28
November
2006
“The motorcade . . . is an impressive sight: a long line of dark cars, flashing lights, sirens and enough weapons to start, or stop, a small war.” -Mary Cheney
Elle Woods suggests the bend and snap. Tom Cruise recommends jumping on couches. Dennis Rodman stays safe – he sticks with the dependable hair dye.
But no worry, my friends, I have created the perfect recipe for stopping traffic. I guarantee it works every time. You don’t have to be young, good looking or even have a straight shot!
Ingredients: Lots of big, black, bad looking SUVs and many friends who have large guns.
Makes: All pedestrians, cars, trains, planes and busses within a 5 mile radius stop moving due to loud sirens and the size of your impressively blinged posse. Everyone else in the world is now late, but you’ll always be on time!
Sounds pretty good, right? Now you’ll just need a few hundred of your best friends and some really loud whistles and bells to make it work.
Or, just become my neighbor who lives a bit down Mass. Ave. Hey, did you see the front of the Post, Dick? How are Lynne and the girls doing? Been back to Wyoming recently?
Oh, and nice wheels Mr. V.P. Where can I get (15) sets like that?
Posted: Fall 2006
20
November
2006
“I cry, Love! Love! Love! happy happy Love! free as the mountain wind!” -William Blake
My roommate Sarah is the Washington Liaison (no not intern, she has a real title!) for Appalachian Voices, a group that concentrates on environmental issues facing the Appalachian region. She invited me to tag along to an evening reception that featured the executive director of the organization last week.
After mingling and enjoying a variety of tasty and crunchy (literally and figuratively) delectables, we heard a few speakers highlight how people can help solve environmental problems. The woman from Appalachian Voices concentrated on the topic of Mountain Top Removal Mining.
Mountain Top Removal (MTR) is a practice used by mining companies in the Appalachian region during which 22 story machinery removes complete tops of mountains in order to reach valuable coal. The controversy surrounding this practice is that it often has negative economic influence on the region, causes safety concerns and also destroys natural resources, beauty and habitats.
I had never heard of MTR until I asked this girl down the hall freshman year why she had a sticker on her laptop that said, “I <3 up mountains.” That girl ended up being Sarah, and since that time, her passion has encouraged many interesting conversations and research papers.
Like many other environmental issues, MTR is a practice we will all have to questions in the coming decades as the realities of population, energy, biodiversity and green space collide. Most recently, Willie Nelson, Leonardo DiCaprio and Oprah have brought the practice of MTR to the forefront of national debate.
Give it up to Sarah, our Cornellian, for being a trendsetter.
Posted: Fall 2006
19
November
2006
“I love the whole princess mentality, but I also like throwing my hair in a ponytail and just wearing jeans, going on a hike and then eating a big chili-cheeseburger.” -Jennifer Love Hewitt
Training for the marathon caused me to eat pretty healthy. I figured it was important I had good fuel made of all that stuff Mom tells you to eat.
But sometimes, you just can’t listen to Mom.
Once in awhile, we all need a Ben’s Original Chili Half-Smoke.
I’m pretty sure most of you have no idea what that is, as I didn’t before Friday night. Ben’s Chili Bowl is a DC legend as far as food good for the soul and for an intern’s nonexistent salary, but probably not so much for the arteries. Located on U Street, Ben’s is in the heart of a funky and fun area of the District. And the late night hot spot has quite a history, as proven by the smiling, chili adorned celebrities who grace the walls.
After advice from some regulars, I decided on the Half-Smoke, a crazy combination of chili, sausage and everything-else-but-the-kitchen-sink on top of a bun. It’s the kind of thing you can probably have only once in a lifetime, and only the brave and strong of heart can handle two.
I might need to run another marathon to clear all of the cholesterol, but it’ll be worth it.
Posted: Fall 2006
13
November
2006
“The stage is not merely the meeting place of all the arts, but it is also the return of art to life.” -Oscar Wilde
A great aspect of living in DC is the opportunity it provides to enjoy the arts. I’ve seen two great shows since I moved here a few months ago.
In October, many of us went over to the Arena Stage to see Cabaret. Although the musical ends on somewhat of a downer, I still enjoyed the songs and story. The Arena Stage is a neat theater in that it is set up with the stage in the middle of the room with all of the seats surrounding the performance area.
Tonight, I headed over to the Folger Theater to see A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The Folger Theater is small in size and has a historic feel. The play was set in the 1930s while still using Shakespeare’s original lines. I found the production engaging, although a bit long to sit through after several hours in the car heading back up from Ithaca. However, the story is timeless and funny, and I really liked some of the costumes.
And after a busy weekend, I’m off to sleep . . . perchance to dream . . .
Posted: Fall 2006
11
November
2006
“There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.” -Nelson Mandela
So a lot of people have asked me if being in the District during an election makes the event more dramatic or exciting. Politics moves this city more than the Metro on some days, but there are surely people I have met who are removed from Washington and much more interested in this subject.
Granted, there is a more general interest in politics than most other places. And the jobs people have can often change with an election. But, with a midterm election, far fewer are influenced, and I think less of the change people expect to feel in the city is present.
Yet, the biggest news of the week (yes, bigger than Rummy, ballots or K. Fed) is that I’m back in Ithaca! It is true friends; this entry comes to you straight from the depths of Uris library.
I arrived in town on Thursday and plan to stay through Sunday. With three daily trips to Collegetown Bagels (CTB, as we call it here) and lots of tea/coffee breaks, I’ve been able to catch up with many of my friends. I also checked out the apartment I’ll be subletting for next semester and where I’ll be living for senior year.
It’s great being back, but there is also a strange feeling to being here. It is kind of like when you go back to high school after you have already graduated – many of the people and places are the same, but there is a different feel. I know when I come back next semester it will be great, but right now Ithaca is not really my “home.” As well, some of my friends are not on campus, so it is different being at Cornell without them.
Nevertheless, I’m definitely glad I came back to visit and have a better sense of where I’ll be at for my last (gasp!) three semesters at Cornell!
Posted: Fall 2006
5
November
2006
“Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.” -Author Unknown
So I talked to my brother, Daniel, on the phone today and asked him what he was up to for the evening. “I’m heading to yoga class with Mom and Dad.”
I’m pretty sure he heard by jaw hit the floor, not through the phone, mind you, but based on its echo that went all the way to Ohio. Who turned by 6′4″-baseball-batting-Brooks-Brothers-polo-popping-Nantucket-Red-shorts-wearing teenager into a crunchy flexophile?
My Mom. And his stomach.
“Daniel, who had this idea?”
“Mom said it would be good for after the marathon. She needs to stretch out. And, she offered me dinner afterwards.”
“Sounds like you’ll be most concerned with stretching out your stomach . . .”
“No . . . I mean . . . come on, Nikki, I’ve never done it before. I want to try something new.”
Now that’s what I call living dangerously Daniel. But in all honesty, sitting here with overheated laptop burns, strained eyesight and fingers that will never quite straighten to due excessive computer bonding pre paper deadline – well, maybe some good old Midwestern yoga is what I should be asking for right about now.
Posted: Fall 2006
4
November
2006
“That day, for no particular reason, I decided to go for a little run.” -Forrest Gump
Sunday, October 29, 2006, is a day I will not soon forget. Sarah, my Mom and I successfully completed our first marathon!
We woke up early to get all dolled up in our old sweatshirts and sweatpants that would be discarded along the side of the road throughout the race. Our triumphant triumvirate took the Metro over to the Pentagon, near the starting line. We walked for awhile and waited for at least an hour before we actually started running.
The beginning of the route took us through Virginia, and then we crossed the Key Bridge over to Georgetown. Throughout the run there were a ton of fans, which really helped keep us going. The shirts Sarah, my Mom and I were wearing said, “Get ‘er done!” a phrase quickly adopted by the people cheering as we ran past them. The Marines working at the water stops also provided us with many chants of “Oorah!”
As we began to leave Georgetown, we saw our personal fans for the first time. Sarah’s family, my family and our friends were all there to cheer us on, which meant a lot and helped keep us going. Next, we headed through Rock Creek and then looped back around down to the Mall. After we rounded the Mall, we saw our fans again right before we headed out to Haines Point.
Haines Point is notoriously one of the most challenging parts of the Marine Corps Marathon. It covers miles 16-20, typically a testing time during this endurance event. As well, it is kind of secluded, so there are not many fans around. I found it to be kind of a quiet change of pace, but I was ready to see some of our fans when we finally got back to mile 20.
Miles 20 through 22 took us across the 14th Street Bridge. This part of the run was also tough as it was pretty windy traveling over the Potomac. But once we “Beat the Bridge,” we were greeted by some more of our fans as a reward.
As we neared the end of the run, everyone was pretty tired and it was challenging to keep going. But as we hit the last .2 mile – and the last hill – a sense of accomplishment was definitely in the air. And we were all pretty excited to see the “Finish” sign, to say the least!
Later that night, we went out for a big Italian feast to celebrate with our family and friends. We definitely could not have done the run without their support over the past several months, and especially on race day.
I have to say, a year ago I never would have thought I could accomplish this goal. I think having a plan, setting your mind to it and including some good companions along the way are critical in helping to achieve such a goal.
And after a lot of carbs, sports jellybeans, miles, sweat, great conversations, blisters and dedication, I am pretty proud to call myself a marathon finisher!
Posted: Fall 2006