JayarJackson

          Three days in town, 20 degrees, 3-4 million other tourists, and politics on the mind.  Whenever I visit a new city as I am doing in Washington, DC, I try to get a feel for the vibe of the people, to see how the differing cultures mix, (or don’t mix).  So after two days of getting settled in and staying outside of the city, I let go of my inhibitions of leaving my hosts and dove into an unknown city, alone.  As I told the host of my show back home, all you have to do is boldly walk around like you own the place and no one will stop you…maybe.  This is the Inauguration. 

            With the city full of progressive parties, Democratic organization’s galas, black ties and fancy gowns, I actually had no reason to hesitate in getting to it.  Nevertheless, since I’m a long time Los Angeles resident, I have picked up on the opinion that tourists are annoying and always in the way.  With this in mind, I entered the subway with my camera securely hidden, my tourist guidebook nestled snugly behind my gloves, and a look on my face that didn’t read, “Where the hell am I?” and “I hope this train going to Maryland.”  It’s tough to act like you own the place when every 5 seconds I took a peek into my guidebook to make sure I wasn’t headed the wrong way.  The subway full of locals was onto me and could see the wetness dripping from behind my ears. 

            So once I arrived to my location and found a few familiar faces from my political dealings, my rule to not talk politics when I’m not at work had to instantly be thrown out the window.  To not talk politics here is like avoiding the subject of acting and screenplays at a Hollywood party.  The only difference is that instead of 50% of the people knowing what they’re talking about and the other half acting like they knew Heath Ledger personally, seemingly everyone in DC works in the field and proves it with a 30 minute conversation about how they’re changing the world. 

            After hearing about Senior Advisors, policy changes, important legislation, political research, and consulting from my fellow progressives, I felt the pressure to deliver some hard hitting political responses.  You know I stepped up to the plate and seamlessly fit right in.  The environment really does make you become a part of it in no time.  In fact, I’ve already been told the position that I could hold for some poor Congressman that has no clue on how he/she can foresee and mold their image to the general public.  Washington DC, here I come???  Let’s not forget, it is 20 degrees outside.  Pump your brakes son, pump your brakes.

--JJJ