Potomac Fever

Every once in a while I have to be reminded to step out of my routine, to get out and take another look at some of the sights and neighborhoods of our nation's capital. The continually evolving scene on 14th Street and a certain famous image of the new president-elect came together to provide one of those reminders. An exhibit at Irvine Contemporary gallery featured a number of anti-war works, and, interestingly, extended from indoors through the back door and into the alley, where several images were plastered along the brick wall. People lined up in the alley with their cell phones to take pictures of it all. The image of Barack Obama also appeared on the side of a building on 14th street, with the work "Progress," and also on a wall above the CVS Pharmacy on nearby P Street. The exibit, and probably the wall art as well, extends to December 6. Besides the gallery, other points of interest along 14th, between U and P streests, are the Artfully Chocolate shop, and...

Wait for it! Somewhere en route from Toronto to Vancouver on Canada's VIA Rail Train # 1, the Trans-Canadian.

What do you do for three days on a train? For example, if you were going from Toronto to Vancouver on Canada's VIA Rail Train # 1? This question and more were answered by your correspondent last June. The answer is: you read a lot, look at vast forests, rivers, lakes, and other long trains passing. The dining car was always a chance to talk to new people, mostly Canadians. The Trans-Canadian was 25 cars long. Can you see the end of it in this video?

Gentle readers, the Schmap!! city guide has chosen my photo of the Staronova Synagogue for the newly released fifth edition of the Schmap Prague Guide. It is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, synagogue in Europe. You may see the Schmapp widget in the side bar. Scroll through the topics until you get to Staronova, then click on the photo, then when when a new window opens up scroll through the photos of the synagogue until you see the one by johnnyVA. Schmap provides city guides for iPhones and iPods.

Just got back from seeing a great movie called Tell No One . It's a French thriller about doctor accused of murdering his wife. Very complicated. On the way out of the theater a man asked me about one of the plot twists, and that was the second time he saw it. Not to worry, there is a chase scene, car crashes, and plenty of fun. Anyway, I would not tell no one about a little fun I had last Wednesday night after a vist to the Gold's Gym . After putting maybe a liiiittle too much weight on that bench press, I noticed some pain in my chest. A little slow breathing and it went away. Later, as I was watching the Colbert Report while aerobicyzing on the cardio machine, the pain came back. Cut that workout short by half, showered, dressed, headed outta there. On the walk home, same thing. Sat down on a curb til it went away. Later that night, watching TV, it came back more intense, then again while brushing my teeth it came back like a sword going through my chest. 911! T...

Did you ever wonder what the business end of a glacier sounds like? Sometimes it can sound like an explosion when a thick slab of ice gives up its longtime home and drops into the sea. Witness the Margerie Glacier, at Glacier National Park, near Skagway, Alaska, north of Juneau. The Holland America Line ms Rhyndam cruise ship parked it .2 nautical mile from the glacier for enough time to give those of us onboard the chance to see and hear several pieces crumble. Judging by the speed at which the piesces appeared to break off, and the explosive sound they made crashing into the sea, they must have been huge in size.

Dear Readers, Happy Memorial Day Weekend. The weather here in Washington DC is slightly cool, breezy and sunny, perfect for parades and remembrances. As usual every year this time, Rolling Thunder participants have taken over the famous Highlander Motor Inn in Arlington, Virginia . Residents nearby are treated throughout the weekend, starting early Saturday morning, to the roaring sounds of the motorcycles as they travel along Fairfax Drive or Wilson Boulevard. Roll on brothers and sisters! Update: Sunday morning, 8:00am, May 25. Rumbling and roars as the cyclists form up and cruise aroung the neighborhood. About 8:45am they headed out from the Highlander with police escort, on a beautiful sunny morning.

Where do you go in New York City when you want some real French cooking and French atmosphere and French-speaking owners? Take the Holland Tunnel OUT of the city and turn left at Jersey Avenue and head into Jersey City! Or take the PATH train from Christopher Street station in Greenwich Village two stops. In a neighborhood of stately 150-year old houses, parks and small restaurants and shops you will find Madame Claude's. The couscous, a special when I was there, was delicious. The desserts are few but exquisite. Chocolate mousse, for example. On a pleasant evening with the doors and windows open, the restaurant can overcome its small size by seeming to expand onto the sidewalk, where patrons can sip a drink at an ourdoor bar while waiting for a table. The place is so small, be sure to get there early. You can make reservations, but you could get bumped if a large party shows up. They do not accept credit cards, and bring your own bottle of wine. This place is a gem! ...

Come away with me back to a place and time of a "simpler" America...think mom and apple pie, and a feisty young woman with true grit, fighting a big, bad titan of industy. It Happened To Jane is a true time capsule of late 1950s America, or at least the way white America of the time preferred to view itself. In spite of the pollyana view, the film is appealing on many levels, not the least of which is the character of Doris Day . It is easy to see how she was top box office for so many years. Jack Lemmon, Ernie Kovacs and thank you Mary Wickes (you go girl!) also star. Filmed on location, with one of the last surviving steam locomotives, this movie is still a pleasure and suvives the test of time.

Big day yesterday, voting, evening commute disaster, and Year of the Rat party. I voted for Senator Clinton. Her answers in debate always display confidence and a clear vision. I believe some of the criticisms of her reflect a degree of sexism and a kind of blame-the-victim mentality: the Republicans really hate her, so we should nominate someone else. Stanley Fish of the New York Times describes this sentiment. I worry about the knight in shining armor syndrome with respect to our politicians, and how that works out when it comes to actually governing. Senator Obama is a very inspiring speaker. If he were elected, it would be an electrifying event both at home and around the world. I will be happy with either nominee, for different reasons.