CAN YOU HANDLE THIS?

With the winter weather system moving through Washington DC and New York City, it's only appropriate that a discussion be held about the way each city handles inclement weather.

Before we begin, let me be honest--this is actually going to be a discussion about how Washington DC cannot handle inclement weather. New York's tough guy attitude actually holds true when battling Mother Nature.

Washington DC is a great city that can handle many things. The nation's capital has faced corruption in local politics, underperformance in public schools, and deterioration in neighborhoods. It has weathered through an inauguration with unbelievable attendance as an administration filled with bloopers and blunders was escorted out. Resilient and determined, it is and will always be the backbone of our nation.

But when it comes to dealing with a little bit of snow or some heavy rain, my money is on any other city.

Here are the top three reasons why DC falls to the bottom of the list during a storm:

3) CLOSURES - While this may be favorable for students, so many DC businesses calls quits the minute flurries start picking up. So that means, no food deliveries, no dry cleaning, no nothing. Don't get me wrong; I am a huge fan of the couch potato lifestyle. But when I can't get my traditional chinese food delivery in celebration of the first snow of the season, I begin to question why I have the day off in the first place.

2) ROADS/SIDEWALKS - Along the same lines, DC administration does not have the capabilities to properly plow and salt streets. While other cities (ahem, NYC) are ready within hours, DC slips into Lucille Ball mode. You know, that episode when she works at the chocolate factory and as the assembly line moves faster, she freaks out and begins stuffing the chocolates in her pocket, her shirt, her mouth. DC, that is you.

1) DRIVERS - DC automobile users lose all control when it is anything but clear. Snow, drizzle, cats, dogs, men--it doesn't matter. All the DC/Virginia/Maryland drivers tuck their common sense away in the dashboard. With their feet constantly on the break pedal, they tap it every two seconds. No one knows what to do during 4-way stops, yellow lights become red lights, and the speed limit drops to 10 mph. Oy gevalt.

Even the most popular new kid on the block feels the same...

http://www.politico.com/blogs/anneschroeder/0109/Obama_girls_cant_believe_school_cancelled_.html

I can picture NYC saying to DC, "How you doin'?"

WHAT A WONDERFUL (WASHINGTON) WORLD

If anyone ever thought that Washington DC does not know how to party, these past few days have surely turned them into believers.

It was the most exciting, most genuine, most joyous place to be in the entire world. No other city could compare to the warm spirits, despite the cold weather. There were very few conflicts and complaints--everyone just wanted to have a good time.

People from all over the world shared in the celebration of the inauguration of a man we can all believe in. Mr. Barack Obama already accomplished one of his campaign promises and bridged people from different backgrounds.

I was glad to be in the middle of it all. Between all the public events (We Are One Concert, Swearing-In, riding the Metro) in which I stood with strangers tolerating the miserable conditions to the private parties (Youth Ball, Google Party, Installation of the HOPE image) where I danced and drank with A-listers, DC was a gracious host. This was possibly the most fun five days I have ever had in the nation's capital.

Yes NYC may have celebrities and parties any given day. But when it came for DC to step up to the plate, not only did they step up but they hit a homerun.

Three cheers to Washington, DC!

AMERICAN, F$*% YEAH!

The last few minutes of my day at work is spent anxiously counting down the minutes until I attend a networking event at a bar in Midtown Manhattan.

Not really, but the excitement is actually there. The networking event is hosted by my Alma Mater, American University. The invitees are current undergrads taking time from their winter recess to see what working in NYC is all about and wildly successful Alums from the area. Wildly successful may be an overstatement, but you know what they say..."If I can make it there [the Big Apple], I'll make it anywhere." ANYWHERE? Nice. Because I feel like I'm kinda making it here. Mind you, I'm dreaming about my work and when my salary and living expenses don't really equate. But really, Frankie Blue Eyes would say I'm making it.

What truly makes this first ever Alumni event I am attending so exciting is that I can badmouth my grad school -- Columbia University. Sure there are tons of areas that Columbia shadows American. But as of this Tuesday at Bender Arena where dreams are made a reality, the Eagles beat, beat, beat the Lions.


So let's all join in and give a yell for AU and victory!!