We have time and access

Finally we have time AND most importantly internet access other than the random coffee shop.
From my perspective (Brian) DC is pretty cool. I surely see things differently than Kate.
Just a random mish mash of highlights from the first couple days....

Visit to the capitol
---students approached off limits area too quickly and a HEAVILY armed guard halted them promptly
---Saw the House debate and vote on SCHIP, we saw it pass. Nearly EVERY congressman was there
---Went to the Senate gallery and saw Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, and more recognizable faces even to non politisized normals like me

Riding the Metro
---Nicer than the El in Chicago
---Interesting people
---Just neat

Moonlight tour of the monuments
---Lots of good narration
---History!
---calmer night time crowds
---stood on the stage they were assembling at the Lincoln Memorial....the stage where O will be and all the music stars on Sunday....Got yelled at to get off the stage...ran away Hee hee.

Minnesota morning
---Met with Senator Amy Klobuchar for a Minnesota breakfast.
---Had picture taken
---More impressed with staff and the office building itself
---Really impressed with the picture donated to the Senator by the Duluth Airwing (it's an F-16 with Split Rock lighthouse in the near back ground)

Went to the hearing the confirmed Hillary Clinton as the Secretary of State, pending the inaugural papers
---John Kerry was the chair
---Got in some footage of the "audience" for CSPAN??
---Saw them question Dr. Rice before confirming her for ambassador to the UN

National Archives
---Saw the Constitution and all kinds of cool old paper. :-)MotorcadeChoppa 5 Right boys Choppa 5Tom Brokaw

Went to the Newseum (Museum of News)
---WOW The "most interactive museum ever"
---Emotions from Laughter, excitement, sadness, concern. I almost had to use the complimentary tissues, but I "manned up"
---Saw the presidential motorcade with O in it pass under the building. The building has many big windows.
---Saw Tom Brokaw come in to the Newseum studio to do an interview. We were like 25 feet away but I didn't get a good picture.

Went to NPR studios
---Saw and learned how it all works. Really complex and involved. There's more there than you think.
---Spent time in Studio 4a Where all the cool famous recordings are made.

Went to the ALCU
---"snuck" inside a secure area by accident
---Learned quite a bit