Washington, DC (USA)

Every day that I've been going to work in the City, I always wished things were the way they used to be: that when I was in Washington I was only a tourist! Now that I'm busy there almost every day, I often forget how many things there are to see and do. I promised myself this morning that I was going to drive in to see something new! The traffic was non-existent on I-395, and I was able to make it into town quickly. As I was looking for a place to park near the Tidal Basin, I saw a sign for the Holocaust Museum - something I've always wanted to visit but never had the time. After I parked, I walked back up the hill and found that there were no lines (1000) and that I could go right inside. Security was a little tight, but once inside I figured out it was self-guided and that there were several permanent and changing displays. I spent the first hour in the Nazi Propaganda presentation, learning about how Hitler and his allies convinced the public that certain members of the society were undesirable. After that, I toured a section that focused on the experiences of children during the Holocaust (the story was told from the point of view of "David" and showed all the scary things that kids had to endure - up to, and including, losing his mother and sister to the gas chamber. It was an excellent display - and I wouldn't be afraid to take my nine year old through it. I then took an elevator up to the top floor of the Museum, where I walked through a sobering history of the "Final Solution" (spiraling down several floors), including all the villains, heroes and martyrs who were involved. The lay-out of the place actually reminded me of the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas (see FEB 2009), but this was much more serious. I never felt like the experience was too disturbing for children, but there were things you could spend too much time viewing (specifically, video) that might overwhelm someone. At the bottom of the exhibit, we could choose to enter (or not) a Hall of Remembrance. An eternal flame burned there, on top of soil collected from several concentration camps and US military cemeteries. Biblical phrases (prophetic?) were on the walls around the airy space (including one that appeared to have been removed - no one could/would tell me what it used to say)... I was thoroughly impressed with the whole place - I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to learn about the terrible events of the 1930s and 1940s. Made my way back to the car (1400) and dropped off my jacket (it was nice out by then). I had actually planned to visit the new Martin Luther King Memorial today, so that was where I headed next - a walk of only a few hundred yards along the Tidal Basin. I'd been reading about the memorial since last summer and I wanted to see if it lived up to the hype. I can tell you that it doesn't. Don't get me wrong: a giant stone statue of a man who had such an impact on the events of history and a hero to many people is inspiring. But I have several problems with the entire concept of how they chose to honor MLK. First, the statue makes him look angry (crossed arms, scowl) and doesn't, I think, represent the image that most people would have of the man. Second, the statue was carved from a "mountain of despair" and was then pushed forward - away from the mountain. My first thought (from a distance) was that it lined up with the Jefferson Memorial (appropriate, since that man wrote a document about "all men are created equal"). But if you look closely at the angles involved, it appears that someone actually decided to turn MLK away from Jefferson - he seems to be facing something else entirely (although I can't tell what). The worst part of this, I believe, is that he is the only prominent statue in the city that faces away from the rest of the monuments (Lincoln and Jefferson look towards the Washington Monument). I wonder who actually thought this memorial would bring people together or honor the ideals that the man believed in (after seeing this, I can now understand the angst of Dwight Eisenhower's family, who were recently told that their great hero's only accomplishment that was deemed worthy of representation - by an artist - was that he was once a farm boy)? The last nail in the coffin for me was that there was no visitor center and the book store actually appeared to be a memorial to President Obama, not Martin Luther King. What a bummer way to end the day! I'm glad the Museum was good - and I'm looking forward to getting back to the Tidal Basin for some cherry blossoms next month. Drove out of the city around 1500 and later met up with Bob at the grocery store.

Oxon Hill, MD (USA)

After a few weeks of saving up hours, I was able to take a day off today. Actually, it ended up being a "scouting day" - looking at schools in the area where our family could eventually live. Before that, I got an oil change on the Richmond Highway (US-1) and explored ways to get around Fort Belvior. It was pleasant in the morning - just a little cool. Later, I had an appointment at an Elementary School (K-6). Sounds and looks like a good place for Mollie... Had some fish sandwiches at McDonalds and explored neighborhoods in the Virginia Hills area (south of Telegraph Road), the Rose Hill area (between Franconia and Telegraph) and the Bush Hill area (north of Franconia). Found a couple of places with potential. After noon, I visited the first (of two) High Schools for the Twins. The first offered the International Baccalaureate curriculum - very academic oriented. But no one could ever say that the kids weren't ready for college! A little later, I drove over to the High School that is closest to Bob's apartment. It is huge, actually, since they run Junior and Senior High there. I actually got to take a tour of that school, since the kids had already been released for the day. The place had a planetarium! I also saw evidence of cosmetology, fashion, marketing, cooking and other non-academic classrooms in addition to the traditional course offerings (it was clear that the school was trying to help students who hadn't made up their mind about what to do after school). At both schools, I met people who had attended as students and couldn't speak highly enough about the superior quality of the institutions. Came out of the building around 1515 and found it was POURING... Ended up seeing Bob when I stopped off at the apartment to change and rest. Tim called and I later (1800) drove over to see him, Kathy, Bonnie and Katie at National Harbor. We ate dinner at McLoones (on the riverfront) and then stopped at the Peeps Store (for jellybeans !). Tim and I walked back up the hill to get a car, since it was now rainy and very windy. On the way, we saw a huge statue on the beach that he called "The Awakening" (huge sculpture of a man, half buried). Visited at Tim's for several hours before driving home (tired)... Bed around 2330.

Chantilly, VA (USA)

I was fortunate to be able to get away from the office again today (I needed it, too!). Got up at my regular time and drove up to Rockville (via Beltway and I-270). Arrived around 0745 and got some breakfast at the cafe. Jim got there a little later and we chatted (work stuff) until Sabrina arrived. Spent the rest of the hour discussing the upcoming meeting. That kicked off at 0900 and we made some good progress before lunch time. Sabrina has been telling us how much she wanted to eat at Chipotle (nearby), so Bill and I went with her. It was my first time there - and it reminded me of Moe's... Got a good burrito bowl (to go). Ate our lunch back at the conference room (it was good!). Second half of the meeting progressed well, too - and we finished nearly one time (about 30 minutes later than expected). Stayed for a little longer, discussing next week's meeting (same place). Left around 1530, enroute to Chantilly headquarters. Had no problem getting back to the Potomac River, but once I was in Virginia traffic ground to a halt. Time ticked away - and I got nervous I'd miss my next meeting. Made a decision to get on the Airport Toll Road. Made a last-second decision to use the free access road that runs between the East/West bound lanes of VA-267. I haven't ever driven to Dulles Airport (except when we visited the Smithsonian Air & Space Annex in APR 2006), so this was a good thing to try. There was no traffic on the road I took - there was a little more on the toll section. When I reached the terminals, I started to see people on the side of the road with clipboards. It seemed odd, but I didn't think anything about it until after I stopped by the Exxon Gas Station and explored the Cell Phone Waiting Lot. It was actually difficult to get back to the outbound lanes that would take me to I-495, but I eventually was able to get there (probably a 10 minute delay). Just as I left the Airport Property, I saw more people with clipboards and police cars waiting to nail people for doing what I just did! I guess this should be a one-time thing for me... Used VA-28 to get to our company headquarters and arrived at the campus about five minutes early for the meeting (whew!). I hadn't been to the conference center since the day I got hired, so it took me a bit to find it again... Sat down just as they kicked off the INCOSE Systems Engineer Certification Brief (1630). Best thing I've attended since I got out of the Service - the presenters provided information about how I convert put my on-the-job training into an internationally recognized certification. Good stuff! Finished around 1745 and then got some fuel for the car. Used Fairfax County Parkway to get home - seemed like it took a really long time in the dark... Still full from lunch, so ate a very light dinner. Today was a great break from the regular routine I'm seeing most days.

Alexandria, VA (USA)

I don't often stop for drinks on the way home from work, but today ended up differently. Tim had told me a few days ago that he wanted to get together. We were planning to ride the Metro back to my car and then drive over to National Harbor. In the end, work overtook this plan - both of us had late meetings. He suggested we find a place near Old Town to have a drink, so I suggested Duke's at the Embassy Suites on King Street. I've seen it almost every day since I've lived here - and always wondered if it would be good. When I arrived at the hotel (directly across the street from the Metro Station), I realized they were having their regular happy hour (for guests). That added a twist - and it meant that Duke's had a happy hour with $2 drafts. From the prices I've been paying around here, that is a GREAT price! Got through one beer before Tim arrived. He told me he had to get going to take care of some errands, but I convinced him to stay for a least one drink. Since he needed to get to a copy center, I suggested we walk over to the FedEx office in Old Town (on Washington Street). We did that - it wasn't too cold or too far... Mission completed, we walked back to King Street and had dinner at Las Tapas, a place I visited last year (see APR 2011). Good meal and flamenco dancing entertainment. We headed back to the Metro station after that (2145) and headed to my car. I drove him to his home across the River and then drove back to mine (traffic much lighter at that time of night). A nice diversion after a busy week of work.

Falls Church, VA (USA)

I realized this morning that it has been a few years since I watched the Super Bowl at an actual party. My friend, Kim, told me she was hosting a get-together for this year's edition. Since I moved to Northern Virginia, I've been over to her place a couple of times - and I was able to find the place without a map this time. On the weekend, with no traffic, it only takes about 20 minutes. Too bad it isn't that easy every day... Brought some of my favorite beer - Blue Moon. Kim had set up a nice spread, complete with large pizzas (from a local place - not a chain). The game wasn't very exciting - back and forth but not a lot of exciting plays (except for the first-ever 2-0 score, due to a intentional grounding safety). Halftime show included Madonna (the kids there said "who is that old lady?"). Some funny ads (bulldog racing greyhounds, baby & grandma stealing Doritos, Matthew Broderick replays Ferris Bueller's Day Off). Last 10 minutes of the game was pretty tense. A good party - but sort of a disappointing ending to the game. Said goodbye around 2200 and drove home (quick again).

Egg Harbor, NJ (USA)

First thing this morning, I went down to the lobby of the Somers Point Residence Inn for breakfast with my client, Jim (0700).  While eating, we prepped for another full day of work. Meeting was held on the Tech Center this time (Sharon coordinating again). Spent several hours wrapping up the last parts of a big project (very pleased with our progress over the last 48 hours!). Afterwards, I met up with one of Sharon's co-workers (Rick) and we went on a tour of the testing labs. Lightbulbs came on in my head after that (I'm really glad I saw some of that stuff (finally). We picked up lunch at the cafeteria and I talked with him about the future software releases while we ate. Later got dragged into a new "emergency" back in DC (yikes!) and started to realize it was time to go back. Still, I needed to be part of the afternoon teleconference (for part of it, anyway) - listened in with Sharon for the important stuff and then gracefully departed (1500). Had no problems with weather or traffic this time (US-40) but got stuck in a lane I didn't want to be in when I drove through Woodstown. As a result, I found myself on NJ-45 and passed through the town of Salem (a name I recognized from some of the genealogy I've done over the years). It looked like an interesting place to return to... Got back on the right track (NJ-49 and County Road 551) and crossed the Delaware Memorial Bridge on I-295 again (1630). Traffic was already getting really bad at the I-95 merge, so I decided to take a more leisurely route: the Eastern Shore. I've tried this way several times for Norfolk - but never to get to Annapolis. US-13 was a little frustrating, but DE-1 was fine. Got off at Middletown (paid toll at 1650) and used DE-299 to get to US-301. Made good time to that point, but when I crossed into Maryland, I found out a few things that (once again) make me sure I don't want to live there: no cell phone use (unless hands free) and very rural roads still have 55 MPH speed limit. Add the excessive tolls I saw on the way up yesterday ($20) and continued talk by their governor about raising taxes and I know I'm not going to live there (ever!). But I digress... US-301 merged smoothly into US-50 and I never even had to slow down. Did need fuel by that point and wanted to get a crab dinner. However, it was dark enough now (and late) that I gave up the food idea and just tried to find gas. Ended up having to cross the Chesapeake Bay before I found some (VERY windy and a little disconcerting guard rails...). After a couple of fake-outs (signs for gas stations that never produced one - what's that about?) - found a place to refuel in Annapolis. Traffic still flowing well, so I got back on the road and continued all the way home (US-50 to I-495 and back across the Potomac). I was relieved to be home, actually, since this whole trip ended up being work. One good thing: I can see some potential for places to stop and/or enjoy when I go back. Stayed up late on a work project - when I finally went to bed, I fell right to sleep!

Ocean City, NJ (USA)

My customer needed to travel to the Tech Center in Atlantic City today, so I got authorization to accompany him. We've been doing teleconferences for several weeks with the folks up there - my FAA client, Jim S., thought I should meet them and get a better idea of operations there. When I say "Atlantic City," I'm sure you immediately think about the Boardwalk and casinos. But I really mean the airport and Tech Center facility (a part of town called Egg Harbor). I had to wake up at 0430 to drive there - made it out of Alexandria by 0515 - very little traffic (a little rain, though) all the way through Baltimore (used I-95). I stopped to pay tolls at the Fort McHenry Tunnel (0610), JFK Memorial Highway (0640) and Delaware Turnpike (0700) - I was able to make it to I-295 and cross the Delaware Memorial Bridge about two hours after I left the house (not bad). Jim was waiting just over the Bridge - at a Cracker Barrel - and had just arrived about 10 minutes before me (from his home in north-central Maryland). We had a "working breakfast" before driving the rest of the way to the Tech Center (via Wiley Road and US-40). We had our first meeting at the NJ National Guard Base on the west side of the Atlantic City airport (0845). Sharon was coordinating the teleconference, and it went all day long (with a break for lunch from Wawa) and, when 1700 rolled around, it was time to go to our hotel. When Jim (who was leading the way) started to pull onto the Atlantic City Expressway, I realized I didn't have change. The toll booth (unmanned) required exact change - but we worked that out (fortunately, Jim had some). We then turned onto the Garden State Parkway (southbound) and drove to our hotel in Somers Point. Had a similar problem with a toll booth there (1730), but it was manned (found out later it is only manned during the day time - otherwise, exact change!). It was a pretty little town - right on the marsh along Great Egg Harbor Bay. After I'd checked into my room at the Residence Inn, I found out I had several urgent emails and phone messages. Spent the next hour trying to solve problems back at the office (funny - they couldn't get this done when I'm in town for 45 straight days...). Met up with Jim (late) and we drove back towards the city to have dinner with Sharon at Carabbas. Spent a few hours there and then went back to the hotel. Jim drove me over the bay to Ocean City (New Jersey) - it was a nice place (no alcohol, I'm told) with a boardwalk and beaches. The images from there were probably similar to Atlantic City in the early 1900s (could be a nice family vacation spot). Back in my room at 2200. More work for the office back in DC (grrrr....). Bed very late.