Everyday Life
We are settling in this week. Working, rowing, grocery shopping. Normal life in our temporary town.
Monday was a long day. I was excited to be back at Capital Rowing, but 4am wake up calls are difficult. Digital woke me up at 3. He wanted to make sure I wasn't late. Meow. I was not late.
After a hard practice and a long workday, we went grocery shopping at 8th and Pennsylvania and then stopped by the Tune Inn for a quick dinner. If you're going to be a regular at a bar, you have to go there regularly.
Tuesday's row was tough. My first day back in a single on the Anacostia. There's a larger group of competitive rowers this year, and they are fast. I forgot that balancing the boat is more challenging in the dark. Happily first light is about halfway through practice, but I'm also trying to remember how to maneuver all the bridges of Narnia. I came here for this challenge, so will enjoy all of it.
Last night we were back on our regular schedule of go see something after work. Monday's and Tuesday's are sleepy here. The museums all close by 5pm. Some restaurants are closed. After you work all day, it's more difficult to find a thing
to check out in the remaining time. Yesterday I found that the Kennedy Center has a new JFK exhibit open until midnight each day. So after work we headed towards the Potomac.
The Kennedy Center is massive. I don't think I've ever considered it at all so I had no idea what to expect. It's huge! While attempting to find the entrance, we found a very friendly stage tech preparing for the Opera who named all the theaters inside the building. I was lost after the first five or so. There's a lot of theaters in this building.
We also noticed a sign for Spamalot playing at the Center this month.
Our current to do in DC list:
- Tour the museums we missed last time.
- Visit the National Gallery at least once a week.
- Catch a show.
- Get a bike.
The exhibit is really well done, telling the story of the Kennedy's love and support of art and music. It's interactive and includes some original letters between the President and famous artists and musicians. All of the correspondence asking the Louvre to lend the Mona Lisa to the National Gallery are presented. I was fascinated by the discussion of threats and concerns associated with such an undertaking for the first time.
Part of the exhibit was an interactive wall that allowed you to make your own portrait. We had a lot of fun with this as you can see.
The JFK exhibit is at the top of the building, and there is a rooftop patio overlooking the Potomac. Even the cold and wind did not take away from the beautiful view. The Watergate Hotel is next door, and it seemed only proper to go have a drink at the bar. This hotel is stunning. Beautiful modern art, a large, swirl-shaped bar, and gorgeous cocktails set a remarkable atmosphere. All of the house drinks were adorned with bouquets of herbs. I had a mocktail and it was absolutely delicious and delightful.
It was getting late for those of us getting up early, so we took a car home. Mike made a delicious dinner at the house. An episode of the West Wing and I was in bed.
This morning's row was good. I'm remembering the bridges and sandbars. I also finally bought a bike this morning! Last year I got a bike and met Melanie on day two. Took a bit longer this time. I've been cobbling together Capital bikes and Limes to get to the boathouse. Happy to ride direct tomorrow morning.
We're off to Mr. Henry's tonight for Jazz Jam and spaghetti dinner. See y'all later this week!