It is Saturday, April 26. I’m standing behind Saint Louis University’s Chaifetz Arena. It’s almost showtime.

In a few moments, Chingy, of “Holidae Inn” pseudo-fame, will emerge from his luxury liner on wheels. For now, I’m sandwiched in between Marquese and “Big City,” two imposing, good natured members of his entourage who have taken quite an interest in my journalistic aspirations.

“What are you here for?” Big City asks incredulously.

I was there to interview Chingy, one of the headlining stars of last year’s Student Activity Board Spring Concert: Rock, Rap, & Rawhide.

I had only accepted the assignment because I had the emptiest social calendar of The University News’ staff for that particular Saturday. Even so, my mind remained on the marathon of “America’s Next Top Model” I had left behind on VH1. No matter how many times I see girls cry about their haircuts, I always find some new facet to appreciate.

After 10 minutes of waiting, I begin to grow impatient. I’ve got places to go and melodramatic cat fights to watch.

And then he emerged, a ball of hyperactivity with enough bling around his neck to pay for a graduate degree at Harvard.

“Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!” he shouted.

I was swept up into his 40-person posse as they made their way through the bowels of the Arena.

Big City and Marquese kept me afloat as we whirled past security. Chingy bounced back and forth in preparation for his sound check. Thankfully, my guardians had my best interests at heart.

“Chingy, he’s got to interview you for his school paper,” Marquese said with an heir of parental concern.

“I gotchu boy, I gotchu,” Chingy said. “First I’ll do the sound check, then I’ve got to go to the bathroom, then we’ll do the interview. Now come to the stage and have some fun.”

Life in the entourage was reminiscent of a laid-back family reunion. You didn’t necessarily know everyone well, but there was a sense of belonging.

Sitting on an amplifier as Chingy rolled through his set list with unbridled enthusiasm, I considered my strange fortune. Just a week earlier, I had hobnobbed with volleyball players in the wake of a major victory at an off-season tournament. Days later, I would discuss University policy with upper-level administrators. That Saturday, I was with the band.

That’s what I love about life as a student journalist. I am allowed to indulge my indecisive nature. My life is an all-you-can-eat buffet. Each assignment offers the chance to take a stroll down another one of life’s paths.

As I dive into my last year at SLU, I can’t help but wonder where my journalistic endeavors will take me next. My hope is to use this space to explore even more walks of life. There will certainly be new points of view and new stories to tell. Feel free to listen in.

Adam Tamburin is a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences. He is Editor-in-Chief of The University News.