SEATTLE, WASH. -- Inevitably, as my birthday recently rolled around, I pondered what on earth happened to another year of my life. Like, seriously, didn't I just turn 15 yesterday? As reality set in this past month, I audibly gasped in horror at the though of it... At the risk of sounding too dramatic, I'll admit that I can't even bring myself to say the numbers out loud. How did it come to this? Just last week wasn't I trying to figure out what to major in? And the other day... I swear I was road tripping across the country with my mom to my new home in Florida. Three states later, and here we are. Another year. Older. And wiser. I can only hope.
My very wise husband says I need to embrace this. "There's so much good that can come from this age," he said. Mostly sarcastically, I think. "It's not about what it's in the past. It's about what's in the future." And so it is. With the new year, came a new gig at a PR firm. And I'm trying to embrace learning all this new agency stuff. They speak a different language there. Part of me finds it mind-boggling. And I wonder if its because I'm older (translation: wiser) and know that there's a better/easier way to communicate? Or am I just becoming increasingly more stubborn the older I get? Probably the later, as I'm sure anyone who knows me could attest.
So far, though, I will admit, this new age thing has treated me pretty decently. So, bring it on 32! I can take you! Ick. I still don't think I can say that number out loud.
In other news, try this*. I think you'll like it. I hear if you try it every day it'll make you feel more youthful.
*I also added a few strawberries and frozen peaches.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Monday, January 21, 2013
A Few Thoughts on Inauguration Day...
SEATTLE, WASH. -- Just over four years ago, I had barely begun my service in the United States Senate. My boss at the time was the top Republican on the Senate Rules Committee, the committee that oversees all inauguration events. So, much to my delight, I was incredibly pleased to receive seated tickets to the historic inauguration of President Obama. One for me, and enough for everyone in my family who wanted to come. So, my parents flew to town, and both of my sisters came too.
While the results of the last four years, in my conservative eyes, may have been underwhelming at best, it was still neat to watch our President be sworn into office during that historic day four years ago. I will always remember the energy there, how much I shivered, and our attempts at maneuvering through the biggest crowd I have ever seen.
Like many of you, I would have liked (loved) to have seen another candidate being sworn in today. But that's how things go... Sometimes you win, sometimes you don't. And life goes on all the same.
One of the things that really irked me during this presidential campaign though, was the nastiness/ignorance I saw on display on social media... blogs, Twitter, Facebook in particular. People declared such ridiculous things, like "He hates our country!" and "He wants our country to fail!" WHAT?! Are you serious? So absurd! While I appreciated the fact that people actually wanted to be involved in politics (because, let's be honest, how often does that happen?), and cared enough about what was happening in our country to want to have a voice, it made me want to tune out the campaigns entirely. I quickly got disgusted with the entire thing and couldn't wait for it to all be over.
While our President's ideas over his last term of how to solve our country's problems are far from how you or I might go about solving them, (and quite frankly he has done an incredibly poor job at reviving our economy, and his ideas (or lack of them) of how to drive down our country's ballooning debt are weak (I could go on...)), but it doesn't mean he doesn't love our country because of it. The man, along with any other politician who gets brutally ridiculed, has dedicated his life to serving our country. I'm pretty sure patriotism is deeply rooted at anyone's core if they go so far as to run for any kind of public office at all. It has to be.
A wise U.S. Senator once said, "There are problems where government is the solution. But not always. There are some problems where free markets is the solution. But not always. But let us understand in the debate, that as we go back and forth between these two concepts, that we do not question the motives or the patriotism of anyone on the other side."
Those words have stuck with me over the years. So, let's hope these next four years are filled with respect, peace, kind words of encouragement, prayer, and solutions that help put our country in the right direction. We're all Americans, after all. Happy Inauguration Day!
It was an exciting time. Whether you were Republican or Democrat, you couldn't help but feel at least a tinge of excitement that history was in the making and we were lucky enough to watch it firsthand. There was such great exhilaration in the air that frigid morning, that I made this little video to try to capture the essence of it...
While the results of the last four years, in my conservative eyes, may have been underwhelming at best, it was still neat to watch our President be sworn into office during that historic day four years ago. I will always remember the energy there, how much I shivered, and our attempts at maneuvering through the biggest crowd I have ever seen.
Like many of you, I would have liked (loved) to have seen another candidate being sworn in today. But that's how things go... Sometimes you win, sometimes you don't. And life goes on all the same.
One of the things that really irked me during this presidential campaign though, was the nastiness/ignorance I saw on display on social media... blogs, Twitter, Facebook in particular. People declared such ridiculous things, like "He hates our country!" and "He wants our country to fail!" WHAT?! Are you serious? So absurd! While I appreciated the fact that people actually wanted to be involved in politics (because, let's be honest, how often does that happen?), and cared enough about what was happening in our country to want to have a voice, it made me want to tune out the campaigns entirely. I quickly got disgusted with the entire thing and couldn't wait for it to all be over.
While our President's ideas over his last term of how to solve our country's problems are far from how you or I might go about solving them, (and quite frankly he has done an incredibly poor job at reviving our economy, and his ideas (or lack of them) of how to drive down our country's ballooning debt are weak (I could go on...)), but it doesn't mean he doesn't love our country because of it. The man, along with any other politician who gets brutally ridiculed, has dedicated his life to serving our country. I'm pretty sure patriotism is deeply rooted at anyone's core if they go so far as to run for any kind of public office at all. It has to be.
A wise U.S. Senator once said, "There are problems where government is the solution. But not always. There are some problems where free markets is the solution. But not always. But let us understand in the debate, that as we go back and forth between these two concepts, that we do not question the motives or the patriotism of anyone on the other side."
Those words have stuck with me over the years. So, let's hope these next four years are filled with respect, peace, kind words of encouragement, prayer, and solutions that help put our country in the right direction. We're all Americans, after all. Happy Inauguration Day!
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Washington vs. Washington
SEATTLE, WASH. -- It's not a secret. I'm not really a football fan. I'm not not a fan. I just don't follow any particular NFL team. My dad and brother were always watching the 49ers growing up, so I guess that's as much as I can claim. If anyone ever asks though, I say I'm rooting for the niners. But you know... not really, since I have no idea when I last watched them play.
Today though, there is a big game currently being played between my old stomping grounds, the Washington Redskins, and my current place of residency, the Seattle Seahawks. A friend passed along this article from the Washington Post about today's rivalry, and I have to admit I laughed most of the way through it... even though I don't agree with every fact it claims. And I'd like to take a few moments to set some of those things straight.
1. "That Washington [Seattle] is renowned for its mellow niceness, even on the roads."
NOT TRUE. Completely 100% false. I discover this daily as I try to merge lanes to get on the freeway. Some days I have to stick my head out the window and wave my hands like a crazy person to get anyone to notice that there is a car in the lane next to them who would really like to merge. UGH. Bugs me every day.
As for the rest of their "niceness," this is probably one of the most unfriendly places I've ever lived. People in my complex will dodge the elevator completely and walk up several flights of stairs if they see someone else waiting for the elevator. People go out of their way (so out of their way, that it's ridiculously stupid) to not bump into someone else within a few yards radius. Isaac kindly point this out to me when I first moved here. Even he has fallen in line with this trend and goes out of his way to not share an elevator. So stupid.
2. "The cities are also a continent apart in terms of political intensity. Here, politics and government are the local industry, of course. There, they are an afterthought. Four years ago, the Seattle-Tacoma area posted Nielsen’s lowest ratings for the presidential inauguration. Last week, when this Washington was fixated on the “fiscal cliff,” that Washington wasn’t. “Nobody was talking about it at all,” Vail said.'"
Yes, the cities are vastly different in their political intensity. Just about every conversation in D.C. with anyone ever is centered on politics. For the most part I have enjoyed not having politics be the center of everyone's conversation, BUT last week... WHOA, watch out. They were definitely fixated on the fiscal cliff as much as the next guy. Even the blue collar dudes I work with had a thing or two to say about taking a fiscal free fall. They were upset, outraged and I even heard a few plans come out of their mouths on how to save tax dollars. Most wanted to blame the Republicans, especially Speaker Boehner -- don't worry, I tried my darndest to set them straight. It's hard to do around here.
3. And lastly... "The Seahawks have a passionate following, and CenturyLink Field is known as a raucous stadium. But residents say the NFL, or any professional sport, doesn’t dominate the way it does in this Washington, where thousands of burgundy-and-gold banners fly in neighborhoods rich and poor and from car windows old and new... One common explanation of Redskins mania is that not much else pulls together the fractious capital, with a history of racial divisiveness, a reputation for transience and a culture of political blood sport... Seattle, meanwhile, has a life beyond football that includes the great outdoors, Microsoft and microbrews."
Maybe my head was stuck in a political bubble whilst living in our nation's capital for the last several years, but I can't recall ever feeling like I was in Redskins nation. Maybe my D.C. friends can attest otherwise. But, during the few short months I've lived in Seattle, I've noticed a much stronger following and deeper passion for the Hawks. It comes up in conversation at work as much as politics did in D.C. Jersey's are sported everywhere I turn and they talk to you about "last night's game" as if there were no question that you watched it. In fact, on Friday the city hoisted it's beloved 12th man flag over the Space Needle. Do they do that anywhere in D.C. for the Redskins? Not anywhere apparent to me. I guess the Redskins love just wasn't as obvious. I feel like if the love is strong, it's obvious. But in the Evergreen state, you know where your allegiances must lie.
Alright, that's all I've got. I definitely have other observations, but I'll do us all a favor and keep those to myself. In case you're wondering which Washington I think is better, well... I only like the one I currently live in best because a certain someone is here...
Here's the rest of the article if you care to indulge... happy game day!:
So what if Seattle’s Space Needle has a few feet on the Washington Monument (605 and 555, respectively). Our Capitol Hill (seat of democracy, beacon of freedom to the world) is more famous than their Capitol Hill (probably a very nice residential neighborhood).
Their traffic is getting worse faster than ours. They have more tech jobs, but we read more books (at least, we order more from Amazon).
Our dazzling star rookie quarterback has better hair than their dazzling star rookie quarterback.
Sunday’s wild card game is not just Redskins vs. Seahawks, of course. It’s city vs. city. And in this case, it’s Washington vs. Washington (the other one).
“No, the other Washington is Washington, D.C.,” insisted Josephine Eckert, president of the local Washington State Society, a group for Evergreen State expatriates who live in the nation’s capital.
“When we say Washingtonians, we mean people from Washington state.”
Oh, they do, do they?
Well, in advance of the sudden-death match that will send only one city’s team on in the playoffs, let us compare and contrast the real Washington . . . and that other one.
According to stats, quality-of-life rankings and people who have lived in both cities, they are very different places. One is a Starbucks-swilling, bicycle-crazy, Amazon-obsessed metropolis with loosening marijuana laws. The other is Seattle.
In stereotypeology, Washington West is flannel-wear, overcast skies and laid-back vibes. Washington East is button-down shirts, sizzling summers and résumé pride. True?
“It’s true that Washington, D.C., is a place where your job is everything,” said journalist Michael Kinsley, who decamped to Seattle in 1996 to start the online magazine Slate (which is now owned by The Washington Post). He returned last year to a Dupont Circle rowhouse to be editor at large at the New Republic. He found, in the Washington that produced Microsoft, Amazon and Costco, that entrepreneurialism was king.
“Everybody’s got the bug,” Kinsley said. “There’s much less emphasis on what you do. If you just say you’re raising money for a small start-up, that’s enough.”
We’re a bit bigger, with about 618,000 Washingtonians to Seattle’s 609,000. And a lot richer; seven of the nation’s 10 highest-income counties are in the Washington, D.C., area, while Seattle’s King County comes in 86th. But who’s smarter? Seattle wins if you count college degrees within the city limits. But the brainy D.C. suburbs make us the nation’s best-educated metropolitan region, census data reveal.
In fact, on many city rankings (often a scientifically dubious exercise), the two Washingtons have very similar profiles. We are the 43rd most livable city in the world, according the 2012 Mercer survey, and Seattle is the 44th. They rank sixth for walkable neighborhoods; the District is seventh. On the Sperling “manliness” index (with criteria including popularity of power tools and frequency of monster truck rallies), they outman us by five spots (40th vs. 45th; Nashville is No. 1, yet the Titans finished 6-10).
We’re more congested, both on the roads (Washingtonians waste an average of 45 hours in traffic each year, Seattle-ites just 33) and in our sinuses (the District ranks 82nd on the worst allergies list, to Seattle’s 91st).
But, boy, do we top them on violent crime (the District posts 21.9 murders per 100,000 residents, Seattle just 3.1).
But the biggest difference, according to people with feet in both Washingtons, is attitudinal.
Rep. Jim McDermott (D), who has represented his Seattle district in Congress since 1989, says his weekend Washington is much more relaxed than his Monday-Thursday Washington. Coats and business attire are still required in far too many D.C. settings, he said. And people charge from meeting to meeting “like they are running with the bulls,” often against the crossing light.
“People run out into traffic here like they are in a competitive sport,” said McDermott, who walks to the Capitol from an apartment on Eighth Street SE. “In Seattle, people wait for the light to change, and nobody thinks that’s strange.”
That Washington is renowned for its mellow niceness, even on the roads. Drivers are known to come to a stop if an oncoming car wants to turn left in front of them. There are times at four-way stops when nobody goes first.
“Everyone is waving at somebody else to go ahead,” said Janet Vail, a 35-year Seattle resident who went to Georgetown University and makes frequent business trips to the District. “It can take forever; nobody honks.”
In this Washington, they have been known to honk.
“Driving there, I felt like the king of road,” reported the Atlantic’s Jim Fallows, a decades-long D.C. resident who spent two years in Seattle working on special projects for Microsoft. “You feel like a New Yorker in Kansas.”
Some impatient, hard-charging East Coasters characterize Seattle’s courteous, deferential style as the “unbearable politeness of being.” Joan Haffey worked for the D.C. branch of a Seattle-based company for more than a decade. She adored her West Coast colleagues but remembers being caught more than once making snarky comments during conference calls with the home office.
“They would never, ever do that,” she said. “Unless they were better at using the mute button.”
The cities are also a continent apart in terms of political intensity. Here, politics and government are the local industry, of course. There, they are an afterthought. Four years ago, the Seattle-Tacoma area posted Nielsen’s lowest ratings for the presidential inauguration. Last week, when this Washington was fixated on the “fiscal cliff,” that Washington wasn’t.
“Nobody was talking about it at all,” Vail said. “The powder, that’s what people were talking about. We’ve had some great snow.”
Nothing may draw a bigger distinction in the two cities than the role of their respective football teams.
The Seahawks have a passionate following, and CenturyLink Field is known as a raucous stadium. But residents say the NFL, or any professional sport, doesn’t dominate the way it does in this Washington, where thousands of burgundy-and-gold banners fly in neighborhoods rich and poor and from car windows old and new.
One common explanation of Redskins mania is that not much else pulls together the fractious capital, with a history of racial divisiveness, a reputation for transience and a culture of political blood sport.
“In many ways, D.C. has only the Redskins as an even faintly unifying theme across race and class and political outlook” and the region’s sprawling geography, said Fallows, who was on vacation in the South Pacific last weekend during the showdown game with Dallas and had to huddle with his two sons around a laptop with a sketchy dial-up Internet connection to follow the action.
Seattle, meanwhile, has a life beyond football that includes the great outdoors, Microsoft and microbrews.
“If you ask someone in Seattle to list their sources of civic pride, the Seahawks might make the top 20,” Fallows said. “In Washington, the Redskins will almost always make the top two or three.”
Still, the other Washingtonians plan to make their presence known Sunday. Many of those not watching at Penn Quarter (a noted Seahawks bar) will be at FedEx Field. Nate Potter, who grew up on Mercer Island next to Seattle and now lives on 14th Street NW, has his ticket.
“We plan on being loud, proud and present on Sunday,” said Potter, who works as a governmental affairs consultant. “Okay, polite and generally respectful, too. It is in our blood.”
The Democratic mayors of the two cities have a wager on Sunday’s game: The loser will fly the winner’s flag over city hall for a day.
Has D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray ever visited Seattle? “I’ll have to check,” said his spokesman Pedro Ribeiro. “I know he’s been to Portland.”
Today though, there is a big game currently being played between my old stomping grounds, the Washington Redskins, and my current place of residency, the Seattle Seahawks. A friend passed along this article from the Washington Post about today's rivalry, and I have to admit I laughed most of the way through it... even though I don't agree with every fact it claims. And I'd like to take a few moments to set some of those things straight.
1. "That Washington [Seattle] is renowned for its mellow niceness, even on the roads."
NOT TRUE. Completely 100% false. I discover this daily as I try to merge lanes to get on the freeway. Some days I have to stick my head out the window and wave my hands like a crazy person to get anyone to notice that there is a car in the lane next to them who would really like to merge. UGH. Bugs me every day.
As for the rest of their "niceness," this is probably one of the most unfriendly places I've ever lived. People in my complex will dodge the elevator completely and walk up several flights of stairs if they see someone else waiting for the elevator. People go out of their way (so out of their way, that it's ridiculously stupid) to not bump into someone else within a few yards radius. Isaac kindly point this out to me when I first moved here. Even he has fallen in line with this trend and goes out of his way to not share an elevator. So stupid.
2. "The cities are also a continent apart in terms of political intensity. Here, politics and government are the local industry, of course. There, they are an afterthought. Four years ago, the Seattle-Tacoma area posted Nielsen’s lowest ratings for the presidential inauguration. Last week, when this Washington was fixated on the “fiscal cliff,” that Washington wasn’t. “Nobody was talking about it at all,” Vail said.'"
Yes, the cities are vastly different in their political intensity. Just about every conversation in D.C. with anyone ever is centered on politics. For the most part I have enjoyed not having politics be the center of everyone's conversation, BUT last week... WHOA, watch out. They were definitely fixated on the fiscal cliff as much as the next guy. Even the blue collar dudes I work with had a thing or two to say about taking a fiscal free fall. They were upset, outraged and I even heard a few plans come out of their mouths on how to save tax dollars. Most wanted to blame the Republicans, especially Speaker Boehner -- don't worry, I tried my darndest to set them straight. It's hard to do around here.
3. And lastly... "The Seahawks have a passionate following, and CenturyLink Field is known as a raucous stadium. But residents say the NFL, or any professional sport, doesn’t dominate the way it does in this Washington, where thousands of burgundy-and-gold banners fly in neighborhoods rich and poor and from car windows old and new... One common explanation of Redskins mania is that not much else pulls together the fractious capital, with a history of racial divisiveness, a reputation for transience and a culture of political blood sport... Seattle, meanwhile, has a life beyond football that includes the great outdoors, Microsoft and microbrews."
Maybe my head was stuck in a political bubble whilst living in our nation's capital for the last several years, but I can't recall ever feeling like I was in Redskins nation. Maybe my D.C. friends can attest otherwise. But, during the few short months I've lived in Seattle, I've noticed a much stronger following and deeper passion for the Hawks. It comes up in conversation at work as much as politics did in D.C. Jersey's are sported everywhere I turn and they talk to you about "last night's game" as if there were no question that you watched it. In fact, on Friday the city hoisted it's beloved 12th man flag over the Space Needle. Do they do that anywhere in D.C. for the Redskins? Not anywhere apparent to me. I guess the Redskins love just wasn't as obvious. I feel like if the love is strong, it's obvious. But in the Evergreen state, you know where your allegiances must lie.
Alright, that's all I've got. I definitely have other observations, but I'll do us all a favor and keep those to myself. In case you're wondering which Washington I think is better, well... I only like the one I currently live in best because a certain someone is here...
Here's the rest of the article if you care to indulge... happy game day!:
Two Washingtons, but ours is better than theirs
By Steve Hendrix,
Okay, their spire is taller than our spire. But ours is marble.So what if Seattle’s Space Needle has a few feet on the Washington Monument (605 and 555, respectively). Our Capitol Hill (seat of democracy, beacon of freedom to the world) is more famous than their Capitol Hill (probably a very nice residential neighborhood).
Their traffic is getting worse faster than ours. They have more tech jobs, but we read more books (at least, we order more from Amazon).
Our dazzling star rookie quarterback has better hair than their dazzling star rookie quarterback.
Sunday’s wild card game is not just Redskins vs. Seahawks, of course. It’s city vs. city. And in this case, it’s Washington vs. Washington (the other one).
“No, the other Washington is Washington, D.C.,” insisted Josephine Eckert, president of the local Washington State Society, a group for Evergreen State expatriates who live in the nation’s capital.
“When we say Washingtonians, we mean people from Washington state.”
Oh, they do, do they?
Well, in advance of the sudden-death match that will send only one city’s team on in the playoffs, let us compare and contrast the real Washington . . . and that other one.
According to stats, quality-of-life rankings and people who have lived in both cities, they are very different places. One is a Starbucks-swilling, bicycle-crazy, Amazon-obsessed metropolis with loosening marijuana laws. The other is Seattle.
In stereotypeology, Washington West is flannel-wear, overcast skies and laid-back vibes. Washington East is button-down shirts, sizzling summers and résumé pride. True?
“It’s true that Washington, D.C., is a place where your job is everything,” said journalist Michael Kinsley, who decamped to Seattle in 1996 to start the online magazine Slate (which is now owned by The Washington Post). He returned last year to a Dupont Circle rowhouse to be editor at large at the New Republic. He found, in the Washington that produced Microsoft, Amazon and Costco, that entrepreneurialism was king.
“Everybody’s got the bug,” Kinsley said. “There’s much less emphasis on what you do. If you just say you’re raising money for a small start-up, that’s enough.”
We’re a bit bigger, with about 618,000 Washingtonians to Seattle’s 609,000. And a lot richer; seven of the nation’s 10 highest-income counties are in the Washington, D.C., area, while Seattle’s King County comes in 86th. But who’s smarter? Seattle wins if you count college degrees within the city limits. But the brainy D.C. suburbs make us the nation’s best-educated metropolitan region, census data reveal.
In fact, on many city rankings (often a scientifically dubious exercise), the two Washingtons have very similar profiles. We are the 43rd most livable city in the world, according the 2012 Mercer survey, and Seattle is the 44th. They rank sixth for walkable neighborhoods; the District is seventh. On the Sperling “manliness” index (with criteria including popularity of power tools and frequency of monster truck rallies), they outman us by five spots (40th vs. 45th; Nashville is No. 1, yet the Titans finished 6-10).
We’re more congested, both on the roads (Washingtonians waste an average of 45 hours in traffic each year, Seattle-ites just 33) and in our sinuses (the District ranks 82nd on the worst allergies list, to Seattle’s 91st).
But, boy, do we top them on violent crime (the District posts 21.9 murders per 100,000 residents, Seattle just 3.1).
But the biggest difference, according to people with feet in both Washingtons, is attitudinal.
Rep. Jim McDermott (D), who has represented his Seattle district in Congress since 1989, says his weekend Washington is much more relaxed than his Monday-Thursday Washington. Coats and business attire are still required in far too many D.C. settings, he said. And people charge from meeting to meeting “like they are running with the bulls,” often against the crossing light.
“People run out into traffic here like they are in a competitive sport,” said McDermott, who walks to the Capitol from an apartment on Eighth Street SE. “In Seattle, people wait for the light to change, and nobody thinks that’s strange.”
That Washington is renowned for its mellow niceness, even on the roads. Drivers are known to come to a stop if an oncoming car wants to turn left in front of them. There are times at four-way stops when nobody goes first.
“Everyone is waving at somebody else to go ahead,” said Janet Vail, a 35-year Seattle resident who went to Georgetown University and makes frequent business trips to the District. “It can take forever; nobody honks.”
In this Washington, they have been known to honk.
“Driving there, I felt like the king of road,” reported the Atlantic’s Jim Fallows, a decades-long D.C. resident who spent two years in Seattle working on special projects for Microsoft. “You feel like a New Yorker in Kansas.”
Some impatient, hard-charging East Coasters characterize Seattle’s courteous, deferential style as the “unbearable politeness of being.” Joan Haffey worked for the D.C. branch of a Seattle-based company for more than a decade. She adored her West Coast colleagues but remembers being caught more than once making snarky comments during conference calls with the home office.
“They would never, ever do that,” she said. “Unless they were better at using the mute button.”
The cities are also a continent apart in terms of political intensity. Here, politics and government are the local industry, of course. There, they are an afterthought. Four years ago, the Seattle-Tacoma area posted Nielsen’s lowest ratings for the presidential inauguration. Last week, when this Washington was fixated on the “fiscal cliff,” that Washington wasn’t.
“Nobody was talking about it at all,” Vail said. “The powder, that’s what people were talking about. We’ve had some great snow.”
Nothing may draw a bigger distinction in the two cities than the role of their respective football teams.
The Seahawks have a passionate following, and CenturyLink Field is known as a raucous stadium. But residents say the NFL, or any professional sport, doesn’t dominate the way it does in this Washington, where thousands of burgundy-and-gold banners fly in neighborhoods rich and poor and from car windows old and new.
One common explanation of Redskins mania is that not much else pulls together the fractious capital, with a history of racial divisiveness, a reputation for transience and a culture of political blood sport.
“In many ways, D.C. has only the Redskins as an even faintly unifying theme across race and class and political outlook” and the region’s sprawling geography, said Fallows, who was on vacation in the South Pacific last weekend during the showdown game with Dallas and had to huddle with his two sons around a laptop with a sketchy dial-up Internet connection to follow the action.
Seattle, meanwhile, has a life beyond football that includes the great outdoors, Microsoft and microbrews.
“If you ask someone in Seattle to list their sources of civic pride, the Seahawks might make the top 20,” Fallows said. “In Washington, the Redskins will almost always make the top two or three.”
Still, the other Washingtonians plan to make their presence known Sunday. Many of those not watching at Penn Quarter (a noted Seahawks bar) will be at FedEx Field. Nate Potter, who grew up on Mercer Island next to Seattle and now lives on 14th Street NW, has his ticket.
“We plan on being loud, proud and present on Sunday,” said Potter, who works as a governmental affairs consultant. “Okay, polite and generally respectful, too. It is in our blood.”
The Democratic mayors of the two cities have a wager on Sunday’s game: The loser will fly the winner’s flag over city hall for a day.
Has D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray ever visited Seattle? “I’ll have to check,” said his spokesman Pedro Ribeiro. “I know he’s been to Portland.”
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Farewell 2012!
SEATTLE, WASH. -- It hardly seems right that one of the best years came to an end so quickly. I wish we could just make time stand still sometimes. Ohhhh, wouldn't that be so nice?!
As I bid farewell to 2012 and usher in 2013 with excitement for what lies ahead, I do so with a tinge of sadness. Because, oh my goodness, it was a really good year (not politically speaking). I am grateful for the wonderful memories I made with loyal friends, terrific coworkers, my loving family, and tremendous new in-laws who welcomed me with open arms to their family. 2012 brought an abundant amount of love into my life, a big move across the country, and a handsome husband who I cherish every day.
The emotions in this photo sum up the year quite nicely:
As is customary at the end/beginning of every year, I put together a little video of the Candrian's year... So, here it is... our adieu to 2012... Go ahead. Watch it. You might see a few familiar faces:
We send all our warmest wishes to you for a wonderful, happy and adventurous 2013. I'll try to be a better blogger to keep you updated on all the twists and turns of 2013! There will be many, I am certain. Happy New Year to you all! Thank you for being part of my life.
As I bid farewell to 2012 and usher in 2013 with excitement for what lies ahead, I do so with a tinge of sadness. Because, oh my goodness, it was a really good year (not politically speaking). I am grateful for the wonderful memories I made with loyal friends, terrific coworkers, my loving family, and tremendous new in-laws who welcomed me with open arms to their family. 2012 brought an abundant amount of love into my life, a big move across the country, and a handsome husband who I cherish every day.
The emotions in this photo sum up the year quite nicely:
 |
| One of my favorite photos of our wedding day. Mostly because Isaac cracks me up with his huge-o smile and outstretched arm. I love it. |
We send all our warmest wishes to you for a wonderful, happy and adventurous 2013. I'll try to be a better blogger to keep you updated on all the twists and turns of 2013! There will be many, I am certain. Happy New Year to you all! Thank you for being part of my life.
Monday, November 19, 2012
From High Heels to Hard Hats
SEATTLE, WASH. -- My professional life has taken a drastic turn. Don't ask me what happened to my communications-focused career, but it kind of went out the window, I guess. Though definitely not on purpose. My connections in Seattle are few (despite many networking attempts), so I decided to do what any desperate girl would do: I went to a temp agency (gasp) to keep busy.
My temporary (please be temporary, please be temporary) new assignment came after I first took a series of computer proficiency tests... this ranged from Microsoft Office tests, a typing test, and a test that made me want to SCREAM outloud for hours: it involved 25 story problems and "puzzles." Even still, the thought of this makes me want to hurl. Puzzles such as, "Complete the following pattern: A F 23 7 D 2 89 G 3458 3 R..." WHAT?! And you know... those really pointless story problems about how if John left point A traveling 40 mph and Jane left point B traveling 30 mph, what time did they cross paths if John took two six minute breaks... blah blah blah? That kind. The kind I hated when I was a kid, and the kind I still hate. Who cares when they crossed paths? Anyone? Anyone? Needless to say, I knocked all the other tests out of the park. I was pleased, however, to hear the temp agency lady tell me that I was above average on the story problems too. I'm not sure how this is possible. I can only conclude that the other candidates who have taken the test must not be very bright. Mean. I know. But it's all I can conclude. But whatever makes my story problem skills look good...
Back to my new, temp job: You'll never believe what I'm doing. Goodbye high heels and suits (I may have wept over this) and any attempts at being fashionable, and hello hard hat and orange vest (I also may have wept over this) and all attempts at being unfashionable. I know. I can hardly believe it myself. After reviewing my computer proficiency tests, the temp agency lady informed me my best job "match" would be to do data entry for a construction company building a twin-tower skyrise apartment complex in downtown Seattle. The pay bites big time. But, I agreed. After all, something was better than nothing.
So, I now report to work with a bunch of blue collar union guys who have mouths like they work in a newsroom (the language is nasty, dirty in a newsroom. Sorry, I know you'll never view those FOX news anchors the same again). The down side is the job starts at 7:30 a.m. Yes, A.M! Oh dear. Those of you who know me well know that I am not a morning person or anything that resembles one. The plus side is, I'm off at 3:30 in the afternoon. Also on the plus side is I can wear jeans to work and because I have to sport a dorky hard hat, there's really no point in fixing my hair. This helps with the getting up early thing. This is also a downside. I feel like a schmuck all day. And because these apartments are under construction, the buildings are freezing. I wear my coat all day long.
So, in case you're wondering what I look like sans high heels, here I am... Do you think orange is my color? ;)
So, there you have it. That's what I've been up to lately. Luckily everyone I work with is super nice to me. I guess with all the perks unions get, how could you not be? I just keep telling myself, "Temporary, temporary, temporary, temporary...." Fingers crossed.
Anyone else up to anything fun? Please fill me in!
My temporary (please be temporary, please be temporary) new assignment came after I first took a series of computer proficiency tests... this ranged from Microsoft Office tests, a typing test, and a test that made me want to SCREAM outloud for hours: it involved 25 story problems and "puzzles." Even still, the thought of this makes me want to hurl. Puzzles such as, "Complete the following pattern: A F 23 7 D 2 89 G 3458 3 R..." WHAT?! And you know... those really pointless story problems about how if John left point A traveling 40 mph and Jane left point B traveling 30 mph, what time did they cross paths if John took two six minute breaks... blah blah blah? That kind. The kind I hated when I was a kid, and the kind I still hate. Who cares when they crossed paths? Anyone? Anyone? Needless to say, I knocked all the other tests out of the park. I was pleased, however, to hear the temp agency lady tell me that I was above average on the story problems too. I'm not sure how this is possible. I can only conclude that the other candidates who have taken the test must not be very bright. Mean. I know. But it's all I can conclude. But whatever makes my story problem skills look good...
Back to my new, temp job: You'll never believe what I'm doing. Goodbye high heels and suits (I may have wept over this) and any attempts at being fashionable, and hello hard hat and orange vest (I also may have wept over this) and all attempts at being unfashionable. I know. I can hardly believe it myself. After reviewing my computer proficiency tests, the temp agency lady informed me my best job "match" would be to do data entry for a construction company building a twin-tower skyrise apartment complex in downtown Seattle. The pay bites big time. But, I agreed. After all, something was better than nothing.
So, I now report to work with a bunch of blue collar union guys who have mouths like they work in a newsroom (the language is nasty, dirty in a newsroom. Sorry, I know you'll never view those FOX news anchors the same again). The down side is the job starts at 7:30 a.m. Yes, A.M! Oh dear. Those of you who know me well know that I am not a morning person or anything that resembles one. The plus side is, I'm off at 3:30 in the afternoon. Also on the plus side is I can wear jeans to work and because I have to sport a dorky hard hat, there's really no point in fixing my hair. This helps with the getting up early thing. This is also a downside. I feel like a schmuck all day. And because these apartments are under construction, the buildings are freezing. I wear my coat all day long.
So, in case you're wondering what I look like sans high heels, here I am... Do you think orange is my color? ;)
 |
| Yes... laugh. You'll be laughing with me, not at me. |
So, there you have it. That's what I've been up to lately. Luckily everyone I work with is super nice to me. I guess with all the perks unions get, how could you not be? I just keep telling myself, "Temporary, temporary, temporary, temporary...." Fingers crossed.
Anyone else up to anything fun? Please fill me in!
Friday, November 2, 2012
Thank You A Million Times
SEATTLE - I've always had this unexplainable fear that if I threw a party, no one would come. So, to avoid that, I simply never threw parties. Problem solved. This fear, however, extends beyond me hosting a party. It goes as far as someone throwing a party for me. If anyone ever offered to throw me a birthday party, I'd vehemently decline. So, growing up, I always though that there'd be no way on the planet I'd ever want a party as elaborate as a wedding reception. What if no one came?! The thought terrified me.
On October 20, 2012, I will be forever grateful that I allowed my mother to talk me into having a wedding reception. Or a wedding anything. So many people came to celebrate, literally from all over the world. I have never felt so loved in all my life. I will never forget the beauty of that day. Not ever.
Not only was the wedding ceremony one of the sweetest I've heard (yes, I actually listened), I don't think I have ever been more touched in all my life. I remember walking into the sealing room holding Isaac's hand, looking around and seeing so many people that meant so much to me, sitting right there in that lovely room in the Draper Temple. I felt overwhelmed with love. They were all there for us. In fact, the whole day felt like a life reunion, if there ever was such a thing. Close family, extended family, friends from all over the country, old college roommates I hadn't seen in years, and people I hadn't even dreamed would travel great distances came just to support us on our special day. I was touched.
Isaac and I drove away from the reception that evening, feeling like the most loved people on the planet. Our only regret was we didn't get near enough time to talk to any one. We'd enthusiastically greet friends who we longed to catch up with, only to get whisked away 30 seconds later to a new crowd of people, repeated throughout the entire day. My heart was filled with love, but ached simultaneously for not being allowed to give our friends and family the attention we wanted to give them.
So, if you didn't hear me say it enough that day, THANK YOU again to all those who helped us feel like the most loved, lucky, special people on earth. Thank you really seems so inadequate. Thank you for coming, whether you drove two minutes to be there, or traveled two days to make it happen. We will be forever grateful for your support in starting our lives together.
It seems so cliche to say that my wedding day was the best day of my life, but quite honestly it was the most fun, happy, amazing, touching, wonderful, sweet, BEST day ever. I get the chills just thinking about it. And I feel so lucky to be married to Isaac. He amazes me.
Though I don't think I'll be wanting another party any time soon (I mean, come on, how do you top that?), I would be up for another life reunion any time. Anyone?
On October 20, 2012, I will be forever grateful that I allowed my mother to talk me into having a wedding reception. Or a wedding anything. So many people came to celebrate, literally from all over the world. I have never felt so loved in all my life. I will never forget the beauty of that day. Not ever.
 |
| Oh, I love this man! |
 |
| Some of the Bennett crew |
In addition to our loved ones making the day so special, the weather played a large role too. It couldn't have been better. Days prior to the wedding, it was cold and rainy. And three days later, it snowed. But on October 20, the sky was sunny and the temperatures topped the mid 70's. The autumn leaves glowed in vibrant shades of red, orange and yellow, and the crisp leaves slowly fluttered to the ground throughout the day, leaving the autumn ambience at our outdoor wedding lunch and reception picture perfect. I felt like I was in a fairy tale all day. Our surroundings seemed to be illustrated by the heavens themselves. Cheesy, I know, but that's really how I felt!
 |
| Gorgeous scenery, eh? |
 |
| Isn't that cake amazing? My talented cousin made it. |
It seems so cliche to say that my wedding day was the best day of my life, but quite honestly it was the most fun, happy, amazing, touching, wonderful, sweet, BEST day ever. I get the chills just thinking about it. And I feel so lucky to be married to Isaac. He amazes me.
Though I don't think I'll be wanting another party any time soon (I mean, come on, how do you top that?), I would be up for another life reunion any time. Anyone?
Sunday, September 30, 2012
My Gratitude to Our Nation's Capital
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- I don't usually trust car salesmen, but when I bought my new car last year he promised, "you can fit a lot of stuff back there!" He wasn't lying. Little did I know that a year and a half later I'd be attempting to cram my entire life back there. Thanks to two dear friends, on Friday night we made that happen.
While I can't think of a better reason for my move, it's still been an emotional time for me. I've spent the last four and a half years in our nation's capital. It's definitely had its ups and downs, but the last two years especially have been some of my most cherished. It took a few years for Potomac fever to set in, but when it did, it struck me hard.
This past week I've been reflecting on how all this came about. When I lived in Florida in 2008, I felt a strong pull to put my TV news reporting days behind me and move to Washington, D.C. I'll be honest when I say I wasn't excited about it. D.C. was my twin sister's thing, not mine. Besides, what interest did I have in politics? None. But all my siblings were going to be there, and I felt a yearning to be close to them. I guess I had a feeling that we'd probably never live near each other again. So, I went. And I stayed. Longer than any of them. They've all long since moved far away. God definitely guided me there. And made me stay. I have no doubt.
I'm not really sure how to sum up my years in D.C. If I had to use one word, I'd say miraculous. I somehow miraculously convinced Senator Bennett's staff to hire me in his press shop, at a time when Republican jobs were in short supply. I had zero political experience. Because of him I gained a deeper love and respect for our country, mostly because of his example in serving it. When his term ended, I didn't think it was possible to work for another office I respected as much. In fact, my list of senators I'd even be willing to work for was incredibly short. Truth be told, I didn't even want to stay in D.C. I started searching elsewhere. But God had other plans for me. And I stayed put. And that short list? Good thing I even had a list at all, because I ended up miraculously getting hired as the press secretary for the senator who topped the list, Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas. And my time spent there, just shy of two years, has been such a wonderful experience.
The office threw me a going away/bridal shower last week. Senator Roberts enthusiastically helped me unwrap my gifts. Oh, he makes me laugh! And on my last day of work on Friday, he serenaded me with some Grand Ole Opry song about making grown men cry. It was a terrible rendition (albeit hilarious), but I'd be lying if I said I didn't have to choke back the tears. He and his staff have been so good to me.
I have loved spending these years working on Capitol Hill. I love seeing the majestic Capitol building every day illuminating the D.C. skyline. It gives me chills every time I walk its historic corridors or catch a glimpse of the dome lit up in the sky at night, and I always catch myself gazing at it for a few moments on my drive home from work at night. There's something about this building and what it stands for that makes me proud to serve our country, even in this small way.
The Capitol Visitor's Center plays a video at the beginning of each public tour entitled E Pluribus Unum (translation: out of many, one), it's our Capitol's motto. The first time I watched it, I was awe-inspired. I felt like such a geek. I was in awe that our Founding Father's thought up this genius system that somehow allowed every state and region to have equal representation and balance. And in awe that I was somehow privileged enough to watch it up close, even during election years when nothing seems to happen.
And it's here in our nation's capital where I miraculously fell in love... to a guy that lives on the opposite end of the country. But when it came down to it, I'd rather date him living so far away then any guy who lived next door. I'm so excited to marry him.
Just after Isaac and I got engaged, I brought him to the weekly press conference that the Senate Majority Leader and Senate Republican Leader hold every Tuesday afternoon. He got to stand among the Capitol press corps and listen to what Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell had to say about their interpretation of policy that week. I typically take our interns there, because I know it's neat for them to see this sort of thing up close. As the press conferences wrapped up, and we walked back to the Senate subway, Isaac said to me, "That was so awesome. How can I take you away from all this?!" I don't think I had an eloquent answer, but I told him something like how I had never intended on staying here forever anyway. He's worth it to me to close a really good chapter and start an even better one.
On Friday morning I dragged a friend along with me to watch the sunrise from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. It was breathtaking. I'm usually not one for symbolism (or cheesiness), but I couldn't help but feel like it was slightly symbolic. I'm closing a chapter of my life that I will always cherish. But the sun is rising on a new one. And only God's hand could be behind something so miraculous. The fun is just beginning. Now I'm making my way across the country with a very packed car. My final destination is Seattle, where I have a lot of adventures awaiting me with a guy I can't wait to be with forever.
So, goodbye Washington, D.C. Thank you for being so good to me!
While I can't think of a better reason for my move, it's still been an emotional time for me. I've spent the last four and a half years in our nation's capital. It's definitely had its ups and downs, but the last two years especially have been some of my most cherished. It took a few years for Potomac fever to set in, but when it did, it struck me hard.
This past week I've been reflecting on how all this came about. When I lived in Florida in 2008, I felt a strong pull to put my TV news reporting days behind me and move to Washington, D.C. I'll be honest when I say I wasn't excited about it. D.C. was my twin sister's thing, not mine. Besides, what interest did I have in politics? None. But all my siblings were going to be there, and I felt a yearning to be close to them. I guess I had a feeling that we'd probably never live near each other again. So, I went. And I stayed. Longer than any of them. They've all long since moved far away. God definitely guided me there. And made me stay. I have no doubt.
 |
| My siblings (and their spouses on the ends) and I right before my brother moved to Sweden |
 |
| Right before Amy moved to Oklahoma (P.S. why were flower headbands ever "in"?) |
 |
| Senator Bennett and I |
 |
| Me and Senator Roberts |
The office threw me a going away/bridal shower last week. Senator Roberts enthusiastically helped me unwrap my gifts. Oh, he makes me laugh! And on my last day of work on Friday, he serenaded me with some Grand Ole Opry song about making grown men cry. It was a terrible rendition (albeit hilarious), but I'd be lying if I said I didn't have to choke back the tears. He and his staff have been so good to me.
 |
| My boss and I at my going away party |
 |
| Some of my Roberts' buddies |
 |
| Senate side of the Capitol |
 |
| View of the Capitol from my drive home from work |
And it's here in our nation's capital where I miraculously fell in love... to a guy that lives on the opposite end of the country. But when it came down to it, I'd rather date him living so far away then any guy who lived next door. I'm so excited to marry him.
 |
| Isaac and I on one of our first dates with a friend who doubled with us |
 |
| A few days after we got engaged. This pic makes me laugh. |
 |
| Isaac (plaid shirt) listening to Sen. Reid at a press conference in the Capitol |
So, I've pondered a time or two over the last few weeks, why it is that I can possibly be so emotional (other than from lack of sleep, I mean) and sad about leaving when I'm so excited about what lay ahead. And I guess it can only be described this way... D.C. has touched me. So many people and experiences here have touched my life for good. I've made friends here who I adore beyond words. And I've had experiences that have shaped my life in ways that have changed me forever. I've grown passionate about politics and about causes that never before crossed my mind. And I think if I would have left without feeling this kind of magnitude of emotion, I would have failed. So, I'm going to go ahead and count this chapter of my life as a success. The tears and the heartache over leaving have deemed it such. I guess that's how you know your time has been spent worthwhile.
 |
| My Bennett buds, plus Mike, and minus a few others |
 |
| Sunrise from the Lincoln |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)