Yesterday I went to my first White House press briefing. It is etched in my memory, in detail. I still can't even believe I was there.
You can watch the briefing here.
Okay, so of course I got there way early - like you do on the first day of school. Thankfully, I had cute hair. :) Moments after I walked in - looking like a lost little kid - they announced the briefing was being delayed. Great. What do I do? There are people all around me who look like they've been there forever, and I can feel them laughing internally at me. I know they could just tell I'd never been before.
So, a nice guy from TIME shows me where I can sit, and then shows me where the vending machines are. I got a Diet Coke because I didn't have anything better to do. I stood in the break room which was full of photographers who were eating and watching movies on their portable DVD players. Yeah, just stood there. At one point I introduced myself to the group and told them it was my first briefing (like they didn't already know). Then a nice guy from CNN came and told me he found a place for me to sit. So, then I'm sitting there - at the LA Times computer, with like an hour to kill. So, I text messaged my sister a few times, called a friend, and actually wrote in a journal.
Then, around the corner comes my old co-worker, Patty!! Yay!! I was SO happy to see her, I can't even tell you! So Patty gave me a giant hug and then showed me all around the place and introduced me to everyone - it was the best thing ever! I kept thinking, every time I was shaking someone's hand: a) I can't believe I'm shaking said person's hand. b) in the White House c) NOT on a field trip.
So, they gave the 2 minute warning over the intercom... Patty went back to her little NBC News cubicle, and I was on my own. IN THE BRIEFING ROOM. 4th row back, on the end. I opened up my little notebook and clicked my pen ready. Out comes Tony Snow and company and I felt my mouth hit the floor, I'm pretty sure. Truth is, I hardly wrote a note. I was just in awe.
It was so amazing. I can't wait to go back.
Things to do next time:
-Speak to Helen Thomas and get her to sign my copy of her book
-Take my camera and get a cheesy photo of myself at the podium
-Ask a question (well, maybe not next time, but some time in the future!)
I'm such a dork but I don't care!!
In other news... Ann is coming to visit me this weekend and I can't wait!
And, seriously? It's been 10 years since Princess Diana died? Man, I'm getting old...
3 comments:
Congratulations, Dana! When I heard Tony Snow was stepping down, my first thought (aside from "Poor Cousin Tony!" - long story, grandma's maiden name, yada yada) was how you were looking so forward to working with him, so to speak. Glad your first day went well. :) I'll have to keep my eyes open for you on the news. ;)
What? You didn't grab a ash tray or commemorative towel while you are at the White House? What's up with that?
Hey, congrats on going to your first White House briefing - and consider yourself lucky. You should have been there before the renovation this summer. My living room was bigger.
Miss you lots - and Kelly says "hi"!
Hi! I am stalking you.
I a)Am jealous of your bomb job, but not so jealous that I am not happy for you and excited that you get geeked out. b)Love the new hair do. c)Know that you spent recent time with my peeps b/c you are outlining.
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