Gold!

Today I counted myself a very lucky man for two reasons. First, I celebrated USA taking home her first gold medal in Qingdao. Second, I got close to it. Real close.

After the ritual trip to the cafeteria and afternoon nap, I ventured out of our air conditioned icebox office to the Media Center. I was not about to miss a medal ceremony with USA winning gold. Are you kidding me? But unlike the past two days of ceremonies, I didn't have to stand out in the nosebleed section, like I usually do.

Spectators have several vantage points to see the medals. Those with day passes to watch the games stand three hundred feet away on the breakwater. Staff and volunteers watch 150 feet away on the steps near the media center. Those with a special day clearance are permitted 100 feet away. And VIP, family members, and media are permitted onto the stage.

You guessed it; I got permission to mount the stage. I felt so proud walking the red carped and I did my best to pretend to be a big somebody. My pride just swelled for fellow American Anna Tunnicliffe, 25, who won the women's Laser Radial class. Seeing her standing above the other two medalists and her parents 5 seats beside mine was surreal. Hearing the Star Spangled Banner never sounded so patriotic and seeing red, white, and blue flying in the sky was stunning.

What's more, after the ceremony, I attended the press conference. It was my first one of the summer and I just loved it. To be honest, the questions from the media weren't as thought provoking as I anticipated. Actually, since the women's bronze medalist was Chinese, a lot of the questions were directed to her. It was a bit embarrassing actually and I was taken aback.

Concluding the press conference, I snagged a picture with Anna. It turned out.