Another day with doctors - so make the most of it!

I had a 10:30 appointment in DC today to check in with my Heamatologist.  It usually makes for a long day.  I allowed plenty of time for a lesurely drive.  I left at 7:10 or so, with a couple quick stops before heading out of town.  I needed some gas, cash and a drive-thru breakfast.  I was all set and left California by 7:30.  No worries.

That is until the first slow-down for an accident.  No problem, plenty of time.  I got through Waldorf reasonably well. Then I saw this ahead of me:

Not so nice, but it crept along fairly steady.  I drove to Washington Reagan National Airport.  I pick up the Metro there since I'm not a fan of driving in the city.  Before the Blue Line metro came, I took a pic of the water draining off the roof of the station.  There were many of these relatively small diameter tubes that were trickling water. The train showed up in a few minutes.   In the end the timing turned out fine, but with not much leeway after all.  Arrived at GW right at 10:15!

The appointment went well.  My anemia seems to be stable and the doctor thinks I'm doing remarkably well - all things considered.  (But that's enough of that part of the story for now.)

So, I made the best of the rest of the afternoon.  A quick stop into Whole Foods for a couple things we needed and  then off to find some lunch.  I passed up on ROTI - a great mediteranean eatery, for a trip to the Pentagon City Mall where I settled for a Great Steak.  Quite good.  I took some time to stroll all the levels of the mall and took some photos:

The first thing that stood out was the huge banner in the atrium.  It's about shaving; I kid you not.  In the banner the split photo is the "before" the good shave represented by the middle photo.  Of course the shave is enhanced by the suit and tie and better haircut too.  The split photo shows a very baggy eyed slob.  There is even a store there to cater to your very closest shave - no kidding!

As I wandered to the upper deck, the trusses caught my attention as did the arrangement of lunch tables below.  I just found them interesting

Then on the way home I stopped by Solomon's Island and captured a few birds - well on film anyway (digital.)  I think the first is a juvenile Laughing Gull and the other a juvenile Herring Gull - but I need you my friends to confirm!


I also saw a hawk of some kind in DC just before getting on 395, and an amazing number of Black Buzzards just off of Rt. 4 near the Equestrian Center.  Most of them were trying to dry their wings.  It was pretty cool to see and I went back to grab a photo, but here wasn't any really safe place to pull over.  Oh well.

I think that this day reminded me that life can be what you make of it.

Be curious. Look around. Be amazed a what you might find.


Till next time,

Brian

juvenile Laughing Gull?

juvenile Herring Gull ?