My Muse

I’ve had some things on my mind lately that have kept me up at night. School, work, and personal life issues all have been swirling around in my head non-stop and I couldn’t get a grip on any of them. I needed something that would give me a clear view of the playing field and get me back on track, and I think I’ve found that.

I’ve mentioned before that one of my favorite things about being in D.C. is that I can go see the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution whenever I want. So this morning before I starting my studying I went to the National Archives to see our founding documents. The Archives has become my favorite place here in D.C.

I have to give credit where it is due; if it weren’t for my professor Gordon Lloyd and his Roots class I don’t think I would have the same appreciation for those documents as I do today. The history and the stories of sacrifice, love and death that went into the developments of our country really is an amazing thing. I find myself defending them in their purest form when I see people using them in negative ways for political gain. If you ever make it to D.C., set aside a couple of hours go to the Archives at 9^th and Constitution and read. It changes your life.

The Best Part of D.C.

My favorite part about living in D.C. is looking up and seeing Marine One flying overhead and knowing that anytime I want I can go see the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. It’s an awesome thought.

NASCAR is Back!

NASCAR is back and I plan on taking advantage of it,  being on the East Coast. Today (2/14/10) the Great American Race the Daytona 500 takes place. Over the years I have become a big fan of NASCAR. So much so that my personal checks are of Dale Earnhardt Jr with the AMP and National Gaurd cars. So today I will be doing homework and watching the 500. 

 A few years ago I cought the NASCAR bug and now that several tracks are within driving distance I plan on attending. Im currently centered between three tracks: Bristol, Dover, and Richmond International Speedway. I’ve enlisted some friends and we’re going to hit the tracks.  Below are summeries of the tracks and races we’re going to. Just so you know, its all about Jr. and the 88 car! And check out my newest Blog: PROJECT X

 

 

 

 

 

Bristol Motor Speedway could very easily have opened in 1961 under a different name. The first proposed site for the speedway was in Piney Flats but, according to Carl Moore, who built the track along with Larry Carrier and R.G. Pope, the idea met local opposition. So the track that could have been called Piney Flats International Speedway was built five miles down the road on Hwy. 11-E in Bristol. The land, upon which Bristol Motor Speedway is built, used to be a dairy farm.

Sun, Mar. 21

1:00 PM ET NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Bristol

Bristol Motor Speedway

Sat, Aug. 21

7:30 PM ET NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Bristol

Bristol Motor Speedway

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

Richmond International Raceway, known as America’s Premier Short Track, offers great night racing action and a commitment to the fan experience. One of the most popular facilities among drivers and fans in all of motorsports, Richmond International Raceway annually hosts two NASCAR Doubleheader weekends, featuring the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series, under the lights on a ¾-mile D-Shaped oval. The unique layout traditionally produces exciting side-by-side racing, yet drivers reach high enough speeds for a superspeedway feel. Combined with first-class amenities and a focus on the fans, guests at Richmond International Raceway can expect to experience what “Racing Perfection” truly is.

Sat, May 1

7:30 PM ET NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Richmond

Richmond International Raceway

Sat, Sep. 11

7:30 PM ET NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Richmond

Richmond International Raceway

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dover International Speedway, the high-banked, one-mile concrete oval in Dover, Del., hosts two NASCAR tripleheader weekends in 2010: May 14-16, and Sept. 24-26, when the “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup” returns to Dover. Fiercely known as the “Monster Mile” for its ability to destroy cars and driver’s hopes of winning at ease, Dover has been a staple on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series calendar since its first race in 1969. Situated in the heart of the mid-Atlantic region, the fan friendly venue welcomes thousands of race fans to its 750-acre complex each year. Unique to the sport of NASCAR, Dover shares the property with the Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, giving race fans the complete vacation destination. Outside of Turn 4 stands the 46-foot-tall Monster Monument at Victory Plaza, presented by AAA, the larger-than-life sculpture of Dover’s signature icon Miles the Monster. The fiberglass structure attracts visitors to the track year round and has become a “must see” stop for tourists coming to Delaware’s capital city.

Sun, May 16

1:00 PM ET NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Dover

Dover International Speedway

Sat, Sep. 25 (Danica Patrick will be racing here)

TBD NASCAR Nationwide Series at Dover

Dover International Speedway

PORJECT X

I created PROJECT X as a platform to showcase my creative outlet and the building of my EVO X. Obviously X stands for Lancer Evolution Ten. Please follow my newest blog as I have fun with my newest creation. Here is a little background on my cars.

 This is my first Evo, before that I owned: Silver 2007 BMW 335, a Silver 2006 Range Rover Sport and a Black 2000 Lexus IS 300.

 Mod List:

Lexus IS300: No Mods

Range Rover: Rimspeed rims 22×10

BMW335: KW v2 coilovers, BBS RS-GT 19x 9.5 front and 19×10 rear, H&R sway bars, Huper Optic 40% tent 50% on windshield. EVO X: Tanabe Sustec Lowering Springs, K&N Evo X Typhoon Intake & Intercooler Pipe System, Smoke headlights and Taillights (Instyle Graphics) , ARC Columnar Type Mirror Finish Titan Shift Knob, Eclipse AVN726E Navigation Unit, Kenwood KAC-6104D amplifier (Sub) and Eclipse XA4200 amplifier , Greddy TiC Exhaust, Advan RZ Dark Gunmetal, Huper Optic 40% tent 50% on windshield, Atlantic Motorsports tuning.

 Enjoy as I build my Evo into a powerhouse.

Snowpocalypse Now

It doesnt seem to want to stop snowing. I haven’t been further than across the street in 5 days. My classes on Monday and Tuesday CANCELED and work let out early on friday and has been closed since. DC,  All the charm of the North and the efficiency of the South.

Snow Day 1/30/2010

Another Week in D.C.

Transportation: Though I love the metro there are some things that I miss about the comfort of sitting in my beloved car fighting to get to work. One thing is the lack of personal space. There is none. Which is OK, except when your train has to sit on the track waiting for another train that is using the same track (Is this Safe D.C.?) to pass, allowing you to continue your ride. There is the occasional train breakdown. The transit folks kindly ask you to exit the train because the one you are on is not working correctly, and that another train will be along shortly. Unfortunately the next train has wall to wall people, keeping you from boarding causing you to wait till the next train which is just as crowed.

Still harping on transportation, I don’t know who conceived the highways around the Capital but it is madness. I’ve been here for 4 weeks now and I still can go more than 2 miles from my apartment without using GPS.

Plus some guy ran into the back of my car while I was sitting at a stop light! And the driver in a late model red four-door Honda Accord was nice enough to drive away. Welcome to DC Jeff, here is your hit and run!

PARKING! One of the most un-American things in this country is to have to pay for parking! Everywhere you go you have to pay for parking. Don’t tax dollars cover that? I even have to pay for parking at Costco! So sad.

But I still love it here. I’ve done tons of walking so Doctor Karipathian should be happy. He wants me to lose weight and this is helping. After living here for a few weeks, 50 degrees is pretty warm to me.

Spent most of the week at a conference. That was kind of cool. Learned a lot and now I get to write a report about it for my boss.

Things are going good here so far. Still love it here despite the weather and the hit and run driver who smashed into my new car.

Guess Who’s Back!

I’m back! After some time off from my blog I have returned to D.C. to complete my last semester in our nation’s capital. My cross-country drive included stops in Tucson, which is bigger than I thought but very brown ; Dallas, Texas where I was for New Year’s Eve; then a few hours of sleep in Nashville, finally arriving at my new home in Alexandria, Virginia.

It needs to be said that despite being a Californian I have adapted to the East Coast weather very nicely. My first purchases were two warm winter coats, which have done their jobs well.

Some may be wondering why I’m back in Washington D.C. and not enjoying a warm winter in Malibu. Well I’ve gotten that question from everyone I’ve told where I’ve moved from. If I hear “Why would you come here again,” I might just return to Malibu without regrets. Well, I’m back in D.C. because I was offered a job at the State Department during the summer and I accepted. I will be finishing my Masters both here, taking two classes at GWU, and Pepperdine were I will also be completing two classes. So far so good. There have been a few bumps in the road but I think things have settled.

Last week I worked at State getting fully immersed into my duties there. I am an Action Officer for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and have enjoyed it so far.

 Yesterday (1/11/10) was my first day of class. It is an intelligence class and my professor is former CIA Agent. Question is, are they ever “former”? Ok I’ll stop talking about him now. Tonight I have my second class, which is a negotiations class so I better get back to my pre reading. See you all in a couple of days.

Photo’s from Pepperdine’s Tribute to 9/11

New Name, New Face, Same Old Hat!

The key to change… is to let go of the fear….. The summer internship with the State Department is over, but they were able to keep their hooks in me. I’ve been excepted into their SCEP program and will continue to work for them as I complete my last year of  my Masters. This school year I’ll splitting time between Pepperdine and The George Washington University in Washington DC. In the end I’ll have a Master in Public Policy, I hope to be brought on as a full time employee with the U.S. State Department.

Over the next school year my blog will document my thoughts and adventures over this exciting time in my life. I hope you all enjoy. I know I will.

- If you don’t create change… Change will create you…