SCAREDY-CAT STEVE

For everybody unfortunate enough to know the infamous Republican Steve (no last names, in case he ever decides to google himself), with the red hair... (Poor Eric had to live with him the ENTIRE summer!!!)

I had the unlucky chance of walking all the way down Telegraph with him this morning. (Yeah, I know... what a GREAT way to start off the day.) It was that really uncomfortable scenario where both Person A and Person B happened to be walking at about the same pace, but because Person B was trying to hurry on over to class, Person B trailed ever so slightly too close to Person A, making Person B look like a complete stalker. I was Person B.

Anyway, we both got to the corner of Telegraph and Bancroft, right in front of Subway. The man that always sits by the newspaper stand asked him if he could spare some change. Get this... Steve says, "F.ck you. Get a job." Says man, "Thanks, have a good day." Steve bolts off running.

Steve. What a f.cker.

JONNY MOSELEY!

Two months ago, I was chilling with the President of the United States... tonight I was chilling with Olympic Gold Medalist Jonny Moseley. This guy was the same dude that sold himself to MTV so that I was able to watch him every Tuesday night on Battle of the Sexes.

Tonight, both Kris and Jonny were in the Battle of the Brains competition, a low-budget Jeopardy-type game held in Wheeler Auditorium. And amazingly, the students actually won!!! Jonny and I had a brief but meaningful conversation... and I even managed to NOT sound like a stupid fanatic! Hahah, and yes, he is just as good-looking in person as he is on TV!

WELCOME TERESA

So I suckered the old roommate into being a new blog member. Teresa's one of the best writers I know... and one of the funniest around. (Though, Aaron's not too bad either. You two can duke it out.) As a former Sex on Tuesday columnist, Tuesdays just haven't been the same without her this year. So for my selfish purposes, Teresa... please write often.

"BYE BYE BERDIE"

True do my DC-esque days from this past summer, I have mastered the art of smoozing at receptions. Last night, Kris and I attended a beautiful outdoor ceremony for all the "Builders of Berkeley."

Builders of Berkeley – rich, old, white men that donate millions of dollars to the campus

I have learned to carry around a glass goblet and pretend to sip a fancy drink. I have learned how to eat oysters in style. And I have learned how to make rich, old, white men laugh – at me, with me – they laugh just the same. Apparently, Kris and I were the life of the party last night. EVERYBODY wanted to talk to us. Kris and I tag-teamed and managed to wow them with our witty remarks.

It seemed all too convenient that the Chancellor just so happened to announce his "surprise" resignation as Chancellor just hours before his big soiree with a bunch of rich alum. However, what's more ironic is that at every school that I've attended, the top administator always quits long before I graduate. It started with Mr. Jepsen at Potrero Heights Elementary. Then Mr. Monsour left Macy Intermediate School. Then in high school, Mr. Devney left the school, letting us senior basically run amuck at school. And now, Chancellor Berdahl's leaving, too. Coincidence... maybe? Or maybe it's because I run them out of town...

REPORTED MISSING APPLE PIE

The day would've ended so beautifully with a nice warm slice of apple pie, left to me by my favorite guy. Unfortunately, no trace of it found... not even an empty box. It sounds like a case for Unsolved Mysteries. I shall write to Robert Stack. Meanwhile, I keep looking in the fridge, hoping that it'll somehow turn up.

I AM A VISIONARY

For every wrong turn, something always goes right. How easily I lose focus on the wonderful things in life. Thanks to my cheesy 80s music, my Amy Grant songs, and my "Dreams need hope to run free" poster, I'm back to my optimistic ways. Things are going to be good... cuz they already are. "As long as I can dream..."

RIO HONDO... HERE I COME

Whoo-hoo... "I am so smart, S-M-A-R-T." And my cumulative grade as a community college student continues to stand at a beautiful 4.0. Wish I could say the same for Berkeley... Much thanks to Gabbo for my A, who wrote numerous "constructive criticism" replies to my fellow classmates. I may have been banned from any future on-line English courses and will from hereon be known as the Rio Hondo b*tch.

Whoa... so exhausted. Here I stand, my 3rd year of college... 2 classes away from a Political Science major, 5 classes away from a Rhetoric major. I think I've made good time considering my joke of a schedule each spring semester for the past two years.

What have I learned?

Am I a more skilled writer? Not really.
Am I smarter? Not by much.
Am I a better person? Perhaps...
Have I changed? Definitely.

I've been back in Berkeley for only a matter of 2 weeks and already, I've been challenged like no other. I've been forced to have to think on my own, more specifically, think about things I never had to deal with. It's strange... I often feel out of place with my friends from back home. I think I've probably become more left of center than they last remember me and more caught up in politics than ever.

All throughout high school, we were forced to think a certain way – forced to take the fast track of APs and Honors to get to where we are. But it's only now that we're truly allowed to develop a sense of individualism and find who we really are. All I know is that my thoughts and ideas are different from "high school Jamie", yet my values and my morals haven't changed. The latter two run too deep and are perhaps permanently ingrained through my parental/cultural upbringing. But have I changed for the better or worse? That's yet to be decided. At least I'm not doing anything bad, like robbing liquor stores. But then again, being couped up in an office from 8am to 8pm isn't good, either. I guess this is one question even a Magic 8 Ball can't foretell... only time will tell.

My internship in D.C. has quickly come to an end. When I first arrived, I couldn't wait to leave. And now that they're kicking me out, I kinda don't want to leave. *shrug* (Yes, I'll be the first to admit that I tend to be a walking oxymoron at times.)

D.C. has been fun, lots of chasing after big name politicians. On today's list was Senator John Edwards and Reverend Al Sharpton. I didn't really understand why the Congresswoman supported Sharpton at first. He's basically like a shot in the dark. However, in hearing him speak today, I think I'm starting to understand. So what if he's not the favored Democratic presidential candidate? It's about getting the ideas and values represented, and for that, I respect Sharpton. Edwards was great, too. I'm torn between my choices now. The North Carolina accent really did it for me. Hahah.

A NATIONAL PASTTIME

Ahh... the joys of playing baseball in pouring rain for 2 hours! I was soaked from head to toe, starving, and cold. It's definitely not a good combo. And usually this makes for a very grumpy Jamie. (Just ask Gabbo, she knows all too well.) Yet, for some reason, I couldn't find any reason to complain about the whole experience. Despite being on a Congressional softball team ranked 151st (out of 151 teams, I think), this Far Left Fielder found some sort of tranquility to the whole experience. There's something very patriotic about being able to play baseball between two of the most revered monuments (Washington and Lincoln) and right next to the Reflecting Pool. So what if I got rained on... it's just water.

CHILLIN' WITH THE PRESIDENT

Nobody will ever believe me... but Gabbo, Arezo and I watched a baseball game with the one and only G Dub this afternoon. Apparently the President hosts 4 tee-ball games a year out on the South lawn of the White House for disabled children. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time and managed to get us in for some up close and personal attention with the President. We literally sat less than 10 feet away from him the entire time and even got to shake his hand and get his autograph. *shrug* We all felt a tad traitorous to our political views, but then again, how often do you get to watch a baseball game with the President??? If there's one thing I learned today, being within the gates of the White House is a marvelous place to be. I'll be back... I know it... this time, on my own accord...

YELLOW FEVER, ANYONE?

Leave it to me to get hit on by every badge-flashing colored folk in this small district... and they get older and older by the day.

I just HAD to steal this off Elaine's blog. It's too funny...

:: Monday, July 21, 2003 ::
what is the common factor...?

abercrombie model + ucla pre-med student + up and coming entertainer/artist + cal swimmer/olympic hopeful + secret service agent..?

*smug smile* yeah, we're bad... we know it. =)

:: lainey 11:58 PM ::

"The Postman Always Rings Twice"... what a strange movie. I can't even begin to describe it, it was just weird. All in all, my night ended on a high note.

Despite what Caleb says, I am LOVING this picture.

As told to me by a wise friend to pass along to all the other smart and independent ladies out there:

"Why bring sand to the beach?"

It's worth thinking about...

And the work starts again... I'm feeling nervous and queasy. Somebody please give me the strength to get through this upcoming year alive. I'm too young to get wrinkles and gray hair.

Happy birthday to the Congresswoman. Price Club in DC is so cool. They have models of the Capitol made out of Belgian chocolate!!!! Getting sick off of vanilla cheesecake and brownies while at work is great.

The Girls of 708



(from left to right: Gabbo, Natalia, me and Adrian)

"Money and all that stuff doesn't equal a ring, because you'll always be in the books as winning a championship and being on one of the best teams ever to play the game," Payton said. "And I've been in the league 13 years. I've already gotten the big paychecks. I'll be fine."

For some reason, Payton's comment made me feel all warm and tingly inside. What a concept: less money for a championship? The Dynamic Duo is slowly evolving into the Fantastic Four. I can hardly contain myself... the Lakers are gonna DOMINATE! It hardly seems fair anymore... we've got such a staked team. Oh well, the guilty feeling has passed. GO LAKERS!