First thing's first, I've gotten my computer working again, but the SD card reader is giving me trouble. I'll post a glorious homage to the Starship Rumbleteaser as soon as I can manage to get digital images from my camera to my hard drive. I promise.

I'd also like to share this image, courtesy of Aaron:
I've yet to ascertain whether this was intentionally framed or entirely accidental. Maybe I'd rather not know. However, it has become my favorite photo from Catherine's welcome home party, and I wanted to share it. Those of us from the Elliott School have long since grown accustomed to Mr. Kane's...photographic style, but Sonali was taken a bit aback. While holding the camera above one's head and clicking randomly does lead to some unfortunate (well, at least for the ladies) chest shots, it does also help to get across just how much fun everyone was having. I reiterate that I hadn't seen this group of friends so happy in over a year. The featured photo was the only butt shot, but it certainly packs the punch of all the breast shots combined.

Continuing on the path of my friends being social once more, I was reminded the other night of just how nerdy this town is. It actually felt a lot like my first year of grad school when I was being indoctrinated into DC culture. I had many options to choose from for the annual State of the Union Address drinking games and bar events and went with perhaps the most straight forward. What entertains me here is that the concept of a post-SotU hangover is an accepted event here. Thinking about how nerdy and wonky DC is took me down the road of expectations. I can pretty well assume that anyone I meet here from day to day will have a minimum of a bachelor's degree and two or three policy related talking points. Additionally, if they have not already completed some form of advance degree they are either a) in the process of doing so, b) devising some plan for doing so, or c) compelled to claim that it's in their future.

Of course, it's just struck me that the only reason this appears strange to me is the sample sets I'm using from different places I've lived. Thinking of Kelly, and the people she's likely to know in LA, the education factor applies in the same manor. Though, I'd be surprised if any of the political did, that's more to do with the careers that bring people here in the first place. Still, only about a quarter of the population finishes college, and a much smaller number go on to get an advanced degree. There's definitely some selection bias at work as far as our acquaintances go.

As long as we're on the topic of the lovely Kelly, the last six years of my life have been spanned largely by two fabulous roommates, and they're both getting married this year. Clearly I've been excited and squealy for both of them and cannot wait for their weddings. However, it's these kinds of events that point out the problems inherent to moving away from home. Sonali's will be a spectacular example of drawing people from all corners of the globe, as her family and friends are spread out all over the US and internationally. I suppose that's part of what made it easier to have the ceremony in Bangkok though. For Kelly's nuptials I'm saddened at being so far away and of such little help to her. There's a very girly part of me that treasures the idea of planning a bridal shower and applying stamps to embossed invitations. On the up side though, I can think of no other friend more likely to choose good bridesmaids' dresses. She has impeccable taste.

Of course, the issue is going to be money and vacation time. Between airfare, dresses, and gifts, this is going to be my most expensive travel year to date, and I'll need a week off for each wedding. I'd better find a real job soon, because temping is not going to support this habit I've acquired of loving my friends to bits and pieces.