Today I received an email that said Clark was signing his newest book, Winning Modern Wars, at Olssen’s bookstore in downtown DC…and it just so happened that my Cold War history class was cancelled for today, so off to Olssen’s I went…and here is the result:

I got there around 11:40 and the line was kinda long.  Clark was supposed to get there at noon, but since the campaign runs on Clark Standard Time (CST), he got there around 12:30.  Fine by me, though…I just wanted my book signed.  I got it about a week and a half ago and have yet to actually read it…I’ll get around to it eventually, perhaps after this semester is over.  So anyways, we exchanged a few words, shook hands, and off I went back to GW.  Good times.

Pictures of this fundraiser-filled week will be posted soon.

Following in the footsteps on Monday’s awesome DNC fundraiser was the DC for Clark fundraiser starring General Clark himself!  We got a bunch of GW for Clark members to work the fundraiser which was held at the Omni Shoreham hotel in northwest DC.  Laura, Chad, and I worked the VIP table and got to meet Congressman Charlie Rangel, Congressman Mike Thompson, and Congressman Rahm Emanuel (who loved the hats Laura and I were wearing).  Our hats are so sweet…everyone loves them…many thanks to Kevin for providing them.  We were standing behind the VIP table when Clark came in and he was totally checking out our hats…probably thinking “What the hell are those girls wearing?”

So anyways, Clark gave an awesome speech, we got to shake his hand, and we all squealed with delight (yes, even the guys…although it was mostly the girls).  What a nice guy…I love him!!

Oh yeah, for the second time this week I saw the guy that plays Francisco Duprey (“Look, Francisco Duprey AGAIN!”).  So not only is he a Democrat, he is a Clark supporter as well.  I’ve learned his real name is Roger Smith, but I’ll just continue to call him Francisco Duprey because, well, why not?

I also took home Mickey Kantor’s name badge…he didn’t show up, so it seemed like a nice souvenir since I spend way too much time on the U.S. Trade Representative’s website (thanks to my Intellectual Property pro-sem).  Yeah yeah, I know I’m a poli-sci dork, no need to point that out.

Clark is awesome, love him…love him a lot.  What a guy…I would lit drop every house in America for this guy.  HOOOOOAH CLARK!

Washington Post article on Monday night’s DNC Dream fundraiser.

“The whole concept of having a fund-raiser until 3 a.m., it’s so them.” – Former Republican National Committee Chairman Rich Bond

On Monday night Laura and I worked the DNC Fundraiser at Dream Nightclub…”work” consisted of checking in guests for an hour and then having the rest of the night to have fun at the event (without having to pay the $50 fee….sweet).

Dream Nightclub is off the hook…it’s got 4 floors, each with a different theme.  Bill Clinton was there, and was cheered loudly by all of us young Democrats.  Yeah, Bill…we still love you…hell, we probably love you even more than we did when you were in office.  I saw the guy that plays Francisco DuPrey on K Street (“Laura, look, it’s Francisco DuPrrrrey!”)  Anyways, that event was awesome…ah yes, now I remember why I came to school in DC….Clinton…hang out with other Democrats…yesssss!

Some pictures will be up soon.

Mikhail Gorbachev � has trademarked his name, nickname (Gorby �), and forehead.  Apparently Gorby � is sick of companies using his image to sell, among other things, instant noodles…

“Polyakov [spokesman for the Gorbachev Foundation] said he had personally seen an ad for a construction company on the side of a bus in the United States that featured Gorbachev operating a drill. And in Japan, he said, video clips of Gorbachev delivering a speech while he was the head of the Soviet Union have been edited into a commercial for instant noodles.”

“It especially bothered him that his image was being used on vodka. He will only allow his name to be used on respectable products.”

Ironic, considering Gorby � spearheaded an unsuccessful anti-drinking campaign…an anti-drinking campaign in Russia?  What was he thinking?

Some Russian politicians want to reintroduce military training into school curriculums so that kids can learn to assemble Kalashnikovs and properly shoot them…which would be great if we were still in the 1960s.  Time and time again many Russian politicians have derailed any chance of real military reform and have instead chosen to continue the Soviet era conscription system and militarization of society…and then they wonder why their military is so pathetic?  Way to go, guys.

Gypsies are a growing problem in St. Pete, and this article reminds me of when we were walking by Kazaan Cathedral and a gypsy kid (probably around 7 years old) ran up to Sil, wrapped her arms around his leg, and wouldn’t let go even though he was screaming “Nyet! Nyet! NYET!  Nye Dyengii!” at the top of his lungs.  When he finally shook her free she started running after him…a 30 year old guy with a huge backpack and camera being chased by a determined 7 year old…now that was amusing.

Some Russians think Californians are morons for electing Schwarzenegger…and I totally agree!

On Wednesday we had our first DC for Clark fundraiser and we made over $15,000 for the General….wooohooo.  The fundraiser was at Club Daedalus in downtown DC.  There were a lot of people, a few Congressmen, and plenty of Clark bars for everyone (Chad ate like six or something…they are that good).

On Thursday Clark attended his second Dem debate.  This debate was hosted by CNN so we had to suffer through Judy Woodruff…I hate her!  Lieberman, Kerry, and Edwards were being real jerks to Wes…because he’s chipping away at their support, obviously.  Basically their argument was that he’s not a real Democrat and blah blah blah…yeah, whatever…like Lieberman should be talking…why is he even at the Democratic debate???  He’s GOP through and through…j/k.

Time to study for Russian…

Here you go…more pics from my summer in Moscow

Chris, Luke, and myself with our inflatable instruments of death – On July 4th we went down to VDNKh, an open air market/amusement park.  While we were there we bought these inflatable toys and ran around the park hitting each other with them.  The Russians thought we were INSANE, but it was fun.  We did look pretty odd holding these things on the long metro ride back to our dorm, though. 

The group at Peter and Paul Fortress – Eight of us took a trip to St. Petersburg for a weekend.  Here we are (minus Liz, who was taking the picture) at Peter & Paul Fortress.  Since we only had 2 days in St. Pete, Liz and I (the only people in the group who had been to St. Pete) ran the group like drill sergeants so the others could see all the major sites.  Whining about the amount of walking, the warm temperature, etc. was NOT tolerated.

Miriam, Liz, and myself in front of the Church of the Spilled Blood – Another pic from St. Pete.  Luke took this picture when we weren’t expecting it, thus all of our stupid poses.  We were deciding what to do in this picture…Liz and Miriam said we should do a pyramid and I said hey, now there’s a stupid idea…and said we should do the onion dome pose instead.  In this picture I demonstrate the “onion dome” pose.

Liz, Miriam, myself with my cool flag – Another picture from Church of the Spilled Blood, but in this one I have my cool “I *heart* Pityer” flag.  Yeah, you wish you had a flag like that…

Dinner at the Georgian restaurant – This is from my last night in Moscow…awww memories.  For my last meal I chose the Georgian restaurant, which we often went to because the food was so incredible.  There’s John, Miriam, myself, and Luke (with the crazy face).  Mmmmm Georgian food.

I miss Moscow and want to go back NOW.