One week...

Okay so today is Sunday and I fly out in exactly one week's time.  Well one week and an hour if someone is actually keeping track.

Much still to do and there always seems to be a need for one more box.  Two carloads of my gently used belongings have already been taken to Goodwill with another in preparation as we speak (well no, I'm procrastinating currently, but soon...soon!)

I am saddened that Sen. Kennedy passed away the week before I arrived for several reasons. One being his motorcade was scheduled to pass through DC (they love a motorcade in that city.  I saw two in the 20 hours I was there in April).  There were apparently ceremonial stops along the route for bands to play etc and I imagine it was quite moving and impressive.  The Americans love pomp and ceremony - they really should have kept the Royal Family.  

And on that note I add a photo of a farewell gift that my friend David gave me yesterday....

Argh, new to this so can figure out how to get the image below the typing. Ah well, suffice it to say it is Her Majesty.  And for those of you not in the know, she is wearing the Order of Canada.

When I have this on my desk at the KC, I'm sure it will confuse my new American friends to no end...

Presidential Dress Code Optional

Alistair is way cool.

Thank you my friend...

T minus >2 weeks

I have too much stuff.  It's like it's growing around me.  Even as I take bags to Goodwill, thrust possessions on to unsuspecting friends, it continues to expand.

Does it not understand that soon my life must fit into a 5x10x8 storage unit? C'est tres petit!!! (or it that petite?  Is storage masculine or feminine?)

The storage unit is very pretty.  Bright and shiny and new.  And expensive.  

But they give you oreos!!  And it doesn't feel like visiting a state prison when you walk its halls.

I'm not sure I'm up to the physics of making it all fit (honestly, I doubt it's actually humanly possible).  You know how Dads can always pack everything into the trunk of the car? I don't have that gene.  Fortunately, I have production types on call for the afternoon who do. Wish me luck.

T minus 4 weeks

That's all.

Oh actually no.  I have a plane ticket.  I leave Sunday, September 6 to DC via Philly.  Perhaps Reid will meet me at the airport for my two hour layover? (from the Bachelorette for those of you too intelligent to watch such things).

So I won't be homeless afterall....

I have found a place to lay my head in DC.  Well in the Greater DC area anyway - I will be taking up residence in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia (it's a bit like living in the Beaches, so I imagine I'll adjust...).  Perhaps not as hip as I'd like.  Perhaps not as central as I'd like, but a damn site better than this intersection where I almost rented....(do the 360 tour.  There's a little blue house you'll be able to see.  It's very sweet and truly well maintained.  However, I don't want to live there)

This is considered a neighbourhood in "transition" if you are American.  I think the differences in our two nations becomes clearer to me every day...

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Am converting other Fellows to the "affair with a Congressmen" course of action.  Planning a working group to align strategies...group discount to Argentina?

The true challenge...softball

The RNC and DNC went head to head today in their annual softball game.  Funniest quote I've read on the subject from a DNC spokesperson, "Given how quickly their numbers are dwindling, we're surprised the RNC (Republican National Congress) was able to find nine Republicans to field a team".  Hi-larious (shout out to Leo for bringing this to my attention).

This is all the more fitting because of Canadian Stage's recent softball game against our TYA foes down Front Street - LKTYP.  Last year, we beat them so soundly we stopped counting (it was only polite) but this year they squeaked out a victory in a 21-20 defeat of the good guys.

I'll keep you posted on the Democrats.