How Tweeting Got Julie in the New York Times

Anthony and Julie at home.

"This wind is really messing with my over-the-air TV. #digitalnotalwaysbetter".

That's the tweet that was picked up by a NY Times writer and became a story in today's (12-6-10) edition.

Last year, Julie and her husband Anthony got married, bought a house and signed up for cable at an introductory rate at the State Fair. When the offer expired and the price went up, they decided to cut out their cable and get their TV the old fashioned way: over the air with the help of rabbit ears.

Apparently, the old fashioned way is still somewhat hit and miss. The signal is affected by the weather, air traffic, and standing in the wrong place in the room. Sound familiar? Reminds me of the days of snowy reception, the rotary antenna and aluminum foil. If the weather was bad, there was no TV.

Fortunately in 2010, if the signal is bad, there is an alternative. Their 50 inch high definition TV, which Anthony won in a sales contest at work, came Internet ready and Netflix downloads are just a couple clicks away.

You never know who might read your tweets. It could lead to fifteen minutes of fame in the NY Times. And you never know what a story in the NY Times might lead to.

Julie told me that Good Morning America had called and left a message, but she didn't have time to call them back yet. She was in meetings all day at work and after work was on her way to judge a dance team competition in Northfield.

GMA would have to wait until tomorrow.