Lunch went off without a hitch. I left CAP at 11:43. I got on the 42 bus to DuPont circle. And, after navigating a car on 20th street that was fully on fire, I arrived at the Washington Hilton. Strolling in with my messenger bag and thrown together press letter, I calmly explained to the registration attendant that I work for Campus Progress, a youth non-profit organization that empowers students by helping them run campaigns, publish progressive magazines, throw amazing events, etc. He explained to me that the Gear Up conference was really a conference for teachers and only 30 students were in attendance. Without missing a beat, I responded, “I know but I saw that the plenary lunch is entitled “Youth Leadership Summit Report” and I was hoping to cover and learn more about your youth leadership summit.” “Oh, that’s great he said. Rose here will take care of you.” And, take care of me she did! After tearing off a press pass for me, she walked around the booth and sent me on my way. “The lunch is right down the stairs she said. It looks really good so hurry up or you’ll miss it.”

I ran downstairs and was greeted by this massive ballroom. A waiter directed me to an open seat to the right of the stage. I sat down with teachers from East L.A. a principle and assistant principle of the same school, and a health director also from that school. It was great fun but not as good as the food that followed. This conference was even more than I could have hoped for. We started with a giant Greek Salad covered in feta with delicious pitted black olives. A constant stream of warm rolls made its way to our table as we waited a few brief moments for the main attraction: baked salmon with rice, spinach, cabbage, and some sort of delicious sauce. After salmon, everybody at out table was full but we still had room for the most delicious chocolate mouse layer cake with coconut flakes, a thin layer of some kind of perfectly delicate wafer and raspberries on the side. Some people finished the meal with coffee. I finished the meal by thanking my table mates and telling them. “Ok, it’s time for me to really get to work now.” Of course they, impressed with my press pass and spiel, thought that I meant get to work as in start my press work. I, of course meant time to go back to the office. I walked out of the Hilton at 12:38 and arrived back at the office right as my 1 o’clock meeting started. While this may seem insignificant, it showed the competition that one can go have a delicious and free three course meal without aimless hunting and failed plans within the professional lunch hour. So, while other people need to re-arrange their entire day; thus, losing valuable hours working, it is still in fact possible to be an employee and free food-a-thon monster.

Beyond food, tensions in the office are off of the charts. To enlighten our dedicated following, Chenwei next to each other with less than a foot of room between us. That means not only is there constant banter and boasting as we vie for free food glory but there are expletive-ridden email exchanges, ghastly glares and even deeply disturbing death threats. I wish I could accurately convey to you what kind of tension we are talking about here. I will honestly be surprised if punches aren’t thrown by the end of the day. In fact, tension levels are so elevated that recently Chenwei said to me, “I think that I’m just going to give up.” While this was perhaps a ploy to get the rest of the competitors to do the same, she expressed deep discomfort with her role as savior-and-chief. Well, that’s what happens when you say, “I am the change that they see in the world” and your followers spew comments like “Chenwei or die” and “She is the change we can believe in.” Despite all of this feuding I wish her luck. The hopes and dreams of many people are riding on her and it’s going to be truly tragic when her magical run comes to an end…

Authors Note: I returned to my desk after our all staff meeting to find a plethora of “Chenwei or the Highway” signs around and on my desk and computer. Even their campaign slogan was taken from me…could this be a lamer operation? Oh well, some of us speak with free food and others must make up their food shortcomings with bad signage.

Stick around for the dinner post. It will end all debate.