Hours of waiting and for the first sign.
Last Wednesday myself and two others set off to Dublin at the early hour of 4.30 just to get an interview for our new radio station Lash FM. We arrived in Dublin at 6.55 to find the car parks closed untill 7am. A first for me soon after parking we set across to the Eason bookstore wher we were greeted with a line of people from one end of the block all the way around the corner. A total of 1500 signings were written that day. It's no wonder when I finally got to meet the former leader of the super power the hand shake was soft with no real strength left. I feel I would not hold up as well as writers cramp is somethinf I'm awareof during my college studies. Clinton was still able to speak words of encouragement as he said "I hope you enjoy reading the book David and find some of my life stories just as interesting". It was short and to the point as the crowd was building behind me and the secret service men were forcing the line in a constant forward motion. It was now 11.30 and after all that waiting no interview but some good video footage of his entrance into Easons where he answered some questions, sadly we were not fortunate to have any remarks made to our camera.
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Next we set off back to the hotel where Clinton was staying and once passed the Secret Service men and Garda we settlet into the Octagon restraunt for a meal in the hopes of seeing Hillary who was also in the floors above us. Sadly we found the dinner was to be else-where so after a small meal we visited a few sights and headed home stopping in Kilkenny for a meal and arrivind home well after 8.00pm. It was an experience I will not forget and the experience of getting the story has a whole new meaning.
When we open the paper and scan the headlines we forget these stories were written by people who rise early travel long journies often across oceans only to feel the pain of getting nothing. On the rare days where a story happens in front of your eyes the opportunity refills the the passion of being the first with the news and seeing your name under the article on the pager of a national newspaper on hearing it broadcast over the radio waves.
This trip was the start of many to come and I hope the lifestyle will suit me withthe irregular hours and long days often resulting in getting nothing and then starting all over again the next day. I have great respect for those who survive in this jungle of news