Saturday morning found Roommate #2 and I on the train to visit the Newseum, a museum dedicated to the news. It didn't sound appealing at first glance (science person here-- give me molecules, give me physiology... press coverage? In text speak: "IDK..."), but I am so very happy that I went. It turned out to be incredible and chill-inducing. The exhibits ranged from 9-11, to photography in news, to a fascinating FBI section. There was also a small display on the Civil War. Overall, it was a fascinating visit. (Hint: If you're a student, or you have AAA, take your card: the discount is the same.)
(Pictures coming soon!)
(Pictures coming soon!)
Directly outside of the Metro stop you take to get to the Newseum is the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. I went and "visited" my Uncle's engraving. The memorial is beautiful and peaceful; so long as people don't take their lunch break there to shriek loudly about something asinine. (Yes, I'm looking at you. There are things you just shouldn't do. This is a somber memorial, not a tourist trap. Move along, please. Gettin' off my soapbox now..)
After we left the Newseum we met up with Roommate #1 in the metro where we boarded a train to our next destination: the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum! Again, I felt a bit skeptical about the choice of museum, but it turned out to be so very fascinating. The exhibits I enjoyed the most had to do with WWII and the Wright brothers. Additionally, there was an exhibit on the Navy's role in getting planes in the air during one of the wars (... WWI? I forget..). One hilarious adventure Roommate #1 and I undertook was operating a fighter jet simulator. We had a brief (less than five-minutes!) training session on how to use the joystick, and being the XBox whiz that I am, I couldn't figure it out. (Give me the old Nintendo controllers and I'll be good; none of this Top Gun stuff!). Roommate #1 seemed to pick up the steering pretty quickly, so I was instructed on three button options that I could use: definitely more my [gaming] speed! Although we crashed and died three times, we ended up with seven enemies down. The machines were fascinating; you were strapped in tightly, and your physical environment mirrored what was happening on the screen-- which meant we spent a great deal of time upside down. Roommate #1 was a total natural.
This weekend was the start of returning physical pain. I may need to seek out a chiropractor if things don't resolve themselves. I knew it was inevitable, but I wanted to last longer than two weeks. Oh well.
Blessings,
Clarice
Clarice