Spring is Sprung

Happy Earth Day folks, let us hope that the hype that seems to have been attracted to it this year has some effect year long. Even if only at a state level, things seems to be changing here… lets hope so (however if the article in the Washington Post today is accurate, Karl Rove, the Presidents trusted (if tarnished) ‘advisor’ remain staunchly uninformed about global warming…)

This weekend the weather has been glorious. Yesterday Rob lead the first of two bird walks at Riverbend Park, ably assisted and encouraged by Chrystal. The migrants haven’t quite gotten over the cold weather but they have started to arrived and this morning we were watching Chrystal’s absolute favo(u)rite the Black & White Warbler at Monticello Park

We are both studying at present (Chrystal on Accounting and Business, me on, well, birds!) and this afternoon I had the not inconsiderable pleasure of ‘studying’ on our (nicely shaded) deck.

Along with learning about the detailed working of birds’ inner ear, I shared the afternoon with our local Downy Woodpecker (feeding about 8 feet away). This guy is about the size of a house sparrow, but disarmingly trusting of me sitting in our deck furniture with a G&T.

The Goldfinch’s have been feeding on the Thistle seed down below and the Northern Mockingbird followed the woodpecker to the suet block.

Talking of Gold, commiserations to our boys at Watford (aka the “Golden Boys”), and us the fans, after they failed to stay in the Premiership for next season, having managed only a draw with Manchester City at Vicarage Road yesterday.

For those that don't follow UK football (shame on you !), 'Our team', have been in the top flight of English Soccer this last winter season, but have struggled and will play in the 2nd tier next season (at least the arch-rival team - Luton - just got relegated to the third tier)

Things you didn't need to know #2

On our internal website at work we have a 'Campfire stories' section. This month's regards the most embarrassing experience as a Consultant. Here's mine

"Campfire Story Submissions
Rob Young

And so the big day came. After weeks of hard work, we were at ‘go-live’ day and I had the honor of doing the data conversion tasks and planned to be at the important customer site early.

I was even running ahead of schedule at home so had that extra cup of coffee before leaving the house for a leisurely drive into London. I promise I had planned for the usual delay on the A40 (one of the main arterial routes into town) and had even built in some contingency (like all good project plans, right?).

Long story short…. Something of a major accident on the way brought roads into west London to a stand still and, as my contingency came and went, I was faced with two rising problems…..

Firstly; the prospect of being late for the start of one of the most important meetings of my career to date. And secondly, well not to be too graphic, too much coffee and an endless traffic jam. (And no the A40 did not have a convenient McDonalds open at that time of the morning in those days…) And so I arrived at the client site ‘in a hurry’. Up to the third floor and straight into a convenient bathroom.

You know there are certain moments in consulting when things just aren’t right… panic over; I began to notice my surroundings better. For those of you that have never been in the ladies restroom there are some things that are missing and some other things that the men’s room will probably never have! That’s all I am saying.

I skulked away from the scene and managed a big smile and handshake for the Finance Director. It was a tough but successful day and just occasionally I thought I detected a smirk or two from passing employees.

Moral of the story, the perennial enemies of consulting are coffee (I am with you Anurag!) and traffic AND if you see me rush past you in the morning…cover me!"

Play Ball, the Big Apple, and Blue People...

Rhiannon's visits in early April coincide with the start of the baseball season and, for the third year running, we were able to catch a game while she was here. This year looked promising for a balmy night at the ol' ball game; you see, when we walked out of Dulles Airport on her arrival it was 84 degrees. However, D.C. in April being what it is, that soon changed as a rather impressive thunderstorm overnight brought a cold front through, and the temperatures sunk dramatically (as some of the following pictures will show). So, to use some baseball jargon, we're "batting .1000" or "we're 3 for 3" (years, that is) for baseball being played in a chilly wind. As the innings passed, the shadows lengthened...and as the sun dipped below the horizon the temperature also fell dramatically. We left the game a bit early, particularly since it wasn't looking too promising for our team. Maybe next time... The rest of Rhiannon's trip was decidedly cool and even snowed over the weekend. No suntan for the girl to show off back in Selsey :(


We spent a couple of days shopping and generally hanging about the house. Chrystal was treated to a yummy dinner upon her arrival home from work on Thursday night--Shepherd's pie, steamed veggies and brownies for dessert. The chefs had produced a bounty! On Friday we headed up to New York City for a couple of nights.


We travelled up by train arriving at Penn(sylvania) Station during mid afternoon. Being Easter weekend the train was crowded but we were soon at our hotel and trying to decide the best way to see as much as possible. We decided to brave the long queue at the Empire State Building and despite a lengthy wait and some significant remodelling going on, we were on the 86th floor to watch the sun setting over New Jersey. Oooooh, aaaaaahhhh...


An impressive sight for sure. A few short breaks were spent inside the observation tower away from the brisk wind and occasional flakes of snow. As the sun set the lights came on and eventually we headed down to visit Macy's and Times Square in its crazy, sparkling madness

Saturday we spent a lot of time on the tour bus, walked in Central Park and visited a part of Greenwich Village that is trying to establish a label of 'Little Britain'.

On Saturday evening we attended the 'off Broadway' show by the Blue Man Group. Fortunately(!) we had been able to get seats in the second row, even though it was only a small 300 seat theatre, a rare treat. It was QUITE a show including the 'audience participation' skits, featuring at one point, the guy sitting in row two (oh yes, that would be Rob!!)


Back home to Alexandria Sunday night, and one final day of shopping with Chrystal on Monday. Then the ladies picked me up at my office on the way to the airport and we had to say goodbye to Rhiannon (always the worst part of the visit) :'(

All change in the 'hood

The past week has seen visible migration at long last....and this time, we're not talking about birds (although we may stretch the metaphor a little further...)
Our mid-western friend (and pseudo-niece), Lisa finally had enough of DC and moved back home - actually, she successfully completed her three month clinical at the National Rehab hospital and is off to Iowa City for the next 12 weeks - congratulations Lisa. Trust us, it will be better doing all that hard work when you receive a salary as well! (and BTW your excess luggage is 'in the mail'...).
As (we expect) those back home in Iowa did, we threw her a sumptuous farewell evening including having Japanese food thrown at her (at the local Hibachi restaurant) and then - surely the highlight of any visit - topped it off with a visit to the 'Pizza Box', our local drinking establishment. (Pictures of Lisa dancing with 'Uncle Jack' available on request....)



Other transient visitors to the neighborhood included former residents Bill & Sylvi and their family, Silke, William, Kristin and Laure. Also joining a riotous (!) Sunday lunch were Kim, Chip and Olivia (with sassy pink cowboy boots no less).

It was great to see everyone and we look forward to many more get-togethers (here in DC, in Pennsylvania or even perhaps Washington state).








Which bring us to April and our annual royal visitor. April Fools Day saw Rhiannon's 15th birthday and today she arrived, courtesy of Virgin Atlantic (and, more impressively, Elliott drove his sister to the airport). The weather is FANTASTIC today - warm and sunny. However it looks like that will break tonight :( and Rhiannon will struggle to get that suntan she wants. Nevertheless we got a bunch of things planned that hopefully won't be spoiled by the weather. Watch this space.....