I got my pupils dilated at the eye doctor's today. With a family history of eye problems, the discomfort is a small price to pay to find out I'm still nearly blind and still have astigmatism, but my eyes are healthy. Yay healthy eyes! But boo wandering around disoriented.
Today we went to Costco--the perfect place to prepare for a move to Africa. We are brand-new members now that we've discovered it's so much more than ketchup and shampoo in bulk. (I feel uber-American now.) We got eye exams and extra pairs of glasses (and I got contacts for the first time in over 15 years!) and we got new all-terrain tires for the new-old 4Runner.
This morning I also had to get fingerprinted for my job in Burundi. It's inkless now you know, all done with scanners and computers. Pretty nifty.
And to further our excitement over traveling to East Africa, a friend sent us a link to the tour company she traveled with in Rwanda to see mountain gorillas, Bizidanny Tours and Safaris. Tomorrow night we're going to a talk on climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. It's a good thing Mike and I will both be working, so we'll have enough money for all these excursions we're planning.
25 March 2008
24 March 2008
Trail Running: Fountainhead Regional Park
A few weeks ago we drove down to Fountainhead Regional Park for some trail running in the brisk chilliness. This was the kind of wooded, hilly trail that brought back a lot of East Coast memories. Trails in California just aren't the same as the wooded East Coast trails. We were plodding along talking and not really paying attention to the time or the hills. Eventually we reached water, the Occoquan Reservoir, and we stopped to look and realized we'd been out for nearly and hour. And suddenly we remembered all the hills! So we decided to head back to the parking lot, plodding and shuffling up those hills.
We could hear a lot of birds out in the forest and at one point we came to an area where the trees were covered in black and the bird sounds were deafening. There were thousands of black birds perched in the trees and when they noticed us running toward them they started to take off! We felt bad because the trail we were on circled their patch of trees so they probably thought we were chasing them. We tried to slow down and be quieter and less threatening.
There are few services at this park, at least from what we could tell. We were there before the bathrooms opened for the season so I had to use the woods. One of the parking lots was closed as well and the trails weren't open to bikers yet. I can't remember if there was an entry fee or not. If there was, it was something like $5 per car.
We could hear a lot of birds out in the forest and at one point we came to an area where the trees were covered in black and the bird sounds were deafening. There were thousands of black birds perched in the trees and when they noticed us running toward them they started to take off! We felt bad because the trail we were on circled their patch of trees so they probably thought we were chasing them. We tried to slow down and be quieter and less threatening.
There are few services at this park, at least from what we could tell. We were there before the bathrooms opened for the season so I had to use the woods. One of the parking lots was closed as well and the trails weren't open to bikers yet. I can't remember if there was an entry fee or not. If there was, it was something like $5 per car.
Trail Running: Manassas Bull Run
One area where my and Mike's workout interests overlap is trail running. We've been trying to spend nice Sunday mornings exploring local trails. Yesterday we ran the 5.3-mile First Manassas Trail at the Manassas National Battlefield Park. The trail circles a good portion of the field and woods where the Civil War's First Battle of Bull Run took place. It was pretty cool to be outside in the sunshine, running, and learning some history. It took us a long time because we kept stopping to read historical markers and look at deer and just enjoy the nature and history. We weren't there to be speedy; we were there to have fun.
The trail is pretty flat. I remember only two real hills, and they weren't that big. They're historical, so you can pretend to be a soldier charging up. Most of the trail is along open fields, so sun protection is a must. When the trail gets close to the actual Bull Run, it gets a little muddy and squishy, so be careful if you're there after it rains. There are some benches and even a picnic table or two, so you could have a very nice day of walking or running and lunch.
There's a small visitor's center with an interactive battlefield map, a book store, and restrooms. The park entry fee is $3 per adult for a 3-day pass.
I found this great map at HikingUpward.com, which is where I learned about this Manassas trail. Hovering over a number will bring up the trail name and a brief description. Clicking on a number will bring you to a new page with more detailed information.
The trail is pretty flat. I remember only two real hills, and they weren't that big. They're historical, so you can pretend to be a soldier charging up. Most of the trail is along open fields, so sun protection is a must. When the trail gets close to the actual Bull Run, it gets a little muddy and squishy, so be careful if you're there after it rains. There are some benches and even a picnic table or two, so you could have a very nice day of walking or running and lunch.
There's a small visitor's center with an interactive battlefield map, a book store, and restrooms. The park entry fee is $3 per adult for a 3-day pass.
I found this great map at HikingUpward.com, which is where I learned about this Manassas trail. Hovering over a number will bring up the trail name and a brief description. Clicking on a number will bring you to a new page with more detailed information.
23 March 2008
Cross-posting Love
A little round-up of recent blogging events, for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
At Flaming Tulle we have a new featured bride, so head over there and join us in welcoming her.
Pals Vicky and Lauren told me about a gluten-free restaurant in Bethesda, Maryland, called Lilit Cafe. I ate there weeks ago and finally got around to writing about it at What I Eat.
I've been Yelping quite a bit lately, so if you miss my writing that much, you can check out my reviews there.
Happy Easter!
At Flaming Tulle we have a new featured bride, so head over there and join us in welcoming her.
Pals Vicky and Lauren told me about a gluten-free restaurant in Bethesda, Maryland, called Lilit Cafe. I ate there weeks ago and finally got around to writing about it at What I Eat.
I've been Yelping quite a bit lately, so if you miss my writing that much, you can check out my reviews there.
Happy Easter!
21 March 2008
The McCain Girls
I started watching, and realized right away where they were going with this. It's a little painful.
Courtesy of Wonkette.
Courtesy of Wonkette.
Macbeth at Folger Shakespeare Library
On Tuesday night Mike and I went to see Macbeth at the Folger Shakespeare Library. It's been extended to April 13 and they only have standing room available now, but if you have the chance you should go. It was awesome. One of the producers is Teller, of Penn and Teller, and he's incorporated some terrific illusions into the production.
When I first heard "magic by Teller," I'll admit I was skeptical, expecting flashpots and obvious trap doors. But I watched carefully and couldn't figure out the tricks! And he has a sense of humor with his magic, too. At one point all the actors on stage crowd around a certain area and I thought, "Oh that's so obvious that's where the ghost will come from," but I was fooled! The ghost came from the other side of the stage.
This Macbeth is a very hip, very accessible interpretation. Many of the lines that come off as stuffy Elizabethan in other productions are delivered comically. And Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are making out nearly every time they're on stage together. She was one sexy Lady Macbeth who commands anyone's attention. I liked the stage fighting; Mike thought it wasn't quite violent enough. There was plenty of blood though. They can only spill so much blood onstage before it becomes a hazard for the actors jumping around.
The Weirds were a little scary and the "Double, double toil and trouble" scene was a real show-stopper. Often it's overdone because it's what so many people are waiting for that it's a disappointment. This was certainly overdone, but in a fantastic, loud, musical, over-the-top way that I was staring wide-eyed, not sure if I should laugh or be frightened, or maybe clap and chant along. It was a very satisfying scene.
When we bought tickets, only "partial view" seats were available and we had to buy seats one behind the other. The view was still pretty good, though. I had to lean forward a few times to see the left-most side of the stage, but it's a small stage and a lot of the action happened right in the middle. No one showed up to sit next to Mike so for the second act we sat next to each other. I imaging whoever came in with the standing audience decided that where they stood had an even better view than my vacated seat. I'd say it's worth standing for. Wear comfortable shoes; it's 2 hours and 15 minutes long (including intermission).
If you can't make it to the show or you're a Shakespeare-ophile with no money, you can still visit the Folger Shakespeare Library. They have a small exhibit hall that's free, they do lots of educational programs, and there's a book store. It's a few blocks from the Capital South Metro station.
When I first heard "magic by Teller," I'll admit I was skeptical, expecting flashpots and obvious trap doors. But I watched carefully and couldn't figure out the tricks! And he has a sense of humor with his magic, too. At one point all the actors on stage crowd around a certain area and I thought, "Oh that's so obvious that's where the ghost will come from," but I was fooled! The ghost came from the other side of the stage.
This Macbeth is a very hip, very accessible interpretation. Many of the lines that come off as stuffy Elizabethan in other productions are delivered comically. And Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are making out nearly every time they're on stage together. She was one sexy Lady Macbeth who commands anyone's attention. I liked the stage fighting; Mike thought it wasn't quite violent enough. There was plenty of blood though. They can only spill so much blood onstage before it becomes a hazard for the actors jumping around.
The Weirds were a little scary and the "Double, double toil and trouble" scene was a real show-stopper. Often it's overdone because it's what so many people are waiting for that it's a disappointment. This was certainly overdone, but in a fantastic, loud, musical, over-the-top way that I was staring wide-eyed, not sure if I should laugh or be frightened, or maybe clap and chant along. It was a very satisfying scene.
When we bought tickets, only "partial view" seats were available and we had to buy seats one behind the other. The view was still pretty good, though. I had to lean forward a few times to see the left-most side of the stage, but it's a small stage and a lot of the action happened right in the middle. No one showed up to sit next to Mike so for the second act we sat next to each other. I imaging whoever came in with the standing audience decided that where they stood had an even better view than my vacated seat. I'd say it's worth standing for. Wear comfortable shoes; it's 2 hours and 15 minutes long (including intermission).
If you can't make it to the show or you're a Shakespeare-ophile with no money, you can still visit the Folger Shakespeare Library. They have a small exhibit hall that's free, they do lots of educational programs, and there's a book store. It's a few blocks from the Capital South Metro station.
20 March 2008
Burundi Morning News
I'm in research mode this morning. I don't feel like doing real work yet. I'm tired of all the preparations: paperwork for my new job, studying French, studying African geography, making lists of consumables to pack. So I'm browsing for more Burundi information. There's not a lot out there and there's not a lot I haven't heard yet. But this little tidbit from the CIA World Factbook struck me:Airports: 8
Airports with paved runways: 1
Airports with unpaved runways: 7
Unpaved runways? That had not occurred to me. If they're not paved, are they dirt? Grass? I suppose there could be at least one water-landing airport on the lake.
Also, what does "sealed" mean in reference to roads? Does that mean paved? Or does it mean something more ominous involving checkpoints of some sort?
On a cheerier note, I also read a bit about the coffee industry. I'm very much looking forward to the coffee, even though I've heard from people on the ground there that I'll have to bring my own CoffeeMate because there's no good cream or half and half. I hate CoffeeMate and other non-dairy creamers. I'm going to bring as many of those irradiated half and half things that you see in hotel dining rooms and convenience store coffee bars. I'm sure I can get them in bulk at Costco.
Image from Lonely Planet.
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