Tonight was my first live shot here in Denver. Since we are a small news station we book our satellite time through CNN. They have a skybox that overlooks the convention floor. I raced to turn in my story and then headed over to the Pepsi Center for the shot.

A lot of people think being a part of television media is sort of glamorous. But that usually isn't true. (Okay maybe for the Katie C and Brian W's of the world.) You see we are actually stuck in a tent outside. It's called Media Pavillion 5. With tent living comes port-o-johns. So now do you believe me when I say the world of TV is never all that glamorous?

Anyway, back to the liveshot...I race up to the skybox and there are several of us television reporters sitting mere inches from each other--all talking at the same time! It's often hard to concentrate. Especially if your neighbor happens to be an international speaker, or a very loud speaker. We plug in what's called an IFB into our ear...and that's how we know it's our cue. I can hear the newscast playing in Erie right in my ear. CNN has a special IFB that goes in both ears because if not it would be impossible to hear any cues at all! Also, if you noticed we wear special microphones. They clip behind our ears and stay closer to our mouth so that you can hear us better. Some people say they look pretty funny.

After you get done your live shot you have to be extra careful that you don't move quickly from your position...because it's very easy to accidentally walk into another reporter or anchor's shot. We're really that close together...and as you can imagine my neighbor probably wouldn't be too happy if I ruined her live shot.

I mentioned yesterday that I'm pretty dorky--so now that the secret is out I'll tell you that I think it's pretty cool that the shot and sound travels so far into the sky before getting to you in Erie!