Law & Order Style!!

The last two weeks at the USAO have been amazing!! I have been working on a case that is preparing to go to trial next week and the attorney and I are working Law & Order Style. Otherwise...in the office I have been helping with writing motions, witness and victim conferences and helping out in the courtrooms. Working for the prosecution is awesome! It almost feels like being a superhero and in the Sex Offense and Domestic Violence there is nothing better than saving innocent children and battered loved ones. The USAO is pretty much amazing!!

DC Tip# 11: Washington DC is a highly liberal and Democratic area...therefore voicing the fact that you are a conservative and that George W. is your hero...maybe not always the best idea! But watching these liberals squirm, bash and flare up in a tiff over the current administration makes it totally worth it!! Good Luck to the "you know whos" on Nov. 7th!

One Crazy Week...and Halloween!

This last week was CRAZY! I took the Metro all the way to the University of Maryland and visited my good buddy (and IC Alumn) Matt for the Anwar Sadat Lecture for Peace. The honored guest was the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agencey (IAEA), Dr. Mohamed El Baradei. It was a great speech and an awesome opportunity. Along with Dr. ElBaradei, the former first lady of Egypt, Dr. Johan Sadat was there as well. Matt definitely hooked me up with an awesome deal! I had what was going to be my first trial this week too...but the defendant pled right before the trial. But even the sentencing was a lot different than I thought. I was so angry with the defendant and the violent actions taken that I hoped the defendant would get a harsh sentencing...but after seeing the emotions and the real people that both the defendant and the victim were it was an entirely different situation!! No longer was the situation only on paper...now it was right in front of me. It was an intense experience! On the lighter side though...we all went to this awesome haunted forest this weekend. It was out in the boondocks, which was a nice little touch of home! The place was packed and the scare was good too! We also hung out by some huge bon fires and had some awesome apple cider...it was a blast. It was a jam packed week...but I'm ready for another one!

DC Tip #10: When at Adams/Morgan on a late night or early morning...it is absolutely necessary to invest in a Jumbo Slice! Yes...this is exactly what it sounds like. These are slices of pizza that are larger than a persons head...and just as much grease to go along with it! Folded, rolled, or shared...the Jumbo Slice is guaranteed to please that late night/early morning need for a "snack."

Visit From Home...

This weekend was jam packed with things...but this time a few friends from good ol' Illinois were in on the experience! First we walked the Mall to do the touristy thing. Then we explored Georgetown and check out Georgetown University...nice place! Oh...and we checked out the huge set of stairs that was used in the Exorcist. Then we went to Arlington Cemetery where we visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Kennedy's grave. We also checked out an exhibit that displayed all the original paintings of those soldiers killed in the Iraq War...wow! Later, we kayaked down the Potomac River and checked out the city from the water. Then, to finish up their trip we attended a Washington Capitals hockey game. Unfortunately the CAPS lost, but we had a blast in our nose bleed seats anyway...GO CAPS!! I had an awesome weekend with Mark, Mckenzi and Luke and I'm glad they got to explore DC with me...in fact they were able to apply a number of the DC Tips too!

DC Tip# 9: Just so everyone is aware...the wide metal area that divides the escalators at the Metro is not a slide and should not be attempted to be used as a slide. Should one decide to use the dividing area as a HUGE amusement device, please be aware that it is VERY dirty and that you will walk away with a great deal of dirt covering your pants...I promise!

A Little Hike And A Pass Through The Zoo

This weekend we spent outside trying to soak up the last few weekends of nice weather! First we went hiking outside the city about 15 miles. It was absolutely amazing! We were in the middle of the woods and then the trail turned into boulder climbing and before we knew it we were climbing boulders out onto a river with a beautiful view! It was the most amazing site I have seen since arriving here! Then, the next day we spent at the National Zoo. Who knew that there were only a couple zoos in the U.S. that had giant pandas and DC is one of them?? I thought for sure that every zoo had pandas...guess not! After checkin out the animals we were wiped out. It was a busy weekend...but totally worth it!

DC Tip #8: I never intended to make this a tip because I thought for sure that nearly everyone was aware that the National Mall...IS NOT A SHOPPING MALL!!...but I have been asked by a number of intelligent human beings if the National Mall has an A&F or Macy's...NOPE! BUT...if you are looking for the Capitol Building, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Vietnam Wall...or even the Smithsonian, then you are in the right place!

A Day In Court...

So this is a story that I was saving for a rainy day...well today was sorta rainy and I feel that it is time that everyone gets the chance to get a chuckle at the expense of my inexperience. So here it goes: It was my 4th day at the US Attorney's Office and I was headed down the street to the Superior Court of D.C. After arriving in the building a couple fellow interns called me on my cell and asked me to do them a favor while I was in the courthouse. They needed me to pass a note to an attorney from our office that was in the middle of a trial. After getting an answer from the attorney I was to report back to the other interns. "EZ!" That's what I thought! So I entered the courtroom that they had instructed me to go to and I sat in the back row. The defense attorney was questioning a witness, so I stayed in the back. At least 10 minutes had passed, so I went out to the hallway and called the interns. I told them how I didn't feel it was a good idea to interupt with the passing of a note, but they insisted that it was okay and that they had been doing it all morning. So...I returned to the courtroom where I sat back down. Then there was a lull in the action, so I quickly slipped into the well (the area passed the little swinging doors) and passed the US Attorney a note. While waiting for a response the judge told me to have a seat...so I went back to the seating area and sat down. Then I saw the attorney circle an answer on the note, so I got up and peered at what she circled and headed for the exit. Then I hear, "Sir come back here and sit in the front row!" For those unaware...NO ONE sits in the front row at a jury trial! So...the judge dismissed the jury and then asked for me to come back into the well and state my name. After stating my name the judge proceeded to "crucify" me in front of EVERYONE in the courtroom!! He then ordered me back to "his" courtroom with my superiors later in the day. Needless to say...I was a little freaked out that I was going to get fired from an internship...lol! My bosses took it well...suprisingly! We returned to the courtroom later that day and he told us "nevermind." Talk about a true POWER TRIP! Yeah...so that was on the 4th day in Washington D.C. in a courthouse that sees hundreds upon hundereds of cases daily!! What a story and what an experience!

DC Tip#7: This is another Metro tip. As we all know...the doors on an elevator quickly re-open should you get stuck between them. As for the Metro...well...THEY DON'T! On my trip home today I tried slipping through the doors in order to avoid a 10 minute wait for the next train...but the slipping ended when I was smashed between two metal train doors. After prying them open like Superman, I walked onto the train and sat down as if nothing had happened. Depending on how long I will have to wait for future trains...I may have to use my Superman strength again. I wonder what happens when someone's hair gets stuck in those doors...

On The Mall and In The Potomac...

This weekend we headed to the National Mall for some sightseeing and then we spent an awesome Columbus Day kayaking on the Potomac River. We hit up the National Gallery of Art...my first art museum. It was very interesting and that building was like a maze...but the architecture was amazing! Then we headed to the Air and Space Museum. By the way...they have updated all of their exihibits and Pluto is officially no longer a planet. There is even a memorial dedicated to its existance. Then we walked to the Washington Monument, WWII Memorial, Lincoln Memorial (yeah Abe!), and then we passed by the Vietnam Wall. It was a long walk, but definitely a good time. Then Monday a group of interns spent the day kayaking in the Potomac River. From the river we could see the Kennedy Center, the National Cathedral, and the Washington Monument...it was amazing! Then we stopped in the middle of the river and docked our boats on a HUGE rock, where we took a swim. Good times!

DC Tip #6: Never judge distances using National Monuments! Just because you can see the monument does NOT mean that you are close. Apparently you can see these massive stone landmarks and still be miles away. This is definitely a handy tip!!

At The Supreme Court

The U.S. Supreme Court is AMAZING!! We waited in line today for 3 hours to hear oral arguments and it was so awesome! Not to mention they talked about some statute of limitations and I had no clue what was being argued...nonetheless it was soooo awesome! The building is huge and beautiful! The Marshalls were fierce in there too! You couldn't put your head down without them yelling at you...it was strict! We hope to go back for the immigration topic or the abortion topic...maybe we'll understand those.

DC Tip #5: Study the "Bum Culture." Just because they live outside and may smell bad...they are still interesting people! Some try to shake your hand and not let go until you give them money...others appear to be talking into one of those crazy "bluetooth" things, then your realize there is nothing in their ear and they are simply talking to themselves...others are very polite and say hello, but if you don't say hello back then you will catch the wrath of them!!! Each and every bum is unique...get to know the bum who lives near YOU! [All examples used above are based on true events.]

Red Mass

So tomorrow is the first day of the new term of the U.S. Supreme Court...so today St. Matthews Cathedral had its Red Mass. Teresa (one of the interns I work with) and I went and it was awesome! The cathedral was beautiful and the service was amazing too! Oh...so what is Red Mass? It is the mass that honors all people judicial on the Sunday before the first Monday of October. (This is because the first Monday of October is the first day of the new term in the U.S. Supreme Court) Okay...so we got there almost 45 minutes before the service and we still had to stand!! Why you ask...because people such as Chief Justice Roberts and the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court were present, many Congressmen and Senators, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and other "high profile" people. When we left the Cathedral I felt famous with the mass of media on the street...come to find out they were there for the important people who drove away in the black vehicles with tinted windows...ha!

DC Tip #4: Do grocery shopping in small shifts!! Walking four blocks with heavy grocery bags is not a good idea and the purple fingers that are a result are not the best either! So shop in shifts and stick to light weight food!

Mexico and Wings...

So today we had the opportunity to listen to the Mexican Ambassador to the U.S. He had a lot to say about immigration and our "partnership." It got pretty heated during the Q & A...but it was really cool to listen to someone with power from Mexico talk about the issue. Then later tonight we went out for wings...35cent wings...mmmmm! Another good start to an awesome week in DC.

DC Tip #3: Never leave your chapstick in your pocket when entering the DC Superior Courthouse!! The security guy will not hesitate to check what it is...without asking to grab for it!

My First Campaign

Yeah...so today Eric and I helped with a local campaign. We walked door-to-door campaigning for Michael Steele for the US Senate. But we didn't make it too far because it started raining. So then we went back to headquarters and made calls. I definitely got hung up on or rejected almost every time...but it was still pretty cool meeting the people we were working with. Well another weekend is over and tomorrow's another BIG day. The Ambassador to Mexico is talking to us tomorrow...so that should be pretty cool. Good times!

DC Tip #2: When the lights on the Metro platform start to blink that means the train is arriving...but don't stand on the marble area near the lights (it's right next to the edge) because the train will definitely honk at you...unless you want to scare everyone on that platform...because those horns are crazy LOUD!

A Shift In 7D!

Wow...that's all I have to say! I went on a ride-along the other night and it was intense! As a part of the internship we are encouraged to do a ride-along to see the DC crime first hand...wow! I hung out with Officer Sillah for the second shift and we were pretty busy. The first hour I was in the car we had a transfer of this huge dude (who they put in the back right behind me). We responded to a missing persons report and then a domestic violence call. Oh...and then this dude tried to flee on foot so we sped to the scene (using lights...sirens...and serious speed!). At the begining of the night the officer said to me that it was a quiet night because it was going to be a quiet night, or it was a quiet night because someone was going to get shot. It was funny to laugh at then, but about 9:30pm we got a call over the radio of a kide being shot! It blew my mind! We didn't respond to that call though...and I am glad we didn't. The bottom line is that it was an intense night in the 7th District and I had a blast bustin "bad guys."

DC Tip #1: Don't be an "escalefter!" When using an escalator always stand on the right side and walk on the left...because if you block the left side by not walking you are looked down upon and called an "escalefter."

Three Weeks In DC

Wow! It's been three weeks already and I love the city life and I love my internship! When I walk from my building to the courthouse I can catch a glimpse of the Washington Monument...it is so awesome! I have perfected the use of the Metro. Oh...and I have learned one of the most important things that anyone visiting the DC area needs to know...STAND ON THE RIGHT! When walking on the escalators the best thing to do is just stay to the right because you will either get an angry peron growling behind you or you will get plowed down. I have had some GREAT stories so far...but I have a feeling that the stories will only get better! Stay tuned!