FooDiary: Intro & DC Living

I will now be using this space to ALSO blog about my food experience, as it was a year of Investigations that led to my increased awareness of food and, thus, the forthcoming blogs themselves.

To begin, I have successfully completed my junior year and accepted an intern position to my local Member of the House of Representatives, moving to Washington D.C. in the process. I am living with my aunt and uncle for the duration; their house is located in a suburb of D.C., just inside the Beltway. I take the Metro to and from the Capitol City quite frequently; it's a 50 - 60 min. commute, and the last bus leaves the train station for home at 7:30. If I miss the bus, my alternatives are to call a cab (~$12 plus tip) or ask one of my relatives to pick me up...which I am loathe to do and have avoided thus far. I am not expected to pay rent, cook (often) or purchase my own food (though I do frequently anyway) or otherwise have any other obligations typically associated with owner-tenant relationships. Yes, I'm essentially free-loading; ain't family swell? Don't worry, this all factors into my experiences with food, as you'll see.

My obligations are thus. I work a 20-hour week; our office has three interns, retaining two in the office at any one time. One of the other interns is full time; I and the other are part time, due to a gaffe in my interview where I mentioned I "might look for another job while I'm here". I haven't been able to land a second job, and so my Congressional responsibilities are my only pressing ones. I work two full days and one half day. The other part-timer and I trade hours and days freely, so long as we have a mutual agreement that fits both of our schedules. I work from 9 - 5 p.m. on a full day; the tradeoff point for a half day is 1 p.m., leaving lunch entirely up in the air. The full-timer and I are both 21, and so we enjoy heading to a pub after work on Friday - especially payday. I'm still bound by my 7:30 deadline, but as long as I catch a train by 7, I usually make it on time.

Lunch on the job is allowed, but we're encouraged to hurry it up and get back to work. The staff members typically take lunch at their desks, and so are likely to be resentful of an extended intern lunch break. The rules are relaxed when Congress is not in session, as "the Boss" isn't around. Otherwise, our best (and most frequented) dining option is the Longworth building Congressional Cafeteria. It's set-up much like any of the other cafeterias in federal buildings, and is open to the public...if they can find it. A wide variety of foods are available here. Typically, staff members, interns, and tourists are the patrons of this establishment. Higher-level people attend lunchtime meetings, banquets, etc. and have no need for such banalities as a tray or waiting in line. I personally am bound by my checking account. My favorite option has thus become the $5 meal deal, where I can get a simple entree of the day, plus a 16 oz drink. Otherwise, meals are upwards of seven bucks, with drinks and sides costing extra. Stupid lousy federal cafeterias.

That's a basic outline of my "official" environment. Other posts will explore what I do on my days off, as well as particular food episodes.

Have a good summer everyone, and keep checking for updates! I'm not dead yet!
JV