I have returned safely from my Washington Equal Justice Works Job Fair.
We stayed in Dupont Circle which was beyond beautiful and trendy. The houses were gorgeous, large, and overwhelmingly Democratic. Our hotel room was just gorgeous and Democratic. The room goes for $250 a night for what can't have been more than six square feet of living space per person [probably an exaggeration]. I was having migrant farm worker flashbacks because of the space restraints.
Speaking of exaggerations, I was trying to make up a statistic about McDonald’s consumption. We headed to McDonald’s at 2 AM last night in Dupont Circle, and it was really packed. So after my usual, “Gosh, I think I am developing cancer by just smelling this food,” and “I pass on grass; I pass on McDonald’s” comments, I received a mixture of dirty looks and curiosity when I said, “Do you know one McDonald’s hamburger is equivalent to smoking 45 cartons of cigarettes?” I don’t really understand the comparison I made, but then on the car ride back from DC, we made the statistic more believable: “For every McDonald hamburger patty you eat, you can subtract 84 hours of your projected life expectancy.” Completely made up, but if you say it with a straight face, I bet you can get some believers.
We did some traditional sightseeing which was decent. I was in DC for an 8th grade class trip for a week, and I remember it pretty well. I was also there for a couple of days two years ago visiting a friend, and we did some sightseeing there, too. I did manage to visit the new World War II Memorial, and it was really pretty. Each state or territory has its own tower in remembrance of its troops who died in service. I took a photo with both the Iowa tower and Illinois tower. In all honesty, though, I felt a much tighter bond with the Iowa tower. Weird, isn’t it? I’ll throw up a photo to the blog once I get it.
Friday night in Dupont Circle was a night to remember. A friend and I decided to hit up the alternative DC scene, so we first headed to this coffeehouse just to get a feel for the environment. While we were there, though, I got this telephone call from my little brother, and he told me that my grandfather had just been rushed to the hospital and that he wasn’t breathing. Nonno is 97-years old and the patriarch of the family. He served under the Italian invasion of Ethiopia and spent some time working in Argentina before heading back to Italy to retire in Chicago. A couple of months ago, his body health was great for a 97-year old – completely walking and everything. His mental health is another story – I have been called “Salvatore” and other miscellaneous names for a while now.
There was nothing I could do – I was in DC and my car was in Iowa. I told my brother I would plan to drive to Chicago as soon as would get back to Iowa City. After coffee, though, we went to this sushi restaurant, and I received another call from my little brother saying that Nonno regained breathing on 31st Street, four blocks from my house . . . my grandparents live on the first floor; my family lives on the 2nd floor – very immigrant, very Chicago.
Nonno plans to be released from the hospital on Sunday. God Bless him [in a completely atheist sense].
The DC scene was pretty hip; a bit older than I would have liked, but very good looking and trendy. We made it out to two clubs. The star moment of the night was when someone asked me if I was over 21. I was so depressed; I am not even kidding. Let us also not forget the dude who completely brushed me off as soon as he figured out I was just visiting DC.
Oh, so yeah . . . the job fair!
The job fair was amazing. It was held at the Washington Hilton, the same hotel where Reagan was shot.
I interviewed with some amazing organizations. All of the representatives seemed incredibly personable, real, and interested in the work they were doing. My main interests are labor and immigration issues, and I want to work closely with immigrant and Latino communities.
My oral Spanish was put to the test again randomly in the middle of a couple of interviews. They all went well, and I think a majority of them were very impressed with my qualities. A part of my wants to go to Texas or another part of the South for the summer, but another part wants me to be in DC, and another part in Chicago. I’ll figure it out one day.
I voted at Hy-vee today in case something happens to my grandfather in the early week for me to be in Chicago for Election Day. I would feel an inordinate amount of guilt if I didn’t vote.
I’m really looking forward to Tuesday night. My prediction for Tuesday: As much as I would love for Kerry to win, I think Bush will become reelected, er, elected, er, take over.
So prepare for the coup of the century
Be prepared for the murkiest scam
Meticulous planning
Tenacity spanning
Decades of denial
Is simply why I'll
Be king undisputed
Respected, saluted
And seen for the wonder I am
Yes, my teeth and ambitions are bared
Be prepared!
"Be Prepared" from
Disney's The Lion King
