Ghouls, Goblins, Witches, Wizards, oh and Conference of Leaders…

Halloween. Greatest holiday… ever. Not only is it a holiday of zombie movies, haunted houses, and ghost stories, but it’s the one time of the year when it really is okay to act like a total idiot and do crazy, ridiculous things (and no one second guesses you!) There is nothing and I mean NOTHING better than Halloween. I love this holiday, basically because I love any excuse to dress up ridiculously, act like a fool, and eat more candy than human being ever should. I successfully accomplished this mission this Halloween. Dressed as a 1980’s camp counselor, my roommates and I took Georgetown by storm.

If you ever find yourself in Washington D.C. on Halloween, do me a favor and please go to Georgeetown. There is an endless list of great things to do in this city on Halloween, but Georgetown turns in to a fashion show. A fashion show of ridiculous, crazy, outlandish, and weird outfits that is. Within ten minutes of stepping into Georgetown I saw Gilligan from “Gilligan’s Island” J.D. from Scrubs, several mobsters, flappers, a giant bottle of mustard, and the cops from “Reno 911”. I was seriously impressed with the creative costume ideas people came up with and was very happy to know that there are other people out there who get as into Halloween as I do.

I was also seriously impressed by the number of cool things you can do in this city during Halloween. Case in point: you can go trick or treating on Embassy Row. That’s right. You can wear your craziest, most outrageous costume and go to every single embassy in the city and get free candy, from diplomats….from foreign countries!!!! Maybe its just me, but I think that’s pretty awesome. The White House also welcomes hundreds of children wearing adorable costumes and gives out candy. Basically what I learned this week… D.C. loves candy. And because of that I love D.C. ;)

All of the crazy Halloween festivities this week were greatly needed. Conference of Leaders is THIS WEEKEND!!!! Can you believe it? No, of course you can’t, neither can I. I have no words for the fact that it is right around the corner. I’m freaking out a little bit to be completely honest, I feel like there is so much to do and really no time to do it. But as stressful as all the pre COL planning is, I am incredibly excited. I can’t wait to spend the weekend in the city meeting people from Share Our Strength programs and getting the opportunity to learn even more about the work SOS has done over the years. I think the part of COL I’m most excited for is Service Day. I’m excited to get the opportunity to do more hands on work in the D.C. community.

The countdown to Conference of Leaders has begun and the aftermath of Halloween has set in. This coming week will most definitely be one of chaotic craziness, feeble attempts at getting some much needed sleep, and preparation for a weekend of Share Our Strength awesomeness.

This Week’s Top Two Places to Visit:

1. Toledo Lounge: I have this quirky obsession with dive bars. I don’t know what it is, but there is something strangely wonderful about a bar where none of the chairs match, paint is peeling off the walls, the linoleum floor sticks to your feet, and thought of using the bathroom scars the crap out of you. Toledo Lounge encompasses all these things. They’ve got PBR on tap, grungy lighting, red walls, and a bar tender who is so chill and so laid back he makes Jeff Spicoli (Fast Times At Ridgemont High) look straight edge. It’s a great place to go out with your friends for cheap drinks, loads of laughs, and a night full of awesomeness.

2. Meridian Hill Park: Also known as the Malcolm X Park, Meridian Hill Park is located near U St., a really great part of the district. Its one of few places in this city you can go too where for a moment, you don’t feel like you’re in the city anymore. There is a beautiful waterfall at the entrance and a drum circle that’s open to the public most Sunday afternoons. It’s a truly great place to go and relax when you need to get away from the chaotic hustle and bustle of the city.

Top 5 Songs of the Week:

1. The National: “Lucky You”
2. We Were Promised Jetpacks: “Quite Little Voices”
3. My Morning Jacket: “Off the Record”
4. Kanye West: “Paranoid”
5. White Lies: “Death”