Trip to Washington D.C.

We've been slowly moving in and getting used to Charlotte.  I'm enjoying taking the train to and from work, which saves me $2 a day on parking fees.  The monthly deal would save me more of course, but since I only have to go into the office three days a week that doesn't quite up.   Not that I have anything at all to complain about mind you. Indeed, I'm enjoying my job quite a bit, and am hopeful to go Permanent in the next few weeks.

We left early Saturday morning and were able to see the Natural History museum at the Smithsonian.  It was really incredible.  I particularly enjoyed the David Koch evolutionary science center, which was colorful and historic.  It did an excellent job of presenting the evolutionary progression of mankind and exhibited a profound understanding of our natural development.  It was exactly the kind of center for science that all museums should be.   We later went to the Castle and saw several souvenirs and random knickknacks the museum had collected over the years.   We also walked to the Jefferson Memorial, which was quite a profound spiritual experience for me, especially reading the quotes on the walls.  Those quotes are far away from the Mall of Washington though, across the Potomic and disconnected with the mires that the White House, the Supreme Court and the Capital Dome have that seems to ignore the populace at large.  We went back to the hotel and enjoyed an evening of peace.

Sunday was all about the Kennedy Center and the Marienski performing Swan Lake.  It was quite good.  We had dinner at the Bistro Francais, which quite expensive but good.  Besides, its our two year anniversary of knowing each other so spending a little was worth it.  Afterward, we came home and watched the Super Bowl.  Which is to say, we switched back and forth a lot between the puppy bowl and commercials.  The half time special was decidedly better than last year.

Monday we drove part of the way out of the city to avoid being caught in rush hour traffic, where I worked for four hours from Starbucks in Barnes and Noble.  Julia worked on school work while we waited.  We got back Monday night and a grateful and well adjusted Sacha was very glad to see us.  On the whole, it was a fantastic trip.