Mr. Chu-cy says cool it, and Lincoln says four score...

I had posted a blog about my day attending a hearing with Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, but upon signing in this morning, and starting to type a new one, I realized that I didn't save it, or it didn't save itself, or my dell computer did what it does and deleted it. It wouldn't be the first time. For now, I'll try and give a little recap, for those of you who still read this, which might be nobody, I'm not sure.

I got to get out of the office on tuesday and head over to the Dirksen Senate Office building for a hearing regarding the FY 2010 Budget and the Department of Energy's Plans for their portion of it. I arrived at work at 6:30 am to meet up with the field crew, who are a unique and fun group, and could barely keep my eyes open. Then we loaded the truck with all the camera gear, headed over, and began to set up. Rather, they set up, and I just stood there, and then sat there, and nodded off more than a few times. The thing about having roommates who don't have to be in to work until 10 am or later, is they stay up later, and sometimes it's very difficult to get to sleep. I'm at the point where I want to be very selective from now on in regards to my living situations. It's hard enough work 40 hours a week nearly, and going to classes at nights, but doing so on little rest, while trying to maintain adequate school work, and running each day, is very difficult. But, to get back to the story...

After semi-napping while the crew set up, we had about 2 hours until the hearing began, so I went with the group to get breakfast and a chai latte. Giving me temporary energy, albeit for $7, it wasn't enough to keep me going the rest of the day. Mr. Chu, a brilliant man, if not a little quirky at times, spoke mainly on renewable energy sources, and attempts to control the carbon emissions problem through a cap and trade program. It was typical Washington, however, with Republicans questions harshly Mr. Chu-cy's tactics, and Democrats asking for stricter enforcement and guidelines. I didn't even get to sit in on the hearing, I had to stay in the hallway with the mobile producers. I didn't even get headphones to listen until halfway through the 2+ hour ordeal! This next quote, was probably the best part of the hearing, at the end. Mr. Chu was asked what he thought about energy efficiency, to which he replied this. "I THINK ENERGY EFFICIENCY IS INCREDIBLE SEXY!" As enthused as he was, and the words he chose, well, that made the boredom tolerable. After the gear was packed up, and we retuned to the office, I was supposed to go home, but it was already 2 pm, so I just stayed and finished the day, since I would have otherwise just wasted time in the apartment I hate.

Moving away from the Chu-ster, I'll get into a little of what I did yesterday, Thursday the 12th. Besides work, which is a normal event, not much happened. I ate inadequately again, I ran hungry (which is bad), and I sat around instead of doing some work. I find it extremely hard to do anything in this place. With three roommates who I get a long fine with, but am different from, it's hard at times, well, most times actually. Anyways, I had to get out, so I went to get some overpriced hot-chocolate. Starbucks was closed at this point, so I went to COSI, which was about to close, but I got in just in time. I quickly drank, and left. Not wanting to go back, because, let's be honest, what's there for me, I went for a walk. I didn't plan on going as far as I did, but in the end I had walked all the way to the Lincoln Memorial. It was different than times I had been there in the past. There might have been 3 people there, I could actually take my time and read the quotes from speeches he gave on the wall. By the time I checked my watch, it was nearly mid-night, and I decided to head back, against my better judgement.

The guys had gone out last night, and went at it pretty hard as usual. When that happens, they inevitably come back late, which they did, at around 3:30 am. And they had girls from our program with them, who are equally loud at that point. Each time this happens, I hear them say, rather shout, "SHHHH! ANDY IS SLEEPING!" At which point I of course am not sleeping any longer. I like DC a lot, but I HATE this living situation because there is nowhere to get away to. We don't have our own rooms, and the place is so incredibly small, you can't hide.

Today, I may or may not do a museum. It is pretty bad weather outside, and I don't want to venture out for long walks in the cold rain. Today may be an off day. I have only a few more monuments/sites to see, and have made my rounds of the city well. Maybe I'll go out for dinner tonight...by myself...is that sad? I would go out with my acquaintances from my study abroad, but I realized I am always calling them, and they either don't respond, or are too busy. I hate being the one to always call, phones work both ways...unless they don't want to hang out with me, which I guess is an option too.

To recap, as someone at work wrote to me in a note during our morning meeting:

"No job, no money, no girl."

Andy