Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Journey To The White House


When I went to DC last week, it wasn't about the sightseeing. Rather, my trip on March 14th was to live tweet the Official Arrival Ceremony of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (and Northern Ireland), David Cameron, and his wife, Sarah, to the US for their Official State Visit. This meant that I would be on the South Lawn of the White House, and afterwards, that we would head to the Executive Office Building for a private briefing with members of the administration. It sounds like a mouthful, but the bottom line is that it was one of the coolest opportunities I could even imagine having the chance to experience.



As the sun rose over the capitol, we walked to the White House to line up for the ceremony. In line, we met a woman who had worked in DC since 1988, and had actually helped to organize aspects of the Prime Minister's trip. It was a good thing we had a friendly line companion, because the line was extremely long -- yet it moved quickly, and before long, we found ourselves being greeted with "Welcome to the White House!"



We then waited with the other guests for the ceremony to begin. Not knowing who else was involved in the Tweetup (or where the ceremony was going to take place), we just scrambled for a position where we thought we'd have the best view. I wish I were taller!



After a lot of patriotic music (a stirring version of "America the Beautiful" was one of my favorite parts), the ceremony finally began. The bands even began to play some of the same music over again while they waited for the Prime Minister to arrive. We got pictures of the Prime Minister's vehicle, and when the President was finally announced, one of the people next to us fainted. So much for that moment.



When the President and Prime Minister walked around to survey the troops, I was thrilled to see them come straight towards where we were standing (behind the Red Coats, I might add). I have followed politics for so long, it was amazing to finally see President Obama in person. Yes, I had been in Grant Park on Election Night in 2008, but there were so many people there, and we were so far from the stage, we didn't even know where the stage was. Now, he was right in front of me.



With speeches coming, we moved to the top of a small hill to the right of the cameras where we were able to see the podium as the President and Prime Minister gave their speeches. The speeches, I might add, were wonderful. President Obama's speech was great. I loved the allusions to The War of 1812 - "200 Years ago the British were here under different circumstances. They were a big hit. Really lit the place up!". Prime Minister Cameron then responded with "Now I can see your defenses have been shored up. Not taking any chances this time I see!"

But the meat of the speeches was a big part of why we were here, and it was nice to hear the President lay out what both of our countries stand for. The President spoke of the importance of allowing our country's citizens to live free from fear and the beliefs the US and the UK share in terms of the universal rights of all people, and the inherent dignity of all people.

After the speeches were over, we scrambled to take as many pictures on the White House grounds as we could before we had to clear the premises. The South Lawn was beautiful - the weather was perfect, and the cherry blossoms were in bloom.




Next we were invited to the Executive Office Building for a private briefing with administration officials. I was pleasantly surprised to meet with Dan Pfeiffer, the White House Director of Communications, Brian Deese, the Deputy Director of the National Economics Council, Caitilyn Hayden, The Deputy Director of Communications for the National Security Council, James Barbour, The Press Secretary of the British Embassy, Macon Phillips, the Director of Digital Strategy, Jon Carson, the Director of the Office of Public Engagement, and more. We were honored.



With only about 80 of us in attendance, it was easy to ask questions of the speakers. I enjoyed feeling like we were in a discussion and that our views were being heard. Especially in such amazing company, I will never forget the feeling that I mattered.

Between "We the People," the White House's petition site, Twitter, and just getting to meet and talk with so many amazing people, I suddenly saw all the ways that I could interact with the government...and they were actually listening.

It was a day we will never forget.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

The Beautiful Art & Architecture of Barcelona

Barcelona has beautiful art and architecture - no surprise in a region so closely tied to Picasso and Dali. Here are some of our favorites:

















Sunday, October 2, 2011

Favorite Memories

People keep asking me what my favorite part of the trip was. And so many things were incredible, it's hard to say. But the answer I usually give them is our first night in Paris. Derek and I found a cheap twist off bottle of Bordeaux (but a white) at the store and took it down to the banks of the Seine at Pont Neuf. For the record, this concept is actually pretty popular - don't expect an empty river. But we had a great time.

The view from the river was gorgeous. Trying to capture it in pictures was challenging (aided by the cheap wine), but still.

After a few hours by the river, our night devolved into Disney songs. It's hard to capture the whole experience in words - an experience deeply colored by the person I shared it with - and I mean that in the best way possible.
But I hope this inspires people to go out and make the most of where they are and who they're with. It only took a few Euros to have an experience we'll never forget.

Monday, September 26, 2011

The Beaches of Barcelona From A Guy's Point of View

And finally, we come to the majestic Mediterranean, the real reason to go to Barcelona. Sand beneath your toes, awe inspiring blue sea in front of you, and beautiful topless women all around you. Sure, it isn't all paradise, the beach has some litter, out at sea appears to be some military ships (going to Libya?) and some of the topless women, well, a few you'd prefer they weren't topless; but it's the Mediterranean and you're on a beach and the sun is shining and the water is the perfect temperature so really, you can't complain.





The Mediterranean is arguably the birthplace of Western civilization with the far reaching influence of the Greeks and Romans to our culture still seen today like gyros and worshiping Bacchus, the god of booze and crazy sex (paraphrased for your benefit). So going there was kind of like going home. You know, like when you go back to your home town and you're a complete bum with no responsibilities and you just kind of lie around all day drinking and having a good time. So as we lay there enjoying the cool sea breeze, the perfect water and the plethora of exposed mammary glands, peddlers were coming around selling drinks, massages and who knows what else for our lounging pleasure. If you're not too sure about grabbing a drink from some random person on the beach, there were plenty of bars just up on the board walk for your drinking/eating needs. The place we stopped at had a discounted drink of the week (tequila sunrise that day) but your best bet is probably to just bring some wine down since it is so cheap in Spain (and Bacchus would approve). Our biggest regret was not spending more time on the beach while we were there, but we had places to go and people (though decidedly more clothed unfortunately) to see so we had to settle for two trips, one of laying in the sun and swimming and another just to walk the beach, where Reva looked out to sea, while my gaze went out over the beach to umm, better understand how to live the Mediterranean lifestyle.


As to whether we went Mediterranean and took our tops off... Well, what happens in Barcelona, stays in Barcelona*.
*Warning: Barcelona/Vegas privacy shields do not prevent bringing weird STDs or poorly thought through tattoos back with you, so don't be stupid.


- Derek

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Americanization


I'm originally from New York, and don't get me wrong: the theme of my bat mitzvah was New York City. I am pro I heart NY shirts as much as the next person.

But I got mine in Times Square from the guys who sell 3 for $10. So imagine my surprise at finding so many sold overseas:


Barcelona in particular had a surprising amount of Americanization, some of which we captured on camera. Not pictured was the protest we stumbled into where a large number of people marched down Las Ramblas with an anti-immigrant agenda telling all the tourists to go home. Also not pictured were the numerous McDonalds, Burger Kings, and other American restaurants and companies we encountered on our travels.

Lastly, one of my favorite pieces of Americanization was the Budweiser King of Beers towel we bought on our way to the beach (kind of pictured around Derek's neck below):

At the convenience store we went to in search of a towel, our only options were Disney and Budweiser. It is amazing how American companies have permeated cultures and language barriers, from Las Ramblas all the way to a little shop in Barceloneta.