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