DC Update

The simple four word summary: I love it here.

Yes, I miss much about the Midwest. I miss my family and friends. I miss the quick car trips home to see Mom and Dad, a good meal and do laundry. I miss going to real, full sized grocery stores. I miss grilling out with friends, having a few beers and playing pointless yard games actually in a yard. I miss going to a bar big enough to move in. I miss the laidback attitudes, the homebody comfort and the down-to-earth personalities. I miss having someone smile back to you on the sidewalk.

But I love it here, and for quite different reasons. I admire the drive of many here for success and to make the world a better place. I love the ability to walk or public transport where I want, not needing to hop in my car every time I need something. I enjoy the wealth of happy hours in this city – as do all DCers – and the nightlife as a young adult, which I train for through the happy hours. Oh, and I don’t like hangovers. But most of all I love DC for those things that I say “only in DC,” too, and the opportunities all around.

A few weeks ago I wrote about my “DC moments” – those instances where I stop, recognizing an inspirational feeling, reaffirming my DC desire. I also have these “only in DC” experiences. And yes, there is a difference. A “DC moment” is just that, a moment – that “ah ha” time. My “only in DC” experiences more often are a day, chain of events or not so much an inspirational moment, but doing something or seeing something only one could here.

Example.

About a month ago I woke up – let’s just say mid- to late-morning. After getting a large glass of water and a couple ibuprofens, I headed out for a great run. Getting back, I quickly threw down some breakfast and headed down towards the White House. I swung by Caribou Coffee – yes, I continue to feed my Caribou addiction here – and headed to Lafayette Park. (It’s the park across from the White House for all you out-of-towners).

People were already gathering when I arrived. Volunteers passed out signs and stickers and a bongo player and violinist played African melodies under signs referencing the genocides of the world.

The Save Darfur rally started a two o’clock. I stood, then sat, listening to stories from survivors – leaders, parliamentarians and normal people – of genocides in Bosnia, Rwanda, Sudan and the Holocaust. After these stories from survivors, the activists took the stage. Listening and watching people like John Prendergast and Jerry Fowler – prominent anti- genocide activists – and looking beyond them to the marvelous and influence of that big white house directly behind, I thought “only in DC.”

At 3:30 the program ended, but the day did not.

I proceeded from Lafayette Park down to the Mall to catch the second half of the Earth Day festival. After exploring some of the “earth-friendly” booths, I met up with some friends. We stood waiting for the next band to take the stage. Then, there they were. The Flaming Lips!

Okay, if you don’t know the Flaming Lips, don’t feel bad. I didn’t know them either and I went to see them. Well, it was free, but still. Do a quick Google search of the Flaming Lips and maybe you’ll get an idea of them, as I’m not sure I can explain it. I can’t say I’d listen to their music on a regular basis, but they do put on a hell of a show.

I stood listening and watching my first Flaming Lips experience – a world famous band for free – surrounded by peace pipes and the more than faint swell of pot seemingly in every direction. And again I thought, “only in DC.”

Finally making it home, I thought about the day and again thought “only in DC” could I do all of that in a day.

Or take Memorial Day when I headed down to the Mall and memorials only to run into the Memorial Day Parade, which I didn’t know existed. All over the Mall I watched the tributes, tourists, and veterans and family members. “Only in DC” I thought about those sights.

That was just one day. It doesn’t include my first Washington State Society Potlatch (yes, I’m from Minnesota, but it’s DC, so I went), seeing the President’s motorcade and entourage just down the street from my work because Obama was having dinner nearby, Monday night kickball and flip cup, Thursday night softball on the Mall, or Hashing (more on that another time).

And work is great. For some reason I fooled my employers. They keep giving me more work to do and projects to partake in. And I like the work I get. It continues to interest me, teach me new things and push me. Having colleagues that are willing to put trust and confidence in me and treat me so well sure makes everything easier.

But maybe most important of all is the great group of friends that have let me join them. We have good times, there is little doubt about that. I believe just a few weekends ago I only stopped laughing for a few hours – when I slept.

So I love DC. For how long is yet to be determined, but I’ll worry about that later. No wonder I sleep so well here.