Washington monument Archives

A soggy weekend in Washington D.C.

September 10, 2018

The Washington monument during a rainstorm.

The wet weekend started Friday night.

I got out of the office around 10 p.m. after an all-day meeting to find a tempest outside. I was completely soaked by the time that I got home — so much so that our front desk attendant refused to give me a package until I went upstairs and put on some dry clothes.

The rain continued throughout the weekend, but that did not stop us from going outside. We took an extended walk along the National Mall, wherein we and the dogs got drenched.

Afterward there was a meandering journey to find a lunch, where we got drenched again.

A year in Washington D.C.

August 26, 2018

The Trump International Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue.

On Thursday, I found myself on a small stage at Georgetown Law.

It’s LL.M. orientation week. Last year, I was in the audience listening to alumni give study and job search advice. This year, I am on the same stage talking to a new crop of students.

I don’t get through all of my rehearsed talking-points, but I do manage to avoid saying anything stupid or outrageous. I repeatedly cautioned the students that securing a job offer from an externship is completely dumb luck on my part. But I probably sound like a lottery winner explaining that buying Powerball tickets is foolish.

My best piece of advice is: “Remember that massive book of information that the career office gave you? Actually read that and follow the instructions.”

If just one student uses that advice, then the panel was worth it.

Chinatown / Work

Life in Chinatown

July 24, 2018

Gunter and the Gallery Wall in the new Washington D.C. apartment.

We are finally settled into our apartment in Washington D.C. — the hoard of boxes is gone and all of the furniture is put together. Blessed be.

Festivals and Events

Catharsis on the Mall

November 13, 2017

We decided to walk the dogs along the National Mall this weekend. It was Veterans’ Day, so the monuments were packed with all sorts of tourists and servicemen.

As we made our way through the crowds of veterans and tour buses, we heard the thump thump of house music. It seemed like an unusual choice for a Veterans’ Day celebration, so we decided to drift towards the beat.

First we saw a kickball team associated with Cobalt, a local gay bar. But the music was actually coming from a massive dragon-shaped DJ stage behind the kickball game. The DJs were hosting a random women’s dance party in front of the Washington Monument.

A dance party at Decorated helmets at Catharsis on the Mall in Washington. D.C. (right in front of the Washington Monument.)

A school bus-turned dragon at Catharsis on the Mall in Washington. D.C.

The event is called Catharsis on the Mall

Catharsis on the Mall is a burning-man-inspired festival that’s held every year on the National Mall. In addition to the dance party, there was yoga, a panel discussion, and several lounges throughout the area which looked like psychedelic Dothraki tents.