The Big Dance
I've arrived.
At least, that's what it feels like. I'm no longer an intern or a young dude who they have to grind out story after story...only to have older, more seasoned people to read it. I'm indeed a reporter. And they treat me like one. And i can't tell you how good that feels.
For those of you who don't know, i've been working on the AFL/CIO stuff since yesterday. It's hard core, and a huge news story. One of the biggest we'll cover this year. And NPR decided to use me as one of their reporters. So last night and this morning, i was on NPR. Derin and her family could hear it in Minnesota, Mike's mom could hear it in Florida, and a family friend called my mom this morning to tell her she heard me in Michigan. Weird. But fascinating and cool nonetheless.
In general, i became a point man for this story for WBEZ. They bounced ideas off of me. They asked me and one other reporter to really be the anchors of the coverage. And i feel good about what i did...i feel like i handled it quite well. No, i'm not on the air again today, or tomorrow, or the near future. But i took a tough story, and tamed it. I talked to who i needed to talk to, included what needed to be included. And if nothing else, i have the confidence that i can do it again. I like that.
And now i get to wind down for a little, catch my breath from non-stop work. I'm on call tomorrow if anything else breaks involving the AFL/CIO. But it probably won't. And i got Wednesday off. Then i get a fabulous break in Minnesota for 4 days, where i get to see my girl for the first time in well over a month. So life is busy, but life is grand. How are you?
At least, that's what it feels like. I'm no longer an intern or a young dude who they have to grind out story after story...only to have older, more seasoned people to read it. I'm indeed a reporter. And they treat me like one. And i can't tell you how good that feels.
For those of you who don't know, i've been working on the AFL/CIO stuff since yesterday. It's hard core, and a huge news story. One of the biggest we'll cover this year. And NPR decided to use me as one of their reporters. So last night and this morning, i was on NPR. Derin and her family could hear it in Minnesota, Mike's mom could hear it in Florida, and a family friend called my mom this morning to tell her she heard me in Michigan. Weird. But fascinating and cool nonetheless.
In general, i became a point man for this story for WBEZ. They bounced ideas off of me. They asked me and one other reporter to really be the anchors of the coverage. And i feel good about what i did...i feel like i handled it quite well. No, i'm not on the air again today, or tomorrow, or the near future. But i took a tough story, and tamed it. I talked to who i needed to talk to, included what needed to be included. And if nothing else, i have the confidence that i can do it again. I like that.
And now i get to wind down for a little, catch my breath from non-stop work. I'm on call tomorrow if anything else breaks involving the AFL/CIO. But it probably won't. And i got Wednesday off. Then i get a fabulous break in Minnesota for 4 days, where i get to see my girl for the first time in well over a month. So life is busy, but life is grand. How are you?