Music To My Ears

I've got to give you all a little background history on one of my "hobbies" because something cool is coming up, and I need you all to be on the same page for when I recapture that memory.

I'm going to lay it all out on the table: I love opera! There, I said it. Judge me if you want, but it's true. More than opera, I love Renee Fleming's voice. Pure heaven! I've already seen her in a concert recital this past September in Denver. Ah-MAZING! When I learned about my move to DC, I found a friend (Thanks Sam!) who I could drag to the opera, and purchased two tickets for Otello, in which Fleming is starring - at the New York Met.

I purchased a dvd of Otello w/ Fleming and Placido Domingo and have since watched it several times familarizing myself with the text so that I can just focus on the beauty of the music come February 22. I'm quite thrilled to be going, and that's very much an understatement.

This will be my first live opera, and I think I chose a good one. Here's what some of the critics are saying about the opening night performance on the 11th:

ConcertoNet.com: "Verdi’s original title for Otello was Iago. Had he heard the opening night of the opera at the Met, I have no doubt he would have named his opera Desdemona. Both Johan Botha and Carlo Guelfi had their merits, but the evening belonged, first and foremost, to Renée Fleming, who is the most stirring Desdemona of our time."

San Francisco Chronicles: "Botha's shattering portrayal of Otello was matched by the near-perfect Desdemona of soprano Renee Fleming, who brought a ravishing purity to the role of the wife humiliated and literally strangled by her husband's blind obsession.

Often played as a pious, passive woman in love, Fleming's Desdemona is instead a complex, ardent figure tackling emotional demons she could neither understand nor control. The American soprano delivered the 'Ave Maria' — her last, devastating scene before Otello kills her in bed — as a quiet cry from the heart, crowned with the softest, ethereal 'Amen' on a high A-flat."

New York Sun: "'The Willow Song' was notable for its cleanliness and purity, with no resorting to the Caruso sob for this masterful artisan. But even better was the ensuing 'Ave Maria.' Here, Ms. Fleming achieved a level of vocal perfection that stood out even during this superb portrayal. In fact, the prayer was so good that nobody screamed "brava" or applauded at its conclusion. This was a genuinely holy moment and it deserved — and received — total silence."


I think the "Ave Maria" aria is what I have posted on my blog (see "Official Countdown"). It's from a concert recital, but the emotion in that performance is heartbreakingly real. Wait till the end and you can see the tears forming in Fleming's eyes. A remarkable performance.

Needless to say, I'm beside myself with excitement and anticipation. Will definitely be chronicling it when I get back from New York.

P.S. This is not your Barbara Streisand Christmas Ave Maria. It's a million times better.

Ummmm, WOW!

Yesterday...wow! what a day!

It's really amazing when you realize that Capitol Hill is run by a bunch of twenty-somethings. I've been to several staff/caucus meetings and briefings, and for the most part, the room is full of people my own age. Obviously the higher posts such as Chief of Staff and Leg Director are reserved for the more experienced (ie older), but for the most part, it's a bunch of post graduates who are running this town. And I can't believe that I'm a part of it.

This is my job: I'm supposed to sit in on various meetings. This week, the focus is education. I relay that info to the Congressman. He takes action or doesn't, and through some long, dragged out process, something comes of these meetings, whether it's funding, legislation, etc. I was in a meeting yesterday with a group from a community college. Aside from the three students they brought along for testimony, I was the youngest one. That is still just something that amazes me - the power that I hold in my hand by being the liaison between these people and the Congressman. Pretty rad if you stop and think about it.

The other cool thing about that particular meeting was (and this is going to sound so dumb at first) the hope that I brought to those college kids. I always try and mention that I'm actually from the Congressman's district because people really appreciate that I'm from Arizona and I've lived there. I mentioned that I was a recent NAU grad and two of the girls just lit up. One said, "Wow, that is so cool! How did you get this job?" I'm sitting there thinking, "Me? Cool? Sister, I'm just as amazed as you are!" It was pretty neat, though.

After work, I met up with my friend. One of his buddies works for a cancer research group that raises funds in order to provide children with cancer a more positive environment in which they receive treatment so they're not so depressed. It's called Tracy's kids and I think the website is Tracyskids.org. Anyways, we mingled and had some food and drinks. They were free, which is the best kind when you're a starving Hill staffer.

The event started with a little ceremony type deal. Here's where it gets cool. So the foundation gives an award to a person who can help bring awareness to the cause. The previous year's recipient anounces this year's recipient. Last year, the recipient was Mrs. Leahy, wife of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT). Even better, we were standing at the front of the room because there was an open table. He walked up and stood right next to us. And made small chat with us as his wife spoke. He was sharing with us the results of the primaries from that day, talking about his wife's battle with cancer, showing us pictures of his grandkids, and just making small asides.

This year's recipient was Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) and his wife. Sen. Johnson is recovering from a stroke so his speech was a tiny bit slurred, but what really touched me was the way his wife looked at him with admiration and pride. You could see the tears beginning to well up in her eyes. It was a very touching moment.

After the ceremony portion, as part of the event, we were permitted to select a movie to view, and we chose Charlie Wilson's War, which was fantastic. Sen. Leahy saw that movie as well. Before we went in, he was telling us about Charlie Wilson, because he had served in congress with him back in the day. He said that Cong. Wilson would have all these books in his hand and a group of young, attractive women staffers at his sides. There was more to his story, but I can't do it justice, so watch the movie and I'll leave it at that. Very true according to the movie. Anywho, it was cool to get that recollection from the senator.

The tempatures dropped drastically here and it began to rain yesterday. It was quite the adventure walking home. I almost died like 10 times (not really but I tend to exagerate sometimes). I did see some guy totally munch it, though. And I did fall coming home from the benefit. It was total Home Alone style, feet up in the air, hands flailing. Luckily it was late and no one was around to witness my very humbling fall.

As far as the office, it's been a rough week. The Congressman's father passed away on Sunday, so he's been preoccupied with that, and just today, our Leg. Director was notified that his mother passed away. What's really sad about the situation is he's getting married in May and now his mom won't be there for that. Aside from those unfortunate events, everything is just awesome! I can't wait for it to start warming up a bit so I can comfortably start exploring more of what this place has to offer.

More to come for sure...

The Open Dialogue Blog

So I've been keeping this blog for about two weeks now, and I just want to make sure everything is hunky-dory for all of my readers. (I think there's about three of you:)

Anywho, is it easy on the eyes? Someone made a comment that the color scheme made it difficult to read. Anybody else having that problem? Do you have any questions on any of the content? I'm more than happy to clarify or give further detail on anything, especially since I'm throwing out a bunch of DC jargon.

So faithful readers, what's working? What's not? What do you want to know?

In the meantime, read on!

REALLY??!!! (Various absurdities)

Is it that hard to change the toilet paper? If you're making the effort to pull it out of the cabinet and place it on top of the depleted roll, you might as well go that extra mile and switch it out completely. Heaven forbid you break a sweat.

Why must people walk so fast around here? I've picked up my slow Arizona pace a bit, but there's times I'm on the verge of a full on run trying to keep up with some of these people. In heels! On marble! With no traction! I don't see this ending well.

Can you pick up the phone? I refuse to add text messaging to my cell phone plan. And I hate, no, make that HATE when people text instead of call. Especially when I haven't even talked on the phone to the person. All of my "conversations" with a person has been one-sided and completely via text messaging. I haven't responded in a while through your method, so maybe your approach is not working. If you've got something to ask me, call. It's not that hard. I have a cell phone, not a cell texter. I refuse to cave.

UPS isn't open on the weekends. No explanation needed.

Have I ever mentioned how outrageous the cost of living is out here? Very. In some ways, I'm definitely my father's daughter, which makes it quite hard to swallow the amount that is paid for, well, just about everything. Don't know if I'll ever get used to it. But hey, a lifetime of memories is priceless! :)

Could it take any longer for the American History Museum to get a facelift? I've been to DC several times in the last year or so, and it's always closed for construction. The AHM is my fave of the Smithsonian's and it's the one I've had the least opportunities of exploring.

I Ain't Missing You At All

It's official: I work in the best office EVER!

After work on Friday, the entire office went to Bill's for beer and philly cheese steaks. I, of course, was running late. The world needs to know that I run on my own time. Everyone else is just insanely early. I was late because I wanted to wait for Mel to get off work, and we had a little metro mishap. When we made it to the metro, we had to run and get on the train. In our haste, we didn't check to see what line we were on. It was orange; we needed blue. Sitting there, I remember being told by bill to NOT get on the orange line. But we did, and there we went. We finally realized we were on the wrong line when the view of the Capitol was not in reasonable walking distance and the area was pretty sketch looking. Let's just say, not a neighborhood you want to get lost in.

We righted our wrong and made it to Bill's. Which, P.S. is in a somewhat sketch area as well, but he lives in a "gated community" so all was well. And Denny's was right there. So Mel and I walk in and everyone was there sipping beers and watching Jeopardy! It was awesome! Then we ate philly cheese steaks and drank more beer. Then a couple of the boys started debating something pretty heavy, so Mel and I took that as our cue to exit stage left.

Rewind a couple hours and my day started with two tours back-to-back. I am still in absolute awe whenever I walk through the Capitol. Ah-MAZING! Plus we got to go into the Senate gallery while C-Span was filming AND we went on the House floor. I pretty much sat where like Condi Rice and Don Rumsfeld have sat during the Pres's SOTU address. It always amazes me whenever I see the House gallery. To think of all the members of the House and Senate, various Cabinet members, all nine justices, the joint chiefs-of-staff, etc., etc. plus all the guests, the First Lady, staffers, etc., etc. all crammed into such a small room. It's mind boggling when viewed in person. There is absolutely no way that all those people fit in there, but they do.

Yesterday was a nice, chill day. Met up with some buds at Bullfeathers (shout out to Teddy Roosevelt!) and hung out there for about three hours just sitting and chatting. It was really nice to slow down.

Speaking of slow down, Mel and I discussed the difference between her and I in regards to the way we dwell in this city. She's adapted nicely to the culture and quick pace, looking forward to her destination. I walk with a destination in mind, but slow and always looking left, right, forward and back to everything along my path. I find this city so fascinating, and who knows how long I'll be here. Might as well take in as much as possible while I can. You would never be able to guess how many dry cleaning stores there are. They're pretty prolific out here. You would never know that if you didn't look around. I'm the perpetual tourist, too amazed by my surroundings to ever believe that I actually live in a place with so much history, power, and action.

I leave you with the wise words of Ferris Bueller: "Life goes by pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

And I don't plan on missing one bit!

Working for the man

It was another 9-6:45 day at work today, which wasn't bad since we all thought we'd be holding up the fort until 8. The Congressman was in most of the day because Congress was voting on the Higher Education reauthorization. I had to listen to it to track amendments, and some of them are quite inventive. I'm definitely all for the amendment that tries to lower the cost of text books. We thought we'd be there so late because the Senate finalized the Stimulus package and sent it over, but the boss man sent us home. There really wasn't much more for us to be doing.

I have to say, I work for a pretty cool member of congress (MoC). He is Italian, and I've heard he can have quite the temper, but so does John McCain and he's pretty much got the Republican nom all locked up. Anywho, the MoC does treat his staff pretty cool, and in the almost two years that I've worked for him, I've known him to be a very loyal person. If we, as the staff, treat him with respect and loyalty and do our job, he returns the favor ten-fold.

I had left his Arizona office in November to work on a political campaign, and when my candidate decided not to run, I was left without a job. But the Congressman told our chief of staff to make sure I was taken care of, which ended up as this job here in Washingtong. He's such a gracious person and definitely gives credit where it's due. He always asks about the College Republicans who helped on his election in '06 and expresses that without their help, he probably would have lost the election.

I really am bummed he's not running for re-election. He has done great things for his district. I certainly wouldn't be here were it not for him.

Well, that was my unofficial thanks to my boss for giving me a chance.

***** Cool things that happened today *****
So apparently some athletic trainer guy had proof that Roger Clemens had been injected with steroids a few years back, so Clemens was on the Hill with his attorney to meet with committee members that are overseeing that whole steroids/baseball controversy. He was over in one of the halls of Rayburn. One of the guys was going to run over, but he had other stuff to work on.

CPAC is the Conservative Political Action Conference and it's taking place today through Saturday. It actually has quite the lineup that would make any conservative jump for joy. It would have been great to have a ticket and been able to gone. People who attended watched Romeny suspend his election, McCain basically accept the Republican nomination, Ron Paul say crazy Ron Paul things, and Dick Cheney just being the man*. Tomorrow's line-up includes President Bush in his first CPAC appearance, Tony Snow, and a bunch of other cool Cons. I'm a little bummed I'm not going.

Apparently President Bush will be throwing the opening season pitch for the Nationals and the Pope is coming out for a visit and he'll throw out a pitch too. Mel and I are going to both games for sure! What I want to know is does the Pope wear his Pope clothes (think the long white garment/dress thing and tall Pope hat) or does he wear normal people clothes? And if he wears his Pope apparel, how well can he pitch? Where will he stand? You know, I want him to man up and throw a legit pitch. Nothing from two feet away underhanded. I'm curious to find out. Come back during baseball and I will give you an answer to all these riveting Pope questions.


*I have a great story about Dick Cheney being the man if you ever want to know

Jumping right in

If you know me, then you know I'm not a quiet person. If you don't know me, you've probably heard me anyways. Let's just say that "three inch voice" is not a concept I grasped in middle school. So couple that with thin walls and a roommate that goes to bed at 10, and we've got issues. I'm easily excited and very animated, and that generates to a voice that is very audible. I just can't help it.

So it's day three on the job. I'm loving every minute of it. I loved working for the Congressman back in Arizona, but I was the only one in the office, so it's awesome being in his office here, surrounded by all these people. And it's such a great group of people. I know it's such a cliche, but we really are one big family. Every one gets along splendidly. Someone is always teaching another a new trick or providing additional information. The working dynamic is truly amazing. I'm a bit bummed that the Congressman isn't running for re-election, because this is a group of extremely talented individuals who make one helluva team. I just feel so fortunate to be able to work here in DC with them all and learn from them.

On Monday, I went on a tour of the Capitol (done this before but I had time to kill) and we ran into Steny Hoyer (D-MD) giving a tour to some people. I'm sure he was taking them up to the dome since only members are allowed to take people up there. So that was my first sighting. I'm going to help give tours when they start picking up, so I will be quite familiar with the Capitol by summer's end. Right now I'm just doing a bunch of random stuff, helping out where I can. I've been to a press briefing and also a whip briefing and will sit in a meeting concerning wind energy in AZ. Not bad for a first week.

The hours aren't always consistent, but it's nice to mix it up. Monday and Tuesday were casual jean days from 10-4 and today was 9-6:45 because of suspension votes. I think we'll have longer hours in March when we start dealing with appropriations, but Congress is on recess for a week in February so it's back to 10-4's.

Thank God I'm a flexible and adaptable person, because this has really been an easy transition. I'm sure it also helps that I already knew everyone at the office and I have a handful of really good friends in the district, plus I'm living with one of my best friends. I'm not so thrilled about the weather, though. It's been drizzling most of this week which does a number on my hair. It was 68* today - absolutely ludicrous, and I missed the big snows in Flagstaff. The weather is probably going to be the one thing that I have the biggest issue with. Not looking forward to the summer. Ughhhh....Everything else I'm loving!

Official Countdown

The Countdown is on: 17days, 19hours, and 40 minutes until Renee Fleming in Otello.

The best part about it, I'll get to hang w/ Sam the whole weekend. And see Renee Fleming in Otello.




******** UPDATE ********
Someone posted online that they had watched the dress rehearsal of RF in Otello and said it was amazing. This makes me even more excited! I think I'm ready for a little break from the district, so a trip to NY will be a nice getaway.

11 days, 18 hours, 57 minutes.

******** UPDATE ********
Yeah, so Renee Fleming tomorrow! 32 hours and 13 minutes!

"Someone left that (rice) cake out in the rain"

Some poor, unfortunate fool left their rice cakes outside in the rain on Friday. I walked by several times and they were still there. I found it amusing…and it made me think of that song.

I met up w/ some friends to grab a few drinks Friday night to kick off my first full weekend in the district. After two beers, we headed to DuPont Circle and went to a gay bar. I’ve got to say, it’s not what I expected. I totally pictured men in spandex go-go outfits and a huge disco ball and some Gloria Gaynor anthem playing in the background. It was just like any other bar, except the other girl in our group and I were two of probably four girls in the bar. And all the guys seemed to be wearing tight shirts. It’s fun to look when you know they won’t touch. J

After a drink, we left our buddy at the gay bar and headed to a bar by the Eastern Market. I met some Irish dude who didn’t like my name because he’s a huge Manchester United fan. The Europeans and their soccer…but I love it! I’m definitely going to try and get on a team out here. The Flagstaff girls had a game this weekend and I miss playing w/ them already.

Saturday was awesome. Mel and I went to a line-dancing bar out in Alexandria. I felt like I never left Arizona. Will definitely be going back to that place. I knew I should have brought my Western shirts.

I finally got my bed on Sunday so I’m no longer sleeping on the air mattress and my room finally looks like a room.

Grocery shopping out here is an experience. The sticker shock alone is enough to drive someone to diet. I don’t know how people manage out here – obviously I will have to learn. The store was super crowded and I’m sure the big game had something to do w/ that, but it was ridiculous. I felt like it was bumper carts the whole way through. I definitely witnessed an old man steel some candy. He grabbed some a handful of chocolate from one of those Brach’s buckets and snuck it in his pocket. It was awesome. I guess that’s his way of sticking it to the man for the ludicrous prices of groceries. I was silently cheering him on.

Mel and I also saw the Bucket List this weekend. It’s inspired us to come up w/ our own list; not necessarily a bucket list b/c we’re not faced w/ imminent death, but a list of things we must do this year. I think at the top of the list is to actually sit down and make the list. We’ll see how that goes…


I’m actually a little upset that I’m living here right now. Apparently Flagstaff just got dumped on w/ 16 inches of snow!!! SIXTEEN INCHES!!! That’s a lot of good snow for a lot of good skiing. Of course, the week I leave. That’s always my luck. But I am having fun out here. I mean, come on. I live three blocks from the Capitol.

The Harry Potter House and other amusing muses

I have got to have the coolest address ever! I call it my Harry Potter House because it's got the whole "Platform 9 3/4" thing going on. My room is about the size of a closet and if it was under the stairs, I would have everyone address mail sent to me as such: 518 1/2 Pennsylvania Ave NE*, the closet under the stairs. So write me at the Harry Potter address; I love getting mail.

I will probably always look like a tourist in this town. Everyone else walks sooo fast, looking straight forward. I'm just bumbling along (shout out to Sam: remember the Bumbler?) looking this way and that at EVERYTHING. The Capitol, the Washington Monument, the Archives, etc, etc, etc. I don't think this city will ever lose its charm to me. DC at night - enough said.

I can fit a lot of crap into a 94 square foot room. There's just not much room for me.

There is a lamp in this house that is possessed. I walk by, and it turns on. I touch it to turn it off and it turns off, then back on again. I seriously stood at the lamp for like 5 minutes trying to turn it off.

Five girls with one refrigerator - never gonna happen. Never.

I never realized how much I would miss cable tv until it was gone. Farewell "Ace of Cakes." I salivate no more. Addio Mike Rowe in your tight jeans on "Dirty Jobs." By y'all to CMT and GAC. And all those mindless reality shows on E an Vh1. Dearest Stacy and Clinton, I shall miss you the most. Here's hoping that I'll never forget "What not to wear." Lord knows I would have needed you most in the stylish setting of our nation's capital.

I miss the Peaks already. Just as I leave, it snows. Definitely won't be boarding or skiing much out here. My old room had a direct view of the snow-capped mountain. This room, well, let's just say a room with a view it is not.

Drinks tomorrow at Old Ebbs w/ a WH buddy, a colleague and a college chum. Which, by the by, I ran into said college chum last night as I was walking from the Harry Potter homestead to the Washington Monument. I always run into him when I least expect it. It makes me feel like I know people here. And that's a good feeling.

* This is not actually my address in case any stalkers are out there. Wait, um actually, that is my address. Come find me there.