It is now the end of day two of the Democratic National Convention and I've done nothing.
I think I've finally come to terms with what "editorial assistant" means; nothing. The most my fellow interns and I have done for the Associated Press is answer a couple phone calls.
My friend Laura is working the convention as well and yesterday she called me and told me all about how exciting it is to work on the floor of the Pepsi Center.
I haven't even made it inside the building yet.
I don't want all of you to get the wrong idea about me, as much as I wish I was doing something worth while, the truth is I am not.
At the end of the day I get to put this experience on my resume, and as long as no one asks, it was the greatest journalistic experience of my life.
What a bummer.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
A Sense Of Humor
Do not let it be said that journalists lack a sense of humor.
I got a call from my friend and collegue Tara today asking if I would bring something to the AP tent tonight.
When Tara came by my house she had a bag with a baby doll and what appeared to be a kid's swing. She told me that someone at the AP tent wanted this to be set up on one of the trees inside the tent.
In case I didn't let you know, the tent that's been erected in the parking lot of the Pepsi Center was erected around whatever flora that happened to be there. Not wanting to kill half a dozen trees and a couple dozen bushes, the tent was simply built around them.
Long story short, I have FINALLY done something "worthwhile" with my time here. And true to who I am, it just happened to be something comical.
Personally I don't get the joke...something to do with swing voters, I'd assume.
I got a call from my friend and collegue Tara today asking if I would bring something to the AP tent tonight.
When Tara came by my house she had a bag with a baby doll and what appeared to be a kid's swing. She told me that someone at the AP tent wanted this to be set up on one of the trees inside the tent.
In case I didn't let you know, the tent that's been erected in the parking lot of the Pepsi Center was erected around whatever flora that happened to be there. Not wanting to kill half a dozen trees and a couple dozen bushes, the tent was simply built around them.
Long story short, I have FINALLY done something "worthwhile" with my time here. And true to who I am, it just happened to be something comical.
Personally I don't get the joke...something to do with swing voters, I'd assume.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
One Day...
• I'll be able to look back on this and laugh.
• Every hour I've put in babysitting computers will be paid back tenfold...and not by monetary means.
• I will sit in an office belonging to someone who my current self would call a "big wig" and he or she will ask me about my time interning for the Associated Press. I'll say something witty about how cold it was or "boy the hours sure did suck," but at the end of the interview Mrs./Mr. Big Wig will shake my hand and I'll leave the office thinking pretty highly of myself.
• This job will yield something other than time to watch movies and read.
The fact of the matter is I am on the eve of the biggest thing to happen to this city and country in the last who knows how many years and I've officially exhausted the episodes of House I can watch for free online.
I'm not upset that I'm stuck here, honestly I couldn't be happier. Unless of course I was in my warm bed, watching protesters sleep, or even not shivering. I do know that my time put in here will mean something to someone someday; just not now.
One day I'll be glad I did this.
• Every hour I've put in babysitting computers will be paid back tenfold...and not by monetary means.
• I will sit in an office belonging to someone who my current self would call a "big wig" and he or she will ask me about my time interning for the Associated Press. I'll say something witty about how cold it was or "boy the hours sure did suck," but at the end of the interview Mrs./Mr. Big Wig will shake my hand and I'll leave the office thinking pretty highly of myself.
• This job will yield something other than time to watch movies and read.
The fact of the matter is I am on the eve of the biggest thing to happen to this city and country in the last who knows how many years and I've officially exhausted the episodes of House I can watch for free online.
I'm not upset that I'm stuck here, honestly I couldn't be happier. Unless of course I was in my warm bed, watching protesters sleep, or even not shivering. I do know that my time put in here will mean something to someone someday; just not now.
One day I'll be glad I did this.
Friday Night's Punk Show
I was lucky enough to see a punk show at Red Rocks Friday night. It was a good show and I'm glad I got the night off of my AP gig to attend. I just wanted to share a picture taken by a good buddy of mine, J Gammeter.
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, who haven't been through Colorado in a good long time, waited until their last song to unfurl a giant Obama banner.
It was really interesting to see the crowd's reaction to the banner, but more so I really admired band's quiet respect for the Democratic nominee for president. After the banner came down the band finished their song and walked off stage. No preaching, no whining; nothing. It is easy for a band playing to a crowd the size of Red Rocks to jump on a soapbox and tell their fans how to vote. Especially if the band (and fans) in question are inherently left wing punk rockers.
Well played Bosstones, well played.
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, who haven't been through Colorado in a good long time, waited until their last song to unfurl a giant Obama banner.
It was really interesting to see the crowd's reaction to the banner, but more so I really admired band's quiet respect for the Democratic nominee for president. After the banner came down the band finished their song and walked off stage. No preaching, no whining; nothing. It is easy for a band playing to a crowd the size of Red Rocks to jump on a soapbox and tell their fans how to vote. Especially if the band (and fans) in question are inherently left wing punk rockers.
Well played Bosstones, well played.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Saturday Night's Alright For Secutiry
After a paltry 10 minutes going through security and a paltrier 10-minute walk to media pavilion three the explosions started.
Of course I was afraid. As a student turned intern walking through the grounds of the 2008 Democratic National Convention, any loud noises should really startle me.
As it turns out nearby Elitch Gardens was only setting off some fireworks.
Still, kinda scary.
Bad news for all of my loyal readers, it looks like tonight will be yet another yawn filled evening. The AP writers are in town, but don’t have work to do between 10pm and 8am.
Maybe tomorrow night will be a little different.
In other news, the convention starts Monday and security has OFFICIALLY tightened up. My normal entrance to the grounds, the one I’ve been skateboarding through for a couple weeks, has been blockaded by a couple dozen armed security personnel.
C'est la vie.
Of course I was afraid. As a student turned intern walking through the grounds of the 2008 Democratic National Convention, any loud noises should really startle me.
As it turns out nearby Elitch Gardens was only setting off some fireworks.
Still, kinda scary.
Bad news for all of my loyal readers, it looks like tonight will be yet another yawn filled evening. The AP writers are in town, but don’t have work to do between 10pm and 8am.
Maybe tomorrow night will be a little different.
In other news, the convention starts Monday and security has OFFICIALLY tightened up. My normal entrance to the grounds, the one I’ve been skateboarding through for a couple weeks, has been blockaded by a couple dozen armed security personnel.
C'est la vie.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Ugh. The Nights, They Provide No Warmth
Boy, August sure is cold. Definitely at around 4:15am.
This is my fourth night straight of tent-sitting and I fear I'm falling into a habit of staying up all night. Even class is easier to sit through after 10 hours of nothingness.
Maybe I can get back into the swing of things over the next couple days. I'm lucky to have the rest of the week off until Friday.
This week the Associated Press writers are coming to town from all over the globe. Reporters and editors from the world over are coming to Denver to participate in this system we call democracy.
Since all these cats are coming I'm going to have something to do, officially. Today I even received a title change; I am now an Editorial Assistant. Hooray.
Barring some crazy event, I won't be updating until Friday night, but I promise if anything else changes I'll keep you posted.
This is my fourth night straight of tent-sitting and I fear I'm falling into a habit of staying up all night. Even class is easier to sit through after 10 hours of nothingness.
Maybe I can get back into the swing of things over the next couple days. I'm lucky to have the rest of the week off until Friday.
This week the Associated Press writers are coming to town from all over the globe. Reporters and editors from the world over are coming to Denver to participate in this system we call democracy.
Since all these cats are coming I'm going to have something to do, officially. Today I even received a title change; I am now an Editorial Assistant. Hooray.
Barring some crazy event, I won't be updating until Friday night, but I promise if anything else changes I'll keep you posted.
Monday, August 18, 2008
That Sunrise I was Talking About
Yesterday was a little overcast for a picture at sunrise to match my post, so here it is.
Also, an update. It seems there will in fact be journalistic work to be done, even for a lowly intern like me. More to come as information unfolds.
Also, an update. It seems there will in fact be journalistic work to be done, even for a lowly intern like me. More to come as information unfolds.
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