President Obama comes to Columbus

President Barack Obama visited Columbus, Ohio for the first time since he became president. He was in town for the City of Columbus' Police Recruit Class Graduation. They nearly lost their jobs due to a lack of funds, but thanks to the economic stimulus package, there are now 25 new officers in the city.

I covered the visit for WOSU.

There were some funny things that happened. At least somewhat amusing. At least to me.



I arrived at the venue, the Aladdin Shrine Center around 9 a.m. w/plenty of time to get settled, but when I got there and headed toward the parking lot. The line did not move for some time and I considered going to park somewhere else, then the line began to move. Then it dawned on me - they're going to sweep the car ... meaning, they're going to do a search. No, I did not panic. I had decided to drive my car since the venue was closer to my house than the office.

Now, there is absolutely nothing in my car, but it was/is in major disarray - I have been meaning to take the back seat out, meanwhile it us just there disheveled. But that is not the funny part. The driver's side window doesn't come down, so when they came up to my car, I opened the door and said "hello". They said "will you pop the hood so we can inspect it?" I proceeded to get out of the car, because on the Jeep Wrangler there is no popping the hood or anything, so I began to tell them how to open the hood. Then I had to key open the back hatch, then I had to key open the glove box. Unfortunately, I did not grab my camera while all of this was in progress. Though I am sure that would have disallowed it. And of course, there was the police dogs to sniff out the cars as well. The process took less than ten minutes.

Next I got my credentials from the press check in area. Then I got escorted to the entrance and security check for media. I did not get completely unassembled, but my keys and cell phone did get separated from me for just a bit. Somehow, I or they managed to snap a picture during the search of my equipment bag.

Oh, then I get checked in to the media area and I ask where is the 'malt box' (a piece of equipment that allows media to record sound directly from the in-house sound system) so that I can plug in for audio. Someone says, there is no malt box. No way. I request for them to find someone who can help me. A few minutes later, a guy arrives and shows me the radio work space - complete w/a 'malt box'. Whew.

The rest is just the basics ... wait and see. That's right, by the time I got through all of that, it was still about an hour before the ceremony was scheduled to begin @ 10:30 a.m. So I milled around trying to find some recruits' families members to talk to me. No luck. Actually, I think the family members were up front and I could not get to that area.

But while hanging out in the foyer before the ceremony, I was able to ask a few of the recruits some questions (along w/a radio reporter from WTVN). That was a good get since they were hard to get to when the ceremony was over.

While my audio recorder was recording the ceremony, I was taking pictures to go along w/my story.

When the ceremony ended, I went back to the area where my recorder was and there was another guy in the area. So friendly ole me says hello and then I introduce myself. He's says "Oh, I'm Don Gonyea". Very cool. I already know - he's from NPR; and the White House Coorespondent. I hear his voice all the time. I'm sure you do too. He even let me take a photo.

There was also a 'Press Filing Room". I walked in there and there were beverages and snacks and tables lined up. I walked around a bit and noticed the various media outlets labeled for seating: New York Times, FOX, etc. Then there's a door w/a sign that says "White House Press". I get the impression that this room is not for me ... I make my way back the way I came in before I am kindly asked to leave.

And to wrap things up ... While walking out, I decided to see if there were any family members who would talk ... jackpot. Found one; one of the new officers moms. That's all I needed.

By now, it's nearly 12 noon and I'm in need of a meal and a beverage. Then to the office to work on the story. Oh, I did not even mention the Secret Service; well, of course, they were there. Enough said.

Music Monday 1 :: Will.i.am "It's a New Day"

Okay, I've decided to start something new on this here blog. It's called Music Monday and guess what? It will post every Monday. Genius.

I have a few reasons for doing this too:

• purposeful blogging
• a reason to blog about something more consistently
• I really like music, but I have not been listening to a lot of music lately
  

Music Monday will focus on music. Aaah, genius again. The music genre will vary though hip hop is my fav. In many ways I will mix it up for you all though.

So here's what's up first. New music from Will.i.am. I am not his biggest fan, but I do like most of his music. Actually, I can't point to a song of his that I do not like - though I do frown up on The Black Eyed Peas' "My Humps" - though it was funny to see Will Farrell singing it on the movie "Blades of Glory".

I digress. I watch Oprah w/some regularity. This past Friday she had Will.i.am as a guest debuting his latest song - a tribute to Barack Obama willing the 2008 Presidential Election. He performed the song on her show. I think I am attracted to the song because of the hip hop edge, but also because it's uptempo and has a catchy hook. Check out the lyrics to "It's a New Day" as well. Very cool.

What do you think?



If you have any recommendations for Music Monday, do share.

Election Night Excitement

I don't normally do politics on my blog. I just don't want to get into that discussion w/the general public. It's bad enough that my walking group and I discuss politics on a regular basis in addition to lengthy discussions w/most of my family and friends.

It was just astronomically wonderful to watch Election Night returns! There was such a positive energy. I don't have cable, so I mostly watched NBC and CBS (just a pinch of PBS, but it was too boring; they did a much better job w/the debates). I did not watch ABC because I do not get a clear picture - what will I do when the analog signal goes away?

My neighbor stopped by after telling me that she was exhausted, but yes, everyone wanted to see how this one would go down. I was checking Twitter and Facebook to see what the activity was like on those platforms too. Just constant updates.

And to see the announcement come down was euphoric. All I noticed on the TV screen was a giant graphic that had a picture of Barack Obama and underneath it said "44th President of the United States". I just got goosebumps writing that. Incredible. Then they cut to Grant Park. I can only wish I was there. But I did feel that atmosphere. I still feel it today and I imagine that I will feel it for the weeks and months to come.

I'm making plans to be in the nation's capitol on the Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Holiday - Monday, January 19, 2009 and then the next day, I hope President Obama will have a public event that I will attend on Tuesday, January 20, 2009! I will be there - for sure.