peaches

I spent the weekend in Atlanta with the freshmen Journalism and Communications Fellows. It was a blast. I made some new friends, and some excellent contacts and had a great time visiting a new city.

From Thursday to Saturday we were a whirlwind of nice clothes, clicky heels, notebooks and questions. I was placed with the strategic communications (PR) and print journalism group. We went to Atlanta Magazine (met the group at CNN briefly, see below), the Weather Channel, Weber Shandwick (the PR firm that holds the accounts for the got milk? campaign and Coca Cola), and Turner Field where the Braves play. I've posted some pictures below.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to visit the High Museum. It'll just give me another reason to go back to Atlanta.

In other big news -- The Pendulum was just awarded third place in the Pacemaker awards competition by the Associate Collegiate Press for our online election coverage package, and was given Best of Show for our Oct. 29, 2008 issue. This is huge, these awards are considered the Pulitzer Prizes of collegiate journalism. I'm so proud!

OK, on to the photos:
This is the view from my hotel window. We stayed in the Marriot Marquis, it was a beautiful hotel, the interior architecture is fabulous. I had my own room, care of Elon, and enjoyed a king-sized bet to myself.

This is the whole group in front of the CNN sign in Atlanta. Half the group went to the studio, then the rest of us met up with them for a photo-op. (I'm the one in the white shirt and brown pants.)

This is the view of Turner Field from the press box. We were taken on a tour of the press box and video production booth and then onto the field itself.

This is all of us in the dugout. (Green skirt, front row.)

And that's me, in the dugout feeling fully major league

coverage

Hey everyone, sorry I didn't get on this sooner. But check out the Sarah Palin coverage by The Pendulum by visiting our Web site: www.elon.edu/pendulum

I compiled the video with the interviews with supporters/dissenters. As well as some of the video of the protester being carried away by police.

Oh, and I also interviewed D.L. Hughley who was here promoting his new show on CNN. It was totally on the fly, and he had cameras with him. They turned the cameras on me as I conducted the impromptu interview, so it's possible that I might be on the show ... we'll have to see!

Anyway, a proper update is necessary at some point. I had a really great fall break ... now back to the grindstone. Luckily there's only 3 weeks until I get to see John again ... makes it easier, not a whole lot, but a little.

More soon, I promise.

playing with the big boys/girls

[EDIT]
Press credentials were revoked by the campaign about an hour or two after I posted this. They cut the press in half, essentially, for the university. Even University Relations got cut -- just goes to show how little the campaign respects the venue they're using for their stage. I'll still be reporting from the field, but I won't have any special bling or badges. C'est la vie.



I just got my clear for a media credential for the Sarah Palin rally that's taking place on campus tomorrow afternoon. As much as I cannot stand her political stance on basically everything. I'm super super excited about this.

This is the second time I will have been credentialed as an official member of the media during this campaign, and I have to say, it's pretty sweet. You get the best views of everything and you get to play with the big boys. For the Bill Clinton rally we took serious pride in the fact that we got to the podium first and when Fox News 8 tried to squeeze us out, we held our ground with our tiny tripods against their mongo daddy cameras. We may be little, but we pack a punch, and we know not to move for anyone.

I'm going to be on the floor for this one, I'll be among the audience taking still photos of participants and doing reaction interviews to the size of the crowd and stuff like that. The rally starts at 3. I'll be there at noon. That is the one bummer about being a member of the media -- you have to be early. It's a whole lot of hurry-up and wait. But it's an incredible high to stand with the media, the only group of people at a rally who aren't clapping, cheering or jeering. We're not allowed to, and we're working, pens scribbling, laptop keys clicking, cameras rolling and shutters blinking. It's exhilarating. And I'm so excited.

I'll report back with the coverage of the rally after tomorrow. Ryan, I'll try my best to get the photo you asked for ... but no guarantees.

To see what we did for the Bill Clinton rally for Hillary in April, check out The Pendulum Web site mini site.