Took a CNN inside tour today

Hey, don\'t say this isn\'t car related - I did see a military vehicle inside the hall which was used by CNN staff during Desert Storm :-).

I am in Atlanta this weekend. Out of killing time, I drove (see car again) to downtown Atlanta this morning and had a chance to take a CNN tour - just wanted to see how the programs are made at that I have been watching day by day and year by year.

The image of CNN is apparently way bigger than what it actually is - there are only three studios in the building - CNN, Headline news and CNN Español. The largest room is CNN, with one corner being shooting area (3 cameras and a half round table), and the rest is a large common area housing entire news staff. People working there are just like you and me, wearing jeans or loose thirt - maybe because it\'s a Saturday today... On CNN, you might have seen that some people wondering at background - that is it, the staffers from common area. When I was there, some people were having lunch with to-go box on their desks - couldn\'t be more casual.

I did see Erica Hill sitting on a regular chair chatting with a guy at the common area. The tour guide told us that Anderson Cooper is working out of New York Office and Wolf Blizer is out of DC; both of them do not come to Atlanta. However, Nancy Grace has two offices - one in NY, one at here - only when she takes vacation to this area she will use it - what a privilege she is getting.

It\'s a guided 50-minute tour. The standard fee is $12 for an adult (I got a Gwinnett County Visitor\'s Guide from Mariott hotel so I paid $10). If next time you are in Atlanta, you might consider the tour - it worth it.