Jim covers Obama's Inauguration!

Jim is covering the inauguration in Washington, D.C. You can catch a glimpse of what he's doing on KY3 or by clicking here.

He says he's having a good time, but he's ready to come home! I think a lot of people don't realize what hard work it is (especially for an old dog like him!)

He had to get up at 3:30 a.m. today to catch the train into D.C... then he has to lug the camera all day. He called last night to complain about back pains, though he said it was pretty cool to be there for the historical event.

I asked him to pick up an Obama buttom for the kids (I like to say that sometimes), but he said he probably won't have time. See, this is what I'm saying... you don't really get to enjoy an event when you're there for work. Plus, you're not with your friends or family, so that just makes it seem even more work-y.

And now, I won't get my button.

(**If you want to watch it live, go to KSPR.com**)

Election Hangover

I think everyone by now must have an election hangover. My Korean sister, Hyun Jeong, asked me if I was happy about the election, through Twitter. (That's the best way to talk with her because it's immediate through our cell phones. I love it.) She told me that her fiance voted for Obama and then she asked me, "What about you? you like McCain?" I'm wondering... does she assume I voted for McCain? And why would she assume that? Is it because I live in SWMO? Surely she doesn't know the political make-up of Missouri, but her fiance, Glenn, may have told her something about the Midwest.

Anyway, I don't know how I will respond to her just yet, but I do have some thoughts/questions...and am wondering what other people think.

1. How did Missouri lose its bellwether status? Bummer, I kind of liked saying that MO was always right. Missourians voted for McCain, though it was pretty close betweeen Obama. However, the interesting thing is that many McCain supporters opted to choose Democrat Jay Nixon.

courtesy LA Times

2. Is the world setting up Obama for failure? It's like the new South Park episode (Jim makes me watch.) I mean, is it possible for Obama to accomplish all that he says? He's still one man. When I was in STL for election night, everyone was cheering in the streets and honking their horns for hours. It was really kind of neat, but at the same time, I was thinking, "Are they going to be dissapointed later?" When you put someone on a pedestal, they are bound to fall off, right? Hmmm...



3. Will any of this actually change my life? I mean, I am in the middle class. We just bought a home, and we make too much money to get any grants (why?!) but at the same time, we watch our money. We're not at the top of the food chain or anything... We are on a tight budget like many Americans, and I still plan on keeping my job at the library because 1) I really love it, and 2) it helps pay the bills. Just because we elected a new president and a new governor doesn't mean that I'm going to start taking baths in Evian water.

4. I feel sorry for my friend, Dave Catanese. What is he going to do with himself now?

OBAMA WINS!

We knew the election would make history. Now, I'm wondering what the outcome in Missouri will be. In 100 years, there have only been four incidents when voters DID NOT vote for the same party governor and president.

The Obama Rally might kill me

Look, I don't mean to be a baby or anything, but I will be so glad when this election is over.

Though I'm thrilled (seriously!) that a presidential candidate thinks highly enough of Springfield to visit three days before the election, I'm pooped.

Tonight's rally will be terrifying for TV newsrooms all across the Ozarks. Why? Because he's speaking at Parkview High School tonight at 9 p.m. 9 p.m.!!

Terrible for news, really. Fox, for example, has a 9 o'clock newscast. That will be annoying for them. By the time they hit the air, Obama will likely be arriving late, as most candidates do, so you'll probably see a live report from someone at the top of the newscast who is clearly giving the "The-crowd-is-excited-Obama-is-late" liveshot. And at some point, the producer will want to go back out live to the speech when it starts. It's a killer for every producer because they have to watch the time to make sure the show ends on time.

And, it really doesn't get any better for the stations with a 10 p.m. newscast. Like I just said, Obama will probably be late. He'll probably speak around 9:15 or something...the reporters out in the field will be scrambling to feed something back. In KSPR's case, our reporter would have to drive something back because we can't edit in our trucks. However, I will be the one watching the entire feed from the station and then scrambling to cut something from our studio so that our reporter can stay out in the field to do the liveshot. And even then, there will be little time for a reporter out in the field to actually "report". How can someone? They'll have enough time to listen to parts of Obama's speech and then regurgitate some of it for the news.

It's rough.

I know things could be worse, and I'm not really complaining. Besides, some people thrive off of this stuff.

Me? I just get a lot of anxious feelings, headaches, and gas.

I'm just wishing this election was over already. Doesn't it feel like we've been going at this for years? Our election process is getting way too long.

Anyway, that's my issue with tonight, and just for the record, I talked with three people from different stations across the Ozarks and the state, and they agree with me. Hmph.