Yes, I've been asked for my autograph. I'm not bragging. Actually, I'm amazed. I may be on TV, but I'm certainly not a celebrity. In fact, most people who ask for my autograph don't even know my name.
So, why ask? Well, I'll make a confession now. The only people who actually ask for my autograph are children...usually very young ones.
So, lets review. These "fans" probably don't watch the news, they're under the age of ten, and they don't know my name. But...to them I am the "news lady." I love that title. When I started reporting more than six years ago, I was fascinated how so many people would refer to me as the news lady. I'm not Lauren, I'm not a reporter or journalist, or even 'hey you' -- I am the "news lady." By the way, that's the same title the adults use. So, for my "fans" that's all they need to know, because being the news lady means I carry a microphone and I'm on TV. For them, that's pretty cool.
Recently, I was bombarded by a pack of these fans while they were waiting at the bus stop. I was actually in the neighborhood for a vacant house fire with no injuries. These children saw the fire trucks and the crews in action, and then the TV crews showed up. Well, you can imagine their excitement! I was quickly surrounded and a dozen questions were fired my direction: "Why are you here?" "What happened?" "Is that your microphone?" "Is it on?" "Can I talk in the microphone?" In between, there are random comments as well. For example: "I'm going on a school trip today" or "I have a pet goldfish." And then...a young girl extends a pad and a pencil and asks for my autograph.
At that moment, I feel ridiculous. I know she doesn't know who I am -- but I always sign, because I think it would be more ridiculous not to. After all, she had the guts to fish out her pink pad and pencil and ask me with a sweet smile. And the truth is, I'm a little bit flattered. So what if she's eight years old. She thinks I'm cool!
Quite often when I show up on the scene, people aren't happy to see me. I've been yelled at, called a variety of names, threatened, and worse. So, I guess if I give out an autograph that's a pretty good day at work.
So, why ask? Well, I'll make a confession now. The only people who actually ask for my autograph are children...usually very young ones.
So, lets review. These "fans" probably don't watch the news, they're under the age of ten, and they don't know my name. But...to them I am the "news lady." I love that title. When I started reporting more than six years ago, I was fascinated how so many people would refer to me as the news lady. I'm not Lauren, I'm not a reporter or journalist, or even 'hey you' -- I am the "news lady." By the way, that's the same title the adults use. So, for my "fans" that's all they need to know, because being the news lady means I carry a microphone and I'm on TV. For them, that's pretty cool.
Recently, I was bombarded by a pack of these fans while they were waiting at the bus stop. I was actually in the neighborhood for a vacant house fire with no injuries. These children saw the fire trucks and the crews in action, and then the TV crews showed up. Well, you can imagine their excitement! I was quickly surrounded and a dozen questions were fired my direction: "Why are you here?" "What happened?" "Is that your microphone?" "Is it on?" "Can I talk in the microphone?" In between, there are random comments as well. For example: "I'm going on a school trip today" or "I have a pet goldfish." And then...a young girl extends a pad and a pencil and asks for my autograph.
At that moment, I feel ridiculous. I know she doesn't know who I am -- but I always sign, because I think it would be more ridiculous not to. After all, she had the guts to fish out her pink pad and pencil and ask me with a sweet smile. And the truth is, I'm a little bit flattered. So what if she's eight years old. She thinks I'm cool!
Quite often when I show up on the scene, people aren't happy to see me. I've been yelled at, called a variety of names, threatened, and worse. So, I guess if I give out an autograph that's a pretty good day at work.
