Jim,
I only use black and white when the color in the image is impossible to fix

But i ALWAYS shoot color.
I missed my exit twice on the highway on the way there, made a circle to downtown cleveland and back to try again...and got lost again.
So I finally got gas since my tank was almost empty, and asked for directions. Found the college, showed up and was chatting with the Channel 5 crew who helped me get in with them. The place was packed. As we were talking, I noticed I didn't have my memory card for my camera, I had left it at home.
The Channel 5 crew member pointed out there was an Officemax across the street... (15 minute walk) and I had 20 minutes until Obama came on stage. I sprinted out and bought a memory card and made it back by 7:25. I turn my camera on, but it doesn't want to turn on!! I realize I left my battery in the charger at home. haha.
Being surrounded by media people I asked a photographer if I could borrow her battery when Obama started speaking and I'd pay her. She had a spare (wish I would've thought of that) and she let me use it for free.
At the end of the night, I stuck around and got his autograph on my Time Magazine with him on the cover. Nice guy, great speech, ton of character and enthusiasm. "No child behind doesn't work, because it left no money behind!" was my favorite quote of the night.
I've never experienced so much stress and was completely tired when I came home. My back kills and so do my arms from keeping the camera up for a few hours straight. I'd do it all over again!