I wrote my first story today for a legitimate news source (kind of). I think I mashed out about 600 words on a new CEO for this little company called Whitehall Jewellers (that's right, two 'l's.)

It was ordered by two papers, and judging from my friend Dickie's experience, that guarantees me... NOTHING.

But, on the flip side of the coin, my professor/editor told me it was a "good pickup and a good story. I don't think anyone else is covering this right now." To which, I'm thinking: Well, maybe that's for a good reason. However, there are some interesting angles to the story.

I'll go over it quickly so as not to bore you even more.

So, the CEO of this struggling company tragically dies at 53 of a heart attack. The same day, the board of directors appoints a 40-year-old woman, who's worked there for a whopping four months, who also has very little retail experience (heavy in finance, instead) to the "Interim CEO" position.

Wait a minute? Did I just say that she's only 40, has worked for the company for FOUR months, and has no retail background to speak of to the TOP JOB in the company? Yep. That's correct, sir.

After toiling away in the newsroom for the better part of the day, trying to get any of these corporate thugs with steel chastity belts fastened about their lips to comment, I just keep calling the CEOs office (whose number, by the way, I gleened from an unknowing EVP -- Score!), and she finally picks up her phone at 330 p.m. I was very surprised, to say the least. An hour earlier, her administrative assistant told me that she "wouldn't be commenting in leiu of the situation in which she was appointed to the job."

Ah ha. Persistence pays off, my friends. She answered the phone -- and had plenty to say. Nice.

So, in summation: The first day? A minor success, as of today. We'll really find out if I did anything relevant tomorrow or Thursday, when either paper may decide to "give me a print."

Wish me luck.

Day 1: Done.

It's a good feeling.

Now, if only those damned Minnesota Twins would start playing like a three-time divisional champ again...

Pure bliss...