It was an amazing experience – my first ever TV appearance. Yes, I was on TV this past week. How it happened goes back to my inability to say ‘no’ when people ask me to do something! 🙂
I did a course on Entrepreneurship, Strategic Planning & Marketing in October 2009, and this type of course is now being rebranded and relaunched as Springboard with 6,000 college places available. So the National College of Ireland, where I did my course, contacted me and asked me would I do up a profile and send a few pictures for the PR company. And because I can’t say ‘no’…. of course, I did. Heard nothing more for a week or two, and then the phone call came! Would I like to go on Ireland AM?
So, then a whole set of questions started…. panic setting in….. what does one wear on TV at 7.45 am? Make-up – do you do it yourself? I have to be there for 7 am!
In the end it was decided that I should travel to Dublin the night before and stay close to the TV3 station.
So I travelled up last Monday evening and got to the hotel at about 8.30. I know I only stayed one night…. but while the room was fine, etc. how can Irish hotels still get away with serving such appalling food? I didn’t even have breakfast in the place 🙂
Anyway it was early to bed and up early next morning! On the road to the TV station by 6.40…. get lost, try not to panic! And arrive at 7 am. I was surprised by the amount of activity about the place even at that time.
The other guest for my slot – Garrett was already there – his wife, Erica, admitted she’d just had to come to share the excitement! The staff at the station were lovely. Luke was organising all the various slots – so we had to wait our turn to get our hair and make-up checked! Total film star mode! As I had chanced taking my camera along, Erica was nominated the photographer!
It was a first time for Mary Liz and Garrett too…. and the questions we were asking, must have made Luke and the floor manager laugh! We all suddenly had notions that we were going to clash with the red couch!
Aidan Cooney was charming and made us all feel so relaxed. I have to admit that once we started talking, I completely didn’t even notice the cameras!
My TV debut was over so quickly! I think we were on for about 10 or 15 minutes, but it was all over in a flash!
It was an amazing experience. Not only being on TV and learning just how many people watch TV at that hour of the morning! Also to see what a small space the studio is! The news desk, Vincent Browne’s area, and another desk all in the one section as that infamous red couch!
What’s next? Who knows?
Thank you to the people at National College of Ireland, Caroline Moody PR, Mary Liz Trant (HEA) and all the folks at TV3 Ireland AM for the opportunity.
And major thank you to all the kind comments from our Facebook and Twitter fans – some of whom helped with the ‘what to wear’ and ‘make-up’ issues – and others just offered so much support.
Thank you all!
A Year In Redwood 