GOING TO D.C.!

So the time has finally arrived for me to do something really "big boy" - an internship. On somewhat of a whim, I decided to apply for an internship in Washington, D.C. for the spring of 2010. What I thought would be a simple "yes/no" response was really a triple-interview extravaganza that left me absolutely certain that I had no future.

Interview #1: Senator Hatch's Office
First interview I've had since applying for the job I currently have. I felt rather confident, however, because I had some connection with the interviewer. My sister-in-law's brother had been an intern for the interviewer, so I could at least mention a name. Overall, this interview went ok...probably a 7 out of 10.

Interview #2: Congressman Chaffetz's Office
Two interviewers. Unexpected questions to which my answers were probably more unexpected. I hadn't done much homework before this interview, which left me yearning to turn back time to get ready. Of the three interviews, I felt like this was my least impressive. "Well," I thought, "at least I have one more today."

Interview #3: Senator Bennett's Office
I walked into the building feeling prepared. I had used the previous two interviews as templates for the third. I asked myself questions, I read up on issues, I practiced my answers...no sweat. There was nothing impeding me from having a stellar interview.
THREE interviewers. They asked me some of the classic questions to which I gave probably classic answers. The bulk of the interview was spent listening to one man give a description of what the interns in that office do. When I began to feel like I really had made a good impression, the handed me a paper that became, I believe, the reason for my rejection. They expected me to respond to a fake letter concerning the public option in health care. After 15 minutes of stumbling my way through poor writing, I gave up. I handed in my letter and walked shamefully across campus.

After the third interview was over, I felt defeated. I couldn't believe I had blown all chances of interning in D.C. After reading my rejection letter from Senator Bennett's office, I gave up hope.

In the end, everything turned out wonderfully. Apparently the stars aligned that day and Jason Chaffetz's office accepted me for the spring. I'm going to Washington!

The Dating Chronicles: Post 2

The Blind Date: The idea of a blind date makes sense:  Person A tells Person B of their dating struggles.  Person B tries to match qualities of Person A to friends and acquaintances.  Finally, Person B finds Person C to match up with Person A.  Person A and Person C go on a "blind date," realize they are meant for each other, and continue toward marriage.

That's the idea, anyway.

Most single people cringe when they hear "blind date."  When describing a blind date experience, most singles would refer to them as "boring," "terrible," "really bad," and the like.  

I think blind dates are ideal for the most part.

PROS:

• There's no need to find someone.  Another person plans the date, and you simply show up.
• There's no obligation.  If all goes well you've added another person to the dating pool.  A second date implies that both parties are interested.  If all ends after the first date, then you've eliminated yet another person from the "potential" list and you move on.  There's no guilt in never seeing that person again.  It's not as if you're distancing yourself from a long-time lover.  You're simply avoiding ever having to spend time with the same person you suffered with for 6 hours on a date because your friend thought you'd be the perfect couple.  No awkward break-ups.  No heartache.  No doubt.
• You can learn a lot about what your friends think of you by the quality of the blind date they set you up with.  If upon meeting your date you think, "Are you kidding me?" then you'll realize how little your friend knows you.  If, however, you think "Wow, this is going great!" then you and your friend can enjoy an even stronger bond than before because you are both on the same page.

CONS:

• Spending valuable time and money on someone you don't care about.
• Hating the friend who set you up.
• Receiving stalkerish texts from a blind date who just doesn't understand that you aren't interested, even if you don't call back.

All in all, blind dates are just fine.  You just may meet your future spouse.  If not, at least you have a new funny story to share with friends.