USA vs Germany Men's Soccer Game

 

My cousin Stacy had extra tickets to the USA vs Germany men's soccer game, and we quickly swooped them up!!  Always soo much fun and amazing to watch!  I love watching the La Barra Brava (some of the craziest soccer fans I have ever seen!!) and I'm always thankful when we are sitting across from them, and not right in the middle of them!!!!  Although it is pretty cool to feel the seats vibrate from all the jumping!  It was an amazing game with USA winning 4 to 3.  Thank you Stacy for making it happen!!

Presidential Inauguration 2013

It is inauguration time here in the District, and you can feel the buzz in the air!  We are actually jetting out of town, so we won't be here to participate.  But since we live a mile from the Capital, I thought I should take a quick jaunt to go and check things out!

The Capital is looking a little decked out at the moment.  Gigantic flags hanging in front, huge TV monitors on both sides, seats for 1000's of people.  Of course the security has tripled, and I'm sure there is more to come.  Road closures will for sure be in affect......Locals are renting out their houses for 1,000's of dollars, and the Metro is shutting down.

But what impressed me the most was the number of port-a-pots that surrounded the capital, the mall, and the streets!  They were everywhere.  I'm guessing they have cleaned out every port-a-pot rental place within 200 miles of the District!  I am thankful we will be coming home to a urine/poop free city!!!  Congratulations President Obama.  Curious to see what you do in the next four years!

Thievery Corporation, Gogol Bordello, and MICHAEL FRANTI!

I've been a little manic if you haven't noticed.  My first "real" time off since I finished my internship, and with not much of a summer I PACKED it in over the past few days!!  But how could we resist this line up -- Thievery Corporation, Gogol Bordello, and MICHAEL FRANTI!??  And with cooler temps and an outside venue we just had to go!!

My neighbor Kathy rallied, yet again, and joined in the fun (so great to have such a wonderful neighbor)!!!!  We finally took the time and stood in-line for taco's from the Takorean food truck.

  Super yummy!!

I'll be honest, I was pretty worked from the last couple of days....But when I saw Michael Franti make his way towards the back of the crowd, I knew this was my chance!  The next thing I knew Franti was looking down at me, and said, "Come on up!"  And that was exactly what I did!!    

The show was perfect!  Lots of people, yet lots of space.  Great energy, and a great mix of people.....An amazing few days, and hoping for more of the same in the very near future!!

Bruce Springsteen Rocked the House

All I can say is when I'm 62 years old I hope to have 1/2 as much energy, passion and enjoyment for life as this guy has!  It was a sold out show at Nationals Stadium, with people of all ages dancing the night away.  He played my two favorite songs back-to-back - Spirit in the Night & Blinded by the Light....An Album (Greetings from Asbury Park) that everyone should know cover to cover!.  He played over three hours, and continued to play after the stadium lights came on as an indication that is was time to wrap it up!!  (I have recently learned we have curfew's in the area!!)   A great show with GREAT friends!!!

And if your interested,  here is the set list from the night!

1. Set list:

   1. Prove it All Night (with 1978 intro)

   2. My Love Will Not Let You Down

   3 .The Ties That Bind

   4. Hungry Heart

   5. We Take Care Of Our Own

   6. Wrecking Ball

   7. Death To My Hometown

   8. My City Of Ruins

   9. Spirit In The Night

   10. Blinded By The Light (tour premiere)

   11. Jack Of All Trades

   12. Jackson Cage

   13. Shes The One

   14. Johnny 99

   15. Darlington County

   16. Shackled and Drawn

   17. Waitin' On a Sunny Day

   18. The Promised Land

   19 .Racing In The Street

   20. The Rising

   21. Badlands

   22. Land of Hope and Dreams

   End main set

   Encores:

   23. We Are Alive

   24. Thunder Road

   25. Born to Run

   26. Detroit Medley

   27. Dancing in the Dark

   28. Tenth Avenue Freeze-out

   29. American Land (with guest Ali Weinberg - Max's daughter - on accordion)

   30. Twist and Shout

The Jumping Huber's Duo

It was a quick lazy visit with the Huber's, but certainly a fun visit nonetheless!  We headed over to the tidal basin to perhaps catch a peek at any lasting cherry blossoms and a ride in the paddle boats.

Unfortunately, the blossoms were gone, and the line for the paddle boats was over an hour.  So that just left us in the position of doing so relaxing and taking many, many, many jump shots!  I know adults get a little tired of my overly enthusiastic excitement for jump shots.....Lucky for me these kids went all day long!!

There were so many good ones it was hard to choose the best one!  Max would do a different spin, look, position for each shot!  It was hilarious!  Izzy of course had it figured out in no time!  Looking forward to their next visit! (and more jump shots!)

Upper Rock Creek, An Amazing Place to Explore!

I'm sure at this point, anyone following this blog must think all I do is run!  Well, lately there has been a lot of running, but I can't help but share!!  Especially this one that is in our backyard.  Above, Alison warming up for a beautiful day in Rock Creek Park!

We started at the Rock Creek Park Nature Center, so basically upper rock creek.  The run is described in one of my favorite books (a must have!) 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles of Washington, DC.  We did manage to get lost, but it didn't matter.  The trails truly are endless up there and a great place to explore!

 

The trails were very well maintained, rolling hills, and little traffic! A great escape no doubt!  Below is the route we did!  Enjoy!

Slowing Down for a Moment

Lately it feels like there is never a second to slow down...just trying to get from A to B as fast as possible....but it doesn't have to be that way all the time....a long hungover day at work, ending with warm temps for my bike ride home.....as I approached the monument (the most phallic of all monuments in the area) I noticed a dark patch which gave the structure more substance. I think one of the light-bulbs must have burned out or perhaps its always looked that way and I never noticed....it looked so amazing I had to stop and take a shot!

Sugar and Champagne

This was our second year attending Sugar and Champagne, an event sponsored by the Humane Society.  Last year we ate so much we left feeling nauseous, but it was soo good going down we had to make our rounds again this year!!  At least this time we had some experience under our belt so we didn't overeat.....or at least maybe some of us didn't!

Its an all you can eat/drink sorta thing with about 100 of the top pastry chiefs providing samples of some of their most tasty items.  This year there was more champagne and cocktails to wash it down with....yummy!  Its fun to walk around and admire the many dogs that attend as well.....anything from a Bernese to a Shih-Tuz's to pink Poodles!  Can't wait till next year!!

Alison, Eric, Kira (her first event!), Andrew, and Me enjoying the night out!

Occupy D.C. Takes over McPherson Square

Occupy D.C. has certainly taken over McPherson Square!  It was an interesting experience walking through the square, as people have really set up camp.  Some tents are selling books, while others are selling camping supplies and food.  Martha's Table (an organization that helps to feed people in need) was set up on the corner offering meals.......??  

Protest or homeless shelter?

I went to the Occupy D.C.website to understand a little better what they are trying to occupy and this is what I found:

Occupy DC is a nonviolent occupation of public space in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street and Occupy movements everywhere. We are a grassroots movement empowering the 99% to have a say in returning the country to a just political and economic system. We are not a political party nor are we affiliated with any political party. This is a peoples movement led by a democratic system with the goal to restore social and economic justice.

Check this out for more info http://occupydc.org/

There must have been well over 100 tents, and I saw a sign that suggested they had been there for over 200 days....??  I know it is growing, and am curious how big it might get!  If you took away the political signs and added some climbing gear, I would say I was walking through Camp 4 in Yosemite - blue tarps blowing in the wind, people scattered throughout, an odd smell lingering in the air......
I'm going to leave the post at that, as my intent is to share with you things that are apart of my daily life, not to make a political statement!  Enjoy the Show!

D.C. Chinese New Year Celebration

The Friendship Arch, a Chinese tradition, marks the entrance into China Town, a quick bike ride from our house!  It being the Year of the Dragon, it was sure to be an amazing celebration!  I think most of D.C. thought the same thing, as there were thousands and thousands of people there!  Including this super cute little girl (see below) with her super cool little dragon!

The crowds began to push us forward, but we really had no idea what was about to happen.  Soon enough, multiple dragons appeared followed by lots and lots of firecrackers!  There were so many people it was difficult to see,,,,but we got a glimpse here and there!  

For whatever reason I truly am fired up for the new year..... The Year of the Dragon is believed to bring success and happiness and intuition is telling me it's going to be a good one!  

Today 34 °F Ice Pellets

Today in Washington, DC they are calling for a 100% chance of Ice Pellets.  Can anyone explain to me what the hell an ice pellet is???  I have heard the words 'hail' and 'sleet', but never ice pellet.  I took a couple of steps outside and there seems to be a hard think layer with a little bit of actual snow underneath.  I think it's a good metro day and it makes me wish I had bought those Hunter boots I've been eyeing.   I am certain it will be an interesting weather day, and one I will learn from!  It does make me smile and my heart glow to wake up and see the ground covered....!!