Covering a standoff is never fun.

First, there's the worry someone is going to get hurt. I know I won't get hurt because the cops don't let us close enough to the scene (which I appreciate).

Second, reporters and videographers get to spend lots of time standing in one spot with no end in sight. We could be there all night or it could be over in a few minutes. We don't know so we have to wait. If one of us has to use a bathroom (thank you McDonald's) the other one has to stand by the camera ready to hit "record" if something starts happening (like cops starting to move very quickly).

To add to the excitement from today's nearly five-hour standoff (we were only there for three of those hours) we stood in a steady rain the entire time. I'm sure glad I spent $40 on those slipover water proof pants a few months ago. I was one of only a couple of people who's pants weren't soaked. In fact, when it was all over, my videographer colleague went to Walmart to by new shoes, socks and pants because he was soaked.

In the end no one was hurt (except the bad guy who got hit with a bean-bag munition but will be okay) and everyone got dry.

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