Happy birthday, Dad!

It's hard to believe that my father -- the man who taught me to ride a bike and replace a faucet and throw a football without looking too much like a big girl -- is crossing over into the realm of the Medicare eligible this weekend.

But he's not aging wimpliy. Indeed, he and Mom have planned a rockin' birthday week in the cradle (or grave, depending on the outcome of next week's election) of modern civilization: Washington, D.C. We take off tomorrow for five days of museums, concerts, food, impromptu history lessons and probably more food. Definitely more food.

And here, in no particular order, are some of the things I'm looking forward to:

• Sitting on the top steps of the Lincoln Memorial and gazing down at the Mall and all the monuments both epic and modest that commemorate all the history that has made me (usually very) proud to be an American.
• Sitting in the sunken sculpture garden behind the Hirshhorn, contemplating one of the most dynamic scupltures of all time: Rodin's The Burghers of Calais.
• Gawking like a big fag at the display of first lady inaugural gowns.
• Catching the always-brilliant Capitol Steps just a few days before a hotly contested election.
• Spending time with my folks. As adults. As friends. I'm incredibly lucky my family is so close, and I cherish every moment we have together.
• Not being at WORK.

I have no idea if I'll have the time or computer access (or inclination) to make any posts until I get back on Sunday. Be good while I'm gone.