Notebook Ramblings...

Apr 23, 2007 | 7:58 AM PST
Tags: OTL, OTL Pericles Cici Burnett Spielberg, Pericles, Cici, LOOP, REDNECK ZOMBIES, Notebook
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So this past weekend, as my husband and I were gearing up for a bike-ride down the C&O Canal, I found an old pouch I used to carry around with me for work. It had a jumble of little adaptors and cables in it. I started emptying it out so I could use it for water bottles and stuff and among the tools and gadgets it carried, I found a small notebook. The book looked vaguely familiar because there was a time when I would regularly jot down notes and thoughts while I was stuck at some 14-hour stake-out on the job. I opened the book to find the beginnings of what looked like a Spanish dictionary. A few pages were dedicated to nouns, a few to adjectives, a few to verbs, where I had written a Spanish word next to its English counterpart.

I could immediately date this book. It was from 1998/1999 when I was a full-time freelancer at CNN (we called ourselves “perma-lancers” at the time) and my partner in crime was a Bolivian man with whom I spent endless hours chasing Monica Lewinsky. We had become the go-to “follow crew” for a while. (The networks were afraid to use the word “chase” as it would imply that we were aggressive or taking unnecessary risks for our news coverage.) We were really good at “following,” though. We bought radio scanners and would listen in on the ABC motorcycle couriers as they tracked Monica’s every move. When we could predict where her limo was headed, we’d try to find the best route and get there before the other network “follow crews.” As pathetically paparazzi as it sounds, I have to admit the adrenaline rush was quite a kick at times. My partner’s Toyota 4-Runner was definitely put to the test. We’d make illegal U-turns, crossing four lanes of traffic to swerve into a service lane, cars braking and honking at us as we jumped out of the truck, leaving it running, doors flung wide open while we ran full-tilt crazy down the street with camera and sound gear. Getting that three-second shot of a young woman walking from her car into a building seemed like such an important goal at the time. All the DC crews knew it was ridiculous, but we played along with the game, seeing how many of us could get those money shots.

Now, DC is unlike any other town in that the Network crews don’t really care too much about competition. We’re used to cooperating with one another, sharing footage, taking turns being the “Pool” cameras for certain events. We all know one another’s names, take care of one another if someone is missing a cable or needs to borrow a mic, a tape, or even a battery. We often spend more hours sitting around jabbering on location than doing actual work, so the camaraderie is quite strong. So even in the extreme case of following this so-called “Big” news story, even while we were desperately scrambling for scraps, all the crews were still working with one another so that we could ALL get a shot to send back to our bureaus. I remember running down 15th Street full speed and twisting backwards to duck, skittering my feet so that I wouldn’t run through another crew’s shot. I remember calling out to another crew, “THIS WAY!!!” because I knew a short cut through an alley that would cut Monica’s car off at the pass and I didn’t want to see my friends miss their shot. It was actually quite a fun time. But for every minute spent “following,” there were hours upon hours of waiting. And so we would talk. I believe there are no better, more skilled, more entertaining bullsh*tters than DC television crews. Everyone has a hilarious story to tell. And everyone has a smart-ass remark in response to the other person’s hilariously-told story. So whether we were hanging out in front of the Watergate or the District Court House, there was usually something entertaining going on to pass the time.

There were some quieter moments, though, when we were waiting, stuck inside that 4-Runner and that’s when the Spanish lessons kicked in. My partner was arrogant enough that he enjoyed playing the ‘teacher’ role with me. My little dictionary was actually quite good. If I had stuck with the Spanish lessons and actually tried to teach myself further, I may have eventually understood my partner’s phone conversations a bit more. I could tell when he was talking about me, but I was never quite sure what he was saying. How do you say, “Pain in the ass” in Spanish? I’m guessing he used that phrase a lot. Yes, that little notebook brought back some good memories for me. The more I think about that time, the more absurdities I can remember. I wish I had written all of them down. Finding that notebook only reminds me that I should be jotting things down more often. All the details of today fade so quickly. It’s nice to be able to capture them somehow.

 

Member Comments: 64

 

STEWIE visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 8:31 AM PST

If you ride as far as Harpers Ferry, go to the OUTFITTER on Main Street.
My Friends Ron and Laura own and run it, tell them LION KING said hello.

Lion King is my Hiking Name in the hiking community...sorta like STEWIE here...see that?

Im back!

yeeeeeeeeee dog.

Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 8:36 AM PST

Fantastic story, cici!

It sounds to me like you had the coolest job in the world- one I could only fantasize about having. In fact, I fantasized so much about being an on-the-run photojournalist that I even made a film about it! "I-News" was my entry to On The Lot. (Like how I managed to slip that self-promotion in there?)

Say, did you ever see this news release about Monica? Better make it a separate comment. It's a bit of a mouthful...

cici visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 8:37 AM PST

STEWIE'S BACK!!!!!

Yaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy!!!!!

Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 8:38 AM PST

Things came to a head last week and the name Monica Lewinsky is fast becoming a real mouthful at the White House. The latest news about President Clinton is definitely hard to swallow and seems certain to leave a nasty taste in the mouth of the current administration. It will be some time before all the stains resulting from this issue are removed from the Oval Office.

Monica Lewinsky has proved to be not as tight lipped as Clinton had hoped and is expected to spit out the truth to a Grand Jury tomorrow. She will surely go down in history for her orations concerning the comings and goings behind the doors of the Oval Office. Monica was apparently on her knees when she received the recent gagging order from the White House and now has to decide whether to swallow her pride and dispose of the evidence, or to succumb to the deep throated rumblings of the Washington Press Corp. and spill the issue wide open. Any attempt by Lewinsky to suck up to Clinton can only be construed as lip service and Clinton would be advised to try and minimize the impact of this, the latest in a long series of blows he has received since coming to power.

Despite this latest blow, job security for the President seems to be assured, as he can rely on his proven oral skills to promote a career in public speaking, being, as he has often shown, a cunning linguist. (Although Hillary Clinton may disagree with this, as she claims she is rarely on the end of a tongue lashing from Bill!)

Last edited by videowilliams on April 23rd at 8:43 AM.

cici visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 8:39 AM PST

Hey, Dave!!!

I was posting the same as you!

You're making me chuckle again!!

Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 8:40 AM PST

Miss Lewinsky is from a naval background and her choice of Bill Clinton as a lover is somewhat surprising, given her preference for seamen. According to her lawyer, Miss Lewinsky likes to see men in power and relished the thought of taking a length of time to chew things over with the President, whenever she could fit him in. And the President was equally keen to see Miss Lewinsky, always putting on a spurt when he entered her office. Miss Lewinsky has apparently been offered a PR job by Listerine, who described her as spunky enough for any job. Her name has also been associated with Big Gulp soda advertising and Kleenex.

Last edited by videowilliams on April 23rd at 8:51 AM.

cici visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 8:40 AM PST

AAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!


(stomping feet and clapping)

Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 8:41 AM PST

I love it when you clap.

cici visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 8:42 AM PST

This is why I am a huge Dave Williams fan!!!!

cici visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 8:42 AM PST

Still laughing!!!

Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 8:45 AM PST

Tiny confession, cici- um- I didn't actually write that.

But I'm happy it sucked you in.

cici visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 8:56 AM PST

I knew it was an old "article," but that doesn't stop me from loving you for posting it!!

A good laugh is a good laugh!

xoxo

Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 9:04 AM PST

Yummy.

I bet it was written by one of your journalist friends...

Last edited by videowilliams on April 23rd at 9:08 AM.

DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 9:09 AM PST

Cici...I wish my DC job was as exciting as yours. ;-)

Dave....um, that story was a rather large ejaculation and a bit hard to swallow.

cici visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 9:13 AM PST

I'm starting to tear up over here.

Dawn, you're hilarious!

Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 9:17 AM PST

I was wondering when you'd open your mouth on the subject, Dawn...

Posting a joke like that around you is like throwing chum in the water near sharks!

DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 9:19 AM PST

Look at Dave....living in a glass house.

How are those stones?

Cici...I love making you laugh ;-)

Last edited by DawnAkemi on April 23rd at 9:20 AM.

Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 9:22 AM PST

Little Miss Innocent bats her eyelids sweetly, and prepares to out-gross us all...

Pericles visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 9:27 AM PST

By the time I finsh reading Cici's blog and I follow the thread to the end, any response or comments is soooo irrelevent after a couple of pages.

BTW, I'm trying to get a wiki story going on my blog. Go contribute. Copy and paste the last entry into your new one.

Yes Cici, take notes. I don't know about you but my mind is a dry erase board.

DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 9:27 AM PST

Ow. Is that the best you got...I was expecting something clever. Perhaps its a bit early in the day. Maybe you should do some brain sit ups to wake up and get a good knife to sharpen your wit.

DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 9:28 AM PST

Peri!!!

Its a party on Cici's blog :-D

Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 9:30 AM PST

Dawn, I find your criticisms very hard to swallow.

It is early here, however, so you have me on my knees.

DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 9:32 AM PST

You look quite nice that way, Dave....

Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 9:35 AM PST

You've delivered some heavy blows...

DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 9:37 AM PST

If my rough play has been taken too far, then I apologize ;-)

Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 9:43 AM PST

Ha- I'm just getting started on you, Dawn...

Did you hear about the psychology tests done to see if dogs have the personalities of their owners?

Psych man calls in 3 dogs: architect's dog, mathematician's dog and an actor's dog.

He lines then up in 'sit' position in his office. Calls the architect's dog to the centre of the room and throws down a bag full of bones. The dog quick as a flash, builds a house with them.

Very good.

He puts the dog back to the sideline and brings the mathematician's dog to the centre of the room and throws him a bag of bones. The dog arranges them to read E = MC (squared).

Very very good.

Next the actor's dog is brought to the centre of the room and thrown the bag of bones. The actor's dog eats all the bones, f*cks the other 2 dogs and asks to leave early.

Last edited by videowilliams on April 23rd at 9:46 AM.

DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 9:46 AM PST

Very funny, Dave. Bet you didn't write that joke either.

Note to self: Do not let Dave appeal to my sensitivities!

Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 9:48 AM PST

Yeah, I'm sorry. Plagiarism sucks. I'm looking for something that'll blow you out of the water, but nothing's coming!

Let me take a big gulp and try again...

Last edited by videowilliams on April 23rd at 9:50 AM.

Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 9:49 AM PST

This is you, Dawn:

(_E=mc2_)

Do you know what that is?

DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 9:50 AM PST

That's cause I'm a strong swimmer.

Perhaps you need some viagra....

DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 9:51 AM PST

Dave: (_E=mc2_)

Enlighten me....

Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 9:58 AM PST

I need viagra? Are you kidding? Honey, my swizzle-stick's so big right now it's affecting the tides.

My swizzle stick's so big, there's a shoe called "AIR my swizzle stick"

My swizzle stick's so big, I'd throw it over my shoulder to wear as a tie, but I'm too afraid of getting a hard on and choking myself.

...No wonder you're intimidated, despite your big mouth...

Last edited by videowilliams on April 23rd at 10:03 AM.

Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 10:00 AM PST

This is a regular ass:

(_!_)

And this is you- a smart ass:

(_E=mc2_)

DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 10:01 AM PST

Ooooooh! The big scary swizzle stick, its like a club. Don't beat me with your swizzle stick Mr. Videowilliams, I promise to be good.

(cowering fearfully, eyes wide, lips trembling)

Last edited by DawnAkemi on April 23rd at 10:02 AM.

DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 10:04 AM PST

Dave: And this is you- a smart ass:

I guess that's better than being a dumb ass.

Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 10:05 AM PST

Try putting "trembling" where "wide" is, and "wide" where "trembling" is, and you'll be onto something.

Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 10:06 AM PST

Dumb ass:

(_?_)

DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 10:07 AM PST

OMG!!! That's so rude! Some people have no boundries called taste!

DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 10:10 AM PST

Poor Cici...she starts this nice little blog dedicated to a fond remembrance, and we take it into the dregs.

And by "we", I mean the royal "we" as in "you".

Last edited by DawnAkemi on April 23rd at 10:11 AM.

Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 10:11 AM PST

You should know all about bad taste.

Say, what were you referring to on Pericles' blog when you referred to a childhood experience with gin leaving a bad taste in your mouth?

Last edited by videowilliams on April 23rd at 10:44 AM.

Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 10:12 AM PST

And yes, I was wondering where cici'd run off to!

Last edited by videowilliams on April 23rd at 10:13 AM.

DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 10:16 AM PST

When I was about 13 or 14, my girlfriend and I stole a 5th of gin from the drugstore....it was Beefeater Gin and we picked it cause we liked the image of the British guard and because the liquid was clear, thought it would be more like water. I was once very naive.

She spent the night in my home and we proceeded to guzzle the whole bottle. Needless to say, both of us were sick like dogs. And the taste of gin has never appealed to me since. I've tried to like it.

Last edited by DawnAkemi on April 23rd at 10:18 AM.

Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 10:19 AM PST

My first experience of that kind was at 18 (we grow up slower down here) and I was drinking Coca Cola at a friend's place, laced with whiskey. Next thing I knew, I was semi-unconscious on a couch, and this girl was gently stroking my hair saying "You're all right. You're still alive."

I never found out who she was.

Last edited by videowilliams on April 23rd at 10:21 AM.

DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 10:21 AM PST

Those kinds of experiences make me wonder why I still like to drink ;-)

Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 10:22 AM PST

I had my first hangover the next day. I thought I was dying. And every hangover since then, I swear I'll never drink again.

(says he, refilling his bourbon glass)

Last edited by videowilliams on April 23rd at 10:24 AM.

DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 10:25 AM PST

Upon further reflection, my gin experience happened at 16. The memory is a rather fuzzy place.

Last edited by DawnAkemi on April 23rd at 10:26 AM.

Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 10:27 AM PST

Especially after alcohol!

DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 10:28 AM PST

More substances than alcohol fuzz my memory I'm afraid....

Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 10:29 AM PST

GARRISON: We're going back into the case, Lou. Now who was that source of yours from three years ago, Bill?

BILL: Hell, I can't even remember last night, boss, let alone three years ago."

-JFK

...I'm very fond of that exchange.

Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 10:30 AM PST

And don't even get me started on other substances.

How appropriate that I just raised Oliver Stone!

DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 10:31 AM PST

Well, children, the real world beckons!

This has been a real mouthful and a rather viscous, slippery affair.

Until we meet again ;-)

DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 10:32 AM PST

Serendipidy is a marvelous thing.

Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 10:32 AM PST

Au revoir!

Last edited by videowilliams on April 23rd at 10:34 AM.

Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 10:36 AM PST

Well, whaddaya know? She actually gave me the last word.

DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 10:44 AM PST

;-)

Last edited by DawnAkemi on April 23rd at 12:01 PM.

Norton visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 11:32 AM PST

Hi I'm a persecuted Jew with a gun to my head -- someone please help?

cici visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 12:19 PM PST

Man, why is it that I always get sent to go somewhere just as the party gets started?? Darn having a day job!

Well, it's quite hard on me that I missed the climax of this stiff discussion, but I sit in the after-glow of satisfaction knowing that such stimulating interactions were happening on my blog!

I love you guys!!!!!!!
xoxoxoxo

RockingGrandma


Apr 23, 2007 | 4:55 PM PST

Hey cici,

I was late for the party too. Got a great joke to tell though.

I'm gonna save it for BLEEP. It's a good one. An old boyfriend told it, at one of our drinking and smoking parties many years ago...

YES I WAS IN MY TWENTIES ONCE!!!

cici visit blog


Apr 23, 2007 | 6:13 PM PST

Hey there, RG!

I will head over to BLEEP to hear your joke!

I have no doubt it's a GREAT one!!!!

SallySue visit blog


Apr 24, 2007 | 12:32 AM PST

Cici, that's such a great story -- it's as if you excavated a jewel from your own life.

Have you ever thought of writing it up as an essay and publishing it?

Sixty comments -- you're the grooviest!

cici visit blog


Apr 24, 2007 | 6:37 AM PST

Thank you so much, SallySue!!! I am so flattered!

The thought did occur to me years ago to try to tell some of the crazy news crew stories that I and my crew friends experienced. I thought about writing short TV show-type scripts, but couldn't think how they would ever get produced, so I guess I kinda dropped that idea. The essay idea sounds better, though. Do you think anyone would publish a series of stories like that? Hmmm... You've got me thinking now, Michele. Thank you!!!

:-)

Pericles visit blog


Apr 24, 2007 | 6:40 AM PST

Has anyone seen my glasses?

cici visit blog


Apr 24, 2007 | 6:47 AM PST

Man, I forgot about Harrison's glasses!!!!

AAAHHHHHH!!

Hey, that's an excuse for me to go downtown today and see you!! Heehee.

SallySue visit blog


Apr 25, 2007 | 2:11 AM PST

You're very welcome! Absolutely..write them up and send them around. I think it's a nifty idea.