Misc Thoughts


Aren’t these boys getting tall?

Yes, it’s true. I started a training blog for my half marathon. I’ve had it since August. I figured no one would be interested, so I didn’t really make a public announcement. But thanks to those giving me encouragement. Race Day is June 1. It’s closer than I think. 123 days to be exact.

I kinda feel bad for my Canadian family & friends. Weather there has been -48 C (that’s with wind chill). That would be -54 F. Yuck-ville. I am so very, very happy I don’t have to deal with that crap anymore. 🙂

This month, I read two books. I’m kind of a fast reader (if it’s good), so it’s not super impressive. But I’d like to try and read at least one new book a month. I already have two books waiting for me at the library, so that will cover February.

I have not yet watched all my movies from my birthday, but the one I did, was called Starter For 10. You probably didn’t hear about it, but I think it’s worth checking out. Especially if you love 80s music. The lead actor, James McAvoy, seems to be quite the rising star. I may have to check out more of his work. He just did Last King Of Scotland, Becoming Jane, Atonement, and next up is a movie with Angelina Jolie.

I suppose I’ll close with a quote from Starter For 10.

Brian Jackson: Ever since I can remember, I’ve wanted to be clever. Some people are born clever, same way some people are born beautiful. I’m not one of those people.

My Trip To Washington, D.C.

If you don’t wanna read, and think a picture is worth a thousand words, the pics are up on shutterfly.

Last Friday, I left chilly Denver for chilly Washington, D.C.. Had no real issues with my travel, though my connection in Atlanta was tighter than I would have liked. Arrived safely, called Kelly to arrange a meeting place, and in no time, I was being escorted to her place. I loved that you could see the Washington Monument from almost everywhere. Enjoyed a lovely dinner when we got home, and we watched Shoot ‘Em Up and Psych. Once I kicked Wimsey out of my room, I slept okay.

Saturday morning, Kelly & I got out around 11am and headed for the Air & Space Museum. My first choice museum at The Mall was closed, the American History Museum, but a few of the artifacts were being housed at Air & Space. The big thing I wanted to see was Dorothy’s ruby red slippers, and they were taken out for filming. 🙁 But I did see Abe Lincoln’s hat, and some items from television and music. I figured I should see at least one thing in the Air & Space, so we checked out the Wright Brothers exhibit. Saw the famous plane, only the fabric has been altered, everything else is original.

We had lunch next door at the Native American Museum, where lunch was okay. Next we headed towards the Natural History Museum. We did a quick tour of the Sculpture Garden, before we went inside. We went right for the 2nd floor to get a look at the Hope Diamond. Cursed or not. I’d totally own that! We looked at the Harry Winston collection, and hit the gift shop. Last stop was the Smithsonian Castle. Inside was the crypt of James Smithson, as well as artifacts representing all the museums.

We went home to relax for a bit, then departed for Gallery Place, where I wanted to see the Presidential Portrait Gallery. Lots of great pictures there, learned some history and then sought out the Stephen Colbert Portrait. It was just where I heard it was, in the bathroom hallway. There was a line of people to see and laugh at it. I was glad I saw it, since it’s only there temporarily. We hit the gift store before it closed, and then crossed the street to have dinner at Clyde’s.

Rachael Ray visited Clyde’s (in Georgetown) on $40 A Day, and said it was good. And the food was, it was excellent. The service, on the other hand… I spoke to a manager, and ended up getting our desserts for free. It was disappointing. On the way home, Kelly drove me by the Watergate. All The President’s Men is one of my favorite movies. We brought home some dessert for Roman, then played some Scrabble, drank champagne, and watched british shows on PBS.

Sunday morning, we headed to the White House. I really, really wanted to do the tour, but you have to be a group of ten, and book in advance. I’ll probably have to wait until the kids go in school and be a chaperone. But the grounds looked nice. We checked out the White House Information Center (a few blocks away), and it was really neat to read about the history of the Presidents’ pets. The wind was really blowing, and I regretted not having my scarf, Kelly regretted not having her hat. We drove home to grab them, picked up Roman and the three of us went out to lunch. We went to Lauriol Plaza and I wish I would have ordered Kelly’s lunch, because it was way tastier than mine. I saw a few more neighborhoods, and then we headed home. Kelly & I played a game called Booktastic, which is more fun than you’d think. You have to collect books and whomever has the most money and valuable books wins. I swear, it’s fun.

For dinner, Kelly & I went to Five Guys, for awesome burgers & fries. I’m excited to learn they are opening one in Aurora soon. Sweet! For dessert, we went to Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe. When I read my Washington, D.C. book, I said to myself I have to go to this place. It’s a book store in the front, a cafe in the back. Then Kelly said she loved that place, so it was a must-do. It was very hard to not buy a ton of books. What I should have done is write down all the books I saw that I wanted to read. Anyway, we enjoyed some tea and dessert, and then headed home.

Monday morning, I got up at 7am, had some cereal & tea then took the bus to the Lincoln Memorial. To get there, I had to walk past the Vietnam Memorial, which really made me sad. It’s such a big wall, with 58,000 names of soldiers who died. To see so many names, it puts it in perspective. At the Lincoln Memorial, a few high school groups were there, so it was not as quiet as I would have liked. But it was pretty cool to see. I sort of tried to take in the view from there, seeing the Potomac, the reflecting pool, the Washington Monument. I stood on the spot where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I Have A Dream” speech, and on MLK day even. I walked along the tree groves beside the reflecting pond, and I was all alone. A runner would go by, a plane overhead, but otherwise silence. Just me & the winter chill. It lead me to the WWII Monument. I walked around there, then crossed the road to the Washington Monument. After seeing this obelisk from everywhere, I was finally right beside it. There must have been at least 300 high school kids waiting in line to go to the top, and I didn’t have time to get in line. I continued on, heading for the Smithsonian Castle, to pick up my last souvenirs. I hopped on the Metro there, which dropped me downtown, and then took the bus back to Kelly & Roman’s. I had packed the night before, so I just hung out until it was time to go.

Kelly drove me to the airport for my 2pm flight, and we passed by Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon. Then we had to say our goodbyes. Security searched through my bag, but didn’t find what they thought they saw on the scan (something that looked like a jar?) I had to connect in Cincinnati, so I called Geoff to passed the time.

My boys met me at the airport, and we had Jim ‘N Nick’s for dinner. It was good to be home, but I sure miss Kelly. I wish we lived closer, and I can not wait to go back to D.C. I want to go with Geoff, and we can bring the kids when they are older.

Did you get through all that? Sorry, I really did try to pack in as much of D.C. as I could.

Home


Me, in front of the Smithsonian Castle

I am home safe and sound. When the kids nap, I will upload the pics and try to write a recap.

I had a wonderful time, and can not wait to go back with Geoff. It’s was so nice of K & R to put me up and take good care of me.

Awesome

I’m having an awesome time in D.C., I just wish I could be here longer. Yes, I miss Geoff, Elijah & Miles, but this city is so big, and there isn’t enough time. The boys will have to be much bigger when we bring them. There is a lot of walking to see the sights, so most of my pictures will be from a distance. 🙂 I saw that you can rent segways to see the city, so I suppose that’s an option too. Do they come with sidecars for your kids?

Getting ready now to head towards the White House, then lunch in Dupont Circle. I’ve eaten a lot of great food here, both home-cooked and out and about. And I did take pics of that.

Sorry, you’ll have to wait until I get home to see all my pics. Pray for safe travel for me tomorrow.

Leaving On A Jet Plane

Tomorrow morning, I’ll be departing for the east coast,specifically Washington, D.C., to visit my dearest cousin Kelly. I’m super excited, and feeling sad/guilty about leaving Geoff home with the boys. But we will all go as a family someday in the future.

I hope to take a ton of pictures, and I hope to stay warm. The weather is expected to be as warm there as it is here, with the high temps being in the 30s. Yuck. But I’ll be so busy running around I’m sure I’ll stay warm. Sadly, I won’t be able to tour the White House, but I’m gonna try to visit the gift shop.

I’ll close with a quote from The American President.

Leon Kodak: You see, the country has mood swings.
Lewis Rothschild: Mood swings? Nineteen post-graduate degrees in mathematics, and your best explanation for going from a 63 to a 46 percent approval rating in five weeks is mood swings?
Leon Kodak: Well, I could explain it better, but I’d need charts, and graphs, and an easel.

Super Villain

Thanks Brody!

Your results:
You are Mystique

Mystique
58%
Dark Phoenix
54%
Magneto
54%
Apocalypse
52%
Catwoman
52%
Riddler
49%
Poison Ivy
46%
The Joker
46%
Dr. Doom
45%
Juggernaut
38%
Two-Face
38%
Lex Luthor
37%
Venom
35%
Mr. Freeze
30%
Green Goblin
26%
Kingpin
25%
Sometimes motherly, sometimes a beautiful companion, but most of the time a deceiving vixen.


Click here to take the Supervillain Personality Quiz

Ketchup

So I’m 31 now. Yesterday was my birthday (thank you for the well wishes). It was a pretty good day. Had free birthday drink at Caribou (I had a mocha), then I went to Noodles & Co for my free birthday lunch (had beef stroganoff, excellent!). Got in a nap, and we went to Fatburger for dinner. My cold is going away, I’m left with a yucky cough, but I feel functional, so that’s what is important. The boys, all 3 of them, are still sick.

Got some movies for my birthday. From my in-laws Twin Peaks Gold Box Set (Yeehaw!), and from Geoff and the boys Batman Begins, Spiderman 3 & Bourne Ultimatum. The last two I have not yet seen, which is cool. This means I’m practically caught up on all the trilogies I didn’t see last year. We borrowed Santa Clause 3 from Kevin & Ali, mostly because we wanted to see Jake & Alec’s extra debut, and also because we like the series. Very cute, and in the spirit of the first two movies. I’m practically caught up on my movies now.

We tried to throw a Christmas party in December, but the timing didn’t work, so we’re having it today. We decided back then not to make it holiday themed, rather winter themed, thus moving it didn’t change anything. The funny thing is Geoff’s running buddy is a vegan, and I’m a carnivore (hardly an omnivore at all). The table will have to be divided into two factions. 🙂

I guess all that is left is to close with a quote from PCU.

President Garcia-Thompson: You passed out cigarettes for a smoke-a-thon on Earth Day. You installed speed bumps on the handicapped ramps and, most recently, you dumped 100 pounds of… MEAT on a peaceful vegan protest!
Droz: Oh, come on! That was way more than 100 pounds.