05 May 2008

Time has gone missing

It's amazing how quickly time flies. I mean last I checked it was March, and now suddenly it's May. How in the world did that happen?

So brief summary of my missing month:

1) Suzy Sunshine has continued to be a royal thorn in my side. In fact she's downright miserable... fun stories to come of all that's happened.

2) I had to prepare a lot for the arrival of President Lee (of S. Korea). He's an important fellow, so that was interesting.

3) The Pope came to visit. I got to listen to him speak and enjoy in all the pomp and circumstance that the White House put on for his visit.

4) Gold Cup this past weekend was fantastic. If you're in the VA/DC area, I highly recommend that you go next spring. By all means, go in the fall to the international Gold Cup as well, but definitely make it out to the spring event. It was a great time had by all.

27 March 2008

Give a little bit. (Give a little bit of your love to me)

Sororities always talk about how they’re about more than just drunk nights with frat boys and dressing like they’re straight off of the “what’s hot” page. Sometimes this is a blatant lie. Other times it is absolutely true. I mean, it’s not all just about keeping up appearances, sometimes we sorority girls enjoy doing good things for the community (and not just for recognition in our local papers and national newsletters). Yes, some of us really just get into the spirit of giving because it’s not only the right the thing to do, we know it’s actually something really great to do. Because we know that not everyone is fortunate to live the lives we live and so we work hard to help others out when we get the chance.

That said, I’m taking on the mother of all philanthropic projects. Sure I volunteer EVERY Saturday morning in the District for a few hours (again, no exaggeration, I really do this), but this project takes the cake of my commitment level to things. I’m going to participate in the Breast Cancer 3-Day in October.

In case you’ve not heard of it, it’s 3 days long and 60 miles of walking. I know, it sounds crazy, but this whole thing was my idea. Imagine that.

But really it means something to me and I really think it’s something more people should get behind. Especially women. The only catch? You HAVE to raise $2,200 to participate. Or at least that’s a catch for all my friends I ask to do it with me. But think about it, who wouldn’t support you for at least $10-20 if you tell them you’re walking 60 whole miles in 3 days? I know I’d be hard-pressed to say no. So I’m banking on that as I start to solicit those around me.

And in hopes to amp up the challenge, I’m pledging $30,000 because I know my co-workers alone will each give me a few thousand. I don’t say that in a boastful way (that’s far the class I like to show), but rather to assert to the world that I’m going all in here and I will bug every last person in the District before October 3rd if I have to in order to reach my goal.

See, I’m not at all what you think of me. OK, not totally anyway.

*Oh and in case you were wanting to try the B-Relaxed Vitamin Water (jackfruit-guava) – don’t. I’m a huge VW fan, but not of this one. It just doesn’t do it for me.

Sunshiney Smiles While Gritting Your Teeth Hurts

Suzy Sunshine is at it again. This overly chipper, so sugary sweet ‘I’m getting cavities just by sitting in the same room’ as her is getting old. I mean seriously, is it her goal to kill me today? Because I think this crap just might do it right now.

To make matters worse, she’s mad at me. Oh, what ever could I have done to make her mad? Aside from my “rude email” with “a bad tone,” I’ve upset her by saying that she’s not productive enough. And, truth be told, she’s not.

We’ve both been working on the same project all week. (Definitely a hazing project if I’ve ever seen one,) and magically I’ve completed it 5x faster than her. No exaggeration this time either.

For every ONE she completes, I complete 5.

What is up with that? I mean I’ve been able to take personal calls, go to lunches and client meetings AND read Perez Hilton religiously and I’m STILL 5x as fast as her. Something does not add up here.

So I told her, “Crosswords and personal phone calls must wait until after you actually do your work.” This was definitely not the thing to say. Suzy Sunshine fast became Suzy Raincloud, as tears welled up before I could even blink. Is it so wrong of me to want my assistant to do her job before playing around? She should at least keep better pace, right?

Right. Because I know I’m right here. This job is so far from work sometimes, but unbelievably we do actually have to work sometimes. Go figure. Suzy makes for an awful pledge. No wonder she wasn’t in a sorority in college. No wonder…

25 March 2008

DC the new City of Angels?

Unless you're living under a rock, or somewhere other than DC, you should most definitely know about the filming of State of Play going on in the District right now. And while DC is no stranger to being the backdrop to many movie sets, it seems that more and more films/tv shows are finding their way to the Diamond District. Or maybe it's just that I'm seeing more celebs flock to the steps of the Capitol so that they can testify to Congress about this issue or that. Either way, the influx of Hollywood in the nation's capital is undeniable.

I mean Russell Crowe and Rachel McAdams did film in front of my office just last week (of course I got pictures). And I did see Ben Affleck, wife Jennifer Garner and daughter Violet at Papa-Razzi in Gtown on Friday... sure they're all here filming the same movie, but it's just wild to see them all.

Ah yes, even Sorority Girl can be star-struck from time to time.

20 March 2008

Death will surely come to me in the morning

No, I'm not writing about death, but rather about how insanely awful mornings are. Sure I understand why we have them and all, but who decided that I need to wake up and be part of them? Not I. Mornings = hazing.

Why hazing you ask? Well I'll tell you why. Because in this town the only people who HAVE to be at work at the crack of dawn are the "pledges." Those of us who haven't been here long enough to earn the right to sleep in.

It's not that I hate mornings totally, is that I hate mornings before 9 a.m.. Talk to me before 9, and I'm comatose/cranky/you-name-it. But really it's just that my brain is smarter than the rest of my body (go figure, right?), and thus it's still sleeping and does not want to be disturbed.

And someone needs to teach my assistant this. She's "Suzy Sunshine" in the mornings (and thus, she will continue to be referred to as such in the future). You would think I'm running over her cat or something the way she reacts when I give her a lackluster nod on my way in the door instead of the chipper "Hello! How are you today?" that she greets with me.

She doesn't think mornings are a form of hazing. She's one of those who doesn't even see hazing for what it really is. I mean she doesn't even complain when I make her do stupid things for me because I don't feel like doing them. Nor does she complain when people make her go and get things. She's hazed the most, and somehow she cares the least.

And that's the funny thing about hazing. Those on the bottom are most OK with it. They respect it. Which is totally why you don't hear about hazing most of the time. I mean of course people know it's going on, but no one talks about it.

Too bad when you're like me though, you realize how much hazing sucks. Too far from initiation to do things your own way, yet far enough from the bottom that you don't want to be lumped in with those who are there.

Life continues to be a sorority.

19 March 2008

This is the dawning of the Age of Sorority...

In every great city, there are the elite. Those members, who through private cocktail parties, formal teas and pseudo-philanthropic balls (which cost nearly as much to throw as they actually raise) control our daily lives. Some are the movers and the shakers, while others are play the much more subtle, submissive role in getting things done. Regardless of type, they are always there and the masses hang on their every word, obeying their every command.

I’m not one of these elite. I do however live in their world. From perfectly pressed suits to flawless hair and makeup, to the pearls that I’d never leave home without – I’m all in.

But really, whatever, whatever, whatever. I know, I know, the last thing you want to read is another blog from a prima donna, spoiled little rich girl.

Have no fear! I am far from that. Instead I live in a part of this world that even I find hard to believe some days (and you’ll see, I’ve seen so many things that not believing is most impressive), but I’m not a pretentious part of it.

Instead, I’m a go-getter. A quintessential Type-A. An overly involved, business savvy 20-something with lots to say, and now the perfect place to say it all.

So where does the sorority come in? Not the way you think. Rest-assured, despite the fact that I donned the most spectacular Greek letters while in college, the world of sororities still seem to overwhelm my life. The “elite” that I mentioned before pretty much live the life of a sorority girl (or fraternity boy),but the only difference is that we’re not in college now.

From recruiting “new members” (pledges for the old school) to join their ranks, to the hazing mentality of it all, and even to the fancy dress-up dinners – “Sorority” has taken over. And here is where I’ll talk about it all.