Shuffling Around The Newsroom

I've dealt with a lot of interesting characters during my short time in the working world. Being in a newsroom will give you that opportunity. One person whom I didn't actually work with, but had the chance be "in the presence of" was Politico reporter, Mike Allen.
There is this fantastic article about the illusive, eccentric reporter in the New York Times magazine. Preview here.

The few times I ever interacted with him were:
1. Producing for "Newstalk". He was a frequent guest (it's easy when it's 10 steps from his desk) and would always came up with the best talking points, and he was one of the few guests I would actively pay attention to when I produced the show. Most times, it was a struggle to stay awake.
2. Awkwardly bumping into him in the newsroom. Literally.
3. Walking by his desk and wondering how anyone could get work done (or even fit in it) when there were so many papers, wrappers and other mementos surrounding him. But he always had an open box of some kind of cookie that was free for public eating.
4. (My favorite) Actually talking to him during my weekend shift. I was always curious to know why someone would willingly be in the newsroom at 5 o'clock in the morning on a Sunday. He would shuffle in and out of desks and then would suddenly disappear, like a fart in the wind. He did one time come up to me and said:

Mike: "You shouldn't be here by yourself this early."
Me: "Darryl (in charge of the assignment desk) is here."
Mike: "Oh" (shuffles away)
Me: "Thank you?"

Very exciting, I know. But when you talk to the guy who write the articles that top White House officials, Washington big wigs and news junkies read on a daily basis, any interaction with him seems kinda cool.

The article also inspired me to sign up for his daily Politico Playbook e-mails. Not just because Katie Couric is on the mailing list, but as illusive and "weird" as he might be, he sure as hell knows what he's talking about in terms of the inner workings of our political system.

Big Lights, Big Bridges, Beautiful City

There are few things in life that are better than a long stroll with good company. After an amazing Groupon dinner where Steve and I ate our weight in Japanese food, we thought there was no better way to walk off that food than a stroll over the Brooklyn Bridge back to my apartment.

I handed Steve my camera because I'm just too lazy to use all the cool features.

He likes to be all artistic. It's cute.

There are a few things that you don't get to see by just driving over the Brooklyn Bridge:
1. The wooden floorboards that you walk on have small spaces between them, so you can see the lights of the cars breezing under you. Very cool, but also made me start thinking about just how old (and sturdy) this bridge is.
2. The bridge was completed in 1883, one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States.
3. The walkway splits as both a bike path and walkway, and the center of the bridge has become a great place to sit and watch the world go by.


We both look a little like deer in headlights. I blame the building lights, and the random stranger who took the picture.

So perfect. Makes it really hard not to fall in love with the city.
Hey DC friends, wanna visit/move here? Look how pretty it is!!

Happy Tax Day! (Now Give Me My Refund!)

Happy April 15Th to all! Hope everyone filled out their taxes correctly. I apparently owed the Commonwealth of Virginia $17. Why? I have no idea. All I know is I'm never filing in that state again! (Heck, it's not even a state!)

Anyway, if you're strapped for cash and desperately waiting for your refund check, here's a list of free stuff being given away today. Coffee from Starbucks always tastes a little better when free.

And if you're one of those last minute tax filers, enjoy a little income tax propaganda, courtesy of Donald Duck.

"Dear John," More Like "Dear Jose"

Dear Tequila,

We need to talk. Over the years, our relationship has been smooth sailing. We met late in college, after I did my first shot of you with classmates, my dean and other professors at the senior luncheon for my journalism school. A lick of the salt, the sip of the drink and a bite of the lime and I was hooked.

After that, our relationship turned more casual. Shots with friends during a night out. Shots with my family at my cousin's wedding. Shots to celebrate life at journalism happy hours. And even mixing you with lovely fruity drinks to add to the delicious elixir.

But last night, our relationship took a bit of a turn. Those margaritas I shared with my parent's friend Jane at dinner were fantastic, but little did I realize just how much of you was happily sitting in my glass. It wasn't until I stood up to use the restroom that I realized, I was taken advantage of by my beverage! I was being smothered, and the empty glass was laughing at me!

As dizzy as I was starting to feel, it didn't end there. Another drink was ordered (thanks Jane) as well as the request to finish at least half. So I did, knowing I may regret this later.

So tequila, my fine friend, it was both our faults. I shouldn't have let myself be taken advantage of, but what's a girl to do when you're so tasty and delicious?

I think it's best we take a break. Just for a little while. I need to reassess my drinking priorities, see other drinks even, and learn from both our mistakes. I know we'll meet again, but don't provoke me. I'll find you when I'm ready to fall off the wagon again.

Love,
Sam

Who's That Gal?

A random celebrity sighting in front of my office today:

Anyone? Anyone? My first reaction was "Hey, that's the lady judge from Law and Order: SVU." But after a little IMDB search, I realize it's Judith Light from "Who's the Boss?" and "Ugly Betty." She looked a little bit disheveled and had a determined look on her face, like she was late for a meeting, but it was awesome and totally random! We sometimes get celebrities at work for satellite media tours (Clinton Kelly from "What Not To Wear" was here last week), but those don't count. Our studio is a controlled environment. And this sighting doesn't hold a candle to all the random celebrity sightings my brother has had (Jason Priestly, Henry Winkler, Tom Brokaw etc.), but I've only been living in the city a few months, I'll catch up.