Why, There’s Something Different About You!

Dear Washington, D.C.:

Good morning!  I must say, right off the bat, you’re looking quite fetching today.  Did you get a new haircut?  No?  Perhaps you treated yourself to a full spa treatment and got some rest and relaxation over the long weekend?  No?  Hmm, what is it . . .

Oh, I know!  A new administration!  What’s more, a sane administration!  Yay!

IP and I have returned from our vacation, tanned and healthy, having hiked, explored, eaten a lot of Mexican food, and gotten into other shenanigans out west.  It was difficult to come back to D.C.  But I’m in a good enough frame of mind to come to work without scowling like crazy, and it’s because of the hope (there’s that word!) that a) this new administration might actually do something besides antagonize the world and 2) the idea that one day IP and I will live out west.  Huzzah!

Also?  I’m probably a lot cheerier for having left D.C. during the craziness.  Tourists, I do not deal well with them.  As tourists out west, IP and try to make ourselves as invisible as possible, choosing to go on long hikes that keep us out of the natives’ hair.  Tourists in D.C. are not so inconspicuous, and given the numbers that I saw on the Mall during the broadcasts the I did catch, I’m quite happy we took advantage of the long weekend to treat ourselves to some sun and hikes.  We didn’t miss much by not being in D.C.; yes, it was historic and momentous, but dollars to donuts, we wouldn’t have gotten anywhere near the Mall.  Instead of being cooped up for four days we chose to seize the day and do what we love.  We saw more coverage of the Inauguration out west, anyway, given that we don’t have a television at home.

So here’s to D.C. looking all right on our return from the desert; sure, it’s not enough to make me want to stay forever, but it makes D.C. a little brighter than it was before.