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| One cool thing about Washington, DC is the cool architectural structure and designs of /on the buildings. |
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| Just around the corner from my hotel. Love honest Abe, sounds some what familiar to me, does it to you? |
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| Guess who has their eye on you? Can you name this metro stop? |
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| It is not uncommon to see this scene outside certain Metro stops. I really wished I would have captured a picture of this one guy's bedazzled boom box, it was sparklin'! See those shoes laying there? I couldn't figure out who they belonged too. A haunting mystery. |
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| Isn't she beautiful? I really hoped and searched to eat at Chop't Salad so I could cause Darya to drool; but I couldn't locate the place. I was becoming famished so I stopped at another favorite place ~ Baja Fresh for a yummy grilled fish taco! It took me back to Tucson when I introduced my sister Gaye to Baja Fish Tacos! Did anyone see the Undcover Boss which featured Baja Fresh? If you did you will know why this is beautiful! |
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| I hope you can read the sign, if not the sign says, "Slug Pickup Use 14th Street & New York Ave." |
Have you ever seen or heard of such thing? Slug Pick Up? When I think of slugs, I first shiver..twice..then I think of slugs that showed up on our porch as a kid and we would pour salt on them to get rid of them. Don't judge me, we were taught that is what you do when they show up.
I wasn't sure what "slug pick up" was in reference to, were there really a bunch of slugs laying on the street ready to be picked up by the salt truck? Or was it a lazy person? Hang on this is epic....Slugging is actually carpooling!
Amber, Tina, Jennifer does that make us Slugs? Absolutely not! Because slugging means picking up total strangers, that we are not! Slugging is a very organized system. I think we qualify for that, thanks to Amber. Slugging is complete with its own set of rules, proper etiquette, nah...we don't need rules or etiquette we live by Will Rogers motto, "I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts." Slugging has specific pick up and drop off location (hint: the sign) - we qualify for that! Finally, slugging is FREE for the passengers! I like that idea Amber, since I am the passenger! The reason it is free is the driver is seeking warm bodies so they can qualify to cruise in the HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lane. It is said to be the most efficient and cost effective form of commuting, but there is no relationships! That is one of the "rules or etiquette"; well that don't fly in Oklahoma. We are a friendly bunch of people. I would love to see the driver who would pick up my friend Pamela as a slugger, because she would talk to a rock. I don't know why slugging fascinates me but it does, I think CBS needs to do a reality show on this and call it Sluggers or Huggers? Our group could be the Huggers, because we are all about relationships, love, support and encouragment which is a must if you work for the federal government.
I find it odd that they call it slugging since slugs move slow and the purpose of slugging is to get in the HOV lane that moves faster; but it isn't based on that type of a slug. The term "slug" derived from passengers trying to fake out bus drivers with counterfeit coins (also known as slugs) in the coin collection tray. Aren't you glad you stopped in to read all this useless information?
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| I did only drive-by sight seeing on this trip and since my first meeting was at the Humphrey Building, I got to see many of the sights through my cab window. Too bad they don't have slugging for cab rides or slugging for tourists. |
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| Another drive-by of a cool, really OLD (1879) building. Does anyone know what building it is? It is right next to the Holocaust Memorial Museum. |
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| I met my junior high/high school friend Dee for dinner one night at Clyde's, my only "real" |
Dee proved me wrong 7 years ago when she left Oklahoma to work at the Census Bureau here in Washington, DC. I remember teasing her that she was going to get tired of counting Indians and singing that song..."one little, two little, three little Indians...four little, five little, six little Indians..." I was pretty confident that she would only last a year here because she is a HUGE OU fan, plus most all her family is in the great state of Oklahoma. I will have you know though, I was not the only doubter! Other "friends" were placing their bets, "I give her two years....6 months....etc..." I think I recall Dee told me she used to be a "slugger", I know she was a slugger in softball growing up, but I think she has actually participated in slugging. I think she is pretty phenomenal! Did you notice my big biceps in the picture? The whole state of Oklahoma fits across my arm! Muscles, I tell ya!
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| This is the Metro Stop McPherson Square right across the street from my hotel. There are about 7 homeless people in this picture getting ready to settle in for the night. They each had pallets and sections they apparently have claimed. One lady had her section roped off tied to her buggy and to an iron fence area. Homelessness breaks my heart. |
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| This is more my style than slugging. |
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| This is the stop for the Reyes (just to the left of the sign) and Twinbrook Buildings. Which is where Indian Health Service Headquarters is housed. I am so blessed to serve American Indian/Alaska Natives, it has been a very rewarding career. |
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| Lunch for Tuesday was Qdoba! It was kind of a rainy today, so I tried the Mexican Gumbo. I highly recommend it! As usual we ate lunch and worked at the same time, talk about fast food! |
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| Items found in the vending machine at The Reyes Building I have never seen these kind of chips...Herr's Baby Back Ribs |
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| Since I have never seen chips like this, I obviously had to document it to share. Here is #2 - Ragin' Ranch |
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| Utz The Crab Chip...Hmmmm that is weird. |
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| I am a double screen addict! Soon I will be getting only a lap top with a docking station and getting rid of my laptop and desktop. Apparently according to our IT staff I have the oldest laptop and desktop in the federal government. I am hoping to get them into the Smithsonian. I loved this set up and I want it when I get back home. It made me feel Star Trekkish'ee, like a Commander (oh, wait I am) but it did make me feel special and sure made work move smoothly. |
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| The reason the train was held up at Twinbrook was there were two people apprehended at White Flint by six officers. The were seperated, one to the left (out of picture) and the one sitting on the bench, which you can't see because of my awesome photography skills, but I did capture the event that should count for something and the lady officer going through one of the detainee's bags. |
The train on the other track was held up because of this situation, I am sure that made their day. If you ever go to Washington, DC and ride the Metro, I would like to offer you a few tips about riding the train. First, get some ear plugs, even if you don't listen to anything, plug them into your ears, not only will you "fit in" but random wierdos won't say anything to you, such as vulgar shout outs. I can live without hearing those. Second, go to the bathroom before you ride, it is not always that easy to get off the train and locate a restroom and one that is clean and free. Finally carry snacks and bottled water with you in a bag. Although you are not supposed to eat and/or drink on the train, it doesn't say anything about carrying them with you. Sometimes the trains will stop, it could be a mechanical problem, something is in the way on the track, someone gets sick or in the case above someone is being detained. I have been stuck on a train for almost an hour before and I was famished and it was that fruit bar and bottled water that made it somewhat manageable for me. This is a must if you are traveling with children, but isn't always something you think of when it is just you. I have more tips if you care to hear just ask, but these I think are important.
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| But I am not in Brooklyn, does it apply here too? |
My last evening I had to go try Five Guys Burgers & Fries. This place is said to be the Willy Wonkas of Burgers, voted to be the best burger by many different magazines, and their products are "trans fat free". I figured since I ate soups and salad the entire trip, and brought my own breakfast (Kashi Go Lean cereal) I would be bad for one meal! I had heard about this place and the fact that it was across the street from hotel, made it super appealing as I didn't leave work until 7 pm. So I marched inside with my Public Health uniform on and asked the all important question. "Is the Veggie Sandwich a veggie burger?" No, it is a sandwich stacked with veggies. So I said to him, "I guess it wouldn't have been voted "the best burger" if it was veggie now would it?" His face was priceless as I asked the questions. So living on the edge I ordered fried food! I thought this was an important adventure to mark off my bucket list before ordering fried food becomes regulated. Yes, Public Health Officers do eat cheeseburgers, on occassion - at least this one does. Here is another one word tip if you ever eat a Five Guys Burgers & Fries,...take an iron stomach and SHARE! The portions are way too big.
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| They even offer free peanuts, kind like Santa Fe, but don't throw them on the floor. I don't think they like that. |
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| Drive by on the Jefferson Memorial |
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| Nice 3:30 am wake up call to a hotel evacuation |
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| About 4 am, the DCFD Midnight Express cleared us to go back to our rooms. They looked very tired too. Of course, I had a hard time going back to sleep. |
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| I bet some heroes are coming in to this gate. Can you see all the flags? |
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| Some really cool water fountains at the Chicago Airport. They were called EZ H2O and provides filtered water with a little counter that shows "Helped eliminate waste from ____ disposable plastic bottles." The best part? It is sensor activated! No touching anything. |
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| Delayed in Chicago so I enjoyed a Pasta Salad. Bowtie Pasta, feta cheese, cherry tomato, celery, roasted red pepper, green onion, basil, and chipotle with sun-dried tomato dressing. |
So very thankful and grateful to be home sweet home, back on red soil, where most people are friendly and our Air Traffic Controllers stay awake.
