With Inside Edition’s Darren Kavinoky

I got up at an ungodly hour after just a few hours of sleep and picked up my two young colleagues, high schoolers Nick Lulli and Megan Moser.

Nick formed the online news network 2News Now, and Megan often accompanies him on assignments. Nick had called Books a Million last week, gave our names/affiliations and was assured that we were “on the list” of those who were to be given press credentials for the Sarah Palin “Going Rogue” book tour, which rolled into Jacksonville this morning.

People who wanted their books signed by Palin were made to queue for wristbands yesterday; having procured the wristband meant that they’d be allowed to queue again today, for a chance to briefly meet Palin and have their book signed by her. I heard that people were forming the line by 8:00am Monday morning, and the coveted wristbands were to be handed out at 5:00pm.

Books a Million was telling people that only 500 or so should expect to make it through the line during the two hour signing on Palin’s schedule. Two thousand people showed up for wristbands, and about 600 did get their books signed by the end of the event. (Sarah Palin left signed book plates for the wristband holders who did not make it in. I managed to snag one one for me, Nick and Megan, being a member of the media and all. Angling for that was an ancillary goal of the day, too.)

But we were going in as part of the media. So no waiting for us, and prime access for camera and video shots for the media.

I couldn’t actually believe that they’d let me in, but you know? I walked the walk and no one doubted my authenticity. For the security that was evident all around – at least 30 members of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, rooftop lookouts, and private security – we amateurs arrived early, were the first of the media to climb onto the press riser and stake our spot. No one was there with an actual list, and no one questioned us. We were given the same access as the reporters from Entertainment Tonight and Inside Edition, and all the local print and electronic media outlets. This was big.

Whenever someone would ask, “Who are you with?” I’d nonchalantly show my makeshift press ID and say, “Atlantic Beachlife; I’m a community blogger.” And after Palin arrived, made brief remarks to the very excited crowd and introduced her family, they went into the store and the signing began.

We weren’t sure what kind of access we’d have after that, but suddenly I was told, “Hurry on in, the press area is in the coffee shop,” and off I scurried with the rest of the pack, my cheap looking “press ID” obviously worked because now I really was one of them. Once I was in the thick of the action I was behaving like a member of the media on pure instinct: seeking my shot, finding my opening. I got the adorable Piper to tell me that yes, she did style her hair all by herself and that her favorite TV show is “Miley Cyrus.”

Sarah Palin’s Aunt Katie was delightful. We talked after the ET and Inside Edition interviewed her, and we connected, because she hugged me when we were finished.

And why not? It’s the theme of Palin’s book after all. If she can go rogue, so can I. And now that I’ve pulled it off, and successfully, too, I am officially considering myself and this blog a member of the media.

Props to Nick Lulli, who told me it’d be easy to do. I’m not above learning the ropes from a sixteen-year-old. Media’s changed, I know that. Community bloggers have a voice.

And this is mine.

Last summer I did “My Midsummer Giveaway”, which was hosted by Nicholas Landon Jewelry. She was the person who donated the nautical-styled leather and pearl bracelet (that was featured in the pages of a summer 2009 issue of Food and Wine Magazine. Impressive!) Well, now you’ve got another chance to win, and this time she’s hosting it at her own site (just Google it, since, regrettably, Blogger is not allowing me to create live links).

I own two of her leather and pearl necklaces, each adorned with a different pewter charm. I wear one of them every day, either alone, or paired with differently-styled necklace and I just love the look for a beachlife esthetic. (But it works in any locale.)

The giveaway item is one of her new designs, featuring a stamped charm that will be inscribed with whatever you desire (providing it fits!). You can read about it over at her blog (http://www.nicholaslandonjewelry.com).

They’re shown as nautical markers, but I thought immediately of two things I should like inscribed on them if I win (which I certainly won’t because then it would seem rigged, no?!).

I’d do either atlantic beachlife or my favorite mile marker from some place I love in the Florida Keys. Can’t you just see that? Mile Marker 0 is Key West, but I’d pick the mile marker of my favorite snorkeling spot (MM 77).

All of her necklaces and bracelets are unique, hand-made by a wonderful person (not massed produced in China for Wal-Mart) who I’ve gotten to know through my blog. I can personally endorse her quality work and I hope you all will wander over to her place, take a look at her treasures, and enter her giveaway.

Quite possibly, these Blue Angels posts are getting to be a bit tedious for whoever happens to read them. So I thank you for indulging me as I post a few final photos and thoughts about this bi-annual event that grabs me by the heart and doesn’t let go till the last loud jet zooms off into the ether.

And then some little part of me goes, “Will I even be alive in 2011, to see this show again?

It just makes me wonder.

So, I didn’t bother fighting the traffic to the grandstand area; instead I wandered over to our beach, which is about four and a half miles north of the performance area. I wasn’t alone. Many people were on the beach, enjoying the breezy afternoon, socializing, spectating, fishing, and even swimming, while watching the Angels as they flew straight overtop us before looping back to do their stunts for the crowd.

It’s amazing how piercingly loud the jets are, and how they seemingly come out of nowhere and suddenly they are straight above you and about to break the sound barrier. I wasn’t the only person to drop her camera and clap her hands over her ears in utter reflexive reaction (thank God for sturdy camera straps).

I made it to the oceanfront in Jacksonville Beach this afternoon in time for the Blue Angels’ practice show despite various “roadblocks” that could have derailed my plans at the last minute.

The weather was perfect. The vendors were in the final stages of setting up for tomorrow and Sunday’s big show days. Lots of spectators were out for today’s performance; everyone was in a great mood.

I was happy with the pictures I got, so I’ll leave you with those. Nothing can compare with seeing them perform those precision maneuvers practically in front of your eyes or just overhead.

Thrilling.