Meeting International Professionals and Admiring Japanese

"What felt great was that I ran with outstretched wings the wind lifting them up from behind"

Reflecting:

Enjoyed the simple but fullfilling message today at National Community on Scars and forgiveness from Pastor Mark -- found it incredibly profound like all the others over the last few weeks.

Understanding:

The message sent my mind spinning. Led me down to the Tidal Basin, the partially man-made inlet along the Potomac River between Jefferson and FDR Memorials, that now serves as a visual and valued centerpiece for the locals and tourists.

I was enthralled at the endless sea of blooming pink and white Cherry trees and even more amazed at the several thousand locals and tourists who flocked to enjoy the beauty of the natural bosoms.

Inspiring:

What was especially invigorating was the fresh breeze, strong and steadfast, blowing silent, stoicly from the mouth of the Mother of all Waters, the Mighty Chesapeake, turning up waves topped with foamy white caps that danced all over the Basin and out to the flowing Potomac.

Negotiating:

What felt great was that I ran with outstretched wings the wind lifting them up from behind for the entire mile and a half dash from the very tip of Hains Point to the west side of the Jefferson Memorial where I joined an avid socializing and networking professional-style picnic with the International Club of DC during their annual Spring Picnic.

I had my fill of learning and contributing.

Navigating:

And later that day when I was in the safe confines of my home office, I once again felt energized, tied and uptight. At 10:00 pm after completing my weekly chores with my roommates, I shifted colors to spandex and jersey and departed the pattern for another mind numbing spin. Yes, the Awakenings at Hains Point magically pulled me away. Even with gusting 35 knot winds, I spiritedly pressed on around the 3.2 mile stretch of road point until the tenacious wind was firmly behind me.

The near-midnight ride was refreshing, enlightening and definitely addictive. But it was something I wanted to do -- would make me sleep better, think better and attain a clearer mind tomorrow.

Cherry Blossom Fest Kickoff

Today,  Linda drove down from Solomons and celebrated the kick off of the 09 Cherry Blossom Festival with me. 

It was a little rainy so it was best to do a windshield vice walking tour.

We first drove to the heart of the festival enjoying the panoramic view of the puffy, pink cotton candy trees that lined the Tidal Basin.

A stone's throw away, by the Washington Monument folks from near and far were lining up with their fancy kites, some exquisite, some home-made.

Then we headed to the National Building Museum and secured a lucky, front row seat to the Opening Ceremony.  We saw this American guy who Linda and I thought at first was a Hip Hop artist sing Japanese folk tunes perfectly, you would think he was Japanese.

There were ballet dancers, First-grade violin players and the highlight of the whole show was this all-female drummer dance troupe that thrilled and whirled the crowd -- what a wonderful show and wonderful way to end the show.

We then strolled over to the Portrait Museum and browsed through the arts and crafts of Americana, both historic and modern.

Admiring art really worked up an appetite and Chinatown being next door, we enjoyed a nice, wholesome gluten-free dinner of roast pork, soy sauce chicken, spinach and matsutake mushroom but not necessarily in that order.

The lighter side of dinner occurred when Linda attempted to add sugar to the high-grade Chinese tea.

That was when I interceded on behalf of the Ancient Chinese mythology and saved the day.

By now, you would think that the evening was over especially since the rain had come back some.

But, I had one more surprise left up my sleeve-- a nice scenic drive by the US Capitol, Library of Congress, Supreme Court and then a drive cross the border into VA.

Linda was surprised to see the Pentagon but was truly impressed with the determination and design of the Pentagon Memorial and the way the age lines traverse the Memorial at 45 degrees, directing our eyes across the path to the current Air Force Memorial where American Airlines Flight 77 had previously flown from.

We were touched to see the youngest victim, Dana Falkenberg, who was only three-years old and were equally honored by the oldest who was 71 and had previously served and retired from the US Army.

Then after an afternoon and evening of entertainment, arts and honor, Linda was ready for her long drive back to Solomons, through the fog and rain.

Break In on my rental unit

Today, I got victimized, once again. The kids -- no thugs -- I should call them, broke out, broke away and broke into my rental and tenant's privacy. They entered by breaking the window in the basement with a large, rock, then climbed in one by one, as if they were going on a mission -- a mission to terrorize, to victimize, to steal.

Yes, in broad daylight on a normal spring day.

First they relieved and excreted themselves all over the bathroom floor. Then then proceeded to climb upstairs (this is a duplex) where they wanted to terrorize some more.

They exited the duplex upstairs via the front door then climbed up the stairs into the building, hollering and screaming like an out-of-rage banshee.

Then with all their might they decided to kick that heavy metal door until the dead bolt sliced through the door frame like it was simply a butter knife slicing and dicing hot cottage cheese in half and little pieces.

Once inside the apartment, they decided to go for broke and break everything within sound and sight.

They turned over the couches upside down, yanked the mattress from the bed. Ransacked the apartment like they were looking for drugs or something.

Then they stole crazy pieces of jewelry, some oddball electronics and grabbed anything of value they could get their hands on.

Hollering and screaming, the bandits made their escape out the front door and out to the busy, bustling streets of Galveston, Forrester and MLK -- overjoyed with their newly stolen loot to buy their drugs and to terrorize once again.

Today was a day to be forgotten, but besides all this, I am thankful that no one got hurt, nothing major got stolen or destroyed and I will remember this time as a day I decided once again to move on, move out and to move away.

Sesame Street, Social, Swim and a Spin

During work, I had the pleasure and comfort to attend a Sesame Street Special entitled "Coming home: Military Families Cope with Change" -- tells the story of servicemembers returning home with injuries and explores the struggles that families face as they search for a normal life.  

Included special appearances by Elmo and Rosita (They were a trip) as well as Dep Sec Def and GEN Shinseki (Really admire and respect this Leader).

Great day at work, even went for a nice swim.

After work, I attended the River East Emerging Leaders (Thanks to Darrin who invited me) -- A progressive network of East of the River movers and shakers at the Honfleur Gallery. 

Was my first time at the Gallery.  Really enjoyed seeing old friends: Susan, Julian, Darrin, Yavocka, etc and meeting a few new ones.

I was impressed and will definitely be back.

Then I went for a spin a couple of times at Haines Point.  Today was a nice warm day -- high in the mid 60's, so I was still able to go for a nice night ride and wasn't too, too chilly, even in my biking shorts.

This was the first time I've gone for a spin in nearly 4 months.  Wow -- What a thrill -- something I've greatly missed.  Welcome Spring!

So, a great day at work for our Nation, inspired by our wounded veterans who sacrificed so much for me and my Country, got a great belly laugh from Elmo and Rosita,  shaked hands with some impressive young professionals -- some who will be my future leaders and went for a swim and a spin.

Happy St Paddy's Day

The Anacostia Waterfront forum:The Economics of Developing the Anacostia Waterfront" was very interesting and informative.  Ms. Altman did a great job explaining the process.  Attended the meeting at the MLK Library downtown. After that strolled over to Clydes and enjoyed some dark Irish ale and listen to some jolly Irish bagpiper with an old friend.

Great day at work in the office, informative meetings about the future of Anacostia, now great times with a good friend on a great Irish holiday in the heart of Chinatown -- what more can you ask for.

26 Galveston Place SW #B (Duplex)

Upstairs Bedroom has private Bathroom and separate entrance

Washer & Dryer upstairs

Large Closet

Kitchen with new fridge (to be delivered soon)

26 Galveston Place SW #4

These are pics of the 2 BR, 2 BA, den. Renovated in 2007. Washer and Dryer, HVAC

26 Galveston Place #4

26 Galveston Place SW #5 (Upstairs)

3 Bedrooms (each bedroom has its own ceiling fan), 2 full Baths, Den

Central Heat and Air

Brand new washer and dryer

Plenty of Parking

Living Room and Dining Room

3rd Bedroom and Den

Gourmet Kitchen with Breakfast Nook. Lots of cabinets

Mini Triathlon Today

Today was an incredible day of swimming, spinning and running.  I swam 15  laps in the Pentagon pool, spinned for 25 mins then got outside and ran for 9 miles: Pentagon to the backside of US Capitol and back. I feel overjoyed but exhausted and prepping for the Big National, coming up.  Game ON!

 

Two Loops Capitol to Lincoln

Today, was a fabulous run day.  It was supposed to rain all day, but thankfully the skies cleared up long enough for me to make two loops around the Capitol (back end by the Supreme Court) to the Lincoln Memorial.  This is total of 9 miles and I must say the longest I've run all year.

Seemed the skies cleared up just perfectly in time because it started to rain just as I crossed the finish line.  Came down in drips then in drabbles.

Ran in my flats and felt real light fast like a gazelle.  Being running every day this week -- I'm exhausted but feeling ready, but for what...

Sometimes, I wonder with my busy workload why I run.  In fact, I could be so busy, not even time to sleep or eat, and I would parcel time out of my hectic schedule to burn a few miles or more.

I run because it makes me happy, gives me energy, releases endorphins naturally, provides me an outlet to think, ponder solve the world's problems, and kick that rock when I want to kick all that, cry and not be publicly disgraced, grimace and scowl at world issues as if I could sweat it all away -- and most important of all, to enjoy God's grace and thankfully stay strong and in shape. 

Since I have never been a skilled athlete all my life, and have twice torn my ACL when playing in group sports, running is something I can do and am not as much prone to injury since I control where I go (unless there's a dog chasing me or I'm running a traffic light and cars are coming my way).

Don't have to worry about blocking that shot or catching that pass -- it's me running amidst everyone else, in the middle of a crowded mall but alone and thinking by myself personally proud of reaching that pinacle that milestone, even if no one else around me cares or even wants to know. It's me, it's mine today and for eternity and it means the world to me, twice over. 

Ran with my new music playlist on my new shuffle (my 5th one I ever owned because the previous four were ditched or lost or perhaps lifted -- no, people, I believe, are honest in this world)

Fast pace music got my heart pumping -- I'm ready to run and roll. Gotta get those sappy, love songs out of there (Carpenters, Air Supply. Elton John).  

Getting ready for the National next Sat.  I'm excited and am running not for a specific cause but for all causes -- and yes, of course -- for myself.  Running is indeed self-centered.

Dave Trotman and our Flight Over Sierra Leone

Today, an old friend hit me up on Facebook -- Dave Trotman.  Dave who?  I had to think long and hard for a moment.

Oh, yeah, I remember -- We spent an entire month together -- conducted our 1st Class Cruise in 1990. Yeah, I was supposed to go on the cruise of my lifetime -- to the balmy Mediterranean.  Instead we spent the entire cruise aboard the USS Peterson off the coast of Africa.

This was the only time I got to see Africa-- from the airstrip in Freetown, Sierra Leone where we made friends with children selling us fruit.  The kids spoke English very well with a West African accent.  Then we all boarded a helo flying merely 500 feet above the swamps and tropical trees.  My tour of this exotic country consisted of peering out the window of a CH-46 helicopter.  But we got a great overall tour of the country -- the coastal Guinean mangroves, the wooded hill country and even some mountain ranges.  From the distance, I could see the green mountains surrounded all around by a steamy jungle.  The tour was eye watering.  I was completely taken back. I did not expect Sierra Leone to be so beautiful, so majestic. 

This was a land with beautiful forestry, filled with beautiful birds of all colors -- that I wanted to come back to some day and explore.  But for now, we had a mission to accomplish.

USS Peterson was off the coast of Liberia When civil war broke out in Liberia, In the summer of 1997, Peterson was called to make a high speed transit from the Mediterranean to the coast of Liberia to stand by to evacuate American citizens trapped by the fighting during the Civil War.  Nearly 750,000 Liberians fled into neighboring countries, and several hundred thousand were killed.










I remember attending regular briefs about Liberia and the bloody work of President Charles Taylor. Liberia meant a lot to our country especially because it was a land that many freed slaves decided to resettle.








Now, it was a land amid a major humanitarian crisis. This mad man president was committing genocide and gross crimes against humanity.  His regime had to end.  As a Midshipman would no tangible Naval skill and watch standing abilities, I was proud to be able to make our contribution to a  great human cause for Africans and Americans, even if it meant missing out on a long-expected Mediterranean cruise.

Taking Chance -- A Tribute to Phil and Our War Heroes

Phil Murphy-Sweet

"Some movies make an immediate impact on you. Some movies impact you for a lifetime."

Today, Colin and I just finished watching "Taking Chance" on HBO. It's a sad story about a Marine Lt Col who escorts the remains of PVC Chance Phelps home.

I am not sure whether Colin has ever seen a grown man cry, much less watch his father sob relentlessly.

The last time I remember crying with Colin was at his birth at the Balboa NavalMedical Center in San Diego.

And 11 years later, on this listless, grey day, the tear gates unlocked and my heart cried open.

"Taking Chance" is such a simple, thoughtful movie, it leaves you speechless.

It is not a flag-waving war movie that highlights the romanticism of war. Nor is it a sober critique that epitomizes the pain of a fallen soldier.

Instead it is about respect extended toward the casket by drivers, pilots and people of all stripes.

You never even see a picture of Chance Phelps. You never hear about what sports he played, his high school sweetheart, his buddies in Iraq.

In many ways, the kid with a bubbling personality and a moving story is all wrapped up and anonymous.

He is just like any American son or daughter who is a tragic casualty of the never-ending war on terror.

There is no politics, no agenda except to put a face on those who died and those who the took the call to bring them home.

Kevin Bacon portrays Lt Col Michael Strobl who volunteered to bring Chance home. Kevin plays the role so well that when he clearly wants to cry, but being on call cannot find a way to shed a tear, the audience cries out for him.

Why This Movie Touched Me:

In 2007, I was saddened to hear the loss of my Navy-school friend, Phil Murphy-Sweet. Cmdr Murphy-Sweet died from injuries from an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion in Baghdad.

I was completely stunned. Phil left behind a wife and three children, and I felt compassionate and sorrowful to his family, even if I had never met them.

I've known Phil long before he started a family.

In 1986, for 18 brutal months we suffered and persevered through a highly intense academic and physical training regimen called Broadened Opportunities for Officer Selection and Training (BOOST).

The rigorous military training proved our mettle and brought us together.

I didn't see Phil that much. We were in separate companies residing in different barracks and when not working out, I was always hitting the books. I had no choice; I was scared to death that I would fail and get sent home.

I wished I saw Phil more, and I feel especially close to him now.

I get especially emotional every time I see or hear about one of our own who didn't make it back home alive.

When I worked at Bethesda (2003--2005), I visited a lot of Wounded Warriors. Two Marines I had the honor to meet came back alive but tragically died under care from wounds sustained in Iraq.

I remember them distinctly. Their faces of grace, their looks of determination, the open gaze of desperation from their families. I'll always remember them dearly, and I'll never stop thanking them.

Today Phil is buried in our Nation's most sacred shrine, and like all the War Heroes who have come home to rest, I can always pay tribute to them in person and through prayers.

Indian Summer and a Hip Arab Festival

This afternoon, Colin and I attended the Arabesque festival at the Kennedy Center

The event was quite a cultural kaleidoscope of art, dress, music and poetry.

Besides art, the festival paid homage to Arab contributions to science made during the Middle Ages.

My favorite exhibit is the the Exploratorium, a 15-minute film displayed on a disc in the ceiling. Colin and I reclined as we watch mosque domes dance across the screen alongside pages of early Arabic texts displaying arithmetic and scientific discoveries. The short film quickly establishes how these breakthroughs remain part of our lives to this day.

Today was Indian Summer. The temps today rose up to the low 70s. So Colin and I were in shorts even through the evening. This is amazing since just 5 days ago, we had the biggest snowfall in DC (some places over 12") in over 3 years.

After I dropped Colin off, I went for a nice run on the Mall. I've run the Mall a million times, but this is the first time that I decided to run the WW II monument -- Lincoln Memorial loop a couple times before heading back to the Washington Monument -- no particular reason -- just wanted to do something different.

I wanted to press on, but I remembered that we would be pressing the clocks one hour ahead later tonight for Daylight Savings -- so I decided to spare myself for tomorrow.