Pondering the future and a return to Congress...

The past few weeks have certainly been interesting, and busy. My boss has been getting lots of radio and tv time lately, and for me that means LOTS of constituents calling in to chime in with their two cents on the things said in the interviews. Also, Congress is busy with this whole Toyota recall thing, so I am getting calls from people in Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, all over complaining about their Toyota or Lexus. I just be quiet and let them vent for ten or so minutes. They feel much better just knowing that someone in Congress doesn't mind listening.


While we are on the subject of Congress, let me just say never have a I ever worked before in an institution that so much of America disapproves of. I read today that just 10% of those surveyed thought Congress was doing an excellent or good job. OUCH. Secretly, I kind of like it. Secretly, I kind of think it would be awesome if every incumbent was voted out of office this election year. It would be mass hysteria, but it would be awesome.


And now for the serious part of the post...


Ladies and gents, every time I give tours of the Capitol complex (which is often) I am asked by the guests, "What are your future career plans?". A few months ago I would have told them that I could see myself running for Congress one day. But now I am almost certain that if I do return to public service, it would be in a different capacity. And of course part of me still thinks I need to become a rock star... (not really a rock star, but a touring, recording musician somehow)


All I know is that I am completely open to wherever God takes me and whatever capacity that is in. I just hope that my experience here doesn't completely make me turned off to a possible God given opportunity to come back and work in Congress.




My friend Amanda from Tech came up for CPAC (conservative political action committee) which I pseudo attended last weekend.


Until next time...


Peace and love,
Noel

Mid-day rant...

I am working, so this is probably a no-no, but it is crazy slow in the office today anyways...

I am starting to get really tired of the attitudes of federal workers in Washington, D.C. Probably close to 99% of staffers or congress members whom I have met are simply partisan puppets or closet independent/libertarian defeatists who argue that while some reform of government or the budget or any sort of thing is worthwhile, it is not practical and therefore nothing should be done but continue in this super inefficient, frustrating state that is the federal government. When legislation is 1300 pages of 10 point font, with ammendments here and there that have little to no relation with the actual bill, or when spending by Obama is expected to outpace FDR 3x over, or when nothing can get accomplished because the Republican and Democratic parties control their respective members of congress with iron fist, it's a wonder this place allows for anything good to come out.

STOP being a practicalist defeatist who thinks our current dual-party system is the only way to go, and STOP creating legislation that has to have 1000 pages, 100 earmarks, and has to be approved by 200 advocacy or political action groups before it even reaches the floor for debate. And please please please stop being power hungry elitists.

End of rant.

Missin' home...

D.C. has been such an interesting and eye opening experience so far. I have so much enjoyed the past month. But it seems like every semester I go off somewhere for a little bit, it takes just about one month and then I sit and think about all the things I took for granted seeing everyday back in Houston or Lubbock that I really miss...

Things like:
-southern hospitality... shoot, even just common courtesy
-the Rec at Tech (especially playing basketball... though I did find an outdoor court around the corner for when it gets warmer)
-cheap food, cheap drinks, cheap movie tickets!
-my real family and my Tech family
-economics classes... no joke. I LOVE learning.
-driving
-sleeping in
-a shower with actual water pressure
-a Walmart and Target without using the Metro
-Rockets basketball on TV
-the easiness of finding many different groups of people to hang out with

The little things I miss quite a bit. But I know I am here for a purpose, and every day I am trying to take in things and learn and grow.

In other news, Snowpocalypse 2010 is over (for now) and we are back to a full time work schedule. Tour season is starting up and it looks as though I will be giving a Capitol Tour almost every other day from here on out through April. But that's a good thing. My favorite part of the day is getting to meet constituents and talk with them, and hopefully get to teach them some things and make them laugh a little while giving them a tour.

Over Valentine's Day I traveled to the bustling metropolis of Iowa City, IA, where my girlfriend Abbie goes to school. It was very relaxing getting to hang with her and her friends and it was a much needed break from D.C.

Work this week should be pretty easy, it is district work week, meaning the congressman and staff are out in Texas for work within the district, so it's just a few staffers and I for most of the week. And that means lots of Olympic coverage on the tv's in the office this week (U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A).

Until next time...

Peace and love,
Noel

SNOW2K... SNOWmageddon... SNOWpocalypse

Where to begin?

I have never been in a snowstorm before that left 2 and 1/2 feet at my doorstep. Friday morning it started snowing, and then it just didn't stop. Literally like 36 hours straight of snowfall. And it was gorgeous... every flake. To see D.C. blanketed in snow was one of the most beautiful sights in my 22 years of life. God is the best painter.

The week as whole went really well. Work is ever so slightly becoming more and more enjoyable every day, with my office beginning to more and more trust me and allow me to take on the more fun and challenging duties. I gave tours last week (and loved them), I sat in on the House Floor during a vote (AWESOME), and I went to three different meetings/briefings about things I care about (a briefing on the Obama administration's spending problem held by the CATO Institute, a religious education briefing, and a reception for public school principals/superintendents).

The Tech house is the Tech house... Anytime you get 19 people in one complex (and 8 sharing a single apartment) you are going to have some annoyances and drama. But we all know we are a family who has to look out for eachother and take care of eachother. Capitol Hill is one of the most stressful places, and it's really nice that we can relax and sometimes when necessary vent to others in the house who know EXACTLY what you are going through. The Tech house is really more of a blessing than a curse.

But back to the SNOWpocalypse... On Saturday, we sledded down Capitol Hill... like the literal hill. It was one of those things where some day looking back I will be able to tell kids/grandkids/friends/peers in the nursing home that I sledded down the Capitol lawn during one of the largest snowstorms in D.C. history. It was stinkin awesome.

I went back to National Community Church this morning, and I realized this was where I am supposed to be this semester. There are tons of opportunities to get involved in small groups, community service projects, and just meet other young people. I even met some people that want to practice Spanish together once a week, and we may start trying to translate a Spanish bible together to stimulate our Spanish minds! Things are starting to fall into place here, and I'm thankful and blessed by all that is around me here to make me feel comfortable in this temporary home away from my other homes (Houston and Lubbock).

Got some pictures of SNOWmageddon for ya, and until next time...

Great pic of some of the first floor kiddos

Me sleddin' down Cap Hill!

Peace and love,

Noel