My Quickie Trip to DC

I am laying here in the comfort of my own bed. It’s good to be home.

At this time last night, I was laying in bed in a hotel suite on DuPont Circle in Our Nation’s Capitol. Believe me that I don’t say this to boast, but while I got a significantly cheaper rate for us all than the rooms usually go for at this particular hotel, this was no Motel 6. As I was laying there reflecting on where I was, I was overwhelmed with thankfulness for some of the places in which I have found myself in this life. I think my dad would be so proud and I hope that my mom is…they worked hard so I’d be able to do things they could never do…and they certainly accomplished that.

Tonight, I had dinner with one of my bosses and his son. His son is also an attorney who recently represented some of the Guantanamo Bay detainees in the case before the Supreme Court. Needless to say the conversation was fascinating. He told me stories of flying down to GitMo and also to Iraq last year. I told Matt that he must write a book about his experiences, but in his humble way he reminded me that there are men and women who are putting themselves in harm’s way each and everyday, so what could he possibly have to say that would be more captivating that their stories. I thought to myself how proud his father must be of him…he is not only a wonderful son, he has now become a peer.

We had dinner at The Tabard Inn & Restaurant where I dined on food that I have never tried in my life. The appetizer was Ahi Tuna Crudo & Tasmanian Salmon Tartare with coconut coulis, mango Escabèche, baby mustard greens, and sea salt. The tuna and salmon were served on the rare side, and considering I‘m not a sushi eater, it was surprisingly very good. The main course was a roast Moulard duck breast with grilled fig, duck ham, watercress, potatoes, and gastrique…but there was no mango salsa…I wanted so bad to say, “I’ll have the roast duck with mango salsa.” because I am a huge fan of the Geico Caveman. Meh, they probably wouldn’t have gotten the joke anyway. I amused myself, though.

So anyway, I was just blown away at finding myself in that whole situation because it’s so far from what I came from. I’ve felt that same way when I would be meeting or singing behind a legend…just amazed at it all! My life has been full of extremes, I suppose…both good and not-so-good…but I am so incredibly blessed.

Eastern Daylight Time kicked me in the butt this morning, as I had to get up at 5:15am. The only 5:15 I know of is in the evening! I had a couple of amusing things happen today…between meetings (on our lunch break), I ran over to the White House and got to see it up close for the first time ever. A crazy protester provided the lunchtime entertainment. Thanks to him, the very front of the house was barricaded even to pedestrians (it’s always barricaded to vehicles since 9/11). Still it was really cool. It was also an absolutely beautiful day.

We got through the afternoon meetings, I hailed a taxi and we made our way to Union Station to take a train back up to the Baltimore airport. One of my bosses asked the driver if he knew what the total fare was going to be, and I laughed & said, “What do you think he is a prophet?” Er, wrong thing said to Ali! He very sweetly proceeded to talk about his Muslim faith, explained that there are no prophets on Earth now, and actually taught me a little bit about the Koran. Like…I had no idea that Jesus is mentioned in the Koran! He invited me to visit the Muslim Center in DC on my next visit, and encouraged me to read the Koran to see for myself what they believe. He really was a precious man with the kindest spirit, and although I am firmly grounded in my beliefs and faith, I just might take him up on his offer next time I’m in town. Without knowledge, you can’t have understanding….

So then at the Baltimore airport I walked down the ramp to our airplane with the pilot (we flew Southwest…they are so cool), and he & I got to talking and laughing…then we started quoting lines from “Airplane!“–so naturally, I ended our conversation at the plane with “Good luck, we’re all counting on you.“

When I got home tonight, I watched Keith Olberman and then the replay of Tim Russert’s memorial service from today. I am completely enamored at the poise and strength Tim’s son, Luke, has shown publicly throughout this week. He gave a eulogy that was both eloquent and funny…the picture below is him holding up a glass and in the spirit of his dad reminding us that the glass is half full. How proud Tim was of his son…and this week the world has seen exactly why.

Finally, I conclude with the below picture from this afternoon. Olberman showed this picture on his show this evening. The song played at the end of the service was “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” (the Hawaiian version). When everybody stepped outside of the Kennedy Center a beautiful double rainbow was in the sky!

Folks, I was in DC today. There was no rain in sight most of the day…the conditions were not those that would be conducive to a rainbow until just as the memorial service was dismissed!

Call it what you will…as for me, I call this a sign…

The promise of tomorrow…