The State Of Peter- Part I

One Word Description-Unexpected


Since just before my birthday I have been thinking what I really need to do is have an inventory of my life. An in-depth look at what has gone on with me this year, how I am fairing and then a few rants and other things that I have been thinking about. I also plan on having a few choice pictures and maybe a Haiku.

The Year in a Blur

Wow what a year it’s been. It’s been quite the ride looking back. I picked today to do this post because it marks two years since I made my triumphant return to Washington DC. December 3, 2005 Dan Nelson picked me up at Dulles Airport. I had three bags, a paid internship, nowhere to live and an extremely broken heart. Here it is two years later. It could have been the best year of my life and in a lot of ways it was and yet without a doubt it was my worst and most tragic year. I laughed, I played, I cried, I got shot down, and I was validated. My teams won, and they lost, we added Kate and lost Mom.

My Mom

I went back to look at some of the old blog posts. I will never be called anything but an optimist. Although I don’t remember the exact day I do remember the exact moment that I found out about mom being sick. Chrissi had sent me pictures of her kids. There was one picture of Gavin in particular that made me laugh. Chocolate hand prints on Chrissi’s white couch. I laughed so hard. When she called I was all ready to tell her about how much I like them. Then she dropped the bomb. Mom had had a stroke. At first we thought she was going to get better. I flew out there to see her for myself and was so happy to see that she seemed ok. She was just really tired. As the months went by she would continue to get a little worse and then her condition would plateau. Just writing this is hard. Work sent me home for the month of August. Armed with a lap top and internet connection I was able to work from home and spend every day with her. I will never forget how cute she looked in her blue pajamas. We had so many special moments when it was just her and I at Southland (incidentally as good as the care was and how nice everyone was to her, they were really fantastic, I hate that place. In fact if I never hear those two words together it will be fine with me) We laughed a lot and she told me how excited she was for Thanksgiving. I asked her what kind of girl I should marry and she said “One who doesn’t talk too much” We watched the Judge shows she liked and Angel games. I really thought she was coming home when I left back to DC around Labor day. Do you know what it is like to find out your mother is dying? It’s awful, in fact awful doesn’t even begin to describe how bad it is. Picking out her burial plot, planning her funeral. It is agonizing. I can not begin to express how thankful I am for my Dad, my sisters, my brothers in law, and all of my family and friends who were so supportive during this time. I miss her so much. I miss her every day, especially lately. It hasn’t gotten easier really. But we Dorsch’s are tough so we just go on. I really miss her.

The 27 Swedish Babes I took on the tour of the Capitol

My Job

Before I left for my internship in 2004 I didn’t anticipate that it would change my life. I just thought it would be something fun and interesting to do. And yet here I am. I am not sure how many people go to work every morning and say they love their job. Luckily I can. After surviving another tour season as a Staff Assistant the powers that be saw fit to give me a promotion. The funny thing is I can’t remember exactly when it happened. I do however remember being beyond excited. Finally I had the word Legislative in my title (Legislative Correspondent). This meant news business cards but alas not a new desk despite the fact that I bought an Angels Bobble Head to put on it. All in good time I guess. I used to be the master at having celebrity sightings on the Hill. I have no idea how many letters that I have answered. Probably several thousand. No it isn’t glamorous but I enjoy it. I love my interns and am so proud to send them off to do great things. I enjoy working for a boss who is so dynamic and a legitimately good guy. I have fantastic co workers who are also my friends. It was fantastic taking 8th Graders from Granada (my middle school) on a Capitol Tour.

Got Clubs for Christmas

Me

I once told a girl that I wanted to be complex. I’m not sure why that is. It could be because of the fact that I am so simple. I like my teams, I like conservatism, I like having fun, and I like my family. I think most everything else kind of goes hand in hand with that. But I’m still lithe, I talk too much, I love to make people happy and laughing, think loyalty and keeping it real are of the utmost importance. I still can’t golf very well but I can hit it straighter and farther than went I got my clubs. I love my iPod, Man vs. Wild, and Facebook. I wish I had the number of books that I’ve read this year but I’m sure it is close to twenty. I bought a GMAT book and will at some point start studying for the test. Much to my sister’s chagrin I like my Affliction T-Shirt. I know where I want to be it’s just the journey there that is hard to figure out.

Angel Games

Sports

The thing I miss the most about Provo. No question about it…Intramural Flag Football. I have tried so hard to duplicate it out here and have had no luck. I’ve tried city league and Congressional League and no luck. The thing that comes closest is the pick up games we play on Saturday’s at the park. My teams are having different levels of success. I was pleased that the Angels won the American League West but disappointed by their performance during the playoffs. The Niners are terrible and with high expectations this year have been a real disappointment. And yes Dan we have a Ute Quaterback. And I hate it. He stinks. And then there is the Lake show. I went ahead and bought a Kobe Bryant 24 jersey. He’s awesome, and now he wants to be traded. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Please Dr. Buss do not trade Kobe. Cave in to his demands, give him what he wants. Just don’t trade him. And then there are the BYU Cougars. Back to Back Mountain West Conference Football Champions and back to back last minute wins against the Utes. It’s a good time to be a Cougar. Over the last year I saw the Angels play almost ten times in person and lots of games on TV. I saw the Lakers play in Philly and a couple of Wizards game. I even went and saw Monday Night Raw which was awesome.

Can't Forget Su-Rec 2007

Friends

When I moved back in 2005, I had one friend. Dan (currently my roommate) two weeks ago I invited 33 people I consider good friends to my birthday lunch. I am indeed lucky to have such a good group of friends. I moved to a new place we affectionately called “The Melrose” back in April. As much as I loved the guys in 527 Buchanan I was excited to have my own room and have lots of fun neighbors living close by. It was definitely the right decision. I love inviting people over to watch BYU games or just to hang out. I love it went people just drop by and say hello.

Because I spent so much time in California this year I was glad that I got to see my old friends as well. They are for the most apart all married, having kids or buying houses. If it weren’t for my DC friends and the fact that are for the most part under the same circumstances as I am I probably wouldn’t be quite as up beat about this. It’s nice to have friends you can rely on. When my mom died I was glad that I could call Ryan. He did the dirty work and let all of my friends know what had happened, and the next day he and David Dickinson came and sat with me. It meant so much to me. When I saw Ryan, Josh, and Thomas at the funeral it gave me the boost that I needed. I even gave them a shout out. Sort of random I know.

Kyle, Shane, and Brett all came out to see me which was great. I love it when people come to visit out here. I gave Shane the hard sell on moving here but he opted for Chicago. Kyle is working on coming out.

It’s a little harder to see my college friends because they have managed to spread out pretty well. Thanks to technology and lots of blogging I have a fairly good grasp on what they are up to. So Jeff, Shane, Jim, Dan, Matt Scott, Dallin, Steve, and Chad thanks for keeping me updated on your lives.

Part II: Tomorrow Including: My travels, the Little ones, and a full manifesto on my dating life. Woo-Hoo!

Much is happening

My life sort of Makes Sense

Not too complex yet