If you can't take the heat, you're a journalist!

I love my new job! Well, the new parts to my old job. I did my first photo and video shoot today, and it's so nice to be doing stuff that gets me out of the office. And not just because I'm out of the office.

A little background: My first story is about main course alternatives to turkey for Thanksgiving. The ones I chose are duck, fish and venison. So I talked with local chefs and bought fish from one and duck from another. (No one sells venison, so wire photos stand in for that.)

First stop was the fish. I walked in, and the guy at the host stand was beau.ti.ful. No joke. Tall, tan, and shiny bald. I was so thankful I'd worn my big girl shoes and cute jeans. My first time out in the public, and I was being extra cautious. He wasn't chatty, which was a bummer, but maybe he was shy. I probably shouldn't be flirting on company time anyway.

At the next place, however, I got tons of attention. Unfortunately, it followed the story of my life: three dad-types getting drunk at the bar. After I explained I didn't want a job ("Too bad!") and I was there to pick up something ("A man?"), I finally found the guy I was looking for: chef Scott, who had prepared the most beautiful duck l'orange for me to take back. (That duck was my get-out-of-jail free card when I took too long in the photo studio, pushing back someone else's assignment. Best way to make amends: free food.) So I grabbed the duck, ran back to the paper, and stuck it under some hot lights for flattering photos.

An hour later, I went back to the second restaurant (with a clean plate - thanks Ian!) for a video shoot. If you've never been to the back of a restaurant, it's roasting. I know this seems obvious, but I never really thought about it until today. All those ovens and flames, and the chefs have to wear coats with sleeves. Lord. I was about to pass out in my cap sleeves. It's funny how people freak out over a camera. Chef was a minor celebrity for about 15 minutes ... everyone was oohing and aahing and laughing. But we got great shots of him explaining how to make the duck, and I think having a visual will add a lot to the story.

You can see all this online Wednesday at recordnet.com. Hooray!

Next up: Gift guide.