capitol cutups

A Mormon missionary from Ohio attending the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in DC noticed Zan's Wittenberg University jacket and struck up a conversation.

I can't figure out where to take this blog post from that little snippet of memory, but I felt like it had to be documented somewhere. I would have ignored the guy, if I'm honest. I have little patience for being proselytized with religion or conservative rhetoric - call it a casualty of growing up in in the deep south. Zan didn't. In fact, they talked for so long the lanky college kid who swam in his suit jacket had to sprint to catch up with his group.

While they talked, Zan reminiscing about his old college stomping grounds, I leaned over backwards with my camera in my hands, my back arching just as far as it could and shot pictures of the National Mall upside down.

A family asked us to snap their picture in front of the Capitol Building.

Zan and I took turns planking in front of the Capitol steps, taking pictures of each other - "Just one more!" - to see how long the other could last.

We took pictures of ourselves, trying to get the Washington Monument right in between us, and failing every time. 

It was that one rare sunshiney day in the midst of a never-ending winter.

I'd wanted to go hiking, but after a book club brunch, and a walk through Eastern Market, we said why not just walk some more right here? And we took off to the Capitol, my camera in tow, and it was just as good - if not better - than our original plans. 

I could use 100 more of these days, and then 100 more. With the sun shining, and laughter in our eyes, and a willingness to goof off on the steps of the Capitol Building, proud to live in this city and call it home.

That kid from Wittenberg. I think he stuck in my mind from that day because this whole career of mine that's right in front of me - just two short years away - it's rooted in being open-minded and willing to listen, even when everything in me wants to walk away. Zan wasn't just diplomatic, and he didn't just patiently deal with the kid. He really engaged and listened and enjoyed talking to him, differences and all. That's what true diplomacy is all about. Hell, that kind of dialogue is just the thing we need in that beautiful, tall dome we call the Capitol.