Just Landed in Detroit

West Coast gal, meet the Midwest.

Just arrived at Detroit Metropolitan Dwayne County Airport. It's 6 a.m. I'm dreary eyed, sleepy as hell. But, pumped full of excitement and coffee.

I've never had the desire to visit Detroit -- a faint call of Chicago, maybe -- but never Motown, the Motor City, birth place of music legends like Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, and, what, techno artist Derrick May?

I'm here at the AAJA National Convention on a Henry Ford fellowship to study new journalism tools. I'll be regularly blogging posts about people, observations of the city and reporting workshops.

We all know Detroit is the sad, once-popular big boy on campus. It's a city burdened with the stigma of the auto industry crash compounded with white flight and lax public infrastructure.

I'm not sure what to expect. I have no preconceptions of the city, as my upbringing has been very coast-centric. From what my friends tell me, hipsters are edging into the arts districts of Detroit. I'm here with an open mind, ready to network with fellow journalists and -- this would be my wish come true -- hopefully hear some good live music.

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