Election Day

I try to live my life as a graceful person: letting people go before me, waiting for people to finish speaking before I cut in, driving slowly and politely. All those efforts go out the window when I'm a reporter.

I tackled my first election party last night - this one for Governor Chris Gregoire. I scanned the packed room like a hawk, looking for victims. A photographer from TV pointed them out, and I pounced. Congressman Jim McDermott was in the hallway, talking to a woman. I waited patiently for just a moment, then almost tripped the woman in my haste to get to the Congressman. I leapt to his side, rather ungracefully, and stuck my recorder in his face.

I also had to be live on the radio every half an hour, which meant all the people standing around, drinking and laughing, were obstacles. I cut in front of people, tripped yet another guy on my stampede to the computer. Never mind that I stole a seat from a table meant for election volunters and campaign supporters.

I love putting on the "reporter face", and being assertive. I just hope in the future, I learn not to step on so many toes.