Drama Continues

Well, it's starting to be clear who some of POTUS-elect's cabinet picks will be, and the dominoes continue in the Senate. Every time a Senator is selected, an office turns over. And Senator Kerry is waiting to see if he'll be selected before filling his vacancy. Certainly there's strong confidence in the cabinet selections so far, and it's equally certain a dramatic time in general, with an urgency to make magic (okay, so I'm not managing expectations well).

In the meantime, the Senate is in recess for Thanksgiving, preparing to return for Banking hearings on the automakers' proposal, then full session for economic stimulus legislation. We continue to summarize, organize, cosponsor and draft legislation. And staffers are trying to slip away for a much needed vacation this week. Fingers crossed for an opportunity to explore the upper rim of inside the Capitol dome when the Senate returns, as only a Member or the Sergeant-in-Arms is allowed to take anyone up there.

I heard Obama's letter of resignation read into the Senate Congressional Record last week (by coincidence, and was as moved by it as the Senator Mikulski (Maryland), who was recognized to speak next and was equally surprised, recognizing the historic significance of the moment). Additional historic moments continued throughout the week, such as with Senator Stevens' (Alaska) speech and "yielding the floor" for possibly the last time in his long career.

Job hunting continues, although with the Senate so busy, two seats still undetermined and cabinet picks still being made, the Senate hasn't even made room assignments for new offices (the House had its office lottery last week). Many announcements for interns and entry level, and for senior level folks with more experience.

I'm continuing to explore the city, especially as friends and family come to visit. Three new restaurants discovered: a new Tapas in Georgetown, a family Italian restaurant downtown, and a brunch crepe place near Dupont Circle; yum! We toured the White House Visitors Center (run by the Park Service, interesting place), returned to the Museum of the American Indian, and spent hours in the Holocaust Museum. All compelling in different ways.

Also slipped into the Library of Congress Jefferson Building - stunning! Probably the most majestic building in the city - gorgeous architecture, frescoes and tile work floor and ceiling, sculpture, marble columns, etc., as well as being the largest library anywhere in the world - 500 miles of book shelves (not in that building, obviously). I hadn't realized it had displays of popular culture, Bob Hope and vaudeville, original scripts (from the Marx Bros. to Seinfeld and the Simpsons) as well as first rate books, maps, journals, and more. A must see, I have to say!

In addition, my spousal unit and I had a preview tour of the new capitol visitor center, which doesn't officially open until 12/2. A beautifully designed space underneath the capitol, which brings to life the history and functioning of Congress. While that might sound "dry," the center was anything but!

Walking on all of this marble has caught up to my knees again. Why don't they make comfortable women's shoes with enough support that don't look so ugly?

Now to spend time with family and friends for the holidays, and hope the market doesn't tank in the meantime.