Washington, DC (USA)

[work - at 1715, walked to Plan B, where I had a few drinks and some sliders - about 45 minutes later, I walked down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House (stopping briefly at Old Ebbitt Grill) - by 1815, I was at the White House Visitors Center (checking in) and a few minutes later we walked into the seating area for the National Christmas Tree Lighting Dress Rehearsal! (access provided by my company) - it was cold but I really didn't notice it until I'd been there for about an hour - talked to the volunteers who were managing the check-in list - also saw a (very good) Santa Claus - at about 1915, all the performers came out and spent the next 45 minutes practicing their group songs - I'd expected a few solos by the (famous?) people but they never did that - by 2000, I was cold enough that I'd had enough - walked towards McPherson Square Metro Station but got drawn over to the front of the White House by some loud protestors (checked them out, they were ridiculous) - walked the rest of the way to the Metro and ended up getting on a Huntington bound train within a few minutes (no Yellow Line) - made it home by 2045]