Adventures in Deya-sitting: Part I

So while Elysa is busy preparing for the bar, my sister, Deya, flew up to Washington, DC for a whirl-wind weekend visit. It worked out nicely because Deya's husband, Chris, is off in Nevada working for the Golf Channel this weekend. So we figured it would be pretty cool to hang out as brother and sister because, hey, when might we ever have this opportunity again (like Law School is ever going to let me)?

After getting in Friday night and setting up camp at the new apartment, I realized that I had forgotten Deya wouldn't be bringing a hairdryer. 45 minutes later, I finally got the air mattress inflated. I am happy to report the only hyper-ventilating that occurred was Deya panicking that I would hyper-ventilate.

Also, since we haven't moved up there yet, we found ourselves "Camping in the City," at least according to Deya. With one futon, one air mattress, three pillows and some bottled water, we set up camp in out otherwise unfurnished apartment.

Adventures in Deya-sitting: Part II

Saturday morning, after a trip to Panera for breakfast, we got started with a tour of the Library of Congress, the largest library in the world. It is amazing to think that one of the ancient wonders of the world, the Library at Alexandria, has been reincarnated and now sits in America (and happens to sit across the Potomac from an Alexandria). There is a public tour that lasts about 45 minutes that takes place in the Jefferson building, oldest of the three buildings (each are a city block in size). The architecture and decoration is as ornate as any building in the states; truly it is a temple of knowledge, guarded, in fact by numerous statues and paintings of Minerva.


Also on display are some portions of the largest "rare book" collection, among which we saw was a Gutenberg Bible, "America's Birth Certificate" (the oldest known map, 1507, to recognize and record the American Continents as separate from East Asia, writings of John Smith (of Jamestown/Pocahantes infamy), and portions of Thomas Jefferson private collection. Mr. Jefferson (as he is know in Charlottesville- a.k.a. Mr. Jefferson's town) sold his personal library to the governement after the British burning the Capitol building during the War of 1812, which housed the Library back then. It didn't hurt that Mr. Jefferson was also deeply in debt at the time (actually, all of the time).



Sorry to delve into the nuances of Founding Fathers politics and history, but if you will indulge for one more quick aside (on this topic at least). One of those books from Thomas Jefferson collection was "A Treatise of a Defense of the Consitution of the United States" by John Adams, politcal foe. Adams wrote the book while in London as the US's first ambassador to Britian as a way to promote the strength of the US's political future among the English. He wrote the whole book, having only read a copy of the US Constitution absent heated debate that took place in Philadelphia and newspapers in America. Jefferson, at that time, was also living in Europe serving as US Ambassador to France. It is interesting to think that John Adams personally sent that copy (possibly, this is my surmising) to Thomas Jefferson across the Atlantic, two brillant jugernaughts debating the merits of a new form of governance. It would be that document, the US Constitution that drove two political allies in the Revolution to become bitter rivals during the Presidency of George Washington. Maybe this book was the first wedge in that friendship. Personally, that book was pretty cool!

Adventures in Deya-sitting: Part III

After leaving the Library of Congress, we headed north, passing the Capitol and Supreme Court, stopping long enough to snap a few pictures. One series in particular was Deya's request. She wanted to me to show documentation that she was perfectly healthy climbing all over DC. You may judge for yourself.





We continued North to Union Station, grabbing a bite of lunch before jumping back on the Metro to head to Arlington Cemetery. Arlington Cemetery occupies 300+ acres across the Potomac from the Lincoln Memorial. Originally the home and property of General Robert E. Lee, the site is now the resting place for over 300,000 individuals who have served in the US Military. It is a sacred monument to so many who have and continue to serve the citizens of the United States. I highly recommend taking the opportunity to pay your personal respects to generations of Americans who fought for your freedom. A very powerful and hallowed place.
After Arlington Cemertery, it was after five and we decided to head back to camp to rest. After an hour of rest, we ventured out on foot, walking to a local dinning favorite, El Pollo Rico. Continuing towards Clarendon (a shopping district) we poked around The Container Store before grabbing some dessert at The Cheesecake Factory. Can you guess what we may have eaten?

Adventures in Deya-sitting: Part IV

Sunday found us eating breakfast at Cosi and jumping on the Metro to head back into DC. First stop: Foggy Bottom- GWU. Deya decided she wanted to see where I would be going to Law School. After trying a few locked doors, we found an open one and walked through the law school, looking in the library, various study rooms and classrooms, the commons area and the open air quad. We decided that I would need to take a picture in front of the library and that I might as well do it when there was no one around.

After the law school, we went in search of another special request of Deya's: she wanted to see the GW Hippopotamus. I will let you explore the following link to learn why we have a bronze hippo on campus, but here is Deya with the hippo.


We jumped back on the Metro and continued on to Metro Center, our second stop. Deya wanted to see where Elysa would be working, so we stopped by the BakerBotts office. On the way we, discovered that the city had branded Deya as one of its own. We figure that Deya has successfully survived and passed "Camping in the City." Note the skid marks!

Adventures in Deya-sitting: Part V

Another short trip on the Metro took us to the Smithsonian stop, where we went to the Holocaust Museum. The Holocaust museum is quite a powerful witness to the atrocities hate and bigotry can cause. Upon entering the beginning of the exhibit, you read the following statement from Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower: The things I saw beggar description. I made the visit deliberately, in order to be in a position to give firsthand evidence of these things if ever, in the future, there develops a tendency to charge these allegations merely to propaganda. I was surprised at the foresight Eisenhower had to recognize that the Holocaust would ever be denied. New additions included an exhibit at the end dedicated to the current circumstances in Darfur, Sudan.

After the museum, we were hungry and our time was winding down, so we headed back to the apartment for some grub and rest. By the time we refueled and rested, it was time to pack up (what little we had). We stopped by Chris and Amber's place for a short visit as Deya and Amber hadn't seen each other since Chris and Amber's wedding.

Unfortunately, our weekend ended as quickly as it began. But we (at least I did) had a good time. Who knows if we will ever have the chance again to just pal around, but it was sure good to hang out with my sister again!

Going, going... Gone! Part II

Today was my last day at SNL Financial. After almost three years, I am saying goodbye with mixed emotions: Sad to leave so many wonderful but excited for the next chapter in my life!


Truly the best part of the company is the people. I have met some truly amazing individuals there. A few bizarre ones too, but there is something to be said about working at a company in Central Virginia.

To everyone I know at SNL: Thank you for three great years!

Going, going... GONE!

It is gone. We are little sad, but wish the Focus a great home in Michigan (where we think it will end up).

We posted the car at 8:00 AM last Saturday on Craig's List. In 24 hours, we had 6 separate inquires. The first people to see, bought it; we closed this afternoon!

Car For Sale!!!

We are selling our trusty Ford Focus. It has been a great car and I am actually sad to see it go (mostly because it has been paid off for a while now). In our migration to NOVA (Northern Virginia), we can't bring two cars. We just won't need two and the cost of having the second one is ridiculously expensive.

So tell your family and friends that there is a healthy Ford Focus looking to be placed in a good home (provided, of course, they pay for it too!). Here is the email link for the craigslist posting that you can email around.

http://charlottesville.craigslist.org/car/368414586.html

Go See Ratatouille!!!

We just saw it and loved it! Simple movie. Simple plot. Simple characters. Pleasant soundtrack. A-MAZ-ING graphics*! Flawless and brilliant execution! Director Brad Bird proves that less is more. You will like it and so will the kids.

(This is a picture of Lake doing the dishes)

Word to the wise though: make sure that whatever you eat before the show was good and either home cooked or a decently prepared meal. Elysa and I were on the run before the show and snagged a quick meal from the Wendy's Super Value 99¢ menu. We felt guilty after watching a movie dedicated to reminding the masses that cooking is, and ought, to be an art. Now I am begging Elysa to cook me something because she is an AMAZING chef!

And yes, for those of you who had your doubts about Elysa's domestic capabilities, I dare you to try her Linguine Bolognese or her Pulled Pork Tacos. The new recipe that she just whipped up for the first time the other day was her Orange Peel Beef Stir Fry. Mmmmm... hearty chunks of steak in red bell peppers, fresh broccoli and onion in this light orange glaze on fluffy white rice. The presentation only pales in comparison to the taste... oh so yummy!

*The animation was beyond real. Notice the fur on the animals, especially when it was wet, the reflections off glossy surfaces and the sheen of a leather coat. It won't be long before Pixar starts really toying around with decent humans that aren't ghost-like. It maybe within my lifetime that actors are pushed back onto the stage. Video may have killed the Radio Star, but computer animation has definitely set it's sight on the Video Star and just might win.

Tombstones: Laying the Final Vestiges of My Adolescence to Rest

In preparation for Law School, last night I finally kicked one of my childhood vices goodbye: computer games. Most went to the goodwill; one went to a good friend. In facing the intensity of upcoming law school, I didn't need to have an easily accessible distraction. And in all honesty, in the past year or so, I realized I just don't come away better for having spent time with them... and that took the fun out of it.

So I have my model railroad layout, fly fishing, my guitar and now, due to mostly Elysa, golf. I think once she realizes how expensive golf will be for the two of us, she'll wonder (quietly to herself, of course) if the computer games weren't more cost effective!

So, in summary, here lies the final vestiges of my adolescence, to rest in peace (until we have children, of course and then out come the Legos, Transformers and MicroMachines again!).

Sim City 4

Sim City was a classic. It was one of the first computer games I owned. It is now in it's fourth version, which allowed you to become City Planner, Mayor and City Treasurer. I think I owned 3 of the 4 versions through the years. Unlike most youth, however, I could never bring myself to unleash the tornado or the earthquake or the UFOs to reign destruction on my city. How could I let the computer destroy all of my hard work and ruin the lives of my millions of sim citizens?!?

Civilization IV
Civilization was the ultimate Chess game where you were the ruler of an entire civilization trying to rise above the fray for world domination. As the game progressed, you discovered new technologies in science and had to scramble for natural resources that could make or brake your civilization. You could win through war (which turned out to be difficult because you had to deal with rebellions in your conquered cities and war opposition at home), technological superiority, diplomacy and, finally, cultural domination (by a combination of having a massive trade export surplus, the happiness and health of your people, religious influence, and the accumulating contributions your society had made to the world). Each nation had difference strengths and weaknesses which made it all the more challenging.

Rise of Nations

This game was similar to Civilizations, except that instead of a chess-board like play, this was done "real-time." It was fun to watch the little units clash and fight in the style/age they were centered in. For example, the redcoats during he 1700s would march in a line and then fire, while Native Americans of the same period would use more guerrilla warfare tactics. Overall, you were basically the Generalissimo of a people and you had to use various combat tactics to defeat your opponents army.

Railroad Tycoon 3

This was the best of two worlds for me: Business and Trains! You got to be the money grubbing Railroad baron that drove competitors out of business with dirty-handed tactics like hostile takeovers and proxy wars while building a railroading empire that would span the continent.

Video Tour

Our New Place: A Tour

Here are a few pictures of our new place. A video may follow later.

Isn't that the most obnoxious wallpaper you have ever seen in your life?

This is our new kitchen. It is an eclectic blend of 70's and 2000's style.



And finally a picture of the big room! 14' x 26'

We Were Expecting and Can Finally Announce the Arrival of...

... OUR NEW COUCH!

Okay, maybe not what you were expecting, but most definitely the most exciting acquisition we have had in a while. This is Elysa's present for graduating from Law School. Special thanks to Abby for helping show it off! (We have learned that we must borrow other people's children to increase our blogs readership!)