Today, I got a chance to cover the Vanderbilt-Middle Tennessee State baseball game in Murfreesboro. It turned out to be a good experience because the game ended late, and it put me up against the deadline. The game started at 7 p.m. but didn't end until 10:30 or so. That gave me about 30 minutes to send the web story, go get quotes from the coaches and then finish my story for the paper before the 11 p.m. deadline. Very hectic time there, but I got through it. Now, I know how all those sportswriters felt when I was covering games for the radio station, and they were falling all over themselves after a game that ended close to their deadline. I missed a dinner with the other Fellows and our guest for the week. But for the experience I received, it was well worth it.

Today was easier than yesterday. The story I had to cover was about bureaucracy rather than a crime spree, so it was different and more focused and self-contained. A bridge is being rebuilt and the diverting of traffic is causing some problems around downtown Nashville. I went looking for a story and found one. Construction could be completed three months sooner than scheduled because the contractor has a track record of finishing jobs early and stands to gain a $300,000 bonus. I later discovered that I was the first in the newsroom to learn that information. So I had scooped some news. It felt good. I made phone calls and went to the construction site, learning a bit about the mechanics of bridge building, though none of this went into my story. It was good background information, which I kept in my head as I reported. One additional pleasure was that I simply like construction sites and the site of cranes reminded me of one of my favorite novels, "The Lost Language of Cranes" by David Leavitt. It was a good assignment. The editing process was OK, but by the time the editor was finished, I no longer recognized many of the words as my own. It was odd and disconcerting, although I knew he was doing this for the sake of brevity. I just sat there and observed. I think I learned.

Today was another one of those days when I just had to pull it together. I was assigned to work on a story about a possible delay in the commuter rail line reaching its summer launch date. But this issue is ambiguous and complex. I'm still trying to digest everything at this very moment. I'm trying to find a way to take myself out of the story's vortex without losing the story's essence. That'll be an obstacle I will have to face tomorrow. Until then, I'll just do what Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions said to do in one of their most inspirational songs: "Keep on Pushing.'"

I experienced another whirlwind of a day and came away with four impressionable thoughts. First, flexibility and adaptability are my new set of twin friends. They can save a person's sanity. I ended up starting one assignment and another was given to me mid-stream. Second, it really is about the story and not me. So a good attitude is always important no matter what assignment you get, and each assignment affords me another opportunity to broaden my knowledge about the workings and people on this planet. Third, I had a bit of a humorous moment while trying to shift gears from one story to the other. I had called several sources on both assignments and once found myself interviewing one of them about the wrong subject. Indeed, working more than one story at the same time can be challenging but definitely creates an opportunity to enhance my efficiency and depth as a reporter. Fourth, I should throw away my watch because reporting is on another time frame. All of this reinforces for me that I have made the right choice to pursue journalism as a career. Thanks much for the opportunity!

Today started on a frustrating note. I told you how they squashed the bear story. Well, what did I see on the front page of the paper this morning? A bear story. Someone decided late Monday night that this story needed to be in today's newspaper. So they got a stale AP story and ran it. I actually had the dead girl's father on the phone. I could have given them a fresh perspective right from the source. I immediately went to the weight room and pounded the heavy bag for a while. Later on, I spoke to Assistant City Editor Aldrin Brown about my disappointment — in a tactful and respectful manner, of course. I know having a story pulled comes with the territory, but I would be lying if I told you I wasn't upset. Aldrin gave me another assignment to track down people associated with a Tennessee Titans football player rumored to be connected to a recent drug bust. So far, the district attorney is not talking, saying the entire matter is under investigation. I am going to contact the player's agent tomorrow. Meanwhile, Davidson AM Editor Cindy Smith also gave me an assignment, and I am looking forward to completing it.