Wednesday, August 27, 2008
End of Day 2
I'm trying not to admit it, but I must say I am close to being Convention'ed out. The "4 more years," the "Mr. Senator, this, Mr. Governor that," the crazy anti-abortionists who love displaying crude pictures of bloody fetuses (feti?), the buttons, the placards, the shiny white veneers and perfectly hairsprayed coiffes (worse on the men...the older they get...the more hairspray and veneer they have)....I could go on but I'm trying to keep this positive... dos mas dias!
So today, after the slowness, it got pretty cool (well, in terms of political coolness, I guess). I produced Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's interview (see pic of me with headphones). The dude is all about renewable energy, in case you were wondering. People were acting like he was the coming of Elijah. His Secret Service didn't mess around. Jim Webb was there at the same time. The mayor of Miami swung by, a few random Reps (they really get no love), some other Senators, the governor of Ohio who spoke tonight, and then the big, Big Deal was Jimmy Carter {see pic}. He came into the Studio in some secret backway that I didn't even know existed and they unhooked all the monitors and audio feeds we used so some outside media could get the exclusive, I guess. I did manage to snag a few shots of him, including him getting his make-up did. HIs entourage was less than pleased.
Other than that, it was a lot of sitting around, keeping an eye out for all the rumored celebs around.
I got cut early and was able to catch Hilary's speech from the Press level, thanks to Cameron's XM Press pass. {See pics}. Good, powerful speech. Was pretty tired by the time I got out of the Pepsi Center, having been there for 9+ hours so Mack and I met up afterwards and found a Parisian creperie that was still open and not rented out for a Private Event and called it a night. Gotta be back at Pepsi at 7:30am. Then it's the RIAA/One Party + Kanye + Bono manana night.
Ciao for now.
So today, after the slowness, it got pretty cool (well, in terms of political coolness, I guess). I produced Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's interview (see pic of me with headphones). The dude is all about renewable energy, in case you were wondering. People were acting like he was the coming of Elijah. His Secret Service didn't mess around. Jim Webb was there at the same time. The mayor of Miami swung by, a few random Reps (they really get no love), some other Senators, the governor of Ohio who spoke tonight, and then the big, Big Deal was Jimmy Carter {see pic}. He came into the Studio in some secret backway that I didn't even know existed and they unhooked all the monitors and audio feeds we used so some outside media could get the exclusive, I guess. I did manage to snag a few shots of him, including him getting his make-up did. HIs entourage was less than pleased.
Other than that, it was a lot of sitting around, keeping an eye out for all the rumored celebs around.
I got cut early and was able to catch Hilary's speech from the Press level, thanks to Cameron's XM Press pass. {See pics}. Good, powerful speech. Was pretty tired by the time I got out of the Pepsi Center, having been there for 9+ hours so Mack and I met up afterwards and found a Parisian creperie that was still open and not rented out for a Private Event and called it a night. Gotta be back at Pepsi at 7:30am. Then it's the RIAA/One Party + Kanye + Bono manana night.
Ciao for now.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Slow day so far...
At Studio '08...slow day... haven't had anyone come in for an interview. Got a Floor Pass and made it to the floor for the first time. It was pretty empty...saw the changing of the guards, the pledge of allegiance, a children's choir singing the national anthem. Saw an XM reporter on the floor, introduced myself, took pictures of all the states' signs I've lived in. The floor looks wayyyy more impressive on TV. I'll post pics once I get back to the hotel tonight. Hopefully I get cut early, as I have to be back at 3 am tomorrow. Got a Press Level pass from XM's reporter (Cameron of P.O.T.U.S. -super nice guy) so I can see Hilary speak tonight from the XM booth on the 6th floor. Hopefully another photo op.
On my way back to Studio '08, saw Wolf Blitzer prepping for the Situation Room. Took more pics. He was looking very deep in thought so I didn't ask for a picture with him. Then saw him on the TV here interviewing Charles Barkley. Dammit, should have waited.
On my way back to Studio '08, saw Wolf Blitzer prepping for the Situation Room. Took more pics. He was looking very deep in thought so I didn't ask for a picture with him. Then saw him on the TV here interviewing Charles Barkley. Dammit, should have waited.
Rock The Vote: Thanks for the Memories
Mack got last-minute tix to the super-liberal "rock the establishment" concert through her office (ironically full of Republican lobbyists). The party was literally half a block away from the hotel. A superfluous red carpet was set up; I don't think any celebrities were in attendance besides the talent. The audience was actually really disappointing. The venue (an opera house) was hardly packed and there were quite a few gray-haired fellows who were clearly out of place and might be having a word with their assistants this morning. I think Rock the Vote may have mis-promoted the concert to the wrong crowd (XM wasn't invited?).
Rachel and I were 5 rows back during Jakob Dylan (no One Headlight?! really? that's the only song you're known for!), N.E.R.D. (rocked the house - Mack's got a new celeb crush in Pharrell) and then, after spotting our downstairs neighbor from D.C. in the front row, Jonathan, we mosied up to the front row for FallOut Boy, where we proceeded to act like pre-teens and threw our hearts out to Pete Wentz, father of Ashlee Simpson's unborn child. Sidenote - Pete Wentz could pass for an eighth-grader playing rockstar and might be 5'2".
Thanks to XM's 20 on 20, we knew most of the set and sang along like crazed Tiger Beat readers. I caught Pete's guitar pick (I'll cherish it forever!), Mack got a pat on the head from Pete during a song (she's never going to wash her hair again!) and then grabbed his dirty gray hoodie from the floor once the set was over. It is now hanging on the closet door in the hotel room.
As much as I regret to say it, FOB's lead singer (not to be confused with Pete) was actually pretty damned good. They did a cover of MJ's Beat It that got every last wonk and Politico out of their chair.
Rachel and I were 5 rows back during Jakob Dylan (no One Headlight?! really? that's the only song you're known for!), N.E.R.D. (rocked the house - Mack's got a new celeb crush in Pharrell) and then, after spotting our downstairs neighbor from D.C. in the front row, Jonathan, we mosied up to the front row for FallOut Boy, where we proceeded to act like pre-teens and threw our hearts out to Pete Wentz, father of Ashlee Simpson's unborn child. Sidenote - Pete Wentz could pass for an eighth-grader playing rockstar and might be 5'2".
Thanks to XM's 20 on 20, we knew most of the set and sang along like crazed Tiger Beat readers. I caught Pete's guitar pick (I'll cherish it forever!), Mack got a pat on the head from Pete during a song (she's never going to wash her hair again!) and then grabbed his dirty gray hoodie from the floor once the set was over. It is now hanging on the closet door in the hotel room.
As much as I regret to say it, FOB's lead singer (not to be confused with Pete) was actually pretty damned good. They did a cover of MJ's Beat It that got every last wonk and Politico out of their chair.
Monday, August 25, 2008
After Day 1 at Convention
Rachel Mack got in yesterday and we checked into the Curtis... perfect location, heart of downtown, walking distance to Pepsi Center. Next to Convention Center where Credentials have to be picked up daily. Credentials, credentials, credentials. I will loathe the word by the end of the week.
Last night went to the Congressional Black Caucus party since Johnson & Johnson co-hosted it. Jeff came with and frolicked around. Saw Alfre Woodard (of crazy lock-son-in-basement Desperate Housewives fame) and enjoyed some mo-town music. Left early to get ready for today.
Woke up early to pick up Rachel's credentials. Walked around downtown a bit. Saw Al Sharpton on his cell outside the Ritz. Looked very coiffed for 8am.
Hit up the Convention, walked in behind Al Franken (pretended to be in his entourage) , played Radio Producer and worked at Studio '08, interviewed a few Congressmen and women, saw lots of random celebs. Cooper Anderson looking very pale, Al Franken looking very short, Dan Rather gray. The Daily Show was filming outside, the correspondents running around like drunk frat boys. Others, but am forgetting at the moment.
Mack got last minute tix to the Rock the Vote party - N.E.R.D, Fallout Boy, Nick Cannon? Rushing to post pics of day, ran out of space on Flickr, using Shutterfly...look for Sharpton's back, Franken getting filmed and some other important politico being interviewed. Trying to get more excitement celebs for ya tonight.
Last night went to the Congressional Black Caucus party since Johnson & Johnson co-hosted it. Jeff came with and frolicked around. Saw Alfre Woodard (of crazy lock-son-in-basement Desperate Housewives fame) and enjoyed some mo-town music. Left early to get ready for today.
Woke up early to pick up Rachel's credentials. Walked around downtown a bit. Saw Al Sharpton on his cell outside the Ritz. Looked very coiffed for 8am.
Hit up the Convention, walked in behind Al Franken (pretended to be in his entourage) , played Radio Producer and worked at Studio '08, interviewed a few Congressmen and women, saw lots of random celebs. Cooper Anderson looking very pale, Al Franken looking very short, Dan Rather gray. The Daily Show was filming outside, the correspondents running around like drunk frat boys. Others, but am forgetting at the moment.
Mack got last minute tix to the Rock the Vote party - N.E.R.D, Fallout Boy, Nick Cannon? Rushing to post pics of day, ran out of space on Flickr, using Shutterfly...look for Sharpton's back, Franken getting filmed and some other important politico being interviewed. Trying to get more excitement celebs for ya tonight.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
First Day Inside the Convention
Brief training inside the Pepsi Center... saw the Studio '08 set-up, got imperative DNC Volunteer t-shirt and matching canvas fanny-pack, corporate sponsorship included (my ass is now brought to you by Monster.com) and met the fellow volunteers, who apparently have less radio experience than I do, if possible. Lots of local students, random "media" professionals from across the country and random do-gooders who just want a piece of the action.
Got frisked by the Secret Service, felt like a big deal.
Got frisked by the Secret Service, felt like a big deal.
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