DC Blogs & 10,000 Hits

Thank you DC Blogs for listing my blog on the DC Blogs live feed website. Did I mention the word blog? I noticed a couple months back that someone suggested my mini cooper entry be noted on the site. My hit count skyrocketed because it was listed. A second entry about visiting the Midwest also made it to the news on the site. So I checked out the website myself and requested LIT's Living on Capitol Hill-Hell be added. And it all came at a great time. My blog count just hit 10,000- a milestone in and of itself. I really enjoy making observations, taking photos, and sketching. Who would have thought those high school newspaper editing days might turn in to something? Now I'm doing what I really enjoy, but still have a real job on the side.

Empty Streets and Halls of August

The streets are usually booming with activity- car, food truck, pedestrian, cab, you name it traffic. But the Capitol Hill Club is closed, Congress is out of session, and just about anyone who has vacation time is using it up this month. I am one of the unfortunates who does not have a lot of vacation. But it's really hard to be the only one walking in the long hallways at work. They look ten times longer especially on Mondays and Fridays. I suppose we should enjoy the quiet- and I do. But I feel like I could be doing something better with my time- particularly at this time of the year. But then again I should consider how fortunate I am to even have this job, and that I can walk to it. I probably would not have noticed otherwise!

The Mentor

There will always be folks who cross your path and are remembered with a great deal of fondness. I received a card in the mail that was totally unexpected. It was from a person I have not heard from in quite some time. I know her because she served as my instructor for a graduate school rotation at St. Joseph's Hospital in Milwaukee. Shortly thereafter, she hired me as the Director of Nursing for Critical Care, partly because - I think - we had a past positive working relationship. She assigned to me the job of implementing the first Automated Documentation system in the country way back in 1988. She said the desire to do well was really important, because you can always learn the ropes. When she retired, I think I convinced her a dog would make great company and she listened to my advice. I've only known two people in school and work that have had such a positive impact on me. I always had the feeling they really wanted me to succeed and had my best interests at heart. She was one of them and the other was a professor of biological science at Florida State University. I have remained in contact with him over the years. The card I received was a congratulations on my publications and New Yorker Eustace Tilley contest win this year. A little write up was in the summer edition of the Marquette University Magazine. I was so thrilled to think she noticed it, but that she wanted me to know she noticed it was even more heartwarming. I'm so lucky to have crossed paths with such wonderful people. Wonder if it will happen again? Or maybe I'd like and hope to think I was able to have that kind of affect on someone too.

Books That Shaped America

In The Library of Congress Jefferson Building is a new exhibit called Books That Shaped America. Over the lunch hour we quickly walked through it following a presentation we saw in the Middle Eastern Section. There are original copies of several favorites, including Gone With The Wind and To Kill a Mockingbird. It is my understanding that the public has an opportunity to voice their opinion and vote for the books they feel had the most impact on them personally or collectively. If you have a chance to see the exhibit, you won't be disappointed. Every time I walk through this magnificent building, it is hard to believe that we can visit it just about any time. As you can imagine, the exhibits are always changing and the subject matter appeals to a lot of folks. I never had this kind of opportunity in previous work places. I can't imagine a lot of others who do.

Longworth House Office Building Post Office

It is a rare event for us to have to mail anything these days. We try
to avoid it at all costs. Usually my husband will walk down
Pennsylvania Avenue to the Post Office, or go just around the corner
to FedEx. This time I thought it might just be easier to use the
services in the Longworth House Office Building. I was introduced to
it via my colleague here at the Library. The interesting thing about
it is that one reaches the destination through the basement, then the
tunnels that connect the buildings on Capitol Hill. The Longworth
Building is reached by first traversing the Cannon Office Building.
Along the way are cobblers, snack shops, the old entrance to the
Capitol Visitor Center, and a lot of Congressional staff. Every once
in a while I see familiar faces from Wisconsin, like Paul Ryan or Gwen
Moore It is very convenient and the errand fit right in to my
afternoon walk. Not a bad thing at all- even if it is a Monday.

Dr. Mahdi Aminrazavi and Omar Khayyam

Today was one of those days that my husband joined my friend and colleague for a lecture at the African Middle Eastern Division in the Jefferson Building. And for once, I really liked and enjoyed it. We sat in the front row, heard every word, and the subject matter was even interesting - for me. Usually I don't always connect with the subject, but this presentation was well done. The speaker is from Mashad, one of the many cities we visited in Iran a couple years ago. What I like most about this type of event is that it gives us an opportunity to enjoy the perks of working at the Library of Congress. After the questions and answers ended, we walked back through the tunnels that connect the Jefferson Building to the Madison Building and have lunch on the sixth floor. The view from there overlooks our neighborhood and you can see our house. What I miss on these days is the walk home, and lunch at home, and a quick cat nap. But every once in awhile, this is a treat. And something like this never happened in any of my previous work places.

Pick A Cane

While on vacation visiting our friends in Milwaukee last week I
managed to either really sprain or break the second toe on my right
foot. It is now purple and sore after five days of keeping it
elevated, taking aspirin, and switching from ice on the first day to
heat thereafter. My friend here noticed the malady and brought in to
work not only one but four canes to assist me to hobble along. The
walking sticks are all somehow connected to her elder relations from
days gone by and could be considered collectors' items. All I know is
whatever event arises, this friend has a solution for it - be it a
fish bowl for a Betta pet or water colors to paint a castle. That
advantage has come in handy many times and again reminds me of how
blessed we are to have such great friends both here and in Milwaukee.
My one regret is that this toe incident happened while on vacation
rather than during the work week. Either way it is a pain. I don't
really need the cane to walk but I'm sure I can come up with an
alternate way to use it.

It's Freezing in Here!

I know it is a horrible thing to say when so many people are without power and air conditioning, but it is absolutely freezing in my workplace. It does not matter what the time of the day is or the season. For that reason, I keep a shawl on hand, and use it just about every day. Some people in the office actually have blankets. And of course, we have no control over the thermostat. Calling in the facilities folks doesn't make any difference either. What I find most interesting is that people who like windows and warm places are usually stuck in the dark freezing places. Having grown up in Florida, I knew to always bring a sweater with me because the air conditioning always seemed to be on overdrive. But this is ridiculous. To make matters worse, our condo building - that was built in 1890's - has an all for one and one for all centralized air conditioning/heating system. There is an illusion that there is control over the temperature in each unit, but the systems shut down on a schedule that is not yours to call. These are the types of things we need to keep in mind if and when we ever move again. CONTROL over climate adjustments is a high priority. It makes a difference when you're getting "older"- especially when we had all year round programmable thermostats in Wisconsin - and know better.

It hardly matters what I wear to work

My hand is freezing!

Looks like a mummy - give me some heat please!

The Supreme Court Health Care Decision

As I was unable to attend the event because I had to work, my husband diligently took some photos in front of the Supreme Court this morning while on his daily walk. He walks with me from our house to work, which is 2 blocks down the street to the Library of Congress, and then he continues on past the Capitol near to the Washington Monument and back. He's been walking just about every morning since he retired. But the landscape changed from Milwaukee and Grant Park and Lake Michigan, to the sidewalks of the Capitol City. Today was a great example of actually being a part of living history. He generally passes behind the Supreme Court. But the activity was well on it's way this morning, and he promised to pass by the front. I'm not sure exactly what the decision will mean to us. But I have a feeling we won't get any breaks. We both spent our careers in health care, and have never seen spending decrease for anything. Luckily I don't have to deal with that anymore in the work setting, but as a comsumer, we all will have to- whatever that eventually means.

Library of Congress Southwest Courtyard

I've known about the eventual opening of the Jefferson Building Southwest Courtyard for quite some time as our infrastructure service is accountable for designing, managing projects, and getting the furniture for all the Library renovations. Instead of the usual afternoon walk around the halls today, a colleague and I decided to walk through the tunnel that joins the Madison Building over to the Jefferson, and made our way to the just opened courtyard. Because of the heat, it was closed to food service, but open to walk about. These are some of the hidden treasures that most folks would not stumble upon if they were not actually looking for the space. There are signs to direct you along the way. What a great spot to sit and relax for lunch, or whatever. High above the wall is the flame of knowledge that sits on the dome visible from many points around the city. Across the way is a peculiar rounded architectural dimension that actually houses a staircase. Most office buildings have places to walk and sit, but there is obviously something special about this place. The courtyard is open from April to September, and the public is invited- but only if you can find it.

Wayfinding through the tunnel

Light fare is served from 11-2PM; the courtyard itself is open 9:30-3PM M-F

The same vendor as the cafeteria

A bank of tables

On the west side

The golden torch of knowledge overlooks the space

Encloses the staircase



The Library of Congress surrounds the space - just think what's behind those walls!

Library of Congress Summer Programs

In the cafeteria this morning there were a lot of young folks who were casually dressed, in large groups. They would either be tourists or interns. Because it was so early in the morning, I decided they must be interns. There are several internships sponsored by DC, as well as through high schools and universities all over the country. We've had many come and go to our office over the years, and you can imagine the caliber of skill level varies all over the map. As I was taking my walk this afternoon along the long corridors of the Madison Building, I came upon a very large group of students waiting to access the Congressional Research Service. They were all dressed the same in dark jackets and pants/skirts. What I noticed most was that they simply do not move aside so you can pass- not an uncommon and very irritating phenomenon that routinely occurs on the sidewalks of this city. It is so rampant that I now basically push my way past anyone who feels they own the sidewalk. (By the way, someone slammed the door in my face this afternoon). I really can't think of an excuse for this sort of behavior, all I know is I don't like it. Aside from all the students mulling around are the programs that are free and open to the public. These are the perks of working in a place like the Library, and living in a city like DC- even if you have to elbow your way past some of the human barriers to get to them.

I just elbowed my way past these human barriers
that blocked the entire hallway

Large crowds attend the
Congressional Research Service Programs

Visitors and staff can attend the free public programs