Washington D.C. – Day #1

We started early with a long walk (14 miles if you ask Lindsey) from the hotel to Eastern Market, and had breakfast at Le Pain Quotidien, which was more expensive than it should have been, but tasty. I had an omelette and Lindsey had an egg scramble. The best part was the dark chocolate spread for the bread.

Then we perused the flea market, outdoor booths, and indoor food offering at the Eastern Market. There was not a single cloud in the sky, and the temperature was approaching the mid-50s. Very comfortable. We met a small Saint Bernard.

We took the metro to Arlington Cemetery, which was a calculated risk because the metro trip the night before made Lindsey a little nauseous. We made it up to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier just in time to see the changing of the guard and then a wreath switching ceremony, which involved Boy Scout Troup 187. Those little guys looked so nervous. On the way out, we confirmed that the eternal flame of JFK was still going strong.

It was.

The cabbie that was supposed to take us in to Georgetown saw the traffic on the bridge and said, “It’s better for both of us if you just get out there!” That was a wast of a trip, and Georgetown was way to busy to be enjoyable.

Back to the hotel we headed after a thin-crust pizza at Paolo’s, which was my third choice after we found La Madeline to be closed and Martin’s Tavern to be way too busy. I explored the area around our hotel – J. Crew, H&M, Verizon Center, Ford Theater, Verizon Center, Clyde’s, etc. – while Lindsey napped. Turns out we’re in a great area, and we can shorten our breakfast walk in the days to come.

Post-nap, we switched hotel rooms because there was a ticking/tapping sounds atop our room throughout the night, that sounded as if a woodpecker was sending a Morse code “SOS” to no one.

At 6pm, we walked from the hotel past the White House and to Foggy Bottom where we met Ben (Piehl) for dinner at Bobby’s Burger Palace. I had a good burger and fries, and an excellent dark chocolate milk shake. It’s good to start and end the day with dark chocolate!

Off to Washington D.C.

Lindsey and I are flying to DC at this moment. It will be fun to see the sights and walk through Georgetown to see what has changed since I was 22 and first drove in on a sweltering July 5, 2004.

I am listening to Modest Mouse as I write this. I will always associate their two songs, “The World at Large” and “Float On,” with my first few weeks in DC. Death Cab for Cutie, The Postal Service, and Muse can be added to the bands whose music sounds like DC to me. It was the most musical time in my life to that point and since.

What a different world that was. Many of the friends I spent my days and nights with moved to the West coast where there were originally from. I moved up the East Coast, and then back to the Midwest. We all seem to like where we are from, although that isn’t a universal truth. I’m okay with it.

Anyway, I will reminisce more as the trip progresses. I’m looking forward to it.

My rough itinerary for the trip is as follows:

Saturday – “See the City”

  • Eastern Market
  • Trolly around sights
  • Dinner in Georgetown

Sunday – “Hang with Ben”

  • Mount Vernon
  • Great Falls
  • Stop by Reston and Herndon, where I used to work at Ruckus
  • Dinner at the Green Pig

Monday – “Go to Congress”

  • Museums
  • More sights
  • Capital Tour
  • Dinner with Allie and Dave

Tuesday – “Shop and Eat”

  • Shop in Georgetown
  • See what we need to see
  • Fly to the UP

More to come!

President Obama Re-elected

President Barack Obama was re-elected for a second term at 11:12 PM tonight, November 6, 2012.

Earlier this evening, I was recounting where I have been on Election Day of each of the prior presidential elections for which I have been eligible to vote.

In November of 2000, I was 19 years old and in my first semester at the University of Michigan. I do not recall much from this election beyond being around the “fish bowl” computer lab. Incredible to think that the 9-11-2001 terrorist attacks has not yet shaken the country. And the tech bubble had burst.

I spent Election Day of 2004 in Northern Virginia, just outside of Washington DC. I had moved there to work at Ruckus a few months earlier.

In 2008, I was sitting on a bed studying for some law school class while waiting for Obama to be elected. That was an entertaining election with The Palin VP candidacy and SNL parody thereof. This was one of the most historic elections of all time.

Now, in 2012, I’m watching the election coverage from my home in my hometown, am married, and practicing law.

It will be interesting to see what the next four years bring and what Lindsey and I will be up to in 2016!

First November Weekend

It’s the first weekend of November, and we will remember not to rake before this time next year! Any earlier work is undone by wind and rain. With that said, we made a lot of headway on the backyard and front yard around the house. It looks great. Here is a picture of our progress early in the day.

Amidst the yard work, we did have some fun. We ran errands Saturday afternoon, and then went over to the Rogers Basecamp for pot roast, potatoes, and carrots. We brought a variety of pie flavors from the G.T. Pie Co. After dinner, we played Scrabble, which moved surprisingly quickly. Perhaps, now that we’re all adults, the words come more quickly! I was especially proud of my use of the word, “FARTED.”

As a general observation, I am starting to enjoy the chores I disliked as a child. I was not a big fan of raking or running errands, but look forward to doing both now. Weird.

Sunday morning, Lindsey and I had a hearty eggs and sausage breakfast and then made it to the Well (the early church service). Apparently, it is All Saints Day. Remembering the deceased made for a heavy, but rewarding service. The music was excellent, and the service finished with “When the Saints Come Marching In.”

We’re off to the Chicken Coop for a fried turkey (the whole thing!) dinner and fixings. We’re tasked with bringing a healthy dessert, as if there is such a thing.

Have a great week ahead and enjoy being in the present with the experiences and people that surround you each day. That will be my focus. And, by the way, it is okay to start listening to Christmas music!