Check Me Out

Hi all check me out as I go multimedia as a blogger for bthesite.com and as a contributor to b, the free daily, the site's print counterpart.

Ya'll already know I was getting my broacast on as a t.v. news writer and desk assistant.

:-)
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On My Way

So as I write this post I'm on the train back to Baltimore after spending the weekend in D.C. for the Congressional Black Caucus's Annual Legislative Conference. The four day conference is an annual event where the CBC sponsors workshops which highlight important issues, there's of course exhibits featuring various groups and vendors, and the conference also recognizes the achievements of the Caucus and the Caucus foundation.

It was great to attend for the first time.

On Friday I arrived in time to see a colleague speak on a panel, we went to a nearby restaurant for appetizers, I then checked in at my hotel, then there were the debate watch parties at the different hotels, capped off by drinks at an interesting pool hall in Chinatown.

On Saturday I stayed in til noon, then two friends and I scouted a location for a potential fundraiser, we had lunch at Hooters (the friends were female and they wanted wings), then we did a final drive-by of the convention center, sniffed out gala tickets, went to change, and came back for the gala.

I got a great seat thanks to a friend getting hooked up by her Congressman. This was great as Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete co-hosted, Sen. Barack Obama spoke, Kerry.Washington was honored (sidebar: she fine as hell), and Patti LaBelle sang.

The after party in the Convention center was wack though. But it was great to see Betty "Tonight is the Night" Wright in person.

CBC goes on the calendar for next year, and I plan to stake my claim to tickets and passes in advance.

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Where I've Been

It has been a minute since I posted.

Let's see what has happened in my life to explain why I haven't blogged.

I worked every day from last Wednesday the 17th until today the 25th. It was crazy because last week I worked the assignment desk and wrote for the 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. shows. That was okay because it's what I've been doing for the last several weeks. People still don't believe that I write the news which news anchors and reporters read, but I do. Okay, admittedly at first it was weird to hear people read the words I had written. Then I realized I had no time to be amazed because I had more stories to write.

Last weekend I worked the assignment desk and we had breaking news when a former City Councilman was shot and killed outside a popular jazz club. I was supposed to be training so that I can fill in on the weekend assignment desk. Lord, I hope if I do ever fill in no breaking news happens which I cannot handle. Let's pray I get more comfortable flying solo.

Then Monday I returned to work for the sixth straight day, and there's drama. My boss calls me over and asks me if my co-worker and I both worked my full shift on Sunday. We definitely did. Then she told me to step it up because I quite honestly like chilling in the cut from time to time. She told me she wanted to see me being more aggressive because this is the time where they begin looking to see if my six month apprenticeship will become a permanent job.

On Tuesday I worked 9 to 5, then I went to see House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speak at a local library. I went along with one of the best friends. It was cool because no matter your political persuasion you have to be proud of the fact that a woman was able to become one of the most powerful elected officials in our nation's history. The Speaker shook my hand and signed a copy of her new book "Know Your Power: A Message to America's Daughters". I thought it important to go and to show that sons, brothers, husbands are so proud of the accomplishments of their mothers, sisters, and wives.

That same night I got a message, which offered me the opportunity to become a blogger for a local newspaper site. It'd also mean contributing to the print paper.

Wednesday I told my bosses about the blogging opportunity. Hopefully my bosses at the T.V. station don't disapprove. Prayers said, fingers crossed. I really want to do it!

On Wednesday I was also reminded about this weekend being really busy there's The Baltimore Book Festival a fab event I normally attend with my mother, who made me an avid reader.
There's also Unisun's Choir Contest. Then down in D.C. there's Congressional Black Causcus Legislative weekend.

So today I decided to definitely go to CBC Weekend cause a few friends are going. I got a room so I'm going down and staying Friday night, Saturday night, and coming back to Baltimore Sunday in time for work on Monday.

So hopefully my three day weekend is a lot of fun.

BREAKING NEWS

There would be breaking news the first day I ever work a weekend shift on the assignment desk.  So this isn't the typical day for me to learn how it's done or the weekends as breaking news rarely happens on a Saturday or Sunday. Check out all the local news stations ABC, CBS, NBC. I work for one in the alphabet soup, so you'll see what my station is doing.

The Timeline

The other day a friend of mine and I were talking about relationships. She was confiding in me her latest disappointment.

Her sister met a boy, her sister introduced her to her new beau's roommate. They all went to my friend's apartment for some grub, all went well. Everyone leaves and my friend's , other friends who lived in the same building and had helped her get ready to entertain, tell her that her new "friend" is gay or bi or something. She tells me she wouldn't have a problem with his being bisexual if a few things happened 1) he were open about it, 2) he admitted it to her himself, 3) he had acted responsibly, 4) he agreed to continue acting responsibly and 5) he was monogamous. She thought it hypocritical that she herself being bisexual that she write this boy off, if he in fact deserved an opportunity to prove himself.

Later in the convo she said to me, "If I don't get married, I have no problem with being a single mother, raising my kids in a good neighborhood, and sending them to the best public schools around."

Gosh, I thought to myself, we're already putting ourselves on "the" timeline? I'm still dreading those first marriage invites, which will warp time and then join inviations to baby christenings. We had also talked about the "marriage material comment". You know the one, or atleast I know the one where you're told your marriage material. I've always wondered what the hell you were supposed to do while everyone else is dating? Still beats the hell out of me.

Then I thought back to an article I had read in The NY Times, "Single Men Want a Child, but Relationship Can Wait". What happens if I stop pronouncing that I won't father kids and start feeling paternal, and I'm not in a relationship. Do I go it alone? This article certainly provided food for thought.

You know being the child of a single parent I'm not fundamentally opposed to parents becoming single parents by choice, if they have the means to provide for a child or children. But as I pointed out weeks ago when I read The Three Doc's book "The Bond" about the bond they lacked with their fathers, and the fight some were leading to get stable two parent households, I'm an advocate of doing whatever it takes to give the child an upper hand.

This is yet another development which may define the concept of masculinity.

Sexuality and Race and Culture

In my last post I wrote about how Mikey, Carl, Leon, and I went to the movies. The car ride was interesting. Since we were on our way to see a Tyler Perry movie, someone brought up the film "Why Did I Get Married". Once on the subject of marriage, Carl noted he would likely marry a male friend, in his home state of New Jersey cause he says its legal there. He noted the marriage would be purley for tax purposes. I didn't think that I heard him right, and he repeated again primarily for tax purposes.

Then I thought back to a conversation with a straight friend where she said that she too would get married and have just one child, purely for political purposes. She said that it would be to her advantage to show that she could be a working mother. This was without us even broaching the subject of Michelle Obama and before Sarah Palin and the whole working mother discussion became such a political hot button issue.

That's when it dawned on me that my gay and straight friends aren't that different. They are all opportunistic, ready to do whatever gives them the upper hand.

Being with them also made me think about the conversation with my good friend Terrell about sexuality and people of color. Terrell is studying Comparitive Ethnic Studies in college. He hopes to one day get his Ph.D in Ethnic Studies. He wants to focus on the intersection of race, culture, and sexualiy. The other day we talked about how women can more often than not explore the potential that they are bisexual and for the most part it not be a problem. They can also pronounce their "girl crushes" but men can't have a boy or man crush, and can't really explore their sexuality without ultimately being labeled gay. Such a complex issue that needs to be unpacked and explored.

Terrell and I have had this discussion particulary when we first noticed the trend of more and more girls announcing that they were lesbians, especially girls in middle and high school. We both looked and wondered whether it was a phase, whether these girls had fully explored their sexuality and what it meant to define themselves in such a way.

There was also the reality of seeing young boys of color, struggle to identify themselves, have open and honest dialogue with their parents, navigate tricky social circles, and just be whoever it was they were meant to be.

Just as this nation is coming to terms with the need to have open and frank discussions about race, so too do they need to have discussions about sexuality.

Week Two

Song of the Week: "Magic" Robin Thicke

Thought of the Week: "You can't make yourself happy, bringing misery to other people." -Alfre Woodard as Alice Pratt in "The Family That Preys"

Goal of the Week: Be more attentive to the words I speak (*and to the words I write).

Words from Me: It's so important for people to realize that the "I" in identity isn't about "I want to be seen as" it's more about " I am confident and sure that" ...

Not Monotonous

My only goal for this weekend was my newfound goal in life for it not to be montonous, boring, mundane, or pedictable. Okay maybe that's too much to ask for one weekend.

So on Friday I had planned to take my mother and my aunt/godmother to the movies. My mother begged off, so I met my aunt/godmother at the movies. She was late about fifteen minutes late partly because the only time she's on time is to work because she can get written up, and partly because it was raining really badly and it was hard to find parking. Finally we went in and saw "The Family That Preys." In my estimation it was good because much like the last Tyler Perry movie I saw "Why Did I Get Married" it wasn't overly preachy, and wasn't too formulaic. Though you know Tyler Perry's movies will have a happy ending, it's how people triumph over their adversities which makes his works interesting. After the movie we went home I talked on the phone and chilled.

On Saturday I woke up to go see a friend of mine speak to some young kids about journalism. It was cool he and a co-worker both reporters for the local paper in town did a great job. They did a breakdown of what they do from note taking, writing articles, and interviewing. They even handed the kids fake press passes, reporters notebooks, and gave them snacks. There were atleast maybe 30 kids and parents in the room on a Saturday at noon.

After seeing them speak I went to my old college and met up with one of my friends. Mikey and I used to always get together and just chill. I'd either ride with her as she drove the campus shuttle because she's a student shuttle driver, and we'd grab food and chat. Or we would randomly venture off campus. Yesterday we went to Panera Bread, one of our fav spots. Then we went across the street to Lee's/The Fractured Prune. It's a ice cream and donut shop all in one. Do you realize how dangerous that is? You can get ice cream, ice cream cones, sundaes (we both had the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup sundaes), or you can get your uniquely flavored donuts. I brought half a dozen Reese's donuts to take home to my family.

Then we went back to campus where I ran into five or six people in a span of thirty minutes. Then Mikey, and two of our friends Carl and Leon went to the movies. That was an adventure. Mikey is bi, Carl and Leon are two flamboyantly gay boys. And they are over the top. Mikey is chill but not Leon and Carl. Walking with them I felt like we were putting on a show.

Everything they did was in a phrase extra. We missed the first movie, the second show was sold out, so we had to get tickets for the 9:30 show.


While waiting for the movie to start we went to Old Navy for them to peruse. Then we wen to my haven Barnes and Nobles. I renewed my membership card and picked up "Letters to a Young Sister" by Hill Harper (a book Ill probably read and pass on) a book of advice and words of wisdom offered by prominent celebrities from Gabrielle Union to Jada Pinkett Smith and similar folks geared towards young black girls; then there's "One Drop" by Bliss Broyard about her father's life as a Creole man who passed and lived as a white man; then there's "Brother I'm Dying" by one of my favorite writers Edwidge Danticat about the lives and relationship of her father and uncle, and "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" by Junot Diaz a story about a ghetto nerd's coming of age. I wanted the last one because I read an interview with Diaz in Vibe and he seemed so raw and real. I also believe he just picked up a Pulitzer for the book.
As for today it was a chill day. I just chilled in the house, watched T.V..
I'm off work tomorrow and Tuesday. I work Wednesday through Sunday next week. It sucks because you know my friends are all busy with work or school Monday and Tuesday, I have to work Saturday and I was supposed to go to the local chapter meeting of the National Association of Black Journalists. I've never been at the station on a Saturday and Sunday and never really wanted to know what weekends at the station felt like LoL, truth be told.

Tomorrow I'll probably try to clean and read. One co-worker keeps asking me if I've finished Sidney Poitier's book and I have maybe a hundred and twenty five pages to go.

Then Tuesday I'll probably try to have lunch with one of my fave teachers from middle school and maybe visit the middle school (and my alma mater) where the best friend teaches. That'd probably be fun.

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Let's Just Call Her "Wifey"

I remember in high school before there was Facebook and even MySpace, yes I'm young enough and old enough to remember this period. We had our own e-mail system where you could create a profile you could list your hobbies, facts about you, and often people would list things such as their favorite song lyrics.

Then there came a point where there was too much freedom of speech that the only people who could see your profile was you. This didn't stop us from fixating on defining, identifying,a nd categorizing ourselves. It certainly didn't stop us from having a favorite song for the moment.

Senior year there was Next's (ya'll remember that group okay or maybe lead singer R.L. because of his duet with Deborah Cox, "We Can't Be Friends" or his appearance on "The Best Man" soundtrack). Anywho they had this song "Wifey". In high school the "wifey" whom I adopted was Rochelle. She was a tall, caramel skinned, Jamaican-American (Jamerican), and like all the prep school kids was a talented scholar athlete. Now thinking about it I know exactly what made Roch special. She was tall and graceful like a gazelle, smart as a fox, and managed to glide through any worlds well liked and well received.

In college the new "wifey" and I didn't really connect till senior year. We had our pseudo date and the rest is history. We're thousands of miles apart, at different places in very different spaces, yet she's become a confidant.

In the months since graduation I've made a few fumbles, glaring mistakes I've really revealed to no one, but there may come a point where if it were needed, "wifey" would know the secrets. Not even the best friends know what's up.

There's something about her. She's a lot like Roch tall, caramel complected, graceful like a gazelle, smart as a fox, charming, kind, generous, loving, caring, available, and most of all encouraging. We're worlds away and she's a calming influence. She wrote me today that she knows it's a tad stressful not feeling like I'm reaching my full potential, feeling a bit unfulfilled. She wrote of her knowledge of my great aspirations. There's something about her that even over time, and distance allows her to be a calming influence.

She's even made me come to the point, inevitable as it may be given my youth, my inexperience, and dare I say foolishness. Come to the point where I won't reconsider the pledge not to have children, but atleast that pledge not to get married.

In my head echoes words which make her my muse. There's something about the way she smiles and her eyes become little slits. There's something about that accent especially when she tells stories about her little bro and uses the word "fierce." There's something about the way she says, "C. Nel I feel like you're judging me." And there's this urge I have to shu it down, to offer her a clean slate, with no preconceived notions, with no hidden bypasses, just a clean slate.

No, I don't have a real "wifey" just yet, just a confidant, and a new muse.

She's definitely the thoughts behind that short story I need to start working on to get my creative juices flowing once more.

Do You Remember?

I remember where I was when I first heard planes had struck the towers.
It was sometime around now seven years ago.
I was on campus in the compter lab likely checking my e-mail, reading the news, hobbies of mine which haven't died. ;-)
I remember the Technology Director came out of her office and said a plane had flown into the twin towers.
We didn't think it was serious at first. We thought maybe a crop plane, or another small plane had gotten misguided and flown into the buildings.
Over the next hour or so we got a clearer picture.
They called an assembly around 10am, we all met in the school auditorium and they told us what was happening. We learned about the twin towers, and the attack on the Pentagon.
In my third period class Spanish II with Sra. Oldani we watched the news coverage of the days events.
I remember after school going back to the dorms and watching hours upon hours of CNN as Judy Woodruff, Aaron Brown, and Paula Zahn tried to make sense of it all.
I remember wondering where the heck the President had escaped to, why he and Cheney thought it important to be separated.
I remember the Congress making that joint appearance and show of solidarity on the steps of the Capitol.
I remember bonding with people I had never talked to ven if they lived across the hall or upstairs.
I remember feeling like an American, I remember feeling hurt and despair.
I remember many of the black students thinking to ourselves dang another blow, first Aaliyah, and then the twin towers.
I remember thinking about how I had never flown before (that moment didn't happen until the following November).
I remember because I can' t forget.
I remember because it was most certainly a defining moment for my and every generation.

An Imitation vs. The Real Thing

I'm sitting here watching the 1959 version of the classic movie "Imitation of Life" wondering at what point the mistakes you make, make it seem as if you're imitating instead of living life. Mistakes are made by everyone, there's no denying that fact. We're all on this quest to be our best selves. Sometimes though in that quest to "put on" and "put forth" our best selves maybe we overdo it just a little.

Then there's always that possibility that image isn't everything. There's always the reminder to ourselves that authenticity beats imitation any day of the week.

It's Interview Season So To Speak

Earlier today I got interviewed for an alumni write up by my middle school. Yeah I'm young enough to still be connected to it, and old enough to be considered a success story.

It was funny because at one point they asked what advice I had for St. Iggy students. I said two things a) "be prepared" and b) "take things one day at a time". I said the first because if it's one thing going to a Jesuit, all boys school taught me (through competition) was to always be prepared for both the challenges and the opportunities which presented themselves.

At the same time taking things a day at a time allows two things. It allows one not to be overwhelmed by life's challenges, and it also allows one to savor life's opportunities and life's great moments.

Boy if I wish I could just take my own advice.

After the interview I hopped in the car and went to work.

Work was blah the usual. I wrote a few stories for the 4 and 5 o'clock shows.

Then I hopped in the car and went to interview for a freelance position. The opporunity is one I'd love to have. It would allow me to blog and write articles for print and web publication. I think my interview went well, though when anxiety, nervousness, and a slight bit of excitement set in my hands got cold and clammy.

Even though they probably think me a slight bit awkward, I think the interview went well. I hope I get it. I definitely want to continue in journalism as a multimedia journalist. Freelancing might also allow me to pursue my other passions.

Those who know me know I'm a man of multiple passions, a man of many talents, and a man with much to be grateful for.

Ciao!

Week One

So for weeks and weeks and weeks I posted Wise Words or Quotes of the Week. I decided to try something a little different beginning this week.

Song of the Week: "Silent Tears" Jazmine Sullivan

Thought of the Week: "You are your own best thing" -Paul D. from the movie "Beloved"

Gaol of the Week: Be more optimistic.

Words from Me: There's no sin in overthinking things, but there's no virtue to be gained from constantly questioning one's self.

Sometimes Life Just Is

You know what I haven't quite mastered.



You know how sometimes, someone will ask how's it going?



There are times when I have nothing, nothing to say.



Maybe I'll start saying, "nothing much." But that seems so plain, so vague, so empty.



You know life after graduation has been pretty uneventful.



I'm still trying to find my way I guess you could say.



Work has been okay these last few weeks. I was on 11am to 7pm at the end of last week. Can we say boring? After about 5 I hate being in the newsroom. This week coming luckily I'm back to

more normal hours 10am to 6pm.



As for a social life, that's pretty much non-existent. If someone else asks me about my non-existent dating life, I'm going to bust someone in the head. No, I just feel like I need to get to a point where I'm enjoying all facets of my life before really even looking to brighten up someone else's life.



I've decided though in the coming weeks I need to bring a bit of order to my life. I have to start eating three meals a day, I have to start exercising (I haven't decided if I'm joining my college's gym or the YMCA), I also have to put myself on a budget (their's the cell phone bill, car insurance, gas, lunch, upcoming student loans, etc.), and I need to start saving. Everyone needs that safety net.

My main goal is not to let life get too monotonous.

As for this weekend it was pretty uneventful. I had momma's home cooking breakfast one day blueberry pancakes, and dinner one day pork chops, sweet peas, rice-a-roni, and sweet potatoes.

I also finally got the chance to watch season five of "The Wire" it was the season where the show focused on giving an in depth look at the media. "The Wire" remains one of my fav shows of all time.

Oh and I watched the movie "Broadcast News", I'm trying to answer what's my favorite movie about T.V. news. Yea I'm a bit nerdy with the journo films. But in the fall I took a class with Mark Bowden all about journalism in film. It was a great class and hipped me to some good movies out there.

That's all for now.

Hopefully my week ahead is somewhat exciting, just not too exciting.

The Omnivore's Hundred

I copied this from Shani. Can't you tell that I don't have the most adventurous eating habits?   :-) 1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions. 2) Bold all the items you've eaten. 3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating. 4) Optional extra: Post a comment here at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results. The VGT Omnivore's Hundred: 1. Venison 2. Nettle tea 3.  Huevos rancheros 4.  Steak tartare 5.  Crocodile 6.  Black pudding 7.  Cheese fondue 8.  Carp 9.   Borscht 10. Baba ghanoush 11. Calamari 12. Pho 13. PB&J sandwich 14. Aloo gobi 15. Hot dog from a street cart 16. Epoisses 17. Black truffle 18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes 19. Steamed pork buns 20. Pistachio ice cream 21. Heirloom tomatoes 22. Fresh wild berries 23. Foie gras 24. Rice and beans 25. Brawn, or head cheese 26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper 27. Dulce de leche 28. Oysters 29. Baklava 30. Bagna cauda 31. Wasabi peas 32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl 33. Salted lassi 34. Sauerkraut 35. Root beer float 36. Cognac with a fat cigar 37. Clotted cream tea 38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O 39. Gumbo 40. Oxtail 41. Curried goat 42. Whole insects 43. Phaal 44. Goat's milk 45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more 46. Fugu 47. Chicken tikka masala 48. Eel 49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut 50. Sea urchin 51. Prickly pear 52. Umeboshi 53. Abalone 54. Paneer 55. McDonald's Big Mac Meal 56. Spaetzle 57. Dirty gin martini 58. Beer above 8% ABV 59. Poutine 60. Carob chips 61. S'mores 62. Sweetbreads 63. Kaolin 64. Currywurst 65. Durian 66. Frogs' legs 67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake 68. Haggis 69. Fried plantain 70. Chitterlings, or andouillette 71. Gazpacho 72. Caviar and blini 73. Louche absinthe 74. Gjetost, or brunost 75. Roadkill 76. Baijiu 77. Hostess Fruit Pie 78. Snail 79. Lapsang souchong 80. Bellini 81. Tom yum 82. Eggs Benedict 83. Pocky 84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant. 85. Kobe beef 86. Hare 87. Goulash 88. Flowers 89. Horse 90. Criollo chocolate 91. Spam 92. Soft shell crab 93. Rose harissa 94. Catfish 95. Mole poblano 96. Bagel and lox 97. Lobster Thermidor 98. Polenta 99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee 100. Snake

A Surreal Moment

Ok I just had one of those surreal moments.

Since beginning my career in T.V. a lot has changed namely my T.V. watching habits.

I rarely watch T.V. which means that I therefore rarely watch the news.

So I'm on an altered shift 11 A.M. to 7 P.M. today and tomorrow and then 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. next week.

What does this mean?

I'm in the newsroom a lot later than I normally am and therefore paying attention.

I just heard anchors read my story over the air.

I've never had that happen before.

It's a bit surreal especially given they read what you write like verbatim.

HaHa.

Therefore I better not ever mess up.

HaHa.

Later

-C. Nel

It's a Political World Out There

You know they say that the political conventions are the greatest thing ever for political junkies. I don’t know if that’s how I would classify myself, but I would say I’ve always been somewhat enamored with the political process. I remember watching C-SPAN when in elementary school. I also remember the fact that I loved that we used to get D.C.’s local news here in B-more, because there political news is local news. Then there was also my political or quasi-political aspiration. Earlier in life I aspired to be the next Thurgood Marshall. You couldn’t tell this little black boy from Baltimore, that he couldn’t grow up to follow in the footsteps of that great Baltimorean. I grew up telling myself I wanted to become a lawyer and then a federal judge just like Justice Marshall. That was until high school when the journalism bug hit me. It probably hit earlier given that I wrote for my school newspaper in middle school, and also edited our yearbook if you can call it that (it wasn’t hardback maybe card stock was used for the cover). Still now rather than be a participant in the political process, I’m an observer.

So last week I made it a point to try not to be my usual post-grad/work life self (narcoleptic old man) and stay up to watch the speeches. I stayed up and caught Michelle’s, Hillary’s and even Bill’s. Wouldn’t you know I napped right through Barack’s speech? I know it’s shameful. Don’t despair I had mi madre tape it so I could watch it. I watched and read it at the same time thanks to the interactive feature over at the NYTimes site the next day at work. It’s also downloaded on my comp now.

Part of why journalism appealed to me is that you really do get a front seat to history. Luckily during the course of the campaign I had the privilege of seeing Senator Obama speak at last year’s NABJ convention along with Senator Clinton. And then I was privileged enough to see Senator Obama speak at this year’s Unity convention. I truly do wish I would have also had the chance to see Senator McCain in person.

So much has been said in the last few day’s about the impact of “compelling stories” and we do know given McCain’s life experiences his is a compelling story. The journalist in me is always drawn to people who have compelling stories, stories which have the ability to educate, enlighten, and empower folks. At the T.V. station it has been an interesting week and a half fielding phone calls which from people who like me were watching the process unfold.
The week before the election I had one woman call in and ask me what was the implication of having Senator Clinton have her name entered into nomination. She then asked me if I really thought the Clinton’s would step aside, and if Obama would ultimately win. I didn’t fall for it, remember that old journalistic keyword objectivity.
“Ma’am I can’t answer that,” I said.
“I just thought I’d try. You have to forgive me I’m naughty when I’m nice,” she said.
It did give me a laugh, and I suppose this week she got her answer.

Then this week there was the caller who asked if it wasn’t written in stone somewhere that you had to be a natural born citizen to be President. “Yes ma’am it’s in the Constitution.” There was the caller who argued that Obama was born in Kenya. There was the caller who called to ask if Hawaii was a state when Obama was born. That was the same question posed to me by a group of folks who had a lone volunteer call in from a retirement home. Part of me was glad to take the calls, because atleast they were seeking out the truth. Then there was my thought that if these questions were raised the “smear campaign was working” or the media wasn’t during a good enough job keeping people informed.

I think we all know that with any election there’s a lot at stake. In any election there’s a lot at stake. There’s the difference between having a say in how things are done, who does these things, and just remaining silent. I’m among those who think too much had to happen for us to even have the right to vote. There’s literally blood, sweat, and tears attached to a right so many seem to take for granted. I can’t get behind apathy. I understand the frustration, but I can’t understand not doing anything to change conditions. There’s that notion that voting is wishful thinking, that it’s also casting blind faith. But isn’t it always. We put our trust in people nearly every day that they’ll do right by us. At the end of the day you have to trust and believe what you want to happen and need to happen will happen. It’s a little hard for me to say that because I’m a bit of a cynic.

I’ve been registered to vote since I was 17, because I had to vote for Mayor of Baltimore in an off election year. I always vote, I’m pretty sure I haven’t missed one yet. I don’t think it possible to deny the historic nature of this campaign, especially now given that John McCain has chosen a woman to be his running mate. The possibility of an African-American President or a female Vice-President means that history will be made in this election.

The thing I worry about is the role the media will play. Those phone calls I get make me hope that the media will do it’s part to fully inform people, and allow constructive discourse. Hopefully we don’t just add to the confusion.

In the meantime I’m going to enjoy the show and the compelling stories Palin, Obama, Biden & McCain.