Washington, DC: Never a Dull Moment

Just a few reasons why today is shaping up strangely (but not without a couple laughs):

1. Swine flu in my office.
This lovely note popped up in my inbox this morning:

Subject: HEADS UP - Swine Flu in Office
"I’m not your parent or your doctor…but if you have symptoms, and you’ve been in the office…call your doctor."

Great. As though I didn't have enough to worry about.

2. McFadden's last night.
I took a little too much advantage of the $3 Miller Lite on draft. I can't tell if I'm slightly hungover or if I have swine flu. At any rate, check out the Foggy Bottom haunt. Fair warning though-- only go if you're not allergic to the hordes of GWU students that swarm the place.

McFadden's Restaurant and Saloon
2401 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20037-1730 - (202) 223-2338
Open Mon 5:30pm-12am; Tue,Thu-Sat 11:30am-2am; Wed,Sun 11:30am-12am

3. PETA's take on POTUS's fly-swatting.
Yesterday, President Obama channeled his inner Mr. Miyagi and barehandedly killed an annoying fly mid-interview. Today, PETA complained. Via MSNBC:

"He isn't the Buddha," PETA president Ingrid Newkirk said in a statement. "He's a human being, and human beings have a long way to go before they think before they act."

I'm all for the ethical treatment of animals, but that's ridiculous. Check out Obama's skills below. The only thing he's missing are chopsticks.



4. Twitter heckling.
Yesterday, Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-MI) took to his Twitter page and likened the experience of Republicans in Congress to that of the oppressed Iranian people. Apparently, his followers weren't buying it and posted the following responses:

chrisbaskind @petehoekstra My neighbor stopped me to talk today. Now I know what it is like to be questioned by the Basij!
ceedub7 @petehoekstra I got a splinter in my hand today. Felt just like Jesus getting nailed to the cross.
netw3rk @petehoekstra Someone walked in on me while I was in the bathroom. Reminded me of Pearl Harbor.
TahirDuckett @petehoekstra ran through the sprinklers this morning, claimed solidarity with victims of Hurricane Katrina
paganmist @petehoekstra Had to move all my stuff to a new office w/o a corner view. Now i know what the Trail of Tears was like. #GOPfail

Read more hilarious responses at Talking Points Memo.

5. The Hill staffer from hell.
Wow. This e-mail exchange posted on Politico.com makes me feel much better about my life. One unfortunate executive assistant at McBee Strategic found out the hard way that Elizabeth Becton, the scheduler/office manager for Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.), does not like to be called Liz. The whole exchange is worth reading here, but here's a snippet for your enjoyment:

“In the future, you should be VERY careful about such things. People like to brag about their connections in D.C. It’s a pastime for some. It’s also dangerous to eavesdrop, as you have just found out. Quit apologizing and never call me anything but Elizabeth again. Also, make sure you correct anyone who attempts to call me by any other name but Elizabeth. Are we clear on this? Like I said, it’s a hot button for me. And please don’t call the office and not leave a message. My colleague told me you called while I was away. ... I do sometimes leave my desk.”

The sad part is that I feel as though I've met people just like this in Washington, but I suppose it makes sense when you think about it. DC attracts those power hungry types who, regardless of their actual status, will take any opportunity to lord over perceived underlings.

Thanks to Holly from my office for supplying the last 2 on the list, and for making my day just a bit funnier.