Library of Congress

Started as a, big surprise, library for Congress to use. Their original collection got burned so Thomas Jefferson agreed to sell his own library to them. His collection is on display and is quite impressive, still.

 

As a geek, I absolutely loved the LoC. I even got a reader's card so that I could go into the reading room. Only serious researchers are aloud to get a card. I am serious. 

Anyhow words can't express how impressive the building is, inside and out. It's a temple of the intellectual achievement of man. 

Does the Library have a copy of every book published in the United States?

No, but it does have more than 33 million books and printed materials, as well as more than 111 million maps, manuscripts, photographs, films, audio and video recordings, prints and drawings, and other special collections.

Lobsta!

Had an overnight in Portland, Maine a week or so ago. Jared, the other flight attendant and I took a bus downtown from our hotel (graciously guided by the front desk guy) and went to J's Oyster Bar on the down at the harbor. MAN was it gooooood lobsta! Some of the best I've had. If you're in Portland, ME you should check it out. Also, I've heard "Three Sons" is also good - choose your lobster and sit at a pic-nic table but cheap and delicious.

Was a blast hanging out with Jared. 

On Reserve @ Arlington

Today was my first real day of regular reserve. This is where I have to be able to get to the airport, ready to fly, in 90 minutes. Luckily, Arlington Cemetery is only a few Metro stops away from my crashpad. It was very very hot and full of tourists (of course) but I had a great time - and got paid for it too!

Oh, and look what's in the middle of this cross;

Out with the Girls

About Town

Outdoor Cinema with Tom in Mt. Pleasant = The Brave Little Toaster!

(with subtitles in Spanish)

Typical Day: Hot Reserve DCA

A Tiny birthday at the Kennedy Center

If you're in the DC area there's one cool thing you should know: The lovely Kennedy Center has FREE performances everyday between 6 and 7pm. I went to one last night with Birthday Boy Tom. The performing act was 2 women named the "Hula Honeys." They were a pleasant combo of Hawaiian music and vintage jazz sensibilities. I think they should tour with Jack Johnson. They'd be a big hit.

The Art of being Fab

-Thornton Dial Sr.

Well, I finally made it "out on the town" in DC. I went to the Smithsonian American Art Museum. They had a folk art exhibit. I love folk art so I was inspired. They also had Steven Speilburg's and George Lucas's collections of Norman Rockwell art. It was interesting to hear their reasons for collecting his art. He was, after all, a master storyteller. 

My favorite part of the museum though, may be the Artomatic -  it's an art vending machine. You put in your money, choose a lever to pull and out comes a little piece of real art. I got one as a birthday gift for my friend, Tom. Below are photos of the art I got.

These glasses are replicas of a pair that Jackie O wore. NOW, I'm Fabulous.

A day off in DC!

(Peephole view from when we landed in Burlington, VT. -  You can't tell but it was a beautiful view)

I have had a total of 7 days off so far. The first 3 I spent in Annapolis, MD at my brother's house. My mom was there and it was nice to just hang out and do everyday things, like errands and watch tv. It's a busy household.  The other two days off I sprinted to Seattle and back. Because of the time consuming nature of the commute I was in town for less than 24 hours but it was great to be back and sleep in my own bed. 

Now I have 2 days off and I couldn't decide if I wanted to try and go anywhere so I am resting it up in DC.  First on the Agenda is breakfast at local bakery, blog update and then maybe a trip to one of the Smithsonians - or Alexandria. It feels so luxurious to have 2 whole days to fill at my discretion - AND to NOT sit around in an airport.

Not sure how I'm going to like this job. I get motion sick in turbulence and I hate sitting around in airports. I haven't been to a grocery store for over a month and airport food is dang expensive. 

Otherwise, it's alright. It's really the people/crew that you work with on trips that make or break the experience. And if I thought that ground school had it's drama . . . !  On my  last 4 day trip, one of the first things the other flight attendant said to me was, "Here's a piece of advice - don't sleep with pilots." I told her she had nothing to worry about and then soon found out that she was talking about herself (As was most of her conversation) and our current captain. Yes, I imagine their drama to be something that most people grow out of in high school - not sure -  but it was ridiculous. - and I was with them for four days.

Alright, I'm rambling. I'm kind of in a daze. I constantly have the physical feeling that I'm still on a plane and I get a little dizzy when I bend over. I hear that this feeling is normal for people who fist start flying a lot and that it will go away (along with the motion sickness). I hope so - it's really weird.

If anybody wants to be a flight attendant, let me know. I think we're still hiring and I'll put a good word in for you. 

And it's so glamorous.