This is a test. Allegedly, I can now update my blog from my cell phone. I'll believe it when I see it...

Travel Companion...

My trusted travel companion on a beautiful day near the Tidal Basin at the foot of the steps of the Jefferson Memorial...

4th of July

On the 4th of July, I went into DC. Where else would you go? I joined a million and a half of my closest friends to celebrate the nation's birthday. With a little forethought, and willingness to walk great distances, I got around with no trouble at all. I ended up standing right under the Washington Monument. Looking west, this was the view of the Lincoln Memorial - with wall to wall people all the way down that end of the Mall. The group of buildings in the right distance is an area called Rosslyn - across the Potomac in Virgina.





I waited until near dark to look east and take a picture of the Mall all the way to the Capitol - again, with wall to wall people as far as you can see.



This is what DC fireworks look like when you're basically right underneath them!

Constitutional Gardens

Last weekend, I rode the Capitol Crescent Trail, from Silver Spring to Georgetown. Then I rode up M Street, and right on Twenty-third, which brings you to area of the Lincoln Memorial from the north side. It made for a pleasant surprise. I had never before been in Constitutional Gardens, but it's safe to say I'll go back.

Changing Luck...

Yesterday, I was riding my bike to the Metro station so I could head into DC and explore and get some exercise. I always stay on the far right on the sidewalk - toward the top of the hill there is a row of trees that provides some shade.

Under one gigantic tree, a bird sitting on the branches overhead decided to let loose as I passed. This was not your ordinary dropping. This little creature had evidently enjoyed a massive 4th of July bird barbecue. The colossal turd hit the sidewalk a foot to my right with a very audible splat. I laughed. In June, that would have landed right on top of me. Now that it's July, maybe my luck is changing...

Life Goes On...

Walking to a Starbucks (where else?) the other day, I saw this, and thought it was appropriate somehow. A handful of birds resting in a dead tree. I snapped the photo with my pocket digital camera. It is now the wallpaper graphic on my cell phone. I call it Life Goes On...

Did That Really Happen?

Amazingly, it is July 3rd and I am still here, still unemployed, still hopeful (at least sometimes). If you had written a plan that would make June as unproductive as possible, I think I followed it, although certainly not purposely. A storm disrupted the cable and internet service at the house for the better part of a week. My phone was only semi-functional for nearly two weeks before I finally received the new one I ordered online (a glitch on the Virgin Mobile website delayed delivery). On June 9th, my SUV bit the dust while I was ten miles away minding my own business. And, of course, on June 22nd, the tragic crash on the Metro further limited my ability to go anywhere. Today marks the first time that the Red Line is back up to speed.

Any of those things, taken alone, would have been a mere inconvenience, but the collective toll on my psyche was fairly substantial. It made it very difficult to establish a useful routine. It was also difficult to maintain my energy and focus.

Also, while I expected this, I have sometimes felt socially isolated. Other than phone and online chats, I've had a total of five conversations that lasted more than fifteen minutes. One was with a very nice attorney who sat next to me at Circa, a cafe at Dupont Circle. The second was with a woman named Joyse (yes, with an "s") who occupied the adjacent stool at the Brickskeller (she had been intending to leave right before I sat down, but ended up staying for two more hours, saying she hadn't expected me to be "so fascinating" - I took that as a compliment.) The third was with Heather, the bartender at the redundantly named Bistro Bistro who slides me free glasses of wine so I will stay and keep her company when the bar is slow. There was a nice visit with Kami who brought me a gigantic spiral cut ham and rolls left over from an event she worked. Lastly, I had an interesting discussion with a black guy named Barron, in which I argued that social divisions in the DC area are more a result of classism than racism (he agreed, eventually). He had grown up in the "bad part" of DC, and then moved up into the Maryland suburbs. He was very bright and likeable.

I rarely see my housemates, and, while I initially thought there might be opportunities to socialize, in the end it's probably a good thing that they are never around. Three people live on the top floor. I have seen one of them twice, for a grand total of ninety seconds. I have seen the other one twice, for about four minutes. I see the third one periodically, mostly when she comes downstairs to reset the wireless router. I can tell when she is home though. She is Asian, and, when she cooks the whole house smells fabulous. The one who lives in the room next to mine is busy with a physical therapy practicum, and, other than that, mostly keeps to herself. This is probably for the best. She is pleasant enough, and we get along fine, but, honestly, we have about as much in common as Elie Wiesel and Heinrich Himmler.

Suddenly, it is July, and all I can do is look back at June and say, “Did that really happen?”

So, one might ask, what is the good news?

Well, it is July 3rd, and I'm still here! Not to be morbid, but I could have been in my car when the tow truck plowed into it, or, worse, on the Red Line train that crashed. I continue to receive tremendous support and encouragement from family and friends. For those of you who have suffered through my caffeine-fueled telephone rants, I truly appreciate it! I have a new phone that appears to be working well. Earlier this week, Comcast contractors buried new cable in the neighborhood that I assume will ensure good internet service. I finally got the insurance check for my SUV (may it rest in peace), and I will probably go car shopping in about a week. Every time I look there are jobs out there, good jobs. All I need is a a touch of good fortune. It's about time for that.

And, today, for the first time, I ran into somebody I know! While walking to the Starbucks just over a mile north of my house, I heard a voice yell (sounding surprised to see me there), "Brian, how are you doing?" It was Murat (yes, that is the correct spelling), someone I know from the Stained Glass Pub - the place right next to the Glenmont Metro station, and, therefore, a logical stopping point for me on certain occasions when I am returning from DC. Murat had just gotten gas, and, as it turned out, coffee from Starbucks, and hollered at me from the driver's seat of his Jeep. We chatted for a few minutes, and made plans to catch up this weekend at the Pub.

Wish me luck. The New Clothing Enterprise continues...

Afterthought: I almost forgot, the Tour de France starts tomorrow. I LOVE the Tour de France. Go Lance!