FLOORED!

What some people know about me, but most don't, is that I have my Bachelors Degree in Journalism. I started off in theater, and when it kept me from hanging out with my dorm-mates on weekends, I gave it up and switched majors. What a mistake! Journalism was SO much harder. At the time, Penn State was a good Journalism school, but now it is a great one. Not like Columbia mind you, but it is respected at least.

The year I graduated, I had a 400-level Journalism class, where most of the assignments were to go to speeches and ask questions of those who were the speakers. It was very much like a press conference. We were told to watch the masters, to learn how they ask questions, and one of those mentioned was Tim Russert. I had no idea who this guy was. But now my brain was tuned and my ears perked whenever I heard the name. We had no internet back then, so it wasn't like I could just look him up on Google.

A few months went by and I graduated. I stayed in State College, PA and got a job, and then I heard that Tim Russert was the new host of Meet the Press. Rarely did I get up early enough to see the show, but when I did, I was FLOORED. It was about the time when Bill Clinton was running for his first term as president, and because of that, I became a political and news junkie, and Tim Russert was part of the drug.

I remember sitting on the edge of my seat during the 2000 elections as Mr. Russert sat at the NBC news desk talking about the vote count in Florida, and at one point he said how it was down to a 150 vote difference. His eyes were wide and his mouth ajar. His enthusiasm only added to the drama. He was amazing to watch.

That doughy face with the kind smile, as he asked questions that would make any professional politician squirm. I respected him. I didn't agree with his questioning of Hillary Clinton during one debate, but I still was FLOORED by his laser-like questions....just as much as I am FLOORED by his sudden death.

Goodbye sir......I wish I knew you....