Riding with the Veep (and other holiday matters)
Quick catch up while watching the end of the Noles' whupping of Wisconsin ("Badgers? We don't need no stinking Badgers!")...
I actually managed to get my Christmas shopping done more or less on time! Considering the huge hole I started in, I'm quite proud. After having put in a long week last week, I was able to take Friday afternoon off and head through the downpour to the city, taking full advantage of my weather-proofed gear. Find of the day: some absolutely awesome velvety white Ralph Lauren pajamas for Izzy, which I found at a baby boutique in Rittenhouse Square.
This allowed me to ship everything on Saturday, which should have meant everything arriving at their destinations before Christmas. Almost. Weather and UPS conspired to prevent my package to P&H from being delivered -- still. And they didn't even bother updating their website until I called. I should have used the US Postal Service.
Afterward, I subjected myself to the torture that is the new remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still. It's a steaming turd of a movie -- there's just no other way of saying it. The original was a classic, albeit very dated. This one, well, I'm not sure if I hated the weak plot, the bad science, or the awful "spunky" kid (first one I've ever openly rooted for the monster to kill in a movie ever). Worst movie I've seen in the theater since Stealth.
I only worked one day this week (Monday), which allowed me time to take a quick day trip. I had found that I was one carefully planned train trip from having Select Plus status again next year, so I decided to pop down to DC and be a tourist for once. First stop was the Museum of Natural History, where I caught Under the Sea 3D in IMAX. The 3D effect worked really well, as confirmed by everyone's reaction to the incoming wave at the beginning of the film and to the squid that attacks the camera near the end. Next up was the Museum of American History, where I'll note that the exhibit on the presidency already has Obama on its wall of Presidents. But of course the highlight of any trip there has to be viewing the portrait of Stephen Colbert that hangs across from the restrooms on the third floor (it's been moved there from the Portrait Gallery, in case anyone is confused by that).
I also wandered the Mall for awhile, which was just a little insane given that the high was 28F (without even factoring windchill). But I wanted to see the World War II Memorial, which was still being built the last time I played the tourist. It's nestled at the base of the hill of the Washington Monument and provides an opposite end point to the reflecting pool to balance out the Lincoln Memorial. It turns out that I should have come to see it during the summer, because it looks like a lot of its visual appeal depends on fountains, which were definitely not running due to the icy conditions. In fact, the reflecting pool was solid ice.
After an extremely late lunch, I decided to pack it in, though Union Station offered some last minute shopping opportunities -- there's a comic book store hidden in one corner, for example, and the Joseph A Banks was having a huge sale. A jazz orchestra played holiday songs for those waiting at the gates. I was able to trade in my existing ticket for a seat in first class for an earlier Acela (remember, the trip was to get those all important last few points). This timing was important, because, as it turned out, I shared the ride back north with our Vice President-elect, Senator Joe Biden. In fact, he sat a few rows in front of me, having walked right past me to get to his seat. There was no opportunity for interaction, but it was still a once in a lifetime event. (For the record, the porter told me that before the election, the Senator would more often than not just get a regular coach ticket, but I imagine the Secret Service has had a say in choosing the car he sits in now.)
Christmas was quiet, with me spending almost the entire day on the phone with various friends and family, then spending the few moments not talking focused on making my Christmas dinner (roasted turkey breast, etc., etc.). Still, the time on the phone was worth it, as it resulted in several new pictures of Izzy being sent and P&H introduced me to failblog, which I wish I'd known about before. Friday was spent exchanging gifts with V (among other things, she gave me a copy of a book that I had sent to miss_bronte) and treating her to lunch at the Kibitz Room, a Jewish deli that I'd had recommended to me by a cab driver. If you're ever in Cherry Hill, I highly recommend it. My pastrami reuben was awesome, and the pickle bar had something for everyone.
Next week sees me go to work for just one day again (you've just got to love those discretionary holidays that have to be taken by the end of the year). I'm going to try to fit in a couple of movies, so look for reviews.
I actually managed to get my Christmas shopping done more or less on time! Considering the huge hole I started in, I'm quite proud. After having put in a long week last week, I was able to take Friday afternoon off and head through the downpour to the city, taking full advantage of my weather-proofed gear. Find of the day: some absolutely awesome velvety white Ralph Lauren pajamas for Izzy, which I found at a baby boutique in Rittenhouse Square.
This allowed me to ship everything on Saturday, which should have meant everything arriving at their destinations before Christmas. Almost. Weather and UPS conspired to prevent my package to P&H from being delivered -- still. And they didn't even bother updating their website until I called. I should have used the US Postal Service.
Afterward, I subjected myself to the torture that is the new remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still. It's a steaming turd of a movie -- there's just no other way of saying it. The original was a classic, albeit very dated. This one, well, I'm not sure if I hated the weak plot, the bad science, or the awful "spunky" kid (first one I've ever openly rooted for the monster to kill in a movie ever). Worst movie I've seen in the theater since Stealth.
I only worked one day this week (Monday), which allowed me time to take a quick day trip. I had found that I was one carefully planned train trip from having Select Plus status again next year, so I decided to pop down to DC and be a tourist for once. First stop was the Museum of Natural History, where I caught Under the Sea 3D in IMAX. The 3D effect worked really well, as confirmed by everyone's reaction to the incoming wave at the beginning of the film and to the squid that attacks the camera near the end. Next up was the Museum of American History, where I'll note that the exhibit on the presidency already has Obama on its wall of Presidents. But of course the highlight of any trip there has to be viewing the portrait of Stephen Colbert that hangs across from the restrooms on the third floor (it's been moved there from the Portrait Gallery, in case anyone is confused by that).
I also wandered the Mall for awhile, which was just a little insane given that the high was 28F (without even factoring windchill). But I wanted to see the World War II Memorial, which was still being built the last time I played the tourist. It's nestled at the base of the hill of the Washington Monument and provides an opposite end point to the reflecting pool to balance out the Lincoln Memorial. It turns out that I should have come to see it during the summer, because it looks like a lot of its visual appeal depends on fountains, which were definitely not running due to the icy conditions. In fact, the reflecting pool was solid ice.
After an extremely late lunch, I decided to pack it in, though Union Station offered some last minute shopping opportunities -- there's a comic book store hidden in one corner, for example, and the Joseph A Banks was having a huge sale. A jazz orchestra played holiday songs for those waiting at the gates. I was able to trade in my existing ticket for a seat in first class for an earlier Acela (remember, the trip was to get those all important last few points). This timing was important, because, as it turned out, I shared the ride back north with our Vice President-elect, Senator Joe Biden. In fact, he sat a few rows in front of me, having walked right past me to get to his seat. There was no opportunity for interaction, but it was still a once in a lifetime event. (For the record, the porter told me that before the election, the Senator would more often than not just get a regular coach ticket, but I imagine the Secret Service has had a say in choosing the car he sits in now.)
Christmas was quiet, with me spending almost the entire day on the phone with various friends and family, then spending the few moments not talking focused on making my Christmas dinner (roasted turkey breast, etc., etc.). Still, the time on the phone was worth it, as it resulted in several new pictures of Izzy being sent and P&H introduced me to failblog, which I wish I'd known about before. Friday was spent exchanging gifts with V (among other things, she gave me a copy of a book that I had sent to miss_bronte) and treating her to lunch at the Kibitz Room, a Jewish deli that I'd had recommended to me by a cab driver. If you're ever in Cherry Hill, I highly recommend it. My pastrami reuben was awesome, and the pickle bar had something for everyone.
Next week sees me go to work for just one day again (you've just got to love those discretionary holidays that have to be taken by the end of the year). I'm going to try to fit in a couple of movies, so look for reviews.