Ramya's SoCap Blog

See you next summer!

SoCapRamya — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 11:34:02 EDT

SoCap is closing down for the school year, but will be back next June! Check back then for all the latest coverage of DC happenings and events!

Announcing the 4th Winner and the "Judges' Choice"...

SoCapRamya — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 12:14:01 EDT

More from the Free Food-A-Thon -- click here.

Zach Marks, you had us at "The Sign".

Though Sonal gained points with her generosity to those less fortunate and her colorful descriptions of hot dogs and donuts, the clear winner in this round was the contestant who worked round the clock to schmooze, slink, and smoke his way into countless random events. We would have given money to see the look on those Zeta Phi Betas' faces.

Zach, you've definitely earned your seat in the finals and reassured the judges that finding free sirloin and snapper in DC is a breeze if you know where to look.

Coverage of the Free Food-a-thon will be suspended until the Finals on Tuesday. Check back then to see what Carnivorous Cara, Kate Monster, Ben "The Quiet Storm", Zack Attack, and "Judges' Choice" Tricky Tony, come up with!

More from the Free Food-A-Thon -- click here.

Cheaters Sometimes Prosper: Day 3 Victor

SoCapRamya — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 11:55:46 EDT

This was another toughie. Both Day 3 contestants went to the same event (again, really? There wasn't another event out there? Is DC having a free-food dry spell?) and both contestants' dinner selections were less than adequate (though we feel a little bad because we made them both work the Media That Matters Film Festival)

Quiet Storm: You ate your housemate's pizza. Total violation of the rules.

Dorna: California Tortilla, again? And after Cara already did it on Monday. Zero points for originality.

We had to give the prize for Day 3 to the man that ate cardboard in pursuit of glory (and tickled the judges pink with his blogposts.) That non-soy ink may not have gone down well, Ben R., but we hope the thrill of victory will.

Day 2 Prize Winner

SoCapRamya — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 13:16:23 EDT

is Kate Monster.

This one was REALLY close...we had a deadlocked judging panel for a while and we wish we could have two winners. If we could give an award for most innovative idea, it would go to Tricky Tony's totally rad test-drive. But Kate Monster hit three big events yesterday, faked an accent, and fed the judges cookies with leftovers from Heritage. If there is a wild card spot for the finals, TT's the favorite.

The judges were underwhelmed with the last post...getting along is all well and good, but we want to see some blood. Also, an event at CAP? Surely, you all can do better.

We haven't yet heard from today's contestants, Devouring Dorna Mohaghegh or Ben "The Quiet Storm" Regenspan, but we hope they will be as crafty as yesterday's fearless duo.

And the foodie prize for Day 1 goes to...

SoCapRamya — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 13:34:32 EDT

Cara!

The judges appreciated Jim taking the plunge into the dark conservative waters of the Hudson Institute, but Cara's stop at Panera post-BBQ really put her over the top (we tried not to hold the fact that she dissed french fries against her.)

Congratulations Cara! We'll see you next Monday for the finals.

CP Free-Food-a-Thon Starts Next Week

SoCapRamya — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 16:46:33 EDT

Have you noticed the virtual cornucopia of buffets, mini quiches, sandwiches, smorgasbord, and hors d’oeuvres served at various free events around DC? No? If you haven’t started your foraging regimen, consider it potential training for graduate school.

That’s right, one day you will experience life without a meal plan, that convenient one-swipe card providing access to myriad food stations that require only that you dispose of your tray. We at Campus Progress are all about developing skills for young progressives, primary amongst them being physical survival, embodied in the ability to sustain oneself on little money.

The details: Next week, Campus Progress interns will compete, two a day, where they will document their meals/snacks/crumbs from the floor, all of which must be free (not previously bought by the eater or purchased immediately before by another party specifically for the eater). They'll scramble for that last pig-in-blanket, angle for that mini muffin, and schmooze their way into that fancy embassy cocktail party.

most important thing about 7-11

SoCapRamya — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 17:13:40 EDT

With all the buzz about 7-11 and the Simpsons on CP.org, we overlooked something very important. Today (7/11) is FREE SLURPEE day (participating stores are giving out 7.11 ounce Slurpees).

To find a 7-11 near you, click here, but note that not all 7-11s are participating!

Super Soaked

SoCapRamya — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 10:36:51 EDT

Now I’m a peace-loving person (make love, not war, and all that jazz) but I’ll always remember the summer when Super Soakers hit the shelves. It was unbelievable that one piece of neon green and orange plastic could transform my summer from placid kickball games and lemonade stands to all-out, every-kid-for-himself mortal combat.

I think my Super Soaker was sold at a yard sale long ago (along with the ol’ Slip n Slide, and that weird crocodile thing that was basically a Slip n Slide but had a picture of a crocodile on it), but this Slate article (and the fact that it’s hot as hell in DC) rekindled my desire to run to my nearest KB Toys and show the Campus Progress staff who’s boss (those miniature squirtguns in the copyroom won’t help you, CP)

The article rates this year’s coolest pieces of water weaponry, giving points for Strength, Ease of Use, and Fun. The Super Soaker Aquashock Artic Blast comes in with a strong 21 points (out of 25), but it’s the battery-powered Water Warriors Tarantula that takes the top prize.

If anyone’s interested in waging water war today, I’ll be waiting near the playground after I finish watching the Disney Afternoon.

Outdoor Taping of Hardball TODAY

SoCapRamya — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 14:50:21 EDT

For all of you interns looking to get in on the DC punditry action...

MSNBC's Hardball is doing a live outdoor broadcast this evening at 400 North Capitol Street NW and they are looking to build a crowd for the event. If you have interns or friends that would like to watch the taping, feel free to spread the word. Guest tonight include Rev. Al Sharpton and Christopher Hitchens. The taping begins at 5:00 PM and folks can feel free to arrive as early as 4:30 PM.

TONIGHT: Start Your Summer off Right!

SoCapRamya — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 15:56:15 EDT

Meet, greet, and mingle with other interns and young progressives at the Campus Progress Summer Kick-Off Party! The fun starts at 6:30 at Science Club. Hope to see you there!

Getting Dirty Outside the Beltway

SoCapRamya — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 15:00:40 EDT

If you’re tired of navigating the urban jungle Monday through Friday, and are craving some greenery outside the confines of Rock Creek Park, you may want to check out some of the local camping areas around DC.

This past weekend, seven of us piled into cars (one Zip, one our own) and drove a little over an hour to Sky Meadows, a campground and Virginia State Park. Sky Meadows is a primitive campsite, which meant that we had to park our cars at the Visitor’s Center and hike about a mile before we could set up camp.

The advantages: no huge RVs/screaming children, killer scenic views, and the wonderful feeling of being totally at one with nature. The disadvantages: hiking a mile with a cooler strapped to your back, finding a chipmunk on the toilet seat of the outhouse, and rolling your ankle while attempting a “controlled fall” down one of the trails.

After a solid hike on the park’s Appalachian trail (watch out, Bill Bryson), we packed up the car and headed to historic Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia for an afternoon of whitewater tubing along the Potomac.

Social Capital 2007 Coming Soon!

SoCapRamya — Thu, 31 May 2007 15:11:54 EDT

Hey SoCap readers!

Check back on Wednesday, June 6th for up-to-the-minute blogged accounts of progressive events, intern snafus, interviews with DC's finest, and a calendar chock full of events to spice up your summer!