Day 25 (Thursday, July 6)

Last night was pretty mellow. All I did was talk on the phone for a long time w/ my dad. I talked w/ my lil sis and my nephews. Briefly w/ my mom. And I cooked dinner. It was just a relaxing evening. Needless to say, I did not go out again after I got home from work. So when I woke up this morning, the odometer still read 9's.

That reading did not last very long because as soon as I turned the corner on my way to work, the mileage read 100,000 just before I passed the underpass where the Orange Line train runs on near the house. I felt cool being able to see the miles go that far. It's only the beginning. Those miles will continue to rack up just as long as I keep my truck in driving conditions.

© The Associated Press

I had an early assignment so I headed directly there in the morning. I was sent out to Evanston again. This time to cover the memorial service for the football coach that I covered last week. There were a lot of big-name people there. Above is the Ohio State coach. NFL players and other college football coaches showed up to pay their respects.

© The Associated Press

The locals showed up to pay respects. One lady, whose hands are seeing above, has followed the team for more than 35 years and she was also there to pay respects.

© The Associated Press

The athletic director in front of the church made a nice image.

© The Associated Press

Remember a week ago when I was sent out to cover the news conference at Northwestern University to cover the coach's death story? Remember how on my way back to the office I was called for a late-breaking news story?

Well, it was as if there is something about going to Evanston that allows me to cover late-breaking stuff. I got back to the office and we got the call that there was finally a verdict on the patronage trial that some former Chicago city officials were under. A coworker and I rushed over to see what kind of photos there were to be made. This trial is one of the biggest things in the state and I was pretty scared when a lot of people were saying "it's business as usual" to refer to the fact that there is a lot of corruption in Chicago. Not sure what the basis of all that talk is, but it's still pretty scary to think aobut.

I headed over to the federal building not knowing the outcome of the verdict. All I knew is that something was up. Once I was there, we found out that one of the city officials had been found guilty and is looking to spend 10 years in prison, according to prosecutors. Wow! This is big business. So as I was there listening to the buzz, I had to get into my "business as usual" mentality and go to work. After all, it didn't matter that this was a huge political trial. It just matter that it was a huge story to be covered. Kind of like the Women's World Cup championship game that I covered in 2002 or the MLS final in 2003. It was an important news event and I couldn't be blinded by how big it was. I had to do my business and take care of business... as usual.

© The Associated Press

I had writen down that the attorney for the former city official had a last name of Durkin. I didn't think much of it as I stored it in my memory bank as I was in full late-breaking-news mode. I shot photos of the guilty man, seen above on right, and his attorney. Then, it was time for them to go home. I followed them out of the building along w/ all the news cameras. That's where I made the above photo. I didn't want any other news camera or person in the frame so I moved into position in front of these men. For a second, I tried to zoom into them w/ one of the cameras. But that's when I realized the background. DUNKIN' DONUTS. Now I know this is a hard news event and things should be taken seriously. But you have to admit that it's kind of ironic that Mr. Durkin, left, was standing in front of a Dunkin'. Plus the lady in the background is a tight fit, i think. Nevertheless, I continued shooting the photos and I was happy to have a rush of blood to the head. This is fun. I love this internship.

© The Associated Press

The main characters in the trial were gone. Well, at least the guilty side of the trial. The news value did not finish there. Upstairs, in the 11th floor of the federal building, the prosecutors were giving a news briefing. I rushed back inside and took care of that as well.

© The Associated Press

I was on full late-breaking-news mode and I tried to shoot the lights out of this assignment. Then, I realized that the photo I took of a cameraperson came out kind of cool. It's a little different. But it just shows that I was trying to keep the motor running as the defense attorney talked for a long time w/ the media outside of the federal building.

© The Associated Press

Speaking of keeping the motor running while there is some sort of down time. Earlier today, while at the funeral, a young woman walked by pushing a small waggon w/ a bunch of toddlers. Of course, the setting was very pretty and I had to make a photo. I was unlucky to get the kids' name because of the restrictions YMCA. That's cool. I didn't mind. I was just happy to get a cool adorable photo. Since I was just focusing on the toddlers, I didn't think to ask the name of the young lady. I should have. After all, I had already asked her enough questions and her name would have been just one more question. Because I didn't have any names, the photo lost its value and we weren't able to put it on the wire. GRRRR. I was pretty upset at myself. I guess I learned something. Never quit. Even if you have to quit, ask one more question. I hope I learned this lesson. I really do.

After all, what's the point of "kicking butt, and (not) taking names?"

I learned a lot today.

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