9:30 club, J Street, Ricky, and Romania

I started out this weekend quite nicely I think. On Friday I rehashed my memories of Thursday morning running an errand involving a stroll to the NRCC and who do you think I just happen to see? Mitt Romney. Oh yea totally not expecting that one.

Thursday was also a perfect day to remember since it was beautiful with all the cherry blossoms full and flowers everywhere surrounding the Hill, (sigh). I took some pictures of the event as shown below:

Saturday was a somewhat productive day despite the rain. I wanted to go out to the Smithsonian since it was a cloudy day and I prefer to be indoors where I don't have to be wet. Well to my surprise I was welcomed to the National Mall by heards of people, huge concert-type speakers and a stage. I began to listen to the words, "I'm an atheist and I'm proud that we made this sh&$* happen!" It was thoroughly amusing to say the least. I couldn't help but stay a few minutes longer to observe the people and watch the festivities. It was quite a unique crowd of people which was very intriguing to me. I guess thats why atheism is so popular among the youth, the hippies, and other people who didn't found the idea of God annoying and wanted to try something new. I get it I do but it was just so odd that the rally was being conducted by atheists that made the whole event sound like a miracle.

Understood: atheists don't believe in God nor do they think its right or legally fair for believers in God should shove their values, beliefs, and ideas down an atheist's throat. But my confusion asteamed from the idea that the atheist activists there at the National Mall where in favor of changing the law to accomodate them but they make claims that they don't respect the law. My question would be how do you perceive to fulfill your objectives as a group of American citizens when you don't respect the fundamental values of our system? No Congressional member wants to listen to someone uninterested in the "job" that he or she does in government and for the country which ties into the atheists fight against "Under God," being used in the country's most valued legal document next to the Bill of Rights. I'm not saying what they "do" as Congressman and women is right or wrong and shouldn't be judged like everyone else, however, in order to make changes to the legal system one must convince the judicary system and the legislative system that you understand and respect the freedoms you have to do so.  I dunno maybe its too complicated for me.

Change in plans for the daytime I decided to go back to the apartment. I chilled around until about 7 then heading to the Metro to U St. It was a bit intimidating to walk around U St when I didn't really know which direction to go off of U. Ducking into a CVS to ask was no help until a local biker guided me towards Howard University. V St was literally around the freakin' corner from the Metro station...ughh. After almost having a heart attack (recipt in hand NOT the ticket!) I was releaved when the will call guy reprinted my ticket....victory! And it was an awesome show - well Band of Skulls were awesome and British (no idea)! Horrorible pics of the place but you get the idea:

Note to self: NEVER where those F*#%@ heels to a show or event ever again, especially when you know the procedure is standing for long periods of time!

All-day Sunday I went to the J Street conference to get a clearer understanding of the Jewish/Israeli side of the Israeli-Palestinian Two-State solution argument. It was very interesting. I met some students from Dartmouth who I gave my business card to during a free and edible breakfast. I tried to take as many notes and got to as many sessions that I could. I stayed until about 430pm then headed back to the apt to await Ricardo's visit. He arrived around 7pm and we walked around the neighborhood. We picked up some items for our pork chops, salad, and quesadilla dinner. It was so nice to have him stay over and to talk awhile about his family, travels, future plans, etc. I wish he had more time to spend in DC since he seemed to love it so much. Next time maybe...

Today was yet another LOOOONNG day. 530am wake up to go to the gym (yea I know I'm crazy). Then out the door at 7ish. Metro to Gallery/Chinatown and then departed from Ricardo :(
Green line to Convention center and another free breakfast with a additional session on Women in Israel. Another few sessions and I was heading back on the Metro to New York Ave to the RAF for another programming session. It was a interview/Q&A session with Jim Lear and his wife Kim Lear. All repetitive information until some of the questions from the students but at that time I was struggling not to tip over out of my seat. Lack of sleep = not good. Rushing out of the RAF to catch the next shady grove train, to chinatown, running to the green line downstairs, then running (literally) through the convention halls up the escalators to the room where my next session were to take place. A little stressful but I made it.

Decided to go to Tidal Basin to see what was left rather gone from this past week's peak of cherry blossoms. Stupid! I should've come earlier. Oh well I saw a bunch everywhere during the week. I decided to walk to the Kennedy Center. Glad I did, I walked through GW - Elon in the city equivalent - then to the center where I watched and listened to the most eclectic and original quartet of musicians playing music inspired by Eastern Europe, among other places around the world. Check out The Kennedy Center's live streaming of each show everynight at 6pm (kennedy-center.org/millenium)

 Watergate 

 Sculpture outside The Kennedy Center

 Side view of The Kennedy Center

 George Washington Monument

 Pearl Harbor Memorial looking onward to the Lincoln Memorial

What was left of the cherry blossoms on Monday

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