The (Not So) Great Debate

First I'd like to say I am an Independent, who could probablybe pushed to the right by a strong breeze . It's just because I'm a freedom lovin' American. Hahahaha.
I'm pretty moderate not a hippie or a fascist that being said, I acknowledge that an Independent party decision is really a non-decision. I haven't decided to contribute my talent and time to strengthening either party and so I am looked down upon by die-hards and wooed by politicians. :)
Another round of debates went on tonight and I watched with some friends.It was held at Howard and I thought the format was poor. 1 minute to answer,then cut down to 30 seconds? And Tavis hulling candidates,it was interesting. It's interesting to watch candidates' mannerisms and how they answer or don't answer the questions(No names: Obama)Edwards has a pattern of pointing, pinching and closing his fingers and palms respectively. Obama appears to be very pleased with himself after answering. Clinton2 fails to smile. Kucinich and Gravel are way out there,score very high on my sketch meter. Gravel I believe said that the war on drugs and not drugs themselves are the issue in America(Okay crackhead) Kucinich is sells himself short(no pun intended) by failing to become credible, people continuously laugh at him. Clinton2 was dead on in her answers,yet will never be as awesome as Slick Willie. Edwards's answers were also very well thought out,delivered and received. He is also good-looking. Obama continues to underwhelm me. He failed to answer each question he was asked. Richardson,the jury's out and by jury I mean ,me.
Biden had us laughing when he asserted that he and Obama both got tested for AIDS not that AIDS is funny in the contrary because he was really frank....Dodd sketches me out as well.
It's my sincere hope that people will judge these characters by the content of their message and not by the colour of their skin, gender they just happen to be or any other arbitrary criteria. I fear that Obama is just a pop icon to be blunt.A very attractive,underwhelming pop icon.
I don't know if I will declare a party so I can vote in the primaries.But either way, I will find a candidate to support and become an even more invested citizen. It sounds nerdy,but that's how I roll.

I feel like slappin' somebody today,slap,slap...

So, this has not been a stellar past couple of days. I don't know what it is,but something just went wrong in my cosmos. People are trifling,unthoughtful, or ignorant and it's frustrating. Days like this make me not believe in karma,because I like to believe I'm a decent individual.
I don't want to complain about all the things that have happened to make my days merdetacular (merde is the French word for s***)So instead I'm going to focus on the things that I have to be thankful for:
*I have the best guy friend in all of the States, Luke. He is the perfect balance of crunk and compassion to keep me sane. When I call or text to complain he can usually gauge if I need to stop whining or whether I need to be listened to.
*It's almost Friday. Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow.
*I had the blessing of meeting Sen. Lieberman,a man I greatly admire and respect,yesterday.
*I got to lunch with a friend from school,Barron, today.
*I went exercising and as a result feel less fat and more energized of reaching my goal of losing 5-10 in the next 5 weeks...I ran almost to Arlington,VA
*Most of the people I work with are awesome. Especially in the greatest department in the building,if not the world.

To some people those might not seem like much,and perhaps there are more important things I'm forgetting,but when your day is merdetacular(I'm going to start using that regularly) you have to try even harder to look at how you've been blessed.
That being said, I need things to start looking up rather quickly because I don't like being sad.

...nothing lasts forever

"It is so easy to see
Dysfunction between you and me
We must free up these tired souls
Before the sadness kills us both

I tried and tried to let you know
I love you but I'm letting go
It may not last but I don't know
Just don't know

If you don't know
Then you can't care
And you show up
But you're not there
But I'm waiting
And you want to
Still afraid that I will desert you

Everyday
With every worthless word we get more far away
The distance between us makes it so hard to stay
But nothing lasts forever, but be honest babe
It hurts but it may be the only way"

Definitely my favourite song on the Maroon 5 album. It's the perfect conclusion of last academic year. I gained 2 especially outstanding friends that I pray that I'm fortunate to keep throughout my life, and also was able to welcome at least 1 friend into my life to a degree I didn't think would be possible. I lost 2 people in my life,not through death fortunately, but through the decisions made by both parties. It's sad,but so it goes. The thing, the mature thing,is to be thankful for the good times you shared with the person and be thankful for what they've added to your life,but often I think in terms of subtraction,ignoring the times,no matter how brief that the individual in question was wonderful. With that, I think I'm getting better at letting go.

"For ev'ry rose that withers and dies
Another blooms in its stead
A new love waits to open its eyes
After the old love is dead" -From Easter Parade

Basically,I'm trying to increase my magnanimity...

Misc...

*So , I knew I would, but not this much- I miss a lot of people. The people I miss most already know it,but I miss them a lot a lot. That being said,they're are plenty of people that make me glad I am on the East Coast and they are far,far away. Absence either makes the heart grow fonder or smarter. Believe me.

*I feel like Al Gore shouldn't run for president.Anymore.Ever.
He really just needs to kick back and make people feel wretched about the impending global doom. It obviously wasn't meant for him to be in the Oval Office-OR HE'D BE THERE! That being said, if he had really won, like many of my hippie friends claim, HE'D BE THERE RIGHT NOW. The war's over Stalin-gosh.

* I wish I was 21.

* I'm so ready for the weekend...although it includes an intern retreat-which I'm sure will rock the casbah!

*Being single is pretty stellar at this time in my life-not going to lie.

* I was serious when I told someone that I would deport them if I ever moved into the White House. People don't take me seriously enough.

* I don't know whether I will go to France spring semester,there's so much I want to do on campus.

*I'm not good at looking seductive or sexy in pictures,but two of my friends are. I am a tad jealous, not going to lie.

Sorry this post was trite,trivial,and insignificant.

My hips don't lie and a contact high...

So tonight was probably the best night in D.C. so far.(With the exception of meeting my friend Duffy,who is indeed amazing)
I went to this Caribbean Concert to kick off Caribbean-American Month ,well we're in the middle of the month) and it was OUTFREAKINGSTANDING! First it was free. Second it was reggae,dancehall,soca and ska, genres I don't indulge in alot. Third it featured Wyclef Jean, musician extraordinaire.
Granted there was more pot there then in a kitchen and more hippies than at Woodstock,the energy and beauty of the music was amazing. I started way in the back, but I would not be dismayed. I bided my time and waited for people to leave,and they did. I just started walking towards the front and nobody stopped me. I ended up right by the front right and it was amazing. Wyclef is a musical genius,but so was Jimmy Cliff. The struggles that much of reggae is about is sad,melancholic almost,but beautiful in a haunting way. Although, I guess the best way to fight the man is to sing beautiful songs and blaze? Sounds like Snoop Dogg's bag of tricks.
Wyclef did "Hips Don't Lie" ( My song, because I am fluent in Spanish of course ;) )and this little girl,maybe 3 was up there singing. It was so cute.
It's almost mystical the power of music over individuals.
I met these really cool kids who I'll probably start being random with and I don't know whether it's the result of being around a bunch of high,chill individuals or my own predilection for happiness but I am filled with joy.

Mini Meltdown...

So, Facebook has shunend me :(
I tried changing my contact e-mail and it said "Well , no.", so then I tried getting into my account,but it's like "Negatory Rex". Thus , I have been off of Facebook for quite some time...
Since 8:36 EST.
Bugger!
Hopefully, the powers at be will get their lives right so that I can get my life right soon and very soon.
Cool news:
My friend Kyle Russell is a bad A. He is the Big XII (baseball) player of the year, was selected first team All-American, AND chosen 4th round for the St. Louis Cardinals, We went to Wunderlich in 8th grade and I came up with the brillant nicknames for him" 6'3" and "White Chocolate". Pretty self-explanatory ;) Anyway, I'm really happy for him, even though he's a Longhorn.

Damn Gatsby.

Note: I wrote this piece of prose after liking this guy who made me sad.

Long suffering Gatsby,
ever faithful Gatsby.
When I was younger,I admired your dedication to your love,your dream,your fantasy.
And so, as your disciple,I kept loving my Daisy.
And she,well he, kept moving and
Though I clung to your "noble" notion of unrequited love, I still lost in the end.
You at died still believing your dream
I still have to live knowing I lost and he lied.

Post note: I'm over him.

Metro Mo and my random life...

SO today was pay day! (Hallelujah, Hollaback!) So I went to Pentagon City to buy some additional work clothes/bags. (I like bags) I bought this massive duffle/weekend bag from AE for my forthcoming trips along our nation's East Coast and this bag from (Gap) Red that's pretty awesome as well. However, I had an experience that changed my whole perspective on life. I went to Victoria's Secret and decice, "What the hey, why not get measured for kicks and giggles".Some lady helps me and she's like do you know your size and I'm like, dude yea, I'm a ...
She bust(no pun intended) out the measurement tape thing and is like "Um, no, you're a ..."
I was stunned.
You think I'm playing,but I'm not. It was a tad disconcerting.
I'm still recovering.
...
Up until now, I haven't had any sketchy Metro situations. Up until now being the operative clause.
I get on in the wrong direction to start the affair and I'm just like whatever. It happens to the best of us.Finally got on in the right direction and these heathens are laughing obnoxiously and attempting to sing. The mean age of these individuals was probably 47, keep that in mind.
So I look at them kind of crazy and then resume reading. I happen to smile at this guy. It was one of those, "People these days" not "Hey, I'm madly in love with you" or even "I'm mildly interested in you.". I guess people can't differentiate. In the blink of an eye, this guy(boy) gets up,sits next to me and puts his arm around me. I'm thinking OH YEA?!?!?!! O' bold, presumptous self.
Says,"'Ey you mind if I put my number in yo' phone." (Well, yes I mind, but I'm too polite to say that to this Lil'Wayne in training.)
I say"Well, I didn't bring my phone, I'm sorry." (Note: I ALWAYS bring my phone, unless I need solitude, yes I lied, yes,I'm a wretched person.)
Him:"Oh, you mind you put yo's in mine?" (Yes, I mind, but I already lied, so I felt bad)
I did and he's like, "Oh so what's your name?" Told him. "That's pretty, you're pretty, I already feel so comfortable with you" (I CAN TELL BY YOUR ARM AROUND ME!)
"What you reading?"
"A book of essays by this guy from NPR."
"You in college, or something, is that why you're reading?"
...Sad commentary on reading's demise :(
Me, trying to assert that he looks like he's skipping recess,"How old are you?" "
"19, but my birthday is..." Look son, I need you to get your life right, real quick and in a hurry.
He finally asks if I have a boyfriend, I tell him there's a guy I'm kind of talking to (don't know if we are or not anymore, hahaha?) and then he ask me what I'm doing tomorrow, so I tell him showing around a friend. (So as to not be a liar again, I WILL find a friend to show around.)
I feel bad for him, I hope someone finds him who appreciates his sincerity and courage one day.
Sadly, that person is not me...
I need to find something to get into this weekend.

My Declaration of Independence

"When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation..."
I'm joking,but I need to vent a wee bit.

I don't know how to communicate this effectively but ...
I AM SINGLE!
like a single sheet of paper or a single dollar bill, as in "Dude did you hear so and so's new single?",like the opposite of booed up, in a relationship or whatever, I am single as the dickens, single as the day is long. This means that I am not obliged to anyone in any way. Relationships shouldn't be obligations. Friendships shouldn't be obligations. I am a free agent for now and loving it. I'm not signing with any teams, or in negotiations. I'm free-lancing with no intention of finding a publisher. I'm...out of metaphors,
I don't have to make a decision or deal with drama because I am SINGLE and dah dah dah dah dah -I'm loving it.
I am just trying to live a stress-free,drama-free summer.

Al Green and Atomic Dog at Church

So... I decided to go to church today. Fall semester I went like...2 times maybe, Spring I started going way more frequently. My problem was a combination of being a slacker and of not finding a place I felt like I could belong. I think I could belong to 5th Street if I keep going.
Anyway, So I take the Metro to this church whose website looked good,doctrine wasn't crazy (unfortunately no snakes haha). On the way I see this lady with a church hat, you know the one, and we struck up a conversation. She was precious,very sweet and engaging and OBVIOUSLY not from D.C. So we exchanged cards and I'll probably visit her church next Sunday.
I get off the Metro and look at my surroundings, because one must be prepared like the Scouts, and I notice that I am in the hood-I picked up my pace and reviewed my lack of numchunk skills, finally after what seemed to be 10 years(it was 1/4 of a mile) I finally got to the church.
The usher encourages (FORCES) me to sit in the second pew to the front and I instantly notice the choir is decked out from top to bottom in purple and gold. I expected "Atomic Dog" to start playing at any moment . The pastor disappointed me when he didn't come out jumping and barking in gold boots,but I got over it when he spoke-He sounded exactly like Al Green. It was surreal. I wanted him to bust out with "Let's Stay Together",but for some reason he didn't. The sermon was good,but he kept pretending to be done ,but kept resuming. He knew that I hadn't eaten breakfast and wanted to make me suffer-that's fine I guess. He finally ended,much to my chagrin,after my stomache began eating itself. But not before he gave a lady $500 because it was her birthday. I guess 98 years is pretty cool...
P.S. I went to my first Havalah yesterday and discovered that I was Jamaican(keep in mind I don't speak with a Jamaican accent-ever) or Ethiopian,but not from Texas...that's a story within itself.

Past Couple O' Days...

So Wednesday night, I went to see Pirates 3 with my Starbucks buddy. I was intending to just stay in and like get my life right but then we decided to go see a movie. So we walk to Georgetown and saw it. Pirates was pretty good , I mean in parts of the movie I was just like "WTF Mate!?" You're really going to make out in the midst of the battle? Well no.
But my victory was persuading Casey to stay until after the credits and we got to see the end part of the movie. The day was mine!
Thursday I was pretty exhausted from watching Pirates 3 and was mildly out of it,but it was still a good day. I was lame on Thursday and went to bed at a decent hour so that my Friday started off spectacular. This morning started off kind of nice, my director sent the office a column I wrote and people seemed to like it,that made me feel good.
I got off early today for Shabbos and that made me happy. I kind of wish I would observe it. It's such a beautiful concept-God-ordained rest. I might integrate that into my life...
Anyway I got a call from Jay to go sight-seeing and that was nice. We saw some of the monuments and I got to talk to this guy I always saw at school and admired,but never got to know.
Then I went to Starbucks to meet a friend ,happened into a massive,beautiful, blessed Barnes& Noble and felt so happy. I felt like I was making pilgrimage. :)
So I go to the right Starbucks ,but before then I go to Urban Outfitters and browse. I step out side and a torrential downpour of cold bullets starts assaulting me. I'm in a tank top and cotton skirt and am pretty close to miserable and soaking. I call my friend Brandon to relay the slightly comical experience and felt a little better,but still cold.
I basically spent the evening reading and being a neat little nerd partly because my friend is studying for a massive test...
I figure I have 7 more weeks to get to know the city and people and such, so a few low-key nights won't kill me...
Hopefully this weekend will be fun...sorry this was boring leaning towards lame.

Song o' the Morning

This should definitely be one of the songs of our generation.

Pop My Trunk Yip,Yip,Yip!

Wake Up Song of the Day: Pop my Trunk :)
So, today was another great day and I can't anticipate that pattern stopping. I work in the best department with the best people ever. Some people complain about feeling useless and unappreciated at during their internships, but I already feel like an integral part of the success of our department-contributing is a powerful tool.
So, this blog is going to focus mostly on the people and experiences that D.C. brings my way.
Yesterday, like I said, I met this really nice guy and we went to this wireless cafe and chatted and such. At this coffee shop it just so happened to be comedy night-lucky us. But we were oblvious to this fact for a while. So we're sitting outside minding our own business and the next table over some kids (25+men) were cussing like the Dickens and obviously quite pleased with themselves. I wouldn't have interacted with them had it not been for a slightly deranged man in a burnt ornage shirt who tripped me out. Here's the sit-my computer has a "Somebody in Texas loves me " bumper sticker on it. I'm not a Texan,but I got there as fast as I could;) Anyway,this scheist individual says "Oh you're from Texas?I'm from New Mexico. I hate Texas, I want to shoot them."
Then walks away like he just said "Bless you".
When Mr. Deranged is out of shooting and jumping length, I bust out laughing and so do these guys who share that their comedians. They proceed to mock this random(scary) guy and practice some of their jokes. One of my favourites: So we have the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Teenagers, I'm okay with, see 'em all the time, Mutants,well, yea, you know, Ninjas, I love 'em! But Turtles? WTF!"-it was hilarious.
Then this Ol' Dave Matthews lookin' character gets up there and is making fun of the majority of rap. Flows on the spot "I got my purple shoes on, my purple shoes on, you got yo' purple shoes on? yo' purple shoes on?" It was sad,but true commentary.
I held a door open for a lady today and she said I didn't have to and I replied, "no worries, my mom raised me right." I've decided that I'm not going to abandon smiling or being polite just because D.C.ers(ites?) have a perpetual case of the Mondays, I'm going to be the lady I've always been...
I can't believe tomorrow is Wednesday. Already half way done.
I'm excited about what stories tomorrow will bring.

First Impressions...

So, I arrived in D.C. yesterday in the drizzling,grey conditions that annoyed the city.
I was greeted at the airport by a wonderful Sooner woman and we proceeded to get me checked in and settled in my dorm at GWU.
SO I arrive and to my chagrin, I don't have a roommate and that makes the bare room seem even more sad. I would have cried(yes, I cry sometimes :( until my friend Brandon called and made me smile.
Fastforward to today when I mastered the Metro,got to my job in time (actually,early if you really want to know) and was inundated with information. I'm just going to put it out there, I don't know of any other work that I could be doing that is more important to the balance and well-being of the world-and that's non-fiction.
Anyway, I stayed a little later after work to talk with one of my new colleagues and help her with a project and then got on the Metro,like a big girl,and made my way back to the dorm.
On the way, I ran into an angry mob that ended up being a reception for Obama,Edwards,and Clinton. They were giving a speech on poverty. I do like that about D.C. I'm not a big fan of the non-existence of smiling or acknowledging people's presence.
I went to Starbucks to try to get wireless='d access denied but I met this really nice guy,good looking,non-sketch Med student who told me where a coffee shop with free-wireless was and then proceeded to walk with me there. I wasn't surprised when he told me he was from Virginia, Southern Gentlemen are always outstanding. Their mommas raised them right :)
Anyway,
there's a brief intro to my life in the city thus far, I know better stories and experiences will ensue...I'll keep you posted.