Thank Heaven for Multi-Cultural Ties

I flew in late last Sunday, arriving too late to Metro back to NW DC.  So armed with my Lotto winnings... I took a taxi home from DCA.

I had a very chipper South African gentleman for my post-midnight ride.  And he was teasing me for traveling light.  He asked me if I  was a musician and I told him I loved to sing & play guitar, but that wasn't my job.  He started talking about music being a way in South Africa to keep a positive attitude.  He then asked if I knew any Janis Joplin.

PLEASE.... having nothing to lose, I broke out with "Mercedes Benz".  He laughed and started up with the refrain from "Me & Bobbie McGee".  I joined him until neither of us could remember the words. 

He then ask me if I knew any Aretha Franklin.  Well, I wrapped my alto around "RESPECT" and he sang along with me...

We ended our late night serenade with a little "Its a Wonderful World".  And, strangely enough, my cab fare seemed to be about $10 less than my usual.

Its funny; this middle aged white chick and this very dark African man laughing and singing through the streets of DC at midnight on a Sunday.

In the words of John Prine, its a big ol' crazy world.

Inside or Outside

I have had wanderlust a lot lately. 

So I keep trying to find things I can do that are a little dangerous but aren't going to totally blow what I have.  I find myself wandering downtown looking at lofts, and wishing I could just move into one.  I look at corsets.  I probably spend too much money on toys.   I test drive hot cars I can't afford. I jump into frozen lakes.

I am the responsible one - the one who remembers birthdays, and sends the perfect present.  And bakes. And always goes the extra mile at work.  And is (almost) always the designated driver.

But sometimes, I just want to jump on a plane and go somewhere until my savings run out.  Sign up to be the computer geek at McMurdo Station.  Go to Bermuda and sail back to the Carolinas.  Get lost in Mumbai.  Walk the Santiago De Compostela.  Fly.  Dive. 

As chatty as I can be, its always a big surprise to many people that I am very "internally" driven.  I enjoy people, but I like being alone.  And I do things because I think its the right thing to so; not because it is what others think. I appreciate all my responsibilities.  But I am so much more than the labels people hang on me.

I want to make a change in the world.  Even a little ripple.  When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me."

Adversity Can Bring out the Best in People

As you all know, us Feds - you know the bums you like to blame for being lazy and overpaid - dodged a bullet and are still working.  So we will still maintain your highways, and land planes and protect your country.

But last week, when we were still preparing for furlough, two truly cool things happened in my eyes.  People started Facebook groups to encourage and direct Feds who wanted to do some volunteer work if we were going to be unable to work. (Remember - if we were non-essential, we legally CANNOT do work for our agencies).  And lots of Feds were getting ready to volunteer starting Monday. 

The second cool things was, someone was organizing a volleyball tournament for the Lincoln Fields near the National Mall.  Even if we couldn't work, we were going to have a good time!

I am glad that I am not furloughed.  But I was ready to go do some mentoring.  And tree planting. So now, I will just have to find some weekend time to help out

And, if anyone needs an enthusiastic but lousy VB player...

Furlough or not to Furlough?

I know furloughs have a history of getting your back pay MOST of the time, but I have some issues knowing that those arguing the budget will still get their paychecks no matter what happens.

Barack Obama                                                           $400,000 plus $50,000 NON-TAXABLE
Senate Majotity Leader, John Boehner                        223,500
Senate Minorty Leader, Harry Reid                            193,400     
House Majority Leader, Eric Cantor                           193,400 
House Minoroty Leader, Harry Reid                           193,400  
Senate Budget Leader, Kent Conrad                            174,000  (Senate Default Salary)
House Budget Leader, Paul Ryan                                174,000   (House Default Salary)

800,000 Federal workers furloughed.... no tax returns processed.  No National Parks.  No Smithsonian. Military on duty, but not paid until the budget is resolved.  Same with air traffic controllers. And mail persons

I not only will not be paid - the government cannot accept volunteers.  So if I check mail, work on policies, or scan networks - I can be fired.

I am worried about the money.  But I will live.  But the average government employee is not me.  Most people are not at my pay grade.  There are janitors, and lawn care, and rangers, computer support people, clerks, instructors, docents.

I hope Congress stops grandstanding and realize that they amount of money they are arguing about is less than .5% of the Federal Budget. 

Playing Tour Guide

Spent most of last week being the tour guide/hiking director though our Nation's Capitol.  Always more to see; more to do...

Found a great place I highly recommend if you have teenagers- the National Academy of Science Museum by Chinatown.  They had a great hands-on exhibit on Infectious Disease - Bacteria, Viruses, Parasites... great information on how disease is spread and how immunizations work... with real, non-watered down explanations on how viruses reproduce & how anti-virals and retro virals work.  We could have spent much longer there and for $5 donation, it was probably the best thing we did.  Although walking a lot of the neighborhoods was fun for me. I think the paddle boats on the Tidal Basin were a hit too,

The cherry trees are starting to blossom and when the Festival starts this weekend, they will be gorgeous.  I am looking forward to the Kite festival.  I am grabbing my pink shirt and my box kite and heading to the Mall.  Hopefully, the weather will hold up.

Work is actually great.  Maybe it is just being off for a week, but I am pretty pumped.  Maybe its seeing the end of a big project on the not too distant horizon. 

Maybe it was seeing spouse & child for a week.  I am at least a bit rejuvenated.

Oh... and then there was that birthday.... 

If You Want to Win the War, Make Sure Your Weapons are Ready!

I ran into some examples of a shortcoming in our current educational system.  The sort who has very strong opinions (good), is generally well informed (good) but doesn't know how to ARGUE.

They like ad hominum attacks.   They use broad generalities to fit their opponents into neat boxes.  The throw in profanity for effect and reaction, and then retort with " its just a word".

Unfortunately, they enjoy hearing their own voice and punctuation only in a media where retaliation is not a risk.  I wonder if they would be so cavalier in expressing their opinions and vitriol in a public space. 

I actually agreed with most of the thoughts expressed by the people engaged in this conversion.  It was just their way of "killing their compatriots".  They accused the person ask us pray for the troops of being a hypocrite because her husband had a "cushy stateside posting" and wasn't getting shot at.  They attacked a poster who said she was frustrated by the Phelps- First Amendment decision (protesting at military funerals) and sometimes wishing she could put those people on an ice floe for calling themselves Christians.  They said she was "encouraging violence" against people with different opinions.

I was accused of being ageist - because I requested more civil discourse ... and a "boomer that was responsible for the type of thinking that got us into Iraq & Afghanistan in the first place".  Well, to set the record straight, I guess I am a "barely Boomer", and as a Catholic and a pacifist in general, nope, don't think my opinions are properly reflected by Don Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney.  But, I also believe this does not stop me from praying for the soldiers serving or the civilians in those areas. Or of thinking that the Phelps group protesting at funerals as being crass and in poor taste.

I wish our educational institutions would go back to teaching classics - rhetoric, logic, ethics... Logical, thoughtful discourse is a rare commodity.  I want the next generation to argue their beliefs with passion and not with malice.  I want clarity of thought; not "hot buttons" and sound bites. 

And I can put blame only one place - right here.  People like me who tolerate such boorish behavior.  Encourage it even by supporting Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and Howard Stern.  Stop reading the paper and expect our information in 15 minute increments and CNN instant updates.  Look to Fox News and MSNBC to interpret world event for us.

WE all need to be informed.  Read History,  Read the paper.  Listen.  Know both sides of an issue. Listen to your opponent.  Not to destroy them, but to influence them.

Its not as fast; but it last longer.

Never Judge a book by it Cover (or coat)

I was on the Metro the other Saturday during on a typical weekend delay due to track maintenance.  It was chilly and it gave me a chance to make a few outerwear observations.

• I think they issue North Face jackets to every teenager in DC.
• I want to sell retired military trench coats or wool overcoats to Federal Employees.
• Older African-American women can rock wild hats.
• Small girls (any shade) can do the same.
• Rainboots come in some interesting styles now days - leopard, paisley, plaid, cowboy...
• Trendy coat doesn't equal decent person. 

A young man on the train was the total 'hipster' = slim weathered black jeans, camelhair coat, Burberry scarf, spiky hair, serious expensive Porsche tennis shoes.  He spent his time LOUDLY bemoaning to his seat mate how horrible the Metro was, how he was still looking for a job because he needed more money to pay his $3000/month rent and how he couldn't catch a break because he wasn't a minority.  Across from him was a older man wearing a beat-up parka and watch cap, standing up, reading his "Daily Word" kind of half smiling.  Underneath his parka, he was wearing a nice dress shirt and tie, and freshly shined, well worn shoes.  He was standing since he gave up his seat to a young woman with a stroller and another little one holding her hand. 

Man #1 bulldozed his way off the train at Chinatown; man #2 took his turn to exit at L'Enfant. 

Maybe #1 is just frustrated and that is the only way he knows to deal with adversity; by complaining and being harsh.  Maybe #2 has the benefit of age & experience and, since he was reading his daily devotions, knows that all this is passing.

Too bad we can have the benefit of experience when we are young and we are shaping our futures.  Too bad we can't have the options of youth when we finally learn what's important.

SECURITY INCIDENT!!!!

Sorry for the extra exclamations... Two major security events in my life this week.

My clearance cleared.  So people can talk to me now.

On my flight back from the fly-over zone this weekend, we had an "incident".  Now, I am always one to lean toward safety, especially when 80+ people and a Embraer-190 are involved.  We taxi'd out, sat on the tarmac for a while, went back to the gate, sat a while more.  Then they deplaned us all; sent us all back through security, including the crew.  Inspected the plane.  Reboarded us.  Flew off and got us in 2+ hours late.

Now, except for the loss of a brand new soda purchased inside security that I had to toss second time through, and having to get my shoes back on, I really wasn't inconvenienced.  But, oh my, some people were seriously chuffed.  I have never heard so many responsible adults whine about wanting their money back, free drinks, credit, etc becuase they were getting back to our Nation's Capital too late for Happy Hour. 

The people with probably the biggest burden to bear were two couples traveling with children under 6.  One had 2; the other FOUR!  And they were patient and cooperative.  And as soon as the plane was clear, the agent let them back on... and the uproar from the first class passangers was MIGHTY! All I could think - and I am a 'early on' frequent flier - was GOOD FOR THAT AGENT!  They got the rest of us back on that plane in record time, but let those parents have a few minutes to get re-settled.

And good for the TSA agent at the gate who calmly dealt with a bunch of cranky businessmen and noisy leisure travelers who inundated her with questions she either couldn't answer or had no business answering.

And good for the person on my flight I suspect was a Air Marshal who reported the problem.  He did his job.  And I am glad no one except me probably noticed his badge.

Who is the Queen?

I was in a meeting of Information Security Officers earlier today and after a very lively meeting, was talking to another ISSO from another agency.  We were discussing my boss and the fact that she hired him when she was with his agency, and when she moved, she had talked to him about the spot that became mine.

He had refused because he was working as an assistant ISSO to a real good CISO and he didn't want that much 'Autonomy".  And he figured if he work for "the Security Goddess" he would learn so much he could write his ticket in a couple years...

Hey, I'm the Information Security Goddess! 

Now his CISO has her act together.  And she shares her wisdom & experience.

But so do I.

So I declare there can be two.  She can be Athena.  I'll be Minerva.  Two Wise Women.  Two different agencies.  And then they'll be no argument about seniority.

It a beautiful Day in the Neighborhood... to get off your backside and do something!

Well, it was a lovely day in the beltway.  I made one last trip to IKEA while I still have a car.  Didn't need anything;just wandered.  Bought a bar to hang my kitchen utensils on.  Anything to get a couple more inches of counter space.

Wandering back to the flyover zone next weekend.  Its always weird to go back.  I love seeing everyone - but my weekend is always full of cleaning and errand running, doctors appointments, haircuts.  And flying back every two weekends or so it a $500/month expense. 

Going to drive back President's Day and leave the car.  I can't afford a re-occurring $100 ticket because I can't get it to pass inspection for DC.  I will just have to deal with buses and trains full time.  Maybe I can find someone to "Slug" some with.

Is always funny to we the way everyone freaks out when it snows here.  Now I know this week's was a doozy.  But I walked over to Safeway Thursday to get some ice and milk, and I though, hey I'll get me a Tasty Cake.  Nope, the Tasty Cakes were picked clean except the LCD (little chocolate donuts - that taste like plastic?)  So I also notice the thinning beer stock and envisioned people sitting around the house with a pound cake and some crumbles and knock back the Yling Ylings.  MMM - beer and fat pills - Breakfast of Champions.

Make fun of him as you will - Jack LaLanne died this week at 96.  And the dude was buff.  Say what you wish about him fashion sense, but it took pneumonia to fell him.  Not cancer; not a stroke; not heart disease.  After 56 years of marriage to the same woman.  A little germ felled him.  Show just how fragile these containers of ours are and how we should spend a little more time keeping them up.

So I am swearing back on to more fruit & veggies and keeping up the walking.  And maybe I can sweat off the 50 years of KitKats on my keister.  'Cause Jack said, its never too late to start.

OK, this counts as Real Snow

• 50, 000 people without power.
• Cars abandoned on the thruway
• Metro buses not running.
• Metro stations closed because of arcing transformers.

OK, yesterday evening counts.  Timed for maximum effect, we got 6-12 inches of snow between 4 and 10 last night.  For some of us, this followed about an hour work of sleet and small hail.

I got off early.  The Metro was strangely empty.  Was home in plenty of time to watch people running into my Safeway buying junk they didn't need.  Saw a cop car fishtail in the alley by my apartment. Watched the dismal parade of tail lights on 66 from the warmth of my apartment.

A few glimmers of lovely humanity

• a couple with cases of water and candy bars walking along the stranded cars in Tyson's handing out goodies to stranded people.
• A announcer in Hyattsville getting plopped by a bit wet snowball on the air.
• a guy in my neighborhood snow blowing everyone's entry way
• One of the ladies in my apartment putting seeds out on the from lawn this morning for our sparrows and squirrels.

Not our snow storm...

I love snow, and this one is primo snowman snow.  Heavy, wet, eminently packable.  I think Petworth needs some snow angels.

Hoofing it in DC

Things I wish I had know about having a car in DC:

• It has to be licensed in 30 days
• To license it, you need to have it inspected in DC
• They have ONE vehicle inspection location
• It is only open until 3 pm.
• If you are caught parked in the same neighborhood 2X in 30 days without DC tags, you get a $100 ticket. 
• If you are caught again in 60 days, they will tow your car.  Even it is parked in front of the DMV while you are waiting in line to get your license and tags.
• To get tags, you also have to get a DC drivers license.
• The DC tow lot is not close to a Metro Station.

So to get your tags you have to get your car inspected AND PASSED.  You need proof of insurance, residency, and the title on your car.  Plus your out of state license, your original SSN card and that proof of residency again.  And $78 for your license.  And another $100 for your tags.

Now, the tow lot is on the bus line.  And they are VERY nice.  And open until until 6.  And when it cold, will drive you to your car.

So, Ms Ion is going back to KC.  She has some lost pressure in cylinder 3 and will not pass DC inspection.  Since CQ does not have $1500 more to toss at this effort to get tags.

I was only using her to go to outside the Beltway anyway.  So I better make one last IKEA run before she goes back...

I REALLY hate the current credit climate.

Due to, as best I can figure, to one late payment and one accidental credit line overrun ( for a vehicle emergency), all of my credit cards have moved their interest rates to USURY setting.  I feel like I am paying back money to a paycheck cash location or Guido the Killer Pimp. 

Did I screw up? Yes. 

But, I pay on time.  I pay direct to card holders.  I have paid off cars, houses and school loans.  I have a good employment history.

I have no desire to intentionally miss payments and get behind so I can use some credit recovery loophole.  Declaring bankruptcy is not an option.

But, if I cancel them, that lowers my credit score.   Cutting them up on the other hand...

I've shredded most of the little monsters, and except for a gas card, want to operate with cash.  Which means I can't rent movies from Redbox or Blockbuster.  I can't cash a check. 
And since that will leave me with a debt card from the same account my bills all come out of, I better hope I don't time grocery day with rent.

And yet. everyone is still offering me credit...

OK, I got one up on the DC Denizens

DC got a bit of an ice storm last night.  I use the term loosely because it has very few of the hallmarks of a real Bible Belt Ice monster.

• Trees bent to half their normal height
• Cars moving themselves out of parking spaces and driveways
• Broken power lines
• At least one city/county salt truck/plow stuck on the interstate.

If you want to find out about a doozy, look up January 27, 2002 Central Plains Ice Storm.

This critter dropped 3 inches of ICE on Kansas City.  FEMA took over Arrowhead Stadium parking lot to use as a collection center for branches and burn pit, and ended up buying KC a new parking lot.  I was without power for almost 5 days and without water (ironically) for 7.

So, if you are not teleworking today, take gentle steps, and drive slow, but do not whine.  I lived through "Ice-pocalypse", and you will not win.

Be Jealous... I have it Good...

Over the years I have worked at various Federal, Military & National Security sites and locations.  I have endured floods at installations where I have had to move computer equipment out on pontoon boats (the He-Man stuff; mainframes and DASD and UPS the size of walk-in freezers), dodging deer, raccoons and drowned livestock.  I have worked in Butler buildings the size of Rhode Island where a spring shower sounded like a bombing run.  I have worked in GSA buildings with Periplaneta americana big enough to saddle and run in the Derby.

I have had mid-career military officers flummoxed that the "Guy" in change was a woman.  I have had staff at large military contractors think that being their requirements liaison meant I got the complaints about not enough chocolate doughnuts at meetings.  I have seen more ROAD (retired on Active Duty) federal employees spend their last few months blocking as much changes as humanly possible and still get lauded as team players...

But no more... I have a great facility to work in.  An office.  A DOOR that SHUTS!  A boss that is who celebrates successes and milestones. Agency workers that are glad to see me and do not undermine my plans.  Most days an enormously productive and pleasant environment.  And I'm close to the Metro. 

Another mid-career Fed came to my office today.  He's been at my agency about a month longer than I have, after the military and another agency.  He ask me how I was doing, and then leaned down over my desk and with a little whisper, he said, "This is gravy... we got it so good now." 

He's right... after a whole lotta cold cuts, this is Sunday dinner.

Confessions of a Geographic Bachlorette

I recent took a promotion with a new department and for now, am a "Geographic Bachelorette". 

My husband and daughter did not want to move to the Beltway until they were absolutely, positively, without a doubt, 100%, no turning back, sure I would like my new gig and my new gig would like me.

Well, I am pushing six months now.  I love my gig.  And it seems mutual. 

But since the "fly-over family" is still hesitant to take up this adventure, I have a few things to confess:

• I like eating vegan food every night without someone whining.
• Gay sports bars are a great place to watch a football game without being hassled.
• I do not miss shoveling snow, driving an hour to work, or having to create a project plan to get everyone out the door to go to a movie.
• I enjoy hearing four different languages at the grocery store.
• I am not afraid of riding my bike downtown, taking the Metro to a game (or back afterwards), or going to a event at a hotel/bar at which I know no one.
• I get a kick out of living in a neighborhood with 7 nail salons in a one block radius.
• I think living in an old apartment building with steam heat, hardwood floors, and neighbors who leave stuff they don't need in the laundry room as "freebees" is pretty cool.
• I have found every snide remark ever made by a Midwestern about living in DC, and DC people to be wrong.  People have been polite, kind, and friendly. 

Finally:
Its great to be on my own here - the only thing that would improve it, is if I had someone to share it with.