Let's Stay Together

Wolf Trap

So there I was, driving in Baltimore. It was March 1, 2005. I was turning 25 years old and was in serious reflection about my first 25 years of life and what I wanted in my next 25. I was listening to a college radio station that plays new upcoming music. Then a song came on the radio: Keep it Loose, Keep it Tight by Amos Lee. In an instant, I was in love. I sent myself on a mission to find his CD. I listened to it and nothing else for at least three weeks. My love affair with his music has continued and I finally got the opportunity to see him in concert.

Amos was playing with Al Green. Now, for those of you that don't know who Al Green is (apparently there are many people who do not.) He sang such soul hits as Let's Stay Together, Tired of Being Alone, and Here I am. I knew that this would be a great concert due to facts that Amos is fantastic and Al Green would bring out some fun people to watch. Both performers put on a great show. Al Green was especially a hit. He got up on stage and all the women screamed. He followed up his entrance by handing out single red roses to women and then kissing them. Oh, what a romancer! However, there was one of his fans that I did not expect. He was a tall, big, bald headed man that had a shaggy beard. Oh, he loved Al! He stood the entire time just swaying and cheered.

This video was of our view the entire night: the bearded man.

Independence Day

Nothing beats independence day in the nations capitol. We had a weekend full of festivities.

Thursday

To start off the long weekend, we had a bonfire in a secluded local park. Okay, so it was not really a bonfire but it was a fire and we roasted marshmallows. There was a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence and then a few of us sang "I'm proud to be an American." I want to give a shout out to Peter and Dan. Yes, we are still friends...I love you guys.

Dramatic reading * Mary and I at the bonfire

Friday
Friday started off with an 8:30 am Fun Run. Yeap, two blocks full of sweat and endurance. Thankfully there were two water stations along the way. Without them I do not think I would have made it. Then we all gathered to give out the "Best Costume" award. It went to our friends Quinn and Adri. Trent was a contestant thanks to his costume that looked like an American flag. Then we all pledge allegiance to the flag and had a pancake breakfast. Yum!!!

And they're off.... * The American Spirit

Trent and I at the finish line * Costume winners

Pledge of Allegiance * The most American picture ever

Kim, Wayne, Trent and I played three games of tennis. I don't want to talk about the score. Then we went back to my apartment and celebrated America by playing the best capitalistic game I know Acquire. Trent won the game and took home the chalice.

Trent and I had dinner with our friends Derek and Joni. Derek flew into town for the day and we were lucky enough to snag some time with him. In remembrance of our frontier men, we ate bison burgers. Trent ordered four and only ate one....all in remembrance.

Then Trent and I went into DC and watched the fireworks from the mall. What a great day! There is one thing that makes this July 4th greater than last year...... Trent held my hand.

NYC

Last weekend Trent and I took the Washington Deluxe bus (a better version of the Chinatown bus) up to NYC for the weekend. The week had been an extra stressful week for me and it was great to be able to get out of DC and have fun. When we got into NYC, we met up with Trent's friends from middle school. These guys were so funny. I was either laughing or trying hard to not laugh.

The trip consisted of having fun with new/old friends, visiting the Met, and eating really great food. Trent got us a reservation at Lupa, which is a Mario Batali restaurant. The Italian food was perfect. Every bite seemed to be something that was familiar yet with a twist! You should go next time you are in "the city."

Looking back at it now. I think the best event of the weekend has to be getting caught in a torrential downpour. It took us about 30 seconds to become drenched. Trent's friend had to catch a bus so they ran out into the rain without an umbrella. They came back sopping wet. By that time, the whole ordeal was funny.

They were so wet!!!

It was great to meet Jeff ,Paige, and Adam! And Mary was right, I really did just need to go to NYC and everything would be fine.