Welcome to NAPTOWN!

Being in the district all the time, it can get a little suffocating. Everyone who wants to come visit (and I must stress that I do want people to come visit) want to see everything, and not waste a minute, but sometimes all I to do is get out for a little. When you spend every weekend in museums, and touring the city, it can be hard to share in all of the excitement that non-dc residents have. I don't want to sound like I am too cool for tourist-y things, I'm not, I just have learned to appreciate the simple things, like being in a car driving down the freeway (it was great) towards a simpler, slower place. So went my way to Annapolis.

I got on the metro headed to New Carrollton, the last metro stop on the orange (maybe blue, I can't remember, but I seem to get it right when I do it) line. At the halfway point on the ride, the train went from below ground to above ground, and I got a very nice view of the DC/Maryland countryside (or just run down field area, I'm not sure). The closer I got to the last stop, the less stress I felt. This isn't to say the city stresses me out, though it does sometimes, but, I am a little more relaxed when I on my way to do something different, something fun, and to see someone I know I get along well with. I stepped of the train, and out to the parking lot area where a dark-colored Mustang was honking at me.

Jammmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezay was there waiting for me! The Tall Tree drove the 20 minutes from Annapolis, MD to get me, and then we drove back to Naptown so the Midshipman could give me a tour of the United States Naval Academy. There will soon be pictures up online to see of my day-trip, but most likely not until later, I am lazy right now (working when the rest of the city doesn't can do that to yoU!) I got sort of jealous, me just be a regular 'civilian' surrounded by Naval Academy kids. They were all huge, with short haircuts, and uniforms. Though Jammezzay wasn't wearing his uniform, as upperclassmen are not required to on weekends. The weather that day was actually very poor, cold and windy, but we still managed to tour the entire academy. It is not huge, but must bigger than I thought it would be. The great thing, and I would propose Michigan State adopt this, is that all of their building were connected. For the most part, you could walk the entire campus without ever going outside! Now, we did walk outside, but I made him give me the complete tour, with each statue and monument explained. I even made Jamie recite (with his eyes closed) the mission of the Naval Academy (which all midshipman are required to memorize). He passed the test. The only thing we did not get to was the gift shop. So I have another excuse to go back ha!

From the Academy we went off the base to downtown Annapolis. We had dinner at a bar/restaurant called the 'Rams Head.' I got a fish and chips entre, and it tasted incredible. I mean, I think if you fry anything, it will taste amazing, but, this was particularly good, and I tell myself it's because we were so close to the water, but I have no idea. It could've been the Malt Vinegar I put on it too...we may never know. ANd oh, I had a microbrew amber styled lager, it was tasty.

After dinner, we went over to a mall just outside of Naptown, got SBUX, and just walked around, in and out of shops that we never had any intention of buying things in, but just for fun. Apparently, midshipman play a game out in town that basically involves finding the other mids in civilian clothing. I wasn't very good at the game, but I could spot the ones in uniform really easily! After finishing our overpriced (but good) coffee drinks, Jameeeeeezay drove me back to the metro stop, and I boarded the train back to DC.

I got back around 11, and just relaxed. Despite the fun of going out in DC, the expenses plus the exhaustion I was feeling, forced me to stay in for the night, and watch tv. It's so rare to get a little free time here, so I took full advantage of it.

Totally switching paths here, it snowed 7+ inches in DC this morning and last night. I, without boots or snowpants, trudged through the snow and wind to get to work. The storm technically qualified as a Nor'easter! I don't really know what a Nor'easter is, but we had one today! Most, if not all, federal offices, and other offices were shut down today. DC-ers still don't know how to handle snow. I'm not going to lie, it was a miserable walk to work, but I made it. If only my day could have gone better.

It's only monday, and I am looking forward to the weekend...sad?

I'm still stressing out about NY, and whether or not I should do it. I want to teach, but I don't think I want to do it in that situation. So, now what?

Andy