The Golden Ticket

By Katie Kim | January 19, 2009

Being a television reporter sometimes draws a lot of attention, especially when you're shooting a stand-up in a crowded area. I don't know, somewhere like the National Mall the day before Inauguration Day. People always want to be in the shot, waving and making funny faces. We weren't live, but people were just very drawn to the camera. Even though we have cameras and tripods that are much smaller than most stations, people take us very seriously. They think they can go home, flip on the TV and see me LIVE FROM WASHINGTON D.C. So, I'll see people take pictures of us out of the the corner of my eye or stare very intently at the ATVN logo on my mic flag to try to figure out which station we represent. I've gotten used to it.

But today was different. We've never gotten so much attention before. It's not because I was so great and so captivating. It's because I had something that most people don't have. Today Stacey helped me shoot THE stand-up with THE "golden" ticket...the Inauguration ticket! Stacey and I are staying with my uncle's family in Falls Church, VA, a 30-minute metro ride to the city. My uncle's wife has several tickets to the Inauguration and I had asked her if I could take it with us when we went out to the field. I was nervous about losing it or getting it stolen, but we took it anyway. Sure I knew people would want to see what it looked like, but I didn't anticipate how much attention it would actually draw.

It was ridiculous! After the first few takes, I thought people were just reacting the way they normally do to television reporters. But people would come up to me, asking "Can I just touch it?" or "Could you take my picture with it?" At one point, I really thought one guy was going to run off with it. I joked about it. He laughed and said, "You have my camera. I wouldn't do that. Or would I?"

The funniest moment came when a mother asked if her young daughter could take a picture with me. I was flattered and the girl was adorable. I laughed when the mom said, "Oh and the ticket too, of course!"

Of course...that's what everyone was gathering to see today anyways, not some reporter. But hey! If I was in their shoes, I'd do the same too!