There's a new city hall reporter in town, and his name is Ben Leubsdorf (pronounced LOOBS-dorf. Try saying that 10 times fast). Ben attended Brown University, lived in Egypt for a stint and worked for the Associated Press before coming to the Monitor. But who cares about boring things like that? We bet you're interested in the important facts, like how many times a day Ben flosses and what his favorite Billy Idol album is. Here's everything you need to know about Concord's newest reporter.
What is your favorite kind of sandwich?
Chicken salad, preferably from the scary vending machine in the Monitor break room. I like to think that the sandwiches are so grateful to be liberated from the machine before their expiration dates that, in return, they won't kill me with food poisoning. So far, so good!
Describe the “dude pod” in Haiku form:
Here are the fine dudes
Who all are good at the news
And also laughing
(The dude pod consists of four three male reporters whose desks sit together like an island in a sea of female reporters that make up the Monitor's newsroom.)
How do you unwind after a hard day at the office?
A cup of hot tea, a good book and rocking out in my car to OK Go or Ted Leo and the Pharmacists. (If you live on North State Street, you've probably been treated to my drive-by singing. Apologies, state prison inmates and others.)
True or false: You are a robot from space sent here to report the news.
Absolutely true. My prime directive is to provide fair, accurate and complete reporting to the community and I cannot deviate from my programming. Except when my circuits get wet in a driving rain or such. Then I sometimes default to “crush all humans.”
How does Concord compare to your hometown of Washington D.C.?
D.C. is a fun place, and I do sometimes long for half-smokes and the National Air and Space Museum. But Concord is a great town and full of friendly folk, and I love downtown. Also, I'm starting to get used to this “nature” I've heard so much about.
You're a stylish young man, so tell us, which fashion folly is worse: A navy shirt with brown overalls and clogs or an unbuttoned white blouse with pink Crocs and khaki shants (short pants)?
You can never really go wrong with overalls. But that comes close.
We hear you're a Twitter fanatic. In 140 characters or less, tell us what you're most looking forward to as city hall reporter:
I'm really interested in the intersection of people and government, how decisions are made and go on to affect citizens' lives. Also, zoning.
Polka or disco?
Polka most definitely! Especially Frankie Yankovic's 1963 recording of “Who Stole the Kishka?” a classic meditation on the loss of beloved sausage.
Which iconic figure do you relate to more: Benjamin Franklin or Ben Affleck?
Ben Franklin, mostly from a shared love of getting the bejesus shocked out of us with lightning.
Do you love or fear the Insider?
I love and fear the Insider in equal parts. I love the wit and energy of the Insider, like a bear or other large creature that has accidentally been fed a bunch of coffee beans. But I also fear being eaten by such a bear.
Ben's a true newshound in every sense of the word. He loves tips and can be reached by phone (369-3307), by e-mail (bleubsdorf@cmonitor.com) and on Twitter (@BenLeubsdorf.)
