Together, America can do better...

Yesterday, I got a great opportunity to go to the DNC's Women's Leadership Forum's Conference. WLF is primarily a fundraising council but the conference focused on all types of activism and organizing. The day started with some truly fantastic speakers including Congresswomen Wasserman Schultz and Congresswomen Moore. Moore was particularly engaging and really really funny. At one point, she informed us she had to hurry back to the Hill so she could continue "the important work of saving the country one post office at a time." HA! I love it and it rings particularly true for anyone who has gone to the House or Senate floor to see the "debate" (I use that world very loosely).

Next, there was a really informative panel on the mid-term elections with an editor for the Cook Report and a leading Democratic pollster. Obviously, they can't say 100% but it looks as long as Democrats don't drop the ball we might actually take the house. Then, Congressman Jack Murtha and Congresswomen Jane Harmen led a panel on national security that was at once terrifying and hopeful...well it would be if these people could get in a position of power to actually make a difference.

Of course the real highlight of the day was lunch with a keynote speech by Senator Clinton. No big surprise that I am a huge fan. This was the first time I have seen her speak and I was really impressed. I was particularly impressed by the fact that at the end of her speech that was focused on fundraising she spoke very frankly about the fact she hates that this is how it has to be. However, nothing will change unless we win and we can't win when Republicans are outspending us 5 to 1 so there you go.

The rest of the day was spent on trainings. We learned about the tools offered on the DNC's websites and an effective fundraising ask. All of this was really exciting but one of the best parts of the day for me was being able to network and get advice on my future pursuits. I was able to talk to one women in particular who offered some really excellent advice on how to get onto the presidential campaign. Basically, I might have to spend some time in Iowa - woohooo!

Although the thought of working that hard and being away from Nicholas is daunting, I have dreamed my whole life of being a part of a presidential campaign (mainly as the president but hey we all start somewhere!). I can't think of anything more exciting. I've had a pretty stressful week and have taken a lot of flack from people about not taking the bar after graduation. It's really hard breaking away from the corporate law path everyone takes in law school, especially when they all have jobs lined up. But yesterday reminded me the most difficult path is often the most rewarding and being secure and safe aren't the most important things in life - following your dreams is.

I love this man

Clinton in all his glory on Fox News Sunday.

Bedroom

I'm finally posting pictures of our apartment - one room at a time that is. Our bedroom is as completed as it's going to get for awhile. Our living room is another story all together so don't hold your breath for pictures of that. :)

Here's the inspiration for our bedroom:


Here's our actual bedroom:



Not bad huh? I think I should be on Double Take.
There are more pictures on Flickr for those interested.

word

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It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...

Guardian World Premiere...in Cleveland Park!
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

Yesterday afternoon, as I was taking my precious dog to the vet, I noticed an interesting development in my little neighborhood of Cleveland Park. Our local theater, the Uptown, was surrounded by media and barricades and (dare I say it) RED CARPET! Apparently the new Kevin Costner/Ashton Kutcher vehicle The Guardian was premiering a block from my house.

As most of you know I am a celebrity whore of the highest level, so you can only imagine my excitement. I immediately called my good friend and neighbor Laura Israel and left an urgent message to call me ASAP. When I exclaimed, "The Guardian is premiering! We have to go see!" she thought I had lost my mind not only because I wanted to see The Guardian but I apparently had to see it opening night. As soon as I explained, it wasn't opening it was premiering complete with red carpet and celebs galore she was in.

We waited right by the sign-in table for about 30 minutes when the "talent" started to arrive. First, Sela Ward came looking really beautiful. We waved and told her we loved her dress. She was very sweet and told us thank you. Next, Michael Rady who we recognized but couldn't figure out from were. Luckily, Laura is a walking imdb.com and exclaimed "Kostas!" from Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (which we know you have all seen so don't try to deny). Finally around 6:35, the headliner... Kevin Costner.

He pulled out right in front of us but immediatley crossed the street to greet fans lined up there. He then came back towards us. Maggie was with us adn I asked him if he would pet my dog. He flashed his trademark smile (pictured above) and shook his head. I forgive him though. First, because he looked really really good (as did his Barbie doll wife) and second, because Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is one of my favorite movies of all time.

The best part was Michael Chertoff, the head of Homeland Security, pulled up right behind him and had to hang out while Kevin worked the crowd. Then he got out and hobbnobbed a bit. So glad he's hard at work keeping us all safe, getting people in LA some damn trailers already, and then of course kicking it with Costner.

Finally, right before the movie was supposed to start at 7pm, Ashton showed up with Demi. I have to say he is terribly cute and she looks freaking amazing. We didn't get to have any exchanges with the power couple beyond a couple of waves but exciting just the same.

Overall, it was all terribly thrilling. How many times is there a world premiere of a big Hollywood picture a block from your house? Reason number 3 million I'm glad we moved ;)

Steve Irwin

Nicholas woke me up Monday morning with the heartbreaking news that Steve Irwin had been killed. For those of you who don't know, I loved Steve Irwin. Seriously loved. I got really into his show during college. I watched it all the time. I saw the movie. I had a Crocodile Hunter action figure. My friends Mike and Smith and I even dressed up as Steve, Terri Irwin, and a crocodile one year for Halloween.

He was so sincere. I never doubted his dedication to animals and I admired so much that he fought for the animals no one else loved. Anyone can love pandas or giraffes but he stood up for the animals that weren't cut or fuzzy and could kill you. More than that, I responded so much to his passion. In a world full of Paris Hilton or Tom Cruise, he had no alterior motives. He did what he did because he believed in it. We need more people like that and it is so sad that we lost such a great one.

Decorating Disasters

In my travels, there have been several times I've come across decorating choices so extreme, so absurd that there is nothing left to do but take a picture and show your friends. After coming across a recent "spectacular" tile job, I decided to collect my most recent discoveries in a post ...because wow.

Exhibit A: London England

Seriously what is the point in hanging a curton rod on the front of a curtain valance. The logic escapes me.








Exhibit B: Charleston, SC

This was a ceiling treatment in a house we stayed in Charleston, SC. The joke all week was the ceiling's close resemblence to a certain part of the female anatomy ;) Of course, this was only one of the offensive choices in this house. Pamela called it the paint reject house because all the colors looked like the person had gone and bought the paint on sale because other people rejected it.


Exhibit C: Washington, DC

My friend Leslie's landlord was forced to redo the bathroom because of plumping problems and decided to just retile what was necessary. I definitely don't think he's planning reselling anytime soon. I mean how would you explain that. "We ran out of plain white tiles?" Although my friend Laura pointed out you could say you were redoing it in the lovely pink tile. :)

Conclusion: People are insane.