Thoughts in Haiku Form...

So here’s the skinny. It’s the last week of my internship and I am just about ready to finish it off. The experience has been rough, rude, and at times frustrating as hell. But it will be rewarding looking back on it, and that is what I am excited for. I am pumped about the opportunities in the future where I can look back to specific moments from this internship, draw from my experience in that moment, and use that to make decisions that will benefit my professional and political future. Also, the highlight of my weekend was a Climate Change Rally, which featured outstanding music and really terrible speakers, including everyone’s favorite reverend, Jesse Jackson. But enough of this boring medium of writing; let me express to you my thoughts in a more right-brained fashion: haiku.

Sitting at my desk,
Confused about work’s meaning?
Nope, I’m just hungry.

Sick of intern work,
Lowest on the totem pole,
Youth, though, has some perks.

Was this worth my spring?
Sometimes it’s yes, sometimes no,
But I did learn much.

Concert last Sunday,
Music was great, speeches weren’t.
Sting is not so smart.

No more office job,
It cuts years off of your life,
Joy in life is key.

Boston, Mass. next week,
Fenway Park will be awesome,
I love to travel.

Journals have been fun;
I enjoy sharing my thoughts,
Until the next time...

Peace and love,
Noel

Discourse on politics, life, and fear...

This week’s discussion will be a different; it will be on a topic that literally rules the world: fear. Fear plays a major role in my life, in your life, and certainly in the political life of Washington, D.C.

The US currently has about 10,000 nuclear warheads in arsenal. Maintaining these warheads are very costly and cost the taxpayer roughly $30 billion. But, out of fear, and to strike fear into others, we hold onto nuclear weapons, even though they are extremely costly (I don’t think we will ever use one again, but the threat of having enough of them to blow the Earth into smithereens is what we are after).

Presidents and Congress use fear to persuade public opinion and ram policy through the process and into law, or to stop legislation from being pushed. Health Care is example A, B, and C here. This also applies to much of the New Deal, the Patriot Act, and Obama’s proposed financial regulations.

Both Democrats and Republicans fear the Tea Party movement. Democrats hide their fear by throwing completely fictitious statements out there in an attempt to discredit the movement. See Keith Olbermann constantly calling the Tea Party Movement “racist” (even though a significant amount of video evidence is out there showing a racially diverse populace inside the Tea Party movement). Or listen to Jon Stewart imply that Tea Partiers are simply stupid white trash (although a recent NY Times survey found that Tea Partiers are better educated and more prosperous than most Americans). And Republicans are scared to death as well. Tea Partiers are generally more libertarian than the GOP and thus more truly conservative, especially on fiscal policy. They champion Ron and Rand Paul, while the GOP discredits the Pauls at all times. Tea Partiers are realizing that W., while perhaps a likable guy, wasn’t a true hero of conservatism, and thus they are changing their mindset from a GOP vote to an independent vote. They hate Michael Steele almost as equally as Obama.

Fear is also playing a large role in my life recently, with the fear of “not knowing what I’m going to do” or “where I’m going to be”. I have fears about not doing well enough on the GRE to get into a great school. I have fears about choosing the right place to continue schooling. I have fears about relationships, friendships, and family. And I have an insane fear of being “unexceptional”. We right-brained individuals don’t want to fit into the accountant/lawyer/doctor mold. We all want to be exceptional.

But lately I have been reminded of an old Argentinean poem (which for the life of me I can’t find on the internet) about a woman’s fear of walking outside in the rain without rain boots, because she might get sick or something akin to that. But when she gets outside, the splash of water against her skin is exhilarating, and the reward of feeling great outside in the rain was more than worth the risk of going outside without rain boots. Come to think of it, that may not be the correct ending either; the details are pretty fuzzy, it was a long time ago I heard this poem, haha.

It doesn’t matter though- the point is… the greatest rewards in life absolutely come with the greatest risks. If you don’t risk embarrassment or failure, you won’t receive your exhilarating rewards.

Peace and love,
Noel

Caught in a limbo...

My current situation is a frustrating one, indeed. D.C. has grown on me quite a bit in the past month; so much, in fact, that I really enjoy being in the city whenever I can. Not that the Tech house is a hostile environment. It's certainly not. We are still getting along quite well even though we are a few short weeks from being back home. But things are really starting to heat up here and the city is finally ALIVE.

The problem is… we are back in session and I am stuck at work everyday until 6 or later. Work has been a great experience. I have learned about how ugly policy making can be, and I have learned how broken the system can be. I have learned that there is still hope for a better political future and I have learned that older, more tenured members of Congress or staff members really aren’t as intimidating as one might think. The future of Washington, right now, belongs to young guns. It belongs to bright, creative, right-brained young guns who want to serve their constituents, their states, and their country.

But back to the topic at hand… I am caught in this limbo because I need to finish out my job strongly and with the same enthusiasm I started it with, so that I can secure a great connection with those up who will still be up here in the office, who will become my possible letter of rec candidates and my job references. But I do feel that I have experienced just about everything I wanted to. I have met many members of Congress, I have schmoozed with some celebrities, I have passed out hundreds of business cards, and I have developed a real strong understanding of the true political process. Now I am just burnt out and the only thing I have desire left to do is explore the culture of the city and the surrounding areas everyday, from sunup to sundown. Alas, it doesn't work that way and I must continue to work for the boss.

I have been going full speed lately with creating new experiences. Almost every night of the week I go out for walks or runs or explorations into the deepest inner cultures of the D.C. neighborhoods, especially up in the north part of town. I have spent time with non Tech friends, and I have visited almost every bookstore in the town. But last Friday, my friend Coleman and I decided on a whim to do something wild- we drove over to America’s Playground: ATLANTIC CITY, NJ.

We gambled all night long at 5 different casinos, met tons of Jersey Shore trash throughout the night, and fist pumped our way to empty pockets. We both started real hot at the blackjack table, but by 6am we had cooled down and lost it all. I am NOT a fan of video poker or slot machines... What a waste! No worries though, we both set out a very minimal amount to be played with for the night. Once that amount was gone though, we had nothing else to do but head back to D.C.

The job experiences and all the connections I have made have been outstanding, but it’s those kinds of experiences (of the Atlantic City type) that I will miss the most when I head back to TX.

The Atlantic City boardwalk and surrounding Casinos

Until next time…

Peace and love,
Noel

Heating up in D.C...

I think I am going to miss this place. If you would have asked me a month ago, I would have told you that I am very much ready to go back South where the people are friendly, the egomaniacs don't run wild, and the quality of life is much higher (and cheaper). But it's amazing what warmer temperatures can do for one's judgments of his location. D.C. is now warm, colorful, and sunny until 8pm or so. When I get off of work I can still enjoy some quality time in the sunlight running or playing basketball or tossing around the frisbee. And that little change is what has made me really start to reasess my place here. I still think most everyone who works on Capitol Hill is way too uptight, way too self-centered, and way too power hungry. I think the Federal Gov't is terribly inefficient and has a major major personnel problem. But D.C. is growing on me... a lot. I absolutely love getting outside of the power hungry places, going outside of downtown to Dupont or Adams Morgan or Georgetown, or down south to Virginia. These neighborhoods are hip, young, and cultural.

The tidal basin has also become a recent favorite place of mine, as Cherry Blossom season is in full bloom. The tress, which start out pink and then mature to a pure white blossom, are a phenomenal sight when placed right next to the Jefferson and FDR memorials, as they are in the tidal basin. Photo below.

In concluding with my optimistic tone, I would like to discuss all the great things April has in store for us Tech interns:

-Chances to check out baseball games for cheap at beautiful Nats park (even though the Nats are terrible)

-Ultimate frisbee on the mall

-Goin' down to check out the gorgeous UVA campus in Charlottesville soon one Saturday

-Cherry Blossom parade and festival

-Lots of days where we aren't in session (this means lots of days Congress can't come in and screw more stuff up and we can get off work earlier)

Until next time...

Peace and love,

Noel

Recess is just as nice when you're 22...

We are finally in a two week recess from House business (it's been a long four weeks) and I can say it is well needed. The entire vibe on Capitol Hill is so much different when we are in recess. The basement tunnels are kind of dead. The dress code is much more casual. And typically, people kind of stroll into work a few minutes late every morning. In other words, it reminds me a lot of back home in the great relaxed state of Texas. One of the things I have consistently told people up here is that I am a firm believer in not getting stressed. I don't care if you are a burger flipper or you are a Congressman. Stress is counterproductive. Motivation is good and needed, but stress leads to unhappiness, high blood pressure, and panic. I feel like that is what goes on in this town 85% of the year. That could also be a reason why lawmakers suck at doing their jobs. They aren't ever in a good frame of mind to think of positive, responsible and constitutional solutions when they freak out or get high strung. There is nothing wrong with deadlines or time crunches. But in the big picture, stressing over it won't do any good. Pull up your big boy pants and just sit down, relax, and come up with some solutions without having a heart attack.

Last weekend I treated myself to a couple of really fantastic outings. On Friday night my staff assistant told me about this Urban Arts, Beats, and Lyrics shinding going on in D.C. Sounds right up my alley, right? There were displays of graffiti art, other urban art media, and there was a stage where local hip hop/funk groups played while we enjoyed the art work. It made me miss Houston and it also made me wish I could pull off wearing dreads for a short period of time.

Then on Saturday, I got my first glimpse into the quaint old town of Alexandria, Virginia. I did some window shopping, took a great boat ride down the Potomac, and found my new favorite sports bar (free pizza buffet with purchase of a beer? Heck yeah!). Also, I got a sweet shirt that says, "Virginia is for lovers". I am going to rock that shirt as much as I can.

You know, the more I get to travel around Virginia, the more I like it. I don't see myself raising a family in D.C. (too much concrete, not enough green space, high crime, very rude people), but should I work here I could certainly live in Virginia.

Easter weekend is upon us, and now is as good a time as ever to once again be thankful for my Father, my friends, my family, my university family, and my youth. No pictures this week, but as soon as I put new batteries in my camera I will take some photos of the cherry blossoms which are reaching their full bloom around D.C.

Until next time...

Peace and love,
Noel

Too long in between posts...

First off, I am very very sorry for the long time in between posts, but as I'm sure you are aware of, things have been crazy, all thanks to the Health Care debate and Spring Break. Work has been so tiring, and then when I get home I am just so exhausted that one of the last things I want to do is write about how tiring and crazy my day has been. But just to play catch up, since the first week of March, things have been snowballing, going downhill at 90 mph.

Abbie came in town and we enjoyed a really great weekend. Highlights included visiting the monuments and seeing THE Jamie Cullum live in concert, front row nonetheless, at the 9:30 club in D.C. Jamie Cullum is a phenomenal talent, and his live performance was one of those life experiences I will always remember. His voice is pure and smooth, and his piano chops are excellent. Add a great rhythm section and a wonderful sax/trumpet duo and you get a dynamite backup band. Jazz/pop/rock/fusion all in one night? Yes, please.

Tuesday, March 9 was a day I had been looking forward to for a while. The Houston Rockets, my hometown team that I have followed for 18+ years, came into town to steadily take care of business and beat up on the Washington Wizards. The entire 1st floor and many from the 3rd floor joined me in goin' to the game. We had a great time, and I proudly sported my custom Rockets jersey (pictures below).

The following weekend, a few of us on the first floor went to Philly! While my ultimate goal of licking the liberty bell wasn't fulfilled, and while it did downpour the entire time I was there, we still enjoyed a nice cheesesteak, some great historical sites, and a very humorous bus ride to and from (on one of the shady Chinatown bus companies). It's amazing the things you can learn simply eavesdropping on random conversation on a 2 hour bus ride, including the incredibly scientific similarities between George W. Bush and Darth Vader (haha), and why Disney is really just the puppet of the hidden Hollywood government.

And now we are on to this week. Health Care, my parents visiting, and spring break. Well first off, we don't get a spring break. I worked all week. But everyone else in Texas apparently did, so I was super super busy giving two or three 1 and 1/2 hour tours everyday. I have more random facts about the U.S. Capitol building memorized than the members of Congress themselves. Then of course there have been the phone calls, letters, faxes, and random drop in visits regarding the health care debate. I have heard every argument, on every side of the aisle, and have learned more about power politics this week than I ever thought I could know. I have read and re-read essays by libertarian, liberal, neo-conservative and statist think-tanks regarding their scholarly position on national health care.

Now my views are a bit skewed because I tend to lean pretty libertarian-conservative on all things, and I also work in an office that is very very GOP influenced, so I get to hear their arguments all the time. But the one thing I am certain of is that Nancy Pelosi is either completely oblivious or is very audacious. I really do think that Democrats will lose their majority in the House if they pass HC. But I believe Pelosi either doesn't believe that, or she doesn't really care and is just straight up Kamikaze-ing her party all in the name of "history making legislation". The great thing about America is that every single gov't official outside of the judicial branch is accountable to the American public every 2 to 6 years. So if you don't like something, you can vote to change it.

Lastly, my parents just left D.C. this morning after a nice 5 day stay here. They absolutely loved visiting me and hangin' out in the city. They have never been to D.C., but they let me know that if I ended up here, they wouldn't mind one bit coming to visit. I think they were really impressed by everything, and they loved all the history and culture.

Enjoy these photos, and until next time...

Abbs and I w/ Lincoln


Some Liberty Bell action

Go Rockets!

Peace and love,

Noel

Weekend out west and Tech days on the hill...

D.C. is one of the most urban of urban jungles. Within 10 minutes walking there are so many options for entertainment one cannot possibly be bored. But with all that cityscape, one does get a strong desire for some down home easy going country time. Well, luckily for me I got that chance last weekend as I went back to Lubbock for the first time in 3 months. Actually, I was only in the LBK for not even a full day, as I spent most of my weekend in the mountains of New Mexico (which are absolutely gorgeous). Either way, seeing my Tech friends and getting some time away from the urban jungle of D.C. was just what the doctor ordered, as I had an amazing weekend and was completely refreshed and refueled to finish out this internship back here on the East Coast.

This first week of March has been nothing short of wonderful. And how could it be anything less? For Texas Tech was on full parade this week on the Hill. Monday night meant free dinner with Tech President Guy Bailey, VP for Research Dr. Eighmy, and others. Wednesday night included a great Tech reception on the Hill including many members of Congress, Dr. Bailey, and Chancellor Hance. I also got the unique opportunity to sit down in the lobbying meeting between Hance, Bailey, other Tech reps and my congressman. I will tell you this: Hance is the consummate politician. I mean… he doesn’t turn it off. He is in politician mode 24/7. He can schmooze and remember crazy stories from way back when, and he is great with names. I can learn many things from someone like him.

There are some great things coming up in the near future as well!

-Abbie is coming to visit this weekend!

-We are going to a Jamie Cullum concert Sunday, which I am super stoked for.

-Houston Rockets game vs. the Washington Wizards on March 9.

-Goin’ to Philly in a few weekends to tour and check out UPenn.

-The parents are comin’ to D.C. for a few days in two weeks, and it should be a lot of fun.

P.S. - Everyone check out my article in the Daily Toreador (www.dailytoreador.com) this week about country music.

Enjoy the photos below and until next time…

Peace and love,

Noel