It's 3am. I haven't learned to post blogs in my sleep, so obviously I'm awake. I lay in bed for I don't know how long. 30, 45 minutes, an hour. I got up, walked around, read a bit, and decided to get online. I tried to focus my thoughts on nothing, but how can we really do that? It's as if my mind and heart were having a race, impervious to my drowsiness and need to get up in a few hours for work. The first few weeks of my mission were like this--late nights, random thoughts, writing about nothing to no one. DC is going well; I love it out here. Something about being in a big city with constant, moving flow running with me. The day brings a peaceful rhythm of city life and a quiet glow at night. One you feel as you move, the other as you stop and simply look. Here's a glimpse of the latter for me:

Night shots and Philly Cheese Steaks!

After the day at Valley Forge I spent some time (probably too much) playing Guitar Hero and then a game of frisbee in the wet night air in PA. I found frisbee can be a little different at night with backlighting so you can't really see the stinkin disc until it's a foot in front of your face. After frisbee I saw something that made me want to pretend I'm a photographer. Here a few shots of my attempted photage (possibly a new word?):

None of them turned out quite like I pictured, but it was a chance to experiment somewhat with my new Nikon.

The next day we went to Philadelphia. We visited a few historic places and, of course, I ate a philly cheese steak (with bacon, just so you know). And, yes, it was very delectable.

The one above and below are of Independence Hall, where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed.

I guess this "LOVE" statue was famous, since Philly is the city of brotherly love. I don't know. People wanted to take a picture with it. Why not?

Philly Cheese Steak (with bacon)!!!

Pennsylvania

A couple weeks ago we went to Valley Forge and Philadelphia. There was plenty of walking involved, along with more tour guide information than I cared for, although I should´ve been more open to hearing all the details of certain parts of our nation´s history. Oh well. My camera battery died early into the second day, which saved me from filtering through the many pictures I undoubtedly would´ve taken. Here are a few that made it:

This great old-fashioned tour guide dude knew his historical stuff. And he had cool shoes. These are replica barracks used by Washington's troops at Valley Forge. Twelve men (and possibly their families) to a shack. Bleh.

I thought this tree looked interesting in it's own solitary way.

There was something unique about this cathedral/church. I'll post an update if I remember. If you know, add it in the comments.

Private Capitol Dome Tour

On the 9th I was invited to do get a free, private tour of the dome of the Capitol building. I would have to miss work and didn't think it was anything too special. After deciding to go, I asked for the time off, easily got it, and went to my congressman's office. While sitting there and talking to a some other people, one of the people said he had been working in Washington for over five years and had never had the opportunity to go on one of these tours. So, I guess it's something a bit more rare. I'm glad I went. A small group of us went around with our congressman and a tour guide to go up and inside the dome, outside to look all around DC, and then out on the porch area of the Speaker of the House. It was pretty cool!

You can fit the Statue of Liberty inside (w/o the pedestal) with approx. 30ft to spare.

Congressman Flake and I

POTUS?

As I was sitting in a small boat on the Potomac this afternoon, I saw what looked like the presidential helicopter fly in front of the Washington Monument, I believe towards the White House. Dubbya?

In the beginning...

¡Bienvenidos! Despite my lack of strong opinions, big adventures, special ring on a particular finger and the resulting kids to be proud of, I've created this blog. Get over it and eventually I will too. I'm starting an internship in Washington, D.C. this week and wanted a convenient, non-Facebook place to post a pic occassionally and write things. I'll try to do less of me and myself and mainly do more. Enjoy and feel free to post feedback.