Farewell to two weeks of 85 degree weather, zero humidity, and vacation amongst groovy people, and it’s helloooooooo DC. Back to the heat, the humidity, the grind, and the hatred. (Okay, those of you who know my job, know that grind is a stretch, especially this time of year.) Back to the career obsessed, toxic, mosquito infested soup that is summer in our nation’s capital.

As you can likely tell, I’m rather miffed this morning. I’m not overly thrilled at having to leave, and return to the “real world” here. Within 72 hours of touching down, the weather had pissed us both off, the political posturing over the latest terror plot had pissed us both off, the group of typical Dee Cee button down by day/popped collar by night douchebags we encountered on Saturday had pissed us both off, the fact that we don’t have (nor can we have) a dog pissed us both off, and our jobs had pissed us both off. To the point where we almost ditched the wedding plans in favour of putting the money towards moving, and the point where we have officially ditched the honeymoon plans in favour of moving. Our honeymoon will now be a two week trip across the country by car, stopping at National Parks along the way to soak in the nation. We’ll do Australia some other time.

Anyways. The trip was fantastic, and everything went really well. Tracee’s informational interviews in Marin were righteous, and she is now officially going to persue a career in school district financial management. Hooray! Jeff and Liz were fun to be around (although I returned with no WTB bits, as planned for the singlespeed) as usual, and much shennanigans were had with Tahoe, their newly acquired (and mildly retarded) chocolate lab. The week at the cabin was flawless, with great food, much drinking, fun at the lake, wine tasting, superb people, and even a couple of great hikes up in the Sierras. Despite not riding out there, I did run a few times in addition to the hiking, so I think I return around the same weight I am when I left. We did manage to get into the city for a couple of days at the end, to take in a Giants game and meander about. All in all, two weeks that bring home how much we both want to be there, and not here.

Hmmm. I sense no pity from you.

Black hearted bastards.

And speaking of black, the kitties had a game on Friday night. I realized that since I decided to step away from it for the Fall season to get my fitness/touch back, this could be my last ever game for them – so I grabbed my gear and headed on out, but alas a light failure meant it was bagged before we even started. It was great seeing everyone though, and I was actually misting up when some of the gang where extolling at how good it was to see me, and how I’ve been missed. Aww. Maybe this place isn’t so bad. Invited everyone over on Sunday to watch the Charity Shield, and revel in the glory of Liverpool giving it to Chelsea 2-1.

We all got blue blind, paralytic drunk. I ate bagels. I was happy. And looking forward to footy again.

On another happier note, while I was away, the brown Santa had brought me some goodies. New 07 Juicy 7s and a Mary bar for the singlespeed. No wheel stuff, but I didn’t want to lug it back anyways, so I’ll talk to Jeff about it sometime this week, and have it shipped, along with a saddle and tires. Daniel is organizing my stem (and hopefully seatpost) so that’ll just leave me the fork, cranks and a headset to sort out. Riding in felt REAL good this morning, and need to see about getting in some trail time this weekend. But for now, time to get cracking on work…