Golden leaves

The fall leaves haven't been as colorful this year, but occassionally I'll find a vibrant tree or two. These trees are just around the corner from my house, and they always stand out from the rest of the drab scenery.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was a little bittersweet. Heather has been hosting it for the past five years, and this was her last one in DC.

She's a force to be reckoned with when she's got those oven mitts on.

Me, Laurel, and Heather.

Mmmm....turkey.

I couldn't eat it all....my eyes were bigger than my stomach.

Let's Say Thanks

While you are giving thanks today and enjoying the company of friends and family, remember that our country has men and women who are away from their loved ones. Xerox Company has a great program where they send postcards to our troops overseas. I encourage you to send a quick message to someone in our military; it's easy and it only takes a second: http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home1024.html.

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!

City rankings

I know some of you back home are worried that I live in such a "dangerous" city. But recently the list of the most dangerous cities was published and DC is ranked number 27!

DC gets a bad rap, and most people don't realize how safe the city really is. Crime has gone down tremendously in the past two decades. And besides, it's not like I'm walking around Southeast by myself at 3 in the morning (SE is roughly the equivalent of LA's South Central). So just take a deep breath, people, and relax. It's not as bad as you think it is.

And look how pretty!

The end of an era

Sigh...it's with a heavy heart that I write this. Last night we all went out to have a big send-off for Heather, who is moving to Michigan next weekend. Heather has been one of my best friends in DC and introduced me to most of the people I know here. (I seriously wouldn't have any friends if it weren't for her.) She also introduced us all to Ella's, so it was only fitting that we had our last hurrah there.

It's in the heart of the city, right across the street from the American Art Museum/National Portrait Gallery.

Best sangria in town.

Heather's so proud of her blinky pin.

Heather and Shane, acting silly.

Me and Heather...the end of an era.

Some baseball news

I actually have a piece of exciting news! We received our new season ticket assignment!! And I am quite happy with them. We will be in section 203, row C - in the left field mezzanine. Click here to see a 3-D seating map. Also, the turf was installed this past week, and it looks gorgeous. Go here to see the webcam of the new stadium (you can see the Navy Yard over the right field wall). One more link for those who are truly interested: Tom Boswell wrote a great article on the new stadium after taking a tour of it with the local media: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/13/AR2007111302361.html.

Bleh

At a time when I should be looking forward to the holiday season with glee, I find I've been dealt a crap sandwich by fate. Let me count the ways....

1. One of my best friends is moving halfway across the country. Boo!
2. My roommate suddenly announced that she's moving out - I HATE looking for new roommates!
3. A friend at work is being deployed soon. Thankfully, he's going to Africa and not Iraq. But still, I'm going to miss him.

Someone recently told me that friends are like kleenex. New ones always pop up when you need them. It's a nice thought, but I really don't like change.

Fun with Photoshop!

I learned something new today! I love having access to Photoshop at work.