A Perfect Storm

Sunday, August 31, 2008

2:30pm: At the workspace.

2:45pm: My computer won't start.

3:00pm: GOP Briefing on convention schedule changes due to Hurricane Gustav.

3:15pm: It's official: my hard drive has crashed.

3:20pm: It's official: the GOP will have a limited convention schedule Monday with no speakers.

4:00pm: Bureau Chief and additional correspondents arrive in Minneapolis.

4:30pm: At Best Buy. They'll fix it by 7:00pm. For $400.

5:00pm: Pick up correspondent at the workspace.

5:30pm: Back at the hotel.

6:00pm: All correspondents go to workspace. I go to Best Buy.

6:15pm: At Best Buy. Not fixed yet.

7:00pm: Best Buy is closing. Must come back in the morning.

7:45pm: At the workspace.

8:00pm: Leaving the workspace with correspondents to get dinner.

8:30pm: Correspondents order sake.

8:31pm: I'm the designated driver for the night.

11:00pm: Correspondents are on their fourth sake.

11:30pm: Restaurant stops serving alcohol. Bureau Chief is heartbroken.

12:10pm: In bed at the hotel. Watching VHI reality TV show on celebrity stylist contest.

12:15pm: Show is a bad version of Project Runway. Turn off TV. Sleep.

Monday, September 1, 2008

9:00am: Alarm goes off.

9:20am: Get out of bed. Turn on CNN. Gustav expected to hit land within hours.

9:45am: Leave hotel for Best Buy.

10:00am: Computer is ready. It's fixed!

10:15am: Coffee.

10:45am: Back at the workspace.

10:50am: Check email. Japanese PM Fukuda has resigned. CNN has no coverage; Gustav 24/7.

11:18am: "Sarah and Todd Palin issued the following statement regarding today's Reuters story"

11:19am: What Reuters story?

11:20am: Oh. That one.

11:30am: Coworker in DC says Palin's daughter "pulled a Juno."

1:00pm: Buy a $7.00 vegetarian wrap.

1:10pm: Pass Chuck Todd in the hallway. He is flanked by five or six assistants.

2:00pm: CNN forces its correspondents in Louisiana to report outside in the storm.

2:09pm: Anderson Cooper nearly hit by piece of flying cardboard. Ratings must be through the roof.