Fine Fellas Friday: Tim S. 'One of the Best Story Tellers I Know'

FINE FELLAS FRIDAYS: A man who weaves stories gracefully. He is a balanced story-teller, and has a graceful heart ! #heslays

Tim  : As a former television journalist I liked to say, “I live for facts. I live for the truth.” Well here is the truth about Tim, he is one of the best reporters Central Virginia has to offer. He is professional, and hard-hitting in his pursuit of the truth, balanced, accurate, an industry leader. With all this talent one would understand if Tim had a chip on his shoulder, but I quickly learned competing alongside him, he is one of the most humble people you will ever meet. 

I met Tim  as a rookie reporter in Lynchburg, Virginia. Tim works for the number one station in the market, and I discovered I’d be covering his beat, Bedford County. My News Director said Bedford County was one of of the largest counties in the Lynchburg/Roanoke television market and for years it was also one of the toughest to win in ratings in large part due to Tim.

Tim grew up in Bedford County, and knew everyone from the Mayor to the hometown business owner like family. To say I was intimidated to compete against Tim is an understatement. I did what anyone with a competitive spirit would do; I went to Bedford County, walked the streets, talked to the people, got their names, got their address, made them cookies, brought them donuts. This is not bribery it’s relationship building, and I knew to beat Tim I had to work harder than I ever had in my career up until that point. This blog is not about me, but this competition slowly started making me a better journalist. I could come into Bedford County, and I’d hear people say, “COMPTON! Good to see you.” ( Lauren Compton is my legal name, and the name I went by on-air in Bedford County). It felt good.

 I thought Tim would be snobby about me encroaching on this territory. I can’t tell you how many times Tim and I would show up to the same story and we’d laugh. 

“Ah here’s Tim,” I’d say, “I guess better put on my ‘A’ game.” Tim would laugh and throw a joke back. That type of mutual respect and healthy competition made us both better. I know for a fact that whenever Tim saw me or I saw Tim we both know we had to work harder. That is the essence of Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron so one person sharpens another.” We were both becoming better reporters because of the other. It was a beautiful thing, and something I think all journalists in competitive markets can learn from. We’re all chasing the same story, we’re all going for the same interviews so why don’t we all show each other respect and love in the process. 

Oh, and did I mention Tim is a one-man band? It’s a term people in the television news business use to describe someone who does it all.  Tim shoots his own video, edits it, writes his own stories, and then somehow presents compelling stories on-air five days a week. I’ll be honest with you I don’t know if I could do it. I was a one-man band when I worked for MTV’s Choose or Lose and I know how challenging it can be.  So major kudos to Tim. I say this often, but I could write a novel about how wonderful Tim is, but then it would be the Tim Saunders blog and not ‘Fine Fellas Friday’. Just know Tim I love and respect you. I’m so grateful that of all the reporters in Central Virginia I was paired against you. I’m a better story-teller because of it.

THANKS FOR SHARPENING ME TIM ALWAYS AND FOREVER

#WomenWhoSlayWednesday: A Woman of Grace

On Wednesdays we honor fabulous, great woman. Today, we honor 'A Woman of Grace'. A woman whose middle name is Grace and she is amazing. I did not have time to do a full write up on her so I did a YouTube post on her.

She believes in my business Good Girl Chronicles, and I believe in her. It is the epitome of Proverbs 27:17 "Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

#WOMENWHOSLAY 'A WOMAN OF GRACE'

Check out how amazing Grace is on my Youtube Page. Kind of ironic right? That I met a woman whose middle name is Grace and it's all I ask God for everyday. Life is beautiful that way and so is God. Watch, listen and praise Grace. She is about to write for Good Girl Chronicles and she has amazing stories of love and relationships. I love her voice, writing, and calmness. She SLAYS!

#MakeupMondays: My Emotional Tie to Makeup

#MAKEUPMONDAYS on this day Good Girl Chronicles celebrates the art of makeup. Tips, tricks, you tubers, sales, deals you name it I wanna find it. Today is a throwback to my news makeup days. I'm showing this video because I feel my makeup looks good in it. Clean, professional, simple and it highlights my good features. It took me a long time to find this balance. 

This Makeup Monday is all about my television news makeup. I am sharing a video of a story I did as a reporter at WAVY News 10 with journalist Art Kohn. 

I am also sharing the video cause it's one of  my favorite Oceanfront stories. Art is an incredible military journalist. He suggested we go talk to some VB people for this story when I didn’t see the value. It was a good thing we did. They added to the story. It is also shoot so well. But's that classic Art. He was a one man band and knows how to tell a story with the sense.

Lastly, this is one of my last stories at WAVY. After this aired I sunk into my darkest depression. By May I had my first suicide attempt, and by July I was gone. That is my truth and I am making peace with it. I had so much promise as a journalist and it all gone in an instance. God I cry when I think about that sometimes. 

I have to believe that God has a bigger and better plan for me. In fact I know He does. I see it every single day in the people I meet, the stories they tell me, and my business slowly taking off. Thank you all for sharpening me. Thank you for sticking around for the messy, ugly parts of my recovery. Thank you for cheering and praising me when things are good, and always telling me to keep writing. It is my spiritual gift I believe and your support keeps me going. It is my hope my parents see the pure intent in my heart and what my business Good Girl Chronicles is doing. 

Honestly God tells me daily like Kanye West 'Touch the Sky’, “I’m sky high, I’m sky high, I’m I’m sky high…..” One day I’ll share with you all why I love the old Kayne West so much. And, why I still feel like there is hope for the new married Kardashian, Kanye West too. But this song embodies a lot of what I feel about my dreams, black women, Kanye, music…just so much. BTW I’m a music head if you didn’t know.

This Makeup Monday is an emotional one for me. It is more than I expected to write or say on the matter of makeup. But that is the power of makeup. It has the power to disguise, enhance, highlight, contour, emphasize. I could go on. I loved learning about makeup in the news business, but it was a disguise to my real pain, my real struggle, and my real inner battle to accept my body, shape, face, skin, and look. This is why I post about Makeup Mondays. It is much more than giving you advice or highlight good products. Even if a lot of the ones are use are Kardashian based. There’s a reason I use those too. I hope you all enjoy these post about makeup. Tell me what you would like me to try, blog, or Youtube about. I love interacting with you online!

Happy #MakeupMonday

#WomenWhoSlay: Confident, Comforters: Rachel S, Sally Delta, Antoinette R, Khloe K

#WomenWhoSlay

Body Confident, Comforting Women

To the women who teach me to love my shape and myself

#IRONSHARPENSIRON

One day a few years ago I was looking for a scripture to send to one of my best girlfriends. I wanted something that described how much I had grown as a person knowing her, and I found Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpens iron so one person sharpens another.” It captured our friendship so perfectly. Because of Rachel I became a better reporter, friend, and I learned to love my quirky personality. She loved my loud laugh, my flirtatious ways, my love of God, my crazy dog, and my big heart. She watched my reporter demo reels, gave me good, honest feedback, and always listen when I needed her. She was one of the only people in Lynchburg who knew I was struggling with depression and anxiety. She loved me anyway. I could write a novel about how loving, caring, comforting, and kind Rachel is. So this week I honor a few women who like Rachel taught me to love myself, and sharpen me in ways I never knew. Love you Rachel AKA Ivory always and forever.

Rachel S AKA Ivory : Rachel and I instantly clicked when I met her at WSET in Lynchburg. She is fun, beautiful, one of the smartest women I know, and has a heart of gold. I am often intimidated by beautiful women, but Rachel always made me feel just as gorgeous as her. Her confidence is contagious. Hanging with her made me feel fabulous, sexy, and free. Aside from our professional respect for each other Rachel was and is one of my best friends. I learned so much about myself working along side her, and slaying the streets of Lynchburg whenever we had money to go out. We were two broke reporters,

with great fashion sense, and a sense of adventure. Rachel took our little paycheck and made it slay. She cooked for me, and bought me wine when I was broke in the wallet or the heart. Like I said I could write a novel about how much I love and respect this woman. Just know she’s fabulous and is the epitome of a good girlfriend. I am so happy she has found the man of her dreams and is continuing to slay in her professional life. Love you doll. Ebony & Ivory Forever

Sally Delta: Ya’ll let me just say Sally Delta slays.  When I first met her I was like, “Damn this woman is beautiful.” She didn’t have on any makeup just her honey, blonde hair, milky skin, freckles, and a smile that could make any man blush. I thought to myself, “There is no way this chick and I are going to have anything in common. She’s a totally “pretty girl” and I am a Tomboy trying to be cute.” 

Me, Sally, and my Fine Fella Jemon Haskin

I was so wrong. Like Rachel I worked with Sally at a WSET-ABC 13 News in Lynchburg. Sally was a news photographer and honestly there are not a whole lot of those. The equipment is heavy, and the work is hard. But that chick handled herself with the best of them. Not only that the girl can write, act, model, you name it Sally Delta can do it.  Even more amazing than her work ethic, is her personality and her kind heart. She is from Appommatox, Virginia and every bit the Southern Belle. Her love knows no boundaries. She has black friends, white friends, model friends, regular janes like me. We shared so much as co-workers and friends. I still remember one of her favorite songs by Katy Perry ‘Teenage Dream’, it fits her so well. Sally like Rachel has found the man of her dreams and they are expecting their first child. Love you doll to the moon and back. When Lolo gets some money she’s coming to Cali to visit the Kelly family. I love me some Pippa (Her adorable Westie)

Antoinette R.: When I worked in news in Hampton Roads,  Antoinette was the competition. We met through mutual friends, and soon found ourselves discussing news, love, life and Jesus on a regular basis. I love her so much for supporting me in my valley and as I climb back to my peak. I am learning not a lot people can or will do that for you. But, Antoinette is one of those ride or die friends. She does not ask for praise or thanks. I am a better journalist, and friend for having known her. She is so talented, funny, beautiful, and kind. Even better she loves Jesus. Whenenver we are together I feel so spiritually feed. I am weary of churches because of some tough moments I’ve had as Southern Baptist, but Antoinette reminds me there are Christians who love you where you’re at. Like the woman at the wall in the book of John, Antoinette loves you when you’re weak and when you’re strong. She loves you when you’re slaying and when you’re slumming. She praises you when it counts, and advises you when you need it. Thanks for being you. I am so grateful God brought you in my life. There are not enough words to thank you for sharpening me. #ironsharpensiron. I know in my heart God has amazing things planned for you. Your dreams matter. He hears them and because you delight in Him he wants to give them to you #psalms37:4

Khloe Kardashian: Now I know people are going to hate on me for putting Khloe on here. The Kardashian brand is very polarizing. You either love them or you hate them. I do not hide the fact that I love them. They make me laugh, make mistakes in love like me, and they’re some of the best business women on reality television. I’ve blogged about them on several occasions, but today I’m blogging about Khloe because she’s one of my ‘Body Confidence Role Models’. I have always thought Khloe was beautiful. She was the tall, curvy one in the Kardashian trio and I loved it. She wore body con (tight fitted) dresses even as a thick chick. I could on about how much I love her personality, or how open she is about her love life, but I’ll save that for another blog. 

Not only do I admire Khloe's body confidence I admire her strength in the face of adversity. When things hit the rocks between her and Lamar she turned to the gym for therapy. I know this because I read her book ‘Strong is Better Naked’. It’s a self help book that focuses on fitness, confidence, and starting over. Well in the book Khloe explains why she started hitting the gym. She found solace on the elliptical, and over time started to shed pounds. The gym became her therapy, and in there she found an inner and outer strength she didn’t know was possible. I know this feeling because when I was 135, running every other day, and living the Weight Watchers lifestyle I felt amazing. I am working to getting back to that. Khloe’s transformation reminded me working out is for me, not to please some man, conform to the media’s image of beauty, or to wear a certain outfit. Koko (khloe’s nickname) reminds me that being healthy is sexy. Bible, she inspires me. I see you girl, and Lolo is coming for you. Right now, all I can do is power walk because my feet get swollen, but I am working on my fitness as Fergie says. Thanks for reminding me the beauty and the power of being healthy. #youslaydoll #womenwhoslay

MAD LOVE to Rachel, Antoinette, Sally and Khloe for sharpening me in your own way. Love you dolls!

Lolo Is Slaying & Now the Press is Calling: YAS HUNTY YA GIRL IS BACK

Lolo Is Slaying 

The Press is Calling: 

YA GIRL IS BACK

An Exciting Week for Lolo’s company Good Girl Chronicles

God wasn’t kidding when He said in Isaiah, “I will bring you beauty for your ashes.” 
I am still licking the wounds of my last depressive episode that lasted nearly two years. There are days when I get down, and want to sleep all day but God tells, “You are more than a conqueror.” Then, I get up take my anti-depressant, take quiet time, write on my blog, connect with people on social media, and I thank God for giving me another day. I’ve been in recovery, something I’ve heard a lot of depressed people say when they are heathy, since January.
 Since then I have opened my business Good Girl Chronicles in Chesapeake, Va, reconnected with my amazing friends, traveled, love and lost. More importantly I’ve grown closer to God in ways I never knew. Right now, I  am dealing with some heartbreaking challenges. My family and I are at odds over how I choose to live, and my business. I’ve had to let go of people I thought were friends, and a man I cared about broke my heart with his words. But, I am more than a conqueror or as the kids say, “I slay” so it’s onward and upward.

God is blessing me with some amazing opportunities this week, and I want to share.

FIRST RADIO INTERVIEW: This Tuesday I am scheduled to be on a radio show called ‘The Fuego Show’ on WFBS. Check them out at www.fuegobeats.com  I am open to discussing everything about my new journey: my life after news, my depression and recovery, my business Good Girl Chronicles, my crazy hectic love life, and my love of social media.

LOLO @SKYBARVA - I believe in enjoying the fruits of your labor so this Wednesday I’ll be celebrating the success of my blog Good Girl Chronicles at a place called ‘The SkyBar’ at the Oceanfront in Virginia Beach, VA. I’ve blogged about them the first time I went in an entry called 'LOLO's Bar Confessions', and it was an amazing time. I’ll be there from 10 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Ladies get in free from 10:00 p.m. to midnight so come on dolls, let’s get cute, throw on some rouge, and let’s slay.

LOLO GIVES BACK: This weekend I’ll be back in one of my favorite cities in the commonwealth, Lynchburg, Virginia. It is a little slice of heaven in Central Virginia. I was a reporter there from 2009 to 2012 and I’ve made some amazing friends, and in short time I fell in love with the area. This Saturday June 11th I’ll be at an amazing placed called Lynchburg Daily Bread. They serve hot, nutritious lunches 7 days a week for the area’s homeless. According to their website, in 2015 they serve more than 47,000 meals. SO AMAZING WHAT THEY DO. It’s in keeping with one of my favorite scriptures Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron so one person sharpens another.” That is why I will be giving them my time, and donating supplies. Message me teamgoodgirl84@gmail.com if you want to help.

LOLO 1st Gala: This Saturday I’ve been invited to attend a gala in Lynchburg called ‘Honored’. My dear friend  Jemon Haskins, and Donna Beeler Hensley are among the wonderful people being celebrated. I haven’t been to a black tie affair EVER so I’m so stoked I got the invite. I will be posting pictures and video to my new website www.laurenhope.co which will be live this weekend.

If you want to get involved in the movement that is Good Girl Chronicles contact me on social media or by email teamgoodgirl84@gmail.com 

As always thank you from the bottom of my heart for your love and support.
Good Girl Chronicles is in the business telling stories. I am brave enough to tell mine, let me help you tell yours.

LOVE YOU, LOVE GOD MORE
LAUREN HOPE
CREATOR, GOOD GIRL CHRONICLES
PSALMS 37:4