Evil Lairs

As you may know, every megalomaniac bent on world domination is required to have an evil lair, in which to hatch evil plots and nefarious schemes. And since I am a rather self-indulgent hamster, I have a couple of them. They are, of course, secret lairs, so don't tell anybody you saw them.

 

 

 

Don't let the intimidating appearance of the work areas fool you, the residential areas are all quite cozy.

And Now for Something Completely Different...

Old Town North!!!  Old Town North is a latterly development --brace yourself-- directly north of Old Town (the old Colonial center of Alexandria). Done with considerable sensitivity to the older architecture, OTN blends seamlessly with Old Town getting progressively more modern and open till you hit the green-space park along the George Washington Parkway, where Alexandria ends.

This building is the Alexandria Schools rowing center. Yes, the Alexandria high schools have crew teams.

A park stretches along the river; at the south end, a new addition is being built with swings that overlook the river. How lovely!

There are black squirrels in Northern Virginia and DC

The abandoned railroad tracks that went out to the industries along the river: shipbuilding, a Ford plant, and others, have been turned into part of the east coast hiking trail.

The place is so safe you can detail your Porsche out on the curb

Our go-to standard supermarket is up there too; the tree has been in the lobby now for nearly a month. Harrumph! 

And here's another accident; I believe it was taken whilst putting my phone back in my jacket pocket. I think it looks kinda cool...

Metro Odds & Ends

 Waiting for a friend at Crystal City Station...

and another one of those scary ads you won't find anywhere else.

Bons Mots & Such

 

A Guide to the National Symphony

As you will have noticed by now (I think that might be a future perfect subjective, but what do I know) David and I are frequent attendees of the National Symphony Orchestra. It is indeed a delightful experience, so I thought I might share some pointers with you, a sort of "An Old Hamster's Guide to the Orchestra" if you will.

 

 When you've got 2 harps, a piano, and a celesta lined up, with a percussion section taking up the entire back wall, you know it's gonna be a fun night.

The guy with the white beard is almost always there, front row center. This is as dressed up as he gets. He clearly knows his stuff and follows avidly. We met his daughter one evening when we were sitting in front; she usually takes his seat if he's unable to attend.

The KC Shop is sporting some new graphics. The black & white is a graphic made from the KC's logo. The mugs are taken from a commission of paintings that were made for each of Beethoven's 9 symphonies. They were part of the NSO's performance and recording of the entire 9. A great set!

Where Was I?

This is my second attempt at narrative. 

 

   It's been a little while since my last post. 10,000 pardons begged! So, where was I? Well, strange as it may sound, I was busy. I have endeavored to avoid being busy of late, realizing that being busy is merely a vain attempt to control an overpowering universe--but more on that later maybe. A couple of regular medical appointments, housework projects (including training the new robot vacuum), grocery shopping, a couple of long walks, tidying up a messy computer, the list goes on with the mundanities (if that isn't a word, it should be) of life. 

   My Doktorvater, i.e., dissertation adviser, was in town for Thanksgiving with in-laws, and we met up for lunch. I learned that a friend I was in grad school with died from brain cancer, receiving the diagnosis just two weeks after going to NYC to receive a highly prestigious fellowship. He went very quickly and never had the change to use the fellowship. Also the husband of one of my profs died from ALS shortly after diagnosis, the fastest developing case the doctors had ever seen.  It's only been a couple of years since they retired. Indeed, my Doktovater himself lost his wife just a couple of years after they retired.

   So, I guess I should be happy with being busy... and for that matter alive at this point. And the mundane has become, frequently, warm and familiar, like an old fuzzy coat on a cold day, something comforting to put on, but you wouldn't want to wear it all the time. Time... that of course is also involved. I want to write something on time soon (don't worry, I'll keep Einsteinian Relativity to a minimum).

   Anyway, that's what I've been up to. I will endeavor to be more prodigious in posting... maybe a couple of nice pics of Old Town Alexandria?

   Toodles.