Too Much Caffeine?

So apparently the Starbucks on Connecticut Avenue is the place to go for political commentary. I had barely walked in the door when the cashier started lecturing me about the importance of universal health care and how it's up to my generation to change the future of our country. The little lady informed me that the "government doesn't need guns to kill people because they're already killing people by not giving them health care." And before she would even consider taking my coffee order, she said "Let me tell you something. John McCain is 71. He needs to go home. Doesn't he have grandchildren to take care of?" Good grief. Tomorrow I'm going to the Starbucks on M Street.
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Margarita Madness

"My worst fears are realized …" -my boss's email response when I sent him a picture of my giant Mexican margarita and told him I was never coming back to work.

Unfortunately I am back my desk today (but exciting news: my business cards have finally arrived!).

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Reston Weirdos

As Chris notes in this week's Reston Runner Stats & Chats column, Sunday's 20-mile run "was a diverse group featuring the old, the young, the occasional, the constant, and the I-so-want-this-to-be-over." And of course, the very odd (after nearly three hours on the trail, I decided that long runs certainly bring out the most bizarre in people). Wouldn't be a running club without them (us?)!
Amusing commentary from our morning on the W&OD Trail included a conversation about joining the singles club at McLean Bible Church (no, thank you) and trying to explain to Ken that actually I didn't want to be set up with his unemployed son who smokes like a chimney. Finally, someone shouted "look, it’s Whit and Nitwit" during a brief period when Chris and I led the pack. Looking forward to an equally entertaining outing next weekend.
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A Backwards City

The streets of Mexico City are crowded, curvy, pot-holed, and more often than not blocked by an assortment of brightly colored Volkswagon bugs. As part of our scouting trip, Kashmir and I went to visit the International AIDS Society office, which was behind us on a one-way street. So rather than go around the block and then back up the street in the correct direction, our driver decided to reverse the entire length of the road, saying "it's okay as long as the car is facing the right way." Um, but what about moving (very quickly) in the wrong direction?!
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Oh, Mexico

I'm scouting out Mexico City for a future NPF program (and maybe drinking a few margaritas along the way?!) ... so in the words of James Taylor:

"It sounds so sweet with the sun sinking low / Moon's so bright like to light up the night / Make everything all right."
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My Double-Barrelled Sur Name

"When I first met you, I thought you had a hyphenated last name and that you were married." -our NPF intern. First of all, there is not a hyphen between Jackson and Spivey (although that would be quite posh, wouldn't it?). And second of all, married? Get real.
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Run Away

"The marshalls also assumed that she was my wife but I assured them that if she had been I would have abandoned her." -one of Peter's funnier stories from the Belvoir Challenge (although from the sound of it, running with Judith was just as painful as the 25-mile race!).

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