Thoughts from an airplane...

I flew home for christmas which was great (another blog about that to follow soon), except I had a really odd return flight. We boarded the plane and were supposed to be ontime but then, the CATERING service was late, then brought the wrong truck to load the plane, then took forever, so by the time we got de-iced, we were taking off two hours late. Yes, we sat in the plane for two hours waiting to fly. I got to BWI at 1:00, and back to my house at 3:30 am. Argh!! So here are my thoughts:

1) Catering?!? Really? All they had on the flight was snacks you had to BUY. Shouldn't we have at least gotten free food?

2) The flight attendant said it would be just a "skulch (sp?) longer" is skulch a word?

3) Will my ipod actually interfere with plane signals during take off and landing? I really question this... and why do your seat backs have to be all the way up? And is it really going to cause an injury if your tray table is down while the plane is taking off? Because, the realist in me is thinking that if I'm in a plane crash my tray table isn't going to cause anymore damage to me than the rest of the plane.

4) Fly out of Reagan, on a different carrier, who gives you free food.

Not quite singing in the rain...

This morning was the first time in the months that I've been here I have truly wanted a car. I do own a car, problem is, it is 2000 miles away. I usually have no problems taking the metro or walking everywhere. This morning though, I woke up a little late for church but with plenty of time to get there. I got ready and walked outside. It was raining. I grabbed my rain jacket and thought it wouldn't be too bad, so off I went. I got to church dripping wet, and a little late. Unfortunately there is no slipping in the back since all the seats were taken except on the front row. I and another late comer walked to the front row. I felt like a mess. Luckily a friend from the ward was kind enough to give me a ride home. I can't decide if it would be wiser to invest in a car, or an umbrella.

Double Clap for....

That Romney is so darn likable, even if you don't agree with his politics... watch this.

It's snowing in Washington

I walked through the streets and as the snow fell, the sounds of the city quieted, and peace set upon DC. Somehow, with only a change of nature, the city looks better, smells better and feels better. It makes the cold worth it. So, please... let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

The woes of cheap denim

I bought a pair of jeans off of ebay. Gap long and lean, my favorites for $15.98 (including shipping). I have been eagerly anticipating their arrival, waiting by the mailbox for them. They finally came today. I ripped open the USPS package, excited to finally have another pair of pants since I left some at home during the move. Out they slipped and I was excited. Except, wait, something else was slipping out, wafting up into my senses. I ignored the pungent aroma of Febreeze and tried them on. They are a little long but generally fit well. Still smelling the febreeze, my legs started to itch a little. I smelled my leg and was taken aback. I assume this is what it feels like to be high. Yes, there was that much febreeze. Underlying the febreeze scent was cigarette smoke, which hopefully will come out with a few washings.

So, I hastily logged onto ebay, ready to leave my comments on the seller. These should be clean, and non toxic. I have never had an adverse reaction to febreeze but I have never bathed in it either. Positive, Neutral, Negative were my choices. Neutral I clicked and typed "Pants smell as if soaked in febreeze to cover smell of smoke." This was the first non-positive comment I have left on ebay. I'm beginning to feel a little guilty. Was I wrong for doing this? Is the smell of the pants that important? Am I wrong to expect items that don't give me a rash? Even the pepper-sprayed Miss Puerto Rico wasn''t this harsh. Well, what is done is done. I'm off to do a load of laundary.

The Bachelor

I'm recommending you watch the season finale. This really is the most shocking season yet. Really if you only watch the last 15 minutes you will get it. That's all I saw, at a slow point in the office. But I'm telling you, prepare to be shocked.

Violence in the city

Good news people. Washington DC didn't even make the top 5 most dangerous cities in the US. This place is getting soft, now we're somewhere around 27. While I've been here I have only seen two fights (one yesterday morning on the metro) and two protests.

Happy 45th Axl!!

On the Destiny radar this week:

1) I'm going to start being meaner to people (Laura and Jess know why). I'm not really sure if trying to be nice to everyone is really the way to go. I'm on the East coast now, I think I'm going to start sporting the attitude.

2) Vintage EBay. You can find the greatest stuff, or at least pictures of it. It leaves me to wonder though, can I wear leggings and a 60's mini dress to the office?

3) The New Pornographers, Arcade Fire, some underground rap, and man can Chris Brown move. I catch on slow, I know this. Have you seen Brown dance? Heard The NP or AF? And the underground rap makes me feel cool on the metro.

4) Mike Leavitt. I saw him, I stared and smiled that "I know who you are, you're one of my people" smiles.

5) Mountains, I'm especially missing them right now. I'll be home in a few weeks and I can't wait to ski (er, see) them.

I'd rather be out of shape

I've been in the market for a gym membership, maybe.

It has been raining all week and I am really trying to get back into shape (you would be amazed how fast you lose it). I have visited two rather corporate gyms and had the wonderful opportunity of visiting with two very charismatic gents about signing up. I tried to give them my "I ONLY want to hear prices" speech. Of course this was just not good enough and I was forced into hearing about the classes (seriously what gym doesn't have classes), take a tour (you have treadmills?!?), and listen to them try with their best technique to sign me up (how to be a sweet bra 101).

By the time we got to any type of pricing I had made up my mind these places weren't for me because of the fear of running into to either of these two again daily (okay weekly). Man #1 pursed his lips and talked to me like we were bff's, man #2 asked what I would be willing to pay I said $20/month, like at home, he said "really there isn't a difference between $20 and $49/month" The difference over two years (the contract time): $696. I felt like I was on a bad date, or in high school.

Even the YMCA here is $70 a month, I was hoping to go there and workout next to punks and hoodlums, I was disappointed. They must be bringing in more dough in their career paths than I am. I guess this means I'll be seeing the streets of DC a little more often, and Mary Windsor and I are becoming new bff's.

I'm Employed!!!

I have a permanent position with.... Marcus G Faust PC. The company I am/was interning for offered me a job. Health and Dental Benefits. Does this make me an adult?

Two posts in one day!

I just finished a great book on consumer culture, spending, environmentalism and consumption. "Not Buying It" by Judith Levine. Read it, or at least read these quotes from it:

"Teach a man to fish and he will buy a pair of $400 Simms waders. Then, he'll have to go back to work and stay overtime to pay the bill, and he won't have time to wear them."

"UNICEF announces that over half the children in the world- more than a billion kids- suffer extreme deprivation due to war, HIV/AIDS, or poverty. The report notes that global military spending totaled $956 billion this year, while the cost of effectively combatting poverty would be $40-$70 billion."

Food fight

Yesterday I was sitting at my desk eating lunch and guess I got a little excited about it and I spilled it (rice, salad, dressing) all over the place (my chair, the floor, a little on myself) just as this is happening I look outside and my boss walks in. Can you say embarrassing?

Guess who I just saw?!?

On my trip to the Hart building a few minutes ago, I saw (quite possibly future President) Rudy Guiliani. I stared, and smiled, and told the outside security guard. He laughed.

A little shoutout....

I feel the need to give a shoutout to:

1) People on the metro escalators who walk left stand right. I realize that the extra 20 seconds don't seem like a lot of time, but it could be the difference between getting on or getting left on the platform. Also, when one gets into the powerwalk in a hurry mode, just let them go with it.

2) Inland desalination for brackish water. Facinating, just facinating. I'm reading a study and writing a report for work on this topic and WOW, if you want a copy for your personal use, I'll see if I can hook you up.

3) Al Gore. You transformed yourself from a whiny and sore loser into an Oscar and Nobel Prize winner. I'm impressed, not sold, but impressed.

Washington DC

It feels good to be back. I flew in almost a week ago and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I moved into my very cute apartment on Sunday and started work on Monday. It was so weird to get ready for work. Here's a little MT vs. DC comparison:

The Look

MT: Whatever I wanted to wear. I rarely matched, whatever was on the top of the clean clothes basket was what I wore. Jeans were a staple. Shoes are optional.
DC: Office Attire. I wear button up shirts, skirts and vests. And really uncomfortable shoes. I have blisters all over my feet. Not a single blister during the marathon (or the training), and now my feet hate me.

Work Duties:

MT: Show up, break up an occasional fight, mock each other and talk about fishing.
DC: Deliver memos to congressmen, go to hearings, mostly general office duties.

CoWorkers


MT: Hilarious and (usually) inappropriate fishing bums.
DC: Professional women. They are all knowledgable about the happenings on the Hill, and have really great clothes.

Living Quarters:


MT: A cabin in the woods (My brothers called it a shack in the woods- tomatoes tomahtoes). The kitchen consisted of a fridge/stove (one unit). One night a bear walked past my house as I was walking in.

DC: The basement of this great house in the District. My apartment is really nice. Tile floor, leather couch, an oven. The Animals in this place are WAY scarier than MT, I'd like to see some griz compete with a rabid man eating squirell or my biggest fear in life, these HORRIBLE "sprickets" or camel crickets. They look like a mix between a spider (more like tarantula) and cricket. I think that creature from Spiderman was based on these. They live outside my house and sometimes feel the need to jump in, when of course they have a meeting with my shoe. Any hints on getting rid of them would be highly appreciated.

Marathon Fun

I now know why 26.2 miles hurt so good. Well, kindof. My left ankle is still a little swollen, my quads scream at me if I even think of standing, or sitting. Stairs are a profanity laced experience. But... I finished a marathon. v e r y s l o w l y. I'm definately more tortise, less hare. And, I have all ten toenails left (another accomplishment in and of itself). I'm not sure if another one is in my future. Maybe a half, only if I get faster.

I got a pedicure yesterday, and the man said my feet had too many calluses. I responded that those were earned. He said I needed pedicures more frequenly. Though my feet look much better now, they feel all wimpy. Not that I'm about to start training again or anything crazy like that.