Washington, DC
Thursday, June 28th

Today was a very lazy day. The students of SPS were in class most of the day I had no teaching responsibilities. I took a long walk, about an hour and half, through the neighborhood. I got myself lost on a number of occasions but honestly that was my goal. The way I figure it for every time I got lost I also realized were some street connected. This is helpful. However in DC there are two types of directions, driving and walking/biking. I feel pretty confident getting around DC with the Metro, Buses, and walking/biking. Despite having my car here I drive infrequently. In fact since filling the tank in Richmond on the way onto town I have not gassed up once and I still have a solid half tank.

Poltics and Prose Bookstore

One of the places I stopped for a break from my walk was Politics and Prose, this phenomenal book store on Connecticut Ave. I wrote about last year at length. This was my first time getting there this year and remembered why I liked it so much. Great coffee and a better selection of books. Thank God I was on foot without a backpack because if would have definitely overbought. This is a common malady of mine. I purchase waaay to many books respective to the time I have to read them. One of these summers I am going to take the whole summer off, go up to MisterCoachEricWell’s cabin in the UP(Upper Peninsula of Michigan) with a stockpile of books and read to my hearts content. Found a great website that allows you to register books that you read. It also lets you share that list with friends and others. At one level I’m sure it turns into some sort of, "Look how many books I read!” thing which it more than a tad bit obnoxious. The website is called Good Reads.

The Hiwatha National Forest in the UP.

Today is Thursday, so that means…., UGLY MUGS softball!!!!! The mugs once again took the field, this time in Anacostia Park in DC, in hopes to keep their record unblemished. The opponent this time was Capital Punishment. Do not let the team name nor their skull and crossbones jerseys fool you, this team was made up of mostly of middle 20ish girls who liked to get their beer on, my kind of women!!! The drank hard and played like they did not care about the outcome. They were a lot of fun. The Mugs used timely hitting and an error free fielding to again come out on top 15 – 4. Next week we play another undefeated team which will prove to be a much stronger test. Kais, the team captain, scheduled this game just yesterday in the hopes of improving our strength of schedule. Yes, they have a program that does this on a weekly basis, so we can stay in the Top Ten of the House Softball League.

The Ugly Mugs with some of its younger fans.

After the game a much smaller contingent went to our sponsor bar, The Ugly Mug, for some well earned mini burgers, pizza rolls, and beer. After the Mug Billy and I went to his house to watch the end of the US – Argentina soccer match in the COPA America tourney in Venezuela. The US squad made up of mostly 2nd and 3rd teamers earning their first international caps gave a valiant effort but finally succumbed to the Argentine squad of first teamers 4 to 1. Most of the US starters where back playing for their club teams in Europe after playing World Cup qualifying matches just a short time ago.