Kaulapi World

Went and saw Harold and Kumar go to White Castle this weekend. It was pretty good, funny along the lines of Dude wheres my car. Lots of cameos as well, some creepier than others. Thinking back to the last time I went to white castle, it was a while ago. It was a bit of a play on the Asian American stereotypes I guess, but it was a bit more proactive and evened out than previous movies have been.

As for the end of the Democratic convention, I was most impressed by Barack Obama, and Al Sharpton. Both addressed some of the division in the country that has come from the past 4 years, and both addressed some greater cultural issues that divide the two parties. More specifically, mention of votes being taken for granted or being for sale. Edwards and Kerry were more predictable, a similar repeat to what went on during the primaries.

I was disappointed by Dean’s speech overall, I wonder if the establishment told him to tone it down a bit for the cameras. The crowd was going crazy for him and he didn’t really give them much to be excited with.

Saw the Corporation at E-street this past weekend. It was 10 times better than F9/11, in terms of research and information wise. I really liked the comparison of the Corporation as a psychiatric patient that would score very high on the Hare-PCL Diagnostic. This and the fact that as a legal “person” whose main purpose on this earth is to accumulate weath and money to no end was especially disturbing that any free people would accept this to come about. Kind of lights a fire under the okole to keep things into perspective for being where I am now, and where I am going.

Spend a weekend with cogs in the wheel of the consumer culture trap, fearful of media-induced images, stereotypes and dogmatic truth, fruitless in the pursuit of happiness substituting worthless titles, blinded by the ignorant understanding of life and existance beyond the suburban, sterile filtered imagery of a Judeo Christian Americana utopia on the hill.

Democratic Convention this week, I caught a bit of the pre-convention hubbub on C-SPAN this morning while working on some agency questions and answering emails. Tammy Baldwin was on the Washington Journal, along with some other Dems scheduled to speak tonight. There is a lot of politics in the air, you can feel it walking around the District, people tuning into the upcoming election in about 90 days now.

Have to say that the most powerful and memorable speaker tonight was Clinton, he touched on many well developed points in his speech, and pointed out the fact that he is now benefitting from Bush’s tax cuts. Something strange I noticed, but I think the party secretly wants Bubba to run again instead of Kerry. I’m not sure if I’m in that camp at all, but I have to admit that Kerry is no Clinton when it comes to speaking.

Wasn’t nearly as impressed with Hillary, but that wasn’t too surprising to me. It was kind of strange to hear her refer to herself as a new yorker.

Or maybe Patti LaBelle singing. Something about a soulful, healthy looking lady singing the blues stirs up emotions. I wonder if it is a sense of unity through human fraility - something that is hard to experience from anyone who has lived (or at the very least view themselves) a live without want. The Dems in many ways are not nearly as blue collar or oppressed as they have been in years past, but honestly in this point of history I can’t see how Republicans can claim to represent the majority.

One of the most powerful sound bites: that the Republicans need a divided America to win.

This speaks to all of the right wing crap that has been going on all this time. One of the biggest indicators of a failed leader is their inability to bring people together, even those that they disagree with. To be a leader you have to have some sense of greater good beyond the self, something genuine, something selfless.

I honestly am also looking forward to the Republican National Convention in August. I am looking forward to hear how they argue for running the largest federal deficit in US history, pushing the country into pre-emptive war over faulty intelligence and an overhyped threat of terrorism, tampering with our civil liberties and trying to ammend the constitution to include discrimination against American citizens.

Weekend is here again and for some odd reason I’m up at a weird time of night. Haven’t been awake this early/late in a while, it seems like ages since I had the student lifestyle. It has been raining on and off this week, a good break to the humidity, which has been pretty mild so far this year.

Work has been up and down, I think I’m getting the hang of things so far. Lots of reading still, and more interviews are in the mix down the road. Went to a cool place to eat for a team lunch in chinatown, it was this mediterranian/middle eastern tapas place that started with a Z. apparently there are a lot of places like this popping up all over the area, I think its an example of gentrification goin on in the former rundown areas of the city.

Felt in a more ambitious mood the other day and tried to make rafute. it came out real ono although a bit different than I expected. Think I’ll need to experiment a bit with the recipies, mom says to add miso is one variation. Its a real endeavor, takes at least a couple hours of watching the stove, but in the end I think its all worth it. Going to try to make it a point to try and try cooking something new every week or so.

Another week, another payday, another round of bills and work. I think I’m getting into the hang of things as far as work is concerned. My initial observations are that I can’t do this kind of work forever. It has its moments and all, I think the topics and research is very interesting and can be very engaging at times. And it is kind of a cushy job in general in terms of benefits and the overall facilities and resources, especially compared to state government, but still. I guess I’m still a new hire so I shouldn’t expect too much too soon. I’ll reserve final judgement for now.

On one hand I think its the lack of daily interaction with the client - part of me is interested in the interpersonal aspects of casework. On the other hand I think that the more analytical side is missing too, maybe working with a dataset or crunching numbers might be more engaging. After reading a book on Jung I wonder what types of archetypes I have roaming around as well. Been having some strange dreams lately as well.

Last week we had a Division Picnic down in Virginia, I helped out with the grilling a bit and played some games. I suppose its the office culture, if that makes sense it makes it kind of funny seeing people you work with on a day to day basis try and run with an egg on a spoon.

Been finding time to go down to the gym regularly. Its great I have a lot more energy and can feel the endorphins kicking in on the train ride home. Working on the air dyne trying to get back into some cardiovascular shape before I sign up for some Aikido or Judo or something. One of my friends said he knows of a Ju-Jitsu stable in the DC area as well.

Averaging about 5lb a month lost so far, and gained about 30lb in bench strength. I dig it that I haven’t changed any diet really, makes me wonder what might come if I put a little more planning into it. I’ve been able to fuck the low carbs diet hype too since I gotta have my rice.

Will be heading down south for a work for about a week. I’m thinking about the heat and humidity and not looking forward to it too much, but hey. At one time way back I was thrilled at the fact of going so someplace of the mainland east of California now it seems a little ho-hum. I guess I’ve been to a number of states so far. All on my own initiative too. hm. Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Virginia, Maryland….. And if you count airports, I’ve been to Missouri, Colorado, Arizona.

Might be adding two or three more states by the end of this year.

First month in DC come and gone, and I’ve gotten into a rhythm of city life so to speak. Found a good time to catch the metro to work every morning, trying to adjust to the rush hour and beat the herds of dressed up denizens piling onto train cars with pissed off looks in their faces. Still haven’t quite gotten used to that yet. I think it might just be the attitudes of people on the east coast in general, but then again maybe its just the culture of the place.

All in all I’m liking the city, lots more things to do, neighborhoods to explore, things to eat, places to go. I have been trying to make it a point to get out at least once a weekend and enjoy the city, although it has been difficult to leave the nice air conditioned cave when its so stinking hot outside. I saw a very good film at the HK film fesival playing at the Sackler/Freer gallery this past weekend called “Running on Karma”. I thought it was very well done, thought provoking and entertaining at the same time.

Getting back into a workout schedule as well, building back up the lost strength from who knows when, regaining some sort of cardiovascular shape. My rep press is up to about 205, depending on how tired I am, taking into account the amount of weight I’ve also lost in the past month I should be in decent shape so far. I’m right at the point where I think I’m definitely stronger than most of the average joes, and almost as strong as those big gorilla dudes I see in the gym. You know, those guys who always seem to be there lifting huge amounts of weights and yell a lot.

I also went and got some contacts, something that I’ve been meaning to do but never really got around to it. This is a trip in itself being that I’ve gotten used to carrying a pair of glasses around everywhere and not being able to see people across the street without squinting at them. Working out at the gym today I realized that I could actually see the TV posted on the wall opposite the exercise bikes. Maybe the investment of contacts may pay off in more intense workouts.

My agency changed its name this past week, officially the name change is to go into effect immediately, but I think the old one will linger around a bit longer. Keeping the same acronym will probably lead to some confusion, mostly it is a cosmetic change. Of course it’ll help me out so I don’t have to explain to everyone I meet that I’m not an accountant.

Fourth of July in capitol. Forecast calls for rain, so I’ll have to see whether or not I’ll be trucking on down to the mall to watch the fireworks. Last summer I went down there with Tristan and Kristine, it was hot, humid, and crowded. Although it was a good show, very impressive. This year I might be watching it from home or from a bar or something.

Went up to Bethesda and Friendship heights yesterday, got to explore around in the side streets along Old Georgetown road. I stumbled upon a small house on a corner that was actually a liquor store - and they sold Leinenkugal’s! Lots of places to eat and spend money. Speaking of which, I’m set to get my first paycheck from the new job on monday. Its been about a month since I moved to the district and my wallet feels very light. Looking at this very large credit card bill for this next month as well. mostly one-time moving expenses, but still it is humbling.

More observations on city life are due. Namely the contrasts from the downtown urban center and the neighborhoods along the metro lines going out to the suburbs. Everything from the buildings, roads, businesses, and eateries strikes a chord on how much of a difference makes in a couple of blocks.

Also, the people and ethnic minorities. You see extreme examples of every group along socioeconomic lines unsurprisingly depending on the location and venue. Walking from work to the metro I’ve seen the whole spectrum, making it easier to see how people can develop negative stereotypes against certain groups of people. Waiting for the metro I sometimes go to this corner store in Chinatowne, and everytime I go in I get the impression that I am in the minority of customers who have not been drinking all day.

This is a strict contrast to people I have met at work. In a city of politicians and policy makers, seat of power for the United States and perhaps the entire world I suppose social stratification should be expected.