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July 06, 2007
The D of C
For my Flickr full-size photo set, click here
RIght now Greyhound has an internet special for 35 ROUND TRIP, so I couldn't afford not to go. The outgoing bus was empty, so I was able to really stretch out. I stayed at our friend Holly's place, so I was a skip and a jump away from the Capitol.
Of course, I got to hang out with various and sundry friends and bloggers.
Tom had his friend Luke in from out of town, and we had a lovely night, even discussing with a woman how men shouldn't twist nipples like radio dials. I explained to her that straight men were trying to listen to sports stations. Tom is really fun to hang out with, as he is ALWAYS enthusiastic. Seriously, I want him around as a cheerleader next year.
I also finally met WanderTos , who is a fellow educator, so of course we drank beer and talked education. Thank goodness my wonderful friend Athena joined us, otherwise we would have begun writing lesson plans. Athena is truly a goddess, or at least she was to me in Uzbekistan. She was the cool, experienced Peace Corps volunteer when I first arrived in Samarkand, and we often would hang out.
I didn't get to see a certain blogger, but he should know that I'm stalking him.
Finally, I had lunch with Sean, but he was too hot and charming for my digital camera.
I did something in DC I hadn't done in years- be a tourist. I was often alone, which was great, especially so none of my friends could have witnessed my devouring of a super yummy salmon and roasted tomato stuffed waffle at this Belgian restaurant. What? Mayo with frites? What? Beer with breakfast?!?! You betcha.
I spent a lot of time at the Smithsonian, which of course, was named after Mr. Smithson. He's buried in the main building. Right here:
At the Arboretum, they had a blooming corpse flower. Super fun, super smelly.
I wasn't terribly impressed by the new Native American Museum, as it is long on great views, short on actual stuff. However, I did find a possible cool tattoo:
I like the geometric complexity, plus the character is a historical character named I'itoi, and he was a teacher, creator, and elder brother to the Tohono O'odham tribe, which is from Arizona. I was born in their area, so it has lots of cool connections. The image represents their journey through life, seeing what is ahead, and choosing which path to follow. Cool, huh?
Finally, I have reached new levels of nerdiness. I got a libary card for the Library of Congress. It is free, and once you get it, you have access and can request ANYTHING, basically. It is so cool, and I went to their cartography/maps collection. I got to see the real globes from the 16th and 17th centuries, plus all sorts of other nerdy historical and modern maps.
Heh. It says "rim."
All in all, it was a really fun trip. I was able to hang with quite a few good friends, met some new ones, edified brain cells, and then killed those brain cells with drinking.
For my Flickr full-size photo set, click here
Posted by G at July 6, 2007 05:22 PM
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Comments
It's good they keep a fan around for Mr. Smithson.
Posted by: Allen at July 6, 2007 07:22 PM
Sounded great. I miss the Smithsonian, it's been too long since I've been there. Are you still planning your Cedar Point/Sandusky adventure?
Posted by: Kevin at July 6, 2007 09:36 PM
Looks like a fun trip, Glen. Your pictures were very entertaining as well!
Posted by: Scott at July 7, 2007 05:30 PM
Nice. I really like the photos... Meeting bloggers and a chance to sight-see, great combo. I like that tattoo idea... I saw a tatto just now inside the barber shop, this one guy had a particular football team emblem tat'd on his one should, around it read "'til death do us part!" DON'T get that one.
Say, is that picture of you doing a Dr. Evil per chance? haha!
Posted by: Robert at July 7, 2007 08:23 PM
Sorry I missed you this time around. Would have been great to meet you. My work schedule decided to enter the "hell" range this week.
Posted by: Mike at July 7, 2007 10:38 PM
Looks like you had a great time. I really have to renew my subscription to Smithsonian Magazine. Looking forward to hearing how your summer goes. I already know what summer has in store for me and it ain't pretty.
Posted by: Tony at July 8, 2007 03:50 PM
Hmm, it looks like a map to the men's room.
Posted by: Allen at July 8, 2007 05:18 PM
When I lived in A'dam, I used to hit the Vlaamse Frites stand after a late night of clubbing. It is the perfect post-club food, especially when it's cold and rainy. I liked the mayo on the fries, but my favorite was the curry sauce. Yum-o-rama.
Posted by: sandy at July 9, 2007 12:19 AM
Ha! You are a sneaky one!
Sorry I missed you.
Posted by: durban bud at July 9, 2007 07:31 PM
Okay, now that I live in Oregon, I am totally planning a vacation to Rim Village. I had heard that the Native American museum was exactly as you described it -- so disappointing! N.A. art and culture are soooooo awesome. Maybe it will be improved over time...
Posted by: Andy at July 9, 2007 10:15 PM
Yes it has been like 9 years since I have been online but it was fab-u-lous to finally meet Galicious....
And contrary to someone's opinion, we did not spend the entire time writing lesson plans (though I did enjoy teaching math for the 1st time the other day...) we also drank beers in a dive bar with some "str8" rastafarian bike messenger scholar/personal-trainer who was trying to "enlighten" us white boys by praising Jah, Allah and expounding on the virtues of eating only salad during the week b/c he doesn't poop right... uhhh shure....
he also was talking to us about meeting chicks too... LOLOLOL
Posted by: TOS at July 11, 2007 09:46 PM
"...discussing with a woman how men shouldn't twist nipples like radio dials. I explained to her that straight men were trying to listen to sports stations."
ROFLMAO!!! OMG, you're hurting me! CACKLE!
Ahem. Seriously. It's a scourge, really, the whole twisting thing. I twist right back, but then they whimper and pout and I end up feeling mean. It's a lose/lose situation, really.
Although I did meet a str8 boy last week who has both of his nipples pierced. *waggles eyebrows*
Posted by: goblinbox at July 13, 2007 04:02 PM