The Rejection Comes So Quickly

If you've been talking to me in the past couple days, you'll know that I was trying to interview a Washington Nationals player, namely Austin Kearns. So I sent an email to the media relations lady and was hoping to get an email back tomorrow. However, to my surprise, before dinner I checked e-mail and received a swift reply! Very professional, Ms. Pagano. However, this was not the e-mail reply I had hoped for... it was a rejection letter, saying Austin was not available for an interview at this time. So I'll think about what I want to do next, and I hope I can scrape up an interview later on this year. Will keep everyone updated.

PS - Today is Memorial Day - please remember what our soldiers have done for us so well for so many years. Always remember the fallen, and pray for those who are fighting. Also never forget POW and MIA soldiers. We thank them so much for their contributions and sacrifices. Whether you support or oppose the war, EVERY American citizen should stand behind our troops.

Going Green

Yes, that's right, you read the title right. I sat down last night to unpack some of my school things from all the boxes and I ran across the first year book that I was supposed to read for freshman English (a first semester course). A Ravaging Tide by Mike Tidwell. Naturally, I blew off the assignment - still receiving a B in that class - and didn't worry about it. Then last night I decided to read a bit of it. Which turned into almost one hundred pages as the morning stretched to about 2:30 am. And so I've decided. This summer I am going green. Much to the dismay of my conservative friends, it's time to change things. I've read this book and it's swayed me. So my first step in my going green process is swapping out all of the incandescent bulbs in the house and going to compact fluorescent (CF). That picture there, that's a compact fluorescent bulb. Costs about 3 dollars apparently. And they could last up to FIFTEEN TIMES longer than the incandescent ones. And give off less heat. I could go on but that would be boring. See Wikipedia for more.

So I'm going to have the talk with my parents. Not that talk, mind you, but the kind of talk that could save them some money in the long run. That's a talk they like to hear while paying for two out of state tuitions.

Observations, etc.

Went to the Nationals game yesterday against the Phillies - and they got drubbed. Full story on http://www.dcsportsfan.com

But on the way I noticed some things that I want to note and even complain about. When the Yellow Line pulled into Huntington, it was absolutely PACKED. I am talking about the MOST CROWDED I have ever seen the Yellow Line. Ever. I tell you what, I believe that the higher gas prices are finally going to drive people onto the Metro. Then we boarded the Yellow Line. New train. With the interior signs that are SUPPOSED to display the next station and what side the doors are going to open on. Unfortunately, because Metro plans poorly, they placed an OLDER train without that technology ahead of it. So no working signs. The Green Line was PACKED TO THE BRIM when we took it to the stadium. I mean there was NO possible way to stuff any more people on that car. Then after the game, we left late because we met a couple of bloggers (http://nats320.blogspot.com). And there was virtually nobody at that Navy Yard station waiting for a train. And when it pulled in from Anacostia - it was also quite full. This was at 10:30 in the evening. Guess what - signs didn't work on the front two trains. Unacceptable for the amount of money Metro paid for these cars.

Then on the Yellow Line, it was less crowded - and the signs were working! Yes, they were finally working! Except - when we left Pentagon, it stayed on Pentagon until the Airport, at which time it finally started working. A trend I noticed when I took the Yellow Line the other day. It stayed on Pentagon until we left Pentagon City, I believe. Another thing Metro should iron out. Bring this system into the 21st century. All it takes is a little bit of change, and it would make a much better rider experience.

Summer

Well I know it's tough to think about summer with cold and rainy weather and my room being very close to flooding, but since I am only A WEEK away from getting out of school, I figure now is as good a time as any to look ahead.

This summer, I'll be holding three jobs. Well, more specifically, two jobs and an internship. We'll start off with the first piece of employment news that I received. In the winter, I applied for a job coaching the swim team I have been on for so many years. I applied as the head coach, but since I did not have enough experience I was not selected to that position. However, a few days later I received some remarkable news through the magic of e-mail. I would be assistant coach for this team, and I was selected because of my new ideas to re-energize the team.

Then, on March 30th of this year, I went to the Washington Nationals home opener. Friend had to write an article but had a lot of work to do, so I did the article, and he helped. I was given the by-line, and a few days later I was accepted as an intern at DCSportsFan.com, specifically writing one article every week about Our Washington Nationals. If you would like to read some of the articles, click here.

Later this year, I realized I would need a second job because Virginia Hills would not be enough to sustain me for next year. Walked around Springfield Mall and looked at American Eagle and Aeropostale. Applied at both places, and was called back for an interview for both. After my interview with Aeropostale I was informed that I would be able to work there. But I held off because I preferred American Eagle. Today I called them and received excellent news - and therefore I will be working at American Eagle this summer. I'm very excited. Orientation next week and then I will start soon after I guess.

And that's what I'm going to be doing this summer.