Today I saw Obama.

I was on my way to pick up my regular 5$ foot-long from Subway when I noticed quite a commotion outside of the DNC headquarters. I decided it was worth stopping to see who was inside since the last time there were that many press people outside it was for Charlie Rangel and I missed getting to see him tell Hillary to end her campaign. So I thought this time I would stick around to see who everyone was waiting for. About 30 minutes later, Senator Obama himself was seen exiting the building. I don't know if I expected him to be different than he was on TV but there he was, smiling at the cameras and the small crowd of starry-eyed interns and hill staffers. I think I might be in love.

Other than that today was rather uneventful. I had to work tonight at Starbucks and I got to learn how to make espresso-drinks which was fun (although now I smell like a giant coffee bean). Also, I found out some great news on the supplemental we've been working on. We don't really expect it to make it through to the final bill though since Bush seems intent on veto-ing any domestic spending but hopefully we'll get some money after all the effort we put in.

I wish that the Roll Call website allowed non-members to access articles so I could post a link to this amazing article I read today in the Heard on the Hill section (the gossip section, for those of you unfamiliar with Roll Call). Basically, it was mocking Congress for a recent bill they passed on ending interstate monkey trafficking because of the number of people who had reported monkey bites (But don't worry, according to a quote in HoH, you only have a 1 in 84 million chance of getting bit by a monkey today). I just don't understand how they can easily pass a bill on monkey trafficking but there seems to be no solution in sight for the ever-increasing gas prices, the GI bill, or the broken housing market. I guess Mike was right, this really is the "silly season" of Congress.

Stuff Liza Likes #1 - [Extra] Bold Coffee

Once upon a time there was a girl who would only drink Mocha lattes and frappuccinos. Then, this girl when to college and realized she could no longer afford the $4.00 coffees every day so instead she started to just drink whatever the Baristas were roasting before she got there because it was only $1.68. Out of this serendipitous misfortune, the girl realized she had a penchant for a well-roasted bold coffee. Yes, in case you missed it, this girl was me.

I don't really remember when I first realized I enjoyed my coffee bold or extra bold, although I think I can pin it on the first time I came home and realized every cup of coffee I drank tasted like water. Nothing could measure up to a good cup of Sumatra from my corner Starbucks. So then I started to do a little online research and realized that most of my favorite roasts were considered "Bold". For those of you who have not been so daring (or who are just looking for a good cup of coffee) ask your baristas at Starbucks (yes I am sheltered and haven't figured out how this works at other fine coffee retailers) to brew you one of the following:

1. Sumatra - Extra Bold
2. French Roast - Extra Bold
3. Kenya - Bold
4. Gold Coast Blend - Extra Bold
5. Caffe Verona - Bold

Sometimes I have ordered a grande and have been given the entire carafe because they know that no one else is going to order it and it's better than just dumping it down the sink. Although, I think they charge you more to freshly brew the coffee. It's your choice - $4.00 for a milky whip-creamy thing that tastes more like a shake (and has 330 calories and 15 grams of fat) or $4.00 for an entire carafe of dreamy full-bodied coffee (15 calories and 0 grams of fat)? I'll take the coffee, straight-up and extra bold, if you please.