Approps is over.
Well, it's over for me at least. Well not really, but I'm going to cherish the pause. The labor-intensive, horrible, HACD part is over. Now, the poor Committee staff have to plow through all the requests and we have to listen to the Republicans pontificate about how evil earmarks are and how the Democrats are funding the most HORRIBLE things. Please, spare me. It's all just a bunch of crap. Earmarks are not worth the effort or the media attention. But don't get me started on the media. You'll have to excuse me, approps gave me a sinus infection. I blame the dirty little earmarks directly, and I'm just a little grumpy about the whole ordeal.
But to reclaiming my life. After the drugs kicked in to take care of the sinus infection, I decided I should become familiar once again with daylight. It is lovely.
I took my bike for a tune up and took it out for a spin today. I headed down the Mall, which would soon turn into possibly the worst idea I've ever had. I am not exaggerating. They were everywhere - tourists! It's so early in the season, I thought I could enjoy MY CITY before they invaded. They are like cicadas, but bigger!
It's not that I don't like people to come to Washington and see the sights - enjoying history and being a part of the great experiment we call democracy. But people PLEASE look where you are going. Seriously.
I know I sound bitter, but I have a torn up right hand because I swerved on my bike to miss a 4 year old and turfed it. I do not take responsibility for falling. I blame the kid. If only I didn't have such a large social conscious. So it hurts to type and that fact makes me bitter.
So touristas - pay attention. I know the Washington Monument is lovely, but for the love, look both ways - hell, either way, before you step ONTO a path and in front of oncoming traffic.
There was a guy on a recumbent bike I followed for a while. I felt a bond between he and I. It was us against the masses, and the masses were winning. I finally took an opportunity to pass him and break free from the fanny packs. As I passed him, I said, 'don't you ever just really want to run over them?!'
What do you think he said?
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
PC LOAD LETTER!!!
WHAT THE F*#k DOES THAT MEAN!??
I am entering my dirty little earmarks (otherwise known as appropriations requests) online and this is what just came up on the screen. I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP.
We're sorry, but something went wrong.
We've been notified about this issue and we'll take a look at it shortly.
Oh, something's GOING to go WRONG if someone doesn't fix the internet.
For the love.
I am entering my dirty little earmarks (otherwise known as appropriations requests) online and this is what just came up on the screen. I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP.
We're sorry, but something went wrong.
We've been notified about this issue and we'll take a look at it shortly.
Oh, something's GOING to go WRONG if someone doesn't fix the internet.
For the love.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Dirty Little Earmarks
So, it's appropriations season.
About 1% of the federal government is directed by little ole members of congress to projects like bridges to nowhere. Within that same 1% however, is money for hospitals, senior centers, traumatic brain injury research, wetland conservation, and homeless shelters. I would happily defend earmarks to anyone. Not the purpose of this post, but nevertheless.
I worked 17 hours yesterday. I left work at 2:01 am. I was back at 9:00 this morning. It is so exausting and taxing. This is my third appropriations season and the day of the deadline in previous years I have had a snag and subsequent meltdown. The first year SJP bought me an ice cream so I didn't jump off a cliff. She brought it to my desk with a sticky note that said something to the effect of 'I hope it helps'. I was at my desk with my head staring at the screen, tears running down my face, entering requests into a spreadsheet I didn't know I needed until I tried to turn in my projects and was rejected. I have only cried twice at work, both on the approps deadline days.
This year I have attempted to avoid the meltdown and have been preparing for the deadline for pretty much a month. Late nights, long weekends for a month. Today was the first deadline (everything in defense is more complicated than it has to be and I get to do everything at least twice on two different forms). I had everything ready this morning, but I needed the boss to sign some things to seal the deal. He was at a meeting downtown and it was clear that he was not going to make it back before the noon deadline.
Now in normal circumstances, I think I would have melted. But, perhaps all that yoga has been working, perhaps because it was such a nice day, perhaps because I am exausted from working 17 hours yesterday, I just let what happened happen. It all turned out fine - I think.
I am still facing a huge deadline next Wednesday. Everything has to be just right or you end up with money in the "i love puppies' account instead of the 'save the red rock wilderness' account. (Or, fund the Army M4 Rifle as opposed to build another Coast Guard Cutter.)
All that to say, it was a lovely day today (I love spring)and I think I'm going to plant me some flowers over the weekend.
About 1% of the federal government is directed by little ole members of congress to projects like bridges to nowhere. Within that same 1% however, is money for hospitals, senior centers, traumatic brain injury research, wetland conservation, and homeless shelters. I would happily defend earmarks to anyone. Not the purpose of this post, but nevertheless.
I worked 17 hours yesterday. I left work at 2:01 am. I was back at 9:00 this morning. It is so exausting and taxing. This is my third appropriations season and the day of the deadline in previous years I have had a snag and subsequent meltdown. The first year SJP bought me an ice cream so I didn't jump off a cliff. She brought it to my desk with a sticky note that said something to the effect of 'I hope it helps'. I was at my desk with my head staring at the screen, tears running down my face, entering requests into a spreadsheet I didn't know I needed until I tried to turn in my projects and was rejected. I have only cried twice at work, both on the approps deadline days.
This year I have attempted to avoid the meltdown and have been preparing for the deadline for pretty much a month. Late nights, long weekends for a month. Today was the first deadline (everything in defense is more complicated than it has to be and I get to do everything at least twice on two different forms). I had everything ready this morning, but I needed the boss to sign some things to seal the deal. He was at a meeting downtown and it was clear that he was not going to make it back before the noon deadline.
Now in normal circumstances, I think I would have melted. But, perhaps all that yoga has been working, perhaps because it was such a nice day, perhaps because I am exausted from working 17 hours yesterday, I just let what happened happen. It all turned out fine - I think.
I am still facing a huge deadline next Wednesday. Everything has to be just right or you end up with money in the "i love puppies' account instead of the 'save the red rock wilderness' account. (Or, fund the Army M4 Rifle as opposed to build another Coast Guard Cutter.)
All that to say, it was a lovely day today (I love spring)and I think I'm going to plant me some flowers over the weekend.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Ok, Ok, Ok.
Alright, so it's been a while. Here are the top ten things that happened in February. (It's about time AND I'm supposed to be writing essays on transnational terrorist threats, so anything I can do to procrastinate...)
10. Put 1,000 miles on my Jeep. (I heart MD.)
9. Botched hair cut at the Andre Chereky salon (with subsequent letter to Mr. Chereky saying how displeased I was to only luke warm results).
8. Army M4 rifle shooting in the Capitol Police firing range. I am a horrendous shot and am going to sign myself up for some target practice.
7. Hired myself a trainer, a big burly dude who played football for the University of Maryland. (Ouch my lats.)
6. Became totally addicted to Project Runway. (I liked the draping thank you very much.)
5. Fought The Man against all things modular. (And won, at least in principle.)
4. Had two friends come out from Utah. Spent 3 days roaming around DC in the rain. Totally good time.
3. Saw a kidney transplant. (Yes I was IN the operating room, no I didn't faint, although I got a little queasy when the doctor stepped back from the patient and I saw an actual woman laying there with her guts hanging out.)
2. Resigned myself that I will not ride anymore this season. :( Bummer. Looking forward to skating to work on my new long board.
1. Valentine's Day at the French Embassy. (Such a good time, and I won an Hermes scarf!!!)
10. Put 1,000 miles on my Jeep. (I heart MD.)
9. Botched hair cut at the Andre Chereky salon (with subsequent letter to Mr. Chereky saying how displeased I was to only luke warm results).
8. Army M4 rifle shooting in the Capitol Police firing range. I am a horrendous shot and am going to sign myself up for some target practice.
7. Hired myself a trainer, a big burly dude who played football for the University of Maryland. (Ouch my lats.)
6. Became totally addicted to Project Runway. (I liked the draping thank you very much.)
5. Fought The Man against all things modular. (And won, at least in principle.)
4. Had two friends come out from Utah. Spent 3 days roaming around DC in the rain. Totally good time.
3. Saw a kidney transplant. (Yes I was IN the operating room, no I didn't faint, although I got a little queasy when the doctor stepped back from the patient and I saw an actual woman laying there with her guts hanging out.)
2. Resigned myself that I will not ride anymore this season. :( Bummer. Looking forward to skating to work on my new long board.
1. Valentine's Day at the French Embassy. (Such a good time, and I won an Hermes scarf!!!)
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