Last week, in a shameless move for free food, I agreed to stay three hours late at work (and not get paid) to judge entries for the AP awards.

Though it may sound terribly painful to have to sit through several DVDs showcasing reporters’ stand ups after live shots after packages after stand ups after live shots, it really wasn’t all that bad. As a matter of fact, it was a refreshing reminder of why I got into this business in the first place. Each reporter up for “Best Reporter” burned a montage of all the work they’ve done that they’re especially proud of; moreover, they actually had the balls to believe they deserved the title “Best Reporter” and sent them to the dogs AP to be judged by random producers/directors/anchors/reporters miles and miles away. Not only does that take some serious guts, but (in my naive mind) it also proves that there are reporters still out there who appear to have yet to turn cynical or jaded, and still thrive in their profession.

At least, that’s what I gathered from the reporter who did a live shot while ice skating down a highway completely frozen over. Come on, now. That’s bloody genius.