Jennifer West

I don’t usually cut it this close… but I made it. Voter #528 at 6:58 p.m. I was encouraged to take as long as I needed and there was no pressure to hurry. I hope my fellow Burqueños voted as well.

@GeoffGrammer You made A’s afternoon.

Two Tomislav Buljan FTs for 67 for UNM...

This has been a full, exhausting week. I came home the other day to the most beautiful surprise. Makes me smile every time I walk in the room. Thank you so much @mamajenninabq1!

Update: I am incredibly grateful for the care & support I’ve received the last several weeks. While there are still health challenges & frustrations, so excited to share we found out this week my plan of care does not include chemo or radiation. 🩷

I wanted to share how grateful we are for the incredible support these last few weeks. If we haven’t returned a DM, phone call, or text, please know how much we appreciate you all. A bit overwhelmed right now. ❤️

@JayMoya3 @GeoffGrammer Aww, thank you, Jay. #GoBulldawgs

@GeoffGrammer Gotta help my fellow Bulldawg!

I am a lucky man. I've got a job I love, an amazing family I don't deserve and a wildly unique platform for engagement with so many people I've "met" along the way — some actually in person, some only through the screen on my laptop or my phone here on social media. I love the interaction. I feed off it. At times, it's my therapy, my outlet, and genuinely a tool I have learned to utilize for work. And make no mistake, I appreciate how unusual having this sort of direct outlet to so many people to share my life, and my nonsense, with is. You all have shown love as I've shared my life here. Well, most of my life. Sure I post plenty about my two amazing daughters, but not all of the people closest to me are as comfortable being as in the public eye as I am, which is why the woman I've been lucky enough to be in a 20-year-relationship with is rarely a part of what the world who knows me only through social media gets to see. I've recently shared that two weeks ago, my rock — Jennifer is her name, for those scoring at home — has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She will have surgery in a couple weeks. So far, Jennifer has been far more worried about keeping my spirits up and trying to figure out how to let our loved ones, her coworkers, even the neighbors know without them being sad or worried. She hasn't yet had much of her own outward grieving, panic, anxiety, screaming or whatever outlet she needs. That can't continue. And soon, she'll have no choice but to focus on herself and not worrying about the stresses of all that other reality life outside of cancer may bring. As the first few surgery estimates have been starting to roll in, and despite us being so much better off than so many of our fellow New Mexicans, the out of pocket costs are already daunting to think about for our family. And this is without yet even knowing the full burden of her yet-to-be-determined treatment plan or future fighting the disease after surgery nor does it account for the frustrating reality that while FMLA helps, it doesn't mean she'll be getting paid for the work she will have to miss. No, we aren't in the same situation as many others. We're lucky. But we aren't immune. This disease is one that will challenge our family beyond anything we've ever faced. I debated whether I should share this story, this link. Some of that was just pride, some was based on a very real uneasiness about using the connection I have with so many people gained in large part to merely being a reporter covering a team they like. (No, I don't think you all follow me for my love of La Bamba or insistence on sharing the news anything a New Mexico state flag show up at sporting event). But right now, my rock needs a rock. My family could use a little bit of help I never thought I'd have to ask for. And I'm going to do whatever I can to help Jennifer beat this thing without any added stress she will inevitably put on her self, including financial strains. My daughters deserve that. Jennifer deserves that. There is no roll call. There is no concern in the slightest if you can't or simply don't want to contribute. I mean that. But if you can help us in what looks so far like it's going to be a long, difficult journey, I am here asking that you do so. And if not for the cancer, for the peace of mind a woman who has spent 20 years of her life putting up with me deserves. gofund.me/74b599c8

@nm_hola @GeoffGrammer I will definitely ask about this. Thank you for the suggestion.

@GeoffGrammer Sorry your family is having to deal with this. If I can make one suggestion, have your wife’s biopsy and bloodwork sent to MD Anderson in Houston for review. If for no other reason, but for a second opinion and piece of mind. They are without a shadow of a doubt, the best! 🙏🏼

Ugh. Hoping the damage is minimal & no injuries getting this fire contained on this windy Tuesday. #ABQ #NMwx

A thoughtful colleague gave me the sweetest start to the weekend.

We get really excited about rain in NM. #NMwx #ABQ

Yes, I’m old school, photojournalist who learned on film, and love giving my eyes a break from a screen. I noticed the paper from across the room. Beautiful. Great job, @ABQJournal. There’s no way to have this kind of impact digitally. Period.

When I grow up, I want to be as confident as my 5-year-old was this morning filling out her bracket. #MarchMadness2025

Been a minute since I’ve been able to watch a game! Thanks, mom, for making this happen by for hanging out with the kids in #Abq.

Looking forward to watching a good college basketball with no interruptions.

Hello, Reno.

@sethhinz @XfinitySupport All of this. I made the mistake of being nice but I lost my patience and wasting my hour.

ME: My problem is this. THEM: While I look into your issue [solution likely already on screen], who are you using for mobile provider? I can add mobile service today for $## a month. You don't want to discuss that? Let's keep going on it. Why do you hate the idea of our mobile service? What other bad decisions do you currently make? When was your last confession? Oh, ok. Here's the answer for cable. Ope, looks like you're on our lowest, embarrassing to have tier. Want to be a better person? No? You're a lost cause. Can I get your parents number so I can tell them how disappointed they should be? ME: Actually, yes.

Dear @XfinitySupport, maybe when I reach out to your chat support, maybe help me with the actual problem instead of trying to sell me mobile phone service?🤬

Flurries on campus this afternoon. #NMWx

My @loopearplugs absolutely saved me at a little one’s @UrbanAirPark birthday party today. Crowded, loud and no one enforcing rules, but I survived. #GratefulMom

@GeoffGrammer #Drink

OK, maybe I am the problem. We're all boarded on this flight back to Abq. And the plane pushing back from jetway hit something. They're checking that and we are officially DELAYED!