August 2, 2004

Hannah Anderson, a senior on the Purdue women's basketball team, will be working for NBC at both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions this summer. The 6-foot forward from West Lafayette, Ind., has decided to share stories from her time on the job in Boston and New York.

Final DNC Diary

The last two days of the DNC were the biggest yet. The committee brought in all the big stars: P. Diddy, John Mellencamp, Glenn Close and Ben Affleck. John Edwards spoke on Wednesday night, rallying the crowd for Thursday when John Kerry was to speak. I watched Edward's emotional "Hope is on the Way" speech from my trailer. As the night wore on I was starting to get tired. Eleven days of long hours were starting to wear on me. An end was in sight with just one more day of the DNC remaining.

Thursday was the final day of the convention, when Kerry was to make his acceptance speech. I saw him on the podium earlier that day making sure that everything was set up and that he could see where everything was. After being 20 feet away from Sen. Kerry I must say, he looks exactly like he does on T.V. That afternoon was slow. There were no problems, no emergencies, just a lot of answering phones. One of my buddies who is a runner for the "Today" show came over to the trailer and asked if I was busy. I said no, and then he said, "Well, if you aren't doing anything, there is an extra ticket to go to `The Daily Show,' and my boss thought you might want to go." Of course by this point in my trip, many people around the compound knew that I love the show and think that Jon Stewart is hilarious. What a way to spend an afternoon. The show was so funny (as always) and had a neat format. A warm-up comedian came out and entertained us, then Stewart came out and had a Q&A session before the show. The show made fun of the speeches from Wednesday night and it was such a hoot!

After the show, I went back to the FleetCenter to work the rest of the convention. The Fleet had closed down because it was overcrowded, so it was a hassle for me to get in. I had to fight my way through the crowds of upset people (which is never fun and I would never recommend doing so while in heels) until I got to the Secret Service man. I explained to him I was with the media and needed to get back to work and that I had no intention of going into the FleetCenter. He looked at me questioningly and asked, "If you work for the media, why aren't you already in the compound?" And I replied, "Because I just came from the taping of 'The Daily Show.'" He smiled and let me in. Whew, that was a relief.

Kerry was about to speak when I reached my trailer. My boss and co-workers were all huddled around the T.V. and had saved me a seat. We watched. At the end of his acceptance, when all of the confetti and balloons are supposed to fall, there was a malfunction. The balloon trigger was jammed, so half of the balloons that were up in the ceiling were never released. I don't think many people noticed, but it was a shame because so many people had worked hard to blow up the balloons.

Immediately after Kerry's speech was over and people were allowed in, my comm. team stormed the FleetCenter. Tear down was beginning. We worked hard carrying down printers, faxes, computers, and of course, phones! I finally got home at about 1:30 a.m. The next morning at the compound came early. The other runners and I not only worked on phones, but the whole compound. Trash, thumbtacks, sweeping, table and chair removal - you name it, we did it! I had just enough time to finish up, get my luggage and catch my plane. I had some delays making it home, but I finally made it back safe and sound to W.L. My life now returns to normal, with workouts and my other job. And now I have to save up energy and money for the Republican National Convention in NYC! I think part of the reason why I am looking forward to more time with my co- workers is because everyone works together. I never felt like I was un- important, or that executives ignored me because I wasn't a full time employee. It was quite the opposite. No one had an ego, so it was easy to talk and socialize with everyone there. We all had to have a 'get along' kind of approach to being with others, and I know that my sports background helped me fit in. I have only a few weeks to go ... and my countdown is ticking. Please check back on my RNC Reports from New York!

Diary #6, July 27

Today was a great day. I started off my morning doing an interview for Cold Pizza! Everyone there was fantastic. The producers and the talent were both professional and fun. Kit Hoover interviewed me and she was awesome. She was wearing a suit that I own, just in a different color. I got to sit in the makeup chair and have the makeup artist powder my nose. She even touched up my hair. Everything about it was memorable!

Yesterday was a long day. I put in 12.5 hours of exhaustive work...and it was so much fun! I ran into Larry King, saw John Stewart from afar, and even got a photo with John Cusack. Could it be any better?!

Hannah Anderson (far right) gets her picture taken with actor John Cusack at the Democratic National Convention.

Some of the people I work with knew that one of my goals this convention is to meet John Stewart. So, as a joke, they took a picture of his arm and enlarged it. I guess that will be the closest opportunity for a photo-op I will get. Aren't my co-workers amusing?

I also got to go out on the floor and hear Al Gore speak. The floor was so crowded with media and delegates that it took me 10 minutes to find a place to stand and listen. Bill and Hillary Clinton also spoke, but I had work to do and couldn't stay. I did manage to keep up on a TV in our trailer.

Today Ron Reagan is speaking as well as Howard Dean and Mrs. Kerry. The delegates were in attendance and having a blast. The convention is basically a four day pep- rally. Music, dancing, speaking, and all the action and hype leads up to Kerry's acceptance speech. I am still working on phones and any problems that arise.

I'm having a blast, especially after this morning! Just two more days then on to the RNC!!!!

Diary #5, July 25

Last night's media party was an absolute blast! There was a Ferris wheel, people in exotic carnival costumes, electric cars and tons of food. This was by far the most extravagant party that I have ever attended! The party cost the city $700,000, and there were 100 chefs, 70 city restaurants, and 1,000 guests. As if that wasn't enough to knock your socks off, Boston even had Little Richard make a surprise performance! He came out in a fabulous sequined outfit and sang all of his hits. I had so much fun dancing that I managed to break in my new heels in one night. This must be a record!

Today started out as a usual day, but then I had an abrupt change in plans. I was in the control unit observing the directors and producers practicing for Nightly News. Out of nowhere, the director asked me to run up to the anchor booth to be Tim Russert's stand in. They needed someone to sit in the desk so they could work on camera angles and other "blocking" for the show. Well, I had to run to the FleetCenter, go through security, and scamper up five flights of stairs (thank goodness I wore my tennis shoes)! Once up there and incredibly out of breath (don't tell Coach Curry), I found my way to the anchor booth. The floor director put a mic on me and had me sit while he adjusted lighting, my seat, etc. Well, not five minutes passed before Tom Brokaw came in and sat down next to me! I didn't know I was going to be blocking for Nightly News WITH Tom; I thought it was just going to be random people sitting at the desk! So, as Tom ran through his news program, I pretended to be Tim, and we had such a blast. When Tom was done with his part, I got to chat with Brian Williams for a while. Talk about an afternoon!

Security has been increased and is so tight I couldn't even bring in my umbrella or my morning coffee into the FleetCenter! Lets just say I NEED my morning coffee, so I was quite upset. They have metal detectors at every entrance, and of course, the Secret Service searches your bags.

The DNC starts tomorrow, so there is quite a buzz around our camp! Tom is doing an interview with Jon Stewart tomorrow, so I am going to try to be "conveniently" near the anchor booth. I love the Daily Show, so being near the anchor booth will be just as important as making sure the phones and fax machines are up and running.

Diary #4, July 23

Today the day started with a stop at Kinko's to pick up the laminated phone list. My com-buddies and I have been working on the list for three days. I was so elated to pick up all 350-phone lists knowing that there could be no more adjustments. After grabbing a most fabulous cup of coffee, my day at the NBC compound was ready to begin. Once at the trailer I learned that the materials in the anchor booth were not approved by the fire department. No one had done testing to see if the materials in the booth were flame retardant or not. So basically if the materials did not pass the fire code, we were going to have to tear down EVERYTHING in the anchor booth and start all over. This was causing massive panic among all of the producers and communications people because the DNC is right around the corner. Well, shortly thereafter a memo got sent all around the compound saying that the materials used in the construction of the anchor booth were indeed flame retardant. This was terrific news.

Later on in the day I checked ring downs and direct lines for Tom Brokaw (T-Bone) and Tim Russert (`Lil Russ). I also helped check phones and fax machines in the anchor booth (after it was found to be flame retardant) to make sure that everything was functioning properly.

The floor of the FleetCenter is unrecognizable. Everything is carpeted, lighted, wired, and hooked up. Details are so important on the floor. Today I walked by a guy who had a little paintbrush and a can of brown paint. He was painting the base of the podium that was holding up the computer for vote tabulation. I mean, who would think that little nicks on the bottom of a podium that no one will see is getting touched up just so everything looks perfect? The main stage is still being constructed, but the balloons and confetti are all in place up at the top of the arena. Chairs are all out for the delegates; the sections for VIP are already marked off, and of course all of the networks have their places too. So many people are all working together to try to make everything perfect, and everyone is working as a team. That makes it very easy for me to fit in.

Tonight is a security sweep, so we got to go home early! No one will be allowed in or around the Fleet Center until tomorrow afternoon. Later tomorrow after work we all get to go to a media party. All networks get to go, and the wonderful city of Boston is picking up the tab. We will finally be able to relax and cut the rug!

Diary #3, July 21

Wow! So much has happened in the past few hours. The communications department has had so many deadlines to meet in order to prepare for all of the NBC networks coming in later this week.

Today was dedicated to labeling all phones in the press trailer, making gi-normous, wall-sized phone lists, and calling Kinko's in order to do some laminating (talk about price negotiation; those guys are tough!!!). I also had to find enough phones to cover all of the trailers that still need them, and am still short a few for MSNBC (don't tell Chris Matthews).

Over lunch today with my new com-buddy, Jolie, we saw Tom Brokaw arrive to the NBC compound shortly before he would need to use his phone/fax machine that we had worked on the day before. Clearly, Tom could not survive without our telecom expertise (wink wink) What a rewarding feeling. I can't wait until tomorrow because we are going to work in the FleetCenter on the anchor booth. I'm sure much progress has been made since my last visit. I'll keep you posted.

Diary #2, July 19

Hello!! I had a fabulous day and I can't wait to tell you all about it! Today was my first day on the job. This morning I successfully caught the train (also called the "T") and made it from my dorm at Boston University and to the FleetCenter. Once there, I filled out some paperwork and got my photo taken for my ID/security card. It was raining this morning so my hair wasn't looking its best; let's just say that I won't be showing my ID to anyone after the DNC (Democratic National Convention)!

After getting settled and meeting all of the other runners, we took a tour around the FleetCenter. The parking lot has been turned into a compound of trailers, and every major network covering the convention has its own area of trailers as well. There isn't a lot of extra space, but with so many people, everything is well organized. Inside the FleetCenter the entire floor, court and all, has been recovered with wood and carpeting. The main stage is still being constructed, as is NBC's anchor booth. It will be very interesting to see everything change and fall together as the DNC gets closer.

After the tour and some lunch, I met my boss. Her name is Bambi Tascarella. She is such an incredible worker and person that her co-workers say, "She puts the "B" in NBC." Bambi took me around the telecommunications trailer in the NBC compound, which is my work center. Inside the trailer is all of the circuits and telephone systems for the entire NBC network. My first assignment was to go and work with the phone systems. I set up phones and assigned numbers for executives for Nightly News and Tom Brokaw. Mr. Brokaw and the other executives aren't coming until later this week, but they will find their communication systems in working order when they do. Today I also constructed a phone list for the main NBC phone numbers. The list is just the first version, so I'm sure that there will be more adjustments tomorrow.

Today for a first day was fantastic! It was so great meeting everyone and getting associated with my new work location!

Stay tuned!

Diary #1, July 17

Background: Last November I was talking with our family friend and Purdue alum Rita Zawisza, who also works in the John Purdue Club. She told me about the opportunity to be a "runner" for NBC at the presidential conventions. The job I was applying for was setting up all telecommunications for the conventions. I was really excited to apply because I would get the opportunity to have experience in my field of study. I didn't hear back from NBC until May. The e-mail said I was still a candidate and they would let me know if I got the job shortly thereafter. Then in early June, my future boss, Bambi Tascarella, called me and told me I got the job! I was so excited!!! So, more e-mails were exchanged, itineraries were sent out, and soon my flight was booked. The Democrats kick things off first in Boston, and then the Republicans finish up in New York City. I leave on the 18th and start work on the 19th. All runners are staying at Boston University, and the Democratic Convention is being held at the FleetCenter. Tomorrow I meet my roommates.

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