Since last post, I've been traveling like a mad woman. Seriously. My adventure out of Monterey was somewhat entertaining- getting paged for final boarding when I'm still in security, the guy at the counter asking for a second ID, the plane waiting on me because the guy at the gate wouldn't let me walk out until everything was condensed again from security...so happy that I didn't know anyone there from NPS going TDY and that my family was on the other side of the glass watching on and waving until I was on the plane.
I made it to SFO where I was once again thankful, this time for friends that get up early even on holidays as I waited for it to become a more decent hour in CA to start round 2 of phone calls. Next stop IAD, and then shuttle ride into the city. Eventually I made it to my hotel.
Oh wait.
I forgot to mention that I seemed to have arrived in DC their first official week of winter weather. As in, I left the forecast of a 70 degree week for mornings of 14! (It's even worse when you forget your computer is set in centigrade and you see a -8.)
At any rate, I lost no time- I may have been there TDY but evenings and non training hours are my time. Turns out that one of the worst things about working with people that move every 2-3 years is also one of the best...it means you have friends scattered all over. My "DC Crew" was ready and without any issues we figured out my social schedule, because after 8 hours of federal appropriation law you need to laugh until you cry reliving events from earlier in the year, 14 years ago, or silly stuff your little sister does. And yes, you of course need fabulous food. By the way- I totally recommend Founding Farmers when you're in town. Super yummy and everything served is produced by small farmers.
During lunch I took advantage of my location by visiting places on the mall that I hadn't before: Natural History Museum, National Archives, The Capital, Botanical Gardens. The places was practically empty and it was fabulous to be able to just walk right up to the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights or talk to one of the "bug guys" while holding a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach. You know you are jealous!
I got 2 other major things accomplished on this trip: #1 I now have a semi understanding about how MD, DC, & VA are stacked. Sure I'll probably still say head down up to DC while standing in MD but I get it now. Go figure that a case we talked about in the class taught me this geography lesson! #2 The instructor validated a few thoughts I've had regarding narrowing down my career, and coming from a guy with over 50 years experience with this sort of stuff it carries some weight.
Another one that I'm still mulling over is the fact that Starbucks and I are just not BFFs anymore. I'm mulling it over because I think when I had the one that planted this thought in my mind I had already reached the ready to go home phase of my trip. Once I'm there there is no turning back.
Well, more hanging out with friends would probably have cured that but after the running from one place to another all week I just need/want a Nico kitty to curl up with for a nap. And a strong cup of coffee.
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