Forget that annoying alarm clock... How would YOU like to get a wakeup call from our own Bob Van Dillen?

Tell us why you need help getting out of bed in the morning, and Bob may ring you up LIVE on the air!

And that's not all... If you get picked, Bob will have the forecast for your town... so you know what to wear when you leave for work or school!

If you'd like a personal wakeup call from Bob, send us a photo or video with your story to cnn.com/Robin.

Posted by: Writer Aimee
Filed under: Behind the Scenes • Extras

Writer Aimee

OK, I’m fessin’ up. Tomorrow is Halloween … I have a costume party to go to this Saturday … and – I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE what to dress as!!

Is this the Halloween spirit committee? They come after you if you don't dress up for Halloween. Uh oh, Writer Aimee might be in trouble!

I’ve tried just walking through the store hoping an idea would pop out … I’ve tried searching the web for some brilliant ideas … but, nothing pops out at me.

So, I’m curious (and yes, beware, I may “borrow” your ideas) – what are you dressing as for Halloween this year? Or, what’s the best costume you’ve ever worn?

One year … I dressed as a nerd. Some would say that didn’t take a lot of dressing up at all. I had this ridiculous hat with a spinny thing on it. You know you’ve seen them! One year, my sister dressed as a bunch of grapes. A VERY PUFFY BUNCH OF GRAPES. That wasn’t so fun for her when we had to march around the school parking lot for our annual Halloween parade.

I tend to prefer topical costumes … Presidential candidates, or something that represents a hot news story from the year, etc. What do you think? Got any creative ideas?

Posted by: halloween, Writer Aimee
Filed under: Extras

Writer Aimee

How quickly time has passed. Just 15 days and counting until you go to the polls to pick the next president. Some of you have been following this election process for more than a year - from party nominations to campaign events to the debates.

Feeling trapped? Send along your questions about this election.

Maybe you chose a candidate a long time ago. Others are still undecided. In fact, according to CNN's latest average of national polls – taken between October 16th and 18th – 8% of voters are unsure who they will pick.

But, regardless of whether you've made your choice... there are probably things you're still curious about. Where do the candidates stand on certain issues? Who is leading in the polls? Where will they spend the next two weeks campaigning?

Blog with us and let us know your questions... or are you just plain tired of the back and forth? Let us know what you and your family and friends are arguing about when it comes to politics today–are you arguing about issues, or arguing on partisan lines?

We'll be constantly monitoring your comments on the blog. And we'll try to answer some of them on the air, as we count down to November 4th.

Posted by: Writer Aimee
Filed under: Election Connection

Writer Aimee

Did you know … one writer on our “Morning Express” staff won a 3-point contest against a basketball player who started in the NCAA Final Four?

Come see Robin in person!

And, this may surprise you (or maybe not!): Bob Van Dillen says he got into meteorology so he could predict when the waves would be good for surfing!

That’s just a glimpse of some of the cool stuff you could find out on our new Inside Morning Express Tour. Hopefully, you’re waking up everyday to “Morning Express with Robin Meade.” But, this is your chance to see it happen live … and meet the people behind the magic!

On the tour, you’ll stop by our control room to see exactly what it takes to produce our fast-paced and energetic show. And you’ll get a chance to watch a portion of the live broadcast in person, as well as the once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet Robin Meade! And that’s not all! Here’s a glimpse of some of the other goodies that are part of the tour:

• A continental breakfast reception inside our iconic 50-foot Globe event space.
• A Morning Express/Inside CNN Travel Mug.
• A souvenir picture to commemorate your visit to CNN’s Global Headquarters.

I know … you’re already asking … how do I sign up?? It’s easy! The tours run every Thursday at 8:30 a.m. starting October 2nd … that’s just over a week from now! The price is $49 per person. To purchase your tickets, call 1.877.4CNNTOUR or click here. Space is limited, so purchase your tickets today!

Posted by: Writer Aimee
Filed under: Behind the Scenes • Extras

Writer Aimee

This morning on our show, we featured a video of a traffic stop that got a lot of us talking behind the scenes.

A Texas police officer pulled a guy over for going almost 100 miles an hour. The driver said he was trying to rush his dying dog to the vet. But the officer wasn’t sympathetic. In the tape, he tells the man—he could get another dog. A second officer arrives and tries to revive the poodle, but the dog ends up dying. The first officer was reprimanded … and has even received death threats.

So, who do you agree with?

Here’s what some of you are saying:

From Katrina in North Carolina:
“I feel like the officer was wrong. When you have a pet that is dear to your heart and it dies, it’s like losing a child. The officer should have had more feelings for the man, and should have not made the comment “You can get another dog.” That was a terrible thing to say!”

Brian in Ohio says:
“The man with dog was risking his life for his dog. That's his privilege. But he was risking the lives of dozens of others, including the police officers who had to stop him. It may be a cruel fact, but the officer was right. It's a dog and the man doesn't get to risk the lives of other people for it.”

From Megan in New York:
“I think that cop was out of line with his comments to the speeder. He should have understood the urgency of the situation and escorted the man to the vet. Once the dog arrived safely, it would then be appropriate to ticket him.”

And JoAnne in Nevada says:
“I am wholeheartedly in support of the officer. It seems to me to be extremely wrong to endanger the lives of human beings for the life of an animal. On top of that, the law was broken to do so. The laws of our land are meant to give us the stability and safety we need as a productive and peaceful society. It seems that we may have lost sight of what our priorities should be. An animal is not on the same level as a human.”

Now it’s your turn! Tell us what you think about this story. Who acted appropriately – the officer or the driver? What would you do? Comment away!

Posted by: Writer Aimee
Filed under: Your Turn

Writer Aimee

Today on our show, we told you corporal punishment in schools may be pretty common. A human rights group says nearly a quarter million students were paddled or spanked last year. The group claims minorities were unequally targeted, especially African-American and Native American students who were more than twice as likely to get paddled. Special education students were also targeted more often. The group says paddling should be banned. So, what do you think?

Here are a few of your emails:

Amanda in Mississippi:
“In Mississippi, all parents have to sign a consent form before students can be administered corporal punishment at school. So, all parents have a choice to opt out of that if they choose to do so. It's all about what you think is right for your child.”

From Mike in Georgia:
“Paddling should be mandatory. Lack of discipline is partially to blame for the state of affairs in this country.”

Barry in Florida says:
“I think paddling should be banned as long as a zero tolerance policy exists for kids who create distractions. They should be immediately pulled out and their parents should come to the school and address the issue. Then we would have to ban paddlings at home! .”

Twenty-nine states in the U.S. have banned paddling. Do you think it should be completely outlawed? Or is it OK as a disciplinary option for school officials? Send us your comments!

Posted by: Writer Aimee
Filed under: Your Turn

Writer Aimee

Would a 4-day workweek help–or hurt– a business? What about the employees? Do people prefer sticking to their traditional 5-day schedule?

That was the topic of our Small Business Success segment on today's show.

The 4-day workweek is better for the environment, since employees use less gas. It can increase productivity and morale among office workers, and lower costs. But experts at Fortune say... as for whether it's right for a business really depends on the customers.

We've been getting some email feedback about this story.

Greg from California:
"That will hurt a lot of families who work in jobs that can't have a 4-day workweek as now they will have to find and fund more child care."

Michael in California:
"I currently work a 12-hour work day which equals out to a 3-day week working 36 hours, and a 4-day week working 44 hours... which adds up to an 80 hour schedule. The upside? I get the same amount of days off. The week I work 3 days... I get 4 days off. The week I work 4 days I get 3 days off. I love my job!!!!"

So what do you think? Would you prefer fewer days, but longer hours, at work? Send us your comments!

Posted by: Writer Aimee
Filed under: Your Turn

Writer Aimee

Neighborhood disputes can get ugly. And here’s one example we aired on our show today:

Sometimes bad neighbors can make even the most peaceful neighborhood seem like a war zone.

A Utah farmer built what he calls the “Redneck Stonehenge” after his neighbors complained about dust and bugs from his farm. The neighbors refused to split the cost of a fence, because that would block their view. So, the farmer built his own fence out of junk cars. He says… he’s not planning to keep it up permanently.

So, we wanted to know… what kind of problems have you had with your neighbors?

You flooded us with emails, sharing your stories. Here are a few:

From Daniel in Ohio:
“We have a neighbor who has yelled and thrown fits over everything from our 3-year-old riding her Barbie jeep in the yard, to which direction we mow our lawn!”

And Wendy in Wisconsin writes:
“I have an annoying neighbor who sits in his car every night after work and drinks those little bottles of booze and then throws them in the street! Who sits in their car and drinks in their own driveway?? Ridiculous.”

Has your neighbor ever done anything annoying or mean? Or, have you ever done anything to your neighbor? We want to hear from you!

Posted by: Writer Aimee
Filed under: Your Turn

Writer Aimee

Who’s responsible if you’re an unmotivated couch potato? You’ve GOTTA hear about this new study we reported on the show today. It says… laziness could be in your genes!

Scientists at the University of North Carolina found genetic traits that influence activity levels. But, important to note, the study has only looked at mice so far… not humans.

Some of you have been sounding off about the story:

Brett from Texas sent in this email:

“A ‘laziness gene?’ My grandfather is over 70, still exercises, and has 4 sons who have little or no exercise each day. My sister and I also exercise, but my brother doesn't. It's a personal choice. Stating people have a ‘laziness gene’ just alleviates personal responsibility.”

So… what do you think? Could laziness really be linked to your ancestors, or it is ALL YOU?
Send us your comments!

Posted by: Writer Aimee
Filed under: Your Turn

Writer Aimee

Here’s some research you might find interesting:

According to USA Today, a study found… young women are more likely to be satisfied with life than men… but by midlife, women are sadder. The scientists who did this study looked at satisfaction based on family like and finances. They believe that older women may be divorced, separated, and less financially secure.

So, what do you think? Are older men really happier than older women? Why?

Roy sent us this email:

“Women get sadder from having to put up with men over the years. Men get happier because they know the women are not going to be around that much longer.”

And from Erica:

“Women are not as happy because they have devoted their time and energy to their family and children… and when they grow up and leave home they don't feel as needed. On top of that, we have to deal with the high expectations society places on appearance. Men are happier because the kids are finally on their own and now the women can devote all their time to them!”

Now it's your turn... Does age play a role in someone's happiness?

Send us your comments!!!

Posted by: Writer Aimee
Filed under: Your Turn