Don't Worry - play reggae

Still basking in the positive vibrations of last week's inauguration, I came by the PlayingForChange video on YouTube. I'm a sucker for a French guy singing in English. Anyway, it seems like a fun endeavor. 

The six days I spent in Washington, D.C. gave me greater insight into the daily grind of our nation's leaders. And visiting our capital made history seem more real to me. If you haven't been, you should put it on your life's to-do list. 

While there, I visited the following places, most were free.

Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Washington Monument, Capitol Visitor Center, National Gallery of Art (East and West), Corcoran Gallery of Art, Natural History Museum, Renwick Gallery Museum, Smithsonian Institution: Sackler and Freer Galleries, National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum

I've already posted these on facebook and sent them to everyone I know, but if you haven't seen my photos, feel free to have a look.

wonderful world, beautiful people

Jimmy Cliff

On Friday, January 16, Helen and I took the metro to the Capitol. She arranged a private tour of the Capitol Building and the new visitor center. The tour included a visit to Senator Levin's hideaway office, which was formerly John Glenn's office (yes, that John Glenn). From the office window we saw workers setting up the stage where Barack will give his speech on Tuesday.

The senate was in session, so we slipped in to see Sen. Maria Cantwell from the great state of WA delivering a pitch for funding of smart cars, smart energy grids and manufacturing incentives for green businesses. We caught her in the act of genuinely representing the interests of WA residents. Unbelieveable.

After eating lunch in the Senate cafeteria, we headed over to the Library of Congress, and then checked out the US Botanic Garden.

I'm grateful to be in DC with the millions of other supporters. I can't wait to attend the We Are One concert tomorrow.