When I first found out about the opportunity to go to Live8 and cover it I was excited but skeptical. But I decided to suspend my initial thoughts. I even wrote “I suspend my skepticism and give this action my trust.” I figured what the hell I’ll drive eight hours one way to get there, sleep, blog, podcast, then drive another eight hours home to North Carolina. (I had to come back fast to go to my engagement party thrown by my new in-laws!) All of this was worth the ACCESS. I thought it was worth the opportunity to interview some famous people about the problem of poverty in Africa.
Well…that didn’t happen. We didn’t receive backstage passes. What we got were “VIP” arm bands to get to the front of the stage. Nice, but I didn’t come to see music. It’s hard to talk shit about a party. A very big one, which brought joy to many.
The infuriating irony is I defended my positive attitude about “what Live8 could be” to another blogger in Philly. He was skeptical, but I insisted to look at the glass half full instead of half empty. What did I get for my trust? Not what was promised.
I appreciate Joe Trippi apologizing on his blog about the press passes problem. I know shit happens. But it was annoying and insulting to constantly be treated like a gate crasher when you were INVITED to write about something. I didn’t put up with as much as others. Albert has written about being harassed by security personal and pushed by a cop!
What I really got out of going to Philly was not planned at all. I met several awesome liberal Philly bloggers. (More about them in the next post.)
Here is the podcast I recorded just as I was about to leave Philadelphia. I was sunburnt, tired, angry, and not looking forward to the long drive home.
My advice to others who want Bloggers and Podcasters to cover their event: Don’t promise something you can’t provide.
What I learned from this: If your blogging for compensation (press passes). Get it upfront! Live 8
MP3 2m 944.9kb 64kbps