Also, this past three day weekend served as my first real chance to sight-see! I was able to check out most of the sights (the National Art Gallery is great for cool contemporary works), and even got to hang in some of the better local night spots with the really awesome, super chill other Tech students, especially this hip little place called Capitol Lounge (pool and shuffleboard? Yes, please).
Some of the deeper thoughts running through my head these past few weeks include the typical culture shocks, and some probably misplaced stereotypes. But it's worth it to vent, anyways.
-We aren't in Lubbock anymore. The people here, in general, are rude and don't give a flip about you or other strangers. But, that's business as usual in the East I guess.
-Capitol Hill runs on one thing. EGOS. It's all about ego and who has power. For the most part, all the staffers I have run into think they are hot stuff, or think they will soon be hot stuff.
-I'm afraid my fears about members of Congress are true... that they don't really know a whole lot about the things they speak on.
All the negativity aside, the experience, even though just two weeks in, is really great, and every once in a while some real hope filled moments creep in.
For example, I found a great great church already. National Community Church meets at various locations around D.C., but the one I went to on Sunday morning, at Ebeneezer's Coffee House (which NCC owns and operates), was awesome. There was great worship, a real Biblical message, a hip, young congregation, and a real passion for social justice that made me realize this was the church for me this semester. It's those moments you really have to soak in.
In future news, a bunch of us bought tickets for the Houston Rockets vs. Wizards b-ball game March 9, and I am super pumped to watch Aaron Brooks and the boys come to town and take care of business. And I'm hoping to go see Abbie over Valentine's Day in Chicago. And this weekend we are going to hit up Virginia (Pentagon, Monticello, Univ. of Virginia in Charlottesville,etc.). I'm pumped.
Below are some pictures... Have a great week and until next time...
Me, Shelby, and Laramie at the Capitol
Guns up at the Smithsonian
my best Nixon impression (scandal aside)
Peace, love, and God bless,
-Noel
Not gonna lie, sounds like a pretty sweet deal. Hope everything works out well for you!
ReplyDeleteTake it easy,
Austin
super jealous you went to cap lounge. It is a pretty cool place and very Capital Hill-ish...haha you know what i mean.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are finally getting into the swing of things!
You are going to have so much fun at the wizards game!
OK, Noel. There's a talk we've been needing to have for a long time. I know your parents did a great job raising you, but I think there's one message they forgot to tell you, and I feel like it's my duty as your friend to inform you of one simple life fact:
ReplyDeleteNever, ever gamble with Gilbert Arenas. He will shoot you.
End of talk.
Noel, I don't have anything particularly funny to say, but I did find this funny blog post. It's short and sweet, and couldn't be more right. http://bit.ly/dxm3Np
ReplyDeleteOK, here's a good one, straight off the press (aka Double T Nation)
ReplyDeleteDarko Cohadarevic was suspended Monday for what coach Pat Knight termed "behavior detrimental to the team." Cohadarevic acted out during Monday’s practice, talking back to both Knight and an assistant coach.
Knight said the senior forward will be suspended "until he changes his attitude and becomes coachable." Cohadarevic will not practice with the rest of the Red Raiders (14-5, 2-3 Big 12) today or join the team for its trip to Austin to face the Longhorns (17-2, 3-1 Big 12).
"I don’t want to see him until Thursday," Knight said.
Here's how I think the conversation went down:
PK: Darko, get in there and guard Singletary!
Darko (in thick Serbian accent): But coach, the last time I near him, he smelled like-what you say-crap. http://blog.newsok.com/photo/files/2009/03/singletary.jpg
PK: I don't care if he smells like Ish's nose hairs, get in there!
Darko: Coach, it's freezing in here. Back in Serbia, we cranked thermostat to max and wore swimsuits in gym.
PK: Darko, I don't care about what you did in Serb-wait! Where did you get a ski mask? Take that off this instant!
Darko: Ah, but coach. You should have me play on offense. Remember, that one time when I went up with the left hand for the layup? http://images.morris.com/images/lubbock/mdControlled/cms/2009/10/16/505321917.jpg
PK: Yeah, if I recall correctly, you airballed it. And you were shooting on the wrong basket to begin with. Nevermind that! I am the coach. You will do as I say.
Darko: You know, we had a man like you back in Mother Serbia. He was called Lenin.
Random assistant: Oh snap PK! He got you good!
PK: DARKO! I don't trust Serbians. In fact, after watching a Lost marathon last night instead of game film, I don't trust anyone.
Darko: What is this Lost thing you speak of? In Serbia, we get lost all the time. There is lots of snow.
PK: No, it's a show about being stranded on an island. I wish I could strand you on an island. You would stop wearing that ridiculous parka.
Darko: Coach, it's cold!
PK: Enough! The Lost premiere is Wednesday, and I won't have you ruining it for me. So, I don't want to see you until Thursday.
Sweet hat man, represent H-Town well in D.C. and let them know what Texans are all about
ReplyDelete