Work: Day 2

The day started strong with meetings almost back to back. I got to see the site of our biggest current project and my client got to show me all the cool things he has been working on. It definitely came home to me today that I came as the sky was falling at the office, in terms of all the things going on. Luckily my work crew is really good overall, but everything going on is crazy. By the end of the day, however, I was pretty exhausted. Like all my coping skills and perspective got thrown out the window.

On the home front, Oscar, my Oscar has been feeling a little punk. Merissa was supposed to take him the vet today, but I am not sure how that went. Though I realize that part of me should be prepared to lose him at his age, I know I never will be. With Mom busy, there is definitely some stress of things to worry about.

On a humorous note, everyone joked about me stepping in at a difficult time. One person even joked that I may be secretly considering calling an old boss and polishing my resume. When I told Allison, my boss, jokingly about it and she was ready to go hunt them down and take them on. She was seriously (though amusingly) peeved.

Work: Day 1

All the boring stuff like insurance, plus all the names coming at you faster than light speed. Now its memorizing people, because they are pretty much the largest part of what I am going to be doing!! One day soon I will explain more for whom I work. But . . . tonight I am too tired. I watched Chuck tonight on NBC and some MSNBC to catch up with the day, and now I really tired. More later. I promise. 1 cool thing: I got a government issued Blackberry. How cool is that?

Savannah and other catie issues

Today I met Savannah. She was a complete darling. Very sweet and affectionate. Not a super hard core personality, she just wants to hang out with the peoples. Any peoples. Which makes me a little worried for how Samantha would handle her. Although she is not a lap cat, she does really want to be nearby and seeks attention from anyone who walks in the door. I almost feel like maybe I am not social enough for her. I think she would enjoy a high traffic house, with lots of people coming and going and her able to demand the attention of them all. Maybe a family, with many people, kids and parents, etc.

I felt similarly to the meeting with Katie. Right afterward, I felt completely unsure. The longer 

I thought about it, the more I figured out how it could work. But I am still unsure. As I talked it over with my mom, she reccommended meeting a third cat. So I headed up to PetMac DC, which is a pet store and adoption center, which always has some cats on hand. I met Spice, who was a cute little calico who was ridiculously small since she just finished nursing a litter of kittens. She didn't mind being held for a little bit but definitely didn't find it super exciting.

Happily I met the adoption coordinator for another cat I had been interested in, Hazelnut (known now as Gabby), while I was in the store. She offered to bring Gabby to visit on Friday night to my apartment to meet and maybe even try her out. I am tempted. I really was hoping this could be settled now, but I just have not "fallen in love" with any of these kitty. As enjoyable and beautiful as they all are, none of them have touched my heart. Perhaps I just need to go to a shelter and pick?

(Top two are Savannah, bottom is Hazelnut/Gabby)

Maybe Katie

I gave up on Tammy the kitty after weeks of pursuit. She having peeing outside the box issues. And while I admire people who can think outside the box, peeing is another thing entirely. So I am 'interviewing' two kitty this weekend. Today I met Katie. She is a beautiful long haired charcoal color (see the picture). She appears to be pretty big but when you actually get your hands on her, she is pretty smallish. Still substantial, but not huge. She is definitely a 'personality,' which is a politely hidden way of saying slightly difficult. I think she will definitely be a little work, but a completely loyal cat, very uninterested in being touched or associated with strangers. She is also one who would prefer sole reign of the house, without other animals (she has only be tested with other cats). I personally don't think she minds them that much, but she does tell them to steer clear with little grrr here and there. She did let me hang out near her quite easily and pet her for short periods of time. Her foster mom said it took a good month before Katie would allow her to pet without batting at her. She would go for days and then do it again. It definitely a method of showing whose boss. She does consent to sit near her foster mom now and enjoy up close love. The jury is still out. Tomorrow I meet Savannah, who promises to be a little easier.

Part of me wants to take Katie, simply because I know she will be really hard to place. Few people want a cat that may never be super affectionate. Though I think she would eventually become easier, she will never be easy. 

On another completely unrelated note, I am now a huge fan of Animal Planet. The show Its me or the Dog and the Animal Police, Houston are my favorites. Though it hard to watch animals being mistreated on the Animal Police, they always show you the happy ending or at least good ending. I think living with a pet (specifically my Oscar dog) has made me go slightly nuts, craving the animal interaction. Even though I realize I can't have a dog as I face med school in the semi-immediate future (definitely within the life span of a dog, even an older one), I really miss having that companion, intelligent and interactive. Ok, so this wasn't completely unrelated.

For those of you who have missed the odd anecdotes of daily life that used to make up the this blog, its coming again. Monday starts the new Chapter : Malia works random job and become a financially responsible citizen. We see how that goes.

I will up date tomorrow and tell you how Savannah flies.

Presidential debate

Samantha and I are counting the number of time the words "maverick,"  "my friends," Bush/McCain connection, and "main street." Everytime a someone says or makes one of those points, we laugh hard. The first part of the debate, every other moment we were catching these phrase. They have since trickled to nothing. Ugh. . .

Work hair or hair that works . . .

I have a hair appointment for tomorrow. Not only do I really need a trim, I also need some serious ideas about how to make it work for work. Cross your fingers.

Good news, bad news. Ain't that always the way.

I was suprisingly awake at 8am this morning to the tune of WAMU (the local NPR). This alarm goes off every morning but n0t all mornings does it actually wake me. Normally bad news increases the likelihood of me waking: Huge drops in the stock market; trillion dollar government bailout packages; DC rep's worrying about DC violence and gun laws. This morning it was just the usual. Or at least usual for lately. Bad economic news, etc. I get the economy in the morning with a little political coverage (I normally turn it off then) and the presidential race in the evenings with Samantha and MSNBC. As much as I appreciate the humor most of the time, I will be very ready for a good candidate to be picked and move on from the election to good, well thought out reforms. 

At just a little after 9 though, I got excellent news for my own personal economy. I have been cleared to start my job. So at the latest I will start Monday, maybe earlier. Though this is excellent news for my bank account and personal economy, its really bad news for my plans to do nothing for days on end. . . In all seriousness I am looking forward to occupying my mind on more than just waiting for a kitty and improving my French skills.

Kitty ahead

I have been officially ok'ed to own a kitty by the Homeward Trails Animal rescue people, local animal fostering/adoption organization. To cut down on overall costs of maintaining animals longer than county shelters that are forced to euthanize, they have many people foster the animals in there own home. I think it is really cool way to make sure that animals are able to live long enough to find good adoption homes. Some take longer than others. How cool is that?

Anyway, I was interested in two kitties, both of which seemed beautiful and easy. Someone (kittywise) that would transition into my home easily and not mind being taken to Mom and Dad's for long vacations around Christmas, one who would enjoy the dogs! Unfortunately both have their little drawbacks, and one is getting somethings worked out. Which is best for me even though I don't want to wait at all. Its been close to a month since I started the process and my "adoption coordinator" and I talked tonight, she apologized. Normally it doesn't take this long. As much as I want Tammy (hopefully my kitty) tomorrow, I know its better that I have actually started my job (or have a real start date). Pray for both. I need to make money for bills.

Wednesdays possible

There is a distinct possibility that I will get to follow around a pediatric gastro-enterology doctor at Georgetown Hospital. I am super excited since that is the exact field that I am thinking of entering (at least this month). Cross your fingers and pray that this will work out long term with my job. Which has not materialized yet. Still waiting for the department of Homeland Security (hereafter known as "the man" or DHS) to get on the ball and determine that I am not : A) dead, B) a major felon, C) linked to the international network of unsavory people. Needless to say, this is a tremendous undertaking considering my super sketchy past (haha). Pray that this moves a little more swiftly. I would like to pay next months rent.

On a distinctly fabulous note, today I bought the America's Test Kitchen Family Baking Cookbook. I am very excited, even though some of the recipes are repeats of the ones in my other complete family cookbook. I can thoroughly recommend the original (its red). It is the best replacement to Betty Crocker's or Better Homes and Garden's ever found. Every recipe is a guaranteed hit and even has pictures and complete explanations that go from simple to extensive, great for the experienced or the never initiated cook. I can't recommend this enough.

How can this be a good idea? Call to 'arms'

I rarely, if ever, use my blog to talk about politics. I know that not all my friends and family agree with me or each other. I would rather keep everyone up to date with my life through anecdotes. HOWEVER, after hearing about and researching this debate I find I must call you to action, however you see fit. Naturally, I want you to feel as I do. Don't tell me if you don't, but do be completely informed. And that maybe much more difficult than you think.

Most of you are aware, or have heard something about the recent decision by the Supreme Court (District of Columbia v. Heller) to end Washington DC's 32 year handgun ban. While larger and longer guns were previously allowed, now guns of all types except those specifically regulated under law (basically legalizing anything that is not completely automatic). This decision has been controversial and hotly debated. It doesn't help that many of the people involved in pushing the Heller court case to the highest level were people completely unrelated to DC itself. All of this aside, DC is in the process of crafting new ordinances on the carrying and use of firearms in the nation's capital. The Supreme Court has given them a predefined period to comply completely with the new ruling. Currently the city is following a set of 'emergency' laws set in place until longer term legislation could be crafted.

HOWEVER, currently in committee in the House of Representatives is a proposition by a Democratic representative from Mississippi (and others) which would leave gun ownership and normal oversight completely open in DC, and out of the control of the DC government itself. It abolishes the need to register guns at all in the District of Columbia and sets up interstate gun commerce, allowing DC residents to buy guns in Maryland or Virginia. Every other state in the Union does NOT allow guns to be purchased out of state by individual residents. When this proposal was brought before the committee it was revealed that the version of the bill released to the press had different language from the bill actually before the House. This difference in language greatly changed the meaning of the clauses involving public display of firearms. It would legalize the carrying of a loaded semi-automatic rifle in the District of Columbia. Anywhere. While the NRA has claimed this is just scare tactics, trying to prevent people from defending themselves, the House Committee on Oversight and Governmental Reform admits that this is actually true based on the current language of the bill. It would also eliminate the current age requirement and five year waiting period for those who have been voluntarily to committed for psychiatric treatment

Most disturbing for the long run is implication to what would traditionally called "states rights." DC has a long history of a contentious relationship with the lawmakers who just occasionally live here. As one commentator said, " How the congressfolk [. . .] justify laughing in the general direction of lawmaking by duly elected local officials may seem hard to fathom, but hey, that's what Congress does for its entertainment. [. . .] whenever members of Congress want to send a message back home by taking a tough stand that won't have the slightest impact on their own constituents, they play with the District." While this might seem unnecessarily bitter, its also hard to understand a country built on voting rights for all, one who fueled the Revolution on cries of 'No Taxation without Representation,' and yet has denied this right to the two million people living in it's own capital city. AND whenever a bill crafted to give the non-voting representatives of DC to the House an actual vote comes before Congress, it is shot down. How can giving people a vote in the future of the country be a bad idea? Are DC residents some how less worthy than the rest of the country.

Ok, so I don't think that is necessarily the thinking of the rest of the country in terms of DC voting rights, but it is stressful issue in DC politics. Should the a body of people specifically not from a place be allowed to legislate for that place? Shouldn't the place be able to create it's own laws, within the confines of federal statute and jurisprudence?

Because I am all about being balanced, below are some statements from both the Washington Post and the NRA website about the legislation. These are direct quotes followed with links to their sources. Listed first is a letter composed by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.

This site allows you to change the letter composed and sends it automatically to your Senators and Congressional representatives based on your address. Consider signing it after your own careful research. Here are some places to start. (Above are links to the Supreme Court decision as well as the new proposal before congress).

From the Washington Post

Gun Bill Dangerous, D.C. Chief Tells House

Editorials

"The bill on the Hill would completely undermine Fenty's efforts, forcing the city to allow military-style semi-automatic weapons, preventing the city from discouraging gun ownership, even repealing the city's ban on gun ownership by those under the age of 21. There would be no gun registration rules, no requirements that guns be kept locked up." Wa. Post

City in the Crossfire: A House panel considers gutting gun restraints, home rule and basic public safety in the District.

The House's Stickup: Democrats agree to consider legislation stripping the District of the right to regulate guns.

NRA written support of new legislation : Support Effort to Restore the Second Amendment Rights of D.C. Residents

This critical legislation overturns D.C.'s recently enacted emergency laws [. . .]Repeal the District's ban on semi-automatic handguns.  [. . .] Reform the current D.C. registration system that requires multiple visits to police headquarters; ballistics testing; passing a written test on D.C. gun laws; fingerprinting; and limiting registration to one handgun per 90 days.  The current system is unduly burdensome and serves as a vehicle for even more onerous restrictions; and Create a limited exemption to the federal ban on interstate handgun sales by allowing D.C. residents to purchase handguns in Virginia and Maryland.

Yep, still stinkin' good

I went to check my MCAT scores online again, just in case. Still the same. Still really good. How cool is that.

MCAT scores revisited

I got them and they are good. Better than average!! Hurrah!

MCAT scores yet?!!!?

I have been waiting with baited breath (ok, I haven't been losing sleep) for the scores release. Its been slightly over a month (by 2 days) so I figured they were late. But a friend reminded me that there was a release schedule. Its supposed to tenatively be released today after 5pm Eastern. What am I going to do when I know? What if its bad? What if I have to take it again? All your prayers come in here (and your thoughts!). 

I promise to post pictures soon!

Pamela and I's good day

With some mild unrest later in the evening. Not to be entered into here. Just trying to settle it all out. My stomach, my mind, my political opinions, my relationships. Whenever there is a small question it opens up a large questions on every topic in my mind. Why can't I just stop thinking sometimes. . . .

And for those of you in my life who have belabored and abhored my indecisiveness, today I was give example that I may have become too decisive, in the not best way. I really wanted to paint the walls of my apartment. As luck would have it there are now complete samples of colors from different selection which allow you to try out and buy without completely sinking money into it. I tried it on my bedroom wall. The pleasant calming green with gray hint which I had hope to convince Samantha to use through out the apartment is now a disgusting seafoam on my wall where nothing else resides. As soon as it dries I will be covering it with a poster. And later another attempt at paint, possibly in a nice neutral tone . .  . like cream.

I promise to post my pictures from forever ago and today. Just seems to take some work. And its closing in on 1 am. So I ought to probably sleep now.