Who do I credit? Who do I mention? Who is worthy?

When you do great things in different walks of life, you have the power to place your own level of importance on the things you accomplish...

Jacob Kemper

Pretty exciting!!!

http://www.ksby.com/news/local-woman-writes-book-on-sports-broadcasting-career/

Follow this link to watch the first of many media appearances leading up to the release of my book No Girls Allowed: The Jock & Jill Mentality of Sports Broadcasting!

When life is just downright overwhelming...

Oh man, these are crazy times in the Silas household. It's as if the world is dropping things on my head to see if I can hold it all before my neck collapses or I fall over. It's supposed to be the best and most exciting time in my life. I'm a first time author telling the untold stories of women in the locker rooms and clubhouses, on the sidelines and in press boxes, in sports television and radio studios...honestly. It's so dang cool and outrageous, but at times it also seems like it may be too much to handle.
The book describes my journey and walks you through my career. It shares moments of greatness and times of pain and challenges. I always say "I'm just a girl with a story to tell." But, sometimes I feel it's much more powerful than what I'm thinking. Not one woman has made a full time, stable, and long career as a host in sports talk radio. We've been there for a moment or two. We've done sports updates and reporting from the field and games. But, not one of us has had a consistent and healthy career on sports talk radio stations. We're accepted, but with the safety of an arms distance. I'm not complaining, just expressing a truth of our business. And I know this to be factual because it's happened to me.
Some of the best programmers in the business in the past and of today have hired me, believed in me and given me a chance. When times got tough it never seemed to be because I wasn't ready for my show, I wasn't prepared for the content, I wasn't up for the controversy or the backlash. In my experiences, and I can only speak from those, it was because the groups of boys/males I worked with just didn't want me around, didn't want to change their behavior to make it comfortable for a woman to be in the room, the office or the studio.

So, the stories are there, now what? How can we make it happen? How can we as a society mold the business of sports radio into a place that welcomes both genders? I know, and I've known for a long time there needs to be someone out there who's innovative, fearless and unstoppable. This someone must be ready to deal with the hate mail, the negative feedback, phone calls and emails. This someone must have the strength to know it will take time to teach sports radio listeners that women know as much as men and are as interesting talking sports. The hardest part, the biggest challenge and the most difficult moments are when sports radio listeners insist that we (women) talk and think like men. This is something we will never do! Some women attempt to, to keep their jobs, but it hasn't been too successful. Check out the numbers of women on sports talk shows, as hosts around the U.S. There aren't many. And on a national level, not one. What does that tell you? You tell me. I'm ready, because I'm still looking for that 'someone.' I won't stop until I find him or her to be that 'someone'.

I may not be on the radio today, but...

Now that the book is done. Yes, I said that, MY BOOK IS DONE! It's ready for public sales in a few weeks, you can pre-order it now at www.cjsilas.net. I've got my second book assignment and more time to think about the world of sports. I may not be on the radio today, but...I think about the stories, the people and the games everyday. And, I've got an opinion! For some reason, even though being in third place in the NL west isn't first place, it feels good to take two of three from the enemy over the weekend. As long as the Dodgers finish ahead of the Giants the season won't be a complete loss.

You may think I'm crazy, or already know I have those tendencies, but, this will prove it. I recently got a backwards LA tattoo on my back. It's a small one, a tattoo on my derby girl, but it's definitely backwards! I never, ever want to forget just how bad the energy of the Dodgers has been over the last year. Frank McCourt and his completely nuts wife have ruined us for the time being. That doesn't mean we Dodger fans will not recover, we surely will! But, these two knuckleheads have made it really hard to enjoy much about the 2011 season. Please, boys in blue, please, at least finish ahead of the orange and black, PLEASE!!!

I don't know why I'm not as excited about the NFL season being back as everyone else. I'm more pumped up for college this year. There are issues in every league of every sports at every level. But, I'm pulling for college to have a good strong year. I must admit, because I've been out of the loop working on my book over the last several months I cannot keep track of which team is in which conference. As long as this gets us closer to a college football post season playoff bracket, then I'm all for it.

The NBA season is in jeopardy...for some reason I don't care. My love for the Lakers and loyalty for 30+ years has dwindled a bit over the years because, because, because...I'm not a fan of kobe at all. I refuse to change teams, but I'm holding out for the next era. Lame to some, I know. But, he's such a egomaniac with that sense of entitlement that so annoys me. I would find a way back with the addition of Kevin Garnett for sure!!! But, that's not going to happen, I can dream can't I?

Book is here...selling now...OMG!

I cannot believe it's really happening. My book is for sale to the public, right now! Holy Cow!!!

I have no words! I have too much flying around in my head to believe it...22+years later, 2 years of writing, 1 year of editing, OMG!!!!

Death...Family...Love

Funny how things happen. One day everything seems like it's moving forward quite smoothly...then BAM! something blindsides you. Well, that's what hit my world this week. Book in print, pre-sales next week, book signing early next month, and public sales first of November. Getting more comfortable with my volleyball team and season getting underway, when...BAM! first scrimmage shows up and things feel scattered. Too much to handle. I know I am strong, I know it will pass, I know I will survive. I always do. But, I liked the smooth for the time I had it. Now, I must deal with grief, new beginnings, failure, waiting, sadness, disappointment, loss, and fear...aaaah, fear, that's a tough one!

Isn't most pain based on fear anyway? So, when it shows up, why are we so surprised? Why are we so unprepared, at first? Why does it hurt so badly? I have none of these answers, but I do have hope, faith, dreams and energy to push through, to persevere amidst all the pain, suffering and challenges. Wow, did I just try to convince myself that all of this is temporary in my blog? In front of others? On a computer screen? Yep. I did, and that to me is strong and courageous, but also friggin' scary as heck!!! There, that fear thing again. I cannot wait until next week, but I'm ready for tomorrow.