Class of 2000

Michele Bossaer

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Current Location

Edmonton, Alberta

Posted on January 24, 2003 by Michele Bossaer

Wow - how time flies. It's been a long time since I've posted an update and thought I better let you know what's changed. And boy, is life changing.

As the rest of you head into our third year of post J-School, I will be heading into my first year of parenthood. Yes, Louis and I have finally decided to expand the family beyond our two cats. Actually, the plan has been in the works for a while. I'm heading into my eight month and am due in March. So far, the experience has been pretty good. Both our families are getting very excited. We've had the big tour of the hospital (which made me a little nauseated...and terrified, but there's not turning back now!). The baby's room is almost done. And, I'm just trying to imagine life without work for a year. I plan on heading back afterwards, but it's still tough to picture staying at home for 12 months. Of course, everyone tells me, I'll have my hands very full!

Which bring me to a second update - my position is open here at Global. It's a one-year Mat Leave position - full-time reporting. If any of you still are itching to get into TV biz...this is a good way to get your foot in the door. The posting just went up last week and doesn't close until the end of this month.

Other than that - we've just been working and enjoying life in Alberta. I had a big high point in October - I got to go to New York City for work. We followed around Edmonton firefighters for a few days. They were there for a big memorial march honoring all the fallen firefighters. It will be, without a doubt, one of the highlights of my career. We had a very up close and personal tour of Ground Zero (thanks to a very nice security guard), and met some of the first firefighters who responded that day. They also happened to be the same crew that were part of the 9-11 documentary that aired a few months ago (the one by the French filmakers who were following the life of a rookie firefighter). And as luck would have it, we also met the filmmakers. They happened to stop by the fire hall when we were there filming. It was amazing! And very sobering - when you see and meet the people who lived it.

So - lots has been happening lately. I hope people drop a line of their own soon - it would be great to see where everyone is at three years late. Chad - the pictures of the wedding were beautiful. Congratulations to you both - sounds and looks like it was a very special day!

Take care everyone, and if you're ever in Edmonton, give us a shout!

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Posted on April 13, 2002 by Michele Bossaer

Hi Everyone! Sorry it's been so long since I wrote in - but quite honestly - nothing changes in our life.

We're still in Edmonton. I'm still at Global. But, I'm still enjoying work - though most days are crazy-pull-your-hair-out-of-your head days! Edmonton is a nutsy news town.

Does anyone else notice how quick time flies - can you believe it's been two years since we graduated!

Congrats Karen on the baby! That's great news!

Hey Chad - we're heading to the Maritimes for our summer vacation. Any tips on sites to see? The plan is to go for two weeks in July! And we're pretty excited - it's our first true vacation in five years!

Renee - we're also planning a stopover in Ottawa!

I hope everyone is doing well. Well - gotta go! Take care everyone!

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Posted on July 28, 2001 by Michele Bossaer

Okay - here's an update - better late than never!!

I know its been forever - but not much has changed in life. Still in the middle of house renovations -( it's sucking us dry of every spare cent), still have two cats, and Louis is still rejoicing that we don't ever have to live in Regina again.

Work is going fantastic! In fact - I've now been hired on permanently. It was a god send opportunity that gave me the mat leave position and I completely lucked out - when a vacancy came open. So, it looks like I'm making Global TV my home for a while and I'm very excited about it.

Basically - nothing changes at work. I'm on M-F reporting and it should stay that way until January. Then, I may go to a weekend shift. But that's a way down the road - and we'll see what happens then. In the meantime, I'm just happy to be off this "contract-position" life.

And this means - there's now a mat leave position open here from August to January. I posted it on the site - but don't be intimidated by the qualifications. It's the same posting that was up when I originally applied for it. So - if you're interested - apply. It's a Wed-Sun shift. Lots of responsibility, lots of live experience, and a great opportunity to get your foot in Global (there's jobs galore being posted across the country).

Anyway - take care everyone! If you're ever in Edmonton, give me a call and we'll do 'Corona'!

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Posted on December 23, 2000 by Michele Bossaer

Well - to take my name off the MIA list - here's quick note to wish everyone the best over the holiday season! Congrats to Heather for her big news - your wedding will be one of the best days of your life!

And to Ken - way to go! You must have fell off your chair when you heard Great One's voice!

Louis and I are taking off to Saskatchewan today for the holidays! I have until the 27th off - which I'm looking very forward too! We'll be back and forth from Stoon to North Battleford - so if anyone is kicking around the big city - we'll be at my parents (Ron Blais).

It's been a crazy month and a half for us...put in some new lino in our kitchen, made 22 meat pies for Christmas (its a French tradition) and I started a new job in November.

Yes, I have left the Corp. I thought that would be a day I would never see.

But, Global (formerly ITV) offered me a contract until January 2002. Yes - I'm now with the privates. And honestly, it's been great! I spent three weeks on the night assignment desk (listening to scanners, chasing accidents, assigning camera men - oh, how the preachy have fallen!).

And I've now finished week two of reporting. Reporting is my permanent gig there - I'm filling in for a mat leave (thank you Mr. Chretien for making that a year!) and I'm very grateful for the opportunity to be back in TV. I forgot how much I missed it! Everyone is really nice, and the shooters are great! It's nice to be back in a team (radio gets kind of lonely). But the biggest adjustment was editing. - you basically write up the story - explaining which viz you want where - and it goes back to the editing department. I don't sit with the editors while they cut - so I don't see the final product until it goes to air. It's a little tough to just hand a script over and give up that control. But, I'm adjusting...

The deadlines are a little different too - they have five news shows throughout the day. And my worst fear came true - I've done a few LIVES - live from city hall, from an explosion scene and inside a helicopter (which even I have to admit was kinda neat).

But, I've only had to do one LIVE from the newsroom...still it was a bitter pill to swallow after all my bitching in j-school! Yes, I wait with anticipation for everyone to rub that one in!

Other than that - Louis is great, Max and Sasha are their cute selves and Devon is still home for us. Have a Merry Christmas everyone and a great and safe New Year!

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Posted on November 21, 2000 by Michele Bossaer

Congrats to Jilly Mac on the job and cheers for her insight on the new world of CBC TV.

I'm crushed to her that 'center of the universers' have taken over the newsroom. It must be disheartening to see those who give our fair province the daily news don't even understand the people they report for. Yes - report FOR. Who the he!! do they think fights for the CBC. It's not the 'center of the universers' in T.O. It Joe Farmer who wants the CBC and rural Saskatchewan who has the CBC as one of their main TV channels.

Keep strong Jill and do your best to enlighten these dear folks about the purpose of the CBC. Its people like you that need to remind television about their purpose and their role. But alas - its likely that those attitudes won't change. They're likely there just to 'pad' their resume with region experience before heading back to the 'centre of the universe'. And they'll continue to turn a blind eye to the stories that people truly care about, relate to, and need to know.

As for the rest - congrats to Kim for her first newser, Karen for the new addition, Heather for 'the Roy hug' and Renee for fulfilling all our traveling dreams. Sounds like life is great for everyone. Can't wait to see the new web site Chad. Sounds like it will be very cool.

Life here is changing - but I'll leave that for another time....

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Posted on October 5, 2000 by Michele Bossaer

Alberta is fine - and even better now that fellow J-school Ginette is here in Edmonton. We've crossed paths in the newsrooms and grabbed time for a chat - but have yet to gather for a beverage or two...mmmmm Corona!

As for me - still a CBC'er (will life every change?). I was up to my eyeballs in Trudeau coverage the afternoon he died. I was in DAY 2 of associate producing for the morning show and by myself when the news broke! Talk about stress. Well, by midnight, I had a crash course in Trudeau, rewrote the show and lined up some very nice interviews...all in all...an exciting day!

Sounds like some of you were crazy busy too. It's days like that that get you hooked on the news rush...

And, I finished my first TV freelance piece.

It's a long story, but it kind of just fell in my lap about two weeks ago. Too make a long story short - I had my own sound guy, camera man and I left Edmonton with them at six in the morning, drove nine hours north to Fort Vermillion, shot all day, grabbed a bit of sleep, shot all the next day and was home in by bed in Devon by eleven that night! Then, I was hired back and I shot the final element for the piece just on Friday. I forgot how much fun TV can be! (The money was pretty sweet too!)

Anyway - you won't hear my voice on the final piece because I was the field producer and the tapes now head to Vancouver for cutting and writing. It was an awesome experience. I don't know how likely it is that I'll get more work like that, but I'll keep my fingers crossed. The final piece will be part of a two hour series on Discovery in Canada and the US.

Other than that - we're off to Winnipeg next weekend for a wedding. Hope everyone is doing great!

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Posted on September 1, 2000 by Michele Bossaer
Sorry I've been M-I-A. Life is fine. Still working in radio and still busy. I'm very excited about the fact that fellow j-schooler Ginnetty Benoit will be joining me at the corp in this big city....

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Posted on July 12, 2000 by Michele Bossaer

Okay, okay ! I'm back from the depths of Edmonton and have spent a crazy month or so and I'll explain just how nuts.... First off - on the job front....I'm trying to in-grain myself in CBC radio in Edmonton and have done a pretty good job so far (I think). I've been working pretty much full-time+PLUS since I got here (even though its a casual position). I spend most of my time news reporting. I even did a voicer on the Canadian Alliance debate that was picked up by syndication...that was quite exciting! I did my first freelance piece that aired the start of July. It was a talk tape on Canadian youth and their view of national identity. While it was very exciting and nerve-wracking, it wasn't the same without Jeff as my host! And, I pitched a second freelance piece - actually its a series. Throughout the summer, we're doing a series called Alberta Olympians. I'm chasing Alberta athletes who have made the Olympic team and am lining them out for our morning shows in Edmonton and Calgary.

And no, nothing on the TV front. I've pretty much made my bed in radioland for now (given CBC TV's current path). And given life events that may happen in next year or so (NOT BABIES, Louis's job - maybe overseas....), I think its best if I stay with this. Beside, I'm finding its tough to break into private TV unless you've worked in a place like Lethbridge or Medicine Hat first. Oh well ...their loss....

I did a quick trip to Vancouver in June. I was lucky enough to pick up a couple RTNDF scholarships for my cat documentary and a spot news story I did on a farm rally. That little winfall lead us to the latest craziness....WE BOUGHT A HOUSE!

Yes - that means you all have a place to crash when you're in Edmonton. Actually, the house is in Devon (just southwest of Edmonton). It takes me a half hour to get to work (which is nothing in this nutty city!). It's a bi-level split, has a sunroom and yes - Louis finally gets his garage and a yard! Needless to say, the whole Bossaer clan (including Max and Sasha are very happy about the move!). We'll be moving on Friday, July 14.

Watch for address update and house warming party notice coming in next few weeks.....

Other than that - sounds like life is exciting for everyone!!! Take care and feel free to drop by for some Corona and a discussion on "issues" anytime you're in our neck of the woods!

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Posted on May 15, 2000 by Bonnie Allen

Michele is doing some casual reporting for CBC RADIO, Edmonton. No luck with the tv world yet.

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Posted on May 12, 2000 by Michele Bossaer

Note: This is Chad. Before you read this, you should know that Michele sent this in on April 25, 2000, just before I got the site finished. It was a mass email, but I figured I'd post it here since we haven't heard from her since.

We're renting a basement suite for about 2-3 months while we house hunt(or acreage hunt) and until I get a job (the pressure is on!). Most of our stuff will stay in storage for now.

The packers come on Friday the 28th (April) and they'll load everything on Saturday. Then, we make the long 8 1/2 drive to Edmonton with our two cats Max and Sasha (won't that be fun!) And for the record - moving SUCKS!

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