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6 . 2 9 . 0 4 Saw Farenheit 9-11 this weekend at the E-street cinema amid all the hype and controversy. The shows were sold out all the way until 11:00 when I got there around 2 in the afternoon, so I ended up buying my ticket then and came back later that evening. I have to say that I liked it overall, although it was a lot more serious and different than Micheal Moore's previous films. I'm cautious to say that I think I enjoyed Bowling for Columbine better. If anything, it speaks to me how much more serious things have gotten in the past 4 years perhaps. At the very least I'm hoping this movie will get people to pay attention and come out to vote this november. Went to the Irish Channel today for a happy hour. New hires from last summer's internship program are popping up here and there. I have to work on putting faces, which is the tricky part it seems. It may be premature, but I'm already noticing some patterns in the ethnic composition in the new hires. This to complement some of my observations this morning in one of the brownbags for Interns and new hires. The Metro raised their fares this week, apparently they have been running in deficits for quite some time, and although they raised rates last summer, rates have been constant for most of the 1990s. The papers have been featuring disgruntled commuters complaining about the extra 15 cents. I say its still cheaper than driving to work everyday, plus is probably healther in the long run. Its been about a month in the district now. Gotten into some kind of a working schedule and getting used to living in the city. so far so good. 6 . 2 5 . 0 4 Busy week. Got to meet with an advisor for the professional development program, learned a bit about the rotational politics involved and promotion schedules. Lots of potential on gaining some good experience over the next few years, depending on how things go. Otherwise it has been a lot of researching and getting familiar with the workings of the government agencies. Still processing paperwork. Had another entrance conference yesterday, I think it went well, much more information than I had expected originally. We came with a larger group of people than usual, maybe due to the recent politics regarding the agency, or the level of interest that the job carries with it. One of the higher ups came along for the ride and asked some very good questions of the agency. Have been noticing the positioning and body languages of people in meetings as to convey certain impressions. Got an interesting email regarding a policy situation, hope that I was able to shed some light on things based on my experience and knowledge gained over the years. Or at the very least, point someone in the right direction where they might get their questions answered. Wonder if like pop mentioned, it really is a sign of things to come. Started working out at the gym this week, noticed that I still have kept much of my strength. Wondering what kind of results I might be able to muster this time around. Barring a change in my admission status over the summer, I may be on the way back to a regular workout schedule. Last summer I dropped about 20lbs by just exercising for a couple months. 6 . 1 8 . 0 4 Training almost pau, work is picking up, and its hot hot hot in DC again. Had an interview this afternoon over tele-video-conference, it was interesting being on the other side of the interviewing this time around. Thinking back to when I interviewed for the internship at the Pyle center about a year ago and how strange it was to see people on a big screen in front of you. So the first week is finishing up, not sure what my plans are for the weekend, Tanja is coming into towne after doing some work on the east coast. Expect to see her either tonight or tomorrow sometime. Wonder if I'll be hitting some of the smithsonians or something. There also the summer film festival going on as well. This time I'll be able to see more of them now that I know about it. Part of the shower wall in the apartment caved in. Apparently there was only cardboard behind it. Not like I'm really complaining, I think the place is fine overall, in terms of location, price, and size, but it does make me wonder sometimes if other things are just gonna fall apart on me. for example, the sink drain pipe has a PVC attachment to it, I'm assuming that it'll hold, but you never know. Its hot hot hot outside. I guess the only thing bad I can say about Madison after living there was the cold winters, so far I'm thinking that weather wise, DC's drawback is the hot summers. 6 . 1 3 . 0 4 Start training for work tomorrow. 8:15, to be exact, thinking that I'll need to get up around 6:30 to beat the metro rush. I forget when was the crazy time to ride the train from last summer. pretty much anytime in the morning, and late afternoon qualifies. I'm anticipating that much of the training will be a repeat from last year, so I'll be able to take things in stride at least for the first week or so. Went to see Supersize Me at the E Street Cinema by Metro center last night, It was a lot like a movie version of Fast Food Nation. Maybe I'll be going to Whole Foods a lot more than I had originally planned. I've been able to find two art house movie theaters within 1 block of a metro stop, and 2 mainstream theaters right on metro stop. I'm really digging the train, its so quick and fast and a lot easier than having a car. I keep smirking whenever walking by a crowded street in the city with the oversized cars honking their horns in traffic as if it would make the gridlock move any faster. Found a decent Sushi place down the street in Tenleytown called Murasaki. Not too pricey, and close by. Went to a place called Burma to eat, they had some very interesting selections, kind of like thai food, but more subtle and complex. Have to got there again. Still trying to find a place to get some decent beer, right now I'll settle for some Sapporo, but I'm not in Dupont Circle anymore. I did pass by a Gorden Biersch downtown, I think I remember them being there last summer as well. Reminds me of home. DC is definitely different than Madison, and not to mention Honolulu. Reading the Weekly online, with the Best of Honolulu 2004, that Honolulu is the 12th largest City in the U.S. Wondering where DC ranks in that list. Probably within the top ten I'm thinking. 6 . 7 . 0 4 Exploring the area a bit more, getting moved into the apartment and getting ready for work. Found a bunch of shops and stores within walking distance of the apartment, Best Buy, Whole Foods, public library, radio shack, starbucks, a liquor store, not to mention the metro. It is a residential neighborhood, a lot like middletown, with a lot of families around. Theres an elementary school on the corner, where they have a farmer's market twice a week. Plus these Cicadas are everywhere. During the day you can hear them chirping, its like a flock of grasshoppers in throbbing waves all day. Kind of like birds in a banyan tree at the Zoo or something. They fly around and run into things like cars and people walking by. Their bodies are black and their eyes are red, making them look like oversized plastic flies. Apparently cicadas are like chicken McNuggets to dogs. I was reading an article in the post the other day about how they can make dogs constipated, so owners should curb their dogs consumption of the little critters. Wonder if they're really any good. People are serving them up in the area eateries. Lulu's in DC is having a cajun cicada eating contest or something like that. Meanwhile its the adventure of being in a new city, new surroundings, new opportunities that is making life more interesting. Only been here a few days, and have been more or less anti but still its been a great experience so far. Looking forward to starting work. 6 . 5 . 0 4 In DC now. Moved into the apartment on a rainy saturday morning, got to see some of the dead cicadas on the ground and familiar sights and sounds from about a year ago. Only this time my stay in the capitol city will be for at least 15 months. Spent the day getting re-oriented with the city, found the metro stops and grocery stores. Am very impressed with the selection and goods at IKEA, not to mention their marketing strategies. Whole Foods is neat but way overpriced. The price of exotic and organic foods. Been running on empty for the past 24 hours, need to get some shuteye. 6 . 1 . 0 4 Start of the 6th year of this online journal, looking back I've covered a lot of ground and had my fair share of adventures. Looking forward to DC, running around at home trying to pack things up and clean up my room. Lots of old junk and memories are coming out of the woodwork and cardboard boxes. Been updating this ipod, apparently if you don't tell the machine not to automatically update, then it goes ahead and erases all of the files that you don't have matched on the library on your computer. I wonder if its just stupidity in whoever designed the ipod, or maybe its just a feeble attempt at protecting copyrights. |