DC

Last night before I start another long trek home. I would just like to thank whoever is responsible for the decent weather. I had visions of lots of humidity but it was the most pleasant weather I have ever experienced in DC.

First, I want to post about two sightings. Last night, I was walking with Mary to a restaurant when we noticed lots of police action on the street. I started to step out on the street to see what was going on when a motorcycle cop yelled at me to get back on the sidewalk. I heard a helicopter and saw lots of police blocking intersections. Sure enough, around the corner comes the presidential motorcade. It was this very weird sight. Everyone was driving fast and doing fancy maneuvers around the limo. One truck had very odd things on the back of it. Mary thought they were flamethrowers. Doubtful but impressive. Yes, it was our president (small p on purpose). He waved. Mary wanted to yell something at him but I told her not to because I didn't feel like dealing with jail. It wasn't until later that I realized how pathetic I've become as a protester.

Second sighting was much cooler. Last Thursday, we were standing in front of Union Station when two people were leaving a SUV. I made a sarcastic comment that it was Steve Van Zandt because he was wearing a bandanna. He turns around and we realized it was really him. As he walked past us, Mary said he looked better since his coma. He laughed and said he was feeling much better. His wife also laughed. Good 'ol Silvio.

I've had great meals on this trip. Okay, I've also had a lot of Potbelly. Everyone in Chicago knows what I am talking about because Potbelly originated in Chicago. I also went to Kramerbooks a lot for either beer or dinner. I had one of the best meals at Kramerbooks. Mary and I went to an excellent Italian restaurant (Luigino), one not so great Italian restaurant, dinner on the rooftop at the Hotel Washington overlooking the White House, and an amazing lunch at Acadiana. At the Italian restaurant in DuPont Circle, our waiter asked if he could leave a glass of red wine at our table. It was for some other table and he couldn't juggle everything. It took him a long time to remember where he left it.

It was great to see friends even though everything seemed a little rushed. This conference was just a little insane with meetings. My conference schedule should return to normal next January with 3 very long meetings off my schedule.