Trials and tribulations of the brothers called Brooks (and a capitol fourth!)

Happy 4th of July, two days late, from the place where it all goes down. A Capitol Fourth is definitely an experience that makes one truly appreciate the good ol' USA as well as develop a further aversion to massive crowds. But first:

Tuesday night was my second performance - aka failure - on the AEI softball team. But I'm a firm believer in perseverance, so try to make it to first base I continue. Still no luck in reaching my personal goal at Tuesday's game against the Drug Enforcement Agency, and alas the night wasn't so lucky either. It started with extreme trouble in finding a field, as much of the grass space on the mall was commandeered in preparation for the fireworks display. Eventually, we found a tiny space to play on, and the game commenced until massive rains necessitated its demise...or so we thought. We were ahead, and the DEA didn't want to lose (there's a joke in there somewhere, i'm sure), so we played on in the downpour. It was kinda fun...until a girl on our team was smacked in the arm by a DEA batter, requiring an ambulance takeaway. By this point, the DEA finally relented and AEI came away with its second victory that I can claim stake in. Yeaaa Brooks Brothers (AEI's president's name is Arthur Brooks...clever, huh?)

As my other entries and the softball game description may suggest, it rains ALOT here. I never leave my dorm without an umbrella, and on two different occasions in the past two weeks my clothes have been completely soaked through. Luckily I am usually in the mood to find it exhilirating. And there's nothing better than being woken up by a thunder and lightning storm.

On Wednesday night I saw Up again with some intern friends. Not having to chaperone 60+ children this time afforded me a better viewing experience, and the movie was wonderful. I cried a bit the first time, and way more the second time now that the story made sense from beginning to end. It always surprises me (and sometimes makes me feel pathetic) how easily I am moved, but this time the tears were well deserved. See it.

On Thursday I worked the mics for an AEI event on presidential succession and CSPAN2 was there! Look for me if you're ever up in the wee hours of the morning flipping through the channels.  The topic was very interesting and I liked that both sides of the debate were presented on the panel...it made for feisty discussion (or as feisty as it can get for CSPAN2).

The 4th of July here is, as expected, a pretty darn big deal. Tourists started flocking into the city at the end of last week; there were noticeably more fanny pack wearers and map carriers on the metro. I didn't realize the scope of it all until Saturday - some friends and I made it down to the Mall to picnic on the grounds, which were covered with tents housing exhibitions and food and stages. We found a nice place in the shade and made our way through a whole bag of laffy taffy (minus the banana ones, of course, which I had eaten the night before).  That night we waded through throngs of people who had taken temporary residence on every green space in the city and went to the rooftop of my building to enjoy the fireworks.  I've seen a good number of fireworks displays in my 20 (almost 21!) years, but this was pretty spectacular...especially with the Washington Monument in the background.

[caption id="attachment_449" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Le Monument, surrounded by revelers"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_450" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Picnicing on the Mall"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_451" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="View from the top of my building...now that's a view"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_452" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="My attempt to capture the fireworks...I bow down to those who can take good fireworks pictures"][/caption]

A good Independence Day it was, indeed. Nothing else much exciting last week except my first motorcade sighting...I grinned widely, hoping a certain someone was in one of the black cars. And now another week of work, starting with attending a conference on some poll tomorrow morning...I am knee deep in polls.

I have decided that my favorite place in DC is the Lincoln Memorial...kinda cliche, I know, but there's nothing more peaceful than sitting on the cool marble steps and musing while looking over the reflecting pool to the monument and the Capitol. It's a great place to people watch too: I made it there tonight and was amused to hear two kids asking the couple they were with (who are getting married in DC, I assume)  if their honeymoon would take place at the memorial.

This weekend I welcome my first visitors to DC: Two friends from Scotland are coming to see another Parliament intern and me. That's to be followed by a good friend from USC, my sister, another good friend from USC, and finally a friend from Baton Rouge. The Helen Moser hotel is open for business...and I am mighty excited for my guests!