Washington D.C. — Newseum — 9/11

It's difficult figuring out exactly what to write in this post.

There was a section of the Newseum dedicated to the coverage of Sept. 11, 2001.

I think it's safe to say everyone knows exactly where they were when they heard the planes hit the twin towers.

I rose early that morning to work on an assignment for my photojournalism class. Because it was early and I figured I'd have time before class, I was unshowered and grimy (I was gonna work on the prairie, why shower before, right?). I was on the Konza Prairie, photographing a horse trainer. The light was spectacular. As a matter of fact, I just came across the printoffs of the photos from that day (I need to find a proper reader so I can open the files).

At that time, I was also the photo editor of our collegiate newspaper.

On the prairie, we listened to the news on the radio, and at the time, I thought some moron had a bad accident. I just kept shooting pictures. I had no idea it was purposeful. After a few more minutes, I figured I'd better get back to the newsroom, and we'd do man on the street (remember, I still thought it was an accident). There were probably a dozen missed calls from the newsroom. And then I turned on NPR.

This was no accident.

The photographers on staff were amazing, and were already at work capturing local reaction. I was on the phone, trying to get through to an alumni photographer who lived in NYC. We looked through hundreds of photos, tried to figure out the best way to put the paper together for the next day.

I don't remember eating. I don't remember sleeping. And I sure don't remember crying.

I remember watching with unbelieving shock.

When I'm covering something for any paper, emotion goes straight out the door. If I got emotional, it'd be impossible to do my job. Does that make me inhuman?

Well, at the Newseum, there was a section dedicated to the Sept. 11 coverage.

And it was powerful.

This headline .... well, I remember seeing it the next day and thinking it was brilliant. Is it bad to say it makes me smile? Everyone was thinking the same thing ... they just put it out there in 100+ point type.


Here's an overview. On the back wall are page fronts from special sections the afternoon of, or the morning after.


And a timeline of events ...


I have to say, it felt a *little* strange to be in a museum and see something I REMEMBER happening. In my mind, museums are all about things hundreds of years old ... nothing contemporary. I guess I have a lot to learn ...

Here's Bill Biggart's camera/gear. He was the only working professional photojournalist killed on that day.


And of course, Tom Franklin. I know many of you won't know his name, but click on the link ... you will recognize his image. I PROMISE.


I had the fortune to meet Tom a year after the photo was taken. I was a student at the Eddie Adams Barnstorm in 2002. We photographed a book about the resilience of New Yorkers on the 1-year anniversary of the attacks. Franklin came and spoke with us ... he was just the nicest, most unassuming fella.

Oh, and the coolest part was Eddie lined up Joe Rosenthal on the phone to talk w/ Franklin. OK, if you don't know Joe's name, I PROMISE you'll know his picture.

Woah, I'm going on a tangent here. Sorry.

SO, back to the Newseum.

There was also a video about the day, from the perspective of those who covered the event. I simply sat and watched the video run over and over.

Finally, 7.25 years later ... I cried.

Perhaps the numbness wore off. Or maybe I'm just learning you don't have to be strong ALL of the time. Or even that journalists CAN have feelings, too. And it's OK to be affected by the news/what you are covering or putting in your paper.

It's funny, because now when I'm working (covering weddings), I weep at almost every one of them. It's pitiful, really. I have no good reason to cry. I just do. They're so beautiful and out couples ... they're just so sweet. I cried at every 2008 wedding. We start our season in about a month, so we'll see how I do then ....

Sleepyhead

When Esse moved in with Erik almost a year ago, she was an early riser. And she was a girl who liked to have the lights out at 9 p.m. so she could go to sleep.

Now .... not so much. She'll cuddle w/ me in bed a little whenever I go to sleep, but when Erik returns about midnight, she'll go downstairs to inspect whatever he's doing.

And in the morning? Well .... this is how she looked at 11 a.m. yesterday:


She's ALL ABOUT sleeping in. What a change for this feline.

working on the 101 list — Tagine Chicken

Last night, I broke out the most unique wedding gift we received: a tagine.

What the heck is a tangine, you may ask? Well, since I'm a visual person, I'll show you a photo I pulled from the 'net.


Ours is brown, and an awesome gift from our friend, Miss Sarah. She snagged it from Ten Thousand Villages. Their mission is to provide "vital, fair income to Third World people by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. Ten Thousand Villages works with artisans who would otherwise be unemployed or underemployed. This income helps pay for food, education, health care and housing."

I have to wholeheartedly applaud their efforts!

Ok, so dinner. It was a chicken cinnamon/apricot dish. Um, yummie!!!!!!!!

I didn't find the exact recipe online, but e-mail or comment if you're interested. If you want to browse lots of recipes, CLICK HERE


Of course, here's the list of the new recipes I've tried so far:
Dec. 21 — Peanut Butter Pancakes
Dec. 31 — Calzones
Jan. 9 — Braised Brussell Sprouts + Pork Chops with a creamy herbed sauce
Jan. 14 — Black Bean Burritos
Jan. 18 — Hot Chocolate Mix
Jan. 29 — Ham and Bean Soup
Feb. 1 — Macaroni Salad
Feb. 14 — Focaccia Bread
Feb. 17 — Honey Glazed Chicken
Feb. 27 — Potato Soup
March 4 — Crunchy Chicken and Fruit Salad
March 11 — Tagine Chicken

At our house ...

We've been eating a LOT of red grapes. It helps that they've been on special at the grocery store lately. :)

Braggin' on my husband

Last night, E told me he is amazing.

I already knew that.

But he received an award from the Kansas Press Association for work last year. In fairness, the awards are shared w/ his co-desk designer.

Erik and Troy won second place in headline writing.

They also were awarded third place in sports design.

Yay for the fellas!

Time to vote!

Ooooooook people.

I stalk a few blogs regularly ... and Davina tries to encourage photogs to get fit + healthy. I enjoy checking in on her blog.

Ok, so I put in a few pieces of advice ... and she used 2 of mine. SO, please GO HERE and vote for me! I voted for #4 ... I don't think I'll get to pool the votes for me. It's either/or. ;)

I wouldn't say I've turned into a health nut (I just ate my tiny raisin cinnamon rolls), but I certainly am motivated to keep my body from falling apart in 50-ish years, that's the ideal.

Washington D.C. — random

From a sampler platter at Capital City Brew!


National Cathedral Shrine-thingy.


Union Station.


Outside the Armenian Catholic Church.


Awesome-looking fire station across the street from our hotel.

Random, I know. But then again, so am I.

Washington D.C. — Newseum

YAY!!!!!!! this was the BIG thing I wanted to do in DC. Yup, I'm a NEWS NERD!!!! :)


But when I saw the Newseum was close to where we would be, I totally INSISTED on going inside.


It was exciting to see the "today's front pages" feature out front. It's interesting to see how different papers across the country display the news in different ways.


This is a powerful visual. All of the green is countries who have freedom of the press. Yellow has semi-freedom. Red has no freedom of the press. It was incredibly powerful to stand back and look at this wall ... and all I could think was how lucky/blessed we are to have the freedom we have.


There are plenty of awesome journalism quotes ... here are a few (but my favorite remains "if your mother says she loves you, check it out."):






And this editorial cartoon cracked me UP!


With the promise of a dog for the Obama girls, there was an entire gallery of presidential pooches. :)


And here's the view from the top of the Newseum. Totally WORTH the price of admission. Oh, and for all of you journalists, you get a little b it of a break on the admission price for being under-paid in a thankless job. Did you ever think there'd be a perk for being a journalist? :)


And there was some displays on those who put their way in the way of possible harm to bring the news around the world.


Last one today is for my sister:

Working on the 101 list — Crunchy Chicken and Fruit Salad

So I had some leftover chicken and needed a quick and easy recipe. Enter, Crunchy Chicken and Fruit Salad from BH&G. :)

Of course, here's the list of the new recipes I've tried so far:
Dec. 21 — Peanut Butter Pancakes
Dec. 31 — Calzones
Jan. 9 — Braised Brussell Sprouts + Pork Chops with a creamy herbed sauce
Jan. 14 — Black Bean Burritos
Jan. 18 — Hot Chocolate Mix
Jan. 29 — Ham and Bean Soup
Feb. 1 — Macaroni Salad
Feb. 14 — Focaccia Bread
Feb. 17 — Honey Glazed Chicken
Feb. 27 — Potato Soup
March 4 — Crunchy Chicken and Fruit Salad

... WOW ... one week left!!!!!!

Washington D.C. — Capitol

Look familiar?


I'm just missing the President in the picture (I DID, however, see the Presidential motorcade whilst having a pint at a local Irish Pub!). If I'd been at the top of my game, I'd have had my buddies take a photo of ME going up the steps. It just goes to show you what 24 hours on the bus one-way will do to a girl. Would you believe I was so desparate to sleep on the way back, I even tried to sleep on the floor? TRIED being the operative word. Ugh. I've had people ask me if I'd go back. The answer is yes, but I am old and cranky and it would take a LOT to get me to do the bus portion of the trip again. But I digress.


Another view of the same place:


Some fun during the tour. I couldn't decide if I liked it wider w/ 5 sun spots, or tighter w/ 3. So I give you both:




Hey! I recognize him! Good old Ike was hanging out in the area. :)


Some pretty ceilings:




And lastly ... check out this detail. It was on a light fixture. I just couldn't get over the thought that was put into some of these details. I think it's safe to say that doesn't happen as much nowadays. Too bad. I like these little gems you find.


ps-I've also updated my Web site ... and added some columns. :)