in the middle of the night and catch a ten year old episode of after*words with the Krazy Kats. "The real young guy sounded like Joel Nichols but he sure did not look like the Joel Nichols I see every morning...so young and his hair was so dark. All I can say, Joel Nichols, is that raising teens has been very hard on you."

*Why I am out of breath: This morning they had me running in and out of the building during FirstNews. It was all for a good cause. We were showing the Corvette Convertible that is being raffled off by the Dream Factory as a way to make dreams come true for area kids. You can learn more right here at thekansascitychannel.com by going to Larry's Page or the tab marked Dream Factory car. For $50 you have a chance to win. It is a great looking car. My little Ford was very pouty about my paying attention to this shiny new thing. I'm pretty sure the Ford spat at me as I walked back into the station. My bet is she will refuse to start when it's time to go home.

*Why you're lucky Busby works afternoons and evenings: We do have a risk of strong to severe weather this afternoon and evening. We talked about it this morning on FirstNews. I'm sure that my mother, based on the forecast for Kansas City, is already in her basement up in Wisconsin, with her survival pack which includes fresh water, coffee, chocolate, playing cards, portable radio tuned to the Music of Your Life station, back-up chocolate and lefse. Everybody just be careful today.

Well, the trainer is here and looks mean. I'm already feeling out of my depth. If my weathercasts sound a little muffled tomorrow morning it may be because the trainer has actually physically stuffed me inside the computer terminal. Terminal? Now, we're back to a Short, Odd End!