The day began going to the Metro station, where i will be parking my car. This is gonna be a long commute back and forth. But, it'll be worth it. Also - I think I know why Washingtonians are considered some of the
"most well read" people in our nation. It's because everyone commutes to work on the Metro and has the time to read while waiting for their stop. I saw many people flip open to a page of their latest literary endeavor while the other hand held onto the metal metro pole. The titles of most these books seemed of the intelligent genre - politics, finance, bios. Maybe I can spice things up a bit by flinging out
a Chelsea Handler book - "Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea".
After getting to my future workplace, which is right down the street from the Capital, we wandered over to the National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian. It was bustling with school field trips, foreigners on an exotic vacation to America, older couples and families. We decided to join the tour for the first hour or so we were there. The facts about the spacecrafts were unbelievable. Also - after the tour and watching the imax feature "Hubble 3D", there is no doubt in my mind that Astronauts are an advanced breed of human. There are not only geniuses, but have a courage that is almost unfathomable. On the tour, the Docent talked about how scientists told John Glenn before he launched that "they didn't know if his eyes would explode out of their sockets during launch". Also, after John Glenn returned to Earth, he was in the hospital for a week under observance. Doctors suspected he may bring back a foreign disease, illness or immediately die after experiencing a galactic frontier.
After the tour, we saw the 40 minute film,
"Hubble 3D". If your local IMAX features it, you've got to see this work of art! It talks about the final attempt made in 2009 to repair the Hubble Telescope. And thankfully, this attempt was successful. Which means...more awe inspiring pictures for Hubble to give us!!! The movie featured pictures that exist from 10 BILLION light years away!!! As you can imagine, when you get a glimpse into the edge of the universe from the movie theater seat, it is jaw dropping. The movie definitely reminds you of those eternal questions of mankind, "Why, How and What made us exist". And though at times this movie makes you feel VERY small, at the same time, it makes you stand in awe of the essential miracle that is the existence of the universe and Earth. You feel very lucky to be here, for whatever length of time that may be. Another question it evokes is the possibility of life somewhere else. When one image zooms out and shows nearly 100 billion galaxies, it is hard to imagine we are the only ones out there.
Although cuts need to be made in the National budget, I hope NASA can remain protected and not completely crumble. It's discoveries are well worth it.
After having my mind blown, we went to Georgetown for dinner. Taking the metro from the Smithsonian we headed out of Foggy bottom and up the escalator to walk a little ways to Georgetown. One thing I noticed about Washingtonians is, man, so they dress classy/snazzy! Austin, TX is soooo casual, I forgot that people still dress in khakis, ties and designer brands. I am so used to sandals, Shorts, Dirty hipsters, sleeves of tattoos and sexy piercings that I forgot about Genteel society.
Whenever i go to Georgetown, I imagine it being the place where Martha Stewart or Oprah would live. It is so upper crust and clean and stiff. Of course it is dainty and cute, but perfection bothers me. I like underbellies and surprises. Regardless, we went to Dean & Deluca due to my mom winning a gift certificate from her work. She was happy to buy good smelling coffee, truffle oil and lemon curd. I'm sure it will all taste fantastic.
We had oysters and beer at J. Paul's, some local pub style place. The oysters were from Prince Edward Island and they were awesome. Oysters have to be my favorite appetizer. Little morsels of juicy goodness from the sea. yum.
Next, we moseyed on down the street to Paradiso, a pizzeria and beer palace. In the cozy basement we downed fire oven pizza and micro brewed beers while bobbing our heads to the Sex Pistols, "Never mind the bollocks" and the Ramones' "Beat on the Brat". Our conversation later drifted toward Patti Smith, David Byrne and Steely Dan, each of us critiquing and defending our own song, album and memories of this music in our lives. I'm glad my parents know good music and raised me on it.
We came home to freshly baked cupcakes that filled the living room (courtesy of my Aunt!), wine and cheese.
It was a wonderful first day in DC.
