More activity outside the halls of Congress than on the floor. With the members working more in their districts, staff had time for delayed vacation and training.
I had the opportunity to participate in the CRS's 2-day Advanced Legislative Institute. Very helpful to more fully appreciate the legislative process in-depth, from the arcane culture and rules, to behind-the-scenes negotiating and procedure. It can really make a difference if you appreciate the subtlety of all of the rules and procedures.
Lots of distractions for the supposedly quiet month of August: Olympics, political conventions, hurricanes, vacations, and parental heart surgery. Am back in DC after several weeks away, back home, in Millville NJ, and in Florida to help my mom recovery from heart surgery. Fortunately, she's doing well, so I worry less and can focus here more.
The Potomac River is brown after yesterdays tropical storm - mostly rain (>3"), skies are bright blue, and everyone is outside. Kayaks and canoes on the river, softball and football in the parks, joggers and cyclists on the trails (including me), and the sweet smell of cypress in the air (don't ask me why). There was even a polo match in West Potomac Park - unexpected to see the horses on the field!
The Kreeger Museum had its annual open-house today in NW DC, so I pedaled uphill 3 miles to join a friend. Almost as good as the Phillips Collection for its holdings: Picasso, Monet, Degas, Miro, Cezanne, Chagall, Renoir, van Gogh, Klee, Rodin and Henry Moore, and much more, in a beautiful mansion designed by Philip Johnson on 5.5 acres - in DC - very impressive. Nice that the founder of Geico was a generous patron of music and the arts.
Apparently Senator Kennedy is expected to work at home and not return to the Senate until January. Not sure what that forebodes re HELP committee bills. Majority Leader Reid also may want to complete the legislating process before the end of September, so there may be only 3 weeks for finishing draft bills before introduction. Am ready to head down this finish line!
Btw, if you liked the movie, "The Red Violin," you may like the Geraldine Brooks novel, "People of the Book." Same premise (tracing the lineage of an inanimate object through its history). I enjoyed the story.
Question: why do I always have a headwind while riding my bicycle?
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