Chapter Two

To make up for being gone for so long.

Warning: Still a work in progress and still fiction. A big, giant bag of fiction.

When my own eyes met those with a shocking blue gaze, I knew it was him. I could feel the pace of my heart quicken and I swallowed hard. I was sitting across from Anderson Cooper. The Anderson Cooper. What the hell was I going to do now? I couldn’t very well leave, now that I was sitting across from him, but I couldn’t walk back in the dark either.
I decided I would catch a cab back to the hotel; probably a smart idea, seeing as I wasn’t really sure how to get back. I got myself something cool to drink, my mouth inexplicably dry, and picked up my book so I would at least appear as though I were reading. I didn’t want it to be blaringly obvious that I was staring him the entire time. Despite my best efforts, it was entirely obvious that I wasn’t reading at all. Anderson raised his head and looked straight at me, his face showing he knew he was being watched. I blushed before quickly turning to face my book, away from those piercing blue eyes.
I kept my gaze on the pages in front of me, not moving, barely breathing, hoping he wouldn’t notice me as I shrunk into my chair as I heard the footsteps approaching. I refused to look up as they grew nearer and stopped what seemed only inches from me. I could see only a pair of black boots and faded jeans when I heard someone speak to me.
“Do you have a problem?”
It was a genuine question, I couldn’t detect any sarcasm or anger in the voice. I raised my head, confused. Blue eyes stared back at mine.
“What?”
“Do you have a problem? You’ve been sitting, reading that book for the last twenty minutes and you haven’t turned the page once. Either you can’t read or you’re staring at me. I suspect that it’s the latter.”
I blinked and realized that I hadn’t turned the page. I’d been looking at the same sentence for the last twenty minutes, unable to concentrate and too busy staring. I lowered my eyes, embarrassed that I’d been caught.
“So, why were you staring at me then?”
“I was hoping to use my mind powers to draw you over here to talk to me. It worked,” I laughed at myself. “But really, it’s much less interesting than the idea of mind powers. I came here on my summer vacation from university. I chose New York partially because of that building over there,” as I pointed towards the CNN building. “I’ve admired you specifically, Mr. Cooper, for a while, both as a journalist and a person. I’m taking journalism in school and you’ve become sort of like my ideal reporter and given me something to aim for. Not to mention, you’re really not that hard on the eyes.”
A smile crept slowly along his face while he paused to think.
“I figured you weren’t from around here. You smell like tourist. And please, call me Anderson. Mr. Cooper sounds so old.”
“Alright… Anderson,” acknowledging the invitation of familiarity.
“So where are you from? And what really takes you so far from home?”

Friday, July 28th's Show

I have to admit, I only watched about 10 minutes of Friday night's broadcast. I was at a friend's and since John Robert's was in for Andy, we decided to watch cartoons and celebrity gossip instead. What can I say? I have the attention span of a gnat and I'm sorry but John Roberts creeps me out. Though, I'm glad someone took that man's mascara away. When he's in the studio, he looks like the guy in Clockwork Orange.

One big note I wrote down was "Anderson: MIA. WTF?! Where's Anderson?!"

Thursday, July 27th's Show

On Thursday's show, the focus was on a new Al Qaeda tape that had surfaced. The second in command for AQ, Al Zawahiri, decalred that Al Qaeda would not stand by while Israel pounded southern Lebanon and offered their help.

Al Qaeda had been trying to recruit in Lebanon and Palestine, but wasn't successful. Hezbollah strongly opposes Al Qaeda and its attacks on America, describing themselves as a national resistance, not a religious one.

There was also a Reporter's Notebook. I really do love hearing Anderson reflect about what it's like to be reporting on the story and getting inside his mind. I'm really bad for people watching and listening to people's conversations on the sidewalk, or in a mall, so the Reporter's Notebooks have kind of become like a private conversation almost. I find humanity incredibly intriguing, the way we think and what we do and say.

Wednesday, July 26th's Show

I know I've been slacking hardcore on updating, BUT! I have all of notes in front of me, which I'm really rather glad I started taking or I wouldn't have anything to update with now. Hopefully, I will get all of the updates finished tonight. Unrelated mention: Coop has updated his blog.

On Wednesday's show, my favourite part was certainly the interview with Nic Kristof, a reporter and photographer for the New York Times. I became incredibly excited once I heard mention of his name, because I recognized it from his work in Darfur, something that I'm very involved with and unfortunately always takes a back seat. He was there to present the opposing view to Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Dan Gillerman.

What Nic said I completely agreed with. It was like he was talking for me. He said that by killing terrorists, we create more, a sentiment I share and have voiced on more than one occasion. By underestimating the power of nationalism, Israel is hurting its own interests and uniting the Arab world against it, which it really needs no help at doing. It's creating more anti-Israel senitment. That's what I see happening.

The one thing that Nic's opponent, Dan Gillerman, said that really stuck in my mind was that a response shouldn't be measured by Hezbollah's actions, but rather by the threat it poses. Kind of pre-emptive, you know? Very current American administrative thinking. Another thing he said that stuck out as incredibly "George Bush" logic, is that Hezbollah is a slippery slope, they could have biological and nuclear weapons if they're not stopped... This line of thinking frightens me so much. Measure by threat as opposed to action? Really? That's scary. Honest to god terrifying. Threat is so subjective. Who determines what defines being a "threat?" The dog down the street that barks viciously at me when I walk past is a threat, should I kick it or throw things at it? See what I mean by subjective? Not that Hezbollah doesn't pose a threat, because it really does, but the idea that a response should be measured on something so undefined scares me.

Chapter One

Warning: A work in progress. It is an fanfiction, keyword being fiction, entirely based on my own version of reality and not actual reality. I have never been to New York, I have never met Anderson Cooper, and I doubt I ever will. It is fiction, people, fiction!

I was sitting in a café across the street from my hotel. I had only arrived in New York the previous night and needed to get out of the room for a little while. I hadn’t planned anything for the day, only to situate myself and maybe wander a little bit. I brought my book du jour along with me so I could read while sipping a café mocha and enjoying the atmosphere of anonymity. In the book I was reading, Fury by Salman Rushdie, the main character had come to New York to escape from himself. I wondered if I had come for the same reasons. No, I came to New York to explore, to find something. I wasn’t sure what I was looking for, or if I’d find it there, but New York seem as good a place as any to start.
When I finished my drink, I slipped Fury into my purse and headed to the street to wander aimlessly. I wanted to enjoy the city, not fall into all of the usual tourist traps. I wanted to feel connected, to feel alive and feel the pulse of a city so completely different than my own. I wanted that brief feeling of oneness with a stranger when you brush against one another on a busy sidewalk, because now you’re as much of part of their life as they are in yours. New York was really an ideal place to start.
I walked briskly to keep pace with those surrounding me; contemplating the hurriedness of life, the difference in attitude to home. Home was so slow, so calm and relaxed even at the core. I could walk along a busy downtown street and stop to admire a building, or look inside a shop’s window without feeling as though I were in the way. This was like another world, a world I felt I needed to be a part of for a while.
My little jaunt across the city took me to somewhere vaguely familiar; strange in a place I had never been before. I looked around, searching for a street sign, or maybe a building that could tell me where I was. People rushed by as though I weren't there at all. Eerily comforting as I gazed at my surroundings. I noticed some recognizable features and giant red lettering that declared that I stood in front of the CNN building. Interesting my feet would take me here. Although I had intentions to go inside, today was not that day. I looked along the sides of the street again, this time for a coffee shop to rest at before heading back the way I had come.
I spotted one not far away, taking my book and myself inside to relax for a minute. I sat reading, my drink nearby, as the time passed. I glanced up to notice the sun had begun to sink behind the buildings in the distance; evening was beginning to set it. It was then as I gazed out the window, I noticed something else I recognized.
His head was craned over a laptop, a cup of what I assumed to be coffee not far out of reach. He looked completely engulfed in whatever it was that was keeping him busy, his silver hair the only thing clearly visible. I sat there blinking, thinking to myself that it was impossible for it to be him. I mean, what were the odds? But I knew those lines, that silhouette and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I knew him. Trying not to blatantly stare, I glanced towards him, waiting for that face and those unmistakable eyes to confirm my suspicions.

Wallpapers

Because I said I would. I made these to use for my own computer, both measure 1024 by 700-whatever. Hopefully they'll tide you over until I can get the time to actually blog again :P It's looking like that might be Monday. I'm not going to be home for the rest of the day, and I won't be home again until Sunday. I may go the beach that day. Ah, summer. Anybody watch The Colbert Report last night? The interview with the Washington DC congresswoman made me laugh SO hard.

Woooah..

I haven't blogged all day! I'm sorry. I've just been out... It's too late now to start blogging. I'll keep going until the show is on and just well... I'd like to finish my thoughts at one time. So, instead, I'll leave with some little side notes, upon which I may elaborate tomorrow. Also, definitely started writing an Anderfic.

• US support for Israel hurting their diplomacy in the region? Yes! Most Arab nations hate Israel, duh!
• Sexy, sexy bullet proof vest.
• So love him in blue, but he looks exhausted.
• Love the faded jeans and boots.
• Yates not guilty, insane.
• 24/7 coverage. Really?
• Washington court upholds ban on gay marriage. Are they cracked?
• $55,000 net profit per minute for British Petroleum.
• The "human problem." Ha.
• Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert genius.

Getting personal...

Anderson has blogged once again. I enjoy reading things that he has written. Apparently, there's a book by Anderson, or at least has mention of his name on it, at Chapters. I must go and check it out soon. I think he has certainly inherited some of his writing talent from both of his parents. This morning I finished reading A Mother's Story by Gloria Vanderbilt. Her writing reminded me of Anderson's. It was so personal. So full of feeling and life. I cried a lot while reading it. It was a sad cry, but also tremendously heartwarming and filled with love.

There was one particular passage that I fell in love with as soon as I read it. It was after Wyatt had been moved into intensive care after his series of heart attacks.

Later, when I was permitted to see Daddy – he was stretched out, his eyes closed, as though dead, surrounded by machines with their chilling staccato beeping, each machine connected to another tube, pounding out indecipherable codes – I took his hand and said, “I love you.” He opened his eyes and looked straight at me. “I know you do,” he said. It was a blessing – the greatest thing he had ever said to me.
There had been times in the sixteen years we had been together, times when we were close, times when I couldn’t break out of the glass bubble when we hadn’t been, times when I thought he didn’t know how much I loved him. But I did. And when he said “I know you do” – I knew that he understood and loved me as no one else ever had.

But enough about Gloria! On to the Coop blog!

I'm always amazed by the simple methods humanity has devised to kill one another.

Something that I have thought about many, many times, Mr. Cooper. I'd elaborate, but that would require me to get my journal from my room. Far too long a walk, now that I've started. So now it's time to discuss last night's broadcast.

The big story last night was the UN observation post in Southern Lebanon hit by an apparent Israeli air strike, and Kofi Annan stating that it was "apparently deliberate." Well, isn't that just interesting? The UN has released that it appeared to be an ariel bomb, those which only Israel possesses. Israel had been conducting air strikes around the area, which has resulted in approximately 14 close calls. A UN general has told the Israeli army about the observation post, about the close calls and to protect the post. That worked really well, didn't it? If it were a rougue missile being shot at from across the border, I could see it hitting the post. But an air strike? When you've been warned about it being there? That seems incredibly suspicious to me. Maybe it is incredibly clever ploy by Hezbollah to attempt making the Israelis look bad in public opinion, I don't know. I still refuse to trust either side.

Another thing that bothers me almost as much as two dead UN observers is why is it necessary for the US to agree to a peaceplan? They're supplying Israel with missiles, for crying out loud! They are outnumbered in international talks, calling for the disarming of Hezbollah before there can be a complete cessation of hostilities. Pretty much everyone else wants a ceasefire to work on the humanitarian crisis, and address the cessation of hositilies. It doesn't make sense to me why the Americans are holding everything back. The US and Britain have already stated that they will not be able to committ troops to an international ground force, though they do support one being deployed, so what is it that is making everyone hold back from going forth with a ceasefire? Is the rest of the world actually, honest-to-god, intimidated by the United States? Are they afraid of what they could do (and I'm thinking more along the lines of sanctions and withdrawing aid than military action) if they disagree and ignore American sentiment? I just don't understand and I'd like to. I think I need to converse with P. Stoffer and J. Stoffer about said issue, and possibly get some insight into the dynamics.

As much as I'm enjoying the coverage on the Middle East crisis, and how intriguing I find it, it's becoming rather repetitive. It seems like they're coming back to the same points, the same people over and over again. How many times can you say the same thing before it's too much? Let's just ask the HeadOn people. They seem to have a formula, which now includes ActivOn.

A sidenote on Iraq: The Tigris River, one part of the Cradle of Civilization, has become a prime spot to dispose of bodies. This reminded me of the Ganges in India, where the people believe in the holiness of the Ganges' waters, and let the bodies go with love. It made me think, has the Tigris become the Unholy Ganges?

Reporter's Notebook 1

I know this picture has been making the rounds, but the more I see it, and the more I watch the show, the more worried I get. Coop is getting seriously thin. Unhealthy thin. Borderline Calista Flockhart thin. It frightens me a little bit. It's time for him to come home. He looks tired, unhealthy and he's started stuttering an awful lot. He stuttered and slurred his words a lot last night. Not to mention, he said that Nic was in Baghdad instead of Beirut. Maybe that was just Freudian slip, but Coop looks like he needs some sleep. And maybe a Big Mac and fries. Last night, I started taking notes and ideas down while I was watching the show. I ended up with five pages of notes, two front and back and one front. I also took down a headline which caught my eye.

I enjoyed the Reporter's Notebook last night. I like listening to Coop's voice juxtaposed with images. He's incredibly reflective during them, which makes me wonder when he has time to think. I've also come to the conclusion that Coop is an adrenaline junkie. He talked about the adrenaline during Reporter's Notebook. While most people get their fix BASE jumping, Coop gets his in war zones. But whatever works. When they went Inside Hezbollah this time, the look on Coop's face was priceless when the ambulances began. He looked entirely amused by the show and I can only imagine the thoughts going on in his head.

Something that frightens me was the mention of white phosphorus in Israeli weapons. Hezbollah claims that Israel is targetting civilians, but Israelis say that Hezbollah forces are in civilian residences. So how do we really know who's right? It's a propaganda war on both sides. You have to pick through and discern for yourself which side is telling the truth, and honestly, I don't think I trust either side that much. One thing that General Marks mentioned that caught my attention was that Hezbollah may withdraw from the advancing Israeli troops in order to recoup and "survive another day." They may do that, though I don't see them surrendering.

Condi still frightens me. Her trip essentially did nothing. Just showed us what a horrible fashion sense she has. That suit? Complete disaster. She's a tall, thin lady, but that suit did nothing for her figure (which I'm not even sure she has because her clothes are just bad). The suit coat honestly looked like it was designed for a man. It came down far past her hips, and was wide enough to fit a line backer in. Seriously, Condi, get a taylor for the love of god.

The headline that caught my eye: Israeli missile hit two Red Cross ambulances in Southern Lebanon. Really? I bet the Arab media are having a field day with that one. I watched CNN this morning, and there was no mention of it. Last night, it was only on the scroll along the bottom. That's seriously like a BIG thing. You don't just accidentally hit Red Cross ambulances and get away with it. You can see the pro-Israeli spin in the American media. No matter what Israel or Hezbollah does, there's always this "but..." afterwards that spins it appropriately. And am I the only person who finds it odd, and strinkingly scary, that the United States is giving $30 million dollars in aid to Southern Labanon, but then providing the Israelis with "bunker busting" bombs? Isn't that a conflict of interest or something? You don't give people bombs to blow up others and then help those on the receiving end of your bombs.

I'm fired

Ha, I love this picture.

Okay, I have to admit something to you guys. I went out yesterday. I went out, and I didn't get to watch all of AC360. I know, I know. I'm fired. Too bad I'm my own boss, huh?

So the war on my whites has ended. The only casualty was my brand new, white linen skirt >.> I only wore it a few times and already, it's dead. The bleach ate the fabric making it so thin it tore. It seems every thing else is okay though, which I suppose is good.

So, Condi has finally made her visit to the Middle East. MSNBC is calling it a "surprise" visit. Really? It's a surprise? Because I recall CNN reporting that it was planned for Sunday. I suppose that it was on Monday was the surprise then. But whatever. MSNBC is best for celebrity fashion watch, which I enjoy far too much, much like the girls at Go Fug Yourself.

Anywho, Coop is going to be reporting from Haifa, Israel this evening, according to the AC360 site. I'm glad he'll be out of Beirut, not that Haifa is much better. But, it does say to me that they're getting ready to head out of the area. Hopefully, he'll be either in the Congo or New York by the end of the week.

He does wear the same shirt

Andy was definitely wearing the same shirt last night as he wore on Friday night, so I'm not imagining it. Olive coloured, two pockets and little button things on the shoulders.

I need to start keeping a notebook of all of my thoughts and things while I watch the show. I have a lot of things that run through my head, different ideas and opinions, and things that just catch my eye. This blog I think will become sort of like a practice ground for some journalistic/political ranty stuff and may come in handy when I go to declare my major in my second year. It's nothing formal, but will give me a place to stretch my wings, so to speak.

I watched last night's show in the living room with my parents, completely fawning over Anderson. I usually don't watch it with them, usually in my room by myself, because they talk a lot and I actually like to hear what's going on. That way I can start to formulate roughly what I may want to write about in here. My dad also has a tendency to say things that just... Well, it almost sounds like he doesn't think through what he's saying but I know that he is. I guess we just have different thought processes.

Last night, dad asked why all Anderson covers is the war in the Middle East, which was easy enough to explain. But then, when they started speaking about Hezbollah and the high amount of civilian casualities, my dad had to throw in that the Lebanese brought it upon themselves, and if you harbour terrorists, what else can you expect? He doesn't understand why you wouldn't inform and give these people up to the government. Dad and I have had discussions like this before. People don't inform on terrorists or the "bad guys" for the same reason we all turn our heads when we know someone is stealing, or let's say selling drugs. They're not hurting us, so what does it matter? To the Shi'a Lebanese, Hezbollah has built schools, hospitals and taken care of them above and beyond that of the Christian and Sunni government. Not only is Hezbollah not hurting those who harbour them, they're helping them, essentially buying their support. And honestly, how is that any different than what governments and organizations do here? I'm pretty sure that $400 tax rebate given out in Alberta was a huge support buyer/mainstayer.

I have a hard time discussing things with my father. I know how he was raised, at least the attitudes of the time, so I can understand some of why he thinks the way he does. But a lot of the time you can see and hear in his words the lack of understanding, the lack of wanting to understand, other cultures in comparison to our own and his belief in our superiority. He always compares the actions of one nation with an entirely different set of cultural customs to the one that we live in. This morning we were talking, again sparked by CNN, about the differences in culture and what he deems to be "civilized." He said that "In a world situation, there is something as being civilized." Well, who determines what civilized is? Because you know what, Western society is the odd one out. The majority of the world's population doesn't live as we do, and don't hold the same values. He referred to if you steal, they'll cut your hands off. Again, we're the odd ones out. The majority of the world still abides to laws similar to those of Hammurabi's Code.

You can't look at another culture through the eyes of your own. The only leads to the idea of superiority and racism. If you look at our past, even our recent past, Western civilization hasn't been all that civilized. We still murder, still suffer from the human condition. McCarthyism sure as hell wasn't civilized. Up until the 1960s, the southern United States were still segregated. We still bastardize our own who disagree with us. Colonialization was not civilized. I just don't understand the superority complex of a lot of people in North America and Europe. Sure, we live great lives, enjoy amazing freedoms and live without fear. But how does that make us more civilized, more moral, than those who act within the customs and structures laid out before him?

No man ever looks at the world with pristine eyes. He sees it edited by a definite set of customs and institutions and ways of thinking. -- Ruth Benedict

If we justify war, it is because all peoples always justify the traits of which they find themselves possessed, not because war will bear an objective examination of its merits. -- Ruth Benedict

No human race is superior; no religious faith is inferior. All collective judgments are wrong. Only racists make them. -- Elie Wiesel

Thanks to bcfraggle for the screenshot from last night's show.

WWIII?

That is the look I should be giving you right now, Mr. Cooper. World War III? Really? Please don't jump on the Fox News/NBC, overreacting bandwagon just yet, Coop. For those of us that actually like CNN, and don't refer to it as "the Communist News Network" (because I've heard people call it that, and I shake my head in disbelief), actually report what's going on instead of blowing thigs out of proportion?

Condi, just so you know, you scare me. Seriously. She reminds me of a dog, but I can't quite pinpoint what breed. Maybe a chihuahua... No, that's Penelope Cruz... I don't know. Maybe she just looks like a ferret (I know it's not a breed of dog, people). Or a beaver... I'm looking forward to seeing the results of her visit. Part of me is asking why we depend on the United States to do everything, but with their close links to Israel, closer than most at this point I think, it's probably a viable option. They sure as hell aren't listening to anyone else at this point.

Uncanny?

Only slightly. Looking through the picture section of Dispatches, I continually come back to this one. The similarities between Andy and his dad are un-freaking-canny.

Washing machine, eff you

Okay, first let me start off by saying that my washer has declared WAR on my whites. Rust sucks, just incase you all weren't aware. And it's a bitch to get out of clothing, particularly white clothing. I'm tempted to throw said washer out the window. Alright. Rant done.

Yesterday, I bought Dispatches From The Edge. I'm incredibly excited to begin reading it. I rushed through the last 100 pages of Midnight's Children so I could start it. I started reading it even before I finished Midnight's Children, which normally I try avoiding because I have the attention span of a gnat.

Andy wore a different shirt last night. Of course, right after I mention it looks like he's been wearing the same shirt for like a week. I think he knows we all talk about him, and I think he enjoys to play games with us. Anywho, about last night's broadcast. I have come to truly enjoy Nic Roberson and his British accent. I also enjoy how when Coop has somebody on camera with him, he has a tendency to smile at them. What also catches my attention is how ADD Coop is. He'll be in the middle of a big spiel, something will catch his attention and he'll go off on that, and then go right back to what he was talking about. It makes me laugh a little bit. On Reporter's Notebook last night, Andy was talking about his trip to Syria last year. I really love how he doesn't hide his reaction if someone says something that he wasn't expecting. In Reporter's Notebook, someone said that they considered Syria more of a democracy than the United States, and Coop was just like "Really?" And the little "hmms" he makes after watching a video segment from one of the other reporters.

The professer they had on last night, and the night before, I must say, makes incredible amounts of sense. By destroying the infrastructure of Lebanon, Israel is undermining the Lebanese government. I couldn't gleen a whole lot else to remember as I was half asleep, and he talked really very fast. I'd like to hear him speak more though, because I do remember being intrigued. I should really start taking notes.

Is it just me?

Is it just me, or has Anderson been wearing the same shirt for like a week? I actually paid serious attention to it last night so I could compare it to what he wears tonight, because he's either been wearing the same shirt, or has the same shirt in very similar colours.

Also, watching the sunrise behind Anderson is really very captivating.

Going to Beirut

It looks like Anderson is on his way to Beirut now. This gear is going to be extremely fitting, once again. I'm a little frightened that Anderson is going to Beirut, but if the British anchor can do, whose name I cannot recall, then Andy is up for the challenge! I'm still nervous... Please come back in one piece.

Last night's show was awesome. I've really come to enjoy Anderson's style of reporting both sides. Unfortunately, when they report the Lebanese side of the story, the attitude of a lot of the people is one that I was afraid would start to show itself all too soon. The minute Israel moved into Gaza, my reaction was "Crap. This is going to backfire on them so hard." Now it looks like the time has come. One woman on the show last night, who was in Syria after fleeing Lebanon, said that she didn't escape, she left to protect her children. When her children grew up, she would send them to be part of Hezbollah to fight Israel. This is what I've been afraid of. Instead of liberating the Palestinian and Lebanese people, Israel is driving them further into the arms of groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. No matter what they do, there is no way that this is going to end well. If they destroy all current members of Hezbollah, there will only be more to pick up the pieces and start anew. And that sucks.

Charmingly Snarky

The Anderson Cooper Fanlisting. Go! Set yourselves free!

I've got to stop getting blog space I don't need. I barely use what I have. But, now I have my own space dedicated to the man that is Anderson Cooper.