Day 16: Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD

Today was a really exciting day! (I honestly never know how to start these posts out. I apologize for this). Anyway, I feel like I did a bunch of stuff this morning and then sort of nothing this afternoon, and then a lot at night again.

I woke up in DC at around 7:45am ish and got ready quickly. Then Bowen and I made the short commute to her office, and by 8:30am I was sitting in the California Welcome Breakfast hosted by Senator Dianne Feinstein. The senator hosts these once a week (every Wednesday at 8:30am) out of her own pocket! It was just bagels and muffins and donuts and coffee and orange juice, but still was really cool.

The senator got up and welcomed us and ribbed the crowd a bit. Basically there were about 200 people there, and anyone who is a California resident who is in Washington can get on the list to go. There were some high school and college students there on school trips, and some families and other random people like me (even though I'm not technically a resident of the Golden State anymore, I faked it with great authenticity). So anyway, the senator welcomed us and let us know what she was working on in her committees and legislation. She then introduced most of her staff that was around and then opened up the floor to questions to answer. All in all, the whole thing was a little over an hour long, but it was gratifying to see a very busy senator take time and money to get to see some of her constituents. She is really engaging in person and answered people's questions rather candidly (for a politician at least). And she is still going strong even in her 70s. All in all, I left very impressed.

After that, I went back to Bowen's office, and she took me on the underground subway over to the new Capital Visitor Center. I remember riding this subway as a member of the general public when I visited in 2001, but times, they are a-changin'. You have to be an employee or escorted by one to take the ride now, so it felt a little scandalous to be doing so (especially with the "ESCORTED" nametag I had to wear). The new Capital Visitor Center is beautiful, and they did a great job blending it in with the current building and still providing some historical artifacts in the exhibit hall and lobby. And it was busy in there too!

I made my way through there and got to use my Senate viewing gallery ticket (thanks to Senator Feinstein) to see a live vote taking place. The whole viewing was fascinating, because it was nothing like I had expected. The senate chamber is pretty tiny considering they only need space for 100 or so people. It is still ornately decorated and kept up, and they gave us a pamphlet with lots of information about the chamber (and a senator seating chart which was helpful). I have to be honest that I forgot what the actual vote was about (something about unemployment benefits), but it was nothing what I expected. The senators just kind of come in and mill around and chat as the votes are counted electronically. I guess I expected lots of verbal "yay" and "nay"s and suspense, but that didn't really happen. And once a vote is over, pretty much everyone leaves expect for the president pro tempe (that title might be wrong) and who ever is speaking. Most of the actual work of senators is done in committees and subcommittees.

And the seating gallery in itself is a sight. It's basically stadium-style seating with movie seats. There are no cellphones aloud (you check them beforehand), no food or drink, no talking, no excessive standing, no showing any signs of support or disdain or what is being said, no wearing hats. Basically all you do is sit, read your senate info, and watch the proceedings. They actually kept my attention for about an hour, which is a miracle considering that I am not a politics junkie and have trouble siting still. And there was this one guy who was in charge of where everyone sat and all he would do was just get mad at people who were talking or touching things they weren't supposed to or jockeying for a better seat. He even kicked a kid out for sleeping! He was half the show up there, I swear.

After about an hour I left and headed back to Bowen's office. Gathered my things, said bye to her (and Washington) and walked over to Union Station to catch the MARC train back to Baltimore. After this trip I decided I am pro-train, and I am ok with the amount that our federal government subsidises railroads. Look at me, making political decisions based on personal experiences!

Got back to Baltimore around 1:30pm. Pat was gracious enough to leave work and come pick me up from the train station (I think he just liked being able to leave for a bit). I went back with him to work and hung around his office for a bit and met his co-workers (I met one of them twice, as Pat had temporary amnesia and introduced me to Jess, who I had had lunch with about 48 hours prior). After that, we took a trip through campus and went to the Student Union, where we went to the post office and bookstore (Aunt Terry, you would have approved of the bookstore - recently remodeled!). We also ran into his two bosses from Back on My Feet, and it was nice to meet this, as Pat has nothing but great things to say about them.

After that, I was not gonna lie - I was tired. I went back to Pat's apt and took a nap. I hope that I can always have a job where I can take naps! Pat got home from work, and we ran some errands. At this point, Pat was getting a little grumpy. After 3 years of friendship, I know exactly how to push his buttons, so I did just that during our car ride and stops and made him even grumpier. Jack, you would have loved it.

We met up with Pat's friends Tim, Ivan, and Jen (did I get that last name wrong? Maybe. My apologies) for dinner at Chipotle. This was a treat because we don't have Chipotle in Spokane and because I got to tell a few "embaressing Pat" stories (I know I spelled that word wrong but I don't know how to spell it! I just tried for like two minutes to figure it out and gave up). Ivan and Tim are the Resident Director equivalents here at Loyola, so clearly we had some stuff to talk about.

After dinner, the group of us went over to another friends' house (Ben and Christina) and played a couple rounds of a board game. I am not that competitive of a person, and board games make me nervous. Still, it was a very fun time. Pat has found some great friends here, and it is nice to see his new life and put faces to names and places.

Leaving here early tomorrow morning and heading back to Dayton. Should be kind of a boring day in the car, but I am making a stop in Columbus, so we shall see.

Joey