Doing it for the story

****CROSS-POSTED from the friendshipisnonpartisan blog****

So I've been, like, beyond neglectful in my contributions to this blog. In my defense, life has been a steady whirlwind of interviewing, picture-taking, littering the internet with cross-posted video to draw attention to McCain's OPPOSITION to "Buy American" provisions (because why should the Secret Service ride around on American-made motorcycles??), preparing for a visit from the boss, deciding which impromptu press conferences are worth my time and which events might get me into legal trouble, occasionally drinking with various local politicos ("C didn't ask me to go drinking with you guys when he called earlier." My coworker's response was instantaneous: "That's because C doesn't like you." "Good," I said, "I don't like him either."), dragging myself out of bed at 4am for the unique union event that is the worksite leaflet ("You know, you learn a lot about a person at a 5am worksite leaflet." "I bet you do...") and getting asked out by scruffy union guys and having to tactfully yet forcefully decline.

Which reminds me, a new staffer arrived last week from national, and we instantly hit it off. "So have you dated since you've been in Wisconsin?" she asked.

"Well," I replied. "I went on one godawful boring date with a vegan, I was hooking up for a minute with this guy but now that's done, and I guess I pretty much have my pick of the building trades."

In summary, I'm still pretty much doing it all for the story.

Still alive

Still alive. Still in Wisconsin. I'm getting into a nice little weekend routine of spending my afternoons at the pool, soaking up the Midwestern sunshine and trying to forget everything that consumes me during the week. I try and catch up with phone calls to family and friends, and not miss everyone so much I want to cry. But I'm starting to make some friends here (I'm headed into my seventh week here in Wisco, and I can hardly believe it), so the loneliness is less pressing than it was at first.

I still really miss my amazing Plaza hotel bed, though.

I have a plan for tonight, and it involves meeting new people socially who have absolutely nothing to do with politics or unions, and drinking lots of beer and listening to live music. Yes. A plan. I love it.

The weather here in Wisconsin is lovely, except when it's been flooding and tornadoing (see: first week in state) but the loneliness is a bit much, and I wake up almost every morning wondering if this is, perhaps, the craziest, most impulsive decision I've ever made, and will I actually survive until November? But hey, I've already been here a month(!!) and accomplished so much and managed to do things I've never done before (like, um, buy a car in one day) and, here's the key: it's only temporary. This has been my philosophy of life for the past couple years and it seems to serve me well. Punter even told me the other day on the phone that my "it's only temporary" outlook on life has helped her out, too, so I'm sharing it now in the hopes that it might, maybe, help you too.

Let me tell you this, also: They've never seen anything like me before in Wisconsin. Even in the big city of Milwaukee. Also, Everyone's Favorite DC Rollergirl and I came to the conclusion a few weekends back when she was in town visiting that Milwaukee is to Chicago as B-more is to DC. Which, if you're not familiar with either part of the country, can be explained this way: Milwaukee & B-more are the smaller, scruffier one-hour drive away step-sisters of the bigger cities of Chicago and DC.

Off to start my night!

Oh yeah...I have a blog...

Oh yeah, I have a personal blog. If it's any comfort, I think about it all the time, and all the funny things I want to write about, but by the time I have "personal time" at the end of the day my brain tends to be shot from all the work writing I do. (What else is new?) So...someday (like, in November) when I'm unemployed again I'll devote myself to this casetheplace blog. Until then, expect the occasional sporadic update.

Holla.

Bemused

Today I bought a car.

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The sound of cracking

I think I've almost got this great big oyster open. By DC standards, I have definitely arrived: I have an employer-issued Blackberry and a brand new stack of business cards ready to be pressed into the palms of potentially useful persons. I don't have a car yet (hopefully will have one before the weekend is through) or a place to live, and I won't even get properly trained until Sunday, but I've already jumped right in and started meeting people and working on projects and trying to learn all I can about the million and one things I don't know anything about. My life is beyond hectic and I'm loving every minute of it.

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Best. Day. Ever. (in bullet form)

It's the day before my birthday, so I consider each of the following bullets a birthday present for me on my 2nd 22nd:

• Dad's fiancee's visa is finalized - yay, the wedding can finally happen!
  
• Barack Obama wins majority of pledged delgates - Holla!
• I receive calls from THREE different places wanting to schedule job interviews - the relentless plastering of my resume all over town finally pays off!
• During the late afternoon conference call interview for my dream job, I am told one of my answers gets an A+ - and who doesn't like to get an A+??
• Mr. Smith Goes to Washington on the big screen
  
• And, finally, the most bestest birthday present of all...I AM OFFICIALLY OFFERED MY DREAM JOB at 5:20 this afternoon! Best. Day. Ever.

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I hate waiting

I hate waiting. Hate it. Especially when I have no idea when the waiting might end. Which makes this whole job hunting thing horribly painful. However, everyone tells me I'm doing well, since I've had a couple of interviews already, with another scheduled for Thursday. Of course, if I get the job that I really want, I might be...well, let's wait and reveal that once I know for certain that it's really going to happen. Keep you in suspense a bit and all that.

I slept for more than ten hours last night, and it felt fantastic.

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Hangover

Yup, I have a hell of a hangover right now. Last night was my birthday party (actual birthday is Wednesday) and boy, did I celebrate. I haven't done much today, but the roommate and I did make it to IKEA, so there was a sense of accomplishment in finally buying a dresser and a chair for my desk. I've made a few plans for tomorrow, so that I don't have an empty, yawning day ahead of me. I will devote several hours in the morning to applying for jobs, and then I have things to do in the afternoon and evening, which is good for me, because what terrifies me most about not having a job (besides the lack of income) is not having anything to do. I plan to go to a different museum every day, to alleviate boredom and get me out of the house. I think it's a good plan.

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Jittery possibility

It's slowly starting to feel like home here, in my new place. I've been here about a month, and slowly things are getting settled and put in order. The next year and a half will undoubtedly fly by. My plan right now, which is subject to change at any moment without a bit of public notice, is to be in DC until 2010, and then go someplace else for my next adventure. Maybe grad school, even. We'll see.

Yesterday was my last day as an intern. I've been interning at one place or another since January 2006, and I couldn't wait to be done as an intern, but of course now that it's actually done I'm feeling kind of 'aw, this part of my life is so over' about it. The world is still my oyster, and while I haven't quite figured out how to crack it open and get at the really big pearl yet, the past four months in DC have pushed me ever closer to my goals. I'm so close to something really great and really big I just want to sit and cry at the possibility and hope that permeates my life right now...So close, so close...

And I have been a horribly irregular blogger. Blame it on the hectic nature of the past few weeks, blame it on me not making writing a priority (which is a shame, because I need to write to feel whole, and I have not been writing as I should AT ALL, which leaves me feeling anxious and needy). Now that I am officially unemployed I'm gonna do my best to post here everyday until I have a job. It's the right thing to do.

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Brief, brief update

While re-experiencing the keg stands and dorm drama of undergrad has been amusing, casetheplace will soon be returning to her regularly scheduled adulthood. To all her 21-year-olds: It's been real, y'all. It's been real.

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Oh Jenna...

One of many rules casetheplace lives by: If a White House wedding is an option, always choose the White House wedding.

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80

It's all racing towards May 1st with a speed and intensity I should have seen coming. The way the pollen makes my skin itch, the blisters on my feet where the flip flop straps rub at newly bared feet...spring is finally here.

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Home sickness is sometimes just a twinge of 'what could of been,' not full-blown longing

I had to make phone calls to media outlets in Atlanta today, and the sound of the voices, despite being rushed and mostly disinterested, was enough to give me the slightest twinge of homesickness.
My fellow interns commented on my heightened drawl, and it was true: my voice rang strangely in my ears, sounding like a sugared version of me I didn't completely recognize anymore.

The twinge quickly passed, as I enlisted Mitz and his car to aid in moving Saturday, and started to concoct plans for the weekend. But the drawl has clung into the evening, and I wonder how much longer the softer vowels will roll from my tongue.

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Things My Friends Say: Really, really (really!) gay edition

"You know, my day would have a whole lot less meaning if I wasn't your pet."
- Mitz, commenting on my ability to make him accompany me to various office locales (coffee machine, copier, basement) with just an arched eyebrow and a head toss.

"It just doesn't tend to end well with people who are white."
- Jay-ber, explaining why he doesn't date people of his own ethnicity.

"I would expect nothing less from casetheplace and a gay man."
- Out-of-town guest, regarding some long since forgotten anecdote.

"Is it a penis...oh, no, it's a bunny."
- (This one is actually a casetheplace said, when handed an Easter-themed lollipop by the Religion & Faith program intern.)

"I'm working for a big ol' gay organization and I don't know who the biggest homos are."
- Jay-ber, on why he needed to spend time studying Out magazine's Power 50 list.

"Casetheplace is like Google for Georgia - no, the whole South!"
- Jay-ber (again, I know! This kid is full of it - er, I mean, them, full of them), after I once again had to explain some Atlanta-ism or Southern-ism none of the Northerners and Midwesterners understood.

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The ATLien mutates

I'm quickly morphing from an Atlantan to a Washingtonian, and I have decided to posit Saturday as the official day I start saying I'm from DC. I'll still be originally from Atlanta, of course, since it is, after all, impossible to change the city you grew up in, but from Saturday on I officially live in DC.

(I chose Saturday and not the day I signed my lease because Saturday is the day I will actually take up residency in my new house.)

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I don't think Patrick Swayze meant a tornado when he sang "She's Like the Wind."

Commercial

I have to say, I think the 30 second commercial my practicum group and I created for the mock Senatorial campaign we're running this semester is quite good. And I'm not just saying that because I produced the damn thing and wrote the script and spent a great deal of time compiling stock footage and looking up our opponent's House votes (thank you, Project Vote Smart, you're a life saver!) and coordinated with our film and video guy. (Ok, maybe that is why I'm saying that.) But really, I think it's quite good, and once the competition is over May 1st I will try and remember to post it here for all of y'all to see.

Life continues on, just as jam-packed as ever.

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Things to do on a Sunday

1) Brunch.
2) Use the timestamps on your text messages to reconstruct the previous night's shenanigans.
3) Do homework.
4) Write a blog entry.
5) Return phone calls, e-mails, and other modes of communication.
6) Read the Sunday New York Times.
7) Lounge/lollygag.
8) Go shopping.
9) Catch up with the roommate.
10) Go for a walk.
11) Consider...everything.
12) Laundry.
13) Prepare for the upcoming week.

How many of these will I do this Sunday? How many have you done?

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Get your drink ticket before heading to the bar

Last night, Charlton Heston died on the dance floor. Not literally, of course, but word of his death came to us as we danced, via tax-payer-supported Blackberry. I feel like maybe his death would make a good metaphor for something, but I haven't had my coffee yet, and so the more abstract connecting of disparate thoughts part of my brain isn't working at full capacity. Perhaps I'll come up with something later.

This weekend may perhaps go down in the partying archive as "The Weekend of the Drink Ticket." Both the Hirshhorn Friday night and the loft party last night required the purchase of drink tickets (little paper tickets like what you get at a school fair or carnival) in order to acquire beverages from the bar. I'm assuming this is to speed up the drink-getting process, since the bartenders aren't handling money and trying to make change and whatnot, but in reality it's really annoying and requires too much pre-planning on the part of slightly tipsy people ("So how many drink tickets should I go ahead and get? I just waited in that line for twenty minutes and I don't want to have to wait in it again, but I also don't want to buy tickets I'm not going to use...and I only have two hands..."). In brief, casetheplace is not a fan of the drink ticket, and she hopes this is a trend that will not continue.

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Overwhelmed

Tonight was the first night in a long time that I decided to just come home and...be. I've been sick the past few days (I know, I know, again, right? It's all due to stress, I'm fairly sure. I spent a great deal of time wailing, "I'm just overwhelmed!" and when people ask by what the only response I can think to give that really sums it up is "Life!" which is maybe a tad over dramatic, but nonetheless true.) and though I felt better today, I decided it would be best to take it easy.

The roommate wasn't around, so I turned on the television and vegged in a way that I haven't really since I got to DC. I watched The Simpsons and it was the classic episode Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington. Fabulous. Just what I was in the mood for.

I've decided to take a break from job hunting for a bit to focus on the last few weeks of school and my internship. I've been stressing myself out too much trying to do it all, and I need to just focus my energy on a couple of things right now.

Tonight I bought a one-way ticket to ATL for mid-May so I can pack up the last of my things and drive them up here to DC, which is actually a big weight off my shoulders because at least now I have the date for that settled. The more things I get set the better I feel. My life has been too unsettled and up in the air for too long. I need some stability.

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Test

Just trying something out...more later...

Something about gender norms

My internship must be getting to me: I'm starting to act like I did when I took my first woman's studies class nearly ten years ago, getting irritated by gender norms and assumptions at every turn. I'd gotten rather complacent and able to let stuff slide more and more the past few years, but being fully immersed again in a place that lives and breathes sexuality and gender has riled me up something major. I snapped at a (straight) (male) friend on the phone tonight, shouting, "You're buying into the gender binary!" Which was true, but I probably could have been a little nicer about it. Sometimes it's hard for me to remember that not everyone spends their days consumed with GLBT civil rights (or LGBT, if you prefer...oh, the arguments that occur over GLBT v. LGBT v. queer v....if you only knew!!).

So yeah. Gender norms. Any thoughts?

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Oh Monday...

What I love about Mitz is how damn ridiculously preppy he dresses, but that he's really cool as shit underneath all that J.Crew and Banana. For instance, today I sashayed by his cube and said, "What ya listenin' to?"

"Common."

See what I mean? He's amazing. And I'm not just saying that cause he'll go down to the basement with me at work cause I'm too scared to go into the publications room by myself. (In my defense, that is how people end up having their brains eaten by zombies...) Mitz is amazing cause he's not trying too hard. He just is.

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Changes are happening

This blog is undergoing some changes. (You've probably noticed a few already.) I'm experimenting with formatting and tags and content and having contributors(!!), all in anticipation of my future career as a professional blogger. Let me know what you like and what you don't like in the comments. Thanks.

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Bounce wit me

Last night in Baltimore, HT pointed to me and said, "You can always tell ATL kids by the way that they bounce when they dance."

And yeah, I was bouncing. (To house music. At a rave. With glow sticks. I don't want to talk about it too much, but I will say apparently the universe has preserved a little bit of the late 90s rave scene in Baltimore. JNCOS, people! And the rhinestone bebe shirt every girl in my high school and every other high school in America sported when I was a freshman in 1997. And did I mention there were actual glowsticks??)

The DC kids with ATL connections loooove to talk about ATL when I'm around. "Remember that one time in ATL? Did you ever go to that club in ATL? Did you ever drink at that bar in ATL? Remember that party in ATL? Where did you live in ATL? ATL ATL ATL..." Which is kinda sweet and cute, all the ATL love, especially since I rep the A pretty hard up here (although I think I should be slapped, personally, the next time drunk casetheplace shouts and signs "Peace out! A-town down!" for no good reason, cause I do it waaaay too much, I'm not gonna lie...), but hey, look, I'm not in ATL anymore, and I don't plan to return anytime soon, and all that's for some very good reasons, and you're not in ATL these days either, so can we maybe not talk about ATL all the damn time? Thank you, 'preciate it.

But, um, while we're on the subject of ATL, here's some funny, funny, funniness. Especially if you've ever been a MARTA rider ("Isn't the Metro so much better than MARTA?" "SmarTrip's like a BREEZE card." "The buses here don't suck like MARTA buses." "I got hit by a MARTA bus once."). Oh, and in case you don't know what HT meant by bounce, there's some definite bounce in this:

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Fresca Friday

Happy Fresca Friday, y'all! Mitz declared today Fresca Friday because yesterday a bunch of us interns were giving him shit about his drinking Fresca.

"What are you, an old woman?" we all said. "Are you gonna start drinking Tab now too?"

Mitz tried to defend his Fresca drinking as not being old ladyish by reading us a printout of the Wikipedia entry for the drink ("Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin wrote that Fresca was the favorite drink of U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson, who had a button installed on the desk in the White House's Oval Office which would summon his military aide to bring the drink. In addition, Fresca was the favorite drink of the expansion teams in the NHL during the 1967 season"...Lyndon B. Johnson, people! And hockey players! They're not old ladies! Oh, and it's been featured in three - three! - episodes of The Simpsons! And The Daily Show!), but then Mitz made the mistake of mentioning that he was going on an evening river cruise on the Potomac next week, and all hell broke loose.

"You ARE an old woman! Look, he's even wearing a cardigan!"

Today, Mitz busted into the office with a stack of Dixie cups and a can of Fresca. "Who's ready to break down some beverage stereotypes??" he asked.

He then distributed the cups, and poured us each an inch of Fresca. I hadn't had Fresca in years, and I have to say, it tastes just as bizarre now as it did in the Nineties. (Sorry, Mitz, but I won't be joining you in old lady soft drink land on the regular.)

A lot of other things happened today, most notably my wiping out at 9:10 this morning on K Street. It was quite spectacular, with the coffee flying out of my hand and the sprawled out landing that slightly twisted my left ankle and tore open my right knee. It really knocked the wind out of me, and it took me a moment till I could let LG help me up. Everyone was all concerned about me being hurt, and all I could manage to get out was, "My coffee..." in a rather woeful voice. My skinned knee would heal with time, but the coffee seeping into the uneven cracks of the sidewalk was gone forever.

And here's a great thing one of my friends said today:

"Do squirrels eat worms? Like, in times of scarcity, do they eat worms? I saw one eating a worm today and I was like, Wow, it must be tough for them if they've moved on to worms..."

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Things my friends say

I'm trying to do a better job of writing down the hilarious shit my hilariously awesome friends say. Here are a few from this week:

"The only 'g' word I love is 'gummy bear' - or 'Ginger spice.' I LOVE her!"

"I had to turn the light on when we were doing it because I forgot what he looked like. (pause) Isn't that bad?"

"I know I'm a gay man, but culturally, I'm a lesbian."

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I wrote the shit out of that midterm

My professor said my midterm was the best in the class (*pats self on back*). I have a whole lot more to say, but it's 1:30 in the morning and I have another long day ahead of me tomorrow and - and - and...it'll just have to wait.

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Spring Break Oh Eight...sigh...

It's been spring break this week, probably my last one for a long while (and maybe ever). It hasn't been much of a vacation, to be honest. I worked Monday, and then flew out super early Tuesday morning for Georgia. As soon as I landed, I headed straight to the grandparents' house for a quick overnight visit. By Wednesday evening I was back in ATL. Then yesterday I flew out super early from ATL for DC.

It was a tough trip. Seeing CV was the bestest; seeing swathes of the city in shambles was not. The fam was difficult, and I spent great stretches of Thursday night wishing I was back in DC because, when you have a non-boyfriend, and a non-relationship, it can come as something of a surprise to find yourself having a very real break up fight with very real tears.

I brought back some things that I had had stored in my grandparents' basement (things like my pink go go boots and my tequila set), so I left ATL with lots of baggage, and if that's not the greatest visual metaphor ever I don't know what is.

When Ashe hugged me tonight in a great big bear hug and said, "Don't ever go to Atlanta again!" I told her, "Don't worry, I don't want to."

Tomorrow I sign the lease that proves I'll be staying in DC for a while. I couldn't be more relieved.

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QUESTION: Why do they have two hooks in our ceiling if we are not supposed to have things hanging from our ceiling?



ANSWER: ???

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All about the Shaw

Apartment hunting in a new city with a new friend is one of the most exciting, exhilarating, heady experiences. You should try it sometime.

Also, I'm starting to come up with aliases for everyone, in anticipation of my becoming a professional blogger. Also in anticipation of becoming a professional blogger, LG and I made some silly web cam videos tonight. Which reminded me that I have a web cam in my computer that I currently never use. I need to remedy that.

More after my midterm tomorrow.

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This weekend's theme was "I plan to be a professional blogger" with the sub-theme "Yes, I carry a headlamp nearly everywhere I go."



The headline kind of says it all. What started out as something of a joke ("I want to be Perez Hilton. I want to be a professional blogger. I want to sit around in coffee shops and bars with free wifi and type things and post pictures." ) is starting to take shape in my mind as something I might maybe could make a reality. Maybe.



I also have come to the sad realization I have a midterm on Thursday, and I haven't studied for it. Sigh.

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Oh goodness



Did I really write a post last night where I said I'm "going to go find myself?" Yikes. Can we pretend like that didn't happen? Thanks.



About to take off for New York. I'm sure I'll have tales to tell once I return. Holla.

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Addendum to the previous





Also, am seriously contemplating taking off in mid-May to go find myself. I gotta be around here somewhere.

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Note to self



Simon & Ashe's suggestion to write a modern-day interpretation of the life of Alexander Hamilton is not half-bad. Also, I may or may not be half-tipsy, which could explain my warmness to the idea...

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It was a good day



"The powerful person in any conversation is the best listener."

- Harry Knox



It was a good day today. Class was good, work was good. I attended an intern brown bag with the inspiring (and I don't say inspiring lightly...the man is inspiring) Harry Knox. Not only does he run HRC's Religion & Faith program, he's from south Georgia, and lives part of the time in Atlanta still. I haven't felt any homesickness since my first week or so here, but hearing him speak in his calm, South Georgia drawl...well, let's just say when he mentioned coming out to his Gran after she cornered him in his house in Decatur ("That's where you're from!" whispered my two bestest intern friends), I had to wipe my eyes more than a little bit. The man is an amazing, insightful speaker, and if you ever have the chance to hear him speak you absolutely should.



Speaking of religion and faith, I have plans for Easter this year. Last year I did absolutely nothing to mark the holiday, and the year before that was spent uncomfortably in Macon, Georgia with the ex and his family. This year I plan to attend Easter service at the National Cathedral, which will no doubt be majestically amazing. And a group of us are organizing a proper Easter dinner for the afternoon, with a ham and everything (I'm gonna make the mashed potatoes and sweet potato casserole). And we're gonna have an Easter egg hunt. So now I've got to find an Easter dress and hat...



I've been doing a lot of thinking about my spirituality lately. More on that later.

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Order of operations



I've created an order of operations for 2008. It looks like this:



1) Find an awesome job.

2) Rent a hott apartment (preferably with a fun and chill roommate).

3) Begin dating a quality boyfriend.



I think that pretty much sums up where I am in my life right now.



I've also decided that I'm going to turn 22 again this year. 25 sounds too old, too much on the downward slope to 30. (30 is like a big deal for me - you have to start acting like an adult and stuff when you get to be 30.) So 22 it is.



And CV is in Alaska for the Iditarod, which makes me so jealous every time I think about it I can't see straight.



But! I am headed to NYC to see Marilyn next weekend, which is completely exciting.

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Age inappropriate



For those of you who have been following my story for some time now, it should come as no surprise that I have spent the past seven weeks feeling completely age inappropriate. It's a common theme for me; I seem to refuse to do anything according to the socially acceptable time line (see: college, marriage). This semester in Washington has been a time warp of sorts, and considering how horrible an experience my first time going away to college was, it was ripe with all sorts of potential to be completely awful. But who says you can't go back and that there are no second chances?? Going Away to College: The Do-over has proven once again that sometimes the sequel is way better than the original.



Here are a few reasons why The Do-over is clearly superior to the original:


1) I not only get along with my roommate, I consider her a true friend. This is very, very, very different from my freshman year roommates...the least said about all that the better (and I realize I was not exactly a very good roommate myself in those days, so blame falls on all sides for that).



2) I'm not dating a douchebag.


3) I'm not severely depressed. This is key to everything, I think. My attitude and approach to life is so much healthier and productive at this point in my life.


4) I'm not a teenager. Amen.




I am, however, having a rather age appropriate quarterlife crisis of sorts, trying to sort out my career options and where I want to live and what I want to do. But I'm getting good advice from many smart, successful people, and I know everything will work out exactly how it should, so I'm mostly keeping myself calm. Mostly.




And it's March already. I feel like being ill made me sleep away the end of February, and so March snuck up on me when I least expected it.

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Delirious thoughts from my sickbed



Will I ever have long hair again? Is 25 really as terrifyingly old as it sounds? How do people ever find one another to fall in love? Which is weirder: my roommate's need to wear high heels when writing a paper or my need to scribble repetitive thoughts into a notebook to combat insomnia? How do I ever expect to finish reading Love in the Time of Cholera if I never sit down for more than a page at a time? Will I ever own furniture again? Why does the dishwasher in this place wash dishes so poorly? Do I even remember what it feels like to be healthy?



So after a week of sick, I came down with a fever Monday night. It broke by yesterday morning, but, despite sleeping all day, spiked back up to 101.5 Tuesday night. This was enough to make me concerned that I might have some horrible dorm disease, so I went in to student health services this morning to see a health care professional. The nurse practitioner confirmed what I suspected: Viruses do not hang around for a week and then turn into a fever. Therefore, I had neither a cold nor the flu, but some sort of bacteria wrecking havoc on my body. She wrote me a prescription for one of those antibiotic packs that are all the rage ("This should kill anything in your upper or lower respiratory system") and sent me on my way.



I spent all of today in bed, sleeping, dreaming, and having delirious thoughts like those featured above.



The upside is I woke up at about 4 this afternoon feeling slightly less crappy than I have in recent memory. Hopefully this means the antibiotics are beginning to kill the nasty bacteria and I can rejoin the living sometime soon.

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I was doing laundry today, and was sitting with a notepad and a pen, trying to write an assignment for class that has yet to be written (oh, and you thought I was blogging because I'm a good little blogger...no, I'm blogging to avoid writing real work...what else is new...), and I didn't know where to begin, so I started word doodling. Word doodling is what I do instead of "brainstorming." I start writing whatever pops into my head, and usually after a sentence or five thoughts begin to take form and I'm off writing. However, my word doodle today went like this:



QUESTION: What am I doing with my life?

Answer: ?



And so my word doodle ended just as quickly as it started, without a bit of usable material for my assignment.



I wasn't really surprised that such a question-and-answer should pop into my head, not after this weekend. I've been sick and on cold medicine, and my friend Patrick came to visit from Georgia. He and I go way back to when we were just two screwed up kids trying to navigate the semi-adult world of college for the first (and ultimately unsuccessful) time. Now we're a couple of jaded-yet-hopeful mid-twentysomethings who've finally managed to finish our respective bachelor degrees and can talk about things like careers and law and grad school. I don't see Patrick that often, but when I do it stirs up deep emotions and contemplative thoughts. Plus I've been having pretty heavy "What should I do come May?" conversations with everyone I've talked to the past week or so. So it makes total sense that my word doodle ended up the way it did.



Today was the first day in the better part of a week where I've felt semi-normal, healthwise. I'm still somewhat congested, but at least I've got some energy back.



And the Oscars are on. Hosted by John Stewart. Love him. I actually have seen most of the Oscar-nominated movies this year. Personally, I'm rooting for No Country For Old Men.

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And in my real life, I'm a blogger too.



Check it out.

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The RBG

She was pretty badass.

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So...



I got asked out today. By a girl. It was the most adorable thing ever. She came into my cube this afternoon and, in front of four of my fellow interns, asked me if I'd like to join her outside while she had a cigarette. I said sure. I was so completely oblivious that when she came right out and asked me if I'd like to have dinner sometime I was blown away. It was just the cutest thing ever. I guess I'm so used to Atlanta and NEVER getting asked out EVER that I could hardly believe this mousy little nineteen year old had more gumption than all the bastards back home put together and came right out with it. It totally made my day. It's good for the casetheplace to get asked out from time to time.



Also, I get told how I talk is cute on an almost daily basis. And no one ever complains about me being too pushy or loud. In fact, I get told I'm sweet (?!) quite a lot. It's good for the casetheplace not to be in the Deep South.



Also, I hadn't realized how crazy the family was driving me until I got a good 600+ miles between us. It's good for the casetheplace not to be within a few hours drive of the fam.



Also, the world still feels like my own huge, crackable oyster. Love it.

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Post 279: In which our heroine is skeeved out by The Millionaire Matchmaker, among other things



Have you watched The Millionaire Matchmaker yet? This show majorly weirds me out. Like, hardcore makes me uncomfortable. I guess despite all my cynicism I'm still really romantic at heart, and this show commodifies love and relationships in a way that's even crasser than, say, The Bachelor. Blech.



This weekend was a lot of fun. I have a fantastic blister on my right baby toe from going out dancing in shoes that had not been properly broken in. The roommate and I continue to bond. Life is pretty good.

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The problem is



The problem is, once I go too long without a proper blog session, the thought of sitting down and trying to catch y'all up becomes so daunting I don't know where to begin. I've been told some of you check this blog "religiously" and are disappointed I'm not writing more. My god, people, the pressure! The pressure!



But anyway.



It's already the night before Super Tuesday, and of course spirits are high everywhere around here. So remember, kids, do your part and vote or caucus tomorrow (if applicable for your respective state)!



I'm totally loving DC. I knew I was unhappy in Atlanta, but it suddenly hit me today just how happy I am in general here compared to how unhappy in general I was there, and it's kind of staggering. Life isn't perfect (bunk beds, anyone?), but it is generally good, and I feel good. There was a minute a couple of weeks ago when I thought I might entertain the possibility of moving back to ATL at the end of the semester, but that quickly passed. Now I'm hyped up and excited about finding a job here and staying a while.



I've met so many fantastic and fabulous people since I arrived. As I suspected, this is a city of people who approach life, the world, and everything in much the same way I do. The ambition radiating off of the kids in my program is electrifying. My roommate and I have seriously bonded. We hit it off from the start, but things really snowballed the night we did it up Mr. Smith Goes to Washington-style and visited the Lincoln Memorial, all lit up and stunning. At night before we go to sleep we talk politics and boys, and our future plans for both. We are both addicted to Project Runway and the news (CNN is a get-home-from-work fixture on our tv). I was sooo worried before I got here that she and I might not get along, and I am beyond pleased that we totally do.



I joked before I left ATL that I planned to go out every night of the week here, and the joke has become something of a reality. I really put myself out there the first couple weeks, and as a result my dance card is pretty much constantly filled. And since I'm a person who generally needs constant activity, this is the best thing for me.



Alright, it's nearly midnight, and I have another long day ahead tomorrow. Night.

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Post 277: Link inclusive!



I donated to the Obama campaign last night, helping him reach his goal of 250,000 by midnight. I've never given money to ANY cause or campaign before, so this is kind of a big deal, y'all. I'm just sayin'.



Also, I totally want this shirt. Or maybe just the tote.



Also, I'm kind of totally rocking the shit out of my internship.



Also, the social life has kicked into Atlanta-style busyness. Holla!

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TGIF? I'm not sure



Well, it's my second Friday here, and I've survived another week. I started my internship on Tuesday, and so far so good. I exceeded my boss' expectations Thursday with my first writing assignment, which was awesome to hear. The other interns are friendly and outgoing, and I'm hoping to make friends with some of them soon.



It's the loneliness that's getting me most...I've never talked so much on the phone in my life. I've come to realize I'm a strange, odd person, and it takes a long time for me to get close to someone. And I was a lot closer to a lot more someones than I thought I was in Atlanta. And talking on the phone is so not the same. And though I've been surrounding myself with people as much as possible, there is no lonelier a feeling than feeling lonely in a crowd.



And I'm totally not into this cold weather at all.



I'm also tired of being on my best behavior. I've been nothing but nice and friendly and agreeable for 12 days now, and the facade is wearing thin. I desperately want to be bitchy and judgmental with someone who won't think me a bitch for being bitchy and judgmental. (No smart ass comments, please, I'm pouring my lonely little emotional heart out here and I can't take it right now.) I talked with CV on the phone tonight for the better part of an hour, and it helped somewhat, but it also made me miss her a lot. I can tell her just about anything and she'll find it just as funny as I do. We like to laugh at life.



But! Aside from the loneliness, DC is pretty awesome. I've figured out the Metro and am learning the lay of the land bit by bit by bit. I'm also planning a weekend getaway to see MC in New York for an as-yet-to-be-determined weekend in February. And various other folks are planning to come up here in the next few months to see me. So that all makes me happy.

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Three day weekend recap



I shouldn't have worried about the three day weekend. I ended up with more than enough fun on my hands. Friday night I partied with a gaggle of kids from the program I'm in, many of them underage, and I'd forgotten how adorably tarded drunk underage kids can be. Saturday during the day I went shopping with the roommate, and then that evening I partied with a more age-appropriate crew. A fantastic time was had by all, I think. I certainly enjoyed myself. Sunday was spent more sedately, and Monday afternoon I did some volunteer neighborhood clean-up work. I watched the Democrats' debate, and about a half hour later I got a text that said, "Fresh baked cookies and Daily Show?" Of course I couldn't say no to that. As I walked out my door and rounded the corner to where EM & LG live (the girls who had sent the text) , I looked up at the blinking top of the Washington Monument and took in a deep breathe, impressed with the simple joy of that moment.

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Still happy to be here



I'm still feeling very happy to be here, and I know it's the right thing to do and that Tuesday, when I start my internship, life will be back to its usual hum of constant busyness and excitement, but right now I've got a tad bit too much time on my hands, and the three day weekend looms ahead, with nothing planned yet and me worrying that I'll be sitting around staring at the walls. This would not frighten me so much if the walls I had to stare at were in a proper apartment somewhere, but unfortunately the walls are in a dorm room, and there is nothing more depressing than sitting around a dorm room with nothing to do. But hey, I got invited to a frat party Saturday night (you think I'm kidding? I am so not kidding...) so there's always that option.



When I think back to where I was just a month ago, it boggles the mind. So much has happened in just a month. The fabulous going away party, moving out of my Decatur apartment (it was so tiny but I loved it a lot and I was there for 12 months, which is something of an apartment record for me), the trip to the Everglades, the week of just hanging around Atlanta without much of anything to do, the leaving Atlanta a day later than planned, the arriving in DC, the snow today...I've been busier than I think.



I've had lots of quality alone time, but I'm beginning to get a little sick of myself. I hope I make lots of friends soon.

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So much has been happening, I don't even know where to begin



So here's the ultra short version: I arrived in DC Sunday morning, my roommate is very sweet and cool, the dorm room has bunk beds, but at least now I'm on the bottom bunk, I start my internship Tuesday, walking around the city is great but cold, it snowed yesterday and is supposed to snow again tomorrow, I found the Trader Joe's, I found delicious coffee, I don't miss Atlanta but I miss my friends and family, today is the first day I've let myself just lay around and be lazy, I still haven't bought books or visited the library (what do you think I am, a college student??), the New York Times and Washington Post are delivered free to the lobby of my building every day, and being surrounded by 20-year-olds reminds me why I'm so glad I'm not that age any longer.



I'm so happy to be here. I'm so happy to be here. I'm so happy to be here.

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Please don't call me "Gen Y"



I don't write for weeks and what do I do - I start with an eye-rolling, scowling directive. Well, what else do you people expect from me? I mean, really.



I'm typing what may very well be my last post from ATL for a while, since tomorrow is the big M-Day (that would be 'M' for 'moving'). I'm doing it up early 20th century style and taking the train. Cheaper than flying, plus it feels more like a proper journey. I board a train, I roll north through progressively less Southern countryside all night long, I arrive at Union Station. I couldn't think of a better way to travel if I tried.



The trip to the Everglades was an adventure, and there are photos, which may or may not end up posted at some point.



The past few weeks have passed in a rapid blur, what with going out of town, the completely unexpected male entanglement that shall not be discussed further, and trying to get everything in order. Trying to fit the future four months into three suitcases is a rather daunting task, and I can't say I've completely succeeded, but I hear they have stores in DC, so I can always start fresh. I'm nervous and excited and in a constant state of shivering slightly in anxious anticipation of the destiny I've been planning to meet for the better part of two years. "Mr. Destiny, I presume?..." I'll let you know how the first meeting goes.

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