back to blog, leaving DC, meeting Uncle Jim

comment from Aaron":
"i have some ideas for possible future posts...
-Work, work, work... what I have been spending my time on
-This city is driving me crazy
-The dark corner we call home
-Shower curtain maps... a great idea
-Monuments at night
-An urban oasis and camping without a car (good idea, bad idea)
-Welcome class of 2012 to the University of Maryland
-Waiting, wanting and searching for Applebee's
-What to do when you don't have a car and have to ship 8 boxes?
-Conversations with the Dean
-Conversations with a Moral Theologian
-Conversations with a Security Specialist
-Wise Millers
-Books I have read (and carried)
-DC dwellings
-Salad recipes
-Books found on the street
-Tennis
-The Republican National Convention
-Reflections on the summer and myself
-Sauvignon Blanc, check it out
-Meeting another Pannella
-Things that a coffee shop should have...
-My watch
-Lykke Li
-France
-Not grown up yet
-DC style (or lack there of)
-Jon and Hate plus 8
-Animal Planet
-Daley daily
-Art museums, the greatest hits"

This list came from a comment from Aaron in my last post. He has a number of ideas that I think all deserve a post. There are so many ideas, but where to start? We leave DC in a few hours and there are definitely a lot of things to reflect on. I am really happy we came but we had some really hard patches. But our last few weeks here have seemed to make up for all of that. We've been given the opportunity to live a beautiful Georgetown home (more on that later) and I feel as though my work here has been successful and appreciated. One of the most notable recent occurrences has been getting together with my Uncle Jim (a point on Aaron's list).
He is my Dad's brother, and they never got along. Because of this I only remember meeting him once in my life, and I'm fairly certain this is the first time meeting my two cousins. My uncle looks so much like my dad and is similar to him in many ways. Its like this is how my Dad would have been if he didn't drink or smoke. In fact its hard to imagine some one so like my dad without those characteristics. And he went to college and owns businesses. I wonder how two people with the same background could have such different lives. I heard new stores about my dad, and really enjoyed getting to know my cousins Sean (15) and Ross (12). But we never talked about my dad's death. Jim didn't come to the funeral and doesn't talk to the rest of the family. As far as I know he doesn't even know how his brother died.

Sean looked very much like Katie. And he is so smart and academically competitive and seemed to have a mind like Katie too. How awesome to see two people who have never met be such clear relatives.

The family, Jim, Karen, Sean, and Ross, live in Annapolis. I called them on Saturday and the only time they could see us was the next day. They took us out for incredible crab and walked us around the town. It was quite beautiful. I'm glad to know there is more family out there and that they are willing to include me in their lives. I was afraid to call him, but I'm glad I did. I'm glad I didn't let that fear keep me from this great day.

Crazy Weather in Washington DC

DC has some crazy weather. Aaron and I have been stuck in a sun storm. The sun was beaming down on the sidewalk, and as the rain fell it seemed to evaporate off the pavement. Today it drizzled again on me in complete sunlight. Right now a storm is rolling in, but it so patchy. When I stepped outside the sun was shinning, but the wind was blowing, the temperature dropped, and I could feel the mist from rain falling elsewhere. I can hear the thunder in the distance. I've been told that because of the ocean being close and being at a lower latitude, the weather is more tropical here. Storms come and go so fiercely, its impossible to predict. Weather like this just makes me excited. Its so interesting and unpredictable and grand. The scale is incredible- completely beyond man. I love it. 

what the smell of a fig tree can do...

On my way home from the bus I walk by this fig tree. Today I stopped and smelled it (I do this sometimes) and a wave of memories hit me. In our neighbor's back yard in South Carolina had fig tree where a permanent cat trail ran beneath. The smell is so distinct, fresh and sweet. There are so many things I'm reminded of here, that I had no idea I remembered. DC is much more southern that I had expected. The gigantic plantation trees and the viney forests remind of a time I thought I had forgot about. I'm often very nostalgic, and nostalgia is always tinged with sadness. But this doesn't make me nostalgic. It makes me happy that the very early and very short period of my life in the south, when my parents were married, and when Katie and I were so young, is not lost. 

I didn't think moving here would would allow me to come so close to nature. DC has a lot of green spaces. There is a forest in the back of our buildings with long trails, and everyone in neighborhood gardens. And, if you need more space, there is a communal gardening area at the edge of the forest where people in the neighborhood can rent plots to grow veggies and flowers. It's so pretty to walk through. I've really missed this in Chicago. I've been coming to realize that I do prefer Chicago in so many ways, but at least DC has this.

Georgetown University, where I spend many of my days. Its very beautiful and old. Above is the Library. Below is the student center of sorts.

And the gigantic trees.

Jim Henson

(Beaker)

On Friday Aaron and I went to a few museums, one was the Freer, with beautiful Whistlers that inspired me. We also went to a Jim Henson exhibit. They had a number of muppets, sketches, and videos (including the ones below). I really enjoyed it and it made me happy that I haven't lost my imagination. This summer as been all about examining my future and deciding plans. It was so great to remind myself of what its like to be a child, or at least to enjoy child like things. His characters are so clever and funny, and I remembered how they charmed me on Sesame Street so many years ago. And his sketches made me think of Jim's (my father in law) cartoon sketches. Anyways, it was fun. Enjoy!

Rowlf

It's a Classic

If I could have any car in the world it would not be fancy or new. I love older cars with a square shape, or old hatch back Saabs. I don't want a mustang or classic jag (well that would be ok too). I would love this 90s Jeep above. But I want my one day car to run and be dependable, after having so many beaters. So my new plan is to acquire my dream car, which should be a deal since nobody else would want it, and replace the whole engine. Kind of ridiculous. But wouldn't it be great if for the rest of my life I only drove this sweet Jeep, or an awesome orange Saab from the 80s? So great. This is my plan (will probably never happen).

here

So we have been in DC for just two days. Our neighborhood is so beautiful. Glover Park is just north of Georgetown and is a neighborhood primarily composed of row houses. It's residential, but close to a lot, including a Whole Foods and the University. This area and Georgetown to me feels like a mix of Europe and the South. I really love it and can totally see living here someday (for more than three months).

Our apartment is small but nice. It has a lot of books... but mostly in Spanish (and also has Spanish Scrabble). They are all about languages, Mexico, and Philosophy. It's interesting coming into someone else's place and trying to figure out who they are.

I'm really glad we are here. It's beautiful and interesting and exciting. But I'm anxious about getting all the work I have to do done, and still get all I can out of the city.

P.S. Bad news. I have to miss the Scott McClellen's testimony to the House on Friday because I have a meeting. Bummer.

DC here we come... not quite

Boston flight cancelled. Sleeping in the airport. It's an adventure right? I did get to see Mayor Daley today though. That makes it all worth it right? Um... maybe not.

Uncle Sam and Kanye

The two loves of my sister: Kanye West and The United States of America. A natural pairing I think.