My Anderson Cooper Adventure

I made it to the lecture last night and as promised am sending a few pictures and a recap. I really wish I had better writing skills but will do my best to tell you all about my “Anderson Adventure”.

Anderson was a guest lecturer at an event sponsored the by the McCarthey Family Lecture Series. The McCarthey family has, for many years, tried to promote independent journalism in Utah. The programs stated, “The McCarthey family lecture series…In recognition of the vital role an independent press plays in a true democracy. The Series will host public lectures by journalists who have demonstrated the highest level of courageous, thoughtful and unbiased reporting.” In my opinion, having Anderson as a speaker was amazingly insightful. Needless to say, the audience was not your typical Utah group. The venue was full to overflowing. Mr. Em commented that there were people from ages 12 - 90. It was a great crowd to enjoy Anderson with.

A spokesman introduced Anderson (and told a few Yale jokes that had him chuckling). He reflected on Gloria’s advice that Anderson “follow his bliss”. He explained that the entire quote Gloria was referring to came from Joseph Campbell. Campbell stated, “When you follow your bliss... doors will open where you would not have thought there would be doors; and where there wouldn't be a door for anyone else.” The spokesman said he felt Anderson’s career was a prime example of how following your bliss had opened many doors. When the introduction was over and Anderson came to the podium he received a standing ovation. He seemed humbled and a bit embarrassed and begged us all to sit down.

I won’t go into great detail about the lecture. He spoke about trying to remain objective in his reporting and told many of stories most of us have heard before (i.e. how he became a journalist and covering stories like Burma, Somalia, Bosnia, Rwanda, and Katrina.) Anderson added more detail and personal observations to these stories than I had previously heard or read about. He interjected humor throughout his presentation and even had the 90 year old man sitting next to us chuckling on numerous occasions.

Anderson explained at the beginning of the lecture that he wanted to spend more time taking questions from the audience than lecturing because he thinks hearing other people’s questions and responding is much more interesting than listening to a lecture. True to his word, about 45 minutes into the lecture Anderson asked the audience to participate. Some questions were good, some people wanted to fawn over AC, some had an obvious agenda, and others just seemed to want to hear themselves speak. To his credit, regardless of the question, Anderson was extremely patient and polite. There was an older man who told him two jokes. I wish I had a picture because Anderson seemed delighted. Another woman added a humorous moment when she asked Anderson if he could take a message back to one of his colleagues. He said of course and she said, “Will you take a message to Wolf? Anderson laughed and said, “How did I KNOW it would be Wolf!” She told Anderson that during the election coverage Wolf had basically waved his hand toward Utah and said we all know that one will be red. She asked Anderson to tell Wolf he’d better watch closely because in the near future we would be turning this red state blue. That comment got a huge laugh and applause from the “independent” crowd.

Before I knew it, the MC was telling us Anderson could only take two more questions. At this point, the night got very exciting for me. Mr. Em asked me if I wanted to try to get closer to get better pictures. We moved to the edge of the room and he got me as close as he could. When the lecture was over, people began crowding the stage. I am only 5’2” so I couldn't’t see what was really happening. Apparently AC was going to take pictures and give autographs. I had brought “Dispatches” with me in case an opportunity arose. I am not the pushy sort so I really couldn't’t get close enough for an autograph and resigned myself to just getting a few snapshots. Suddenly Mr. Em said, “Give me your book.” The next thing I knew he was standing directly in front of Anderson speaking to him. (Before I describe the conversation I have to tell you Em is my nickname and my husband always refers to me using my given name which is obviously female!) According to Mr. Em, Anderson asked, “Who do I make this out to?” Mr. Em responded with my name. Anderson looked up at him like “Huh?” So Mr. Em said, “She’s my wife” and Anderson, “Oh, okay.” Mr. Em then gestured for me to come forward. Of course my shyness picked this exact moment to rear its ugly head. I could only look at Anderson and my husband and shake my head as if to say “no, that’s okay” and look down (In my defense I would have had to plow through a dozen people to get to them). AC thanked my husband for supporting CNN and him. My husband said it was very humble the way Anderson put CNN first and that he seemed like a genuinely nice person. (Note: he also told me, “Yes…Anderson’s eyes really are that blue”)

At this point in my long narrative, you are probably thinking my story is over - not quite. Anderson continued to take pictures and sign autographs. My husband said he thinks he probably signed over 200 autographs and took dozens of pictures with people. As he began to leave, an older gentleman came up to me and asked me if Anderson had signed my book and if he could see it. We then had a short discussion about Anderson writing another book. I told him my thoughts and he said I should email Anderson. This will never happen…darn that shyness! As we spoke, Anderson left out the back of the stage. My husband and I made our way out front and were walking across the campus to our car. As we passed the back door I made the comment that if I had been a little quicker maybe we could have seen him leave. Mr. Em said, “Look, he’s right there.” Sure enough, Anderson was walking down a sidewalk that ran diagonally to ours with a group of high school student who had served as ushers. I figured they would just walk on by. When they were about 5 feet away Anderson looked at us and nodded. I thought, “Em it is now or never!” So I said, “Thank you for the autograph” he nodded and I said, “My husband got it for me.” (Brilliant, I know, I know) To my utter surprise, Anderson looked at me and said, “Em (not the name he used), right?” I said, “Yes, my gosh you have a great memory.” He just chuckled and waved goodbye. Can you believe after signing all those autographs he actually remembered my name and what I was talking about? Truly amazing! As we walked behind him toward his limo you could hear him chatting and laughing with the kids. It was great!

I would like to add one more cute little anecdote. My husband is always a gentleman and opens my car door and makes sure I’m tucked securely in. As he was closing my door after I got in the car he stopped and leaned in and whispered, “Hey hon, Anderson Cooper said your name.” What more can I say, is he not the cutest? Anderson was everything I had imagined and more and, to my eternal amazement, Mr. Em is kind of something special himself!

Mr. Em summed up the entire evening by saying, “You know, Anderson really is a down to earth nice guy and what a great storyteller!” High praise indeed. Remember, this is coming from a man who is a sports fanatic and who rarely watches the news!

One last little tidbit. Anderson told us he had to return home to NYC because he was working tomorrow (Sunday). He had to complete a story he was doing for 60 Minutes on Michael Phelps for next week!

Hope you all enjoy my little story and know you can imagine what a great night is was for me. I felt fortunate on so many levels.