Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Live from the Rotunda

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- You would have thought I was a star-struck tourist on Capitol Hill today. I didn't even have a run-in with a celebrity or a famous politician either. Go figure, they're always walking the halls up here, but I don't usually get excited over any of those. (I probably couldn't spot a movie star if my life depended on it anyway. In fact, one time I shared an elevator with a famous actress, and my co-worker had to point her out to me.) Instead, I had an encounter with one of the most highly decorated network evening news anchors of the modern era, and I felt like a little kid in a candy store.

Thanks to a dear friend who works for a committee that's always "in the know," I got word that one of my journalism idols, Brian Williams, would be broadcasting the Nightly News live from the Russell Rotunda. He was in town recording a series called "Congress, Behind the Scenes," set to air on Dateline this weekend.  So, after work, I walked briskly through the tunnel that connects the Senate office buildings to the Russell Building so I could catch a glimpse of the broadcast icon. Soon enough, he made his debut.


I didn't just stick around until I got a good look at him. No, just a glimpse didn't satisfy me. I was one of those annoying onlookers who doesn't go away. I'm talking really annoying. I was even annoying myself, but I couldn't make it stop. I even tried telling myself, "Okay, Andrea, you've seem him. Time to go home." But I couldn't stop being interested. I just kept watching, snapping pictures and waiting. I was being completely unprofessional. And I knew it. I should have told onlookers I was just an intern, and maybe the situation would have explained itself away, but I had no shame.  So, when the 30 minute Nightly News broadcast ended and the famous anchor started walking away, I bolted after him. He went into the Kennedy Caucus room to meet a few people, and I just waited outside. Like a stalker. I should have been embarrassed at my behavior, but I was too excited at the chance to meet him.  So, when he popped back out to say hi to some kids (a five and seven-year-old nonetheless), I just squeezed myself into the line. Sorry kids, don't mind me.  I handed one of their parents my camera and they gladly obliged to my unprofessional request as I jumped in to shake his hand before he walked away. Pictured below:



"Hi, my name's Andrea. I'm a dork and love watching the news. In fact, if I had to pick a journalist to marry, it would be you. You just have a way with words!"  

That isn't exactly what I said, but something equally as dorky ensued. "Hi, I'm Andrea. I used to be a reporter, and both you and Andrea Mitchell are my journalism idols. And Ken Strickland." (Ken is a producer for MSNBC, standing in the middle of the picture wondering why I had suddenly gone cuckoo.)  To which he replied, "Andrea Mitchell is much more deserving, but thank you." And that, my friends, is the entire story. After we shook hands, I continued to snap a few pictures for a few others, until his handlers told us to take it easy while Mr. Williams filmed a stand-up. If you happened to miss the Nightly News tonight, and seeing Brian Williams live from the Russell Rotunda, you can watch below. Just know, that I was behind the cameras somewhere with big, googly eyes, snapping pictures and acting more or less like an intern:  



7 comments:

Amy Lovell said...

Wow, that's awesome sister. I'm not a journalist, never have been, never will be, but even I'm jealous of that. I love Brian Williams.

Brittany said...

I'm so jealous. Seriously. I actually read about his report online today--I think it was called something like "A Day in the life of Congress"--maybe. It sounded cool and I want to watch it on Sunday.

My journalism icon is Tom Brokaw. He even visited the West Wing once and Millie had to sign him in and she didn't tell me. I'm still mad about that.

Rachel said...

love, love, love, love!! you are so great!

The Hargretts said...

You're so awesome! Also, don't worry I'm the same with movie/ tv actors... I can't pick them out very well but CHRIS gosh he's good. haha! I'm happy you got to meet one of your idols =)

Lauren Kay said...

Awesome. This was totally hilarious! I would have done something similar but probably not Brian Williams, maybe like Tina Fey or something. I probably would have called Brian "that news guy" but that's just because I forget about the news sometimes. (Is that blasphemous to say to a journalist?)Also, though you may have been totally nerdy, you're happy that it happened and you got pictures right? So in that case, nerdiness=totally justified.

Lindsey said...

I love this, and I love your geekiness. We all have geek in us. How cool for you!

Erin S said...

Haha you're so funny! I quite like Diane Sawyer myself.