Are you a news junkie?

It’s Friday and I have a confession to make. I am a news junkie.

I’m not consumed by the details of the news; it’s the drama of events unfolding which excites me. I love the thrill of the newsbreaks, the media scrums and the live crosses. I love watching television and seeing the scroll at the bottom telling me there’ll be a break in regular transmission for a developing news story. I get all tingly.

It might explain why I was drawn to the job of being a news reporter. I loved the uncertainty of what the day would bring. It was exciting. There was always a buzz in the air. Except, of course, on a slow news day and there was a sense of desperation.

Yesterday was one of those days I miss most about working for a news organisation. I was hooked on the unfolding saga from the moment former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd called his impromptu press conference. Despite telling the waiting media that he wouldn’t officially announce his intentions until he was back in Australia, he did, however, have a few minutes to deliver a campaign speech. He also made time to throw some knives at the “faceless men” and attack Prime Minister Julia Gillard. The way he played the first few moves were masterful. Unfortunately, he let himself, and us the people, down when he decided to have yet another non-event press conference this morning to still not declare his hand.

In happier times. Photo: news.com.au

After Rudd’s first presser yesterday, I immediately flicked on Twitter and began reading the tweets. There are so many hilarious political commentators out there in the Twitterverse. Between giggles I was eagerly watching the assembling press scrum on television. They were waiting in Adelaide for the PM to arrive for her counter attack. Text messages from fellow media junkies, old journo colleagues of mine, started flashing up on my phone asking about faces in the assembled crowd. By this stage I was switching between Facebook, Twitter, my phone, news sites and the tv news. I even had my local radio station streaming on my computer.

I was glued to the couch. Still in pjs, my kids happily playing around me. I was having the best day ever.

By the time our flame-haired PM stepped forward for her press conference I was beside myself. Far out did she perform, or what?! And I was particularly impressed with the way she scolded the reporter for being rude. Good on her, she knew she was on fire. Pity, she hasn’t shown us that side before. Hopefully, come Monday she gets to reveal more of that side of her.

The PM was firing. Photo: news.com.au

So, we have a weekend of political wrangling to look forward to, or avoid depending on what you think of it all. Then on Monday morning political history will be made.

My dilemma is how will I possibly be able to keep up with the leadership ballot and watch the stars arrive on the Red Carpet for this year’s Academy Awards at the same time. The Oscars are like my AFL Grand Final or Masterchef finale. But, a battle to see who will be the leader of our country is historical television at its best. I fear my computer will blow up from all my frantic Twitter and Facebook trawling.

Do you love watching events unfold? Do you get a buzz out of news as it happens? Are you a news junkie?

Or are you over it all and instead planning to keep your television switched off so as not to have to hear anymore politicians back stab each other?

Have a fab weekend,

Bianca xx

Main photo: Pinterest