No one believed it would be easy, but the logistics of covering this trial are sending some reporters over the edge.

"It's simply maddening," said ABC 7's Sarah Schulte of Judge Vincent Gaughan's eleven page court order, one we the media signed off on - promising to behave. He's long known this trial could spiral into a media circus, and he's determined to control the chaos.

What does that mean for me? Lots.

Let's start from the beginning.

Walking into the courtroom after two rounds of security checks, I carry only four pens and two pads of paper. Where you ask, is the TV reporter's requisite kit of blackberry, brush, lipstick and liner? Packed by the pound in my oversized purse, stuffed as discreetly as possible under the passenger seat of my car.

Nothing- not even a jacket is allowed into the iceberg that is Courtroom 500, a manifestation of Cook County's storied waste in its overpowering use of air conditioning on a morning where temperatures hovered in the 40s.

"Sit up straight! No leaning!" admonishes a sheriff's deputy to a colleague slouched in our church-like bench. I've been more comfortable in a pew while attending High Mass in Vatican City. At least at St. Peter's, you're allowed a trip to the restroom. No such luxury here, where those visits are confined to our lunchbreak, 20 minutes in all.

That leaves little time to sprint to my sport utility vehicle, in which I rise to Olympic status with my speed in scarfing down a turkey sandwich.

Back to court, back to the rules

Randi Belisomo, CLTV reporter at the R. Kelly trial