Yesterday a group of students from a local university excitedly shuffled into the newsroom around 2:30 p.m. to observe us and take notes on our daily goings-about. It was refreshing to see such interested and excited individuals in the newsroom again. Enthusiasm generally runs thin around this place.

They all introduced themselves, but I forgot all of their names save one. The one I remembered was Lindsay, spelled just like I spell it. Lindsay. And she was African-American. I have never met an African-American Lindsay, let alone one who spells it L-I-N-D-S-A-Y. Crazy.

Lindsay’s classmate #1 came up to me around 4:50 p.m. (ten minutes before my show) and asked me what I was doing. I thought I answered like this:
“Oh you know, it’s ten minutes before my show, so I’m just finishing up writing and putting all the last-minute touches on my show. You know, crunch time!” (Imagine me saying it with an obnoxious smile on my face.) She nodded along with my explanations and furiously scribbled down notes, thanked me, and stepped away.

happy happy happy lindsay!

My associate producer relayed to me that I answered like this:
“WELL YOU KNOW IT’S TEN MINUTES BEFORE MY SHOW AND SO I’M REALLY BUSY AND I WISH YOU’D GO AWAY AND LET ME WORK.” (Scowl.)

GET OUT OF MY FACE UNDERLING!

Hmm.

Do I ever come across that way to you? I don’t mean to. I’m sorry if I’ve ever turned into some weird scowling tiger/producer monster while I’m working. I don’t mean it. Really.

😦