It's been a long time...
...but I had to personally ensure Health Care Reform was going to pass. No really, I did. I think the fact that it didn't get through until I came to DC make it clear just how much this city needed my leadership.
Anyway, all the gossip tells me that when Nancy Pelosi (legit one of my favorite people, my first daughter will be name Nancy. Or Hillary. Nancy Hillary? To much?) took H.R. 3590, aka Health Care Reform to the floor, she didn't have the 216 votes necessary to "pass the damn bill." But with a little luck and a hell of a lot of confidence, she muscled it through what the founders thought of as the more "rowdy" chamber (it was rowdy on Sunday night!).
Today I ate lunch with a CoS. He said he's never had a plan--and here he is senior staffer to a senior member of the majority party. I'm not saying I would ever want to be a CoS, I can only take so much stress. But the idea that it's okay to not have a plan, that it can all work out.
I know a lot of people who don't necessarily have a plan. We might have sketches, or ideas, but we don't have a plan. I dare say we're smart enough not to plan, we know every thing can get effed up in the end.
But if Health Care Reform can fly by the seat of its pants, than there's not reason we all can't either. As long as we keep the what we like in sight, than like Health Care Reform, with a little luck and a lot of confidence, we can make it too.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
The Ghost in the Room
Does the past ever really let us go? Can we ever truly escape what was once for what will be, or are the two so vividly intertwined we have no idea when we look at the whole grand picture?
Perhaps like first love, our first passion is our true one. Essentially taking a semester off school and starting this blog has reminded me how much I love writing. I'd gotten away from writing (and I don't mean essays and research papers) for so long. But without the daily reading and writing assignments in front of me, the constant stressful factors of my school jobs, I've been able to focus on what I really want: to question and to think--more accurately to stew. And the answer seems to be that I need to write.
Lady Gaga has a script tattoo on her arm, it's a quote from a Rainer Maria Rilke, a German philosopher: "In the deepest hour of the night, confess to yourself that would die if you were forbidden to write. And look deep into your heart where it spreads its roots, the answer and ask yourself, must I write?"
Like most people, I would prefer not to fail. I see so clearly now the path that I could take that would lead to mediocre success. It would be challenging, but I like a challenging. And it would be moderately rewarding, and I like rewarding. But I don't want the challenge without the reward. I don't want to wake up in 10 years and realize that I am nowhere near doing anything I want. I am tired of saying and doing the "right" things because they will potentially get me to where I possibly want to go. I want to say and do what I want because it will take me to where I absolutely want to be, even though I don't know where that is yet. I know the standard business model--big risk, big gain. Big risk can also mean big failure, and that is the one that is super scary.
Okay so we can't truly leave our past behind us. We can cut the line of communication, or shove it in the closet. As much as we try to put away, it will always find a way to lurk quietly in the back of the room. I guess the best thing to do is to embrace it, learn from it, and bring it along for the ride. Big risk, big gain, eh?
Peace out,
Thing Two
Perhaps like first love, our first passion is our true one. Essentially taking a semester off school and starting this blog has reminded me how much I love writing. I'd gotten away from writing (and I don't mean essays and research papers) for so long. But without the daily reading and writing assignments in front of me, the constant stressful factors of my school jobs, I've been able to focus on what I really want: to question and to think--more accurately to stew. And the answer seems to be that I need to write.
Lady Gaga has a script tattoo on her arm, it's a quote from a Rainer Maria Rilke, a German philosopher: "In the deepest hour of the night, confess to yourself that would die if you were forbidden to write. And look deep into your heart where it spreads its roots, the answer and ask yourself, must I write?"
Like most people, I would prefer not to fail. I see so clearly now the path that I could take that would lead to mediocre success. It would be challenging, but I like a challenging. And it would be moderately rewarding, and I like rewarding. But I don't want the challenge without the reward. I don't want to wake up in 10 years and realize that I am nowhere near doing anything I want. I am tired of saying and doing the "right" things because they will potentially get me to where I possibly want to go. I want to say and do what I want because it will take me to where I absolutely want to be, even though I don't know where that is yet. I know the standard business model--big risk, big gain. Big risk can also mean big failure, and that is the one that is super scary.
Okay so we can't truly leave our past behind us. We can cut the line of communication, or shove it in the closet. As much as we try to put away, it will always find a way to lurk quietly in the back of the room. I guess the best thing to do is to embrace it, learn from it, and bring it along for the ride. Big risk, big gain, eh?
Peace out,
Thing Two
The demise of Lazy Sunday
It's been awhile. I apologize. Life got in the way of writing...
Life has gotten busy here. Last weekend was gorgeous, and I decided I would much rather be outside experiencing life than be inside and not. Thing 1 and I both had visitors and then simultaneously realized neither of us have summer jobs (please hire us!)...needless to it's been a little crazy/stressful.
Sundays are best as lazy days, though most of my Sundays here have ended at my second job. I am literally exhausted today and can think of nothing more I would rather do than run and chill. Instead I have to work at 3 which really means I have to leave a little after 2. What kind of sadist keeps things open on Sunday evenings? I know I felt like this when I was a waitress: Sundays should be for chilling at your house and preparing for the workweek. Unless you live on a college campus and then Sundays are for groaning, pulling your ass out of bed and trying to get a seat at the library or coffee shop. And not leaving for 10 hours. I've had far too many of those days to count.
One of my favorite things about Sunday is the Sunday Times. All the columnists are on board for the Week in Review section, and the Times magazine rarely disappoints. I had 3 or 4 Sundays over break where I was able to just sit, run and read and it was absolutely delicious.
Sundays are not meant to be productive, unless being productive means grocery shopping and ironing. I have to say being able to sleep in this morning was amazing. I think back to freshman and even sophomore year of school where the day did not begin before noon and I laugh. I set my alarm for 10:30 this morning and even more important than the fact that I slept in to it completely was the fact that I could have slept for longer.
Instead, I (literally) pulled myself off my air mattress, made some coffee, and started trying to be productive. I'm halfway through at least one NYT column and am going for my run soon...
Have a relaxing day,
Thing Two
Life has gotten busy here. Last weekend was gorgeous, and I decided I would much rather be outside experiencing life than be inside and not. Thing 1 and I both had visitors and then simultaneously realized neither of us have summer jobs (please hire us!)...needless to it's been a little crazy/stressful.
Sundays are best as lazy days, though most of my Sundays here have ended at my second job. I am literally exhausted today and can think of nothing more I would rather do than run and chill. Instead I have to work at 3 which really means I have to leave a little after 2. What kind of sadist keeps things open on Sunday evenings? I know I felt like this when I was a waitress: Sundays should be for chilling at your house and preparing for the workweek. Unless you live on a college campus and then Sundays are for groaning, pulling your ass out of bed and trying to get a seat at the library or coffee shop. And not leaving for 10 hours. I've had far too many of those days to count.
One of my favorite things about Sunday is the Sunday Times. All the columnists are on board for the Week in Review section, and the Times magazine rarely disappoints. I had 3 or 4 Sundays over break where I was able to just sit, run and read and it was absolutely delicious.
Sundays are not meant to be productive, unless being productive means grocery shopping and ironing. I have to say being able to sleep in this morning was amazing. I think back to freshman and even sophomore year of school where the day did not begin before noon and I laugh. I set my alarm for 10:30 this morning and even more important than the fact that I slept in to it completely was the fact that I could have slept for longer.
Instead, I (literally) pulled myself off my air mattress, made some coffee, and started trying to be productive. I'm halfway through at least one NYT column and am going for my run soon...
Have a relaxing day,
Thing Two
Friday, February 26, 2010
Fridayyyy
I like Fridays. There's always some sort of clusterfuck when every is trying to figure out their plans for the night. For a while, everything is up in the air. And then things calm down and come together.
I will say one thing: I'm looking forward to going back to 4 (or less!) day weeks in college. It is SO nice to have very little to do on Fridays. I spent my Fridays this fall working, but it was still a break from class, a break from thinking.
Ironically, I had a very intellectual conversation at lunch about climate change. Some people have the coolest, craziest career paths. Like this guy--a former Math professor working in envrionmental policy sector. This guy changed jobs a decent amount, and it just seemed like he had a very rich career. Who doesn't want that?
It made me realize that I can do a lot of different things. I can change my mind. I can fast track to one thing, but that doesn't mean I work in something completely different 30 years down the line. For someone who likes a decent amount of uncertainty and tends to dislike committment, that's really refreshing.
So I'm zen: tonight will be good. My career, whatever the heck it is, will be awesome.
I will say one thing: I'm looking forward to going back to 4 (or less!) day weeks in college. It is SO nice to have very little to do on Fridays. I spent my Fridays this fall working, but it was still a break from class, a break from thinking.
Ironically, I had a very intellectual conversation at lunch about climate change. Some people have the coolest, craziest career paths. Like this guy--a former Math professor working in envrionmental policy sector. This guy changed jobs a decent amount, and it just seemed like he had a very rich career. Who doesn't want that?
It made me realize that I can do a lot of different things. I can change my mind. I can fast track to one thing, but that doesn't mean I work in something completely different 30 years down the line. For someone who likes a decent amount of uncertainty and tends to dislike committment, that's really refreshing.
So I'm zen: tonight will be good. My career, whatever the heck it is, will be awesome.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Best Wednesday Ever
Eve Ensler's name will forever be tied to the word "vagina," and rightly so. But hearing her talk and speak at Busboys & Poets tonight, she was so much more than that. Awe-inspiring. This is a woman who started a revolution; a revolution to love your body, not hate it. Radical, isn't it.
More than that, this is a woman who carries through. She has raised over $70 million dollars to fight violence towards women and girls. Let me say that again, just so you get it: she has raised $70 million dollars. Not for a politician, not for a political cause. To fight against violence towards women and girls.
Eve read a couple of passages from her new book I am an Emotional Creature. I got chills up and down my spine, not just because she's fabulous, but because what she wrote, is so much of what seems wrong with the world but no one talks about it. No one cares, no one wants to bring it up, because it isn't glamorous.
So here's a thank you Eve. Thanks for making it okay to say the word "vagina." Thanks for bringing attention to girls as emotional creatures. Thanks for raising money. Thanks for being inspiring. Thanks for being strong. Thanks.
Thing One and Thing Two
More than that, this is a woman who carries through. She has raised over $70 million dollars to fight violence towards women and girls. Let me say that again, just so you get it: she has raised $70 million dollars. Not for a politician, not for a political cause. To fight against violence towards women and girls.
Eve read a couple of passages from her new book I am an Emotional Creature. I got chills up and down my spine, not just because she's fabulous, but because what she wrote, is so much of what seems wrong with the world but no one talks about it. No one cares, no one wants to bring it up, because it isn't glamorous.
So here's a thank you Eve. Thanks for making it okay to say the word "vagina." Thanks for bringing attention to girls as emotional creatures. Thanks for raising money. Thanks for being inspiring. Thanks for being strong. Thanks.
Thing One and Thing Two
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Yearning for a 24 hour coffee shop...
AHHH I have literally been writing all night!
Today, I decided to be serious about life and get some school work done. School? College? What's that you call it? OH SHIT that's right I haven't graduated and am supposed to be doing some coursework. Never one to study well at home I decided to bribe myself with an adventure to a new place....
...so I went to Busboys and Poets! This place was fantastic! I happened over to the 5th and K location, which honestly I loved. It seemed to be an up-and-coming area...or a falling one. Either, a little seedy, a little shady, my favorite kinds of places. Not because I'm a drug dealer, but because I like to feel like I'm living on the edge (just run with it. I'm from the suburbs and hated it there).
ANYWAY I plopped the good ol' laptop down, ordered some fair trade coffee (told you I was white) and started writing. AND I LOVED IT. I was totally groovin--wrote a couple of essays. If you couldn't tell, my writing style is pretty informal. But why should fake my tone for a scholarship board? I'm kind of to the point where I want to say this is me, this is my writing style. If you don't like, it, then I don't want your money.
Okay, maybe not quite to that point; but almost. I would have kept working but I wanted to make it home at a decent hour. I had to use the ever-reliable metro, and we all know what that can be like...Anyway--try this place out! The service rocked, I got a great sandwich, and I was in a great atmosphere.
Also--awesome feminist author/activist/great human being Eve Ensler is doing a book signing at the 14th and V location on Wednesday night! Thing One and I are really going to try and make it up there. We'll keep you posted.
Today, I decided to be serious about life and get some school work done. School? College? What's that you call it? OH SHIT that's right I haven't graduated and am supposed to be doing some coursework. Never one to study well at home I decided to bribe myself with an adventure to a new place....
...so I went to Busboys and Poets! This place was fantastic! I happened over to the 5th and K location, which honestly I loved. It seemed to be an up-and-coming area...or a falling one. Either, a little seedy, a little shady, my favorite kinds of places. Not because I'm a drug dealer, but because I like to feel like I'm living on the edge (just run with it. I'm from the suburbs and hated it there).
ANYWAY I plopped the good ol' laptop down, ordered some fair trade coffee (told you I was white) and started writing. AND I LOVED IT. I was totally groovin--wrote a couple of essays. If you couldn't tell, my writing style is pretty informal. But why should fake my tone for a scholarship board? I'm kind of to the point where I want to say this is me, this is my writing style. If you don't like, it, then I don't want your money.
Okay, maybe not quite to that point; but almost. I would have kept working but I wanted to make it home at a decent hour. I had to use the ever-reliable metro, and we all know what that can be like...Anyway--try this place out! The service rocked, I got a great sandwich, and I was in a great atmosphere.
Also--awesome feminist author/activist/great human being Eve Ensler is doing a book signing at the 14th and V location on Wednesday night! Thing One and I are really going to try and make it up there. We'll keep you posted.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
DC is like Crack
[Author's note: I have never done crack, so I don't know if this is an accurate comparison. However, it sounds right, so I'm gonna run with it.]
DC is awesome. It's fun, it's crazy. There's always something to do or see, from exploring new neighborhoods to the multitude of national museums. The energy is absolutely addicting. There's no way not to look out from a high spot and not feel a rush.
But this place is also surreal. Things that matter in DC, don't matter anywhere else, and things that would matter other places don't matter in DC. It feeds the addiction, living in this bubble. The economy is fine here, but people are still trying to fix it for everyone else. It's almost not real.
I guess the only thing left to decide if DC is as debilitating as crack.
Thing Two
DC is awesome. It's fun, it's crazy. There's always something to do or see, from exploring new neighborhoods to the multitude of national museums. The energy is absolutely addicting. There's no way not to look out from a high spot and not feel a rush.
But this place is also surreal. Things that matter in DC, don't matter anywhere else, and things that would matter other places don't matter in DC. It feeds the addiction, living in this bubble. The economy is fine here, but people are still trying to fix it for everyone else. It's almost not real.
I guess the only thing left to decide if DC is as debilitating as crack.
Thing Two
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